GLEAM

A week have gone by and Leo was sitting on his couch, holding and staring blankly at the invitation Damon's sister handed to him while listening to the deafening silence of the whole living room. He recalled a few days back, when he saw Dana in the parking area excitedly giggling while ambling her way towards him, he didn't know what to feel at first. His hand was stuck on the car door, his feet were glued to the ground and his mouth dropped a little when he saw her, waving at him from afar. Seeing her again after a year or so, suddenly recollected what had occurred a couple of years ago when she, his brother Felix and their Uncle came to tell him that Damon didn't make it.

And it's not like he doesn't want to see her personally, he was glad but, he just simply sees the past in her making it harder to forget it even more. On the side of that, he felt a bit hurt when she left.

His heart screamed bitterness but managed to hide it well with his emotionless eyes, offering her a forced smile instead when she was finally just a few steps from him.

The woman extended her arms and gave Leo a tight hug, something she is comfortable doing since, in her heart, both Kalen and he is like her little brothers, and continued to feel so even though she was hurt herself. Dana felt a flinched when she hugged him and waited for the man to hug her back, but realizing that he was surprised and hesitant, she whispered at him in a most pleasant voice while caressing the man's hair;

"Hello, my Leo Di, your sister missed you so much."

Leo's shoulders began to loosen when he heard the word Oneesan and closed his eyes, realizing that she is still, and always will be, a big sister to him. He hugged back the woman which was enough to release a smile on the other's face.

Back at the moment.

Leo sighed a sluggish one as he puts down the invitation on the table, laying his head next to the back pillow while massaging his forehead with both his hands. He closed his tired eyes and tried to relax his drained body for he only got back from work, nearly fainting because of exhaustion if not for his manager, Jax who convinced him to go home already and rest. He was feeling squeamish the moment he woke up that morning but still chose to go to work because of two reasons; one, he couldn't sleep the night before thinking about Kalen, who hasn't texted or replied to any of his messages for weeks now, and wanted to get rid of the stupid thoughts as to why and two, he didn't want to waste his time at home doing nothing and nobody was there to take care of him anyway so, even though he was feeling nauseous and all, he pushed himself to function properly as much as he could.

His eyes started to droop but before they fell fully into the darkness, Leo got up and trudged to the kitchen urging himself to eat something and take medicine before he completely loses his senses. He didn't even bother to switch on the light and only a little brightness coming from the living room was its only source.

Feeling weak and feeling like he was floating, he managed to grab a biscuit from the fridge only to take a small bite and then fill a glass of water before going upstairs to get the medicine from the bathroom cabinet. It's been so long since he fell ill and on days like this, he would miss Damon even more. His immune-boosting chicken and rice soup, the way he would freak out when he is too sick to even stand up and Damon staying up until daylight, taking care of him. All of it, is just a distant memory now.

Instead of going to his room, Leo went on to the other one which used to be Damon's, and sat on his long-unused bed, took out the medicine from the bottle, and popped it inside his mouth, sliding it down with some water hoping to ease the discomfort even a little. Like a little kid, he lay down on the empty bed and curled up like a ball while hugging Damon's pillow and trying to sleep it all off.

He was about to do so but then, Kalen's face suddenly came to his mind. When he fell sick in his home and he took care of him. That kiss, that quick but amazing kiss. That soft, trembling lips wanting his own to do it again but couldn't, and how he wishes now that Kalen is there to also take care of him.

He drifts away, slowly falling asleep with Kalen's face still wavering in his mind like a sweet lullaby putting a baby to slumber. He sails in the waves of his dream, a peaceful and beautiful fantasy only you can catch a glimpse of when your eyes are closed.

Then a hand, a warm, familiar touch on his cheek which woke up Leo a little, and a stunning voice suddenly emerged from nowhere and whispered;

"Happy Birthday, my Baobei.."

"Baobei.." Leo uttered in his sleep, smiling gently.

In Shanghai.

"When are you planning to go back to Beijing, Kal?"

Said the man whose back was turned away from the still sleepy one and is busy making coffee. Kalen, who was rubbing his eyes, stopped suddenly and frowned at the unexpected query, gawking at his friend with a what-do-you-mean expression.

"Why, Matt? Are you kicking me out already?"

"Do I have to?" Matt sarcastically answered back, stirring the coffee in a relaxed manner and turning his head at Kalen who is immensely puzzled.

Kalen gaped at his best friend with confused eyes but the playful one only responded with laughter, contented by his dazed utterance while walking back at the kitchen table and sitting comfortably.

