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1
His consciousness felt like a soggy piece of dough soaked through with broth, drifting limply in hot water, bobbing up and down.
Above him hung a starry sky that was almost too perfect. The brilliant Milky Way arched across the firmament like a spill of silver pearls, the countless stars radiating a drunken glow. A few crimson maple leaves spiraled down, landing silently on the water’s surface. The chill of the mountain breeze and night mist was kept at bay by the steaming heat of the hot spring. Vast vapors unrolled like silk ribbons in the night, diffusing a smooth, soft luster under the starlight.
Caelus felt he must be steeping in the water. A warm, moist sensation enveloped him, ironing out every pore until he felt utterly comfortable. He was so lazy he didn’t even want to move a finger.
Hmm... what exactly is "Trailblaze"?
He pondered. Is Trailblaze just acting as the soup base in a giant cosmic hot pot?
He saw tiny golden stars spinning round and round in front of his eyes.
Splash. The sound of water broke through his contemplation as someone waded through the current toward him.
"Partner..."
The voice was familiar enough to make the Stellaron inside him tremble, yet it carried a strange, almost exasperated sense of grievance.
Caelus struggled to lift his eyelids, only to see a white-haired, blue-eyed young man standing before him. The youth had only a snowy white bath towel loosely wrapped around his waist. What was truly unfair was that this guy’s skin was actually whiter than the towel! His damp white hair clung to his cheeks, and water droplets slid from the hair tips, gliding over his collarbone to pool in that exquisite hollow before disappearing into the shadow of his chest muscles.
It was Phainon.
"Partner!" Two small flames of indignation seemed to burn in Phainon's azure eyes. He took a step forward, the resulting ripple washing over Caelus’s chest. "Didn't you promise me that you’d only soak in a private hot spring with me? Where did this person run out from!?"
Caelus blinked blankly, turning his neck with difficulty to follow Phainon’s furious gaze.
On the other side of the hot spring, a golden radiance was glowing with gentle intent. Some sort of high-heat, scorching life force was condescendingly trying its best to restrain its internal flames.
A tall figure loomed over. He had short, molten-gold hair and was similarly clad only in a loincloth at his waist, revealing a physique of perfect muscles like an ancient Greek sculpture. Even better, these muscles were crisscrossed with the scars of battle.
Caelus’s eyes went straight.
The man wasn't angry. His cold gaze swept over Phainon like he was sweeping away dust, and he curled his lip in disdain. Then, he looked at Caelus, the corner of his mouth lifting into a handsome, confident smile as he called out tenderly and deeply:
"My hero..."
The golden-haired man’s voice was low and magnetic, vibrating on the water’s surface like cello strings. Maple leaves rustled down as he spread a pair of gigantic wings that flowed with purple-gold brilliance. The wind pressure generated rolled up the maple leaves, smashing them straight into Phainon's face.
Meanwhile, he landed carefully in front of Caelus, gazing at him tenderly, lowering his voice to say:
"You will definitely be like before, choosing me firmly every single time, right?"
Khaslana. Caelus finally remembered his name.
Khaslana leaned in close, his massive wings caging the little Stellaron host like a birdcage. He leaned down through the misty vapors and kissed him forcefully, brooking no refusal, carrying the taste of the blazing sun.
"Hey! You evil giant-winged weirdo!"
Phainon shouted and lunged forward. "How could you! Let go of my partner! He’s mine!"
"Mmph..."
Sandwiched between two great mountains, Caelus’s brain was spinning. A thousand stars and a thousand gold coins swirled before his eyes, and he felt like a useless short-legs.
The high heat steamed away his reason, and the scene before him became bizarre and motley. He watched Phainon and Khaslana wrestling and fighting beside him, even coming to blows over his ownership rights.
What’s going on... Shadow Clones?
Caelus thought dizzily, yet his body honestly found a comfortable position within this chaotic embrace.
......
"Hey! Let go of my partner, you’ve made him faint!"
