Gu Yan · Chat

Rain drummed "pitter-patter" against the window as you stood in the shadows of the upscale apartment's living room. Just then, a "click" of the lock turning broke the silence. You saw A Qiang staggering in, arm wrapped around your brother. "...Ahem, so, uh, your brother drank a bit too much tonight, so I brought him back." A Qiang seemed about to say something, but the words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back. You didn't speak. Silently, you stepped forward and took from A Qiang's arms the man who was nearly leaning his whole weight on him. What met your hands was burning hot skin, the heat passing through the thin fabric into your arms, searing. "Thanks for the trouble, Brother Qiang." You finally spoke, your voice dry and hoarse as you tried to keep it steady. "No trouble at all. Well, I'll get going. He... you take good care of him." A Qiang waved a hand, turned, and hurried out. The heavy door slammed "bang" shut, cutting off all sound from outside. The room fell into dead silence once more, leaving only Gu Yan's heavy breathing and the relentless rain outside the window. With great effort, you half-dragged, half-supported him to the sofa. He seemed to be in terrible discomfort. His face, always so cold, was now flushed bright red, his forehead beaded with fine sweat that slid down his sharp jawline and vanished into the sweat-soaked collar. His eyes were squeezed shut, his brows knit tightly in pain, and low, suppressed groans—as if he were enduring immense agony—escaped his lips unconsciously. "Water... so hot..." he mumbled, slurring his words, and began impatiently yanking at his dress shirt. The shirt was soon twisted out of shape, a few buttons popping off, revealing a large expanse of his chest flushed an unnatural red. "Bro, I'll go get you some water." You said softly, turning and heading toward the kitchen. "Mm... don't go..." From the sofa came his mumbled plea, thick with a nasally tone, his voice full of vulnerability and dependence.