Eline was sitting by the window, glass still loose in his hand, while Carlson stood beside him.
Carlson didn't interrupt.
He just listened.
Or tried to.
Most of what Eline was saying didn't make complete sense
half words, half thoughts ,but Carlson still found himself focusing, trying to piece it together, trying to understand what the boy said when he wasn't guarded.
Eline was staring out of the window now.
After a moment, Carlson followed his gaze.
They both looked outside, quiet.
Then Eline spoke again.
"...who's paying the electric bill of that bulb?" he murmured, squinting slightly. "It's so big… must be expensive. That guy must be rich."
A pause.
Then, with a faint, crooked smile
"Tell him to be my boyfriend. I've picked a new hobby recently… I'm hooking up with guys."
Carlson's brows drew together slightly.
"Hooking up with guys?" he repeated, voice low. "Who is the guy?"
Eline turned his head slowly and looked at him.
"Why are you asking me?" he said, almost offended. "Ask the guy."
He let out a soft, breathy laugh.
"He said I have to give birth to babies… because he's blind and can't see that I'm a man."
Another pause.
"Such a weird man…"
Then, softer
"But he's handsome, though. And probably rich."
Carlson looked at him for a moment.
"Then shouldn't you be happy?" he said. "Isn't that what people want ,marrying someone rich?"
Eline frowned slightly, like the question didn't make sense.
"But I'm not marrying him," he said. "He just said I have to give birth to a baby."
A small shake of his head.
"The guy is so weird."
Carlson went silent.
For a second, he didn't have a response.
Being called weird and handsome in the same breath
by the same person was not something he was used to.
But before he could say anything,
Eline's body shifted.
He was losing balance.
Again and again, he leaned back too far, barely holding himself upright against the window.
Carlson didn't wait this time.
He stepped forward and lifted him into his arms.
Eline let out a soft sound, not resisting at all.
"Such a strong man…" he mumbled, head falling slightly against Carlson's shoulder. "Hey… would you fight that weird man for me?"
A faint, lazy smile.
"You're strong."
Carlson glanced down at him.
"What if I am that weird man?" he asked quietly.
Eline shook his head immediately.
"No… you're not."
His voice softened.
"You're handsome. And strong. And rich…"
A pause.
"…maybe you could marry me."
Carlson exhaled lightly.
"You shouldn't drink this much," he said.
He carried him to the bed and laid him down carefully.
Eline barely adjusted, just sinking into the mattress.
Carlson turned slightly, about to step away
But a hand caught his sleeve.
"We ...where are you going?" Eline asked, his voice softer now, almost… small.
"Are you upset?"
A pause.
"Okay… don't marry me," he added quickly. "But just… stay."
His grip tightened just a little.
"I don't have anybody to talk to."
Carlson stilled.
For a moment, he didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then he looked down at him
Eline's grip tightened around Carlson's arm.
Not loose anymore.
Tight.
Too tight for someone that drunk.
Carlson felt it.
And for a second,
Something shifted in his chest.
He didn't name it.
Didn't try to.
Eline suddenly pulled at him, unsteady, dragging himself up onto his knees on the bed.
His balance wavered, but he still reached for Carlson—wrapping his arms around him, pressing close.
"Why are you going…?" he murmured, voice soft, dizzy. "Don't go."
Carlson looked down at him.
"You really shouldn't drink this much," he said, calm, controlled. "I'll make sure you don't, from next time."
It wasn't Eline's behavior that bothered him.
It was the feeling.
That unfamiliar pull sitting somewhere in his chest
And the fact that he couldn't immediately suppress it.
Eline pulled him closer again.
"Why are you being so angry with me?" he asked, frowning slightly. "Do you hate me?"
A pause.
"…but why would you?" he added, softer. "We just met, handsome guy."
His arms tightened again around Carlson.
This time,Even tighter.
Carlson went still for a second.
His eyes softened-just barely.
It wasn't that he had never been touched before.
It wasn't that closeness was new.
But this,This felt different.
He exhaled quietly and tried to ease himself out of Eline's hold.
"Wait here," he said. "I'll change and come back."
Eline shook his head immediately, gripping him again.
"Take me with you," he mumbled. "How am I supposed to believe you'll come back?"
His voice dropped, quieter now.
"I have nobody to talk to…"
A pause.
"I live in this big house… and no one talks to me."
Then, with a bitter, almost broken laugh
" I was born weird… but you know what?"
He looked up at Carlson.
"I can give birth to babies."
Carlson's expression stilled,Completely.
Eline met his eyes.
"I know," he said softly.
And before Carlson could react,Eline leaned forward and kissed him.
It wasn't perfect.
Not practiced,a little clumsy, little slow But soft.
Unaware.
And real.
Carlson froze for a fraction of a second.
Just a fraction,But it was enough.
Because something in that moment
Didn't feel like control anymore.
When Eline pulled back, he looked at him with a faint, drunk smile.
"See?" he murmured. "It makes you feel good."
Silence.
Carlson didn't answer.
He just looked at him.
Then
His hand moved to Eline's waist.
The other to his back.
And this time
When he kissed him, it wasn't hesitant.
It was deeper.Controlled.
Not rushed
But consuming.
Eline's breath hitched almost immediately.
Carlson didn't stop.
Didn't pull away.
He kept him there, steady, close—
Until Eline started losing breath.
Only then
Carlson pulled back slightly, just enough to look at him.
"…I want to feel it more," he said quietly.
Before Eline could respond
Carlson lifted him again, easily, and laid him back on the bed.
Then leaned over him
Closing the distance once more.
Eline let out a breathless sound, half-laugh, half-protest
"Wait… stop-"
He tried to turn his face away slightly.