|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:48 pm
Tonight was like the other times he’d visited Caleb - movies and food. Only this time he had taken some of the money from his job, since he got paid more in housing than money, and bought some Chinese food. His mother used to make Chinese food, authentic Chinese food, but that had stopped a long time ago. She had assimilated and turned her back on her own culture. It was rare he got Chinese food, the bastardized sort or otherwise, and only when he had the allowance money to afford some for himself which he never brought home.
With the new freedom he had, and a job, he had decided to get some food from an authentic restaurant for himself and Caleb, only sending the other a message that he was getting dinner for them tonight.
For years, since his mother had turned her back on their culture, he had taken to trying to puzzle out the mysteries of his own family and heritage...on his own. It hadn’t always been easy, much of it involving tears of sadness and frustration on his part. But he knew his mother, and himself to a lesser extent, spoke mandarin chinese and he knew the areas where it was spoken. That had narrowed things down for him, though not by a lot given the size of China. With so little to go on he had spent time in China Town talking to people, mentioning foods his mother used to make...the few things she ever said when making said foods, she only ever talked about what she was making and how she used to eat this or that as a girl and it was her favorite. Nothing ever gave a lot of detail but it had helped in narrowing things down even more so he had a better idea of where his family was from.
Over the years spent searching for answers he would go the Chinese culture center and to Chinatown and it was there, in Chinatown, that someone had clued him in that the foods his mother used to make, all of them, were common to a particular region and known as dishes from that area.
Since then he had found each restaurant in Chinatown which served food from there and frequented them whenever he could. It wasn’t in some high hope of running into someone he was related to - this wasn’t some sappy movie...much as he wished it was. He just...wanted to be closer to something he felt like he’d lost - had viciously ripped away from him and destroyed.
It was these foods he went to when he wanted comfort food...it was there and at the cultural center that he worked on bettering his Chinese, since he mother certainly would help and teach him. He felt like one of those Greek heros - searching for his father only it wasn't just a search for his father but for who he was...where he was from. Maybe one day he’d go to China, it was a dream...a long off one.
It was with a smile in place, as the smells of home...of years gone by, wafted up from the box he held in his arms that he arrived at Caleb’s and used his right foot to knock on the door to the others apartment. Hanging from his right arm was a bag with clothing for two nights and tomorrow as well as a few other things he needed. “Caleb…”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:49 pm
Caleb had been expecting Xi-Wang and had spent the better part of the day cleaning up the apartment for him…honestly, he had been spending a lot of time moving things around so that his boyfriend would have a place to live when he decided he was ready to finally take that step and move in.
The brunette went to the door and pulled it open, grinning brightly at his guest. “Hey there. I missed you.”
He reached out and took the box of food from Xi’s arms and brought it into the kitchen, hoping to make it a bit easier for him to get inside. “You sure brought a lot of stuff with you this time…I think we should maybe start just keeping some of your clothes here? I’ve been working to empty my drawers, and now I’ve gotten everything shuffled around, half my closet is yours and two of the drawers too…”
He drew out two plates from the cabinet, looking back at his boyfriend. “You know…to make things easier when you move in?”
Honestly, he hoped he wasn’t being too pushy…but he really, really liked when Xi-Wang was over…and he wanted to keep him as close as possible…it just made him happy. And really made him feel a lot less lonely.
“What did you bring? It smells fantastic!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:51 pm
Biting down on his lip at the others greeting, ducking his head to hide his flushing cheeks, the fact someone cared that much for him got him every time. He didn’t know why, he tried to fight it, but there was no way in winning against his own body and every time his cheeks warmed up under the other's words...under his affection.
Following the other inside he shut and locked the door. “I missed you too.” Dropping his bag down by the couch he trailed after the other. His shoes had already been toed off by the door, he was working his coat off as he followed after Caleb. Start keeping some of his things here….like slowly moving in...he liked the idea - a lot. He knew the other had asked him to move in already but it had seemed sudden...they’d just met. But this...this slow sort of gradual thing was...warming and just comfortable and felt good in ways he couldn’t describe. Maybe loving...he wasn’t sure. “I-I’ll leave my clothing today then...and my sleep clothing for this weekend…” He answered softly.
Watching the others back as he got plates out and moved about the kitchen. Dark eyes meeting the others lighter ones. “I-I like that...thank you.” approaching the other he couldn’t help it when he just leaned in and nuzzled the other gently.
