Jock Next Bed (BL)
Chapter 172: Give me time...

Chapter 172: Give me time...

Chris watched him closely. Not sure if he was supposed to be amused.

"W-what?" Sky’s voice cracked, a rare falter in his usual composure. "D-date? I—I didn’t— I mean—" His words tangled, betraying him completely.

Chris arched a brow, watching the mess unfold. He was amused. But he could not deny that he was a little bit disappointed. He would have preferred the lingering silence Sky usually gave. When he had no answer for a specific question he had been asked.

Chris released a long breath slowly, arms crossing over his chest. "What’s wrong? Didn’t think that far ahead?"

Sky’s jaw tensed. He was still looking everywhere else but at him. "That’s not—I didn’t—"

Chris took a step closer, lowering his voice to something just above a whisper. "What, Sky? You don’t want to date me?"

Sky’s eyes snapped to his, wide, startled—like a deer caught in headlights.

Then, as fast as the eye contact came, he broke it, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to physically shake off whatever was rattling inside him.

"I didn’t—That’s not what I—" He cleared his throat, voice rough. As if suddenly getting back himself, he hissed. "Shut up, Chris."

Chris did laugh this time, shaking his head. "You started it."

Sky glared, but the burn in his cheeks betrayed him.

Chris tilted his head, pretending to consider. "So? What’s my answer?"

Sky groaned, pressing a hand to his face. "...I hate you."

"That’s not an answer, Sky."

Sky stayed silent, his hands clenched into fists, his shoulders tense.

Chris sighed, his voice softening. "It’s okay," he said, the teasing edge gone now. "I was just messing with you."

Sky looked up then, his eyes uncertain. "You were?"

Chris eyed him and then he chuckled as he said, "Of course not!" He then reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. With a few taps, he switched on the front camera, angling it towards Sky’s face.

"Look at yourself," he murmured. "Do you think I’d want to only hug you forever?"

Sky blinked at the screen, his own reflection staring back—flushed cheeks, parted lips, the faintest hint of vulnerability in his gaze.

Chris studied his reaction carefully, watching the shift in his expression as realization dawned.

Chris was being forward now. Very forward.

Sky frowned slightly. "Only hug?"

Chris arched a brow, waiting.

Sky swallowed, then muttered, "We... kiss too."

Chris let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah," he agreed, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "But don’t get me wrong. I’m not after your body." His gaze darkened slightly, not in desire but in something far more intense. "I just want to be able to punch any bastard in the face if they dare flirt with you. And make them understand why they deserve it."

Sky’s lips parted slightly but no words came out.

"But also," Chris continued, his tone still dangerously low, "do I want to only meet you at night, hiding in the dorm like some secret?" He shook his head. "Nope. Do I want to only kiss you when no one’s watching?" His gaze locked onto Sky’s. "Nope."

He exhaled, voice softening, raw with something real. "Do I want to hold you in public?"

Sky sucked in a breath.

Public.

That always sounded terrifying.

"Yes," Chris said, answering his own question.

He hesitated, then swallowed hard, before adding, "Would I want to... have sex with you someday?" He dropped his gaze briefly before meeting Sky’s eyes again. "Well... if you want."

Sky’s face exploded into red.

Chris let out a small, breathy laugh. He could not hold it. He almost wanted to take out his phone again and make Sky look at his reflection. But this was time for serious talk. His voice grew serious again.

"I don’t want to be your dirty little secret, Sky." His words were quiet, but heavy. "Hiding in the dorm like some abandoned mistress."

Sky inhaled sharply. "I don’t think of you that way."

Chris searched his face. "You can’t even accept what you think of me. Of us." He tilted his head slightly. "And I don’t think it’s because you’re embarrassed."

"I’m not!" Sky’s voice was firm, but his hands were trembling slightly. "I just—" He exhaled, the fight draining from him. "Can you... give me some time?"

Chris watched him carefully.

"How much time?"

"I don’t know," Sky admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his fingers curling into his hoodie. "I know I’m being selfish right now. But..." His eyes flickered up, something almost pleading in them. Something totally helpless in them. "Please."

Chris felt his chest tighten.

Silence stretched between them, thick with everything unsaid.

He wanted to push, to demand, to claim. But something in Sky’s shattered expression held him back. He had been patient. He was almost there. He would get there soon.

If Sky needed time, then Chris would give it to him.

For now.

Because he was damn certain that when Sky gave up the fight against himself, he would completely give himself to him. And Chris would treat him like a fucking prince to the point where he’d forget about all the bastards making him worry and overthink.

"Chris...?" Sky called quietly when Chris still didn’t give him an answer but just continued to look at him, lost in his thoughts.

"Alright," Chris said finally, his voice rough. "But don’t take too long, Sky. I’m not known for my patience." He leaned in, "And I always get what I want."

"And... what do you want?" Sky asked him, his voice barely a whisper. He kept his gaze locked on Chris, though his heart hammered wildly, threatening to break free. The vulnerability he’d shown moments before was now carefully masked, replaced by a guarded curiosity.

Chris’ eyes searched Sky’s face.

There it was. The real question.

Sky had panicked at the mere suggestion of dating.

And yet... he had still asked.

Chris tilted his head slightly, gaze steady. "What do I want?" he echoed, his voice softer now, almost contemplative.

Sky nodded, his tiny Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Yeah."

"You already know it."

Sky’s jaw tightened. "Say it."

Chris narrowed his eyes slightly, as if debating how far to push. He could feel it—the tension crackling between them, the unspoken words clogging the air.

Chris’s eyes flickered, a flicker of something possessive and fiercely protective, before settling back into a smoldering intensity. He didn’t answer immediately, letting the silence stretch out.

Then he reached out again, this time cupping Sky’s cheek, his thumb brushing against his lower lip. The touch was light, almost tentative, yet it sent a shiver of awareness through Sky.

"I want..." Chris began, his voice low and husky, each word carefully measured. "I want you."

The words came out quieter than he expected, but somehow heavier.

Sky sucked in a breath, his fingers twitching slightly.

Chris let his gaze drop, staring at his own feet for a moment before looking back up, his expression unreadable. "I want you in every way I’m allowed to have you," he admitted, voice low. "And even in the ways I’m not."

Sky’s lips parted slightly.

Chris took a small step forward, his eyes flicking over Sky’s features—the flushed skin, the way his chest rose and fell a little too quickly.

"But more than that..." He let out a quiet sigh, voice raw. "I don’t want to guess with you anymore. And I want Mei out."

Sky tensed.

Chris’s lips curled into something not quite a smirk, not quite a frown. "So, yeah," he murmured. "That’s what I want."

Sky sighed sharply, as if the weight of those words had finally hit him. But instead of answering, he stood frozen, eyes locked onto Chris’s like he didn’t know whether to step forward or run.

Chris raised a brow, tilting his head slightly.

"Your move, Sky."

Sky’s throat bobbed as he swallowed even harder. His lips parted like he wanted to say something—anything—but the words never came. His fingers clenched at his sides, and for a moment, Chris thought he might actually take a step back. Run.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Sky did something unexpected.

He grabbed Chris’s wrist. Not roughly, but firmly.

Chris blinked, surprised by the sudden grip.

"Don’t..." Sky hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, a little stronger, "Don’t say it like that."

Chris raised a brow, tilting his head. "Like what?"

Sky’s jaw tightened, his grip on Chris’s wrist tightening just slightly, like he was afraid to let go. "Like it’s all on me," he muttered. "Like I have all the power to decide what happens to us."

Well, did he not?

He wasn’t sure what he expected Sky to say. He also wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say in response.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them had to.

"Time. Just a bit of time." Sky pleaded again.

Chris studied him, eyes searching. Sky was pleading—not pushing him away, not rejecting him, just... asking for time.

Chris forced himself to nod, just once. "Fine."

That simple word seemed to bring Sky so much relief. It was clear in his face. He was trying not to smile. Then, he got serious like he had something confidential to spill.

"I... may flirt with you intensely. Pardon me." Sky said awkwardly.

Chris paused.

He almost burst into laughter. He had never had or heard of anyone who took permission in advance for flirting.

Besides, wasn’t that what they had been doing since the beginning of time?

He looked amused when he shrugged.

"Looking forward to it." And then Chris leaned in—quick, decisive—and pressed a fleeting kiss to his lips.

It was brief, barely more than a brush, but it was enough to make Sky freeze, eyes wide.

Chris smirked as he pulled back. "But we’re not going back to not kissing each other anymore." His voice was low, teasing, but there was a quiet finality to it.

Sky still hadn’t moved, his lips parted slightly, his face now burning. "Y-you—"

Chris tilted his head. "What? Just reminding you."

Sky glared at him, but it lacked any real heat. "You can’t just—"

Chris chuckled, before leaving him to go to his bed. "I can and I did. You should learn from me and do that often too."