By Zephyria 
Amidst the ornate china, sculptures, and expensive dishes filling the display case, there was an awkward emptiness in the center. It was where the can of dog treats Dane had given him used to sit.
Dane simply stared at the display case, his gaze fixed.
〈It’s the first gift you’ve ever given me.〉
Grayson had said in a faintly trembling voice. His face flushed red, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Dane, seemingly moved.
〈It’s not that expensive, so there’s no need to be so grateful.〉
His own words echoed in his mind. What happened after that?
Grayson hadn’t said anything. Or rather, he just gaped, as if unable to find the words. His large hands holding the small can preciously, his face looking at Dane, his ears twitching.
〈That was the first gift you ever gave me. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It was my most precious treasure.〉
Grayson’s face, shouting in frustration, overlapped with the memory. His face was flushed red in a different way than before, and he muttered,
〈My Diana…〉
Dane simply stared at the empty space. Among the elaborate and famous pieces that filled the other shelves, that one space was so pathetic, so ridiculously empty.
But even as he thought that, he couldn’t take his eyes off it, remaining frozen for a long time.
There were six days left.
twenty four
“Chest, chest. Chest, chest.”
Grayson hummed a song, elated. The committee’s investigation was finally over. More excited than ever, he headed home. Dane would be waiting for him again today. Today was a special day, so they had to celebrate. That’s why he had prepared a huge bouquet of flowers that he had specially ordered. He had told them to stock up on ingredients in advance, so dinner would be lavishly prepared. They would drink wine together and have dessert. And then…
“Hehehe.”
A laugh escaped involuntarily. Grayson shrugged his shoulders and increased the car’s speed. When he woke up in the morning, Dane had already left for work. But the traces of him from the previous day were clearly left on the bed, so Grayson buried his face in the semen-stained sheets and masturbated twice.
It’s clear, Dane likes me too.
He was sure of it. Why else would Dane have sex with Grayson? It wasn’t Rut, and there wasn’t any particular reason.
He did kidnap my most precious possession.
Grayson frowned for a moment, but soon relaxed his expression. Still, to pounce on me so aggressively, it’s not like Dane, is it? And even sleeping together. This is definitely it.
“Dane also…!”
His heart was pounding so hard that he couldn’t bring himself to say the next words. Grayson gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands and took a deep breath. Haa, haa. As he shrugged his shoulders, his face was reflected in the rearview mirror. Seeing his ears twitching on their own, he frowned unconsciously but ignored it. It wasn’t important whether they were moving or not right now. What mattered was what would happen between Dane and him in the future.
There are only 6 days left now.
No, to be exact, 5 days and a few hours. Because today is almost over.
It was time to settle things. Until the day before, he had been secretly anxious, but now it was different. He drove hard, filled with hope. He wanted to see Dane soon. He wanted to hug Dane, kiss him, and tell him he loved him.
Even if Dane hadn’t made up his mind yet…
An ominous thought entered his mind, but he was confident. Then he would have to persuade him. Until now, if Grayson insisted, begged, and pleaded, Dane would eventually give in. He would sigh, maybe even get annoyed. But as long as he was there…
That alone would be enough.
Grayson pressed down harder on the accelerator. The supercar roared down the road.
Desire Me if you can
Dane was sitting on the sofa in his room. He had Darling on his lap and was slowly stroking him, but he didn’t move, as if lost in thought. After spending some time like that, he suddenly came to his senses. He turned his head and saw that the sun was already setting.
Oops, Dane clicked his tongue briefly and picked up Darling. After placing him on his favorite cushion, he picked up an empty mug and turned around. He was about to put the empty cup away when he grabbed the doorknob, but then he heard a knock.
Knock, knock, knock.
Dane paused at the rhythmic sound, but soon turned the doorknob and opened the door.
“Oh.”
Grayson, who had been about to knock again, stopped, his hand still raised in the air. Dane, who had shifted his gaze from his surprised face to his hand, fixed his eyes on his face again.
“What is it?”
At the indifferent voice, Grayson smiled brightly and said,
“I’ve prepared dinner.”
“Is that so?”
It was always the same, so there was nothing special about it. Dane closed the door without saying anything and sauntered towards the snack bar as usual. He was expecting a simple dinner as always, but unexpectedly, Grayson grabbed his arm and pulled him.
“This way.”