“Chinese food...real Chinese food.” He didn’t explain what sort, he would though, but he wanted to share pieces of himself with the other...pieces that were precious and that he held close to himself. They were like beads of jade for him...fine and polished and worth so much to him. But soft and delicate looking. Memories from when he was young...bits and pieces of information - bits of what made him...well him.
“I’ll get drinks.” He whispered against the other before pulling back in order to get glasses and drinks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:52 pm
Caleb couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face when Xi agreed to leave some of his things there. It felt...it felt really good, the fact that soon he wouldn’t be alone anymore…
“Sounds good!” Xi was so thoughtful and helpful...and the food really did smell amazing. And it looked amazing too. When he opened up the box, the smell hit him with even more force and Caleb felt his mouth start to water. “Well, shoot if this is the kind of food that you’re going to make all the time...I could get used to it.
He paused when he felt his boyfriend nuzzling him and leaned in close, placing a kiss right on the other male’s lips. “I really did miss you, I really just..want you to know that...and I think about you all the time. Like, seriously, all the time.”
Heck, he hadn’t spent more than an hour or two in the lab at school for the past few weeks...at this rate, he’d never finish the project that he was working on...and that was okay...to be perfectly honest, this was a lot better than any robot could ever hope to be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:52 pm
“Didn’t make it...but could try and learn…” Xi-Wang offered up as he looked up at the other, just before his lips were pressed against by another set of lips. Returning the little sign of affection he nodded his head slowly. “I think about you a lot as well.” Maybe not all the time, he had school and other things...a lot of sleeping, but he did think about the other. There had even been a few odd dreams...where he hadn’t even been fully asleep but sort of in between sleep and awake. It had only been twice but both were...interesting and embarrassing for him...firsts as well.
“You’ve been sleeping...and taking care of yourself - I hope?” He asked gently, reaching to cup the other's cheek gently. “You look better - well rested.” But he could always be wrong. He didn’t want to be though, he wanted to know the other was sleeping well. He shouldn’t go long without it, though maybe he shouldn’t pick up Xi-Wang’ shabit and sleep as much as he did.
“Should get some food on plates and into the living room. We should eat at the coffee table...the food can make a mess.” And it would be hard to get out of the bedding and all...plus the food smell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:53 pm
Caleb’s grin grew as the kiss was returned, and his expression softened as suddenly his cheek was resting comfortably in Xi-Wang’s hand. “Yeah...I’ve been taking care of myself a lot more...now that I have someone who cares enough to remind me that sleeping and eating are a big part of you know...living and all that.”
The brunette reluctantly pulled away from Xi-Wang's hand and put the food onto two plates, carrying them to the small table that was in the dining room. He had cleaned the junk off of it that normally covered the thing and had it set up quite nice...just as a special thing for when he spent dinner with Xi. “Coffee table, hm? How about the dining room table, we can eat like a real couple...I even got candles for ambiance.” He winked, the grin back on his face and excitement dancing in his eyes.
“I think a nice dinner like this deserves more than sitting cross legged on the floor at the coffee table, don’t you? I think you deserve a better boyfriend than one who has a messy house, too...so I cleaned. I cleaned really hard, Xi. So you’d be happier here.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:53 pm
Laughing softly he pressed his lips to Caleb’s. “You needed reminding that those are important? And you're the smart one.” He teased gently, smiling at him as he did so. Though to be honest he’d gone to a good school and was going to another good school, the first being a tech school also. But he could tease Caleb about where he attended - right?
Following after Caleb he wasn’t expecting to be led to a small dining room table...and candles. He had candles on the table...oh god it seemed formal but nice and those words- like a real couple. Biting his lip, afraid to say anything, he nodded his head a few times. Instead, as he didn’t trust his voice at the moment, he found himself wrapping his arms about the other again and hugging him. Nodding against the others back until he could speak. “It’s - it’s.” Lovely sounded...wrong and perfect too cliche… “amazing.” Cause that didn’t sound any better, really. Wonderful wouldn’t have fit though and would have also been cliche - everyone was really...and they all made him feel like some schoolgirl or one of those women from the tv movies his mother watched while yelling about strong women...and how could they have even let the man abuse her to start with, among other things his mother said.
