Chapter 94
“Lo…ve?”
What kind of game is love?
Is it different from the bodily games played at night?
Although it didn’t seem like a twisted word like “sex,” Eun-hwi, unable to deduce its exact meaning, asked him with a puzzled expression.
“What kind of game is that?”
As if he had expected the question, Yeo Moon-beom smirked. Instead of answering right away, he reached out and wiped away the dew from the corner of Eun-hwi’s eye with his fingertip, then whispered softly.
“Love is… a game of building a castle for two.”
“…A castle for two?”
“A castle where only the two of us can stay, where no one else can intrude.”
Eun-hwi had quite enjoyed building castles before. He would dig until his fingernails turned black, but the dokkaebi would kick them down immediately.
“…Do we have to build a castle?”
He wondered if it was necessary to build another castle when Hwichukdang, an impregnable fortress, already existed on Wolhwa Island.
Unable to grasp the purpose, the half-dokkaebi rolled his eyes, not hiding his confusion. Seemingly having anticipated this reaction, Yeo Moon-beom held back a hearty laugh and gently caressed Eun-hwi’s wet cheek as he spoke.
“I’m not talking about building a castle on the ground, but in our hearts.”
“A castle in our hearts?”
“Yes.”
Since it’s not something visible, it would take time and effort to build the same shape of castle in each other’s hearts.
Eun-hwi began to understand a little about what he meant by the “game of love.”
“You see, I want to become closer to Eun-hwi than we are now and build a solid castle that won’t crumble even when strong waves hit. Even if someday you become human.”
“Ah…”
Eun-hwi had been restless, unable to control his feelings. He had felt disappointed, thinking he was the only one who wanted him.
‘Even if it’s difficult now, I’ll definitely find a way for you to become human and make it happen. I always keep my promises.’
Overwhelmed by unfulfilled greed and fear of abandonment, Eun-hwi had completely forgotten about this promise. Feeling guilty for not trusting him and doubting him, the half-dokkaebi apologized in a dejected voice.
“I’m sorry, Yeo Moon-beom. I said strange things without understanding…”
What could be more special than wanting to be together even after fulfilling the promise?
To become even closer than friends.
Eun-hwi felt so inadequate for resenting someone who cared for him so much.
Tears that had momentarily stopped now welled up again. Trying hard to hold back, Eun-hwi silently shed tears, but eventually unable to control the overflowing emotions, he buried himself in Yeo Moon-beom’s arms and burst into tears.
“You were afraid of becoming like Eodukseoni, weren’t you?”
“…Sob.”
“Even though that would never happen. Were you worried because you haven’t become human yet?”
Eun-hwi had been scared of the Yeo Moon-beom who had mercilessly beheaded the human-faced bird, the one in his dream who smiled chillingly and said he would catch monsters.
Because even though he was half-human, Eun-hwi was still a monster.
Despite finally setting foot in the human world he had longed for, he couldn’t even go out the door alone.
He had been anxious that they might grow tired of him, with his appearance different from the others here, only knowing how to depend on them.
Anxious enough to have such an absurd dream.
Eun-hwi felt the gentle warmth as he leaned against the broad chest that embraced him like a mother bird sheltering her small, fragile chick. It was a warmth that illuminated even the shadows in the depths of his heart.
As the sobbing gradually subsided, Yeo Moon-beom, who had been slowly stroking Eun-hwi’s delicate back, spoke.
“There’s something I’ve been waiting for all my life. Something I must finish with my own hands.”
At his tone, more resolute than usual, Eun-hwi gently raised his head from Yeo Moon-beom’s chest. As he gazed into the dark eyes tinged with blue-gray, burning like dokkaebi fire in the darkness, Yeo Moon-beom continued.
“To successfully complete that task, I need your help.”
“…My help?”
“Even if it’s difficult right now, trust me and wait for me. That’s how I can survive.”
“If I believe in you, you’ll live…?”
Eun-hwi’s heart sank at the words carrying such a solemn weight. With a bitter yet sorrowful smile, Yeo Moon-beom spoke softly.
“I’m sick of living a life that drains my blood day by day. I want to live a different life in the castle we build together.”
A different life from now on.
Although Eun-hwi didn’t know exactly what the lifelong task was, he realized it was Yeo Moon-beom’s wish, as desperate as his own desire to become human, something he had never mentioned before.
“I’ll definitely succeed and come back, and then we’ll love to our heart’s content. I’ll become a reliable husband for you.”
“…Husband?”
