Morning Coffee

A cool autumn morning, the cool breeze caressed Xiao Hua's face, and it felt nice. Calm. He took a deep breath, feeling more relieved. It was barely seven in the morning and he was currently sitting at the dining table in Hei Yanjing's apartment facing a cup of coffee while looking at the sky which was flooded with the yellow bias of the sun rising on the eastern horizon.

"How do you feel now? Better?"

Xiao Hua turned his head. There, out of his room, stood Hei Yanjing with a smile. His heart beat with joy. For some reason.

"Not bad. Your painkiller worked well," Xiao Hua replied.

"You didn't sleep well. My place doesn't seem comfortable," said Hei Yanjing, hurriedly joining the dining table.

"No. That's not the problem. I'm just not used to sleeping in other people's places. I ... just ... "

"It's fine," Hei Yanjing said, gently placing a hand on the back of Xiao Hua's hand.
"The important thing is that you're okay."

Xiao Hua smiled faintly, staring at the sunglasses lenses that framed Hei Yanjing's face, and for the first time that day, he really wanted to look directly into his eyes, deep beneath them, to search for the various emotions that might be hidden.

"Your face is still bruised. Are you going to work today?" Hei Yanjing rapped his knuckles against the table surface.

Xiao Hua looked down briefly and was horrified to realize that he was still wearing last night's clothes with dirty marks on some parts from his attackers' damn shoes.

"I don't think so," he sighed.

"I know you are wise enough to decide. It would be better for you to rest at my place instead of working in a mess. We can spend time together all day and I guarantee you will recover quickly." Hei Yanjing's smile was full of confidence, and then he took something out of his coat pocket.

"This is your cell phone. I picked it up where you fell unconscious. You need to call the office." He pushed the phone towards Xiao Hua who received it with widened eyes.

"Jeez, I was just thinking about it. You didn't check my phone, did you?" After asking that stupid question, Xiao Hua suddenly felt embarrassed. In front of him, Hei Yanjing grinned and said carelessly, "It's useless to check your phone. There are no naked photos of you on it."

"Ah, that means you checked it!"

"I didn't say that."

"Yes, but---"

"I just stole your number, so you can call me in the middle of the night if you need help."

"Ugh, you ..." Xiao Hua's face slowly turned red.

"Call your office immediately. I'm going out to get coffee and a sandwich." Hei Yanjing rose to his feet, and as he passed by, patted Xiao Hua on the shoulder with a grin that had yet to fade on his lips.

"Wait, Hei Ye. No need to bother. You have to go to work, right?" Xiao Hua turned towards the door where Hei Yanjing was heading.

"I'm doing my job," Hei Yanjing said, turning his head towards him.

"You mean?"

"My job is to look after you."

"...."

An enigmatic answer. A flash of confusion and worry crossed Xiao Hua's face.

"I'll be right back," Hei Yanjing added, and before the handsome young man could reply, he hurriedly opened the door and disappeared out.

For two minutes Xiao Hua was still glued to the door before finally realizing what he had to do. He called the museum for permission to take a day off and explain what disaster had happened to him last night. While waiting for Hei Yanjing to return, he sneaked out and entered his own apartment. He took a quick shower, then changed into more casual clothes. Several parts of his body still hurt and he found many blue bruises on his ribs and waist. His face was also a mess. Too pale in some parts and blue bruises in others. His hair was matted, but not as bad as he had imagined. He checked himself in the mirror, hesitant to admit that he didn't want to look so messy in front of Hei Yanjing. He would feel better if he had his first breakfast with him in a fairly presentable appearance.

When he left the apartment, Hei Yanjing was already waiting at the door. His hand was carrying a plastic bag with a pattiserie brand containing a large box of bread. Seeing him in a cleaner and fresher condition, the man froze, staring at him, speechless. If it weren't for those glasses, maybe Xiao Hua would feel special with the way Hei Yanjing looked at him.

"Well, you look better," the black man said, softly.

"So where are we going to have breakfast?" Xiao Hua directed the conversation to something more important than appearance.

"At my place, I told you so," Hei Yanjing replied.

"Okay."

Their units are close together. It's funny how easily they visit each other. This was Xiao Hua's first time. If he were in another situation, maybe he would object. But Hei Yanjing could be said to be his saviour. He hadn't even thanked him properly.

"I also bought coffee for us. Because I still don't know your taste, this time there was a hot Americano for cold mornings." They sat at the dining table while Hei Yanjing arranged the paper coffee cups and opened the bread box.

"Thank you," Xiao Hua said after being silent for a while.

"No need to be shy, it's just breakfast."

"Not that. I mean ... thank you for helping me last night."

Despite what happened on the road last night, it felt good to be able to arrive in time and save Xiao Hua from something more fatal, and hearing his humble thanks, Hei Yanjing felt as if he was walking on air.

"Jeez, still talking about that," he chuckled, waving his hand.

"Do you know who hit me?" Xiao Hua asked, unconcerned, and continued to develop curiosity.

Hei Yanjing shrugged.

"Probably one of those scummy thugs."

Xiao Hua looked at him, looking doubtful.

"How did you know I was there and in danger?"

This time it was Hei Yanjing who looked at him, his expression looked confused. "I didn't know you were there at all. I just happened to be passing by."

"Is it true?"

