20. Daddy

"Hatchoo..." Karel wiped his nose after sneezing, the lingering itch still tickling his senses.

Choosing to ignore it, he took another swig of the alcohol in his hand. The liquid burned his throat before spreading a warm sensation through his body.

The heavy bass thumped through the floor beneath him, pulsing in sync with the electrifying music that filled the entire room. Strobe lights flashed in rapid bursts, casting fragmented silhouettes of the endless sea of dancing bodies.

It had been a long time since he last came to this place, as his busy schedule had kept him away. But tonight, he wanted to enjoy his freedom, before everything changed.

After all, there were only three months left before the outbreak struck, shutting down all social activities under emergency regulations.

His eyes flicked toward his friends.

Raka, ever the confident one, was surrounded by a cluster of beautiful women, their laughter blending into the music.

On stage, Ervin was dancing wildly. His boyish features clashed with the fluidity of his movements, his body twisting and arching in ways that sent a shiver down Karel's spine. He quickly averted his gaze.

Then there was Rafael, eyes glued to his phone, completely detached from the real world. His fingers moved rapidly over the screen, and it was obvious—he was gaming, even in the middle of all this noisy.

Karel had once heard from a psychologist friend that some people grew so attached to their game characters they began to see them as real partners. He had scoffed at the idea back then, only half-believing it. But now, seeing Rafael's absolute indifference to everything around him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern.

Feeling the weight of his empty glass, Karel handed it back to the bartender. His fingers were slightly sticky from the condensation, and he wiped them on his pants before heading toward a quiet corner, sinking into a leather chair.

Here, the noise was a little more bearable, though the pounding bass still vibrated through his bones.

"Hey, sitting all alone?"

A voice suddenly cut through the haze.

Karel turned his head, locking eyes with a man who looked out of place—dressed sharply in a tailored suit, standing in stark contrast to the casually dressed crowd.

He merely raised an eyebrow and chose to ignore him.

What the hell...

"You! I'm talking to you!" The voice grew more playful, lighthearted yet unmistakably teasing.

Karel felt his lips twitch in irritation. A growing discomfort crawled up his throat, urging him to get the hell out of there. The pounding club music and flashing neon lights only added to his unease.

He stood up, ready to leave, but before he could take more than a step, a firm grip suddenly latched onto his wrist. Warm and rough—not a touch he welcomed.

"What the hell?!"

Karel snapped, yanking his arm away forcefully. A few nearby patrons glanced in his direction before quickly returning to their own business.

Instead of looking offended, the man chuckled, clearly amused. His expression was irritatingly smug, as if he were watching a soaked kitten—angry but still amusing to look at. His eyes glimmered with mischief, as if riling up a temperamental person was his favorite pastime.

"Do you even know who I am?" he asked, his tone light, as if this was nothing more than an entertaining little game.

Karel scowled, utterly unimpressed. "I don't give a shit, asshole. Screw off!"

Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and stormed out, leaving his friends behind to enjoy the rest of their night.

Inside the club, the man merely chuckled, finishing the last sip of his drink. It had been a long time since anything piqued his interest like this.

Outside, the night air was much colder than the suffocating atmosphere inside. The wind hit Karel's face, carrying the scent of exhaust fumes mixed with the lingering stench of alcohol on his clothes.

"Damn it" he muttered, unlocking his motorcycle. "First time I get hit on, and it had to be by some weirdo. Looked normal enough, but clearly unhinged. The hell is wrong with people these days?"

He jammed his helmet on roughly, still muttering under his breath. "I will not coming back to that damn club again."

Without hesitation, he fired up the engine, letting the growl of the exhaust rip through the quiet night. He sped off, as if trying to outrun the lingering annoyance gnawing at his nerves.

His original plan had been to head straight back to his apartment. But for some reason, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

After a brief moment of hesitation, his hands moved on their own, steering his bike onto a different road.

He was going to Arthur's place.

Standing in front of Arthur's apartment door, Karel let out a slow breath before pressing the doorbell—once, twice, three times.

Seconds ticked by.

No answer.

His irritation flared again. With a frustrated sigh, he clenched his fists at his sides.

