It Begins with Isaac Chapter 16.1

At a time when the emperor’s chronic illness was worsening day by day, the vacant position of successor was still undecided, and Second Princess Bride and Third Prince Dius were exerting every effort in various directions to expand their supporting factions. The Fourth Prince was lending his support to Bride, while the Fifth Princess maintained neutrality, creating a situation somewhat favorable to Bride. However, a significant number of nobles had come forward to back Dius. The emperor, too, remained silent, merely observing the situation. An anxious Bride gathered the influential figures endorsing her as the successor for a secret meeting.

“Dius, that guy, I’ve seen him in a new light. I thought he was just a weakling who couldn’t even speak properly, but he’s surprisingly adept at maneuvering.”

As soon as Princess Bride spoke, the people seated around the large table burst into hearty laughter. Most of them were military officers, and their every action was bold. Some pounded the table as they laughed, while others slapped the backs of those seated beside them, laughing boisterously.

“But thanks to all of you, I’m not worried.”

“There’s no need for Your Highness to worry. Isn’t Lord Valery here with us?”

At the excited exclamation, Bride glanced at Valery, who was seated beside her, drinking wine with an expression devoid of mirth.

“Indeed. There’s no need to worry. With my cousin so steadfastly lending his strength!”

Bride gripped Valery’s shoulder firmly as she spoke with emphasis, but Valery didn’t even offer a perfunctory smile. With a shrug, he shook off Bride’s hand. Setting his wine glass down with a loud clink, Valery surveyed the table broadly.

More than half of those present were officers in uniform. When Valery publicly declared his support for Bride, many had flocked to her side like a swarm of bees. There was no denying that these were individuals wielding significant power, but more than half of them resided outside the capital. Responsible for garrisons across the empire, they could rarely meet to plan for the future unless summoned abruptly like this. In contrast, the noble factions supporting Dius all resided in the capital. If they chose, they could raise their voices to sway the capital’s citizens. Being located close to the imperial palace, they also had an advantage in crafting stories to tempt the wavering emperor, who was still undecided on whom to favor.

“We might need to worry a bit.”

“What?”

Muttering softly, Valery looked at Bride and continued.

“The nobles, I mean. Stop being so stiff and try fawning over them like Dius does. Having your faction composed entirely of military men isn’t exactly ideal for you.”

Valery offered his advice while pouring wine into an empty glass. He then lifted the glass, filled to the brim, and drained it in large gulps. Bride grabbed Valery’s wrist to stop him, as he was already on his second bottle of wine, but he furrowed his brow in irritation and abruptly stood.

“Let’s eat and drink now, Your Highness.”

With a menacing tone, Valery concluded his words, flung open the door, and stormed out. Bride, wide-eyed with incredulity, stared at the loudly shut door, recalling what had happened earlier.

Heading to a room for a private discussion with a select few, Valery had ordered Asil, who was following him, to wait outside. Even to Bride, his voice sounded unusually low and heavy. The gruff, rasping tone clearly betrayed Valery’s mood, but Asil, seemingly oblivious, left as ordered. As Valery stared intently at Asil’s retreating figure, Bride spoke first.

“You could have your aide stand behind you.”

“…No need.”

As if only then noticing Bride’s presence, Valery widened his eyes, waved his hand dismissively, and entered the room. Throughout the meeting, Valery couldn’t focus on the discussion, rapidly downing the wine in front of him. As a result, even when the room was filled with jovial laughter and a convivial atmosphere, the moment Valery slammed his glass down, a chilling silence settled over the room for a few seconds. The same happened now. As Valery stormed out, those left in the room fidgeted, nervously gauging Bride’s reaction. Already accustomed to her cousin’s volatile temperament, Bride wasn’t particularly offended, but mindful of appearances, she felt compelled to speak.

“The colonel hasn’t been feeling well, I hear.”

As soon as Bride spoke, everyone’s eyes turned to the wine bottles Valery had emptied.

After the war-like confrontation on the balcony, Valery and Asil entered a state of uneasy calm. For Valery, hearing Asil’s true feelings, which he had only vaguely suspected and avoided, left him utterly at a loss. He had long known Asil despised him, but understanding it intellectually was different from witnessing it firsthand.

“Are you and I lovers or something?”

Asil’s words cut through Valery like a blade. Exposed defenselessly to such harsh words, Valery momentarily wanted to flee the scene. He felt alien to himself, trembling at mere words. He couldn’t comprehend how Asil’s verbal assaults were steadily breaking him down. He had known, hadn’t he? Hadn’t he already resolved to accept this? He had decided to remain a fearsome figure to Asil, to leave their relationship unnamed. No matter what Asil ranted about, he could silence him by telling him to shut up. If he acted insolently, a raised hand for discipline would keep him in line for a while.

He knew the easy ways to resolve everything. He knew, but he could no longer bring himself to treat Asil that way.

“Colonel, do you like me?”

When Asil finally asked that question, Valery, shamelessly, felt a flicker of hope. Clenching and unclenching his sweaty hands, he leaned toward Asil. Perhaps, if he answered honestly, Asil might reconsider their relationship.

“No. Don’t you know how I feel about you?”

Asil shattered Valery’s shameless hope with a shout. Truths far harsher than before poured from Asil’s lips, each word reprimanding Valery to know his place.

Valery, staring blankly at Asil as he collapsed in exhaustion, clenched his fists tightly. He wanted to turn back time. Once the thought took hold, it became uncontrollably desperate.

“Look at me.”

But… how? Where to begin turning back? He wanted to hold the broken Asil in his arms, beg him to tell him what to do. He had never pleaded with anyone, but for Asil, it wouldn’t be difficult. He despised groveling, but if it worked positively for Asil, he wouldn’t mind looking even more pathetic.

“Do as you’ve been doing. Keep scheming what’s best for you, watching my every move.”

Yet the whispered plea never came. He knew deep down that no matter how he begged, it wouldn’t reach Asil. If he asked what to do, Asil would tell him to let go. He didn’t want to hear words signaling the end of their relationship. He couldn’t show Asil even the slightest crack. He didn’t want Asil to exploit his weaknesses. If that gave Asil a reason to slip away, if it came to that… Valery gritted his teeth and forced himself to continue.

“Act insolent like this one more time, and you’ll die as you wish.”

Heat rose to his eyes, making it hard to look at Asil directly. Asil listened silently to Valery’s words, then tried to hide his hollow expression. Burying his face in his hands, Asil mumbled in a faint voice.

“What’s the problem?”

In a suppressed voice that laid bare his frustration, Asil asked again.

“What’s the problem, you?”

“Get up.”

“How long do I have to keep doing this…”

Valery reached for Asil’s arm to help him up, but hesitated, knowing Asil would tense at his touch. It would be easier to ignore, but…

“Clean yourself up and come out.”

Valery turned and left the balcony. Sending Kaine in his place, he didn’t return to the mansion with Asil. He went to a familiar tavern, ordered every drink available, and emptied them one by one. Even Valery, who rarely got drunk, felt his head throb unpleasantly as the empty bottles piled up. Having drunk indiscriminately, his stomach churned with every breath. Valery rolled the glass in his hand, blinking slowly.

