IGWNI Ch 36

It’s not that Yoon Jaewoo disliked being touched by Eustace. In fact, he rather liked it. When Eustace stroked his hair and called his name, or patted his back and whispered that everything was okay, it all felt good. When that large hand touched his face…

「Ramia.」

“……!”

Yoon Jaewoo, startled, looked up, wondering if his thoughts had been exposed.

「Shall we take a bath?」

“What?”

Not immediately understanding, Yoon Jaewoo’s eyes widened as he asked back. Eustace, with a subtle smile, pointed to the bathtub in the bathroom.

Soaking in a tub filled with hot water, Eustace leaned back with a languid expression. Sitting opposite, Yoon Jaewoo hugged his knees and looked at Eustace.

「Why?」

“No reason, just…”

Yoon Jaewoo was momentarily conflicted about whether to trust a man who suggested they strip and bathe together, despite being told not to touch even a fingertip.

A man who says he won’t touch a fingertip but suggests we strip and bathe together, or me, who believed him and stripped completely… Ugh.

At least the tub was large enough that two adult men could sit without their toes touching, which was a small relief.

“…You seem to enjoy it.”

「Enjoy what?」

“Soaking in hot water. Come to think of it, the northern castle had a lot of bathtubs, didn’t it? The massage facilities were nice too.”

Yoon Jaewoo only now realized those were tailored to the castle’s master’s tastes.

「It reminds me of the past.」

“What?”

「You were soaking your feet in my hot spring.」

“…Oh, that.”

Hearing about his first encounter with Jinsu hyung from Eustace’s mouth felt oddly surreal.

「Why on earth did you barge in and pull my ears?」

“…Don’t call them my ears.”

In Yoon Jaewoo’s mind, Eustace and Jinsu hyung still hadn’t fully merged.

「Fine, I’ll correct myself. Why did you pull Lot’s ears?」

“I thought I was going to drown… I thought Jinsu hyung was going to drown, so I did it.”

「Why are you so fearless yet so thoughtless? One or the other would suffice.」

That hot spring was where Eustace’s Lot soaked for healing. It was a sacred place no one was allowed to enter. Not killing the Ramia who brazenly dipped his feet in was simply because Eustace was too tired from hunting to bother.

“You’re missing plenty too.”

「Me?」

Eustace’s eyebrow arched in curiosity.

「What am I lacking?」

Yoon Jaewoo nearly said “decency” but clamped his mouth shut. Eustace’s foot nudged Yoon Jaewoo’s toes, urging an answer.

“…A human heart?”

「I’m not human, so how could I have that?」

“Fair point.”

「Right. What else?」

Regretting bringing it up, Yoon Jaewoo groaned, then thought of something good.

“You don’t have wings. Cox has those huge wings…”

With a snap, large wings sprouted from Eustace’s shoulders. The massive wings, filling the tub and beyond, fluttered.

「All Dweords have wings.」

“Oh…”

Wings were standard? That felt like a letdown.

Yoon Jaewoo cautiously reached out to touch the wings. Eustace, smiling, flapped them a couple of times before folding them away. Yoon Jaewoo smacked his lips, disappointed at the wings’ fleeting afterimage.

「What else?」

“Ears. And a tail.”

「I already have those.」

“That’s when you’re Jinsu hyung, I mean, Lot.”

Eustace laughed, incredulous.

“Talking about lacking ears and a tail…!”

Seeing large white ears sprout on Eustace’s head, Yoon Jaewoo’s jaw dropped.

「If I made a tail too, the water would overflow.」

“…Oh, …uh.”

Yoon Jaewoo stared blankly at the ears on Eustace’s head.

Oh, I want to touch them.

Noticing Yoon Jaewoo’s twitching hands eyeing the ears, Eustace smiled and said,

「You can touch them if you want.」

“…….”

「Say no if you don’t want to.」

As Eustace turned his head, Yoon Jaewoo quickly reached out. Eustace sighed at Ramia, who stretched out his hand with eyes squeezed shut. Tilting his head, Eustace brought his white, furry ears to Yoon Jaewoo’s hand. Feeling the fur, Yoon Jaewoo opened his eyes and began gingerly touching the ears.

“…So soft.”

「Yes.」

“It’s like touching Jinsu hyung’s ears.”

「It’s the same.」

“Don’t say it’s the same.”

「…….」

Yoon Jaewoo, fondling the furry ears, suddenly murmured,

“Jinsu hyung’s fur is so soft because he always bathes in hot springs. It feels so…”

A large beast suddenly leaned over Yoon Jaewoo. Yoon Jaewoo leaned back as far as he could. The beast, as if inviting touch, extended its head. Yoon Jaewoo knew who it was, thanks to its eyes. Thinking back, how had he not noticed? Their eyes were unmistakably the same.