"You're so cute. You crack me up every time." Said the man cackling while handing the coffee to the other one.

It has been 2 weeks since Kalen decided to take a leave from work, arriving in Shanghai the day after he and Dana met and staying with his best friend Matt since. His apartment is just minutes away from his mate but the other persuaded him to stay with him instead and couldn't say no to his pleading face. He needed a break from all of it and staying with Matt for the time being seemed to be the most idealistic one for he needed someone with whom he can complain about the difficulties of his life and Matt is the only one who can understand.

But, he is still stunned. Before they can start to eat, he asked his friend again but this time, with a more serious tone.

"Are you kicking me out?"

"Kal, no. And, I don't have to, right?"

The man took his cup of coffee and sampled a little, preparing himself for the topic they haven't talked about since Kalen came, Leo. He bent a little forward, and wandered his eyes around for a bit as reluctance took place but Kalen knows his friend too well.

"Don't you want to see him? You've been ignoring his messages and calls since you arrived."

And his guess was right. It's true though, they haven't talked about Leo since he arrived but what's there to talk about? He thought. All he and Matt discuss is Damon and their family, his health, what food to eat, and other plans while he is in Shanghai but, no Leo in between those conversations.

"Why would I want to see him?"

"Simply because.."

"What?" Said the man with a raised brow.

"Because he affects you. He has this impact on you that you keep ignoring."

"And why do you think that?"

"Because you care. If not, you should've told him long ago to leave you alone but no, you let him pester you and you like the feeling, right? Don't dare lie. I know you."

"What are you saying?"

Matt's eyes narrowed at the man in front of him, warning him with his gazes to just confess to it already.

"Are you just in denial about it or what? What I'm saying is, you like the guy!" Slamming his hands on the table.

"Just admit it. You like it when he bothers you, you like the feeling of being cared about by him, don't you?"

Kalen was quelled and his gaze was stuck on Matt's forceful glare, in the thought of what the man had just said to him. When Matt is out doing errands, he spends his time thinking about his feelings for Leo and all it took was a simple question for him to figure out the answer, thanks to his good friend. Matt smiled fondly at his best friend, immediately understanding the man's silence and Kalen did the same for they know each other greater than anyone else.

"Now, we can finally eat and you can finally go back." Matt asserted but Kalen only pouted and answered him back with a hiss.

"You kept bugging me to come here and now you want me to go? You're something, Matthew. You don't want me here anymore?"

Matt lifted his head while he chews his food, swallowing fast as if wanting to say something to the nagging man, and finally doing so, he pointed the fork to Kalen and sneered.

"Now, don't give me that innocent, angelic face of yours and try to make me look like the bad guy. I love you being here and you coming to me instead of me coming to you sure saved me some cash but, I know you want to see him, feel free to leave."

Kalen glimmered at his supportive friend, stood up, and walked towards him, embracing the understanding man from behind which he deserves for everything he is doing for him. He responded with a light tap on Kalen's arm and whispered;

"You deserve to be happy, Kal. Forget about the past and for once, just live your life. Go back to Beijing, go to Leo and tell him what you feel."

"Should I tell him about Damon? Do you think our best friend will be happy?"

"That's your decision, Kal, not mine and as I said, stop thinking about it for a while. As for Damon, I'm sure he will be. He is a part of everything you do. After all, you carry him with you always."

Kalen replied with a soft hum, breaking the embrace, and gladly went back to his seat to eat. After vibrant chitchat with Matt, laughing here and there, he immediately booked a flight back to Beijing, and Matt, who was sitting on the sofa with legs crossed, stared at him with a contented smile thinking about how long since he saw Kalen got excited about something.

Kalen called his family next and told them that he will cancel the visit this time and will need to go back to Beijing because of work which they understood well. He packed up his suitcase with a hopeful soul, a feeling that he had forgotten a long time ago but now restored, praying for a better tomorrow.

When it was time to go, the two best friends squeezed each other tight for it will be a long time before they see each other again.

"Take care of yourself, okay? Eat and take your medicine on time. Also, visit Damon for me, will you?"

"I will. I'll miss you. Visit me too soon, Okay?"

"Yeah. I love you, Kal."

"I love you, Matt. Thanks for putting up with me in those 2 weeks. Take care."

The two broke the hug and Kalen moved along with his nervous steps, waving goodbye to his beloved friend from afar. Striding towards the departure lounge, he stopped by a comfort room to lessen the edginess. He washed his hands, stared at himself at the mirror, and mumbled to himself;

"See you when I see you, Leo.."

