Epilogue: Redefine the Relationship
It's the first week of the New Year. Karlyle has a one-week long vacation. Embarrassingly, he couldn't bear the sadness and got rid of the mansion, so he wants to find a new house and make up for the time he couldn't see Ash.
To be honest, the latter reason is 80%... Well... its weight is 95%. Finding a house is actually his secretary's job. But Karlyle still wants to use it as an excuse.
Frankly speaking, as soon as they start dating, he thinks he is putting too much pressure on Ash.
Karlyle Frost doesn't know much about dating stuff, but he remembers what needs to know - reluctantly - through Aiden Heywood. Aiden always says, don't be too "clingy" right from the beginning.
Karlyle isn't sure what the word means, but in context, it seems to fit the meaning that he shouldn't be overly obsessed or too intimate right after starting to date. He admits his lack of knowledge about this. About love, it's clear that Aiden knows better than him in every way. So, it seems that Karlyle shouldn't be like that in front of Ash, who he has been dating since January 1st.
Anyway, on New Year's Day, when he told Ash about his vacation, to his surprise, Ash also said that he's taking the first week off. What a coincidence. Karlyle ended up showing a bit of excitement on his face.
Looking at him, Ash smiled. You love that? When Ash asked him, Karlyle said yes. Hearing his answer, Ash let out a soft laugh like he was holding something back.
Anyway, after all these things, Karlyle is now at Ash's house.
He arrived at Ash's house exactly an hour before. And throughout 59 minutes, Karlyle has been in a state of extreme tension. It isn't a bad kind of tension. Not a bad thing at all, he is just nervous because Ash keeps touching him. Of course, it's not good for his heart. From now on, he needs to manage his body more systematically.
After they start dating, Ash never takes his hands off Karlyle. It has only been two days, but it means a lot to Karlyle.
The situation now is the same. In a moment of silence, Ash reaches out and rubs Karlyle's cheek. Then he gently tickles his eyelashes with his fingers, then fiddles with his ears again.
Karlyle can't even drink the tea that has already become cold, and can only hold it quietly. Because if he drinks tea, Ash won't be able to touch his face.
"Aren't you drinking it?"
And finally the question comes from Ash. Smiling softly, Ash blinks at the cup Karlyle is holding. Wiggling his hand around the cup very elegantly, Karlyle makes eye contact with Ash.
Ash's touch itself is very good, but as he said earlier, it's not good for his heart. Besides, he has trouble calming down when Ash touches him.
"... I'm drinking."
"It must have cooled down, would you like to get it warmed? I like to watch you drink, Lyle."
Hearing those words, the meal they once had together in the past flashes into Karlyle's mind. Even when they weren't dating, Ash was already kind, he would cut food or pour something for Karlyle. Strangely enough, he even rolled pasta and fed him. An overly intimate act.
Karlye used to cut or pour something for his younger brother Kyle when he was young, and he has never done that to anyone else. But now Karlyle and Ash are clearly dating. So wouldn't it be ok to do the same thing to Ash?
As soon as that thought comes up, a huge greed follows it. Now knowing that he is that greedy and wants so many things, Karlyle is shocked by his true instincts. He quickly whips himself up and returns to the original topic.
"Do you like... watching that?"
"Yes. It'd be great if you could also drink me."
Ash says something unbelievable. The back of his nape blushes.
"... What?"
Aside from being terribly embarrassed, Karlyle also thinks it would be nice if he could drink Ash.
What does Ash taste like? Unlike the body odor like the soft spring breeze, the taste will definitely be sweet. It will be a very deep flavor, naturally sweet and obviously luxurious. There's got to be an addictive side, like chocolate with whiskey.
"Watching you eat is also nice."
Ash says the same thing again. Seeing that there is no change in Ash's expression, he seems sincere.
"Lyle doesn't make a sound when eating. You eat as quietly as your personality, so I'm amazed every time I see you."
Soon after, Ash's expression turns strange. Sitting on the sofa facing each other, Ash gradually moves closer to Karlyle.
"But the sound when crying is too erotic and pretty... It makes people crazy. Isn't it?"
The topic changes abruptly. As an Alpha, Karlyle doesn't know how to deal with this kind of conversation. He doesn't want to show his immature side, but it's difficult to refute such a statement.
"Crying... sound... I do not."
"Don't cry like that."