Seeing the lukewarm response, Yeo Moon-beom’s seriousness faded momentarily as he playfully asked for Eun-hwi’s opinion.
“Would you prefer to be the wife instead of me being the husband?”
“W-wife…?”
“A dark, hairy-legged old man doesn’t quite fit as a wife… But if that’s what Eun-hwi wants, I’ll do it. Wife it is.”
Flashing a bright, genuine smile, Yeo Moon-beom lay on his side, propping his head up with one arm. Still wearing a dazed expression at the unexpected words, blinking repeatedly, Eun-hwi mumbled as if talking to himself.
“But wife and husband are for lovers, friends can’t…”
“Friends can’t be in love either.”
Yeo Moon-beom cut him off nonchalantly, caressing Eun-hwi’s now-dry cheek with his other hand.
“You said it yourself. That you like me. Twice, even.”
“Oh? Y-yes…”
‘I… like Yeo Moon-beom.’
‘I like you.’
Eun-hwi had thought Yeo Moon-beom considered it just a friendly confession since he hadn’t given any response.
As the half-dokkaebi nodded with a bewildered face, Yeo Moon-beom looked straight into his eyes and said,
“I like you too, Eun-hwi.”
With unwavering, steadfast eyes.
“More than a friend.”
“…”
“Whether as wife or husband, I don’t care. Just be my lover.”
Eun-hwi couldn’t believe it.
He stared blankly at the person before him, doubting his own ears. It didn’t seem like the Yeo Moon-beom who had only smiled quietly at declarations of like before. It still felt like a dream.
Or he wondered if he was still trapped in the world created by Eodukseoni, unable to wake up.
Jade Emperor, Buddha, Mountain God.
Please don’t let this be a dream.
Eun-hwi squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them again, desperately hoping this wasn’t a dream that would end in an instant. Yeo Moon-beom, with one corner of his lips slightly raised, came into clear view.
“Yeo Moon-beom is really here in front of me.”
“Who else should be in front of you?”
“No, I mean, I thought it might be a dream…”
“You still don’t believe me? I even said I’d be your wife.”
“…”
“I didn’t know I was such an untrustworthy person.”
A large hand slowly glided over Eun-hwi’s face, as delicate as glazed porcelain. Then, spreading his thumb and index finger, he pinched Eun-hwi’s soft cheek and pulled it outward.
“Owww!”
“How about now? Do you believe me?”
“It huwts…”
“What? You hate me now?”
“No, I… bewieve you.”
It was difficult to speak with his lips stretched sideways. As the words came out slurred, Yeo Moon-beom finally released the cheek he had been kneading like rice cake dough.
“That’s more like it. Oh, you’re so pretty, our Eun-hwi.”
Yeo Moon-beom planted a kiss on the sore skin. Then, as his moist, soft lips brushed against Eun-hwi’s nose and lips, the ticklish sensation made the half-dokkaebi curl up the inner corners of his mouth. Both cheeks, previously only red on one side, now turned pink.
“Keep going.”
Eun-hwi overlapped his hand with Yeo Moon-beom’s. Then, slightly twisting their joined hands facing each other, he interlaced their fingers, fitting them together without gaps.
“I’ve always wanted to be Yeo Moon-beom’s lover…”
“Since when?”
“Since Yeo Moon-beom treated me like a human.”
When he held his hand, Eun-hwi realized he had hands too. When he kissed him, Eun-hwi realized he had lips too. When his heart fluttered at the sight of him, Eun-hwi realized he had a heart too.
How could he not fall for someone who constantly reminded him of his worth when he was drifting, neither human nor dokkaebi?
Perhaps he had started liking him from the moment Yeo Moon-beom casually offered him a plum-flavored candy, knowing full well he wasn’t human.
Ah. What should I do?
His chest was so full, about to burst with emotion, that he couldn’t calm down. It was the confusion of his head not keeping up with his heart.
His chest rose and fell repeatedly with his uneven breathing. Just looking into each other’s eyes made his whole body heat up. Eun-hwi, nuzzling his forehead against Yeo Moon-beom’s chest like a spoiled child, called out to him with a trembling voice after making up his mind.
“Um, Yeo Moon-beom…”
“What is it, Eun-hwi?”
“Um… I…”
“What now?”
“I don’t have to hold back anymore.”
“Hold back what?”
“Sex.”
Looking at the clearly changed gaze at that one word, the half-dokkaebi acted coy.
“I want to suck Yeo Moon-beom’s dick with my back hole.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
