Pen and Paper Translations

Of course that would sting, but Riu swallowed the words.

He was only tossing out a simple example, yet for some reason he felt a faint, prickling sense that Matthew knew.

Just his imagination, surely. Riu side-stepped, letting Matthew’s gaze slide off him. If he didn’t, the other might notice his anxious heart.

“Why won’t you answer?”

Matthew’s lips tilted lazily, his face all easy confidence. Something about it felt just a shade unnatural, and Riu found himself chewing his own lip.

“I—thought it might be… all right….”

“All right, huh? Even though I ‘ate you and bolted.’ ”

“A‐a-ate and…bolted…?”

The wording made Riu stumble. His ears, already red, deepened in color. He wanted to object, but no excuse came; his face crumpled slightly.

“You said you needed information from me, didn’t you? Then I’ll talk… about that night.”

That night? Riu waved both hands in frantic refusal. Now and then men joked crudely, but Riu was never that sort and to speak like that in front of the very person involved— impossible. 

Seeing Riu’s stern face, Matthew’s lips curled into a tidy smile.

“Only kidding.”

“….”

“But… have you ever kissed anyone?”

The blunt question made Riu bite his tongue. Tears sprang up immediately; he must have bitten hard, because the tip throbbed. Rolling the sore spot against his palate, he shook his head.

“Really never?”

“Mm-mm…”

His answer came out slurred, yet he thought the meaning clear. Although Matthew’s expression seemed to darken… At the first chill look, Riu’s spine prickled.

When he shivered, Matthew stood. As if that cold mask had never been, a gentle smile returned while he stepped closer.

“W-what, what is it?”

“Looked like you bit your tongue. Let me see.”

“No, it’s fine—”

“How could I ignore a friend who’s hurt? Don’t be so wary, Riu.”

Matthew’s bright smile was full of mischief as he gently took Riu’s chin. The cool touch made Riu gasp. In the suddenly thick air, a brief gleam flickered through Matthew’s eyes.

Gulp. Riu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Matthew’s gaze followed it, lingering, then gliding back up. The openly sticky stare made Riu’s lips burn.

“H-how about we try it… just once?”

Matthew’s eyes curved like crescents, sparkling as though savoring the moment. In those depths, as calm water hiding a whirlpool, Riu bit and released his lower lip over and over.

Seeing that obvious hesitation, Matthew’s narrow eyes thinned further as if weighing his next move.

“Why so stiff? I’m not going to do anything to you.”

His tone was level, yet strangely heavy; the upturned smile looked almost crooked.

“If it offended you, sorry. I only—”

“That’s not it. I’m just worried about you.”

Clearly, this relationship wasn’t good. The tangled, uncomfortable feeling kept making Riu far too conscious of odd things.

“Let me at least look… just with my eyes. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Soft as Eve offering the forbidden fruit, Matthew coaxed. Under that tender gaze Riu’s stomach gave a slow churn.

He stroked Riu’s cheek; the faint hairs rose and Riu’s lashes trembled. But Matthew’s eyes held him fast while he whispered,

“Open.”

A single, flat word. His thumb pressed Riu’s lower lip as though urging, Show me that red flesh.

It was only a bitten tongue. Did it really warrant this? Riu felt tears sting.

“I really am fine.”

Though he showed clear discomfort, Matthew’s coaxing eyes did not retreat. In the end, Riu sighed in defeat and parted his lips.

Between the opened lips, Riu’s tongue peeked out, held flat and shy, refusing to venture farther. 

The sight was so very Riu that Matthew drew a sharp breath.

“Stick it out properly. If you’re that shy, I can’t see.”

Matthew’s choice of words always sounded suggestive; ordinary phrases turned strange on his tongue. Riu wondered if he was dirty-minded and flushed in shame.

Hesitant, Riu faltered; Matthew leaned closer, bending at the waist. 

Their knees brushed, and Riu jerked back—only for Matthew’s thigh to slip between his own. 

The posture was startlingly intimate. Riu gasped.

His mouth kept filling with saliva. His vision felt blurry. When he closed his lips, unable to bear it, Matthew clicked his tongue.

Brows lifted in displeasure. Riu quickly opened again. Matthew’s eyes softened, half-lidded.

“Riu.”

In Matthew’s emerald gaze, Riu saw his reflection. True to form, Matthew repeated the name he loved so much. 

Riu merely nodded, lost. 

Like sharing a secret, Matthew murmured:

“Too small. I can’t see a thing. Wider.”

“I—I…”

“Mm-hm. I heard. Now open. Or must I keep repeating myself?”

The smiling lips flattened. Matthew’s eyes seemed to sharpen. Something indefinable emanated from him. 

Flustered, Riu opened wider.

“Good boy. Now… stick your tongue out.”

Riu obeyed. At once Matthew tapped the tip, and Riu let out a strangled little sound.

The atmosphere thickened. Riu’s spine straightened. 

Clenching empty fists, shoulders taut, he felt Matthew’s thigh nestle between his own.

“Now…”

He wanted to ask what are you doing, but Matthew’s gaze was intent, burning.

“You said you’d never kissed.”

“…”

“Then shall I teach you? What a kiss is like.”

Riu’s violet eyes widened. They fluttered, unfocused, and beneath them his cheeks blazed crimson. Anyone could see he was flustered beyond denial.

Matthew’s continual invasions of personal space distressed him. 

Worse, those advances seemed to bore ever deeper into his chest. He hated it—hated that Matthew treated him lightly while he hunted an unknown someone from that night.

Swamped by resentment, Riu pushed at Matthew’s hand on his lip.

“I’ll figure it out with someone else. You go find your partner.”

“Someone else?”

Matthew’s voice sounded like a growl. He closed the scant distance until Riu could feel the man’s breath.

“Why bother with someone else when I’m right here.”

“….”

“Perfect, really. They say spit heals; you’ll learn kissing at the same time. Agreed?”

Under the pressure rolling off Matthew, Riu bit his lower lip, words dying. Then Matthew’s fingers tipped up Riu’s chin, and their lips met.

It was not unpleasant. Warmth flowed through that first contact. As Riu kept his mouth clamped shut, Matthew’s tongue slowly traced his lips.

Familiar sensations seeped in and Riu curled his toes. Even pushing weakly at Matthew’s chest, his hands were caught.

Tilting his head, Matthew teased the seam of Riu’s lips. The moment a gap formed he sucked Riu’s lower lip in, savoring as if squeezing out juice.

“Hnn…”

A wet, sticky sound filled Riu’s ears. Heat raced along his veins; mingled breaths grew hot between them.

Matthew’s tongue grazed Riu’s teeth again and again, each pass sending shivers. Strength flooded Riu’s body in resistance. 

When he tipped his head back for air, Matthew’s large palm cradled his nape.

“Open.”