TYMIR Ch 34

“Why are you so surprised? I’m just asking you to sleep with me like when we were children. Just for tonight, Yoonyi, I don’t want to be apart from you.”

Hyowon languidly pressed his body closer. The flushed, mature scent of a man wafted strongly from him. Every point where their skin touched was hot. Hyowon gently wrapped his hand around Yoonyi’s slender one and continued to speak. His deep-set eyes looked so pathetic, as if he needed to be embraced right away.

“Th-then, I shall quickly lay out the bedding.”

Startled by the touch that was once again creeping up his body like a vine, Yoonyi reflexively turned and fumbled with the bedding mat that was placed on top of the drawers.

“You will sleep with me, won’t you?”

“……Pardon?”

As the bedding, dried fluffy under the sun, was laid out flat, Hyowon stood right behind him like a shadow and asked. At this, Yoonyi slowly turned his body. He seemed just like his younger self who hated sleeping alone, making Yoonyi chuckle inwardly. So he deliberately hesitated for a moment.

“I promise. I won’t touch you any more today.”

Hyowon tied the loosely bound sash of Yoonyi’s jeogori firmly and met his eyes.

“You know that I was never in a good mood whenever the topic of marriage came up.”

“Well, that’s true, but……”

“And every time, you were the only one who comforted me. Although I’m the one who gave you a hard time today, please, just let it slide this once. Hm?”

His slightly upturned eyes drooped so pitifully. Even his shoulders were curled inward, and oh, how lovely he looked. Yoonyi, who had been gazing at him blankly, quickly took a spot on the bedding first.

“Yoonyi?”

In the brief moment of hesitation, a hazy smoke seemed to billow up, and then a pure white jeogori fell powerlessly to the floor. Staring at it blankly, Hyowon closed the distance in a single breath, approaching the foot of the bedding.

Whine.

From between the fabrics, a white fox appeared, scratching its nose with its front paw. Its jet-black eyes, as if holding a small night sky, were focused solely on Hyowon.

“Is this how you’re going to comfort me today?”

At the careful question, the tail, covered in lush fur, wagged in the air. Its charming demeanor made a laugh escape on its own. Hyowon followed, lying down on the bedding and sending a look his way, as if telling him to come closer. As if it had been waiting, the cotton-ball-like fox curled up and settled in front of him.

“It’s truly been a long time since we’ve laid down together like this.”

Whimper.

Hyowon reached out and endlessly stroked the round head between its ears. The fur was so soft that his hand seemed to slide down with every touch. The feeling was so delightful it felt like his fingertips would melt, and the corners of his mouth lifted on their own. Yoonyi quietly felt the touch and let out a small cry.

“Yoonyi, I don’t know how every form you take can be so lovely.”

Its small mouth opened, and a pink tongue flickered in and out of sight. Hyowon, who had been watching this intently, suddenly leaned over and buried his face in the pure white back.

Would it wear out if he touched it? It was too precious even to just look at. Hyowon simply kept his head buried and quietly inhaled. With every breath, Yoonyi’s unique grassy scent brushed the tip of his nose.

“Let’s… go to the mountains together tomorrow.”

After a long silence, Hyowon finally, slowly, lifted his head. Then he stealthily pointed to the bow resting on the wall.

Yip! Yip!

Yoonyi, whose eyes were starting to flutter shut, quickly rolled his eyelids up and nodded his head rapidly.

“You like that so much?”

The affectionate question lingered endlessly in his ears. Yoonyi continued to nod his small head.

“I’m so happy to be with you, too.”

Hyowon once again whispered words of love and pulled the tiny fox into his embrace. The fiercely pounding heartbeat was transmitted through his entire body. It was truly a relief. For when he was in his fox form, his expression could not be seen.

“Why are you showing tears?”

When moisture suddenly welled up in the black eyes, Hyowon gently wiped it away and spoke. Yoonyi just quietly shook his head, then stretched his legs to stand up on Hyowon’s chest and licked the tip of his straight nose.

“You little rascal, that tickles.”

At that, Hyowon shifted his body and let out a clear, bright laugh. The sight was so wonderful to see that Yoonyi endlessly burrowed into his broad embrace. The night had deepened, and all around was quiet.

“You must have been very tired.”

The faint movements that had been fidgeting on his body ceased, and the sound of soft, even breathing could be heard intermittently. When Hyowon glanced down, Yoonyi was fast asleep with his eyelids closed.

Hyowon carefully placed the curled-up fox by his pillow and gazed at it endlessly. Still so small, and ever more lovable the more he looked. A hot surge of emotion welled up like a ball of fire.

“I love you, Yoonyi.”

A low voice, barely audible, drifted on the night air. At that, a pair of pointed ears fluttered gently in the darkness.

🎐⋆｡🍥

As the faint light of dawn broke, the peacefully sleeping fox lifted its eyelids. The hazy vision gradually cleared, and it saw the person sleeping soundly in front of it.

