<Chapter 151>
#17. The Beast God’s Arrangement (3)
The light felt beyond closed eyelids gradually faded. At the same time, Calix opened his eyes and momentarily lost himself in the familiar space. He couldn’t even gauge whether what he had just experienced had actually happened or if he had seen a hallucination due to extreme exhaustion.
He had clearly gotten up from his seat and walked to where the model was, yet he was still sitting by the bed. As if he had never once risen from his body.
The foreign sensation in his hand barely pulled him back to reality. Slowly blinking, Calix gradually opened his hand. The transparent blue bottle contained a sparkle like the night sky. After examining the liquid inside by tilting the bottle several times, Calix’s gaze slowly moved.
The slightly parted, bloodless lips exhaled shallow breaths. After staring at the faint breath spreading evenly for a long time, Calix gently pressed his thumb against the lower lip. His lips weren’t soft under his touch, but the warmth transmitted from the point of contact opened up Calix’s frozen airways.
Despite receiving assurance from the Beast God that everything would be fine, Calix couldn’t hide his anxiety. Moving his hand away from the innocent lips he had been rubbing, he caressed Melty’s cheek. After fiddling with the fluffy, soft cheek, Calix turned his head to face him.
“You and our child must be okay. If not…”
Because I can’t guarantee what I might do.
Calix barely swallowed the words that were about to spill out of his mouth without him realizing. He didn’t want to frighten Melty, who was already naturally timid. Smiling slightly, he carefully lifted Melty’s upper body.
And while earnestly praying for the recovery of him and their child, he brought the glass bottle in his hand to Melty’s lips. Gulp, the liquid finally went down his throat.
***
A cool breeze tousled his hair. Though it was almost difficult to maintain proper vision due to the wind blowing playfully here and there, Melty didn’t dislike the wind that cooled the heat. Looking around to escape the stingingly bright sunlight, Melty ran with all his might toward a large tree that entered his field of vision.
The densely grown branches and leaves became an excellent shade as expected. He was simply happy to escape from the warm but stinging sunlight. Only after hugging the tree tightly with both arms spread wide in gratitude did Melty realize that his hands were smaller than he remembered.
Although he hadn’t properly checked his condition through a mirror or water surface, Melty was certain his age was in single digits. His tiny fingers and legs that remained short despite lifting them with all his might gave sufficient weight to his hypothesis.
Why am I here?
At that age, he hadn’t been healthy enough to run around like this. As he organized the thoughts that had come to mind, Melty’s head tilted to the right again in confusion.
That age??
Simultaneously with the doubt about the thought that had appeared in his mind, a rustling sound was heard from above the tree. Startled, Melty tilted his head back to see the branch where the sound had come from, but ended up landing on his bottom due to a snake that suddenly fell down from the branch above, its tail wrapped around it.
– Hello!
It was the first time seeing a talking snake, at the cheerful greeting voice. After carefully examining the snake that seemed somehow familiar and friendly, Melty finally realized that all of this was a dream. Just as he was briefly delighted at experiencing a lucid dream for the first time in his life, he discovered a being swinging left and right, hanging from the branch.
– Look at me.
The being whimpering pathetically while flicking its tongue was a snake. Realizing it was the snake that had occasionally appeared in his dreams, Melty hurriedly extended his hand. The thickness of the snake, which had been as big as Melty’s wrist, rapidly decreased as soon as it touched his hand.
– Good boy.
The snake, now only as thick as a finger, moved its tail to pat Melty’s thumb.
– Before you wake up, I came because there’s something I want to apologize for.
Something to apologize for?
Perhaps today’s dream was special, as the snake that had appeared many times in his dreams without ever opening its mouth now poured out many stories.
– I thought maybe you’d be less scared of snakes if you saw them often… But it wasn’t very useful, was it?
The way it stuck out its tongue looked exactly like Naru when dejected. Letting out a slight laugh, Melty shook his head vigorously. Thinking about it, when snakes first appeared in his dreams, he didn’t particularly like them. In terms of species, the dynamic itself was predator and prey. Of course, misunderstanding that Calix would eat him played a part in that.
– Really? I helped?
Melty nodded his head largely while stroking the snake’s back with his hand.
– Are you happy?
Strangely, at that question, Calix’s face came to mind. A bright smile appeared on Melty’s lips as he recalled his lover who could be mischievous but was kind and warm. He nodded his head even more vigorously and largely than before.
– That’s a relief. If I had found out that what I tried to help with was not only not helpful but actually a hindrance… The trust that had just been established would surely have flown away again.
Found out? Who are you talking about?
It was frustrating that he couldn’t understand anything when the snake he only ever met in dreams was talking so earnestly. When he dropped the corners of his mouth, a laughter that sounded like something he had heard before rang out.
– Then it’s absolutely a secret from Calix.
Ah, you’re talking about Calix-ssi.
Melty nodded greatly at the solemn voice as if telling an incredible secret. At that moment, a wind that blew in from somewhere tapped Melty’s hair. That rough touch was so reminiscent of the first time Calix had stroked his head that a smile escaped from the corner of his mouth.
Once he recalled Calix, thoughts about him wouldn’t stop. When he remembered Calix’s trembling hands that had urgently embraced him as he collapsed, worry rose along with it.
Melty, who had been pouting his lips back and forth, lowered his head deeply. The snake, which had wiggled up Melty’s hand, finally met eyes with him who had bowed his head.
– Do you want to go back?
At his question, Melty nodded his head greatly.
– In exchange, can I take your Gift?
Gift…?
Melty’s eyes widened at the unexpected word.
– Now that you’ve become happy, you won’t need that Gift anymore.
Entranced by that persuasive voice, Melty nodded greatly. He didn’t have any attachment or obsession with the Gift. More than that, he wanted to quickly return to where he originally was, not in the dream.
To the Padrian mansion with the kind Calix, the serious Pel, the warm Jenny and cheerful Angel, and the employees who always welcomed him.
Perhaps it had been waiting for Melty’s permission all along, the snake that was still meeting his eyes smiled brightly.
– Ah, and… Congratulations on the twins.
Twins…?!
As he was startled, his vision went completely dark. The meadow that had been widely spread just a moment ago disappeared in an instant. Just as he was momentarily confused, Melty exhaled his blocked breath at the sensation felt in his fingertips.
At the same time, he felt a touch firmly holding his hand as if it had been waiting. A faint smile formed at the corner of Melty’s mouth at the touch that he could recognize without opening his eyes.
Drawing strength from the warm heat transmitted through the clasped hands, he slowly lifted his eyelids. Blinking his eyes several times to secure his foggy vision, Melty slowly turned his head to the side. And he exchanged glances with Calix, who was staring at him, having forgotten even to breathe.
“…Calix-ssi. I’m back.”
It was a sunken and cracked voice that couldn’t be properly heard unless one listened carefully. As soon as that short greeting ended, Calix’s eyes became wet with moisture.
“Yes. Welcome back.”
Calix kissed Melty’s hand that he was holding. Tears that had welled up flowed along the corners of his eyes. Calix, who was deeply relieved with his lips buried in Melty’s hand, smiled while meeting Melty’s eyes.
