That night, I found myself unable to sleep. My mind was consumed by thoughts of him – his eyes, his scent, his figure. He mentioned he was headed to the Literature Department; did that mean he was a student there? I had courses in the Literature Department too; could we possibly cross paths? But what if we didn’t? How else could we ever meet again? I felt foolish. Why didn't I ask for his contact information this afternoon? If I had, perhaps I wouldn't be lying awake and pondering over these trivial matters.
It truly was an entire night, a whole night without sleep. From the moment I woke up, the expression on my face spoke volumes, signaling to my family members in the house that it was best not to bother me; at school, suitors approached cautiously, noticing my displeased countenance, opting to keep their distance; in the classroom, my classmates, sensing my evident frustration, tactfully chose to occupy seats as far away from me as possible, not wanting to incur my wrath.
"Hello everyone, I'm Neil Wesley, the new professor in the Literature Department. I'll be teaching your language and literature history courses, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. I look forward to getting to know each of you and working together to explore the fascinating world of language and literature."
Once again, it was that polite and subdued voice, albeit this time, the self-introduction carried with it a certain reverence for the domains of knowledge one ought to possess. Even though it might not have convinced or persuaded every one of his expertise, it certainly managed to command the attention of the entire room, especially me, who had cranky disposition since the early morning.
So, it turned out he wasn't merely a student; he held the esteemed title of professor. But how could someone so young attain such a prestigious position? I meaned, judging by appearances, he seemed to be roughly the same age as me, right? At most, he might be just a year or two older. Could it be possible that he's some sort of prodigious talent? As I observed the figure standing at the lectern, my mind couldn't help but wander to other thoughts—predominantly about him, unrelated to matters of language or literary history. Throughout the entirety of the ninety-minute lecture, my gaze remained fixed upon him without a single moment of distraction. Surprisingly, my previously cranky disposition had dissolved into thin air the very moment he entered the lecture hall, dissipating like bubbles in the air. I found myself enjoying his class, in a certain sense.
"Hello." After the class, I caught up with him.
"Hey, Ryan." He chuckled, whether because he spotted me or because he was pleased with his first class, I couldn't tell.
"So, you're a professor. I thought you were a student."
"Yeah, I've been out of the student game for a while."
"How long's a while?"
"I turned 30 this year."
"Come one, you must be kidding."
"Nope, I can show you my ID if you want."
"I want to see."
"Here you go." He actually took out his ID, quite naive, really.
"You still look so young, and, your ID photo is really good-looking."
"I... I should head back to my office." He seemed bashful.
"Need help carrying books?"
"No, I've got it. Thanks though."
"Alright then, see you tomorrow. I'll be on time and focused for class."
"Sounds good."
"As a reward, how about we grab dinner tomorrow?"
"Huh?"
"No need to hesitate, it's decided then. Bye."
"Um, okay, bye." He returned to that adorable yet shy demeanor.
Leaving the building, I found myself gazing at the sky with a silly grin plastered on my face. I never imagined I would encounter him again so soon, not to mention about discovering he was a professor and to think he's already 30 years old came as a surprise. The fact that he offered to show me his ID was unexpected too, but what truly astounded me was securing the opportunity to have a meal with him. Today turned out to be the luckiest day I've ever experienced, well, excluding the insomnia that plagued me from midnight till this morning, of course.