Even in the darkness, his handsome features captured the eye. At the memory of yesterday’s confession, his heart suddenly began to pound as if it would burst. Yoonyi opened his mouth and let out a long, hot breath.

Swoosh, a dreamlike smoke spread, and a pure white nude body was fully revealed. Yoonyi, having regained his human form, quickly picked up the neatly placed jeogori and pants.

“……Why are you not sleeping more.”

At the small rustling sound, Hyowon sluggishly opened his eyes, his voice thick with sleep.

“Not at all, Young Master. I always wake up at this time.”

Yoonyi, who was just then tying his sash, replied with his eyes curved into a wide smile. At that, a large hand swiftly grabbed the nape of his neck.

“Come here.”

“Y-Young Master……?”

Pulling the slender body right up close, Hyowon pressed his lips repeatedly onto Yoonyi’s plump ones, like stamping a seal. Yoonyi’s startled body fidgeted.

“Don’t go.”

Then, as if nothing had happened, he pulled him into a tight embrace again, as if to trap him in his arms. The lingering voice left Yoonyi frozen, unable to even breathe. His calm heart once again began to pound, thump-thump, making a racket.

🎐⋆｡🍥

The bluish dawn passed, and a red glow now settled beyond the paper window.

Yoonyi, who had been quietly blinking his eyes the whole time, gently shifted his gaze. He saw a perfectly straight nose, as if it had been sculpted. And the sound of even breathing. Every so often when the eyelids trembled, the long, upturned dark eyelashes would flutter as lightly as a butterfly’s wings. The strong arm wrapped around his body still clutched his slim waist, showing no sign of letting go.

“Young Master.”

But the sun was already rising brightly, what if someone saw? He couldn’t stay like this any longer. Yoonyi called out softly, as if whispering, and carefully slipped out of the embrace. The distinct face was still lost in sleep.

Yoonyi, who had been staring at him, entranced, suddenly reached a hand toward his closed lips. As his fingertip grew moist and the soft sensation lingered, last night flashed before his eyes like a panorama. The hazy memory gradually sharpened, and the heat he had barely suppressed began to creep up his skin once more. Startled by this, Yoonyi fled the room as if running away.

“Still, how could you… what was I thinking…”

Leaning his back against the closed door, the pounding of his heart spread through his entire body in an instant. The soft, pliable feeling still lingering on his fingertips hadn’t faded. He was in the middle of muttering to himself like that.

“Where are you coming from right now?”

At the sudden, curt tone, Yoonyi quickly followed the sound with his gaze. At the very end of the hallway stood Makgae, who had just been about to enter, his eyebrows narrowed sharply.

“……Hy-hyungnim.”

Why had his hyungnim come instead of his sister? On top of that, having been caught coming out of the room, the earlier tremor of excitement turned into tension, and Yoonyi’s voice scattered nervously.

“You wouldn’t have gone to attend to him at this hour. Don’t tell me you slept in the Young Master’s room?”

Makgae, not averting his persistent gaze, craned his neck and asked. His round, flat face was clouded with a thick haze of suspicion.

“N-no, that’s not it. I was just checking if he was sleeping…”

His slender fingers repeatedly pressed against his chest. Yoonyi barely managed to collect himself and answered calmly.

“What is there to check? And now that I think about it, the basin for his morning wash was just sitting there.”

“Th-that’s because the Young Master said he had a headache yesterday.”

“Ah, really? Well. I guess that makes sense.”

At the thoughtlessly blurted-out words, Makgae nodded his head as if slowly accepting it.

“Then, I’ll quickly head to the kitchen. But, hyungnim, what are you doing here? Where is my sister?”

Before more questions could fly his way, Yoonyi stretched out his leg to hastily leave. But why was Makgae here at this hour? The question wouldn’t go away. So, he stopped in his tracks and stared openly at Makgae.

“Your sister? She said she wasn’t feeling well today, so I came instead. It’s not like I’ve come somewhere I’m not supposed to be. Why are you so nervous?”

Makgae smirked, deliberately lifting one corner of his mouth. Then he abruptly showed the robe he was holding in his hand.

“Is my sister very unwell?”

Suni had a naturally steadfast and diligent personality, so she rarely ever missed work unless it was something serious. How sick must she be to not have come? At the worried question, Makgae answered indifferently.

“You’ll find out when you go see for yourself. Now, go and do your work.”

“Ah, um, that… The Young Master is still sleeping, so.”

Makgae shot a sideways glance and passed by him. At this, Yoonyi spoke up again.

“I know. It’s not like I haven’t attended to the Young Master before.”

“……I’m sorry, hyungnim.”

However, before he could finish, Makgae’s eyes widened as he glared fiercely. At his menacing aura, Yoonyi took a step back.

