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Sigh.

Another long, long day studying at the library. With the university's safety protocols (and their supposed care for student wellbeing), all school affiliated buildings close at 3AM. 

So here Zayne was, back at his studio apartment, slumped against the front door. Hungry, dehydrated, and crashing down from all the caffeine. Standing here now, living spaces should usually greet you with a warm hug once you come back after working so hard, but it didn't feel that way. A steady chill, that's what Zayne was welcomed with, and it wasn't because of his evol. Interior design that focused on bare minimum essentials rather than a cosy, home feel. He really should try and decorate the place. A splash of colour, at least.

He was thankful for tomorrow though. It'll be a free day and he planned to spend most of it hanging out with his childhood best friend, Caleb. 

They haven't seen each other since New Year's. These scheduled meetups made Zayne miss their younger, carefree years galavanting around their neighbourhood, getting sand in their shoes from playing in the park, and searching for bugs that they identified on the spot with Zayne's hefty encyclopedia. 

'Insectopedia' is what Caleb used to call it with his scrunched, freckled nose and crooked, boyish grin. 

For a man who prefers a thoroughly detailed itinerary, Zayne didn't expect that for tomorrow. He's lucky that their schedules even aligned on this specific day, so he was fine with whatever. Renting bikes for a cycle around the park, lunch at a nice café, touring the shops in the city centre, anything. Zayne just wanted to be with Caleb, and he hoped the latter felt the same. 

As if on cue, Zayne's phone buzzed in his pocket, stirring him out of his exhausted stupor. Fishing it out and letting the screen reflect brightly off his glasses, it was, expectedly, a message from Caleb. 

Caleb Xia: hey ge :P

Caleb Xia: can't wait to see u again! it's been way too long :,< 

Caleb Xia: meet u at the station let's say... noon? 

A smile tugged on Zayne's lips. A familiar warmth draped over him. This kid always brought the sun wherever he went. Zayne shrugged his bag and jacket off his shoulders, finally stepping away from the front door to drop both items on the dining table. He began to type.

Zayne Li: Yes, that sounds good.

Zayne Li: I'm excited to see you too. Let's take it easy tomorrow. 

Once his message was marked as 'read', Caleb sent a sticker in the chat. The same cute, sliced, red apple with a happy face and pink, animated flowers floating on either side of it. 

Caleb Xia: okay i gotta sleep fr

Caleb Xia: gnite :P

Zayne Li: Goodnight.

Zayne switched his phone off and placed it screen-side down on the kitchen counter. He inhaled deeply through his nose, rolling his shoulders and stretching the taught muscles out from his stiff back. A few satisfying pops and clicks later, and a heavy huff escaped him. 

He needed something to eat. 

Not necessarily something nutritious or filling, but something that took that post-study edge off. A comfort food, one that Zayne would never deny if given the chance. A food that would make his tastebuds sing and his heart dance. 

Sweets. Zayne needed sweets. 

He swung open the fridge door, a classic first choice for any hungry person scouring for a devious treat. Top shelf, nothing. Middle shelf, nothing. Bottom shelf, nothing. Side shelves ... nothing. 

Well now, that can't be right. 

Zayne bought a whole tray of tiramisu for him to take bites of throughout the week. Even the can of squirty cream he typically paired with the dessert was gone. The chocolate bars stashed in one of the side shelves were also gone. 

Zayne stared at the sweetless interior before shutting the fridge. He bent down to his knees and moved on to open the freezer. 

This frosty cavern has never let him down. There was always a possibility of an ice lolly hiding under a bag of chips, so he had high hopes. Zayne slid the first drawer out and rummaged through the bags of frozen veg. 

Nothing. 

Well, okay, it's not like he kept any desserts in that drawer anyway. He opened the second drawer where he organised frozen food packaged in cardboard boxes. Perfect, he remembers buying a ready-to-bake box of chocolate chip cookie dough, so if he could find it... if he could find it... if he could find it... 

Zayne couldn't find it. 

Fine. Fine. This is all fine. He'll search the cupboards then. 

Biscuits, cookies, snack cakes, absolute essentials for when Zayne was feeling peckish and wanted a little nibble of something sweet. It would be ridiculous if he ran out of something that was usually piled high. 

With a creak, Zayne opened the first cupboard, and what did he see ? A whole heaping pile of nothing. Oh, joy. Zayne's grip tightened a bit on the knob before he closed it and checked the cupboard next to it. 

Nothing. Close. Swing. Nothing. Close. Swing. Mugs, cups, and dishes. 

So nothing. 

Zayne closed the last door with a bit more force than necessary, fingers twitching against wood. 

He bumped a fist against his forehead. How could he be so forgetful as to not stock up on the one thing that made him sane ? The very thing he rewarded himself with everyday after revising like hell and staring at screens until his head buzzed ?

He bumped himself again and huffed. Granted, this past week has been nothing but studying at the library, lab practicals, and exams. The week after will be much the same. Zayne was only human. Forgetting something he was usually so vigilant about was going to happen someday. Though... he almost wished it wasn't today. 

So, now what ? 

Technically, the only sweet thing he did have was straight up granulated sugar ... but he didn't want to eat that actually. Zayne needed something on the same level as eating desserts. A nice, pleasing feeling in his stomach. Enough of an experience to allow the dopamine to rush from his brain down to the tips of his fingers and toes. A treat after slaving away through his medical textbooks and cardiology research articles. 

Something ... anything.

Zayne eventually narrowed it down to one activity, though he was hesitant. He rarely ever indulged in the act. Even when his anatomy had other plans in the morning from a particular dream, he allowed it to go down on its own. Don't misunderstand him, Zayne had nothing against pleasuring oneself - it was a healthy thing to do. But he never thought of doing it, not when he's bored or tired, and especially not when he's busy with academic demands. So was he seriously considering the option, just to be away with the stress ? 

Yes. Yes, he was. 

Zayne was going to masturbate. 

His bedroom door slammed shut. The clumsy rattle of the lock soon followed. Zayne stripped away his outdoor clothes, stumbling over his trousers as he padded to the wardrobe. Soft, comfortable loungewear is what he slipped into before stepping up to his bed. 

Zayne paused. 

He was forgetting something ... his phone. 

Crud. 

This was his first time. He wasn't going to dive in with no external material. What else was he supposed to use, his raw imagination ?

With an exhale through his nose, Zayne unlocked his door and went out to snatch his phone from the counter. He came back, closing the door like a normal person and twisting the lock clockwise. 

Okay, time to do this correctly. 

Sitting on the edge of his bed, Zayne pressed the VPN icon on his phone and connected to a different country server ... Just in case. He lifted his head up from the screen, eyes landing on the box of tissues on the bedside table. That should be paired with something else, Zayne thought. He didn't have any lubricant, though. What's a better substitute... lotion ? 

Good thing the bottle he owned was unscented. If it was shea butter or lavender, it probably wouldn't agree with the sensitivity downstairs. Zayne got up and swiftly grabbed the lotion from atop his dresser before landing it next to the tissues and lying down, his back against the pillows. He clicked on his web browser and set it to incognito mode. 

His thumbs hovered over the grey keyboard, teeth nibbling on the inside of his cheek. 

He was doing this. He was really doing this. 

Zayne sealed his eyes shut and rolled his head back against the headboard. He rationalised with himself.

This shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Masturbating is beyond normal. Everyone his age does it, so there was no reason to be embarrassed. 

That didn't stop the sweat beading out from his fingertips though. 

With a psyched up huff, Zayne tossed his head forward again to face his screen, pushing his glasses over the bridge of his nose. 

He can do this.

Zayne quickly typed out the name of a popular hub showcasing pornographic content, a couple spelling mistakes in the search bar. His thumb pressed on the first website, his phone now doused in a black and orange colour scheme. A pop-up displayed first and foremost, wanting the visitor to agree or disagree on whether or not they were old enough to browse the site. Zayne, of course, tapped on the 'I am 18 or older' option. 

Immediately, he was greeted with a thumbnail of a woman and a phallus right up to her face. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth while a misty white fluid dripped down her exposed muscle and face - eyes peering up at the man above her.

Good God.

A staggering sight, but Zayne wasn't getting his rocks off to this. He scanned the top of the page, noting the logo at the centre and two little grey icons on the right; one of a magnifying glass and one of a profile. 

Zayne abstained from judging anyone who would sign up for an account on here. 

His eyes flitted to the left where three, orange lines reside. He clicked on it and skimmed through the words, his thumb scrolling once before stopping on the specific genre he wanted - the one that housed all the homosexual porn. 

Now the logo had a flash of blue next to it and 'Gay' written in white. The first video's thumbnail switched from a woman to something not as forward. It was two men with their lips pressed together and exchanging tongues, eyes closed and lost in the feeling. This was more up Zayne's alley. 

He swiped through the recommended videos, the thumbnails now less fluffy. A few of them autoplayed a few scenes as well, and Zayne halted his perusing to watch them, but they weren't particularly interesting. He should at least try to watch one though. 

A video that displayed a first person point of view caught his attention. A safe bet, no shitty acting and nonsense plots to follow. There was enough context from the title alone anyway.

'Helping my boyfriend destress after a long day at work | POV fuck'.

How convenient. 

Skipping the ad, the recording wasted no time by showing a pair of plump lips mouthing at the fabric sealed growth, the material darkening as saliva seeped through. Zayne's cheeks warmed instantly, a pulsating heat making itself known in his lower belly. 

This was basically nothing at first, but holy crap, Zayne was embarrassed. He couldn't believe he was watching this, for free no less. And these men are a couple ? They're fine filming this for other people to view and get off to ? Something as special and private as sex ? 

It was hard for Zayne to wrap his head around, but he couldn't dwell on the thought as the man in the video, a cute, mousy looking bloke, sat up, straddling his boyfriend's thighs and sliding the latter's soaked boxers down. An erection stood proudly between them; precum coated the head and made it glisten. A giggle bubbled from the smaller fellow as he wrapped his fingers around the base, stroking his partner's cock up and down from root to tip. 

