[Johan's POV]
Johan gripped the coffee cup as Jacqueline's voice flittered out of the speakers like a theme song in a third-rate romance movie. Casual conversations were thrown about as laughter echoed through the four corners of the KTV room. They're acting like he just didn't drop a bomb several moments ago, and he's not going to complain.
His neck had gone stiff, like a rusty clock in desperate need of oil. Johan refused to turn sideways. He sipped the coffee even if black liquid burned his tongue. Adrian's presence beside him served like a bucket of iced water, drenching him in cold sweats, removing the spirit of alcohol in his body.
He just outed himself in front of everyone, with the object of his fantasy hearing every word, of all people.
Johan needed a plane ticket to Antarctica, or the fastest bullet train of humanity to come hit him in the face, whichever came first.
He's so stupid.
They exited BL Lounge around three in the morning. The girls chattered among themselves as they head down the flight of stairs, Johan and Adrian following them behind. The first floor was still rowdy, filled with drunk people dancing like monkeys. A flailing arm almost struck him in the face, but Adrian brought a hand to shield him.
"Watch it, Dude," he warned, and the man cowered upon seeing his towering form.
"S-sorry!"
Adrian only gave a cold stare, hand grabbing Johan's waist to guide them out.
He bristled at the touch, especially at the subtle squeeze of Adrian's fingers, pressing him closer to his side to avoid bumping against random drunkards.
"I can walk," Johan said, removing the hand clasped on his waist as they pushed open the tinted glass doors. Thankfully, he had sobered enough after several trips to the bathroom.
The others were already outside. He can't have them getting the wrong idea if they saw them hip to hip. He has a crush on the blond, but that doesn't mean he's going to hook up with him like a low-class prostitute.
'Adrian's got a girlfriend,' he reminded himself.
"Let's go to that bar next." Christy pointed at the gay bar he saw earlier, a mischievous grin plastered on her reddened face.
"Next time, friend. We will," Jacqueline agreed, looking pointedly at Johan. "Wanna come with us?"
"What?" He took a step backward, eyes widening in fear.
"Girls, stop bullying him." Adrian came to his defense, slinging an arm to his shoulder. The two girls raised their hands in surrender.
"We're not forcing him to go," Thesa said with a smile. "But it's an open invitation. He's welcome to join us if he wants."
The arm on his shoulder tightened a little as Adrian tilted his head down, trying to meet his eyes. "Would you go?"
"Why does it matter? Can't we just go home?" Johan looked away, but didn't pull out of Adrian's warmth. The cold mist of the dawn nipped at his skin despite the long-sleeved shirt he's wearing, and he couldn't help but succumb to the protective heat on his side.
"All right. Let's go home. You must be tired."
The girls agreed and discussed if they should ride a tricycle or jeepney. In the end, Thesa, Irene, and Jacqueline went for the tricycle since it's more convenient for them. Christy and Jenny chose the jeepney so they'll be dropped by the bus station.
When Christy hailed a yellow jeep, Johan pulled away from the blond to come with them, but Adrian grabbed his wrist.
"I brought my motorbike," he said. "I'll drop you home."
Johan tried to protest. "No, it's okay—"
"Take care guys!" Christy called from the jeepney's window, smiling.
"Drive safely!" Jenny quipped as the vehicle wheeled away, leaving the two of them standing in the pavement.
Johan trailed the yellow jeep with helpless eyes until it swerved left and disappeared from his sight. He couldn't believe they just left him here with Adrian. Those bitches! This conspiracy was planned from the start! He will get back at them and he'll give them below eighty percent quality score at work.
"Let's go, Han." Adrian tugged his arm and started walking to where he parked his motorbike.
"I-I can just wait for the next jeep," Johan said, but the blond refused to let him go. "You don't have to do this."
"It's okay." Adrian smiled, stopping beside a black bike and grabbed a red helmet. He would have given another protest, but Adrian spoke again. "If you have a crush on me, it's okay. I don't mind."
Blood rushed to his cheeks as Adrian placed the red helmet on his head. "D-don't you feel awkward? Aren't you, like, disgusted?"
"Why? It's not like you're planning to do dirty stuff with me," Adrian said, working on the helmet's lock. "Or are you?"
