... I kissed you then because I didn't know what else to do.
[ compared to him, yan qing is perfect. he's attractive, strong, loyal and clever; he runs circles around elmott any day and sometimes he doesn't know how he keeps up with him. his face feels like it's burning just thinking about it again. ]
I don't know if it counts. I guess it wasn't really one, but, [ he blows out a sigh. ] If the circumstances were different then, yeah. I'd kiss you because I'd want to.
[Elmott isn't like Yan Qing, but Yan Qing thinks that's what he likes about him. He never acts with pretension. He can be sure everything is genuine. Sometimes he's so genuine, it's overwhelming. In his embarrassment, Yan Qing moves to pick up their now empty plates and bring them to the sink.]
Well, nothing's stopping you now.
[Nothing except these dishes, that is!]
You need anything else? I can fetch you something from the drugstore real quick if you need it.
[ it's like yan qing is waiting for him to make the first move, the way he invites him to do so but doesn't say it outright. he feels put on the spot, like he should do something, but he can't bring himself to just yet. ]
I'm fine. [ before he can talk himself out of it, he joins yan qing at the sink, nudging him to the side a little so he can wash them instead. ] Let me do it.
[ when he reaches over to grab the dish rag, he leans in to kiss yan qing's cheek. it's more a peck than anything, but it's close enough for now. ]
[ This is not a kiss he's used to. It's not the kind that makes him see stars or fall to his knees, not the kind that melts him down and makes him succumb to whatever spark or force or flame had struck him in the moment. But it makes him remember who he is all the same. His face is beet red as he stands still, his brain still trying to register what had happened. Did Elmott really do that? He expected this much, but—! Maybe he teased him too much after all? He places a hand over his cheek and slowly looks over to Elmott washing the dishes.
Just kidding! He can't even do that. ]
Y... You!
[ Up until now, Yan Qing thought he was ready for whatever came their way. When it came to receiving affection however, he was totally unprepared. ]
[ it's fine because elmott can't look at him either, adamantly staring at the plate in his hands as he scrubs it with more force than really necessary. his entire face is just as red and only gets redder with yan qing's reaction; he can't believe he did it and he was the one who kissed him. ]
Shut up. [ don't talk about it or he'll never get the courage to do it again. ] And bring a jacket with you if you are. It's cold out.
[ How Elmott can say things like that without batting an eyelash leaves Yan Qing dumbfounded. Nostalgia hits him with the same comforting warmth from yesterday. It's been a while since he's heard those words, and even now it feels like Elmott's holding his hand.
Hmm. He might have to kill Elmott for turning him into a sap later. That aside... Yan Qing was only ever planning to go as far as behind Elmott's front door to hide his face, but now? ]
Haha... Hahahaha! Then I'll stay here until you've warmed me up! Body heat!
[It's the only warning Elmott gets before Yan Qing hugs him from behind.
This is probably very annoying when you're trying to wash dishes.]
[ he only manages not to jump right out of his skin when yan qing hugs him from behind, but he stiffens up anyway, his ears pricking straight up as he tries not to glance back at him over his shoulder. ]
I'm not your personal space heater, stupid. [ he doesn't shake yan qing off though, despite what he says. it's a little awkward to do the dishes like this, but it's fine. he'd never admit it out loud, but he's started to get attached to the proximity and all the little touches. ] Aren't you warm enough already?
But what if I freeze out there? I can't risk it. [The next part comes out a sultry, lazy drawl:] I don't have work today, so I can warm myself up aaaall I want.
[Of course, he only works whenever he feels like it, so.]
[ yan qing is too close — he should have expected this as a result, and the death grip he has on the mug is the only reason why he doesn't accidentally drop it when yan qing whispers against his neck. goosebumps break out all over his skin and he shivers, re-focusing on the task at hand instead of what yan qing says, or how he feels pressed against his back. ]
What, you wanna do the laundry with me? I don't need help with that.
