"You meant you're not together anymore?" Ash wanted to clarify everything. He wanted to know every little detail about it.
"She kept pestering me even after three months. I've made it clear, but clearly she still couldn't accept it." Phoenix sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Why? Why did you two break up?" Ash asked.
"She cheated on me. Do you remember when we were in the classroom with Leon and Mika? That was the day I officially stopped it with her. She's been sleeping with another guy for a month before that," Phoenix explained.
"And I know about your situation," he continued. Making Ash stare at him, tilting his head.
"What do you mean?" Ash was lost. What did Phoenix mean by knowing about the situation?
"I know you've been flirting for a while," Phoenix dropped it. Ash bit his lips and hid himself by using the pillow on the couch. He buried his face in it, silently screaming. Phoenix giggled and poked Ash on his side—he was ticklish, jolting up to face Phoenix.
"How did you know? Was I that obvious?" Ash defended himself.
"You know that I am not that clueless, right?" Phoenix raised his brow, a little hurt that Ash considered him as someone gullible and naive.
"I really was trying my best not to be obvious. That's literally why I had to take a step back," Ash admitted, hugging the pillow tightly now.
"Do you like me?" Phoenix was straightforward. Ash nodded and hid his face in the pillows.
"Thank you, Ash. Here's the thing..." Phoenix began slowly. He tried to raise Ash's head so they could look at each other.
"I have moved on from Luna. I do," Phoenix took a deep breath. "But I'm not sure I can open myself up for a relationship right now."
Ash felt his world get destroyed. His breathing was short—he was hyperventilating a little. His eyes were starting to form tears, but he was trying to hold them back. No, he had to hold it back. Why was he affected? Shouldn't he feel glad that Phoenix and Luna were not together?
"What- What do you mean by that?" Ash had no idea what Phoenix meant to say.
"I like you, Ash. I do. I'm just not open to the idea of having a relationship right now," Phoenix cupped Ash's face. Ash was on the brink of crying, but Phoenix was trying to soothe him.
"What now?" A single tear fell from his eye. Phoenix hugged him tight.
"I'm sorry, Ash." Phoenix held him tighter.
"It's fine." Ash forced a smile, crying harder. Phoenix wiped Ash's tears away. Soothing him, trying to stop his crying. Phoenix hugged him once more.
A couple of minutes passed, and Ash had settled down. Sniffling his nose while resting his head on Phoenix's shoulder. The silence became his comfort—not wanting to hear anything anymore. It was loudly quiet, and he wanted to be alone, alone with Phoenix.
Phoenix was caressing Ash's back, still continuing to calm him down, and finally he did.
"I'm not into relationships right now, but the only thing I could offer you is my body," Phoenix broke the silence.
Ash was taken aback. He looked at Phoenix, brows curled, confused as to what he had just said.
"What do you mean by that?" Ash was curious, intrigued, and scared.
"We'd be like this," Phoenix leaned in Ash's face and kissed him. It was quick, yet it made an impact. Ash couldn't say any words but could only hold his lips. This is not happening right now.
"You kissed me," Ash could only mutter.
"And I've been holding back on doing that," Phoenix smirked.
No, this can't be. Phoenix leaned in once more, and Ash closed his eyes. His cheeks were cupped by Phoenix as he continued to explore Ash's mouth. Weakened by this, he felt his feet lose control and his hands burrowed in the other one's shirt.
"Stop," Ash said in between his breaths. He was red and covered in sweat. Still holding on to Phoenix's shirt, Phoenix pulled him close. Ash was already sitting on Phoenix's lap, and he could feel something hard down there.
Phoenix was hungry, hungry for kisses, hungry for Ash. Their lips connected once more, and Ash was already drawn towards the hunger Phoenix had. Their kisses became more intimate, passionate, and intense. Ash was moaning lightly while Phoenix kissed him by his neck, tasting every inch of Ash. Before Phoenix could lift Ash's shirt, a loud doorbell rang throughout the living room.
"That must be Chey," Ash whispered. He immediately stood up but almost fell once again, but Phoenix held his hand.
"She'll open it in a bit. Go and sit over there on the other side. Quick!" Ash was panicking. Phoenix did as he was told.
"Ash? Phoenix?" Chey called out after successfully opening the door. She entered the apartment holding some beverages and sweets. She found the two of them silently sitting. Ash was hiding his face, while Phoenix had no expression at all.
"You both are being weird," Chey said, putting her groceries down at the table. Her eyes landed on a pot by the stove.
"Pasta!" Chey exclaimed, excitedly getting a plate and serving herself some. "I hope you both have already eaten. This just looks too good to pass on!"
"I'll get going then," Phoenix stood up, and Ash stood up as well.
"I'll see him out," Ash said, and both of them walked towards the door.
"We'll still talk, right?" Phoenix whispered, trying his best to not get caught by Chey.
"Of course. There are loads of things that are not that clear," Ash whispered back. Phoenix nodded and gave Ash a peck on the lips. He waved goodbye and left.
Ash was flushing red, running immediately to his room, trying to hide away from Chey. Chey didn't even plan to bother Ash because she was too busy romancing the pasta.
Ash dived into his bed, hiding in his blanket and biting his lips. That did not just happen. He wanted to not believe it, but reality says otherwise.