EPISODE 16
1558 Words
The Double Date
The golden glow from the café’s hanging lights gave the place a warm charm. It wasn’t too loud, just the right hum of chatter and the hiss of steaming milk from the counter.
Chen Wei kept glancing at the door for what felt like the hundredth time.
“Relax, cousin,” Adrian said, stirring his coffee with a grin. “You look like you’re about to propose.”
Chen shot him a look. “I’m introducing my boyfriend to my cousin, thank you very much. That’s already stressful enough.”
Adrian chuckled. “You mean the boyfriend you’ve been secretly gushing about for weeks?”
“Adrian—”
“What?” Adrian leaned in, eyes sparkling. “You’re glowing, Chen. Like, suspiciously glowing. It’s kinda cute.”
Before Chen could retort, the café door opened again, and Noah Reid walked in, every bit the confident actor he was—stylish, easy smile, hand casually in his pocket. Beside him was Liang Chen—tall, calm, eyes sharp but kind.
Adrian’s face lit up immediately. “Noah!”
Noah smiled and came over, sliding into the seat beside him, brushing his lips against Adrian’s cheek without hesitation. “Hey, beautiful. Sorry we’re late.”
Liang took the seat beside Chen, greeting everyone with a polite nod. “You must be Adrian,” he said smoothly. “I’ve heard your name more times than I can count.”
Adrian laughed. “That makes two of us, Liang. Noah’s basically turned you into a mythic figure.”
Noah smirked. “I mean, he is kind of legendary.”
Chen rolled his eyes. “Legendary and impossible, that’s for sure.”
Liang looked amused. “You say that, but you still fell for me.”
Chen crossed his arms, smiling despite himself. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get too full of yourself.”
The table burst into laughter.
“So,” Noah started, looking between the two couples, “I guess we should officially do this. Liang, meet Adrian—my boyfriend and apparently Chen’s cousin. Adrian, meet Liang—my best friend and Chen’s boyfriend.”
Adrian blinked. “Wow. Small world.”
Liang chuckled, shaking Adrian’s hand. “The world really is small when your boyfriend’s cousin is dating your best friend.”
Chen laughed. “Yeah, talk about coincidences.”
Adrian leaned his chin on his palm, glancing at Noah. “You planned this, didn’t you?”
Noah smirked. “Maybe I did. Maybe I just wanted all the people I care about in the same place.”
“Smooth talker,” Chen teased.
“Always,” Noah shot back.
They all laughed again. The air around the table was light and warm, the kind that only happens when everyone just clicks. They talked about work, life, and the chaos that came with being in love.
When the waiter brought dessert, Liang reached over to steal a spoonful from Chen’s plate.
“Hey!” Chen protested. “That was mine!”
Liang grinned. “Then maybe you shouldn’t look away when I’m near food.”
Adrian laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink. “You two are adorable.”
Noah smirked, leaning closer to Adrian. “Not as adorable as us.”
“Hmm,” Adrian teased, “we can debate that later.”
Noah chuckled, his gaze soft. “Looking forward to it.”
By the end of the evening, the four of them were laughing like old friends, the tension long gone. When they finally stepped out of the café, the city lights shimmered around them, and it almost felt like fate had planned this meeting all along.
Chen looked at the group and smiled. “You know, I didn’t expect this to be so… perfect.”
Adrian grinned. “Guess love really knows how to arrange its own little coincidences.”
---
Night at Chen Wei’s Place
Liang stepped into Chen’s apartment, taking in the cozy, warm atmosphere. The lights were dim, soft music played in the background, and the faint scent of Chen’s cologne lingered in the air.
Chen closed the door behind him and immediately turned to Liang with a small, nervous smile. “You’re here,” he said, his voice soft but steady.
“I’m here,” Liang replied, a mixture of relief and excitement in his tone. “I wasn’t going to let tonight slip by.”
Chen stepped closer, reaching for Liang’s hand. “I’m glad,” he whispered. “I want us… to just be together tonight. No distractions, no past mistakes. Just us.”
Liang’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s all I’ve wanted too.”
They sank onto the sofa, sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed. Liang rested his head lightly on Chen’s shoulder, feeling the familiar warmth and steady heartbeat. “You know,” he murmured, “I’ve missed this—missed you.”
“I know,” Chen replied, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Liang’s head. “I’ve missed you too. Every single day.”
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, letting the quiet fill the space between them. Then Chen spoke again, his voice slightly husky, “I want to make up for everything I couldn’t before, Liang. I want to be here for you, completely.”
Liang looked up, meeting Chen’s gaze. “You are. You’ve always been here, even when I couldn’t see it.”
They laughed softly together, the tension of past misunderstandings melting away. Liang brushed a loose strand of hair from Chen’s face. “I love you, you know. More than I ever let myself admit.”
“I love you too,” Chen said firmly, his thumb brushing over Liang’s hand. “And I’m done worrying about what could go wrong. I just… want to be with you.”
Liang leaned in, their foreheads touching. “Then let’s be together,” he whispered. “No running, no doubts. Just us.”
Chen smiled, resting against Liang, feeling safe and cherished. “Together,” he agreed.
The night passed with quiet conversations, shared laughter, and small gestures of affection—a hand held, a shoulder leaned on, a whispered “I love you” here and there. They fell asleep entwined on the sofa, hearts aligned, knowing that no matter what the world threw at them, they had each other—and that was enough.
---
Night at Noah Reid’s Place
Adrian kicked off his shoes at the door, looking around Noah’s sleek, modern apartment with a soft smile. “This place… it feels like you,” he said, his voice teasing yet warm.
Noah, leaning casually against the kitchen counter, grinned. “Careful, or I might take that as a compliment.” He walked over, taking Adrian’s hand and pulling him closer. “I like seeing you smile like that.”
Adrian laughed, resting his forehead against Noah’s chest. “I can’t help it… being here with you just feels right.”
“You always do this,” Noah murmured, wrapping an arm around Adrian’s waist. “You make me want to forget everything else and just… stay here forever.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Adrian replied, tilting his head up to meet Noah’s gaze. His lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Because I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Noah chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from Adrian’s face. “Good. Neither do I.” He leaned down, capturing Adrian’s lips in a kiss—soft at first, then playful and lingering, full of the kind of affection they’d built over time.
They broke apart briefly, just enough for Adrian to whisper, “I love you, Noah. I really do.”
“I love you too,” Noah replied, his voice low and steady. “More than anything.”
Adrian nudged him playfully. “Then prove it.”
Noah laughed, scooping Adrian up effortlessly and carrying him toward the living room. “Oh, I intend to,” he said, setting Adrian down on the sofa. “But first… you’re staying right here, so I can make sure you know exactly how much you mean to me.”
Adrian leaned back against him, laughing softly, letting himself relax into Noah’s warmth. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Only for you,” Noah replied, pulling Adrian close. “For the rest of the world, I’m serious and professional. But for you? I get to be exactly me.”
They spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms, talking, laughing, and occasionally stealing soft kisses. The playful energy between them made every moment feel electric, yet secure—like they had the whole world behind them, but none of it mattered except this.
Finally, as the city lights outside dimmed into quiet night, Noah held Adrian close, whispering, “Sleep well tonight, Adrian. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
Adrian, drifting into comfort and warmth, murmured against Noah’s chest, “I don’t ever want to leave.”
“And you don’t have to,” Noah said softly. “Not ever.”
And so, they fell asleep, entwined in laughter, love, and the certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together—playful, confident, and completely in sync.
- Writer
