#73

He had only closed and opened his eyes for a moment, but he had already left that hellish castle, exited the maze-like forest, and was flying through a vast sky where stars were falling. That was right. He was flying. Looking at the small, blurring dot growing smaller in the distance, Amber gasped intermittently. He looked at his wrist. Tennessee was holding his wrist with a blood-stained hand.

“Where… where are we going?”

“My house.”

It had clearly been a night sky where an aurora seemed likely to unfold, but before he knew it, they were in a backyard where grass and a rusted fence were faintly visible. Beyond the fence lay overgrown weeds, and beyond that, an empty house with boards nailed over the windows. A dead city.

“This is…?”

A cave where ghosts gather. A young Tennessee living on a path where the dead congregate. That was Amber’s first impression. Just then, a crashing sound of something breaking echoed from somewhere.

“Leandre!”

A man’s rough call, curses. And the sound of sobbing spreading along with low groans. Yes, this was Tennessee’s home. Home. This place…. Something like this.

“Dammit.”

Tennessee cursed and approached the back door. As he got closer, the cursing and the smell of alcohol grew stronger. Tennessee walked forward, stepping on grass that had withered to a barley color.

“Don’t go.”

Along with the sobbing, the cursing grew louder. There was a foul smell.

“What?”

As if it were meant to be, Amber grabbed Tennessee, who was about to take a step toward the predetermined path. It was an intuition from an unknown source.

“You can’t go.”

“Leandre! Where the hell did that son of a bitch run off to now…!”

The booming shout of a man, a sobbing woman, the foul smell of alcohol, the depressing air—the scent of deep poverty and despair steeped within it. Tennessee’s hometown and birthplace.

“I have to go. They’re calling.”

“Those people hurt you and they’ll keep doing it. Don’t go.”

When Tennessee hesitated, a woman’s sob, so stifling it felt like it would tear his ears, broke out. Tennessee’s nostrils flared as if he regretted his hesitation. Almost simultaneously, Amber also put strength into his feet and ran. Running feet, light breathing. He quickly snatched the wrist of the departing Tennessee.

“Let go! They’re hurting because of me!”

“It’s not because of you!”

As Tennessee told him to let go, Crash! Something broke loudly behind them. And then followed a dull noise. Amber and Tennessee looked down the long hallway beyond the half-open back door. On the dirty floor was a carpet littered with syringes and filth, and deep blood was flowing over it.

Death. Intuition struck Amber. It’s death. Someone died.

While held by Amber’s hand, Tennessee muttered hollowly.

“It’s because of me….”

“It’s not.”

Amber was suppressing a surge of tears. Tennessee was looking only forward, as if he couldn’t see him. He kept muttering like this.

It’s my fault. It’s because of me. Because I didn’t go quickly enough, because I couldn’t help….

It wasn’t a lie. Because it was Tennessee who had killed her.

But sometimes, we must know how to cherish ourselves. We must consider our own pitiful circumstances—why we had no choice but to make such a decision. In the end, to live fully, the soul must be a single piece. With a soul shattered by strict self-loathing, one can only maintain a shattered happiness.

“Run away.”

Amber commanded, pulling Tennessee, who was blankly entering the back door.

“Run away with me.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, I can’t be a coward.”

“You can’t be a coward?!”

Amber grabbed Tennessee’s shoulders and shouted. His voice grew shrill and loud, but he simply couldn’t contain his agitation. Why did he not cherish himself? Why did he not recognize his own preciousness even a little!

“You always run away when you shouldn’t, and then you try to take all the pouring sins without even an excuse! Stop it already!”

“What are you talking about?! Let go!”

Amber tightened his grip with both hands, refusing to let go. Amber had never once beaten Tennessee with strength, but he was confident he wouldn’t lose in terms of will.

Just as a scuffle broke out between Tennessee, who tried to escape his grip, and Amber, who tried to get him out of this place, Amber suddenly let go. Unable to withstand the recoil, Tennessee fell onto the dirty grass.

“Then I’ll do it.”

Those words came out abruptly. Only after saying it did Amber realize that this was actually what he had longed for for a long time.

“No one will blame you for avoiding a typhoon.”

So Tennessee had to avoid it. To a place unseen, where there were no penalties, no strict yardstick of conscience, no good or evil, beyond a steel-like judgment devoid of any self-love.

“Stay here, Tennessee.”

Stay here.

Shaking off Tennessee’s hand as he urgently tried to grab him, Amber ran. He kicked open the opaque door that Tennessee hadn’t been able to enter and stepped boldly onto the dirty wooden floor.

The moment he entered, what he perceived was the pungent smell of alcohol and a man with sharp eyes. Even without asking, Amber knew who he was.

Surprisingly, in that moment, he feared nothing.

“Let’s go.”

Tennessee looked at Amber’s blood-soaked hand. Holding the blood-stained hand that clung to him viscously, Amber led him.

The two ran. Past the wheat fields, past the rough soil and earth, until they reached the other side of the world where rusted iron pinwheels occasionally turned. His heart ached, but he didn’t tire. The blood drying on his hand was unpleasant, but he burned with passion.

It wasn’t just two hands that were held. Tennessee was holding and supporting Amber’s soul, and Amber was holding and supporting Tennessee’s soul. Though their nails broke and they were scratched, the two did not stop.

Someday, eventually.

“Amber.”

Amber opened his eyes at that moment. It wasn’t a dreamlike voice. It was a clear call.

“……Tennessee?”

A dream within a dream? There was no way Tennessee could be here now. He should be in Chicago, not Michigan, around this time.

“You’re sleeping soundly after turning a person upside down.”

Just then, the sound of a car passing by the road in front of the house was heard. The light from the headlights seeped into Amber’s room, briefly revealing Tennessee’s face. Tennessee had a cigarette in his mouth.

“Smoking in my room, no…… why, here,”

Instead of an answer, Tennessee threw his phone with an annoyed gesture. The message was still displayed.

[But if Mr. Huston hadn’t bullied me, I wouldn’t have tried to run away from that place. Then I wouldn’t have met you.]

Below the last message he had sent, several of Tennessee’s messages had appeared.

[Nonsense.]

[Amber]

[Amber]

The last message Tennessee had sent was this:

[I’m coming now.]

Amber held the phone and looked up at Tennessee blankly. So he actually came? From Chicago to here? At this hour?

Watching Amber blink blankly as if he had been given a sedative, Tennessee, unable to bear it, pulled back Amber’s blanket.

“Pull down your pants.”

“I didn’t.”

He had truly just slept deeply.

“I get it, so pull them down.”

Tennessee spoke with the cigarette still in his mouth. When Amber shook his head, Tennessee extinguished the cigarette with a careless attitude and rolled up his sleeves himself. Eventually, Amber had to pull down his pants and expose his thighs. Tennessee’s cool hand touched the tender skin of his inner thigh. He traced the bumpy, white scars with his fingers to gauge them. It was a serious movement, checking if there were any open wounds.

“You’re an idiot.”

Having finished the check, Tennessee barked.

“……What?”

Amber’s eyes widened, not knowing which action had made Tennessee this angry. Sending such a message and falling asleep? Not replying? Making him come all the way here in the middle of the night?

“Never say that kind of thing again.”

“What thing?”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

Picking up his phone from the bed, Tennessee spoke.

“That you wouldn’t have met me if Mr. Huston hadn’t been there?”

With all sorts of irritation, Tennessee slammed the window shut. ……He came in through there. Amazing. He’s probably skilled, but it’s still dangerous. What if he fell? Next time, I should give him the passcode to the garage.

“I hate that you give Huston an absolution in that way. It’s disgusting.”

“It’s not absolution.”

“Shut up.”

“……Tennessee.”

With a sigh, Tennessee naturally lowered himself beside Amber. Despite the bed not being small, it was a bit cramped when two men over six feet tall lay down.

“Every time you say things like that, I get so irritated I can’t stand it.”

As if expressing that irritation, a deep frown formed between Tennessee’s brows, but his movements were actually tender.

As Amber lay on his side and pressed against him, Tennessee wrapped his arm around his waist. Perhaps already sleepy, the frown on Tennessee’s brow gradually faded.

Part of it was the fatigue from traveling from Chicago to Michigan in the early hours, but Tennessee had been unable to sleep for the past few days due to Amber’s absence.

“Tennessee.”

“……Mm.”

To Amber’s faint call, Tennessee, who already had one foot in sleep, answered in a small voice. When called again, Tennessee’s eyelids slowly lifted.

“What are you doing instead of sleeping.”

He didn’t know. His heart was so full that he had completely woken up. The Tennessee who worried about him, the Tennessee who rushed all the way here, the Tennessee who expressed his love this much—speaking not with a single word, but with a tiring action.

“Did you check properly?”

Asking with a blank “Hm?”, Amber pulled Tennessee’s hand down below him.

“Look closely.”

However, instead of the scarred thigh, he led his hand elsewhere. To that place that was becoming hotter, wetter, and more stifling.

Curling the corners of his mouth, Tennessee moved his hand little by little. Every time the cool fingertips brushed the glans, a shiver ran through his toes.

“Haa…….”

In his gradually heating mind, Amber suddenly recalled the dream he had just had.

A dream. Was it really a dream? It must have been. Because it was something that hadn’t happened. He couldn’t remember exactly. He had run while holding hands tightly. He was out of breath, but at the same time, his heart felt as if it were floating. He looked at the sun rising through the clouds. It was that kind of exhilaration.

Moaning under Tennessee’s touch, Amber searched through the faint dream and offered a fragment of it.

“Tennessee, I came out of the closet.”

At the sudden remark, Tennessee blinked several times. A voice, low and heavy with lust, replied.

“Didn’t you already do that in high school?”

“Ah, no, I didn’t mean it like that.”

With a playful look on his face, Tennessee added,

“Well, that’s surprising news. I didn’t see that coming.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Alright.”

“…Seriously.”

Tennessee wrapped his arm around the neck of Amber, who had pushed himself up, and pulled him down with force. Thump. Amber was easily and helplessly dragged back. As Amber grumbled, asking why he wasn’t listening properly, Tennessee gave him a light hug, nodded vaguely, and moved his hand.

He says it’s serious and sounds pitiful, yet his lower half is ferocious. Tennessee still hadn’t adjusted to this discrepancy.

“Listen, …haah.”

“Yeah, I’m listening.”

“Anyone can tell it’s not like that. Ngh… harder.”

To be honest, Tennessee was barely listening.

Sighing, Amber felt the remnants of the dream gradually fading away. It couldn’t be helped; he’d have to tell him tomorrow. Though he wasn’t sure if he’d remember by then.

As Amber thought this, Tennessee pondered aloud in his ear.

He hesitated, his lips parting. Hearing the sudden comment about coming out of the closet had reminded him of a fragment of a dream.

What did it look like?

It started as a similar nightmare. A dream he had every time. A crumbling house, dirty carpets, a collapsed mother, a father who left behind only a single photograph. This dream again. He had thought that, but then the current Amber appeared in the dream. On the other hand, he seemed to be a young child.

‘Run away.’

Amber had said that in front of him, as he stood there trembling with a gun in his hand. A typhoon is coming. It’s not cowardly to avoid it. It was something like that. And…

He couldn’t remember what happened next. He had a faint memory of the end of a dawn, beautifully stained in red. Clouds were floating beneath his feet.

“I think I had some kind of dream, too.”

The cold dawn wind clawed through his hair like talons, and the tedious little house shrank into a dot and drifted away, then disappeared. Had he been flying through the sky?

“Tennessee… I love you.”

Unable to withstand the passion, Amber whispered as their lips met. Tennessee’s mind, which had been momentarily dizzy from recalling the dream, cleared instantly.

Amber Alert, End

#Side Story 1-1

[How about Mr. Tennessee comes along too? Though I understand if it’s too much since it’s all the way to Michigan.]

Amber watched Tennessee cleaning his firearm—a man who seemed like he would live a perfectly fine life even without Amber—before turning his attention back to his phone.

[Your father might cry if you don’t come.]

“….”

After some deliberation, Amber typed out a message.

[Elizabeth. …I have a partner.]

Bzzzzzt—

The phone rang instantly after the message was sent. Amber hurried into the bathroom. He was unaware that Tennessee’s gaze was following his quick movements with thick intensity.

Amber’s adoptive parents. To Tennessee, the weight of Elizabeth or David was exactly that. He felt no particular emotion toward them. On the surface, or at a glance, they were good parents and virtuous citizens, but Tennessee fundamentally did not trust people. He believed anyone would feel that way if they knew about the child pornography collections of respected clergymen or the sexual fetishes of self-made businessmen who donated billions.

To him, “good people” were actually more uncomfortable. He preferred those who were openly assholes. However, because Amber’s adoptive parents were the epitome of virtuous citizens, Tennessee felt a sense of repulsion toward their holiness and righteousness every time he was near them.

Regardless of that discomfort, if they hadn’t been law-abiding citizens, they would have likely met their end by Tennessee’s hand by now.

* * *

“Welcome.”

Elizabeth greeted them as she opened the door. Woof, woof! Dogs spotted Tennessee and rushed toward him. Amber, coming out to restrain the dogs, gave a nod of greeting. Tennessee also nodded to the family gathered at the door.

He was willing to take a bullet or two, but as far as Tennessee could see, there were no pistols in the hands of Elizabeth and David.

Tennessee wondered if the reason he hadn’t been sued immediately was that they knew this relationship had started with Amber’s pursuit, and that guess was roughly correct. They had long recognized that Amber was the absolute underdog in this relationship.

From the moment he revealed his sexual identity to his family, Amber had hinted at his feelings for Tennessee. Elizabeth knew how much Amber relied on Tennessee and how fond he was of him. However, when she received the text message a while ago:

[Elizabeth. …I have a partner.]

[I’m glad you’re happy. Who is it?]

[Tennessee.]

Joy that the long-standing unrequited love had finally been realized was accompanied by concern.

An exclamation mark appeared over the heads of Elizabeth and David, who had thought of Tennessee as ‘the benefactor who connected Amber and the Dexley family and some guy who does dangerous work.’

Thus, they wanted to subtly gauge whether their young son had been groomed, brainwashed, or was being mistreated. Even though Tennessee saw right through them, he decided to play along.

“That’s a lovely photo.”

Tennessee spoke in a friendly manner, looking at a photo displayed on a digital frame.

“Was this during Christmas?”

He had no obligation to do so, but Tennessee decided to use his charm to the fullest. He didn’t want to ruin a relationship that could be managed with a bit of coaxing just because of a little annoyance. Moreover, he felt he owed them this much for raising Amber the way they did.

“That’s right, one of our family traditions is—”

“—gathering together to put up shatterproof ornaments. I heard about it from Amber.”

The photo in the digital frame transitioned to a tree. Tennessee smiled as he looked at the tree adorned with colorful glass and plastic, ranging from expensive commemorative ornaments to Cody’s crooked drawings. Though it was highly conscious, the sight of the handsome young man’s lips curving into a soft smile looked perfectly natural.

“I think it was a meaningful tradition for Amber. He mentions it sometimes.”

32 – Chapter

“Is that so?” David’s eyes widened. He knew Amber to be indifferent and insensitive to everyone except Tennessee.

“I’ve heard a lot about him. I heard you went on a family trip to Florida,”

Once the conversation had been opened this way, David’s guard dropped, and he began pouring whiskey.

Though he didn’t express it often, the main pillars of Amber’s life were his parents—not some mere lover. When Tennessee spoke in a way that suggested this, David waved his hand in denial, yet he looked pleased.

“Did you say you drink often?”

“No, I have a beer occasionally, but I don’t particularly like it.”

The conversation branched out into various topics: from golf to the current administration’s governance, oil prices, anti-discrimination measures, and even recipes for salmon steak. Tennessee couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being treated like a son-in-law who had married the youngest daughter, despite the fact that Amber was well over six feet tall and a proud, independent son in their eyes.

“What is David saying?”

When Tennessee stepped out of the bathroom, Amber was standing there. He had come running out while making meatball spaghetti with Elizabeth.

“Nothing.”

“And Elizabeth?”

“Not yet.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know they were waiting for a chance like this.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Tennessee had visited Amber’s house occasionally, but this was the first time he had been formally invited and allowed to look around the home.

Beneath the sunroom, where bright sunlight streamed in, sat a cozy, well-worn sofa. On the doorframe connecting the sunroom and the den, there were horizontal marks alongside clear scratches from a dog’s claws. They were the marks of Annie and Cody’s growth.

Tennessee’s fingertips traced the rough, hollowed-out grooves. Amidst the children’s erratic handwriting, one small, neat script caught his eye.

—R.A. Dexley. Came to this house.—

Suddenly, Tennessee thought that this was the kind of happiness he and Amber had hoped for.

* * *

Despite not being fully recovered, Tennessee went out frequently under the pretext that his legs were fine. If he were just going for a walk or grocery shopping, Amber wouldn’t have been so agitated.

However, Tennessee had styled his hair sophisticatedly for the first time in a while and was wearing a suit. While it was nice to see his partner looking handsome, Amber couldn’t be happy when Tennessee didn’t show that side to him and kept heading out.

“Where are you going?”

The words implicitly carried the message: ‘The weather is so nice, why don’t you spend time with me? Why are you leaving me behind and going somewhere again without saying a word?’

“A defense company.”

“Why?”

“For work.”

“Work?”

Amber’s expression distorted. Is this man possessed by a money demon? He has plenty of money and doesn’t spend much of it, so why does he keep working so much? If he just waited a few years, Amber would support and provide for him. Just stay home.

No, was it even right for him to go to work in the first place?

Amber’s expression shifted through a variety of emotions.

“What’s that in your hand?”

Tennessee had a briefcase in his left hand. He answered the persistent questions concisely.

“Documents.”

“When will you be back?”

“3 o’clock.”

It was 11 AM. At 3, they wouldn’t even be able to have lunch together.

“And then? Will you be home after that?”

“Yes.”

Unconsciously, Amber strained to find any sign of a lie in Tennessee. Tennessee looked wonderful today, gazing at Amber with a cool expression, as if asking if there were more questions.

Knowing it was an irrational fear, Amber felt a sudden panic that Tennessee might just leave like this and never return.

Tennessee didn’t need much luggage to leave. At most, perhaps a single gun, car keys, and a bit of cash? He could easily leave behind a house filled with stories and a person like him.

He remembered the empty house when he had returned to Chicago one day.

“Don’t go.”

Or come with me.

He thought he might look like a fool, but Amber didn’t care. It was better for Tennessee to see him as an idiot than for Tennessee to leave.

A brief silence fell right in front of the entrance. Checking the time, Tennessee looked at the visibly tense Amber and picked up his phone. He made a call. To Amber’s listening ears, one sentence rang out particularly loud.

“Something came up today, so I won’t be able to make it.”

Amber’s expression brightened.

Ending the call concisely, Tennessee set down the briefcase and began peeling off the layers of his suit. He’s not going! A flower bloomed on Amber’s face.

“Get dressed. Let’s go out.”

Having already revealed his bare upper body, Tennessee changed into a sweatshirt. Though he didn’t know the reason, as long as he was with Tennessee, it was fine. The massive anxiety that had gripped him moments ago subsided. The beast inside Amber flustered and scrambled for a moment before finally sitting down. However, its fangs remained sharp.

After confirming Tennessee was in the driver’s seat, Amber buckled his seatbelt.

“Where are we going?”

“An animal shelter.”

“……?”

Dozens of questions suddenly sprang up, but Amber suppressed them for now.

“Let’s buy a drink on the way.”

Amber thought of a drive-thru, but Tennessee stopped at a drive-in. While there was an indoor space, it was a structure where one could park the car and eat inside if they wished. When he lived in Michigan, Amber used to visit drive-in chains often. He had visited a few times with Tennessee as well.

Back then, Tennessee had been abroad most of the time and only took short vacations, so he must have had a lot to do in the US, yet he never once rushed Amber. When Amber offered him a bite of the food he ordered, Tennessee would try it.

Looking back now, it was a memory. The recollection slowly pushed its way to the surface.

#Side Story 1-2

The two ordered cola, burritos, and chili fries.

Tennessee’s gaze lingered for a moment on the happy-looking Amber. Whenever they were together, Amber’s mood tended to trend upward, sometimes reaching the very edge of the sky. Amber seemed to be trying to maintain his composure in his own way, but unfortunately for him, it was transparent to Tennessee.

“Why the shelter?”

“Do you like dogs?”

Amber didn’t answer immediately. In Michigan, he had raised several dogs. A chocolate Labrador had lived for 16 years and passed away; now, a Pitbull and a Chihuahua remained. As a side note, the Chihuahua was the top of the hierarchy.

To be honest, Amber found dogs overwhelming. It was because of the way they clung to him, wagging their tails and showing affection despite him having done nothing for them; the way their eyes always met whenever he looked back; and the fact that they relied on him completely, yet he felt unable to reciprocate.

“Want to raise one?”

He couldn’t help but ask back.

“What? In Chicago? Is that why we’re going to the shelter now?”

Tennessee nodded. Amber began to lecture him, saying that dogs aren’t raised on impulse, that economic conditions must be met, an environment suitable for a dog must be prepared, one must know about dogs, and there must be a sense of responsibility.

“I didn’t say we’re bringing one home today.”

Tennessee worried he might be buried in nagging. Since childhood, Amber had been a bratty kid. It seemed to be his innate personality; even after all this time, Amber occasionally tried to get the upper hand.

That fact wasn’t particularly unpleasant for Tennessee.

Amber could feel that Tennessee had given this quite some thought. It wasn’t an impulsive suggestion. Economically, it was feasible.

But regardless of other things, wouldn’t he fail to meet the passing grade in terms of responsibility?

Amber, who had fallen into the hell of farewells and reunions multiple times? Though he loved him dearly—he couldn’t help but give a cold, objective assessment.

“Do you like dogs, Tennessee?”

Now it was Tennessee’s turn to think. As Amber held a fry to his lips, Tennessee opened his mouth.

“I wanted to try raising one.”

He mentioned that in the second place he had been adopted, there had been a large dog. Tennessee had only mentioned that he had been adopted and returned repeatedly, but he had never given the details. Amber’s ears perked up.

“It wouldn’t let me touch it.”

The one on the leash wasn’t the dog, but the young Tennessee. Tennessee recalled his childhood. In reality, there wasn’t a leash around his neck, but that’s how it felt. It was a life like a prison.

Not long after, he stole money and ran away from there. While wandering the streets, he committed his second murder. He only killed because he didn’t want to die, but the second murder was as disgusting as, or even more so than, the first. He was in his teens, perhaps. He couldn’t even remember properly.

Then he committed another crime, and not wanting to go to prison, he pretended to be an innocent child. At the time, Tennessee had a particularly youthful face and a delicate impression compared to his peers, which made him a child who received unwanted attention from adults.

“So you wanted to raise one?”

“I didn’t expect much.”

Amber felt he could understand Tennessee’s faint longing.

“I had something like that too.”

“Like what?”

Since his early childhood, even before entering elementary school, there was something he desperately wanted to do. He had never spoken of it for fear of being teased.

“A birthday party. Hitting a piñata.”

The sound of applause, cheers, and joyful laughter. Not feeling anxious even with eyes covered, and not feeling alienated even while standing alone among people. He wanted to hear “Happy Birthday” while gathering the candies scattered across the grass.

Thinking about it now, Amber realized he might have wanted it not because of the piñata itself, but because it symbolized a happy, normal family.

That didn’t mean he disliked piñatas. Before his adoption, Amber had never even received a proper cake, let alone a piñata, so he had fantasies about such things.

Whether they noticed or were simply concerned, his adoptive parents threw grand birthday parties every year after his adoption. Though he had become too old to burst a piñata.

“Want to go to the shelter?”

At the softness imbued in the low voice, Amber nodded as if possessed. Then, Amber rubbed his chest.

How should he put it—it felt as if Tennessee was preparing to take root. It was an intuition.

“I’d like that.”

There were numerous dogs at the shelter. There were cats too, but when Tennessee mentioned cats, Amber dismissed it with, “One is enough.” Suddenly, Tennessee had become the cat. Of course, Amber wasn’t talking about a house cat, but something like a giant black panther with yellow eyes.

They say animals have a sixth sense. Perhaps that was why, even the dogs that were said to love people and the small puppies didn’t particularly like Tennessee. When Tennessee approached, they whimpered, wet themselves, or tucked their tails and trembled.

“Oh dear… this won’t work.”

Far from getting close, it seemed the dogs would have a seizure just by his existence.

Actually, he didn’t really want to raise a puppy—as he was gathering these words to soothe Tennessee, who might be disappointed, a dog lying flat on the floor caught Amber’s eye.

Unlike the other dogs who were making a fuss or were terrified, that dog was lying leisurely and let out a wide yawn. The dog, which had been lying still and apart from the others, stood up as Tennessee approached. Then, it began to wag its tail gently. It was a dog with blue eyes and black markings, appearing to be a Border Collie mix.

“I’ve picked a name.”

“……Already?”

He had picked a name before even adopting it. Amber smiled at the surprised Tennessee.

“Nashville.”

* * *

After that, every time the front door opened, the sound of an excited beast’s claws could be heard. Of course, he was referring to Nashville, not Amber.

Woof! Woof!

When they entered the door, Nashville barked first. He didn’t bark much for no reason, but he always barked two or three times as a greeting upon their return, wagging his tail like a whisk.

Behind him stood Amber. From Tennessee’s perspective, except for the fact that he walked on two legs, Amber’s welcome was not much different from Nashville’s.

“You’re home?”

From the greeting instead of barking to the affectionate welcome.

On the small table of the living room sofa, a laptop and reference materials were scattered. It reminded Tennessee once again that Amber was a college student.

Lately, as Amber began to resume the duties he had previously neglected, he spent more time looking at his laptop and books.

“Eat.”

Another change was that the subject who brought food to the nest had shifted from Amber to Tennessee. Amber was busy, and Tennessee didn’t like him splitting his busy time to do housework, so it was a natural progression in a way.