"Heh, the fact that I can kiss my hero until he faints proves my love is hotter than yours. Can you do that?"
"Ahhhhhhh! I’m going to duel you! We’ll settle this once and for all in front of Partner!"
"Heheh, why should I agree to that? Partner clearly chose me."
......
Caelus's cheek was pressed against Khaslana's chest. Hmm... these chest muscles are really well-trained. Big, soft, and very bouncy...
His hand seemed to be pulled up by someone and pressed against something else. That was... Phainon's abdominal muscles, defined blocks, smooth curves, trembling with their owner's rapid breathing. This texture is also great. Tight and solid, and his waist is so narrow...
Is this what they call being "stuck between a rock and a hard man"? Caelus wondered. But... something seems off? Phainon and Khaslana...
It dawned on him belatedly: Aren't they the same person?
Before his consciousness completely fragmented, Caelus confusedly reached out a hand and squeezed that solid muscle: Just one more touch... just one... consider it for the sake of Trailblazing...
2
"...Partner? Partner?"
The drowning-like tenderness gradually faded, replaced by the fresh mountain breeze of the night. The pleasant scent of honey locust wafted up, mixing with the sound of fine, steady rain outside the window, dripping as it slicked through the bamboo grove.
Phainon's clear voice drilled pleasantly into his ears. Caelus sighed regretfully and opened his eyes.
Warm, dim indoor light met his vision. He was lying on a large tatami mat spread with soft cushions, covered by a thin fleece blanket.
A magnified, handsome face was hanging above him. Silver-white hair hung down, the tips brushing against the tip of his nose, ticklish and carrying moisture that hadn't quite dried. Those clean, cornflower-blue eyes were looking at him brightly and attentively, holding a trace of worry and blame.
"You're awake?"
Phainon breathed a long sigh of relief and pinched the tip of his nose. "Partner, how did you manage to faint while soaking? I told you not to challenge that high-temperature mode..."
Listening to Phainon nagging, Caelus was still a bit dazed. It took his eyes a while to focus before he saw clearly that there was only one person in front of him—no big wings, no battleground of love.
His memory slowly returned. It turned out that earlier, on a whim, he insisted on dragging Phainon to challenge the legendary "Hell-Level" high-temperature hot spring. The result was that the Galactic Baseballer suffered a crushing defeat... disgracefully fainting in the water.
"...Ah." Caelus opened his mouth, his throat a bit dry. "Where's my big golden bird?"
"What golden bird?" Phainon obviously didn't follow his train of thought. "You want roast chicken?"
Caelus opened his mouth but was too embarrassed to ask him to transform.
Phainon smiled helplessly and straightened up. He was still wearing a loosely open yukata; beneath the loose garment, white skin and a deep, substantial cleavage were visible. He took a bowl of sobering soup from the side, brought it to Caelus's lips, and fed it to him.
Caelus gulped it down, and Phainon set the bowl aside.
Caelus looked at his back. There were still two or three red marks remaining on Phainon's neck—needless to say, leftovers from their fooling around a few days ago.
"Finished the medicine." Caelus raised his hand, sounding righteous.
"Mhm. So, does Partner want a reward?" Phainon patted his head.
Caelus nodded and opened his mouth. "I want to see Little White Goose!"
"Really, there’s no helping you." Phainon stood with his back to the light as he spoke. He reached out, his slender fingers resting on the sash of his yukata, and gave a gentle tug.
The rustling sound of clothing slipping down was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
"Partner, you haven't forgotten, right?" Phainon's voice deliberately dropped lower, carrying an indescribable huskiness.
Caelus blinked, struggling to keep up with the rhythm. "Wha... what?"
Phainon didn't answer immediately.