Call him superficial, but Zayne wasn't vibing with this anymore. He could very well skip to the lovemaking part, but even then, he didn't think he'd be interested in watching further. Largely because of the bottom's body type. He was puny and slender, a high contrast with his boyfriend, being more cut and muscular. Zayne vaguely understood the appeal of men who look like that, especially in content such as this, but it wasn't his cup of tea. Neither did it fit into the fantasy he was cooking up in his head. 

With only a few minutes seen on that video, Zayne pressed the back button south of his phone screen and refreshed the website home page. Perusing through, again, nothing caught his eye or made him stop. His plan he had no choice but to engage in was beginning to spoil. 

But he couldn't give up now, not when he was already here, and prepared. He had to give it another try. 

A grey stripe sat under the bold logo, offering other forms of entertainment that weren't exclusively videos. The first alternative were livecams. Zayne pondered on what that would entail, staring up at the ceiling. Livestreaming has become more and more popular over the years, the creators ranging from playing games, presenting their artwork in 'draw with me's, and collaborations with other fellow streamers. Ones for porn though, Zayne was unfamiliar with, but he was curious. He only hoped he didn't need to make an account for it. 

Pressing on the text, the page had now loaded to display creators who were streaming currently. Zayne had no other option but to view the first thumbnail and, if luck would have it, it interested him on the spot. 

'Trying a dildo for the first time! ♡' 

That title was probably used for clicks, but whatever. 

Next to the streamer's name was a rough estimate on how many people were watching him. A hundred, huh ? The guy was probably still new to this, and considering his faceless, candid positioning, Zayne was more convinced in believing that. And it somehow reassured him. They were both stepping out of their comfort zone. On different levels, of course, but it was still nice to see some honesty on a platform littered with delusional expectations of people and intimacy. 

Saying that, though, this streamer's body type was definitely Zayne's preference, compared to the bloke earlier. Down to the freckle. His shoulders were broad, dependable. Sloped biceps that hardened into mountains when flexed. Pectorals that appeared soft enough in mass that gravity made them sit prettily on top of his chiselled stomach. 

Yes, this is exactly what Zayne was after. His thumb hovered over the live feed before pressing once and letting the creator's voice fill his silent room.

"--n't get sent this as a promotion, don't worry, guys. 'Sides, I'm not popular enough for that yet, buuut maybe one day," the streamer teased, a cheeky snicker strumming out of him. 

He leaned forward closer to the camera, his upper arms squishing his chest together to exhibit cleavage. Obvious bait. He seemed to be reading the live chat box filled with majority anonymous users and a handful of people with accounts. There were a lot of drooling and heart-eyed emojis. 

Hook, line, and sinker.

"Oh, a few more people have joined in. Hello, welcome ! If you're new here, I go by X. And, since I'm sure you've all read the title," he reached over behind him and pulled out a cardboard box with a picture of a dildo printed on the front, along with other useful information. The box itself was an inch bigger than the streamer's hand. "I'm gonna be tryin' this bad boy out for the first time. And no, beautiful viewers, I'm not lying. What would you consider me as, an ... anal virgin ?" 

The chat was a mixed bag of responses.

: suuuuuure......

: Hello ur so hot, can u add me pls? ♡

: We'll believe it when we see it pretty boy now hurry up and ride that thing!

: u better not moan that guy's name again, cheater..

: I can show u a better time than that small toy ;) 

Another chuckle erupted from the streamer, catching in his throat clumsily. His hand came up over his mouth, cut off due to the camera angle. 

"I'm being for real ! Fine then, once I get going and start cryin' up a river from how I can't take it, then I want an apology from all of you. And encouragement," he joked. He got to work ripping the clear plastic off of the box and continued talking to the viewers, but it all fizzled into white noise.

Zayne tilted his head. 

. . . 

... Um ?

That voice.

The streamer's voice.

He sounds very familiar ... uncomfortably so.

It was nasally, yet natural. Vibrant and sunny. His voice was deep enough that one would probably hear the even hum of his throat from another room - a boyish charm whistling throughout. The playful riffs with his chat were almost nostalgic, hitting a little too close to home. He wasn't playing up a fake tune to fool the listeners. No, this was genuine. And it began tearing a hole through Zayne's stomach.

... Um.

What was this guy's name again ?

Zayne's eyes darted below the footage.

FloatinAppleCam

Zayne's breath hitched, cold and abrasive. 

A hand flew to his mouth, blundering fingers exiting out of the browser and throwing his phone away like it scolded him.

Fuck, no.

No no no no no !

Panic seared through Zayne's veins. Goosebumps pimpled over his skin. A frigid wave of guilt flooded his lungs, his breathing erratic. 

Zayne gaped at his phone. He was speechless. Confused. But above all, embarrassed. 

This had to be some sick joke that a higher entity set up.

Why ? Why did he have to see his childhood best friend like that ? On a website hosting porn, in a compromising situation, and in front of an audience watching him live ? 

His friend, Caleb. That one ? The one who cried gege and clung onto his shirt when he scraped his knees ? The one who tugged Zayne by the hand across their high-school building to be the earliest ones at the lunch line ? The one who stayed and kept in touch, despite their hectic, college lives ? 

That same Caleb ? 

It couldn't be. 

How the fuck was Zayne supposed to meet him tomorrow after stumbling upon his secret side hustle ? Perched up on that bed all pretty, sitting atop his ankles with nothing on apart from his underwear, and a packaged dildo next to him. If Zayne had joined any later, he would've been greeted with a vastly different sight. 

Caleb with his back to the camera, his boxers tossed away somewhere, his shoulders quivering as he lowered his hips and--

Zayne slapped his cheek, hard.

No.

No.

Forget this. 

Zayne sagged until his head met the pillow, tugging the blanket right up to his chin. He flipped on his side and welded his eyes shut. His phone was left abandoned on the other side of the bed, turned on and displaying his home screen. 

'Destress', who needs it ? Not Zayne. He could sleep perfectly fine like this, then meet up with his friend tomorrow, and pretend like nothing happened. 

The warmth blooming in his cheeks and the southern swell disagreed with the poor man's wishes. The traitors.

Zayne was dead on his feet.

Barely slept a wink last night. Fatigue dragged down his face. And to make matters worse, his morning wood took 30 minutes to go down. That cold shower didn't help none.

He had the urge to message Caleb and say he was sick, but knowing him, he'd barge right into Zayne's apartment and take care of him. There was no escape. Zayne's been looking forward to this hangout for weeks, but after the early morning events, he'd be willing to reschedule. 

He was currently standing next to one of the exit doors of Skyhaven train station. A donut was wedged between his lips, his second one from the box he bought prior. Normally, Zayne's spirits would be lifted after eating something so positively sweet and fluffy, but not right now. These were coping donuts. And he needed a lot more than four to get through today. 

Zayne's eyes darted back and forth to the security gates and the wall in front of him. If someone were paying any mind to him, he'd probably look a bit suspicious. He was just wicked anxious though. 

No. Anxious is putting it lightly. 

Dreading the fuck out of this hangout more like. 

How was he supposed to act around Caleb ? How was he supposed to talk to him ? Or hell, look him in the eye ? 

He didn't know. 

He didn't know and the uncertainty made his stomach churn. 

Whatever transcendent being was watching Zayne from above and playing heads-or-tails on his life, he hoped it was merciful on him today. 

Zayne checked the security gates again. It was 10 minutes past 12. Caleb was never usually late, and even when he was, he'd call ahead of time and say so. Zayne shifted his eyes past the wall he was leaning against, and-- 

"Who are we hidin' from ?" 

Zayne jumped out of his skin from the familiar voice behind him, the donuts and the box flying out of his hands. They were close to making a mess on the ground before blue and orange streaks appeared and seamlessly lifted the desserts and their container in mid-air. Zayne blinked and all of a sudden, the box of donuts were floating back in his hands, not one sprinkle dropped. How meticulous. 

Zayne felt a poke to his forehead.

"Jeez, you look like shit. If you keep studying so late, your hair's gonna turn grey before ya know it," Caleb chided playfully, his finger prodding the older man more. 

Zayne's eyebrow twitched and he swatted Caleb's hand away. "Nice to see you too." 

The young pilot grinned and nodded. He pointed at the box of donuts. "Those last two are for me, right ?" 

"What ? No," Zayne slid the box away. 

A pout. "Whaddya mean 'no' ? I saved those donuts from hittin' the ground." 

"And I thank you for that. They still aren't yours." 

"Sharing is caring, Zayne," Caleb reached his hand over to try and snag one, but the other nudged it further away. 

"You don't even like sweet things." 

"Yeah, but you bought 'em, so I want 'em," he took a step closer and flailed his hand around to get closer to the box. 

Zayne let out a relenting huff. "Fine," he moved the donuts back in front of him. "You like lemon, right ? Take the left one." 

Caleb perked up with a winning smile and happily brought the lemon-flavoured donut to his mouth. He hummed at the sweet and sour profile, a hint of bitterness laid underneath from the zest of the citrus. His tongue darted out to catch the glaze crystals. "Yum. Thanks !" 

A small smile tugged on Zayne's lips, watching the other fondly. 

This was ... nice. 

This easy banter. 

This nostalgic rapport. 

Maybe Zayne was overreacting a bit earlier. If he just focused on these tender moments with Caleb, this meetup will be just as uplifting as their previous encounters. 

Zayne closed the box and stashed it in the paper bag the bakery gave him. "How have you been ? Has flight school been treating you well ?" he asked, sparking light conversation as they walked away from the train station. 

Caleb shoved the last of the donut in his gob, chewing on it as he pondered on his answer. "Yeah, same ol', same ol'. We're passed the aviation theory 'n we're movin' onto aerospace stuff now," he stretched his arms over his head, his lower back popping. 