“Wow, hamburgers.”

As Amber took the bag and headed to the kitchen, Nashville stretched his long legs and leaned against Amber’s back.

“I bet they’re delicious. Where is this from? Ann Jeromia? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a new place.”

It was a burger shop he had seen while stopping by downtown. Putting on his jacket, Tennessee ruffled his hair, which he had kept pinned up. As he took off his shirt intending to shower, Amber, who should have been in the kitchen, followed him.

“Haa… once you get busy, we won’t be able to see each other this often, right?”

Imagining himself waiting for Tennessee again in a dark house, Amber let out a sigh.

Unfortunately for Amber, Tennessee had recently started working again. With so much money, why on earth did he work? If he had that much money, Amber wouldn’t work for a single day and would stick close to Tennessee’s side.

But it wasn’t that he completely failed to understand Tennessee.

‘If I do nothing, I think too much.’

‘Do you think of the children sometimes?’

Tennessee had told him many stories. Bacha Posh, who couldn’t become a man; Bacha Bazi, who couldn’t become a woman. And,

‘No, people.’

War, famine, blood clinging to military boots.

The time he lost money after being deceived by a gang, and the story of how he had to kill someone unwillingly—that the third family he was adopted into might have actually been good people. But Tennessee’s childhood was such that he wasn’t in a position to give them a chance to prove they were good people. Such regrets.

“I love you, Tennessee.”

“I know.”

“Huu… you smell good too.”

Hugging Tennessee and resting his chin on his black hair, Amber took a deep breath.

If you have sins, I want to take them from you.

He hoped such a feeling would be conveyed.

Thinking of himself as a deadly poison, Tennessee didn’t even think of escaping it. He clearly believed he didn’t deserve to. But such things don’t exist. There are no restrictions or qualifications for individuals to pursue happiness.

Even for someone like Huston. Pursuing happiness must be the inherent right of those who exist. Especially since even Huston was struggling to live, Tennessee should not live such a withered life.

“Let’s shower together.”

“Sure.”

#Side Story 1-3

I’m going crazy. I love that he doesn’t pull out, I love it so much, it’s the best. Haa… what if I lose my reason again?

With those thoughts, Amber threw off his short-sleeved T-shirt. Tennessee was already naked and had entered the bathroom nonchalantly.

As he hugged Tennessee under the hot water, even the cool sensation of the floor against the soles of his feet was welcome.

“I’ve studied a lot.”

After their first experience, Amber had opened his eyes to a new world.

“I know.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s not like it’s only been a day or two since you’ve been leaving porn open on your laptop for me to see.”

“I didn’t do it for you to see.”

It was a claim that sounded unbelievable even to Amber himself.

Having rinsed the shampoo foam from his hair, Tennessee turned around, and Amber lowered his head. The light, pecking kisses soon turned into a deep kiss. Tongues intertwined, and moans leaked out one by one into the sound of the water.

“Mmm…”

Moans seeped through the dense air. Amber’s member, which had been reacting since they started showering together, was already swollen with anticipation. Amber reached down to check Tennessee’s. Tennessee’s healthy member responded faithfully to the stimulation.

As he gripped him and tried to move, Tennessee pushed Amber against the wall.

“Ah…”

With his back against the cool shower wall, Amber let out a faint moan. Even so, his tongue continued to intertwine busily, and his hands did not stop exploring Tennessee’s bare back and buttocks.

Gasping with desire, Amber urgently rubbed his center against Tennessee’s wet body. Tennessee gripped his waist and repeatedly pressed and released his crotch firmly.

Blood rushed to their centers as Tennessee, who had lifted his head, and Amber’s erect member repeatedly rubbed against each other under the bright lights. Soon, a clear liquid beaded at the tip.

“You said you studied a lot?”

“If you knew, hng, you’d be surprised…”

Amber breathed out the words with a hot sigh. Tennessee didn’t hide his smile. As Amber licked up the curve of his ear and gave a shallow, playful bite, Tennessee wrapped his arms around his neck.

Perhaps the claim of studying wasn’t a complete lie; unlike last time, a sliver of reason still remained in eyes that should have long since glazed over.

Immersed in the kiss, Amber reached out blindly and rummaged through the items on the shower shelf. Something small caught his hand. It was the lubricant he had bought in bulk from the drugstore.

Tennessee didn’t hide the look in his eyes that asked why that was there. Amber smiled, brushing back his wet bangs. It was such a refreshing smile that Tennessee decided to let it slide. Instead, he held out his calloused palm. He meant for Amber to squeeze the lubricant onto it, but Amber dispensed it into his own hand instead.

“I’ll do it for you.”

Biting down on the distinct curve of the Adam’s apple, Amber lowered his hand. Tennessee reacted with a slight tremble as Amber’s hand traveled down his shoulder and spine toward the cleft of his buttocks.

The cold liquid touched the sensitive entrance. As if telling him not to be startled, the fingers circled and massaged the area, and the moment Tennessee relaxed slightly, they began to push their way inside.

“Hng…!”

As Tennessee let out a ragged breath, Amber’s index finger slid smoothly inside. With his other hand, he began to grip and stroke Tennessee’s length.

“Tennessee, Tennessee…”

Amber called out to Tennessee incessantly, putting strength into his arms. His drenched hand made a wet, squelching sound with every movement. Impatient, Amber let out whines like a pouting puppy. Though he knew he shouldn’t be hasty, his own rigid member twitched and pleaded.

Tennessee let out a low moan as the grip around his shaft tightened and the pace quickened. Simultaneously, the fingers making those lewd, squelching sounds increased to two. Amber kept glancing down anxiously, but Tennessee shook his head. Amber’s size was such that three fingers wouldn’t be enough; he would barely fit unless all five fingers—minus the knuckles—went in.

“Tennessee… can you hear it?”

The shower was narrow enough as it was. The wet sounds bounced off the bathroom walls and echoed, intensifying the stimulation hitting his ears. Already breathless, Amber’s hand movements grew faster. Looking greedily at Tennessee’s hot erection, Amber inserted three fingers and gently spread them.

“Amber, come here.”

“Yes, here, I’m here.”

Panting at Tennessee’s call, Amber stuck out his tongue. While they were deeply entwined in a kiss, Amber didn’t miss the way Tennessee’s tongue flinched when he shifted the angle of his fingers.

“Does it hurt?”

He had moved as carefully as possible, but did it hurt? A startled Amber pulled his lips away and checked on Tennessee. As a gesture of apology, Amber rubbed his cheek against Tennessee’s flushed cheek.

He apologized with shallow kisses on the bridge of the nose—which looked sharper under the light—and the tip that resembled a white pebble—when Tennessee’s waist stiffened again. This time, it was just as he had changed the direction and spread his fingers.

“Tennessee?”

Tennessee avoided his gaze, teasing his already wet lips. An impatient Amber turned his head to meet his eyes, but Tennessee covered them with his palm. It was then that the deep-set finger touched a certain plump spot.

“Is it… here?”

“Ah…”

A slow moan escaped.

In that moment, Amber experienced his second dizzying rush of euphoria.

Gasping for air, Amber frantically crashed his lips against Tennessee’s. He pushed him back until Tennessee hit the cold wall. With eyes closed, he kissed him greedily, savoring the pleasure that tickled his spine. Curving his fingers like hooks, Amber began to relentlessly stimulate that spot.

“Hnnng—! Hng!”

Tennessee’s cheeks, ears, and neck were all flushed deep red. Amber, who had been slowly folding and unfolding his fingers, began to pull them out with force and thrust them back in rapidly.

Tennessee let out violent breaths at the surging pleasure. His toes tingled and he was out of breath, and with the pleasure point being continuously crushed, it was hard to think rationally. Tennessee’s member was beyond fully erect, drenched in pre-cum.

Ha, he hadn’t even used any real technique, yet it turned out like this.

The pleasure intensified every time Amber’s fingers increased or sliced deeper into the inner walls. Even though it was just fingers, the already sensitized walls tightened firmly around them, refusing to let go.

Does he know the inner walls twitch and shudder every time I thrust? Amber licked his lips. To Tennessee, it clearly looked like he was licking his chops in anticipation.

Before Tennessee could look down further, Amber grabbed his chin. He urgently entwined their tongues again, licking his lips.

“Ngh…”

Tennessee exhaled at the feeling of the thin but curved member pushing through the gradually loosening inner walls. Finding Amber’s ability to sense the stimulation and move to the next step like a ghost almost irritating, Tennessee bit hard into Amber’s shoulder.

“Hng, aaah—!”

It was a sudden pain, but the pleasure that flared up in its wake made Amber’s entire body jump. The sensation that had been smoothly pushing into the entrance was now driven in rapidly.

“More, bite me more.”

Even a simple movement sparked a pleasure akin to orgasm from below.

“Aaah…!”

Amber gasped as Tennessee bit his shoulder again. Now that he was fully aroused, even that pain was converted into a dull, heavy pleasure. The more Tennessee tightened his teeth, the more Amber’s member soared beyond its limits.

“Hng…! I want to put it in, ha, Tennessee, let me in.”

At the urgent words as he thrust his hips upward as if attempting insertion, Tennessee moistened his lips. Their eyes met. Catching his breath, Amber searched Tennessee’s blue eyes thoroughly for any sign of rejection, fear, or unpleasantness. As if Tennessee had hidden secrets within those blue eyes, Amber left no corner unexamined.

Without a word, Tennessee buried his lips in the crook of Amber’s thick neck.

“Haaagh!”

Amber’s waist trembled at the sensation of being sucked deeply. He could no longer endure it. As Amber urged him with frantic hands, Tennessee turned around. A noble back, full of scars but unyielding, which he had seen once before. Just looking at it made his breath grow short.

Tennessee gasped as something blunt touched his backside. He tried to steady his breathing and relax. Knowing his effort, Amber continuously touched him, kissing him in dots along the curve of his ear, his lobe, and the back of his neck. After stroking the smooth small of his back, he reached around to the front and gripped the member that had been erect for some time.

33 – Chapter

“Ugh.”

He held him lightly and moved his arm smoothly. Wet sounds echoed from Tennessee’s length, lubricated by water, the previous lubricant, and Tennessee’s own pre-cum.

“……!”

Feeling the stimulation, Tennessee gasped loudly as he opened himself up and felt the slow intrusion.

“Ah… I’ll go slowly, slowly. If it hurts, huff, if it hurts… tell me if you can’t do it, ha, Tennessee. Suck my lower lip too.”

Impatient, Amber let out a heavy breath but still pushed his tongue out. As Tennessee willingly turned his head to press their lips together, Amber sucked on him and unconsciously arched his hips.

The glans had only just entered, but the inner walls clinging to him as if to devour him brought an extreme sense of pleasure and anticipation simultaneously.

“Hng, haa, please… bite me here too.”

Amber pressed the back of his hand against Tennessee, who was breathing shallowly.

“Hard, so it leaves a mark…! Ha, ha, I don’t care if it scars—”

It felt as if the wet inner walls were urging him on. Savoring the pleasure, Amber put strength into his hips and pushed in all the way to the root.

“Hnggh…! Ah, it’s all in.”

“Hng, all—all in?”

“Yes, ah, to the end… Nng, I’m going to move,”

“Not yet. Not yet.”

Trembling from the thrill, Amber barely suppressed the desire to thrust messily right then and there.

“Tennessee, it’s—it’s so hot when I’m buried, ah—aaah….”

At the moan that sounded like a sob, Tennessee gave a faint nod. Not missing the cue, Amber’s hips began to thrust upward.

“Ugh! Ah, ah! Amber!”

Nashville: Tennessee takes the lead.

#Side Story 1-4

“Ugh! Ah, ah! Amber!”

Amber was relentless. Lacking experience, Amber was consumed by the searing heat and poured all his strength into burying himself as deeply as possible.

“Haat, ngh, ah-ugh,”

Before long, Amber’s hips, his hands gripping Tennessee’s shoulders, began to race wildly.

“Amber—Amber…!”

Even in the midst of it, Tennessee shook his head at the movements that found the pleasure points and ruthlessly crushed, pressed, and gouged them. The tingling pleasure blooming deep inside grew larger every time Amber moved like a wild animal.

Every time that weapon-like thing was shoved in to the hilt, the swelling sensation pushed the limit further and further, as if it might pop at any moment.

“Hngh, Tennessee…! Ah, Tennessee, Tennessee…!”

Amber, who had been grinding in slow circles with their hips pressed tight, suddenly pulled out and slammed back in to the root. The massive member thrust in so fast and hard that only the base was barely visible.

“Ah, ugh! Am, Amber!”

Tennessee’s head dropped as he shook and moaned according to Amber’s thrusts. His erect shaft was twitching as if it had reached its limit, spitting out transparent fluid.

Thwack!

He was completely out of breath. As Tennessee’s posture wavered for a moment due to the rough movements, Amber gripped his waist firmly to support him. Of course, this was a consideration largely aimed at making his own movements smoother.

“Ah, aaah…! It feels good, Tennessee, it feels so good, hng! I think I’m going to come.”

One of Amber’s hands fumbled toward Tennessee’s member, which was already being rubbed roughly against the sheets. Amber groaned as he rubbed the flushed glans hard with his thumb. He, too, had reached his limit.

“Can I go? Ha, ugh… can I come? I can’t hold it back.”

It was then that Tennessee’s lips, turning his head with difficulty, met his.

“Ah…! Hngh…!”

Accepting the hot tongue fully into his mouth, Amber felt a thrilling sensation explode like fireworks from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. His heartbeat thundered in his ears like a drum. His body, which had been racing toward the limit, finally crossed the line; his entire being floated upward and then, as if an anchor had been dropped, was instantly sucked into a bottomless abyss. A sensation like space, where there was no air, no noise, nothing. It was a pleasure that numbed his whole body.

Amber’s blue pupils dilated greatly. Amber didn’t realize he was letting out a loud cry of pleasure, nor that his member had long since sprung from inside Tennessee, twitching violently and spraying fluid.

Gripping Tennessee’s waist, Amber groaned as if sobbing. It felt like a moment that would never end. Then, a faint moan reached his ears.

“Hngh… Amber, right there, harder.”

Tennessee’s face was filled with excitement, not unlike Amber’s. The member that had begun to soften with the ejaculation suddenly regained its strength.

“Here?”

“Ngh—!”

No words were needed. As Amber began to push himself back in, he stared intently at Tennessee, whose eyes were glazed with pleasure, as if to carve this image into his memory.

He is feeling it. He moans while swallowing my member to the end. He calls me. He tells me to do it harder, kisses my mouth, and welcomes me.

To Amber, this provided the ultimate psychological pleasure.

With feverish eyes, Amber savored every moment of Tennessee. He felt as if he could now predict Tennessee’s reactions. When he thrust hard, Tennessee stiffened his firm shoulders; when he moved fast, Tennessee arched his neck, exposing his throat sensually.

“Haa, aaah…! Ah!”

In Amber’s vision, moving diligently as Tennessee led, Tennessee finally let out a loud moan. The heated air swelled and swelled until it finally became a great blaze that oxidized everything.

“Haa-ngh…!”

With the second ejaculation, Amber rested his forehead against the nape of Tennessee’s neck. His whole body was so hot it felt like steam would rise.

If the first experience felt like it ended simply by following instinct, today was a bit different. He had moved according to Tennessee’s tastes, following his guidance.

Keep training me like this, keep teaching me.

Dazed by the lingering afterglow of pleasure, Amber wished.

Then, opening his relaxed lips, Tennessee touched something to him. It was a long, viscous white liquid.

“Open your mouth.”

As if possessed, Amber opened his lips. Tennessee traced his red lips before sliding two fingers inside.

You have to suck it clean. At the command, Amber lunged without hesitation, as if tasting a feast for the first time in a long while.

My own is like that, but is Amber’s the same?

Tennessee reached down and traced the narrow folds. As he brushed his fingers over the still-sensitive skin, viscous fluid immediately clung to them, showing just how much had been spent.

“Amber.”

Amber had been watching this from start to finish. Even when the wet fingers were pressed to his lips, Amber’s reaction remained the same. As if he would willingly endure even poison if it were given by Tennessee, Amber lunged without any questions or complaints.

He played his hot tongue between the fingers, pursing his lips to suck on the neat nails, and finally licked the warm palm with his tongue spread wide. After enjoying sucking Tennessee’s hand, Amber moistened his lips like a beast licking its chops.

“Give me more.”

Something warm touched the place that was still slightly open. It was Amber’s manhood, which had already swollen menacingly once again.

“As much as you want.”

Stroking Amber’s wet bangs, Tennessee commanded him to thrust slowly this time.

With a look that said he would loosen the reins and teach a disobedient beast how to ‘wait.’

* * *

Amber brushed the hair away from the sleeping Tennessee, who was tangled in the sheets with his thighs. Watching and caressing the sleeping Tennessee was one of Amber’s favorite hobbies.

However, perhaps because he was fiddling with him too much, the thin eyelids flickered just as Amber’s fingers were playing above Tennessee’s thick eyebrows.

“Did you sleep well?”

The eyes that had clearly been intoxicated by sleep quickly regained their clarity. Tennessee sat up with a clean face, devoid of any lingering drowsiness. Amber wore a contented expression.

Tennessee’s gaze shifted to the marks covering Amber’s upper body and neck.

He didn’t know how many hours they had spent entwined yesterday. Moving his neck from side to side, Tennessee let out a short laugh. He didn’t remember ever ejaculating like this even in his teens.

When he first discovered masturbation or sex, some people said they came until their testicles hurt or did it five times a day, but Tennessee had never been that passionate about sex.

It would be a lie to say he had no experience at all. He had occasional sex partners, but a night like this was a first.

Tennessee discovered that his arms, upper body, and thighs were covered in bite marks and bruises. As if to prove he was in his prime, Amber had left his marks everywhere.

At this rate, he’d have to wear long sleeves and long pants everywhere.

“How does your body feel?”

At the voice so sweet it felt like it was melting, Tennessee shook his head. Moving his neck, he loosened the muscles that had been overworked all night.

“I’m fine.”

In truth, his physical condition was a mess. Not to mention his waist and thighs, his backside, which had been relentlessly pounded, was also uncomfortable. However, Tennessee kept his words brief, fearing that if he mentioned it, Amber would try to feed him in bed.

“It’s late, but I’ll make breakfast for you.”

Kiss. Something warm touched his forehead and then pulled away.

With a purely happy face, Amber asked what he wanted to eat. Tennessee looked at his own body once more—mottled and covered in bite marks as if he had been preyed upon by a beast. He was not in good condition.

His eyes shifted to Amber, who, unlike him, seemed to be in peak condition. He looked as if he were sparkling like a sandy beach under the midsummer sun.

It was a moment where a rare streak of mischief rose within him.

“You learned nothing from the last disciplinary action, Amber. This time, you’re grounded for two weeks.”

Amber’s expression shifted slowly, even as he was in the middle of asking, How about pancakes with blueberries? He opened his mouth in disbelief.

“What?”

“I told you to use a condom.”

With that announcement, Tennessee stood up. Naturally, Amber followed close behind.

“That’s unfair, you didn’t say anything about that yesterday.”

“Even if I didn’t, you should have handled it yourself.”

In truth, Tennessee himself had forgotten, but hiding that fact, he let out a small smile behind Amber’s back. Seeing the desperate Amber pleading made his mischief subside.

“Two weeks?!”

“Since you learned nothing even after being punished, it’s only right that the punishment increases.”

“No!”

Amber shouted loudly. Seeing this, Tennessee naturally headed for the bathroom. He had to leave the scene before a desperate Amber changed his strategy and put venom on his tongue.

#Side Story 2. Thanksgiving

Amber and Tennessee were currently in Texas City.

‘Let’s go to Texas for Thanksgiving. Dexley throws a huge party there every time people gather.’

Amber’s bucket list had been realized.

Quite a few people gathered, including many of Amber’s cousins. Tennessee wondered if David’s siblings had been raised without any corporal punishment.

That meant the kids lacked manners.

“So, you’re Ryker’s boyfriend?”

The one sneering and mentioning Ryker’s boyfriend was Xander.

‘Even the dim-witted cousin Xander brought a girlfriend.’

He was a cousin Amber had mentioned once. He wasn’t far apart in age from Amber.

All the way to Texas, Amber had lectured on how deficient and rude Xander was among the cousins.

Once, a children’s fight had almost escalated into an adult brawl. Even though all three children of the Dexley family were adoptees, Xander had run his mouth poorly about adoptees. A fistfight had even broken out between Amber and Xander.

‘This is a free country, and I have freedom of expression!’

Xander had said after being hit, and Amber had freely hit Xander. Amber added that the incident had grown quite large, and since then, Elizabeth particularly disliked going there.

‘That’s why I sometimes don’t go and just stay home—’

‘Were you scolded a lot?’

Tennessee asked, cutting him off. He already knew this story. It was natural, as he had received regular reports for several years.

‘Yes, a bit. …Anyway, I was told that you shouldn’t try to solve things with your fists.’

Tennessee, who had always solved problems with fists and bullets until now, listened to those words seriously.

‘He denies it, but Xander is a racist and a homophobe.’

Still, Tennessee found it strange that Amber silently went to Texas City. When asked for the reason, the answer was, Because everyone except Xander is great.

‘And it’s not like I don’t know why he’s like that.’

‘Really? What’s the reason?’

‘Because he lives a pathetic life, he puts others down to feel a sense of superiority. Because he thinks they’re easy targets.’

Hmm. For Tennessee, it was a rather familiar type of human.

“I am Isaiah Clayton.”

Ending his reminiscence, Tennessee offered a handshake to Xander. Amber, who almost asked Who is that?, only then realized. He had become so accustomed to Tennessee that he forgot it would be difficult for him to say, ‘I have no surname or given name, I am just Tennessee,’ to a stranger.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You’ll have a cola, right?”

As Tennessee offered his hand, Xander turned his back, saying he would pour a cola. Naturally, the handshake was not returned.

That little… Amber approached with clenched teeth, but Tennessee signaled him with his eyes. It meant there was no need. Putting on his mask well, Tennessee smiled kindly and took the cola. It was a red plastic cup, and there was a lipstick mark on it. It was a cup someone else had used.

It was childish in the extreme, but Amber had no intention of overlooking it, whether Xander was being childish or using a high-level scheme.

“Throw it away.”

Amber snatched the cup from Tennessee’s hand and tossed the cola carelessly onto the garden grass. The plastic cup crumpled with a crunch. With a menacing aura, Amber led Tennessee inside. What Tennessee felt while being led was…

Freshness.

Amber checked on him, worried that Tennessee might feel bad, but Tennessee just looked like a sleepy giant feline. He followed obediently wherever he was led.

“Besides acting like that, did he do anything else to you?”

Did he hit you, or bully you…

“No,” Amber said flatly.

“This is the first time I’ve experienced something this childish.”

Because it was so incredibly blatant, it didn’t hurt at all. It wasn’t even annoying. If anything, it was almost amusing.

“That’s a relief. He’s less so with me and Tennessee, but he seems to say mean things to Annie and Cody sometimes.”

The worst thing had been said five or six years ago, when they were students.

‘Did Elizabeth and David pick you and bring you here? Like adopting puppies?’

“I just felt bad, but it probably hurt the kids.”

As he led Tennessee, his footsteps came to a sudden halt.

“He said that to you?”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Amber saw it. In the eyes that had been relaxed like a languid cat, a sharp core had formed.

Tennessee evaluated that Amber’s relatives were generally not bad. A few showed signs of discomfort, but it seemed to be due to unfamiliarity rather than hatred. There were also those who welcomed Tennessee and Amber and were sincerely happy for Amber.

As time passed, Tennessee erased names from his potential hit list one by one. In the end, by the time dinner was over, only one person remained. It was Xander.

“Annie.”

Seeing her poor expression, Amber approached Annie, knowing Xander must have said something again. Sure enough, Xander was wearing a slimy smile behind Annie. He must have thrown out words that hovered on the ambiguous line between racism and ignorance, upsetting the child.

“What ignorant thing did Xander spit out this time?”

Speaking loud enough for Xander to hear, Amber put his arm around Annie’s shoulder. Annie, who had been a very young child when he first saw her, was already a middle school student and had grown a lot, but she was still far smaller compared to the tall Amber.

“Do you feel bad?”

Annie let out a sigh and shook her head.

What kind of nonsense had he said to make Annie act like this? Calming his boiling insides, Amber responded gently.

To the racist Xander, Cody, who was East Asian, and Annie, who was Black, must have been irritating targets. In particular, Xander had a history of spitting out various nonsense to Annie. He had thrown out words like, You’re the only Black person here. What had he said back then?

‘If you do a DNA test, everyone is probably at least 1% Black. We’re all cookies anyway; it’s just a difference between being a brownie cookie or a sugar cookie.’

He remembered comforting her by saying that.

He wondered how to comfort her this time, but Annie, who had become a prickly middle schooler, didn’t seem to need Amber’s consolation much.

“Xander definitely has no brain cells.”

Having been significantly influenced by Amber, Annie had a cynical side.

“What happened?”

Tennessee, having spotted the two, asked. Annie stared blankly at Tennessee while pressing her cheek against Amber’s broad shoulder. Annie was exceptionally fond of Tennessee. The reason was that he was handsome and cool. When she was little, she would reach out as if asking to be held or try to get his attention whenever she saw him.

As Annie grew up, she changed a bit; her “big-headed” answer was that “anyway, all the decent men turn out to be gay.” Regardless, Annie tended to like Tennessee more than Cody.

Tennessee responded bluntly to Annie’s greeting. His interest lay not in the heartbroken Annie, but in Amber, who was comforting her. Amber gave a slight smile and pointed toward Annie.

“Annie, what did Xander say?”

“……Forget it. I don’t even care.”

Should I just kill Xander? Just as Amber’s fist began to tighten, Tennessee shook his head.

