Water and Fire (BL)

Chapter 41: A New Beginning

Chapter 41: A New Beginning

When they went out of the restaurant, the streets were already orange and the sky was already glowing in breathtaking pre-evening colors.

Eric was contentedly caressing his tummy like a fluffy monster, and David couldn't help feeling fuzzy at this sight.

"How was it? I told you the food there was good!"

Eric looked at him with sleepy eyes and a cozy smile. "Chinese food's so delicious."

"Chinese guys like me are also delicious," David said naughtily under his breath.

Eric was alerted and his eyes became round. "What?!"

"Nothing." David laughed so hard, pleased with himself for knowing something only he had access to.

Eric sighed, annoyed but extremely satisfied with the good food.

They soon stopped walking when they reached the taxi stop. They hailed for a taxi and got inside.

Driving through the city, David was busy reading the school blog entries on his phone. Recently, there were more posts from students admiring Eric to have spoken up in the media about the incident with the abusive teacher.

It seemed like Eric gained more fans ever since that event occurred. They even went so far as to nickname him "Rose Prince," because of how he was likened, through an anonymous poem, to a rose: beautiful, frail, but thriving.

Likewise, David was also admired more because of how he rescued Eric from the clutches of the sickening predator. His image of being an alpha male was popular in the blog. There were even pictures of him and Eric photoshopped in the blog, edited in such a way that seemed to make them lovers or something like that.

There were even links to numerous fan fiction dedicated to these two. One fan fiction in particular, drew attention because of how it portrayed the two seductively. It was very popular among the girls in school. It was written by two individuals with usernames hoeforluoyin and baekhosweatismyholywater.

David couldn't help feeling weirded out by the deluge of posts about them in the blog. He couldn't grasp his head around the fact that girls are going crazy over them. Especially at the fact that Eric had a new nickname because of his victim image.

"Huh, it seems like frail guys are the ones admired by girls these days, ah?" David couldn't help asking to nobody in particular.

"What are you talking about?" Eric asked, oblivious to what's happening on the internet because, well, he didn't have a phone.

David showed him the school blog containing nothing but sympathies and praises for Eric.

"So popular, eh?" David teased him.

Eric stared at the posts for a few seconds before looking out the window into the blazing sky beyond the city skyline. It certainly felt good to be idolized, and he was so used to this feeling even when he was in his previous school, but sometimes it felt like being suffocated. He's not even a celebrity, yet he felt like a celebrity, and heck, being called "Rose Prince?" What the hell was up with that?!

"Hey, Rose Prince, what are you thinking about?" David suddenly asked with a smirk.

Eric glared at him. "Stop calling me that hideous name."

"What's the matter? Rose Prince needs watering, ah?" David teased even more, this time finally pinching Eric's cheek. "I'll water you good, heheh!"

Eric punched him on the arm.

"Ouch, Rose Prince sure knew how to prick!" David said, then with a smirk on his face, said, "But I prick better."

Eric was flustered, and quickly returned his gaze at the orange sky outside. He didn't know why he was blushing so hard. He wanted to kick this David in the face for making him feel uncomfortable all the time.

And hell, David was laughing so hard about it. The fool seemed to be very pleased with his silliness.

When David's laughing died down, Eric looked at David. "Done laughing?"

David smiled faintly and held Eric's hand. "Yes," he said tenderly.

Because of this gesture, Eric tried hard to break free of David's grasp, but the boy's hand was very firm around his hand.

David smirked at him then said, "There's no point resisting."

Eric sighed and just let David hold his hand. Eric looked away suppressing the blush that was forming on his cheeks. What the hell am I feeling this way?!

David's hand was firm on Eric's skin. His palm, however, was delicately soft. His hands were also bigger than Eric's. Eric suddenly remembered what people say about guys with big hands, but he quickly shrugged this off because it made him feel so dirty.

"Hey," David called.

"Hm?" Eric responded, stilling looking out the window.

"Look at me."

"I don't want to."

"I command you to."

"Jerk."

David's other hand reached out to Eric's face and turned his face to look at him. David smirked upon seeing Eric with a flustered expression on his face. He didn't know if it's the orange glow outside, or if Eric's cheeks really were blushing..

Eric shyly shaded his face from David's inquisitive face but David was quick to hold Eric's other hand. Like a child who did something wrong, Eric closed his eyes and looked down so as not to be observed by this jerk called David.

David let out a small, contented laugh. He's so cute.

Finally, after some time, Eric opened his eyes and saw that this jerk was indeed, still staring at him with a smile on his lips. Their eyes met and lingered for a very long time. Eric didn't know what to say, while David didn't want to say anything because he feared he might ruin this magical moment.

David lost himself inside Eric's beautiful eyes. He savored at every inch of his porcelain skin. He wanted nothing more than to kiss Eric's cherry lips. When David focused on Eric's eyes, he saw something glimmer a quick flash of light that appeared then disappeared. David was certain this is the beginning of something new.