Is this destiny?

"Here…", Sean handed two cans of soda to Allen and Julius.

"Why did you stand up for us?", Allen asked after accepting a drink.

Ryan shrugged. "If someone bullies us, will you sit on the side and watch?"

"But… he said we are gays. What if he was right?", Allen said with insecurity obvious in his voice.

"How would the situation change if he was right or wrong?", Sean asked back. "With all that boasting about supreme education you are receiving, how come you don't know the anthem? This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. As an American you get the right to be free and live your life anyway you want, but you also need to be brave to defend that freedom when someone jeopardizes it."

Ryan snickered. "That is probably the only lesson from civics class that stuck with you."

"Many more stuck with me!", Sean protested and scrambled to remember at least one more lesson. His face lit-up and he looked smugly at Ryan. "The crowd mentality…"

Sean turned to Allen and Julius and explained: "During dinner you said how it's difficult to grow up in United States, but that is not entirely true. Every society has its challenges, but what is universal is that in every group of people, you will find three distinct categories: few who are inclined to be bullies; few who are the leaders, willing to fight for the right thing; and a large majority who believes in justice but they are afraid to stand on the frontlines and handle the pressure. When bullies make their move and your freedom is in danger, that is where the leaders count, they stand up and call out the wrong, and soon many others will join, because in their hearts they support the right thing and leaders have the power to stir up that feeling. And in this case, that boy calling you names and treating you as someone less worthy was the bully who was doing the wrong thing, regardless if his words were true or not."

"So… in this case… the two of you are the leaders?", Julius asked Sean and Ryan.

Ryan shook his head and smiled. "No. The leaders are the two of you."

Sean nodded in agreement. "The two of you stood your ground when they came causing trouble. That makes you the leaders. We came second so… that makes us deputies."

They all burst into laugh.

"What were you looking there so intently?", Sean asked while gesturing toward the city lights.

"I was trying to see our house.", Julius responded.

Ryan blinked. "What?! No way… that is miles away, right?"

Sean nudged Ryan. "Don't be ridiculous. He was just looking which way the house is… it's not like he can see it from here…"

…

Later that evening, in the Cliffside Villa…

Ryan and Sean wanted to go to the playroom before sleeping, but Allen and Julius reminded them that they have an early start and if they stay up late they will not wake up in time for the training, or the hike.

Ryan and Sean grumbled, but had to agree with them.

Both Ronin twins were puzzled by the elevator.

"I didn't realize before that we are underground. How many floors down?", Sean mumbled while pointing at the floor selection buttons inside elevator.

Allen and Julius showed them to their rooms.

Ryan and Sean checked Ryan's room first.

Ryan was amazed. This is bigger than the room he is sharing with Sean at home! And it comes with a private bathroom!

When Sean saw the sleepwear and a change of clothes on the bed, he dashed to his room and confirmed that the same set of things is prepared for him as well! There were even hiking boots by the door!

"Wow, each of you has a room like this?", Ryan gushed.

"Well, yeah. Most of us here have rooms like this one… but Allen and I are sharing a suite.", Julius said awkwardly.

"Can we see?", Sean asked curiously.

They all went into the suite and Sean and Ryan acknowledged that this is much bigger than what they expected.

"You guys are lucky. So much space!", Ryan said while spreading his arms and running around from the living area to the kitchen and then into the bedroom and back.

"I think we should ask Sarah to adopt us. Seriously.", Sean added while laughing at Ryan's silly behavior.

They didn't stay long. After checking out every area of the suite, Ryan and Sean wished Allen and Julius a good night and went to their rooms.

…

Allen got out of the bathroom and he smiled at the fact that only a nightlight is on. They used to sleep in a complete darkness, but he asked Julius if it's OK to have a nightlight on with an excuse that it will help them move around at night without bumping into things. But in truth, Julius always sleeps off before him, and Allen uses that light to observe his sleeping face.

Allen noticed that Julius is staring at the ceiling.

"What's bothering you?", Allen asked while getting under the cover.

Julius sighed. "I am just thinking about the day."

"Which part?"

"All of it… but mostly the evening, when those bullies approached us."

"Juju… Were you scared?"

"Yeah. But not of them. I was afraid that you will abandon me because you will be ashamed of me...", Julius' voice drifted away.

"Why did you think that?"

Julius took a deep breath and spoke without courage to look at Allen. "I was angry that that boy is looking down on us, and I was ready to fight all of them, but I was not sure how you feel about it. He called us despicable and filthy and… gays."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Julius signed and looked away.

"Juju, we know each other for most of our lives. Why are you so insecure?"

Julius swallowed hard. "Because… since I kissed you in that warehouse you didn't mention it. And I am not sure what to think about it. We were in danger and I was pumped with adrenaline and devastated by the possibility that I will not see you again and… I hope you don't hate me."

Allen propped himself on the elbow. "Is that why you kissed me? Only because of the danger and adrenaline?"

"No.", Julius said after a long silence.

Allen realized that he should not probe further. Julius already went outside of his comfort zone and he should not expect him to go further, not without speaking his mind first.

Allen placed his palm on Julius' cheek and forced him to turn his head toward him. "Juju, I am sorry for making you doubt the fact that you are the most important person in my life. The truth is that I didn't talk about that kiss because I didn't know what to say. I mean, how do you tell your best friend that you really liked it and it was the best thing ever and you want it to happen again?"

"You do?"

Allen smiled. "Juju, what would you do if I kiss you right now?"

Julius inhaled a choppy breath before responding: "I would kiss you back."

Allen felt that his body tensed. Suddenly, he was nervous beyond belief but there is no way he is backing away from this.

He inched closer to Julius, while his eyes didn't move from Julius' lips.

Allen felt his heart thundering against his chest, and he was afraid that it might explode. His chest leaned against Julius' and he realized that Julius' heart is pounding like crazy as well.

'Good…', Allen thought, 'Like this, we can explode together.'

Allen's mouth came down on Julius' and the soft sensation made them both shiver and want more at the same time.

This is not a warehouse, this is not under the circumstances where they can perish any moment and not experience it ever again… They are in the privacy of their bedroom, just the two of them, safe, and they can do this as long as they want.

Julius' arms circled around Allen and his grip intensified as their lips brushed against each other, spreading the sweet intoxicating mindlessness through each of them.

Neither of them was aware how long it lasted, or how they pulled apart. Then next thing they know is that they are holding each other while drifting into sleep.

Julius licked his throbbing lips every few seconds, like he wants to confirm that the lingering flavor is Allen's. His heat skipped a beat when he remembered Allen sucking on his lip and biting it gently and then allowing him to do the same. Inhaling Allen's breath sent a numbing sensation through Julius' body and his core demanded a relief. Badly. And if he is not so tired and comfortable in Allen's embrace, he would go to the bathroom and start a shower to hide the noise of him relieving the pressure.

They didn't deepen the kiss, but even without that, it was the best thing ever. Definitely the best thing ever. For both of them.

Allen held Julius and he felt Julius' erection against his thigh, and he had a raging hard-on as well. Allen thought of reaching with his hand to help Julius relieve the pressure, or maybe he can even use his mouth, like in the movies… and it would be mind-blowing if Julius does the same. But he knows that for Julius, it would be too much, too fast. Allen told himself that as long as he is patient and does not mess up, they will get there. Eventually.

"Juju?", Allen whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I will always have your back."

"Mhm…", Julius hummed in confirmation and slept off with a small smile at the corners of his lips.

---

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