Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XXX: Confirm

A standard radio phraseology that means "Have I correctly received the following...?" or "Did you correctly receive this message?"

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December 7th, 1700Z (0100LCL + 1)
Location: Boracay, Caticlan, Philippines

I always wonder how my first kiss will be. Despite my own indifference with love, of course, I also think of what and how it will feel. Despite those times that I dreamt of the dream version of me kissing César, having quite a variety of it to compare... there's an inkling similarity among all of it and to that of this. That rush of excitement.

Well, it had taken me by surprise that the first man I'll ever be kissing will be Elian. In such an unexpected way, and in a very strange situation.

"Dare or not, I never considered you a stranger nor a friend alone," he said before kissing me, indeed.

And not just a soft peck or short or light one, but a kiss that seems to burn and consume me. One that despite my initial shock, I've suddenly turned weak to fight against it. One that didn't end with just the first.

"There's something about you that I can't explain," he added in between kisses. "But upon seeing you, I knew right away that life with you will be more interesting than life without you."

His scent clung to me at once. Aside from him reeking of alcohol and cigarette, a strong smell of soap, mint and sandalwood emitted from him. Some sort of natural scent that I only once attributed to be of César's, and weirdly another similarity that they share. The bitter taste of alcohol swept through his mouth and tongue to that of mine, enough to make me tingle and moan.

I almost think that it would be more than just a kiss; especially when the door shut behind us, and he continued kissing me, as if I was the one giving him air to breathe, all the while we reached the bed. However, no matter how drunken this confession or whatever this was might be... thankfully, I managed to keep my decency.

"Tangina," I mutter as I press my hands against my face, moving them lower until my fingers trail to my lightly swollen lips. I narrow my eyes in suspicion, slightly bite my lower lip and throw deadly daggers on the suspect who lies asleep on his stomach on the bed from where I am now seated on the couch. "Tangina talaga, Elian Basa."

The man snoozes, lost in the realm of sleep with a light snore. And definitely causing more and more troubles for me. He must be both thankful that we're staying another day here, and remorseful for being such a burden to me this way.

Maigi pa talaga pinilit ko na lang makatulog at that moment, and hindi ko na sinagot 'yong katok kanina... I ponder with a pout, still looking on at Elian. Kung hindi ko naman sinagot, mangungulit kaya pa rin talaga siya?

I remember the knocking another time, and indeed agree that the knocking from him earlier had been surprisingly calm than be the agitated and furious one for not being answered. That makes me wonder if he is really drunk, and since he didn't even call my name back then, it may be possible that he could've mistaken me for someone else.

But the way he looked at me when I opened the door... His eyes were slightly hazy but sharp and clearly boring back at me on that moment.

I feel like I am just being delusional, thinking that he is very much aware that it is me who occupies this hotel room, and me whom he just kissed.

Gone are my questions of his sexuality, I think. Because he's definitely a good kisser... Another trademark that he shares with César. But this is the real one? Are my desires really flooding my dreams and then bleeding to this reality?