The wronged Levi, (ꐦ °Д°) ‘What do you mean acting pitiful?! Thinking that my precious doesn’t want to marry me, my heart really hurts, ok?! You try being unwanted by your precious and let me see whether your expression will look less “pitiful”!!!’
Ah, ah! His chest felt really painful and stuffy!
Levi’s shoulders slumped further, yet the look in his eyes grew obstinate. “If I am marrying, then… the bride can only be you…” Levi rasped out, sounding apologetic yet not. Sorry that his decision might have wronged Noah, but be that as it may, his resolution could not be shaken, nor would he regret it.
Seeing Levi’s nervous yet unyielding demeanor of a martyr resolutely walking towards his demise, Noah couldn’t help but find it funny. And those words, ‘the bride can only be you’, made something warm and ticklish flutter through Noah’s insides, calming down his roiling blood.
Ah, that sounded really too ambiguous! Like a love confession!
Noah’s puffed-up self deflated like a punctured balloon, and he covered his pink face with his hands. This attacking power was too much! How could he withstand it? In the first place, he was angry due to being tricked and kept in the dark. Not due to the change itself.
He was mad because this matter had been settled behind his back, when obviously, as a replacement bride, he had every right to be a part of this discussion!
However, things have already reached this point, and it was no use to feel angry about it now. Besides, Noah could understand the ins and outs of the situation.
(Blackie, ‘…Can you? (≖_≖) Can you really?’)
This marriage needed to happen, and this duty fell on them as the children of their parents, whether they wanted it to or not. They could fight it and run away from this responsibility, or they could step up and sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
And Noah would never accept the benefits of his current identity and run away from the responsibilities. This wonderful new life of his was built upon the death of the original Aris. Seeing this through was the least he could do for the original Aris. Thus, if Noah needed to marry someone, he’d marry, no matter who the other person was. And if the person happened to be someone whom Noah liked, then he’d even feel blessed.
It was just that... this whole marriage matter fell on top of his head too suddenly! Ah, he was a pure little virgin who only just arrived in this world, and now they want him to marry a man?! And they didn’t even ask him about– wait… thinking about it… it wasn’t entirely true that he hadn’t been consulted on his opinion!
He remembered Cordia mommy asking him whether he’d be willing to marry Levi a few days ago! It was just that at the time, he had thought she was joking and not literally asking whether he’d be willing to marry Levi!!!
With the sudden realization that he had indeed been consulted on his opinion beforehand, the last remnants of Noah’s anger and dissatisfaction fizzled out. The way this matter had been handled was indeed a bit stupid, but his family and Levi had no bad intentions, and they did care about his opinion.
Noah let out a long and heavy sigh. Now he couldn’t even be mad for Levi’s sake. Initially, when this brick hit him from nowhere, besides feeling slighted, he also felt indignant on Levi’s behalf. How could they do such a thing?! Wasn’t this change unfair towards Levi? His big beauty of a bride suddenly turned into a big man!!
But then, he saw Levi’s reaction and realized his thinking had been wrong. It was clearly Levi who refused to marry if he was not marrying Noah. Maery could still swallow down this marriage if it was for the sake of her baby brother, but Levi couldn’t.
The previous days flashed in front of Noah’s eyes, and he understood. Levi didn’t like Maery, but Levi really liked him. Levi’s like might be a bit ambiguous and not entirely platonic, but this like was very loud and clear. Before the two of them had met, Levi had no qualms about marrying Maery to fulfill his responsibility as an heir of Astarea, but after meeting Noah, this marriage suddenly became unacceptable. How could Levi agree to marry a person whom he didn’t like when there was an alternative bride whom he liked very much?
How could he agree to spend the next twenty years chained to a person whom he didn’t get along with when he could be spending those twenty years happily playing with his good brother?
In the end, not only did Noah’s dissatisfaction completely evaporate, but he even felt a bit pleased. After all, why would he be displeased if such a highly-sought-after bachelor like Astar Levi wanted to marry him? Flattered, yes, but certainly not displeased.
Besides, what could he do? This adorkable brother-in-law of his occupied a soft spot in his heart, so even with a request like this, Noah really didn’t have the heart to say no… given the circumstances, even he thought that Levi marrying him made more sense than him marrying his sister… and since logically it made perfect sense, and emotionally he also wasn’t too conflicted about the matter, what else could he do but agree?