Their bodies touch more. The atmosphere gradually changes. The light and gentle airflow becomes strangely dense and heavy. The air is obviously dry and pleasant, but somehow it feels like something lewd is sticking to his skin.
He isn't sure what Ash is talking about. But in Karlyle's mind, the image of him lying beneath Ash with his thighs wide open suddenly flashes back.
Calm down, Karlyle Frost.
Karlyle suddenly becomes serious. Since the last rut, he has only used inhibitors to solve it for several months, so even the slightest trigger has raised his sexual desire to an unbearable level.
Of course, Karlyle can't say that out loud. He doesn't want to look like a beast driven by lust. He already looks immature, but if he showed a beast-like appearance, wouldn't Ash get tired of him?
He thinks he has been reminding himself a lot, but when what he really wants becomes a reality, there are many things restricting him.
"Me, too. It's good to watch you eat, Ash."
So Karlyle manages to change the subject. Ha. Ash laughs lowly, then he leans his torso towards Karlyle. His fingers creep up Karlyle's lap. A tickling sensation runs up through his pants.
"You know, Lyle."
Taking a deep breath, Karlyle eventually sets the mug down on the table. At this rate, he would spill his tea. As if he has done well, Ash grins.
"Yes, Ash."
Karlyle answers calmly, his warm palms rub his thighs. Even his voice has to be calm.
"Now that we are "lovers"... How about making some rules?"
Meanwhile, Ash's hand touching his knee moves. His hand rests on Karlyle's thigh and begins to rub gently. With trembling eyes, Karlyle avoids looking at Ash' s hand rubbing against the inside of his thigh with a moderate force.
Karlyle answers with an embarrassing look. He fixes his gaze on Ash's shoulder. Yet, the expression revealing on his face is close to the expressionless one, but the hint of embarrassment is more visible than before.
"Okay."
Without knowing what to decide, Karlyle answers for once. It's his first time dating someone in the first place, so there's no way he can know what people do while dating.
This is the first time he has felt such a lack of knowledge, so Karlyle straightens his back in a learning position. He is very much conscious of Ash's hand, but it's tolerable... maybe.
"We don't have to have a lot of rules. We are no longer in a contractual relationship."
At that, Karlyle unconsciously rolls his eyes and smiles slightly. His joy abounds. To the point of not knowing what to do. His eyes twitching, he slowly moves his gaze from Ash's shoulder to his face.
Ash quietly looks at Karlyle like that, then smiles. The palm pressing on his thigh gradually digs inward. Karlyle is too happy to notice it.
"First, let's decide on nicknames for each other."
"Nicknames?"
"What do you like, "babe"?"
Karlyle shuts his mouth. Everything stops at the word "babe". His breathing stops. His eyes flutter. His head goes blank, and then everything blows up at once.
"...?"
"Or darling? Sweet bean? Baby?"
Karlyle can barely breathe at the pouring of unfamiliar names. It's so hot that the back of his neck stings. Pressing his fingers on the sofa floor, Karlyle stiffens.
"... That, do I have to choose from there?"
It's not that he hates it. How can he hate it. But it's difficult to respond. Karlyle is already excited just by Ash calling his name. He hasn't been able to get used to it, he doesn't know how many years it'll take to be calm when being called by Ash, but it's... such... a lover-like name.
Karlyle doesn't feel any emotions when hearing those nicknames in countless songs and movies. Aren't they a little childish? That thought weighs more in his mind. However, those words coming out of Ash's mouth have a different effect.
"You don't like them? Then call me "husband*".
* Ash uses the words "yeobo" 여보 (how husband/ wife calls each other) - it can also be translated as "honey, darling".
As if he has left those names beside, Ash casually says the name "husband". Karlyle shudders his shoulders with a shaky breath. That is too dangerous.
Ash doesn't know. Karlyle is a creepy person who has assumed his whole life even before he dates Ash. If he calls him by a name a married partner uses, Karlyle may soon ask Ash to marry him.
Apart from having no relationship experience, Karlyle also knows how he'll be treated if he takes such a hasty approach. In addition, the marriage age in England is fairly late. There are many couples who stay together when dating, but it takes years to define a relationship.
In such a situation, it's customary for marriages to happen only after being engaged for several years.
"Ash, such a name... seems not appropriate."
For Ash's safety and to prevent a possible quick breakup, Karlyle resists the temptation.