“Wait here.”

Then, Tennessee stroked Amber’s and Annie’s heads in turn and disappeared.

It was a family gathering; surely he didn’t bring a gun today, right? Having undergone a sudden process of socialization after being adopted in middle school, Amber thought, ‘Still, murder probably isn’t allowed, right?’

However, Tennessee, whose socialization was relatively less advanced, was different.

“Xander.”

Tennessee called out to Xander, who was greedily eating a steak. Why me? A look of wariness clouded Xander’s eyes.

“I heard you like cars.”

Tennessee took out his car keys. He currently owned two cars: a Jaguar and a Corvette. Since Tennessee had no particular preference for cars, those vehicles had all been purchased according to Amber’s taste.

Originally, Tennessee had intended to buy Amber a Ferrari or a Porsche, but Amber had joked, “In movies, cars always explode. So let’s just buy something less expensive.” He had bought them anyway, but he remembered that Xander had been staring intently at his car when he parked earlier.

“Want to take a look?”

Xander followed him as if possessed.

Without imagining for a moment what result that would lead to.

* * *

After talking to her boyfriend for two hours, Annie felt somewhat better. As Amber hugged Annie and patted her back, the back door leading to the garden opened, and a pale, terrified Xander appeared. Behind him was Tennessee, wearing his usual expression.

Click. The sound of the door closing echoed unusually loud.

“I-I’m sorry. Annie, I apologize to you too.”

Trembling violently and spitting out apologies rapidly like a magic spell, Xander vanished in an instant.

“…….”

After a short silence, Amber covered Annie’s ears and asked.

“Did you cut or break anything?”

“No.”

Then it’s fine.

Strictly speaking, Amber simply hated the idea of Tennessee getting blood on his hands; he didn’t particularly care whether Xander died right then or not.

The development of Amber’s empathy, having undergone formal socialization in middle school, had been somewhat delayed.

Amber asked nothing more, and Tennessee sat beside him. Annie, feeling much better, suggested they take a selfie together, but Tennessee just stared at her again. Amber, curling his body up, leaned against his shoulder.

“Ugh, you cockroaches.”

Annie grumbled and went upstairs. Since people were gathered in the kitchen and backyard for conversation, they were the only two on the living room sofa.

“There seem to be many good people around.”

Tennessee said so out of politeness, though he’d have to dig a bit to know if they were actually good. Amber, who knew exactly what was going on inside Tennessee’s head, smiled and nodded.

“It’s thanks to you, Tennessee.”

The natural chatter of those sharing a past, the noise of the TV, the sound of children running and shoes stepping on the carpet. An ordinary life. It was perfectly picturesque.

“Tennessee. Kiss me.”

Holding a dream in his heart, Amber closed his eyes.

#Side Story 3. Daily Life (1)

After class ended, Amber returned home. The first thing he felt upon opening the door was silence.

“……Tennessee?”

Suppressing his anxiety, he headed toward the kitchen. Lunch remained untouched. Amber’s pace began to quicken. Woof! Woof! With the clicking sound of claws, Nashville approached and barked.

It couldn’t be. This was Tennessee’s house, he had no reason to leave anymore, and we even…….

Amber, who had opened the room doors gently at first, became increasingly desperate, flinging them open with a loud bang to check inside. Bang! Bang! The bathroom, the bedrooms, the study, and even the pantry. Amber fought to steady his ragged breathing.

Get a grip, there’s no way he would leave me. This is a foolish fear. It was an irrational fear, like being afraid a shark might appear in an indoor swimming pool.

He called, but there was no answer. Tennessee often missed calls and tended to call back when he had the time.

Damn it. Cursing briefly, Amber ran around the house again. Just as Amber’s voice began to tremble while calling for Tennessee, Woof! Nashville barked in the living room. As if telling him to come here.

“……Amber?”

Tennessee’s voice came from the living room. Gasping for air, Amber discovered Tennessee pushing himself up from the sofa. He hadn’t seen him because of the backrest.

Fatigue lingered in his eyes, as if he had only just fallen asleep. Right, he hadn’t been able to sleep for a few days because of work. That must be why he didn’t wake up despite the commotion.

Since living with Amber, Tennessee’s sleep patterns had returned to normal, and there were times when he wouldn’t wake up even to significant household noise. It was a positive change that Amber still occasionally forgot.

“What’s wrong?”

His heart, which had been pounding not from fatigue but from fear, slowly found its rhythm again. Amber clung to him as if hiding.

“I thought you left.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere…….”

Don’t go.

Amber spoke to Tennessee, who flopped back down. Nashville jumped up and landed on the backrest of the sofa. After circling a few times, he settled in. Tennessee’s hand stroked Nashville’s soft fur.

“Come here, Amber.”

Holding Nashville easily with one hand, Tennessee sat up. Amber hugged Tennessee tightly. His trembling body slowly began to stabilize.

The sound of Nashville, caught in the middle, whining echoed within their embrace.

* * *

Amber. Amber.

Amber opened his eyes at the small voice. It was still dark. A faint blue light filtered through the window.

“Tennessee? Are you okay?”

Amber sat up, his voice heavy with the early hour of dawn. However, the person who had called him did not answer. Amber found his lover beside him, holding his own face in his hands and holding his breath. It was a panic attack.

“Tennessee.”

Burying his face in his palms, Tennessee breathed shallowly. Amber gently placed his fingertips on the tense arm. After calling him for a long while, he touched his palm, then wrapped his arms around his body and pressed himself close.

34 – Chapter

Tennessee’s severe seizures gradually decreased in intensity. They weren’t so violent that he began to harm himself as he had before. At a glance, it almost looked as if he were having a nightmare. Even in his delirium, he tended to respond frequently to Amber’s words.

“I’m here. I’m right by your side.”

There are some things that cannot be fixed in an instant.

Tennessee’s guilt, the numbness that began as a way to escape that guilt, his boundaries, the nightmares of the past, self-reproach… things like that.

Having climbed up desperately, Amber occasionally looks down. To remind himself that he has come this far. Those memories are the foundation and pillars that construct both himself and Tennessee. Unfortunately, that was the case. He could never sever those days and replace them with something else.

However, if he keeps climbing, there will come a day when the distance becomes so vast that the base of those memories, which started at the bottom, is no longer visible.

“……Haaa…….”

Tennessee let out a long sigh. The sound of his breathing had changed. Perhaps an hour had passed since Amber had held and comforted him; he had finally come to his senses.

He realized his entire body was drenched in sweat. His palms felt numb. Moreover, he was cradled in Amber’s arms.

“I look pathetic.”

Tennessee lamented, wiping the sweat away with the back of his hand.

“Why is that pathetic?”

Amber wrapped his long arms and legs tightly around Tennessee.

“I’m always like this. If leaning on the person I love is pathetic, then I’ll stay pathetic.”

No, it wouldn’t be so bad to become an idiot. I wish you were one too.

Amber wished as he stroked his lover’s sweat-soaked hair. He buried his nose in Tennessee’s hair, which had grown quite long, and took a deep breath of his scent. Tennessee had been right once. After all, they were alive.

“I think,”

Amber whispered quickly, pressing his lips against Tennessee’s cheek.

“I think this is all because of the cigarettes.”

Sensing it was nonsense, Tennessee tried to turn his body, but it was difficult because Amber was wound around him so tightly. His sweat-drenched back was pressed firmly against Amber’s hard, bare chest. All the way down to his hips. He was the perfect big spoon.

“They say cigarettes are the root of all evil. I’m not even asking you to quit, but could you at least cut back a little?”

Since you quit the meds, maybe you can quit the nicotine too?

Smoking is entirely harmful. Above all, it was bad for his health. Amber was making long-term plans to live until one hundred and fifty with Tennessee; if he kept smoking like this, there would be no point in planning. Though, of course, longevity depends on genetics.

“I’ll give you a reward every time you don’t smoke. How about a kiss?”

“Is that a penalty?”

“…….”

Amber decided to use his ultimate move.

“You know my birthday is coming up soon, right?”

After becoming Ryker Dexley, Amber’s birthday had changed. It was a decision made after family discussions, considering Amber’s poor memories of the past.

His family celebrated his birthday grandly every time and showered him with gifts. Sometimes they went on trips or held events. It was certainly a birthday anyone would envy, but this year’s birthday was more special. Because Tennessee would be with him.

“Instead of a gift, grant me a wish.”

Amber left small kisses along the nape of Tennessee’s neck. After receiving kisses for a while, Tennessee soon pulled Amber’s head close. It was a consent.

Amber smiled broadly and kissed him deeply. A burning heat bloomed. From the moment their warm lips locked, Amber’s member began to slowly erect.

“Tennessee…….”

With a sigh, Amber guided Tennessee’s hand between his legs. Tennessee moved his arm softly, gripping the heat that filled his palm. Thin skin rubbed together, revealing the flushed glans.

Tennessee blinked intermittently. There are times when Amber looks at him with such hazy eyes.

His gaze was so blatant to Tennessee, who was accustomed to lies, that it sometimes felt devastating. Amber, whose breathing was beginning to grow ragged, revealed every ounce of his irreversible affection and desire.

Tennessee quickened his hand. Amber, who had curved his waist with a grunt, pulled his body back.

“I want to put it inside; you’ll open up for me, right?”

His earlobes flushed. Ha-ha, Tennessee laughed lowly and opened his arms. Amber, who had been holding him in his embrace, soon reached out. Fumbling through the nightstand and drawers, he let out a small curse and pulled out a drawer entirely, dumping its contents. The lubricant he was sure he had put there was nowhere to be seen in a moment like this. In a pinch, Amber squeezed out some lotion.

“Start from here.”

Tennessee liked putting his fingers in Amber’s mouth. While anything viscous was good for easing insertion, he wanted to see Amber gripping his wrist and groaning, fully exposing his eroticism.

“Come here. Suck it deliciously.”

Approaching on his knees, Amber now familiarly gripped Tennessee’s right hand. He extended his tongue to tickle the palm lines, then took the calluses into his mouth and chewed them softly. Every time he pulled a finger out, a small pop, pop sound echoed. In sync with this, his fully erect member twitched.

“You’re already leaking.”

Despite having carelessly asked him to open up, Amber’s face flushed even redder when he actually heard those words. With a satisfied smile, Tennessee lifted his leg. As he pushed the sole of his foot onto Amber’s hard thigh, the erect member was vividly revealed.

As he tried to withdraw his wet right hand, Amber’s head followed. As if scolding him, Tennessee inserted his still-dry left hand. Whether he noticed the switch or not, Amber was preoccupied with sucking the hand, panting.

“Try shaking your hips while you suck.”

Tennessee preferred it when Amber groaned and didn’t hide his desires. Leaving the wet hand behind, he consciously relaxed his strength. After rubbing his finger against the tightly closed entrance, he inserted only the index finger.

Tennessee had not forgotten the pleasure from last time. He felt that if he inserted his finger deeply, he could reach the epicenter where that strange sensation had crackled.

“Hng, ha…… ha.”

The impatient hand of Amber was already shaking his own member. Tennessee stopped him and moved that hand to Amber’s chest. Both Amber’s top and bottom were standing stiff.

“Amber, press your nipples and shake your hips. Do you feel like you’re going to cum? You can’t go yet. If you feel like you’re going, open your legs. So I can see everything.”

Hazy from the electric sensation, Amber nodded blindly. Amber’s front, beyond just being excited, was soaking wet and angry, as if it would erupt at any moment.

Amber himself didn’t realize it, but he was unconsciously shaking his hips as if thrusting into the air. Following the recoil, his erect member swayed greatly up and down.

Gauging the shaft that was swollen to the point of pain, Tennessee increased the number of fingers.

Haa, what a sight. Looking at the lewdness of Amber immersed in pleasure while shaking his hips alone, it felt as if he could reach a climax with just a little finger-play.

Your penis is filling my hand.

When he threw out words like that, Amber’s neck would turn bright red, and he would press his body close, letting out gasps. He would arch his waist high, and his menacingly erect cock would press hard against the skin.

When was it? Once, while biting Amber’s maple-colored earlobe and pouring out such words, Amber had been unable to hold back and had come right then and there.

“Haa…… the stimulation is too strong.”

“So, do you hate it?”

“I feel like I’m just going to keep leaking…….”

The same went for Tennessee. Unlike Amber, he hadn’t touched or shaken himself, yet Tennessee’s member was swollen.

Catching his ragged breath, Tennessee tried spreading his fingers while inserted, just as Amber had done. The entrance stretched tightly. However, that strange and direct sensation from last time was absent. The pleasure that kept pushing him over the cliff.

“Whew…….”

And Amber stared intently at Tennessee as he touched and widened his own rear. Having adapted to some extent, Tennessee looked up to find Amber putting on a condom.

“I’ll do it for you.”

“Hng— no.”

Avoiding Tennessee’s hand, Amber tore the condom packaging himself. Amber, who couldn’t be said to have much experience, was almost at his limit after a few words of Tennessee’s dirty talk. In such a state, if Tennessee reached out to put on the condom, he might ejaculate without being able to hold it.

Moving his hand up and down as if masturbating, Amber put on the condom and approached while gripping the shaft. Positioning himself between Tennessee’s legs, he pressed his lips firmly against the panting ones, breathing his breath into him.

Foreplay, the afterglow, and of course, the actual sex were all wonderful, but Amber loved it most when they mixed their tongues so passionately. When he willingly pulled him close, exchanging tongues and breath, sharing pleasure right before each other’s eyes.

And it was absolutely fantastic to slowly enter while intoxicated by that pleasure with eyes closed. From this point, he was truly connected to Tennessee. The swollen glans met the entrance and began to be slowly constricted.

“Haaa…….”

“Haa, it feels good…….”

Amber felt dizzy at the sound of Tennessee’s moan.

What Amber had felt so far was that no matter how much he wanted to run wild, immense patience was required during insertion. Amber believed he had an obligation to cherish and protect Tennessee’s body as much as possible.

And it was obvious that slow entry was Tennessee’s preference. As he steadily parted the heated inner flesh by applying weight, and occasionally stopped to catch his breath, Tennessee would squirm and let out similarly shallow breaths.

“Here.”

Tennessee pushed out his heated chest. Whenever insertion felt overwhelming like this, Tennessee would sometimes pull his hair back and make him caress his lips or nipples. Every time Tennessee trained him from start to finish in that manner, Amber tasted a twisted sense of satisfaction.

It was a desire that everything, from one to ten, be tailored to Tennessee’s pleasure and erogenous zones, so that he could never escape sex with him—that he would be completely attuned to him, and he to Tennessee.

“Hng-.”

When he successfully inserted almost to the end, to the point where his testicles nearly touched Tennessee’s skin, Amber shuddered once.

Side Story 3. Daily Life (2)

“I’ll go slowly.”

Since Tennessee found it uncomfortable if they moved immediately after insertion, Amber put firm strength into his waist, which wanted to move on its own, and hugged him.

But the breath breaking in his ear was too stimulating. The end of his spine tingled. His cock was hot, and even a slight movement caused it to be squeezed and nibbled; it was simply ecstatic. Haa…….

Wiping the sweat from Tennessee’s neat forehead, Amber slowly moved his hips. It was closer to a light swaying of the body. Perhaps because of what he’d seen earlier, he felt he wouldn’t be able to last long. Ngh. Amber bit his lip and stopped his body.

Then, suddenly, his body was pulled, and his vision spun. Tennessee had climbed on top of him.

“Te, Tennessee?”

A surprised Amber reflexively grabbed Tennessee’s waist to support him. Looking up from below, Tennessee was more stimulating than usual. Wiping his wet lips with the back of his hand, Tennessee slowly moved his hips with a dangerous smile. He pulled out the long shaft, leaving only the glans, and then sat down all at once.

“Haa-ugh!”

“Ngh……!”

Both moaned simultaneously. The atmosphere changed in an instant. Rubbing the back of his head against the heated sheets, Amber pleaded.

“Tennessee, move for me. Put it in hard, hard, hng! Haa!”

Amber couldn’t finish his sentence. It was because Tennessee had gently rotated his hips, centering around the point where they were locked. In that moment, Amber couldn’t even breathe properly. Wh-what was that just now?

Panting, Amber looked down. Above him, Tennessee was stimulating him by moving his hips up and down, as if he were the one inserting. Amber’s toes curled. Not knowing what to do, the moment Tennessee rotated his hips again, the strength left Amber’s arms and he simply squeezed the sheets.

His body swayed as if he were on a boat atop calm waves, and the sound of the sheets rubbing together, the sound of wet skin clashing lewdly, repeated in cycles of loud and soft.

Consumed by pleasure, Amber opened his red lips blankly. He knew that his face, completely overwhelmed by pleasure, was being fully exposed beneath Tennessee, but he couldn’t regain his reason. It felt as if his brain were flickering on and off.

“Amber, try moving.”

Amber looked up at Tennessee with unfocused eyes.

When Tennessee pinched his nipple to tell him to wake up, only then did Amber, waking from the overflowing pleasure, moisten his tongue.

Before Tennessee could urge him further, Amber thrust his hips upward from below. Tennessee’s body swayed here and there from the violent hip movements. Both continued to let out moans at the pleasure that began to burn in an instant.

Tennessee’s body greedily swallowed Amber. Tennessee panted and bit his lip. The deep interior, which definitely hadn’t been reached until a moment ago, was being mercilessly pressed and poked.

In response, Tennessee’s member was fully erect. Stimulated by the violent thrusting, his manhood stood stiff, reaching well past his navel. Every time Amber thrust deeply, transparent fluid splashed onto his stomach.

“Hng.”

Moaning with a flinch, Tennessee gripped his front. With the first direct stimulation in a long time, the pleasure grew even greater, welcoming the sensation. A hot heat surged. Racing toward the climax, Tennessee constantly welcomed the stimulation overflowing back and forth.

With a moan full of ecstasy, Amber could no longer speak. Though he was thrusting his hips, he was consumed by a pleasure that felt as if he were being pulled deep down and then bounced back. The pleasure surrounding his penis only grew stronger.

“Tennessee—”

As Amber pleaded with his tongue out, Tennessee let him bite his lips. Desperately hugging him, Amber bit his lower lip. When a silver thread of saliva stretched and their eyes met, Amber began to move his hips powerfully at a speed Tennessee could not possibly keep up with.

“Haa-ugh! Am— ngh— haaa!”

Tennessee’s body leaned forward and shook violently. His legs curled, his lungs contracted sharply, and strength surged through his entire body. As the entrance tightened as if it would cut him off, Amber shuddered. The stimulation grew deeper the more it crashed over him.

Collapsed on top of Amber, Tennessee licked the corner of Amber’s eyes, where tears had physiologically pooled. He welcomed the blind affection rushing toward him. Even when connected like this, or simply when facing each other.

“Hng, Tennessee, it hurts, I think the condom tore— haa-ugh!”

Tennessee’s climax hit suddenly. As Tennessee, who had been moving his hand quickly, let out a loud cry, Amber, who was suddenly squeezed below, shouted in pain. However, it was merely an unexpected pressure, not pain.

Amber’s thighs trembled violently as he simply opened his mouth. He had no room to imagine what he looked like. At the same moment he began to feel the immense pressure, Amber gave a great thrust of his hips and let out a moan. Every time fluid burst from Tennessee’s glans, the area below tightened firmly, gripping Amber tight.

“Hnnngh— ha, I’m cumming, ha, aa— I’m going, haaa!”

It took a long time for Tennessee to realize that the thumping sound was his own heartbeat. He could feel the inner walls trembling and convulsing. Blood suddenly surged through his entire body, and it felt as if his lungs were being squeezed.

Tennessee barely managed to lift his body. The touching bodies separated, and cool air rushed in. Tennessee panted as he wiped away what he had released onto Amber’s stomach. His breathing wouldn’t settle.

What had he said? Had he told him to cum inside? He couldn’t even remember exactly. Consumed by the ecstasy that had reached its peak, he felt he had just shouted whatever came out.

Gasping for breath that wouldn’t stabilize, Tennessee struggled to open his eyes.

But something felt strange. Amber, who had clearly felt the orgasm with him, was eerily quiet.

“……Amber.”

Wiping away sweat, Tennessee called him again. Only then did Tennessee feel something was wrong and lightly tapped Amber’s cheek. His heart jumped, and he placed a finger beneath Amber’s nose. He felt a regular exhale. He then placed his ear against Amber’s naked chest. Other than the pulse being fast enough to hear the heartbeat, there was nothing wrong.

“Amber. Amber? Wake up, Amber!”

“……Tennessee.”

As he shook his shoulder and lightly slapped his cheek, Amber struggled to lift his eyelids as if being pulled away by sleep.

“……I love you.”

At the sound that resembled sleep-talking, Tennessee’s expression became ambiguous. Tennessee, who had been kneeling, discovered Amber, who had slipped out from inside him and was a mess with all sorts of fluids.

To think such a thing could happen.

There was nothing seriously wrong with Amber. He had simply lost consciousness from the overwhelming pleasure.

Watching Amber’s erection slowly subside as his member slowly leaked the remaining fluid, Tennessee let out a breath that was a mix of relief and exhaustion. He really knows how to give someone a scare.

Amber mumbled something incoherently. “I get it, so get up,” Tennessee urged.

To lose consciousness from an orgasm. Honestly…

Only then did Tennessee feel truly relieved as he moved closer to his side. To think he could have such a happy face after scaring the life out of someone.

Tennessee chuckled softly.

Losing consciousness from an orgasm was something Amber, as a novice, could never have imagined. It was a first for Tennessee as well.

“It just means we’re that compatible.”

Compatible even in bed, isn’t that perfect?

That was what Amber said once he regained his senses. Tennessee was currently rummaging through the messy floor to find the reason why the condom had torn.

“Is it this?”

What he held in his hand was a lotion that was clearly full of oil. When Amber nodded, Tennessee didn’t hide the look of disbelief in his eyes.

“Did you not receive sex education?”

“I did.”

“If you use stuff like this, the condom tears.”

He had received sex education, but he had never truly listened. At the time, Amber was spending a turbulent adolescence; far from dreaming of sex with Tennessee, he was a guilt-ridden boy who felt ashamed even of his nocturnal emissions, treating them as if they were kisses.

He figured there was no point in listening to useless information since he wasn’t going to spend the night with Tennessee anyway. If his partner wasn’t Tennessee, he didn’t want it, and he believed it was inevitable that he would live his whole life without any sexual experience. He never imagined that the ignorance of that time would come back to haunt him like this.

Internally, Amber beat his chest in violent regret.

“I thought you said you studied a lot.”

His studies were primarily focused on how to maximize pleasure while minimizing the pain Tennessee felt during insertion. Amber admitted that he had overlooked the condoms.

“Amber—”

“No grounding. Are you planning to keep me as a house dog instead of a lover?”

Amber spoke urgently. Last time, Tennessee had been lenient, and it had ended with two and four days respectively, but how much had Amber ground his teeth in frustration? To think he’d be left at home while Tennessee roamed around alone? He might as well just blow his head off with a gun. Amber was serious.

“Where did you pick up this habit of putting your lover under house arrest at the drop of a hat?”

Despite the sarcasm, Amber pressed his lips against Tennessee’s before he could actually issue the grounding. It was a tactic to shut him up.

“Now that I think about it, it’s unfair. If I knew I was going to be grounded, I would have done it plenty of times without a condom back then.”

Tennessee was speechless, seeing that Amber was half-serious.

“Do you hate condoms?”

“No, I know I should use them, but…”

Hesitating, Amber leaned his forehead against Tennessee’s shoulder. Like a cat, he pushed with force, rubbing his body against him.

“Please let me do it without them sometimes. As a reward.”

Behind Tennessee’s back, Amber’s eyes sparkled.

#Side Story 3. Daily Life (3) + Side Story 4. Pinata

After that, whenever Amber did something well, he appealed for that reward, and a few weeks later, he was finally able to taste the sweet fruit of that prize.

At the mention of a reward, Amber didn’t leave the bed all day. Positioning himself by spreading Tennessee’s legs, Amber succeeded in inserting himself without difficulty. He now used natural movements to loosen the area before slowly widening the opening with the glans and entering.

“Do you know that all of me is inside?”

Two bodies radiating intense heat touched. Amber, trembling the moment he inserted himself completely to the root, asked. Tennessee nodded, covering his eyes with the back of his hand. Tennessee’s breath had grown hot, but there were times when those reactions alone weren’t enough for Amber. Every time Tennessee moved proactively, Amber’s heart swelled.

“Look here.”

As Tennessee looked down with his hand still covering his eyes, Amber cupped his cheek.

“Lower your hand. Look at me.”

Intertwining their fingers, Amber lowered his body. Their noses brushed softly, and a tongue pushed deep inside. Simultaneously, Amber began to move slowly, pulling his hips back and forth.

“Look, I’m going in.”

“Haa… I know.”

“This feels the best… Ah, Tennessee, your inside is twitching.”

Tennessee’s cheeks began to flush faintly; he had said similar things himself, but he had never heard them directed at him. Amber was not one to let this pass.

“Are you shy? Hoo… you’re shy saying that while you’re eating my cock?”

“Stop it.”

“Are you going to punish me if I don’t listen? Are you going to spank my ass?”

“Stop before I actually do it.”

Amber rubbed his nose against Tennessee’s soft neck for a long while and pressed his lips, his hip movements gradually accelerating. Adjusting their interlaced hands, Amber let out moans exactly as they came, without a shred of dignity.

“Ha, ngh!”

It was the same for Tennessee. The more they did it, the greater the pleasure became. What had started as a strange sensation, then gradually became ticklish and mysterious, now squeezed out clear pleasure every time Amber’s massive member thrust inside.

“I’m being rude. You have to punish me. Hmm? Punish me, tell me how you’re going to punish me… ah…”

It would be great to be punished by Tennessee’s cock. Touch my nipples. Harder, ah, it feels good… should I bite? Tennessee feels it here too, right? If I bite here, nng… do you know? Tennessee’s hips are shaking, like he wants to fuck me.

