It took Xing Han several minutes before he finally calmed down.

He sniffed, then stared in horror at Nitocris's stained shirt. His mind went blank at the moment, as he tried to think the proper words of apology.

He frowned in nervousness, biting his bottom lips in worry as he gripped Nitocris's waist tighter, "I ... I'm sorry. I ruined your shirt."

Xing Han braved himself to look up, only to see Nitocris looking down at him without any anger. Only gentleness. And ... worry?

Xing Han was so shocked at that. He had only seen that face not showing any expression and so, he had thought Nitocris was a rather unfeeling person. Well, other than those times when he would bully him.

Yet now, there was some emotion in those eyes? That face didn't look as rigid as it normally did. He touched Nitocris's cheek in wonder, "You ... why do you look like that?"

Nitocris blinked.

He had forgotten how lethal his innocent puppy is.

First, when he just held on to him as he cried his eyes out. Nitocris knew just how much Xing Han had been holding everything back in his attempt at being strong. The fear and uneasiness of 'losing' Kyle, yet, having to give a show of support had been slowly eating up at him until the dam finally burst.

Instinctively, Nitocris had taken him into his arms, to give him support.

When he reached out and grabbed Xing Han's hand to pull him close to him, Xing Han had resisted at first. He shook his head while tugging feebly at his hand as if he wanted Nitocris to let go.

Yet, once Nitocris hugged him, Xing Han's own hands went around Nitocris's waist on its own and hugged him tightly in return. He buried his head in Nitocris's chest while shaking it, as if he was still denying the warmth, comfort and security Nitocris's firm and broad chest was giving him.

This contradictory action of his tugged at Nitocris's heart even more.

It was as if Xing Han didn't want to appear weak so he was actively rejecting it, yet his actions of him hugging him tightly proved otherwise.

Now, after releasing all that sadness within him, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Sometimes, that is all that is needed: a good cry, and to be true to your own feelings. Suppressing them can be detrimental.

However, Xing Han was back to the oblivious, innocent puppy who did things without thought.

Nitocris gulped, took that hand that was busy touching him all over his face. He put that hand down and asked softly, not trusting his voice, "Look like what?"

Xing Han seemed to come out of a daze as he jumped back, hands in the air.

"Nothing! Nothing!" Xing Han said, rubbing his hands nervously at the side of his pants.

Nitocris frowned at that, causing Xing Han to be even more flustered.

"Wait! I'll clean your shirt for you!" he said enthusiastically, rushing back towards Nitocris to unbutton his shirt.

Nitocris just stood there, amused, as he watched his little puppy undressing him with such a serious expression on his face. It was similar to the time when Xing Han had buttoned up his shirt that time. The memory made him smile.

This was a sight that he could get used to, too.

Xing Han unbuttoned the shirt quickly and as he spread it open, his mouth gaped wide, "Oooo... my goodness! You're almost as fit as Kyle!"

He held the edges of the shirt with both hands and spread the shirt wider, exposing Nitocris's muscular physique. He knew that Nitocris was fit but he didn't think that underneath the stuffy shirts Nitocris wore, hid this sort of body.

Everything seemed to scream 'strength' as if there was power hidden underneath that was ready to explode out. Yet, when he had hugged him earlier, it didn't feel hard? Xing Han started touching the chest, placing his palm all over it.

"What do you mean, almost?" Nitocris said, his voice low, growling in displeasure. He didn't like the thought of being compared to Kyle, that little pipsqueak.

Xing Han was oblivious to it all, though, as he peered even closer then, he leaned back to get another view.

"Yeah, almost," Xing Han replied, nodding decisively after studying the chiseled body in front of him with his memories of Kyle, "Your chest is broader, while Kyle is leaner. Your muscles feel firmer and it's slightly bigger than Kyle's as well. Gosh, both of you are brothers indeed."

Nitocirs's eyes narrowed at that.

So his little puppy had been touching Kyle all over as well?!

Xing Han pouted, then looked at his own tummy, "You have this well-defined six-pack of hard muscle while I have this one round fluffy pack."

As Xing Han was looking down, he missed the warm smile that enveloped Nitocris's face, the darkness gone from those words.

"Each person is different," Nitocris said replied, "There is someone who likes you just the way you are."

Xing Han grinned and said shamelessly, "Yeah, I'm adorable, right?"

"Yes, very," Nitocris agreed softly.

"Sorry? What did you say?" Xing Han asked, not quite catching it as he was busy trying to strip Nitocirs.

He was pushing the shirt off Nitocris's shoulder, taking care not to be too rough. Nitocris was taller, so Xing Han had to tip-toe a bit.

"Nothing," Nitocris replied, letting his little puppy take off his shirt.

However, the moment the shirt was off, Nitocris took it out of Xing Han's hand and said, "It's okay. Don't trouble yourself with this. I'll just dump it into the washing machine."

With that, he turned and walked away towards his room. Xing Han watched him go, his mouth agape.

"Then why the heck did you make me go through all of that in the first place?!" Xing Han said under his breath, shaking his fist at Nitocris's back.