I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 160
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“Stop being stubborn, and take it off. You’re already weak as it is. Do you want to catch a cold and collapse again?”
Adelio’s frown deepened as he reached out and pulled Yeshion’s robe off without giving him a choice.
Then, he froze.
“…..”
Bruises marked his arms beneath the sleeveless shirt. Along his collarbone and shoulder, faint bite marks remained.
Even without asking, it was obvious that a lot had happened during the days Adelio had been gone.
Grit.
Adelio’s jaw clenched hard enough to make his teeth grind audibly.
Yeshion lowered his gaze and tried to speak, but Adelio said nothing. Instead, he took off his own coat and draped it over Yeshion’s shoulders.
Then, in one swift motion, he lifted Yeshion into his arms and carried him up the stairs of the dungeon.
The moment Yeshion was held in Adelio’s arms, the warmth through the layers of clothing melted his frozen body.
And as they ascended the stairs, Adelio’s body grew even hotter, whether from anger or something else, it was impossible to tell.
Yeshion, who had kept silent for a long while, murmured,
“…Why aren’t you asking anything?”
“About what?”
“The bruises… the marks.”
“I’m dying to know, but I’m waiting for you to tell me.”
At Adelio’s response, Yeshion’s eyes widened.
But Adelio did nothing more than press their bodies closer together, brushing over Yeshion’s shoulders again and again, as if raising his temperature took priority over curiosity.
Yeshion quietly wrapped his arms around his neck and lowered his gaze.
‘He’s really… changed so much…’
If it were the old Adelio, he would’ve snapped, cornered him, and demanded answers.
But now, he was waiting for Yeshion to choose his words instead of pushing for them.
How could anyone not speak to someone like this? Yeshion bit the inside of his cheek, lips parting as he began to speak.
Talking about the bruises wasn’t difficult. Explaining his own foolishness and shame was something only he had to bear.
But… speaking about the bite marks… that was harder. Especially since it had happened not long after Adelio had confessed his feelings.
Maybe Adelio would think Yeshion had toyed with him.
“If it’s okay… can I ask you something instead?”
Before Yeshion could begin, Adelio spoke up first.
“Is that rumor true?”
“Rumor?”
“The one about you and the Archpriest.”
“N-No! That’s… just something the Saintess teased about and it got twisted.”
At the unwavering reply, Adelio’s throat bobbed deeply.
Then, finally, he let out a sigh he’d been holding in all this time.
“That’s enough. You don’t need to explain further.”
“…You say it’s fine, even without explaining?”
“Yeah. I can guess the rest. It’s not like I expected him to behave himself anyway.”
After all, how many people could suppress rising lust when the person they loved was living under the same roof?
And especially when that person was Eldis.
Someone who’d spent so long hiding and denying his feelings.
Now that he’d realized them, he would’ve used any means, whether his face, his body, his mind, to seduce Yeshion. Or maybe he’d just used that sharp mind of his.
“…I had no idea.”
“You’re clueless when it comes to this kind of thing.”
“I am?”
Yeshion made a disbelieving face, and Adelio nodded without hesitation.
“No, I’m not.”
“Then guess. What am I thinking right now?”
Yeshion blinked at the sudden challenge, and Adelio bumped their foreheads together with a grin.
“See? You can’t.”
“Y-You weren’t thinking anything, were you?”
“Nope. I was thinking something really serious.”
As Adelio shrugged, Yeshion looked quietly into his eyes. They glowed red with a gentle warmth, gazing at him tenderly.
Yeshion’s face flushed, and he dropped his gaze, mumbling,
“…I don’t know. Even with divine power, I can’t read minds.”
“I was hoping you’d stay indecisive.”
“…Huh?”
“Be indecisive, Yeshion. Don’t try to define your feelings. Don’t try to choose between me or that bastard.”
Adelio leaned his forehead against Yeshion’s again. And with a voice like a quiet wish, he whispered.
“I’ll be content… even with just this.”
