The Story Of Bunny And Fox

Vol 4 (Side Story 1): Propose day (1)

"Do you? I understand. What do I need to choose?"

Ash rests his chin on Karlyle's shoulder. Suddenly, without warning his lips close around Karlyle's ear. He murmurs.

"Do you prefer outdoor sex or getting punished in a different way?"

A bewildered expression appears on Karlyle's face. He can’t understand what he just heard. Ash’s kind voice is a complete contradiction to what he just said.

"What did you….?"

"You have to choose one of those two options first. What we do after depends on that."

Karlyle replays his words from 3 seconds ago, “Outdoor sex” reverberates in his eardrums. Of course, instinctively, he chooses the opposite of that.

"I choose getting punished in a different way…. Ash?"

"You choose that? Huh? What's wrong?"

"... Have I done something to warrant punishment?"

Karlyle observes Ash's demeanor from behind and asks cautiously. He wants to see Ash's face, but he can't because Ash's forearms are gripping his waist so tightly. What did I do wrong? Karlyle quickly retraces what he has done the last few days. Was he being too pushy the other day, pleading with Ash to stop licking his nipples?.

"Have you already forgotten? I asked you that very seriously."

Or is he referring to their first fight last week? It would be understandable, since Karlyle had been so quick to judge Ash without even listening to him. But he thought Ash had forgiven him that day.

"I know you have forgiven me….."

"You promised me you wouldn't smile in front of my acquaintances. We even pinky promised. What did I say would happen if you broke the promise then?"

Ash points out the time just prior to when they fought. Karlyle's complexion turns white. At that time, he was so emotionally shaken that he totally forgot about it, but Ash is right. However, he soon finds a contradiction in Ash's words. What they promised wasn't that.

"But Ash….wasn't it our promise that I wouldn't drink more than 3 glasses of wine?"

For some reason, he has bad feelings about both of the options Ash gave him, so Karlyle tries to find his ways out. He feels like he needs to get out of this situation.

"As expected, I figured Lyle wouldn't let it go."

Ash responds, totally prepared for that answer from Karlyle.

"But you broke that promise, too. I saw Lyle drinking whiskey behind my back."

Karlyle thought Ash was drunk and asleep on the couch, but he seemed to remember Karlyle drinking whiskey with Natalie during the poker game that lasted until dawn. It was Natalie's proposal so he couldn't refuse. Disappointment rises inside his chest. His lips purse, he resigns. He is a gentleman, he can't act unsightly and go back on his word. He did break their promise, after all.

"....You have good eyes, Ash."

Karlyle ends up praising his lover. Smiling joyfully, Ash loosens his arms. Then he points to Karlyle's side.

"Okay, then shall we go in?"

"Go in where…."

He is about to ask when he sees the place. His mouth falls shut. How come he didn't see it when coming here? The pink neon sign "SEX SHOP" hidden in the shade of the building seems so obvious now.

"Ash, please wait."

"There are so many things Lyle has to choose."

Gripping Karlyle's bashful retreating figure, Ash pulls him straight into the store. Karlyle's heart thumps as if he's committing an indecent act. He closes his eyes tightly, bewildered and unsure what to do. He is now committing the most irreverent impertinence in the world. What a situation for a notorious noble to enter a place like this!