Chapter Text
The redhead stared at the back of the goddess in white in front of him as they walked the orchards. The pear trees stood proudly on both her sides. Aloysia turned her head around just enough for half her face to be seen to the other.
Wordlessly, a dozen glowing butterflies appeared from her figure and enveloped Cale’s sight. It wasn’t painfully bright as before but he still closed his eyes.
o///o
Unlike the first time, he was transported back to his room rather than the forest. A sense of déjà vu swept over his entirety when he noticed his index finger held out in front of him, a white butterfly resting on it.
“Send my thanks to goddess-nim.”
It flailed its delicate wings rapidly before taking off in a fragile manner. A fairly visible sparkles followed its trail until it reached the terrace window.
Once outside, the insect fluttered to the dark figure who is approaching the residence. It rested on the boy’s broad shoulders for a moment before continuing its journey.
The white butterfly contributed some light to Choi Han’s eyes.
The dimension travel concluded with a decently satisfied Cale. Exhaustion remained so the redhead laid in the downy sheets for a while. Before he could succumb to sleep, Hans informed him of Choi Han’s return.
“Please tell him to come over.”
“Okay.”
He closed his eyes once more while waiting but his tiredness evaporated when he heard crunching footsteps that clunked louder as it came closer.
“Cale-nim, you called for me?”
Happiness was sewn together with his words. He’s back, good. Cale sat up to face Choi Han head on. He argued internally whether to talk about their personal matter, Cale eventually agreed but as usual, business comes first.
“The inn?”
“Fine. Great, even. The children were very energetic.”
Cale turned pale at the mere thought of ten energetic Wolf Tribe children. In contrast to that, the swordsman wore a very relaxed expression.
“Then, there is nothing else to do?”
“Yes. Why? Is Cale-nim going to do something again today?”
“Correct. So go tell Hans to go to sleep. I left the terrace open like before so come back here.”
“As you wish. Oh, will it be just us?”
“I’ll be going as well.”
A third voice answered him. The black dragon removed his invisibility magic and entered through the window. Cale seconded his statement.
“The three of us will go.”
The swordsman nodded and headed for the door. Cale laid down on his bed to rest for a while but the dragon interrupted it with a few whispers.
“Hey human, you can’t really fall asleep.”
“Do I look like a four year old to you?”
Cale internally complained because he found verbally stating it is useless and a hassle. A few moments later, Choi Han reentered the room but this time, through the window.
“You’re here. Oh, I guess a robe is better than a hat.”
Cale got himself a hat though and as he placed it on his head, Choi Han spoke up.
“Um…Cale-nim, do I have to carry you again?”
“Yes, please do.” Was what he’d love to reply. But the way Choi Han hesitated and constructed the question sounded like a complaint to Cale so he didn’t oblige.
With a gesture to the dragon, he slowly lifted off the floor and turned invisible.
“Dragons are great and mighty.”
“You are right, I am great and mighty.”
Choi Han realized how Cale was controlling the dragon so he did the same.
“Wow, dragons truly are great and mighty.”
Once he said that, he turned invisible as well. Amused, he sent a knowing smirk towards Cale’s way. Of course they could not see each other but as if they did, Cale was wearing the same expression across him.
o///o
Once at the capital, they huddled in a quiet corner to strategize. For a moment, Choi Han’s attention was directed elsewhere. He was watching at some families laughing together beside the fountain to the east.
“If Cale-nim would be that happy having a family with someone else, I’ll gladly let him go.”
Just then, Cale spoke up and directed an order towards the dragon.
“Make it so nobody can hear us.”
Another invisible dome appeared around them that only the three of them could see. When their attention was turned towards Cale, the redhead directed them instructions and explanations about the mana bombs and what to do about it for now.
10:30 pm. Around this time, Choi Han and the dragon returned without any results. They decided to call it a night and headed back to the residence.
The three planned to search again the next night.
They returned via dragon skills and terrace window, successfully not stirring anyone’s unneeded attention.
Once Cale and Choi Han touched the floor, the black dragon headed to the way where they entered, to leave. The redhead stopped him before he could do so.
“Hold on, you did a good job. It’ll be uncomfortable sleeping in the tree branch. You can stay in here instead.”
The dragon eyed a particular couch that could fit two people in it, with soft armrests, perfect as a bed for small animals. He slowly nodded and moved to rest on the red couch.
The swordsman attempted to leave as well through the window and what Cale told the dragon, he told to Choi Han.
“Choi Han.”
“I really shouldn’t stay here, Cale-nim.”
Choi Han turned around but he couldn’t because Cale grabbed his wrist, triumphantly putting him in place.
“It’s not that, I…I would like to talk about another matter.”
“Mh? Cale-nim, what is it?”
The swordsman raised an eyebrow at the young master who retreated his hand and shifted uncomfortably. A matter that would cause Cale to hesitate? It just made Choi Han more curious.
The same could be said to the black dragon curled up in the couch. His eyes were closed but his ears were as open as the terrace window.
Cale didn’t say anything for a long time. Choi Han didn’t mind; he had all the time in the world to wait for Cale. The swordsman was patient but the evening wasn’t.
Swish
As if urging him to move, a cold evening breeze entered through the window and motioned Cale’s bangs out of his face which resulted in Choi Han’s heart getting lodged in his throat.
“I’m sorry, Choi Han.”
“Eh?! What for?”
“For angering you last night and for basically telling you to get out of my sight.”
Choi Han let a small sneer escape him.
“You placed your life on the line for me to believe you. If you wish not to see me again, I would be glad to do so if it’s what Cale-nim wants. The mere thought of you dying tortures me more than leaving your side.”
