Little Pink Starfish

“…Never grow conceited.”

“Of course not.”

“Then why are you fondling my chest? I let you braid my hair as you wished. Now, just leave me alone for a while.”

“I refuse.”

“I even tolerated you feeding me.”

“You tolerated it? …Did you dislike it that much?”

The threatening mood from just a moment ago vanished. Now Veloan looked downcast, full of sadness.

Flustered by his wounded expression, Ishar quickly sat up and turned toward him.

“Of course I didn’t mean I hated it! I didn’t dislike it at all! Actually, I—it was… good. So don’t look so hurt, alright?”

Ever since Ishar woke up moaning from muscle pain and their eyes met, Veloan had been stuck to him like glue—washing him, feeding him, hovering close.

It was the kind of pampering even he hadn’t received as Emperor. Granted, Veloan occasionally touched him here and there during the process, but if Ishar showed the slightest sign of disapproval, he would back off right away.

“Veloan, were you really that upset? I didn’t mean to ignore your effort or consideration—mmph!”

He shut his mouth the moment he realized Veloan had tricked him with a surprise kiss. All of this was from experience gained while being intimate.

When Ishar wouldn’t open his mouth, Veloan began licking softly between his lips. Then, sulking like a child, he gave a playful little nibble with his front teeth.

Still not giving in, Veloan stubbornly sucked on his lower lip like a pouting chickpea.

Is it right to accept him like this?

Ishar didn’t love Veloan. He cared for him only as a master cares for his disciple.

The only reason he was going along with all of this was to lull Veloan into a sense of security, make a contract, and crown him Emperor. That was it.

And yet, he grew more and more uneasy. What if he went along with everything to keep Veloan cooperative, only to get trapped in the end—contract or no contract?

Sex didn’t require love. Any adult could do it. But if he kept accepting the affection like this, and then suddenly disappeared… what would Veloan do?

His head ached the more he thought about it. He couldn’t predict Veloan anymore—and honestly, he didn’t want to.

He still remembered how Veloan once clung to him in madness, self-harming from nightmares, begging not to be abandoned.

Why is he so persistent?

He should’ve backed off by now, but Veloan had no intention of letting go. Ishar twisted his body slightly to avoid the tongue touching his lips.

It was only a small movement, but Veloan seemed to take it seriously. He gripped Ishar’s forearm tightly with both hands.

“Ishar.”

Veloan raised a graceful eyebrow.

“Please open your mouth.”

“Hmph…!”

This brat…!

While trying to disarm him with sweet talk, he was now groping Ishar’s butt with the other hand. Ishar glared at him, words stuck in his throat.

You say you want me to open my mouth—so why are you kneading my ass? Why are your fingers sliding between my cheeks?

He wanted to say all that, but if he opened his mouth, that tongue would come right in. So all he could do was glare and try to convey it with his eyes.

“Should I kiss you down there instead? I’m fine with that too.”

He didn’t say which “down there,” but neither option was appealing—especially not now.

Veloan looked ready to throw him onto the bed again. Reluctantly, Ishar parted his lips. Veloan’s red eyes curled in a smile as he slipped his tongue in.

The moment their tongues met, Ishar’s body, still sensitive from the previous night, flinched.

Even after all that yesterday, am I still this weak to pleasure? Or maybe Veloan is just that good at kissing.

But it wasn’t just kissing.

Veloan knew exactly where Ishar felt it most. He teased him deliberately, prolonging it, then struck at the peak with precision, driving him to climax. That kind of skill wasn’t something you gained from a few experiences.

And his size…

At first, it felt like his body was being split in two. But once he got used to it, it felt insanely good.

Near the end, even without hitting the sweet spot directly, the sheer depth was enough to bring him to climax.

Ishar had once thought he’d never feel pleasure from being taken again. Veloan changed that. The human body was an amazing, mysterious thing.

Stop thinking about it.

Just remembering that pleasure made heat rise in his lower belly.

And Veloan seemed to notice. His tongue grew more lascivious, moving wetly inside his mouth.

“What’s troubling you so much?”

Veloan pulled back slightly, nibbling his lower lip, and gently cupped Ishar’s face in both hands.

“Just say the word, Ishar. If you tell me to take you, I’ll do it right now.”

“…Enough!”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. I still want to be inside you, even now.”

Ishar shoved away the arms wrapping around his waist. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted—but he had no time to indulge in physical pleasure.

“Let go.”

“…If that’s what you want.”

Seeing Ishar’s serious expression, Veloan stepped back, visibly disappointed. Finally free from his grasp, Ishar walked over to the table.

His old clothes and belongings were laid out neatly, the ones he’d worn when Jishka kidnapped him.

There was no trace of the mud or water they’d been through. In fact, they smelled fresh—Veloan had likely washed them by hand with added fragrance.

Ishar took off his robe. As his naked body was revealed, Veloan’s eyes followed, but he ignored him and got dressed.

Normally, he would put on his shirt first, but this time he wore his underwear and pants first—because Veloan was blatantly staring at his butt.

As he reached to button his dress shirt, he finally noticed the red necklace still around his neck—and froze.

Before reuniting with Veloan, this necklace had been a crushing weight. Not once had he forgotten it.

At times, he thought he’d carry its burden to the grave—or even beyond.

But ever since seeing Veloan again, he’d completely forgotten it was there.

“If you’re not trying to seduce me, do up your shirt properly, Ishar.”

Since Ishar had stopped, Veloan buttoned the rest himself, with gentle fingers like a lover’s touch.

“Take this necklace. I don’t want to feel its weight anymore.”

He never wanted to feel it again.

Because the moment it became heavy again would be the moment he lost Veloan a second time.

He planned to abdicate and retreat before that happened, but the world was unpredictable—even Ishar couldn’t foresee everything. The sooner he returned it, the better.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to ask.”

After fastening the last button, Veloan picked up the cravat. With one fluid motion, the long cloth draped over his hand wrapped around Ishar’s neck.

“Have you never taken it off?”

“No.”

His touch was light but precise as he tied the cravat with care.

“Did you think of me every time you saw this necklace?”

“…”

Only after finishing the perfect knot and smoothing the edges did Veloan let go.

Or so Ishar thought.

Instead, his hand lowered, resting over Ishar’s chest. He pressed the pendant gently with his palm.

“Just by keeping it with you, did you think of me hundreds, thousands of times a day? Until we met again?”

“…Yes.”

“Ah…”

Veloan’s red eyes shimmered like waves. Moisture gathered as they burned with an ecstatic glow, and his cheeks flushed pink.

His expression looked strange.

It was like he was about to cry—but also like he was smiling. Lost for what to do—yet clearly overjoyed.

And the affection in his eyes, directed at Ishar, made Ishar look away in embarrassment.

“I also…”

When Ishar looked back up at the trembling voice, he saw his precious disciple smiling—a face as pure and radiant as a lotus blooming in the mud.

“I also never forgot you. Not once. No matter what I did, I missed you. I thought of you dozens of times each day. I always wanted to return to you.”

Veloan gently took Ishar’s hand and pulled it to his own.

He placed it on his left hand.

When Ishar looked down at the firm sensation under his fingers, he saw the ring he had once given Veloan, still on his ring finger.

Even though the artifact’s magic was gone—proof that Veloan had truly crossed the abyss—he recognized it instantly.

“I always kissed this ring while thinking of you.”

Ishar had never gone that far himself. He was a bit shaken—no, very shaken.

The love Veloan had shown during their intimacy… It might have been far deeper and stronger than Ishar had realized.

And that realization brought fear.

Would I be able to bind this boy with a magic contract?