He huffed. "But man, the physicals are intense. I'm at the top of my game, but they're a lot. My ass still hurts." 

Zayne stopped dead in his tracks. 

Oh. 

Okay. 

Huh ?

He gawked at Caleb as he took a couple more easy steps forward before turning to look at Zayne. 

He blinked. "What ?" 

'What' ? More like 'why'. Why did he say that ? Was he trying to bait Zayne into saying something to counter or question it ? Well, Zayne couldn't exactly say anything, could he ? No. No, he couldn't. So he just stood there, mouth agape and body tense - glasses threatening to shatter. 

Caleb sauntered closer to the other with a smile. A deliberately oblivious one ? No, rather, a smug one. Smug for what ? It's not like he knows ... right ? He wasn't in Zayne's room when it happened. Zayne didn't linger as the stream played out. Hell, he didn't even make himself known in the chat room ! It was all anonymous users anyway with random number sequences as usernames. Caleb couldn't have known. He shouldn't.

"Don't put your white labcoat on, Dr. Li. I'm fine. It's just numb from sittin' in the cockpit for so long," The pilot excused, patting Zayne's back twice as a show of simple camaraderie. A plaster over a fresh axe wound.

Shit alibi, but a clever use of the older's tendency to worry over the people he held dear - Caleb being one of them. 

"We're here to relax for a day, remember ?" The upbeat, carefree man skipped behind his friend and pushed his shoulders. "So c'mon, let's have some proper food in us first before doin' anything active." 

Zayne had little choice but to move as his previously solid feet started grinding over the concrete slabs, forced to stitch his lips shut. 

This was going to be a headache. 

At a locally owned café, tucked away snug in the corner of a sloped pavement, Zayne and Caleb had their first legitimate meal of the day. One went for the all-rounder brunch meal fitted with carbs, proteins, and the unmissable veg. The other indulged himself with another sweet tingle on his tastebuds - a sturdy stack of pancakes topped with fresh berries, whipped cream bleeding pink, and chocolate drizzle. 

The donuts Zayne bought earlier were not enough. Not after his hankering last night. And especially not in the current moment as he sank in awkward waters. Distraction pancakes, that's what they were. 

Between them, their feast was quiet. Chatter and laughter from the other patrons buzzed around their heads. Any exchange they did have were only a few words, mainly from the prestigious, future surgeon. 

Caleb wasn't stupid. He knew something was up. What he didn't know was the 'why'.

Every one word answer, hum, or nod Zayne gave were honestly starting to tick him off. He barely even looked at him. 

The older man was reserved, sure, but this was bordering on ridiculous. This isn't how he acts with a friend.

When they finished eating, they decided to take a walk down the city centre, burning off their heavy stomachs. Caleb tried again, light conversation, pointing to a bubble tea shop that was selling a limited item. 

For the umpteenth time, Zayne nodded. 

And Caleb hid the twitch of his eye. 

Once they bought their drinks, they strolled into various clothing outlets, flicking through the hangers and holding apparel up to their chests. Well, Caleb was anyway. To garner a reaction or two from the other. Some emotion. 

And he did get it. 

Zayne chuckled and his knitted eyebrows raised quizzically. An expression that read 'You would never wear something like that'. 

Despite that tiny light of hope, it came and it went. 

He just seemed distracted. Even when he was playing it off and mimicking Caleb's actions in another section of the store, he didn't look like he was paying attention to the clothes at all. His mind was off somewhere else. 

Cycling to the local park with empty hands, both men parked their rented bikes next to the bench they were sat on, facing the lake. 

Scales of sunshine shimmered and danced off the water. Pigeons swarmed around a couple who were feeding them seeds out of their palms, coos and curious orange eyes enclosing them. Buoyant duck chests bobbed up and down as their little feet paddled them closer to the reeds. Regal swans lined a small fraction around the lake, loafing against stone as their tall necks folded behind them and beaks nestled in their feathers. Crows perched on the branches above, chatting to their fellow jackdaws who swooped in for a gossip. 

Caleb stared up at the sky, clear and blue. Nary a cloud embellished, nor a smear from plane contrails. Inversely, Zayne's eyes were lowered, back bent forward. His attention was on his own hands laced together in front of him, one thumb pressing and grinding against the joint. 

Normally, he'd watch the birds, reach his cold yet kind fingers out towards them. Not ... whatever grounding exercise he was doing. 

Ignoring the other and disengaging with their one day to hangout together, that's what he was doing. 

The bench creaked from the shift in weight. The young pilot closed his eyes before inhaling deeply, taking in the smell of moss and mildew. Exhale. Enough to ease them out of the silence. 

Caleb peered up at Zayne through the corner of his eye before speaking. 

"So are you gonna tell me what's wrong...?" 

A slight lift of the head, followed by a hum, one the former has heard enough times today. 

"What do you mean ?" 

A scoff. "Don't play dumb with me, Zayne. You've been actin' weird all day. You think I don't know you by now ?" 

There was no use arguing with that.

Caleb sat up from his slump, head turned to the older man. "Talk to me. Was it something I did or said ?" 

"No, it's..." Zayne averted his gaze. "It's me. It's my fault." 

Blink. "Huh ?" 

The pressure of hiding the truth began clogging up Zayne's throat. The heavy beat of his heart reverberated through his ears. He didn't know how much longer he could keep up this pretense.

"I can't tell you. Not here." 

"Why not ?" 

"We're in public," Zayne tried batting the flush of heat from his shaky, hazel eyes. "I don't want to embarrass you."  

"Why would you embarrass me ?" Shit. "Okay- Zayne, now you really have to tell me." 

Caleb had shifted closer to the student doctor. Too close. He was virtually leaning against the other. Zayne felt microscopic under his scrutiny. 

His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, like a fish out of water. A fish that had to admit a secret he's been holding in for less than a day. A fish that was bordering on cooking himself from the sheer temperature of his body heat. 

This was unbearable. Zayne couldn't hold it in.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. 

"I ... saw you. Livestreaming...?" God, this was pathetic. All he could get out were words that didn't even string together in a sentence. The best he could muster was a name - his name. "... 'FloatinAppleCam' ...?" 

Now it was Caleb's turn to flop his mouth around like a fish. He looked pretty seared too. Reddish pink bloomed all over his face down to his collarbones and up to both ears. 

Two scarlet and perfectly grilled fish were now sitting on a bench. 

"Wha- You- I-" The younger man sputtered. "W-Wait wait, what the hell were you doing on there ?! That's a better question !" 

"Oh, please. What were you doing selling your body like that ?" Zayne nagged, whipping his head back to stare at one another's crimson dipped visage. 

Caleb could only whimper at that, shoving his face into his palms. "Oh my God, you saw it, didn't you ? You saw meshovethatthingupmyassohmygod!!" 

"I didn't !" Zayne sliced his hands in the air insistently. "I didn't ! I swear, I didn't ! Once I realised it was you, I closed out of the tab immediately !" 

"Answer my first question, what were you doing on there ?!" 

"I--" Zayne groaned. "I was exhausted when I came home from the library yesterday, and I wanted sweets to destress and relax after a long day. But I didn't have any, so my last resort was to masturbate and I happened to come across your stream."

"That's stupid." 

"I know." 

"You could've bought more sweets at the convenience store, you idiot." 

"You think I wanted to step back outside after arriving home at 3AM ?" 

"Maybe you should quit studyin' so late then !" 

"Oh, be quiet," Zayne huffed, watching Caleb continue to sulk in his hands. "... So regarding your earlier comment about your posterior hurting--" 

"Yeah, smartass, it's because of that stupid dildo, okay ?" The pilot grumbled, pulling himself out of his weepy state.

"The box was bigger than your hands. What were you thinking ?" 

"Look, do you see anyone in porn taking 5 inch dicks in ?" 

"Last night was my first time using the site, so--" 

"Whatever ! Point is, no one's watchin' videos with small dicks, so I went with a medium size," Caleb pointed a finger up. "I thought that since I'm so tall, then I can definitely take a bigger size- ow-!" 

A sharp flick to his forehead cut him off.

"That is not how that works, you moron," Zayne massaged the growing ache in his temples. An anatomy lesson wasn't what they were here to discuss. "... Why are you exploiting yourself on such a dangerous platform ?" 

Noting the shift in tone, Caleb avoided whatever concerned look Zayne was giving him. 

"You know Gran's not the richest. With the money she gives me, it's only a few hundred off to pay the yearly tuition fees. And that is just tuition," Calloused fingers raked through carob hair. 

"I still need money to pay for rent, food, 'n other shit to live. I'm barely gettin' by with my other part-time jobs, and I figured streaming 'n doing videos like that are easy money." 

"Are they ?" Zayne asked, skepticism laced in his words. 

"Well, yeah. D'you know how much I made last night ?" 

"No. How much ?" 

"$300. That's the highest amount I've earned just by streaming. Excluding clients." 

"$30-- wait, clients ?" Talk about dropping another bombshell on a crater. "What do you mean clients ? What have you--" 

Caleb shot his hands up in a steady, reassuring motion. "Easy, I only had one. And, technically, we didn't do anythin'." 

Zayne sealed his lips in a thin line, listening as the other continued. 

"He was kinda ... weird, to be honest. He didn't ask for anything, but he was aware that I was new, so I guess he was being considerate ?" Caleb recalled, scraping his fingernail across the groove of the bench wood. "He paid me, like, a thousand bucks just for 10 minutes of my time." 

"That's very suspicious," Zayne narrowed his eyes. "... And he didn't touch you at all ?" 

"No. Unless you wanna count the handshake we did when we met," An attempt to lighten the conversation fell on deaf ears. 

"Did you get the man's name ?" 

Caleb nodded. "Skye." 

"That's it, just 'Skye' ? No surname ?" 

"No surname. It's for sure an alias, huh." 

"It's definitely an alias," Zayne sighed, turning his attention to the ground with a pensive stare. 