He stood completely naked, revealing that fine physique exclusive to a Deliverer under the soft light. A warrior's build wasn't overly exaggerated, but the streamlined muscles were very attractive. Perhaps because he had just soaked in the hot spring, his skin had an alluring rosy sheen. He blinked, picked up a glass of warm water from the table, and tilted his head back. But he didn't drink. Instead, with a flick of his wrist—
The warm water poured down over his chest. Water droplets snaked down the undulating valleys of his muscles, sliding over his taut abdominal muscles, and finally disappearing into the shadow of his groin, inviting all sorts of daydreams.
He showed a pure smile, slowly leaning over, bracing his hands on either side of Caelus, caging him within this small world.
"Partner, we agreed, you know. You're setting off to trailblaze on a new planet tomorrow. You might be very busy, and won't have time to come here for a long while..."
Phainon leaned close to Caelus's ear, hot, moist breath spraying onto his sensitive outer ear. "So tonight, we have to properly, properly 'cherish' this final time."
Caelus shivered as if cold. Before he could react, Phainon grabbed his hand, guiding it downwards and pressing it onto his own full, firm chest muscle.
It was the result of years of swinging a sword, and the texture was excellent. Warm, thick, resilient. The heart beat powerfully beneath his palm—thump, thump, thump—the sound of life.
"Partner..."
Phainon narrowed his eyes slightly, his Adam's apple rolling. He deliberately thrust his chest out a little, making that soft flesh fit more snugly against Caelus's palm, forcing his sensitive nipple to chase and rub against Caelus's palm.
"It feels... a bit swollen here."
He lowered his voice, his tone holding a trace of deliberate, clumsy seduction—an expression the usual Deliverer would absolutely never show. "Did something happen? Or is it because I missed Partner too much? Partner... these changes happened because of you. You have to take responsibility for me, okay?"
As he spoke, he slowly sank his waist down, his entire body gradually straddling Caelus’s thighs. Those full thigh muscles, separated only by thin fabric, clearly conveyed their heat and weight.
The atmosphere became ridiculously charming. Their breathing tangled closely together, and even the quiet sound of the night rain outside seemed to pause for a moment.
Just as Phainon lowered his head, preparing to claim a deep kiss—
"THE GALACTIC BASEBALLER IS HERE!!!"
Caelus shouted, his waist suddenly exerting force.
"LONG LIVE THE TRAILBLAZE——!!"
"Wah?!"
Phainon completely didn't anticipate this move. His center of gravity went unstable, and his whole body was flipped over onto the soft mat by his partner like a pancake, making a muffled thud.
The world spun, and their positions were swapped.
Caelus rode atop Phainon, panting heavily. His hands pressed down on Phainon's shoulders as he looked down at the stunned youth beneath him with a face full of awe-inspiring righteousness.
"Halt, bold demon! Where have you hidden my Little Phai? Confess immediately! Or my bat will teach you a lesson!"
A brief silence ensued.
"Pfft..."
Phainon finally couldn't hold it back, turning his head to the side and laughing out loud. The laughter grew louder and louder, shaking his chest.
"Hahaha... Partner, you really are..."
He shook his head helplessly and extended his arms, gently wrapping them around Caelus's neck.
"Partner, occasionally... try to read the room a little, look at the atmosphere, okay?" Phainon sighed with a smile, his fingertips gently combing through Caelus’s slightly messy gray hair. "Shouting game lines at a time like this is really foul play."
Caelus also felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his cheek. "Who... who asked Little Phai to suddenly be so weird... I wasn't used to it."
"Little Phai, please do not talk like that next time, okay? There will be a scared Caelus huntering phainon." Caelus hugged him back, planting several wet kisses on Phainon's cheek. His golden eyes shone round and innocent, and Phainon saw himself reflected in them.
He gazed at his partner, his cornflower-blue eyes holding nothing but a pool of gentle water.
"Partner, no matter what..."
He tilted his head up slightly, watching this person who always defied his expectations.
"No matter what, in my heart, Partner will forever be that hero who cut through thorns and thistles all the way here to reach out your hand to me."