At first, it was an uncharacteristic curiosity. He followed the instincts of his body’s response to a man. After a few times, he found the tearful, whimpering face during sex endearing. Later, he wanted to keep Asil by his side even outside of sex, to gaze at him whenever he pleased. He grew anxious and restless when Asil strayed without permission, and seeing him flirt with others made rational thought impossible. He disliked seeing Asil’s cheeks red from another’s blows, and when Asil was in pain, panting with closed eyes, Valery couldn’t bear to leave his side.

The two years apart from Asil taught Valery what it meant to live without sanity. What it meant to live unable to die. The common saying that someone dearly missed appears in dreams every night had become his reality.

He wanted to turn back. To start anew with Asil from the beginning. He didn’t want to remain an enemy who exploited Asil like an object. He wanted to be Asil’s lover, to be, as Asil said, partners who tumbled together out of love. But how could he turn back? Their relationship wasn’t a clock that could be easily rewound with a turn of the hand. It wasn’t something that could be fixed with effort alone. Even throwing a grand commissioning ceremony, tailoring expensive uniforms, and providing a luxurious life couldn’t mend their broken bond with Valery’s power and wealth.

Drunk, Valery quietly entered Asil’s room in the dark early morning. Staring at the sleeping figure on the wide bed, he slowly reached out and lightly touched his cheek. With sensitive fingertips, he traced Asil’s skin, tickling it. He followed the closed eyes, caressed the small nose, and carefully rubbed the slightly parted lips exhaling warm breaths. Moving as gently as possible to avoid waking him, he couldn’t stop Asil’s eyelids from fluttering. As his large hand gently toyed with Asil’s earlobe, Asil opened sleep-heavy eyes and saw Valery looking down at him in the darkness.

“Sleep more.”

“Today…”

“I won’t do anything, so just sleep.”

As Asil, worried about sudden intimacy, hesitantly spoke, Valery cut him off firmly, though his persistent touch didn’t leave Asil’s face.

“How am I supposed to sleep like this…”

Asil grabbed the hand toying with his cheek and opened his eyes again. Valery’s fingers trembled slightly as Asil held them.

“If you don’t like it, I won’t touch you.”

“…”

“If you don’t want it, I won’t do… anything.”

With each movement of Valery’s lips, a strong alcohol scent wafted. Asil didn’t know how much he’d drunk, but he clearly wasn’t in his right mind. Otherwise, Valery wouldn’t say such things. Had he ever backed off just because Asil said no? Surely, Valery was bothered by their earlier talk, and, loosened by drink, was showing kindness in a drunken moment. By tomorrow, he’d casually spread Asil’s legs and grip his arms painfully. Even if Asil shouted no, Valery would wound him with sharp words, saying he had no choice.

“I won’t do it, Asil.”

As always… despite gentle touches, he’d act mercilessly, as if he’d never been tender.

“Then don’t.”

“…”

“Don’t do anything to me.”

Asil muttered, closing his eyes. He was tired of fleeting kindness that vanished the moment he expected change.

Even if Valery said he liked him, it was Valery, of all people. His feelings couldn’t possibly be ordinary. Even if Valery saw him with definable emotions, Asil had no intention of reciprocating. Valery’s feelings shouldn’t affect him.

Thus, Asil didn’t believe Valery’s drunken promise not to touch him recklessly. With too much hurt over time, he couldn’t be swayed by a promise lasting half a day at most. So, the next day, when Valery, lying beside him, didn’t touch him, Asil thought it was mere stubbornness. When days passed without even a shoulder pat, he chalked it up to obstinacy. It didn’t matter whether Valery touched him or not. Everything depended on Valery’s mood. If he couldn’t resist his lust and pounced, Asil would have no choice but to spread his legs.

…But as too many days passed to ignore, Asil grew increasingly uncomfortable with Valery, who barely met his eyes. It wasn’t that they didn’t talk.

“Wait outside.”

“Yes.”

The problem was that all their conversations went like this.

As Princess Bride and Valery entered the room, Asil, left alone outside, walked among the people conversing around the villa. Those leaning against walls or gathered around the central table, talking, were all uniformed soldiers. The aides of important figures who had entered the room occasionally glanced at the door while chatting.

“Second Lieutenant Richard, have a drink with me.”

Someone grabbed Asil’s shoulder, leaning against the wall, and offered him wine. It was an unfamiliar face.

“Looks like Kaine isn’t here.”

“Yes. The lieutenant couldn’t attend due to urgent business.”

Seeing the man casually use Kaine’s name, he seemed a suitable conversation partner despite no prior acquaintance. Asil nodded vaguely to the man’s one-sided chatter, glancing at the tightly shut door. Given the secretive nature of the meeting, it didn’t seem likely to end soon, but it was hard to ignore the watchful eyes lingering nearby.

It shouldn’t matter. From Asil’s perspective, there was no downside. Apart from his body’s trained response to pleasure, Asil had never once initiated intimacy with Valery. Without grueling sex, he felt physically and mentally better. He was so satisfied that he wanted to ignore Valery’s reasons for keeping his distance forever. The cautious glances from afar and the footsteps circling nearby felt only hypocritical to Asil.

“Now he’s resorting to tormenting me like this.”

A cowed Valery? His dejected demeanor was surely feigned. But why did Asil feel uneasy and guilty, as if he’d committed a grave wrong, whenever he noticed Valery avoiding him? The sidelong glances, the turned backs, the piercing stares pretending otherwise—all muddled his mind. Valery’s behavior was so unlike the man Asil knew that he had to repeatedly revisit the past.

Was he always like this? Standing before Valery used to fill Asil with fear and dread. Indeed, Valery had been merciless, sparing Asil no exception. He’d been slapped countless times, and when Valery wanted, Asil had to go to his dorm room late at night to serve him. Only after endlessly falling for his tender voice, expecting and being betrayed, did Asil learn to never forget Valery’s true face.

But it would be a lie to say there were never moments when even his touch softened with his gentle voice. There had been several times when Asil faced a Valery so warm and mild it was disorienting, despite knowing the truth. A Valery who embraced, cared for, and caressed him with weapon-like hands. A Valery who hid his true self and acted sweetly. Even suspecting his kindness, Asil couldn’t easily let go. He couldn’t understand why he still paid attention to the possibility that Valery’s gentle side might be real.

“So what am I supposed to do…”

Asil clinked glasses with the man before him, forcing a smile.

“If he’s kind, if he likes me, does that erase everything that’s happened? Just because I’m no longer afraid of Valery… does that give me a reason to stay by his side?”

Valery was still coercing Asil. He wasn’t touching him but hadn’t let him go. He still held Asil’s family hostage, denying him freedom and shamelessly demanding his heart.