Johan kicked him on the shin, his face bursting in vermillion color as the blond chortled, tickling his ears with the sound of his laughter. He was sure his face was the same color as the helmet.
After wearing a helmet of his own and kicking the stand, Adrian swung his leg and rode the motorbike. He inserted the key in the ignition and wheeled to the highway. The engine roared to life, its taillights blinking.
"Hop on."
Johan hesitated, but complied when he started feeling awkward standing on the sidewalk with the helmet on his head. He got on the passenger's seat with ease, thanks to the elevated pavement.
"You live in Subic, right?" Adrian clarified, patting his waist for him to hold on, but he shook his head.
"Just drop me to the bus station. I'll manage." Johan steadied himself, putting his hands to his thighs.
"To the bus station then."
The drive started slow. Johan doesn't have trouble balancing himself as they passed by several establishments. But as they rounded the head statue of Apo, Adrian didn't stop. He picked up the pace and passed by the bus station.
"Hey! I said drop me to the station!" Johan yelled through the noise of the engine, his heart drumming across his chest as the stiff wind slapped the exposed part of his face.
Adrian didn't respond. If any, he only sped up, forcing Johan to grab tightly on his waist.
"Adrian, slow down! You're drunk!"
"I'm not! Unlike a certain someone, I only have two bottles!"
"Shut up and slow down, you jerk!"
Adrian slowed his driving, thankfully. The route from Olongapo to Subic has lots of swerves, cliffs with metal road rails, non-working lamp posts, and creepy old trees. They even have to pass a public cemetery that churned his imagination wild. Burial chambers were practically a meter away from the highway, for fuck's sake!
Johan squeezed Adrian's torso and held for dear life. He's unsure if this was a dream or a freaking nightmare.
After a lengthy drive from the city, they arrived at Johan's apartment, breathing and with their limbs intact.
"You can let go of me now," Adrian said in a sing-song voice. "Or would you like to stay huddled to my back?"
Johan pushed himself away from the blond, heart still going into overdrive as he jumped off of the motorbike and removed the helmet.
Adrian watched him struggle with the lock, lips quirked in an amused smile. After wrestling with the damn buckle for five minutes, he managed to unlatch it in succession.
"You could have helped, Asshole." Johan glared, handing the helmet to Adrian.
"You could have asked," came his retort, grinning. The smirk directed at him brought another shade of red to his face.
"You are enjoying this, aren't you?"
Adrian snorted. "Are you not?"
This fucker! If he's not busy trying to regulate his blood flow, he would have smacked him on the head. Johan inhaled sharply.
"Okay, stop. You're making fun of me. Thanks for the ride. Please go home." He turned around, hand grabbing a key in his pocket. As he fumbled to open his door, Adrian yawned with the sound that came from the depth of the ocean.
"I should get going then," he said, sighing dramatically. "It's going to be a long drive. Pray I don't fall asleep while driving. Well, I have insurance anyway, so—"
"Shut up and come inside!" Johan glowered as the man hopped off of the motorbike and stalked forward, grinning like an idiot. Shaking his head, he flicked the light on and closed the door. Hopefully, he has nothing embarrassing thrown around the house.
"Do you live alone?" Adrian asked while removing his sneakers.
"Yeah. My uncle already moved with his wife." Johan stood in the middle of his living room, eyes darting from each corner like a frenzied detective as Adrian took a seat on the couch.
"Can I have some water? I'm a little thirsty."
"S-sure. Hold on." Johan ambled to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. "Cold or just… Regular?"
What the fuck was regular even? Holy shit!
"Anything is fine, Han."
Since he started working in the company, he didn't have anyone come over to his place. He had kept his life private from anyone for years and it's unnerving to have Adrian in the same space, just the two of them, with alcohol still lingering in their bodies.
Fuck. Inviting him in wasn't a good idea. But it's not like he can just send him away. It's a miracle they reached his apartment without getting into an accident.
After filling the glass with water, Johan walked back to the living room and found Adrian already asleep on the couch.
OMG! I really love this chapter. That's why I'm updating early.
I feel awkward asking, but if you enjoyed this chapter, please do vote with a power stone. This is an entry to WPC#125. Help me win even if the gap is already huge with the leading stories. I'd appreciate it! ^^
[Johan's POV]
Johan roused from his slumber around 11:43 AM, stomach growling from hunger. Aside from the chicken drumstick they had yesterday while drinking, he hadn't eaten any proper meal. He pushed himself from the bed and swung his legs to the side, running a hand to his sleep-tousled hair.
