Chapter Twenty Six
He couldn't help it. He had to know.
"Do you really mean that?" he blurted.
The lift doors opened to the lobby as the chime rang through the lift. Two nurses and a doctor looked up, then blinked. With a sigh, Houjun turned and smiled at them politely, before pressing the 'Close' button and jabbing the highest level. He stood like that a moment, his back to Genrou, and the younger man began to feel trepidation again.
Genrou bent down slowly and picked his briefcase up. They stayed like that, silent as the lift rose. Turning slightly, Houjun made a sudden grab for his hand and then pulled him out of the lift, towards the stairwell, where he pushed the door open and lead Genrou upstairs. He opened the door to the rooftop.
It was still only late morning. The rain that had come with the dawn had subsided, but only just. The sun was still hidden largely behind the wispy clouds, at least when viewed here, from the city center. Up where they stood, quietly, on the twenty-third floor, there was just a hint of a breeze that surrounded them.
I never needed love
Like I need you
And I never lived for nobody
But I live for you
Houjun turned to face him, his eyes clear.
"Yes. I really mean that."
Walking forward, he led Genrou by the hand, stopping a few meters away from the edge of the raised platform. They stood there, looking out over the city, before the older man turned, his other hand reaching into his pocket.
Maybe it's the way you touch me
With the warmth of a sun
Maybe it's the way you smile,
And I come all undone
"I missed you, Genrou," he whispered.
The light that shone in the redhead's eyes gave him all the answer he needed. He stepped forward, spontaneously abandoning what he was looking for as he crushed the younger man to his body, burying his head in Genrou's shoulder, gratified beyond words as equally searching arms curved around his waist and the briefcase clattered to the ground.
"I missed you too, Houjun." Happiness swelled the rapid beating of his heart.
How long they stood there, clasped in an embrace that neither wanted to ever end, Houjun never knew. At length, he finally disentangled himself just enough to smile at his lover, and rummage in his pocket again.
"I'll never give you reason to run out on me again," he promised solemnly, leaning forward with the sudden urge to rain feather-like kisses on the redhead if only to make sure he was really there. "Never."
I never cared for nobody
Like I care for you
And I never wanted to share the things
I want to share with you
His fingers closed around the small box, and he stepped back, reassuring the questioning look in Genrou's eyes as he smiled.
"This was supposed to be for our anniversary," he shrugged lightly and brought the gift box up to eye level. "But I say, better late than never." He opened the box, and sank to one knee.
Let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love's not worth going through
If it all falls apart
I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life, I was loved by you…
"Will you marry me?"
The End