章 39: Just The Two Of Us

[Johan's POV]

"You sure you'd be okay here?"

"Yeah." Johan hopped off of the motorbike and removed the helmet. "Someone needs to buy the tickets. So hurry and get the things you need at home."

Adrian took the helmet, grasping his hand in the process. "Thanks, Han. Really."

"Let's do the thanking later," Johan said and returned the comforting squeeze to Adrian's fingers. "We need to catch the Two AM bus."

"Alright." Adrian smiled; sad, tired, but genuinely thankful. "I'd be quick."

Johan trudged to the ticket counter as soon as the motorbike's roar faded into the dim-lit street. It's early dawn, so the trip interval will be an hour at most. And Johan wanted to ensure they'd get the best spot.

After buying two bus tickets to Sta.Cruz, Johan went straight to the convenience store. He grabbed things they may need for the trip, particularly snacks and drinks. Upon realizing his lunch box was unwashed and still contained some leftovers, he groaned.

"This is why I hate unplanned trips," Johan muttered. But it's not like he's off to unwind. Still, he wished he could at least grab a jacket or change into a more casual outfit. "I should ask Adrian to lend me something I can wear."

Johan threaded through the aisles, grabbing chocolate bars, biscuits, and tamarind candies. Because why not? He also took bottled water and orange juice, one litter of each. He exited the convenience store with a grunt after paying.

He couldn't hide his irritation at Rhia for not standing up enough to accompany his boyfriend in such a crucial situation. Although he deemed it's more of Quinn's fault than hers. She's a pain in the ass to deal with and standing up to her would take anyone a lot of courage. Unfortunately for her, Johan had no qualms in dealing with her.

'I was able to stand up against a former military Colonel. Quinn's a pebble compared to my grandfather.'

Fifteen minutes before two o'clock, the fare collector started calling for passengers to get in. Stepping into the bus, Johan settled at the back, thankful that it doesn't have much passengers. He texted Adrian to hurry and received an instant reply that he's on the way.

Resting his back on the red-cushioned seat, Johan stared at his reflection and wondered why he was going through all of this effort for Adrian.

Alaminos City was the last location in the country he'd want to visit. Not because it's a horrible place, but because it held memories he wanted to bury. Yet, here he was, sat on a bus, waiting for the man he promised to keep company to the said city.

While he's serious about being a blood donor to Adrian's brother, if Johan's being honest, he just wanted to satiate his urge to run away, and be there for Adrian because he looked like he needed company in his journey.

'Adrian's a friend. He needs me.'

'But what happens when he no longer needs you?' his inner voice asked.

His chest tightened at the thought. Johan brought a hand to his face, pressing his palms to his cheeks and the tip of his middle fingers to his eyebrows. A tap on his shoulder made him looked up.

"You okay, Han?" Adrian asked, putting a black travel bag on the metal baggage holder above them. He's changed into a casual yellow T-shirt and black jeans. Tied around his waist was his favorite beige jacket.

"Why do you keep asking me if I'm okay?"

Shrugging, Adrian sat next to him and handed an old designer's paper bag. "You're just out of it today. You got into fights. Twice."

"Didn't expect the first. But that one with Quinn was long overdue. She had it coming." Johan studied the clothes and grimaced. The sweater was too big for him, but it's long-sleeved so he'll manage.

"I thought you're friendly towards girls."

"My anger isn't based on gender. I slap people with a book if they went past my angry-meter."

"Ang—pfft!"

Johan's scowl morphed into a suppressed smile upon meeting Adrian's smirk across his tired face. But when the bus's engine came to life, he cursed. He had no choice but to change inside the bus. Well, he's wearing an undershirt, anyway.

"Hold it for a sec." Handing the pale-pink sweater to Adrian, Johan unbuttoned his dress shirt. Frigid air swept from above, and he shivered. Not from the cold, but from the silent eyes watching him.

He hasn't even completely slid the sleeves off of his arms when the sweater was slipped to his head. Adrian shifted in his seat to face him and motioned to his neck. "Can't have them seeing your... mark."

