A/N: Here you go!!! This one might be a bit more explicit so children, stay away!

(I don't think that warning will help, but I did my best.)

******

Julian applies his skincare routine layer by layer: toner, retinol, moisturizer, and a touch of lip mask. His fingertips glide in conscious motions, patting gently and waiting for the products to soak into his skin.

His hair is fully dry by the time he settles in the living room, the reality show playing on TV filling the otherwise quiet apartment. Julian's thoughts sail, and he impatiently peeks at the entrance. Expecting.

It's been a week. A week since he and Joaquin decided to give it another shot. Frankly, it still feels strange, the way neither of them had let go completely. How easily they'd found their way back into each other's lives.

How it seems like nothing's the same, yet very little has been forgotten.

Joaquin looks at him differently now; he can see it in his eyes. They've always held warmth, but there's something else. Something that was missing previously: the certainty of what comes next. Where they are heading.

Julian has witnessed different versions of Joaquin—unhappy, guarded, and unsure. But this one? This one is his favorite.

And he sincerely hopes he isn't in a dream... waking up and realizing none of this is real would be vicious.

The doorbell chimes. Julian rises to his feet and slips his slippers on, running to the door. Joaquin stands there, fresh from the shower, his hair down and disheveled. He hadn't even bothered combing. He'd missed Julian faster than he'd like to acknowledge.

"Hey."

"Hey," Julian echoes, stepping aside and keeping the door open. "Come on in."

Joaquin enters and spots a new pair of slippers. His size. The small gesture makes him smile as he follows Julian to the living room, flopping down beside him.

"So, what do you wanna do?" Julian asks. "Movie?"

"Sure," Joaquin replies, moving closer than necessary, his head finding its place on Julian's shoulder.

Julian scrolls through the available list, his heart fluttering at the familiar fragrance of cedar wood. "Didn't know you were this clingy," he teases.

"Now you know," Joaquin admits without an ounce of shame. "Sometimes, I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. In case."

"Funny. I was just thinking the exact same thing." Julian ceases pressing buttons, turning to Joaquin. "But we are on the same wavelength now, right?"

"We are." Joaquin places a hand on Julian's thigh, idly drawing little shapes. "I'm at your disposal. All yours and no conditions."

Julian snorts but retains a mild grin. "Now you're being melodramatic."

"Hardly. You've stuck with me. Since the first day we met at the beach, since we ran into each other at university again, and even when I didn't know what the hell I was doing." Joaquin raises his head, resting his chin on Julian's shoulder blade. "You're still here. You even put up with me today!"

Julian chuckles. "Yeah. My body's paying for it."

"So... Jiu-jitsu next?"

Julian jerks back, scoffing, "Are you trying to kill me? No, thank you."

"Why not?"

"Why yes? I'd watched a video, and it was just people getting tossed around and slammed like rag dolls."

"I can see why that's not appealing to you, but that's why you balance it out. With Muay Thai, maybe. Or boxing." Joaquin slants his head. "What're you into?"

"Uh... sleeping?"

Joaquin sighs, "Yeah, that checks out. No wonder creeps like that Christian think they can prey on you."

"Hey!" Julian huffs. "That was one time. You really can't let it go... And it was pure reflex, okay? I can fight."

"Oh? Can you?"

"Yes, I can," Julian insists, lying through his teeth. "And I can pull off those... uh, jiu-jitsu techniques easily." Trying to prove his point, he throws a few awkward punches in the air, much to Joaquin's disbelief.

"You just said Jiu-jitsu is tossing people around. It's not about punching."

"I am pairing it with boxing!"

Joaquin shakes his head, unimpressed. He snatches the remote control and switches the TV off.

"Wait, what—"

"Okay, if you're such an MMA expert," Joaquin swiftly scoops Julian, slinging him over his shoulder like a sack of rice. "Let's see what you've got."

"Joaquin!" Julian squeaks, flailing his arms and swinging his legs to wriggle free. "Put me down!"

"Hey, behave," Joaquin warns in a mock stern voice. "Unless you want me to resort to drastic measures."

"What're you talking about?"

"I could spank you?"

Julian freezes mid-struggle, combusting internally, but it works. He shuts his mouth and goes completely still.

"Perv," Joaquin mumbles cheekily, dropping Julian onto the bed and towering over him.

Caged, Julian blinks up at him. "What are you doing...?"

