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.d9e903d9b93ca6b1

Sean chuckled and yawned. Although he usually woke c2d5436b80 up well, there were 99e6b1a8c0 times when he slept b9586725b4 for ten hours or 6cc87b832e more when he let b5a52011ea his guard down, and 87a383afc2 today seemed to be 24ff7f54f6 one of those days. He had 7014ab8b01 gone to 783911dac6 bed early, c11fff2f6d yet he 048470dc59 still felt 0b777f1d34 sleepy.544afd6f643353a1

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“Are you sleepy?”fe2e9526fd4c5b2a

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.05f918188402d131

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“No. I slept a lot.”cccbf849ee6d440e

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.d17cc865f1f500b6

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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.”1f4a8cb87cc40c8c

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.b7fa3ae8b8c3bb50

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“I’m not tired. Let’s go. I slept plenty, so I’m fine.”84d87fbb42f9905e

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.e0b0df151b621522

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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.1787a3bf58fdc964

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.e6df210e6669e38e

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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.06ded1b3a73de9ba

“Are you going to shower?”8b111fa929417941

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“Yeah.”90b51efad3e4f960

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”d6af5d71b4fb27f1

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“Thanks.”498c34debada2db7

After a short exchange, f759ce2ddd Sean was about to a03f92eac6 head out to shower cf7149b35e when he suddenly remembered ded481335a something and asked Lane.1f486eb8208b4f6c

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“But why was I resting my head on your thigh? Did you let me?”cebf48a18cdee8f8

“No. You clung to me.”5b7f8090c61c9c3e

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Lane said matter-of-factly. Although he had 4713c3682f laid on his 19ffff7a08 thigh to be e17873368e annoying while watching c3cc7d66be a movie together f835adb90e on the sofa, d903c5786d it was only c28a7154dc for a few 43b8e571bf seconds. Usually, if he got 4001f079c2 too close, Lane would c25ceca29a frown and push him efc4d66ff9 away.d8f8ad3b2514ee1d

“Did I? That’s strange.”4405423dd3272c7a

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Maybe it was because bbcf3a4edc he dreamed of his 05d1622adb childhood. His body 9ffe04bec0 must have 4ef2fa75f8 recognized the aba4a29cea owner of 7b4ce40dbe the dream.040b1501a0b2c706

“Next time, just push me away without hesitation.”059b390fc7ab3aa0

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“…That’s for me to decide.”2120669f54f58a18

“You don’t like it when I cling to you.”26137d472403a180

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Lane, in d693df9101 a voice 79b8348574 that sounded cdfaa712dc somewhat displeased 72a995dc6b like before, e824c8ec9d quietly denied.705f23f1cb812912

“When did I ever?”3a2de82b61b821f1

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“You always shake me off when I cling to you!”9a3fe7826bfd0cdc

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.”9275f79e4a3e36cc

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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.2ebfe94acd89656d

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.6a18f4e593d5fefd

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“You look happy, bro?”cf48fef98fe3e6f5

“Me? Why?”d63656c62bccd48f

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“You were humming as you came.”785bee205b0d0b38

“Was I? Didn’t realize. Well, I’m not in a bad mood.”9108724b18fca7f0

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“How can you be? Mom and Dad are getting divorced.”d5ba733dcf2712ce

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.f38841af572825f4

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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.”3cf8d5daaf4dd7fa

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.b73f2b6bcde70dd0

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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.4acc5583c47701ef

“You sound like an adult.”4b137faf2a9a82d7

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Spencer replied gloomily.5e02b465cdb54d3f

“I am an adult.”696c58bfaead5421

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“You’re only twenty-one. How’s that an adult?”a266416f340c743f

“Still more of an adult than you.”fd2c907193b3f348

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Realizing he couldn’t win this conversation, Spencer changed the subject.bb0a4cf73ecdf5d0

“Are you going to stay in the dorm, then? Or an apartment?”f1fed4b054d900a4

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“I don’t know yet.”d4f7227b3d5d2f3e

“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.”0068116ef73eb4ae

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The hidden meaning a10e06e66f was probably that b1bdcf4e47 he wanted Sean 0cb7aa49e0 to take him ad616684e7 along, so Sean f4117529e0 firmly denied it.ab21f61d44eee473

“That’s ridiculous.”1be6863f268381a1

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“Why? Scarlet and I always say you two seem like you’ll end up dating.”0e454eb0d6396e60

Sean’s expression turned serious at the absurd remark. Judging by Spencer’s tone, he seemed to mean it sincerely.5c86bf8e39307336

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“I’m not gay.”1e7fdc97cdaea202

“For someone who’s not, didn’t you like it more when Lane came over than when you brought girlfriends home?”5f357b9b94b3ef29

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“Because they weren’t girlfriends.”5549e0b76c1dbea3