Valery no longer wanted just Asil’s body; he wanted his soul. Realizing Valery’s desire anew, Asil let out a hollow laugh. He should have hurled harsher words. Listed every wrong Valery had done to him and cursed him. What expression would he have made then? Seeing him redden his eyes over mere words, perhaps he’d have shed tears pathetically…

“Second Lieutenant Richard.”

Recalling Valery’s tearful eyes, Asil startled and spoke.

“Yes?”

“It’s too noisy here. How about we continue our talk in the garden?”

The man, who had been prattling on with dull jokes, subtly pushed Asil’s back. The villa’s interior was spacious enough for dozens of men to stand comfortably, so it wasn’t particularly loud, but Asil followed the man to the garden. His head throbbed with useless thoughts, and he wanted fresh air.

Reaching the open garden, his headache eased. Asil plopped onto a bench as the man led.

“Oh, we’re out of wine. Another glass?”

“I’ll get it.”

The man was a lieutenant. As Asil rose, thinking he couldn’t order a superior, the man waved him down and dashed back into the villa before Asil could stop him. Left with no choice, Asil gazed at the garden, waiting. As he stared idly at the dimly lit garden, someone sat beside him. Turning, Asil instantly recalled a familiar voice buried in memory.

“Long time no see.”

The figure in a military academy uniform was someone with whom Asil shared a deep grudge.

“Not exactly a face I wanted to see.”

“That’s harsh… We’re sort of comrades, aren’t we? Though you’re now a distinguished second lieutenant.”

Coleman sneered, eyeing Asil’s uniform and insignia. Asil didn’t bother hiding his sigh, wrinkling his brow in irritation.

“Good, you know. Why don’t you leave before you get in trouble for mouthing off to a superior?”

“I can call you Second Lieutenant if you like. Shall I?”

“Just go, you bastard.”

Coleman was the one who spread rumors that Asil was Valery’s prostitute. Asil had held back, feeling guilty for the trouble Coleman faced because of him, but he had no patience to kindly overlook sudden provocation. As Coleman said, Asil was his superior. If this weren’t a gathering of high-ranking figures, Asil might have used discipline as an excuse to throw a few punches. Clicking his tongue regretfully, Asil turned away.

“Why are you here? It’s not fun enough to bother getting a pass.”

“Came with my father.”

Coleman’s father, Count Saranda, was one of the few nobles supporting Princess Bride. Answering nonchalantly, Coleman swallowed hard and scanned the surroundings. Everyone was busy drinking and talking inside the villa, leaving only Coleman and Asil in the garden. The occasional bird chirp echoed in the quiet space.

“Still haven’t escaped Valery?”

Asil, debating whether to leave, whipped his head toward Coleman, who leaned in and whispered. Thinking Coleman was insulting him as a prostitute again, Asil’s anger surged, and he nearly swung a fist.

“If you want to escape, I’ll tell you how.”

Coleman looked at Asil with a tense expression.

“What nonsense is this?”

Asil muttered in disbelief. Even if a guy who once despised him suddenly offered help, Asil wasn’t naive enough to trust it. If this was another attempt to screw him over, Coleman had picked the wrong target. As Asil opened his mouth to retort, Coleman pressed a hand firmly over his lips.

“Quiet and listen to me first!”

Coleman, worried Asil might shout and draw attention, anxiously scanned the area. Confirming no one was around, he rummaged through his pocket. He carefully pulled out a small glass vial containing a small amount of liquid. Coleman waved it before Asil’s eyes, as if taunting him to guess what it was.

“I know now… you’re not with Valery because you want to be.”

Coleman swallowed hard and spoke. Unable to relax, he feared someone might overhear. He scrutinized Asil carefully. Observing Valery and Asil from afar, their dry interactions suggested no progress in their relationship. If it was still a one-sided relationship driven by Valery’s lust, as it was two years ago, the task would be easier. Asil, too afraid to even think of escaping, just needed a weapon. Coleman thrust the poison, lethal in small doses, into Asil’s hands. As the lightweight vial left his grasp, the weight on his shoulders eased.

In truth, Count Saranda was a spy, infiltrating the princess’s inner circle to extract key information and secretly relay it to the third prince’s side. Coleman joined his father’s efforts after learning Asil was Valery’s aide. If Valery was still forcing Asil, and Asil wanted to escape… it could fulfill the third prince’s ultimate goal while settling a personal vendetta.

“Give this to Valery, and he’ll be incapacitated for a while. Use that time to escape.”

“…”

Asil shook the vial Coleman handed him. The colorless, odorless liquid looked like water but seemed to have a faint blue tint. Watching the small swirl, Asil leaned toward Coleman’s ear.

“Is espionage supposed to be this sloppy?”

“…If this succeeds, His Highness will reward you generously. He’s a magnanimous man.”

“Why the change of heart? You… you liked him quite a bit.”

“Not anymore!”

Coleman bit his lip at Asil’s question. His closed lips trembled pitifully. It was true he had liked Valery. At one point, his feelings surpassed admiration, and he was desperate to reach him. Even when Valery disciplined him with violence in the dorm, disguised as training, Coleman didn’t waver. He rationalized that his impure thoughts had disgusted Valery. But when Valery beat him to a pulp simply for neglecting Asil, Coleman realized the Valery he adored was a mere illusion.

He tried to leave the academy, but even that was denied. Valery’s face, ordering him to stay because he seemed weak toward Asil, was unforgettable. The indifferent gaze, as if handling a convenient tool. The glance at his name tag, as if unsure of his name. The dismissive wave after speaking. Left at the academy solely to control Asil, Coleman vowed to one day elicit a different expression from Valery. To twist that arrogant face with uncontrollable rage.

For that, he needed Asil. For whatever reason, Asil was the only one who affected Valery. If Valery died by his hand, the sight would be worth seeing. Though he wouldn’t witness it, the news would suffice.

“You’re doing this because you trust me?”

But Asil looked incredulous. Coleman had assumed handing over the poison would set everything in motion, but Asil’s lackluster reaction was unexpected. He’d expected Asil to ask frantically what to do, not maintain such a lukewarm demeanor.

“I trust your hatred. You hate Valery, don’t you? Don’t you want to kill him? You just haven’t had the chance…”

“Ha, haha!”

Coleman, growing anxious, pressed on, but Asil’s laughter cut him off.

“Is this guy joking…”

Asil, twirling the vial between his fingers, looked at Coleman slantwise.

“No chance?”

Asil muttered lowly. He had already let a chance to kill Valery slip away. Having decided then not to kill him, he still had no intention of doing so. He certainly disliked Valery, but killing him was another matter. Even now, Asil passed up countless opportunities to kill him daily. They ate together, slept together. Valery was always defenseless around him. If Asil chose, he could harm Valery, if not kill him outright, but he never tried.

Even if he injured Valery and gained time to escape, Kana was in the capital, and Grime was too content with life here. Would Kana willingly follow him into another fugitive life? Without question, as before?

Asil toyed with his lips, silently listening to Coleman.

“Why, why… If you succeed, you could become His Highness’s closest confidant!”

“I’d probably die first.”

