Baldur Morgan took several deep breaths, straightened Cohen Phillips's clothes, wrapped the scarf back around him, kissed away the moisture at the corner of his eyes, bent down to pick up the gift bag from the floor, and led him away from the cinema.
Sitting in the car, Cohen Phillips was still embarrassed, burying his head in silence.
Baldur Morgan fastened his seatbelt and touched his face.
"Shall I take you home?"
His eyelashes fluttered, his voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
"I want to go home with you."
Baldur Morgan tapped the bridge of his nose.
"Baby, I'm not a pure-love schoolboy."
His moist eyes were full of determination.
"I'm willing."
"Not tonight. I have an early meeting tomorrow I can't miss. I can't leave you alone."
"I... I'd be fine..."
Baldur Morgan shook his head.
"No."
Cohen Phillips puffed out his cheeks slightly.
"Isn't it the New Year tomorrow? Doesn't your company take a break?"
He chuckled.
"Baby, so impatient?"
Cohen Phillips hid half his face in his scarf, lowered his eyes, and muttered, "Just wanted to see..."
His voice was too soft.
Baldur didn't catch it.
"What?"
"Nothing. Take me home."
It was nearly 9 p.m. For other couples, nightlife was just beginning, but Cohen Phillips was already being dropped off at his doorstep.
He tugged on Baldur Morgan's sleeve.
"You really won't take me to your place?"
Baldur Morgan pressed a hand to the top of his head, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
"Why are you so set on coming home with me?"
"I like you."
He said.
Baldur Morgan's gaze deepened slightly as he watched his clear eyes.
He patted his head.
"Go on inside. Get some sleep early."
Cohen Phillips hung his head, opened the door.
"Got it. Goodbye."
He waited until Cohen was inside and the door was closed before turning to leave.
By the kitchen doorway, Anthony Ferguson, wearing oversized pajamas and holding a water glass, stared intently at Cohen Phillips, who was changing his shoes.
"Baldur brought you back?"
Cohen Phillips, in low spirits, answered muffled.
"Mhm."
"Did you argue?"
"No."
Anthony Ferguson walked up, circled him, and looked him over carefully.
"Then why so listless? What did he do to you?"
Cohen Phillips pushed him away.
"Nothing. Where's my brother?"
"Don't know. Probably still working overtime."
"Then why are you here?"
Anthony Ferguson sat down on the large, soft sofa, crossed his legs, as comfortable as if he were in his own home.
"My heating's broken. Came to borrow some warmth."
Cohen Phillips curled his lip.
"Heh. A man full of tricks. You're here to share my brother's bed, aren't you?"
Lifting his chin, Anthony admitted freely.
"Is that not allowed?"
Cohen Phillips hesitated for a few seconds, then sat down beside him and poked his arm.
"Sis-in-law, can I ask you something?"
Anthony took a sip of water,masking his own embarrassment.
"Ask away."
"Have you and my brother slept together?"
"Pfft... cough cough cough..."
Anthony Ferguson choked, his face turning red with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"What kind of question is that?"
Cohen Phillips handed him a few tissues, pressing on curiously.
"Have you?"
Anthony snatched the tissues fiercely.
"No comment!"
"How did you get to that stage?"
"Cohen, could you have some boundaries? Why are you asking so much about your brother and sis-in-law's private matters?"
Cohen Phillips slumped his shoulders dejectedly.
"Sorry."
After the initial shame and indignation passed, Anthony Ferguson frowned deeply, grabbed Cohen's face, and pinched it.
"What stage have you and Baldur reached? You haven't been together long at all!"
Cohen Phillips denied it.
"We haven't."
Just as Anthony was about to sigh in relief, he heard the next sentence.
"But I want to with him..."
Anthony nearly spat blood.
He yelled, "Have you lost your mind?"
Cohen Phillips swatted his hand away, grabbed a cushion, and hugged it to his chest, saying in a muffled voice, "Right now, I'm a bit confused about whether Baldur really wants to be with me, or if he's just with me because he wants to sleep with me."
Anthony Ferguson shot to his feet, put his hands on his hips, and pointed at him.
"So you're rushing to offer yourself up, to see if he'll still cherish you after he gets what he wants? Cohen Phillips, you better drop this crazy idea right now! Otherwise, I'll tell your brother and he'll lock you up at home. You can have an online relationship instead!"
Cohen tugged at the cushion,his heart tangled.
"It's not just because of that. I've liked him for so long, finally got him... might as well..."
Anthony Ferguson was going crazy from his bizarre logic, pacing back and forth.
"You're insane. You're truly insane."
"So I wanted to ask you for advice. How did you and my brother... naturally progress to that step?"
Anthony Ferguson stopped pacing, a trace of awkwardness flashing across his face, his eyes darting evasively.
"That, that... when the feelings are deep enough, it happens naturally..."
Then he quickly regained his seriousness, stared at Cohen Phillips, and scolded coldly, "I'm warning you, don't use yourself as a gambling chip for such a ridiculous test. If you don't get the answer you want, the damage to you could be irreversible. Do you understand?"
Cohen Phillips hung his head.
"I know..."
Anthony Ferguson ruffled his hair, his tone softening.
"Given Baldur Morgan's status and position, it's unlikely he'd waste so much time dating just to coax a kid into bed with him. If he wants to be in a relationship with you, he must be somewhat genuinely interested in you."
Cohen looked up, a light in his eyes.
"Really?"
"Whether it's true or not, you need to judge with your heart, not test with your body."
Anthony Ferguson pinched his cheek again.
"You're so blunt with your words. If you have doubts, go grab him by the collar and ask! Ask him if he likes you, or if he just lusts after your body."
"I'm also pretty taken with his body).."
"..."
Anthony Ferguson rolled his eyes.
"So young, and all you think about is that kind of trash? Want me to have your brother beat you up?"
Cohen Phillips smiled sweetly.
"Good sis-in-law, please don't tell my brother."
"Humph. Go back to your room, take a shower, and go to sleep. You smell like hot pot. It's disgusting."
He stood up.
"Then you wait here in the room for my brother by yourself."
Anthony Ferguson raised a hand, putting on a stern face to scare him.
"Brat, I'll hit you..."
It was almost midnight when Kerry Phillips finally returned home. Entering the room and seeing the person leaning against the headboard, the look in his eyes softened.
Anthony Ferguson looked back expressionlessly, motioning with his chin towards the bathroom.
"Go take a shower."
He put down his coat.
"Okay."
A little over ten minutes later, he came out wearing a loosely tied bathrobe, revealing his firm chest.
Anthony Ferguson glanced over and swallowed.
Kerry Phillips walked over, knelt on one knee by the bed, lifted his chin, and gently kissed his lips.
"Sorry I'm back so late."
Anthony wrapped his arms around Kerry Phillips's neck and flipped over, pressing him down.
"Anthony..."
Anthony Ferguson glared at him.
Kerry Phillips kissed him tenderly and chuckled softly.
"My dear..."
His face reddened.
"Mmm..."