Can I have a kiss?

Aubrey's words trailed off as she moist her lips with her saliva before slamming her palm at the butt of Augustine. "We'll have dinner another time,"Aubrey cooed, flashing a sly smile at Augustine.

Before he could respond, she turned on her heel and sprinted towards the garage where her car was parked.

Augustine's voice was filled with disgust and anger as he turned to chase after Aubrey. "What the hell was that?" he snarled, his fists clenched in fury.

Charles, however, was quick to react, reaching out and pulling Augustine back with a firm hand. "Let her go," he said, his voice calm and steady. "There's no point in chasing after her now. Let's just get out of here."

'Sigh!'

Augustine let out a heavy sigh, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. He tilted his head skyward, letting the cool night air fill his lungs.

He breathed in and out for some seconds before averting his gaze over to Charles. "Let's go home," Augustine stated before opening the front door for Charles.

Charles bit his lower lips as he got seated, fastening his seatbelt around him.

Augustine made his way towards the other side of the car, opening the door before getting seated on the driver's seat.

Without uttering any words out of his mouth, he accelerated the car, driving out of the mansion until he finally arrived at the busy night road of the city.

"Are you alright?" Charles questioned, breaking the silence that had engulfed them for some minutes.

Without hesitation, Augustine shook his head sideways. "I am not." He solemnly replied.

"H-huh?" Charles mumbled with an arched brow, a confused frown on his face.

He had always known Augustine as someone who wore his toughness like armor. He had never seen him so vulnerable, so shaken.

Augustine, the almighty, the untouchable, the man who had seemed indestructible for as long as Charles had known him, was sitting beside him in the car, his head bowed, his shoulders slumped.

He seemed small, insignificant, and painfully human.

It was a side of Augustine that Charles had never seen before, a side that both intrigued and frightened him.

Charles' voice was gentle, probing. "Why haven't you come out of the closet to your parents?" he asked, watching Augustine's face carefully.

'Pfft!'

Augustine breathed out, gulping down a mouthful of saliva. "I always assumed that they knew about me being gay. They have countless times seen me with guys and…"

His words trailed off as he took in another deep breath. "Are you hungry?" He inquired, drastically changing the topic entirely.

Charles scoffed as he shook his head sideways, observing that Augustine had absurdly changed the topic. "I am famished but I'll just make noodles at your mansion." He stated before averting his gaze towards the car window, glancing outside the street.

Once more, the car ride became quiet until they both arrived at the mansion of Augustine.

Charles stepped down from the car which was after Augustine open the door for him.

Without uttering any words out of his mouth, Charles slipped off his shoes at the door, placing them on the slipper rack before reaching for a pair of soft house slippers.

He slipped his feet into them, his movements precise and practiced.

With a heavy sigh, he made his way towards the kitchen which was demarcated from the sitting room by a big dining table.

"Do you want to eat?" Charles inquired out of courtesy.

Augustine shook his head sideways, taking his seat on the couch. "Just make something for yourself." He started with a nonchalant tone.

Charles rolled his eyes, before opening the kitchen cupboard where he grabbed two packs of noodles and turned on the gas cooker.

He proceeded to make two packs of noodles and some minutes later, he dished the noodles into two deep plates. "Augustine, please can you come here?" Charles politely requested.

Augustine who was deep in thought was unable to respond to the words of Charles because he was contemplating about what had happened at his parent's mansion.

"Augustine!" Charles yelled at the top of his lungs, calling out for Augustine.

Once more, he was met with no response.

Sigh!

Having no other option, Charles made his way towards where Augustus was seated and he grabbed his hands, pulling him over to the dining area. "Let's eat." He started with a firm voice.

Augustine sat down on the dining chair as he blankly glanced at the bowl of noodles.

Charles ignored Augustine, turning his attention to the food in front of him.

He scooped up generous portions, savoring each bite as if it were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.

Augustine watched Charles in silence, his lips pressed into a thin line.

He was too lost in his own thoughts to notice the food sitting hot and untouched on his plate.

When Charles finished his meal, he stack his plate and utensils in the sink.

Making his way back to Augustine, Charles sighed, grabbing the palm of Augustine which he entwined with his. "I know this isn't the best time," Charles purred, his voice low and level. "but you shouldn't have come out to your parents like that. It was stupid. You should have prepared them."

Augustine's face twisted into a scowl as he frowned. "That was harsh." He spat, fluttering his long eyelashes.

Charles nodded his head as he smiled warmly. "Do you prefer that I say something else?" He inquired playfully, but to his surprise, Augustine nodded his head.

Augustine caressed the hand of Charles which was entwined with his as he brought it closer to his lips, his gaze fixed on Charles.

Augustine's voice took on a playful, seductive edge. "How about you ask me for a kiss?" he suggested, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Charles blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in tone.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Fine,"he said, "would you please give me a kiss, my love?"