[ That was a pain to deal with, too. For this opportunity, he'll do anything. He figures Elmott will see who he really is soon enough, but Elmott already knew this much, didn't he? With all his chores out of the way, his hands begin to wander down Elmott's abdomen... ]
[ he's not sure what surprises him more, yan qing wanting to do his laundry for him or the fact that he actually did it at all. yan qing's hands slide down and under his shirt and elmott feels his heart stop for two seconds, only to start again when the phone rings.
he takes the opportunity to squirm out of yan qing's arms, putting the dishes in the drying rack. ]
Go take it, I'm going out for a smoke.
[ and he ducks out of the kitchen quickly before yan qing can say anything, slipping out onto the balcony. ]
[Yan Qing watches Elmott walk away, his sigh blowing a stray lock of hair off his face. Something at the back of his mind tells him he's moving too fast, but he's sure Elmott's just shy. He almost wants to destroy his phone if it'll give him the time to think like this. They'd only known each other for this long — of course he shouldn't expect anything more. But it's okay. He's not the type to get impatient.
Though he does answer the call with irritation.]
The fuck is it this time? ... Ah, sorry. I was in the middle of somethin'. ... Haha, fuck off. He ain't your type. What do you want? ... Wh— Again? [There's a long pause as the person in the other end.] Yeah. Yeah. What do you want me to with it? ... Now? Can't it wait?
[It goes on like this, Yan Qing confirming the details until the call winds down into sounds of acknowledgement. He has this serious look in his eyes, but also one of annoyance, as if he's being made to do something that should have been done a long time ago.
When the call ends, he curses under his breath before throwing the door to the balcony open.]
Sorry, El! Gotta head out after all. I'll take your jacket.
[ it's rude to listen in on someone else's phone call, so elmott tunes what little he can hear of the conversation out, taking a long drag from his cigarette and feeling his nerves calm down a little. there's likely things he should say, things he should ask, but he doesn't know how to go about it or if it's really his place to do so. all he knows is that yan qing knows about everything he's tried to hide and it brings him both relief and apprehension; things could change, and he doesn't know if he's ready for it.
but then, he's already been changing since he got here, hasn't he? ]
—Hm? [ the door sliding open brings him out of his thoughts, and elmott turns around from his place at the balcony, stubbing the remainder of his smoke out on the railing. ] Oh, yeah. Sure.
[ elmott squints a little at the expression on yan qing's face, moving closer towards the door. he seemed so relaxed earlier... ]
[It isn't like Yan Qing doesn't know who or what he is. He's well aware that everyone thinks he's a troublemaker who isn't to be trusted. But for Elmott, he wants to be different. The last thing he needs to do is make Elmott worry — as much as he'd love to.
So he grins and bears it.]
Yeah, I'm good. [A bright smile. How could he smile any other way now?] I just gotta take care of something at work real quick.
[He's... never actually talked about what he does for work, has he? Yan Qing doesn't give Elmott the time to ponder on that. He steps forward, grabs him by the collar, and pulls him in to quickly press his lips to Elmott's for extra chroma.
The next time he speaks, he has Elmott's jacket on and one foot out the door.]
Catch ya later!
[If Elmott tries to catch him before he leaves, he's already gone. He hates being in his spirit form, but whatever Yan Qing's up to, Elmott's better off not knowing.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
What? Hahaha. Even I get shy, you know! I get shy, angry, sad and scared... Even a perfect guy like me feels things like that.
[Yes. He said it.
And he's still looking. And smiling.]
But now I'm starting to learn what kind of person you think I am. Is that what made you wanna kiss me?
no subject
[ compared to him, yan qing is perfect. he's attractive, strong, loyal and clever; he runs circles around elmott any day and sometimes he doesn't know how he keeps up with him. his face feels like it's burning just thinking about it again. ]
I don't know if it counts. I guess it wasn't really one, but, [ he blows out a sigh. ] If the circumstances were different then, yeah. I'd kiss you because I'd want to.
[ not because he has to. ]
no subject
Well, nothing's stopping you now.
[Nothing except these dishes, that is!]
You need anything else? I can fetch you something from the drugstore real quick if you need it.
no subject
I'm fine. [ before he can talk himself out of it, he joins yan qing at the sink, nudging him to the side a little so he can wash them instead. ] Let me do it.
