532: 9.2 Welcome Back

9.2 Welcome Back

Each second without Zeke's affirmation sent Lu Yizhou's heart sinking deeper and deeper into the pit of his stomach.  2

It couldn't be… right? The contour of Zeke's body, the warmth his skin exuded and the powerful heartbeat thrumming against Lu Yizhou's palm, everything was so vivid. There was no way this could be a dream… right?

Lu Yizhou did not realize his voice was shaking. "Zeke….?"

Zeke seemed to be brought out of the trance he was in by that quiet voice. He reached out to turn off the stove, turned around and cupped Lu Yizhou's face in his hands. Lu Yizhou's lashes fluttered at the smile that formed on his face. "Foolish man. How can this be a dream?"

"As for the past…" His expression turned glum. "Can we not talk about it?"

Lu Yizhou's heart, which was barely lifted by that smile, crashed down once again. "Why…?" He fumbled around to check on Zeke. "Is there something wrong midway? Are you not—"

"No, no, everything is fine." Zeke brought Lu Yizhou's hand to his chest where his heart lay. "Ellen, Ella and Ellie, everyone is here. Nothing has gone wrong midway."

"Then why…" Why did he not want to talk about it?

Zeke let out an exaggerated sigh and kneaded his temple. "I really can't escape from this, huh?" He said in a voice so quiet that it was barely discernible. Before Lu Yizhou could ask further about it, Zeke suddenly threw both hands in the air and resigned to his fate. "Ugh, fine! I will tell you. You're not allowed to laugh at me, okay?!" He offered a threatening glare which, to be honest, did not look menacing at all.

Lu Yizhou solemnly promised he would not laugh, no matter what.

Zeke closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and blurted out, "I am just… ashamed, okay?! When I remember all of the things I have said and done…" He could not bear to recall it anymore and tugged on his hair instead. "Ugh, goddamnit it, why the fuck am I so stupid?!"

Lu Yizhou was originally speechless but when he heard Zeke's last sentence, he rebuked in reflex, "Language."

Zeke clamped his mouth shut and glared at him, mortified and aggrieved in equal measure.

For a while, both of them stared at each other. At one point, Lu Yizhou could not bear it anymore and the corner of his lips twitched.

Zeke: "...You promised me you wouldn't laugh."

Lu Yizhou schooled his expression and denied coolly. "I didn't."

Zeke deadpanned with a face that said that he had nothing left to live for anymore, "Lu Yizhou, do you take me as a fool?"

Lu Yizhou raised a brow and then, he could not hold back anymore. Smooth laughter flowed out of his lips, sounding so rich and velvety like warm chocolate. 

Zeke seethed like a bristling little leopard, "I told you not to laugh, goddamnit!"

"Goodness, these naughty lips of yours…" Lu Yizhou took a step forward and pressed Zeke against the counter, cutting off his means of escape. "They not only spout out lies and nonsense and now, they even learn to curse?" He lifted his hand to press on the plump lower lip, his gaze deepening. "How should I teach them a lesson huh?"

Zeke's beautiful eyes flew wide and his breathing stuttered. He tried to divert the topic. "So… y–you're not moping anymore? Just a second ago, you're still acting weak and now, you have recovered your rouge ways? What a commendable spirit you have there, Mr. Lu!"

The corner of Lu Yizhou's eye twitched. This version of his lover, who had recovered most of his memories in the simulator, was a bit different than the ones Lu Yizhou had encountered before. He was bolder, more open, yet at the same time, he still retained a smidgen of innocence and mischief… like polar extremes which had found a middle ground. Somehow, it felt very novel. 

Lu Yizhou laughed again. The string that was hanging heavily over his heart could finally be put down. He reached out to smooth the leopard's ruffled fur and coaxed him. "Am I not doing it for your own good? I don't remember ever teaching you to curse. Where have you learned it from?"

Zeke's cheeks gained a subtle flush but he stubbornly turned his head away and harrumphed. "S–So what? I learned it by myself!"

"Hmm…" Lu Yizhou narrowed his eyes.

Zeke struggled to gain more momentum and lifted his chin haughtily. "What do you want—mmfh!" His eyes widened when Lu Yizhou suddenly swooped in and captured his lips. The color on his face suddenly exploded into a glorious crimson, so striking against the fairness of his skin.

Lu Yizhou quietly smiled to himself. He tilted his head and teased Zeke's lips gently, caressing and sucking, coaxing the pink petals to blossom. His hand moved to cup Zeke's jaw while the other circled around his waist to support. Again and again, he planted soft kisses on his lover's lips, half soothing and half teasing, he alternated between the upper and lower lip, the corner of his lips, the Cupid's bow before he licked at the seam, tempting him to open further.

Zeke's lashes fluttered wildly before it gradually fell shut. He was unable to resist the gentleness in Lu Yizhou's kisses and his body rapidly softened into mush. As soon as he parted his lips to take a sharp gasp, Lu Yizhou immediately slid his tongue in, deepening the otherwise soft and teasing pecks and turning it into a more passionate one. 

"Mmm…" Quiet moans fell from Zeke's ravaged lips as he leaned fully against Lu Yizhou's body. His lithe, trusting body caused Lu Yizhou's heart to soar. He felt the connection between them not only on physical level, but on a much deeper one; as if their souls were also entangled along with the dance of their lips and tongues. 

In this suspended space and time which existed only in Lu Yizhou's subconsciousness, their kisses flowed like the first taste of aged wine. You knew it would be good, but you could never expect how intoxicating it would be until you tasted it firsthand.

"I feel…" Zeke pulled away a bit only enough to murmur, his lips still brushing against Lu Yizhou when he spoke.

"Hmm?" Lu Yizhou responded hoarsely.

Zeke's face was flushed and his long golden hair had turned a bit messy due to Lu Yizhou's ministrations. There was a bashfulness in his eyes that Lu Yizhou had not seen for a long time which for some inexplicable reason, struck him straight into the heart. Unable to be separated from him even for a second, Lu Yizhou leaned in again to pepper kisses on his cheeks, his forehead, his nose, his watery eyes until he returned to the lips.

Soft giggles escaped from Zeke's lips which in turn made Lu Yizhou smile as well.

Zeke finally finished his sentence with a blissful sigh. "It's just… I feel like this is our first kiss all over again…"

Lu Yizhou's heart skipped a beat at that unexpected confession. What was the odd that it was also the thought that crossed his mind? Before, all of their intimate contact was made inside the simulator; even when Zeke appeared here, Lu Yizhou could not do anything because he was still unwell. It was not until now that they had their first 'real' kiss…

Lu Yizhou gently knocked their foreheads together and smiled. "Me too, sweetheart… Me too."

Zeke peered up at him. "You don't think that it's a bit silly?"

"No," Lu Yizhou said decisively. "If you're silly, then I am as well."

"Oh you…" Zeke laughed again and Lu Yizhou savoured the melodious sound to the crux of his heart, filing it in for safekeeping. He could not help but embrace the man and whispered hoarsely, 

"Welcome back."

Zeke paused before he snuggled closer into Lu Yizhou's chest, his voice was quiet as he returned with a nasally voice, "Mn, I am back."

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