RHH | Chapter 5.7

Absalom let out a short laugh. Then he pulled Leehwan into his arms and sat back down in the bathtub. The sudden depth made Leehwan tremble without making a sound.

Before the trembling subsided, Absalom thrust upward. The sound of splashing water mixed with wet squelching. Leehwan instinctively flailed his hands, searching for something to hold onto.

Absalom stopped moving and grabbed Leehwan’s waist, turning him around. Leehwan barely managed to lift his eyelids, heated with pleasure. Absalom was smiling with a flushed face.

Leehwan reached out. He cupped Absalom’s cheek and kissed him, and Absalom responded passionately. Absalom’s unique scent was strong. It’s better when I can see your face. Leehwan thought.

“Hold onto me, not something else.”

Absalom whispered as he thrust in hard with the head of his cock, which was caught at the entrance. The blunt tip of his member brushed and prodded against the spot that sent shivers through Leehwan, pressing down firmly. Stars burst before Leehwan’s eyes.

Leehwan, overwhelmed by the sensation, clung to Absalom’s neck, moaning incoherently. When he hung on with all his strength, Absalom held him tightly.

An unbearable heat rose from the spot that was relentlessly pounded. Overwhelmed by pleasure, Leehwan bit and sucked at the skin before him. Licking, sucking, and biting, he felt the body in his arms tremble.

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Huh?”

Absalom grabbed the back of Leehwan’s head and pulled him away. The face reflected in his hazy eyes was unbearably beautiful. It was a face only Leehwan knew. A childish sense of superiority surged in his chest. When Leehwan smiled faintly, Absalom moaned.

Absalom, pressing down on the back of Leehwan’s head, thrust his tongue in roughly. At the same time, his cock fiercely rubbed against Leehwan’s inner walls.

Leehwan, reaching his peak in an instant, arched his back. Absalom chased after him. Moans spilled out between their tangled tongues. As his cock rubbed against Absalom’s stomach, Leehwan tightened around him.

The intense pleasure gradually subsided. Only then did Leehwan realize that his stomach was filled with warmth.

“Haah… I thought I was going to be completely devoured.”

Absalom, resting his forehead on Leehwan’s shoulder, sighed as he spoke. Leehwan also leaned against Absalom. The splashing water tickled his skin. The water had grown slightly lukewarm. Perhaps it was because their bodies were so hot.

Their breathing, the gentle waves, and Absalom’s warmth—everything felt peaceful. Leehwan slowly exhaled a long breath.

“Is that a habit of yours?”

“What is?”

Leehwan asked in a languid voice. Absalom, sensing the remnants of heat in his tone, blushed.

“Th-that thing where you lick my neck.”

Leehwan shifted his gaze to where Absalom was pointing. The white neck was dotted with marks. The vivid contrast of colors was dazzling. Leehwan stroked them as he replied.

“How would I know? You’re my first.”

“But you’re a prince…”

Leehwan studied Absalom. Only then did he notice the jealousy staining his face. For some reason, it looked endearing, and Leehwan impulsively reached out and pulled Absalom into a tight embrace.

“That’s why I said you’re my first in every way.”

Absalom fell silent. Leehwan glanced up. He saw Absalom’s lips twisted awkwardly as he tried to hold back a smile. Seeing the joy in those deep blue eyes, Leehwan muttered.

“I didn’t think you’d be like this.”

“Like what?”

“You seem happy that I’m your first.”

“Huh? Oh, no. It’s not that…”

Leehwan narrowed his eyes and looked at Absalom. The flustered Absalom gradually pouted. This time, it was Leehwan’s lips that twisted.

When he could no longer hold back his laughter, Leehwan turned his head to hide his smile. Only then did Absalom realize he had been teased and shouted.

“Leehwan!”

“Yeah. It’s okay to feel happy.”

“Don’t tease me. You don’t look like it, but you can be quite mischievous.”

Grumbling, Absalom buried his face in Leehwan’s shoulder again. Then, as if remembering something, he added.

“You’re my first too.”

“I can tell just by looking.”

Not just sex, but even emotional intimacy—Leehwan was likely his first. When Leehwan responded lightly, Absalom’s shoulders grew hot.

“I feel frustrated and embarrassed.”

Instead of replying, Leehwan kissed Absalom’s shoulder.

It wasn’t that Leehwan didn’t understand the joy Absalom felt. If it was the possessive desire to be the only one who knew the most intimate side of someone, then Leehwan had felt it too.

Leehwan looked up at the window. The glow of the sunset was visible through the curtains. If they wanted to explore the area as planned, they needed to wash up soon.

“By the way, Rlom. Is it okay to wash in this water?”

It was water mixed with semen, bodily fluids, and saliva. He wondered if there was any point in bathing. Absalom glanced at Leehwan’s expression.

“I can clean it up, but…”

“With magic?”

“It’s really nothing. You haven’t seen me struggling during our travels, have you?”

It was as if he was confessing to using small spells throughout their journey. Leehwan cupped Absalom’s cheek with his palm and pushed it firmly.

“Oof!”

“I thought this before, but your face can get this ugly too.”

“You’re mean.”

Absalom shook his head, trying to break free. Leehwan quickly kissed his pouting lips before letting go.

“I’ll do this every time you use magic.”