For now, saying those names is impossible for Karlyle. At least a year, no... two years? Three years? He doesn't know how many years it'll take.
"Lyle..."
Can't hold back anymore, Ash quietly calls Karlyle's name. Ever since Ash remembers that day, he has been calling Karlyle Lyle. It's a name only Ash can call.
"You are reacting cuter than I thought."
The hand touching Karlyle's thigh goes up to his waist. Grabbing Karlyle by the waist, Ash pulls Karlyle towards him.
Lying down on the sofa, Ash makes Karlyle sit on top of him. Karlyle stiffens in the shy posture.
"I prefer to call you Lyle, too. But... why is that an inappropriate name?"
Ash's hand digs into his clothes. After taking off the suit jacket, Karlyle is only wearing a shirt, so Ash can easily dig his hand into the thin white suit shirt. It's dizzying. Karlyle flinches, unable to find a place to put his hands on.
"That..."
He has to think of an excuse. To tell the truth, he has a hard time figuring out how to get it out of his mouth. But Ash's hand prevents it. Ash's fingers tickle down the hollowed part of the smooth back.
Hah, hurgh, he lets out faint moans. His head goes blank. The quick touches make Karlyle terribly distracted. His ass twitches, Karlyle stammers his hands over Ash's upper body.
Lying down, Ash is wearing a short sleeve under a thick knit cardigan. As a result, he can clearly feel the strong chest muscles under the palms. Everywhere touching brings stimulus.
"The second rule is to be honest. Lyle, unless the situation is too hard... I hope Lyle can tell me what you're thinking."
Ash raises his fingertips and scratches Karlyle's back a few more times. Karlyle lurches his waist tightly, he presses his palms hard on Ash's stomach. Uhm, hic, his eyebrows curve up and down repeatedly, now knowing what to do anymore. His penis in his suit pants is already half erect. Twisting his torso, Karlyle barely nods his head.
"I, got, it."
"Good. So Lyle, can we say it again? Why is it inappropriate?"
His index finger runs through his soft skin. The fingers that come down stop at the waist. Rubbing the slightly hollow groove on his back, Ash wanders his fingers around it. The hand movements before digging into the pants make Karlyle expect something.
"I, don't, have, urgh, the confidence, hah, to call that."
Embarrassingly, his moan keeps coming out. Karlyle raises one hand and covers his mouth with the back of his hand. Ash looks up at Karlyle with a dazed face. He tilts his head slightly, and stretches out his other hand, leaving only one hand above Karlyle's waist. Interlocking the hand that Karlyle is using to cover his mouth, Ash smiles.
"You don't dislike it, do you?"
"... Right."
His hand goes down at the same time. Without noticing it, Ash pulls his belt forward. His belt comes undone in a daze. Karlyle looks down at the clack sound. Ash smiles casually.
"Then..."
In a voice lower than before, Ash asks another question. The back of his hand brushes past Karlyle's lightly exposed dross. Karlyle shuts his eyes as it gently rubs the tip of his erect cock. A hot breath blows out.
"What are you thinking now?"
Karlyle almost collapses at the seductive whisper. Unconsciously about to confess that he wants to do it with Ash, Karlyle shakes his head.
As soon as he comes to see Ash today, there is something he wants to do. That is the main purpose of this visit. And Karlyle is a very responsible person. If he has a goal, he has to get it done in any ways.
Ash Jones hasn't known that yet.
"Wait, hand, Ash... Ash."
With tremendous restraint, Karlyle separates himself from Ash. Gasping for breath, Karlyle slowly arranges his clothes. How on earth can Ash untie the belt so quickly.
Karlyle pulls up his pants, then straightens out his suit shirt. Ash smiles silently with dangerous eyes. His mouth seems to be smiling. Like he is holding something back.
"What's wrong?"
His voice is somehow hoarse.
"Today... I came... because I have something to give you."
That is the important thing. He wants to give Ash the painting that he has been wishing to convey for a long time. Since the day of the engagement party, Kyle has returned it to Karlyle.
Today, Karlyle has brought the painting he kept in the closet to Ash. The original intention of giving it as a gift with the confession has gone wrong, but giving it as a gift to commemorate the fact that they are dating is as good as it is.
"Do you?"
"I don't know if you'll like it..."
"I'll love it even if you give me chewing gum, Lyle."
His lover does have a great sense of humor. He wonders if the other person is being sincere when saying that.