Caleb watched quietly next to him, anxiously waiting for the older man's next words. Though, he could probably assume. A humourless laugh escaped his lips. 

"Lemme guess, you're gonna tell me to quit selling my body out to strangers," he started, his back hitting the bench panel behind him. "My answer is no." 

Zayne's eyebrow twitched. "Why ?" 

"Because where else am I s'posed to get the extra money ?" 

"You know that I've always offered to give you money if you really needed it, but--" 

"But nothing. I'm not leeching off of you, Z. Any money I'm earnin' will be from my work, not for free," Caleb argued adamantly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Zayne huffed and dug his fingers into the corners of his eyes. He should've expected this bout of stubbornness. It wouldn't have made it any less frustrating though. Still, he wanted to help. He couldn't handle the idea of being a bystander while his friend sold his body to unfamiliars on the Internet. One way or another, Caleb was going to get himself into trouble. And Zayne wasn't about to let that happen. 

But what to do ? That was the golden question, wasn't it ? Grabbing another part-time job would be difficult, considering the pilot already has two with decent hours and alright pay. He could be a tutor again ? He did it a few times as a teenager, after all. But that would likely get in the way of his own studies, far beyond the high-school rubric. Caleb likes cooking for others, maybe he could sell the food he makes as a small business ? But then he'd have to buy all the ingredients himself, not to mention containers and packaging to serve them in. He wouldn't be making much profit. 

Argh, then what ?! Zayne was running out of ideas. 

Apart from one. A stupid one. A positively ridiculous one. And if they weren't in the situation they were in now, Zayne would never even think to come up with such insanity. 

But it was worth a shot. Right ?

Zayne sprang upright and turned to face Caleb again. The sudden movement spooked the latter a bit. 

"How do I become one of your clients ?" 

Caleb's jaw hung slack. "Dude." 

"Do I have to fill out a form ?"

"Zayne." 

"Where do I sign up ?" 

"Zayne !" 

"What ?" 

"You gotta be kidding, right ? Or you've lost your mind. Either work." 

"If you won't accept any money I give to you straight, then I'll do it your way. Through your work." 

Caleb scoffed, the end of his lip twitching down. "No." 

"Why not ?" 

"Why else ? I'm not doin' anything like that with you," he pouted. "You're my friend. It's weird. I'd rather you be a stranger than someone I know." 

Now it was Zayne's turn to scoff. "So you'd rather have your first time be with a nobody ? They could break your boundaries at any time, Caleb. Or worse." 

The younger flinched, his fingers wrung around the dense fabric of his jeans. "... Fair point," he admitted, quietly. 

"Do you trust me ?" 

"I ... do, but," The frayed rips in his trousers bloomed out between the webs of each appendage. Caleb peered up at Zayne through his eyelashes, but darted his gaze away as if one look burned him. And it did from the way the apples of his cheeks tingled and his sinuses cleared. "Can you stop actin' so cool for a second ? You know what you're asking for, don't you ?" 

"I do."

"And you don't find it weird ? At all ?" 

Zayne closed his eyes and let out a short breath. The tips of his ears flaunted its new dusting of pink. "Of course I find it weird ... but if this gives you the money to do more than get by, then I want to help." 

Caleb chewed on his lower lip. "You don't have to, seriously--" 

"No. I want to. You get the final say in all this though. If you don't want to do it, then that's that. It's your call," Zayne reassured in a steady, inoffensive tone. 

It all came down to Caleb's decision. 

The sting of bug rattle and chirps from tiny birds were muffled out of his ears. All he heard were the repetitive slams of his heart against ribs. 

After a short while of listening to beating cotton, Caleb opened his mouth. 

And he answered. 

Caleb didn't go home to his dorm that day. 

"I'll pay for your train tomorrow," is what Zayne promised earlier. How much money did this man have to spare ? 

Caleb was no stranger to the older man's living quarters. He'd stayed here a few times. Used his kitchen to conjure up enough meals to last the doctor a few days. Stay up for hours playing games on Zayne's console. Pester him about the lack of colour or décor in any of the rooms. 

Though, he was surprised to see a plushie they won at a claw machine perched cutely on Zayne's bedroom windowsill. It gets 1% on the bar, but it's progress nonetheless. 

The soft click of a door shutting snapped Caleb out of his thoughts, looking up to see Zayne leaning against it, head bowed. 

"Sorry, I should have asked - did you want some water ? Or something to eat ?" 

"Oh- no, I'm all good. Thanks anyway," The younger refused politely. 

The room felt stuffy, all of a sudden. Caleb thought if he talked any louder, then the furniture would collapse from its screws. 

Zayne cleared his throat, lifting his chin up and peeking at the other past silver rimmed glasses. His flustered cheeks did not go unnoticed either. "How do you usually ... I mean- How should we go about this...?" he asked, voice bordering on a whisper. 

Caleb felt a lot better knowing that his normally cool and collected friend was just as nervous as he was. Though, he wasn't sure if they could stay friends once this was over. 

"Um, well ... we can start off with kissing ? And then move on to, like ... touchin' each other ... 'n stuff," he described, each verb earning an extra dose of blood to his speckled skin. 

Zayne uttered a small, missable noise - a quiet 'ah'. "Right. Then ... shall we ?" 

He raised himself from the door and shuffled closer to the younger until he stood in front of him. The air was noticeably awkward - one could almost taste the hesitation. 

Caleb quickly motioned to the bed. "We don't hafta stand, ha. C'mon, let's sit down," he encouraged, taking the lead by planting himself on the mattress first. 

Zayne followed not long after, digging another dent in the blanket. His hands were balled into fists, quivering atop his lap as they ran expectedly warm. His Adam's apple bobbed. "I've never kissed anyone before," he admitted, transparently. "Have you ?" 

The young pilot was a tad distracted after staring at Zayne's scarred, trembling hands. A cloud of imagination rose above his head as he made up the scenario of him placing his own on top of the latter's, and washing his nerves away.

"Uh, yeah, a few. My ex-girlfriends from high-school, remember ?" Caleb didn't bother mentioning how he only shared pecks with those girls. No makeouts. 

That statement flamed an ugly swell in Zayne's chest. "I remember," he deliberately cut that from his memory. "I suppose you'll have to teach me." 

Caleb gasped. "What's this ? You want me to teach you something ? Well, look how the turn tables. I thought you liked bossin' me around 'n telling me what to do, Dr. Li." 

In any other instance, Zayne would huff and mutter Caleb's name as a warning while massaging his eyelids. And he repeated the habit, though this time, with a smile. This situation was so ridiculous and borderline fantastical that it was hard not to make some light of it. Zayne appreciated the reprieve, as tiny as it was.  

Caleb enjoyed the view. The older didn't smile much at all today, but this, the sight right in front of him - it was worth celebrating. If this went well, maybe Zayne would flash that sweetness again a few more times. 

He made the first move, closing the distance between them and instructing a gentle "Close your eyes," before allowing their lips to touch. 

Zayne shrunk. Caleb met him again. Then another.

The former's lips were a dessert on their own from the mountain of sugar he had prior. Pleasantly soft though, and surprisingly plush. Unlike anything he's felt or tasted before. 

 A fourth. Fifth. Si--

"Caleb." 

He stopped and pulled back a bit, searching for any sign of discomfort on the older man's face. "You wanna try ?" 

Zayne's eyes fluttered open as he nodded, an ever so subtle flair of enthusiasm. 

Cute.

Another kiss. Tentative. Experimental. The next, a bout of confidence. More, fervent. Addictive. Clinical hands on athletic thighs. Slithering.

Caleb's breath caught in his throat just as he reached for Zayne's hair. With a thump, his back landed flat on the bed. The latter hovered above him, splayed fingers pinned on either side of his body. Caleb grinned and chuckled once the air filled his lungs. He circled his arms around Zayne's neck, keeping them inches apart from one another. 

"You're eager, hm ?" he teased, noting the man's hazel gaze struck on his parted lips, ready to dive back in. He almost wanted to snicker again. "You wanted me to teach you how to do it 'n you're already jumpin' the gun." 

"That doesn't sound like a complaint." 

Snort. "Cuz it's not. I'm just telling it like it is," Between his index and middle finger, he twirled black tufts of hair at the base of Zayne's scalp. The doctor shivered. "Where'd you learn that anyway ?"

"Movies and ... TV shows... and books." 

Caleb barked a laugh. "Figures." 

A brief pause.

"Do you want me to continue ?" Zayne moved in closer, the tip of his nose brushing against Caleb's, gauging his reaction. The moment their eyes met, it was a confirmation in and of itself, so the former followed through. 

Lips connected once more, both tossing in their desire, their want, their excitement, in that cauldron of fire. They repeated the motion of pulling and pushing, coming back stronger each time. Caleb's thighs spread open and relaxed, accommodating the body upon him. Zayne's fingers began to crawl up the former's shirt that was already parading skin. 

Tempting him. But he bit that fruit the moment he closed the door. 

A sharp draw of breath came before a noise akin to a laugh and a huff. "God, that tickles--" 

Zayne blinked, but flexed his fingers for a second.

Caleb flinched and lessened the weight of his body on the bed so he could back away easier. He even unlinked his arms from the older man's neck. "Don't actually." 

An amused twinkle sparked in Zayne's eyes along with a smile gracing his lips. "I won't. I'm not that cruel," he scrolled his gaze down to his hands. "How do you feel about the touching though ? Is this okay ?" 

The younger cocked his head to the side and trilled in an unsure manner. "It's fine, it just tickles."

Zayne hummed. "I am touching up your stomach, that's presumably why. Perhaps I can touch somewhere else ?" 

"What's with the dirty talk all of a sudden ??" Caleb yipped, shying his mouth away with his palm. 

"What ?" 

"'Touch somewhere else' ? You're movin' too fast." 

The doctor sputtered. "I ... No. That is not what I meant." 

"Ooh, don't be too coy now, Z. You're the one who asked for this," a muffled giggle. "But if you wanna move on from kissing ... then move your hips lower."

