Arc 2 : Blood and love

Hao Ming didn’t know how to respond when Kaelan offered to paint him. Kaelan understood perfectly well that the white hat wasn’t going to commission him for a piece anytime soon. In truth, when Kaelan suggested making one for Hao Ming, it was just an excuse to keep in touch and ensure he would see him again.

That afternoon, Hao Ming found himself sitting on a chair a few meters away from Kaelan and his easel in the latter's studio.

The place had a serene, timeless atmosphere. A faint scent of oil and turpentine hung in the air, and soft light outlined the canvases scattered across the room. In the background, a playlist of nature sounds played at a low volume. Nobody spoke, and even the noises from outside seemed distant.

Usually playful and quick to laugh, Kaelan was particularly focused today. His gaze moved between the model and the canvas with surgical precision, as if he were trying to capture not only Hao Ming’s features, but also the energy emanating from him.

Hao Ming stood motionless, studying the painter's every movement and engraving it in his memory: the paint-stained fingers, the furrowed brow when he hesitated, and the barely parted lips as he whispered a quiet measure. How was Kaelan going to portray him? Although it was the first time he had ever posed for anything like this, he wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, he was deeply curious to see the final result.

Kaelan looked up for the umpteenth time and locked eyes with Hao Ming, who was staring at him intently. For no reason at all, he suddenly felt as though he were the one being drawn.

His gaze is so piercing… But he’s not nearly as threatening as people think. the painter observed.

Realizing they had spent nearly a minute just staring at each other in silence, and feeling the heat rise in his chest, Kaelan quickly returned to his work.

Hao Ming, who hadn’t moved an inch, smiled slightly. The days when he struggled to avert his eyes from the painter (in vain) felt far behind him now. Initially, it had mostly been physical attraction, but the more time he spent with the painter, the more he wanted to know who was really hiding behind that angelic face.

The memory of their first encounter resurfaced: Kaelan’s fitted outfit and the glitter in his gorgeous blonde hair, which must have bewitched many. His slender fingers and his well-defined curves. He was lean, with the toned body of a dancer. It was clear that he enjoyed taking care of himself.

Hao Ming found himself studying the painter’s face with interest. It was only during their second meeting that he had noticed Kaelan’s faint freckles. There was a beauty mark under his left eye and another by the right side of his lower lip… Hao Ming remembered the drunken, stolen kiss they had shared… What would they taste like now?

He swallowed hard, clenching his fists to stop himself from drifting into dangerous thoughts.

“Hao Ming? Is something wrong? I’ve almost finished the sketch, so you’ll be able to get up soon.”

Kaelan had noticed the sudden change in Hao Ming’s expression and paused.

“It’s nothing. Keep going. I can sit like this for a while.”

Seeing that Hao Ming didn’t want to elaborate, Kaelan accepted the answer and continued.

Hao Ming kept watching him. His gaze trailed down to his neck, then his chest, and slid over his hips, his legs and…

He instantly snapped his gaze towards a random point in the room and prayed that the air conditioning was set to its lowest setting. His fists clenched even tighter.

After about fifteen minutes, Hao Ming still seemed troubled.

What was going through that brilliant mind of his?

Kaelan stood up and walked towards him. Hao Ming was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice the painter had got close.

“Hao Ming?”

The young man looked up at him, surprised, as if he had just been caught doing something wrong.

“Monroe ? You… you're finished?”

“Yes. I’ll refine the lines and paint later… Are you sure you’re OK? You’ve been pulling a funny face for a while now.”

Without warning, Kaelan placed a cool hand on Hao Ming’s forehead. The hacker felt a spark, like a tiny electric shock, at the touch. After a few seconds, Kaelan pulled his hand away.

“No fever.” the painter muttered thoughtfully.

Hao Ming silently observed his face again.

“I'm glad you enjoy my face so much.” Kaelan teased, smiling seductively.

The other man lowered his gaze and gently took Kaelan’s hand.

“Hao Ming?”

“I never thought I’d say this, but… I don’t feel confident.” he confessed.

“About what?”

“About being able to “satisfy”…”

The tips of Hao Ming’s ears turned red.

“… You’ve had a lot of experience before me. On my side, before I met you, it always felt meaningless… Now I want to be up to par in every aspect of our relationship… So I thought I should take more interest… in intimate activities and learn more about…your preferences…”

Kaelan stifled a laugh. He could hardly believe his ears. Bai Hao Ming, a computer genius and the second-in-command of a powerful and mysterious group, with the looks of a mafia boss, was worried about not performing well in bed.

Hao Ming stiffened when he heard him laugh. He didn’t dare lift his eyes from the floor. Yet it also irritated him.

Is it really that important to him? If I’m not “to his taste”, will everything between us end?

Slowly, Hao Ming loosened his grip on the painter’s hand, mentally preparing to return to being mere acquaintances.

Suddenly, he felt Kaelan’s fingers brush his face, but the sensation felt strange. He jumped, sitting upright. When he touched his cheek, he found paint on his skin. He looked at Kaelan, confused. Was he mocking him?

“What are you doing?” Hao Ming asked, sounding slightly irritated.

Smiling, Kaelan tried to smear paint on his face once again, but Hao Ming stopped him by grabbing his hands.

“Why are you doing this? It’s—”

Before he could finish, Kaelan kissed the tip of his nose. Hao Ming froze in shock.

“I’ll guide you. Don’t worry about that.” the painter said tenderly.

All his anger vanished at once, and he let Kaelan go.

“You really don’t mind?”

“You’re my boyfriend, not a one-night stand or a fling. I’m eager to progress to the spicier parts of our relationship, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I know you’re not the kind of person who likes interacting with many people. Since I’m lucky enough to be part of your inner circle, I want to do things right.”

Hao Ming was touched and unsure what to say. Would a simple “thank you” be enough? He would definitely do some research to avoid disappointing his partner. He also figured he would have to ask Ashlay for advice, already picturing him laughing hysterically.

Seeing that Hao Ming was lost in thought again, Kaelan took the opportunity to smear more paint on his face. Hao Ming decided it was time for revenge: he dipped his fingers in paint and chased after Kaelan.

____

An hour later, Hao Ming emerged from the shower with damp hair, wearing a plain white T-shirt. It that was too large for Kaealn, but fit him perfectly. The painter had already showered and was tidying up the studio.

The studio also had a bathroom and a small bedroom for resting in.

On his way back to the main room, Hao Ming caught sight of a painting through the crack in a door that looked strangely familiar. But before he could reach it, Kaelan appeared and closed the door.

“They’re… works I’m not proud of. I don’t want you to see them.” he explained, looking embarrassed.

Hao Ming would have teased him if Kaelan hadn’t looked so tense at the thought of anyone seeing his worst creations. Instead, Hao Ming gently placed his hands on the painter’s waist and kissed him. First on the forehead, then on the cheek, the neck and finally the lips. It was his way of reassuring him.

Then, Hao Ming carried Kaelan to the bed in the adjoining room. After kissing and cuddling for a while, the two of them fell asleep wrapped around each other.