“…”
“You didn’t die Cale-nim, which means what you said was true, you don’t wish to see me again. I’m not angry at you for pushing me away, the hatred was partly meant for the crazy mage and mostly…myself.”
“…”
Cale remained speechless, there were millions he wanted to say but zero managed to escape his mouth. Tenderly, he felt Choi Han’s fingers hold both of his hands as he continued talking in an earnest voice.
“Cale-nim. I want to be a permanence in your life. I care for you way too much and subconsciously advanced, with no regards to your feelings. I hated myself for that so it should be the other way around, I should be the one apologizing.”
“…”
“The capital incident is getting nearer and I don’t want to leave regretting not telling you the many things floating within my mind regarding you.”
“…”
“You made it clear you don’t need me so I won’t force it. If it means you happiness, then I’ll gladly support you with whatever you choose.”
“?!”
“Heh, if I knew an arrear was the only way to be with you, then I won’t mind being drowned in debt forever.”
Choi Han pulled one of Cale’s hands to his lips and placed a light kiss. It happened in no more than a second but Cale felt the eternity of warmth it sent him, rendering the chill of the evening non-existent.
The swordsman lifted his face and sent Cale a gentle smile that radiated affection and surrender. The corner of Choi Han’s eyes started to well up tears, the lamplight helped in making it twinkle.
Cale could take it no more.
He gritted his teeth and relocated his hands towards Choi Han’s back while burying his face at the other’s chest. He could hear Choi Han’s heartbeat, thumping at a fast pace. It reassured him that the other still didn’t leave yet.
The swordsman returned his hug and they stayed like that for a few minutes more before Choi Han broke the peaceful quietness.
“I thought you need for me to leave?”
“I do actually.”
“…”
“But what I want differs vastly.”
“Oh…”
At this, Choi Han smiled and placed another light kiss on Cale’s head. After a few seconds, Cale whispered.
“I just thought you would eventually dislike me for my trashy attitude.”
“Cale-nim, that’s not-”
“I just thought you preferred Rosalyn due to the fact that you befriended her in an instant, compared to me.”
“That’s because I trust you and you know her-”
“Most importantly, I wanted you to stay away because I wanted a slacker life but I can’t achieve that with you, always dealing with problems after problems.”
“That…”
“But a life, even a slacker one, it won’t be worth living if you aren’t included in it.”
Soundlessly, a single warm tear streaked through Cale’s chin. Choi Han shifted in his hold and broke the hug to stare at Cale with an unreadable expression before tilting his head a certain angle to place a light yet heavy with affection of a kiss.
“Well, to be fair. I had many reasons too such as: I am nobody, your standards are probably high considering your status which I can’t reach, your recent attempts at shaking me off and…”
Truthfully, Choi Han’s reply was just a white noise to Cale. He was currently overwhelmed by the fact that Choi Han reciprocates his feelings. Along with realizing he delayed everything because of his “plan”.
Choi Han was still ranting, Cale wanted to silence it. There were many ways to but he chose to cup Choi Han’s cheeks with his hands.
The latter, gasped, then lifted Cale’s chin with one hand, skillfully prying his mouth open for his tongue to enter. For what felt like an eternity, they stayed like that and soon enough, the young master felt it too hot and enticing.
“Ngh…”
A yearning moan escaped his lips then suddenly, Choi Han carried him by his bottom just like how that parallel universe Choi Han carried his own Cale. He was immediately reminded how his counterpart complained about having a sore back.
He didn’t really pay any attention at that time, Cale being the dense trash that he is, just thought the other Cale had a bad sleeping position. He recalled the rest of their conversation that time and-
“Holy shit, is this Choi Han planning to fuck him too?”
Flustered, he struggled in the other’s hold.
“Wait- Choi Han, we shouldn’t do this here. The dragon is still a child after all.”
The black dragon was initially eavesdropping but midway Choi Han’s confession, his closed eyes that feigned slumber eventually became real.
“Hm? But I still want to kiss you.”
“Ah- I see. I thought you were planning to uhh…nevermind.”
For a few seconds, Choi Han’s face contorted to confusion then it suddenly changed to a one that expressed realization. He sent a haughty smirk to Cale and leaned towards his ears, giving it a seducing lick before whispering.
“If you want that, I’ll gladly give it to you…”
“Don’t-”
“…another night.”
He beamed an innocent smile that replaced the smug face he held before, it resulted in a very amused Choi Han and an extremely blushing Cale.
“I…Please don’t tease me like that.”
“Alright, Cale-nim.”
The swordsman nodded and placed him gently on his bed. Choi Han fled the room and jumped outside the window stealthily. A gentle smile dressed his face beautifully.
“…Another night.”
“Heh, if I knew an arrear was the only way to be with you, then I won’t mind being drowned in debt forever.”
The memories did no help to cool his cheeks. Cale internally screamed into the oblivion. Choi Han was going to be the cause of his death. The redhead buried his face deeper into the pillows and attempted to sleep, he could still feel the sensation of Choi Han ravaging his tongue.
A ruffling noise broke the deafening silence of the midnight.
“Cale-nim.”
“He came back.”
“What is it?”
The swordsman walked towards his bedside and sat at the corner. Curious, the redhead sat up to meet him squarely.
Choi Han knew this was ridiculous but he couldn’t cook up a better excuse to be with Cale again.
“I came back just to make sure and I wanted to ask you something.”
“Go on.”
“If you want me in your life, can I get another kiss from you?”
Then Cale made the wisest decision of his life; he covered Choi Han’s mouth with his.
-La Fin-