Page 60 of His Untoward Hate

From this day forward, Sky would finally act on what he had long planned. He should have done it sooner, but it had always been difficult for him back then, thinking he might lose the chance to see him again. But still, this felt like the best decision, because Sky could not bring himself to watch him at graduation.

Things were only getting worse, and this seemed to be the only way he could think of. It was for their own good, especially for him.

Jude might be broken right now, but Sky knew that Jude would stand up again like the Jude Finn he had known for five years.

Sky watched him sleep, unaware that nearly two hours had slipped by as he sat there lost in memories of their past together. Jude’s lips were slightly parted, his face looking so innocent. No matter how many times Sky looked at him, he could never get used to it. He wanted to memorize every detail of his face before everything changed. Even though he had already done so long ago, it still never felt enough, as if he could stare at him over and over again and still be left wanting more.

Despite the bruises and cuts scattered across his face, the tiny freckles dusting the bridge of his nose and brushing against his cheeks only made him look even more angelic. They softened every imperfection, making it impossible for Sky to look away. Without his glasses, the sharp line of his nose stood out even more, lending an allure to his otherwise innocent features. His thick brows, nearly meeting at the center, and a pair of eyes veiled by long, dark lashes had Sky hopelessly captivated. And his rosy lips—slightly parted, soft, and glistening under the morning light—looked too tempting. They stirred a yearning deep within Sky, making it difficult to resist the overwhelming urge to press his own lips against them.

Fuck!

Blood from his upper body had all gone to the small, unyielding head since he woke up, or even from the night before, between his pants. Sky panicked and straightened himself in the seat when Jude stirred from his sleep. Jude scratched his eyes that were still closed, then slowly opened them. Sky instantly looked away before he caught him staring.

“Time to get up,” Sky said flatly, as though he were speaking to someone unimportant, while standing up to pull on his shirt.

Caught off guard, Jude immediately sat upright on the bed, shock flashing across his face. He blinked several times, trying to process what was happening.

“Oh,” Jude muttered.

The blush on his face was brighter than the light that penetrated through the window. His kinky hair became even messier. It took Jude a few moments to fully process what was happening.

“W-where are we?” he stuttered, his voice hoarse and barely above a whisper.

“In a motel,” Sky answered plainly.

Sky instantly noticed the worry and shock that reappeared, spreading across his face.

“Stop overthinking, fag,” he said bluntly. “You were completely wasted last night and ended up throwing up all over me. This was the closest place near the bar, so I didn’t really have a choice but to crash here for the night.”

Jude’s earlier expression quickly shifted into complete embarrassment. It took him a few moments before he finally answered. Sky felt ridiculous for waiting to hear what he would say.

“I-I’m sorry about last night, Sky,” he murmured.

“Can you stop apologizing?” Sky replied, turning to look at him.

He could not keep his eyes off Jude, glancing now and then, especially with his morning hair looking disheveled and seductive. Jude’s eyes were swollen and ruddy from all the crying the day before, and he looked as though he might break down again at any time soon.

Jude lowered his head and tautly fidgeted with his fingers.

“Get ready to leave. We’re going out for breakfast before heading home,” Sky announced.

“N-no,” he stammered, “Y-you’ve spent too much on me a-already,” he continued, only for his stomach to growl at the worst possible moment.

“I’ll wait outside, and we’re going out for breakfast. Stop complaining before I change my mind,” Sky cut the conversation off and stormed outside, slamming the door firmly.

The sky was painted a clear shade of blue when Sky stepped outside. Not a single cloud formation was in sight. The sun shone brightly above, its warmth gentle against the skin instead of harsh. Sky searched through his pockets, hoping to find a cigarette, but came up empty. Clacking his tongue in frustration, he cursed under his breath and kicked a small stone across the ground before leaning back against the motel’s porous concrete wall. Keeping his hands shoved into his pockets, he waited impatiently for Jude to finish what he sarcastically considered his girly routine.

Tsk.

The roaring sound of a car pulled Sky from his thoughts. He glanced up just in time to see a black Sedan pulled into the lot. Keeping his head slightly lowered, he watched from the corner of his eye as an elderly man and a middle-aged woman stepped out of the vehicle, someone Sky assumed was a prostitute. The two smashed into each other impatiently, touching and kissing with desperate hunger, as though they could hardly wait to get a room. Sky’s stomach twisted uncomfortably. He quickly tore his gaze away from them, refusing to look back again.

Ten minutes later, Jude finally came out. There was not really much that could have delayed him anyway, considering they had not brought body essentials or anything except his wallet.

Sky lifted his gaze toward him, quietly observing his appearance.

“Did you cry again?” Sky asked, even though he already knew the answer the moment he noticed Jude’s bloodshot, watery eyes.

Somehow, Sky could always tell.