I can’t deal with him.

That was what Tennessee thought.

Side Story 4. Pinata

To Elizabeth and David, Amber had always been the “sore finger”—the child they worried about most. While every child has their struggles, unlike Annie and Cody who were adopted as young children, Amber, who was adopted in middle school, was always the son who weighed on their hearts.

Unlike Annie and Cody, who threw tantrums and complained like other children, Amber had kept his heart closed for a long time. Though he had now become a member of the family no different from anyone else, the image of the young Amber remained in a corner of their hearts.

Since Amber had finally achieved his first love, they naturally wanted to throw a grand birthday party for his upcoming birthday. However, instead of sending Amber into the waiting arms of Michigan’s family, Tennessee ended up inviting them to Chicago.

Excluding Amber, there were only four people, so he expected a fair amount of luggage, but David appeared with a massive birthday cake that Tennessee had never seen before. It was a cake large enough to feed nearly twenty people.

However, that grand cake didn’t last long.

“Come here, Amber.”

With cake smeared all over his face, Amber trotted over to Tennessee.

“Yes?”

Behind Amber, Cody and Annie were running after him in excitement. Annie was particularly thrilled because of the special cake Elizabeth and David had prepared. Annie had already been strongly demanding a three-tier cake with the face of a famous boy band vocalist for her own birthday. Cody was even more excited, requesting a cake shaped like a dirt bike.

35 – Chapter

Holding the tie in his hand, Tennessee’s eyes swept over Amber. Cake was splattered everywhere, from his face to his clothes. He looked as if he’d been in a food fight. The culprits were undoubtedly Annie and Cody.

“Did you call me?”

However, no answer came, and a black tie suddenly covered Amber’s vision, leaving him with a mental question mark. Tennessee tied the tie, making sure it wasn’t too tight.

It would have been better if we were doing this inside a room.

It could have turned into a different kind of play, but unfortunately, Tennessee was tying the tie in the living room while Amber’s family was gathered and chatting, so this likely wasn’t the kind of “adults-only” activity he was hoping for.

Amber was curious about Tennessee’s intentions, yet felt a lingering sense of disappointment.

Grabbing his wrist, Tennessee led him to the backyard. It was a small patio, and Amber’s shoes made a cheerful sound as they hit the floor deck. Hearing the footsteps of several people following behind, Amber wondered why, until—

“Turn around.”

Huh?

Tennessee spoke. Feeling more bewildered than anyone else in the world, Amber stood there blankly, and Tennessee grabbed Amber’s shoulders and began to spin him in place. Finding the sight amusing, Annie and Cody’s laughter lightly echoed through the air.

After spinning around three or four times, something caught in Amber’s hand. It was cold and hard. Since they were alone here, Amber hoped it was something scandalous, but he immediately realized it was a baseball bat.

“Hit it.”

“…Ah.”

In that moment, Amber looked up.

A piñata.

This man actually remembered the childhood dream Amber had mentioned in passing. He was truly cold yet kind and attentive. The fact that this attention was reserved solely for him made Amber’s heart flutter.

“Hard? Move aside, Tennessee, you might get hit.”

“Don’t worry about me, just hit it.”

He must know that Amber played baseball in high school. Hearing his voice so close, Amber moved the bat cautiously, afraid he might actually hit him. But he couldn’t seem to reach anything. As he flailed around for a while, he could hear Tennessee letting out a small chuckle. Even Elizabeth couldn’t hide her smile, finding the situation delightful.

“At this rate, when are you ever going to break it?”

“Over here, Ryker!”

Annie clapped. Relying only on the sound, Amber swung the bat.

“Here?”

“Higher! Up!”

The clapping seemed to be coming from higher up.

“…Isn’t the piñata hanging too high, Lizzy?”

David muttered quietly, and—

“…It almost looks like a hanging,”

Elizabeth replied. Just then, he finally hit something. This was it! Amber swung with all his might. It was the moment where the talent that had earned him a four-year college scholarship offer for baseball years ago shone through. Without holding back, Amber swung the bat with full force. There was a satisfying crash, and the piñata burst open instantly.

“Kyaa! Candy!”

“Chocolate! There’s so much!”

He did it. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, his vision brightened. Without even looking at the giant piñata, which had opened wide like a smile and was raining down candy and chocolate, Amber’s gaze went straight to Tennessee. Tennessee, still holding the tie, wore a faint smile.

Cody and Annie rushed in excitedly to pick up the candy. Watching them with a fond expression, Elizabeth picked up a piece of chocolate that had rolled to her feet. After checking the wrapper, she nudged David beside her.

“My goodness, an adult’s piñata is different. There’s chocolate with rum here.”

David also picked up a piece of chocolate from the floor.

“Lizzy, this is Godiva chocolate?”

“And this one is Bois Chocolat?”

“…Let’s pick them up.”

Driven by Tennessee’s extravagance, even Elizabeth and David rushed to gather the candy and chocolates. Tennessee pointed forward. Amber turned his gaze to where his finger was pointing. Only then did Amber pay attention to the piñata.

Ah. He had swung it so hard that the piñata, unable to withstand the recoil, was swinging back and forth like a pendulum, scattering candy everywhere. Small pieces of colored paper fluttered along with it. Sparkling gold and silver papers fell. The wrappers of chocolates and candies made light sounds as they collided.

It looked like this.

Amber stared blankly at the moment he had dreamed of since childhood. Only now did Amber realize how much he had actually longed for this. It was a wish he would never have recognized if it weren’t for Tennessee.

“Happy birthday, Amber.”

It’s a wonderful birthday.

Tennessee spoke, accompanied by a picture-perfect smile. It was impossible not to love him. Amidst the rain of chocolate, Amber hugged him tightly, holding the lovely partner who willingly let himself be embraced.

“Thank you.”

Tennessee’s cool hand gripped Amber’s chin. Their lips met.

Colorful pieces of paper fell over their heads like rain. The fairy tale of a childhood he had never experienced poured down upon him. Purity, memories, and the ordinary life he had dared not dream of. In that moment, Amber remembered that dream which had vanished into the depths of his memory.

Finally, beyond the dark castle past the closet, beyond the winding road, and beyond Tennessee’s shabby hometown.

Side Story 5. The Following Year, Halloween.

At some point, Tennessee had officially acquired a status similar to the fiancé of the eldest son of the Dexley family. Since they had known each other since Amber’s adoption and were now lovers, no one found it strange that Tennessee visited the house in Michigan even when they weren’t there.

Tennessee watched Cody and Annie run around in famous animation costumes. It was Halloween.

It was the kind of event celebrated in houses with children; in truth, Tennessee was someone who had forgotten such days existed for years. He naturally expected to forget it this year as well, but a few days ago, Amber had suddenly said:

‘If you’re not too busy, could you spend a few days in Michigan?’

‘I can. Why?’

‘Elizabeth and David are going on a trip. We could get a babysitter, but I think they want me to be there for a day.’

‘Sure.’

And so, Tennessee ended up as a babysitter, a role he never imagined for himself.

If Amber had heard, he would have remarked, “Just because you’re sitting in front of a baby doesn’t mean you’re babysitting,” but Amber was too busy with actual babysitting.

Amber had given a serious lecture that there are specific times in a year when children get truly excited.

Christmas, 2. Birthdays, 3. Halloween, 4. Other people’s birthdays.

In other words, according to Amber’s logic, it was a great day, ranking third out of 365 days. For Tennessee, it was hard to understand.

‘They’re middle schoolers, and they’re still going trick-or-treating?’

Annie, who was listening nearby, looked genuinely appalled by Tennessee’s question. Expressing the contempt of a pubescent middle schooler, Annie gave this answer:

‘Tennessee, what does age matter when they’re giving out candy and chocolate?’

And then, leaving the bewildered Tennessee behind, Annie dashed off with her boyfriend.

“Tennessee, I’m heading out!”

Cody, dressed exactly like a character from a famous animation Tennessee had seen here and there, waved his hand. Tennessee waved back in response. Despite the half-hearted greeting, Cody’s female friends of the same age squealed with delight.

Once Cody and Annie left in small groups with their friends, the three-story mansion suddenly became eerily quiet.

Tennessee’s ears still felt ringing from the children’s laughter. He spread his documents on the table. It wasn’t urgent, but there was work to be done. He didn’t like wasting spare time. However, Amber was still bustling about as if he had plenty to do.

“What are you doing?”

Amber only came inside after confirming that the porch lights, the mummy models filling the garden, the moving skeletons, and the cackling witches were all functioning.

“The neighborhood kids will be here soon.”

…Ah, right.

Tennessee neatly closed his documents.

* * *

Morgan (7 years old, student) looked at the lavish decorations in the garden with a pounding heart. A skeleton moved with a scary sound, and a witch bolted upright with a strange flash of lightning.

“Kyaa!” Harley screamed beside him, and Morgan also screamed “Kyaa!” while giggling. After circling from the end of the road, their baskets had accumulated quite a few treats. Skipping the houses with lights off and visiting one by one, Morgan and the children eventually arrived at a large three-story house.

The children chattered among themselves about who got more of which chocolate, or if they had more or less than last year. Morgan, who had been waiting while rummaging through his candy, reached out once the other children quieted down. It was Morgan’s turn to ring the doorbell.

Ding-dong. Not long after pressing it, footsteps were heard. What kind of chocolate would he get this time? He noticed there weren’t many Twix earlier. He wanted that.

Until the door clicked open, Morgan couldn’t contain his heart, which was swelling with anticipation.

“….”

And then, Morgan froze upon seeing the strange, cool-looking man standing before him. Huh?

A tremor of shock went through the pupils of the children, who had expected Elizabeth and David.

After a brief, awkward silence, the children looked at each other and shouted.

“Tr… Trick or treat….”

However, perhaps because the mood had been broken, the words didn’t come out as cheerfully as before. Hesitantly, the children hid behind their mothers or their respective friends. The man leaning against the door just stared at them with an inscrutable gaze.

“Uh….”

The parents of the children were equally flustered. Were the porch lights off? No, they weren’t.

After a second passed, filled with their various thoughts, a single word flowed from the lips of the indifferent-looking handsome man.

“Trick.”

And then, a dark ice age arrived, more severe than a Siberian cold wave.

As the children looked at each other on the verge of tears—

“I said, trick.”

He drove the point home.

Roaaar— Heeheehee! Unaware of the children’s feelings, the Halloween decorations in the garden went wild. With flashing lights, a decoration mimicking a tortured person twisted its body, and chaos ensued.

After about two minutes that felt like an eternity, one child finally burst into the tears they had been holding back.

“Waaaaah!”

“Tennessee? Why are you making the kids cry?”

Just as the other young children were about to follow suit and wail, someone appeared from behind the man. Unlike the man who came out first, this person was holding three full candy baskets. Seeing the tearful children and the man leaning leisurely against the door, he seemed to grasp the situation immediately.

“Haha, this guy made you cry. Sorry, kids.”

Handfuls of candy fell from his large hands.

“What did you do to make the kids cry?”

“Nothing.”

“If you did nothing, why are the kids crying?”

“I wonder.”

The man chided him while giving out not one, but two handfuls of candy and chocolate. When it was his turn, Morgan opened his candy basket.

Receiving the shower of treats, Morgan looked up at the two men. He remembered that cool gaze from when the door first opened. It had frozen him, like seeing a lion crouching and preparing to pounce on its prey, but seeing the two men talking back and forth now, it seemed that sensation had been a mistake. Even now, wasn’t he smiling softly? I was scared for nothing, Morgan thought, and descended from the porch with a thank-you.

As the children all received their candy and turned away, the door closed softly. Even then, their voices could be heard murmuring.

“Trick? You just said ‘trick’? Hahaha! No wonder they cried.”

“It was a joke.”

“Hahaha!”

Yes, it must have been a mistake.

Even to young Morgan, the voices of the two sounded kind, soft, and…

Ordinary.

* * *

What happened with Megan that day?

After Tennessee left the gun behind and disappeared, Amber chewed his lip anxiously. How long had it been since he followed Megan inside? Perhaps because the tension had eased, a sudden wave of drowsiness washed over him. However, snapping awake, Amber gripped the gun and scanned the surroundings.

“Is it loaded?”

“Yes.”

“Give it here, before you blow your head off.”

Amber twisted his body to avoid Megan’s reaching hand. It was a clear message that he would not give it up. Megan was appalled. There was nothing more foolish than putting a gun in a child’s hand. Megan clicked her tongue, not knowing what Tennessee had been thinking when he gave him such a thing.

“Do you even know how to fire that?”

“I’ll find out if I try.”

At the cheeky answer, Megan let out a sigh of disbelief. Does he think I’m feeding and housing him for my own pleasure?

Megan’s mood began to sour.

“Did Tennessee teach you how to shoot?”

“Yes.”

Sitting with his knees up, Amber nodded. Amber glanced once more at the clock, which he felt he had looked at a hundred and fifty times today alone.

“Tennessee taught you how to kill? What a great teacher. As expected of a murderer like Tennessee.”

Amber’s gaze, which had been on the clock, returned to Megan. Amber stared blankly and then turned his head away, as if he wouldn’t even bother dealing with her. The one who got irritated by the lack of a reaction was Megan, who was quite an adult.

“The probability of you blowing your own head off is higher than the probability of you defending yourself with that gun.”

At those words, the eyes of the child, which had been brimming with anger, instead sank into a calmer state.

Aha, I see. Having noticed the child’s weakness, Megan changed her target.

“Tennessee probably gave you the gun knowing that, because he’s a human who doesn’t have a single speck of responsibility.”

Amber lowered his gaze as if trying to suppress his anger, but he couldn’t completely avoid Megan’s eyes. Megan continued to fuel the fire with a smirk. She was a truly childish adult.

“Didn’t you feel it while being with him? Even now, he leaves you with me. No morality, no responsibility; all he has is the thought of how to kill someone efficiently.”

“Don’t talk about him like that!”

At the sharp response, Megan was busy laughing out loud. She was not a good person. Why did Tennessee associate with someone like this?

If Tennessee had been there, he would have dismissed her by saying, “She’s not a friend or anything,” but unfortunately, Tennessee wasn’t there, and Amber chewed his lip again. The taste of blood filled his mouth.

“Are you angry because I spoke badly of Tennessee? But isn’t it true?”

Despite how she seemed, Megan had no real malice. She was just wickedly mischievous and a different type of twisted human than Tennessee.

“You need to know what you need to know. Think about what else Tennessee taught you besides giving you a gun. Does giving you a single gun and throwing you into the desert alone make him a savior?”

“Stop it.”

“I bet he didn’t even teach you properly. Do you know how to release the safety? How to load it? You probably don’t even know how to fire it, do you?”

“I do.”

“As if! Puhaha! Then shoot it. I’ll bet 50 dollars that you can’t—”

…Bang!

“Shit!”

Megan jumped up and shouted from the searing pain. Fortunately, it wasn’t a direct hit, but there was a huge scratch on the wall, and the bullet had grazed her. Megan calmed her racing heart. That damn brat…!

“…I told you I could shoot.”

“Stupid, this is why you shouldn’t give guns to kids!”

Cursing, Megan skillfully snatched the gun before Amber could resist and removed the magazine. She didn’t forget to throw it carelessly at Amber’s feet.

“Yeah, fuck, Tennessee taught you well. What would have happened if I hadn’t dodged?!”

Thanks to her long experience as a mercenary, she had moved instinctively, which was a relief. Otherwise, she would have suffered a gunshot wound. The mere thought of relying on painkillers to dig out a bullet with her own hands in a place like this was irritating.

Fuck, that hurts.

There was a long scratch over the tattoo on her arm. Though she was fuming, Megan knew she had provoked him, so she didn’t shout any more insults about Tennessee.

“This is why kids should be kept far away from guns.”

Amber glared at Megan, curling his lip in dissatisfaction.

Megan threatened that she would definitely tell Tennessee. Amber took a sharp breath and then let out a soft sigh.

Come to think of it, he didn’t think Tennessee would be very angry.

…In fact, he’d probably say he did a good job.

And then, for the hundred and fifty-second time, Amber stared at the clock. He missed him.

Amber Alert side story, End

1 – The therapist

The therapist

Dr. Shannon Michaels was a competent and experienced professional with twenty-five years of experience. Since earning her doctorate, she had steadily operated her psychological counseling center, eventually gaining enough fame to become a well-known therapist for the upper class, handling everyone from high-ranking officials in politics and business to their children.

Fitting her reputation, Dr. Michaels had counseled countless people over those twenty-five years. If asked to pick the most memorable individuals from a list of names that would stretch on endlessly, Dr. Michaels would choose one couple without a moment’s hesitation: Ryker Amber Dexley and Chase Hartson. They were a peerless pair among all the clients she had ever encountered.

No other client she had taken on was like these two; she often thought twice a week that they were truly a unique couple. That is, once a week on the day she counseled Ryker Amber Dexley, and once on the day she counseled Chase Hartson.

“Welcome, Ryker.”

“It’s been a while, Shannon.”

As the doctor opened the door, a tall, handsome man stepped into the consulting room. Ryker Dexley. He was one of the clients Shannon had been counseling for a long time, and one of the ‘peerless two.’

“How are you feeling today?”

“Good, as usual.”

“Has anything happened?”

Sitting on the sofa, he replied briefly that nothing had happened. Unlike his partner, who was shrouded in secrets, when Ryker said ‘nothing happened,’ it truly meant nothing had happened, which put Shannon at ease.

In truth, Ryker was not a particularly headache-inducing patient.

Though he had a turbulent upbringing due to severe abuse as a child, Ryker was generally active in his counseling. He had a genial personality and a sociable demeanor. She once thought that if she weren’t a therapist, she would have easily missed the shadows that jutted out like bars behind his charming exterior.

“How are the nightmares?”

“They’re fine. I can’t even remember the last time I had one.”

There were times when he struggled to empathize with others and moments where he revealed a subtly different perspective, but regardless, Ryker was not a difficult case.

Yes, compared to that person… Dr. Michaels thought as she wrote in the counseling log.

“I’m almost scared because I’ve never been this happy,” Ryker said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

“Is it that much?”

It was a relief that he was beyond just ‘nothing happening’ and was actually happy. Even though she had heard these words for over a year, Dr. Michaels simply nodded and asked back. At that, Ryker suddenly looked up.

“Ah, there is one serious problem.”

“Did something happen?”

“It’s a big deal. My partner is getting cuter by the day…”

“…”

Dr. Shannon Michaels had seen his partner for over a year. No matter how she thought about it, he was a man with a cold impression who did not suit adjectives like ‘cute’ in the slightest. Whenever she saw Ryker, who was driven crazy by the cuteness of a man who could not be called cute either objectively or subjectively, the doctor found herself thinking about the total volume of a person’s emotions.

While other people empathized a little bit with everyone, Ryker communed only with specific people. His world seemed quite narrow despite its apparent breadth, and it appeared as though he poured all his emotions and capabilities only into those people.

To put it simply, he was the kind of person who, excluding his partner and family, held a mindset of: ‘It’s a pity if they die, but well, everyone dies eventually.’ It sounded cold, but is there really a right answer to life and emotion? Considering what Ryker had gone through, it was perhaps natural that he didn’t give his affection to people easily.

The fact that a person with such a distinct capacity for empathy had ended up joining the FBI’s child crime investigation task force simply because he was reminded of a young Chase—looking at it this way, Ryker was one thing, but Chase felt quite remarkable as well.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that Chase isn’t having nightmares.”

And then, he gave a bashful smile.

“We were both busy a while ago. I kiss him every time I leave the house, but Chase was busy brewing coffee. I hesitated for a moment and then just left, but around lunch, I got a text. It said, ‘You should have gone after a goodbye kiss.’ He’s a pro at playing with my heart.”

“Ryker.”

“And yesterday… yes?”

“I want to hear Ryker’s story, not Mr. Hartson’s.”

“…My story?”

“If that’s not easy, hmm. Alright, would you tell me about your honeymoon?”

He blushed all of a sudden. It was an attitude that truly suited the phrase ‘all of a sudden.’ They had only held the ceremony later, but they had been married long ago, and for someone who boasted about his partner as naturally as breathing—boasts that would make anyone else embarrassed—being shy about a honeymoon was unexpected.

“The honeymoon…”

A man’s wedding band sparkled on Ryker’s ring finger as he interlaced his fingers.

Dr. Michaels knew very well that after getting his first job, Ryker had saved not three, but six months of salary to buy an engagement ring, and in return, Chase had commissioned a wedding band worth over a million dollars. This was because an overwhelmed Ryker had bragged about it once, three times, no, ten times… no, about one million and five hundred thousand times.

‘Chase is a romantic, even if he doesn’t look like it. He says he isn’t, but he couldn’t be any kinder. Did I tell you about the piñata? …I did? …What? About fifty times? That’s not much, please listen to it fifty more times. So, going back to what I was saying—what was I talking about? I can’t remember. Oh, by the way, did I tell you about the ring?’

Ryker, staring blankly at the ring on his finger, quietly curled the corners of his lips.

“It was the very definition of the ideal honeymoon I had dreamed of. How did I end up marrying such a perfect person? I hope he thinks of me as a perfect and ideal partner too…”

Dr. Shannon Michaels tucked her lip into her mouth.

A few days after the counseling session with Ryker Dexley was the counseling day for Chase Hartson.

“Hello, Mr. Hartson.”

“Good morning, Dr. Michaels.”

Chase Hartson, the ‘that person’ from ‘Yes, compared to that person…’, entered the room.

Today, as always, he was a man boasting perfect proportions like a work of art. His hair, neatly swept back with a moderate amount of wax, had a glossy sheen, and his dress shirt, with the top two buttons undone, was partially hidden by a dark suit jacket. His texture was like grains of desert sand shining under the sun.

Several years had passed since Dr. Michaels took charge of Chase and Ryker’s counseling. By this point, rapport should have been established long ago. Even without infringing on personal boundaries, the client should have become accustomed to counseling and started sharing trivial details first. In fact, a close and comfortable atmosphere had already been formed with Ryker, who had started counseling at the same time.

Thanks to Ryker, who had experience with counseling as a child and didn’t act passively, she already knew what names they would give to any future dogs they might adopt—Amber had revealed plans to name them after cities in Tennessee: Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Knoxville, and Jackson. However, the relationship with Chase was a bit different.

Compared to the beginning, it was certainly a great leap forward. However, the reason a comfortable atmosphere hadn’t formed as it had with Ryker was likely due to his personality, which didn’t trust people easily. Moreover, his uncommon profession and unforgettable past experiences played a part.

‘Did you say the contents of the counseling are secure? I feel like I might have dealt with an aide who confessed a political scandal to his counselor, or maybe I didn’t. I’m not sure.’

The voice of Chase saying those words suddenly came to mind.

Then,

‘…The aide…? Mr. Hartson, you didn’t deal with the counselor, who committed no crime, as well, did you?’

‘…I wonder.’

A short exchange like that also flashed through Dr. Michaels’ mind. On the day they had that short conversation, the doctor had to take a handful of stabilizers.

Chase Hartson certainly chose his words carefully and never said anything that could be used disadvantageously in court. Despite being such a distrustful person, the fact that he regularly attended counseling and was actually showing improvement was a point of great pride for Dr. Shannon Michaels as a therapist.

“It’s been a while. How was your honeymoon? Did anything happen?”

“Honeymoon. …Honeymoon.”

Habit. Inertia. Or perhaps familiarity. As usual, Dr. Shannon Michaels waited for Chase to respond with ‘It was good,’ or to say ‘Nothing happened’ and then describe an event that was, in fact, a very big deal.

For example, like last time.

‘Nothing much happened, but a politician I once guarded died in an accident. I had clearly conveyed that the security level of the security service was insufficient, but an acquaintance guaranteed their skill, so he didn’t listen.’

He called it an accident. He called it an accident, but to anyone listening, it had the nuance of an assassination.

Recalling Chase’s unusual remarks in sequence, Shannon Michaels shook her head to clear the stray thoughts. She waited silently for Chase’s lips to open.

His red lips, contrasting with his black hair and menacingly built muscles, opened, and words followed with a hesitation that was unlike Chase.

“Something did happen.”

Since this was the first time Chase had confessed so readily, Shannon Michaels reflexively adjusted her grip on her pen.

“With Ryker? Or was it something external?”

“You could say that…”

“Can you tell me from the beginning?”

Chase, who had been choosing his words, sighed and swept back his hair.

“It started… in the third week of the trip.”

Chase, who downed the water on the table in one go, began to speak.

* * *

Under the blazing sunlight, Tennessee wore sunglasses.

The American sun was so intense that it made one hallucinate that they might go blind.

The scent of grass wafted through the window, which was rolled down all the way. In the cup holder of the console between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat was a Mountain Dew that Amber had bought fifteen minutes ago. Sunlight poured into the white plastic cup, reflecting the contents that were more than half empty.

The first thing Amber did after breakfast was check the planned travel itinerary.

Inwardly, Tennessee thought it was hard to call it a ‘plan.’ It was more accurate to view it as a ‘planning framework’ rather than a ‘plan.’ This was because, despite spending time referencing the internet and books to narrow down destinations, the destinations and routes changed spontaneously.

Looking at the ambitious goals he had set every day to regain a sense of reality and reflecting on which of them he absolutely wanted to do—that was one of Amber’s daily routines.

The wind coming through the window pleasantly brushed through his hair.

As Amber, having checked the plan, put the notebook back into the glove box, woof woof! Nashville barked loudly from the backseat.

He thought the dog was just barking out of excitement, but now he was even whining.

Checking the backseat, Amber tilted his head.

“Nashville is being fussy.”

Nashville was a dog that relieved himself outdoors, and since they had used the drive-thru when buying the Mountain Dew and snacks earlier, he hadn’t had a chance to get out of the car. When was the last time Nashville went to the bathroom? Was it this morning?

