Chapter 98: Peaceful night
Sprawling out on the soft mattress, Li Qing suddenly feels really fortunate. Being confined in a vehicle for so long is really not a pleasant experience.
When Qin Jun emerges from the bathroom, he sees Li Qing lounging on the bed daydreaming whilst hugging a pillow. A fond smile surfacing, he sits at the edge of the bed and gathers his lover into his arms.
(Translator's notes: Snipped portion…)
"No, don't understand." A big smile on his face, Li Qing doesn't bother retrieving his hand from his lover, gentle gaze fixed on Qin Jun. "Qin Jun, do you regret?"
"Regret what?"
"Regret going to Z City to find me. If…during the early stages of the apocalypse, you didn't come all the way to Z City to find me, you wouldn’t be so exhausted now…" Li Qing's eyes turn slightly red as he sniffs. "I'm so stupid. Besides playing games, I don't know anything else…if it wasn't for older brother Long and little Yuan rescuing me that day, those bad people would already have…I would most probably be no different from those zombies shuffling around the streets…"
Before he can finish speaking, his mouth is stopped by Qin Jun's finger pressing against his lips.
"Shh…listen to me." A stab of pain pierces his heart at the unshed tears in Li Qing's eyes. "I have never once regretted travelling all the way to Z City to search for you. If the heavens let me pick again, I will still do the same. Because you are the person I love most. The most valuable treasure in my life. When we first began to know each other, I was a cold and aloof person. I didn't like speaking much, always carrying a book around and lost in thoughts. Which is why if you are not the hyperactive person that you naturally are, who would be willing to chat with me, to play with me, to make me laugh…furthermore, you are not stupid. You used to be picky about your food, now you are willing to eat anything and never complained. You use to be timid, always needing someone to accompany you when walking outside at night. But now you are able to face zombies without flinching, even going so far as to kill them with us. You have the ability to protect yourself…"
"I don't really…I merely don't want to drag you down, as well as little Yuan and older brother Long…" Listening to Qin Jun's words, Li Qing's tears finally fall. Arms around Qin Jun's shoulders, he presses his face into the other's bosom.
"I never felt that you are dragging me down. Even though little Yuan's personality has changed quite a bit, he will also never abandon you and make you fend for yourself in this world. Eldest brother Long is the same." Qin Jun comforts as he presses soft kisses on Li Qing's head. "Being able to protect you is my life's fortune, and I feel very content. Because I love you."
"Qin Jun…" Lifting his head, Li Qing stares at his lover with watery eyes. "I - I…"
"I know."
"Qin Jun, I love you too. Very, very much." Staring intently at the person before him, Li Qing gently cups his face with both hands, expression incredibly affectionate.
"Likewise."
(Translator's notes: Snipped…)
"Heheh…" Long Zhanye chuckles softly at the obvious fury on the youth's face.
"Those two idiots…" Jerking the blanket, he pulls it up above his head before burrowing into Long Zhanye's hold, blocking his hearing as much as possible to prevent dirtying his ears further.
Huo Zaiyuan considers Li Qing and Qin Jun his best friends. Before, when he still liked to party, he often visits clubs and bars at night because during that time, his next-door neighbours will always be "wrestling" and the noise can be heard quite clearly…the him from before would have flipped out and told his friends to keep it down, but now…whether it is due to his cultivation or the presence of Long Zhanye, he can put up with it without feeling too annoyed.
"Heheh…they are young, so naturally, they will be rather spirited." Following Huo Zaiyuan's example, Long Zhanye squeezes beneath the blankets too, producing a small military-use flashlight from somewhere.
The darkness under the blankets is immediately chased away by the small flashlight, creating a strange sense of being isolated from the world. Two bodies are pressed very close together, breaths merging together intimately.
"You…don't say such things. It makes you seem old." Such intimate atmosphere makes Huo Zaiyuan feel the urge to flee into his space rise, but he has already promised Long Zhanye to accompany him for the entire night, and sleep in the same bed. So he forcibly restrained himself and let his eyes wander, not daring to stare at the other man for too long. Murmuring as he tries to find a safe conversation topic, he resolutely ignores his rapidly pounding heart.
Freaking hell! Bastard little Qing. Bastard Qin Jun…absolutely wouldn't allow them to stay next door ever again!
"This one is already approaching thirty."
Seeing Long Zhanye's "I'm already old" expression, Huo Zaiyuan giggles, extending a finger to caress that handsome face in comfort.
"Even if my Zhanye becomes an old man, he will still be the most handsome old man in the world."
"What a sweet mouth." Amused, Long Zhanye cups the side of Huo Zaiyuan's face, lightly stroking his cheek with a thumb. Staring intensely at the slowly reddening visage, he says. "Being able to meet little Yuan during the apocalypse, I'm glad."
"Me too."
Following this soft declaration, Huo Zaiyuan takes the initiative to kiss Long Zhanye on the lips. Unlike the ones the older man usually initiates, this one is a simple touch of lips to lips, but it is enough to move Long Zhanye's heart, making him oddly breathless.
Using the arm curled around that soft waist, he flips the enticing vixen-like individual over, pinning him beneath his own body. Automatically dominating the kiss, he deepens it with a pleased hum.
Only, an oddly steady breath sounds in his ear, making him pause. His brain kick-starts again and he reluctantly breaks away to find the little brat already sound asleep.
"……" Long Zhanye can only laugh helplessly.
Cuddling the peacefully sleeping Huo Zaiyuan, he plants a soft kiss on one exposed cheek and pulls down the blanket. The next room has also quietened. Glancing out the window at the silvery moonlight streaming in, Long Zhanye finally closes his eyes slowly.
What a rare peaceful night…
A moment later, his gaze returns to the attractive visage of the sleeping youth in his arms. For some reason, a strange feeling arises in his heart, as though from some deep crevices at the bottom, a small voice is reminding him…
Now is not the right time yet…