“…Jinsu hyung.”

The beast silently gazed at Yoon Jaewoo, then extended its head again. Yoon Jaewoo placed his hand on its head. The soft fur’s texture spread through his palm.

“Jinsu hyung. …Jinsu hyung.”

Knowing it wasn’t that name, Yoon Jaewoo called it that while stroking the fur. He gently petted the beast’s head and chin in turn. The beast’s blue eyes narrowed slightly.

“Jinsu…”

The beast’s nose touched Yoon Jaewoo’s neck. Its sniffing, once cute, now felt different.

“Jinsu hyung. Could you… move your head?”

Knowing Eustace was inside, Yoon Jaewoo was cautious even about the beast’s nose on his neck. The beast, as if it couldn’t understand, kept pressing its face to Yoon Jaewoo’s neck.

“Jinsu hyung. …Jinsu hyung. Please, just…!”

The beast’s warm breath hit Yoon Jaewoo’s neck. His face grew hot.

“Jinsu hyung, …Rau!”

Yoon Jaewoo, eyes shut tight, pushed the beast’s face away. The beautiful white-furred beast faded, and Eustace appeared. Yoon Jaewoo glared at him, face flushed.

「You seem to understand they’re the same now.」

“I don’t. Jinsu hyung isn’t like you… Fine, I’ll believe you, just don’t change!”

Yoon Jaewoo shouted at Eustace, whose form flickered again. Eustace, swallowing a laugh, settled back. The tub, half-emptied by Jinsu hyung’s appearance, began refilling.

Silence fell between the two at the tub’s edge. Yoon Jaewoo wiggled his toes, wondering when he could leave.

「Ramia.」

“Yes?”

「When will you let me touch you again?」

“…I don’t know.”

Yoon Jaewoo replied sullenly. No matter how he thought about it, Eustace’s actions yesterday were unforgivable. Threatening to break his other leg, to impregnate him. The worst part was himself, heart racing just at his name being called.

「Let me soon. There’s a limit to my patience.」

His voice was calm and leisurely. But Yoon Jaewoo saw the ferocity from yesterday in Eustace’s steady gaze now.

No wonder he’s a dog bastard.

“You’ll have to endure. Forcing yourself on someone who says no makes you a beast, not a person.”

「I’m closer to a beast than a person, aren’t I?」

A playful, laughing retort came. Since it wasn’t exactly wrong, Yoon Jaewoo couldn’t argue and awkwardly lowered his gaze.

Then he noticed Eustace’s foot touching his. Yoon Jaewoo quickly pulled away. Eustace’s foot followed, casually covering Yoon Jaewoo’s toes.

“What’s that?”

「I’m stretching my foot.」

Eustace’s foot covered Yoon Jaewoo’s again. Yoon Jaewoo shot up.

「Fine.」

Eustace grabbed Yoon Jaewoo’s wrist.

「I won’t touch. Just sit here for now.」

No one could predict how long it would take to inspect and fix Asir’s barrier. Days, maybe years. Though Eustace planned to return and take Ramia to the northern castle, he couldn’t fully shake the lingering anxiety.

Eustace tightened his grip on Yoon Jaewoo’s arm. Sighing, Yoon Jaewoo sat back down.

“I’m really… too soft-hearted.”

「Lucky for me. I can dig in.」

Yoon Jaewoo nearly said he’d already dug in deep but shut his mouth. Yesterday’s shameless actions didn’t deserve that.

As hot water filled the tub, the inflow stopped. Silence blanketed the bathroom.

「When and where…」

“What?”

「When and where do you want to go?」

“Go what?”

「Your world. When and where do you want to go?」

Yoon Jaewoo tilted his head, not fully grasping Eustace’s words.

「I’ll take you to the place and time you want. The future isn’t possible, but the past is.」

Yoon Jaewoo’s body was still changing, making it tricky, but with Cox’s help, it wasn’t impossible. Alongside Eustace, Cox was a master at handling barriers and space.

“A time I want?”

「Yes. I’d prefer you wait in the happiest time of your life.」

“My happiest time…”

Yoon Jaewoo racked his memory. Since starting soccer, every moment felt similarly happy.

“They’re all about the same, so anytime during my athlete days is fine.”

「Just don’t be so happy you don’t come back.」

“I’ll come! I will. Even if you tell me not to, I’ll come.”

「I’d never tell you not to.」

Eustace leaned against the tub’s edge, continuing.