I chose this place for dinner—it was a quaint café nestled in the heart of the college town. As we stepped inside, the lively chatter of students and locals filled the space, infusing the whole place with an irresistible energy. Laughter echoed off the walls, adding vibrancy to our dinner.The welcoming aroma was nothing short of heavenly good: freshly brewed coffee wafted rich and bold, mingling with the warm, enticing scent of freshly baked bread. It was a sensory symphony that immediately captivated our senses, drawing us into the cozy embrace of the café.The café itself was a picture of rustic charm, with its weathered wooden tables and mismatched chairs adding to its allure. Soft ambient lighting casted a gentle glow throughout the space, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere perfect for a romantic dinner for two.As the evening progressed, the café took on a magical quality, with soft candlelight flickering on the tables and the faint hum of conversation adding to the sense o
Ethan really made it. With the help of the GPS, I managed to locate the place where I first arrived, what I spontaneously called "home" an hour ago. Of course, I had to pretend to be very familiar with this place, so as not to arouse suspicion. Once I stepped inside the door, I found myself admiring Ethan's ability to handle things even more. The comfort level was off the charts, giving off a cozy vibe as if a family of three or four were living here. I wondered; would we ever have that kind of feeling in the future?He cast a quick glance in my direction, almost as though he needed my consent as the current occupant before initiating the tour. In that moment, feeling thoroughly impressed by Ethan's organizational skills, I nodded with assurance, offering a casual wave of my hand to indicate that he could explore the premises at his own pace.To his surprise, as he stepped into the first room, he caught sight of something unusual: a set of werewolf handcuffs. Due to my youth and occas
He was in the next room, perhaps exhausted, as he drifted off to sleep. From my own bed, I could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing, a gentle melody that matched the softness of his voice, which always seemed to soothe me. The scent of his freshly showered skin lingered in the air, subtly infused with a hint of soap, yet his natural scent remained unmistakable. Amidst the faint aroma of shower gel, his unique essence seemed to shine even brighter, drawing me in like an addiction. I found myself continuously inhaling the fragrance, allowing it to envelop me like a hypnotic lullaby, easing me into a state of tranquility. Every breath seemed to deepen my connection to him, as if his presence permeated the very air around me, comforting and captivating me in equal measure.As dawn arrived, the tantalizing scent of food filled the air, tempting me out of my cozy bed, where I often linger longer than I should. Filled with eager anticipation, I looked forward to the morning encounter wi
Recalling last night's dream, though quite fulfilling, I couldn’t dwell on it anymore. The reason being, my body was reacting again, reminding me of the perennial dilemma of being a virile young man. It was a common scenario where one's subconscious stirred up desires, only to leave them hanging when reality kicked in. So, I quickly took a cold shower to cool off and decided to distract myself by going outside to catch a glimpse of the man who had been occupying my thoughts day and night.As I entered the kitchen, I caught sight of him already preparing breakfast, adorned in an apron and diligently scrubbing the pots and pans he had just used. There was a certain domestic charm about him, reminiscent of a dedicated homemaker. When he noticed me, a shy smile graced his lips as he bashfully averted his gaze, evoking memories of him from my dream. It was as if the scene had been plucked straight out of my subconscious and brought to life before me.But why was he so shy? Was it necessary
Neither of us had classes today, so after eating, I accompanied him back to his place. Initially, I thought he was staying in a hotel, but it turned out to be a very old and small roadside motel. I suggested he go ahead inside while I parked the car, planning to join him shortly afterward. However, when I entered the lobby of the motel, there wasn't a soul in sight. Fortunately, he had given me the room number before heading in, so I proceeded straight to it.His room happened to be located in the most remote corner of the motel premises. As I approached, my gaze caught sight of an unexpected scene: a short, stout, bald-headed man standing by Neil's room window, his gaze fixed intently on whatever was transpiring within. Reacting swiftly, I strode up beside him, feeling a surge of anger rising within me. I grasped his collar firmly, forcefully pulling him aside, and then peered through the gap he had been using to spy, where it was clear that Neil was changing clothes.To avoid alarmi
Morning had arrived, and amidst the anticipation that had characterized the past few days, it carried a subtle undercurrent of hesitation. It was not that the novelty of sharing my space had worn off; rather, there was a new element of unease stirring within me. After all, he was only been here for a few days, yet my desires had reached a level that made me apprehensive about my ability to resist. In that moment of losing control, I feared that I might succumb to impulses that could potentially "consume" this captivating middle-aged man.Stepping out of the room, he had already prepared breakfast, but today's dishes were different from the previous days. They weren't the kind you'd find in restaurants; instead, they exuded a warmth that even I, a werewolf capable of giving warmth, found comforting. If I were to set aside the word "desire," I felt like I was growing fonder of him. His personality, his efforts, his care, his mere presence—all of it. Every little detail seemed to be weav