"Testing your escape techniques."

Julian averts his gaze. "Tsk, is this some kind of a weird role-play thing you're into?"

Joaquin snickers. "Nah, I'm actually very vanilla." Before Julian can react, he maneuvers and wedges Julian's arm between his legs, pinning him down.

Julian groans, feeling the strain in his right arm. "W-What the hell?! That hurts!"

Worse, his breath stutters with Joaquin's legs practically smothering his mouth. It hurts, but also his muscles are right there, pressing against his face...!

"You're overreacting. I'm barely even pulling you," Joaquin replies. "This is an arm bar."

Julian yells, "Let me go or I swear!"

Laughing, Joaquin eases his grip. Julian seizes the chance, flipping them over and landing on top of Joaquin. Julian is ready to retaliate, but he hesitates when he notices Joaquin simply lying there, unmoving.

"Are you not gonna defend yourself? I'm about to attack."

"Oh? Are you?" Joaquin smirks. "What're you gonna do?"

Julian falters, his eyebrows knitting. What is he even planning? He's not skilled in this field!

"I'm waiting..." Joaquin's eyes glint, daring Julian to make a move.

Julian flicks Joaquin's forehead. "You just want to brag about how cool you are. How fit you are."

"You think I'm fit?"

"Are we seriously going to play this game now?" Julian hisses, lowering his arms.

And that's all the opening Joaquin needs. He takes advantage and reverses their positions, holding Julian down beneath him. He straddles Julian's stomach, mindful not to put too much weight on him.

With one of Julian's arms secured between his own, Joaquin leans in and locks gazes with him. "Caught you again."

"That's...!" Julian squirms, trying to break free. "...not fair! You're obviously stronger than me!"

Thinking fast, his free hand darts out to tickle Joaquin's side, a move so unexpected that Joaquin expels a startled laugh, involuntarily shrinking back.

"That's not fair!" Joaquin complains, chuckling as he struggles to restrain a vengeful Julian.

The sheets twist underneath them as they wrestle, their laughter occupying the room. In the midst of their playful tussle, Joaquin manages to take his glasses off, throwing them to the edge of the bed without care—he's got plenty of spares. Right now, nothing else matters but the person in front of him.

These are the kinds of moments that take them back. Back to their childhood when everything was simpler so long as they were together. When they were just in their own little world, where being themselves was enough.

It's in moments like this that they can be them. As if they never had to grow up.

Julian suddenly stiffens, his face becoming beet red and turning sideways. "G-Get off me..."

"Why—" Realization dawns. "Oh."

But there's no denying it now.

Things have shifted, their feelings no longer constrained to the neat lines of friendship.

Of innocence.

"What?" Julian grumbles.

Joaquin doesn't move, a smirk curling on his lips.

"What's with that look on your face? Are you gonna take responsibility?"

Voice dipping, Joaquin traces a slow finger along Julian's bottom lip. "Are you gonna let me take responsibility?"

"Depends on how you plan to hold yourself accountable. What're you proposing?"

Joaquin adjusts his position, his weight now pressing on Julian. He pushes his knee into the space between Julian's thighs, eliciting a low moan that fills him with a reckless rush of heat. He wants to hear more of that.

"You're so cute," Joaquin mutters. "I want to kiss you everywhere."

Julian meets Joaquin's eyes, their noses bumping against each other, the space between them nearly nonexistent.

"I... also want to kiss you everywhere," Julian confesses, closing the distance. Their breaths blend, unsteady and in tandem, and their lips collide in a slow, delicate kiss.

Julian tugs at the collar of Joaquin's shirt, yanking him down and switching their positions the third time, the bed giving way beneath them. Then, he withdraws, his palms fondling Joaquin's firm chest and traveling down to his equally solid abdomen. "I'll be a little far from you. You might not see me clearly."

The idea has crossed Joaquin's mind once or twice before, but perhaps it's time to buy more contact lenses. It appears they'll have other uses aside from when he's doing martial arts...

Cupping Julian's chin, Joaquin replies, "I don't need perfect vision for this... But are you sure?"

Julian needs no words.

He retreats downward without a sound, never breaking eye contact, as he balances himself on his knees. He strips off Joaquin's shirt, the view making him chomp his bottom lip. He questions Joaquin's dedication to his hobbies, but when the results look this inviting?

He'll happily indulge.

