Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 22: Special 1.

 

Even though he'd frequented this club countless times, the young man suddenly felt an unusual excitement. This time, he was here to meet his close friend, Kanthi, as his boyfriend. The shy Gear was so flustered that Kanthi, beside him, easily noticed

 

"Are you okay?"

 

"I'm just nervous. Will P'Porsche make fun of me? I feel so embarrassed for some reason."

 

"Baby." The handsome face softened with a smile as he spoke, his tone filled with affection for his younger boyfriend.

 

"But I really am embarrassed."

 

"I'll take care of it."

 

With that, Kanthi wrapped an arm around the smaller man's shoulders and walked forward together. In the past, he was the image of a Playboy businessman who came to clubs seeking pleasure. But now, everything had changed. The person by Kanthi's side was his beloved, someone he cherished above all else.

 

"N'Gear!" The club owner beamed as he saw the young man walking alongside his close friend. He'd only heard the good news from Kanthi himself.

 

"..."

 

"Welcome back." The drink in his hand was set down as he extended a hand in a friendly gesture to greet Gear.

 

"Uh..." Before Gear could respond, Kanthi stepped in swiftly, shaking hands with his friend on behalf of his younger boyfriend.

 

"Tsk," Porsche smirked, a hint of mockery in his expression at his playboy friend's possessiveness.

 

"Don't tease him. Gear's shy," Kanthi said simply, leaving Porsche to nod in agreement, though his expression was far from trustworthy.

 

"Take a seat, N' Gear. Tonight, enjoy yourself. Let's make Kan go broke."

Gear beamed, while Kanthi shrugged nonchalantly. No matter how much he had to spend, he didn't mind. His younger boyfriend was always an exception. Hopelessly smitten…He could admit it without hesitation.

 

"N' Gear, let me have you try a new liquor blend. It's amazing," Porsche said enthusiastically, sliding a glass he'd prepared in advance upon hearing that his friend would be introducing his young boyfriend.

 

"Is it strong?" Kanthi intercepted the glass, asking his friend in a firm tone.

 

"If it's not strong, can you even call it liquor, Kan?"

 

"Do you want to try it? Don't feel pressured by Porsche," Kanthi asked Gear gently, though he was tempted to scold his friend.

 

"Can I just follow your lead, Kanthi?"

 

"You can try it, but sip it slowly," Kanthi advised, knowing his younger boyfriend's curious nature but also his low tolerance and considerate demeanour. His permission brought a bright smile to Gear's face as he accepted the strong drink from Kanthi's hand and sipped it cautiously.

 

The bitter taste hit his tongue and slid down his throat, making him grimace adorably. Kanthi, watching closely, couldn't help but smile.

 

"It tastes great, Porsche, but if I finish this glass, I'll definitely fall asleep."

 

"Then that's enough. Have something lighter instead."

 

Gear nodded obediently, watching as Kanthi took the glass and drank it himself, his expression unchanging as if the strong liquor was merely water.

 

"Don't you feel anything? It's so strong it's still burning my throat," Gear asked in surprise, looking up at his boyfriend for an answer.

 

"Your tolerance and mine are worlds apart."

 

"I'm jealous. I want to be like you," he muttered, almost whining.

 

"Just knowing how to drink is enough. You don't need to be that good at it," Kanthi said with a charming smile, placing his hand on Gear's head and gently stroking it, a clear display of his affection.

 

"Sigh..." A loud sigh interrupted their little world, where it seemed only the two of them existed. Porsche, sitting at the same table, couldn't help but feel like an outsider amidst the enviable couple's conversation.

 

"What's your problem?" Kanthi asked his close friend, though he already knew the answer. Gear, meanwhile, shrank back, embarrassed under Porsche's gaze.

 

"I'm not annoyed with N' Gear. I'm annoyed with you, Kan."

 

"You're not annoyed. You're just jealous."

 

"Mock me all you want. Have you forgotten how you almost cried in my club that day?"

 

"Kanthi, you talk to P' Porsche. I'll go to the restroom and be right back," Gear said, excusing himself.

 

"Can you walk?"

 

"Of course. I'm not drunk," Gear replied confidently, smiling to reassure his boyfriend before walking away.

