Ethan/Xuan - #30: Aesthesiogen
Gah, Ethan and Xuan... talk to me more! *shakes* How am I supposed to write you guys for SSBB if you don't? :(
Ethan: I talk a lot.
Me: Yes... just... not about the things I want you to! :|
Ethan: :P
Me: >__> No respect at all.
*
They are biking along a narrow trail when Xuan's bike hits a rut and jerks forward, dumping him into the dirt. "Shit!" he curses. Then he winces, because he's scraped his elbows and knees.
"Holy shit." Ethan stops his bike and gets off. He kneels beside Xuan, and despite the worry in his voice, he is smiling. "The great Xuan actually fell of his bike. That's a first."
"Shut up, asshole. You wouldn't be laughing if you fell off your bike."
"Of course I wouldn't. I'd be cussing the stupid thing out." Ethan grabs Xuan's arm and hauls him up, dusting the dirt off his clothes. "Are you okay? You're not injured, right? I don't think you're that delicate."
"Who says I'm delicate? I beat you every time we do anything remotely sporty."
"That's not true!"
"Yeah, it is. Remember back in high school, when we played badminton? And the time at Lynn's party when you challenged me to a swimming race? And how about--"
"Okay, okay, I get it! You're not delicate. You're as buff as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Wait, actually, that's kind of gross..."
"Quit saying stupid things," Xuan says, and limps back to his bicycle. He jerks it upright again and gets on. "Come on, let's keep going."
"Are you sure? You don't want to take a break?"
"Why would I want to take a break?"
"I don't know, because normal people enjoy relaxing for a little, especially after they do a face plant in the dirt?"
Xuan looks around them: they are standing on a narrow, dirt packed trail. To their right is a tangle of shrubs and stunted trees. To their right is a sloping cliff face. "And where exactly are we supposed to relax? In the middle of the road?"
"No," Ethan says, rolling his eyes, “because if we do crazy bicyclists might run us over."
"Are you still not over that?"
"I think I have permanent injuries from when you crashed into me. Seriously."
"God--"
"Anyway, there's a nice place a little further down. We passed it last time we were here. There's a creek, and a bench where we can sit. Do you want to go there?"
Xuan shrugs. "Okay, sure. Whatever you want."
They bike down the road a little further, and stop when Ethan points out the creek. Xuan rolls his eyes when Ethan takes off his shoes and dangles his feet in the water. "Come here!" Ethan calls, patting the empty spot next to him on the bench. "The water feels really nice."
"I'm not putting my feet in there," Xuan says, but Ethan wrestles his shoes off and forces his feet into the creek. Xuan yelps, because the cold water is a shock to his overheated skin. "Shit, Ethan! That's cold."
"Hence why it feels really nice. Come on, it's the middle of July, how else are we going to cool down?"
"Why don't we just go swimming?" Xuan asks sarcastically. But before he knows it, Ethan has stripped down to his boxers and has waded into the middle of the creek. It only comes up to his waist, and he whoops like a little boy before splashing back to the bench and grabbing Xuan's hand.
"Get in!"
"What the--no!"
"You were the one who suggested it."
"I was being sarcastic! I thought you got sarcasm!"
"Well, I'm being serious. Come on, Xuan, the water feels so nice and cool... don't you want to join me?" Ethan waggles his eyebrows.
"We're not even allowed to do that. It's not good for the water, or something, but the point is--"
"You're talking to me," Ethan says. "Since when do I not do things because they're not allowed?"
It's true, Xuan thinks. Ethan has always had an alarming disregard for rules, as well as for social niceties. Xuan, however, can't throw them away as easily. "I'm not getting in, not unless you make me."
He regrets his words immediately, because Ethan does exactly that: he yanks Xuan off the bench and into the water, then splashes him until his clothes are soaked. "Now that you're wet," he says mischievously, "would you like to sit on the bench drying off and get itchy, or would you like to join me in the water?"
"You did not just--Ethan!"
"That's me."
Xuan glares at him and crosses his arms. "I'm going to get really angry at you," he says flatly. Then he takes off his shirt, and his shorts; throwing them onto the bench to dry, he wades into the deeper waters. "But later, after my clothes are dry."
Ethan grins and runs his cold hands up Xuan's arms, giving the other goose bumps. "You won't remember to be angry later," he whispers, kissing Xuan on the lips.
Xuan shivers, both from the coldness of the water and Ethan's kiss. He closes his eyes as their lips linger together; when he opens them again, the sunlight reflected on the water blinds him. He blinks and murmurs, "I won't forget." But Ethan kisses him again, so he forgets about it for now and returns the kiss, gently.
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omk_mal_hae) wrote,
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