Eric helped Yuri into the elevator. They both awkwardly stood there.
"Well, which floor do you stay in."
"Oh sorry,"
He watched the man press the topmost floor.
"This elevator leads directly to my apartment. No one else can come in without a key," he handed a small card to him.
Eric did not take it.
"You will need it," he stuffed it into his pocket.
Eric glared up at him. "This is just a two-day deal. Don’t forget that."
"I know~" Yuri smirked softly. "I’m really thankful, Eric." He leaned down slightly.
Knowing his intention, Eric dodged and leaned back against the elevator. "Let’s add another rule. If you break my no-touching law, I walk out of here right that second. Nothing you say will stop me."
Yuri pouted. "Fine."
Right then, the elevator stopped. Yuri hobbled out.
Eric, though, stood frozen. Weirdly, this whole house looked familiar. From the windows to the walls, everything looked the same.
’W-why... why is it like this... it’s like our home...’
It was eerily similar to the home he shared with his beloved Aaron.
They lived almost thirty years in that house; how could he not recognize it?
Seeing such a familiar sight brought him a lot of nostalgic memories.
’Aaron would hug me and cuddle me to sleep every day on that couch, and... that wall... I painted it baby blue... and... that plant... I wanted it there...’
Tears prickled his eyes.
"Eric?" Yuri gazed back at him doubtfully. "Are you okay?"
Eric quickly wiped his tears away. "I-I’m fine." He walked in. "Where is my room?"
Right now, he needed to just rest. All of this was overwhelming.
"The guest room is not cleaned, so... I thought..." Yuri sheepishly smiled.
"I’ll sleep on the sofa." Eric unhesitatingly walked up to the sofa and laid down with his eyes tightly closed.
’It doesn’t smell the same...’
His lover usually loved just sleeping on the sofa, leaving behind his scent on it. It used to smell like sun-dried sheets.
His lips trembled.
’Aaron... is that really you... are you really in Yuri...’
"Then I’ll... I’ll be in the bedroom. It’s this one," he heard Yuri whisper.
Eric nodded. "I’ll give you a bath in an hour. Take rest."
"Okay..."
He could feel Yuri lingering close by. Suddenly, a soft feeling caressed his body.
Opening his eyes, he saw Yuri standing over him with a soft fleece blanket. "I’ll get the guest room cleaned. You can sleep in my room if you want."
Worriedly, Eric peered into his eyes. The familiar pair of blue eyes did not look at him, but an equally familiar pair of brown eyes looked at him warmly.
’Aaron... it is you...’ he smiled lightly. "Okay."
It was just mid-morning, so Eric was not that sleepy. He laid there, looking around at their familiar house. If Yuri did carry Aaron’s memories, then he... he might not be able to push him away anymore. He wanted to meet his lover again.
He wanted to hug him again.
sleep in his arms.
cuddle, and joke around.
He wanted his lover.
Eric closed his eyes tightly. ’I need to slow down.’
The last time he met Bai Yuri in his dreams and fell so fast, and when his lover didn’t remember him, he was utterly disappointed. It left him physically sick.
’Yes... slow... I need to take it slow.’
He slept for a bit and woke up by afternoon. Yuri was not in the hall. Eric gathered his courage and walked into Yuri’s room.
A familiar yellow sheet faced him, and on that bed was a slightly rolled-up figure.
He walked close and gently patted his hand. "Yuri?"
Yuri’s eyes trembled open, peering up at him unblinking.
"What do you want for lunch?"
Yuri did not answer. He simply looked up at him with a soft smile.
"Yuri?" he waved a hand over his face.
Yuri blinked. "For a second, I thought I was dreaming... It is such a pleasant sight....."
Eric chuckled. "Don’t you want to bathe or eat lunch?"
"Hmm, I want to be bathed by you..." Yuri sat up.
The man was not wearing any shirt. His naked torso was revealed.
Eric gulped, watching his straining muscles.
’Gosh, he is in good shape...’
Intentionally, Yuri stretched a few more times, looking at him with a smile. "I just feel a bit stiff after a nap. Can you massage my shoulders, Eric?"
Eric blinked dazedly. "Huh?"
Yuri turned back and showed him his strong muscular back. "It hurts... can you massage it for me."
For a second, Eric could not react. His heart was beating so loudly. But quickly, he snapped out. Black bruises marred his pale back.
"Shit... you’re bruised..." he gently touched the black and blue skin.
Yuri flinched and trembled.
"Wait, I’ll apply some cream."
"No, it’s..." Yuri watched the man run out of the room with a sigh. "I don’t need medicine... I just want you to touch me..."
Pouting, he slumped in the bed. Next second, Eric ran back in with a tube in hand. "Turn around. Do you have any bruises on your chest?" he gazed at his body worriedly.
There was a huge vertical line that ran from his left shoulders to his right hip. It was likely from the seat belt digging into his skin.
"You... you idiot! Why did you stupidly run into that car! You should have been careful! Look at your body. It’s black and blue!!" he unscrewed the medicine and carefully applied it all over his body.
Yuri watched him with an indulging smile. ’It was so worth it... if I was not hurt, would you look at me, Eric....’ he reached out to touch his hair, but he stopped.
’I have to be patient. He will run away if I make my advances now.’
’I need to seduce him.... Seduce him so much that he can’t get me out of his head.’
’I want to occupy his whole being.’
’Eric... I want you all to myself. Your mind and mine alone. No one else’s.’
’When I find that Aaron... I’ll make him disappear. I’ll make sure that you only have me in your heart.’
Yuri smiled softly and leaned back, letting his little lover smear the medicine.