“You filthy whore! Have you no pride? How long will you live like this?”

As the word “whore” finally slipped from Coleman’s mouth, Asil’s expression turned icy.

“Look at this. How am I supposed to plot with someone who sees me as a whore?”

“…No, no! I misspoke!”

Coleman broke into a cold sweat. Failing to recruit Asil would ruin the plan he’d boasted to his father. With many watching, exposure as a spy might not lead to public punishment, but if the succession struggle was lost, the princess wouldn’t spare the Saranda family. Coleman grabbed Asil’s hand tightly, shaking his head.

“No, your rumors aren’t circulating anywhere. I was just…”

“How? Everyone knew.”

“Valery!”

Coleman, hesitating, closed his eyes tightly and blurted out. Asil’s expression grew increasingly strange. Shaking off Coleman’s hand, he moved his lips.

“I see.”

“Y-yeah. I was talking nonsense. No one saw you… being treated like that except me… ugh.”

Coleman, rambling desperately, clamped his mouth shut. People were streaming out of the villa. Those discussing inside, cigars in their mouths, walked toward the garden one by one. The meeting seemed to have paused. Coleman, face pale, leapt up. Instinctively sensing things had gone awry, he fled to his father without another word to Asil.

“Sloppy bastard…”

Asil twisted his lips, watching the Sarandas hurry to their car, then studied the vial in his hand. Rolling it for a while, he slipped it deep into his jacket pocket.

After circling the garden, Asil reentered the villa and hurried toward an unfamiliar superior urgently calling him.

“The colonel’s a bit drunk. Take him upstairs. The meeting will resume after midnight.”

The superior whispered to Asil and quickly vanished. Behind him, Valery was slumped on a single couch, eyes closed, pressing his forehead. His cheeks were flushed with drink. Squinting, Valery slowly extended an arm toward Asil. Asil approached, slung Valery’s arm over his shoulder, and carefully lifted him. The body, drained by alcohol, was startlingly heavy, but Asil braced his legs and led Valery to the second floor.

“Where were you?”

“…”

“No, never mind. Don’t say… Did you meet someone?”

“Are you drunk?”

“No need to answer…”

Wanting to ask but fearing Asil’s irritation, Valery pretended it was a mistake and leaned his head on Asil’s shoulder. Not particularly drunk, but standing close to Asil after so long, the greed he’d suppressed surged endlessly. Resting his cheek on Asil’s head and pulling his neck with the arm around his shoulder, Asil said nothing. Valery considered shamelessly rubbing his lips on Asil’s cheek, feigning a stumble, but feared being cast aside.

Asil firmly held Valery’s waist and opened the VIP room’s door. The small room with a bed and bathroom looked suitable for a brief rest. Asil sat Valery on the bed and poured water from a pitcher on the table into a glass. The sound of water filling the glass echoed loudly in the quiet room.

“I went to the garden for some air and had a brief talk with Coleman. That’s all.”

“You mean Count Saranda’s son?”

“Yes.”

Asil removed his crumpled uniform jacket, worn from supporting Valery. Conscious of watchful eyes, he didn’t want to appear disheveled. Hanging the jacket on a chair and smoothing its wrinkles, Asil turned at Valery’s low cough behind him.

“Water if you’re thirsty.”

“No need for water.”

“Oh, yes.”

Asil sat on the chair, knees bent. Looking at Valery on the bed, he spoke.

“I’ll turn off the light.”

“No need.”

Silence returned. In the stifling quiet, Asil noticed Valery’s slightly quickened breaths, indicating he wasn’t asleep. Sleeping in a full uniform would be uncomfortable, and the bright lighting was harsh on the eyes. Asil breathed softly, worried his breaths might be too loud.

“Asil, come closer.”

Propping himself on his elbow, Valery called to Asil. Though not a stern command, Asil rose and approached the bed. Standing beside it, looking down at Valery, he was gently pulled to sit. As the soft sheets met his hips, his waist stiffened naturally. Asil sat upright, facing forward.

“Rest your eyes a bit too.”

“I’m fine. I’ll wake you on time, so sleep.”

“Just…”

Valery barely suppressed a surge of emotion. He tugged lightly at Asil, who sat with his back to him.

“Stay with me.”

“…Hah.”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Asil stood abruptly. “I’ll be back from the bathroom,” he muttered, walking off without looking back. Closing the door, alone in the small space, Asil finally pounded his tight chest and exhaled slowly.

Whenever Valery acted this way, Asil didn’t know how to respond. Even if Asil acted recklessly, defied or rejected him insolently, Valery didn’t force him. Even now, fleeing to the bathroom to avoid him, Valery didn’t chase him, grab his hair, or rub lips as he pleased.

It would be easier to ignore, but facing an uncharacteristic Valery, Asil couldn’t hide his discomfort and awkwardness. Coleman’s earlier words made it harder to look at Valery directly.

“After you disappeared, Valery openly warned that he’d deal with anyone spreading rumors, so almost no empty-headed fools dared speak. Thanks to that, new recruits don’t even know such rumors existed. The lieutenant’s been saying your relationship with Valery is just that of a valued subordinate, so even those who heard the rumors stopped believing them long ago. Besides, who’d dare spread tales when Valery’s so terrifying? It’s died down for good.”

Valery had surely watched the rumors spread with hands folded. Even if Coleman’s words were true, that Valery had stopped the rumors, should Asil bow in gratitude? To those in the know, Asil was still helplessly trapped by Valery. Even Coleman approached him to kill Valery. In their feud, Asil was the first to come to mind. They must have thought Asil Richard would eagerly join a plot to harm Valery.

A relationship of taking and being taken was better. Burning one-sided hatred, as before, was far easier. Asil was growing sick of doubting his own feelings.

“Damn it… really.”

Asil splashed water on his face repeatedly. Finishing his loud washing, soaking even his neck, he roughly wiped his face with his shirt sleeve. He decided to inform Valery of Coleman’s plan. Though sloppy, it was a clear assassination attempt. If Valery fell during this critical time of determining the throne’s heir, Princess Bride’s foundation would surely shake. Organizing his thoughts, Asil left the bathroom.

Before he could relay the situation, Asil, pushing open the bathroom door, found Valery sitting on the chair with his jacket, holding the vial and staring at it blankly.

“I was going to get water… but this fell from your clothes.”

“…”

“Saranda gave it to you, I presume.”

Valery glanced at Asil and opened the vial’s stopper. Hearing the pop, Asil quickened his steps. In his panic, his tongue stiffened, unable to respond immediately. Looking at the hesitating Asil, Valery continued.

“What, did he urge you to kill me?”

“It turns out Count Saranda is with the Third Prince…”

“So you agreed?”

“…What?”

“You were desperate to kill me. What did you say when you took this? That you’d finish it tonight?”

He interrogated Asil slowly, staring at him. It wasn’t an angry tone. The soft, quiet questions were all calm. Instead of raging about Asil daring to kill him, Valery tilted the vial before Asil’s eyes, letting half its contents spill onto the carpeted floor.

