Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 15: Forget about it.

 

"Would you like a drink?"

 

"Sure." Kanthi glanced at Gear's wide, startled eyes, catching the surprise in his expression at the sudden invitation. He knew Gear wasn't enjoying the party as much as he should have. Perhaps it was the overwhelming crowd, the relentless music, or the unexpected encounter with his ex. Kanthi wasn't having much fun either. He wanted to make up for it by indulging Gear as much as he could.

 

"I really love the view from your place, Kanthi. Is this the best room you have?" 

 

Gear stood to his full height, walking toward the clear glass wall where the curtains had been drawn back to reveal the city's glittering nightscape.

 

"Well... I guess so," Kanthi replied, moving to stand beside him.

 

The glass wall offered a breathtaking view of the city that never slept. Kanthi, the room's owner, had never paid much attention to it before. It was only now, standing here with Gear, that he realised how stunning it truly was.

 

"It's empty."

 

"Do you want more? You'll get drunk," 

 

Kanthi said, taking the empty wine glass Gear handed him and setting it on the table behind them. His tone was a mix of concern and gentle teasing.

 

"I'm not afraid when I'm with you, Kanthi."

 

"Why's that?"

 

"Because you'll take care of me." Gear placed both hands on Kanthi's broad shoulders, rising onto his tiptoes to bring their heights closer. His voice was soft and sweet, his round eyes shimmering with a playful charm that made him seem even more endearing than usual.

 

"Heh, this must be it-you're drunk," Kanthi muttered with a soft smile, amused by the boy's irresistibly adorable behaviour.

 

"I'm not drunk. I'm just talking a little more than usual," Gear protested before resting his heavy head against Kanthi's chest, catching him off guard. Kanthi took a small step back to steady himself, then wrapped his arms around the younger man, holding him close.

 

"How much more are you talking?" Kanthi asked gently, his hand stroking Gear's head as if to lull him to sleep against his chest.

 

"And I like to ramble, too."

 

"Oh? About what?"

 

After that question, silence fell. Gear buried his face into Kanthi's black t-shirt, which carried a faint, comforting scent. Kanthi didn't press further, thinking for a moment that Gear might have fallen asleep standing against him.

 

"Do you want to lie down on the bed? I can take you there."

 

"Nooo," Gear whined, his voice dragging out in a childish tone as he snuggled closer, pressing his face even tighter against Kanthi's chest. Kanthi had no choice but to give in once again.

 

"Alright, alright, we won't go," Kanthi said, soothing him with gentle strokes to his head and soft kisses pressed repeatedly into his silky hair.

 

"I really like being with you like this. You smell so good, Kanthi."

 

"Heh, what's with you?" Kanthi chuckled softly at the boy's unpredictable behaviour.

 

Just moments ago, Gear had been pouting and sulking, but now he was nuzzling into Kanthi's chest, taking in his scent repeatedly in the most endearing way.

 

"I like your height, too. I like standing next to you like this. I like having to look up to talk to you," Gear said with a laugh, his flushed face tilting up to look at Kanthi. He rested his chin on Kanthi's chest, his voice slightly muffled but filled with affection.

 

"You only like talking while standing? What about talking while lying down?"

 

"Lying down? We've never just talked while lying down. You're always doing other things to me."

 

"Alright, then. From now on, I'll try to talk to you more while lying down. How's that?"

 

"I don't believe you," Gear said, scrunching up his face before burying his nose back into Kanthi's chest, his playful demeanour amplified by the alcohol.

 

So this was what he meant when he said he rambled when drunk. But why did he have to be so adorable while doing it? Gear, who was already naturally affectionate, became even more so when tipsy, making Kanthi want to pull away just to pinch his nose in frustration.

 

"Am I making you uncomfortable by hugging you like this for so long?"

 

"Not at all. You can hug me tighter or even stand here hugging me until morning, and I wouldn't mind."

 

Gear knew he was acting differently because of the alcohol. It made him bolder, more open, and unapologetically himself because the person in front of him was Kanthi, warm and safe in every situation, someone who'd always been his safe haven.

 

"Is something wrong? You can tell me," Kanthi said.

 

"Can I?" Gear immediately looked up, meeting Kanthi's gaze after hearing those words.

 

"Of course. What's going on? You're acting strange today," Kanthi said, finally giving in to his urge to pinch Gear's nose, which turned red under his touch. Deep down, Kanthi felt it was because of the encounter with Kim, but he didn't want to bring it up directly.

 

"I want to forget I ever saw Kim," Gear finally admitted, revealing his deepest thoughts to the person he trusted most.

 

"...Then, can you forget? Please, for me?" Kanthi implored.

 

"..." Gear didn't respond. Instead, he kept his arms wrapped around Kanthi's waist, his eyes locked on him.