His heart jumped at the same time the bus's wheels glided into an uneven road. The fluorescent light flickered off, hiding the small blush that crept up his face.

Adrian won't be Adrian if he can't find the time to embarrass him when his guard was down. It was short-lived though. When a pale orange light replaced the short darkness, Adrian had his face forward again. And Johan already missed his always-grinning-face.

Hands on their thighs, the skin on their pinkies brushed. The electric jolts it sent to Johan's body had him flipping his hand, palm facing upwards. Hesitation thrummed evidently through the twitching of Adrian's fingers, so he caressed his pinky with his thumb. To tell him he's okay with what he's thinking.

Adrian got his silent message and slithered his hand over his. "You sure you're okay with this, Han?"

His heart pulsed louder. "... Yeah."

Would it be okay if he wanted more?

Johan reclined his chair back and motioned Adrian to lie down by patting his thigh. "We should rest. We can't donate blood if we're sleepless."

"That's—"

"No—wait—hold on." Johan grabbed the recyclable bag from the convenience store and transferred its contents to the paper bag Adrian brought. He crumpled his dress shirt and stuffed it inside the bag for a makeshift pillow. Damn, not enough. "Hand me your jacket."

Adrian unknotted the jacket on his waist and handed it to him.

Grinning when the cloth filled the makeshift pillow, Johan turned to Adrian, only to find his lips a hair away from his.

Okay, hold the fuck up! Holding hands was okay, but a kiss in a public transportation was... a bit risky. Although, it's not like they haven't kiss in public already... and it's not like it would be their first kiss...

"Uhm, sir?"

Adrian jolted away, and they met the awkward stare of the fare and ticket collector, flushing amidst the dim-lit moving bus.

"O-oh. T-the tickets. Yeah. Wait." Johan fumbled in his pocket and handed four pieces of paper.

Mr. Collector took two tickets and handed back the customer's copy. "Thank you. E-enjoy your trip, Sirs," he said and hurried to the front of the bus, muttering to himself. More likely praying they wouldn't have sex on the bus.

Johan covered his face in embarrassment because he had such a fantasy. 'Okay, calm down. This isn't the right time to think about sex. And not all fantasy had to be done in actual.'

The makeshift pillow on his lap was adjusted, followed by a weight nestling on his thighs. With his large torso, Adrian made himself comfortable as possible as he can. He crammed the upper part of his body on the available space, while his feet dangled on the retractable armrest. It looked troublesome for a six-foot-one guy, but Adrian didn't voice any complaints.

"Try to get as much sleep as you can, okay?" Johan threaded his fingers through Adrian's blond hair, gently massaging his scalp.

"Hmm." Adrian hummed in contentment, smiling as he looked up. "I have a lot in my mind, Han. I don't think sleep would come easy." He grabbed Johan's other hand resting on his chest. "But if you keep doing that, I might be able to."

"Then I'll keep at it until you fall asleep."

Kissing the back of his hand, Adrian closed his eyes. "Thanks, Han. With you here, I feel more at ease."

"That's what I'm here for." Johan mirrored the gesture before looking out of the window, watching as the crescent moon and the faraway waves of Subic. They have three hours before they reached the terminal of Sta. Cruz. Then, they'd have to transfer to another bus going to Alaminos. They'll reach the city before sunrise.

As the other passengers snored through their sleep, Johan leaned down to place a fleeting kiss on Adrian's lips. Lazy mouth parted, welcoming the promise of warmth that would keep troublesome thoughts at bay. Adrian sucked his lower lips, hand latching on his nape to deepen the kiss. Johan propped one leg to the back of the chair in front of him, lifting Adrian's head for better access.

"I thought we needed sleep?" Adrian whispered through the kiss.

"This is to help you sleep, so close your eyes and relax your shoulders. I'll take care of you."

There was no need for sex. Kissing was more than enough. So more short kisses were exchanged. And nobody disturbed them. The bus kept running, unbothered.

'Right now, it's just the two of us,

'Travelling to a faraway land.

'So let's leave all our worries behind.

'We'll think about them some other time.'