"Lower...?" Zayne repeated quietly, watching as the other shuffled south and secured his hold around the former's neck again. 

"Mhm, yeah. Lower. Until your erection is pressin' against mine," Caleb instructed with a bright, teasing lilt. The man above winced at the notice, but the former just laughed. "You really haven't kissed anyone before, huh ? It's funny seein' you get hard from just that." 

A grumble, then a soft click of metal as glasses were pushed up out of habit. Though, this time, it was more out of nervousness. "Be quiet. You got an erection from it too." 

"Yeah, but mine's different." 

"Different ho- ngh-?" 

An unhurried grind of clothed arousals cut him off and silenced him down to short, quick breaths. 

"Think you can do that for a bit ? I'll be movin' too, so ya don't hafta worry about doin' it alone." 

Zayne didn't reply for a while. For good reason. What he felt just now, such simple motion, a brush at best ... it felt so good. So good. 

This was dangerous. He wasn't about to back out now though. Hell no. There was no way he'd be given the opportunity to do something like this again - with Caleb to boot. So along with the young pilot's schooling, Zayne let himself be guided by this curious, unseen path of bodily pleasure. 

He nodded first before indulging in that delicious friction again - harder than a press this time. "Like this...?" he had the gall to ask. 

The man below keened, sucking in a mewl that inevitably rolled from his tongue. "Mn- yeah ... keep doing that, please." 

'Please' ? 

"You don't need to ask politely," The doctor reassured, confused as to why Caleb decided to add that respectful term when he was being so playful earlier. That, however, didn't stop the butterflies in his stomach from batting their wings frivolously. Why did that get to him ? 

At the younger's request and his own satisfaction, Zayne continued the motion. Puffs of breath steamed out past their lips, moans made space in the quiet; everything started falling in line despite the odd bit of clunkiness and asymmetry. 

Neither dared to look at the other, both painfully bashful. They've started this now, and they had no plans of stopping. Instead, their focus honed on their bulges, riding and prodding in clumsy tandem. What use is perfect unison when the race is all that matters ? Perhaps if it were for impressive purposes, they could have made an attempt. But not here, not with them. They expect that timidity, that realism, that personality. They weren't doing it for any cameras; just them. 

One wanted more. With a frustrated hiss and a small stretch of his back, Caleb unhooked an arm from the doctor's shoulder and reached south, pawing at his rigid belt. 

Zayne stared at his flailing. "What's wrong ?" 

"It's gettin' too tight, I wanna take my pants off ... yours too, take 'em off," he demanded, breathlessly. 

It took a bit of maneuvering and shimmying (the bed was already squeaking and they hadn't even gotten to that part yet), but both men's trousers were now off; tossed away on the floor. 

"The hell am I lookin' at." Caleb muttered, squinting. 

"What is it ?" Zayne asked, clueless and unaware of the other's pointed glare at his nether regions.

"Dude, you're ... huge," he sprang upright, on a mission to fuel his curiosity. "You didn't put socks in there to make it look bigger, did you ?" Caleb folded both thumbs under the waistband of the older man's boxers. 

"Ah- wait, Caleb--" 

Zayne wasn't given much time to react as his underwear was yanked down to his mid-thigh, his cock waving half hard and cold in the exposed air. He averted his gaze and fiddled with his sleeve, mentally preparing himself for whatever the younger had to say. It would definitely be something stupid.

Then came a surprised bark of bewilderment. 

"Holy sh- Why are you so big ?!" 

As predicted. 

"How am I supposed to answer that ?" Zayne replied flatly, his eyes sewn shut. 

"No, but like, I never would've guessed you were so," Caleb didn't hide the fact he was staring at it. "Well-endowed." 

How the hell am I gonna fit this in, he thought to himself, nibbling the dead skin from his lower lip. Zayne wasn't just impressive in length, but girth as well. If that thing was fully buried inside him, Caleb would surely die. A hyperbolic conclusion, yes, but they don't call an orgasm 'the little death' in French for nothing. 

A wee 'um' from above returned him to the present. 

"How did you manage with the toy last night ?" 

"It felt good at some parts cuz it was hittin' my prostate, but other than that, it ... just felt like I had something in my ass," without thinking too much of it, Caleb cradled the older man's weight in his palm, earning a twitch. It felt so warm. He swore he could feel every beat of blood traversing through the thick veins. "That dildo is tiny compared to yours though." 

His eyes were still on it. The more he talked, the more his mouth started to water as well. How strange. His salivary glands were already preparing for an obtrusion, yet there was no confirmation of that. It just started working on its own, as if it expected it. As if he expected it.

Tearing his attention away from the heavy mass, Caleb flitted up at Zayne and said something he couldn't take back. 

"I kinda wanna put it in my mouth." 

Zayne was, unsurprisingly, shocked, with his wide gawk and snag of breath. "You- You just commented on how big it is, now you want to try fit it in your mouth ?" 

"Ye." 

"You're ridiculous," Zayne sneered. 

Caleb wailed in jest and locked his arms around the former's waist, tugging him (and his penis) closer to his face. "C'mooon, Zaynie, I'll be careful ! I wasn't gonna shove the whole thing in ! Bit by bit, until I can't take anymore, okay ? Is that fine ??" he begged, putting on his best puppy-dog eyes and flirty lashes. 

This always worked on the older, Caleb knew that. Zayne knew that. And despite the latter's elongated leer, he folded, because of course he did. He was weak and easy to break, even with that stoic front. 

He pointed. "Just this part," referring to the head.

Caleb scrunched his nose. "I can take more than that." 

"I'm not exactly willing to be your test subject on if you can or can't--" 

"I can." 

"Please don't argue with me on this," Zayne sighed. 

"I'm not. I'm just sayin' that I can," he boasted, his lower lip sticking out. "But fine. I'll do it your way." 

Caleb pushed the former down by his hips so that he was sitting atop his ankles. Meanwhile, he got comfortable holding himself up by the elbows, crouching in front of his friend. He got to work, pumping enclosed fingers around Zayne and hearing his breathy moans fill the air. So cute. He really was a hardcore virgin. Caleb had the passing idea of using that to his advantage. But he didn't want to be too mean to the doctor either, considering this was his first time with anyone - and his first time doing anything sexual. He didn't want this to be a bad experience.

It didn't take long for the half-hardness to perk upright, lining up with the man's naval. Perfect for sucking. 

The pilot darted his eyes at Zayne, seeking approval. Instead, he got lost in his knitted brows, his half-lidded stare, his bitten lip, and his face alighted scarlet. Caleb wanted to keep the view for himself. It was too good to share. Too good for anyone else to see. They probably wouldn't appreciate it as much anyway. He'll frame it in his own personal gallery. 

"Can I...?" A small invitation. 

A dazed nod was sent back. 

It started with a kiss to the tip. The heat of Zayne's skin buzzed on his lips. His tongue peeked out and briefly dipped inside the slit. Salty, but not unpleasant. It tasted like skin and body wash, for the most part. A harsh snag of breath was heard from above. Caleb fully expected a shove on his shoulder and a raspy command to wait, but it never came. 

Zayne didn't hate this and he wasn't protesting, so that was a good sign. 

It gave him more reason to continue. 

The initial attempt was a learning curve. The younger didn't open his mouth wide enough, so his upper teeth grazed against tender sensitivity. Zayne stiffened at the foreign and unwelcome sensation, to which Caleb apologised profusely. Despite it only being within a fraction of a second, nobody likes getting an unwarranted bite. Especially on their special place. 

Attempt number two now - he'll do better. Slacking his jaw wider, Caleb dove his head forward and slipped the tip inside. Well, he took in a bit more than the crown. To show off, yeah, and to cover the entirety of his tongue. He'll brag about it later.

Checking in from above, Zayne's face was puckered tight, and who could blame him ? His south was surrounded wet, sauna levels of heat, an adventurous, pink muscle swirled around the cylinder, and the same, calloused grind urged a perfect result in its squeeze. This was all so new, and it felt fucking amazing. 

With a wandering aim, not dwelling on the thought or its consequences, Zayne reached down and smoothed his hand over Caleb's hair before losing his fingers in the carob strands. A simple pat on the head. A ruffle. A wordless job well done, because that's all the latter could muster in his current state. But Caleb deserves this much. 

He blinked at the tingle on his scalp before peering up and noticing Zayne's barely contained delight. 

Oh.

Yeah, he shouldn't stop anytime soon, huh ? 

With a mint rush of vigour, Caleb hammered his fist faster on the man's length, his dribbles of saliva helping to dispel the dryness prior. Mulling over it, apart from taking Zayne's virginity, won't this also be his first ejaculation ? Fuck, if that didn't push Caleb closer to the finish line, then what will ? ... Probably the twinge of his limp jaw and the sheer weight of Zayne on his tongue. It felt nice to have his mouth be used to its full extent, but even he had to admit his growing weariness. 

Still, he was excited for the doctor's release ... and what it would taste like. Would it be thick and milky ? Sweet from all the sugar he indulges in ? Would it paint his face in white streaks ? Would Zayne make an erotic expression and fuss over the mess he made ? Ooh, it was all too good to fantasise about. He almost didn't want to waste the eruption down his throat when it could be filling his ass instead. But the older man didn't look like he wanted to stop, so Caleb continued with gusto. 

A stuttered breath flew above and the pilot felt a twitch against his gums. So close. So close.

Zayne's insides tightened into a knot, securing the dam that was ready to break into splinters any second now. Whatever it was trying to smash through the barricade, it had no plans of making itself known quietly. It was beating through Zayne's defences faster than he could breathe - on a rampage after being trapped in its solitary prison for so long. 

With what little strength he had, he tugged on Caleb's hair, ridding himself of that warm, sultry passage. But the hand stayed, and it maintained its steadfast pursuit. 