Julian gives Joaquin a peck on his stomach, just above his navel. One hand carefully peels away his cotton shorts, the outline of his arousal sticking, taunting him to get a taste.

"When was the last time you pleasured yourself?" Julian asks, his warm breath making Joaquin flinch.

Joaquin lets out a chortle, barely concealing his excitement, although he cannot wait for Julian to play with him. "Why are you curious?"

"So that I know what I'm working with..."

Julian pulls it out.

Fuck.

Up close, it's veiny and thick. Standing straight, it's glorious.

And Julian's so turned on he wants to snack on Joaquin until he implores him to stop.

"Four days ago," Joaquin reveals coyly. "I thought of you."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes," Joaquin says. "You're the only one who can get me this hard."

Julian flushes. How can Joaquin make dirty talk sound so sweet?

"I can hold back for as long as you need."

"Fine," Julian murmurs. "We'll see about that."

Joaquin's fingernails sink into the bed as Julian lowers himself, his tongue inching closer to his cock, and when he feels the soft and wet sensation on the shaft, he moans hoarsely.

Julian runs his tongue along the length, amused at the blend of musk and aromatic soap. As he captures the tip around his lips, sucking hard on the skin under the head, an electric thrill runs along Joaquin's spine.

"Ah shit... that feels great..."

This hadn't been on his plan. But Julian going down on him, with that hungry look on his face? It's going to be a challenge not to climax right away.

Encouraged by the reaction, Julian slides his mouth further down, establishing a constant rhythm, his hands roving along Joaquin's limbs. His thighs, his sturdy calves, then back to his groin.

Knees buckling, Joaquin reaches out and touches Julian's hair. Even with his hazy vision, he can make out Julian staring at him, his eyes round, mouth stuffed, looking ironically innocent.

In a flash and without a warning, Julian gobbles him up, shoving Joaquin's cock all the way to his throat.

"Ah, damn...!"

Joaquin shudders, his whole body going rigid. He nearly loses the challenge.

Julian snickers. Truly, Joaquin's reactions are priceless.

Unlike those who perceive giving head as degrading, Julian actually takes pride in it. He likes to think it's the other way around—he's the one in control.

He can make Joaquin's nerdy and professional mouth curse. He can make him convulse in pleasure.

He can make him beg.

Joaquin's next move validates his position as he cradles the back of Julian's head, quietly pleading not to pull away just yet. Eager to see him at his mercy, Julian yields, keeping his face buried between Joaquin's legs.

A few seconds later, Julian finally recoils, saliva dripping, his jaw a bit weary. But because Joaquin hasn't given up, Julian gets even more eager to get him off.

"You're really fighting it, huh."

"Because I want to feel you more," Joaquin gasps gruffly. "You're amazing..." He seizes Julian's hand, wrapping it around his erection.

He's still not done.

Julian teases, "Say please."

The answer is an instant: "Please."

See who's in authority?

Julian fulfills his request, pumping hard and licking whenever the lubrication dries up. Unable to contain his own need, he inserts his hand into his underwear and strokes himself.

"W-What're you doing? I'll do it for you—"

"Ssh."

"Fuck... I'm..."

Beaded sweat accumulating on his forehead, Joaquin takes over and lets out guttural moans. Julian raises the hem of his shirt and inclines forward, so his own length brushes against Joaquin's, their movements now in perfect harmony.

"Where... do you want to do it?" Julian asks.

"Y-You're okay anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

"On... on your stomach," he utters. "Hurry."

Joaquin shifts and sits up, while Julian lies down, his slender torso exposed, biting on his shirt to hold it up.

Their liquids shoot onto Julian's flat stomach, every drop sticky and heated. Joaquin falls back, still trying to catch his breath yet finding the sight incredibly hot.

Julian grabs tissues on the nightstand but fails to clean it off in time, and it stains the waistband of his pajamas.

"Ah, shit. Sorry," Joaquin mumbles, helping him.

"Don't stress. I'll change." Julian shimmies out of his bottoms, sprints to the bathroom for a swift rinse, then to his closet, and ultimately comes back to the bed fully clothed.

Joaquin just stares. He can't believe that just happened. He'd only been mocking Julian; calling him a pervert was supposed to be a joke.

But if Julian's taking it seriously... he's not about to complain.

"Uh, Julian," Joaquin murmurs, rolling over to face him. "...be my Valentine?"