Lucian, still clinging to Rowan, led him to his house, the watchman opening the gate under the heavy gaze of the young man. "It's fine, he's my friend. I'll tell my dad myself. Don't worry," Lucian assured him.
Inside the large house, Lucian dragged Rowan to his room and locked the door. The desperation that sparked the kiss immediately consumed them again, translating into a deep, affectionate urgency.
Rowan was already tearing off his shirt, but Lucian stopped him. "Haaa, wait. I need to take a shower."
Lucian pulled Rowan onto the bed, then stood up. In a sassy, deliberate move, he peeled off his wet shirt before the shower, giving Rowan a look that was utterly intoxicating.
Rowan was uncontrollable. He got up, stripped off his clothes, and followed Lucian right into the shower.
"Heyyy! Heyy, what are you doing?" Lucian asked, even though he knew the answer.
"Ah, are you just checking me out?" Rowan growled, pulling Lucian against his body by the waist. "If you act like that in front of me, how the hell am I supposed to just sit and control my desire?" Rowan kissed him deeply. "And you said my bike ride wasn't hard that out night, right? See, today is my real ride!"
"Ahhh, I'm waiting to see how much of a hard rider you are," Lucian challenged boldly, and in the steam of the shower, they fell into a desperate night.
Lucian woke up early. Rowan, the campus's noble student, was still deeply asleep.
Lucian leaned over him. "Heyyy, are you still sleeping? Last night, you promised a hard ride! I should be the one sleeping, but here you are! I guess it wasn't a hard ride after all?" Lucian teased.
Rowan's eyes snapped open. "Ohhh! Can we do it again right now? I'll show you my skill again!"
"Ohh, shut up. I need to get ready," Lucian laughed, moving toward the study table.
Rowan grabbed Lucian and pulled him onto his lap. "Heyy, go wear something!" Lucian ordered.
"Forget about it. Can I ask you one thing?" Rowan asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"What is it?"
"Ah, do you still love Kai?" Rowan asked, instantly adding, "Ah, it's okay if you don't want to tell me anything. I'm fine."
Lucian held Rowan's hand. "See? Yes, until yesterday, I loved him. But today onwards, I still love him... but as a friend."
Rowan's face lit up with happiness. "Haa, haa, calm down. I'm still talking," Lucian continued. "I guess you aren't going to ask what happened between Kai and me in the past."
"No," Rowan confirmed.
"As soon as I'm with you, my heart tells me that instead of caring for others, I need to take care of myself and find who I want to be with. And my heart is telling me, I'm with the person I want."
Rowan's eyes widened, anticipation building. Before he could speak, Lucian continued, "I know what you're going to ask. No, no, no. I'm not going to begin a new relationship with you already. I need more time accepting you."
"You mean... boyfriend?!" Rowan asked, happy and surprised, his voice filled with curious hope.
Lucian nodded slowly.
"Oooooooh, my god, really!? You literally said it before I even asked!" Rowan was about to lose control, but Lucian grabbed him and kissed him quickly.
"Heyy! I didn't say I'm going to accept you as my boyfriend already! I said I need time, and I want to see how dedicated you are!" Lucian asserted.
Rowan grabbed Lucian's waist. "Ahhh, you want to see my dedication? But my dedication was already set even before we were together! But fine, it's for our future! But right now, can we go for another ride?" Rowan pulled him back toward the bed.
After that Lucian was finally ready for college, Rowan dressed in his football team uniform—the only spare clothes he had in his car.
"Ah, even in that uniform, you look cool," Lucian teased.
"Haa, I know. I'll call my dad now to send someone to take my college outfits," Rowan said.
"Ah, wait. How did you know I was walking home in the rain?" Lucian asked, a genuine question breaking through the flirtation.
Rowan smiled, remembering the conversation with his dad.
—Flashback—
Rowan was sobbing in his father's car. "Hey, can you stop sobbing? I really want to know—do you really care about him as much as you said?" Steven asked.
"Yes, Dad. Literally, every day, before he goes to college and after, until he gets home, I follow him. That's how much I care for him. Even when I found out he was hurting so much about Kai, I tried to help him forget the unhappy moment in his life!" Rowan confessed.
"Did he enjoy the night bike ride and time?" Steven asked.
"Yes, very much," Rowan responded.
"Ahhh, then he definitely knows that you're expecting a relationship. That's why he didn't say no. Or maybe he's suffering from something and is using you to forget about it," Steven guessed.
"Ah, whatever, Dad, but if he's okay, I'm fine. But now he loves Kai," Rowan cried.
"Hey, are you really my son? What I know is, Kai didn't even mention Lucian before I suspected something was wrong that day. Right now, you're saying Kai is mentally ill and Lucian loves Kai? Ah, too much plot! But right now, what I know is, Lucian wants you, otherwise, he would suffer a lot. I guess he's afraid Kai will get more unhealthy if Kai sees Lucian with you, so he tried to stop your relationship. He didn't stop because he was concerned, but for Kai. Then why are you upset?" Steven gave his blunt analysis.
"What, Dad? I don't understand," Rowan asked, confused.
"Hey, I'll tell you directly: Don't lose your hope. Just try as much as you can. Lucian definitely loves you!" Steven concluded.
Suddenly, Rowan wiped his tears and tried to get out of the car. "Hey, hey, what are you doing?" Steven asked.
"Ah, I'll go to Lucian's house to see if he went safely. Then I'll call you to pick me up from there," Rowan said, his confidence restored.
"Ahhh, that's my son! Love you, son!" Steven said.
—End Flashback—
"Ah, actually, there's something I didn't tell you," Rowan confessed, smiling. "I actually followed you every time, whether you were in a vehicle or not, until you got home safely. Then I went home!"
"What!?" Lucian asked, utterly surprised.
"Yeah, that's why I was waiting for you last night and saw you in the rain," Rowan said.
Suddenly, Lucian's phone rang. "Hello, Uncle?"
"Sir, Kai is in front of your home!" the watchman said.
Lucian's eyes went wide with pure fear. "Okay, okay, don't tell him that I brought someone home last night. Just tell him I'll be right down!" Lucian ended the call urgently.
"Rowan! Kai is here! I have to go, otherwise he'll find out you're here!" Lucian panicked.
"Hey, hey, why are you afraid? Let him know!" Rowan protested.
"Rowan, Kai is ill! If he knows, he'll harm himself more! I don't want that!" Lucian pleaded while frantically stuffing his college bag.
Rowan held his hand, worried. "Rowan, I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. I'm not loving him anymore. This is only concern as a friend," Lucian said, trying to reassure him.
"Hey, I'm not worried about that! I'm worried about you!" Rowan insisted.
"Heyy, don't worry. It's just a couple of months. Maybe Kai will propose to Aerin. As I know, Aerin has a crush on him. If they're in a relationship, I guess then I'll accept you as my boyfriend!" Lucian said, sealing the deal with a quick kiss. "Don't come outside until we leave! Bye!"
Lucian dashed out. Rowan sat on the bed, deep in thought.
Lucian rushed outside. Kai was standing stone-faced in front of the house.
"Lucian, tell your watchman, just because I was wrong that day, that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to enter your house!" Kai said bitterly.
"Heyy, forget about that! Let's get in the car. It's already late," Lucian said, trying to distract him, his eyes looking suspicious.
"Why are you looking suspicious? Is there anyone in the house?" Kai asked, his gaze narrowing.