Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 26: Special 5.

"Gear, congratulations! I'm sorry, I was so hungover that day I couldn't even get up."

 

"It's no problem at all, P' Porsche."

 

"Tonight, I'll treat you to drinks as a gift. Go all out!"

 

"Don't you have anything more creative than that? I already told you-"

 

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You keep reminding me that your Gear can't handle alcohol," Porsche interrupted, clearly familiar with the warning he'd heard countless times.

 

"I can drink. I won't get drunk," Gear interjected quickly, trying to prevent another argument between the two older men.

 

Kanthi brought his young lover to sit beside him in a club they frequented. Although the former Playboy had recently distanced himself from drinking, Porsche's ongoing business dealings with cars often required Kanthi to bring Gear along to such places.

 

Gear drank more than usual, stayed quiet, and avoided engaging with anyone. He passed the time playing on his phone while Kanthi and Porsche discussed business. Despite this, the man never let Gear out of his sight, acting as if he feared his young lover might disappear.

 

Kanthi leaned back on the sofa, one arm draped around Gear's shoulders the entire time. Even while talking about other matters, his fingers absentmindedly traced Gear's shoulder, occasionally running through his soft hair or pressing his nose against Gear's head to inhale his familiar scent.

 

Kanthi was a man who enjoyed physical affection, and in private spaces, he was almost always clinging to his young lover.

 

"Your cheeks are red. You're drunk," Kanthi observed softly, noticing the subtle changes in Gear's behaviour.

 

"I'm not drunk. I'm fine," Gear reassured him with a smile, though Kanthi remained unconvinced.

 

"Let's head home," Kanthi suggested.

 

"Let me use the restroom first," Gear replied.

 

"I'll take you," Kanthi offered immediately.

 

"No, it's fine. I can go by myself."

"...

 

"Really, I can handle it."

 

This time, Gear had unknowingly consumed more alcohol than usual. He was aware that he wasn't entirely himself-his vision was slightly blurry- but he forced himself to act normal. He didn't want to burden Kanthi by constantly having to look after him.

 

"Are you too attached to your boyfriend or what? You never let him out of your sight," Porsche teased.

 

"He's drunk. Can't you see?"

 

"Drunk? N'Gear looks fine to me."

 

"I've been with Gear long enough to know. This is him starting to act differently."

 

"Alright, I believe you. A guy as obsessed with his boyfriend as you would notice every little thing. You're so in love it's annoying," Porsche said with a sigh.

 

"Just because you don't have what I have, don't take it out on me," Kanthi retorted.

 

"Ugh, talking to you gives me a headache. If only I had someone half as good as N' Gear," Porsche muttered, exhaling in frustration.

 

"You have a boyfriend?"

 

"...Not the time to talk about me," Porsche deflected, shrugging before steering the conversation back to business. The two continued their discussion, but Kanthi kept glancing at his watch. As time passed, he grew increasingly uneasy.

 

"Gear's been gone too long. I'll be right back," Kanthi said, standing up to his full height and heading toward the restroom, concern etched on his face.

 

Meanwhile, Gear had just finished splashing water on his face to sober up. However, he found himself in a predicament. His blurry vision and unsteady steps caused him to wander in circles for a while until he accidentally bumped into someone.

 

"Gear," the man said, recognising him immediately.

 

"Uh..." Gear's round eyes showed confusion. He vaguely recognised the man's face but couldn't recall who he was or how they had met.

 

"Don't tell me you don't remember me, Time. A few months ago, we agreed to meet on the fifth floor, and then you disappeared."

 

"Oh, I'm sorry, but I left your VIP card with the staff," Gear replied, now remembering the incident. However, since it was an unpleasant memory and a mistake on his part, he tried to avoid continuing the conversation.

 

"No worries. It's good to see you today. Let's head up together so you don't disappear on me again."

 

"No, thank you. I'm not here for that."

 

"Come on, you seem a little drunk. I'll take care of you," Time insisted, grabbing Gear's arm lightly and pulling him. Gear, already struggling to steady himself, had to muster all his focus to resist.

 

"Let go of my boyfriend's arm right now!" 

 

Kanthi's icy voice cut through the air, causing Time to frown and release Gear's arm. He turned to Kanthi with a less-than-pleasant tone.

 

"Boyfriend? Or do you call everyone you hang out with?"

 

"He's my boyfriend," Kanthi said firmly, stepping in front of Gear to shield him from the man.

