A/N: I apologize, but this is an unusually LONG chapter. I hope you like it though ;) Let me know what you think about it.

Prem hesitated, the question hanging in the air like a weight he wasn't sure he was ready to lift. His eyes flickered over Boun's face, studying the faint trace of sadness there, wondering how to respond. The truth was, he hadn't exactly been looking for anyone—not since that time. Not since... Boun.

"I... I'm not," he began, then hesitated, his words catching in his throat. He glanced away, avoiding Boun's piercing gaze. A faint blush crept up his cheeks. Damn it, Prem, you're an adult now. Get it together! he scolded himself inwardly, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I mean... I'm not dating anyone right now," he finally admitted, his voice quieter than before.

When Prem finally gathered the courage to meet the older man's gaze again, he was greeted by a soft, knowing smile.

"I knew it," Boun murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Prem's heart skipped a beat.

"Knew... knew what?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

Boun's gaze was gentle—almost too gentle. Slowly, he placed his hand over Prem's, his touch light and calming.

"That there was more between us, back then," he said, his gaze unwavering. "I knew how you felt about me... because I felt it, too."

Prem couldn't believe what he had just heard. "What... what do you mean?" he asked, his voice unsteady as he avoided the older man's gaze.

Boun ran a nervous hand through his hair, his tongue brushing over his dry lips in an attempt to moisten them. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"I think we should go somewhere more private," he said quietly. "This isn't the kind of thing to discuss in a public coffee shop."

Prem didn't know how he had ended up here. He never imagined he'd run into Boun again after all those years, convinced they'd never cross paths again. But somehow, fate had other plans, and now here he was, sitting on the couch in the living room of his former teacher's apartment.

The room was a perfect blend of elegance and modernity. A huge gray couch with tastefully arranged throw pillows sat at the center, while a painting—seemingly of a vase—hung on the wall. In front of the couch was a small glass coffee table with a few books on it. The atmosphere was luxurious, yet calm, creating an inviting ambiance.

"Welcome to my modest empire," Boun said with a playful smile as he shrugged off his beige blazer suit. He slipped off the jacket with ease, revealing a crisp white button-down shirt underneath, and hung the blazer carefully on a sleek coat rack. Every movement carried a touch of elegance.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said softly, heading toward the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink?"

Prem glanced around the spacious living room, still trying to process how he had ended up here—in his former teacher's apartment. Everything felt surreal. "Sure, thanks," he replied, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness. What happened? Was all of this just a dream? A dream he could escape from if he simply opened his eyes?

Boun returned shortly after, two glasses in hand. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm fresh out of juice," he said in a teasing voice, offering Prem a glass of red wine.

"I'm not a kid anymore," Prem muttered, a hint of sulk in his voice, as he took the glass from Boun's hand and brought it to his lips. Boun chuckled softly.

"I know you're not."

The blond's expression shifted to something more serious. "You wouldn't be in my apartment if you were," he said, his voice suddenly deeper as he locked eyes with Prem, taking a slow sip of his wine. A shiver ran through Prem's body, the weight of his words sinking in.

Prem took another sip from his glass to calm his nerves. The wine tasted bitter, but also warm. As he pulled the rim of the glass away from his lips, he noticed a small drop of wine slowly trickling down and sliding along his chin.

Before he could wipe it away, he saw Boun following the movement of the drop with his gaze. "You got some wine," he said calmly, as he brought a hand to Prem's face, pressing his thumb gently to the corner of the other's lips, slowly wiping it clean. The warmth of Boun's thumb on his skin seemed to spread through his entire body, making his heart race and intensifying the heat that had already begun to rise within him.

Boun let his hand linger there for a moment longer as if he were unsure whether to pull away or not. When he finally withdrew it, his gaze remained fixed on Prem, watching for any hint of discomfort that might appear on his face. A smile formed on the older man's lips. "Better," he gently said.

"Sorry," Prem murmured, avoiding Boun's gaze as he ran his tongue over his lips, trying to erase the lingering sensation of Boun's thumb on them.

"No need to apologize. I liked it," Boun said in a flirtatious tone. "You have beautiful lips, you know? So soft, and... plump." Prem's heart jumped again in his chest. What was Boun doing to him? he thought.

As the evening unfolded, the glasses of wine gradually emptied, only to be refilled again. The atmosphere grew increasingly relaxed, tinged with an almost romantic warmth. The wine did more than just calm Prem's nerves; it loosened his inhibitions, making him more open, confident, and willing to let the moment guide him. The soft hum of quiet music playing from an old record player added a gentleness to the moment.

Prem leaned back against the couch, his glass resting loosely in his hand. His index finger traced gently along the rim of the wine glass as a soft chuckle escaped his lips, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on the swirling liquid inside.

"What? What is it?" Boun asked, tilting his head, his voice soft and tinged with curiosity.

"Nothing, I was just... thinking," Prem replied.

"Thinking? About what?" Boun pressed gently.

"How crazy it is that I met you again. And... that I'm here, sitting in your living room, drinking wine with my high school teacher."

"Prem, I'm not your teacher anymore. And you're not my student anymore," Boun said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"You know what I mean," Prem said, playfully tapping him on the upper arm, a light laugh escaping him.

"I do," Boun softly said. "But... that was years ago. Now... we're just two men... sitting on a couch in a living room... drinking wine." Both men laughed.

"Speaking of wine..." Boun said, pointing at Prem's nearly empty glass. "Yours is almost finished. Can I top it off for you? Or... do you have somewhere to be tonight?"

Prem looked at his nearly empty glass and then back into Boun's eyes before he softly said, "I wouldn't mind another glass."

Boun picked up the bottle with casual ease, his movements smooth as he began to pour. "Just making sure you don't go thirsty," he added with a light chuckle.

As the night wore on, the distance between them disappeared entirely. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and with each passing moment, Prem felt more at ease in Boun's presence. They shared stories and exchanged laughter, and the evening felt increasingly intimate.

At one point, Boun was telling a story about his college years, back when he was studying to become a teacher.

Boun laughed softly, shaking his head as he recalled the memory.

"I remember one time when I was in my fourth year in college, I got so drunk at a party that I stumbled back home and ended up trying to crawl into my parent's bed to sleep," he said, grinning at the absurdity of it. "I was completely out of it. My mom nearly had a heart attack when she saw me, all disoriented and barely able to stand."

He chuckled again, shaking his head. "Man, my dad was furious. I don't think I've ever been that out of it before." Prem burst out laughing. "I can't even imagine how they must have felt!" he teased. They laughed again, and the sound of their laughter echoed in the room.

"I'm sorry," Boun shook his head, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I am probably a bit drunk." Prem chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he met Boun's eyes.

"But... you seem pretty tipsy yourself," Boun teased warmly, his voice low and playful. His fingers began to trace gentle, slow strokes along the length of Prem's arm, each touch sending a shiver through his skin.

Prem smiled, his eyes locking with Boun's, a warmth spreading through him. He wasn't sure if it was from the wine anymore. "Well, I guess I am," he murmured, his heart racing as the distance between them seemed to shrink, his voice barely a whisper.

"Do you want some more wine?" Boun gently asked, his tone tender.

"Yes... please," Prem replied, ready to let the night go on, wherever it might lead them.