Ash gets up. He looks like a sharp beast. Quickly getting up from the sofa without a sound, Ash comes up to him. Trying to calm down his trembling heart, Karlyle picks up the frame he has placed on the stairway wall.
Ash lowers his long eyelashes. His gaze reaches Karlyle's hand. Then, a soft smile slowly appears on Ash's face.
"Is this it?"
"... Yes."
Karlyle slowly peels off the seal. There's a rustling sound. His pale hands carefully remove the packaging material surrounding the frame. Putting the package neatly on the floor, Karlyle holds the frame in his arms. He is out of breath.
"Before... I heard that you liked Phillip Whitewood's painting... so I really want to give this to you."
Even after dating, he still wonders whether this gift is too much. But in the future, Karlyle wants to give Ash even more things. He has never been very interested in spending money. But if he uses it for Ash, he'll be very, very happy to.
"I don't know if you know, but Marquis Gordon owns this painting. According to what you said last time... your mother was a close friend of his."
"Uhm, that's right."
Ash says, looking down at Karlyle affectionately. His gaze falls on his hand and the frame. Ash slowly puts his hand over Karlyle's.
"I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it... I think it's fate. Ash's favorite painting is in his possession, and... I got a connection with him."
Darely, Karlyle uses the word "fate" to bind Ash and him. The word that he once thought was overly romantic is now coming out of his mouth.
"This gift... I hope it'll make you happy."
He hopes so, the painting is found anyway.
Karlyle says, looking at Ash with eager eyes. His heart beats wildly. He is nervous, thinking that Ash might hate it. Maybe Ash'll call him arrogant? Or saying that this is burdensome?
"Lyle."
Ash's hand touching the back of Karlyle's hand quietly lays the frame down. Supporting it with his arms, Karlyle shows him the painting. Ash stares at it for a long time with a contemplative face.
"Really... thank you for this."
Ash's lips silently curve up. Unable to breathe, Karlyle waits for Ash's response.
"It's the best gift I have ever received in my life. It really is..."
Ash laughs. His eyes look a little sad, but his smile is full of happiness. Ash bows his head. His lips touch Karlyle's cheek.
"Can I tell you a secret?"
Ash's expression slowly returns. Unlike before, Karlyle nods his head, suppressing the speed of his heart beating with joy.
"Actually, Phillip painted this."
"... What?"
"The complicated part I told you back then is this."
Ash stands up straight. The tender hand touches the frame. Karlyle remembers Ash said that he'll tell him later. He wants to know what the story is. Biting his lips, Karlyle stares at Ash. Their eyes meet.
"We agree to tell each other what's on our minds, right, Lyle? If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Karlyle can feel Ash's gaze stopping at his lips. Karlyle nods again. After a brief silence, Karlyle opens his mouth.
"If it's okay with you... can you tell me what happened?"
"Of course."
Ash pulls Karlyle on the shoulder. He puts his hand on Karlyle's hand holding the painting.
"Well, today I will start with my story."
Ash slowly makes his way up the stairs. Karlyle stands next to Ash and follows him.
"Then Lyle will tell me about your past. What do you think?"
"... I would like to."
"Great. Let's go with that for today."
Before going up the stairs, Karlyle suddenly remembers something. When on the sofa, Ash asked what Karlyle was thinking. What was Ash thinking then? Why did he ask him that?
"Ash."
"Yes, Lyle."
"Just now... when on the sofa, what was Ash thinking?"
His intention when asking this is very pure. Karlyle asks Ash seriously. Ash tilts his head and smiles silently. Hmm. A troubled smile appears. Ash thinks about something, then shakes his head.
"You want to know?"
"Yes."
"I will tell you tonight. If I say it now, the situation will make me trash."
Karlyle panics at the word "trash."
"What?"
"It's nothing."
"Ash, such a word is not good. You are not like that..."
"Sorry. Then I will correct it to the "shameless" degree."
"... That, too..."
"Lyle doesn't know yet. How bad I am."
Ash laughs softly. With a somewhat dangerous face like before, Ash bows his head slightly. Then he whispers in Karlyle's ear.
"You'll find out when we're dating."
In bed. Well, or... elsewhere. Karlyle stands still at the content of the mischievous voice. Letting out a small laugh, Ash leads him up. Karlyle's faltering legs slowly follow Ash up the stairs.
Soon, the two laughters disappear into the floor.