CG | Chapter 1.8

As Sean laughed and tried to soothe him, Lane fell silent. If he didn’t like it, he would have pushed him away, but since he left him alone, it seemed his mood had improved.b7a7bd0e932ca29c

Sean chuckled and 76f29ae6cf yawned. Although he 8517fe660d usually woke 332b2ecc3e up well, 3ba15a8a8d there were abaaf5aed7 times when d6b02ce8c8 he slept 6b0d494564 for ten 2bf6caf30c hours or 78ce0968b5 more when df52932f3c he let 8242795311 his guard edc72cc0ed down, and 214fcc1c96 today seemed d45621ff43 to be be6c8ed5c2 one of 03ed265fd1 those days. He had gone 8dfa86351d to bed early, 232a035234 yet he still 3905611cb0 felt sleepy.858fd625de7f65ed

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“Are you sleepy?”91673ace45d067c8

Lane, who had been silent, quietly asked. Sean, who was regretfully watching the face he couldn’t see properly because Lane had stood up, shook his head.0a5ec17abaab7e76

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“No. I slept a lot.”87e8d2a6aae76f46

Even as he said that, he kept yawning. Watching him quietly, Lane gently removed Sean’s arms from his waist and pushed him back towards the bed.68dcc3a26becf35e

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“If you’re tired, let’s not go out. Go back to sleep. I just stopped by to check since I couldn’t reach you.”1d67d60c8f80f957

Lane, who wasn’t one to hold onto emotions for long, seemed to have quickly forgotten his earlier sulking and was ready to cancel today’s plans. But now it was Sean who felt regretful. Having come home early yesterday and spent a dull weekend doing nothing, he wanted to spend time with Lane today.fec0141f407b3809

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“I’m not tired. Let’s go. I slept plenty, so I’m fine.”d4c889956aa1704d

And as he had said earlier, once Lane got a boyfriend, their Sunday routine, like a ritual, would no longer be feasible… He wanted to hang out while he had the chance.c4fc97c4d25ed5d7

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Logically, weekends were for couples. Even if that weren’t the case, he didn’t want to let Lane tell his future partner that he couldn’t free up Sundays because he had to hang out with a friend. Despite feeling a bit sad, Sean wanted to support Lane’s relationship.fe539890d0f9e64b

Sean himself would eventually date someone properly, and when he became an adult, he would naturally form a family and drift apart. Sean didn’t want Lane to be left alone when that moment came. Since it was hard for Lane to find someone who suited him, he hoped he would gain experience and form good connections while he had the chance.14c300043145dd68

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Swallowing the bittersweet feeling that crept in, Sean turned around and headed for the door. Lane didn’t bother to stop him and sat on the edge of the bed.5f6b7da6bca2d8c0

“Are you going to shower?”dc8dad01c5cb126b

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“Yeah.”e0d678111dbebf90

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”ca4ff835f6332d58

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“Thanks.”b5ecdf790ba18957

After a short exchange, 5a3ba537b8 Sean was about to d0622cbbdb head out to shower b010e1f384 when he suddenly remembered cde01daed7 something and asked Lane.fca6dfba910a33c6

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“But why was I resting my head on your thigh? Did you let me?”db0d241b71f3f481

“No. You clung to me.”8c23f8a481900fad

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Lane said matter-of-factly. Although he had 4bb00aaf02 laid on his 29ae93a9bc thigh to be cb6844782e annoying while watching 7e9b4e01db a movie together b29e1372b2 on the sofa, f2bb1a4ac4 it was only 8ac1b3b23c for a few 53d773b883 seconds. Usually, if he got d412eaef06 too close, Lane would e23e06047f frown and push him 9a41f77629 away.731aa12e062366f4

“Did I? That’s strange.”45cdb95dff79371f

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Maybe it was because a61f615491 he dreamed of his 774e04dfde childhood. His body must b7eab17135 have recognized the 56b766699a owner of the 5d4cf9f0bb dream.fdafd8fbf15a5141

“Next time, just push me away without hesitation.”c7ef42f30f38a363

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“…That’s for me to decide.”b3a281f5802704dc

“You don’t like it when I cling to you.”585479afe0d474fb

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Lane, in a 144d7a09c4 voice that sounded 8445a55dd7 somewhat displeased like e2b209d6b0 before, quietly denied.99c47592565e52f6

“When did I ever?”a1ce4f675bb4933b

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“You always shake me off when I cling to you!”abe40a7fac794b4c

Ignoring Sean’s aggrieved retort, Lane turned his head as if he had no intention of answering and lay down on the bed, showing his back. Staring at his back in disbelief, Sean left the room, thinking, “Just wait and see.”2571f4415db325da

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As he walked down the hallway to the bathroom, he hummed a tune. Even though they had pretended to argue just now, he felt really good because Lane had come to his house to get him. Since it was usually up to him to contact or find Lane, he felt reassured on days like this. Especially after feeling unsettled by his parents’ conversation yesterday.9bb988acb42ec2c1

