Sage reaches for the doorknob. After twisting it, the door opened.
The entire room greeted him. A typical, overly simplified room.
There is a long wooden sofa placed below the wide window which faces the door. On top of it, on the side, is a mini foldable computer working table which has a laptop on top.
On the left side of the room, there is a dark brown cabinet that almost occupied half of the space. Next to it, is a large box container.
Sage saw some finished and unfinished diamond painting pieces and materials on top of it.
On the right side of the room, near the wall, clothes hung neatly above a bed that was placed directly on the floor.
He saw a bulge on top of the bed in the middle covered by a fluffy thick quilt. He can only see the blob of black hair on top of it.
Sage smirked.
He closes the door slowly.
Quietly, not disturbing the one who is lying on the bed, he walks closer through the bed. Upon reaching the side of the bed, he squatted. Just enough for his knees to touch the soft mattress.
He keeps on staring intently at Mint who is laying there.
He just stared at him for a while.
When he saw that Mint wouldn't wake up. He stood up and walked towards the wooden sofa.
One by one, he unbuttoned his black formal blazer and removed it. Followed by him removing his white polo underneath it. He folded them and gently placed them on the sofa.
After that, Sage walked back to the bed. Slowly, he lifted the blanket and went inside. While he lay down, Sage hugged Mint tightly and pulled him closer to his chest.
His face is resting above Mint's head while feeling his deep breaths. While hearing the sound of his heartbeats. While smelling the natural scent of him that he has become addicted to. He fell asleep without realizing it.
The two had no idea that Mint's mother was outside the door. She was currently looking at the closed door with suspicion on her face.
She was hesitating if she would enter now and check what was going on. Since the man—- Sage, who introduced himself to her, who entered the room—- was staying too long inside the bedroom.
If others found out about this, they would definitely gossip—after all, everyone already knows that his son is bent. Especially her, she already found it since his son was in high school.
She's just waiting for him to confess to her.
Now, a man had stayed in her son's room for quite some time. But when she remembered that this might be her chance to have a son-in-law, because she thought that her son will grow older alone. Since she doesn't see him getting in a relationship. Her hesitation in barging lessened.
The man seemed trustworthy, based on her quiet observation of him earlier. In that case, her child wouldn't be at a disadvantage. In fact, she thought it was the man who might be the lucky one—after all, she believed Mint was a good catch.
The next day. In the early morning, Mint woke up and felt that he was no longer alone in his bed. But he didn't mind it further because he remembered that it's Saturday today. So he can sleep even more.
He moved slowly to find a more comfortable position to go back to sleep.
"Lucas. Go away!"
"Lucas?" said by an unknown person in a very cold voice.
They don't have a man at home.
At once, Mint opened his eyes and looked towards where the voice was coming from.
There, he saw the half-naked Sage lying in a side view facing him. His head is resting on his right hand. His gaze was very solemn , staring intently at him.
Mint didn't think twice about moving further away from Sage and asked him, "Why are you here?"
Sage just raised an eyebrow at Mint, "What? Do you think you can escape from me?"
After saying that, Sage used his free hand to hold Mint's face. It seems like Mint got burned from his touch and moved away a bit. That's why he didn't notice that he was only wearing a see through white sando and super short shorts.
He saw Sage looking at him with a mischievous smile.
"What a nice view." Sage said while he whistled a bit.
Because of that, Mint looked at his body. He saw what he looks like right now.
"Ah!! Pervert!!" He exclaimed while he pulled the quilt and used it to cover his body.
Sage smirked dangerously at that, "Are I now? Have you forgotten that you owe me?"
As soon as he said that, he climbed on top of Mint, causing Mint to lie down. The quilt covering him slid down.
Sage pinned Mint's both hands above his head and without further ado, he kissed him deeply.
He forcefully inserted his tongue into Mint's mouth. After his tongue got in successfully, it started to move around. Exploring all bits and pieces of Mint's wet hot cavern.
"A-aa. S-Sage. What a-are you d-doing. My m-mom is still o-outside." Mint protested while moaning.
