Little Pink Starfish

A gentle hand stroked his head.

His body felt heavy, utterly exhausted. But it was a pleasant kind of weariness—one that made him want to stay half-asleep a little longer.

Next, a hand caressed his cheek… then brushed against his lips. Finally, Asher opened his eyes.

“You’re awake.”

Turning toward the voice, he was immediately met with a soft kiss upon his lips.

“I’m… sorry. How long have I been like this?”

He tried to sit up, but his body felt sluggish and wouldn’t move as he wanted. He seemed to have been lying atop Theodore.

“Not too long. And I’m the one who pushed you to the point of passing out.”

Saying this, Theodore gently ran his hand along Asher’s waist.

Though his body should have been a mess, he’d been cleaned thoroughly. Despite being completely naked, he didn’t feel cold—likely because Theodore’s warm body was wrapped around him.

“Next time… I’ll take care of cleaning myself. I mean, I always make you do it…”

He always felt embarrassed when he realised his lower half had been tidied after everything. Just imagining Theodore seeing him in that state made him want to disappear.

When Asher said this, blushing, Theodore did something rare—he let out a small laugh.

“You can’t take away the joy of cleaning you.”

“J-joy…”

“And besides, who knows when we’ll next be alone again. I want to touch you as much as I can.”

Blinking, Asher lifted his upper body and looked down at Theodore.

“‘Don’t know when’…?”

“We should probably get ready to return soon. I’d love to stay like this, but if Prince Samuel finds out I saw you…”

“Samuel-nii-sama?”

“Still, how did you sneak out? How did you even know I was here?”

Neither of them could follow where the other was going, and they stared at each other, blinking. Then it hit Asher.

Ah, that’s right… He said Samuel-nii-sama had forbidden him from approaching me…

He had completely forgotten. Or rather, considering that had been said while his chest was being caressed, it was only natural that the words went in one ear and out the other.

“It’s true I shouldn’t be out too long, but Samuel-nii-sama knows I came to see you. It’s okay.”

“…He knows?”

“Yeah, everyone! My whole family accepts us now. And Father said he supports us, and not to worry about the Noble Council either… Theodore?”

Asher smiled as Theodore looked back at him, stunned.

“So… I didn’t sneak out. I’m not hiding.”

“Really… Prince Samuel?”

Nodding with a bright smile, Asher reassured him. But Theodore still didn’t quite seem to believe it. And understandably so—Asher didn’t know, but while he’d been unconscious, every time Theodore had tried to approach him, Samuel had flown into a rage, brandishing his sword like a demon. Normally the ever-smiling prince, Samuel had shown such terrifying expressions that the castle had fallen into chaos. Even the royal physician, who had advised regular kisses to transfer the fated one’s fluids, had been rebuffed by Samuel, who begrudgingly agreed only to let Theodore’s blood be applied to Asher’s wounds.

There was no way that Samuel would have forgiven Theodore.

“From now on, we can be together openly.”

But seeing Asher smile, cheeks flushed, eyes narrowing with happiness, Theodore chose not to say anything else.

He slid his hand behind Asher’s head and pulled him close. He placed gentle kisses—chu, chu—on his lips, one after another, and managed a faint smile of his own.

Seeing that rare expression, Asher’s face turned bright red, and he gazed at Theodore with starry eyes.

“By the way… there’s something else I’m wondering about.”

“Eh?”

Theodore’s smile faded, replaced by his usual blank expression. But Asher could tell now.

“W-why are you mad?”

“That scent when you came in… what happened?”

“You’re bringing that up again? But I don’t even know what scent you mean…”

“That strong, sweet scent… even people who aren’t fated partners would’ve noticed. Damn it… who did you see before you came here? Did something happen?”

“What…? I just…”

Nothing had really happened. He’d talked about Doriana with the nobles, and then came straight to look for Theodore.

“I just really, really wanted to see you. I was desperate to find you, that’s all.”

He genuinely didn’t understand. He didn’t even notice any change in his scent, and he didn’t know why Theodore was so fixated on it.

Asher glanced up timidly.

“Well… when I thought of you, my chest suddenly got hot… and I just couldn’t help it—I had to see you. It hurt not to, and then…”

Suddenly, there was an odd sensation at his waist.

Realising what it was, Asher’s eyes widened in panic.

“Eh? Why!? Wait… I’m still…”

“…Sorry. I won’t do anything. Just… a little…”

He wasn’t sure which part of his words had stirred Theodore so. But honestly, Asher didn’t have the strength for another round and flustered.

Theodore must’ve understood—he covered his eyes with one hand and sighed, trying to calm himself.

“Don’t worry, it’s a biological reaction. Just… please don’t say such cute things. It makes me want to hold you all day.”

“A-all day…”

That was definitely impossible. Asher broke into a cold sweat—his stamina couldn’t handle it.

Seeing him tremble, Theodore chuckled and gently stroked his back.

“You were thinking about me, huh…”

“Yeah. And then Lord Reachalf told me you were here.”

“The High Priest? …How did he know this place?”

“Speaking of which—why are you in the east tower?”

This place, far from the royal wing, was originally built for attendants. But since it was inconveniently located, it was now more of a storage area.

“…Before I became your guard, I used to live here.”

“Eh? But the Black Knights have quarters near the training grounds…”

“There’s a room there too, but I rarely used it.”

Asher then recalled how, when searching for Theodore, he’d realised how little he actually knew about him.

“Do you… like this place?”

“Rather than like… it’s quiet. And the structure reminds me of where I lived as a child.”

“Your home? Oh—that reminds me. I should greet your parents.”

“That’s not necessary. I don’t have parents. My home was an orphanage.”

“Eh…”

Theodore winced, as if regretting his words.

“You… grew up in an orphanage?”

“…It’s a boring story. Let’s not.”

“It’s not boring… I want to know.”

“There’s nothing worth hearing. Because I’m a beastman’s child, I was left at an orphanage… and then, well, various things happened, and I became a knight of Dias.”

He patted Asher’s back as he smiled, but Asher’s expression turned serious.

Seeing Theodore’s reaction, Asher understood. He didn’t want to talk about his past. Of course, Asher wanted to know everything—but that desire might be selfish.

After all, he hadn’t told Theodore everything either.

He had once tried to talk about his memories from a previous life, but gave up, thinking Theodore wouldn’t believe him.

Explaining it all now would be difficult. And he was a little afraid—of how Theodore might respond.

Theodore was probably the same.

Asher’s expression darkened slightly, and Theodore gave a troubled smile.

“Really, it’s nothing important.”

“Even if it’s not… I still want to know about you.”

Theodore pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“About me, huh… let’s see…”

He paused to think, then whispered in Asher’s ear.

“My favourite thing… is you. What I hate… is time spent without you.”

Asher smiled, wrapping his hands around Theodore’s cheeks, and kissed him happily.

Glancing toward the window, he saw the sky had turned orange.

He knew it was time to return to his room. But this moment, this time with just the two of them, was too precious. He didn’t want it to end.

Their kisses deepened again, their shared heat rising. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Asher knew he should be getting dressed… but he couldn’t pull himself away from the one he loved.

“…Just a little longer.”

He pressed himself closer, asking softly.

But they both knew—a little longer was easier said than done.

It was likely they wouldn’t be leaving the room for quite some time.