Little Pink Starfish

Squeeze—as Ishar tried to raise his body, Veloan pressed down on his chest with his weight.

“Why…”

“I’m not so weak that you need to take care of me anymore. So why—why do you still see me as someone who needs protecting?”

“That’s not—”

“If that’s not it, then why do you feel guilty toward me? I told you clearly. I’ve hated Duke Superzen from the start, never gave him a shred of affection. I went there solely by my own decision.”

“Even if that’s true for the Duke… didn’t you care at least a little about Glen?”

“I told you clearly, didn’t I? Glen was only a preparation—for when I became Empress. That’s all.”

Between the open lapels of his bathrobe, Veloan’s chest rose and fell heavily. When Ishar lifted his gaze, their red eyes met.

“From start to finish—it was my choice. So please, take back your apology. I don’t want you to feel guilt, or regret, or pain… because of me.”

Drip. A warm droplet fell on his cheek.

At first, Ishar thought Veloan’s hair hadn’t dried completely.

But he realized soon enough—that wasn’t it. The deeply soaked crimson eyes trembled endlessly with pain and sorrow, shedding clear streams of tears. Ishar’s breath caught in his throat, like he’d swallowed ash.

Veloan is crying… because of me.

Veloan, who had never cried even in pain, was now silently sobbing because of him. So sorrowfully, so achingly.

“During the three years I was away, you suffered so much because of me. And when I was a child, I didn’t even know you were shortening your own life to raise me. My ignorance—was that such a great sin…? How much more pain do you expect me to cause you, Ishar? I don’t want to hurt the one I love anymore.”

His voice was raw, piercing Ishar’s ears with startling clarity. Ishar couldn’t bring himself to push away Veloan, who was clutching him so tightly he could barely breathe.

Eyes wide, he looked down at the golden head buried in his chest.

Thump, thump, thump. His heart pounded heavily. He didn’t know whether it was from Veloan’s weight or from emotions he thought he’d never understand until his dying day.

He needed more certainty. So, through the hammering in his chest, he forced out the breath to speak.

“Veloan… will you show me your face?”

There was no reply. Instead, the face that had been pressed to his chest slowly lifted—and with red eyes glistening with tears, Veloan looked up at him.

“Ah…”

A breathless moan escaped Ishar.

Was this what Veloan felt, every time he looked at me?

The first realization of love was unbearably sweet. And then—

It’s terrifying…

It was a fear so overwhelming, it felt like being cast helplessly into a raging sea in a fragile, old boat. Ishar was terrified—of Veloan’s love pouring over him, and of the love he now realized he felt for Veloan.

I don’t want to lose him.

His hands trembled. No—his whole body was trembling, so finely that it was almost imperceptible.

Veloan seemed to think Ishar was angry. He clung even more desperately.

Despite his size, the desperation in his movements made him seem small and pitiable. Ishar bit down hard on his lip.

Even this—this too was so unbearably lovable it made him want to cry. And yet at the same time, it made him so afraid, he couldn’t even bring himself to return the embrace. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, unable to act.

…What if Veloan finds out the truth?

Originally, Ishar had planned to confess his sins—the fact that he was the one who had wronged Veloan—on the day he retired.

But the heart was a fickle thing.

That resolve had vanished completely. All that was left was the desperate fear of being found out.

When he first heard Glen’s story, Ishar had begun to suspect that Duke Superzen had set a trap, targeting Veloan.

The ‘coincidence’ surrounding Glen felt too much like a carefully written script. It was suspicious—too suspicious.

The Duke’s illness worsened rapidly, and Veloan had returned a fully grown adult. He must’ve grown desperate. Maybe he gambled everything in a bid for immortality—by devouring Veloan.

He would bait the trap with something Veloan couldn’t ignore.

If that’s the case, the Duke will surely release some critical piece of information to lure him there. Then… what would that be?

Given the Duke’s close ties with Karsha, Ishar was terrified—he might know about his crimes.