“Do you know this drug? A few drops melt your organs, leaving you half-dead.”

The soft wool carpet curled and burned instantly. Valery crushed it under his boot.

“No matter how trained I am, Asil, drinking this would just kill me.”

“…….”

“Even if you stabbed me and ran, I wouldn’t come back to life like I did then. I’d probably linger for a few days, fading in and out…”

“…Colonel.”

“And die with you watching.”

Finishing his words, Valery swallowed hard, as if his throat had locked up. He stared at Asil, who was gazing at him blankly, and painfully furrowed his brow. Holding the vial, Valery approached Asil. With each step he took, the remaining liquid in the vial sloshed uneasily.

“That you hate me enough to want to kill me…”

“…….”

“If that hatred is as painful as swallowing this poison… then what in the world do I have to do for you to…”

Valery stumbled over his words, as if he’d forgotten how to finish a sentence, and walked toward Asil. He reached out, rubbing Asil’s cheek, then let his hand fall limply. Valery’s head drooped. His forehead brushed against Asil’s neck, and his large hand slowly stroked the side of Asil’s head. Asil felt Valery’s trembling hand, noticeably shaking as it touched him.

“Do I have to die for you to live?”

Valery knew Asil well. He knew how to threaten and manipulate him to keep him under control, which is why he had used Kana and Grime to hold and shake Asil all this time. But just as their time together was no small thing, Asil had long since seen through Valery.

Even now, he was threatening Asil. Not with someone else’s life, but with his own. Asil felt a chill. It wasn’t shock at Valery’s true nature. He couldn’t believe he felt threatened by Valery’s life, of all things. Panicked, Asil pushed Valery away, drawing in a sharp, ragged breath.

“Yes. Then I’d feel alive, damn it!”

Defiance surged within him. What did it matter to him whether Valery lived or died? Go ahead, die. Then I’ll leave freely! Asil glared at Valery, clenching his trembling fists tightly. But the moment Valery actually brought the vial close to his lips, Asil grabbed his wrist and roughly stopped him. The force restraining his wrist caused the vial to crash to the floor. The acrid smell of burning carpet filled the air. Panting heavily while holding Valery’s hand, Asil spat out a curse and bent over. His palms were drenched in sweat from the brief but intense tension.

“Just do it like before. Stop tormenting me in new ways.”

“…Asil.”

Asil, pressing his forehead with his fist, steadied his breathing for a while before opening the door and stepping into the hallway. Valery called his name from behind, chasing after him, but Asil shouted and slammed the door shut.

“Don’t follow me!”

The sound of footsteps, which had been striding toward the door, stopped abruptly. Even that sound was infuriating, and somehow a sharp sting pricked a corner of his heart. Asil shook his head violently and ran down the hallway.

Stopped by Asil’s shout, Valery couldn’t bring himself to leave the room. He sat on the bed for a long time, clutching his forehead. His head ached to the point of madness. He had no clue how to improve his relationship with Asil, even slightly. Asil had told him to do nothing, so he didn’t. Countless times he wanted to forcibly hold Asil in his arms, but Valery endured and endured again. Asil recoiled at even the slightest touch.

Indeed, as he refrained from touching him, Asil visibly improved. Seeing his noticeably brighter expression, Valery felt a sense of accomplishment, but his heart burned with pain. It felt like every minute, every second, he was reminded of how much Asil hated him.

“Haa…”

He had thought changing his attitude would gradually improve things, but that wasn’t necessarily true.

“Damn it, really!”

Valery leapt up, grabbed the vial rolling on the floor, and hurled it against the wall. The vial shattered into pieces, scattering like dust. What had Asil thought when he accepted this vial? The same Asil who had stabbed him in the gut without a moment’s hesitation. He might have rejoiced at finding a way to kill without dirtying his hands. Valery had no intention of dying with Asil watching, but he wanted to see with his own eyes. Did Asil truly desire his death? If Asil hadn’t stopped him, Valery had planned to revert to his old ways. There was nothing more foolish than stubbornly pursuing a failing strategy.

He leaned against the window frame, catching his breath. Anger surged at the situation spiraling out of his control, but acting as he usually would was difficult. He wanted to smash something, but he didn’t know when Asil might return. If Asil saw him like that and was deeply disappointed, all his patience and effort would be for nothing.

“Like before, damn it.”

His own situation felt absurd, and a bitter laugh escaped him. Worried about disappointing Asil, he was suppressing his anger alone. What? Do what like before? If he held Asil tightly, would it hurt him? Would that pain make Asil hate him more? Like a cowardly fool, he was fidgeting, unable to act. Afraid he might revert to treating Asil recklessly if he let his guard down, Valery constantly monitored his actions.

He couldn’t go back to before. Valery didn’t want to be stranded with Asil in the middle of their past. He wanted to live a future with Asil. That’s why he was trembling with this damned anxiety, wasn’t it?

“That bastard Saranda, I should’ve…”

Valery gritted his teeth, muttering Coleman’s name. He should’ve killed him or sent him far away. Blaming his own carelessness, Valery anxiously glanced at the door. Asil had told him not to follow, but not knowing his whereabouts made Valery uneasy. What if he took this chance to slip away? Asil was a master of escape. This could all be a ploy to make him let his guard down. As suspicion sparked, Valery swiftly opened the door. More than an hour had passed since Asil left—enough time, if he chose, to stop by the mansion, grab Grime, and go.

“Don’t follow, I said.”

But contrary to his fears, when he flung open the door, Asil stood there, slouched defiantly, glaring at Valery with narrowed eyes. Asil deliberately shoved Valery’s shoulder as he entered the room.

“What, suspicious again? Afraid I’m flirting with someone else?”

It wasn’t that kind of suspicion, but he had been suspicious. Left speechless, Valery pressed his lips shut, and Asil scoffed, flopping onto the bed.

“That damned paranoia of yours.”

“…Asil?”

“Always threatening me… What the hell do you even see me as?”

Asil exhaled roughly, unbuttoning his shirt. Feeling stifled, he undid enough buttons to bare his chest.

“Are you drunk?”

Despite his anger, Asil’s unusually flushed face and slurred speech were odd. He continued, occasionally letting out heavy breaths. Unaware of Valery drawing closer step by step, Asil kept ranting.

“So what if I drank? Can’t I even drink as I please? Yes, I drank!”

“How much?”

As their knees nearly touched, Asil jerked his head up from its downward tilt. His heavy breathing grew louder.

“Don’t want to say.”

He didn’t want to answer who he drank with, what he drank, or where. In truth, Asil had just holed up in a corner, guzzling wine like water, but he deliberately taunted Valery, refusing to stop provoking him.

“Then don’t.”

The old Valery would’ve crushed him until he spoke or used some trick to make him confess, but the man before him only furrowed his brow in displeasure. Despite closing the distance until their knees touched, he merely gazed at Asil’s face calmly, pretending nothing was amiss.

“What the hell do you want to do with me?”