In the distance, the golden arches of a franchise fast-food restaurant were visible. Pointing to the golden logo, Amber said they should let Nashville go to the bathroom.

The road was quiet and the restaurant was nearby, so they arrived at the deserted parking lot in about ten minutes. It was a famous fast-food chain, but perhaps because it was on the outskirts, it looked shabby. Even though it was lunchtime, there weren’t many people.

As soon as he parked the car haphazardly, Amber opened the door and stepped out. Opening the backseat to let Nashville out, Amber grabbed a waste bag.

“Baby, come here.”

Amber called Nashville as he headed toward the bushes.

Amber occasionally called Nashville ‘baby,’ a term that didn’t seem to suit Nashville’s age now that he was an old dog. However, ever since Amber had said, ‘He is our baby, isn’t he?’ Tennessee had never once questioned the term Amber used to call Nashville.

While Nashville and Amber spent a moment in the bushes breathing the fresh air, Tennessee waited for Amber with the engine running.

After a very short while, Amber appeared, leading Nashville.

Broad shoulders, a hand lightly holding the leash, and Nashville, panting happily while tied to the red leash. Seeing that, Tennessee prepared to start the car.

Tennessee’s movement to close the window stopped when someone appeared behind Amber and Nashville.

Amber was bringing out a scruffy-looking boy.

“…?”

Unable to grasp the situation immediately, Tennessee frowned overtly. Amber approached the driver’s side window, which was more than halfway up.

“Tennessee, I saw this child being bullied back there. His name is…”

“Flynn Anderson.”

Shabby clothes, a worn-out bag, crumpled shoes, and an untidy appearance. He looked like a teenage runaway. Flynn, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, hesitantly approached the driver’s seat where Tennessee was.

“I’m sorry, but would it be possible to give me a ride for a little while?”

Tennessee’s gaze reflexively shifted to Amber behind Flynn. Amber was in the middle of putting Nashville in the backseat with a light gesture. Their eyes met, and Amber shrugged.

“I couldn’t just ignore him, so I’m just giving you the chance to ask. I’ll follow Tennessee’s will.”

In a short amount of time, the computer in Tennessee’s head began calculating rapidly.

Tennessee’s capacity for empathy was exercised—and limited—only toward Amber and the people around Amber. Just because he had looked after a young Amber didn’t mean Tennessee was particularly soft on children; moreover, to call him a ‘child,’ Flynn looked like a high schooler who had already passed through puberty. His eyes weren’t glazed over from drugs, he didn’t look sick, and since Amber had saved him from being beaten, he wasn’t in immediate need of help.

The calculation was complete.

Patient X + Newborn X + Necessary Human X = No particular reason to help.

In the United States, one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 runs away from home at some point. It is said that there are about one to three million runaway and homeless youth in the US. Tennessee was far too dry a person to harbor sympathy and love for them.

“…Get in.”

Nevertheless, the reason Tennessee permitted it was out of respect for Amber’s professional ethics. While Flynn’s face brightened, Tennessee’s blue eyes glanced toward Amber.

‘Never think about picking up hitchhikers. In horror movies, hitchhikers are always people whose intentions are unknown.’

At the time, Tennessee and Amber didn’t know.

That David’s advice, which they had dismissed as common nagging, contained a truth of life.

* * *

“He was a runaway youth?”

Dr. Michaels asked back, elegantly writing in the counseling log.

Ryker belonged to the FBI’s child crime investigation task force, specifically handling investigations related to child sexual exploitation. Given the nature of his work, helping adolescents in difficulty must have been like a habit.

“That must have been a unique experience. So, did that runaway youth remind you of Ryker as a child?”

Chase’s face immediately crumpled.

‘Ryker as a child.’ In Tennessee’s memory, Amber was not that kind of person. Why not? Because Flynn was…

“A serial killer.”

Screech—

Shannon Michaels’ pen slid off, drawing a long diagonal line like a rhinoceros horn.

She had certainly counseled Ryker a few days ago, but she hadn’t heard anything like that. What? Ryker’s ‘nothing happened’ truly means nothing happened? Dr. Michaels felt the need to completely revise her evaluation of Ryker.

* * *

Flynn Anderson.

He was not an ordinary runaway youth. Thanks to his youthful face, a hundred out of a hundred people saw him as a middle or high school student, but in reality, he was a robust adult of twenty.

Furthermore, he wasn’t even in a state of having run away. His mother was a renowned politician and his father was a lawyer; he was an only child who grew up in a wealthy home under parents who blindly shielded him.

Flynn had become aware of his own sexual inclinations and cruelty from a very young age.

It started with goldfish and hamsters. Then it was the puppies born to the family dog. After his mother foamed at the mouth upon seeing a puppy killed so brutally, he shifted his targets to cats or wild animals that wandered into the backyard. Whenever he caught a voiceless beast, killed it in secret, and buried it in the ground, Flynn felt the blood coursing vividly through his entire body.

He was well aware that he was strange. Flynn thought his parents likely knew that he was what people commonly called a psychopath. However, as long as Flynn hid his violence on the surface and buried the corpses well, his mother didn’t pry, even when his pants and sleeves were caked in mud and spotted with blood. She simply reduced the number of servants working in the mansion.

And so, Flynn grew up carrying that uncorrected violence within him.

His first accidental murder happened when he was twelve. It was a child he didn’t like; he lured the boy along, suggesting they go play, and led him to a road where cars sped by.

He tripped the boy, who was saying the place was dangerous. Pretending to catch the stumbling child, he instead pushed him in the direction of an oncoming car.

Blood splattered as the child collapsed helplessly after being hit.

Flynn awakened to murder then, but the incident drew too much attention. No one imagined Flynn had pushed the child, and because of his small stature for his age, Flynn’s movements weren’t clearly captured on the vehicle’s dashcam. However, the repeated investigations and meetings with child psychologists were so dreadful that Flynn stopped killing for a while.

After entering high school, he began killing people while posing as a runaway youth. It was both a deviation and a liberation.

To leave his name as the worst serial killer in American history—that was Flynn’s ultimate goal and the meaning of his life.

And today, Flynn intended to kill these two men.

At one time, he had a complex about his appearance, which made him look far younger than his actual age, but now Flynn knew how to fully utilize his looks to garner sympathy and make others let their guard down.

“Thank you for helping me earlier.”

Climbing into the backseat, Flynn smiled, feigning the innocent look of a child.

Based on his experience of committing similar murders over several years, Flynn expected the man in the passenger seat to continue the questioning. After all, he was the one who had brought him along, and he appeared more approachable than the silent man driving. Flynn had already formulated answers in his head designed to elicit maximum sympathy. However, his expectation was completely wrong.

“You’re welcome.”

And Amber turned his head straight forward.

“…?”

Flynn was momentarily bewildered.

Normally, questions about why he had been beaten or how he ended up wandering the streets should have come, but Amber was preoccupied with a conversation with the driver while drinking a beverage.

“I noticed Nashville was out of treats earlier.”

“Beef jerky?”

“That and some dental chews.”

“We’ll buy some on the way. Do you need anything?”

“I’m fine.”

Excuse me. There is a runaway youth who was almost beaten to death right here in the back…

Flynn found himself slipping out of their interest far too quickly. To attract attention, Flynn blurted out whatever came to mind.

“Is the dog’s name Nashville? That’s pretty.”

“I named him.”

Amber spoke with a grin, looking back to meet Flynn’s eyes.

Now’s the chance. Flynn thought he had captured the moment to make them let their guard down.

“Before my foster father kicked me out, I also had a dog…”

“You said you didn’t need anything? Didn’t you say there was no bacon earlier?”

“Oh, right. No bacon. Should we stop by Walmart?”

“Sure. …Stop buying soda.”

“What? Tennessee, did I do something wrong?”

Excuse me…?

Pushed out of their interest once again, Flynn couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

Pretending to be an innocent student, he tried to pet the dog, but as soon as he reached out, it snarled and bared its teeth.

The damn dog takes after its owner.

“Nashville, no.”

The dog, which had been wrinkling its snout with an expression that seemed to say, ‘I… tear people apart,’ lowered its ears at Amber’s stern word.

I’ll bury that brat next to two other corpses. After imagining the brutal death of the dog, Flynn vowed inwardly.

“Nashville, stop it. You only bite junkies and bad guys.”

Just then, Flynn flinched, feeling as though he had locked eyes with blue eyes in the rearview mirror. Though the sunglasses obscured the exact gaze, a sharp outline of the eyes was etched into his mind for a moment. An unusual aura.

Flynn had not yet realized that the two men sitting in the driver’s and passenger’s seats were different from the innocent prey he had hunted so far. It was a fatal mistake of a novice serial killer—one with great greed and ambition, but lacking in ability and experience.

“So, not yet.”

Not yet? Flynn was about to ask for clarification, but instead, he wore a smile as if it were a funny joke. Flynn’s mind worked cunningly.

Two sturdy men.

Flynn had never hunted two sturdy men at once. Because his grip was as weak as his youthful appearance, he usually had to rely on taser guns or drugs. Furthermore, despite only a brief glance, the man in the driver’s seat possessed an undeniable presence that made the muscles in Flynn’s body contract. It would have been easier to understand this intimidation if the man were a hulking mass of muscle like a WWE wrestler. However, since the man wasn’t particularly threatening in appearance other than being strikingly handsome, Flynn couldn’t understand why he felt so overwhelmed for a moment.

They aren’t easy prey.

Flynn quickly reached a conclusion. They wouldn’t be easy to kill, but that’s what hunting was all about. Taxidermying and displaying a larger, harder-to-hunt stag—that was the meaning of a trophy. Just as one wouldn’t hang a common squirrel from the backyard.

I have to hunt them. Flynn set his goal.

Unaware that this might be a dream so colossal it was bound to burst.

“Where did you say you were going?”

“Just drop me off at a nearby city.”

Once I arrive, I’ll make some excuse to cling to them longer and wait for another opportunity. Flynn spoke while intentionally acting like a suppressed and intimidated child, glancing around tentatively.

“I asked where you’re going.”

The tone wasn’t rude, nor was he shouting, but there was an intimidation in his words that demanded an immediate answer.

Killing a man like this would be absolutely ecstatic! Hiding such thoughts, Flynn murmured in a small voice.

“Anywhere with a soup kitchen. I don’t have a specific destination.”

“Amber, check if there’s a soup kitchen nearby.”

“Found one.”

Amber, who had been searching on his phone since Flynn started speaking, entered the address into the navigation. Just then, with perfect timing, a growl came from Flynn’s stomach.

“I’m sorry. I’ve only missed one meal, but it’s doing this.”

Then, Flynn intentionally blushed. In truth, he had been starving the whole time, but he acted like a child bluffing out of petty pride. Usually, people would feel sympathy and try to give him food or buy some for him. Luring them into the parking lot of a shabby restaurant to kill them was one of Flynn’s favorite things.

But the two said nothing. At a glance, they didn’t seem to care in the slightest.

…What is this? Actually, am I not the psychopath, but those two? No, no matter how I look at it, that’s not it.

As Flynn’s eyes darted around in an identity crisis, he suddenly locked eyes with Tennessee.

For a brief moment, Tennessee was reminiscing about the past. He remembered a young Amber, who had trembled and waited in silence on the floor of the backseat while they wandered through Texas, hotels, and inns before the road trip to Megan’s club, eventually getting caught because he couldn’t endure the hunger. A child who was precocious and bold, yet had clumsy streaks typical of a child.

Tennessee’s gaze dropped to Flynn’s hands.

The intuitive impression that Amber had been different from the current Flynn came first.

Though his voice had been bold, Amber, not knowing where to look, often betrayed his awkwardness and embarrassment through his eyes. A child who had not received proper discipline and love felt guilt and apologized to him in his heart, yet feared that showing it would make him look weak.

As Tennessee watched the fidgeting hands of the novice serial killer, a momentary glint appeared in his blue eyes.

It was because while Flynn’s hands moved busily to stay within view, there was no genuine guilt to be seen anywhere on his expression.

He doesn’t seem like your average runaway youth.

However, having familiarized himself with such impressions, Tennessee turned his inscrutable gaze back to the front.

“Tennessee?”

Amber, catching that Tennessee’s gaze had lingered on Flynn a bit too long, called out to him.

Just as Tennessee had thought of Amber while looking at Flynn for a short time, Amber also thought of his own childhood while looking at him.

Surely not? It can’t be.

Tennessee wasn’t soft on every child. He had never once hugged Annie or Cody. So why did he stare for so long?

An ordinary person would never have noticed, but Amber, whose intuition regarding his lover was inhumanly developed, felt that something was unusual.

They arrived at a church that operated a soup kitchen. However, the gate leading to the church parking lot was blocked. With the car parked at an angle, Tennessee spoke lightly.

“I think I saw a back door earlier. Go check it out.”

It was an order from Tennessee. As Amber got out without any suspicion, Flynn hesitated.

“Won’t you come with me?”

It was a soft request that was hard to refuse. As Flynn opened the door, Tennessee consciously gave a smiling look with his eyes.

“Your bag looks heavy; you can leave it.”

There was no way Tennessee wouldn’t capture Flynn’s momentary hesitation. If I refuse, will it look unnatural? Will it arouse suspicion? While Flynn pondered briefly, Amber happened to approach. Leaning toward the half-open driver’s window, Amber asked, “Which side was the back door on?”

The timing was perfect. The more Flynn hesitated to leave the bag, the more he would feel the pressure to leave it behind to appear natural.

“Well. Amber, you go check the left,”

Tennessee gestured with his chin, placing the still-wavering Flynn right in the spotlight.

“And you can check the right.”

Unable to risk the danger of arousing the suspicion of two sturdy adult men, Flynn eventually left the bag and got out of the car. Amber had already headed toward the place Tennessee pointed.

As soon as the two disappeared, Tennessee turned and reached for the backseat. It had been a long time since he stepped away from the field, but that didn’t mean Tennessee had become a mindless idiot. He still trusted his instincts.

The moment he held the bag Flynn had left behind, Tennessee raised an eyebrow. Even for a runaway youth who had packed plenty of clothes and belongings, the bag was far too heavy. As if it were full of tools.

Tennessee’s instincts, which had been ringing warnings, shone even brighter after sensing the weight of the bag.

Estimating the positions of Amber and Flynn, Tennessee quickly opened the bag to identify the contents. Then, with efficient movements, he laid them out. Clothes, a jumper, socks… Ordinary items came out, and then something heavy was caught in his hand. It was a leather pouch wrapped in string. Unlike the stained clothes, it was high-quality leather, and inside were tools that would never be found in the bag of an ordinary runaway youth.

“Ha…”

Scalpels, X-Acto knives, cutters, disposable latex gloves… It was closer to a taxidermist’s bag.

Upon discovering a saw capable of cutting through bone, Tennessee let out a dry laugh. This was absolutely not an ordinary teenager. Or was he even a teenager?

He tried to identify the person by examining the contents further, but there were no meaningful items. He only found a tin case filled with buttons of various shapes and colors.

Even after searching the bag, there was no sewing kit. The buttons were all different. Buttons with children’s characters, large purple buttons an elderly woman might like, shirt buttons with brand names engraved on them… It was then that Tennessee’s expression suddenly changed. Quickly reaching under the driver’s seat, he pulled out a revolver.

While putting the bag back in its place, Tennessee made a phone call.

Tennessee had belatedly realized Flynn’s identity. The colorful buttons filling the tin case. Those were trophies collected to remember the victims.

Now, the important thing was to determine whether he was a serial killer or a contract killer.

While waiting for the signal, Tennessee cursed and blamed himself inwardly. No matter how opposite the directions were, he shouldn’t have let Amber move out of his sight.

The call wasn’t answered. Quickly disengaging the safety, Tennessee prepared to run to where Amber had gone. Sensing the frantic air, Nashville poked his head out and barked softly.

If he hadn’t seen the soft curve of curly hair over the wall, Tennessee would have gone to find Amber immediately.

[Yes, Tennessee?]

Amber finally answered the phone and smiled upon discovering Tennessee standing blankly in front of the car.

“Haa…”

A sigh of relief spread like mist. Only then did the world start turning again, and reality filled the space where urgent tension had been. It was broad daylight, and although it was quiet, this was a church with pedestrians walking around. Even if he didn’t know Flynn’s identity, the possibility of him attacking Amber in such a conspicuous place was slim.

Stuffing the phone into his pocket, Tennessee climbed into the driver’s seat.

Tilting his head, Amber first climbed into the passenger seat. The atmosphere was different from usual. He was overcome with curiosity because Tennessee was bowing his head as if embracing the steering wheel, as if sudden fatigue had hit him.

“Tennessee, are you okay? Why did you call? Are you sick?”

“I’m fine.”

Straightening his back, Tennessee changed the subject.

“The back door?”

“It was closed. They said they aren’t running the soup kitchen anymore.”

He nodded calmly, but Tennessee’s mind was full of all sorts of hypotheses. From the moment he found the cutting saw, he had thought about leaving Flynn’s luggage behind and departing, but upon seeing Amber, another hypothesis occurred to him. What if he were a contract killer? It would be cleaner to deal with Flynn now rather than just leaving him.

Contract killers don’t bother carrying tools that would be used for animal taxidermy, but it’s different if there was a client’s request. Amber was by his side. He couldn’t overlook any possibility.

Who would the target be? No, there was no need to think twice. If he were a contract killer, he would target him rather than an FBI agent specializing in child crimes.

Tennessee looked at Amber, who was gazing at him brightly.

“Tennessee?”

“Amber.”

He probably didn’t know how shocked Tennessee had been just a moment ago.

Although it was the FBI, the department Amber belonged to had a rate of injury or death during missions lower than the mortality rate of traffic accidents. Since they specialized in child-related crimes, it was natural in a way. Nevertheless, there was a corner of Tennessee’s heart that worried about Amber. The shadow that inevitably grows in proportion to affection—the fear that he might be caught up in a terrorist crime or entangled in something bad.

Today, Tennessee saw the true form of that shadow. Even if the muzzle of that threat was actually pointed at himself.

“Kiss me.”

The eyes that had been melted into tranquility became vivid again. His lips formed a clear arc. The smile held the charm peculiar to a maturity that deepened day by day.

Tennessee, who expected him to press his lips deeply right away, raised an eyebrow slightly upon finding Amber smiling softly.

“Tennessee. What should you say when asking for a favor?”

Laughing lightly, Tennessee did not refuse.

“Please.”

A hot temperature touched his lips. Welcoming Amber, who seemed ready to devour him alive, Tennessee opened his lips, and Amber’s breath instantly grew excited. Because Amber laced their fingers tightly and pressed his upper body close, the back of Tennessee’s head was pressed firmly against the driver’s seat.

Amber’s kiss was the ideal kiss itself, tamed to Tennessee’s tastes and preferences. This was because Amber never took for granted a single small moan from Tennessee, a slight curl of a finger, or a tiny movement. From the moment their lips first met softly to the way he lightly bit the lower lip and sucked as if stimulating the gap, Amber knew how to naturally stimulate the countless pleasure points spread across Tennessee’s body.

As the kiss deepened, Amber let out a hot breath. As if responding, a faint moan escaped Tennessee’s lips. Reacting to it as if his ears had perked up, Amber’s cheeks gradually flushed.

Tennessee pulled his lips away, stopping his wicked lover who naturally let his hand slide between thighs as the kiss grew deeper.

“Tell me, Tennessee. What’s going on?”

When Amber asked, having sensed something was different from usual, Tennessee shook his head.

“Later.”

With that, Tennessee gestured with his chin toward Flynn, who was approaching from a distance. Deciding he must ask once they were alone later, Amber looked down at his lips, which were redder than usual. He regretted ending it like this. Pleasure had gathered in his lower abdomen and brain, simmering just before the boiling point.

However, since Flynn was now right in front of them, Amber quietly fastened his seatbelt.

Those two were fucking gays!

As he reached the car, Flynn saw the overlapping shadows softly separate.

No wonder the conversation they were having felt so fluffy—no, mushy!

Unaware of the shocked Flynn, Amber was scrolling through his phone to find other free soup kitchens in the area.

“Where should we go?”

Because the situation in the region had worsened and the atmosphere had grown grim, many free soup kitchens had suspended operations. While Amber frowned, Tennessee’s gaze shifted toward Flynn.

If he were an ordinary teenager, I’d just drop him off at some shelter or refuge.

Amber mustn’t find out.

Not only would he worry, but he might blame himself for not noticing Flynn’s strangeness sooner. How should I deal with this potential contract killer? No, identifying his identity comes first.

While he pondered, Flynn’s gaze naturally drifted toward Tennessee, who was driving with his hand resting on Amber’s thigh. He was merely resting his hand there, but it was the kind of contact usually reserved for lovers.

Homos. So they’re homos. They didn’t look like it, but they were perverts.

…Thus did a serial killer who targeted only the weak disparage homosexuals.

While the three were busy with their own concerns, the car moved smoothly according to the navigation.

It took about thirty minutes to arrive at the next free soup kitchen, but it was closed as well. It had been operating until just a few days ago, but due to various circumstances, they were now only holding worship services.

“I’m sorry, it must be a hassle because of me…”

Flynn apologized hesitantly, fidgeting with his fingers in a conspicuous manner.

Tennessee checked Flynn’s overall gestures through the rearview mirror. Yes, something this out of place.

While planning how to torture Flynn to make him reveal his identity, Tennessee began comparing Flynn’s attitude to Amber’s past behavior.

When one spends a long time on the streets, a fear of being looked down upon inevitably develops. It was a feeling not only the young Amber had experienced, but Tennessee himself.

Though Amber was grateful to Tennessee for buying him delicious food and clothes, and felt sorry throughout, he couldn’t fully express those feelings. It was because of the foolish delusion that doing so would make him look weak. The young Amber hadn’t yet known the difference between being weak and being right.

Unable to say he was sorry, Amber feared that the kindness would vanish at any moment and could not sleep deeply. Fearing he might be left behind. Fearing that if he slept too deeply, Tennessee would leave him behind like discarded luggage without waking him.

Amber had been like a mirror that wasn’t just fragile, but already cracked beyond the point of finding its original shape. Compared to that, Flynn’s act was like a middle school play.

Rumble—

Despite his appearance as a student, Flynn—who possessed the stomach of an adult male—made a loud noise again. A single chicken biscuit had not been enough to satisfy his hunger.

He’s doing a bit of everything. I shouldn’t have picked him up, even if I was worried about Amber. This has become a nuisance.

“…E-excuse me.”

Flynn stuttered in embarrassment.

“Do you want to see if there’s anywhere to eat nearby?”

Since Amber’s hand, which should have been on the navigation, remained still, Tennessee called him softly again.

“Amber.”

“…”

“Amber?”

“Yes, yes?”

“What are you thinking about?”

“…Nothing.”

He wasn’t so immature as to be jealous of a child. Amber knew the depth of the affection he held. Rather than knowing the depth itself, he knew the fact that it was so deep it was immeasurable. That was enough. But why did he feel so uneasy?

Amber operated the navigation a beat late.

He hadn’t even worked at the FBI for that long; there was no way he had developed an occupational hazard—which his seniors called “suspicion disease”—in such a short time. But why couldn’t he feel at ease?

‘Am I actually jealous of that kid? Just because Tennessee gave him a glance? Because he asked him to find a restaurant? I’m not that kind of person…’

While his training and intuition sent signals toward the serial killer disguised as a minor, Amber, misinterpreting those signals, continued to agonize, whipping himself for acting this way. Besides, Tennessee didn’t easily let others close, so there was no need to react so sensitively. Amber tried his best to comfort himself.

“…May I call you Tennessee too?”

Flynn asked shyly. Amber, who had frowned at the recurring alarm of his intuition, consciously smoothed his brow. Well, Tennessee wouldn’t allow it anyway…

“Go ahead.”

…He shouldn’t—shouldn’t have?!

Unaware that Amber was screaming in internal horror, Tennessee slowly scanned Flynn from top to bottom. Having encountered all sorts of people, Tennessee had accurately interpreted the signals his intuition was sending, unlike Amber. To figure Flynn out, he needed to appear as an adult who knew no boundaries. Tennessee gave a slight, smiling squint of his eyes.

“What should I call you?”

“Flynn.”

“Right, Flynn.”

K-boom!

A bolt of lightning struck behind Amber.

* * *

Until they arrived at the destination set on the navigation, the atmosphere in the car—containing a serial killer, an FBI agent, and a former contract killer (cum current defense contractor employee)—was incredibly harmonious.

This is easier than I thought.

Flynn, who had been planning to seduce Tennessee, call him away separately, and then dispose of him, wore a triumphant smile inwardly. Flynn was confident that he possessed the perfect conditions: young, with a likable impression, and capable of stimulating plenty of sympathy. Though Tennessee had been cold and indifferent at first, Flynn’s ego grew, convinced that Tennessee had been drawn to him and let his guard down.

I can’t let it stop at simple curiosity. I have to lead him toward affection! Deciding he needed to create an opportunity, Flynn asked hesitantly.

“Um… I’m sorry if this is too personal… but are you two lovers?”

“Yes.”

Tennessee wore a soft smile. Another bolt of lightning struck behind Amber. You’re not that kind of person, Tennessee! You should have cut him off immediately, saying it was indeed a personal question.

“That’s… that’s a relief. I, I actually…”

Flynn continued hesitantly.

“I mean, the reason I almost got assaulted earlier was because I’m… that kind of person too.”

Of course, it wasn’t true. Flynn was merely a pervert who enjoyed seeing beautiful women—far beyond his own level—screaming in pain, but he was lying because he thought it would be easier to seduce him by creating a sense of kinship and pretending to be gay.

“That must have been hard.”

You’re not that kind of person!

This was the same Tennessee who, when Cody whined about the risk of repeating a grade, had dryly remarked, ‘If you just reduce the time you spend on the phone with your girlfriend, your math score will go up by 25 points.’ What else was it? Didn’t he say, ‘You’d get a higher score than that even if you closed your eyes and guessed’?

