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It was a hell of a day. Liu Hai Kuan let out a relieved sigh as he reached his condominium door and just leaned his forehead on it for about 30 seconds. He was exhausted from all the meetings he had to attend today and felt it would be totally justified if he just fell asleep right then and there. But thinking about having to deal with his neighbours’ questions, he groaned and reluctantly inserted his key to enter his home.
Home. He wondered absently, since when did he start to unconsciously think of this previously lonely place as Home. He knew the answer and gave it a small smile.
As he took off his blazer and shoes at the foyer, he was disappointed to find it quiet. Too quiet. However, judging from the absence of a pair of white sneakers and skateboard from the side closet, he knew that his housemate probably went out for a spin at the nearby lake park. He heard a soft meow and saw his housemate’s cat, Egg Tart, in front of him, expectation in her eyes for him to bestow her with head/chin rubs. Hai Kuan laughed, before proceeding to pick her up and smooching her head while walking towards the living room. Once satisfied, Egg Tart jumped out from his arms and went to her food corner.
Hai Kuan loosened his black tie and the top two buttons of his white dress shirt as he dragged himself to the sofa in the living room. He groaned as his body felt the softness of the back pillows when he leaned back. With his neck on the edge, he closed his eyes and took long shallow breaths to calm himself down. He could detect a light citrus scent surrounding his senses, so he opened his eyes to peek at the side table and saw an aromatherapy stick diffuser. Must be new, he thought to himself. He sleepily looked around him and noticed new novels on the coffee table in front of him and smirked. His housemate was a bookworm and recalled that they saw an ad on IG about a book fest at the mall nearby their place; he would have bet his favourite sneakers that his housemate wouldn’t have been able to resist having a look.
With his legs slightly apart, he slid himself more comfortably into the sofa cushions and closed his eyes again. I’ll just rest my eyes for a while, and within seconds he dozed off, dreaming about nothing.
And that was how his housemate found him about half an hour later. Moving closer to Hai Kuan and standing in front of him, his housemate slightly leaned over that handsome face and just stared. Who gave him permission to look this good?!, his housemate thought and was shocked when he saw those dark eyes open suddenly and dozily looked at him.
“No one did, but I can’t help it that I’m good looking, A-Cheng.” Hai Kuan replied in a slightly hoarse voice. His housemate was horrified to realise that he had said it out loud. Hai Kuan laughed softly at the blush appearing rapidly on his housemate’s cheeks and neck.
“Hmmph yes, yes, the ever-shameless immortal being named Liu Hai Kuan has arisen from his beauty sleep and favourably graced us with his kind presence. We mortal beings are eternally grateful,” Wang Zhuo Cheng slightly bowed forward with a fist and palm salute, to cover his embarrassment. Zhuo Cheng then reached out to playfully pull at Hai Kuan’s loose tie.
“Rough day, Kuan-ge?” he asked softly. Hai Kuan grimaced sleepily and reached out to pull Zhuo Cheng onto his lap. He loved how naturally Zhuo Cheng fitted his head under Hai Kuan’s chin and both proceeded to wrap their arms around each other’s waist.
“That bad, huh?” Zhuo Cheng mused. Hai Kuan always craved for hugs and cuddles when he had a rough day, even becoming borderline clingy at times. Zhuo Cheng didn’t hate it, but he was fondly amused by it.
“You have no idea the amount of stupidity I have to face every day. I think I’m allergic to it. I need allergy meds!” Hai Kuan whined into Zhuo Cheng’s crown of hair and inhaled the scent of sweat mixed with their apple-scented shampoo.
Zhuo Cheng lauged. “It’s okay, Kuan-ge, the long weekend is here, let’s relax at home and eat lots of good food. We can watch Yibo’s new drama; it’s coming out this weekend!” Zhuo Cheng replied excitedly as he rubbed Hai Kuan’s nape. They had next Monday and Tuesday off due to their country’s public holiday, and their friend Wang Yibo’s “The Legend of Fei”, was scheduled to screen over the weekend. Zhuo Cheng untied Hai Kuan’s tie knot and placed a light kiss on his neck.
“Yes please. That sounds like an ideal weekend.” Hai Kuan sighed contentedly. “Anyway, what do you want to have for dinner? I’ll cook.”
“No Gege, you’re too tired. Let’s order in. I’m craving some ‘chimaek’, how about it?” Zhuo Cheng suggested. “If you want rice, we can just cook some and eat it together with the fried chicken and kimchi.” Hai Kuan smiled and agreed.
Zhuo Cheng suddenly found his wrists tied up with Hai Kuan’s tie. When did he even...?! He spluttered and blushed. “Kuan-ge! What... what are you doing?!” as he struggled on Hai Kuan’s lap, trying to get off, but Hai Kuan held on to his hips tightly while giving his friend-turned-lover-and-housemate a naughty grin.
“I was thinking we could finally start our long weekend. Together. In the shower.” Hai Kuan said as he lightly bit Zhuo Cheng’s lower lip, while placing Zhuo Cheng’s tied wrists over his head around his neck, before lifting Zhuo Cheng’s butt with his hands. Zhuo Cheng shrieked and wrapped his legs tightly around Hai Kuan’s hips to avoid from falling down. Hai Kuan carried Zhuo Cheng towards their bedroom but suddenly stopped and turned back towards the kitchen island. Zhuo Cheng looked at him quizzically as Hai Kuan placed him on the island’s surface.
“For you, A-Cheng.” Hai Kuan reached out for something on the island and held it in between them. Zhuo Cheng was surprised to see a mini pot of purple orchids he didn’t notice before in Hai Kuan’s hands. He felt a warm feeling at the gesture and smiled at Hai Kuan.
“Thank you, Kuan-ge. It’s gorgeous. I will take care of them well.” Zhuo Cheng placed a soft kiss on Hai Kuan’s lips over the orchids. Hai Kuan suddenly felt Egg Tart wrap her tail around his legs and smiled at the both of them.
Hai Kuan realised that he was whole-heartedly happy. This is what Home feels like.