After Us

Chapter 16 : Apologies

"What are you doing, Tharn?" his boyfriend's voice prompted him to stop what he was doing, turning around to find Type leaning sideways against the doorframe, brows arched and observing him. He noticed the tall glass of what he hoped was green tea juice in Type's hand as he stood there, watching him.

He took a moment to collect himself, embarrassed and equal-parts annoyed realizing that Type had caught him. Again.

"Nothing," he said, shrugging, hoping Type wouldn't notice him trying to keep himself from grinning, but it was hard.

"Nothing, my ass. You were just checking the documents again, weren't you?"

"I wasn't!"

Type smirked in answer before he stepped away from the door, and Tharn cursed softly under his breath. He swore that the look on Type's face always made his stomach twist on itself with want that it should be illegal, watching as Type crossed the short distance between them.

Type chuckled softly and he put the glass down the table, next to the envelope that contained their travel documents. Then, he was stepping forward, closing in on him in a way that made things in his belly tight. Fingers found his jaw next, and then Tharn realized he was staring straight into the unobstructed view of Type's smirk, their faces so close they could very well be exchanging breath at this point.

"Denying it, I see," Type whispered, gaze drifting from Tharn's eyes to his lips. There was that look on Type's face again that was so out of place, a hint of emotion passing through his eyes so briefly it was gone before Tharn could tell what it was. He opened his mouth to ask, but the feel of Type's thumb grazing lightly from his jaw to his bottom lip effectively distracted him.

"You're excited, I know, but do you really have to check those damn papers every other five minutes? No, don't say anything. I've been standing there by the door long enough to see you take the documents out of that envelope to check them three times, Tharn. Three times! Are you crazy?" Type said, more like teased, but it completely contradicted the way he was stroking Tharn's cheek softly.

He shrugged, nonchalant at best because, how could he not? It wasn't like Type was mocking him for acting like an overexcited kid about to take his very first field trip - okay, maybe the bastard might be doing exactly that, so what? He could tease all he wanted, really, because in the end, what mattered was that they were going together. End of story.

"I was just making sure we didn't forget anything, okay? And yes, I'm excited, can you blame me? You and I, flying to America and living there, just the two of us. That ought to cheer a guy up, don't you think?"

Type gave him another look, sighed and rolled his eyes. "You're not going there to have a good time, Tharn. Remember, you're going there to study. Stop smiling, oh my god."

"I haven't forgotten, okay? But you're going there with me, so that's okay. That's perfect, actually. Come on, aren't you excited?" he asked, hoping he sounded as whiny as he felt as he closed the tiny distance between them by pulling Type into his arms. "Aren't you? Aren't you? Typeeeeee!"

Type shook his head in answer, smiling like he couldn't help it. "As if you don't already know the answer," he said. Tharn grinned and surged forward and caught Type's lips for a kiss, then another, and another, not stopping until Type welcomed him in with a sigh. He angled his head for a better fit, and that was it, it was perfect, kissing Type with all he had, one hand migrating to the back of Type's neck to hold him in place.

Type pulled away first, just like always, and Tharn let him. "I know you're worried, Type," he whispered, thumbing the corner of Type's lips and marveling at the feel of that wonderful heat they shared earlier. "But you don't have to be, okay? I'm going to take care of you, I promise."