<Chapter 120>
#14. Calm Before the Storm (2)
“Is your stomach hurting?”
After such a long hesitation, the question was disappointingly empty. Not understanding why Calix asked such a question, Melty looked with a puzzled expression at Calix’s hand covering his stomach.
“My stomach? Why my stomach?”
“You don’t know, so I’m asking?”
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.”
Melty pushed out his lips as Calix kept deflecting the question. Instead of answering Melty, Calix turned his gaze to one side. Next to where Calix and Melty sat together in the same seat, a stack of documents was placed.
So far, it wasn’t much different from when they first departed from the Padrian mansion. However, this time, several small paper bags were leaving traces on top of those documents. And the items those paper bags had contained were still in Melty’s hands.
“You ate three servings of rice before we departed.”
“I did.”
“And now bread… Already the fifteenth bag.”
Melty had always had a good appetite. Watching him chew with his plump cheeks was calming. The pleasure of watching him eat hadn’t changed now either.
During their stay at the Botenta mansion, they had been unable to spend entire days together due to overlapping schedules. Because of that, Calix hadn’t thought much of Melty eating a lot. But only now, having left the mansion, did Calix notice something strange.
Even for someone with a good appetite like Melty, the amount of food he was consuming was excessive. As his once modestly rounded stomach grew larger, Calix’s worry increased.
“Are you… scolding me for eating too much?”
“Huh?”
Melty’s eyes held a pitiful look as he gazed at Calix. Belatedly realizing the misunderstanding from Melty’s trembling voice, Calix hurriedly spoke.
“No! When did I scold you?”
“…You’re making me feel self-conscious about eating too much. Is my eating that annoying to you?”
Calix’s heart ached at Melty’s reproachful gaze. There was no way he would begrudge anything going into Melty’s mouth. He had never thought anything other than wanting to bite those cute cheeks whenever Melty’s red lips munched and his full cheeks moved up and down.
“It’s not annoying! When did I say it was? I was just worried. Worried.”
“…Worried?”
A few droplets that had been clinging to Melty’s eyes fell down with a plop. Quickly moving his hand to wipe away the traces left by the droplets on Melty’s cheeks, Calix let out a low sigh.
“Yes, worried. You’re eating much more than usual, and I thought your stomach might hurt if you eat that much.”
“Was that it?”
“Of course. Why would I dislike my lover eating food so deliciously?”
Calix stroked Melty’s back, whispering for him to forgive him if his feelings were hurt. Melty glanced at Calix with a slightly distrustful look. Noticing Melty’s still suspicious eyes, Calix smiled awkwardly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you misunderstand.”
Along with a quick apology, Calix’s lips touched Melty’s forehead. While nodding at his apology, Melty suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Calix with another distrustful expression.
“You’re not indirectly telling me I’ve gained weight, are you?”
“It’s not that. Though you’re cute even if you gain weight.”
Calix replied to Melty’s question while rubbing his cheek against the side of Melty’s neck.
“I like you soft, I like you smooth…”
Melty, who had suspected that Calix’s words might be some sophisticated form of criticism, carefully examined his face. As soon as their eyes met, Calix smiled brightly.
“I like you even if you gain weight. Why would I say something like that indirectly?”
“I almost felt bad just now.”
A faint smile appeared on Calix’s lips at Melty’s sulky tone. As he had told Melty, he was only worried about him eating too much in one sitting.
Melty, who had been quietly looking down at the bread in his hand, didn’t take another bite but instead neatly pushed it back into the paper bag that had originally wrapped it. His appetite seemed to have plummeted, feeling as though he’d been reprimanded.
“Why are you putting it away? Is it because of me?”
“…I’m just full, that’s all.”
Having easily dispelled Calix’s worry, Melty wrinkled the bridge of his nose. Calix, who was rubbing his lips against that spot, began listing concerns that had been bothering him lately in a soft voice.
“Just eat. I was worried because lately your body temperature has been high and your sleep has increased, so I thought something might be wrong with you.”
Of course, that worry was still ongoing. Elevated body temperature and increased sleep resembled the early symptoms of many illnesses. The only variable different from typical disease symptoms was that his appetite hadn’t decreased but increased.
“My body temperature has gone up? I don’t really notice.”
Melty tilted his head after placing his hand on his own forehead to check. Thinking “you wouldn’t know by using your hand,” Calix smiled slightly and bent down to press his forehead against Melty’s. Warm heat transferred from where they touched.
“It’s not hot, but it’s higher than usual.”
