The escape tactic had earned the name of soapping. Like soap, Leonardo needed to be slippery to ensure his integrity. If it fell into the hands of a libidinous puppet, it was game over. So far, such tactics have only just worked.
All because of the rain.
Benjin was a person to be avoided. Leonardo considered himself a real winner for having managed to avoid intimacy between them. For now his lips were the only targets of the puppet. He had never been kissed like that. In fact he had never felt so desired by a person.
Not even in his last relationship, where everything seemed to be going well. Leonardo imagined that he was incapable of dealing with Benjin for some irritating reason. Annoying because he didn't want to admit it.
When a torrential rain had disrupted his studies, Leonardo put his ears to the door and heard a cough. All the factors culminated in the result of a heart melting like butter to the point of opening the door and welcoming the puppet.
Benjin was sitting in the hallway curled up in his own arms shivering with cold.
Impossible to beat that damn puppet. He was too pushy, too clingy... He had no idea how to deal with him.
Holding out his hand to Benjin, Leonardo could notice the thin robes he was wearing. He could easily mistake that fabric for nudity, as the boy's body was clear to the point of seeing some protruding bones. He was swinging in the air showing his body to a full audience? He was a real show-off.
His snow-white skin was shivering with cold.
Benjin had raised his clear eyes to Leonardo as soon as he saw his outstretched hand where there was a rather large bruise. But without question he had opened a wide smile on his face. Benjin jumped up and held the young master's hand, pulling him into the room.
― So cold! How mean of you to leave me freezing, Leo!
― I'll kick you out of the room then.
― Noo. ― answered the trapeze artist hugging the boy's arm. ― If you're going to be mean like that, then I'm going to be mean too.
His body was cold. How long had he been sitting by the door hoping to enter the room? He should have left if he knew Leonardo wouldn't show up.
Still. Still Benjin had sat in the cold. He had felt the bitter taste of guilt.
― It already was. ― Releasing from the embrace, Leonardo went to his wardrobe, taking out some of his clothes and throwing them to Benjin, who promptly held them. ― Go take a shower and put this on.
Ah, the green eyes shone. The cursed man was the animation in person, so much emotion in his twisted fantasies. Leonardo could see angelic wings sticking out of his back. He was all happy for very little, making the young master embarrassed.
― Are you going to take care of me? ― Leonardo was about to leave the room when Benjin hugged him from behind.
When the trapeze artist went to bathe, Leonardo used the rest of his time to finish his studies. All in a desperate attempt to pretend he didn't care. Even if he tried something with himself, he would find a way to escape from Benjin. Yes, he would!
His studies had lasted a little longer than he had imagined. When finally closed his notebooks and turned off his laptop, Benjin was already sitting on the edge of the bed looking at him with his hand resting on his chin. Serene as if appreciating a work of art in a gallery.
Although Benjin was taller, the clothes looked good on him. Leonardo liked to wear loose-fitting clothes when he was at home, because they were comfortable. But seeing Benjin wearing sweatpants and t-shirt instead of the typical circus costumes was a little strange. Not so strange.
Even with his hair falling across his face and without artistic make-up, the damned thing was pretty.
― Your hair is dripping. ― Leonardo warned, pointing at the trapeze artist's wet hair.
Benjin just smiled wide without answering.
Was he trying to get sick on purpose?
Sighing, the young master dragged the chair and grabbed the towel that was around the trapeze artist's neck to cover his hair. Drying the strands, he tried to control the blush on his cheeks.
Why?
Just because he was doing that?
― Are you worried about me? Do you love me already?
― It'll be a nuisance if you get sick. Someone else would have to be the puppet. That's just it.
Benjin's long arms wrapped around Leonardo's waist, and his chin rested on his stomach. He was definitely giving that trapeze artist space to mess with him, he couldn't complain later.
Noticing Benjin's silence, he noticed that he was still staring at him with a smile on his face.
― What is it? You are staring at me in a strange way.
― I am happy, now you let me hug you like this.
Stiffed, Leonardo let the towel cover Benjin's face to hold his arms and undo the hug. However, the trapeze artist tightened the young master's waist pulling him closer.
― Let go of me!
― Hahaha, no way, Leo.
Pushing hard enough to throw Leonardo onto the bed, Benjin quickly spun around to stand over the boy. Holding his wrists and using his knees to keep the other from escaping, the trapeze artist kept the one he loved so much submissive.
A shiver ran down Leonardo's spine.
He had let his guard down! He should have been cautious all the time. The cursed man was waiting for the appropriate moment to attack him.
Benjin's face flushed, signalling his euphoria. Leonardo had seen that exciting face in other moments, more precisely when the puppet was about to torment him. It would be the ideal moment to run away, if the said one wasn't much stronger than him.
― You have five seconds to get off me, you pervert.
― Leo, is it so hard to admit that you're starting to like me?
Leonardo's disbelief might have been hilarious to Benjin, if not for his growing shame. No matter what he did, how he teased him, Leonardo's reactions were too tasty. He wanted more and more.
― Don't go away! I'm not like you.
― You let me into the room, even dried my hair. If you really wanted to get away from me, you wouldn't have done any of this.
― I'm a charitable soul, that's all.
Benjin laughed leaning over narrowing the distance between them. Those mere inches that separated them could be overcome in a blink. Dangerously for both of them.
― Then be charitable and give yourself body and soul to me.
― What the hell are you saying?
Benjin intertwined his fingers with Leonardo's, to the point where he also brushed his body against his. Heavy and sticky as gum, the young master was being cornered more and more. His desperation increased the more he discovered in those greenish eyes how serious Benjin was being in that bold request. A seriousness under the sheets of pleasure.
― Is there a problem with you staying with me?
― Several!
― Tell me, then.
Leonardo had blinked several times without being able to think straight, not when a few more inches were covered by the approach. His mind had gone blank with absolutely no reason to speak, or was it because there was none?
Whatever the reason for the absence of his words, Benjin smiled contentedly.
― You can't do it, can you? You're already completely fallen for me, Leo.
Opening his mouth to contradict him, his voice had not come out. A lump had formed in his throat, making him angry. Leonardo had turned his face away, growling slowly trying to escape that strong presence.
― Shut up.
― We'll make a little bet, then. ― The trapeze artist smiled, releasing Leonardo's hand to hold his chin, forcing him to face him. ― Try to stay away from me for more than a week.
― That will be easy. Besides, what would I gain if I succeed?
― I'll leave you alone, of course.
Peering into his eyes suspiciously, Leonardo clenched his fingers trying to loosen his grip. Benjin was too confident for the young master's opinion.
― Sounds like you're counting on victory.
― No one will love you like I love you, young master. ― Benjin cracked a wide smile. ― So, here's a brief farewell.
Drumming his fingers gently across the young master's face, Benjin had taken possession of his lips. In that way, intense enough to cloud Leonardo's every thought. A kiss that would make him feel his insatiable lust.
That left him at his mercy.
Why did he become so weak in front of Benjin?