By Zephyria Koi hiccuped. Ashley frowned and looked down at him. Ashley’s face, arms crossed and staring at him with a serious expression, reminded him of the time he had been in jail when they reunited. Koi felt a chill in his heart at the cold expression he hadn’t seen in so long.
“S-sorry I’m late.”
He apologized, stammering without realizing it.
“I met Al after a long time, so I guess I had too much fun… I was going to be back on time, but the traffic was bad.”
He had taken a taxi that he had called in advance on the way back as well. He firmly believed the doorman’s words, “Basic service for residents,” when he had caught Koi on the way out. Of course, it was something Ashley had arranged in advance in case Koi went out. Thanks to that, Ashley already knew where he had been. Of course, meeting Ariel was annoying, but that wasn’t the only reason he was so sensitive right now.
He wanted to scold Koi and get angry right away, but his anxious face stopped him. The memory of Koi being beaten by his Father flashed through his mind, followed by the memory of how he had terrified Koi when he was blinded by jealousy in his immature days. Ashley slowly relaxed his shoulders and lowered his arms, which had been crossed.
“I see.”
Ashley put on a very affectionate voice and smiled. Seeing Koi’s face brighten up quickly, Ashley continued.
“I was worried because you were late. I’m glad nothing happened.”
“Yeah, nothing happened. Sorry for making you worry.”
Ashley opened his arms to Koi, who apologized honestly. Koi soon went into his arms. Ashley, who had strongly embraced the easily caught prey, paused again.
His Pheromone scent, which he had soaked him in until he left in the morning, was completely gone. His expression quickly turned fierce, and the Pheromone scent that had been floating around him intensified, but of course, Koi didn’t notice at all. He was still leaning his head on Ashley’s shoulder as he continued.
“Al’s sink was clogged, so I went to fix it. I’m so glad I can help Al.”
His voice was still full of the joy he had gained from meeting his friend, but Ashley couldn’t accept it purely.
“Did you shower, Koi?”
Koi answered without thinking as Ashley buried his nose in his hair and checked for the scent of detergent.“Yeah, I took apart the drain and checked, and my clothes got dirty… so I washed up a bit while I was at it.”
With those words, Ashley resolved one more question that had been bothering him, but it created another suspicion.
“So, you changed your clothes.”
Hiding his expression, Ashley spoke from above, still holding Koi.
“But what are these clothes, Koi?”
If Koi could smell, he would have sensed the danger from the thick Pheromone scent permeating the surroundings. But unfortunately, that was impossible for him, and since he was being held by Ashley, he couldn’t check his expression. Deceived by the gentle voice reaching his ears, he readily answered.
“Garrett, uh, Al’s boyfriend left them. They used to live together until recently, but it seems they broke up…”
Koi rattled off what he knew about the two of them, but it was a topic Ashley had no interest in. There was something more important to talk about.
“Okay, Koi. How about you change your clothes first?”
“Ah, yeah. I will.”
Koi nodded obediently and detached himself from Ashley. Ashley smiled at Koi and gently grasped the collar of his shirt. And then, he tore it apart mercilessly.
“Uh…”
Koi could only gape and let out a dazed exclamation. The buttons that popped off the shirt scattered in all directions. Ashley opened his mouth with a face that still hadn’t lost its smile.
“You can’t come into my house wearing another man’s clothes.”
Koi looked up at him with a bewildered expression. Something didn’t seem right, but seeing Ashley still smiling, it also seemed like nothing much. While he was still trying to figure things out, Ashley gently put his hands on his shoulders and pushed the shirt off.
“Here, Koi. I’ll throw this away, so go upstairs, wash up, and change your clothes.”
“Uh, uh…”
Koi, who had unwittingly taken his arms out and completely taken off his top, hastily moved, belatedly feeling embarrassed. Ashley asked Koi, who was hurrying up the stairs.
“Koi, did Al help you change your clothes, by any chance?”
“Huh? No…”
Koi stopped and looked down at him, shaking his head.
“Why would they do that… They just gave me the shirt. I changed in the bathroom by myself.”
Finding some peace of mind in the patchy marks remaining on Koi’s body, Ashley replied briefly, “I see.” Koi tilted his head, then hurried up the stairs and headed to the bedroom. He smiled unconsciously at the sight of him entering Ashley’s bedroom as if it were natural, but seeing the torn shirt still in his hand, his expression soon hardened coldly. Ashley threw it into the trash without hesitation and soon took out alcohol and poured it into a glass.
He emptied two glasses of whiskey in one go, but it didn’t help at all. Of course. Alcohol had no effect on him.
Useless Pheromones.
He suppressed the urge to throw the glass and break it, and instead clenched and unclenched his fist tightly. After standing there for a while, catching his breath, Ashley suddenly turned and walked quickly towards his room. Climbing the stairs three at a time, he soon reached his destination.
He burst into the room without knocking, and Koi, who was just buttoning his shirt, turned his head in surprise. Ashley strode towards him without a word, as Koi blinked in bewilderment. Koi instinctively took a step back, but after only a couple of steps, Ashley grabbed his shoulders. Ashley opened his mouth to Koi, who froze and held his breath for a moment.
“Are you sure nothing happened?”
“Uh… yeah.”
Seeing his face, which had lost all gentleness and hardened coldly, Koi stammered in embarrassment.
“I told you, I met Al.”
It was the truth without a hint of falsehood, but Ashley twisted his lips and sneered at him.
“It’s not like the other person is Al?”
Koi widened his eyes and gaped at the unexpected words. What was he suddenly talking about?
“Al and I are friends, what… you know that. Al calls me their sister.”
“But you’re not a woman, and Al knows that too.”
His words weren’t wrong, but they weren’t right either. Koi could only gape before finally muttering.
“How can you say that… are you doubting me and Al right now?”
“If it’s not Al, is it that Garrett guy?”
“Ash!”
Koi raised his voice, then quickly inhaled and lowered his tone.
“Why are you doing this? I told you everything at the door, that’s all. Really, this misunderstanding is rude to Al and Garrett too.”
He hoped that Ashley would regain his senses, but all that came back was ridicule. He muttered with obvious mockery.
“When you shower outside and even come back wearing another man’s clothes, didn’t you think about what the result would be?”
Ashley didn’t give Koi, who had paused, a chance and lowered his head. He buried his nose in his neck and took a deep breath before muttering in a low voice.
“All my Pheromones are gone.”
Koi was starting to feel a little scared then. An ominous premonition crept in that he would never be able to persuade Ashley.
“S-sorry, Ash.”
Koi opened his mouth urgently.
“I… I was wrong. I won’t do it again. I was just thoughtless this time… please forgive me, okay?”
He looked up at Ashley with sincerity.
“I only love you… you know that.”
Looking up desperately, not losing hope, Ashley replied.
“I know.”
A quiet voice followed.
“You’ve said you’ve loved me since before. Yeah, I guess you’re sincere.”
“Then…”
Koi opened his mouth again, not losing hope, but Ashley spoke first.
“It’s okay, we can just start over.”
A low laugh was mixed in. Looking down at Koi, who was frozen with wide eyes, Ashley whispered sweetly.
“I’ll soak your whole body in my Pheromones.”
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