Silence filled every corner of the room. Not the kind that makes people think. Not even a pause, fleeting in an instant. Just pure, unfiltered emptiness. The darkness almost echoed as Ash, still gasping for air, now sat on the couch, keeping a respectable distance from Lucian. 

  He tought it might help somehow, though he hadn't quite figured out how. The silence was beginned to feel oppressive - simply awkward. 

- Want something to drink? - Ash asked, stealing a cautious glance in the man's direction, mustering what little energy he had left to make sure he didn't seem afraid. Of what, he wasn't even sure himself. 

- Sure, what do you have? - Lucian streched as he stood up from his spot, making his way toward the kitchen. 

Maybe situations like this wheren't new to him.  Ash thought. It was obvious this must have happened before - otherwise, he wouldn't be handling it with such calmness. Lucian's movements were effortless, as if nothing had happened. Maybe, for him, nothing really had. This scared Ash even more. Lucian disappeared for a second behind the kitchen door, and that time Ash realised he was holding his breath. He wanted to forget what happened before. That was not like him at all. Usually he liked to keep everything under control. He was a careful, strategic player. That's why he didn't understand why he reacted so strangely. Why had he kissed that man? His mind had stopped working completly, frozen in confusion. 

 He suddenly broke off his train of thought as Lucian returned from the kitchen, holding a glass of water and some acohol in his hands. 

 - Here, you need this. - Lucian said, handing him the water before taking a sip from the alcohol. 

Ash hesitated for a moment, still lost in his mind, before taking the water from him. Their fingers touched for a short time, and a strange shiver ran trough him. 

 - I'm not that drunk. - Ash replied softly, his gaze fixed on the floor. If he wasn't drunk, that was one more reason to worry. Maybe he really did like him.  

Lucian noticed somethig was off and he gave a light chuckle. 

 - I know, but i thought this might help. - he flashed a playful smile. His expression was warm, but there was something about the way he looked at him that made Ash's heart race. It almost skipped a beat. - Dont worry, I'm not that scary.- he added. 

Ash felt his pulse got higher, for a split second, he wondered if he could hear it. 

- Look, I didnt't want it to end up like this. It's not like me. - Ash blurted out quickly, then took a big gulp of the water. It was cold and refreshing, but it did little to calm the heat rising in his chest. He didn't wanted to hurt the man sitting beside him. But the truth was, he couldn't stand the closeness anymore. The space between them felt like it was burning. Every inch that separated them was filled with unspoken words, and Ash wasn't sure how much longer he could bear it.  

 He could still feel the kiss on his lips, lingering with every movement. All he could think about was the overwhelming sense of warmth it had stirred inside him, and the desparate desire for more. He wanted to inhale Lucian's scent that was a mix of sweetness and spice. To feel his presence so close, just once more. It was as if everything in his body was silently begging for something he wasn't ready to admit. 

- Oh, the previous moment didn't quite suggest that. - Lucian teased, leaning forward and casually wrapping his arms around Ash. - You were pretty intense, don't you think? 

 Ash felt a wave of heat wash over him, his breath catching as the scent hitted him again. He knew if things kept going this way, he wouldn't be able to control himself any longer. He quickly pulled himself away from Lucian, desperate to put some space between them. Not like this, he thought. Not now. 

- Just a moment of weakness. Don't take it seriously. - he said, brushing his arm off and shifting further down the couch. 

Lucian let out a soft laugh. His laugh was the kind that could make anyone else think it was irresistibly sexy - rich and raspy, like it came from a space deeper than  just surface charm. 

- Really? - he said, kept his voice low. 

 Before Ash could react anything, Lucian leaned in closer. His eyes was deep dark, filled with lust. Like anyone who looked in that eyes couldn't get away from it. 

Without another word, Lucian didn't let Ash to say anything at all. He made it sure that he couldn't speak as his lips attached to Ash's. The kiss was slow at first, too slow, as if he wanted to taste every part of his mouth. His hands gently layed the back of Ash's neck, drawing him even closer. But then, just as quickly, the kiss broke. Lucian pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against his, both of them breathing heavily.  

 - I told you. - he whispered. -I'm not that scary. Again Lucian didn't let any time for Ash to process things, he was already moving toward the door.  Ash just stared blankly ahead.  

 - Yeah, whatever. - replied so quiet almost missed Lucian's ear. 

 As he reached the door, Lucian turned with a smirk, his eyes locking onto Ash's. 

 - This is going to be much more interesting than I imagined. - he said, his voice carrying a subtle edge, a hint of threat - at least, that's how Ash felt. Then he stepped out, leaving Ash alone this time with more questions and the feeling of excitement.