Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 604: Drying Hair

He Juan finished his shower in record time, stepping out with warm mist still clinging to his form and long hair dripping wet.

Pushing open the door to the master bedroom, he was greeted by the sight of Mu Yuze lounging comfortably on his stomach atop the bed, a few documents spread around him which he was perusing seriously.

The main light in the room remained off and the curtains were tightly drawn, allowing only the faint glow from the night lamp to cast a golden hue over his form. Clad in a simple oversized shirt and black shorts, Mu Yuze’s long and slender legs swung back and forth absentmindedly. So absorbed in the papers, he did not even notice He Juan’s presence, causing the corner of his lips to twitch into a smile.

It was such a mundane, peaceful and intimate sight that He Juan couldn’t help but pause in the doorway to bask in the tranquility. The scene looked too close, too terrifyingly close to the dream he believed he had killed with his own hands.

But here Mu Yuze was, turning it into reality one step at a time.

Also, was it only his imagination or did that shirt look familiar somehow?

"Turn on the light if you still want to read," He Juan broke the silence as he walked toward the couch, rubbing his wet hair with a towel. "Well, it’s already five am, so you’d better get some rest before you continue to work. What do you say?"

No response came from the omega. Feeling a little strange, He Juan turned to find that Mu Yuze was sitting upright, his gaze fixated on him. Those beautiful eyes appeared so dark and profound that no lights could be seen within, filled with an indescribable intensity that made He Juan’s heart skip a beat. He instinctively looked down to inspect himself. He wore nothing but casual lounge wear – a comfy cashmere shirt and sweatpants – so why was Mu Yuze looking at him like that?

"Gege..." he slowly rose from the bed as he asked in a soft voice. "I want to dry your hair. Can I?"

There was just something about the way he put forward that request. Something soft, careful and reverent as though he was making an offering to a god, or approaching a mythical beast that came from a faraway land. He made it sound like He Juan would be doing him a huge favor by agreeing, instead of the other way around.

And He Juan, he... he really had no idea how to react to that.

To know how much Mu Yuze still revered, treasured and wanted him until now, after every despicable thing he had done in the past... it made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. It was as though the blood in his heart had turned into fizzing soda, sweet yet astringent. It kept bubbling until He Juan felt like he would burst apart at the seams. The look in his eyes softened like molten silver as he reached out a hand to his omega.

"Of course," he breathed. "Of course, Mu Yuze. Come here."

Mu Yuze needed not to be told twice. He immediately abandoned his documents on the bed – and no, He Juan definitely did not feel triumphant that he managed to steal the omega’s attention away from there – and approached He Juan, sliding his hand into He Juan’s much larger one.

He Juan gently squeezed his hand and led him to the dressing table before settling down on the seat. Meanwhile, Mu Yuze went to retrieve the hair dryer from the drawer and stood behind him, staring at his wet hair as though it was an extremely important mission he had to tackle.

He Juan couldn’t suppress a light chuckle when he observed the omega’s solemn expression reflected in the mirror. "It’s okay, just blow it carelessly."

Mu Yuze flicked his gaze to him, mildly reproachful. "Don’t distract me," he chided softly before returning his attention to He Juan’s hair.

In the midst of He Juan’s subdued laughter, Mu Yuze turned on the hair dryer and carefully held it at a considerable distance from He Juan’s head. Gingerly, he threaded his fingers through He Juan’s damp locks and oh, it felt so comfortable that He Juan’s eyelids fluttered shut without him realizing.

No one had ever done this for him before and thus he did not have the slightest idea that it would feel this... good.

Mu Yuze must be doing magic with his fingers as he gently massaged He Juan’s scalp because He Juan could feel himself relaxing more and more. He had forgotten the last time he’d ever felt this relaxed. He might even be able to doze off just like this.

This time, it was Mu Yuze’s turn to laugh. Well in his case, it was more like a soft amused huff, but it was a sound so rare that He Juan’s eyes immediately snapped open. And he was rewarded by the delightful sight of a tiny smile curving on Mu Yuze’s lips, his black-blue eyes crinkling in amusement.

He Juan had forgotten how lethal Mu Yuze’s smile was until the omega slapped him on the face with it, and it was just so... so perfect, so precious and lovely that He Juan felt his breath being seized away, his mind captivated.

"Gege, you look so sleepy," he observed, then with a softer tone, murmured, "It’s adorable."

No, silly. You’re the most adorable of all, He Juan wished to say.

But somehow his lips were sealed shut, his tongue felt too swollen in his mouth and he failed to force his constricting throat to work. Any words felt trivial and insignificant in this tranquil interlude between them. All he could do was stare at Mu Yuze’s ethereal countenance through the mirror and imprint the breathtaking sight into his mind and soul, so that he wouldn’t forget it again no matter what.

Ever since he woke up, for some inexplicable reason he felt like all of his emotions were muted, or perhaps the major reason could be attributed to the fact that he was still missing seven years’ worth of memories. Happiness, surprise, anguish, grief and anger – all of them felt subdued as though he was viewing the world through a hazy filter.

But only with Mu Yuze... only with him could He Juan feel the emotions returning to him in such vivid and acute clarity that he had a sudden urge to cry. He closed his eyes and drew in a shuddering breath, attempting to regain his bearings.

Oblivious to his emotional turmoil, Mu Yuze diligently focused on drying the middle and bottom part of his hair, gently combing through the tangles with his fingers, before he eventually returned to the bangs. He paused for a second as his gaze landed on the scar on He Juan’s forehead, but he recovered swiftly and continued to work. It was a pause so brief that He Juan failed to notice it as he was still struggling to rein in his tumultuous emotions.

"Done," Mu Yuze declared in satisfaction as he powered off the dryer. Their gazes met in the mirror. "How is it, Gege?"

He Juan pulled the corner of his lips into a faint smile. "En, what a good job. It’s perfect." He would have still given the same answer even if Mu Yuze had made a mess out of his hair.

Mu Yuze resisted the urge to preen at the Alpha’s praise. Clearing his throat, he pulled the dryer off the electrical outlet and returned it to the drawer. When he straightened up, he found that He Juan’s gaze was still fixated on him, taking in his every move. The unwavering attention made Mu Yuze’s cheeks warm, he almost did not know where to place his hands and feet.

Fiddling with his fingers, he gingerly suggested, "Let’s sleep?"

A soft huff of laughter slipped from He Juan’s lips as he stood up, taking the omega’s hand in his. "Let’s."

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A/N: Gentle reminder that the HD artwork of MY in his bunny suit is available for Nov only, special for highest privi readers. Don’t forget to claim it! ^^