NOVEL NEXT Chapter 434: Yellow Thoughts, Red Face
Inside the bathroom, Clyde moved slowly, almost lazily, as he slipped into the pyjamas folded nearly on the counter. He buttoned the top with unhurried precision, his mind drifted back to the moment earlier, to Micah's face when he had seen him undressed.
He let out a short chuckle, quiet but rich with amusement. He could still see it clearly: the young man's wide eyes, the shock written so plainly across them, and then the quick flush of embarrassment that followed. That awkward cuteness lingered in Clyde's memory.
"Adorable," he mumbled under his breath, shaking his head faintly.
He ran a hand through his damp hair, pushing the blond strands back from his forehead. A few drops of water slid down his temple. Straightening his collar with a flick, he reached for the door handle and pulled it open.
The room was dim, with faint moonlight spilling through the open balcony door. A faint breeze carried the smell of night air, fresh and damp. Clyde's gaze found Micah almost immediately. The young man stood rigidly on the balcony, both hands gripping the rail, his back straight as though bracing himself.
Clyde walked across the room with steady steps, his voice breaking the silence.
"Why did you come back? Is Something the matter?"
Micah stiffened but didn't turn. He had been standing there, trying desperately to cool down his burning face. He glanced at Clyde, then averted his eyes quickly. "You really don't care, do you…" he mumbled under his breath.
Clyde's expression froze, amusement replaced by confusion. "What have I done?"
Micah peeked sideways again, just enough to catch the furrow in Clyde's brows, then let out a sharp little "humph" and turned his face away completely.
Clyde tilted his head, studying him. Then, with a smile, he reached out and pinched Micah's cheek. "What got you so down?"
The sudden touch made Micah's skin tingle. He slapped Clyde's hand away, freeing his cheek. The touch had sent a shiver racing down his spine, and the memory he had been trying to bury came rushing back, Clyde's bare skin, damp and glistening. The image was still fresh in his mind.
He felt his pulse pound against his throat. He was tempted to leave, thinking he could not sleep with the man without giving himself away. Clyde surely would know what was running through his head!
Clyde's eyes filled with amusement at Micah's obvious reaction. His mind flashed to the scene when Micah's eyes had drifted down. His gaze flicked to Micah's ears, flushed pink. He leaned down and whispered. "You are still young. You'll grow, maybe get bigger…"
Micah stomped down hard on his foot before he could finish. "Shut up," he hissed.
The audacity of this man! He hadn't even seen his! And yet he acted so smug, as if he were sure he was bigger in that department. His eyes accidentally went down on the man again, and anger and embarrassment filled his mind. Nope! He couldn't stand that look of smugness on this man for a second longer.
Scoffing, Micah folded his arms and turned sharply. "I was worried about you… But you seem just fine."
Then, without waiting for a response, he strode back inside, frustrated, thinking it was better to leave. This man didn't need him or his comfort. He was a fool to climb up here in the first place, worrying he couldn't sleep or feel down because of his grandmother's earlier curt behaviour.
No. Clyde looked perfectly fine. More than fine.
Clyde watched as Micah's expression changed from anger to sulking, his eyes softening. He pushed off the railing and followed him inside. Before Micah could escape further, Clyde caught his wrist. "Stay. I promise I won't tease you anymore."
Micah didn't answer, but the grip alone sent his heart into a frantic rhythm. A shiver ran down his spine again. This time more obvious. Until now, he never reacted to Clyde's touch this greatly. He knew Clyde was innocent. It was his own damn mind. Had he lost it? Why did he become so turned on just when he saw Clyde naked?
Clyde felt Micah trembling under his hand. He raised an eyebrow. The boy's wrist was hot and clammy. "Hey, you're shivering. Are you sick?"
He raised his other hand to his forehead, but Micah felt more embarrassed. He wiggled his hand free. "It's nothing. I am like this in this weather," he mumbled.
Clyde studied him carefully, eyes narrowing. The evasive answers, the way Micah avoided his gaze, the way he flinched from his touch. Something was wrong. Did he overdo it? It was because of the kiss? Or the teasing?
Either way, his heart ached. He couldn't stand that Micah avoided him. He stepped forward and pulled Micah against him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. His chin brushed the boy's hair as he lowered his head to rest gently against him. "Don't be mad. I am really happy you came back."
Micah's body went stiff instantly. Heat flooded him at the sudden closeness, Clyde's solid chest pressing against his back, and the warmth penetrated him. He felt parched and at the same time, panicking.
Oh Fuck! He was done for.
He tried to erase the image in his mind. The naked wet Clyde danced in his head, but with those chests pressed to him, all he could think was yellow content he shouldn't have any business with them. He repeated inwardly. Don't react, don't react, over and over like a chant.
Clyde felt the body under his arm tensing like a stone. He froze, uncertain. Did he cross the line? But they had kissed earlier, and Micah hadn't reacted like this! Why was he resisting his touch now?
He reached out and grabbed Micah's jaw, tilting his face toward him. Clyde's eyes searched Micah's face, wanting to know what was happening.
Micah's panic shot to the roof. He didn't want Clyde to find out. In a sudden burst, he shoved his elbow back, catching Clyde in the abdomen.
Clyde grunted, stumbling back a step, more shocked than hurt.
Micah didn't waste the moment. He bolted toward the bathroom, darting inside and slamming the door shut behind him. His back pressed against it, breath ragged.
His heart beat like crazy. He looked down at himself in dismay. No, no. Surely Clyde had not noticed it, right?