Sean placed his soft tiers on Bo's closed lips, but he didn't make any move. It was like experimenting by testing whether permission or denial would be granted. If Bo shoved him away, the result would be the latter; Sean would then step away and apologize for his behavior. But if the plump lips parted, it would mean he was given access to take this action to the next level, to which he would gladly comply.

In contrast to the hushed room, the sounds of two fast-beating hearts reverberated throughout the whole space as the two lips connected. Bo was still widening his eyes, oscillating between bewilderment and astonishment. He had no idea what or why this was happening. Be that as it may, there was one thing he was sure.

He did not want just this.

I want more, Bo thought to himself.

At the thought, he parted his lips as an invitation to which Sean did not hesitate to accept. The taller began to move his soft tiers between Bo's cakeholes and maneuvered them skillfully as if to outline the detailed structure of the rosy, plump lips before his. The intertwining of the two lips started gently before evolving hastily as if they were in a hurry, siphoning each other's saliva like bees extracting nectar from flowers. There was no tongue involved in the kiss; however, it was hot enough as it was since the two angelic faces almost mingled into one.

No one knew for how long did the two prolong their sweet moments, but just like he was the initiator, Sean broke the kiss first before pulling his head far away enough to make Bo's face become the center of his focus.

"You're a good kisser, Bo. I can't help but compliment you," said Sean with a big smile.

"I don't think a compliment is necessary," said Bo shyly; his face was still hot and blushing from the makeout session, "you're not bad either."

"Hmm...let's says we're equal then," chuckled Sean. However, he stopped when he realized Bo was not mirroring his action.

"Are you mad, Bo?" asked Sean with a peccant countenance on his face.

Bo was quite surprised at the unexpected question. "Mad?" he asked, looking up at the taller person perplexingly.

"Yeah, about me kissing you," Sean asked straightforwardly, making Bo's face turn a shade redder.

"I should, shouldn't I? But weirdly, I'm not mad at all."

Instead of shying away as he had been, Bo peered into Sean's eyes as he answered this, notwithstanding the fact that his face was no different than a ripe tomato.

A wide smile once again found its way to the taller's face at Bo's answer.

"No, it's not weird at all. There are many things in this world that theory can't explain," said Sean as he patted Bo's head gently as a father did.

Bo gave him a weak smile in return.

"However, I don't believe there is any problem in this world that doesn't have a solution, Bo," Sean continued, "and you know what? I'm more than happy to be the one who helps you to seek out the resolution. Even if you don't let me in now, I'll be patiently waiting. No matter how long it takes, I'll stay right by your side until you're comfortable enough to open up to me."

"But...why?" asked Bo; his eyes twinkled from the moistness of unshed tears, "Why would you be willing to waste your time with me?"

"Ssh..." Sean placed his index finger on the trembling plump lips to cut Bo off from saying more. When the latter stopped, he moved his digit up until his thumb came to replace his index finger, brushing the soft tiers' contour affectionately.

"The time we enjoy is not the time wasted. The same applies when I am with you."

Bo was no longer able to control his emotion, for his tears began to roll down his pale cheeks at the taller's words, but they were not able to make their ways to the jawline since they were brushed away by Sean's slender fingers, failing to leave behind stains on the beautiful face.

"But you don't know how badly ill I am. Once you know, you may change your mind," said Bo with a croaky voice as he tried to overcome the lump on his throat.

Sean's face was indifferent as he uttered in a dulcet tone.

"Try me."

*******

When Bo decided to confide, Sean sat on the bed next to him and interlaced their fingers, occasionally squeezing the shorter's hand in comfort when he choked on his tears. He listened attentively to the brief narration of the illness Bo had gone through and what had driven Bo to commit suicide. However, he did not know the story earlier than this since Bo had a partial memory loss to the event before he moved to live in the small bungalow.

Once Bo finished talking, Sean helped to dab the tears away before directing Bo's head to lean on his shoulder and stroked his back soothingly.

"My father had to go through a lot of terrible hardships because of my existence alone. I'm too ashamed even to face him now. I just wanted to do one thing for him by disappearing from his life forever. I'm such a failure," said Bo.

"My angel, this is where you're wrong. You're not a failure," said Sean as he tilted his head to place a smooch on Bo's forehead resting on his shoulder, "but you almost become one."

"What?" Bo titled his face from the crook of Sean's shoulder and looked up at him.

"If you died, you'd become both a failure and a coward—a coward for admitting defeat easily, a disgrace to all men. And a failure for failing to understand your father's sacrifice. You said your father's been going through lots of hardship just for you, right? Then don't you know what that means?"

Bo shook his head to which Sean continued with a smile.

"It means that he loves you, and he really needs you. He endures all the hardships because he requires your existence. He'll do anything to keep you alive, yet here you are, trying to make his sacrifice in vain. If you were to die, what would your father feel? You want all the hardships he's been through to be in vain?"

"I-I..."

"Listen to me. No matter what, you must never give up on living. Life is precious. You can't throw it away easily. If you're gone, the pain and suffering will fall on the living who will always miss you. You're not that selfish, aren't you, my angel?"

Bo bit his lips, unable to say anything. Sean used the back of his knuckles to brush the smooth cheek tenderly before he continued with his words.

"And remember. You have two people in that category now; one is your father, and another is me. We'll be your strength, and we'll always get your back. Don't let us down, okay?"

Tears almost threatened to trickle down his cheeks once again, but Bo swallowed them all back. No more being a weakling. No more crying. No more suffering. It's time for him to stay firm on his own two feet. He would no longer fear falling, for he knew his father would be on his right, and Sean would be on his left to help support him and break his fall.

Determined with a resolute solution, Bo sat up straight and looked at Sean, "Okay. I won't let both of you down."

"Promise?" asked Sean.

"Promise."

"Good," Sean ruffled Bo's hair affectionately before getting up to his feet and headed to the table where he put his tray on, "now, let's get you something to eat so that we can head back to your house. Your father must be getting worried by now."