Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 145: Help me wash my back

AN: Its been a while. I hope you guys are okay. Holiday time is hard to write but I will do my best. Happy reading.

Yu Xi picked up the pendant, his eyes softening as he whispered, "It’s beautiful."

Jian Ci reached out, his smile playful yet gentle. "Let me put it on for you."

Yu Xi instinctively began to turn around, thinking it would be easier, but Jian Ci’s arms slid around his neck, pulling him to face him directly. Their eyes met, and for a moment the world seemed to still. Jian Ci was focused, his fingers deftly fastening the clasp, but Yu Xi’s attention was elsewhere.

Inches from Jian Ci’s face, his gaze lingered on those full lips, the memory of their last incident burning in his chest. It had been months since they last kissed, and the craving for another taste gnawed at him. Without realizing, Yu Xi bit his lip, betraying his desire.

"There," Jian Ci said softly, stepping back once the pendant was secure.

Yu Xi’s hand rose to touch it, his fingers caressing the cool surface. Jian Ci tilted his head, his voice low. "Do you like it?"

Yu Xi’s fingers curled tightly around the pendant. "I love it."

"Good," Jian Ci replied with a grin. "Now if you run away from me like last time, I will find you."

Yu Xi chuckled, his eyes glimmering. "Who said I was planning to run away?"

Jian Ci picked up the fork, holding it teasingly to Yu Xi’s lips. "There is no rock in this entire galaxy that you can hide under."

Yu Xi leaned forward and took the bite of cake from Jian Ci’s fork, the sweetness lingering faintly on his tongue. Jian Ci’s tone was playful as he teased him, but Yu Xi wished desperately that he meant it. If he did, it would mean Jian Ci liked him that much, enough to chase him down the entire galaxy.

Yu Xi smirked and said lightly, "I will just take it off."

Jian Ci’s eyes widened in mock horror. "Do you have a death wish?"

Yu Xi laughed, finding his reaction amusing.

"Not allowed. You better not take it off," Jian Ci warned, his voice firm but his grin betraying him.

"I won’t take it off," Yu Xi replied.

"Promise?" Jian Ci pressed.

Yu Xi nodded. "I promise."

Jian Ci smiled happily, his expression softening. "Good."

After Yu Xi finished his cake, Jian Ci rose from the bed. "Are you done?"

"Yeah," Yu Xi answered.

Jian Ci picked up the plate, but his gaze lingered on the dangling earring at Yu Xi’s ear. Without hesitation, he reached over and flicked it, the small ornament swaying.

Yu Xi didn’t even flinch. He was used to Jian Ci acting that way.

Jian Ci had a habit of messing with his hair or flicking his earring whenever he got the chance. It was like a daily ritual, something Jian Ci seemed to enjoy far too much, and Yu Xi had never questioned it or stopped him. Jian Ci ruffled his hair before grinning. "I will be right back, birthday boy."

Yu Xi raised a brow, his tone calm but firm. "Don’t take too long, we still have to revise."

"Alright," Jian Ci replied, slipping out of the room.

Moments later, Yu Xi’s communicator buzzed. He glanced down and saw his grandfather’s name. Opening the message, he found a video of a mech—sleek, powerful, and clearly customized. Eros had already sent him enough money to live in luxury for the rest of his life, but now he was sending him a mech as well.

"Do you like it? If not, I will get you another one," Eros wrote.

Yu Xi’s lips curved faintly as he typed back, "I love it. Thank you, Grandpa."

Another message came quickly. "I customized it for you. When you are done with the exam, I will take you somewhere nice."

Yu Xi leaned back, warmth filling his chest. "Alright," he replied simply. He knew Eros was over compensating and if this made the burden in his heart easier then he would accept everything he gave him.

The sound of his name cut through the quiet room. "Yu Xi?"

Yu Xi turned from the chair, brow furrowed. The voice came from the bathroom. The shower was running. He stood and walked to the closed door, steam curling from the bottom gap. "What’s up?"

The water cut off. Jian Ci’s voice, clear and warm, filtered through the door. "Can you get me a clean towel?"

"Sure." Yu Xi moved to Jian Ci’s room, grabbing a soft, folded towel from the neat pile on the shelf. He walked back, his pulse a quiet, steady beat in his ears. "I will leave it at the door." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Bring it in," Jian Ci called, a laugh in his tone. "I don’t want to walk out naked, plus I will drip water everywhere. Hurry up."

Yu Xi’s throat tightened. His Adam’s apple bobbed. It’s fine, he told himself. They had shared a locker room a thousand times and he had already seen everything before. He would just look away. He wouldn’t see what he shouldn’t. He wouldn’t think about the water sliding down Jian Ci’s skin. He pushed the door open.

A wall of humid, soap-scented air hit him. The room was thick with mist, clouding the mirrors. Behind the foggy glass of the shower stall, a blurred, tall figure shifted. All Yu Xi could make out clearly was the dark, wet shape of Jian Ci’s hair. He kept his eyes fixed there. "I will put it here," Yu Xi said, his voice rough, setting the towel on the counter.

"Thanks," Jian Ci said, turning his head. His smile was a white flash in the steam. Yu Xi turned to go, his body already angled for escape.

"Little Xi?"

Yu Xi froze. "Yeah?"

"Help me wash my back."

Yu Xi’s breath stuttered. He didn’t turn around. "Use the long loofah."

"It’s not hard enough. Come on, please? Just a good scrub."

Yu Xi bit down on his lower lip, hard. He finally turned, looking through the mist at the vague shape of the man. Jian Ci was looking back, his expression unreadable through the glass but his voice was light, teasing. Asking for it.

Yu Xi’s thoughts were a hot, sudden jumble. He didn’t trust himself. He didn’t trust his body not to react, not to give him away completely. But the want was a physical ache, a pull low in his gut. "Turn around," Yu Xi said, the words leaving him in a rush.

"Huh?"

Yu Xi twirled his finger. Jian Ci’s laugh was soft. "Oh."

The glass door slid open with a quiet hiss. More steam billowed out, carrying the clean, masculine scent of Jian Ci’s soap. Jian Ci had turned, presenting his back. Yu Xi’s chest seized.

’Fuck!’ he swore internally.