Sage's kisses are burning him. He started to melt already. But— he suddenly remembered why he was here. That's why he pushed Sage.
"Go home, Sage. If you plan to imprison me again, you won't be able to do that here in our territory." He said while using the back of his hand to wipe his still wet mouth.
While doing so, he didn't see the scrutinizing gazes of Sage looking at him because of him pushing him away.
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Sage, I agreed to let you imprison me because I had no choice. I didn't even report it. So please, just leave me alone."
Anger burst within Sage's heart when he heard what Mint said.
"You won't be able to escape from me. You're mine Mint. Your Mine." Sage said angrily using his hoarse voice.
Sage grabbed Mint by the waist and kissed him angrily.
Mint pushed Sage away from him again, "I'm not yours Sage. Yeah. You already have me. You already possess me, but that doesn't mean you have feelings for me."
He gets up, not minding his slightly nude body and proceeds to go through the door to leave. But before he could leave, Sage pulled him and was thrown onto the bed.
Sage goes on top of him as he pinned him down there. His face is so close to his face. Their nose and forehead are touching.
"How would you know? You can't say that I don't have any feelings for you. What I dislike the most is being doubted." Sage said while staring at Mint directly in his eyes.
Mint didn't avoid him. He didn't back down.
"Then tell me face to face. For what you did to me. Can I consider it as you loving me? I'm not going to think like that. All I know is that you did that because you wanted to explore something new. To experience how it feels to be with someone with the same gender. You just went a little bit wild by choosing a simple looking person and have a chubby one at that. Sadly, I got chosen unexpectedly." Mint said teary eyed.
"I am a person too, Sage. Didn't you think that what you did would hurt me? I didn't complain or fight back. When I escaped from you, I didn't say a word, nor did I do anything to get you imprisoned. I accepted all of it because-----" Mint continued but stopped talking when he realized what his next words were.
He doesn't want to be the first to confess to Sage.
"Is that really what you're thinking all along? Don't doubt my feelings for you." Sage said coldly towards Mint.
Sage was surprised by how Mint is thinking and feeling.
"Then tell me now. What am I to you? A toy? If you get tired of me, will you just throw me away and leave me without a second thought?"
"Shh. No. No. You're not, okay fine. Listen carefully. I'll say it once. Mint, I like you. From the very first time I saw you. I already fell for you. So don't doubt my feelings for you anymore." Sage firmly told him.
After saying those, he leaned down to peck Mint's forehead. Then to his nose. And to his lips.
"Really. If that's true. Why did you do that to me?" Mint asks Sage. Not totally believing that someone like Sage is like him.
"Hahaha. Mint, dear, don't belittle yourself. You want to know why? It's because I couldn't take it anymore. I can't stand seeing you getting close to someone else—especially other men. Do you really enjoy talking to them like that? Are you trying to kill me with jealousy?"
"Eh? Not really. Don't fool me. With my appearance. I'm not just someone they'll like." Mint answered him, not really believing Sage.
"Don't underestimate yourself. You don't know those people. Don't deny it anymore because I am the one who knows them."
Mint smiled to himself—triumphantly, excitedly. At last. Even if Sage was lying, at least he had said he liked him. That alone was enough for Mint to hold on even tighter. From now on, Sage wouldn't escape his grasp.
He would not let him go.
"So, you're getting jealous just like that. But as far as I know, how I interact with others back in Aethercliff is very civil and distant. I'm not even close with them. " Mint teases Sage while smirking.
He already forgot what he was complaining about earlier.
Sage's gaze sharpened while looking at Mint.
"Why? Do you want to feel how jealous I am?"
Mint immediately shakes his head no.
He pushed Sage away from him a little.
Sage didn't fight back. Instead, he pulled mint, as he leaned through the wall. Guiding Mint to sit in front of him.
Sage embraced him and positioned him inside his arms and two legs. Mints back is now leaning on his hard chest.
