Chapitre 32: Chapter 32
Brian is a bit flabbergasted. Weren't they just yelling about how they couldn't stand each other? And now they're wrapped up in each other's arms like Christmas presents? They've been hitched for a while, and he never thought they'd be locking lips. His brain is doing somersaults. He glances at the papers in his hand, then at the bedsheet, drawing a blank on what to say. He's a total newbie in the love department.
William thinks love and the chase are overrated. They're already in a full embrace and have exchanged pecks, so why not dive in? The atmosphere is like a scene from a romance movie, with dim, cozy lights and a silence so profound that all they can hear are their heartbeats. They're so close they can smell each other's intoxicating scent. He thinks, why not whisper sweet nothings, smooch, undress, and let the sparks fly? The stage is set.
He's convinced he can sweep Brian off his feet in no time. They'll spend the night together and by tomorrow, they'll be inseparable.
That's the plan, and he's sticking to it. He tightens his arms around Brian's waist and pulls him closer. His head is practically buried in Brian's neck, his stubble creating a delightful friction against Brian's skin. His lips are so puckered they could be a cartoon character's.
Just a smidge more and he'll be able to plant one on his hubby's lips. Just a smidge.
Brian, with his ears resembling ripe cherries, tilts his body. William is stretching his neck like a giraffe and puckering up, but can't quite land the kiss. In a bold move, he grabs Brian's chin and turns his face towards him. They start with a kiss, then clothes start coming off as they explore each other with kisses from head to toe. What a night, filled with passion and excitement.
What? Sleep? Heck no, they'll catch some Zs after they're done. That's the way to do it.
He's holding Brian's waist so tight it's like he's trying to mold him into a sultry S shape. He pulls him even closer, wishing he could just lift him up.
As he inches closer, Brian instinctively turns his head away, dodging the kiss.
"Babe, let's seal this with a kiss," he murmurs.
Honestly, a minute ago, the mood was electric. They could have just gone for it, lip to lip. The atmosphere was ripe for romance.
But Brian can't help but burst into laughter when he sees William's exaggerated pout and his eyes half-closed as if he's in a trance, while he keeps leaning in like a character in a rom-com.
Sorry, he just can't keep a straight face.
William is about to make his big move.
"Watch the hand!" Brian blurts out, half laughing, half serious. Enough with the shenanigans, or he'll need a cast!
He really can't go through with it. Otherwise, he might have taken the reins.
Just as William is about to grab his wrist and pull him in for the grand finale, he feels the bandage and everything comes to a screeching halt.
He's dying to just throw caution to the wind and go for it, to sweep him off his feet and onto the bed. But then it hits him that Brian's arm is injured, with a dislocated elbow and wrist, and twisted tendons.
He can't just bulldoze through this. This is his darling, the one he's fought tooth and nail for. He's already made a laundry list of blunders; he can't just bulldoze over Brian's feelings now. Brian's body is also not up for wrestling.
He smacks his lips, like a kid who's just been told the ice cream truck is out of ice cream.
He pulls back, a mix of frustration and disappointment painting his face. Reluctantly, he withdraws his hand.
He shoots Brian a glance that screams, "Look what you made me do!"
Brian is both tickled and irked. "You nearly twisted my arm off and you're acting like a puppy that's been denied a treat? Seriously?"
But then, William tenderly holds Brian's hand and blows on it.
"Did that hurt? I didn't mean to be so rough. I totally spaced on your injury. I'm sorry, man. You were just so darn adorable," he says with a sheepish grin.
For real, he looked irresistibly cute, with his ears all red and that bewildered look in his eyes, so different from the cool, collected Brian everyone knows. It's like he's traveled back in time to when they were kids, and Brian would get all red-eared whenever he was shy.
His wrist is swollen and his fingers are icy. William doesn't dare squeeze too hard, afraid of causing pain. He puffs out his cheeks and blows on Brian's wrist.
"Next time we arm wrestle, I'll let you win, hands down. It's like arguing with your better half – if you win, you're basically asking for a one-way ticket to Splitsville."
I mean, have you ever seen a guy win an argument with his partner and live to tell the tale? Can you really reason with them without World War III breaking out? Win an argument, and you're practically signing divorce papers.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone