Chapter 12: The Touch That Makes Me Blush
The smell of mushroom risotto lingered in the air, warm and rich, as the soft hum of the room settled into a quiet rhythm. Kai and River sat opposite each other at the round glass dining table near the window of the Geneva hotel suite. The sunlight outside was slowly fading, casting a golden glow on the walls and the floor.
They ate in silence at first. The clinking of forks and knives was the only sound. Kai had his eyes on his plate but they kept drifting back up to River.
He was chewing slowly, his posture calm, sleeves slightly rolled up from earlier when he had helped Kai sort through the presentation files. A few strands of River's hair had fallen over his forehead. He looked clean, fresh from a shower, a bit tired but comfortable — like he belonged.
Kai's chest tightened.
He took another bite, trying to focus on the food.
But he couldn't help it. His eyes moved again — this time catching a smudge of cream on the corner of River's lips.
He didn't think. He didn't pause. He leaned forward, reached across the table with his thumb, and gently wiped it away.
River froze.
His lips slightly parted, eyes locked with Kai's, breath caught in his throat.
Kai's fingers lingered for just a moment too long before he pulled back, suddenly realizing what he had done.
He stood up, chair sliding quietly on the floor.
"I'll go get you some clothes. Since you didn't bring anything."
River blinked, still stunned. "Wait, but—"
Kai was already heading toward the door.
"You didn't take my measurements," River said softly, watching the door close behind him.
He reached up and touched his lips.
The exact spot where Kai had touched.
A smile slowly crept across his face, and his ears flushed red. He shook his head and laughed quietly to himself.
"That man is going to kill me," he muttered.
He cleared the plates gently and placed them by the room service cart, neatly stacked. He didn't want the staff to think the room had been trashed or disorganized. Kai was always particular about details.
Once the table was clean, River made his way to the bathroom. The warm water had already steamed up the mirror. He stared at himself for a moment.
Why am I blushing like a high school kid?
He exhaled and turned on the shower.
---
Meanwhile, Kai walked the streets just outside the hotel, blazer over one shoulder, head low. The sky had turned a deeper shade of blue now, the city alive with gentle murmurs of traffic and voices.
He wasn't even sure why he was walking. The hotel concierge had offered to send someone to shop. But something inside him needed to move.
He stopped at a boutique. One he remembered River once dragged him into ten years ago. The memory hit him hard.
River had been obsessed with trying out hats. Kept asking Kai to rate each one.
"You'd look good in this."
"No, I wouldn't."
"Come on, Harlon. Live a little."
Kai shook his head, smiling faintly.
He picked out a plain set: a comfortable gray shirt, black slacks, and even boxers. The shop attendant offered more, but Kai only nodded once and paid.
"Sir, do you want the receipt?"
"No."
---
Back at the hotel, River stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His skin glistened from the steam. Water droplets slid down the lines of his chest.
He walked back into the room and paused.
Clothes were neatly folded on the bed.
His eyes widened slightly.
He picked up the shirt, held it up. Then the pants. He turned slowly as he heard the door open.
Kai walked in.
"You haven't forgotten my measurements?" River asked with a raised brow.
Kai didn't answer.
River's smile softened. "That's... impressive."
Kai tried not to stare but his eyes betrayed him.
River's tattoo caught his attention.
It started just below his left rib — thin black lines, curling slightly like vines, forming the shape of a phoenix with wings stretched around his waist.
Kai frowned. "You have a tattoo?"
River nodded, looking down at it.
"When did you get that?"
"Four years ago. I just did it for fun." River said with a nervous smile
Kai's gaze lingered on the tattoo. "It's... not like you."
"Well, people do change. I guess I did"
Kai tilted his head. "Why a phoenix?"
River hesitated, then looked him in the eye. "Because.... I don't know.... Maybe, I just wanted to have fun. I didn't even have a single reason when I choosed it."
Kai was quiet. His eyes landed on the red marks hidden by the tattoo.
River grabbed the shirt and slipped it on, buttoning it slowly. "You don't like it?"
"I didn't say that."
"You're staring."
Kai turned away. "You should get dressed. I ordered coffee."
"I hope it's not bland," River teased.
Kai gave him a warning glance. "Don't push your luck."
River laughed and buttoned the shirt all the way up. "You never forget anything, do you?"
"I try not to."
They both stood in silence for a moment.