50
Click.
In the already dark night, Yeon Ji-ho turned on the lights inside the caravan as he entered. It was the place where he and Set had taken an unplanned nap before, so there were traces of use.
“Hmm… Everything else is fine, but electricity is the problem.”
The trailer had basic kitchen appliances like an induction stove and microwave, though nothing too fancy. Electricity was essential for using things like air conditioning and electric mats, but the trailer was designed to draw electricity from outside sources.
As Yeon Ji-ho expressed his disappointment, Set, who had been watching from behind, also boarded the caravan. The caravan shook slightly.
“Electricity? Are all these items that require electricity?”
“Yes, but since there are no outlets there, it seems these will be difficult to use.”
“Apophis would know how to solve this.”
The magician Apophis was also skilled at creating magic-based items. His most notable invention was the wings fused with Isquis’s body.
Set recalled how Apophis had been most interested in the household appliances when he came here. Given his curiosity, Apophis might be delighted as soon as they brought the caravan.
“Even if we can’t use them, I think it would still be good to have. It has quite a lot of storage space.”
Yeon Ji-ho and Set sat side by side at the table in the center of the caravan, going over what they needed to bring. They were writing things down on a piece of paper, but after a certain point, they couldn’t think of anything else immediately.
“Ugh… I feel like there must be more we need. What else is there?”
While they had roughly estimated a ten-day period for the last trip, it wasn’t the case this time. They couldn’t guess how long they would be there, possibly even months. Moreover, once they went, it wasn’t a distance where they could easily come back to get something they forgot.
As Yeon Ji-ho pondered, Set, who had been watching, quietly suggested,
“Ji-ho. How about… we stay here for a day in advance?”
Yeon Ji-ho’s eyes widened at those words. There was still time before they actually left, and staying here for a few days would give them an idea of what they needed.
Yeon Ji-ho grabbed Set’s hand, his eyes sparkling. Set turned his head slightly to the side, avoiding his gaze as if embarrassed.
“That’s a good idea! Should we start staying here from today? Ah, what about Mr. Shango…!”
“There’s no need for Shango to stay here too. Since you and I will be doing the preparations anyway, the two of us are enough.”
Set’s response came out immediately, as if prepared, when Shango was mentioned. Yeon Ji-ho, who had been deep in thought after hearing his words, soon nodded.
“That’s true. Then let’s just tell Shango and come back. Since we’ll be sleeping here tonight, let’s bring plenty of blankets and pillows.”
Yeon Ji-ho jumped up from his seat and got off the caravan. As he was putting on his shoes, Set slowly followed and started putting on his shoes as well.
The interior of Yeon Ji-ho’s pension was quite spacious, with several caravans and separate pension buildings, and there were trees and lights here and there. Walking in the deep night created a romantic atmosphere.
They met Shango before reaching the house. He seemed to be doing some light exercise in the open space used for campfires.
“…Where…?”
To the question of where they were going, Set stepped forward first. He spoke in a deep voice, trying to keep his expression neutral.
“Ji-ho and I have decided to stay in the ‘caravan’ tonight.”
Shango’s eyes narrowed. He subtly glanced at Yeon Ji-ho beside Set. It was very unusual for someone who would normally follow Set’s words without question to look to someone else.
Noticing Shango looking at him, Yeon Ji-ho smiled brightly and stepped forward. A mischievous smile subtly spread across his face.
“Set says he wants to sleep with just me tonight.”
“…Ji-ho!”
Set clearly thought his plan was going smoothly without Yeon Ji-ho knowing. However, the unfortunate point was that Yeon Ji-ho was actually more perceptive when it came to relationships.
Yeon Ji-ho, who had already figured out his shallow scheme, spoke with a bright smile, causing Shango to smile faintly as well. Only Set looked at Yeon Ji-ho with a rather troubled expression.
“Yes, Your Excellency. I understand… Mr. Ji-ho, have… sweet dreams…”
“You too, Mr. Shango.”
Yeon Ji-ho waved lightly at Shango and then grabbed Set’s hand. He then turned around and started heading back to the caravan.