Alone at home, I prepared for the transformation under the full moon. After clearing the room of all objects, I installed soundproofing devices on the walls, placed a large mirror against one side, and set up cameras in various corners. I locked myself inside the empty room, striped off my shirt, knelt in front of the mirror, and secured my hands with werewolf handcuffs. As I awaited the moment of transformation, I made sure a tranquilizer syringe was nearby for safety.I closed my eyes slowly, allowing myself to sink into a state of deep concentration. With each breath, I focused on regulating my heartbeat, preparing both mind and body for the impending transformation. Sensations began to ripple through me, subtle at first but steadily growing in intensity. I compared these sensations to previous transformations, analysing their nuances and gauging the necessity of the tranquilizer injection. Every muscle twitch, every surge of primal energy, served as a reminder of the impending met
At some point, I lost consciousness after taking pride in my progress. When I woke up again, I found myself back in bed, and everything in the room had been restored to its original state. The soundproofing equipment, mirrors, and cameras had all been removed. Undoubtedly, this was Ethan's considerate gesture. Even though I had moved out of the castle, he still worried about me, especially during the full moon. He did so much for me without my knowledge; he must be the one who cares for me and looks after me more than my own family.I tried to sit up, but whether it was the effect of the sedative or the effort of the transformation process, my head was throbbing so intensely that I couldn't manage to do so. I felt helpless, unable to do anything, and soon drifted back into an uneasy sleep.It felt like a dream, and in the dream, he returned. Seeing him, I felt that all my efforts and self-control throughout the night were worthwhile. His countenance was gentle and handsome, his eyes b
Ken Yimo simply gave a cold smile, completely dismissing my warnings. There was no trace of pity or warmth in his eyes as he turned and walked out of the cell. I stood there, helpless and furious, watching him leave, fully aware that I was trapped here and powerless to stop him. As the heavy door slowly closed behind him, a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me, and despair and anguish surged in my chest. I was locked in this cold, isolated cell, surrounded by thick stone walls that shut out even the faintest trace of light, leaving me in total darkness. There was no way to reach out, no phone, no tool to call for help. My thoughts began to be consumed by the shadows, yet Neil's face lingered in my mind, refusing to fade. Would he, once again, fall prey to Ken Yimo’s control and cruelty, triggering another episode of sleepwalking? The thought twisted my heart with an unshakable sense of dread and fear. As night fell, darkness engulfed
I stared at him, unwilling to waste words. Instead, I asked directly, “Where’s Neil?” The question was like a weight pressing on my chest, and this man before me was the only one who could answer it.Ken Yimo’s expression was one of indifference, as he replied coolly, “Neil? He’s resting. He’s very simple-minded. As long as I tell him to stay put, he won’t wander off. So, unlike with you, I don’t have to keep him chained up.” His words dripped with a detached cruelty, as though Neil were nothing more than a toy he could control at will. My fists clenched involuntarily, and a simmering anger began to burn within me.I knew then—Ken Yimo must have done something to manipulate Neil or force him into submission. I wanted to press him further, but Ken spoke first, a sly smile twisting across his face. “Ah, but it seems that when kids grow up, they’re not so easy to keep
“I’ve had enough.” Finally, my patience wore thin. Soft tactics weren’t working, so it was time to be firm. I stood up, bundled Neil up tightly in his blanket, ignoring his struggles or pleas. Before long, Neil was sitting at the small table, his head poking out from the blanket while the rest of his body was wrapped up snugly—held there by my bear hug, replacing any other form of restraint.I should have done it this way from the start. It saved time, kept the food warm, and, most importantly, even though he was wrapped in a blanket, I could still hold him close, care for him, protect him—letting him sit on my lap and lean against me.“Wow.” Seeing his eager expression, I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. “I know you love these dishes, so I made them just for you. What do you want to eat?”"My favorite pasta.""My favorite pancakes."
I rambled on while watching the stars twinkle silently in the night sky. The breeze caressed the woods outside the tent, and the night was as gentle as a dream. Unconsciously, fatigue crept into my eyelids, and finally I fell into a deep sleep in the stillness of the night.I didn't know exactly how long I slept until a beam of morning light shone through the transparent tent roof and shone on my face, waking me up from my slumber. In a daze, I blinked, as if last night's worries and hesitations were still swirling in my mind. But the scene that came into my eyes next completely turned all my imaginations upside down.“Neil!!! what are you doing?!” I instantly came to my senses and sat up with a jolt. Right in front of me, Neil was kneeling beside me, head bowed, with a serious look on his face as he tried to help me with my natural morning reaction. He didn't look hesitant at all, as if it was a matter of course.