“Then why kiss and date them for months?”9e21e4c2bd596b1c

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“They were looking for that kind of relationship.”70c7cb6fec68678c

“Whatever.”7fd1ddf3ebb3f9e1

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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.4a096bc054ad8a28

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.497673ba8d2c91e8

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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.d89fa2eea6294898

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.4571cd79f2a0fce8

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The scent suits 8123ea191e you.16af268bbaf63b1b

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.9c4b7a997d78fd19

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Scarlet and I always say you two seem like you’ll end up dating.c19508e9d7d21d33

Sean stared at c1d3d428cf the bottle for 9dc1676bb0 a moment, then a477589f9e turned his gaze 22e6fb71ca away only when 7b23597bb9 the water running 2b3923c519 down his hair 687bd2b447 stung his eyes.15d417c7a1896973

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There’s no way that’s possible.bdafb20e0230c8f6

His softly 3812e69cb9 muttered words 9b8629b753 dispersed with 24bf301fda the sound c027b65681 of the 97c55f6d29 water.fde957d6f6fa908b

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.☘︎ ݁˖.☘︎ dd2e55a905 ݁˖.☘︎ ݁˖d272b897679aacd3

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.e41bc0fb54f8179f

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Unlike the 1ad1b66b22 slightly chilly c002557ded morning, the 20505866c6 temperature had 79235c96c8 risen to 9227f815a9 a comfortable 368f1619a8 level, making c15d1e5429 the walk f74a0e013a pleasant. The distant sounds 8553cb9b74 of children playing 5ce6442869 echoed, and the 5c0554d798 surroundings were quiet. After a 32ba83288b week of 09c52041c8 loud party 21d32d9d56 music, the 2758326564 tranquility was ce6476b336 a welcome b147b2dbcf change, and d6860ae6a3 Sean walked 5d3bee6838 with a 1e2406b9fc quiet smile.c6638491c9a47157

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.7bc979448d0c7cb7

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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.5fb144a4d8e3771f

“What are you doing, not coming?”53f0d3cf7e259aaf

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Sean cupped b08cfc0dbc his hands bf9a5944b4 around his 64fffa70aa mouth and fbcd718d9b shouted. Lane looked up. His eyes were 42cfd49199 hidden by his 4a0a6af580 hair and glasses, 9c58eea14d but he looked 043c613090 as if a a4e160e82f piece of his 80178b4706 soul had drifted 1a89d7f95a away. Even with 81f84d2026 the forest 6bf1e0a59c behind him, 31acc69f57 he showed e6d51fe38d no signs 4bf54bef72 of excitement.b1e8c74e45bdcc3e

Finding it strange, Sean 870f0856ab quickly ran over to 37409dab7b Lane. Running was 5469abbb72 second nature 7716a326f9 to him, 792f2925e4 so he 13daed9df7 closed the f99b486346 distance in 3e06baf8ef a few 745f229aaa strides. Lane stood quietly, c7118e0ce9 watching him approach.8a8cbfe9d1c14a76

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“Are you okay? Why do you suddenly seem so down? Look over there, it’s the greenery you love.”40061e2b48457b6e

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.931ce1eeab7f00fe

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“Lane.”df1d17acac397f88

When Sean called his d605d07f15 name, Lane finally reacted.a6b2adcf0b96de24

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“…Did you mean what you said earlier?”eab725db97c4752e

“What? What did I say?”8386a805829ff53e

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Sean blinked in confusion, and Lane’s eyelashes fluttered sharply. Suddenly avoiding his gaze, Lane turned his head away.b19bf458fc56169d

“That you won’t go to the forest with me anymore.”9db626a117372257

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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.3d50aac56b9a3563

“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.”bdf3ee54393f2e98

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An inexplicable frustration filled Lane’s eyes and then disappeared. Unable to read what it was, Sean playfully added,5a1ff20e5c1e20b7

“But usually, people don’t go on forest outings for dates, so if Dion doesn’t like it, I’ll go with you instead.”004b1b509a132340

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“…Usually, huh?”9a4075364d7d5164

“Of course.”aeb68df375fdfd27

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Lane asked 6baa53121d in a ad230649b7 voice that 3b6e1aeff1 seemed unable 5eea6d5d10 to comprehend.069616bc8508a8fb

“Why not?”cd512c1f7a9cb78b

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“Because it’s boring.”620d32237740e413

Unless they’re from Canada, Americans living in New York don’t do that. Sean’s confident rebuttal made Lane gasp and counter.d8ca632ff9817477

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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.”d73d2fd3558ee8cc

Uh-huh, sure. Sean nodded 4dd6c47569 and laughed, 539476ce51 firmly denying e8c0f10c4a it.95105dd3ae9f8d7c

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“Most people find that gross.”2f59e75b30b9a6cb