“Ishar. I’m sorry. Just curse me or hit me instead.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Aren’t you trembling in anger? Your heartbeat’s faster. I didn’t say what I said to upset you.”

“I know. I’m not angry. If I were angry, would I have asked to see your face? Don’t blame yourself, alright?”

When he sat up, Veloan no longer resisted. Ishar quickly cupped both his cheeks with his hands.

“I’m sorry for apologizing. No—just pretend you didn’t hear it. I was thinking of the past, of when you were small. So… don’t cry anymore.”

“Ishar…”

If only Veloan had cried like this as a child, Ishar might’ve learned how to console him properly.

But he had no experience with the tears of this grown-up boy. He hesitated even to wipe them away.

I feel like a fool.

Even a sense of helplessness crept in. If he let these tears fall further, they might leave a scar that would never fade.

Panicking, Ishar leaned in, wrapped his arms around Veloan’s neck, pulled him close, and buried his face in his chest.

“I don’t know what to do when you cry because of me. Please… don’t cry.”

“…Can I ask one thing?”

“Anything. Just say it.”

“Please let me feel you. Then I’ll be okay.”

When he lifted his head, their eyes met. Ishar held Veloan’s red gaze.

In the past, when Veloan said things like this, Ishar always dismissed it as teasing or flirtation.

But he had been wrong. Veloan had never been joking. He had always been sincere.

Ishar had been afraid to confront his feelings—and so he ignored it, ran from it. Only now did he realize it.

Those clear crimson eyes pleading for him were the proof.

His breath wavered between his lips. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came.

He released his hold around Veloan’s neck. Then, with one hand, gently cradled the back of his head and pulled him closer.

As their lips met, Veloan responded with joy.

Their tongues entwined, breaths tangled. Before Veloan could take the lead, Ishar mimicked what Veloan had always done—moving his tongue first.

He traced along Veloan’s neat teeth, tangled his tongue with the warm, wet one beneath, and sucked gently. As he focused entirely on the sensation, he opened his eyes—and his heart lurched at the sight before him.

Veloan’s eyes were closed. With a serene expression, he was savoring Ishar’s every movement, every touch, every presence.

That look—so soft, so trusting—was achingly beautiful. So full of love and joy, it made Ishar’s chest tighten.

As his heart beat louder and faster, Ishar realized the depth of his desire for Veloan.

I want to feel more of him.

The more their tongues met, the more Ishar craved. It wasn’t enough. He wanted to touch him more, hold him, feel him completely—his entire body tingled with need.

Has Veloan always felt like this?

Was that why he always came at him like a wild beast—because this longing burned inside him?

Ishar thought he understood Veloan. But now that he recognized his love, he realized—he’d been completely mistaken.

Before he knew it, his hands were exploring Veloan’s body. As if kissing him just wasn’t enough.

Love, like droplets falling on parched earth, soaked through gently. Yet even just being with the one he loved was enough to completely shatter reason—a sweet pleasure that overwhelmed him.

That wonder, that realization, brought a soft laugh from Ishar—one that escaped him without thinking. Veloan opened his eyes and blinked as if to ask why.

His red eyes dipped below his lashes, then reappeared.

How can blinking look this beautiful…?

Ishar’s movements grew bolder. His hand slid down Veloan’s nape, slipping under his collar.

The flinch of flesh beneath his palm was adorably endearing. Ishar slid his hand further into the robe, caressing Veloan’s body while swallowing his breath above.

I want to touch more. Be closer.

As time passed, Ishar’s desire only deepened. Caressing Veloan’s chest with soft, sensual hands, he finally undid the knot of the robe he’d tied himself.

Their lips parted briefly. Before Ishar could lean in again, Veloan slightly turned his head—putting distance between them.

But before Ishar could panic, a voice—low and husky like the night—brushed his ear.

“Ishar… are you sure about this?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he pulled the robe down from Veloan’s shoulders completely and claimed those glistening, parted lips once more.

Veloan’s eyes widened in surprise at Ishar’s boldness—but then he smiled. And gladly responded to the more demanding kiss than before.