“It’s fine, don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Then, as if he’d never been angry, Makgae once again curved his slanted eyes and patted Yoonyi’s thin shoulders. Every time the rough hand touched him, the fine hairs on his back stood on end, even though it wasn’t winter. For some reason, he had a very bad feeling. Even as he watched Makgae push open the door to the master’s quarters, Yoonyi still couldn’t leave the spot.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“Young Master, did anything unusual happen?”

As he helped Hyowon into the pale green robe that Makgae had brought, Yoonyi kept studying him. He didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, and there wasn’t a single trace of worry on his pale face. So Yoonyi asked tentatively.

“Unusual?”

“It was Makgae hyungnim, not my sister, who came today.”

“Ah, right. Where did Suni go that that fellow came instead?”

Tilting his head, Hyowon’s eyes grew round as if he had just remembered, and he asked.

“He said she wasn’t feeling well, so I was planning to go to the servants’ quarters later.”

“Did he say she’s very unwell? But why do you ask if something happened?”

Hyowon, who knew Suni’s character well, also quickly poured out worried words, then suddenly changed the subject without warning.

“It’s nothing, it’s just…”

The atmosphere in the house was already unsettled, and he didn’t want to add to the worries. So, Yoonyi let his words trail off with a faint smile.

“You have a truly delicate side to you, Yoonyi.”

Hyowon slightly narrowed the distance, approaching him and pouring out a warm gaze.

“You asked because that fellow Makgae’s touch is naturally rough, didn’t you?”

At the incomprehensible words, Yoonyi just blinked his eyes. Hyowon’s eyes curved softly as he drew closer. Relieved that he didn’t seem to have noticed anything, Yoonyi swallowed inwardly.

“……Then again, he has changed a bit as he’s gotten older.”

The space between Hyowon’s eyebrows narrowed, and after a moment of silence, he abruptly added another comment.

“In what way?”

The hand that was tying the robe sash came to a halt. Yoonyi rolled his eyes upward to look at him.

“He’s become much calmer compared to before.”

“That’s a relief.”

The unexpected words flowed from between his lips, which were curved into a smile. It seemed that truly nothing had happened. Yoonyi finally let out a small breath.

“Yes, it seems I’ve been on edge for too long because of what happened in my childhood.”

“You were?”

“Suni once said that fellow Makgae worries about me, so I should probably pay him a bit more mind from now on.”

Hyowon’s words continued on, calm and unbroken. If even sister Suni had said so, what more was there to say? The hand that had stopped began to move diligently again.

“All done, Young Master.”

“Then let’s go together.”

“Pardon? Where?”

A large hand suddenly snatched the small hand that was hanging in the air. From the still-warm hand, a feverish body heat radiated. Yoonyi looked up at Hyowon blankly.

“Didn’t I whisper it last night? That I don’t want to be apart from you for even a moment.”

“……Y-Young Master.”

Hyowon slowly brought their clasped hands to his mouth, pressed his lips to the back of the white hand like a stamp, and then drew closer to whisper secretly. As the moist sensation was transmitted, the slender shoulders flinched.

“You have no idea how empty your side of the bed was this morning.”

Hyowon’s slightly upturned eyes suddenly drooped, and he let out a whimper.

“……Wh-what are you saying at this hour of the day.”

Yoonyi quickly let go of his hand and turned his back. At that, the sound of a clear laugh rang in his ears.

“Hyungnim, you are truly cruel.”

A strong arm instantly wrapped around his neck. At this, Yoonyi hardened his round eyes and shot him a merciless glare.

🎐⋆｡🍥

“L-Lord Manseok!”

A servant who had crossed the threshold rushed across the courtyard, shouting. The man’s steps seemed to fly as he ascended to the main hall. Thump-thump, the dry wooden floor couldn’t withstand his rough footwork and let out a creaking sound.

“What is all this commotion so early in the morning?”

Madam Han, who had just picked up her spoon, glared fiercely at the male servant. Her mood was extremely unpleasant due to having her rare quiet time interrupted.

“Well, someone from Lord Hong’s house just asked me to deliver this letter to the master urgently. It looked important, no matter how I looked at it……”

Seeing the servant frozen stiff, Lord Kim gestured with his chin as if to say it was alright. At that, the man falteringly held out the white envelope he was clutching in his hand.

“From Lord Hong’s house?”

As Lord Kim asked, tilting his graying eyebrows, the male servant nodded his head vigorously.

“My lord, it seems they have sent word of an auspicious date.”

Madam Han quickly shed her anger and smiled radiantly. The faint fine lines around her eyes melted away in her bright smile.

“Mother, what’s an auspicious date?”

“It means your older brother is getting married.”

Seunghun, who had been eating with rice grains stuck all over his face, blinked and asked at the sight of his mother’s joyful expression. At that, Madam Han replied in a gentle tone.

“Congratulations, Your Lordship.”

Yeonim, who was quick on the uptake, bowed her head respectfully.

“That fellow Lord Hong, he’s so impatient.”

Lord Kim, in a rare show of pleasure, raised the corners of his mouth slightly and carefully opened the envelope in his hand.