The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 856: THIS IS WHAT'S REAL

ASTRID opened the door to his apartment, and Wulfric walked in right behind him without a word. He brushed past Astrid without even looking at him. A helpless smile tugged at Astrid's lips before he followed him inside. Wulfric dropped onto the couch, arms crossed, a clear pout on his face. He had been wearing that same expression ever since they left the theater. Even in the car, he hadn't said a single word to Astrid. It was obvious that the kiss scene had really affected him.

Astrid walked over to the couch and sat down next to Wulfric. He knew he needed to soften him up a little. He looped his arm through Wulfric's and rested his head against his shoulder, leaning into him. Wulfric didn't pull away, but his pout was still there.

"Are you still upset about the kiss scene?" he asked softly. "I did tell you about it. I thought it wouldn't surprise you that much."

Wulfric was startled by what Aster just said. Because he was right, he did tell him beforehand about this. But still. "How could I have prepared myself for such a thing? Even if you told me about it, my brain might understand, but my heart was another matter. No, I take that back. My brain doesn't understand it as well. Yes, I'm an immature bas--"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, because Aster suddenly cupped his cheeks and kissed him. Wulfric froze for half a second. Then Aster's lips moved against his, and his brain just shut off.

Everything went quiet. Like nothing else existed.

Wulfric's mind went blank. The only things he could feel were Aster's hands on his face and the soft press of his lips. His arms stayed at his sides, like he had forgotten how to move them. Then Aster shifted his mouth just slightly, and Wulfric finally moved. He raised his hands and pulled Aster closer.

He settled them on Aster's waist and kissed him back. His fingers pressed into the slim curve of it, holding him steady. Aster made a small sound, and his mouth opened a fraction. Wulfric pushed closer, tilting his head as he deepened the kiss.

Aster's fingers slid from Wulfric's cheeks into his hair, tugging just enough to tilt his head back. Wulfric's grip on his waist tightened, pulling him closer. The position was awkward, both of them sitting side by side, twisted toward each other. Aster solved it by pulling back just long enough to look at him. Then he swung a leg over Wulfric's thighs and settled into his lap.

Wulfric's breath caught. Aster's thighs were on either side of his, and he could feel the warmth of him through their clothes. Aster leaned back in before Wulfric could fully register what's happening, kissing him harder this time. His tongue slid against Wulfric's, and their teeth clicked once before they found a better rhythm. Wulfric held him tighter and kissed him back just as fiercely.

Wulfric's hands moved to Aster's hips, pulling him in tighter. Aster grinded his hips against him. It sent a sharp jolt through Wulfric's whole body. He felt himself harden against the weight of Aster's body, and he could feel Aster's own response pressing against him through their clothes.

The room stopped existing. There was only the heat of Aster's mouth, the taste of him, and the way their lips kept finding each other. Aster's hands moved everywhere, one fisted in Wulfric's hair, the other slipping under his shirt and pressing flat against his skin. Wulfric's own hands didn't stay still either, tracing the dip of Aster's spine, and the curve of his backside through his pants.

Aster rocked against him again, and Wulfric made a low growl against his mouth. That only seemed to encourage Aster. He kissed Wulfric faster, his breathing growing uneven between kisses. The room felt like it's burning, or maybe it's their own bodies. Wulfric couldn't really tell at this point.

Then Aster pulled back, his forehead dropping against Wulfric's. His breath came out in short, warm bursts against Wulfric's lips. Wulfric opened his eyes. Aster's were still closed, his dark lashes standing out against his flushed cheeks. A thin line of sweat ran from his temple down to his jaw. They stayed like that, foreheads pressed together, bodies still close, both of them breathing hard.

Wulfric could feel his own heart pounding. Aster lifted his head, his eyes slowly opening. They looked dark and unfocused for a moment, but a small smile still tugged at his mouth.

"No matter how many kissing scenes I have in the future, you're the only one I'll ever kiss like this," Aster said, his voice still a bit hoarse. "And you're the only one who'll ever get this kind of reaction out of me."

As if to prove his point, Aster rolled his hips against Wulfric's again. He moved slowly and deliberately, enough to make Wulfric catch his breath. He held Wulfric's gaze the whole time with a small, knowing smile on his face.

Wulfric's brain was not working the way it should. With Aster grinding against him like that, it was difficult to focus on anything else. He caught the words Aster said, but they didn't fully register. He gritted his teeth and gripped Aster's hips, holding him still.

"Stop, or I'm going to come in my pants," he said, breathless. "Or are you doing this on purpose so I'll be too out of it to stay annoyed?"

Aster's smile turned playful. "Is it working?"

Wulfric clicked his tongue and pressed a hard kiss to Aster's lips. "Yes, it's very effective."

Aster chuckled and looped his arms around Wulfric's neck. "Don't be angry anymore. You know acting is my job. I might have to do more kiss scenes in the future. Maybe even a love scene if the script calls for it." He rested his forehead against Wulfric's again. "But I need you to remember that all of it is just make believe. None of it is real. This, what we have, is what's real. The only person I want to be with, to hold, to kiss like this, is you. That's not going to change, no matter what role I play."