"Wai- Caleb... it feels weird," Zayne whined, his head bowed and locks of his fringe sticking to his sweat-licked forehead, foggy glasses sliding off his nose. 

Did Caleb hear that correctly ? 

Zayne whined. 

Whined. 

Holy goldmine, dude. 

That was never a tone or pitch Zayne made. Ever ! Well, until this moment. Caleb had to start saving audio recordings to his heart now, great. 

In contrast, the younger dampened his voice until it bordered on a whisper. "It'll feel really good once you let it out, Z. Just focus on my hand, okay ? It feels good, right ?" 

A flurry of quick nods. "M-Mhm ... really good, but... it's starting to hurt," More of that adorable whining. Pale, aching fingers fell, cradling Caleb's cheek subconsciously. 

Vibrant bubbles of laughter, soft enough as to not ruin the atmosphere. "You're being really cute right now, I dunno if I've said that yet," Another kiss to the tip. Make that two. "Props to you for holdin' out this long, but you can let go now." 

With his unoccupied hand, Caleb lifted Zayne's chin up until a blanket of purple draped over weepy hazel. He smiled. "If ya don't wanna make a mess, then," he stuck his tongue out. "Aim here." 

The air caught in Zayne's throat harshly at the sight, his dam shattering in large splints and a rush of white tore out of him. Everything crashed down and freed his inner turmoil at the same time. It was relieving and yet so devastating. He took the chance to suck as much oxygen in as possible while a band of thumps and rings resided in his ears. That release, that eruption, drained all the energy out of him. His muscles, tensed and taut throughout, now ached sore, pulsing static. Before he could register it, Zayne was drifting forward, a strong body halting his descent to stop him from eating fluff on the blanket. 

Caleb held the former up by his arms before cradling his head and leaning it towards his shoulder. An elated giggle. "You taste good, ge," Sweet, milky, bitter aftertaste; exactly what he imagined. 

"I'm sorry." 

"For what ?"

"I didn't mean to... in your mouth," Zayne mumbled apologetically. 

"I wouldn't have stuck my tongue out if I didn't want it in my mouth, Z," Caleb reassured, carding his fingers through dark hair. 

"Still ..." The older continued to sulk, shielding his face further in the shoulder that caught him. 

A pleasant warmth bloomed circles in Caleb's chest, rooting at his excited heart. His lungs felt as light as balloons, floating too easily past the bars of ribs - the high intensity beforehand now alleviated and reaching the clouds. For a moment, but an intimate moment. 

They remained for a short while longer. 

Caleb pulled out of the embrace first. "Alright," he freed himself from his boxers, sighing at the welcome coolness. Prying his thighs, he straddled Zayne's waist, knees firm on either side. "My turn now." 

Zayne stammered briefly before flicking his head up. "More...?" 

A scoffed laugh. "Duh. You didn't think that was it, did you ? You're paying a lot, so you're gettin' full service," he peered behind him, taking hold of Zayne's erect mass and lining it up with his eager hole. 

There was a prod. Hot on either end. 

The doctor, snatched out of his lethargy and now in his mode, heaved before cupping Caleb's bare hips and plucking him away from his stem. "What are you doing ? Don't claim I'm the one rushing into this when you haven't even prepared yourself properly !" 

The younger shrugged. "I feel pretty fuckin' loose from the dildo last night though," he eased back into Zayne, as if he wouldn't notice. Joke's on him when he was immediately tugged forward, a defiant pout on his lips. 

"Key words: last night. Your colon doesn't stay loose. It has most likely returned to its original, tight state by now-" 

Grumble. "Oh, here he goes." 

"Meaning, thorough preparation is in order if you wish to continue." 

"Y'know, ya coulda just skipped all that 'n said you wanted to finger me. Woulda been hotter to hear," Caleb removed one of Zayne's hands from his hip and descended it towards his ass. "Or how would you call it, a prostate exam ?" 

Zayne's hand wavered. He didn't regret speaking up about being safe, especially for Caleb's sake. If he went ahead precariously, then he'd definitely tear himself a new one. But now, he had to back up those words through actions. 

He sighed. He could do this. He didn't want to see Caleb hurt. He asked for it, so he had to carry his own weight in this ... exchange.

Zayne circled the pad of his middle finger around the ring of muscle, sweat pooling into folds. There was merely a slight opening at his touch when the former exhaled. 'Loose' was a severe overstatement. "You said the toy only hit your prostate a few times ?" 

Caleb cleared his throat, trying to not let the repetitive friction get to him just yet. "Y-Yeah, but even when I was fingering myself beforehand, I kinda lost the spot each time..." 

A hum of acknowledgement. "Prostates aren't typically deep set in male bodies - 2 inches, in fact." 

"Wha- That little ?!" 

"Yes, but every body is different," Zayne nudged his finger past a beat of rejection and acceptance, a cocoon of heat encasing him. A gasp fluttered above. "Yours is probably positioned in a way that is harder to reach," As he said that, a smooth, silky mound of flesh glided past his intrusion. Caleb whimpered, curling into the man beneath him. "... Or not." 

"Fuck..." 

With how easy it was to find, and how urgently Caleb wanted to get the preparation over and done with, Zayne worked as efficiently and thoroughly as he could. Three digits resided in the pull, thanks to the latter's semen earlier to help make matters less dry and unwilling. They had to save some for later, praying it to be enough. 

Zayne made no mention of it, neither did he plan on saying it afterwards, but Caleb was ... loud. In a good way. A cute way. The fact that he was reducing him to a fit of hiccups, sobs, and moans by his own hand was in a way that he liked. A lot. 

Caleb, always the jovial, strong, and dependable one, always the one to make the first pass to tease and joke once the opportunity rears its clown head and squeaky red nose, always the one with the beaming smile and sun-tinted cheeks. Zayne had to admit, it was nice seeing another side to this Caleb-shaped cube. Crying freely, sniffling, and relying on the older man to be his anchor and his freedom.

Though, he figures it was there all along, now grown up and demanding more than ice cream and pinkie promise secrets.

"Ge, hurry up..." Caleb mumbled, collapsed on the pinkish slope between Zayne's neck and shoulder and staring hazy-eyed at the uninteresting, grey ceiling. "C'mon... please. I just wanna have sex already," he nuzzled his nose and lips against skin, damp with condensation. "Put it in." 

Very demanding. 

And again with the 'please'. 

Zayne will unpack that later. Probably.

With a bit of care, Zayne removed his appendages from the sweltering cave, the muscle reluctant on letting him go. He was unsure if the preparation was thorough enough, but he couldn't dwell on it now, not with Caleb's impatience. Honestly, he was getting a tad impatient too. 

Holding himself at the base, Zayne mimicked the younger's action prior and lined up with the primed hole. Just like before, it felt hot, sucking at his leaky tip unabashedly. Zayne turned to his left where a mop of brown hair sprawled over him. "What should I do next ?" 

"Hm...? Oh," Caleb lifted his head up and straightened his posture. 

In the heat of the moment, he almost forgot that the other was inexperienced. But damn, those fingers made him see stars. He was very talented in that department. Maybe he should have offered to be one of Zayne's test patients during his urology exam. If that was even a thing. 

"It's fine, I'll move this time." 

"Are you sure ?" Zayne watched Caleb stabilise himself using his shoulders as support, taking his time to breathe in through his nose until his lungs pruned, then out through his mouth. 

"Yeah, it's no biggie," he paused. "... Well, me movin', not your dick." 

Zayne huffed, a smile playing on his lips. "I got it." 

Caleb stalled with his hips raised for a short while longer, the head poking into him. He gulped. "Uh..." he met eyes with Zayne. "Can you gimme some, like ... encouragement while I go down ?" 

"For example ?" 

"Y'know, like, uh..." he blinked the fog of heat from his vision. He kind of regretted the suggestion now if he had to explain it. "Ahem- okay, like, 'you're doing so well', or 'you're such a good boy', or you can kiss me ..." his gaze descended to the doctor's empty hands, grabbing onto his wrists and adorning them on his waist. "And hold me. You don't needa push me down or anything, just hold me." 

Zayne wasn't all too confident in his ability to encourage, but he could do the latter two options. He bridged his fingers over the crease between pelvis and thigh, his thumbs squishing the soft inner skin. Warm. "Whenever you're ready." 

Caleb nodded, his throat bobbing again. He muttered an 'okay' before welding his eyes shut and lowering himself down on Zayne. He hissed at the stretch, feeling the cap and an inch of the scrotum enter inside. A gentle pat on his hip made him flit his lashes open, grounding him despite the swarm in his ears and the intrusive southern throb. "It hurts..." he snivelled. 

"I know," Zayne dotted a couple of kisses along the pilot's jawline. 

"Like hell you do..." 

A light chuckle. "You're right, but I know you can do it," A few more kisses, from forehead to nose. "You managed to take three of my fingers in, so you can take more, right ?" 

"Y-Yeah, I can," Caleb strained, ever so eager to please and never the type to quit. He tilted his head closer to Zayne's, nestling into him as he proved his worth inch by intrusive inch. A gasp burst out of his throat, soon followed by a whimper as the rod grinded over his previously abused spot, still sensitive and frail. "Ge..."

The walls tightened around the doctor, squeezing and forcing him to stay if he even dared to run and rip them apart from one another. Though why would he ? He's exactly where he wants to be. "That's it, good boy ... you're doing great."

Caleb whined. "Keep talking," Your voice is all I hear when I touch myself, so please, keep talking.

Zayne only had those two earlier examples to go off of, so he was stumped for what else he could possibly say, but ... "You're more of an expert than me, so go ahead, show off a bit. I want to see more of what you can do when I'm your sole audience," No cameras in sight. 

Hitch. "Okay," For you. 

Maybe Zayne could mention how adorable Caleb was acting right now ... Hm, save it for later.

Through the high of uplift, the kisses, and the too mellow caresses, Caleb (slowly, but surely) swallowed the remaining thickness. Seeing double and gasping for air, he could barely make out the bump in his stomach where Zayne made himself comfortable, as if he were at home - as if he always lived here. 