"Don't think too much. You think I have nothing else to do but stalk and watch you."

"You don't really have much to do, do you?" Xiao Hua reached out, taking a piece of sandwich.

Hei Yanjing chuckled. "Oh come on, darling," he muttered, not understanding.

"What are you saying?" Xiao Hua almost choked.

"What? I didn't say anything," Hei Yanjing snapped.

Fuhhhh ...

"So you beat up the remaining thugs? Looks like you're great too," Xiao Hua commented suspiciously.

Hei Yanjing nodded. "I almost wanted to crush their mouths."

"You have a personal grudge?"

"No. I just can't stand hearing their lewd comments about you."

"What did they say?" Xiao Hua suddenly became interested.

"It doesn't matter," Hei Yanjing muttered in annoyance. "That's the kind of remark that defames you."

"That's why you're so angry? I'm touched."

"Well, no one should tease you but me." That evil grin again, shamelessly.

Xiao Hua cast a glance towards the window, avoiding the sly expression of the man in black in front of him. One time their fingers touched while simultaneously taking bread. Xiao Hua felt a strange sensation in the man's hand in front of him, as if an electric current was flowing. As they stared at each other, he wanted to ask why his fingers felt hot. But he didn't want to risk being too bold by showing his nervousness. So, Xiao Hua returned to focusing on the coffee and bread, hoping that Hei Yanjing would talk to him to overcome their suddenly oppressive silence. He didn't move. It was still early, and he felt awkward.

Ten minutes passed and they finished their delicious breakfast. Xiao Hua gulped down the rest of the coffee, glancing at him watch briefly. At eight o'clock in the morning, the weather was starting to get warm and bright.

"Nice watch," Hei Yanjing commented, glancing at Xiao Hua's wrist which was encircled by a black watch.

"Oh ..." Xiao Hua smiled faintly. "Chopard Mille Miglia classic Raticosa. Limited edition."

"Wow. A gift from who?"

Xiao Hua frowned. "Not from anyone."

"Boyfriend?"

"No boyfriend."

"You're lying. A young man as handsome as you ... "

Xiao Hua was really glaring now. "What is your problem??"

Hei Yanjing responded with a relaxed laugh. "Do not be too serious."

"Ugh, seriously ..." Xiao Hua sighed in disbelief. How could he get through the whole day with this seductive man.

*****

The morning news broadcast incidents of abuse and fighting in the streets last night. The location is now filled with journalists and police officers. The victim of the abuse was found still alive. Currently being treated in hospital and unable to provide information. Seven thugs lay unconscious a distance apart. There were no fatalities, but they were all seriously injured, even threatened with lifelong disability. This group of thugs has been roaming around for the last two months and disturbing residents. The police are confused about who the great fighter who knocked them out is. So far, they are still investigating the crime scene.

Xiao Hua stared blankly at the large television screen in Hei Yanjing's sitting room. They broadcast live the situation, and how chaotic the place was. He hopes the police will not find any traces pointing to him. However, he also came close to being the victim rather than the perpetrator. He was just defending himself. If someone brutally crippled them, it was likely that person ...

"What do you think?" Hei Yanjing appeared from behind the sofa, watching television.

"The police are investigating who attacked the thugs," he answered.

"Are you worried about getting involved?"

"Who knows." Xiao Hua shook his head listlessly.

"They will quickly solve this kind of fighting case, and focus on other, more shocking murder cases."

"Which case are you talking about?"

"Jeez, Xiao Hua ... are you really not paying attention to your surroundings and only focusing on the artifacts. You'll turn into a fossil one day. Don't you read the news? Homicide detectives suspect that there are vampires haunting the city you love so much."

Hei Yanjing shook his head in concern. At that time Xiao Hua remembered the news he read in the newspaper, then he felt anxious for no reason.

"Yes. I remember that," he muttered uncertainly because he knew that his memory often blurred at times.

"So you have to be careful, okay?"

"Hmm. You're not worried that the blood-sucking creature will attack you?"

Hei Yanjing laughed amusedly. "They're afraid of me. Don't worry. Oh yes, I just took care of your car. They brought it here, and I also filled the fuel tank."

Xiao Hua's pair of eyes lit up. "Really? Once again, thanks for your help."

"It's not that easy. You have to repay my kindness." Hei Yanjing sat on the sofa, beside him, so that Xiao Hua could smell his masculine perfume.

"What?" He held his breath, ready to hear something unreasonable.

"Holiday."

"Holiday?"

"Yes. You should take me for a ride in your nice car."

His arms were placed on the back of the sofa so that they seemed to be around Xiao Hua's shoulders. His confident style again made Xiao Hua sigh.

"I can't believe you're so poor as to hope for a ride. Black agents risk their lives on a single mission. You should be rich, right? The country would pay large amount for a hero like you."

Hei Yanjing laughed, finding it amusing at the insistent tone in the young man's voice. But as usual, he didn't intend to talk much about his profession and work, enjoying his mysterious image.

"Don't waste your energy thinking about me. When you have recovered and have free time, let's take a short vacation," he said casually.

"Where to?"

"Everywhere."

"Sigh, you're confusing and annoying," grumbled Xiao Hua.

"We'll decide later. But remember, I consider this a debt."

Xiao Hua, "...."

[Tbc]

***Mauritian Moonrise***
By Shenshen_88