all nights and tears

chapter seven

; chapter seven
      — "I'd like to help you."

"You can let go of me now."

Seian was all too out of it before but now, with the other man hugging him as if he's a very fragile thing to be protected— it's all too awkward. Especially with him finding solace with the man's scent. It's just too... wrong yet right at the same time.

He doesn't even know what to think right now.

Does he feel stupid? Yes. Pathetic? Yes. Embarrassed? Yes.

But does he not want this? No.

Does he feel glad to be comforted? Yes.

Does he feel safe? Ridiculously, yes.

Will he admit it? Never in a million years.

He mentally sighed. "This is getting frustrating," he thought.

He still feel Vaughn's warm arms wrapping him. He doesn't even know what had really happened that the other man hugged him like this. Before he think any ridiculous thoughts, he pretendedly coughed— Vaughn immediately pushed him away, breaking the hug.

"Sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?"

Seian saw how the other man's eyes drifted to look at his, worry evident. He looked away, wiping the tears he still feel on his cheeks. "N-Not really but refrain yourself from doing so."

In his peripheral view, he saw how the man scratch the back of his head. "Are you okay? Should I get you some water?" the man asked, concerned.

A little throb in his chest, it was maybe guilt. He lowered his head, popping sounds from his fingers wandered around them. He can still sense Vaughn's worried look that makes him a little tingly. He bit his bottom lip, he still can't say it properly. He muttered something yet the other didn't hear a single thing.

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't follow. Come again?"

He sighed, clenching his fists, head still low— he feels too weird to say it with his face in front of the other.

"T-Thank you..."

It was soft, a little stuttered, how he said that. It was a direct message, somehow vague though. He feel himself burn out of shear embarrassment. Fuck, he never done this in a long time. This is really pathetically stupid. He can't believe himself too. The silence was all too deafening, he shivered. Anxious.

But little did he know, the message was received well.

Vaughn smiled, a too precious one. Although he couldn't see it. Seian lips parted, one second there he might've hitched a gasp when he felt a gentle pat on his head. He felt how the other man caressed his scalp and mess his hair slightly.