“You’re doing this for me...I should help you clean...since I’ll be moving in.” He would, he knew it. He hadn’t said even this much yet. He had told the other not yet...but never confirmed he would. But he would - he knew it. Caleb was trying to make it a place for them both and to have a proper home for them? Despite them being teenagers. It felt odd...out of sync in a sense...they were both teenagers and would both be living together like adults did. Odd as it was he supposed it wasn’t bad - he’d have Caleb.
“What do you want to drink?” Unsure what the other would want but knowing they needed something to go with the meal. “I’ll talk to the one putting me up and let him know...I’ll still work for him though.” As much as he still got tired at work, not used to being awake for so long much less being so active.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:54 pm
“Yeah well, smart doesn’t always mean I use my brains for intelligent things, Xi.” He winked and went along to the table, stiffening for a moment when the arms wrapped around him, but then smiling softly, laying his hands atop Xi-Wang’s.
He felt his heart speed up when the other male finally confirmed that he would be moving in, and for a moment, Caleb couldn’t really say anything, he just leaned into the hug. “I don’t really care. I uh...I have water and some grape and orange juice in the fridge...If that’s okay, I mean...it...it’ll have to be okay since that’s all I got, but still…”
Caleb turned around in the embrace and wrapped his arms around Xi’s waist, touching the tip of his nose against Xi-Wangs. “I...I’m really glad that we met. You make me stupidly happy.” He hesitated and kissed him again, though this time he clearly wanted it to be more than just a peck, his arms pulling Xi as close as he could, one of his hands moving up to wind itself in the other boy’s hair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:54 pm
That was true, the other was smart but he clearly had not been thinking about the most basic of things - like sleep. At least he was now...he was sleeping and taking better care of himself. The fact he had helped the other...that would have, before they really got to know each other, made him happy and pleased him. Now though...it was more. It made him feel warm and proud of himself to have helped the person who he held in his arms.
Drinks...he was going to get them but the thought fled his mind along with everything else when the other's lips met his. Things had been, till now, simple little kisses and touches this kiss was different...more. It wasn’t what it could be, he knew that, but it still sent a rush of feelings through him. One of Xi-Wang’s hands moved, slowly as if moving through some sort of gel, up the others back as his fingers laced themselves into the other's hair at the back of his neck.
Stepping back so he could lean against the dinning room table, for support, Xi-Wang tilted his head so they could fit together better and not butt noses as that wasn’t something he wanted to happen right now. Drawing the other close to himself, seeing as he’d backed up a few steps, he held him close with one arm about the waist and the other buried in the hair at the nap of Caleb’s neck.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:55 pm
For a moment…an awful moment, Caleb thought that Xi-Wang was about to pull away from the kiss, and his heart plummeted...but when he only moved closer, Caleb relaxed, feeling his courage...and his desire picking up.
Honestly, there wasn’t much that he thought could stop the kiss from...maybe leading to other avenues...at least that’s what he thought until the moment his stomach gave a great gurgle, breaking the silence of the room.
Caleb pulled away, bursting into laughter and placing a hand on his stomach, face going bright red. “Well...s**t. I...I guess I’m hungrier than I thought I was...Shall we eat…? Then maybe…” He looked away, unable...or unwilling to look at his boyfriend right that moment. “Maybe we could continue this on the bed while watching something? And by watching something, I pretty much mean I just want to kiss you until I fall asleep or something...your lips are really soft, Xi...I love them.”
There. That was easier than saying ‘I love you’...but it was a step in that direction, he knew it. He also knew that was the direction that he really...really wanted to go in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:55 pm
Staring, with wide eyes, as the other pulled away he stared down at what had caused it - the other's stomach. Well, at least he was hungry and was moving to eat...though Xi-Wang was disappointed. He didn’t voice this though, not wanting to pressure the other into anything, especially when he wasn’t even sure what he himself was comfortable with. Instead he nodded his head, licking already moist and slightly puffy lips, he went to take a seat.
Finding his cheeks warming with the others words. “W-we could...if you want...I mean that was good...we could do more of that.” Stumbling over his words, trying not to sound as interested as he was...and trying to hide his embarrassment over it, Xi-Wang went to get utensils, expecting them on the table, but found them not there. Getting up quickly he scurried into the kitchen to get the chopsticks which had come with the meal...and then a fork for the other just incase. Drinks - he almost forget as he was just stepping out of the kitchen when he remembered them.
