Han Xin didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he placed a small food bag on the desk, his movements deliberate. "I am sorry," he said, his voice steady but sincere.
"I should have told you yesterday where I was going and how long I would take. I have never been in a relationship before, and I have a lot to learn."
Xiang Yu blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected the apology to come so easily, without argument or resistance. A small smile tugged at his lips as he leaned back in the chair. "Well," he said, his tone lighter now, "at least you admit when you are wrong."
Han Xin nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "This is my apology gift," he said, gesturing to the food bag.
Xiang Yu’s curiosity was piqued, and he reached for the bag and opened it. Inside were neatly stacked bento boxes, filled with colorful fruits and a rich, hearty breakfast.
Xiang Yu picked up one of the boxes, inspecting the contents with a faint smile. He opened the fruit bento, his fingers brushing against the lid, and pulled out a bright red, mutated cherry.
He popped it into his mouth, biting down with a satisfying crunch. The burst of sweetness made him hum in approval, his smirk returning as he glanced up at Han Xin. "Not bad, not bad at all," he said, his tone teasing but appreciative.
Han Xin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he watched Xiang Yu bite into the red cherry, the juice glistening on his moist lips. The sight was utterly mesmerizing, an unintentional allure that caught Han Xin off guard. For a moment, he was tempted...so tempted to lean forward, to bite the other end of the cherry, to close the distance and kiss those lips. But he held himself back, his discipline fighting against the sudden pull of desire.
Clearing his throat, Han Xin forced his focus back to the matter at hand. "About last night," he began, his voice steady despite the rapid beat of his heart, "how did you know they were only the two of them in the city?"
Xiang Yu smirked, popping another cherry into his mouth. "I told you, I have my ways," he replied, his tone playful but evasive.
Han Xin’s gaze lingered on Xiang Yu’s lips as they curved into that infuriating smirk, his focus slipping again. The way Xiang Yu’s lips moved, the way they glistened with the juice of the fruit... it was maddening. He had to look away, but even then, the image lingered in his mind.
Xiang Yu continued, seemingly unaware of the effect he was having. "There aren’t any more assassins now," he said, his voice calm as he got up to pour himself a glass of water.
"But there should be a bounty on the top-ranking awakened in this city. I have an idea of how to deal with them." He turned slightly, his eyes meeting Han Xin’s. "But it will cost you."
Han Xin’s pulse quickened. The way Xiang Yu looked at him, the way his voice carried that teasing edge, it was too much.
A droplet of water clung to his lower lip, glistening like a jewel. Han Xin’s throat tightened at the sight, his mind flashing back to the taste of Xiang Yu’s lips still lingering on his lips. The memory was a spark, igniting the heat he had suppressed all night.
Without a word, Han Xin rose from his chair, his footsteps quiet on the carpeted floor. He closed the distance between them in a few swift strides, his presence looming over Xiang Yu like a storm cloud.
Before Xiang Yu could turn, Han Xin’s hand snaked around his waist, pulling him back against his chest. Xiang Yu’s breath hitched, the glass in his hand forgotten as Han Xin’s lips crashed down on his. The kiss was hungry, desperate, as if Han Xin had been starving for it.
Xiang Yu’s lips were soft and pliant, the faint sweetness of cherries still present, teasing Han Xin’s senses. Han Xin groaned into the kiss, his fingers digging into Xiang Yu’s waist through the fabric of his shirt.
He could feel the heat of Xiang Yu’s body, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the way his muscles tensed under his touch. Without breaking the kiss, Han Xin guided Xiang Yu backwards, his steps steady and purposeful, until the edge of the desk pressed against the back of Xiang Yu’s thighs.
Han Xin’s hands were everywhere, groping and gripping, as if he needed to feel every inch of Xiang Yu’s body. His fingers slid inside Xiang Yu’s shirt, tracing the contours of his abs and waist, mapping the terrain he had memorized but couldn’t resist exploring again.
Xiang Yu moaned into the kiss, the sound vibrating against Han Xin’s lips and sending a jolt of desire straight to his core. Han Xin pressed himself closer, his erection straining against his trousers, as their tongues entwined in a dance as old as time.
Breaking the kiss reluctantly, Han Xin trailed his lips along Xiang Yu’s jawline, nipping at his earlobe before kissing his way down to the sensitive spot where his neck met his shoulder. Xiang Yu shivered, his head tilting back to grant Han Xin better access.
Han Xin’s hands never stilled, unbuttoning Xiang Yu’s shirt with practised ease, exposing his chest to the cool air of the office. Xiang Yu’s nipples were already erect, tight buds begging for attention, and Han Xin’s gaze darkened with hunger.
"You are beautiful," Han Xin murmured, his breath ghosting over Xiang Yu’s skin as he leaned in to kiss the hollow of his throat. His lips brushed against Xiang Yu’s Adam’s apple, the pulse there rapid and strong, a testament to his arousal.
Han Xin’s fingers traced the lines of Xiang Yu’s chest, circling his nipples before pinching them gently. Xiang Yu gasped, his hands gripping the edge of the desk for support as pleasure coursed through him.
"You need to fortify the city," he suddenly whispered, his voice steady despite the raggedness of his breath. "And then we... we go hunting."
Han Xin paused, his fingers stilling on Xiang Yu’s waist as he pulled back slightly to meet his gaze. Xiang Yu’s eyes were dark with want, his lips swollen from their kisses. He
asked, "How do we do that?" his voice husky and alluring.