"Buzz... Buzz..."
The phone started vibrating again, this time it was Baldur Morgan's.
He sat up, leaning against the headboard, his fingers still combing through Cohen Phillips's hair, a mix of weariness and irritation in his tone.
"What is it?"
"Baldur!"
Dave Doyle screamed.
The news of Baldur Morgan leading Cohen Phillips out of the private room last night had quickly spread through their social circle.
Everyone was scurrying around like headless flies, searching for details.
Dave Doyle had held back his curiosity all night and finally couldn't contain it any longer.
Calculating the time, he called the source for confirmation as soon as he got up.
The soft hair under his fingers soothed Baldur Morgan's morning grumpiness a little.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What's going on with you and Cohen???"
"We're dating. What about it?"
Dave Doyle clutched his head in astonishment.
"Ah? Dating? When did this develop? Wait, since when are you gay? Weren't you homophobic?"
Baldur Morgan was somewhat confused.
"Since when was I homophobic?"
Hearing those words, Cohen Phillips opened his eyes and stared intently at him.
Baldur pulled him up into his arms and kissed his forehead.
Dave Doyle said, "Didn't you say you were homophobic yourself? It was years ago. Can't remember which family's young master confessed to you, and you said you were homophobic. It spread everywhere behind your back. So, what, you're not homophobic now? Or did you see how pretty Cohen is and think of him as a girl?"
"Psycho, piss off."
Baldur Morgan cursed and hung up.
Cohen Phillips wrapped his arms around Baldur's neck and questioned softly, "Did you think of me as a girl?"
He pinched the rosy cheek.
"What nonsense."
Cohen Phillips was pretty, but not effeminate.
He had been well cared for in recent years; his figure was slender but with some softness, looking like a cool, aloof, beautiful youth.
Well... in reality, he was passionate and seductive, but only in front of him.
Cohen Phillips lowered his eyes and poked Baldur's pectoral muscle.
"You said you were homophobic. I heard it with my own ears."
He lifted Cohen Phillips to sit on his lap.
"When? Where did you hear it?"
"Five years ago. At a banquet held at your house. I was there too."
Back then, just before university started, it was the first time Cohen Phillips had actively asked to attend a banquet with Kerry Phillips, though he still acted as a wallflower.
During the banquet, his gaze had constantly followed the dazzling Baldur Morgan.
When Baldur Morgan was finally alone, he mustered up the courage to approach.
But a young man intercepted him, shyly but fervently confessing his feelings to Baldur Morgan.
In that moment, Cohen might have been even more nervous than the young man.
Then he heard Baldur Morgan utter very indifferently, "I'm homophobic. Please don't disturb me."
Cohen Phillips's blood seemed to freeze.
He turned and fled in panic, somewhat relieved that he hadn't spoken up.
Being a stranger was better than being despised by the one he liked.
Later, he quietly buried his feelings deep in his heart, enrolled in a university in Y City, and followed Kerry Phillips to Y City.
He never expected that five years later, the seed of his secret crush would bloom into a spectacular flower...
Baldur Morgan searched his memory but couldn't recall much.
"Did I say I was homophobic? That was probably just a way to reject someone."
The corners of Cohen Phillips's mouth turned down.
He glared at Baldur and said with quiet resentment, "You rejected me too."
"Huh???"
For the first time, he looked genuinely stunned.
"That young man who confessed to me was you?"
Cohen Phillips buried his face in Baldur's neck, his voice muffled.
"No. I was also planning to confess to you that night. But you said you were homophobic, so I didn't dare."
Baldur Morgan didn't know what to say.
He moved his lips.
"I'm sorry..."
Cohen Phillips lifted his head and kissed him.
"You don't need to apologize."
Back then, Baldur Morgan hadn't even properly seen him.
If he had been the one confessing, he would definitely have been rejected too.
Besides, he was skinny and not good-looking at all back then.
If he had gone up and left a bad impression, maybe things wouldn't have turned out like this now.
Now, it was enough that Baldur Morgan liked him!
Baldur Morgan looked into Cohen Phillips's bright, moist eyes, filled entirely with his own reflection.
His heart swelled, and he lowered his head, intending to kiss him.
Cohen Phillips covered his mouth.
"No kissing. Haven't brushed our teeth yet."
A hint of small grievance appeared in Baldur's eyes.
His baby had rejected him!
"Let's get up..."
After washing up, Baldur Morgan pressed Cohen Phillips onto the bed and kissed him thoroughly.
Cohen Phillips's eyes were wet and red at the corners, looking utterly pitiful.
A satisfied Baldur Morgan, the corners of his mouth upturned, dressed him.
"Lift your arms."
"Beast."
He muttered quietly but still obediently raised his arms.
Baldur Morgan didn't argue, helped him into his pants, and planted a firm kiss on his swollen lips.
Cohen Phillips noticed Baldur was still wearing his robe.
"What about your clothes? Should I get you some of my brother's?"
"No need. I had someone deliver them. They're by the door. I'll go get them."
"Oh..."
Cohen Phillips sat on the edge of the bed.
Soon, Baldur Morgan came back in carrying a few shopping bags and took off his robe.
Cohen's gaze remained fixed on the man's excellent physique, especially the six-pack abs.
He touched his own stomach, feeling a bit envious.
Baldur Morgan couldn't ignore the overly intense gaze.
After putting on his pants, he walked over to Cohen shirtless and teased, "Want to touch?"
Cohen directly reached out and touched them, squinting slightly.
"I want them too."
"Then eat more, put on some muscle."
"Putting on muscle requires exercise too. Forget it, I don't want to exercise."
"You still need to eat more."
It would be even better to hold him with a bit more meat on his bones.
Cohen Phillips withdrew his hand.
"I've already called the doctor from Y City over. If I get my health in better shape, I won't get sick as easily."
He added with a smile, "I'll be easier to take care of in the future."
Baldur Morgan was momentarily taken aback, feeling a pang of self-reproach inwardly.
He pulled Cohen to his feet and held him tightly, saying in a deep voice, "Even if you're hard to take care of, I'll still do it. I'll take good care of you."
Cohen nuzzled into the broad, warm embrace.
"Mhm, I'll let you take care of me."
Baldur Morgan sighed.
"How can you be so good..."
The young couple held each other tenderly for a while longer before finally putting on their coats and heading out hand-in-hand for breakfast.
After breakfast, Kerry Phillips called again.
Cohen Phillips felt somewhat guilty.
"Bro..."
Kerry Phillips couldn't be bothered to scold him further.
"Are you up yet?"
"Been up for ages. We're out having breakfast now."
"Alright then. Figure out lunch yourself. We'll be back in the afternoon."
"Oh. Aren't you and sis-in-law going on your New Year's date?"
Kerry Phillips glanced at Anthony Ferguson, who was lying across his lap, felt a dryness in his throat, averted his eyes, and said, "We'll celebrate New Year's with you at home tonight."
Cohen Phillips was happy.
"Alright then."
"Remember to eat properly."
"Bye..."
Only after Kerry Phillips put down the phone did Anthony Ferguson lift his eyelids, his features still clouded with desire.
Kerry Phillips's eyes darkened.
He stroked Anthony's head, leaned down, and kissed him...