It has been seven long years since Hardin's mother departed from Thailand, leaving behind a house that has been woefully ignored. Nevertheless, it would be erroneous to assert that it has been completely forsaken, for it is attended to by a group of individuals who clean it every month. The door stood slightly ajar, and Kieran peered inquisitively before venturing inside.
This was not his first foray into the house, as he had previously explored every nook and cranny of the structure seven years ago when Hardin would frequently escort him there, particularly to his chambers. During their visits, they would engage in playful wrestling matches and listen to the rhythmic pulsations of each other's hearts.
Upon entering the living room, Kieran quickly realized that Hardin was nowhere to be found. With measured steps, he ascended the staircase, making his way toward Hardin's quarters. The entrance to the room stood ajar, but to Kieran's surprise, Hardin was not present.
As he lingered in the room, a faint sound of dripping water caught Kieran's attention. Determined to unearth its source, he proceeded towards the bathroom, shouldering the door open.
In an instant, the door flung open, causing Kieran to lose his footing and tumble headlong into the space. However, his fall was abruptly halted by an obstruction; a naked body had broken his fall.
Kieran closed his eyes and, upon opening them, was greeted by the sight of Hardin's toned abdomen. Hardin stood before him shirtless, his chiseled physique on full display. Kieran's eyes widened at the sight, and his gaze lowered, drawn to the provocative image before him.
He felt his body responding to the proximity, his heart pounding with increasing intensity as if waging an internal war within his chest. As he remained in close proximity to Hardin's possession, Kieran was acutely aware of the growing sexual tension between them.
Kieran stood up straight, meeting Hardin's gaze. Hardin had just finished taking a bath, and droplets of water still clung to his skin. Kieran couldn't help but notice the trail of hair from Hardin's chest to his navel and felt a slight blush spread across his cheeks. He was nervous and hoped that Hardin's scent wouldn't affect him too much.
As Kieran tried to steady his breathing, he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his chest. Hardin's proximity was overwhelming, and Kieran found himself lost in his deep brown eyes. The way the light played off his wet hair made him look almost ethereal.
Hardin noticed Kieran's gaze lingering on him and couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction. He had always found Kieran to be a charming friend—that was his thought before, but now he saw something more. His heart skipped a beat as he took in Kieran's handsome features.
"You look stunning," Hardin said softly, breaking the silence between them. "I've never seen you in this light before."
Kieran's heart swelled with affection, and he felt a warmth spread through him. He couldn't believe that Hardin, the man he had been secretly crushing on for months, was standing right in front of him, looking at him with such intensity.
"You look pretty good yourself," Kieran replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hardin took a step forward, and Kieran could feel the heat radiating off his body. He smelled of earthy spices and fresh soap, and Kieran found himself getting lost in his scent.
F*ck what I was thinking? I need medical attention. This isn't right...
Here's a revised and broader version:
"Sorry about that, Khrub," Kieran apologized, feeling a bit embarrassed for staring at Hardin's wet body. He couldn't help but notice how attractive Hardin looked, and he was finding it hard to avert his gaze.
As Hardin reached for the towel hanging near Kieran's head, his arm brushed against Kieran's side, and Kieran felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him. He couldn't believe how much he was being affected by Hardin's mere presence.
Kieran closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure. He didn't want to give in to his desire to hug Hardin or do anything else that might reveal his true feelings.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Hardin was looking at him with a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Are you okay, Kieran?" Hardin asked, his voice laced with tenderness.
Kieran nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. He didn't trust himself to speak without revealing his true feelings.
As Kieran stood there, he couldn't help but notice the intoxicating aroma emanating from Hardin. The scent was so potent that it made Kieran's heart race with desire and adoration. He couldn't help but be drawn to Hardin's fiery and igneous body, and he found himself captivated by the way his hair fell on his oxter, adding to his allure.
"It's okay, Nong," Hardin said smiling. He wrapped the towel around his waist.
Hardin went out of the bathroom and perched upon the cusp of his bed, taking a few fleeting moments to survey his surroundings before proceeding to search for suitable attire.
He proceeded to garb himself in front of Kieran with an air of indifference, oblivious to the fact that they were fundamentally dissimilar in their sexual orientations, with Kieran identifying as bisexual while Hardin identified as heterosexual.
Kieran refused to perceive himself as an aberration, for he saw himself as no different from the rest of humanity. As a bisexual individual, Kieran believed that he, too, deserved the same reverence and acceptance as any other person.
It was his fervent desire that his father would recognize this fundamental truth and see Kieran not as a burden or a source of shame, but as a source of pride and joy.
However, Kieran was cognizant that any efforts to elucidate his stance to his father would be futile, as his father's heart and mind were impervious to reason and understanding.
Following his sartorial preparations, Hardin proceeded to dry his unruly locks with a blower, the heat causing him to perspire. Turning to Kieran with a wide grin adorning his visage, he inquired, "Shall we depart now?"
"Indeed, we shall. And what of Pharm and Ayne?" Kieran queried.
"Fret not, my dear. I have furnished them with my address, and they shall arrive this evening," Hardin reassured him. Without further ado, he seized Kieran's hand and towed him out of the room with alacrity.
Hardin kindly offered to help Kieran with his luggage, which Kieran gratefully accepted. As he inspected each item, he was careful not to forget anything important, such as his books and personal belongings. After ensuring that everything was accounted for, Kieran asked for Hardin's assistance in loading his belongings into the back of his car.
Without hesitation, Hardin willingly obliged and helped Kieran with the heavy lifting. Once the luggage was safely secured, Hardin opened the passenger side door of the car for Kieran, demonstrating his willingness to go above and beyond to ensure Kieran's comfort and convenience.
As Kieran and Hardin exchanged glances, their eyes met in a moment of shared happiness. Kieran couldn't help but notice the playful twinkle in Hardin's eyes, which seemed to convey his joy at helping out a friend.
Their brief eye contact was broken when Hardin looked away, but Kieran caught the sweet smile on his face before he straightened up and closed the passenger side door of the car. Once inside the car, Kieran could hear Hardin let out a contented sigh.
As Kieran settled into his seat, he chanced a glance at Hardin, who was now behind the wheel. To his delight, Hardin responded with an even sweeter smile and a wink, which sent Kieran's heart racing with excitement and anticipation. It was clear that their friendship was only growing stronger with each passing moment.