WULFRIC woke up early. Well, he really didn’t get much sleep. It felt like he just closed his eyes for a moment and it was already dawn. The main reason for his sleepless night was because of the thought that he had to leave today. The other one was because of Aster’s unusual ‘cheering’ method.
Despite it happening yesterday morning, that back hug and that pseudo-kiss lingered in his mind until the day ended. Even when he was about to sleep, they were still the only thing on his mind.
He kept on imagining how good it would have felt if there was no barrier between their lips, if Aster had truly kissed him without putting his hand on his lips. His imagination even had gone to a point where he suffered a nosebleed and he had to take a cold shower to calm down a certain part of his body.
He had never considered himself as, you know, a person with high libido. But it turned out that when it came to Aster, that side of him just came alive. With a vengeance, if he might add.
Wulfric finished bathing and changed into comfortable clothes suited for interstellar travel. After that, he left his suite.
He planned to leave the capital early. He was afraid that if he procrastinated and waited until Aster returned from school so the other could see him off, his resolve would wane and he would just end up not leaving.
He walked towards the private elevator that only went up to the rooftop and down to his suite floor. He was the only one who could access this. It was made like this so he would be the only one who could go to the rooftop. His car and small spacecraft were parked there, so he had to make sure that none of the residents could just go there and mess with his things.
Of course, Aster was allowed in this elevator. He gave the other the access code so he could use it.
The rooftop had a built-in garage where he could park his vehicles. He personally had it built when the top floor was being reconstructed to a suite. It was so he could have a private space to store his vehicles.
Wulfric was about to walk to the garage when an unexpected call stopped his steps.
“Wulf!”
With wide eyes, he turned back. He saw Aster running towards him. He stood in place, unsure if he was hallucinating or if Aster was really here. After all, the other had been the only one in his mind for the rest of the night. It wouldn’t be that weird if he actually imagined the other appearing here to say goodbye to him. His brain was very much capable of doing just that.
But once Aster stood right in front of him, he immediately knew he wasn’t just imagining things. Aster was really here.
“Aster, you, how did you…”
“You’re still here, thankfully,” Astrid said, a bit breathless.
He had a feeling that Wulfric would try to leave early in the morning. Maybe even before the sun rose in the sky. So, he tried to wake up early to check if he was right. And he was indeed correct.
“Are you here to see me off?” Wulfric asked after finally gaining some of her bearings.
“Of course I am. It’s very naughty of you to leave without saying goodbye,” Astrid said, pretending to scold the other.
“I’m sorry. It’s just that, if I see you before I leave, I feel like I won’t be able to really leave,” Wulfric said honestly.
Astrid smiled helplessly. “I know. That’s why I came here on my own accord. I also have a lot of things to give you.” He took out five food containers and three boxes of tea leaves from their farm. “Here, food for your journey.”
Wulfric quickly took the food containers and tea boxes from Aster. Then put them in his own space ring.
Warmth filled his heart at Aster’s thoughtfulness. For the other to think of cooking food for him to take on his journey showed that he cared for him, right? And that’s what made him feel soft and all gooey inside.
“You know, Aster, if you treat me so kindly like this, I might get the wrong idea.”
Astrid raised his brow. “And what wrong idea would that be?”
“That you feel for me as I feel for you.”
Wulfric was hesitant to say that at first. But if he didn’t say that now, it might take a while before he could have a chance to do so. Of course, he wasn’t expecting any positive answer. He was just hoping, that’s all.
Astrid didn’t expect that Wulfric would say something along those lines. But maybe he should have, considering how straightforward the other was. He didn’t know what to say at first. But seeing as how Wulfric was looking straight at him without turning away, he felt like he had to at least be honest.
Wulfric deserved that much.
“I do feel something. If not, I won’t even initiate skin contact with you,” Astrid admitted. “But the intensity of these feelings, it’s not yet on the same level as yours. And I don’t think we should enter into a relationship when our feelings don’t match yet. It would be very unfair for you. If we ever become lovers, I want us to be in the same standing. At least in terms of feelings, that is. Don’t you agree?”
Wulfric didn’t respond immediately. His face was even blank. There was not even a shred of emotion on his face. He thought the other didn’t like the explanation he gave him.
As he was thinking of what to say next, his body was suddenly enveloped in a warm and tight embrace.
“Can I take this to mean that I have a chance?”
Astrid blinked, surprised by this sudden turn. And then he couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “I think what I said meant just that.”