Speaking of which, not only was he not emotionally too conflicted about it, but he even felt a bit… delighted? 🤔
Noah quickly found a reasonable explanation for the bubbly happiness inside his chest. Since Levi had already taken liberties with him this morning, then wasn’t it just right to take responsibility for his brazen behavior with marriage? Or rather, if one put a label of a married couple on their head, suddenly this morning’s shameful actions became something natural. After all, if a husband had certain… needs, whom else could he seek out for help but his spouse?
Suddenly this morning’s brazen and naughty thing became just and righteous! In one swell swoop solving all the knots tangled up within Noah’s heart!
Marry, alright, no problem! But…
“The heir…” Noah sighed with resignation and removed the hands covering his face, “I understand the logic that friendship between the groom and the bride would make the alliance more secure, but the most important thing here is the heir!”
Hearing the obvious shift in Noah’s tone, both Maery’s and Levi’s heads snapped up in disbelief. Their little darling was like a deflated pufferfish, suddenly turning from a fierce hedgehog into a cuddly kitten!
Maery, after confirming with her own eyes that her little brother was no longer mad, felt her fujoshi heart bloom with splendor, and she could barely sit still in her seat.
“So what if both the bride and the groom are male?” Maery puffed up her chest in pride for her fujoshi culture, “It’s already this day and age; who discriminates between same-sex couples nowadays? Even the issue of a child is no longer an issue. With a day’s work in a lab, two men can also have a child just fine! Don’t you worry! Not just one! If you want, you can have a whole litter of little Levi-Arises running around!”
Noah didn’t quite know why, but that last statement made blood rush into his cheeks, and he quickly averted his eyes. Only to lock them with Levi’s resplendent gems of blue that were gleaming so dazzlingly bright with hopeful expectation. Noah’s breath caught in his throat, and he quickly covered up his face with his hands once again, like a little ostrich burying his head in the sand.
“One… one is enough…” Noah’s whimpering and nasally mewl of acquiescence made fireworks explode within Levi’s heart. Ah, ah! Baby agreed!! Baby agreed to marry him and have a child together!!!
Did anyone else accidentally read ‘Levi-Arises’ as ‘Levi arises’? 😂
Levi’s previously nervous and stiff expression slackened and then blossomed into a foolish grin of bliss. Sitting there with a bent fork in his hand, he should have looked like a lovestruck idiot, yet due to the virtue of his very handsome face, this bright smile didn’t look idiotic but actually had a heart-stopping boyish charm. There was really something very special in witnessing a fierce and cold man suddenly display the pure and clean happiness of a child. Even Maery, whose romantic interest in Levi was below zero, couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat at the sight. Then… she felt nausea climb up her throat. Bleurgh, how could she had gotten confused for a moment there?? This was clearly still that same scourge! Noah couldn’t see Levi’s bright smile, but he could feel the sheer bliss radiating off Levi in waves through his mental power. Knowing that the other was feeling happy, Noah couldn't help but feel happy too. Carried along with these feelin
“Then it’s settled,” Maery proclaimed, “I better go back to Concordia and help mother make all the necessary arrangements. And you”– she pointed towards Noah –“You need to decide on your best man and contact them immediately!” And with that, she heartlessly abandoned her barely eaten salad, waved her goodbyes, and with a speed of a hurricane, walked out of the private room. She needed to catch the first train back! Her stomach was grumbling in hunger! She needed meat!! Greasy and juicy meat!! This dog food was fiiine, but it wasn’t enough to fill her actual physical stomach! With her leave, the room fell into a long silence with the two resuming their, now almost cold, meal. Noah fidgeted in his seat, looking everywhere but at Levi. Being alone with this newly obtained fiancé of his was very awkward in itself, and Levi’s expression of utter bliss didn’t make it any less embarrassing! That being said… ‘Just look at him smiling so happily!’