Growing impatient, Karel dug into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and immediately dialed Arthur's number.

"Hello, dear. Good evening" Arthur's voice came through the speaker—soft, but tinged with exhaustion.

But before he could respond, he heard hurried footsteps. Glancing back, he found Arthur already there, striding quickly toward him.

"You're here"

Arthur stepped forward and immediately wrapped his arms around Karel. The embrace was tight, warm, and comforting.

The irritation that had filled Karel's chest slowly melted away, replaced by a gentle calm. With his taller frame, Arthur nearly enveloped Karel entirely in that hug.

Feeling Arthur's warmth, Karel could hardly hold back the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He offered no reply, choosing instead to savor the moment.

"Come on in"

Arthur releasing his embrace as he opened the door to his apartment. Karel nodded and stepped inside, following him.

"Just got home? Sorry to disturb you"

Karel finally ventured, his voice softer now as he took in the weariness etched on his partner's face.

Arthur shrugged off his jacket and tossed it carelessly onto the table. He looked at Karel and offered a small smile, as though he knew exactly what was on his mind.

"You could never be a disturbance" he chuckled, his low laugh full of warmth.

Before Karel could respond, Arthur drew him back into another embrace—this one even tighter, as if the previous hug hadn't been enough to replenish his energy. Karel could feel the steady rise and fall of Arthur's broad chest, his heartbeat quickening.

After a while, Karel's body tensed as he felt Arthur's hand slowly caress his back, the soft movement of his fingers seemingly erasing the marks of past hurt.

Gradually, Karel eased away from the embrace, his eyes fixed on his partner with an expression that defied easy explanation. Without much thought, his hand reached for the tie still hanging around Arthur's neck. His fingers pulled it gently yet firmly, drawing their faces ever closer.

Arthur remained still, surrendering to the pull without a hint of resistance. The distance between them diminished until Karel could feel the heavy exhale of Arthur's breath on his face. The atmosphere seemed to freeze, leaving only the rhythmic pounding of their hearts and an air that felt inexplicably warmer.

Yielding to desire, Arthur seized the soft, pink lips with a fervor that suggested if he did not claim them immediately, something precious might be lost.

Even the faint trace of alcohol on Karel's lips did nothing to detract; instead, it enhanced the intoxicating quality of their kiss, warm, enticing, and ever deeper.

Arthur's hands didn't remain still. His large, strong fingers began to move slowly but deliberately, exploring every inch of Karel's body with a touch that was almost teasing.

Starting from the small of his back, they traveled upward to his shoulders, then back down to his waist. Each touch sent tiny jolts of electricity through Karel, causing his body to tense momentarily before melting into Arthur's embrace.

Meanwhile, Karel's hands rose as well, wrapping around the back of Arthur's neck. His fingers moved with a sensual rhythm, gently caressing the nape of his lover's neck, occasionally brushing through the short, slightly disheveled hair.

A few moments later, without warning, Karel felt himself being lifted off the flor. Arthur had picked him up effortlessly, as if his weight meant nothing.

Karel let out a soft gasp before a quiet laugh escaped his lips. Instinctively, his arms tightened around Arthur's neck, ensuring he wouldn't fall.

Arthur gazed at him with eyes full of tenderness. There was something in that look, a love so palpable it made Karel's chest feel warm.

Without a word, Arthur laid his lover down on the soft, long sofa, then leaned in to press a gentle kiss to Karel's forehead. Karel was beginning to sweat slightly, not just from the warmth of the room but also from the rapid beating of his heart, which seemed to quicken with every passing moment.

Arthur stood before him now, his handsome face one that Karel was sure could captivate anyone.

And thankfully, Arthur was his—his Mine.

But as Karel watched, he noticed a flicker of hesitation in Arthur's expression.

Karel's hand moved, gripping the collar of Arthur's shirt, pulling him close until their faces were mere inches apart. "Do it" Karel urged, his voice low but firm.

"Your back…"

Arthur's voice trailed off, concern etching his features. Though he wanted to give in to the moment, the thought of the wound on Karel's back filled him with a quiet anger. But before he could dwell on it further, Karel had already begun undoing the buttons of his own shirt.

"Daddyy....!"

 o0o