It was an unclear punishment. Absalom, looking confused, purified the water.

After finishing their bath, they left the inn. It was just the right time for dinner, and the smell of food wafted from various places in the streets.

They bought food from a stall and sat on a nearby tree stump. It was wide enough for both of them to sit comfortably, likely from a large tree.

People’s eyes were drawn to the exceptionally handsome man. Leehwan, sitting beside him, also received attention. Remembering what happened earlier at the inn’s dining area, Leehwan asked.

“Are you okay?”

Absalom, who had already taken a big bite of his sandwich, looked at Leehwan. He didn’t seem to care about the stares around him. His cheeks moved up and down as he chewed.

‘This is trouble.’

Somehow, even that mundane sight looked cute. There might come a day when he finds Absalom adorable just for breathing.

After swallowing what was in his mouth, Absalom asked.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

They quickly finished the food they had bought. Perhaps because of the vigorous pre-meal exercise, a larger amount of food than usual disappeared in an instant.

Leehwan brushed off the breadcrumbs from his hands. A cheerful melody reached their ears as dusk fell. People with bright expressions were heading in that direction.

“Shall we go too?”

Absalom, who stood up first, held out his hand. Leehwan took it and stood up. Then, hesitating, he interlaced their fingers.

The trembling fingers soon gently clasped back. Leehwan glanced sideways. Absalom, with a flushed face, smiled shyly.

Following the melody, they arrived at a square. A large bonfire was lit in the center, and many people were dancing around it.

Their dance was similar to the folk dances Leehwan had learned at camp as a child. They looked joyful, laughing even when they stepped on each other’s feet.

Occasionally, people who bumped into each other would embrace or kiss in the heat of the moment. Leehwan stared at two women kissing not far away. It was a scene befitting a world where homosexuality wasn’t taboo. It would have been rare to see such a sight on Earth.

“Leehwan.”

Absalom tugged at their joined hands. Leehwan, turning his head without much thought, met Absalom’s expectant face.

“I can’t dance.”

After coming to this world, he had learned to dance to acquire social skills. But that was for high society, not the kind of lively dance meant for a place like this.

“It’s fine. I’ll lead, and you just have to follow.”

Absalom’s flushed face and sparkling eyes were too powerful a weapon for Leehwan. Eventually, he nodded.

“Don’t blame me if I step on your feet.”

“You can stomp on them as much as you want.”

Absalom led the way into the crowd. Finding a suitably empty spot, they positioned themselves as a new song began.

Leehwan moved as Absalom guided him. The steps were simple enough that it wasn’t difficult. By the second round, holding Absalom’s hand, he had completely gotten the hang of it.

As they moved closer for the next step, Absalom’s scent brushed against Leehwan’s nose. Crushed grass, wildflowers, the forest, soil, rain—it was as if he embodied this world. At that moment, Leehwan realized.

Absalom was a dragon, the antithesis of Iella and the child of Majir and Sithrun. It was no coincidence that he sensed this world in Absalom’s scent.

Leehwan looked at Absalom. His silver hair, fluttering against the dark blue sky, shone dazzlingly. His finely sculpted face, like a masterpiece, was adorned with a vivid smile. Leehwan had never seen Absalom so full of life before.

The music faded from his ears. Leehwan stopped moving and cupped Absalom’s cheek. Absalom’s eyes widened before softening. His flushed cheeks were adorable.

Leehwan pressed their lips together in a deep kiss. Through their breaths, Absalom’s scent—the scent of this world—seeped into his lungs.

He suddenly realized that he could come to love this world, which he had once found unbearable.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Lucien was able to return to the empire not long after the New Year dawned. As soon as he entered the Imperial Palace, he was met by attendants who had come to greet him. They led him away without even giving him a chance to dust off the dirt clinging to his body.

Prepared to shoulder all the responsibility, Lucien followed the attendants. However, what awaited him was neither the Emperor nor Charles.

The person was bathed in sunlight. Their golden hair and pale skin were so radiant that they seemed almost transparent. Their delicate features and slender frame made it hard to tell if they were male or female.

Dazzled by their beauty, Lucien only belatedly realized that this person was seated on the throne. Their gaze, looking down at him, was utterly natural. Before he knew it, Lucien had knelt. Only after bowing his head did he realize he had performed an act he had never done even before the Emperor.

“Are you Lucien? Let me see your face.”

Lucien raised his head. Only then did he see the person’s eyes. They shimmered with countless colors, like a rainbow. This person was not human. Lucien instinctively understood.

The person’s eyes curved into a smile. Lucien keenly sensed the smirk hanging on their lips.

“You’re better than I expected. Your father and brother were arrogant and didn’t know their place.”

The person rose from the throne. As they did, their long, flowing white robes cascaded down to their feet. Their attire, reminiscent of ancient times, only heightened their otherworldly aura.

Descending the steps, the person stood before Lucien. They bent down, bringing their face close to Lucien’s nose.

They stayed like that for a while. Feeling uncomfortable under their appraising gaze, Lucien subtly lowered his eyes.

“Yes. You are indeed…”

The person muttered meaningfully before straightening up. Lucien cautiously asked, looking at their back.

“Who are you?”

The person turned to face Lucien. Their red lips moved gracefully.

“Your god.”