And now, ‘That must have been hard’? Those were words he only said to me when I had a grueling day, Tennessee!

“I’m glad. I’m glad there’s someone who understands me.”

Already in a foul mood, Amber’s spirits plummeted further because of Flynn’s shy murmuring.

“There are people like you, Tennessee. I wish I could meet someone like you as a partner.”

Look at this bastard. How should I rip that mouth open?

Just as Tennessee, who habitually hid his murderous thoughts, quietly curled the corners of his mouth, the three arrived at a quiet restaurant with perfect timing.

“It must be heavy; you can leave your bag.”

Tennessee told Flynn after parking. After pondering for a shorter time than before, Flynn set the bag down.

‘It must be heavy,’ he says. Without realizing it, Amber slammed the car door shut. Just as he was about to send a gaze toward Tennessee like an abandoned puppy, a shred of reason returned.

Though he couldn’t understand the current situation, he believed Tennessee wouldn’t do this without a reason.

Right, Tennessee isn’t the kind of person to just do this.

Tennessee’s iron wall was harder to conquer than Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings. Amber was the one who had climbed that fortress by clinging to a single rope Tennessee had let down after countless failed sieges.

If there was one thing Amber had figured out over time, it was that Tennessee could appear to be a person of immense sociability and kindness if he set his mind to it. And also, that he never displayed that sociability and kindness without a reason.

Knowing Tennessee’s razor-sharp personality better than anyone, Amber sensed there was something behind this situation.

“Go on in first. I’ll let Nashville do his business and then come in.”

“Okay.”

Amber, who secretly glared at Flynn, who was now clinging to Tennessee’s side, opened the back door. An oblivious Nashville hopped out with a yawn.

As soon as he confirmed the two had entered the restaurant, the first thing Amber did was rummage through Flynn’s bag.

Until he opened the bag, a guardian angel had appeared with a pop, saying, ‘Your job is to save children, Ryker Amber Dexley! You can’t do this!’ but the moment he discovered a cutting saw and a taser, the angel vanished with a zip.

Closing the car door, Amber took a trembling breath.

He was certain. Flynn was definitely a contract killer ordered to eliminate Tennessee.

This is bad. Tennessee is in danger.

According to one expert, the number of serial killers currently active in the US is estimated to be between 3,000 and 4,000. Despite the high number, Amber naturally suspected Flynn of being a hitman rather than a serial killer. It was because of his lover—whom he would not hesitate to give his life for—having a blood-stained past and an eccentric personality, and because of the rule in many Netflix series that the villain always returns.

Does Tennessee not know yet? Or does he know and is trying to make Flynn lower his guard?

If he didn’t know, Tennessee needed to know now. He was the type of person who would blame himself for putting his lover in danger, and he held himself to an obsessively strict standard.

The interior of the restaurant was quiet. There were customers, but the music from the speakers was louder than their conversation. The waiters and waitresses were busy gossiping among themselves after bluntly delivering menus, and the chef was loudly venting frustrations about the Democrats and Republicans. In other words, it was a restaurant where no one would notice if someone were dragged into a corner, beaten, and forced to reveal their identity.

“Pick something.”

Handing over the menu, Tennessee composed a text message. Besides his usual sources, there were quite a few people he had connected with while working with the FBI.

He wanted to ask if any murders in recent years had involved taxidermy tools or the taking of buttons as trophies. After leisurely sending the text and picking food, Amber soon entered. Nashville naturally scurried under the table, panting.

“Come here, Am…”

He called him as usual, but today Amber clung to him exceptionally tight.

Wrapped in sturdy arms, Tennessee exhaled while trapped in the embrace. It was heavy and suffocating. Before Tennessee could tell him to let go, Amber loosened his grip first.

Unable to withstand the repulsion, Flynn stood up.

“I’ll just use the restroom for a moment.”

As he did, he kept looking back at the table where Amber and Tennessee were, like a dog in a shelter. From Tennessee’s perspective, who already suspected Flynn, it was a highly artificial gesture.

Tennessee’s gaze followed Flynn’s back as he turned the corner into the restroom. Amber’s gaze followed Tennessee.

“Tennessee.”

“You’re back already?”

Since Flynn had disappeared to the restroom, Amber was about to tell him what he had discovered. However, Tennessee was a beat faster.

“…Ah, right.”

He had actually completely forgotten. Tennessee chuckled at Amber and naturally grabbed the leash.

“I’ll take him out. Keep picking what to eat.”

“I understand. But I have something to say—”

“Hmm?”

When Tennessee stood up, taking Nashville, whose tail was spinning like a windmill, Amber seized the timing.

“Where is the restroom?”

However, because Flynn, unable to find the restroom, returned near the table to ask a waitress, Amber shut his mouth.

“It’s nothing. Go ahead.”

Flynn and Tennessee moved away from the table almost simultaneously.

Once he returns, I’ll tell him about Flynn.

While picking the menu, Amber carefully thought about what to do.

“Drinks are here first.”

However, even when water and cola were placed where Flynn and Tennessee had been, and even when food for three arrived, the two had not returned.

Even if Tennessee had stepped out for a moment because Nashville, who loved exploring with his nose, insisted, fifteen minutes had already passed.

“Where did the two gentlemen go?”

“To the restroom…”

Amber, who answered reflexively, snapped his head up.

“I’ll go check on them.”

The polite smile vanished instantly the moment he turned around.

Flynn’s tools are in the car, and the car is locked. Could Flynn have already attacked Tennessee?

Amber hurried toward the restroom. However, there was no one at the urinals or the stalls behind them. Where did they go? As Amber stepped out of the restroom and anxiously scanned the area, a staff entrance, partially hidden by boxes and plastic containers, caught his eye.

Having found the target, Amber rushed forward.

The first thing Amber discovered as he kicked open the flimsy aluminum door was—

“Mmph— mmph!”

It was the moment Flynn, having quickly finished his business, had just stepped out of the restroom.

“Shh, Nashville, you have to be quiet.”

It was Tennessee’s voice.

Looking around, Flynn discovered his most ideal prey and that damn dog at the end of the hallway connected to the restroom, through a half-open aluminum door. As their eyes met, Tennessee smiled. A handsome man who was clearly feeling a great attraction to him, contrary to the first impression. The sight of him screaming and begging for his life would be thrilling.

“What are you doing there?”

Flynn naturally headed that way. On the path, a cutter knife lay atop a pile of cardboard boxes and plastic containers. After confirming Tennessee was distracted by flirting with the dog, Flynn hid the knife in his sleeve with a dangerous smile.

“Nashville had to use the restroom.”

As soon as Flynn opened the door and stepped out, Tennessee moved deeper into the backyard of the restaurant. Flynn followed him silently, like a lion driving its prey. Coincidentally, there was no one around, and the noise of the dishwasher and ventilation fans would drown out a death rattle.

Here. If I kill him right here—!

The moment Flynn drew the blade and struck down toward the defenseless nape of Tennessee’s neck.

“…Eh?”

He definitely attacked from behind?

Flynn, whose wrist was firmly gripped while he was striking with all his might, momentarily entered a state of overload. It was something he had not imagined for a single second, not even slightly.

“Who the hell are you…! Mmph!”

Tennessee, who easily twisted the wrist to seize the knife, firmly covered Flynn’s mouth.

“Nashville, wait.”

Nashville, who had been tilting his head, sat down with a solemn expression.

I, who am to become America’s worst serial killer, cannot be suppressed so helplessly?

…But he was.

After firmly blocking the mouth so no groan could escape, Tennessee put strength into his other fingertips and launched a punch, and—

“—!”

Flynn’s collarbone snapped instantly.

Flynn couldn’t tell if the sound he just heard was the sound of a bone snapping, or if the pain was so indescribable that he was hearing things. All he knew was that this moment was the most agonizing of his short life. Had Tennessee not covered his mouth, Flynn’s scream would have been heard ten miles away.

“Huu— huu…. Hup, hup.”

Hyperventilating, Flynn streamed tears. Seeing that he seemed to be suffocating, Tennessee released his grip slightly, covering only the lips to allow him to breathe. As his nose opened, Flynn gasped and groaned. Standing firmly behind the trembling body as if to support it, Tennessee looked down.

“Flynn.”

“Huuu— hic…. Hic.”

The Grim Reaper stood behind him, wielding that long, long scythe. Flynn was overcome by a hallucination that a razor-sharp blade was pressed against his throat.

The hunter. He must be a hunter.

“It would be better if you were cooperative. Who sent you?”

Flynn’s sobbing breath stopped for a split second. Eh, what? …Who sent me?

Flynn, who had carefully selected only “good” citizens to kill but was not a contract killer, didn’t know how to answer.

It was the moment the world’s most aggrieved serial killer was born.

“No, I’ll save the questions for last.”

Without a shred of lingering regret, Tennessee straightened his back and covered Flynn’s mouth and nose again. With his vision half-blocked by fingers, Flynn trembled in extreme terror.

“—! Gk, hic— ack….”

Unfortunately for Flynn, the pain had only just begun.

* * *

“…So you fought against a serial killer.”

Dr. Shannon Michaels looked back on her twenty-five-year career, wondering if she had ever found it this difficult to maintain a poker face. She hadn’t. Today was the hardest.

“Yes. The opponent was a healthy man in his twenties, and because he lunged at me while I was off guard, I ended up sustaining a major injury.”

At least wet your lips before you lie.

Dr. Shannon Michaels didn’t believe a single word of his statement. What kind of person in the world speaks with a face completely devoid of a sense of crisis, using their brain to say, ‘I really almost got murdered, hahaha!’?

“…Were you badly hurt?”

“I’m fine now. Fortunately, Amber found me at the right moment and rescued me.”

* * *

Woof! Woof woof!

“Tennessee!”

Nashville, who had been waiting in alert mode like a meerkat, barked while wagging his tail. Thanks to Nashville, Amber quickly spotted the head popping up from the thick brush and ran toward him.

I’m alive! I’m alive!

Through his swollen, narrowed vision, Flynn saw Amber running toward him. Flynn, who had been spilling everything—his real name, date of birth, address, family relations, his first murder, and his movements over the last six months—shed tears of relief.

Just wait until I get out of here. I’ll tell my mom and dad…!

Though those tears were short-lived.

“Tennessee!”

Tennessee, who had been shaking down the powerless and aggrieved serial killer, stiffened.

“…Amber.”

“Did you kill him?”

Tennessee clearly already knew. Given the situation, Amber asked based on that intuition. His gaze was fixed not on Flynn, whose soul was slowly leaking out of his mouth, but on Tennessee’s hands, which were soaked in Flynn’s blood.

“How did you find this place?”

“I found Flynn’s tools and weapons in the car. I thought, though it’s unlikely, that he might have attacked you….”

“Did you check the bag? How did you know?”

“Something felt off. It’s not like Tennessee is a saint who is kind to everyone.”

“…….”

Unaware that Tennessee was now speechless at the absurdity, Amber paced anxiously.

“Did you kill him? You can’t, Tennessee. What will happen if you’re indicted?”

“…I didn’t kill him.”

Indicted? In-dicted? Is the indictment the problem right now?!

Driven by rage toward the two psychopaths, Flynn’s escaping soul returned to his body. If he could, he wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. I’m dying here! It hurts! It hurts like hell! Look over here!

“Is your hand injured? Oh no… blood. You’ve lost too much blood, Tennessee.”

It was someone else’s blood.

“Your hands are so pretty; what will you do if they get hurt?”

They weren’t pretty.

Though they were white and straight, they were covered in formidable scars that looked like they held a story—visible even to swollen eyes—so calling them ‘pretty’ was a stretch. Perhaps ‘pretty hands that seem to possess a rugged past and a secret history.’

Flynn was on the verge of a stroke from high blood pressure.

In Flynn’s eyes, Amber, who called hands full of calluses and scars ‘pretty,’ and Tennessee, who stood still like a lion offering its paw to a zookeeper, were both the same kind of crazy.

“Tennessee, does it hurt?”

“…No.”

Thanks to past experiences, Tennessee’s hands—which had become efficient at beating people without injuring his own joints—were perfectly fine.

“Phew, thank goodness.”

I! Am! Dying!

However, instead of screams, pleas, or curses, only a low groan of uuugh escaped from Flynn’s mouth, which had long been smeared with blood. At that sound, Amber’s gaze finally fell upon Flynn. Gasping, Flynn hoped that anyone would regain their senses and call 911.

But while Flynn’s life withered by the second, Tennessee merely brushed the sole of his shoe. It was because the urine Flynn had released in his desperation had stained the toe of the shoe.

“Step back, it’s dirty here.”

“Tennessee, is it safe now?”

Tennessee’s movements slowed as he led Amber away.

“Why do you assume he was naturally targeting me?”

“That’s because….”

Because of how many people you’ve dealt with… isn’t it possible that one of them became a DC Universe villain and had been targeting your back this whole time? There was no need to say that out loud. Amber wore a kind smile.

“Then would he have targeted me, a harmless FBI agent?”

FBI? FBI?!

With that final thought, Flynn blacked out.

The villain in a state of mental and physical collapse was long forgotten. Tennessee and Amber continued their conversation.

“He wasn’t a hitman.”

“That’s a relief. Then I guess he just had weapons.”

“He’s just a serial killer.”

Huh?

The smile that had been forming with relief froze in an awkward state. Did Tennessee actually know the definition of ‘just’? Left with nothing to say, Amber took out his phone. As he dialed the numbers to hand over Flynn’s custody, Tennessee’s short fingernails half-covered the screen.

“No disposing of bodies, Tennessee.”

Amber loved him. It was a clear fact from any perspective. But did Amber love him so much as he was that his expectations were too low? Disposing of a body while his lover was right there. What kind of person did Amber think he was?

“…I already reported it.”

“To the police?”

“The FBI.”

If crimes were committed across more than two states, it fell under FBI jurisdiction. The FBI had already confirmed that the identities of the victims and the murder methods Flynn had confessed to matched recent homicide cases.

He had given them the exact location, and since it wasn’t far, they would arrive soon. There was nothing more to worry about.

* * *

“So, that’s how it was settled. Anyway, nothing else happened besides that.”

“…Yes. Right. I’m sure nothing ‘else’ happened.”

Dr. Michaels was momentarily speechless.

It was because her standard of reality wavered for a moment, wondering if a man who looks refreshed after crushing a serial killer is normal, excessively romantic, or just broken somewhere.

Tennessee heard Dr. Michaels’ muttering but didn’t mind. He knew well how high-maintenance a client he was.

“Though you were rescued, Ryker must have been very worried. Did he get angry? How did you feel at the time?”

“Anger…. He did get angry.”

* * *

After handing over Flynn, Tennessee and Amber underwent a brief investigation.

Since Tennessee was the one who reported it first and Amber’s identity was thoroughly proven, the two were released without any unpleasant experiences or intense interrogation. However, by then the sun had already set, and having been dragged away before they could even take a single bite of the lunch they ordered from a restaurant, they were exhausted from starving until dinner.

“You went through a lot.”

Because he was quite exhausted from this incident, Tennessee rented the best hotel room, suggesting they spend at least a full day in peace nearby. Amber couldn’t take his eyes off Tennessee’s hand as he tapped the key card against the hotel door.

“’Went through a lot’ my foot….”

As soon as they entered the room, Amber carefully grasped the hand where the blood had dried. It was as if he had wanted to do so for a while but couldn’t. Tennessee’s gaze shifted diagonally upward. Amber was biting his lip.

“When did you realize Flynn was a suspicious person?”

He didn’t want to do this to a lover who had already suffered for a long time, but in truth, a sense of regret had been suppressed in the depths of his mind the whole time; it hadn’t disappeared.

“…You already knew, yet you didn’t say a word to me. If a lawsuit were filed later—”

He had intended to say not to worry, that he would protect him no matter what. If only Tennessee hadn’t said those words.

“I told you that wouldn’t happen. Since he held a weapon, it’s self-defense….”

“A weapon?! He even had a weapon?”

“Calm down. I intentionally left it where it was visible—”

“You intentionally left it there? Do you only use half of your brain when you think?!”

Amber cut him off and snapped in anger.

“You faced a serial killer who might have been a hitman alone, even handing him a weapon so he could stab you well? Where exactly is the flaw in your thought process?”

Not knowing why he was being scolded, Tennessee remained silent.

“What would have happened if something went seriously wrong? What if he hadn’t been acting alone?”

“Calm down, Amber. That wouldn’t have happened.”

Tennessee shut his mouth because of the deep trace of pain that appeared on Amber’s face. Though he had a mountain of things he wanted to say, his will to choose silence rather than snapping back in his own temper and hurting the other’s feelings was evident.

“…You’re covered in blood.”

The fact that Tennessee wasn’t hurt wasn’t that important.

“If you had told me, it wouldn’t have had to be like this.”

With a distressed expression, Amber headed toward the bathroom. While filling the already clean tub with hot water, Amber perched on the edge of the tub. Since the edge wasn’t high, his legs hung down significantly. As Amber sat with his feet angled, the not-so-small bathroom seemed full. At the sink beside him, Tennessee silently washed his hands.

As water touched the blood that had almost all peeled off, the color dissolved like ink and was sucked downward.

Tennessee washed his face with cold water. He felt wide awake.

“…Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?”

“I’m not.”

Tennessee replied, unbuttoning his shirt and taking off his top entirely as if to prove it. That wasn’t enough for Amber. Leaving the tub, which was now half-full of water, Amber stood up. He approached Tennessee closely from behind and lowered his hand to the waist. Where his hand landed was the belt. He had never associated a belt with such an image before, but the belt hanging on Tennessee’s smooth waist felt different.

It was a stoic tool that covered the most private area below, yet it also evoked the memory of a punishment falling behind one’s back with a threatening sound.

As Amber moved his hand, the belt came undone, followed by the zipper, and the pants slowly slid down.

“I want to wash you.”

Allowing himself like a tamed beast, Amber pressed a brief kiss to the man’s cheek and pushed his hand deep inside the black underwear band. As the band encircling the iliac crest caught in the hollow between the thumb and index finger, he finally became naked.

As if putting a leash on a fierce beast and leading it to a cage, Amber gently gripped Tennessee’s shoulders and turned him. Tennessee obediently stepped into the tub, which was more than half full of water.

The water, which had been over halfway, surged, leaving only a finger’s width from the tub’s edge. Tennessee leaned against the elegantly curved backrest of the tub. With a languid sigh, Amber perched on the edge of the tub.

“You were tired, weren’t you?”

“A little.”

The act of neutralizing Flynn and the subsequent brief investigation. That series of events wasn’t difficult, but as his tense body relaxed, fatigue rushed in instead.

Pouring warm water little by little over the exposed neck, Amber examined Tennessee’s naked body with a persistent gaze to see if there were any injuries.

“Exactly what are you angry about?”

Tennessee asked with his eyes closed, leaning against the backrest. Amber was in the middle of brushing back Tennessee’s wet side-hair.

“That you didn’t tell me? That you faced a kid who wasn’t even worth a single punch alone?”

“Both. I’m your lover. I have the right to be angry. Don’t I?”

Without answering, Tennessee massaged the back of his stiff neck. Gently pushing that hand away, Amber began to loosen the knotted muscles.

“Why do you only think of me? You have to think of Tennessee too.”

It was when Amber was in college.

Having grown up under financially affluent adoptive parents, Amber naturally exuded a relaxed atmosphere. Driving an SUV worth about a hundred thousand dollars, which Tennessee had personally chosen insisting that safety be the priority, he looked even more affluent. After revealing that he had a same-sex lover much older than himself, Amber occasionally became a subject of gossip, and those who didn’t know him or were jealous of him would slander him, asking if he had a sugar daddy.

Even when rumors and malicious slander circled back to his own ears, Amber was unfazed. If there had been a shred of doubt in his relationship with Tennessee, Amber might have been slightly conscious of those imaginations and speculations.

However, Amber was proud even before the gates of heaven and loved him with all his might. Knowing that Tennessee felt the same, he didn’t find his gifts burdensome at all. If Amber had the ability, he would have carved the shining moon as a gift.

He never felt inferior or fell into self-pity while comparing himself to Tennessee. He only regretted that he couldn’t do more for him, but that was all.

However, the difference in financial circumstances and the fact that Tennessee perceived him as a one-sided protected person were different issues. He was not a fragile being who needed to be unilaterally protected.

“Tennessee isn’t my first love.”

Hmm?

Tennessee, who was slowly melting into the warmth, raised an eyebrow.

“The modifiers ‘first’ and ‘last’ also imply that it’s not the only one. Who would say things like ‘our first sun’ or ‘first earth’? Because there’s only one.”

Amber whispered as he washed Tennessee, as if covering him with warm water.

“For me, there is only Tennessee. There will be no before or after. Please just know that.”

Amber confessed with a troubled heart. It would be nice to let out all the tangled and thick emotions, but he was slightly afraid that Tennessee might consider it abnormal or feel it was different from his own affection. So, Amber simply packaged his ferocious emotions, full of jagged thorns and edges, into a simple polygon.

I hope he doesn’t mistake my longing for a tantrum.

“…I understand.”

Tennessee replied, looking down at Amber’s pitying face.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Clearly. He clearly gave a definitive answer, so why did it feel so unreliable? Tennessee was not used to such intimate relationships. Knowing that, Amber found that confident answer even harder to believe. Should he say it was too good to be true? Amber felt that special measures were necessary.

“Tennessee.”

“Yeah.”

“Tennessee… is grounded for two weeks.”

For the first time, a major change appeared on the expression that had begun to relax under the hot water and gentle massage. A look of sheer absurdity clouded Tennessee’s face as he raised his eyebrows.

“So I just have to stay cooped up in the car during the honeymoon?”

“I’m not joking right now.”

Amber also felt embarrassed by Tennessee’s sarcasm, but he was firm.

“When we return from the honeymoon, you’re grounded for two weeks.”

Good grief.

“Kiss me, Tennessee. …I worried a lot.”

It was a kiss half-soaked in hot steam, smelling of water.

* * *

“Perhaps because I talked for so long, it’s already this late.”

Tennessee, who had only said what he wanted from his own perspective, naturally stood up. His excuse was that Amber was waiting at home.

“There are still about ten minutes left. Mr. Hartson, are you trying to finish early today?”

“I have to get home quickly. I’m grounded for two weeks.”

Dr. Michaels had to struggle not to ask for clarification. Seeing the twitching corner of her mouth, Tennessee explained with a relaxed smile.

“You are forbidden from going out, except for Walmart, department stores, government offices, work, hospitals, and counseling centers.”

There were too many exceptions. That wasn’t a lockdown; it was just suggesting he rest at home. Tennessee had a lot to say, but because of his profession, he couldn’t say it all, leaving Dr. Michaels with a face like the Mona Lisa behind him as Tennessee bid his farewell.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, I will see you next week.”

With a simple nod, Tennessee gathered his coat and stepped out. The sky he saw upon leaving the office was clear. Just like most of the days he had spent with Amber.

“Haa…”

Before getting into the car, Tennessee rummaged through his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and let out a deep sigh.

A lockdown. A lockdown, of all things. Anyone who knew about it would probably laugh until they choked.

Even as he smoked, Tennessee let out a hollow laugh. It was because of Amber, who had so boldly declared the lockdown.

He recalled Amber’s expression—lips pressed tight, face anxious, wondering, What should I do? Will Tennessee be angry?

Normally, after a long trip—especially a grand journey visiting all fifty states—one tends to want to rest at home for a while. Since he wasn’t the type to enjoy going out anyway and rarely left unless he had a specific purpose, staying home didn’t feel suffocating.

Besides, there were so many exceptions.

Walking outside was exempt, stopping by the grocery store or liquor store was exempt, and department stores or restaurants were also exempt. His lover, listing exceptions one after another alongside the lockdown, was absurd, but Tennessee didn’t entirely dislike it. Since Amber was the one who would wag his tail in joy like Nashville whenever Tennessee shut himself inside, he figured it wouldn’t be so bad to give him what he wanted.

[Where are you?]

As if sensing Tennessee thinking about him, Amber sent a text.

[Outside.]

[:/]

[Counseling with Dr. Michaels.]

[You’re coming straight home, right?]

Amber pressed him, firmly driving the point home.

[I made tacos. You have to come before they get cold.]

Tennessee put his phone back in his pocket without replying. He didn’t go out much as it was, but lately, he had been repeating a cycle of work-home-work-home, which had made Amber absolutely thrilled. Amber loved hugging Tennessee and lounging around all day.

‘I was worried. I’m always worried about you.’

‘There was no need. I was just a frail kid.’

‘Learn to cherish yourself as much as you are precious to me.’

‘I am doing that.’

‘If I didn’t have Tennessee…’

Amber had been unable to finish his sentence, as if the mere thought was too much to bear. Tennessee had comforted him, stroking the broad shoulders and firm arms that held him tight.

‘I’m sorry.’

The conversation in the hotel bathroom played back in Tennessee’s mind.

Even as he nodded in agreement, Tennessee couldn’t shake the feeling that he was like a delinquent being reformed by a diligent and kind teacher. The words and tone Amber used were closer to requests and pleas, yet Tennessee was the one being swayed. It was especially true of that low, quiet voice that approached him, while simultaneously delineating what was permitted and what was not.

‘Don’t try to protect me too much.’

Amber had repeatedly emphasized that he was a trained FBI agent, citing his height and weight. Alright, alright. With both hands and feet up in surrender, Tennessee had no choice but to stay embraced by Amber. Seeing Amber recall that time, claiming he was shocked and even trembling, Tennessee couldn’t help but feel for him. He didn’t want Amber to make such a face during a trip they took together, especially not on their honeymoon.

[Are you on your way?]

A prompting text arrived shortly after he had started the engine. When the light changed and he didn’t reply, more messages came one by one.

[You are coming, right? Don’t wander off somewhere else.]

[Text me if you’re on your way.]