「Even now, I want to call you here.」

Yoon Jaewoo’s neck flushed at those words. Leaning out of the tub, he muttered,

“I’m here, so don’t worry too much. I’m not going anywhere.”

「Don’t go.」

“Okay.”

「Don’t go anywhere, …stay.」

Suppressing the urge to lock Yoon Jaewoo in his arms, Eustace whispered through gritted teeth.

「Don’t go anywhere, stay by my side, Ramia.」

Though coated in a gentle, refined tone, Yoon Jaewoo, aware of the dark, sticky obsession within, stared blankly before nodding.

“I’ll come when you call.”

Yoon Jaewoo smiled brightly. Facing that smile, Eustace barely suppressed the anxiety stirring in his chest.

「I want to hold you.」

“……!”

「I want to hold you, to be inside you.」

“Th-that kind of talk…”

「It’s not touching, is it?」

“…….”

「I want to be inside you, filling that tight space with me.」

“Why… why are you like this!”

「Can’t I even speak now?」

“Even so, saying that to someone’s face…”

His ears burned just hearing it.

「Then what can I do?」

“Just look! Just look quietly!”

Yoon Jaewoo raised his head and said.

「Just look quietly?」

A twisted smile curled on Eustace’s lips. Yoon Jaewoo flinched inwardly but nodded, resolute not to back down.

“Yes. Just look. Do you know how much I hurt yesterday?”

「Fine. But you can’t complain about what I look at either.」

“Of course. That’s only fair…”

Before Yoon Jaewoo finished, Eustace’s hand reached between his own legs.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

「What’s it matter? I’m not talking to you or touching you.」

“Well…”

As Yoon Jaewoo fumbled for words, Eustace began stroking the flesh in his hand. With a few movements, the flesh hardened, taking shape in the water.

“Why, really… why are you doing this?”

Yoon Jaewoo asked, near tears. Eustace smiled, eyes narrowing.

「You clearly said just looking is fine.」

Gripping the large flesh, Eustace only looked at Yoon Jaewoo. Having said it, Yoon Jaewoo couldn’t protest further.

Yoon Jaewoo swallowed a curse and lowered his head. Avoiding eye contact might help. Then, seeing the man’s hand and large organ moving underwater, he shut his eyes entirely. With sight blocked, his hearing sharpened. The sound of water splashing and Eustace’s breathing reached his ears clearly. His earlobes grew hotter.

「Haa…」

A low moan and the sound of wet skin brushing echoed. Even with eyes closed, Yoon Jaewoo felt Eustace’s gaze.

I thought closing my eyes would help, but… what is this?

Yoon Jaewoo bit his lip, waiting for Eustace’s self-pleasure to end.

「Ramia.」

His face heated at the voice calling him.

「Ramia, …Ramia.」

The sound of Eustace calling him while satisfying his desire rippled through the water. Yoon Jaewoo bowed his head low, twisting to escape the sound.

「…Ugh.」

A heavy breath seemed to lick Yoon Jaewoo’s ear. Blood rushed downward. He knew it shouldn’t, but his lower body tightened.

「…Yoon Jaewoo, …Jaewoo-ya.」

Yoon Jaewoo opened his eyes. He couldn’t stay in the tub any longer. As he tried to leave, a hand from behind pulled him back firmly.

Eustace kissed him fiercely, as if biting. Yoon Jaewoo, swallowing curses, opened his mouth wide to meet Eustace’s lips. It was sweet, so sweet. As Eustace licked his dry mouth, Yoon Jaewoo closed his eyes tightly and clung to his neck.

I like it. I’m crazy for this dog bastard. Just hearing his voice makes me hard, this damn dog bastard I love.

“…Dog bastard.”

Yoon Jaewoo muttered sullenly between their parted lips. Eustace, as if to swallow even that, lightly bit and released his lips. Another hot kiss began.

“Mmm…”

A pleased sigh escaped Yoon Jaewoo’s lips. Eustace’s aroused organ pressed against Yoon Jaewoo’s buttocks. His body, still raw from yesterday, tensed.

「I won’t put it in.」

Eustace whispered, lips pressed together.

「I’ll just hold you.」

“…Alright.”

Yoon Jaewoo wrapped his arms around Eustace’s neck again. As their kisses deepened, Eustace’s organ swelled even harder. Sitting between his legs, Yoon Jaewoo fidgeted, unsure what to do. Each time, Eustace’s face tightened, and he gripped Yoon Jaewoo’s body more firmly.

While kissing, Yoon Jaewoo glanced down and gasped, swallowing hard. As a fellow man, he almost respected Eustace for holding back this long.