My heart sank, realizing that it wasn’t just innocent childish behavior—it was a desperate search for affection, a need to please, a struggle to win more care and love from Ken Yimo. In that moment, I suddenly understood that Harry's words might have been true—their relationship was far beyond a typical father-son bond.I struggled to steady the emotions stirring within me, and looked up at Neil’s innocent face. He probably didn’t recognize the true meaning behind those gestures—their intent was not simply familial love, but a deep, almost physical craving for attention, a kind of dependence on being favored. A quiet ache settled in my chest as I wished with all my heart that he would never be caught in that dark emotional whirlpool again.I smiled softly, gently steering the conversation back to where it had started. "So, to get back to the point, I am your one and only, aren't I?" On this quiet night, I
"Yes, every day." Neil nodded firmly, his tone pure, almost childlike."Then, is this kind of missing me something unique?" I pressed on, as though I were hoping to hear a one-of-a-kind answer from him."Unique?" He blinked, looking as though he didn’t quite understand the meaning of the word.I patiently explained, "What I mean is... is this something that only I experience? Like, the way you miss your dad—does it feel the same as the way I miss mine?"Neil shook his head slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It's different. I miss Ryan more."A flicker of delight stirred within me, but I kept my expression neutral and asked, "What about compared to your elder brother and your little brother? Is it different with them too?"Neil thought for a moment before nodding with certainty. "Yeah, I miss Ryan the most.""So, only I,
As I processed Harry's bombshell, I turned to Ethan and asked, "Have you checked if Fred Yimo is really Ken Yimo's biological son?"Ethan's expression turned serious as he pulled out his phone. "I'll have someone look into it now."Peter furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical. "You suspect Fred Yimo might be adopted too?""I actually hope so," I replied firmly. "It's a lot less messy than the unethical theory.""Ken Yimo really isn't simple," Harry remarked on the phone, sounding almost impressed. "When I was around, Fred was a bit more relaxed. But the moment I left, he turned into a mouse—didn't even dare to breathe too loudly, but a little bit “sticky” though."I let out a cold laugh. "Doesn't that completely clash with the surveillance cameras he set up at home?"Peter nodded thoughtfully. "You’re right. Which of these sides is the r
As Peter and I sat off to the side, watching them laugh and chat, a tangle of emotions stirred within us. The scene was heartwarming, yet there was an undeniable sense of loss. Here we were, two grown men, holding our glasses, sitting on the fringes of this cozy gathering, as if the world had forgotten about us.Peter let out a heavy sigh. "Why does it feel like I'm drifting further away from my own precious one?" His gaze lingered on Nick and Neil, a hint of sadness in his eyes.I took a sip of my drink, my voice low. "It feels like everyone else is getting closer to Neil than I am." The words left a sting in my chest, as though something inside me had been pierced.Ethan, overhearing our conversation, smiled softly and leaned in to offer a quiet word of reassurance. "Don’t rush," he said gently. "You’ll grow closer in time." He set down his soup spoon, his demeanor calm and wise. "When the bond is strong, n
I paused, surprised that Ken Yimo had informed Neil so quickly. I had been ready to carefully persuade him to come along, but it turned out I didn’t need to—the door was already open, and Neil knew he’d have some freedom. My plan could move forward seamlessly.I smiled, leaning down with a hint of excitement in my voice. "Neil, how about a trip to the amusement park?" My gaze held a playful glint, eager to see his reaction.As expected, Neil’s face instantly lit up with an incredible smile, like sunshine breaking into the depths of his heart. "Really?" His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, his voice brimming with barely-contained excitement."Yes!" I nodded, continuing to paint an exciting picture for him. "We can even go see a movie, and then camp out to watch the stars. How does that sound?"Neil’s face flushed with excitement, and he practically burst out, "Y