Asil gritted his teeth, muttering lowly. A question he couldn’t ask sober slipped out with the courage of alcohol. Grabbing Valery’s wrist and pulling him close, Asil lay back on the bed. Pressing his temple, he looked up at Valery, who straddled him, his throat dryly swallowing with thirst.

“Is this all we’ve ever done?”

He’d thought endlessly while drinking. He didn’t want to be swept away by Valery. He had no intention of falling for fleeting, hypocritical acts. Their relationship should remain purely physical. Why should he be confused by Valery’s kindness? He had no energy to be on edge around someone who could turn at any moment.

Asil twisted his lips into a smirk, groping above Valery’s thigh. The bulge outlined through the pants stirred subtly under Asil’s palm. Pressing firmly, the once-docile organ quickly swelled, growing rapidly.

“So this is what got you hard again, huh?”

“…Talking short, you’re definitely drunk.”

Muttering inaudibly, Valery tried to sit up, but Asil stretched out an arm, wrapped it around his neck, and kissed him briefly. As Valery instinctively leaned in, following the tongue that grazed his lower lip, his face contorted messily.

“Don’t mess around…”

“Just do it like before. Treat me like a hole and screw me, mph!”

As Asil shouted, Valery quickly lowered his face. Pressing Asil’s cheeks, he forced his lips to part into a round shape. Valery’s tongue darted in and out of the gap, kissing hungrily, then trapped Asil’s tongue between his lips, savoring it. The sharp taste of wine lingered from how much Asil had drunk. Valery caressed Asil’s tongue gently, then opened wide, pressing and sucking Asil’s small lips. Asil’s entire lips were drawn into Valery’s mouth, rolled around like food. Valery chewed the soft lips carefully, then bit and sucked so roughly they could’ve swollen. Saliva dripped down Asil’s chin, leaving trails.

“Ugh, mmph…”

“Hoo…”

Asil, suffocating, thrashed and shook his head wildly. Turning his face aside, their lips parted with a wet sound. Like sticky adhesive forcibly peeled apart, the sound was viscerally slick. Their lips, now separated, glistened with saliva.

“…Damn, ha…”

“Huff… haa…”

Asil’s provocation made Valery lose his reason momentarily. Catching his breath, he roughly swept back his bangs. Guilt washed over him for grabbing Asil, who was too drunk to think straight. Coughing and panting, Valery looked down at Asil, swallowed a sigh, and stood.

“Get a grip.”

Heading to the table for water, Valery stumbled as Asil yanked him back. Falling onto the bed, Asil climbed atop him. Straddling Valery’s abdomen, Asil forced him to lie flat and reached back, frantically undoing Valery’s pants.

“You’re acting so damn cocky, why aren’t you hitting me?”

Asil shoved his hand into Valery’s underwear, gripping the erect organ tightly. The forceful grasp hurt, and Valery frowned slightly, grabbing Asil’s wrist. Instead of pulling away, Asil kneaded the tip roughly, rubbing the urethra with his thumb. Valery’s abs twitched under Asil’s weight. Biting his lip, Valery muttered through gritted teeth.

“Stop while I’m being nice.”

“What if you’re not nice… gonna hit me?”

“…Ugh.”

“Now you… can’t hit me. Right?”

Each time Asil tightened his grip, Valery shook his head slightly. Asil noticed Valery’s hand, hovering awkwardly, unable to grab him firmly. Even when Asil taunted him by bringing his face close to Valery’s palm, Valery only brushed his cheek lightly before dropping his hand.

Asil couldn’t back down. He had to expose Valery’s true nature. He wanted to deny Valery’s feelings, tear apart what he deemed false, and shove it in his face. Is this the emotion you spoke of? It’s just a byproduct of lust. You need to know that!

To do so, he had to break Valery. Make him succumb to lust and force Asil as before. Gripped by this thought, Asil shook Valery’s organ with force. Though Asil’s hand was larger than most men’s, Valery’s organ filled it and more. As his hand moved rapidly up and down, Valery groaned lowly and grabbed Asil’s waist to push him off.

“Asil!”

Asil, busy fumbling in Valery’s underwear, barely grazing the base, turned irritably. As drunkenness clouded his head, his stubborn desire to make Valery submit outweighed it. Lowering his head, Asil pulled Valery’s pants and underwear to mid-thigh. The organ, wet with precum and sweat, sprang up, hitting Asil’s chin. The heavy, rigid organ emitted a hot scent.

“Ah.”

Asil grimaced, struck by the flesh. Clicking his tongue, he toyed with the glistening tip, then opened his mouth and swallowed it whole. The tip pressed against his molars, sliding deep. Filling his cheeks with air, Asil sucked the tip side to side like candy. It had been two years since he’d done this, but he recalled old memories, moving his tongue slowly. He seemed to like the hole being teased… Suppressing nausea, Asil jabbed the urethra sharply with his tongue. Rubbing and nibbling around it with his front teeth, the fingers gripping Asil’s waist tightened.

“Mmph, huff… ugh.”

Asil opened his mouth wide, jaw aching, and slowly lowered his head. As the organ reached his nose, his breath caught. Moving his head up and down, he eventually coughed violently, spitting it out. The organ, soaked in saliva, rubbed against Asil’s lips repeatedly.

“Ah, ugh…!”

Amid relentless coughing, Asil rubbed the tip with his tongue. Guiding the sticky, saliva-soaked organ into his palm and slapping it, clear, viscous fluid oozed out.

“Perverted bastard…”

Flushed, Asil glanced back at Valery. Propped up, Valery watched him. By now, he should’ve reached out, Asil thought, blinking slyly. Sure enough, Valery lunged, pinning Asil sideways. In an instant, their positions reversed. Pressing Asil’s arms to immobilize him, Valery’s flushed cheeks twitched.

“I told you to stop.”

“If it turns you on, just screw me like before.”

“No!”

Valery shouted. His jaw visibly tensed, veins bulging on his forehead. Furious, he pinned Asil, barely breathing. Taking deep breaths, chest heaving, Valery closed his eyes tightly.

“I don’t want to do that to you.”

“…….”

“Not like before, not… like that.”

“…….”

“I’ll do whatever you want, Asil… please, don’t do this.”

He lowered his head, kissing Asil’s forehead.

“Anything. As long as you don’t leave me, everything you want…”

“Everything I want?”

“Yes, everything.”

Asil stared at Valery, who, with an erect organ and flushed face, muttered empty words. Asil didn’t trust him enough to take his desperate gaze and occasional lip-brushing at face value. The words, part confession, part apology, drew a twisted smile from Asil.

“Then can I hit you?”

“…What?”

“Like you hit me, can I slap you?”

Valery fell silent at Asil’s words.

‘Of course.’

His pride wouldn’t allow a lowly subordinate to slap him. As the alcohol began to wear off, Asil suddenly felt all this was futile. Starting this fight to best Valery was all his vain stubbornness. Even if Valery liked him, he held the leash in this relationship. Valery’s feelings, whatever they were, weren’t a weakness. He wielded them like a weapon, demanding Asil accept them. But Asil was different. He was the unchanging weakling. From staying by Valery’s side, nothing was by Asil’s choice or will.