He didn't bother throwing on a shirt as he pushed open his bedroom door. He liked staying in his boxers when he's at home. It's liberating, and it cut the amount of laundry he had to deal with on weekends.
"Good morning, Sexy."
Johan's eyes zoomed in to the guy sitting on his couch, feet propped comfortably on the coffee table. Adrian had a lopsided grin plastered on his face as he scrolled on his phone, and Johan had to slam the door shut when he raised his arm as if to take a picture.
He forgot Adrian stayed the morning after their karaoke party. He stayed after Johan announced to the world he's got a crush on him. And now his crush sat on the couch where he jerked off while imagining him.
Johan shrank to the ground, holding his aflamed face. Please don't let there be any suspicious-looking stains on the fucking sofa. Oh, God!
"Han?" Adrian knocked on his door. "Aren't you hungry? Because I am."
Right. Lunch. His stomach growled in protest at the thought of food. "H-Hold on. I'll just put on some clothes."
After throwing on a blue sleeveless shirt, Johan walked out of his bedroom. The shirt was large enough with its hem dropping past the curve of his ass, so he didn't put on any trousers. It's his house. Why would he feel embarrassed wearing what's comfortable for him?
Adrian whistled upon seeing him, eyebrows shooting up as he gazed at his exposed thighs. Johan ignored the blond. He knew he's just messing with him. He's a guy, and not a chic in a bikini to be leered at.
Yet, knowing Adrian's eyes were on him, on his lower region, he's starting to regret not grabbing a pair of shorts. Damn jerk!
"What would you like to eat?" he asked, walking to the kitchen and checking the contents of his fridge. "I can whip up something, like, hold on, do you eat vegies? I only have vegies and... frozen chicken breasts. Maybe we should just order something?"
Adrian hummed, thinking. "You always bring a lunch box at work. I've been wondering how your cooking tastes like."
"It's nothing special. I'm mostly self-taught and not a professional chef so don't expect anything phenomenal."
Adrian hesitated and stood awkwardly in his kitchen doorway. "As long as it's edible, I won't complain."
"Okay. You've been warned." Johan smirked, taking out carrots, potatoes, and bell pepper.
"Is there something I can help with?"
He'd rather not make a guest do some work, but Adrian's offering. Plus, they're both hungry and it would be faster if they worked together. Johan looked at the carrots and potatoes in his hands. "Can you peel these for me?"
"Sure."
He thawed the frozen chicken breast with hot water. While waiting for the iced meat to soften, Johan started preparing the rice, using the line on his fingers to measure the water.
"You're just like my Mom," Adrian commented, laughing when he added more water on the rice cooker. This guy, did he just mom-zoned him? And what's so funny about his method of cooking rice?
"Shut up and peel this too." He handed him the onion and garlic. Soon, he was the one laughing as he watched him teared up from peeling and slicing the onion.
After the ingredients were cut and prepared, Johan heated a pot to saute the onion, garlic, and chicken. Adrian stood on the side, watching him stirred and poured tomato sauce and water on the pot. He'd be lying if he said Adrian's presence doesn't affect him. It's more unnerving than Gordon Ramsey.
"Do you really have to watch me cook? I'm not gonna put some love potion in it if that's what you're worried about."
The playful smirk that spread on those lips gave him an increased heart rate. "Why? Are you trying to make me fall in love with you?"
"I'm... not." Johan added the carrots and potatoes, covered it, and checked the rice to distract himself.
Scythe made an appearance after sniffing lunch, mewling loudly as he sauntered to the kitchen, brushing against his legs affectionately.
"You only seek me when you're hungry, but ignore me when I need cuddles," Johan grumbled at the white and black feline.
"Ah, so this is your cat. I always see it in your posts," Adrian said, reaching a hand to pat Scythe, but the cat made a disapproving noise.
"Careful," Johan warned, reaching for the cupboard to get tuna. "Scythe is a stray, and he's not too friendly to strangers."
Being the taller guy, Adrian had it easy grabbing the packet and handed it to him. "That's nice of you, Han. Picking a stray and giving it home."
