Without a doubt in the world [19 days]

Chapter Four

The first thing Guanshan noticed when he woke up on his back was a heavy pressure on his chest. That was a bit alarming. Opening his eyes, he was met with messy black hair sprawled across his torso and an arm tightly squeezing his side. Somehow, in the middle of their nap, they must have switched positions. Guanshan is heavily aware that he isn't a silent sleeper, saying more while he's in deep slumber than when he's awake, but he doesn't move much. Did He Tian move them around? Then again, the other looked so exhausted that even a nuclear war wouldn't wake him up.

Two days ago, Guanshan wouldn't even let him get properly close, and now he is here, in his bed. A small blush crosses his cheeks, and he decides to bury his face in the older one's hair. If he was fully within his senses, Guanshan would have already pushed the Alpha off the bed, but, even with the various naps in the past 24 hours, he is absolutely exhausted. With everything going on, his body appreciated the much needed rest and the closeness of the other man. There's something about finally taking a break that feels like a reward. He didn't even realize how much strain that had put on his body.

Without a doubt, Guanshan is heavily aware of the fact that just He Tian's being there is heavily helping with his heat. The pheromones surround him like a heavy blanket, keeping him comfortable and warm. He always knew that He Tian was protective of all of his friends, but in the back of his mind, he wonders if this experience will double that.

Softly, as if not to wake him up, Guanshan moves him from his chest, trying to remove the arm that is tightly holding him close. He would be lying if he said that it was an easy task. He doesn't know whether that asshole was trying to be protective even in his sleep, or if he is just the type of person to grab onto something and not let go. When Guanshan finally does get out of He Tian's hold, he grabs his phone and looks at the time. 6:23pm. His mother did say that she would be back earlier tonight. That meant she should either be home already or on her way from work.

His eyes dart to the Alpha's completely relaxed face. The moment Guanshan lifted himself up from his bed, He Tian grabbed the nearby pillow and buried his face in it, taking a deep breath. He did learn from experience that the other man suffered from severe insomnia. To see him asleep and at peace and know he was a major factor in it makes his heart flutter. Instinctively, as if He Tian were his mate who had just returned from a hard day's work, Guanshan brushed his hair away from his eyes, tucking it behind his ear. A small blush appeared on his face, and before leaving his room, Guanshan decided to take this moment to the grave with him. There's no way He Tian will ever know this happened.

Opening the door, Guanshan spots his mother cooking dinner in their kitchen. She is clearly tired and a part of him is disappointed with himself for not making their meal. Like that, he would be able to cook not only for the two of them but also for He Tian. And for what he is aware of, that man eats like a horse. His lunches tend to be almost double of what Guanshan decides to have, and every time they leave the school, they stop by a nearby convenience shop. He would be forced to accept whatever favor that man wanted to do for him that day. From steamed buns to sweets, somehow, He Tian learned that Guanshan has quite a sweet tooth, and he decided to use it to his advantage. He would be lying if he said that those free meals bothered him.

Slowly walking to his mother, as not to spook her, he gives her a small wave. Her face instantly lights up as she lays down the knife, reaching out to hug him tightly, giving his cheek a kiss. "You're looking a lot better, love. Did you get a chance to get a sm-." She stops, her eyes landing on his neck. And then, right there, he realizes that he forgot to apply the makeup after his shower.

"Why is there a hickey on your neck? That wasn't there when I left." Her eyes don't leave his neck, and Guanshan quickly covers it up with his hand as he moves away from her, a small blush appearing on his face. He's screaming on the inside, trying to find a possible solution. How can he explain something like that without making it awkward or making He Tian, who is sleeping a few meters away in his bed, a bad person? He looks at his mother, his eyes pleading for her not to push the issue further than it needs to be.