The latter's fingers twitched against skin, the undersides leaving a puddle of sweat. His eyes were narrow slits, vision flooded with nebulae despite his prescription glasses. The suction pulling him in was amazing. Overbearing, but amazing. The sheer internal heat was the main offender, but if he concentrated, he could feel the slide and squeeze of fleshy lining. This was nothing like using his digits earlier. This was better. This was addictive. 

"Zayne..." The tiniest of weeps. 

Said man drifted his gaze over and was met with sunset pools, shimmering in the lamplight and bordering on spilling. Zayne acted quick, cupping the younger's face in his hands with a touch one would use when handling glass, fearing it would shatter if it wasn't held in tender embrace. This felt like the most natural thing to do, his limbs moving too easily. He did this all the time way back when, but apparently these rusty gears haven't forgotten their role. 

"I'm here," he whispered, strained but composed. "I'm here. Don't cry," A smile graced Zayne's lips, holding back on certain words. "You managed to do it though, Caleb. Well done."

Sniffle. "Are you proud...?" 

"Yes. I'm very proud." 

"Does- Do I feel good...?" 

"You feel amazing." 

A timid cough and an avoidance of stares, his cheeks a darling shade of pink. "Um- I'll start movin' again once I catch my breath." 

Zayne nodded. "Take your time, there's no rush. I'll still be here holding you," he was about to dot another kiss on Caleb's cheek before the latter let out a sound between a huff and a laugh.

"Even with this, you sound completely unaffected ... how do you do it ?" 

Blink. "I'm not unaffected." 

Caleb smirked at the man's strawberry-dipped ears. "I can see that, but ya sound a lot better than me," Pant. "You're makin' my voice crack." 

A beat of silence. 

"That's not a bad thing." 

"Yeah ?" he chuckled. "You've enjoyed listenin' to me then ? You wanna hear more ?" 

Gulp. 

"Yes." 

With another small fit of giggles, Caleb pushed himself up via Zayne's shoulders, his insides now half empty and his sphincter muscles clinging and mourning the momentary loss. Taking a second to breathe, he plunged down, an embarrassing squeal ripping out of him. A zap of white darted at every tender point in his body. "A-Anything ... for my client." 

For a while, lewd slaps of skin intertwined with delighted symphonies ricocheted off the cold walls, occasionally interrupted by a murmur of names or a messy crash of lips. Just like before when they grinded their clothed boners against one another, they didn't look into either man's eyes - too foreign, too intimate, even in the current circumstances. Because what would direct eye contact mean in this situation ? Watching their faces in pure ecstacy that the other is soliciting through their bodies ? 

'I want to see how good I make you feel. I want to witness how I make you crumble and moan with little care. I want you to remember today and to never consider seeking someone else for this'. 

Ooh. A bit possessive there at the end, but something like that ? 

So what it boiled down to was ... love ?

It would only be a matter of time. 

"Ngh ... 'm ... getting tired," Caleb heaved, fresh tears paving their way down his flustered cheeks using the previously shed ones that crusted over his skin. He patted Zayne's shoulder with a weak nudge. "Put me down on the bed ... Don't pull out." 

The younger was a smidge looser now, but he still wrenched a strong grip on Zayne. He couldn't pull out, even if he wanted to. 

"Alright," he rasped, planting his hands firmly on Caleb's back before laying him on the mattress, head greeting the pillow. An appreciative hum escaped the latter's dry mouth, having been left open for so long from wailing. He closed it, wetting his tongue and swallowing the excess saliva to help quench the desert in his throat. Cough. 

A soft clink of metal from glasses being pushed up cut through the haze of their shared breath. Zayne stared down between them. They were in a new position now. Well, semi-new, seeing as how he had pinned Caleb the same way earlier while they kissed. But this has its obvious differences. Tracing back to his sex-ed class in high-school, this position was called missionary. Zayne didn't know why it was labelled that then, and he didn't care to know now. 

Aside from that, this arrangement was kind of ... dangerous, right ? He didn't know where to look ! The tangent about eye contact is over and done with, but the other worse alternative was further south, where Zayne had the VIP privilege of viewing their conjoined parts.

Caleb's tip dribbled a clear, sticky fluid, streaming into the indents of his abs. From the cap to the middle of his stem, he stored a vibrant surplus of tension. Poor guy was just about ready to burst. He just needed that extra push. And a break. Meanwhile, his red-rimmed opening repeated the motion of puckering and releasing the older man from its clutches. 

The transition was eventually broken by a cartoony 'phew!'. 

"Okay," the pilot started, staring misty-eyed at the man on top of him with a languid smile. He landed a soft punch to Zayne's bicep. "Your turn to move, big guy."

He stilled and sat with attention. "I don't know how." 

Caleb waved his hand dismissively. "It's easy, just ram it in 'n keep repeatin' the motion." 

"'Ram it' ?" A wrinkle folded between Zayne's brows, concerned about the wording used. Sounded too forceful for his liking. 

"Don't overthink it, Z. It's just in 'n out. In, out, in, out. Simple," With a crumpled face, he stretched the ache out of his lower back muscles, arms raised and fingers grazing the headboard. "You're in control of the pace now. Well, unless I tell you to go harder or faster." 

"Right..." 

"Aw, you nervous ?" Caleb grinned, reaching out to ruffle Zayne's hair. "Just try it." 

The older subconsciously moved his head closer to the touch, his pensive glare melting. He didn't want to cause an accident, but Caleb would probably tell him if he was doing it wrong. It's fine if he messes up, this is his first time after all. It was enough to quell his worries. 

To get somewhat prepared, Zayne grounded his knees deeper into the fluff of the blanket. He drifted forward, the remaining quarter of his length sheathing fully into its abraded scabbard. Caleb's neck curled over, a groan rolling down his throat at his cramped interior. Okay, good. That's a good response. Now all Zayne needed to do next was pull out, go back in, repeat steps one and two, then profit. 

This was simple. 

What the latter forgot to mention was how taxing it was on Zayne's unfit physique. He wasn't like Caleb. He wasn't military-adjacent. He never underwent training drills every single day. Neither was he forced to maintain a strict diet that relied on nutrients and calories rather than taste. No, he was either cooped up in the lab with Dr. Noah overseeing his experiments, or hunched over medical textbooks in the library. He ate whatever food he wanted when he felt hungry, and he definitely did not go to the gym and work out for fun. 

Though, he did promise himself that once he graduated, he'll take better care of his health. 

Right now, that's besides the point. 

Zayne buckled heavy on top of Caleb, his lungs about ready to call it a day and his face buried in the man's nape. Despite it all, his hips continued their mission - at a snail's pace and with the same sloppiness as the trail they leave behind, but ever persistent to get where they're going. 

God, he was tired. How did Caleb hold out for so long ? Some healthy endurance he has. And he still had the energy to whine. 

"Ge. Come ooon !" he berated, knocking Zayne above his tail bone with the heel of his foot. "You're gonna make me go soft if you go any slower."

"Don't say that," a pathetic plead. "I'm doing my best here. You didn't tell me how tiring this is."

Caleb leered down at his nerdy bundle of black hair and dumb, attractive glasses. He was too pent up to throw another comeback. "Need some encouragement too, huh ?" 

Zayne paused, peeking up at the younger. "That might ... help." 

Oh, he knew just what to say. 

He's been saving it for a few years and some months. 

No biggie. 

With a cheeky grin that bumped the apples of his cheeks and folded a crease beneath his eyes, Caleb nestled his nose above the doctor's sideburn and whispered three, deadly words into his ear. 

Not deadly as in claws. 

Not deadly as in venom. 

"I love you." 

Deadly as in heartstopping. 

Zayne blinked. An invisible fog of quiet fell over the previously raucous room. 

"Wh-" What. "What ?"

"I love you." 

"No, I heard you the first time, but ... um--" 

"You don't feel the same way ?" 

"N-No, that's not--"

"Then you don't think I mean it ?" 

"Well ... are you just saying it to say it so we can end this exchange quicker ?" 

"No," Caleb propped his arms around the other's neck like a scarf, his tone and visage sincere - it's the most serious he's looked all day. "I really mean it. And honestly, I could spend all night doing this with you." 

Zayne's mouth hung slack, glasses askew, and face burning. His stomach and chest faired no better, flaming at the same unbelievable heat that struck at every vein faster than he could register. The cause: the living embodiment of the sun. Marking pockets of light at every footstep, beaming smiles and joyous company to anyone who stayed, and still leaving people to admire his departure through everlasting sunsets. 

His only victim now was Zayne. 

Poor, unprepared, lovestruck, childhood best friend Zayne. 

The sun had his eyes set on him. And he wasn't one to turn down the sun. Especially since the feelings were mutual.

"I--" he started, voice clumsy. "I love you too. I've loved you for a long time. Since we were children," he confessed, an underlying sense of uneasiness wallowing beneath his heart. He felt like he shared too much, rambling. He wasn't one to speak for prolonged periods unless necessary, so yes, this, he would consider rambling. 

Caleb gawked, dumbfounded. "For that long...?" Either he was really oblivious, or Zayne was a master at hiding his feelings. 

Both. Both are true. He didn't need to mull on that. 

"Holy shit, Zayne. And you never told me 'til now ?" 

"I never found the right time. I had the passing idea of confessing to you during high-school graduation, but you were occupied." 

Oh. 

"Y-You know I didn't date her for long..." 

"I know. Aside from that, I would have been fine just being your friend. I didn't want to confess to you if it would put a dent in our friendship. I didn't want to ask more from you when I was already content with the way we were," he sighed, voice dampening. "But that was before--" 

"Before all this," Caleb finished for him. "I know it's just been kisses 'n sex, but you do want more from me. From us. Don't you ?" There was a shadow between the younger's eyebag and his cheekbone, looking like he's trying his damndest not to smile. Zayne knew. Just as quickly as Caleb knew what the former admitted to. 