Left alone in the darkness, Shango decided to focus again on his warm-up exercises. Then suddenly, he gazed distantly at the backs of the two people walking slowly away in the distance.
“Why? Are you embarrassed because you got caught?”
“Ji-ho, you… you’re too quick-witted.”
“If you wanted to sleep with just me, you should have just said so.”
I like being alone with you too, Set.
Their affectionate voices reached Shango’s ears. He also caught sight of Set’s profile, completely turned towards Yeon Ji-ho beside him, focusing his gaze. He had the eyes of someone in love.
Shango watched this scene for a long time, smiling silently. Well, it was the first time for Shango to see him looking so happy.
Just something to protect, he had said. Shango remembered those words clearly. What they had to protect was nothing other than… this moment of happiness.
***
After his intentions were completely exposed, Set honestly opened up about his feelings.
In fact, while staying together at Yeon Ji-ho’s house, they had been using separate rooms. They were conscious of Shango’s presence and didn’t feel comfortable sharing a room when there were spare rooms available.
During this time, Set unexpectedly suffered from insomnia. His mind, which normally would have fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, remained alert even after dawn, and on days when he felt particularly anxious, he would even wander out and pace in front of Yeon Ji-ho’s room.
Although he couldn’t share all these trivial details, Set honestly told Yeon Ji-ho that he had wanted to be with him like this all along. In response, Yeon Ji-ho patted the blanket on one side of the bed to smooth it out and turned to look at Set.
“Then you should have said so a little earlier.”
“…Ji-ho?”
“I sleep well when I’m warm in Set’s arms.”
Yeon Ji-ho grabbed Set’s wrist and pulled him towards himself. As he gently lay down on the bed, Set ended up on top of Yeon Ji-ho.
Yeon Ji-ho reached out and wrapped his arms around Set’s neck. Veins bulged on the back of Set’s hands as he barely supported himself on his arms, afraid to move lest his full weight crush Yeon Ji-ho.
“This helps me sleep well. It’s warm, the weight is just right, and the scent is nice…”
“Ji-ho.”
“Ah, I’m really getting sleepy…”
“Ji-ho. Don’t fall asleep.”
As Yeon Ji-ho’s words became drowsy and spaced out, Set urgently added. He couldn’t let Yeon Ji-ho just fall asleep after finally getting this time alone together, even if he felt bad about it.
However, as Yeon Ji-ho’s eyelids continued to flutter closed despite Set’s plea, Set immediately began to move. He suddenly wrapped his arms around Yeon Ji-ho’s waist and lifted him up.
“…!”
Set adjusted his position, sitting Yeon Ji-ho on his thighs. Sitting on the bed, he buried his nose in Yeon Ji-ho’s nape and murmured.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you sleep now, Ji-ho.”
Set mumbled as he naturally slipped his fingers under the hem of Yeon Ji-ho’s clothes. Even as he did so, he couldn’t erase the apologetic look on his face, but Set couldn’t bear to spend this opportunity just sleeping.
But then suddenly, laughter was heard from above Set’s head. Set flinched and looked up to see Yeon Ji-ho looking down at him, unable to hide his amusement.
“Actually, I’m not sleepy at all.”
“…”
Though he hadn’t shown it, Yeon Ji-ho had been just as tense. Since that day, when they experienced the heat cycle in that cave, the two hadn’t had a chance to share a sexual atmosphere.
But their relationship had clearly changed since that day. Yeon Ji-ho was well aware of this fact, but due to the urgent situations that had come up, he had no choice but to bury it…
Yeon Ji-ho placed a light kiss on Set’s forehead.
“How could I fall asleep with Set in front of me?”
At that moment, Set felt as if something in his head had snapped without him realizing it. And simultaneously, he felt a scent he hadn’t noticed before sharply awakening his dormant sense of smell.
“Ji-ho… Ji-ho, you smell… so sweet.”
A deep scent of acacia, as if he might become intoxicated.
At some point, Yeon Ji-ho’s pheromones had filled the interior of the caravan. Set’s eyes began to glaze over.