When he reached the bathroom, Spencer had just finished showering and came out. Still looking grumpy from last night, he didn’t seem particularly cheerful, and his mood was indeed sour as he greeted Sean with a sarcastic morning greeting.fba5c8c70c7a5138

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“You look happy, bro?”20787f027bceced6

“Me? Why?”8c95f69d72ca7282

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“You were humming as you came.”4d592f5a97beddd4

“Was I? Didn’t realize. Well, I’m not in a bad mood.”fc34cb07324cd57d

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“How can you be? Mom and Dad are getting divorced.”7f29f7e3acdbe273

Spencer ruffled his towel-covered hair irritably. Unlike Sean’s blonde hair, his hair, with more brown mixed in, curled and scattered. The anxiety on his fingertips was visible.1179a230cd7e8f6f

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“It’s their business, so there’s nothing we can do. It’s not like we didn’t see it coming. They held on until we were all grown up.”74452b846e70f6b7

Wasn’t it a relationship that had ended long ago, except for not being separated? They each had partners, and the love had long faded. Spencer and Scarlet only found out two years ago, but Sean had vaguely known about their relationship since he entered middle school. Since he was the only one they could confide in when something happened, his siblings grew up knowing nothing, while Sean alone mediated between his mother and father.4bcbc2cb71967ff2

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But he didn’t want to burden his siblings, who were already overwhelmed by the divorce, with such things… So Sean consoled Spencer to that extent.8b986228c5939a46

“You sound like an adult.”5aec6a189315b372

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Spencer replied gloomily.0eac95b8a5c61b32

“I am an adult.”3d9289c687a51187

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“You’re only twenty-one. How’s that an adult?”b095ee5d890ac386

“Still more of an adult than you.”16fea14da4989f10

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Realizing he couldn’t win this conversation, Spencer changed the subject.25cb903f06f2f088

“Are you going to stay in the dorm, then? Or an apartment?”f113c3e234bab21f

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“I don’t know yet.”b11699ba4d3ae4ad

“I can’t, but you should stay at Lane’s house. Honestly, even if you said you were moving in permanently, they’d probably be okay with it.”0b91fcfe89e5a56f

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The hidden meaning was fb815201c3 probably that he wanted 3cc70d148e Sean to take him 1bc749c81d along, so Sean firmly 61433ee904 denied it.ad78ca206a09843f

“That’s ridiculous.”625e76703400bb68

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“Why? Scarlet and I always say you two seem like you’ll end up dating.”5497c782b45a7eca

Sean’s expression turned serious at the absurd remark. Judging by Spencer’s tone, he seemed to mean it sincerely.ea61da12be9d27b6

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“I’m not gay.”7252b614a1f381fd

“For someone who’s not, didn’t you like it more when Lane came over than when you brought girlfriends home?”f436eb330afc4124

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“Because they weren’t girlfriends.”5f3125faec0c25a4

“Then why kiss and date them for months?”75740190b8576978

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“They were looking for that kind of relationship.”c59c6dd53b2d2aca

“Whatever.”f7ef8cf4d1fa8250

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Spencer made a gesture as if to say, “Stop talking nonsense,” and turned away. Thinking about how difficult it was to deal with a high schooler in puberty, Sean sighed and entered the bathroom.249f009b5c09a0bd

Unlike Scarlet, who didn’t tidy up after using the bathroom, Spencer always left it neat. Entering the steam-filled shower booth, Sean started by wetting his hair with lukewarm water, then reached for his shower products on the top shelf. His long fingers tapped the white body wash bottle.46084c5239d9f244

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The sandalwood and musk-scented British product was something Sean had been using for almost six years. He didn’t have a particular brand preference and used whatever his parents gave him or received as gifts, but this brand was what Lane had given him as a 15th birthday present. Saying he had brought it back from Europe while accompanying his mother, Lane had given him the body wash, which Sean received on his birthday.731321b1706aeafb

Even after they became closer, they didn’t particularly exchange gifts, but that changed from that point. Wanting to cherish and use the first gift Lane had given him, Sean eventually couldn’t resist his curiosity and used it to shower, and Lane had noticed.d1066c220c712197

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The scent suits 39cb793518 you.3c56f11e61314076

Turning his face to the side, Lane had casually complimented him, and from then on, Sean continued to use only that body wash, even after finishing the gifted bottle. Friends who had known him for a long time referred to it as “Sean’s scent.” Since he often exercised and only used body wash instead of cologne, it seemed to have become ingrained.47895fe024c6700f

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Scarlet and I always say you two seem like you’ll end up dating.d743b231633d4a5f

Sean stared 8ad237ca58 at the e14b582054 bottle for af5a19c463 a moment, c50f5279cc then turned 4519b591f1 his gaze fc0edc0ea3 away only 1ef6ec8167 when the 34be12121f water running bb49114549 down his 976d53eed8 hair stung d30ba50858 his eyes.4416cbd0116f184d

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There’s no way that’s possible.257d8dcfaf85f639