 

"I know about you. You go around with everyone. Is this guy just another one of them?"

 

"Are you deaf? I said he's my boyfriend!" Kanthi snapped, grabbing the man's collar. Gear quickly intervened, grabbing Kanthi's arm to prevent things from escalating.

 

"Kanthi and I are really together. We're a couple," Gear interjected, his voice steady despite the tension.

 

Kanthi released the man's collar but still glared at him, his hand moving to hold Gear's left hand, revealing the diamond ring he'd given him.

 

"Kanthi..." Gear's voice trembled with guilt as he realised what Kanthi was doing.

 

"Don't let me catch you messing with my boyfriend again!" Kanthi warned, gripping Gear's hand tightly and glaring at the man until he backed off.

 

For a moment, silence hung between them. Kanthi exhaled slowly, his large hand still holding Gear's. His voice was calm but unreadable as he asked, "Gear, where's your ring?"

 

"Kanthi, I'm sorry..."

 

"Where is it?"

 

"I.. I don't know. I'm looking for it."

 

"You didn't take it off on purpose, did you?"

 

"No, I went to wash my face, and I don't know where it fell."

 

"You're very drunk... You realise that, right?" Kanthi's sharp gaze bore into Gear, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand.

 

"...Yes," Gear admitted softly, his head hanging low with guilt, tears threatening to spill.

 

"Why didn't you tell me you were drunk?"

 

Kanthi sighed, trying to release his frustration. He wanted to scold Gear, but seeing his young lover on the verge of tears broke his heart. He pulled Gear into a tight embrace, his hand gently stroking Gear's head to comfort him.

 

"I'm sorry," Gear mumbled against Kanth's chest. He'd never felt so scared and worried before, especially after losing something so important. Kanthi's earlier sternness had left him too afraid to meet his gaze.

 

"It's okay. Did that guy do anything to you?"

 

"No, he just grabbed my arm."

"If you feel drunk, tell me. And be more careful. Don't talk to people who seem untrustworthy."

 

"..Okay. I'm sorry," Gear repeated, his voice small. He was convinced that Kanthis's anger stemmed from losing the ring.

 

"I'm taking you home now."

 

"No, let me find the ring first."

 

"We're going home," Kanthi said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Gear's face fell.

 

Kanthi didn't want to be too harsh on Gear. Losing the ring was upsetting, but he couldn't bring himself to stay angry. His frustration stemmed more from Gear denying his drunkenness and the fact that someone else had tried to approach him, sparking a wave of jealousy.

 

"But..."

 

"Let me grab my phone from the table first," Kanthi said, his tone softening as he walked back to their table.

 

"What took you so long?" Porsche asked.

 

"Just a little issue. I'm heading out. I'll stop by another time," Kanthi replied.

 

"Porsche, one of the staff, found a ring earlier. It looks like a diamond ring," a staff member interrupted, catching Kanthis' attention immediately.

 

"Where was it found?"

 

"In the men's restroom, on the floor."

"Let me see it," Kanthi demanded.

 

"What's with you, Kanthi? It's my customer's. I need to find the owner," Porsche said.

 

"It's Gear's ring."

 

"You sure?"

 

"Yeah, I bought it for him."

 

"Does N' Gear know he lost it?"

 

"He knows. He's over there looking like he's about to cry," Kanthi said, nodding toward Gear, who was walking toward them.

 

"Damn.. losing something that important. Are you mad at him? I feel bad for N' Gear."

 

"Do you think I could stay mad at him?"

 

"Then why do you look so annoyed? It's written all over your face."

 

"I'm just pissed that someone was messing with my boyfriend."

 

'..'

 

"And don't tell Gear the ring's been found."

 

"Why not?"

 

"I want to teach the kid a little lesson," Kanthi replied, his voice low and his eyes glinting mischievously.

 

"You sly bastard. I know you're hoping your boyfriend will cling to you, but be careful. If he starts whining and crying with snot running down his nose, you'll end up feeling guilty later."

 

".." Kanthi could only let out a sigh at his friend's warning, which, despite being a joke, carried a hint of genuine concern.

 

"Kanthi," Gear called softly, his voice laced with sadness as he trailed behind. His usually bright eyes now seemed noticeably dimmer.

 

"It's okay. I'll buy you a new one. Let's go home," Kanthi said gently, pulling Gear closer and guiding his head to rest against his chest. He needed to end the conversation quickly since he couldn't bear to see his partner looking so heartbroken.