The trip

The trip

Chapter Eighty-Six

Hong Kong was unreal.
They were here for three days and it was the most fun days either of them had had in a really long time.
Artemis insisted on squeezing as much fun as possible into every single day, dragging Lucian all over the city from morning until late at night. By the third day, Lucian had accepted that he wasn't on vacation to relax. He was there to keep up with an energetic twenty-one-year-old who somehow never ran out of ideas.
Their first stop had been Hong Kong Disneyland.
Artemis claimed he wasn't excited, but the second they walked through the gates, he disappeared into the crowd like a child who had just discovered heaven.
"Artemis!" Lucian called after him, hurrying through the child like he was chasing his kid. The boy turned around with the biggest grin Lucian had ever seen.
"Hurry up! The roller coaster line is getting longer!"
Lucian sighed before jogging after him. They just entered, how the hell did he see the roller coaster line from there. His stomach was already churning with dread, especially because he knew Artemis would pick only the terrifying ones.
By sunset, they had ridden almost every attraction in the park. Artemis forced Lucian into rides that made his stomach question every decision he'd ever made. In return, Lucian won him a giant wolf plush from one of the carnival games after wasting far too much money trying.
"You could've just bought one," Artemis laughed as they walked away with a huge bag of stuffed animals.
"That's not the point,” Lucian looked ahead with a serious expression.
"What was the point?" Artemis smirked. He liked that the professor had a competitive side and didn’t mind trying eleven times.
"You wanted that one,” Lucian shrugged. “i didn’t want to give you a replacement.”
Artemis hugged the oversized plush tighter. "It was worth every attempt. This thing is so huge and soft. It's going to take up half my bed.”
Lucian stopped walking, his expression as serious as ever. Artemis stopped too, confused at why the man was staring at him like that.
“Where does that leave me then?”
The question tore the laugh right out of Artemis’ throat. He couldn’t believe Lucian was getting jealous over a toy. He took a step forward, smirking.
“That just leaves you on top of me, don’t you think?”
Lucian had never spun around so fast. This boy was going to be the death of him.
The next day was spent shopping. Lucian quickly discovered Artemis wasn't lying when he called himself materialistic. They were just one step away from closing down every store in the city.
Designer stores. Sneaker stores. Watch boutiques. Jewelry shops. Bookstores. Even a store that sold nothing but scented candles and kites. Artemis somehow found something interesting in every single one. He wanted all of it.
"You've already bought eight jackets," Lucian pointed out to the spoiled adult, who was showing off the white backless jacket. The fit was really sexy but Lucian was more worried about the fact that Artemuis didn’t like showing off his body.
Personally, he thought it was sexy showing off those tattoos covering his back. But he also knew Artemis would never wear it out and it wasn't an outfit you just wear at home.
"And?" Artemis asked stubbornly.
"It's summer,” Lucian stated.
"I'll wear them eventually,” Artemis shrugged.
Lucian simply handed over his card. If Artemis wanted it, then fine. Whatever made him happy. The cashier smiled as she swiped the card.
Artemis smiled even wider.
"Are you guys in a relationship? I think he likes you,” she whispered nosily to Lucian, who blinked for a second.
"I think he likes my wallet,” the man responded even though his chest felt warm and fluffy.
"Same thing,” the woman sassed. Lucian shook his head with a smile. A total stranger already taking the little rascal’s side. Fine.
They took the tram up Victoria Peak just before sunset. The city stretched beneath them like millions of tiny stars waiting for nightfall. Artemis rested both arms against the railing, staring silently at the skyline.
"It's beautiful."
Lucian wasn't looking at the city. "I know."
Artemis turned and caught him staring. "You weren't even looking."
"I was."
"Liar."
"I've seen the view already."
"And?"
"I was looking at the prettier one."
Artemis smirked. “Already openly flirting, professor? You want to corrupt this innocent student, huh?”
Lucian almost choked on nothing. “You are growing really audacious, you know that. If someone heard that, they’d think I'm taking advantage of you.”
Artemis leaned in until their noses brushed. Their lips were just a few inches apart. “And you’re not?”
Lucian’s breathing became heavy—a hand palmed him through the jeans, teasing his limp member to life. He fought the urge to cup the boy’s face and kiss him senseless.
“Go ahead, professor. Take advantage of me…” Artemis rasped, gripping the outline of Lucian’s cock. It was a clear challenge. If he gave in, he was just proving Artemis’ false accusations right. Lucian’s grip tightened on the trailing. All he could think about was how close Artemis was. How much he wanted to taste him.
Just as he was about to give in, Artemis pulled away. “Fine, you win. I’m the loose one here.”
The boy tried to leave but Lucian pulled him back, claiming his lips before he even had the chance to protest.
The next afternoon found them renting bicycles along the waterfront. It started as a peaceful ride and ended with Artemis challenging Lucian to a race.
"You'll lose,” the boy said smugly.
"Says who?" Lucian shot back, already getting fired up.
"uhmmmm… old age?” Amusement twinkled in Artemis eyes as he teased Lucian.
Lucian blinked in disbelief. "...Old age?"
"You heard me."
Lucian chased him down the path while Artemis laughed so hard he almost rode straight into a flower bed. "You little menace!"
"You'll have to catch me first!"
Just like that, they ended up chasing each other.