Eustace smiled and kissed Yoon Jaewoo’s cheek, as if this alone brought him joy.

Yoon Jaewoo swallowed a sigh and spoke.

“…It’s okay.”

「What?」

“Just rubbing… it’s okay.”

He tried to sound casual, but his voice trembled with embarrassment.

Before Yoon Jaewoo finished, Eustace began rubbing his organ between Yoon Jaewoo’s buttocks.

“…Ugh!”

Yoon Jaewoo bit his lip at the sensation of the hard flesh pressing against the sensitive area where his organ and buttocks met. His own organ hardened, taking shape. Each time the tip rubbed against his opening, hot water seeped inside.

「What’s wrong?」

“The water…”

Understanding with a single word, Eustace lifted Yoon Jaewoo to hold onto the tub’s edge. Then, embracing him, Eustace began moving his hips.

“Ah… ugh…”

The flesh sliding between his legs brushed against Yoon Jaewoo’s organ. A sharp moan escaped him. His legs trembled, nearly giving way several times. Each time, Eustace steadied him, rubbing his organ against Yoon Jaewoo’s thigh.

The low growl of a beast echoed in the bathroom. When Yoon Jaewoo reached climax and ejaculated, Eustace soon followed, breathing heavily and moving his hips faster.

「Ugh!」

Cloudy semen splashed onto Yoon Jaewoo’s buttocks and legs, an amount three or four times more than a typical person’s.

Each time Eustace thrust his hips a few more times, hot semen splattered onto Yoon Jaewoo’s legs with a wet sound. Feeling it trickle down his buttocks, Yoon Jaewoo turned back with a frightened look, but Eustace shook his head.

“…Don’t you dare try.”

Muttering with a sullen face, Ramia’s shoulders were held as Eustace thought that one day he might betray his restraint and truly fill this one with his seed, causing a mess.

“…I need to wash…”

Yoon Jaewoo murmured, languid from the release. Eustace moved the water, instantly swirling it around them. In a blink, their bodies were clean. In his fading consciousness, Yoon Jaewoo thought that living with this guy meant never worrying about showers. He faintly heard Eustace’s laugh.

“…Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Yoon Jaewoo, eyes half-open, asked as he felt Eustace’s hand stroking his hair. Hearing the sleepy voice, Eustace patted his hand, urging him to sleep more.

“You have to go tomorrow.”

Muttering, Yoon Jaewoo reached out and wrapped his arms around Eustace’s waist. That small gesture stirred an indescribable urge in Eustace.

Right now, he wanted to ignore Asir’s barrier and take this one back to the northern castle. But he couldn’t ignore the cracks in the world he governed.

「It’s alright.」

Eustace patted Yoon Jaewoo’s back, continuing.

「Everything will be fine.」

“…I hope so.”

Would this young one have nightmares or fits while he was gone? Would something bad happen if he looked away? Would Ramia’s heart change while they were apart? These thoughts cluttered Eustace’s mind. Lying beside Yoon Jaewoo all night, he gazed at his face without sleeping.

「I’ll place you in your happiest time.」

Whispering the promise softly, Yoon Jaewoo, half-asleep, rubbed his face and said,

“You’ll come get me, right?”

「…….」

When no answer came, Yoon Jaewoo, puzzled, repeated the question.

“You’ll come for me, right?”

「I don’t belong to your world, so I can’t go there.」

“What?”

「Everything depends on your will. If you want, …you’ll come back here.」

Once sent there, Eustace had no control. Interfering in another world required a foothold there. The most Eustace could do in Yoon Jaewoo’s world was open a rift at the moment he desired.

Hearing this, Yoon Jaewoo let out a small laugh.

“Not what I want, but if the god wants, I should come back.”

With sleepy eyes, Yoon Jaewoo looked up at Eustace. Even in the dark, his face glowed faintly. My beautiful god.

「We’ll meet again, without fail.」

Eustace said, hand on his chest, a vow.

“Send a proper signal, so I know when to come.”

「Yes, I will.」

Eustace’s hand slowly patted Yoon Jaewoo’s back. Like a promise that all would be well, the gentle pats sank into Yoon Jaewoo’s heart.

“How…”

「……?」

“How will I… know the signal?”

「You’ll just know.」

“…When…”

「…I’ll call you. When you take my hand, we’ll meet again.」

Eustace’s voice was soft and tender, like a dream. Yoon Jaewoo, eyes closing, muttered, what are you calling, but the weight of sleep was too heavy to hear the answer.

Dark sleep flooded into Yoon Jaewoo’s body.