Moving back into the kitchen, again, he went to pour the other juice and water for himself before returning to the dining room with everything. Plopping down into his seat he offered the other a set of chopsticks and a fork. “Here...I - I don’t know if you can use chopsticks…” He had grown up learning, though for a while nothing he ate had required them, he’d relearned and his fingers no longer messed up and his grip was sure when it came to grabbing his food.
Snapping the two wooden sticks apart Xi-Wang looked over his plate of food before looking to Caleb, to watch and see what he thought of the food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:56 pm
Caleb took the small pieces of wood and broke them apart as well, grinning. Thankfully, since his parents had always made sure he traveled a lot, he had learned quite well how to use chopsticks. When he took a bite of the food, Caleb sighed happily. “Jeeze, Xi, it’s delicious.”
He took another bite and shook his head. “Do you think we could learn to cook like this?” Swallowing he shook his head again. “Okay, let me be clear on that question, do you think that you could learn to cook like this...I just want to eat like this. I can’t help it. I’m a secret, not so secret foodie at heart, so...good food is the best way to win me over I think...not that you really needed help with that at all.”
He winked, taking another bite of the food, the look on his face one of absolute pleasure.
Caleb really did like food...and this was some of the best Chinese food he had ever had the fortune to taste.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:56 pm
“Thank you...I’m glad you like it.” This said as he ducked his head, hiding a blush that coated his cheeks. Reaching out to grab something with his own chopsticks, keeping his head down to hide his face from the other, he brought the food to his lips and ate rather quickly.
“Maybe….I’ve never cooked. I could try….cookbooks and maybe someone at the restaurants would help me…” Since he couldn’t ask his mother, something most children (especially girls) asked their mothers about. He couldn’t do that though...didn’t have that luxury. When would his life be normal? When would he come across something not impacted by his mother and her partner? Something untainted...or something that wasn’t touched by that taint..?
“It’s food from Shangdong region in China….I asked around...when I was younger...and tracked down the region I think my parents are from….and since then I’ve taken a liking to food from the region…” Biting his lip he glanced up through his bangs at the other, waiting to see how Caleb would react to the new bit of himself that he was sharing with him. Again, chopsticks came forward and food was grabbed and brought to his lips as he kept his gaze away from the others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:57 pm
“That’s so cool!” Caleb reached out, placing a hand on Xi-Wang’s shoulder. “I think it’s pretty awesome to learn more about yourself. Heck, maybe if things keep going well enough with the two of us...after I...you know. Introduce you to my parents, maybe I can see if they’ll let me go to China for my graduation trip, and maybe I can see if they’d be cool with you coming with me?”
He was almost certain that they wouldn’t mind too much...after all, they had promised him a world tour, so him asking for just a trip to one country with a friend couldn’t...be that bad...especially when they met Xi-Wang...and saw how much Caleb really cared for him...there was no way they could say no.
Probably.
He reached down and took another bite of the food, his hand still on his boyfriend’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before sliding down and slipping into Xi’s hand instead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 4:57 pm
“Meet your parents…?” He questioned surprised. The others parents...meeting them...when? They knew about there son...did they know about him also? What did they think of their son dating and what had Caleb said about him? It wasn’t like they’d known each other long...so there wasn’t likely much that the other could have said.
“You’re going to get a graduation trip….and you’d pick China?” He asked then as he slowly pulled away from the panic filling him over the others parents, and whatever they might think of him and meeting them. The other would want to go to China? Because of him….the idea, the feelings it caused, were overwhelming honestly. That was...a lot to take in and understand. He could pick anywhere, or so he assumed, and he would pick China? Hadn’t he had a place in mind before this - before they’d met? To think he’d pick China and because of him...to give up whatever he might have went with beforehand…
“You would ask me to come too…?” The shock clear in his voice. Not only to ask to go to China but to take someone with him, for them to pay for another person. It was a lot to take in, they hadn’t known each other long or been dating long. The offer...it was a lot but it meant even more. China was the one place he’d wanted to visit for years...To try and connect with what his mother had thoughtlessly taken from him...to try and find the missing pieces of himself; in a sense.
He doubted he’d ever find his father or other family but just finding himself and his culture...it was a lot of blank spaces being filled in.
He had, till now, not noticed the other's touch but the others hand on his he did notice. Turning his hand to lace their fingers together. “If you are sure. I don’t want to be a burden or ask for anything. It’s your trip - for doing well in school.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
