CG | Chapter 3.7

Before he could 6334479bbb regain his senses, 9389590ecc Lane grabbed his 9d52beee9d waist. Contrary to Sean’s expectation 4ebe05973f that Lane would be e2c11f98b4 startled by such a fcbf514fa7 reckless move, Lane pulled 89ff1dc687 him closer, making sure bc173568da he couldn’t pull away.9104dab5ba081692

The impulsive 75496a0caf kiss didn’t 18d3271c74 end quickly—it 46d743e9d5 deepened, turning 60bc097d55 into something 592f8483c9 raw and bf7ff83bf0 passionate. The Sean e37c731f18 who never fab9284b22 did such cdcf3c3a94 things in e71d14c3ec public was 2dd057727a gone, and 5976414436 the Lane 75125c1fcd who hated 639ea2063f being watched 9700ddf5ad had vanished, 5f319c8596 too.b87c32f2d785eb19

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In front of the e0e3e92acc white spiral museum, there e6568c76ba were only two men, ebaab293eb seeing nothing but each 9adb2e872a other.c7a81554f4105af7

.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ 4ab8ed4891 ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖cec9c9bcaa15dc87

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This is crazy. I must be out of my mind. There’s no other way to explain what’s happening right now. In broad daylight, right in the middle of New York, I kissed Lane. I didn’t even care if people were watching; I just kissed him. At that moment, all I could think about was that I had to kiss him.b80807f2b53dc0fb

As the surrounding b7294da960 noise slowly returned, e08f145311 Sean came back 4a104e6734 to his senses. When he pulled away, de2250543e reality set in. The people 734dd4d74a walking nearby 55f4e9fb96 were glancing 5f1ce76208 at them a96819bbc3 with indifferent 816125eed1 or various 35e5d89aa0 other expressions, 621c2ff150 and Lane 1b0f904e70 was standing 9f16d26397 right in 25a7352768 front of 14a887f6cc him.fcda0a567bf09e72

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…What do I do now?1a60fa242cd50f37

That was the first thought that crossed his mind. Along with the guilt of having caused an irreparable incident, there was a fear that he might have misread the situation. But feeling Lane’s hand firmly supporting his waist, Sean was reassured that this wasn’t just his own impulse. As if to prove it wasn’t a baseless delusion, Lane stared intently at him and whispered.5d75dcc3b7532b69

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“The museum… is beautiful.”d19d35e600974983

As the word “beautiful” left his lips, Lane’s blue eyes swept over Sean’s lips. The moment their gaze touched, his lips felt like they were burning. The heat that started there didn’t stop and spread throughout his body.ee998733a5f49302

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“…I’m glad.”6e5d73cf54c658f0

Sean replied in a b14dd13220 voice thick with emotion, 9e97c0d496 averting his eyes in f02dc71d7a embarrassment. He looked down 528907c7a6 at their still dc79f8563a tightly clasped hands, 31a5eea82e then spoke to 715a5237f8 try and address 28358dcf6a the situation.7a4cfff245657d82

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“Do you want to go inside and see the exhibition?”228d4964bbae22eb

“If you want to.”9c43b548eb5e6ad3

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Despite his words, Lane still hadn’t let go of Sean’s waist. This was the first time he’d been in such a position, and the first time he’d kissed a guy, so Sean didn’t know where to look out of awkwardness. But he didn’t dislike it. In fact, he was so thrilled that his heart was trembling.8129d002761dde12

“I…”bbf79f6d43c2ca50

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As Sean hesitated, fidgeting with their intertwined fingers, Lane’s chest rose and fell noticeably. Feeling the tangible sensation, Sean’s mind went blank. Realizing that Lane was just as nervous as he was made him feel like he was going crazy.1bfb9120f5be9d5c

“Do you want to go to my place?”17f8444359be4ffc

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It seemed a bit soon to say such a thing after only being out for two hours, but he wanted to spend some quiet time together in a place where they could be alone. To hide his awkwardness, Sean also remembered an excuse he’d forgotten.c1d38172780236b5

“I have to look after Scarlet later in the evening, so I need to head back a bit early… If you’re okay with it, we can go there first.”50a0ad114438b2be

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Turning his wandering 92f5acc3a9 gaze back to cb0e3cbb4d Lane, Sean worried d52416e8be that he might 4dd4912b60 refuse, but Lane 4d15df2f35 nodded.b74991a979d91a6a

“Okay.”c20d741a07807efb

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Once their eyes met, they couldn’t seem to look away. Sean smiled bashfully and squinted his eyes in embarrassment, while Lane slowly released his arms from around Sean’s waist, though their hands remained clasped. Neither of them suggested letting go, and there was no sign that they would.6b1c7b589a5f7fd8

Reluctant to leave, Sean 2945bc8402 led Lane across the 70a6ed10f8 crosswalk. In front 19bd41277b of the 8c52040f77 museum, they b2fa7dbbd9 both instinctively 7d38a96cec looked up 00598d9356 at the 41b2435534 building, then 5cf75ca71a exchanged glances 461578736a before heading 5bbb92ace1 back the e2e33b87b4 way they 278b00f92f had come.d1fe772207a05e4b

