22 Episode 22 - A Unique Beautiful

"You're such a fucking perv." Amari pressed his face into Yangyang, but the man only laughed, entertained by his awkwardness.

"Oui, and this perv is going to bed." His friend opened the door to the stairwell, then leaned back to the couple still standing against the wall. "It's cold, tsé? Don't stay out here too long."

"Yeah, okay," the boy mumbled, then he bolted up, his head almost slamming into Yangyang's chin. "Oh, shit. There's someone up there waiting for you. Nicky? I forgot about him..."

"What?" Unexpectedly, Ziggy sounded shocked to hear the name. "For how long?"

"Uh, however long we've been out here, plus the very end of your conversation?" He hadn't exactly been keeping track of time, so he really couldn't say. "I came out to look for you and then... Yeah."

"Ah, merde..." His "shit" wasn't said in anger, but he didn't seem pleased either. "Just give me about twenty minutes before you come up, hein? You can go back to making out in the street or something."

Yangyang chuckled and wrapped an arm around Amari's shoulders, bringing him comfortably to his side. "I should go. He can wait for a cab with me."

After waving a hand out the door, Ziggy was gone, headed up the stairs to greet his mysterious guest. Yangyang let out a sigh and pulled the boy down to sit with him as he called, then stuck his phone in his pocket and let out a short laugh.

"What?"

"Ah, nothing really. I just feel... a lot lighter." His voice seemed lighter, relieved, and he took Amari's hands, squeezing gently. "Aren't you cold? You aren't dressed very warmly."

Amari slid over until he was pressed up against the man and leaned his head on a broad shoulder.

"I'm warm." Freeing a hand, he reached up to run his fingers through Yangyang's hair. It was smooth and straight, half up in a ponytail, and the rest hung down to his shoulders. It wasn't wiry like Ziggy's, feeling thick and soft, easily flowing across his knuckles. "Your hair's long."

"Yeah," said Yangyang, taking his hand back. "I'm the lead guitarist in a rock band. Isn't that a requirement?"

The boy nodded and looked out across the street at the dim spots of light. "You're handsome."

"You can't tell that." Yangyang chuckled softly. "I'm just a third-generation Chinese man. As generic as they come. Dark hair. Small brown eyes. Boring."

"I can tell." Tracing the lines he felt earlier in his mind, he smiled. "Plus, those girls wouldn't've been talking that way if you weren't." He rubbed his thumb against the man's large palm. It was warm even in the freezing air.

"Those girls? Ah, the ones who said I was married."

Amari flinched and felt his face flush a bit. "Yeah..."

"You were worried I was married." Yangyang chuckled louder this time. "You're so fucking cute."

He frowned and tried to pull his hands away, but the man held tight. "I'm not cute."

"You're adorable. And unlike me, you're a completely unique kind of beautiful."

"Is that why you like me?" he asked timidly, instantly wishing he hadn't.

"What?" The large body shifted beside him and Amari looked in his direction, guessing he was staring.

He stiffened a little as he repeated himself. "I'm beautiful. Is that why you like me?" That was why everyone else had liked him.

"Judging from that look on your face, I feel like there's a correct answer, but I don't know what it is..." The grip on Amari's hands grew a little tighter. "I think you're beautiful, and I like that, but that isn't why I like you."

"Then, why? It can't be because of my winning personality." Amari moved his gaze away, even though he couldn't see Yangyang's expression.

"Do you want a list?" The man teased, but his deep voice was soft.

Before the boy could say no, he continued.

"I like that you're always surprisingly honest, despite your insecurities. I like that your terrible experiences haven't damaged your kind soul.

"And, although it scared the hell out of me, I like that you're so soft-hearted, you would let someone beat the shit out of you just to repair a relationship. You try to hide it and you push people away, but really, you get attached easily and care a lot. You'd rather be lonely than hurt."

"Jesus... You can stop now." Amari felt increasingly shy, his cheeks warming. He didn't understand how someone could sound so comfortable saying such sweet things. "I shouldn't've asked."

"Ah, but I'm not finished yet." Yangyang chuckled. "I like that you smile and giggle like a child when you're happy. I like that you're embarrassed by the smallest things, and your lines of freckles turn red when it happens. And I like that only I can see it. I want you to open up, but only with me. I don't like the idea of sharing you with anyone else."

Amari smiled hearing this childish side and the man kissed him on his warm cheek, as if wanting to prove his words true. "But, honestly... The first thing I liked about you was your voice. You let everything go when you sing and the sound is filled with all those emotions you usually keep inside. It's amazing."

His eyes started to water, and Amari let a sniffle escape, but his hands were still held captive. He couldn't do anything but turn away.

"Ah, shit. Are you crying?" The man pulled him closer and used his thumb to wipe away a tear. "I'm sorry. I got carried away."

Amari shook his head and let out a long breath, blinking a few times to dry his eyes. "No, I just..."

He didn't have anything to say that could compare with what Yangyang just told him. He wasn't even sure he was capable of that kind of sentimentality.

"I never said thank you. For staying with me at the hospital. And sorry. For acting like an asshole after that."

Yangyang laughed and hugged Amari tighter. "No, I'm sorry. I should have said these things earlier. I knew you liked me, but I still hesitated."

After a few quiet moments rubbing the boy's back, he sighed.

"You don't know it, but I'm really a coward. There are a lot of things you don't know about me. I'm not sure why you like me, but I hope you don't change your mind when you find those things out."

With a playful smile, Amari pulled the man's head down, lips close to his ear. "That just means you don't know me as well as you think, because that'd never happen."

Yangyang quivered slightly and moved his head back so they were face to face. "You need to stop doing unexpected things like that." He brought Amari in close, giving him a long kiss, then pressed their foreheads together. It felt warm, like his hand.

Turning the corner, a car blinded Amari with its headlights, making the boy groan. A hand covered his eyes to block the light, but he pushed it away gently.

"It's okay," he said, squinting but smiling. "Time to go."

He stood, helping Yangyang to his feet, then brushed the dirt from his pants.

"But I don't think it's been twenty minutes..."

Amari's smile widened and he reached a hand out, feeling the man move so it rested against his cheek. "Whatever's happening, I guarantee I've walked in on worse."

"That doesn't really make me feel better," grumbled Yangyang, and he moved a finger to touch the man's mouth, giggling at his pouty frown.

"It's okay." Lowering his hand, he stepped back toward the door. "It's really late. Go home."

Yangyang didn't move. "You're not going to panic and ignore me again after I leave, yeah? Maybe I should stay." The tone was teasing, but Amari knew it hid real worries.

"I promise that won't happen." He opened the metal door and smiled brightly. "Go home."

"You're killing me with that face..." The man groaned. "Alright, I'm leaving."

Amari gave a small wave and slipped into the stairwell, not waiting for Yangyang to get in the cab. He sat down on a step and took in a deep breath, holding it in for as long as possible before blowing it out again.

"Hah... What the hell..."

Pulling his knees up, he wrapped his arms tight around them, resting his chin. His face turned warm again and he smiled, then started giggling. With a hand over his mouth to muffle the echo, he sat that way for many minutes, unable to contain his happiness - a happiness that terrified him, but that he had no desire to give up.