 

"Be honest. How do you train your boyfriend? He's so obedient," Porsche teased.

 

"Heh." Kanthi could only smile proudly. Porsche was right. Gear was adorable and always listened to him. Even when he was stubborn, it was never anything serious or worrisome.

 

"Who would've thought a kid like N' Gear could make you so smitten that you'd do anything for him?"

 

"I didn't think anyone could change me either."

 

"You're lucky. Despite your past, N' Gear still fell for you. From now on, hold onto him tightly."

 

"I won't let him go, Porsche. I'm planning to find time to meet Gear's father. Gear is much younger than me, so I want his family to feel at ease."

 

"But I think you're about to have something to worry about," Porsche said coldly, his gaze shifting past Kanthis's shoulder as if something concerning was happening.

 

Kanthi maintained his composure, though he exhaled quietly in frustration at the sight before him. Someone was approaching Gear with questionable intentions.

 

The striking blonde was a former fling who'd once been closer to Kanthi than anyone. However, Kanthi had recently rejected them repeatedly. They knew Gear was the new person by Kanthi's side, someone he cherished deeply. Despite their agreement to keep things strictly platonic, the blonde wasn't pleased and took this opportunity to approach Gear. But before they could say much more than a greeting, Kanthi stepped in.

 

"Gear," Kanthi called as he approached, stopping beside his boyfriend. He clasped Gear's hand tightly, making his intentions clear to the person in front of them.

 

Though it was Kanthi's past mistake, he couldn't tolerate anyone meddling with the person he treasured most. He'd already made it clear to the blonde that he'd found someone he wanted to spend his life with and asked them to leave the past behind and remain mere acquaintances.

 

"Is there something going on? To the point where you have to talk to my boyfriend like this?" Kanthi asked calmly, his tone steady and composed.

 

"Boyfriend? So, it's true. Don't you feel sorry for the kid? What if one day-"

 

"I've already made everything clear to you. If you need further clarification, ask me directly. Don't involve my boyfriend," Kanthi said firmly, tightening his grip on Gear's hand to reassure him in the tense situation.

 

"Alright then, I hope you two last. Let's see if this kid will be the only one you're with," the blonde said with a smirk, clearly mocking the Playboy before them. Kanthi admitted he had a bad reputation. There was no point in defending himself against the blonde's words. Instead, he focused on earning Gear's trust, which mattered most. He remained silent, letting the blonde walk away.

 

"Wait," Gear suddenly called out, surprising both Kanthi and the blonde.

"Thank you for your concern, but it's unnecessary. I'm the luckiest person to have Kanthi as my lover," the shy youth said confidently, his words causing the blonde to scowl before quickly walking away.

 

"Gear," Kanthi called softly, pulling his younger boyfriend into an embrace and gently stroking his head. He was relieved that Gear didn't let himself be manipulated by others. At the same time, he felt guilty for putting his boyfriend in a situation where he had to face problems caused by his own past.

 

"I'm fine," Gear quickly reassured him, noticing the worry in Kanthi's sharp eyes.

 

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for letting someone say such things to you."

 

"It's not your fault. You've already protected me so much," Gear said, pulling back to look up at his taller boyfriend.

 

"Don't worry too much, or you'll age faster," Gear teased.

 

"Heh." Gear's comforting words brought a smile to Kanthi's face. Beyond happiness, the young man before him was a source of light that never failed to brighten his day.

 

"That smile right there, that's the real Kanthi. That stern face you had earlier? That wasn't you at all," Gear said brightly, his cheerful tone filling the air. He even used his fingertip to poke the corner of Kanthi's cheek where the smile had just appeared. Seizing the moment, Kanthi clasped Gear's hand firmly, refusing to let it go.

 

"If I grow old quickly, will you stop loving me?"

 

"I'll still love you. Whether you're Kanthi or Uncle Kanthi, I'll love you just the same."

 

"Uncle?"

 

"Yes, Uncle," Gear said the word with full confidence, his round eyes gleaming with a playful defiance more than ever.

 

"...This uncle loves you."

 

"Then tonight, indulge this old man a little, please?"