You like me? If you like me, why act like this? Why choke and torment me like this? Asil wanted to scream but didn’t. Instead, he shook off the hands pinning his wrists to escape Valery.

“Fine, enough…”

Mid-sentence, Asil reached to push Valery away, but Valery grabbed his wrist and swung it hard, making Asil’s upper body lurch.

A slap sounded, and seconds later, Asil’s palm stung. He stared blankly at Valery, head tilted diagonally. Valery’s reddened cheek and split lip, licked by his tongue, met Asil’s gaze.

“It’s fine.”

“…….”

“You can hit me anytime.”

Without the stinging pain and heat in his palm, Asil wouldn’t have believed he’d slapped Valery. He’d done worse—stabbed him in the gut—but this shock hit harder than the past. As Asil stood speechless, mouth agape, Valery slowly rose, planting his feet on the floor. Asil, tracking Valery’s movements, impulsively spoke as he adjusted his clothes.

The urge to test him surged, words spilling out unfiltered.

“Everything you did to me, can I do it all?”

“Whatever you want, do it.”

“Choking your neck and forcing it in?”

Valery’s expressions—wincing eyes, twitching lips—were a sight. Asil felt a strange thrill. Seeing Valery hurt by his words was oddly satisfying. He thought the alcohol had worn off, but facing Valery now, his head dulled, and his chest churned. Thinking he could beat Valery this way, his heart raced.

Valery, face stiff, nodded slowly. When Asil gestured to the bed, he shed his shirt, flopping down. Even as Asil climbed atop him, staring down, Valery didn’t resist or protest, relaxing completely under Asil’s piercing gaze.

“No resistance?”

Valery smiled lightly at Asil’s words, then grimaced as his split lip stung. His overly relaxed demeanor sparked a strange competitive streak in Asil, who grabbed Valery’s still-erect organ.

Despite his bold demand, Asil lacked the courage to settle between Valery’s legs. It wasn’t about courage—he couldn’t imagine getting hard at the thought of penetrating Valery. To try, Asil released Valery’s organ and gripped his own tightly. He masturbated rapidly, the sound sharp, but his organ only softened under his palm.

“What are you doing?”

“Gotta get hard to do anything… right, ugh…”

Valery’s gaze fixed downward. He now watched Asil’s actions, hands clasped behind his head.

“That’s not it, Asil. Hold the tip.”

Unable to watch, he offered advice, voice oddly excited. Asil stopped glaring and followed, gently wrapping the tip. Applying pressure, Valery commanded again.

“Sweep from the base slowly. It’s not wet, so it’s not working.”

“Ah, ugh…”

“Come up.”

“Where?”

“Sit on my chest. I’ll spit on your dick.”

Valery reached, grabbing Asil’s hips and pulling him forward. Plopping onto Valery’s chest, Asil stared, dazed, as Valery spat onto his organ without warning. Valery rubbed the saliva-soaked tip roughly, then gripped Asil’s organ tightly, stroking it briefly up and down. The slick sound echoed loudly. Flushing, Asil couldn’t tear his eyes from Valery, masturbating for him.

“Aaah…!”

As Asil’s moans grew, Valery’s face contorted. He flicked the erect organ, gripping and pulling Asil’s base with force.

“Ugh!”

As the rough palm grazed the tip’s surface, Asil arched his back, ejaculating loudly. The semen splattered messily across Valery’s collarbone, neck, and chin. Valery wiped the freely scattered semen and brought it to Asil’s buttocks. Asil, dazed by the high, jolted as the semen was smeared stickily behind him, raising his knees high.

“I-I’ll do it.”

“When the hell… are you gonna do it. Damn, my dick’s gonna burst.”

“No, I mean I’ll do it to you, Colonel…”

Flustered, Asil stammered, raising and lowering his tone. Valery, behind him, stroked his organ with a loud swipe.

“Choking…”

“Wait!”

With an urgent expression, Valery grabbed Asil’s flailing hand, placing it on his neck.

“Forcing it in from above, it’s the same thing…”

Then, he slowly inserted a finger into Asil’s hole. The fingertip gently entered, teasing the entrance before wriggling into the rectum. Spreading semen across the inner walls, he repeated the motion. As Valery’s quick handplay and Asil’s twisting hips met, their eyes locked slowly. The suppressed excitement bursting forth in their gazes was bright yet darkly heated.

Valery loosened Asil’s rear with one hand, kept his organ from wilting with the other, and coaxed gently with his mouth.

“Choke me.”

“Think I can’t do it, huh… ah!”

Valery pressed and rubbed Asil’s sensitive spot. Asil threw his head back, cursing loudly, and gradually tightened his grip on Valery’s neck. Never having choked someone, he couldn’t gauge how much force would torment without killing.

“Mmm…”

Valery groaned, veins bulging at his temples, as Asil’s grip discomforted him. He prodded the softened rear a few more times, then withdrew his fingers. Tapping the slightly gaping anus with his organ, Asil, still pressing Valery’s neck, slowly lowered his hips.

“Then, damn… ah, if you come… you can’t come… ugh…”

“…Ugh! Cough!”

“If you come, really, ugh…”

Asil, choking Valery’s neck hard once and releasing, trembled, gripping Valery’s taut abs. Was it because it had been so long? Goosebumps prickled to his scalp. The sensation of his hole slowly stretching to the organ’s girth tensed his lower body. The taut hole began to sting. Asil reached back, checking how much of the organ he’d taken, and muttered a curse, feeling the junction not even halfway in. Too much was at stake to back out from pain.

Resolved, Asil closed his eyes tightly and sank down with a wet thud.

“Ah, ugh!”

His inner thighs hit Valery’s sides, and heavy testicles pressed against his perineum. A dull pain and sudden discomfort filled his gut. Unable to withstand the pleasure of the organ buried deep, Asil’s buttocks spasmed wildly. Clutching his bloated stomach, he groaned lowly. Trying to shift for comfort, each slight lift scraped the organ against his inner walls. The tip, bent inside, wriggled, steadily widening him. The veins climbing the organ like tree roots heightened the sensitivity of his tender membranes.

“Ah… ughhh!”

“Ugh…!”

Valery, testicles crushed by Asil’s weight, felt his reason fade under the heavier-than-usual pressure. He exhaled slowly through his teeth. It seemed to hurt a bit. Thinking Asil might enjoy his honesty, Valery whined readily.

“It hurts.”

“…Hah, does it?”

Hearing Valery, Asil, catching his breath while clutching his stomach, slightly lifted his hips. The stretched anal folds ached, but he forced his lower body up with drunken courage. Expelling the thickest part, his hole gaped wide, then slapped Valery’s testicles with a wet thud. The organ, penetrating deeper than usual, made his lower belly bulge visibly with each thrust. Asil, rubbing his protruding abdomen, lifted his hips fully and slammed down, crushing below. The organ, scraping every inch, suddenly pressed his prostate, driving deep.