Noah wanted to refuse, but he just couldn’t squeeze those words out of his throat. This… this was important, ah! He hesitated, his emotions and rationality waging war within. In the end, rationality won over. Even if it was embarrassing to death, this needed to be done! He absolutely couldn’t mess up their act on their wedding day! And so, Noah gritted his teeth and nodded his agreement with equal doses of reluctance and determination, a rather peculiar sight. Levi had expected such an outcome. His baby was cute that way. ❤ It was easy to get him to agree as long as he appealed to reason. Ah, his baby was really the cutest. (/≧ω\) So cute, so darn cute that Levi just wished to tease him and “bully” him until he puffed up like an angry yet cuddly little kitten. The urge proved to be too strong for Levi to resist, so instead of stopping while he was ahead, he greedily pushed onwards. “For a loving couple, endearments are also a must…” Levi’s eye
Looking very forlorn, Noah looked towards the ceiling as if he could see beyond the walls to the clear skies above. In the end, he gritted his teeth. What needed to be done still needed to be done. He opened up the light screen of his communicator, and with an attitude of a kamikaze soldier flying to his last battle, he bravely returned Case’s call. The other side immediately accepted, and soon enough, Noah was staring face to face with ruffled-looking Case. It would seem Case had been pacing back and forth ever since the last call, running his hands through his hair the entire time, because right now, his usually stylish hair resembled prairie after a fire. Seeing Case’s bloodshot eyes, Noah felt inexplicably guilty, “Sorry about that, Case…” He greeted awkwardly. Case shot him a look imbued with exasperation and incomprehension. And then he wordlessly shook the wedding invitation, which by now looked a bit worn out. Noah peeked at the shiny
Levi had been worried that his baby would suddenly think about all those years he had been friends with Case and decide to give him a chance. He had been worried that his baby would abruptly realize he also liked Case back. Even if Levi logically knew that the chance of that happening was low, he still wasn’t willing to risk it. Yet, how come this giant jar of vinegar he had been fed suddenly turned into a big bowl of sugar?? Unlike him, Case’s mouth wasn’t filled with sugar but by biting bitterness that left him unable to spit it out or swallow it down. He arduously squeezed out, “Don’t let yourself be pressured into marrying him in a rush!” Case took in a few shaky breaths, then spat, “Screw the alliance! You barely know him, and he has a reputation for being a cold-blooded asshole! If he was really gay, what had he been doing dating your sister for 6 years? I smell bullshit! Don’t get involved in this matter. Let your sister handle him. You are too kindhea
One moment Noah was facing Levi, and in the next, his feet left the ground, and then suddenly, he was cradled in a warm and comfortable embrace?? This rapid assault was too much for Noah to wrap his head around. He didn’t even remember to resist and just sat there like a boneless plushie, letting himself be stroked here and there while staring straight ahead with befuddled and watery doe-like eyes. And then he felt something soft, warm, and ticklish touch his cheek causing warm tingles to spread throughout his body, and the red color of his already flushed face turned deeper. His fluffy head lowered to stare at those familiar, strong arms that were once again securely wrapped around him, and both his heart and his thick eyelashes fluttered in incomprehension. “Oh? Baby, you are in the middle of a call? Hello~ Who is this?” Levi flashed a provocative smile at the light screen in front of them, carrying himself with the demeanor of a legal wife confronting a mi
It was this thoughtfulness and sincerity of Aris that had attracted him in the first place. And then, like layers of an onion, the more he peeled, the more he liked what he saw within. The kindness and purity, the selfless dedication, the gentle tolerance. The other had everything, yet he never lost himself to temptation, always working hard to become the best version of himself. “I see,” Case swallowed down the acid that rose up his throat and smiled a bitter smile, “You are right… You are always right…. Then, I’m hanging up…” And with that, the call was disconnected. Noah blinked and tilted his head in confusion, “That… that's a no… right?” ( •᷄⌓•᷅ ) Blackie, “Yep, I’m pretty sure that’s a no.” ╮(╯▽╰)╭ Noah fell silent, mulling over what to do next. True, he was worried about the best man matter, but actually, he was more worried about Case’s current state of mind. He didn’t look good – as pale as a sheet and looking like he might cough a mouthful o
On the way back to the hotel, while Noah listened to Blackie’s retelling of what he managed to pick up with his surveillance (nothing which was of particular interest), Levi kept heatedly staring at Noah’s hand that was dangling within arm’s reach. White flawless skin, long slender fingers. So enticing in its elegance. The urge to grab it nearly overwhelmed Levi. Several times he had reached to intertwine their fingers together; however, every time, he would stop himself at the last step. Would it be too much for his thin-skinned baby to hold hands in public? All of the times he had taken liberties with his darling up to now had been in private. The closest they came to a public setting was hugging in the dark and nearly empty cinema. And even then, his baby still felt shy to death. So how would his easily embarrassed baby be able to bear the full extent of Levi’s insatiable greed? This play-pretend could only carry him so far. He needed to take it st