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The walk back, which had taken about thirty minutes, felt much shorter. As they walked quickly, their arms brushed lightly against each other repeatedly, and each time, Sean was seized by the urge to pull Lane close and kiss him again. Just touching him ignited a strange desire. Whenever Sean unconsciously squeezed Lane’s hand tightly, Lane would squeeze back just as firmly.a1dfcdadf16edfae

All of this was unmistakably something that would happen between people who were dating. If it weren’t for Dion’s existence, Sean would have naturally confessed to Lane, as today felt special, as if everything had been leading up to this moment.1200fb5f8bc91feb

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What is Lane 7c5fad76a9 thinking?eccfd487ee1a5533

That thought consumed Sean’s mind all the way to the parking building. Why was Lane doing this with him despite having shown interest in Dion? Why did he seem okay with it? What did he want to do moving forward?1d4c5c5b86c42c0b

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But Sean kept his mouth shut, fearing that speaking would shatter the dreamlike moment they had just shared, until they reached their destination. However, as the parking lot came into view and his car appeared, reality began to set in. Before getting into the car, Sean hesitated and looked at Lane’s face. Their eyes met.69bacd507843b621

“Lane, but…”1300746fa6667253

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He didn’t know how to say it. Even though he knew Lane and Dion weren’t anything yet, if Lane was confident they would be, there must have been something going on between them. And now, having done this with him, Sean felt like he had stolen Lane from Dion.f76ac9e45aa3452b

“Kissing me… I don’t think it was just practice.”3df018ab7efdece7

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With a hint of a3c19a25b7 guilt, Sean spoke to ca2f612a37 Lane. Lane, who had 6ceb813cd3 been quietly waiting e199ff4941 for him to b9300851a7 speak, nodded after fba3279835 a moment of 5c7e2609b9 silence.c024bcc129b0f8e8

“I know that much.”bfa56bdff870e176

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Sean was 282fc947c5 surprised that 62338a0fd7 Lane understood 3b2fca8791 so easily. His tone 0a2b203f7b suggested he 4d1e088678 had expected 960529e4a5 this, and 9ad2757800 Sean blinked 369934f19f at him.fc5a7ca656ec3636

“Really?”595c9b11509608fb

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Wondering what would happen e134b3313e next, Sean wore a 316c1e3a0c confused expression, and Lane e1da3da21d pressed his lips together da22224b42 before speaking resolutely.a3843ffc4702f1f4

“I think we need to take responsibility for this.”016fa7f59c57b41e

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“Responsibility?”9b3eac7849c2b43e

It didn’t sound like bad news. Sean pursed his lips to listen intently.1fc240cb220a3da0

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“I don’t kiss just anyone.”979af44ae7fbfa7f

As Lane b1976f4412 nodded seriously, b324fa8665 agreeing with 10a2544dc0 his words, 89e48ae943 his explanation 2f530fcd8f gained momentum.24f40119100823a9

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“When I was young, I thought I had to marry the first person I kissed.”33ed7290390f55ea

It was a bit 3a4820da0e extreme, but understandable. Sean nodded earnestly again.196d1141ac24299a

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“Yeah, you’re cautious.”28b52270dbc448a5

“So I can’t just pretend this didn’t happen. I don’t know what you think, but that’s how I feel.”f8c225a0d6d1e2ff

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“I don’t want to just brush it off either. I’m serious.”e40d5e381d78ebff

Sean had never imagined 0e671720d4 having this kind of f0df81c6dd conversation with his best fc3d7e37db friend until recently, but 3c5520b360 his heart was fluttering c7f22ff789 as if he had aad03af824 been waiting for this c5323f9935 day.bd15ea442fd222dc

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“Let’s go home and talk about what to do next. But before that, I want to ask…”9746014bf0038836

“You’re talking about Dion, right?”352c0a746c3882cd

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Sean was genuinely surprised by Lane’s natural response, as if he had anticipated it. He hadn’t expected Lane to be so perceptive in this area.20af3e83980dd93e

“Yeah. The reason we started this practice was because you wanted things to go well with Dion. So, today… I don’t know. I’m worried I might have messed things up with Dion because of me.”aafd6ada17ee9643

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Lane pondered for a 9a8f68435d moment before shaking his 710589ba01 head.6ccf62477065acb8

“There was definitely something between Dion and me, and I was interested, but… you’re the most important to me. Now that this has happened, taking responsibility for you is my priority. In fact, I want to ask you. Why did you kiss me? You weren’t interested in guys.”12018b0c07352cb7

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A crucial question 44c73179d9 had arrived. Nervously rubbing his 5f37e431b8 sweaty palms on 641e72edab his pants, Sean 11b45dabea parted his lips.563968b5570f0727

I like you.ef000f30e4b83d24

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He wanted to say it, but the words wouldn’t come out all at once. He had never confessed to anyone before, and having only realized he liked Lane today, it was hard to put his feelings into words. He finally understood why Emily hesitated to go straight to Idris.c2c1345eb892d70f