• • • •

The two-hour flight was one of Kalen's nerve-racking trips as all he could ever think about was Leo. What he will say to him, what kind of a reaction he will have once he confesses to him and all that thought gave him pressure. His lips were dry the whole flight and can't seem to stay on his seat, going in and out of the restroom. The rough landing of the plane made it more impossible to calm his nerves down until finally, after weeks of denial and unrest, he is back in Beijing.

He can't seem to stop gulping as he walks out the exit gate with tensed steps while clutching tight to his suitcase. Good thing, he managed to get a cab quickly and immediately headed off to his flat to rest and to ready himself before facing Leo.

What will happen, he doesn't know but one thing is sure, he is eager to see him and hopes he feels the same.

The other one, Leo, whose eyes are slowly unfolding due to his phone's sudden disturbance, tried to get up but his body won't let him. Even after a long sleep, he still feels a little groggy but managed to open his eyes fully and stared at the naked ceiling for a second before grabbing his phone beside him. Already 2:30 in the afternoon and his phone is full of missed calls from his brother and text messages from his manager and employees but didn't give much care about it. The photo of a beautiful man appeared on his screen reminding him that today is his special day, making him smile and forget for a second what he was feeling. He murmured;

"I love you too, baobei. Thank you for visiting me last night.."

He sat up with an awful headache and looked again at his screen in a queasy mood. When his birthday comes up, the same image pops up on his screen and since Damon was the one who made it and put it in, he didn't bother to change it and has been using it ever since.

Feeling the headache intensifying, he put down his phone and buried his face in his palms trying to suppress the hurt but it was no use and his face showed distress because of the discomfort. He grabbed his phone with his other hand while the other pulled his hair as hard as he could. He decided to call his brother but before he can do so, it rang.

He was astounded when he saw who was calling him, it was Kalen.

"Kalen?"

"Leo, can I come later?"

"No."

"What?"

"Come here right now."

"I just landed."

"Please?"

Leo pleaded and a moment of stillness.

"Okay. Wait for me. I'll go there right now."

"Be quick."

The weak man ended the call and sighed. He didn't need to phone his brother after all cause Kalen just saved the moment for him which made him a bit joyous despite everything he is feeling. He stood up and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up even though his body feels like a withered leaf that was ready to drop anytime. He waited for him patiently downstairs while sloping on the couch still enduring a headache but is overlapped by the excitement he is feeling at the moment.

Time passed by which seemed to be an eternity for Leo until finally, the moment he was waiting for happened.

Immediately standing up from his seat when he heard the doorbell ring, he almost ran towards the door. Slightly panting, he excitedly unlocked the door, and there, stood the man he waited to see for a whole week.

He pulled Kalen inside with force and desire, locking the door fast while the man just stared at him with so much affection in his eyes, that he couldn't help but seize Leo, providing him with a passionate hug. Leo was stunned by Kalen's sudden motion but he didn't mind for he wanted the same for God knows how long, hugging the man back. At last, their bodies met as both arms occupy each other's existence, squeezing and fondling every inch of their longing for one another while listening to their hearts pulsating.

The hug says enough and didn't need to open one's mouth anymore.

Leo's fingers slid through Kalen's smooth hair, sniffing slowly the scent of the man close to him, too close that he might give up to the cravings of his burning body. Kalen on the other hand buried his flushed face on Leo's neck, and rested like a tot for a second, breathing in the man's amazing fragrance.

"You smell so good, Leo."

Leo broke the hug and examined his face as if they haven't seen each other for a whole year with both the man's hands on his waist while his own are on Leo's chest.

"You lost weight, Kalen."

"Really?"

"Hm. But.."

"But what?"

"You're beautiful."

Kalen giggled at Leo's acknowledgment, bestowing him again with a hug.

"And you? Are you okay? You look a bit off."

"Headache and, birthday."

Kalen halted the hug and both his eyes expanded, giggling in surprise.

"Today is your birthday?"

He tilted his head a little at the man feeling guilty, thinking what else to do for he didn't know and didn't bring anything for him.

"I'm sorry I didn't know. If I have known, I would've bought something for you."

Said Kalen while brushing the man's shoulder but Leo snatched him again, continued the embrace, and whispered;

"You are enough."

Kalen's eyes twinkled, with a slight smile visible highlighting his romantic excitement.

"Then, I would like to return to you something.."

Kalen withdrew from Leo's arms and gave the birthday man back the kiss he had stolen first and his lips he knew he had waited to taste again. The younger one didn't rebel but instead, savored the older's delicate one.

If it does not love then, they don't know what it is.

TO BE CONTINUED.