"Hmm. That's disappointing. Then it's your turn to confess now. I'll be easy on you as long as you're truthful. Lie to me, and you'll face my harsh punishment."
"I---"
"Do continue. I'm listening."
"Don't stare at me like that." Mint nervously said.
Sage just raised an eyebrow at him. He didn't talk. His eyes are commanding him to talk now.
"I--- You know Sage. You're very handsome." Mint started with a shaking voice.
"I already knew that." Sage said with a proud voice.
"At first, I really didn't notice you. But--"
"With my good looks. Didn't this catch your attention?" Sage interrupted in disbelief. He looks at Mint, questioning if he's serious in saying that.
"Don't interrupt me!" Mint said while hitting Sage's arm. He's still nervous now in confessing.
"Okay okay." Sage said while raising his hands in surrender.
Mint carefully organized his words, "I admit. I really had no interest in you at first. But you know how it is in our department, you guys, even made our lab your hangout spot. We really can't avoid having at least a little interaction with you. Since then, you gradually captured my attention. I know you understand me now. So, I know you know that I'm just a quiet man. I'm not fond of socializing."
Mint took deep breaths.
"My interest turned into a crush and then into liking you. But I didn't make any movement or step to express it. Didn't do a thing to have the chance to tell you about my feelings towards you. Because I know, you won't notice me anyway. Who am I for you to look at and notice?"
Sage hugged Mint tightly. Then he holds both sides of Mint's shoulders to guide him into facing him, "How would you know that you will not attract me? With your looks and cuteness? Would I not notice you?"
Mint only nodded. He then put his head on top of Sage's chest. Enjoying the feeling of warmth coming from it. He feels comfortable.
Sage stroked his hair and his hug tightened, "I knew you have feelings for me too. I am happy that you choose to tell the truth. Now, you can no longer back out."
Without waiting for Mint to reply, he kisses him deeply. Mint immediately responded to the kiss. Resulting in a long lasting and passionate kiss.
They only stopped when they felt they had lost their breath. But when they caught their breath for a bit, Sage kissed him again.
While drowning by Sage's kisses, Mint felt those kisses slowly descended towards his neck. Simultaneously, his hands were caressing his waist upward to his chest. Already playing with his nipples.
It was then that he forced himself to stop Sage.
"Don't. Mom is just outside. She will hear us."
Thankfully, Sage listened and just hugged him while he breathed deeply. When his breathing stabilized, "Okay. But you owe me. Anyway, I don't want to face mom like this."
"Hey, why are you calling my mom, 'mom'? She's just my mom." Mint said then he gave a smack on Sage's cheek.
"I also consider her my mom too. Don't complain anymore." Sage said with a smile.
Mint didn't talk anymore because of that.
'That's right. I hope this lasts longer and longer.'
"Get dressed because we're going out now. Maybe my mom will think something if we don't go out yet." After a while, Mint ordered Sage, who was enjoying squeezing him within his tight embrace.
Mint didn't complain even if he felt suffocated because he was enjoying it after all.
"Are you going to introduce me to mom?"
Mint looked at Sage. He looked at him with a crazy look.
"What should I introduce to mom about you?"
Sage frowned, "Of course, as your boyfriend. What else?"
"Why am I only finding out about this now?" Mint said teasingly at Sage.
Sage's face darkened, "Why not? Don't you want it?"
Before Sage could get completely angry, Mint hugged him and kissed him on the cheek then he pinched his cheek jokingly, "Haha. Fine. Don't be angry anymore. I'm just kidding you. With everything that happened, should I still play hard to get? You are mine, Sage. Remember that."
After that declaration of Mint, he kissed Sage on the lips. A few seconds passed. He moved away. He walked through the cabinet and then he took a sweater from it.
Mint saw the neatly folded top of Sage. He picked those and handed it to Sage. Urging him to fix himself too.
After minutes of tidying themselves.
The two went out.
In the living room, they saw Mint's mother, Pepper, who was sitting on the sofa and drinking her coffee.
"Mom." Mint called for Pepper's attention.