 

"Don't look at me like that," Kanthi said.

 

"Like what?"

"Like this. Don't give me that puppy look."

 

"Why not?"

 

'"..Because it makes me want to kiss you." 

 

Even though the boy's confession had darkened the mood, Kanthi couldn't deny the magnetic pull Gear had over him, making it impossible to think of anything else.

 

"Then kiss me. I've never stopped you before, have I?"

 

"You're drunk. I don't want to take advantage of you."

 

"It's just being drunk. How is that taking advantage? When you make me blush all over, isn't that more of taking advantage?" 

 

Gear grumbled, his words spilling out more freely than usual, making Kanthi laugh at how alcohol had loosened his tongue.

 

"I wouldn't stop at just a kiss, you know. You're well aware of how easily I get carried away," Kanthi said, knowing full well that their intimacy often left Gear drained. Considering the alcohol, the late hour, and Gear's morning classes, Kanthi hesitated.

 

"Then do it. Kiss me. Fuck me."

 

"Gear... don't say things like that," Kanthi scolded, though his handsome face betrayed a smile. Usually, such blunt words would come from Kanthi, not Gear, who was typically shy and reserved.

 

"If you don't, I'll go kiss someone else."

 

"Gear, that's not cute," Kanthi said firmly, though his tone was too gentle to scare the tipsy boy.

 

"Mmm..." The more Kanthi scolded, the more Gear wanted to act out. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Kanthi's neck and stood on his tiptoes to kiss him. Though his words had been a refusal, Kanthi didn't stop him. He closed his eyes, placing a warm hand on Gear's back and pulling him closer.  He let Gear take the lead, savouring the sweet taste of his lips, tinged with the bitterness of alcohol. Kanthi responded with slow, tender movements, matching Gear's rhythm.

 

"Ah... Can you bend down a little? I'm too tired to keep tiptoeing," Gear complained, his arms still looped around Kanthi's neck. Despite his height of 170 centimetres, the effort of reaching up to kiss someone 187 centimetres tall was too much in his current state.

 

"Heh, you're fucking cute," Kanthi muttered to himself, amused by Gear's stubborn yet endearing expression.

 

Instead of bending down, Kanthi slid his hands under Gear's arms and lifted him effortlessly, setting him down on a large table near the glass wall with the city view.

 

"Is this better for kissing?" The height difference was still there, but Kanthi didn't want Gear to tire himself out standing. The table was a practical solution.

 

Gear glanced behind him, noticing a few books scattered on the table. With one hand, he swept them onto the floor, clearing the space. Propping himself up with one arm, he tugged at Kanthi's shirt collar, pulling him closer to find the perfect angle.

 

"Are you trying to tempt me?"

 

"Just kiss me. Don't do anything else...unless you can resist."

 

Kanthi smirked at the challenge. He placed one hand on Gear's thigh, gently parting his legs, and stepped between them. Gear leaned back slightly, supporting himself with both arms. His sultry gaze made Kanthi lose all hesitation.

 

He cupped the back of Gear's neck and kissed him deeply, his lips pressing firmly as he claimed Gear's mouth. Their tongues intertwined in a heated dance, the sound of their passionate kiss filling the room.

 

"Ah..." Gear was no longer inexperienced. He slid one hand under Kanthi's shirt, his fingers exploring the firm muscles of his chest. He teased Kanthi's sensitive skin, eliciting a shiver.

 

The more Gear touched him, the more fervent Kanthi's kisses became. He devoured Gear's lips, leaving no room for breath, their tongues tangling in a messy, intoxicating rhythm.

 

"Ah." They broke their kiss, and Gear grabbed the hem of Kanthi's shirt, pulling it up. The man couldn't take it anymore and took his shirt off himself. Seeing the beautiful bare chest in front of him, Gear didn't waste any time. He wrapped his lips around one of Kanthi's hardened nipples, sucking and teasing it first. His small tongue licked and flicked up and down, making Kanthi let out a low, deep moan.

"Ahh..." The more Kanthi moaned, the more Gear worked his tongue. The heat between them made Kanthi start unbuttoning Gear's shirt, exposing patches of his smooth, pale skin. Watching that made Kanthi want to touch that soft skin himself.

 

"Didn't you say you wouldn't take advantage of a drunk person? Why aren't you holding back at all?"

 

"It's too hard for me if you're going to tease me like this," Kanthi replied

 

"And I think I already have something hard."

 

"Then go ahead," Gear challenged, the alcohol making him braver than usual. As he spoke, he reached down and squeezed the hardest part of Kanthis' body.

 

"Ah! Then I'll make you forget all about today's crazy stuff, how about that?" Kanthi said.