"I do," his head floated forward until his temple gently collided against the younger's. "I won't lie to you. I've fantasised about what it would be like to date you for a while now." 

An all too bubbly giggle sprung out past curved lips, his closed lashes shaped in a similar upward fashion at the forehead tap. "Can't be too different from what we did earlier today." 

Zayne hummed. "True." 

"Except, y'know ... we'd be holdin' hands, hugging, kissing, copping a feel--" 

"I'm not sure about that last one." 

"Well, I'll certainly be tryin' to," A flash of teeth and canines. "Sooo ... this makes us boyfriends now. Right ?" 

Boyfriends. 

The word echoed inside Zayne's fluffy head, like a choir of angels peering over the cotton candy clouds to sing hallelujah. 

Boyfriends. 

They're boyfriends now. 

This was all he's ever wanted.

Caleb has a boyfriend. 

And it's not someone else.

It's him.

It's Zayne. 

Bitchin'.

"Yes, it does." 

Smirk. "Then can I make my first, selfish request ?" 

"Go ahead." 

Caleb crossed his legs around Zayne's hips, his arms securing their hold on his neck. "It's nothin' too big. It'd just make me really happy if my boyfriend fucked me until I can't think straight," he whispered, voice sultry and airy. "Can you do that for me, babe ?"

Zayne's entire face glowed red, and Caleb swore he felt the man's dick twitch inside him. He could abuse this system for a few months, he'd reckon. The former cleared his throat. "Yes, I can." 

"Good boy," A cheeky, loving grin pulled on kiss-bruised lips before leaning in for more - their first as a couple. 

The last intermission before the big finish. Both men were bursting at the seams, excitement barely contained at the thought of sharing sweet, sweet bliss together - among other things.

Zayne drew his hips back, chin nestled between the concave of Caleb's plump chest, still hidden by his hoodie and jacket. Perhaps in future endeavours, he'll get to peel off that expensive wrapper and revel in his gift(s). Zayne kept his steady eyes on Caleb. He wanted to watch. Embarrassment be damned, he wanted to watch his boyfriend reel, and arch, and squeal, and scream at the pleasure he would soon give. He will be the only witness to his unravelling. And so Zayne snapped forward, the younger's head flying back at the deep stab, his coffee strands following in the dive. 

The pace was rough, almost primal, with Zayne trying his best to get over his poor stamina for the sake of him and his boyfriend's promised rapture. The bed was squeaking, the headboard knocking against the wall at every thrust that it would surely chip off the wood polish and stain on concrete. Though, those ambient sounds were drowned out entirely by Caleb's choked cries, high-pitched moans, and voice cracks. The doctor faired no better, groaning dryly and panting into dense fabric, all while struggling to keep his eyes open. 

Engaging in something that felt this good was bordering on sinful. Zayne could definitely get used to this. Being swallowed and squeezed so eternally, so desperately that he'd sooner lose himself in the pull if he wasn't careful. And on the same vein for Caleb, getting invaded by a hearty persistence, a thick eagerness, ramming at his lock until it shattered, allowing hell to roam free. 

And it did.

There was no warning. 

Was there a need for one when Caleb had wailed and chanted 'hold me', binding his limbs around the older man ? 

It was a flash of hot white. Then another, spilling. 

Ropes of cum painted over Caleb's bare stomach and clothes with pearlescence. Zayne, the witness, basked in the younger's pleasure downpour, his scrunched up nose and his small whimpers and croaks. He's beautiful. It was more than enough for him to coat Caleb's abraded tunnel with searing honey, filling him up to the brim until it bubbled and leaked out, tracing down cheek and soaking through the blanket. 

Zayne's mask of bravado fell, and so did he. His eyelids drifted shut and his body stacked heavier on top of Caleb now that he didn't need to move. He relished in the melody of their shared breathing, the flutes wisping him further and further into dreamland. 

"Holy shit, that was fucking amazing," Caleb laughed with a noticeable rasp in his voice. "We should do this again tomorrow ! ... Oh, wait no, I gotta go back to my dorm tomorrow. We both got classes," he pouted. "That sucks. I really wanted to do this again. Y'know, now that we're boyfriends, I can ask you for anythin', right ? I'm definitely tellin' you to go faster next time. Or, y'know what ? I'll just do all the moving for now. I gotta start trainin' you or something so that your stamina isn't so ass ! But I guess you make up for it with your big dick. Speakin' of, you can pull out. I can feel you softening." 

Only then did he look down from his ramble to notice Zayne sleeping. 

He ruffled his hair. "Zayne ?" Shook his shoulder. "Zaaayne," Poked his cheek. "Zayne." Another poke for good measure. All he received was a soft snore. Caleb huffed. 

"Oh, my God." 

A savoury note wafted into Zayne's bedroom. 

Soy sauce, garlic, and an underlying meatiness. But it was tough to point out what kind of meat it was. 

Either way, it smelt delicious. 

Zayne's nose continued to twitch up as he sniffed at the tasty air. His stomach made its presence known first with a low growl, before he groggily opened his eyes and got a grip on his bearings. Everything was so blurry, but he was definitely in his room. His body felt strangely light. He pushed the blanket off of him, surprised at his change of clothing. No shirt, but a pair of sweatpants hung past his Adonis belt. Was that also a different pair of boxers ? He didn't remember doing that. 

Zayne's other senses started kicking up again after his heavy slumber. He could hear a dull pang of wood knocking against metal. Combining that with the aroma ... someone was cooking food.

Padding out of his room with a stumble, Zayne followed his nose up to the kitchen, squinting at the fuzzy figure in front of him. He really should have tried looking for his glasses earlier. He wanted to see that pretty face in high definition once he turned around and said- 

"Slept well ?" Caleb asked, the lilt in his tone suggesting a smile. 

Zayne hummed quietly in response before stepping up and vining his arms around the pilot's torso. Unlike himself, he was wearing a shirt. So he had the decency to borrow one of Zayne's shirts and cover up, but was still perverted enough to leave the man shirtless and bare. Okay. 

"You're not sore or hurting ?" He briefly scanned Caleb's face for any signs. 

"Nah, I'm fine. I'll probably be sore tomorrow, though. But right now, I'm all good," he reassured, carding his fingers through the doctor's hair with his unoccupied hand. 

Zayne replied in kind, closing his eyes and nuzzling into Caleb's neck. It was quiet for a few seconds longer before the former spoke up again. "What are you cooking ? It smells nice." 

"Just somethin' quick cuz I was starving. I hope that's okay," He switched the burner off and tapped any excess seasoning from the wooden spoon with the rim of the pan. "Stir fried noodles ?" 

Zayne turned to gaze at the delectable, glossy helping of soy-soaked noodles, vegetables, and chicken chunks. But something stood out to him. An orange something. An offender to all things cuisine. He darted his head back up at Caleb, pointing at the food from a good distance away. 

"I don't eat--" 

"This is my portion, dummy," a flick to Zayne's forehead. "I know you don't like carrots. Your plate's over there," he jerked his chin over to the table. Lo and behold, Zayne's serving of noodles had no carrots in it whatsoever. Not one speck of orange to churn his stomach. 

"Ah." 

"Go sit down 'n eat." 

Zayne didn't argue, following the order and taking his spot on the chair in front of his bowl. Caleb sat opposite him not long after, his own heap of food displayed on the table with chopsticks balancing on the edge. Steam puffed out of the dish, freshly transferred from the pan prior. It would take a little while for the latter to dig in, not needing a scorched mouth on top of the other pains and aches he'll experience tomorrow. With his mind less foggy, Zayne decided to bring up that. 

He cleared his throat, straightening his posture. "So ... Caleb. We're boyfriends now," the term still made his tummy tingle. 

"Yup," his agreement just as tingly. 

"And ... since you made your own selfish request earlier, then I would like to propose my own." 

"Oh yeah ?" Caleb leaned in, propping his chin up on laced fingers - an intrigued glint in his everlasting galaxy. "Shoot." 

Zayne prepared for his next statement by pressing his lips together into a thin line. What he was about to say wasn't a tall order. Surely not. And surely Caleb would understand. If the roles were reversed, then he could already imagine the younger forbidding him of any such activity going forward. Especially with their new relationship status. 

"I want you to stop making pornographic content. All the livestreams, any videos and photos, all of it. Delete your account on the site as well," At the sight of Caleb's sparked out interest, Zayne added, "It's for your own good. I don't want you to get hurt." 

Caleb was about to sneer and wave off the older man's concern, not wanting a repeat of their argument in the park. But the more he thought about the ask, the more he realised that Zayne was ... 

"You jealous ?" he smirked a little too wide, his enthrallment returning tenfold, as if he discovered a previously extinct animal pop up somewhere else, alive and thriving. 

Zayne's eyebrow twitched. That was an ... unfamiliar term to describe himself as. He almost didn't want to be associated with such negativity and ugliness, but if the boot fits. "Yes, I am." 

Caleb couldn't hold back the snicker slipping past his teeth as it erupted into a raucous symphony of laughter. He wiped at the tear that beaded out from his clenched lids, his boisterousness reduced to giggles. "Sure, okay," Man, he should count his lucky stars. He's seen so many Zayne variations today in a short frame of time that he almost felt guilty indulging in the man's attention. But who cares ? That was the whole point. They were partners now. He deserves this. 

Zayne let out the breath he was holding, his chest weighing like feathers in a bag now that that's out of the way. Now he didn't feel the need to share Caleb with anyone, especially strangers on the Internet. 

"By the way, I took the liberty of changin' my name in your contacts to something more fitting," he smiled, but it appeared as more of a front, hiding something venomous underneath. "Why did you have my name as 'Caleb Xia' ? Just 'Caleb' would've been fine, but you put my full ass name. Why ? Do you know any other Calebs ?" 

Zayne shrunk bit by bit in his chair at every pointed insistence. 

Still, he could get used to this.