“…Hmm. I don’t really notice. Maybe it’s just gone up because I’ve been staying warm?”
“I hope it’s just that.”
Melty’s food intake had noticeably increased to the point where Calix worried something serious might happen. Including meals and snacks, it was enough food for three adults to eat generously.
“Just to be safe, should we get a medical check-up when we arrive?”
“Why would I need a check-up when I’m fine? I don’t have anything wrong with me.”
Staring at Melty who firmly insisted he was fine, Calix tightly closed his mouth feeling like he might say “but…” Too many things were bothering him to simply believe Melty’s assurance that nothing was wrong.
Melty had gained weight proportional to the increase in how much he ate. Calix held back from mentioning it for fear of hearing something like “Are you criticizing me for gaining weight?!” but in truth, Calix found even that weight gain suspicious.
‘If he’s going to gain weight, he should gain it evenly to avoid making me worry.’
It was natural for one’s stomach to become round after eating, but lately, Melty’s stomach maintained a slightly round shape even normally. To be specific, he had gained weight “only on his stomach.” Of course, Melty was always cute and lovable no matter how plump he became, but Calix worried there might be some health issue.
Unaware of Calix’s concerns, Melty opened his mouth wide to yawn. After filling his stomach with food, drowsiness washed over him. His eyes closed involuntarily, and his head began to nod back and forth.
“If you’re sleepy, sleep.”
Calix whispered to Melty in a gentle tone, cradling his head to help him lean comfortably against himself. Rubbing his cheek against Calix’s chest, Melty quickly began to snore softly, falling into a deep sleep.
“Sleep well.”
With a quiet whisper, Calix kissed Melty’s forehead.
***
When Melty woke up, they had already arrived at the inn. A small smile spread across his face as he realized that during a time he couldn’t remember, he had been neatly washed, changed into pajamas, and laid in bed. As he gently turned his head to the side, he saw Calix’s face, sound asleep while holding Melty tightly.
Moving his body sideways with squirming movements, Melty took his time observing Calix’s face. Having slept enough, he no longer felt drowsy. Perhaps he had woken up because he was starting to feel hungry. After rubbing his empty stomach with his hand, Melty silently slipped out of Calix’s embrace.
When the warmth disappeared from his arms, Calix’s brow twitched, but he didn’t wake up. As Melty put his feet down on the floor, leaving Calix behind, the fragrant smell of food stimulated his senses.
“Wow. That smells delicious.”
Food was laid out on a low table in the room. A large basket contained bread and fruit, the same kind Melty had been eating throughout their carriage ride. Approaching with small steps, Melty picked up the food container. It was an insulated dish, and still retained some warmth.
Perhaps because the food was right in front of him, his stomach growled in response. Smacking his lips and rubbing his stomach, Melty sat down and took a big spoonful of the now-cooled fried rice. Only after scraping the dish clean, without leaving a single grain of rice, could he smile with satisfaction. Having satisfied his palate, Melty picked up some bread for dessert. He took a big bite of the bread filled with sweet cream.
“…Is it good?”
Melty looked up at the deep voice of someone who had just woken up. Calix, still lying in bed with half-closed eyes looking at Melty, had a slight smile on his lips.
“When did we arrive here?”
“Hmm… not long ago.”
After finishing his sentence, Calix sluggishly rose up. Rubbing his face with a dry hand, he walked over and settled behind Melty, pulling him into his embrace.
“Ugh. You’re heavy.”
Despite Melty’s whining voice, Calix buried his face in the nape of Melty’s neck. Mumbling something like “After all my effort…” in a murmuring voice, Calix soon fell asleep breathing evenly.
A small laugh escaped from Melty’s lips at the sight of Calix falling asleep while embracing him, ignoring the perfectly good bed. Melty played with Calix’s long hair, gently touching it. Whether in his sleep or not, Calix’s hand, which was holding Melty, twitched.
‘…Have I gained weight?’
Perhaps because he was now conscious of it, Melty became bothered by his stomach where Calix’s hand rested. Carefully removing Calix’s hand from his stomach, Melty stared at his belly, which formed a round mound.
“…I think I have gained weight.”
Recently, Melty had been eating regularly, including snacks. It would be more strange if he hadn’t gained weight after eating so much. Melty, who was rubbing his stomach in a circular motion with his hand, tried pinching it with his index finger. His stomach, which should normally be flat, had definitely become rounder. Melty’s face turned serious as he kneaded his own stomach.
