Speak Up!

THRITY-TWO-

ZeYu inhaled as his eyes opened, a plain, familiar ceiling above his head. His chest felt heavy, an artificial weight pressing on him, but it was welcomed. Tufts of Rui's black hair tickled his chin and chest, the younger boy still snoring softly.

Zeyu's arms wrapped around the smaller a bit tighter, adding to the warmth to his own. The night before had been the most enjoyable, yet most dangerous, their surroundings not being very familiar. ZeYu, for one, had known this place as his home for three years before.

Yet Rui did what he could to please his lover. ZeYu thanked him for that rhetorically. He placed a kiss on MingRui's fluffy head and untangled his body from the other boy's.

The taller boy stretched, arms reaching a live his head, fingers grazing the ceiling fan with ease.

"You're so tall." Rui's voice tickled Zeyu's ears as MingRui hugged his waist from behind.

"I didn't even hear you get up." ZeYu snickered softly, placing his hands over Rui's around his torso. Rui let his hands rest above the brunette's flattened stomach and perched his cheek on Zeyu's shoulder.

"Did I scare you?" He asked teasingly.

"No," ZeYu answered honestly, melting in his lover's soft touch.

ZeYu felt light right then. The soft glow of the sun filtered through the window and lace curtains, cashing an enchanting shadow on the two lover's half dressed  figured. MingRui's warm chest pressed firmly to his backside. If the older could picture a perfect paradise, Rui's touch was it. It was like being caressed by the gentlest of breezed or running or lips across melted butter.

"I love you, GouGou." He whispered in the pure serenity.
Rui sighed, hot breath fanning over Zeyu's shoulder blade.

"I love you too Yu."

"We should stay like this forever." ZeYu confessed, heart warming at the thought of eternity in Rui's arms.

"Forever?" Rui questioned, not to worry the older, only to affirm what he had said.

"Mhm."

"Okay." Rui nodded.

——

Han looked around his room, an empty feeling washing over his chest. Xinlong wasn't next to him.

He shook the feeling off as he slowly got up from his bed, throwing on his tight uniform. The black pants hugged his muscled thighs, as the quarter-sleeved shirt twisted over his washboard stomach, complimenting his thin waist and broad shoulders. Han looked himself over, feeling nothing.

His eyes sat coldly in his skull, yet they burned every time he thought about waking up to an empty bed. Wasn't he supposed to be an emotionless monster? He thought so. But he was feeling something different now. A pit of disgust welled in his gut. Had he really been living like he had? Dark, and completely feelingless.

Han fought the idea that he himself could ever change. But it still prodded his mind. He wanted more but he refused himself anything more than what he already had.

He was trying to protect himself against the world. The harsh, unaccepting world. He had seen it so many times before and he couldn't bare to try again.

But those short months ago when Xinlong had come to him, it seemed a little less harsh. Working those nightly shifts with him had messed with Han's third eye. He could've never admitted then that Xinlong was a ray of light in his condemning prison cell of a mind.

Young. Hopeful. But hopelessly in love.

Han scoffed at himself for all of this thoughts.

"You're pretty bright huh?" He bullied his reflection.

His mind still wandered though. The feeling of the younger's lip on his own. Xinlong's hands wrapped around his arm after a hard night of work.

Han could barely feel it, but a stray tear straggled down his cheek. He hadn't cried in he didn't know how long.

Life had just been hard, and a happy patch met him. He was relieved.

Han felt relieved.

——-

Hanyu sat still at the large dining table, trying to avoid looking at Zihao. His lips still tingled every time he thought about the impromptu kiss last night. Weather Zihao felt the same way, Hanyu didn't know.

"Who're you?" Hanyu's head snapped towards the vice coming from besides him.
The man was thin, blonde, a night's sky of stars sprinkled over his nose and cheeks.

"My name is Hanyu." The shy boy muttered. His eyes stayed fixed on the man's freckles in adoration.

He simply nodded, leaning a little closer to Hanyu.

"You're the one Thilla wanted to fuck?" He asked as his voice went deeper the quieter it got. Hot nervousness bubbles up in the younger's lower gut.
"The names Felix. And I can see it." He smirked, running a gaze over Hanyu's body.

"Huh?" Hanyu hummed.

"Fuck, just take it as a compliment. You're cute." Felix laughed richly, deep voice forcing a blush to Hanyu's thick cheeks.

Felix sat and stared at the boy, pure amusement in his eyes. His intentions were to make the cute boy squirm, and he enjoyed the result immensely. Hanyu looked down and held his hot cheeks in his hands to hide his physical reaction. His eyes closed in defeat. Damnit! Hanyu was just so cute!

A husky chuckle left the blonde's mouth before turning his attention back to his empty plate, still stealing glances of Hanyu.

Zihao watched in disgust as the older male twiddled with Hanyu's emotions. He wasn't the least bit affected but Felix's stupid hot voice. Or his fucking adorable freckles. Okay maybe he was a smidge affected. But still.

The room immediately changed as soon as BangChan entered, arm securely wrapped around Xinlong's waist.

"Xinlong!" Hanyu gasped, eyes widening in excitement, hoping now they could leave.

MingRui and ZeYu both looked about the room, seeing if any of the reactions were adverse. Thankfully for them, their was no change in their faces. Otherwise ZeYu knew Chris might let go of his old self.

"Ahem." A scoff broke the quiet atmosphere. All eyes switched to the opposite end of the table, Han slowly standing up and raising a brow.

"BangChan. What are they doing making such a scene? It's really not like you." Han grimaced, his gaze stuck on the harsh grip BangChan had on Xinlong's hip.

"Don't test me Han. I'm not completely reformed." Chan threatened, a grand scowl chipping away at his usually appealing features.

"Oh aren't you?" Han pressed, an anger he'd never known before tearing at his chest, begging for release. Xinlong had been more than Tills to Han. He was something new, and actually something lovely.

Chan could feel his impulses climbing up his throat, though he knew he'd regret letting them free.
Xinlong looked up at Chan, the fear of ruining the older coursed through his body.

"Channie, let's just sit down." He suggested, an immediate reaction coming from both the hotheaded males.

BangChan just swallowed and forced a smile for LongLong.

"Okay." He said as he pulled a chair out for his boyfriend and then for himself.

Han simply cleared his throat abc sat back down.

The onlookers stayed frozen for a minute or two before returning back to their regular conversations.

———-

BangChan simmered, heat pumping in his veins. Xinlong sat on the bed and waited for Chan to cool down from breakfast.

"Baby, come calm down." Xinlong reached out for the older. Chan let a smile crack as he rolled his eyes and joined the younger on the comforter.

"I'm sorry you're so upset. What can I do for you?" Xinlong asked softly, resting his head in Chan's as the older buried his face in Xinlong's chest.

"Just let me hold you." He answered.