Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter XXXVIII - Whispers in the Rain

The streets were shrouded in a heavy downpour, relentlessly hammering against the weathered buildings and pooling in the uneven cobblestone alleys. The sound of raindrops on tin roofs and the splashing of water in puddles filled the air. The narrow alleys, usually bustling with activity, were now deserted except for a few determined vendors shielding their wares with plastic covers and makeshift tarps. The rain blurred the edges of the buildings, giving the neighbourhood a timeless, almost dreamlike quality.

Jay stepped out of the taxi, shielding himself with an umbrella. He looked up at the apartment building. Despite the modest surroundings, he found himself genuinely liking the place. It was as if something was pulling him in, a sense of nostalgia and melancholy evoking a bittersweet feeling for something that had been lost for a long time. The small, cluttered studio, the humble furniture, and the textbooks piled high on the desk all seemed to whisper stories of a life he never knew yet somehow was connected to.

Suddenly, he felt familiar arms wrap around him from behind, wet hair brushed over his ear, and a low voice he could listen to endlessly murmured, "What are we looking at?"

"It's nothing," Jay replied habitually. "Why are you soaked?"

Sean laughed lightly, hugging him tighter. "It must have something to do with this downpour."

Jay turned around, raising an eyebrow questioningly, but before he could say anything, Sean leaned in, and their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. Jay's grip on the umbrella tightened, sheltering them from the storm. The kiss deepened, slow and lingering, as if they were trying to savour every moment. Sean's hands moved from Jay's back to cup his face, his thumbs gently brushing against his cheeks.

Unfortunately, a younger couple walking past them under a small umbrella intruded on the moment. The man sneered loud enough for them to hear. "It's disgusting, really. They should be ashamed to be outside like this."

"Don't look at them," the woman added with contempt. "You might catch something."

Jay barely registered the words, unbothered by others' opinions about his choice of partner. But Sean's expression filled with mixed emotions – apprehension, worry, and anger. He realised that being on the receiving end of hatred was harder than he had anticipated. It made him wonder how Araya managed to handle such things day after day. The powerless feeling of being unable to shield the person you love from such disdain was overwhelming. It wasn't just the words but also the tone and the look that conveyed how wrong they thought he was to be here with Jay.

Before Sean could react, Jay gently gripped his chin, pulling him back into another kiss. "I'm here, and nothing else matters, right?" he whispered against his lips.

Sean smiled unwittingly as if this simple gesture could dispel everything else, leaving only the person in front of him. The lack of acceptance still stung, making him feel like he was doing something wrong, but at the same time, he realised that responding to them would be a waste of time.

"Come, let's get you into a hot shower," Jay said lightly, pulling him towards the building.

A cheeky smile played on Sean's lips. "Oh? Are you going to join me?"

Jay shrugged with a carefree smile, his gaze lingering on the couple in the background. They seemed to be waiting for a reaction, but when they met the freezing coldness of his brown eyes, they scurried away without another word. Despite his innate elegance, Jay also possessed this chilling, intimidating aura that needed no words to convey his disapproval. It was something Sean found incredibly hot and alluring.

"We are so taking this shower together," Sean announced, pushing aside the unpleasant encounter and marching inside. "And no, I do not care that it's too small."