Wait for me princess

Hao Sheng led Malakai to a secluded picnic table at the edge of the sitting area.

At the table, there were two containers with food and a Pepsi and a Coke, next to each respective container.

Malakai sat down in front of the Pepsi and wrinkled his nose in distaste when he saw Hao Sheng sipping on the Coke.

"So you're that type of person, huh?", he said sarcastically, taking a sip of his own Pepsi.

Hao Sheng sighed and put down his coke. "And what type of person is that?", he asked.

"You actually drink Coke", he said, looking at him like he was some sort of alien.

Hao Sheng let out another sigh. Well, of course I do. Coke tastes much better than Pepsi. ", he said, picking up his burger to take a bite.

At that, Malakai looked completely disgruntled.

"What do you mean by that?! "Pepsi is obviously superior to Coke!" he sneers as he picks up a chip.

Hao Sheng rolled his eyes and put his burger down.

"All those rides must have scrambled your brain. If one has to be superior to the other, then it's obvious that Coke is going to come out on top. Pepsi is just a cheap knockoff of Coke! It can never beat the original", he said with passion, throwing his hand up into the air to emphasise his point.

Malakai also threw his hands in the air in frustration, saying, "First you think vanilla is the best flavor, and then you think Pepsi is inferior to Coke! There's clearly something wrong with you!" For a brief moment, they simply engage in a staring contest, glaring at each other. Then out of nowhere, they both burst out laughing.

"Pft-Whatever, I guess. Do what makes you happy.", Malakai said, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes.

"I will!", Hai Sheng said, after calming down a bit, going back to eating.

Malakai took another bite of his burger before talking.

"So anyway, when did you get back anyway?", he asked.

Hao Shwng finished chewing before replying.

Oh, I got back around last week. Last Sunday, Dad helped me unpack and got me registered before leaving again.", he says, taking a sip of his drink.

Wait, go back? Does that mean he doesn't stay with you?", Malakai asked, picking up a few chips.

Hao Sheng nods.

"Yeah, I'm the only one who came back. My mom and dad are still back in the States. They just helped me arrange a comfortable apartment for myself in a nice area, then went back", he said casually as he finished off his burger.

"Wait... so you live alone?", Malakai asks, looking genuinely interested.

"Yeah, they still have some work back in the States, after all. Besides, I was the one who wanted to come back-", he stops abruptly, like he hadn't meant to let the last part slip. He covers it up by taking a long sip of his drink.

Malakai didn't seem to notice his hesitation, too caught up in his own thoughts. He paused and put a finger to his chin.

"Wait so why did you want to come back?", he asked, resting his head on his hand, giving his full attention to Hao Sheng, food momentarily forgotten.

"Why? Do you not want me here? ", Hao Sheng teased, with a smile.

Malakai waved his hands about in a flurry, as if trying to placate him. "NO! Of course, I like having you here with me! I was just curious", he hurriedly amended.

Hao Sheng smiles even more.

"Good, because I also like being here with you, princess", he said with a wink.

Malakai reddens a bit and ducks his head low, turning back to his food to eat.

Hao Sheng smiled endearingly. He was kind of cute when he was like this. It almost reminds him of how a certain someone was when they began getting to know each other.

He picks up a chip and throws it into his mouth.

"What about you?", Hao Shwng suddenly asked.

"What about me?", Malakai throws the question back at him, looking up.

"What's been new with you? You seem a bit more... flamboyant than you were before. A bit grumpier too.", he says, finishing off the chips he had.

"I'm NOT grumpy", Malakai said, pouting a bit.

Hao Sheng smiles sweetly.

"Besides, what's wrong with a little confidence, huh?", Malakai asks, folding his arms over his chest.

Hao Sheng holds up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that.", he comforts. "It's just that sometimes it feels kind of forced and it seems like you're a bit sad, that's all".

Malakai hunched his shoulders up, looking a bit defensive. "Thanks for caring and all, but I'm fine!", he says, with a bit more bite than he intended.

He paused and took a deep breath, running a hand down his face.

"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you and ruin the mood like that. I just... ", he trails off, looking a hit uncertain of himself.

Hao Sheng decided to stop pushing. It looks like it was a bit too quickly to push.

He gets up and goes to sit next to Malakai. Once seated, he pulls him into his arms and hugs him close.

"It's okay, princess. I get it if you don't feel comfortable enough to talk. I'm not going to force you. I just want you to know that I'll be there for you if you ever need me", he says to Malakai in a low, soothing voice.

Hao Sheng moves his hand into Malakai's hair and starts rubbing circles into his scalp. This seemed to relax Malakai a bit, as all of the tension from his body melted away as he seemed to lean more into Hao Sheng.

He let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes as he buried his head in Hao Sheng's shoulder.

Malakai stays silent throughout all this, so he chooses to continue speaking.

"I want to be someone you can rely on. I know we've been apart for some time, but I still care about you very much. As your friend, I want to be a source of strength and comfort for you," and possibly more...

So I want you to rely on me more, princess. I want to help you. I want you to trust me. Is that okay? ", he asked, softly.

After a few seconds, Malakai nodded.

[DING!~]

[Blackening -10%]

[Love Scale +5%]

"Yeah? Good.", he said, continuing his ministrations on his head.

They stayed like that for a few minutes before Hao Sheng reluctantly pulled back.

Malakai let out a protest but also pulled back.

"Your food is going to get cold at this point. Eat up", he said softly as he reached over the table to get his drink.

Malakai smiled a bit.

"I don't mind cold food. As much as I am a snob, I'm not that bad. ", he said lightly.

Hao Sheng chuckled.

"I apologise. Eat up though, snob or not, no one likes cold food. ", he said as he pushed his half-eaten food towards him.

"What are you just going to watch me eat or something?", Malakai said after noticing that Hao Sheng, with no food left left to keep him busy, utilised his time by just staring at him eat.

Hao Sheng chuckled once again.

"I don't mind. The view is not so bad from here", he said as he winked, flashing Malakai a charming smile.

Malakai's cheeks redden a bit, and he turns his head away.

"Whatever", he says and gets back to his food, ignoring Hao Sheng's eyes on him.

He didn't know why, but for some reason, having Hao Sheng staring at him made him a bit nervous, but at the same time, knowing he had his full attention excited him until he was feeling high from the giddiness. Although obviously he didn't let his feelings show on his face, a little blush still slipped through.

Soon enough, Malakai finished his food, and they both cleared their table and made their way to the exit.

By the time they left the park, the sky was starting to darken a bit.

"Do you need a ride?", Hao Sheng asked as they got to the entrance.

Malakai smiled and shook his head.

"No need, I contacted my driver and he should be here anytime now, but thank you.", and as he said that, a black car pulled up to where they were standing and stopped. "Oh that's me", Malakai said as he gestured to the car, sounding a bit disappointed. "Looks like I have to get going now."

Hao Sheng smiles and pats his shoulder. "Sure. I'll see you at school, Monday.", he says.

Malakai smiles and gets into the car.

Hao Sheng watches the car drive away with a heavy feeling in his heart.

He chuckles darkly. Interesting. He never thought he'd actually start to have an interest in this little target.

Good. Since he has now caught his attention, he will work harder to acquire him.

His eyes glinted darkly as he watched the car turn the corner and go out of sight.

Malakai. I will definitely have you. All you have to do is wait for me, princess.