Matching Key (JoongNine AU)

Code XXII

Mr. Ta

I had guessed as much, but since they kept it professional, things were not moving forward. No matter how much the sequence of events had changed, destiny worked harder to remain unchanging. Before the messed-up future, I was already here, watching two innocent strangers falling harder with each other as the years went by.

I was sent earlier to earth, founded this company that managed to thrive and produce some of the popular series for tv channels. I was told that I needed to keep watch on a pair that one day would challenge the future. Hunters just followed orders. For almost ten years, the said pair had yet to come to my circle, until Joong and Nine came to the same audition and got chosen, then my Hunters instinct came alive. Looking at such a lovely pair, I wonder how could they become a threat, somehow?

Then the news came, of the successful transfer of technology from the future, 500 years earlier, making the perfect world dream to become a reality, or so I thought. When the world around me restarted again, I knew, something was changed from the future too. The company that was supposed to thrive, was now a start up of a few years old that rely heavily on marketing, endorsement and sponsorship. I had to wait again for a new order.

This time around, Nine came into the company first, not at his teenage youth anymore, but an adult that had failed in making it as an artist, but still wanted to be in the industry because he loved it too much to just leave and work nine to five. He was indeed very committed and loved his work, though still young, his maturity making him a manager of choice.

Joong was still not around, even after Nine was already here for five years. But, since I was still stuck on earth, meaning, the event had not even started. The one whom I suppose to test, took a longer time to come. While I was coming back from an oversea's business trip in London, a student helped me to talk with the officer when there was a problem with my travel documents. It's Joong, who was going back to Thailand too, after completing his study abroad. I realised, the starting point had happened, and true enough, the order came for me to initiate. The day that Joong came to the office, was also the first time the connection happened, making me aware of Archen existence too.

I didn't know the answer to the test, all Hunters could do was making it difficult for the pair to pass the test. I had done my part in bringing in more works; so that Joong and Nine could spend time with one another, longer; thus, the time he had with his body; Archen; was limited to the minimum. Nine was exhausted, I knew, but the time frame given for the test was very vague. From the last connection, I could see the same pattern from before; Joong was again, attracted to Nine; but now, Nine was building up a wall.

But, that's not what had piqued my interest, now. The fact that Archen connected, though he knew the risks, and also not to find any answer for his test, but only because he wanted to know what happened, showed that, he was losing focus on the test and did it out of his care for Nine.

I should be worried, just as the Enforcer said, the relationship of Joong and Nine should flourish but it was not, yet, all I could feel was a sense of pride, that Archen had started to evolve, rather than succumb to his defect, as what he had been doing for a hundred years of living alone. I guess, living on earth, affected not only Archen, but my judgement too. For the greater good of making a perfect earth. The infamous propaganda was repeated in my mind. I shook my head, and trying to put personal attachment aside, as my task, had yet done.

But somehow, just liked Archen, I felt less care about the test, but more to what would happen, should he fail, then.

Nine

Chen's guess, that Joong was somehow into me, was one that I'd tried to keep from his knowledge at all. I had tried to not give Joong any false hope, treated him as I would any artist that I cared for. I had again and again playing it fools; by pretending to not understand his subtle approaches. Since I came to his home when he was sick, a simmering interest had started from Joong.

How long could I use work as a solid wall to block his advances? Knowing his tenacity from the start, he was going to be the type that would pursue till he was convince that all outlet runs dry. I could see, eventhough he did see me with Chen, since I gave no confirmation of our status; and he had yet to see clearly, whom I was with; he would again pursue this interest, just liked how he wanted me to remain as his manager.

I was thinking about all this, lying on my side on the bed, trying to get some sleep that was difficult to come by, though it had been hours. The sudden kiss on the back of my head, caused me to turn around. Immediately, I was surrounded by his embrace.

"Am I moving too much, so that's why you're awakened?", I asked and nuzzling his face with mine, my fingertips were caressing his nape.

"Can't sleep too, but don't want to disturb you. But it seems, you didn't sleep a wink. So, maybe you need to be hugged, to fall asleep".

"I need a hug, and also kisses, to fall asleep...you could also be the one who started, you know...", I was shameless, I know, but I couldn't be just the one who moved, everytime.

"Just liked that memory...always hungry for kisses...", he said and laughed at my words.

"I wanted to sulk, but I don't think you would understand otherwise I said it directly. So, I just did".

He sighed, moved to be atop of me, and showered some featherlight kisses on my neck and collarbone. I giggled, because it tickled.

"What are you doing?", I asked a little bit later, surprised, when suddenly, I felt that his hand was unbuttoning my pajama down to the last button, and pushing it open to the side.

"Kissing you", he said casually. I wanted to say something, but my word was halted, and my breath hitched when I felt a suckle. "Oh, so that is a sensitive part...this one too?". It wasn't just him who delighted in discovering the points, but it was a process of understanding my own body too. I was going crazy; the onslaught of sensations continued for some times, being kissed everywhere, till my body felt liked it was being twisted between pleasure and pain, in all places. Before things go beyond control, I asked him to stop. My breathing was heavy.

"No more? Is it enough to let you sleep?", he asked innocently.

I was laughing while holding him tight in my embrace, and kissing the side of his neck in exasperated mirth, "Oh, Chen...Whatever did you discover in that search results, I really don't want to know. But next time, I'll do the same to you, so you'll understand how it feels, and then, tell me the answer to that question".

I think, I am foolishly, falling in love, though I know, the end...will hurt.