Being an Extra Actor in an Escape Game

A short while later, Lin Qin cant help but start chatting with X Beijin already.

He asks, how long until were there?

Maybe a quarter of an hour? X Beijin estimates in his mind, or possibly longer. Whats wrong? Are you bored?

Im not, Lin Qin says, and immediately adds, but maybe we can talk along the way?

X Beijin is a bit amused by how easy to read Lin Qin really is. Not giving away any comment on that, he asks, what do you want to talk about?

If we left the Tower, what would you want to do? Lin Qin thinks, then asks.

X Beijin thinks about the question and then replies, nothing much, really.

Lin Qin is a little anxious, but hes still trying to maintain his poker face and asking, nothing nothing youd feel like doing with someone else?

X Beijin glances at him.

The shortcut is too narrow for them to walk closely without their limbs touching. X Beijin can see that Lin Qins eyebrows are twitching a little from anxiety.

So X Beijin smiles and asks, you mean, with you?

Lin Qin cant stop himself from nodding and just spilling everything, yes, with me. Isnt there something youd like to do with me?

No longer keeping the veil of decency up has instead made his tone genuine. Lin Qin has never been a good liar, as hes straightforward and his emotions show up too much whenever hes anxious.

His whole self is bare in front of X Beijin for him to see clearly; X Beijin can even colour and change it as he likes.

Lin Qins eyes look like shining stars in this dark, empty space.

He says, only with me, then he mumbles and scratches his hair, and seems to remember something, and adds, never mind. Like you said, important things first.

X Beijin doesnt reply, and only looks at him quietly.

Lin Qin surely has no way of realising that he looks almost like a pitiful, drenched puppy that is panting under the roof and tilting its head to look at its master.

Meanwhile, Lin Qin is still mumbling, looking a little cross but also not being able to do anything about it, Ill let you keep up the serious act for a while longer Just a while, and no longer. Or Ill be angry.

X Beijin finds this hilarious, and asks, do you actually ever get angry?

Lin Qin has to take a deep breath. How is it that someone like X Beijin can exist? How did he even fall in love with him in the first place?

But when he stops and turns to look at him, he sees X Beijins pale face and colourless lips, slightly sunken cheeks, and also, a pair of eyes that are threateningly teasing. He sees himself reflected in them, and widens his own eyes in response.

Then he gives up, and just says, no. Never. I will never be angry at you.

He seems to fall into thought, before reasserting, never in eternity. I will only love you, always.

That is the moment when X Beijin can feel his own heart jumping in response.

Does Lin Qin really know, what it truly meant to him, to hear eternity right now?

So he tells Lin Qin,

Ive told you, I might never be able to leave the Tower. Forever.

Ill be with you

But if I really

Ill be there. Forever interrupts Lin Qin, how many times do I have to repeat it for you to believe me? Ive already told you; you dont have to overthink it

X Beijin has nothing he can say, so he pulls Lin Qin towards him.

Lin Qin unexpectedly bumps right onto X Beijin. A warm guff of air passes by his cheeks. Then, he hears X Beijins voice gently ringing next to his ears.

As you wish.

Then, a soft, dry pair of lips cover up his own.

In a daze, Lin Qin thinks that his Beijins lips are so parched they might crack at any time He should tell him to drink more water.

The rather unrelated thought only crosses his mind for a brief second before his thoughts go blank completely; he is completely taken by the joy of physical closeness.

When X Beijins breathing is slightly heavier and hes retreating, Lin Qin suddenly widens his eyes and hugs X Beijin closely, whispering, lets keep kissing

X Beijin

Fine. Have your kisses.

They just stand there, kissing in this dark space with only the occasional bits of jumbled code as their witness. A suggestive aura threatens to spread out, and X Beijinlets it. Everything is quiet, and they only have themselves.

A while later, X Beijin puts an end to the unserious stuff Lin Qin is trying to keep up.

Lin Qin licks his lips and then comments, its sweet. Maybe the taste data on drinks have made its way into your lips and tongue?

Earlier, X Beijin told him that this darkness hadmojibakeof immense danger, and he took it to heart.

Well, taking it to his tongue in this case, possibly.

Hes wondering if X Beijin drank the drinks in the Tower too much, making the sweetness permeate through his entire physical self.

X Beijin

He bites his lips, and doesnt say a word.

Oddly enough, the kiss has made him look better, with his lips regaining some red colour. And his earlobes, too, which Lin Qin is happy with, as he observes his handiwork.

X Beijin doesnt know why Lin Qin is looking a little mischievous, right now.

Nor does he want to.

He says, lets kuhum, lets keep going.

His voice was unexpected hoarse, so he cleared his throat.

Lin Qin immediately looks closely at X Beijin, to confirm that he isnt feeling ill, before continuing.

As he does, he mumbles,

so, are we dating right now?

What do you think?

Beijin, I just realised you really dont like speaking your mind. Its a bad habit.

We are dating right now.

And Lin Qin appears happy.

X Beijin sighs, then cant help but smile.

Oh, Lin Qin, the little apple so easily cheered up by a simple affirmation.

Though shadows still lie ahead of them, and perhaps they will only ever be able to live in this fake, artificially created world forever, but

Nothing could stop X Beijin from feeling happy right now.

He looks at Lin Qin, and he cant stop himself from smiling.

While Lin Qin tilts his head to look at X Beijin every so often, and finally stops to plant a kiss on X Beijins mouth.

X Beijin is stunned, asking,

Whats wrong?

So Lin Qin happily plants another kiss and whispers to X Beijin, so this is finally the moment Ive been waiting for, where I should, and you would let me do it, right?

X Beijin doesnt answer for a moment, merely nodding at first. Then he exhales and chuckles, telling Lin Qin, now, its your prerogative.

Lin Qin looks very proud indeed, his steps having a spring in them.

Then a bit later, he asks, so, when can we go further?

We cant.

Lin Qin

Thats why he said X Beijin is really such a pain in the arse for a guy!

They continue walking along, stopping a few times, and time passes, when finally, they are at the end of the shortcut.

Its a screen of light, approximately a person tall, slightly glowing white, which makes it painfully obvious in the darkness. This is the exit of the boundary of the Tower.

They walk over.

X Beijin tells Lin Qin, slowly, extend your hand forward, and then turn to step through it sideways

They extend their hands at the same time.

X Beijins hand passes without issue, but Lin Qins hand is blocked off.