“You need to get better quickly.”
Blaine wholeheartedly agreed with that sentiment. The damn scorpion’s venom wasn’t healing as easily as expected. Maybe he really did need to swallow his pride and drink more of that foul herbal tea. But still… having Hurel crouch behind him, grabbing his legs and pushing him to “get it done” was something he could never, ever get used to. No matter how many times it happened, it was the kind of thing that made him want to die from embarrassment. Just kill him now and be done with it.
“I want to leave soon.”
“So do I.”
Instead of scolding him, Hurel simply smiled and agreed in a soft voice. Blaine liked the way Hurel gently brushed back his honey-colored hair.
“There’s a place I want to show you, Hani.”
“Mmm? Really?”
“Yeah. I stumbled across it years ago while out gathering honey. The scenery was so beautiful, I swore to myself that I’d come back before I died.”
To be taken to a place like that—it was an honor. With a drowsy smile, Hurel nibbled at the honeybee’s earlobe. As the tender sensation bloomed and tingled, Blaine blinked slowly, heavy lids weighed down by sleep.
“I also want to see that flower field Bertie told us about… Apparently, it’s this famous place among butterflies where strange purple roses bloom everywhere. He said it’s really special, and when you go there… when you go there, you….”
His voice trailed off, growing slower and softer. Hurel chuckled under his breath. If he was that sleepy, he should just fall asleep—but it seemed Blaine still had more to say.
“So, yeah… they say the flower meaning of purple roses is eternal love. That’s why butterflies love them.”
“You’re such a romantic, Bee-Bee.”
“Me? Haha, no way. I’m a worker bee.”
A worker bee couldn’t possibly understand love. Whether it was expressing affection or receiving it, he was clumsy with both—so clumsy it was embarrassing and made him anxious. What if Hurel got disappointed and left?
“But Bee-Bee, you’re not just any worker bee. You’re my sweet, adorable honeybee.”
That whispered voice, the way Hurel’s arms wrapped snugly around his large frame, the delicate fingers stroking his hair and the curve of his ear, the soft lips tickling his jaw and mouth—it was all achingly precious. The honeybee let out a soft moan and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Let’s visit all those places, Bee-Bee. I want to go too.”
“Mmmmh…”
“And then let’s go back home. To our home.”
Hurel’s home. He hadn’t stayed there long, yet Blaine could still recall every corner of that room in vivid detail—the shape of the furniture, the layout, the colors of the walls and floors, the textures, the smells. He missed it so much. Why was that? His tiny one-room hive apartment already felt like a fading memory.
“Ha…nii…”
“Hehe, you’re sleepy, huh? Go to sleep. You can finish your story tomorrow.”
Yeah… tomorrow would be fine. Hurel would still be next to him tomorrow… and the day after that too. After repeating that thought over and over in his heart, Blaine finally relaxed and sank into a sleep sweeter than honey.
***
It had been a full week since Blaine—the comrade who had saved his life during their very first meeting, who had fought through countless dangers by his side, forging a deep brotherhood—had been attacked by that scorpion. And General hadn’t been able to sleep properly the entire time, worried sick about Blaine’s condition. He’d wanted to visit, but even with his tough rhinoceros beetle body, he couldn’t break through the spider’s barricades. He hadn’t seen Blaine in days and was close to giving up.
“General, where are you headed?”
“Ah! Sage!”
If not for the Sage, who shared meals with him every day, General might’ve ended up with not just a broken wing, but depression too.
He felt almost guilty now for ever having been prejudiced against spiders. The Sage was kind, elegant, and dignified. And beyond that—he was just so breathtakingly beautiful.
Maybe inner virtue really does shine through to the outside, General thought in admiration. But then he remembered another spider who was gorgeous on the outside and rotten on the inside—and quickly dismissed the thought. Sure, his comrade had already fallen hopelessly into that psycho’s clutches, but General had no intention of even making eye contact with that bastard. Poor Blaine. How did he get tangled up with that spider…?
“I’m on my way to see Blaine. I heard he’s finally able to walk again.”
“Hmm, but I don’t think you’ll be able to meet him.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I saw Hurel go inside just a little while ago.”
The rhinoceros beetle’s face clearly fell.
“Ah… I see. Thanks for letting me know.”
“General.”
Just as he gave a small bow and turned to leave with heavy steps, a quiet voice called out behind him. It wasn’t loud, but it had this solid, anchoring weight to it—something that stopped him in his tracks.
“I know you’re selfless. But just once in a while… how about thinking of yourself instead of others?”
“Huh?”
“I was too busy saving that honeybee to even take a proper look at your wing. Don’t you resent me for that?”
Resent him? How could he ever feel resentment—especially when the Sage had been so busy taking care of his best friend? General had thought that was only natural. The idea of resentment—it was shocking that someone would even consider it.
“I feel sorry about it.”
“Oh no… Please don’t, Sage!”
Despite his hulking, musclebound frame and intimidating appearance, the way General trotted over like a tail-wagging puppy was almost comical. The spider smiled gently, and for a moment, it looked as if flower petals might start fluttering in the air behind him.
“Now that I have a moment to breathe, let me take a look at your wing. Follow me.”
“A-Are you sure? Haven’t you been overworking yourself lately? You could rest a bit more…”
“No can do. Like I said—worry about yourself for a change.”
How could someone be this kind? This gentle? Overcome with emotion, General felt a lump rise in his throat as he trailed awkwardly behind the spider, his massive body looking comically small in that moment.
“Oh, we’re going down quite a bit, huh?”
“Mmm, the equipment I need to treat wings is down here.”
“Ah, I see…”
The winding staircase stretched endlessly downward, growing dimmer and dimmer the further they went. It was getting kind of scary, if he was being honest—but not wanting to show it, General puffed out his chest and pretended to be totally unfazed.
After who knew how long, they finally reached a massive door flanked by burning torches, the entire place giving off an exotic vibe. The deep red light made it all feel strangely eerie, and General cleared his throat nervously. Trying to play it cool, he let out a hearty laugh and complimented the atmosphere—but stopped when his own booming laugh echoed creepily down the hallway.
“Come on in.”
All that fear turned out to be for nothing. The inside was pristine white and immaculately clean. The kind of space anyone might imagine when hearing the word “operating room.” A spotless, sterile white room. Blindingly bright lights. Cold metal trays piled with unfamiliar tools. A large, black surgical chair.
Most ordinary creatures would feel uncomfortable in a place like this. And despite his unconventional appearance, General was quite the ordinary guy inside. He hesitated awkwardly until Shane smiled that beautiful, reassuring smile and gently led him forward.
“Good boy. Don’t be nervous—just get up on the chair.”
Yeah. He was huge—what was there to be scared of? At worst, it’d just be a shot or a few stitches. Trusting Shane helped him push through the fear. Nodding firmly, General climbed onto the surgical chair… which honestly looked more like a damn guillotine.
“You’ll need to take off your clothes.”
“Huh?!”
He was briefly flustered, but it made sense. Having grown up in the hyper-masculine culture of rhinoceros beetles, he didn’t hesitate. Without the slightest bit of modesty, General stripped off every piece of clothing and clambered up onto the chair.
Yeah, “clambered up” was the right word.