Phainon whispered, tightening the embrace. In this lonely yet warm rainy night, he devoutly pressed his lips to the other’s, exchanging a long, peaceful kiss belonging to lovers.
My hero... I will never obstruct you from embarking on your journey to "Trailblaze," nor will I allow anyone else to obstruct your "Trailblaze."
But, oh star from beyond the sky,
As you cleave the endless night, bound for shores unseen,
Do you realize? That the one momentarily lit by your glow,
Is fated to spend all the dark nights left to him,
Searching the heavens in hopeless longing,
Praying that the star in his memory might linger... if only for a moment more.
3
"Ta-da! Partner! Your Caelus is back!"
The door to the entryway was pushed open with a bang. Accompanied by this energetic declaration, before the warm air from inside could even hit his face, a silver-white figure wearing an apron had already rushed out of the kitchen.
"Partner?!"
Phainon was wearing a white chef's hat, still clutching a soup ladle in his hand, looking incredulously at Caelus who was standing at the door grinning. The tall youth threw himself forward regardless of everything, giving a fierce bear hug that made Phainon stagger, his back hitting the door panel.
"Cough... Little Phai, easy now. Are you trying to murder your own husband?" Caelus complained, yet his hands honestly hugged this enthusiastic large dog back. He happily felt that Phainon had a lot of vitality. His cheek rubbed against Phainon's soft silver hair, smelling the familiar shampoo scent—the same brand as his own.
"Wasn't Partner Trailblazing in the Binary Paradise? Why did you suddenly..." Phainon buried his face in Caelus's neck, his voice muffled, carrying surprise that hadn't quite settled and a hint of grievance. "You came back today, why didn't you say so earlier? I'm totally unprepared."
"Does Little Phai not look at the calendar? How could I miss today?" Caelus smiled wickedly and pinched Phainon's earlobe, feeling the body beneath his hands tremble slightly due to the intimacy.
Phainon looked up, his eyes a bit confused. "Today? Today is Saturday, clear skies, wind force level 6..."
Caelus sighed. Like a magic trick, he pulled an exquisite little gift box tied with a red ribbon from his back pocket and dangled it in front of Phainon's eyes.
"Happy Valentine's Day! My only Deliverer."
Phainon froze. He looked at the box, then looked at Caelus's smiling eyes, his ears turning completely red at a speed visible to the naked eye. He wiped his hands on his apron somewhat confusedly before carefully taking the box.
"For me?"
"Of course. Do I have other lovers?"
Phainon glared at him and untied the ribbon with a heart full of joy. Nestled in the box were several adorably shaped truffle chocolates, emitting a rich aroma.
"Specialties of the Binary Paradise. They say eating them can make people feel very 'Elation'," Caelus explained. "Although they have the IPC logo and should be harmless, I don't really know what Elation actually is."
He picked one up and held it to Caelus's lips first, saying, "Partner eat first."
Caelus protested, "Hey, Partner! I gave this to you!"
Phainon looked at him with a smile, his cornflower-blue eyes sparkling.
"Alright." Caelus completed his self-persuasion at light speed. He opened his mouth and took a bite; the rich sweetness instantly melted on the tip of his tongue. He looked at Phainon's expectant gaze and commented vaguely, "Tastes pretty good. Sweet, crisp, salty—the texture is pretty rich. Just didn't feel any 'Elation'... The remaining half is yours."
Phainon stuffed the remaining half into his mouth, his fingertips intentionally brushing past Caelus's lips. The sweetness of the chocolate mixed with the warmth Caelus left behind, sweetening all the way down his throat to the bottom of his heart.
He chewed the chocolate, smiling brilliantly. Suddenly, he leaned in and planted a heavy kiss on the corner of Caelus’s cool lips—a wet, sweet, chocolate-flavored kiss.
"Welcome home, Caelus. This is the best gift I’ve received."
Phainon smiled and said, "I am very happy. Perhaps this is... the best Elation."