At the next light, Tennessee sent a single letter along with a huff of annoyance.

[k]

He could practically see Amber complaining that it wasn’t even “okay,” just “k.” It was a problem that Amber’s pestering was actually bearable. With that height, that build, and those muscles tightened by regular exercise and training, there was nothing about him that should be cute, yet he felt just like the college student he was when they first became lovers.

* * *

As soon as the garage door closed, Nashville charged at him with the clicking sound of claws. Tennessee calmly settled the dog, who greeted him by nudging him with his long snout, and headed inside. As soon as he opened the door leading from the garage to the back of the kitchen, a delicious scent wafted out.

“Tennessee.”

Amber, who had rushed toward Tennessee just like Nashville, greeted him. A well-worn gray apron was the first thing that caught his eye.

“You haven’t eaten, right?”

“I ate before I came.”

“…What?”

Amber, who had waited after preparing plenty of delicious food, parted his lips slightly. They looked redder than usual today.

“You ate? You’re under lockdown, Tennessee.”

“Restaurants weren’t included in that.”

“If you’re not going with me, then of course it’s forbidden.”

In truth, he hadn’t eaten, but wanting to tease Amber, Tennessee played dumb while petting Nashville. The dog was quick-witted. Nashville, enjoying Tennessee’s touch, looked back and forth between the two and sensed the unusual atmosphere. He stood up and quietly headed toward his kennel.

“Were you waiting to eat with me?”

“Yes.”

“Are you very hungry?”

“No, not really, but…”

“I was joking about eating.”

Tennessee couldn’t take his eyes off Amber’s lips, which reflexively brightened. Amber, about to point toward the dining table, became conscious of that explicit gaze.

Amber’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

“I don’t think we need to eat dinner right this second.”

“…Tennessee.”

Amber’s voice dropped an octave as he stepped closer to Tennessee, as if drawn in. There wasn’t a huge difference in height, but when Amber approached closely, the perspective of their vision inevitably shifted. There were times when the Amber who clung to him, pretending to be weak, felt different from the Amber who approached this close and used his wet lips.

“I think I need to eat right now. I’ve developed a hunger.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Amber pulled him by the nape of the neck and kissed him.

As their lips overlapped, he pressed his body—radiating intense heat—tightly against him and pushed his tongue deep inside. As Tennessee tilted his head, wrapping around the tongue swimming in his mouth, his hands became busy. Tennessee’s hand slid under the belt encircling Amber’s waist and slipped inside; Amber twisted his upper body and reached out.

As Amber urgently unbuttoned Tennessee’s shirt and pounced like a predator hunting prey, Tennessee staggered backward. Yet, he did not push away his demanding lover.

Sometimes Tennessee wished he would hold back a bit. He said that because Tennessee responded as if he had been waiting, he couldn’t control his excitement. Shamelessly blaming Tennessee for his own desires, Amber pressed his body so close that not a single strand of hair could fit between them.

He loved how Amber, who didn’t show a shred of emotion to anyone else, prioritized him as if it were second nature. He almost wished it were a calculated move, but the fact that Amber acted without consciousness was the most attractive part.

Beyond Tennessee, who was tasting the entwining tongue and pulling at his waist and neck, Amber’s gaze drifted toward the coffee table, the sofa, and the bedroom beyond the long hallway.

I have to go to the bed… otherwise, Tennessee will suffer tomorrow. But this kiss feels so good, as if my lower half is melting. Being loved… it’s always like this, but even just entwining tongues makes it feel like we’ve become one body, so… ah, I have to go to the bed…

“Focus, Amber.”

Amber’s thick, erect member was rubbing and crushing against his abdomen, but since the man himself seemed to have his mind elsewhere, Tennessee gave a firm command.

“Haa… I can’t exactly strip you bare here.”

Amber pondered for a moment, rubbing his cheeks that had begun to flush.

Why the hell is this house so big? Ah, I was the one who picked it. Damn it, this won’t do. I should move to a flat.

“Why are you standing there— mmp.”

They didn’t even make it to the bedroom. As a heavy weight collapsed upon him, Tennessee ended up lying back against the stairs leading to the second floor, between the kitchen and the sunroom, supporting himself with one hand.

In a trance, Amber entwined their tongues while fumbling with the apron. He pulled down the waistband of the pants and, with a simple movement, lowered the underwear halfway, and a member of a size so massive it could be daunting popped out.

I’m crazy for having my lips go dry just by looking at this.

Scoffing, Tennessee licked his lower lip. Leaning back against the stairs as if observing a spectacle, Tennessee spread his legs; a red tongue peeked through his lips, and his colored lips, wet and glistening, shone. It was only natural that Amber’s reason flew out the window upon seeing that.

Slipping an arm behind Tennessee’s waist and flipping him over in one motion, Amber took a deep breath as he looked at the buttocks, which curved even more due to the muscle.

Fragile flesh, contrary to the powerful body.

“Hng…!”

As Amber extended his tongue to the limit and licked from the perineum to the very edge of the entrance, Tennessee’s hips jerked. When the pointed tongue pierced inside the tightly closed opening, small moans continuously flowed from Tennessee’s mouth as he buried his face against the stairs.

“Ah…!”

As Amber buried his nose greedily and moved his tongue, Tennessee’s lower half trembled. After touching the relatively cool scrotum, Amber’s hand moved to the shaft, where pre-cum was stretching in long strings.

As he gripped the shaft, which felt hot enough to melt, and began to shake it vigorously, Tennessee let out a low curse. His deep, resonant voice was laced with heat. With eyes closed, Amber worked his lips diligently to suck the fragile flesh, then used his tongue to ravage, pierce, and rub with greedy thrusts.

“Haa, ngh…”

The moans lingered in the ear like a savory delicacy before disappearing. With his other hand gripping his own member beneath the gray apron and shaking it enough to make a sound, Amber did not stop his tongue. “Attacking” was the only word that fit the movement.

“Ugh— Amber!”

At Tennessee’s call, Amber pulled his wet lips away. Changing Tennessee’s position effortlessly, Amber breathed heavily. Looking at the flushed Tennessee, Amber was filled with passion.

“Do you know you’ve changed since you’ve been staying home lately?”

Amber spoke as he pulled a condom from the apron pocket and tore it open with his teeth.

Why is that in there— Tennessee had just started to think that when he suddenly recalled the series of memories of doing it with Amber in the apron—in the kitchen, on the counter, at the dining table, and even on the drying rack in the laundry room—and shut his mouth. Given how much they had done it, it wasn’t surprising that a condom would come out of there.

“Put it on me.”

Still wearing the apron but with his pants and underwear pulled down to his knees, Amber had a seductive look on his face. He had a face that knew exactly how the contrast between his muscular thighs and the gray cotton apron aroused a person. Tennessee stroked the massive shaft over the fabric, then touched the exposed member and slid the condom on with a practiced hand.

Because he was leaning against the upper part of the stairs, Amber’s blue eyes, glossy with lust, were even more visible.

“You sit there waiting for me like that when I get home from work, fuck, why do you wait for me like that? You keep making me have bad thoughts.”

As soon as the condom was on, Amber raised his thigh and pulled Tennessee toward him. Tennessee was dragged down two carpeted steps, and just as he was about to open his mouth to say something, the heavy, thick member forced the fragile entrance open to its limit and entered.

“I wouldn’t actually lock you up, would I?”

“Hng— haa, slowly, ngh.”

Normally, Amber would have waited for him to adjust, but he had been craving this for so long that he began to rampage from the start.

“If you’re going to wear your collar obediently, you shouldn’t at least tempt me. Right, Tennessee?”

“That mouth of yours—”

As Tennessee gripped the back of Amber’s head tightly, Amber’s eyes grew blurrier and drifted dreamily. Senses were maximized, and reason vanished. Despite the sudden insertion, Tennessee’s body instead familiarly swallowed Amber’s massive member in one gulp. As he bottomed out, Tennessee let out a trembling breath.

“A brat so much younger than me, huff, playing jokes like a lockdown, ngh, I shouldn’t have indulged it. You’ll develop bad habits.”

The moment of insertion created an illusion that he was filled up to his throat, and Amber’s heavy member pierced him violently in succession. Tennessee’s mouth fell open as he covered his eyes with one hand. Amber began to drive into him so hard that it made a slapping sound.

“Ngh, since I can’t lock you up, you live while controlling your desires reasonably well. But why, do you make my heart, ha, go soft. Why do you keep… ngh— why do you make me have bad imaginations.”

The legs draped over the sturdy shoulders began to shake violently.

“Just, fuu— do you want to just stay home? Hmm? Just looking at me, ngh… do you want to live, ngh, only here? Don’t go out. I’ll do everything for you.”

At the audacious words, the strength in the hands wrapping around Amber’s neck and head intensified. Even though the grip must have caused a faint pain, Amber was too busy letting out thick moans. He instead pulled Tennessee’s hand to grip his cheek and pressed his lips against the inner wrist and palm of the shaking hand.

Bark if I tell you to, crawl if I tell you to, cook for me when it’s time, wash me… but what is always lacking that makes you go outside? Amber suppressed the urge to snap as he increased his speed.

Whether he knew Amber was having such sinister thoughts, or whether he didn’t care, Tennessee curled the corners of his mouth, which had been loosened by excitement.

“Amber.”

“Yes, Tennessee.”

“Stop talking and just move.”

As he thrust violently, Amber couldn’t hide his extremely aroused body. Due to the excessive stimulation, heat began to rise in Tennessee’s neck and ears. Ah, there… more, a little, haa, feels good…

As Tennessee let out moans that were mere strings of words, the intense excitement made Amber feel as if his windpipe were being squeezed shut. Contrary to his dry and cold demeanor, your inside is always hot. It tightens densely, as if trying to hold onto me as I leave. I’m suffocating in this narrow, humid place, Tennessee. Because you love me too much. That’s why I can’t breathe through the pleasure.

“Amber. Good boy.”

Calling his lover, Tennessee opened his mouth slightly. It was a command to come and grant him greater pleasure. Amber had no right of refusal. He pushed his tongue into the slightly open mouth and sucked on the soft tongue.

Re-gripping Tennessee’s waist and holding him firmly, Amber pressed his entire body close and began to thrust upward violently using only his hips.

“Ngh, ugh, ah, ah, ah.”

The erogenous zones of his entire body, which had been wide open, were slowly contracting. The muscles that had been loosened by pleasure began to tighten. Strength returned to Tennessee’s hands as he clung to Amber. A slightly furrowed brow, a clean forehead beaded with sweat, and a noble, cliff-like bridge of the nose entered his sight in sequence. Tennessee grit his teeth so hard they almost creaked.

“Haa! Ha, Tennessee!”

Hearing Amber’s cry of pleasure, the blunt glans hit a spot deep inside that had been crushed repeatedly, and a white stream erupted from Tennessee’s member as it shook violently up and down.

“Haaaa!”

Pulling Tennessee, who pressed his upper body against him as if having a seizure, Amber lunged forward. He bit the lips that were letting out moans until they left marks, and just as the stinging stimulation turned into pain, he kissed him deeply and pushed his tongue in.

—-!

The pleasure, which had been contracted and condensed to the limit, bloomed and spread. The cries of Tennessee and Amber, which had erupted from their throats, were swallowed into each other’s lips.

While Tennessee trembled and wet his lower abdomen, Amber instinctively arched his hips to insert himself as deeply as possible. As his testicles tightened upward, their skin locked together without a gap, and Amber’s member vigorously sprayed semen.

“Hng! Ngh…! Ngh!”

Unable to withstand the finally exploding pleasure, Amber sank his teeth into the nape of Tennessee’s neck. Unlike before, where he had pulled away leaving only a slight redness, this was a force strong enough to make Tennessee’s shoulders hunch.

“Haa, haa…! Ha!”

Shaking his hips finely to spray the last of it, Amber let out a hot moan through his teeth.

“Ha… haa, ah, a bruise… oh no, I left a bruise, I’m sorry, ugh!”

Coming back to his senses late, Amber turned his head to look at the bite mark he had left, but he was pulled back by a hand that gripped his neck like a hook.

“Fuu… Tennessee?”

The fishy scent characteristic of semen lingered at the tip of his nose. Amber, who had been bound by Tennessee and embracing him, tried to look down at the lukewarm liquid hitting his abdomen. However, it was difficult because Tennessee was tightening his arms as if binding him. While holding Amber, Tennessee was still letting out faint moans with his lips firmly closed.

“…Tennessee?”

It took a moment for him to realize the situation. That by biting his neck just now, Tennessee had begun a second ejaculation that he himself hadn’t expected.

“Hng! Amber!”

As the streams of semen shot out, Amber immediately lowered his body. Pressed against each other’s abdomens, Amber opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue in front of the twitching member. Despite it being the second ejaculation, the long-spraying fluid stained Amber’s white forehead, the tip of his nose, and his chin before slowly beginning to drip.

“Ah….”

Seeing Amber let out a sigh of lingering longing, Tennessee urged him. “You’re letting it spill, Amber. You have to suck it up properly.” At those words, Amber without hesitation took Tennessee’s shaft, which had just finished erupting, into his mouth. He took the hot, relatively soft glans fully into his mouth and sucked hard, as if determined to draw out every last drop.

“Ugh…!”

At the intense stimulation, Tennessee’s knees buckled and his well-defined pelvis twisted. Then, after sucking the fluid down until he was satisfied, Amber pulled his head back, and Tennessee pulled him closer. The corners of Amber’s mouth, which had looked somewhat worried a moment ago, curved upward like a praised puppy.

Tennessee lay slanted on the stairs as if exhausted, barely breathing, while Amber climbed over him.

“From now on, if I act out of line, please don’t indulge me. It only makes me want to lock you away more.”

“Amber.”

Tennessee, exhaling ragged breaths, had a forehead drenched in sweat. With a breath that felt like a smile, Amber brushed the hair back from his forehead. The focus that had blurred in the depths of pleasure gradually returned.

Whenever his emotions ran high, Amber would often say he wanted to lock him up, that he wanted Tennessee to look only at him, but this was the first time he had confessed so persistently. Regardless of the tone or words, Amber was flaunting his inner thoughts as if on display. That there was a ‘bad’ version of himself who had such fantasies despite having a perfect lover. That he wanted to be loved and accepted anyway… as if hoping Tennessee would pretend to lose and quietly stay inside the cage.

“Yes, Tennessee.”

Blue eyes were faintly visible beneath thick eyelashes. Like a believer praying to a benevolent goddess, Amber gripped Tennessee’s hand and left a reverent kiss on the palm before looking up at him.

“Are you pretending to be pitiful on purpose?”

“…What?”

“I’m someone who has already come out. If you’re not pretending to be pitiful, don’t you realize you’re just belatedly digging your own grave?”

“…

I’m asking for a lot, but can I request more?”

“Sure.”

Amber gave a short kiss to Tennessee’s abdomen, which continued to heave deeply due to his uneven breath, and lowered his eyebrows.

“Please answer my texts more sincerely….”

“I will.”

“When I ask what you’re eating, don’t just say ‘lunch.’ Tell me the menu, because it shouldn’t overlap with dinner.”

I did that, didn’t I? Even to me, that seems too much.

“When I ask where you are, don’t just say ‘on my way.’ Tell me how many minutes are left until you reach home. I keep checking the clock waiting for you, not knowing if you’ve only just left.”

…He thought he had been answering that way, but apparently not. Looking back, there were quite a few times he had written only [Just le—] and then thrown the phone onto the passenger seat and looked forward again when the light changed.

“Take photos of your food sometimes, too.”

“Okay.”

“Send me a selfie when you’re at the office.”

“…How often.”

“Twice.”

Twice a week seemed reasonable.

“Twice a day.”

“Don’t you think you’re asking for too much?”

There it was again. Those eyes. Tennessee had never particularly thought the Puss in Boots—with eyes excessively large compared to the surface area of its face—was cute. They say humans instinctively feel cuteness, but since he had never felt that impression toward children, puppies, or cats, Tennessee couldn’t agree with that sentiment.

And yet, just by those eyes widening and looking up at him, he thought it was cute. Yes, perhaps it is instinct. Or maybe it’s not instinct, but rose-colored glasses. He often forgot that the person who only looked cute to him was a regularly trained FBI agent well over six feet tall.

Tennessee had never taken a selfie in his life, but he waved the white flag. He had no intention of winning anyway.

“…I’ll think about it.”

While stroking the back of Amber’s head with his fingers, Tennessee suddenly felt his lower back aching and tried to push himself up. His upper body was stained with Amber’s saliva and his own fluids. As he used a dress shirt draped over the stairs to wipe himself off roughly, Amber grabbed his wrist and brought his lips close.

The face that had been digging a grave in apology and embarrassment just a moment ago was now perfectly clear.

I was tricked.

That was the first thought that came to mind. Look at this guy. Knowing that Tennessee would push back if he just asked, he made him say ‘you can ask’ first. He’s becoming more sophisticated by the day.

It was infuriating, but because the face pressing its lips against him was sparkling as if glowing, Tennessee responded to the kiss first.

At this rate, he might end up holding me in the palm of his hand and manipulating me… wait, is he already doing that?

As Tennessee let out a chuckle while agonizing over this, Amber gave him a smiling look with his eyes.

“Don’t get up. We can’t finish with just one round.”

* * *

“Hello, Doctor.”

Amber sat on the couch with a bright smile. A few days had passed since Tennessee’s counseling session, and Amber’s appointment had come around. Amber’s face was even brighter than in the previous session.

“Hello, Ryker. Have you been doing well?”

“Of course. Nothing happened.”

No. Thing. Hap. Pened?

Dr. Shannon Michaels, who already knew that Amber had completely omitted the story about Flynn, decided she would no longer trust Amber either. Instead of healing the trust issues between the two, she felt like she was developing trust issues of her own.

As a counselor, Dr. Shannon Michaels had to ask. She felt the need to know what emotions he felt and what thoughts he had.

Ryker, who seemed to be contemplating, adjusted his posture. As Amber briefly recounted the events of that time, there was no panic or anger.

“Just because Tennessee is that kind of person doesn’t justify the fact that he hid things from me and took risks. At first, I was angry. But….”

Scratching his chin, his blue eyes, which had been drifting left and right, looked directly at the doctor. Among the many people she faced every day, Ryker’s eyes were special. It wasn’t so much the glint in them, but something dwelling within. That might be why people were drawn to him. Because while a sense of deficiency lingered behind, a firm wall was erected as if he wouldn’t allow just anyone in.

“If it weren’t for me, he’s the kind of person who would have taken the time to investigate Flynn more thoroughly and identify the mastermind. The fact that such a person couldn’t stand the thought of me being even slightly in danger and was so anxious—that he snatched Flynn out of desperation, even if he denies it—I liked that. I suppose it’s partly my fault that Tennessee became this way. I’m also a problem for liking the reason why he lies. I probably aren’t innocent either.”

The corners of his mouth curved upward softly, revealing white teeth between his crimson lips. With a bright smile, he answered.

“I didn’t say this to Tennessee, but,”

A relaxed gaze, that of one who had accepted everything while feeling relieved, approached Dr. Michaels.

“I hope Tennessee doesn’t have nightmares, but I don’t want him to be perfect. I need to be behind him like a support. Or, he can view me as a sapling in need of shade. …I’m terrible for thinking this, but since Tennessee will willingly accept even a terrible version of me, the day when either I or Tennessee becomes whole alone will never come. We should only become whole when we are together.”

Someone like you, Doctor, probably finds me repulsive.

The added remark was not a question, but an assertion. Even so, Amber did not take it back.

While pouring out his raw inner thoughts, Amber belatedly realized. The reason why he had always felt anxiety in his heart despite trying his best not to lie during his sessions with Dr. Michaels. The reason why he couldn’t be completely faithful even though Dr. Michaels existed to help him.

“I want to get better, but I don’t want to go back to how I was before I was hurt. I’ve lost my limbs, but I don’t wish for my arms and legs to grow back. I hope someone like Tennessee is transplanted into me, or that I can live peacefully with prosthetic arms and legs. The help I seek is only up to the stage of recognizing that as my own body and adapting to it.”

And he hopes Tennessee does the same.

Because he couldn’t exactly cut off Tennessee’s limbs.

That day, Dr. Michaels and Ryker scheduled their final counseling session.

Amber Alert Side story, Fin.

Punishment

[I’ll be late again today. Go ahead and have dinner first.]

[K]

[And don’t just make do with some grass that even a deer wouldn’t eat, like last time.]

Amber disparaged the salad Tennessee had made as “grass.” It was a fair point; unlike Amber, who knew exactly which vegetables went into which salad and which dressing paired best, Tennessee simply threw whatever vegetables were in the fridge into a bowl and munched on them. Furthermore, Amber was particularly earnest when it came to Tennessee’s food, clothing, and shelter.

[K]

Tennessee looked around the living room, which felt more suited to the silence now that the lights were only half-on, and headed toward the kitchen. On the counter, vases and cards received on every anniversary—including birthdays and Christmas—were displayed, and next to them sat a calendar filled with miscellaneous notes written in pen. It was all very much Amber’s taste.

Tennessee checked the date on the calendar.

It had already been three days since Amber returned home after midnight. Including the two days he hadn’t returned at all, it had been five. It hadn’t even been that long since they returned from their honeymoon, yet it was already becoming difficult to even see his face.

Unlike Tennessee, whose job allowed for flexible commuting hours, Amber was a civil servant; while he had plenty of vacation time, his working hours were generally consistent. He always woke up at a similar time and returned home before dinner, but a major incident had broken out recently, forcing Amber to pull all-nighters for several days.

Just as Tennessee was getting used to it, business trips overlapped with overtime, and he was starting to get irritated. However, that irritation would fade when he saw Amber return in the early hours of the dawn, smelling of the wind, and immediately lie down beside him to recount his day.

‘The biological father assaulted the child severely. After the divorce proceedings ended, custody went to the biological mother in Utah, but the father kidnapped the child. I guess he wanted to keep the child near him even after beating them like that. He was arrested just before he could take the child out of the country. It’s a relief. Looking at the destination, he was trying to send them to—Tennessee?’

‘You should be happy, why do you look like that?’

Amber, curling his shoulders to burrow into Tennessee’s embrace, shook his head.

‘The look in the child’s eyes… it’s funny, I’ve never seen Tennessee as a child. But for some reason, the look in that child’s eyes made me think that’s how Tennessee might have looked when he was little.’

Then, pulling back, Amber shifted his position and hugged Tennessee tightly. Wrapping one arm around his waist and sliding the other under his neck, Amber clung to Tennessee’s short hair and whispered.

‘If we hadn’t rescued the child, what kind of life would they have lived?’

Amber was like this sometimes. Whenever he projected a young Tennessee onto someone, he felt a mixture of joy and sorrow.

Amber, clinging to him and asking Tennessee to stroke his hair and hug him back just as he did, asked:

‘Why couldn’t people save Tennessee?’

…Is he pitying me? Tennessee frowned, as he had never particularly wanted to be saved by anyone.

‘If I hadn’t saved the child, they might have grown up like Tennessee,’

But from this point on, things started to get ambiguous.

‘Then another hitman who knows nothing of law or ethics would have been born.’

Hmm?

‘And they might have been released back into society, running wild and committing all sorts of crimes and corruption.’

‘….’

‘…How terrible.’

Give me a break.

When Tennessee let out a small chuckle, Amber finally burst into the laughter he had been holding back. Because Amber laughed so hard his upper body shook intermittently, Tennessee ended up chuckling along.

A smile played on Tennessee’s lips as he recalled that moment while looking at the calendar. However, as the reality of the silent house set in, the smile vanished without a trace.

Amber had urged him to eat dinner, but he wasn’t in the mood. Intending to read a book, he leaned back against the headboard of the bed.

[Tennessee]

He opened his book, unaware that the phone left on the kitchen counter was lighting up and vibrating softly.

[Tennessee. I can leave early starting today.]

Messages arrived in succession, but Tennessee was in a state where he couldn’t see them.

Unlike the bold way he had read through the preface, he struggled to make progress after a few pages.

What did I usually do at this time? Knowing it was a stupid question, Tennessee asked himself. Usually, this time was spent eating dinner together, being pushed here and there by Amber’s clinginess, half-scolding him and half-indulging him.

After remaining on Chapter 1 for thirty minutes, Tennessee finally closed the book.

He couldn’t concentrate. It was because Amber kept coming to mind.

Before he knew it, Tennessee licked his parched lips and let out a deep sigh. Through the door, which he had left open by just a hand’s span, the hallway looked particularly bleak today.

Tennessee’s hand, after placing the book on the nightstand, moved to his waist. As he loosened the drawstring he had tightened for exercise, his waist felt freed. After pulling down his grey sweatpants halfway, Tennessee slid his hand inside. Long fingers and a hollow palm brushed and rubbed against the outside of his dark-colored drawers, creating a rustling sound.

[Tennessee, I’m almost there.]

Since there was no answer, a call came through, but because he had it on vibrate, it soon transitioned to voicemail. Having completely forgotten the existence of his phone, Tennessee pushed up his tight-fitting white top to his chest. His fingers headed toward the peak of his breast.

“…Huu.”

He wasn’t the type to be blinded by sexual desire, but before becoming lovers with Amber, Tennessee would occasionally masturbate simply to sleep when his needs accumulated. However, until then, he had never masturbated by rolling his nipples with his fingers or stroking them broadly with his palm; but because Amber particularly loved tracing the nipples and areolas with his tongue, at some point, it felt empty without stimulation to his chest.

He had wondered why he liked such a place when he wasn’t even a woman, but whenever the peak of his breast was sucked into a moist, hot mouth and softly crushed by the tip of a tongue, hot moans leaked out naturally. How many years had it been since he had sex that way? Tennessee was now accustomed to the stimulation of his nipples. Just as it had become natural for Amber to shake his hips while searching for Tennessee’s lips.