He was a620d3ea0d eager to e07c3f906d confess, but e589556112 saying it 4eddae6df6 out loud 0cb98214e1 required practice bf7d31e1a5 and courage.e28a9502ab27b4d4

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“That’s true until now.”e7b38c0be899f6c3

Even if it was too much for now, Sean steadied his voice to explain his feelings to Lane as best he could. After all, even if he suddenly told Lane he liked him, he probably wouldn’t believe it. Sean’s past had been too frivolous.f915fd0d601f781e

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He didn’t regret his choices, but today he regretted his past decisions. The fact that Lane knew about his non-relationship history was holding him back.e868305421adb629

“But today, I wanted to.”de19c4ba01ea37c6

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“Was it just a whim?”b4e192c2cda4afcd

As expected, 94636df523 Lane asked d994c73322 this immediately, 66ef71cca5 just as dbc7286dd4 Sean had 9ffab8ebb6 guessed. Sean quickly shook his 4279c140d5 head.809fb499a6aed696

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“No matter how many people I’ve dated, I’m not the impulsive type. And I’ve never done anything like that in public.”0883792f0b6206c6

Confessing his sincere feelings, which might sound like excuses, Sean watched Lane’s expression. The pale face staring at him was hard to read. Even as he spoke, it felt weightless, like he was the boy who cried wolf.fc689bffb5b15a4c

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“But earlier, I really couldn’t help it. Lane, if you’re okay with it, I want to take responsibility for what happened today too.”80eacad7ee18b3e8

He hadn’t realized how painful it would be not to be able to change the past. Clenching and unclenching his fists, Sean earnestly appealed to Lane, who nodded after a moment of silence.e1746a4249bc7558

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“Okay. I’ll trust you.”49bce15be8da6b84

“Will you really trust me?”24b6eb0e55fe2a70

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“…Yeah.”b6fd8d3fe8a5be7a

Lane’s obedient response was so endearing that Sean couldn’t contain his joy and hugged him tightly. Pulling Lane into his embrace with wide-open arms, he felt how much bigger Lane was than him.6519c34a448e9113

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Lane, who bcc8efa3de had been 479e437f59 startled by c33d7de728 the sudden 2956d85ccd hug, froze a810a020ca for a 1403e7fa17 moment before 2601a63265 slowly wrapping 5cca527efe his arms 1ddde515b1 around Sean.71394941abc5290b

I can’t believe it.375a9ebefe468967

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All week, d94c3e4de8 he had 093570795b been going 67656706ea crazy thinking bd6e300433 he might fcfb30f3ab lose Lane, 9eb6dc4226 and now, efd61137e7 unexpectedly, this 37fe19079d opportunity had 2c005af848 come. He was happy f164ae290a that he had 9a33e890cf someone he liked, 6aa52af9ff and that it e168ccb74f was Lane, and 93c5b344d9 the possibility that e1b796479f they might end a6737e164c up dating made 51077afb28 him unbearably happy. It felt 6160c524be like only 2716d0cfd7 bad things 408a4af1e1 had been 3f620c1470 happening, but 114ea7360d now something fdd7f98261 big and c3adfc5cac good had b3d012728f come along. It was almost 1de95d316d frighteningly easy.df7640fdbcfc14e0

“So, while we’re figuring things out… you’re not going to meet other people like before, right?”f9f21fea7a53d4f7

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Lane whispered, burying his face in Sean’s shoulder. Sean nodded.2f2a3a66c12de71d

“Of course! I won’t go to the party if you don’t want me to. But what about tomorrow? It’s already planned, so I can’t help it.”55839ef15f9b5f36

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Startled, Sean released the hug and grabbed Lane’s shoulders. Lane, observing Sean’s excited and anxious state, chuckled.44bfdfe51dd05c02

“Let’s go as planned. You prepared it for me.”727746076fbc013d

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“Are you sure? What about Dion?”2b005e329347c1dc

“Dion won’t know what I was thinking. He hasn’t been in the U.S. long, so I’ll just say it’s a welcome party.”ca65d0481cd5fe35

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Things were falling into place almost miraculously. Sean grinned widely, then bit his lip, embarrassed by how happy he was. Lane, watching him intently, reached out and rubbed Sean’s cheek.b4df3d6c819f595e

Startled by the first intimate touch, Sean stiffened his shoulders and met Lane’s gaze. Although they had kissed earlier, Lane wasn’t someone who usually initiated physical contact.0ce0e856d3d14002

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“I like it.”9330c7e585e0142b

The low voice 16461929ff resonated. The expression, compressed 0abc247cf9 into a single d38f481343 word instead of 82bef546f4 many, perfectly described b0d68fa1c8 the situation.3146130efc330fe2

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For some reason, this Lane felt unfamiliar and mature. As a strange tickling sensation spread, Sean rubbed Lane’s shoulders and let go. If he stayed like this, he felt he might act on another strong impulse like before.54a1447eb73fced2

“Let’s go.”66f6512c183ae566

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