Chapter 121 - Curfew

"I swear to god, this city is so damn confusing. I got lost in the morning like three fucking times," Yuan complained, slamming the glass, lightly though because his brother would kill him for breaking glassware.

Zeng narrowed his eyes then looked at Yul accusingly. "You didn't drop him off at his workplace?"

The officer raised his hands to block the accusation. "He insisted on going alone, okay? Not my fault."

Zeng's attention was now back on Yuan, the raised brow demanding an answer.

"Your boyfriend rides a motorcycle," the younger Xiao reasoned.

"And?" Yul challenged since his motorbike was dragged into the conversation.

"It's dangerous!" Both the Xiao brothers said in unison as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

Yul rolled his eyes. They were siblings in the true sense, same words, same thoughts, yet so different.

Yuan narrated the entire story, which was basically a turn for misfortune events and Zeng listened carefully, putting input and grimacing every other minute.

Yul observed their interaction closely. It was nice to have siblings who would be there for you, to listen to you. Being an only child sure had its perks which included getting the undivided attention of his parents but sometimes it got lonely too.

At the end of their talk, Zeng ruffled Yuan's hair and the other playfully tried pushing him away. "Stop it, ge."

"Let it go. At least, you will do better in the same situation next time now that you have experienced it."

Yuan begrudgingly nodded. "By the way, I was invited to a company dinner. So don't make dinner for me."

"Aww, I already bought stuff," Zeng pouted.

Yuan shrugged. "And I will be pretty late." He added.

"Why?"

"I need a breather, ge. I am going to a pub nearby after that boring dinner."

Zeng sighed defeatedly. "Okay but you are coming back home before 12." He gave a warning.

Yuan frowned, "What am I? A child?"

"12 is your curfew time," Zeng insisted firmly. "And I am dropping you off."

"Ge, I don't need-'

"Yuan, I am dropping you off." He said in finality, cutting off the younger Xiao, "My house, my rules."

And Yuan didn't argue further. "Whatever," he mumbled, grabbed his bag and left for his room.

"Will you find your way back?" Zeng repeated, "Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up?"

"Yup," Yuan nodded. "Now please don't bother me, ge and go back to your boyfriend. I can already tell what he's planning from his horny face."

"You brat!" Zeng lunged at him but Yuan was out of the car in a swift second, away from danger. He stuck his tongue out as he lowered to the window's level.

Zeng shook his head dismissively.

"Call us if you need a ride," he said, sourly but worried nonetheless.

Yuan just waved and went off.

Zeng went back home. And as soon as he laid foot in the hallway, he was scooped up and hoisted in the air. He yelped and grabbed at Yul's shoulders who grinned back at him mischievously.

Maybe Yuan was right after all.

"What are you doing?" The older man asked, clutching at his shirt.

Yul suggestively tugged at his shirt. "Yuan won't be back before 12. We have plenty of time to ourselves."

"I have to prepare dinner," said Zeng.

"Later, I am currently hungry for something else. Wanna continue where we stopped?" Yul said and started kissing his jaw, hands going down to the elastic of his pants.

At once, Zeng pulled away, taking Yul's face in his hands. "In the bedroom." He demanded.

The officer smirked. "Sure. I will fuck you wherever you want," Yul grinned and Zeng pinched his biceps.

"Can you not be so crude about it?"

Yul laughed and picked him to head to the bedroom. "Sure, let me make love to you, Zeng ge."

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It was about 2 am and Yuan stood worried in front of his brother's house because it was way past his curfew time and though he wouldn't admit it, he was a bit scared of Zeng.

The porch light was on and it was clear that Zeng had left it on for me. It was one of the Xiao family things, to keep the porch light on when another family member was yet to come home.

Yuan just hoped that Zeng was deep asleep. It would same him a lot of trouble.

So he very silently opened the door and soundlessly closed it. Like having cat paws, he tiptoed without a sound and was midway when Zeng cleared his throat from the armchair. Yuan cursed under his breath and slowly turned to face the man.

The older Xiao had crossed his arms and was staring at him, no greetings, no smile.

"What time is it?" Zeng asked, his voice cold.

"Um… Two-ish, I think." Yuan stuttered.

"And when was your curfew time?" Came another cold question.

"Twelve."

No words were spoken for a while when Zeng broke the silence, his tone gentle.

"I was worried, Yuan."

He walked towards his younger brother intending to hug him. He really was worried but Yuan stepped away.

He had a bit of hesitation on his face that resembled something close to guilt.

"I had messaged you that I'll be late. You didn't have to stay up for me." He tried to deviate it towards annoyance.

"That was before twelve and that doesn't make it right either." Zeng raised his voice a bit and Yuan went silent, looking at the floor.

"Where were you till this late?" Zeng tried again.

Yuan averted his eyes. He was so not telling anyone the details of his whereabouts, especially his brother.

"I am sorry." He said instead. He even put on his best face, hoping his brother would give in.

Zeng looked at him for the longest time but Yuan didn't come clean. Finally, he sighed. "On the couch."

"Sorry?"

"You are sleeping on the couch," Zeng repeated.

Yuan almost laughed in disbelief. "Excuse me, I am the guest here."

"Excuse you, Mr Guest, this is the host's punishment for you." Zeng retorted.

"Y-you can't do this to me, ge," Yuan whined.

"Oh yeah. Well, I can," Zeng said smugly, "You are sleeping on the couch and good luck with that."

Yuan huffed and puffed but Zeng did not budge.