Perhaps it was because they kissed so much during sex. Like a conditioned response, Amber’s mouth had to be filled during sex. If kissing wasn’t possible, he had to at least put fingers in. Even while inserting his cock, Amber would curl his tongue coquettishly and purse his lips as if his lover’s genitals were inside his mouth.

Putting his fingers in his mouth and rolling them lightly as Amber did, Tennessee pulled out his saliva-drenched fingers and caressed his chest. Closing his eyes languidly with his lips parted, Tennessee began to move the hand wrapping his genitals, imagining Amber biting his fingers.

Setting aside the moist stimulation wrapping his fingers, just seeing Amber moving his tongue in a trance of pleasure made Tennessee’s whole body shiver. One thing he felt many times while having sex with Amber was that the sex he had engaged in until then was not proper sex. It was nothing more and nothing less than a discharge consisting of action and reaction. A relief of fatigue at the end of a climax where the upper limit of stimulation and pleasure was fixed.

In contrast, during sex with Amber, every nerve in his body woke up. The areas where he felt sexual pleasure were not limited to the groin, the peaks of his chest, and the tongue. Amber loved to lick his entire body.

One day, Amber had said, ‘I want to lick every single corner of your body.’ When Tennessee curled his lips and told him to do as he pleased, Amber started by lowering his lips to the left hand. With red lips folded in dense wrinkles, he moved slightly as if tickling, kissing and deeply sucking each of the five fingers one by one. Then, he used the tip of his tongue to tickle between the fingers and rained countless kisses upon the palm. That alone made him shiver and triggered a bodily response, and Amber had only just finished the left hand.

“Ha, ha, huu…”

The movement shaking the massive organ where a pulse could be felt began to grow stronger. He shook his genitals rapidly as if squeezing, then spread his palm wide to crush the tip of the urethra where pre-cum began to gather, spreading the fluid before repeating the shaking motion.

That day, Amber did not allow his lover’s resistance in the slightest. Even to pleas that sounded like commands to stop, he shook his head with a shy smile.

‘I’m going to lick your whole body. I want you to plead more.’

‘Amber…, stop. Come up now.’

‘Mmm-hmm.’

The sound was muffled as he buried his lips on the bridge of the foot, but Amber conveyed his refusal with another shake of his head.

‘Actually, I masturbated while showering earlier. Thinking of Tennessee. I was shaking my hips as if I were putting it inside you, and suddenly I felt so regretful. I remembered that I’d never taken the time to lick every corner of Tennessee’s body.’

‘That… aren’t there fewer people who do things like that? Ha, take your fingers out, Amber. Stop playing with your hands.’

Moving three fingers to stretch and tighten the entrance, Amber shook his head.

“Ugh… ha, ha.”

The squelching sound gradually gained strength, and the wet noise rang rapidly in his ears.

‘Did you know you have a mole here on the inside of your thigh?’

‘…How would I know something like that.’

‘It’s in a position that’s hard for Tennessee to see alone. Since it’s closer to the back.’

Every time Amber opened his lips, hot breath poured onto the skin, warming the sexual sensation, and whenever he moved his tongue like a fluid brush over the heated spot, Tennessee reacted with a flinch. His genitals, which had been erect for a while, were dripping fluid far above his navel. Amber’s genitals were also rising menacingly inside his black sweatpants, pressed against his pelvic bone.

Now, Tennessee’s recollection had finally reached the point where Amber, having succumbed to temptation and pleading, was putting on a condom with unsteady hands.

“Ha- haa, haa…!”

Tennessee, I’m home.

It was around then that a sound that shouldn’t have been heard reached him.

A motion-sensor light turned on in front of the door connecting the garage and the kitchen. The sound of taking off shoes and changing into slippers, and the sound of Nashville, who had been resting in the kennel, barking softly in welcome, were heard in sequence. However, Tennessee did not stop his movements. His gaze was fixed on the small gap of the open door.

Passing through the sunroom and entering the darkened living room, Amber turned on a small lamp.

“Tennessee?”

A puzzled voice turned behind the stairs and headed toward the sofa. The sound of footsteps gradually drew closer to the bedroom where the two slept, the bedroom where Tennessee was pleasuring himself while thinking of Amber.

“Tennessee?”

The puzzled tone in Amber’s voice changed the moment he discovered the silhouette of Tennessee through the open bedroom door.

“I’m home. Why didn’t you answer, Tene—”

Amber couldn’t finish his sentence. The sight revealed as he pushed the door open was explicit. Cheeks faintly flushed, lips parted enough for the tongue to peek through, and a rapidly moving hand. And the lower body making wet sounds through friction. Veins were prominent in the arm that did not slow its pace.

Without breaking eye contact, Tennessee exposed himself as if on display.

He was pursuing pleasure ostentatiously, savoring the gaze fixed upon him.

The space between Tennessee’s brows, as he stared at Amber, began to narrow slowly. Low moans burst out in succession from between his lips. Unable to just swipe his lips with his tongue, Tennessee bit his lower lip and increased his speed. Amber could tell that his climax was approaching.

The red lips parted further. Tennessee, who had opened his lips enough for two fingers to fit, suddenly clenched his teeth and tightened every muscle in his body. A fresh, fishy scent hit the tip of the nose first. The visual stimulation followed.

Tuduk, tuk, tuduk.

The violently shot streams fell with a heavy sound, like thick raindrops, landing beyond the bed sheets and onto the carpet.

“Huu…, ha…”

Gasping for breath after the short climax, Tennessee’s lips and shaft were drenched in fluid. Without even wiping his fingers, he greeted Amber.

“You’re back?”

Amber’s gaze was not on the hand where the milky-white fluid flowed, but elsewhere. The top rolled up to the chest and the nipples, red and erect, and wet.

“Did you touch your nipples? Did you masturbate while touching them?”

Exhaling uneven breaths, Tennessee looked for something to wipe with. However, before he could grab a tissue, Amber snatched Tennessee’s hand. He gripped the arm where fluid flowed down to the wrist and pressed for an answer.

“I’m asking you. Do you feel it while touching your nipples now?”

With a languid smile, Tennessee asked back.

“Why do you think I’d have my chest exposed?”

Damn, there’s a limit to playing with a person.

Licking between Tennessee’s wet fingers with his tongue, Amber climbed onto the bed as if pouncing. With highly excited movements, he undid the buckle.

“Ha, buckle, fuck— why is this so—”

After several clumsy attempts, he barely managed to undo the belt, but as things didn’t go his way, Amber started swearing. Tennessee pushed his fingers deep into the lips of the overly excited Amber.

“Hng…”

Amber’s eyes, which had been filled with irritation, flared with lust. He didn’t know since when. Amber’s genitals were erect to the point of touching his pelvic bone, already soaking through his underwear. With his fingers still deep in the mouth, Amber groped toward the nightstand. Passing the book and lamp that caught his fingers, he opened the nightstand drawer. When he felt nothing even after groping inside, Amber wiped his wet lips with the back of his hand and began searching the drawer with both hands. Lubricant and tissues were there, but the thing he needed right now was nowhere to be seen. As he overturned the drawer, Amber suddenly looked up.

Because he had distributed condoms throughout the house, there weren’t always many spares in the bedroom. The bulk order of condoms he had placed last time hadn’t arrived yet, and the condoms in the bedroom had been used up a while ago. He had said he would bring the condoms he’d put elsewhere but had forgotten.

In the moment of desperation, Tennessee gently caressed Amber’s still lips with his fingers. Amber’s momentarily returned reason blurred. They wouldn’t be in the bathroom either, so he’d have to go to the second floor.

As if anxious, Tennessee touched Amber’s lips and urged him to open them. As the thick glans was violently thrust in, Amber’s breath became urgent.

His thoughts were cut off.

“Amber…, haa, suck it harder, yes, like that…”

Amber, who had lunged to suck Tennessee’s member, spat out the shaft just as Tennessee’s thighs tightened again. He wanted to put it in right now—no, he had to.

Finally pulling open his wet front, Amber revealed his genitals, which were so hot they seemed on the verge of ejaculation. Despite the rough touch born of uncontrollable excitement, Tennessee instead spread his legs wider.

Condoms…

A moment of hesitation flickered in Amber’s movements.

If I don’t wear one, I’m banned from going out…

However, Amber, whose neck, eyes, and ears had turned bright red, could not overcome the impulse and passionately pulled Tennessee toward him. To hell with the ban on going out; he’d just take the punishment.

“Ah!”

“Open wider, please. Relax, haa… I’m going crazy. I’ve never seen anything so erotic.”

Due to excessive excitement, Amber’s thighs and arms were trembling. One part of his mind was screaming at him to just shove it in blindly, while another part was urging him to calm his excitement.

Amber decided to find a compromise in between. While pushing the buttocks, which filled his hands, to the sides, he forced his cock inside, continuously checking the area below and Tennessee’s face.

“What do I do, I’m going crazy. I just want to ram it in, ah, I feel like I’m going to cum already…”

“Deep, Amber— Am… your con, Amber!”

Whether he was clinging, pouncing, or restraining—or perhaps all of the above—Tennessee gasped along with Amber’s indiscernible actions and excitement. Whenever he was pierced by something so massive, his breath would be knocked out of him helplessly.

“But I shouldn’t cum, right? Tennessee wouldn’t be satisfied with that. Because now you can only come if I touch your nipples, just like I’m doing. Right?”

His brain felt like it was heating up red, and his reason seemed to be evaporating. Amber, who had been clenching his teeth as he pushed in, finally let out a rough breath once he was completely swallowed to the base. Then, before Tennessee could even adjust, he began to thrust hard and repeatedly.

Tennessee, who had been about to scold him to shut his mouth, bit his lip. As his lost hands flailed, Amber made him wrap his arms around his shoulders, supported Tennessee with both arms, and braced his knees.

“Hah! Huu, ha! Aaah, Amber! Ngh!”

Supporting Tennessee with only his thighs and arms while connected, Amber swallowed the lips that were letting out successive moans and began to thrust his hips upward rapidly.

“Tennessee, look at me. Please hold me tight. So we don’t come apart.”

“Hup! Hng! Ngh!”

While pleading with a pitiful and helpless attitude, Amber’s lower half was fierce. Without giving Tennessee a chance to respond, he pushed Tennessee further, without slowing down in the slightest.

“Hold me tighter. Haa, hold me tight.”

The first to climax was Amber, who had been squeezed into an extreme state of pleasure by the sight before him.

Tennessee masturbating. Since he was human, Amber had imagined he did it, but he had never seen it firsthand. Seeing Tennessee actually do it was…

“I think I’m going to come, I’ll do it inside, is that okay? You won’t scold me, right?”

Clinging tightly to him with gritted teeth, Amber began to thrust faster. Dazed by excitement, Amber felt something massive surging toward him like a great wave. An inescapable tsunami, a state of transcendence that surpassed the peak of pleasure he thought he knew.

The stimulation hit all at once. It wasn’t an orgasm that climbed steadily to a peak after a warm-up. It was a colossal surge of pleasure that swept through him instantly, like a storm.

—!

It was only much later that Amber realized he had been screaming Tennessee’s name. A sensation as if his semen were being wrung out. He vomited his fluids into the deepest part of his lover in succession—more like an eruption of bodily fluids than a simple ejaculation—and Amber squeezed his eyes shut at the dizzying sensation.

I’m going crazy. At this rate, I might actually die from the pleasure. No…

“Just how much are you planning to shoot in there, Amber, ngh—!”

Because Amber was climaxing while shaking his hips in fine, trembling spasms with every muscle locked tight, Tennessee also began to ejaculate belatedly.

“Ah… Tennessee, ah, I can’t stop…”

Still spurting fluid, Amber slowly pulled his shaft out with trembling hands.

Squelch— The drenched shaft slowly emerged, widening the entrance, and the reddened, swollen opening began to slowly vomit out the liquid. Amber’s member had still not stopped ejaculating.

“It won’t stop… ha, this feels too good…”

Wiping his sweat-dampened eyes with the back of his hand, Tennessee pushed himself up and looked at Amber. Despite having filled him to overflowing, Amber’s member was still standing menacingly.

Didn’t he already come?

With a wet finger, Tennessee touched Amber’s flushed glans.

“Hah!”

Tennessee had only gripped it between his index finger and thumb and pushed upward gently, but Amber arched his back sharply and began to thrust as if Tennessee’s grip had suddenly become another hole.

“Ah, more is coming—”

No…

Groaning in a fading voice, Amber’s hips began to shake regardless of his will. Tennessee’s shaft, still lingering in the afterglow of ejaculation, also slowly leaked fluid. Watching Amber bounce his hips and tighten his thighs as if he didn’t know why he was doing it, Tennessee’s sexual arousal didn’t subside; instead, it boiled over.

Ignoring Amber’s attempt to brush his hand away, Tennessee moved his hand quickly. He focused on rubbing the throbbing, heated glans and rapidly kneaded it with his thumb, causing Amber to frantically grab Tennessee’s shoulder and arm. However, the two were a pair who rarely listened to the word “no” when they were on the bed.

“Tennessee, no, it’s coming out… it keeps coming, no, aaaaah!”

The fluid that had been trickling down the shaft suddenly surged.

With a moan that sounded like a scream, Amber buried his face in his palms. Even then, a viscous but clear liquid continued to soil the bedsheets. Amber’s prolonged ejaculation only ended after a long while.

“Haaa…”

Completely exhausted, Amber let his strength fail and leaned his heavy body onto Tennessee.

“There isn’t a single spot that isn’t wet.”

Tennessee was telling the truth. The bed, the carpet around the bed, and even the nightstand—there wasn’t a place where it hadn’t splashed, a testament to how potent his stamina was. Moreover, that last ejaculation…

Tennessee wiped some of the fluid that had splashed onto his collarbone and rubbed it between his thumb and index finger. No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t semen. Yet, it wasn’t yellowish, nor did it smell foul.

Can men do that too?

Having no experience with gay sex other than with Amber, Tennessee tried wiping away the dripping liquid bit by bit.

“Haa… haa, ha…”

Even then, Amber was swept up in a frenzied pleasure. His reason refused to return. Amber let out urgent breaths as if he were about to faint. Despite his entire body being sticky with sweat, Amber shivered, loving the feeling of their skin clinging together. Tennessee, who would have told him to get off if it had been unpleasant, was preoccupied with catching his breath and examining the fluid.

“…Just how far do you plan to bewitch me?”

Amber spoke with uneven breaths. Blink. His consciousness flickered in and out like a broken lightbulb. He had been tensing so hard that his lower abdomen actually ached.

Amber left a short kiss and stroked the damp black hair.

“Did it feel good, Amber?”

“I felt like I was going crazy…”

As his senses slowly returned, the corners of Amber’s mouth curled into a goofy, melted smile.

“What was that just now? …Did I… by any chance, did I make a mess? I didn’t, right?”

No matter how well Tennessee knew Amber’s childhood, there were limits to what he could show, and Amber became anxious. To make a mess in front of Tennessee… Amber covered his eyes, his ears turning red with embarrassment.

“Amber.”

As Tennessee moved the hand hiding his eyes, a pair of blue pupils, languidly stained with heat, met his.

“Yes, Tennessee.”

“Did you leak because it felt too good?”

If he had a tail, it probably would have puffed up instantly.

“I’ll… I’ll clean it up.”

Embarrassed, Amber brought a towel and wiped Tennessee’s wet hands. His abdomen, his collarbone, and even Tennessee’s exceptionally red nipples.

“It wasn’t a mistake.”

“I love you, Tennessee.”

Tennessee bit his lip at the sudden confession.

As Amber wiped the fluid pooled like puddles along the well-defined abdominal muscles, his attention shifted to Tennessee’s relaxed groin and the area inside.

“Ah, I’m sorry for doing it inside… I’ll wash you.”

In his heart, he wanted to carry Tennessee like a groom entering a honeymoon bed, but fearing he would be scolded, Amber read the room.

“Amber.”

Like Nashville after someone had ripped open a cushion and scattered cotton everywhere, Amber looked at Tennessee’s face and answered quietly. He knew his crime all too well.

Right, the condom. I’m probably going to be grounded. Amber sensed it.

…Anyway, Tennessee only had a few days left of his own grounding, so they could spend time together. At this rate, it should be seen as a reward rather than a punishment.

It was the moment he had finished his cunning calculations in his head while simultaneously gauging Tennessee’s expression.

“Two weeks of no sex, and separate rooms.”

“…What?”

Unable to believe it, Amber asked, “What? Whattt?” again. His wide eyes were filled with a sense of injustice and despair.

Tennessee found it absurd. He wasn’t unaware that Amber had hesitated just as he was loosening his waist.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know you thought, ‘I’d rather just do it and take the punishment’?”

“But…! You can’t, Tennessee.”

Amber snatched Tennessee as he tried to get off him, binding him with his arms and legs.

“You can’t, I was wrong. I was wrong, okay?”

It was a desperate gesture, but Tennessee wasn’t fooled. That wasn’t a desperate plea. It was a relaxed pestering, strategically lowering himself because he knew it would work.

“Let go. I need to wash.”

“No. Tennessee… please.”

“I said let go.”

Faced with an attitude so airtight that not even a needle could pierce through, Amber’s head popped up stubbornly.

“How can you do this, it’s unfair. …Tennessee, you liked it too.”

Amber protested, rubbing his head against Tennessee’s neck.

“Ha?”

Was that a line a middle-aged pervert would throw after some tactless sexual harassment?

“So, because I liked it, it’s void?”

“…No, it’s not that, but two weeks is too long.”

“That makes sense. Using a condom isn’t solely your responsibility. Let’s void your punishment.”

There’s no way Tennessee would take back his word?!

His intuition raised a red flag, but he couldn’t help the immediate surge of joy, so Amber looked up with sparkling eyes.

“Right, it’s my fault, so I should take the penalty. I’ll just be the one not to have sex for two weeks.”

“Oh, please…”

Played by the wordplay, Amber buried his head limply. I was wrong… but I don’t regret it, it felt too good. Still, two weeks… two weeks is too much. He’d barely been able to come home for a few days. And Tennessee was always at home. To let such a golden opportunity slip away.

…Does oral sex count as sex?

Amber recalled a question that anyone who knew about a certain president’s scandal would have asked. It would be okay to suck Tennessee and masturbate while watching him feel it, right? Because that’s not “sex.” But to have to masturbate while Tennessee was right there, leaving that body alone. It was irrational, unjust, and unfair.

“Please… you can’t, Tennessee.”

As Amber pleaded, unable to let go of his lingering desire, Tennessee lightly brushed back his short hair.

“Amber.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want me to increase it to a month?”

Amber bit his lip.

“You’re unfair.”

Realizing that pleading and pestering wouldn’t work, Amber pouted his lips.

“I thought about it for a second, but the one who spread their legs back then was Tennessee. How could I say, ‘I’ll go upstairs and get a condom’ while you were doing that? I couldn’t. You seduced me.”

Now he was even shifting the blame. Tennessee felt that Amber was speeding through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

At this point, one would think he’d become numb to seduction, but why was it new every time? Blaming himself for being so easily swayed by a ‘seduction’ he hadn’t even considered as such, Amber let out a sigh. …Still, it felt unfair.

* * *

Amber was protesting.

Looking at the breakfast presented before him, Tennessee realized his judgment from yesterday had been an error. Amber had not yet finished the five stages of grief. He was clearly still lingering somewhere around anger or bargaining.

Amber didn’t make the breakfast meager just because he was angry. After all, Tennessee was the kind of person who would eat a massive pile of salad without complaint.

Amber had simply made a slight change to the meal.

“…Nothing is going to change because of this, Amber.”

What was presented before Tennessee was a flashy, eye-catching “princess plate” boasting neon pink edges. Someone might criticize that calling anything neon pink a “princess plate” is not politically correct. However, if they saw the phrase written on the glossy glass plate—“Hello, Princess! Are you ready to show off your magic?”—everyone would shut up.

And the pancakes in the center were also pink. A vivid, dainty shade of pink. Instead of the usual maple syrup, white whipped cream was topped with a generous amount of colorful sprinkles. Strawberries surrounded the edges of the pancakes like petals.

Tennessee shifted his gaze to the scrambled eggs next to them. The golden-brown eggs were plated in the shape of Belle’s dress from Beauty and the Beast. The frills were represented by bacon.

Tennessee raised an eyebrow at what was truly an admirable, perfect breakfast. It was maddening.

However, without a single word of complaint, Tennessee picked up his fork.

He had wondered yesterday if two weeks was a bit harsh, but if Amber acted like this, he might just increase it to three weeks.

Once the pancakes were finished, Amber brought out yogurt.

What is this now.

Tennessee, who was about to leave the table, picked up the spoon. Raspberries and blueberries were decorated in the shape of a tiara atop white Greek yogurt.

At least he didn’t put food coloring in the yogurt, unlike the pancakes.

The moment Tennessee took a spoonful, he revised his evaluation. There was food coloring. It wasn’t pink; it was black. He had simply hidden the black yogurt by drizzling white yogurt over it. Black yogurt. It was enough to kill any appetite he had.

“…Why is your yogurt normal?”

Unlike Tennessee’s breakfast, which was fitting for a preschooler’s diet, Amber’s meal was the same as usual.

“I’m already being punished; wouldn’t it be too sad if my yogurt was black too?”

As he spoke, Amber poured syrup over his own golden-brown pancakes, which had no food coloring. Lacking the will to respond, Tennessee silently resumed his meal. Still, he had to finish everything he was given.

Having polished off the charcoal-black yogurt, Tennessee stood up to go to work. Amber, who had been given a two-day break after a grueling week-long stretch, was resting at home.

Dressed in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, Amber saw Tennessee off all the way to the garage.

“Tennessee. Food you buy outside has too much sodium and cholesterol.”

What is he trying to say now.

As Tennessee frowned while standing by the car door, Amber handed him something. A lunchbox. A lunchbox for a lower-elementary student, perfectly disguised as the Batmobile, with the handle cut into the shape of a bat.

On either side, unknown superheroes were smiling like idiots.

“Open it inside; I prepared lunch too.”

“Stop it.”

“I went through the trouble of preparing it; are you not going to eat it?”

With his lips firmly sealed, Tennessee tossed his briefcase into the passenger seat and opened the damn lunchbox.

“It’ll probably taste good.”

Tennessee left a dry review. A circle inside a square. He had used beans to draw a condom, so the shape was a bit… but it was certainly a lunch that looked delicious. After all, Amber was someone who was sincere about “raising” Tennessee.

Leaning against the door with his arms crossed, Amber smiled. The garage door opened, and Tennessee’s car slowly began to reverse. The lunchbox placed on the edge of the passenger seat kept catching his eye.

Driving the familiar route to work, Tennessee found himself glancing at the lunchbox unconsciously. Throughout the drive, the memory of Amber’s comical antics since morning brought a faint smile to Tennessee’s lips.

While stopped at a light, Tennessee picked up and ate a sliced cucumber and a baby carrot from one side of the lunchbox. No matter how little he usually ate, he ate more than the portion of a child’s lunchbox. He figured he’d have to eat this as a snack.

[Did you enjoy the lunch I packed?]

A bit after 1:30 PM, a text arrived from Amber.

For lunch, he had eaten a salmon cutlet, and he was finishing off the lunchbox Amber had packed in between tasks. Despite the appearance, Amber made everything taste great and had a grasp of Tennessee’s preferences—though it was hard to call them “preferences”—so he kept reaching for the lunchbox.

[It was tasty.]

[You ate it all up, right?]

As Tennessee narrowed his eyes, sure enough, a series of long messages began to arrive.

[Just like how you swallowed my cock raw yesterday, did you eat it all—]

Tennessee closed his phone after reading only that far. The rebellion was fierce. But if he reduced the two-week punishment just because he rebelled, it might lead to the wrong learning.

Bzzz—

As if knowing Tennessee’s firm educational philosophy, the phone rang repeatedly. It was additional messages from Amber.

[Tennessee, I promise. I’ll never do it again. I just ordered 300 more online.]

[Next time I do it, you can give me a one-month punishment instead of two weeks.]

Tennessee let out a sigh.

[Or at least let me out of the separate rooms, please.]

He thought of Amber, who had been clung to him until dawn before being exiled to the guest room. As they went to bed separately, he had briefly wondered who the punishment was actually for.

After a short deliberation, Tennessee decided to reverse his decision, which was rare for him. With a touch of annoyance, he sent a short reply.

When Tennessee, having succumbed to Amber’s fierce protests and pleas, sent the text, Amber was making pecan pies.

He had to make them on his days off to ensure he could feed Tennessee consistently. Because Tennessee didn’t like chocolate pies, finding them too sweet, Amber mostly made sugar-reduced pecan or pumpkin pies.

Bzzz— The phone rang.

Amber, lightly wiping his buttered fingers on his apron, looked for the phone.

Tennessee was not a man who changed his mind easily. This was probably a warning that if he kept this up, the separate room period would be extended to three weeks. Picking up the phone he had set aside without expectation, Amber read the text message more than twice before throwing both hands up and letting out a cheer.

“Yes!”

Excited like a tail-wagging Nashville, Amber headed toward the oven with a light step as the preheated oven let out a beep-beep sound.

Behind the exuberant Amber, the phone on the counter flashed again.

[I’m letting you off just this once.]

Tennessee is an irreplaceable, undeniably perfect lover!

The best. Cute, charming, cool, gentlemanly, handsome, wonderful. Ah, did I say “cool” twice? He is a person for whom every possible adjective is insufficient. Even the fact that he doesn’t realize he’s occasionally cute is cute.

After sliding the pie crust into the oven, Amber sent countless pleas, such as “Thank you for forgiving me,” making Tennessee shake his head in disbelief. Once he had sufficiently worn Tennessee out, Amber glanced at the dinner preparations in the corner of the kitchen.

A snowman made of white rice, prepared in advance as a kids’ menu item, was wearing a grotesque smile. Let’s throw that away. Dinner is barbecue. For adults, of course.

-Amber Alert Side story, Fin.