Hearing Levi’s bitter struggle, Noah realized that he had asked a stupid question. Like a boiled lobster, he turned pink from head to toe, only a single step short from letting out steam. His neck shrunk into himself, and his round eyes darted left and right, looking everywhere other than at Levi.
Noah hesitated for a long moment before he managed to gather the courage to voice his doubts, “You… are you actually gay?”
“I don’t know,” Levi replied very honestly. He hadn't been particularly attracted to any of the two genders until meeting his baby. So right now, he couldn’t really be sure whether his gender preference leaned towards men or if he just liked this one person that just happened to be a man.
True, thinking of his baby’s little PP made Levi’s blood boil, but he also thought that if his baby didn’t have a little bird down there but a bird's nest, he would still be just as lovely.
But what-ifs were, in the end, just speculation. Since this one person that he liked was definitely a man and Levi would not like a second person in this life, he would never be able to confirm his own sexual orientation.
Not that it mattered anyway.
‘Don’t know your own gender preference?’ Noah fell silent again, ‘Oh.
‘Must either be asexual or bisexual...’ he concluded. And judging by the current state of matters… his bet was on the latter! This made Noah remember a big thing! Literally and metaphorically!! This… this soon-to-be-husband of his! He… he obviously had certain… needs… and if the events of two days ago were anything to go by, he seemed not to have any scruples in using Noah to help vent them!!!
Once they were married… Would–would Levi expect him to help him out again?!? 😱
(Blackie, ‘Again? What do you mean again?? Last time you just lied there like a salted fish! You didn’t do a thing! How can you consider THAT as helping out??’)
A chill shot down Noah’s spine. Why did he suddenly have a feeling that the marriage certificate would give this rogue justification to request special services?!
And the worst thing about it was… he might actually be right!!! Right in the assumption that a marriage certificate was equal to a special service permission slip!!! Even if there were no ambiguous clauses in the premarital agreement he had signed earlier, if a man had needs, who else could he ask for help other than his own spouse?! 😱
Falling in love and becoming proper husbands was one thing, but would Levi still expect himself to be serviced even if there were no romantic feelings between them?!?
Ah! Ah!! That can’t be?? (っ °Д °;)っHe wouldn’t? Would he?? To his own good brother 6 years his junior?!? 😱
Noah’s scalp turned numb with the terrifying realization that… yep… he definitely would! Because he already did!!! _(´ཀ`∠)_
At that moment, Noah’s soul nearly leaped out of his body in fright. When he had agreed to this marriage, what exactly did he actually agree to?! Why did he subconsciously assume that this would just be a marriage on paper?!? After what happened two days ago?! What was he?! Stupid?!?
Ah, ah! Screw this play-pretend! QAQ This ambiguity couldn’t go on a second longer!! The nature of this relationship needed immediate clarification! Right this instant!!! And if there were no romantic feelings there, then a clear, big, fat line needed to be drawn between them right now!!!
By the time this new thought process of Noah’s reached its terrifying conclusion, all of his alarm bells were blaring danger, and even his stalled brain cogs were screeching in their arduous rotation. Noah pushed himself out of Levi’s arms and jumped 6 feet away like a frightened cat, “You–you–you…! I–I–I…! Do–do you…” – The word ‘like’ got stuck in Noah’s throat, and he just couldn’t get it out no matter how he tried.
He attempted to spit it out once, twice, thrice; his eyes wandered around, saw that huge bulge again, and then, what ultimately came out of his mouth was, “I–I–I have some work to–to do in–in–in the living–living room!”
After that, Noah did not wait for a response but ran straight out of the foyer as if his very ass was on the line. Which, as he had just realized… it just might be!!! QAQ
Levi stood in place speechless, feeling both amused and wronged. When his baby needed help handling his hardon, he, Levi, valiantly handled it in his baby’s stead. But when he, Levi, needed help, his baby ran out, leaving him to solve it by himself! It wasn’t fair! QAQ More so, this time, it was clearly his baby’s fault that this happened! Levi had been holding back well for so long! If it weren’t for his baby’s soft pink lips making his self-control snap… ai… that little seductress of his was too much…
Levi’s lips curved into a doting smile.
***
Noah sat on the sofa in the living room, dazedly staring into space. When he caught himself unconsciously touching his lips, he promptly buried his head into a decorative pillow like an ostrich, internally scolding himself as a stupid idiot. He clearly knew he should clarify this relationship ASAP. But when he was supposed to voice the question out, he just couldn’t.
