Cupid Calling

by Viano Oniomoh

Ejiro blushed. Despite his misgivings, he really did want to fall in love—desperately—TV show setting or no. He wanted what Ajiri and Blessing had; a connection so deep it was like they were sometimes extensions of each other. Something like the bond he himself shared with his twin, but held up with a different but equally profound kind of intimacy.

Jesus Christ. If there was anything more attractive than two dimples, it was one single dimple.

He only realised then that his pulse was back to racing, as if he’d only just finished running. How the fuck had he thought that Ejiro was dull or average looking? Because standing there right then, as he’d stared Obiora down, his eyes dark and penetrating, all Obiora had been able to think about was whether Ejiro looked this fervent and intense when he fucked.

Obiora’s chest twisted with something sweet and painful as, like the sun peeking out from behind the clouds, Ejiro’s face opened up into a dazzling grin, wrinkling his eyes and softening his mouth.

This, he realised. This was why Sophia had given Ejiro a heart on night one. She’d gotten a mere glimpse of the passion that lurked underneath that unassuming façade, and like Obiora, it had left her practically starving for everything.

It shouldn’t have been arousing, watching Ejiro as he began to prepare the food. The way his hands deftly moved across the chopping board was nothing short of artful. He genuinely seemed to get lost in his own world, not feeling the need to fill in the silence. For some odd reason, Obiora felt something thick build up in the back of his throat—pure, aching longing rising inside him like the tide. The silence between them already felt full, sweet and easy, like they did this all the time.

Since that moment, something within Ejiro had loosened, and the walls he kept up for the other bachelors completely disappeared when he was with Obiora. Now, instead of hanging out with Chris Wu and his other roommates, when Obiora was within the vicinity, the two men found themselves gravitating toward each other; Ejiro because he probably saw Obiora as his only genuine friend amongst the bachelors, and Obiora because his attraction was quickly blooming into a little crush. Okay, a huge crush. A massive fucking crush.

Ejiro laughed. “I’d say it counts.” Obiora glanced at his full mouth, his infectious smile, then quickly looked away, cursing himself for his weakness. He’d promised himself to act natural; the day had barely begun and he’d already fucking failed.

“Of course I’m right,” Obiora said lightly, trying to lighten the mood once more. “And believe it or not, asking for consent is fucking sexy.”

“Yeah? I’m glad.” Something in Obiora’s voice had Ejiro’s eyes snapping open, meeting the ones of the man sitting across from him. Obiora’s pupils were wide and dark with something that filled Ejiro with an odd awareness, his lower belly turning molten with unfamiliar heat. His pulse began to race, and his breaths came fast. He quickly looked away, frowning, wondering if it was the heat from the soup that was making him feel so strange.

Ejiro snickered. Obiora grinned, nudging their shoulders together. Ejiro blushed furiously and looked away. His pulse hadn’t slowed since Obiora had sauntered into the room and sat down next to him, no invitation needed.

Obiora brushed by him, his body heat pulling at Ejiro like a siren song. He walked ahead, and Ejiro used the opportunity to unabashedly take in the breadth of Obiora’s wide shoulders, the thickness of his arms. He could easily imagine himself being enfolded within Obiora’s embrace; Obiora looked like he was made for warm hugs and cosy snuggling. The thought of it made Ejiro’s entire body practically burn with longing.

“Look at me, Ejiro.” He waited until Ejiro shyly met his eyes. “You’re valid, do you hear me? You’re absolutely valid, and the most important seal of approval you really need is your own.”

Ejiro was staring at his mouth again. The only word Obiora could think of to describe his expression was hungry.

This was bad. This was fucking bad. Because it was all well and good when the attraction was one sided. But having the possibility of Ejiro being attracted to him? Obiora was so fucking fucked.

Obiora wanted to do something reckless. His eyes dropped to Ejiro’s bared throat; it would be so easy to kiss him there, just a slight brush of lips—so slight Ejiro might wonder if he’d imagined the contact. But even if Ejiro’s body might want him, Obiora didn’t want to take that as consent; he wanted explicit words of desire from Ejiro’s mouth. He wanted Ejiro to beg to be touched, the way he so clearly, desperately wanted to be.

Obiora could feel his chest expanding again, his ribs too small to contain his heart. He remained quiet, unobtrusive as Ejiro’s hand flew across the page. Obiora didn’t know how long they stood there, Ejiro lost in his world, and Obiora lost in him.

“That was exhilarating,” he said breathlessly, laughing a little. He sat up, looking at Obiora, pinning him there with the earnestness in his gaze. “This was hands down one of the best days of my life.” The words shook Obiora down to his marrows, every inch of him wishing he could stay in this moment forever. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Same here.”

Obiora didn’t think he’d ever felt so vulnerable, two of them with the lights off, eyes bright in the darkness, lying on their sides and facing each other, with only an arm’s length of space between them.

“Please,” Obiora begged brokenly. “Kiss me.” Ejiro sucked in a trembling breath. Then he flew forward, crashing into Obiora’s arms, joining their lips desperately. Obiora yanked him closer, pressing their bodies together more fully, making Ejiro shudder with pleasure and desire.

Obiora held him, simply held him like he’d done last night, cradling Ejiro tightly like he could somehow put the pieces his mother had shattered back together. And he did. It hurt, and the pieces remained cracked and jagged, but in Obiora’s embrace, Ejiro felt a little more whole.