As Dane blinked, Grayson smiled, took his hand, and led the way. Dane couldn’t help but smile at his seemingly lighter steps.
“What are you up to again?”
Grayson only laughed at Dane’s question. Anyway, Dane shook his head as if he couldn’t help it and obediently followed him. Grayson headed to the dining room on the first floor.
“Here, go in.”
Grayson opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing elegantly with one arm. Dane, puzzled, went inside and stopped abruptly at the entrance.
An unexpected sight unfolded before his eyes. Dane’s eyes widened at the table, which was even more lavish than the morning he had first come here.
With a three-tiered cake in the center, there was a Thanksgiving turkey on one side and a huge lobster on the other, standing proudly. And the side with the turkey was full of meat dishes, with all kinds of chicken, lamb, beef, veal, and pork cooked in various ways, an enormous amount. Around the lobster were seafood dishes, with huge crabs, salmon, and marlin grilled, and even sushi. There were three kinds of salads, and the bread was filled with pastries, toast, muffins, and sliced baguettes, and there were also stews, soups, and all kinds of unheard-of dishes.
It wasn’t just the table. Candles in ornate gold candelabras burned brightly on the walls, a huge chandelier shone on the ceiling, and the walls were filled with all kinds of decorations and flowers.
“W-What…”
Dane muttered blankly, his mouth agape. Was he filming a movie? Would that pot suddenly sing and dance?
He knew it was a ridiculous thought. But the situation unfolding before his eyes was even more absurd. As he watched to see when the teapot would move, Grayson suddenly came to his side and spoke.
“How is it? Is it okay? Do you like it?”
“No, that.”
Dane couldn’t continue speaking and stammered before closing his eyes. He opened his eyes again, but nothing had changed. Only then did he accept reality.
“What is all this? What’s going on all of a sudden?”
Grayson answered Dane, who was still bewildered, in a more excited voice than usual.
“There are many things to celebrate today.”
“What is it?”
Was it his birthday? When Dane paused, looking at the cake that had suddenly caught his eye, Grayson said,
“The committee attendance is finally over. I’m free now!”
With those words, Grayson set off a birthday popper. With a bang, cheap scraps of paper scattered everywhere. Dane, who had only been blinking, finally nodded, saying, “Ah.” Attending the committee, he must have experienced such a troublesome thing for the first time in his life, so he must be happy.
“Yeah, that’s good. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
As Grayson spoke, Dane chuckled and pointed to the table with his thumb.
“I know you’re happy, but isn’t this too much? No matter how hard you and I try, we won’t be able to eat all of this.”
“Of course, that’s not all.”
Grayson said confidently. What else is there, Dane shook his head as if he couldn’t help it. Grayson suddenly held out something he had been hiding behind his back. A floral scent spread around Dane, who was startled. Only then did Dane realize that Grayson was holding a huge bouquet of flowers. At his questioning gaze, he smiled and said,
“I wanted to give it to you.”
Dane, who had inadvertently received the bouquet, blinked again. Seeing his still questioning face, Grayson scratched his cheek.
“Um, well. You’ve been staying with me all this time. So, um. I guess you could say it’s a token of my appreciation.”
“…What?”
Dane frowned and stared at him. Grayson felt his cheeks flushing for some reason and continued,
“Well, yesterday was also very good… I’m grateful to you in many ways.”
Don’t you think we make a pretty good match?
That was the next thing he had prepared to say. And he was going to ask him to live together in the future. At the very least, to extend the deadline. He had words prepared to persuade Dane. A lot, so much.
But then, completely different words popped out of Grayson’s mouth.
“I love you, Dane.”
Ah, that’s not it.
Grayson thought, but he didn’t regret it. No, rather, he was dumbfounded as to why he hadn’t included these words, which he should have said. Something warm spreading through his chest lifted the corners of his mouth. Grayson looked at Dane with a bright smile.
Dane.
…Dane, who was facing him as if the world had collapsed.
“Dane…?”
“Ah.”
As he called his name, still lifting the corners of his mouth, Dane exclaimed almost simultaneously. He buried his face in one hand as if he was dizzy and let out a deep sigh. An awkward silence fell. The warm warmth that had been spreading in his chest disappeared somewhere, and a chilling air circled around his heart.
“Dane…”
“I guess we can’t do this after all.”
When he finally managed to open his mouth, Dane muttered with his face buried in one hand.
“Let’s stop now.”