NOVEL NEXT Chapter 435: OP: My Boyfriend Won’t Touch Me
Micah leaned over the sink and splashed cool water onto his face. Droplets slid down his cheeks and dripped from his chin. The water stung his flushed skin, but the heat inside him didn't vanish.
This was normal. Just a normal physical reaction. He told himself.
He tried to convince himself, though his heart refused to slow. As if desperate, he bent forward and shoved his whole head beneath the running faucet. Cold water rushed over his scalp, his hair plastering flat against his skull. He gasped at the shock, holding himself there for several seconds before finally yanking back up, panting.
He took deep breaths and felt he could finally face Clyde again.
He brushed his silver white hair back and left the bathroom.
Clyde was standing in the middle of the room, looking at his phone.
Micah hesitated in the doorway. He lifted his hand and scratched the back of his neck nervously, feeling awkward after staying in the bathroom for who knows how long.
Clyde's head lifted at the sound. His gaze moved from Micah's face to his wet hair, and without a word, he grabbed the towel folded neatly on the chair. He didn't step closer, only extended his arm halfway, holding it out for him.
Micah glanced at him and took it reluctantly. He threw the towel over his head and began rubbing his hair carelessly.
His eyes, however, kept betraying him. Through the strands of towel and hair, he peeked at Clyde constantly.
Clyde didn't notice at first. He seemed absorbed in his phone, thumb scrolling, expression shifting faintly as he read. But the truth was, he wasn't idly browsing; he was searching.
Earlier, Micah's sudden aversion to his touch had shaken him. He couldn't stop thinking about it, and the act gnawed at his chest. Why would Micah stiffen so much, pull away, when they had already kissed?
So he typed into a forum he found online.
OP: What would be the reason your young boyfriend suddenly doesn't want to be close to you?
A string of responses filled the screen.
Netizen1: You are an old geezer? Maybe that's why.
Netizen2: Maybe you've done something wrong, like finishing too soon?
Netizen3: Did you drive the car crookedly?
Clyde's eyelids twitched.
OP: No. We only kissed. That's all.
Netizen2: How young is he? He is not a minor, right?
OP: He is 19. First relationship.
Netizen4: Wow! You are a cow eating tender grass? Respect!
Netizen1: Virgin? He is probably shy. Wait, are you 1 or 0?
Netizen5: Oh, or maybe he was turned off? You know, in that age, people are experimenting.
Netizen3: Did it happen right after the kiss? Or something else happened?
Clyde rubbed his forehead with his free hand. His lips pressed into a tight line. What the hell was 1 and 0 supposed to mean?!
Op: No, after the kiss, he invited me to his house… but he saw me naked…
Netizen1: Sorry, bro. That's probably the reason. He couldn't imagine being with a man or you. Maybe your body isn't good enough?
Netizen4: Cold feet. Happens all the time.
Netizens5: he probably couldn't kick you out.
Netizen1: Wait, he saw everything? Maybe you are not up to his standards? You know what I mean?
Netizen6: LOL! It might really be that. Being small and all. Thought you couldn't satisfy him.
A vein throbbed in Clyde's temple as he typed.
OP: I am not small.
Clyde's face darkened instantly. He felt he had totally lost all his morals and dignity typing in here!
Netizen1: What fuck bro? Did you come here just to brag?
Netizen3: LOL, maybe he got scared because it was huge! Oh god! I can't!
Netizen4: RIP his A!
Clyde scrolled the answers, thinking he was foolish to think some strangers could help him.
But…as much as he wanted to dismiss it, the thought stayed. The switch had happened right after the bathroom incident. Maybe Micah found him unattractive. Especially with those scars on his back…
He shook his head. No… Micah wasn't that shallow. And he had seen him shirtless before. This was all the fault of Netizens... Was it really because of that? He looked down. But he never planned to go that far with Micah. He was content with a hug and a kiss. Micah was young. It was too soon.
Even though he didn't know the reason, he decided to keep his distance from Micah. He didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
He shut the phone and set it aside, deciding not to dig deeper into that advice. His brows furrowed. Then he caught Micah glance at him. "What?"
Micah jolted, his towel slipping down to hang around his neck. "N-Nothing," he muttered, shaking his head
"You can go back. I am fine." Clyde said at last. It didn't matter what the reason was; Clyde didn't wish to trouble Micah for his sake.
Micah was stunned. He turned his head away, hurt flashing in his eyes. "No. Didn't you say you had nightmares? But when you slept with me, you were totally fine. And I told you I would help you," he said, voice sulky and quiet like he was talking to himself. He walked toward the bed and climbed in, lying stiffly under the blanket, feeling dejected and foolish. His aversion had hurt Clyde's feelings. Who wouldn't be hurt by this blatant rejection? But he could never utter the real reason.
Clyde watched silently, his chest aching at the boy's tone. He had no idea what he should do anymore. "Fine. But don't force yourself," he said at last, though he didn't insist further.
He pulled back his own blanket and lay down beside Micah, with a wide distance between them.
Micah shifted awkwardly beneath his covers. He wanted to roll closer, to bridge the space, but he was afraid his body would react again. He bit the blanket in frustration. He had to talk, to apologise, to clear the air, but the embarrassment held him back.
Clyde reached over and switched off the lamp. The room went completely dark. A silver ray of moonlight passed through the curtains, illuminating the two figures in the bed. Silence stretched long. Both lay awake, staring at the ceiling.