What if he was wrong? What if Levi was just pent-up and didn’t have a romantic interest in him? After clarifying it, Noah would have to draw a clear line with him, but… but… – Noah’s cheeks burned, and his heart ached – For him, it… it might already be too late to draw a clear line… He wanted to clarify this relationship, but he… actually, he… didn’t want to draw a clear line with Levi!
He kept thinking that… even if Levi had no such intentions right now, maybe… maybe after a while… that might change?
Right! Levi clearly liked him a lot! Surely at least a smidgen of that like must be THAT kind of like! At last… at least a little bit?
And if–if he decisively drew a clear line, then he might cut this budding little thing at the roots! He… he didn’t want that! If–if there was any possibility of a happy and harmonious marriage between them, then he didn’t want to give up on it!
But… but what if that was just his wishful thinking? By the time he got a clear answer, it would already be too late for him to save his own heart... after all, his heart… his heart was already…
Noah fidgeted in his seat, gnawing on his already red lips.
“Blackie… Levi… he likes me a bit, right?” Noah tentatively asked.
Blackie, (눈_눈) “No, host. He doesn’t ‘like’ you ‘a bit’ at all, ah!”
Noah, “…” He felt a prick in his heart for a moment, but then Noah’s eyebrow twitched, and he sneered. “As expected of an AI. Blackie, your EQ is really low, ah!”
Blackie nearly spit out virtual blood on the spot. ‘Like you have the right to tell me that!!!’ (ꐦ °Д°)
***
Levi returned to the living room half an hour later, but by then, Noah was no longer there. The Cordias were having dinner together in the dining room; thus, Levi joined them for the meal.
All throughout the dinner, Noah avoided Levi’s eyes. And when their hands touched while trying to grab the soup ladle, Noah dropped it, nearly splashing soup everywhere. Luckily, Levi’s power came to the rescue and prevented that catastrophe.
Levi watched his pink-cheeked darling with a heated stare throughout the entire meal, making Noah feel as if Levi wanted to eat him instead of whatever he was currently eating. And that thought made heat rush throughout Noah’s body, making him unable to sit still. He kept fidgeting the entire dinner as if he was a pureblood vampire of the noblest bloodline, forced to sit outside during the daytime.
His change was so obvious that even the other three Cordias shared a silent look but ultimately decided to let the two grooms solve it between themselves.
Next chapter, it’s finally wedding time! ╰(*°▽°*)╯ P.S. This arc is slowly wrapping up and if you have yet to cast your vote for the next arc, now is your last chance. Go to lucypandora.com/vote to vote for the arcs you want to read the most so I may write them out sooner.
Seeing his baby acting like a pure and shy maiden, Levi’s mouth twitched in an attempt to suppress a smile, ‘If you feel so shy now, baby, what will you do after dinner, hmm? Didn’t you promise to soothe me tonight?’ After all, he had a clear goal to cuddle his baby to sleep today, and this time, there was nothing that could stop him from achieving it! He was fully prepared for today’s final round of battle with his father-in-law! And this time, he was not going back in defeat! 30 minutes later, the fully prepared Astar Levi ground his teeth as he hauled his suitcase away from the Cordia manor. What happened? Father-in-law directly kicked him out!!! And with a valid reason too! The groom couldn’t see the bride–ahem, the other groom before the wedding!!! As per the initial plans, the groom and bride should spend tomorrow morning preparing for the wedding separately, welcoming their side of the family in their own respective manors. When the de
The AI was strangely quiet the last couple of days, with none of his usual spicy comebacks. “Blackie? You alright?” Noah asked while glancing at the current time on his communicator. “I’m great,” Blackie’s response came soon after. “No, I’m MORE than great! o( ̄▽ ̄)d The deep admiration and awe I feel for your work have made me at a loss for words. (︶‿︶) Ah, you only got here last week, and you're already getting married! This efficiency! Other hosts should learn from you!” ╰(*°▽°*)╯ Noah, “………” Typical Blackie. Miss him when he is quiet, but as soon as he speaks up, you can’t wait to press the mute button. (눈_눈) “Blackie…” Noah’s right eyebrow twitched several times, and he silently ground his teeth, “Save it. All your praises are insults in disguise.” Blackie, who was, for once, genuinely praising his host for his excellent mission progress, “…” ಠ_ಠ ‘Alright, suit yourself. ╮(╯∀╰)╭ Don’t regret it later.’