Johan willed his blood vessels to calm the fuck down after their skin brushed for a second. "All the cats I had were stray."
"You have other cats too?"
"Back in the province."
Johan gave Scythe the food and checked the chicken afritada he's cooking. He grabbed a bowl and added the bell pepper. After adding salt and ground black pepper, he had Adrian taste it through the ladle.
"You'll make an excellent wife, Han. I like it!"
W-wife?! Blood colored his cheeks as red as the tomato sauce of chicken afritada. "I'm a guy, stupid! Don't call me a wife."
Adrian laughed. "Alright."
God! This guy just won't stop making fun of him.
It was already past one o'clock when he announced the food's ready. Adrian had insisted on helping distribute the plates, but Johan was having none of it. He already helped enough. After the long wait, Johan served the bowl of rice and chicken meat bathing in red sauce and vegetables.
They sat across from each other on his glass table and ate in comforting silence. Johan filled his plate with potatoes, because potatoes tasted awesome with tomato sauce. Adrian watched him as he chewed on a piece of chicken meat.
"What?" He paused in blowing his food.
Adrian shook his head, smiling. "Nothing."
"You're weird. Stop staring."
"Seriously though, this tastes good."
Johan rolled his eyes. "You're talking like you came from a prehistoric cave. It's not a rare food. Anyone can cook afritada."
Something in his dark blue eyes flashed. "Rhia doesn't cook like this."
"She doesn't cook afritada?" Johan asked, trying not to think too much at how her name sounded ordinary when it escaped Adrian's lips. Perhaps it's because they've been together for five years that he'd grown familiar with saying her name.
"She does." Adrian gripped his fork and nipped at the tender meat, savoring its taste. "It's just... different. Yours is just filled more with..."
He trailed off at the sound of his vibrating phone on the coffee table. Excusing himself, Adrian stood and went to the living room.
Johan gulped. He reached for the glass of water and drank. A strange feeling settled in his gut at the muttered whispers of Adrian as he talked to whoever was on the other line. A few minutes later, he strolled back to the kitchen.
"Sorry about that. Where was I again?"
Johan shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I don't remember."
He'd already watched too many dramas in his spare time to not know what Adrian's hinting at. While it made him feel giddy that the blond's praising his cooking, he reminded himself that the man's in a relationship, and all the crap about 'a way to a man's heart is through his stomach' doesn't apply in this situation. He just fed him out of hospitality in exchange for the ride this morning.
"Ah!" Adrian exclaimed like he just got the most brilliant idea that would change humanity. "I was talking about how your afritada tastes good."
"It tastes normal to me. It's neither good nor bad," Johan said, finishing his meal. "I appreciate it, but stop flattering me. Flattery won't get you anywhere."
Adrian's shoulders sagged a little. "That's too bad. If it's up to me, I'd eat any food you prepare every day."
Now, he's acting like a kicked puppy. Johan sighed. "Bring something home then if you liked it that much."
"Really?"
"Yeah. There's a tupperware in the drawer. I'll wrap up some before you go."
Johan busied himself cleaning the sink as Adrian finished his food in silence. After putting the leftover in a clean plastic container, he handed it to Adrian who was drinking a glass of water.
"Thanks, Han. For letting me stay, and for this." Adrian raised the plastic bag he put the container in.
"No problem. What are friends for, right?"
"Yeah."
He accompanied Adrian to the front door, asking him if he forgot nothing inside, like keys or wallet. Adrian slipped on his sneakers with difficulty and almost tumbled because he got a plastic bag in one hand. If Johan hadn't offered to hold the bag, he would have face-planted on the floor.
"Adrian," Johan called after he stepped out of his apartment. Adrian turned and raised his eyebrows, smiling. He looked unaffected even after he literally just kicked him out.
"What is it, Han?"
His hand went to his nape, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "Just... thanks. For being accepting and all."
"Don't sweat it," Adrian said, reaching a hand to ruffle his hair. "It's not the first time a guy got a crush on me."
"Are you comforting me, or are you just being cocky?" Johan resisted kicking him. With a slight smile, he removed Adrian's hand on his head. "Drive safely."
Warm fingers curled on his own, squeezing a little. "I will."
My eyes felt dry today, making it hard to stare at my laptop.
Anyways! Thanks for reading and supporting this story! I truly appreciate it! :)
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