[ when he reaches over to grab the dish rag, he leans in to kiss yan qing's cheek. it's more a peck than anything, but it's close enough for now. ]
no subject
Just kidding! He can't even do that. ]
Y... You!
[ Up until now, Yan Qing thought he was ready for whatever came their way. When it came to receiving affection however, he was totally unprepared. ]
I should go to the drugstore after all.
no subject
Shut up. [ don't talk about it or he'll never get the courage to do it again. ] And bring a jacket with you if you are. It's cold out.
no subject
Hmm. He might have to kill Elmott for turning him into a sap later. That aside... Yan Qing was only ever planning to go as far as behind Elmott's front door to hide his face, but now? ]
Haha... Hahahaha! Then I'll stay here until you've warmed me up! Body heat!
[It's the only warning Elmott gets before Yan Qing hugs him from behind.
This is probably very annoying when you're trying to wash dishes.]
no subject
I'm not your personal space heater, stupid. [ he doesn't shake yan qing off though, despite what he says. it's a little awkward to do the dishes like this, but it's fine. he'd never admit it out loud, but he's started to get attached to the proximity and all the little touches. ] Aren't you warm enough already?
1/2
[Of course, he only works whenever he feels like it, so.]
no subject
As mischief tugs at his lips, he whispers, his breath hot against Elmott's neck.]
And then you can do whatever you want with me later.
no subject
[ yan qing is too close — he should have expected this as a result, and the death grip he has on the mug is the only reason why he doesn't accidentally drop it when yan qing whispers against his neck. goosebumps break out all over his skin and he shivers, re-focusing on the task at hand instead of what yan qing says, or how he feels pressed against his back. ]
What, you wanna do the laundry with me? I don't need help with that.
no subject
[ That was a pain to deal with, too. For this opportunity, he'll do anything. He figures Elmott will see who he really is soon enough, but Elmott already knew this much, didn't he? With all his chores out of the way, his hands begin to wander down Elmott's abdomen... ]
And I'm making a lot by just being here, ain't I?
[ ...and under his shirt.
Then, Yan Qing's phone rings. ]
no subject
he takes the opportunity to squirm out of yan qing's arms, putting the dishes in the drying rack. ]
Go take it, I'm going out for a smoke.
[ and he ducks out of the kitchen quickly before yan qing can say anything, slipping out onto the balcony. ]
no subject
Though he does answer the call with irritation.]
The fuck is it this time? ... Ah, sorry. I was in the middle of somethin'. ... Haha, fuck off. He ain't your type. What do you want? ... Wh— Again? [There's a long pause as the person in the other end.] Yeah. Yeah. What do you want me to with it? ... Now? Can't it wait?
[It goes on like this, Yan Qing confirming the details until the call winds down into sounds of acknowledgement. He has this serious look in his eyes, but also one of annoyance, as if he's being made to do something that should have been done a long time ago.
When the call ends, he curses under his breath before throwing the door to the balcony open.]
Sorry, El! Gotta head out after all. I'll take your jacket.
no subject
but then, he's already been changing since he got here, hasn't he? ]
—Hm? [ the door sliding open brings him out of his thoughts, and elmott turns around from his place at the balcony, stubbing the remainder of his smoke out on the railing. ] Oh, yeah. Sure.
[ elmott squints a little at the expression on yan qing's face, moving closer towards the door. he seemed so relaxed earlier... ]
You alright?
no subject
So he grins and bears it.]
Yeah, I'm good. [A bright smile. How could he smile any other way now?] I just gotta take care of something at work real quick.
[He's... never actually talked about what he does for work, has he? Yan Qing doesn't give Elmott the time to ponder on that. He steps forward, grabs him by the collar, and pulls him in to quickly press his lips to Elmott's for extra chroma.
The next time he speaks, he has Elmott's jacket on and one foot out the door.]
Catch ya later!
[If Elmott tries to catch him before he leaves, he's already gone. He hates being in his spirit form, but whatever Yan Qing's up to, Elmott's better off not knowing.]