“Haa! Ah, ah!”

Growing accustomed to the organ’s bulk hammering his insides, Asil pressed Valery’s neck again. Thrusting down with force, Valery, face flushed, coughed loudly, panting. Opening his mouth wide to breathe, he pulled Asil’s neck, kissing him. Valery ravaged Asil’s small mouth, and as the choking hand fell, he grabbed Asil’s face, frantically rubbing lips. Ignoring his heaving chest, Valery was lost in kissing Asil.

Thud! Thud! The sound of flesh colliding rang loudly. The organ, buried so deep, limited how high Asil could lift. Each slight raise brought Valery surging to meet him. Their rhythm quickened, the slapping of testicles and perineum a chaotic din.

“Ugh! Ha… ah, ugh…”

“Huff, ugh… ugh!”

As climax surged, Valery wrapped his arms around Asil’s waist, thrusting upward frantically. Lifting his hips and shaking rapidly, the organ tore through the tight hole with ferocious speed. Semen, used as lubricant, clumped stickily, webbing between hole and testicles. The wetter the junction, the more semen stretched like threads, staining skin white.

“Damn! Ah!”

Valery slammed deep, pulling back. Bracing his core to pierce through, Asil rose, expelling the organ swiftly. The organ, losing its target, thumped Asil’s buttocks and thighs uselessly.

“Ugh, doing this for your own pleasure now… ugh…”

“Asil, ah… damn, just a sec…”

Halted at the brink of climax, Valery let out a pained groan. Frantically grabbing Asil’s hips to pull him down, Asil tensed his knees, slowly closing his hole. The anus, stretched fist-sized, shrank smaller than a fingernail in moments.

“No coming… ugh, got it?”

Valery, tracing Asil’s sweat-soaked torso, swallowed a curse. Asil, spitting crude words in a low, refined voice, seemed unaware of what he said. Staring at his flushed cheeks, Valery nodded slowly. Asil, frowning, rubbed the twitching organ gently over his hole. The softened entrance quivered, eager to swallow the tip. The hole opened roundly, engulfing the tip. Valery, sliding his most sensitive part into the tight, wet space, groaned, veins bulging on his neck.

“Ugh, ah!”

“Ahh… ugh, ughh!”

“Asil! Asil!”

Valery bolted upright, hugging Asil’s back and thrusting recklessly. After a long abstinence, the pleasure of this sex was incomparable to sneaking relief behind a sleeping Asil. Like a novice, Valery thrust at random angles, overwhelmed by suffocating excitement, but Asil’s quick withdrawals prevented a satisfying release.

Reason clouded, Valery considered pinning Asil and ravaging him as before, but after a few seconds’ thought, he braced his core, overcoming instinct.

“Haa…! Ah, ughh!”

Asil ejaculated again. Pressing against Valery’s stomach, he froze, head bowed. As he came, his inner walls spasmed wildly, gripping Valery’s organ. From the bend to the rectum’s length, the walls quaked. The organ, buried there, couldn’t withstand the intense pressure, its urethra throbbing fiercely. As the convulsing membranes squeezed and released, Valery threw his head back, shouting loudly. His thick jawline bared, a fierce stream shot into Asil’s anus.

“Ugh, what, what’s… that?”

Asil, dazed post-climax, still enveloping Valery’s organ, paled instantly. The hot sensation filling his insides felt different. Valery’s semen was copious, but internal ejaculation only bloated his rectum. Never had his stomach swelled so fully or unexplained liquid poured out. Feeling his hole washed wet, Asil shuddered in horror.

Asil’s flushed cheeks paled. He recalled a past scene—Valery joking about urinating in his rear while aiming at a toilet.

“No, I don’t want it!”

Believing Valery had urinated inside, Asil shook his head frantically, thrashing. The more he struggled, the tighter Valery’s arms held his waist. Burying his forehead in Asil’s shoulder, Valery trembled, muscles rippling across his broad back. Unable to shake off the relentless strength, Asil slumped, exhausted. Valery muttered something inaudible, likely a curse.

“Really, no… I said no, ugh… ah…”

“Hoo… Asil…”

Valery lifted his head, grabbing Asil’s waist to sit up. The organ, soaked in clear liquid, slowly emerged. Still erect, it glistened redly. Valery rubbed it around the hole several times, pulling out fully, and water poured from the gaping hole. Asil, wanting to ignore the dripping, closed his eyes tightly. He wanted to beat Valery for treating him like a toilet.

As Asil collapsed onto the bed, sobbing, Valery, belatedly grasping the situation, stroked his hunched back and began explaining.

“It’s not what you think, Asil.”

“Why… why me, ugh…”

As Asil glared murderously, rubbing his eyes, Valery grabbed his arm, showing the wet bedsheet.

“It’s just water. You squirting… do I have to spell it out?”

Valery, mortified, ruffled his hair. Asil realized the liquid Valery released was the same mysterious fluid he produced in extreme arousal. Colorless, odorless, distinct from urine—a sign of excitement.

As Asil’s tears subsided, Valery, veins bulging over his abs, held his organ and showed it to Asil.

“You said no coming, so I haven’t yet.”

“…Isn’t it the same?”

“It’s different.”

Valery, voice rising, pulled Asil’s hand to grip his organ.

“Can I come now?”

“…….”

“I listened well.”

Past sex had been solely at Valery’s whim. Asil had been penetrated unprepared, and despite his protests, Valery had gone multiple rounds countless times. Now, that Valery entrusted his organ to Asil’s hand, begging to climax. His desperate, lust-filled face betrayed unrelieved desire. Staring at Asil’s lips, his brassy eyes shook. Asil gripped the hefty organ and stroked it rapidly.

“Ugh!”

Valery, who’d held back, clutched Asil’s shoulder, arching his back. Semen gushed, soaking Asil’s hand. Rubbing the tip in the sticky, milky fluid, Valery savored the afterglow, squinting and licking his lips. Asil’s wrist ached from holding the heavy organ, but he kept his palm there as Valery wished.

“Ah, good… so good, Asil.”

Valery hugged Asil tightly, collapsing backward. Not an empty word, he giggled ticklishly, kissing Asil’s skin everywhere. The kisses inevitably landed on Asil’s lips. Valery nibbled his plump lower lip, and as Asil sighed, opening his mouth, Valery urgently slid his tongue in.

Asil stared at Valery, eyes closed, focused on the kiss. His thick brows, slightly furrowed forehead, and red-rimmed eyes met Asil’s as they slowly opened. Their gazes locked, and Valery smiled brightly at Asil. A sweet smile, crinkling his eyes. He carefully swept back Asil’s forehead hair, then closed his eyes, diving back into the kiss. Unable to look long, Asil shut his eyes tightly, finally realizing several truths.

Today’s sex wasn’t as horrific as before. Controlling Valery, though he hated to admit it, felt good. Lastly… denying Valery’s feelings was impossible when his heart was so transparently clear.

Asil earnestly wished. Like drunkenness fading overnight, he hoped all these truths would vanish by morning.