Hearing his baby’s honeyed words, Levi’s restlessness did not settle down in the slightest. On the contrary, the fire within him burned even more intensely. It had not even been a full day since they parted, yet Levi felt as if he hadn’t seen his baby for a long and torturous eternity. Throughout the entire morning, he had barely managed to restrain himself from running straight over to the Cordia manor to kidnap his bride-ahem, groom! He kept recalling how his baby acted like a mouse seeing a cat last night, not even daring to look him in the eyes. Would his precious darling get cold feet? That notion alone was enough to make Levi feel as if he had ants in his pants, yet that was not even all of it! His baby must be looking especially stunning today! And yet, he, Levi, wasn’t there to protect his treasure from being subjected to covetous gazes and dirty thoughts of others!! Thinking how this beautiful flowe
Cordia daddy shared a look with the Astar daddy and wiped off the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Levi let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. His face broke into a mesmerizing smile, seemingly unfazed by Noah’s slight delay; however, his shaking hand betrayed his true mood as he signed the marriage certificate. Noah’s hand didn’t shake. His ears were neon red, but the movement of the pen in his hand was decisive and smooth as silk. Just like the fluid movement of his mental power now that he remembered to wrap the premises in his SS-ranked soothing. He could hear the two mothers blowing their noses, so he wanted to help them feel better. But mostly, he wanted to soothe the unrest within Levi’s heart that he had inadvertently caused with his earlier pause. Maery walked out from beside Noah, carrying a deep red cushion with two elegant golden rings. Her smile was so wide she looked like a cross-breed between an orange tabby and
The cheers and claps slowly turned from enthusiastic to awkward, but Levi still refused to let go. He had yearned for his baby day and night for so long. Now that he had finally gotten a taste of heaven, it was especially difficult to put a stop to it. This mouthful of honey was still far from enough to satiate him! How would he be willing to let go? Unable to bear the sight of this any longer, one very disgruntled city lord of Concordia loudly coughed to interrupt. And was unceremoniously ignored. A vein bulged in Cordia daddy’s neck, and he coughed even louder, fully imbuing all his frustration into that violent cough. ‘Shameless scoundrel!! How long do you intend to suck my son’s face?! (ꐦ °Д°) What are you trying to do here?!? Eat him up whole in front of everyone?! You think it’s all fine as long as you are only showing them your back?! As if they can’t tell what’s happening!!!’ Finally, he received a response this time – he go
And-and-and…! Now that he thought about it… That fateful morning a few days back, which he dared not recall… Ah, ah! If the other truly saw him as his little brother, how would the punishment for accidentally touching his tin-tin be to jerk him off?! A big brother should be protective of his younger brother and not want to do “this and that” with him!!! What bullshit about taking responsibility and good bros helping each other out!?! He had thought Levi was less conservative about such things, but as it turned out, this shameless thing was just coming up with excuses to eat his tofu this entire time!!! (ꐦ °Д°) Bloody hell!! For all he knew, this horndog might have intentionally been sticking his shaft up his ass!!! Wait… (≖_≖) Levi’s spider-sense suddenly tingled, and he couldn’t help but cautiously ask, “Baby? What’s wrong?” Noah did not respond, for he had just realized a glaring problem that he had previously missed! Back then, when that inde
He knew he should be really mad at Levi, but he couldn’t hold onto this anger. Like a punctured balloon, no matter how he tried to stoke the flames underneath it, the hot air just kept passing right through! He had clearly been tricked and taken advantage of, but instead of feeling angry and vengeful, he felt… a bit happy. (⁄ ⁄> ﹏ <⁄ ⁄) Being wanted by the person one liked… wasn’t it normal that his little heart felt super sugary-sweet? This husband of his might be a shameless scoundrel, but… but his heart was in the right place… (/≧ω\) Bah, forget it. They were a pair of legally wedded husbands now. There was no point holding on to a petty grudge like this. If it weren't for Levi's aggressive pursuit, who knows when he would have realized that he liked Levi. A pure-minded worldborn like him might have gone on for years thinking that the two of them had a touching brotherhood between them. He’d much rather be taken advantage of than to put Levi
Author Note: Before you continue reading this chapter, if you are not familiar with the song "The Final Countdown" by Europe, you should go listen to it on youtube (https://youtu.be/9jK-NcRmVcw). When a tune / beat is mentioned in this chapter, you should imagine the start of this song. --- With an upturn of his lips, Noah reached his slender hand towards a waiter who was passing by, elegantly snatching a wine glass from his tray. Then he motioned a toast towards the people present and took a small yet somehow alluring sip. The sweet red wine stained Noah’s lips a darker shade of red as if rouge. His pink tongue quickly licked it off as if a kitten lapping up milk, leaving his pink lips glossy and especially enticing. Levi and Trey, to the right and left of him, stiffened. And much to Levi’s outrage, even a couple of old farts in front couldn’t help but swallow hard. Really made Levi want to beat people up until even their mot