His softly muttered 5e979ed36e words dispersed with 183ed4499f the sound of d4139b3556 the water.e12c608abf7cf07c

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ 9c0afec6e8 ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖b2e1b815daf258bb

Spencer’s nonsense soon faded from Sean’s mind. After showering, it was already late lunchtime, so Sean and Lane decided to pack sandwiches and head to the forest near Lane’s house. They figured there wasn’t enough time to climb the mountain, so they opted to hang out in the neighborhood for a change.3e763e7e60100869

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Unlike the slightly c98e580731 chilly morning, the 1ba7324463 temperature had risen bc4277753d to a comfortable c5fb8f30fd level, making the 3323aaa8ba walk pleasant. The distant 5b08ad685c sounds of 8b327d5db3 children playing 4421797052 echoed, and 1462546131 the surroundings 3ad7dbb4fb were quiet. After a df5803ced2 week of 9ea045bbc9 loud party 4349e833f4 music, the 6a692d7ef3 tranquility was 9291d9c969 a welcome f3544e11ed change, and 36d62c149f Sean walked b65cba3738 with a 7ddcf6f94f quiet smile.7078db4ffcd23643

After about twenty minutes of walking, the entrance to the forest came into view. It wasn’t as well-maintained as a park, but since people often passed through, the entrance was well-cleared, making it easy to enter. It was a small forest with everything you could need, and Sean had spent a lot of time there as a child.2c0246443d15cabb

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Seeing the greenery, Sean turned around. Unlike him, who walked quickly with long strides, Lane, despite his long legs, tended to walk slowly. Expecting Lane to be excited and rush into the forest, Sean was surprised to see him lost in thought, staring at the ground. He was lagging far behind, and Sean hadn’t heard him following.1fda8a501a979c41

“What are you doing, not coming?”6b159bb8ec5be9ee

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Sean cupped 78b537054b his hands 8f95aaefbf around his 5e515bb6bb mouth and 8f62c34367 shouted. Lane looked up. His eyes were hidden 7c244d7d56 by his hair and 103cf38d6b glasses, but he looked 122671402d as if a piece 7d5bc05729 of his soul had b8e234f67e drifted away. Even with c8418da6b7 the forest 0329896a22 behind him, c9cc4594bb he showed 78722ab35c no signs cd287e17af of excitement.b8fada32fb408131

Finding it strange, Sean f716cdc913 quickly ran over to 169711b158 Lane. Running was 5b3657f0ae second nature 65908cbcab to him, 3743fafa86 so he 53da54776e closed the 5e2eedd908 distance in 2d4b863578 a few 2f3b94ae33 strides. Lane stood quietly, watching b547da50e5 him approach.e9bb7915a25f1520

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“Are you okay? Why do you suddenly seem so down? Look over there, it’s the greenery you love.”e8832bf428d5aa83

Lane nodded weakly. He didn’t seem excited at all, which worried Sean. He leaned forward slightly, tilting his head to look into Lane’s eyes. The blue eyes were staring straight at him.7123f90510e60863

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“Lane.”16ba744b0477f5c6

When Sean called a5814b2684 his name, Lane bfab3b90f0 finally reacted.b98d09b86fd60a75

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“…Did you mean what you said earlier?”db9f377ebfef3b90

“What? What did I say?”e0502ed2fe93644a

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Sean blinked in confusion, and Lane’s eyelashes fluttered sharply. Suddenly avoiding his gaze, Lane turned his head away.e716d386b70dbedb

“That you won’t go to the forest with me anymore.”291583e69ed593e5

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Haha. So that’s what’s been bothering him. Sean let out a cheerful laugh and moved to face Lane, meeting his eyes as he spoke.5598fcb845211d4e

“If you want, we can go anytime. But what I meant was, weekends are usually for dates. During the week, you can’t really hang out because of work and classes.”90695991e1534fc6

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An inexplicable frustration filled Lane’s eyes and then disappeared. Unable to read what it was, Sean playfully added,5b26adfaa5576c20

“But usually, people don’t go on forest outings for dates, so if Dion doesn’t like it, I’ll go with you instead.”6a0b6f08dbdb9067

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“…Usually, huh?”105ddb0afa14b955

“Of course.”3891299d9ec7a0fc

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Lane asked in f2c175035f a voice that 6d09e3e1a8 seemed unable to c0dce0f551 comprehend.e6d83177fd1c486d

“Why not?”fe396b9bdfc5b8b7

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“Because it’s boring.”1764c9a598d0a84b

Unless they’re from Canada, Americans living in New York don’t do that. Sean’s confident rebuttal made Lane gasp and counter.67d32ace8c234c39

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“There’s so much to see in the forest. Even just looking at the dirt, you can see ants, and if you’re lucky, longhorn beetles and oak leaf beetles. There’s even more to see on rainy days.”e6567b916738f4da

Uh-huh, sure. Sean nodded 402c05aae9 and laughed, 99c75202b3 firmly denying 67ff2c01ed it.e8e276edecdeeb5c

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“Most people find that gross.”9324e7b5f6b66216