CHAPTER 132: LUTHER’S SECRET

Joshua knew that Luther had just shared his entire life with him.

Joshua looked at Luther—he was staring straight ahead, and from Joshua’s angle, he could only see the beautiful curve of his profile.

Who knew what he was thinking? His expression wasn’t particularly cheerful.

"Can I braid your hair, Luther?"

Joshua’s voice suddenly broke the quiet, and Luther couldn’t help but flinch a little.

He turned to Joshua, only to see him smiling at him, eyes curving gently, light shimmering within them like the surface of a spring lake.

Luther felt as if something had seized his heart. He could only stare blankly at Joshua. Deep down, he knew he had been unable to escape for a long time already.

At last, he smiled softly and nodded. "Alright."

Luther felt Joshua gently gather his hair. Joshua had always loved and cherished his hair.

He had imagined countless things Joshua might say after hearing his past, but Joshua... only wanted to braid his hair.

Joshua looked at the golden strands before him and suddenly asked, "So, why do you keep your hair so long, Luther?"

Luther paused for a moment, then murmured, "I don’t really know myself, Joshua..."

Joshua smiled. The braid in his hands was nearly complete, and he thought it would be even prettier with flowers woven in—like an actual princess from a fairytale.

Just then, Luther turned his head toward him, and his beautiful face reflected in Joshua’s eyes.

And in that instant, Joshua seemed to understand what Luther’s secret was.

He suddenly leaned forward and pulled Luther into a light embrace.

Luther froze, afraid to return the gesture.

They hugged each other all the time—yet right now, Luther felt a strange fear.

At that moment, Joshua’s voice rose again: "Just accept who you are, Luther. The past will never be your chains. The future is where we’re headed—don’t let those ugly memories bury you."

Accept who me was?

What was my true self? Luther lowered his gaze to Joshua. Joshua was looking up at him with a bright smile, eyes curved, the edges shimmering as though starlight might spill from them.

My true self... Joshua, do you even know what I’m really like? You fool, so naïve—you’ll regret comforting me.

"Alright, I will," Luther spoke at last, his voice strangely low and rough.

And then, before Joshua could react, he suddenly lowered his head. One hand lifted Joshua’s chin, and he pressed his lips directly against Joshua’s.

Joshua’s eyes flew wide open. He clearly had not expected things to take this turn.

A few long strands of Luther’s hair brushed against his face, tickling his skin.

Luther’s lips pressed to his, carrying an incredible mint scent. Luther... he was really kissing him.

Before Joshua could push him away, Luther had already drawn back, though his hand still held firmly to Joshua’s chin.

Seeing Joshua’s shocked expression, Luther couldn’t help but smile. He quietly licked his lips. It felt even more wonderful than in his dreams. Even though it had only been a brief touch, Luther could still feel just how soft and sweet Joshua’s lips were.

"I like you, Joshua."

Luther stated it plainly. And at that moment, the system’s voice echoed beside Joshua’s ear:

[Congratulations, you have completed the side mission: Luther’s Secret!]

Luther’s secret... so this was it?

Joshua had thought Luther’s secret was simply that he was gay. But no, this was far more shocking.

At that instant, a large hand suddenly pressed against the back of his neck. Luther kissed Joshua again, swift and forceful.

It was no longer a fleeting brush of lips.

Luther held Joshua by the nape, his other arm circling tightly around Joshua’s waist. He kissed him desperately, lips and tongue devouring Joshua’s, wet sounds echoing between them.

Joshua couldn’t help but panic.

He tried to push Luther away, but it was useless. Luther’s strength was overwhelming, like iron shackles.

"Let... go..."

Joshua tilted his head back as far as he could, trying to speak. But the moment he opened his mouth, Luther advanced again, tongue invading his mouth, sucking, tangling wildly with Joshua’s.

Joshua shuddered, eyes wide, tears shimmering as he struggled.

Luther had no intention of stopping.

He pushed Joshua straight back, one hand cushioning the back of Joshua’s head as his whole body pressed down over him. One leg slid between Joshua’s thighs, and his tongue continued tangling with Joshua’s without pause.

Joshua could barely breathe. The sensation was strange—his body felt so weak he couldn’t struggle anymore. All his strength had vanished without a trace.

In the end, Joshua squeezed his eyes shut... and bit down, hard.

A low groan rang out. The wet sounds of their mouths and tongues finally stopped.

Joshua felt as though he had just been pulled out of the ocean, gasping desperately for air.

Luther, meanwhile, covered his own mouth with one hand, lowering his gaze toward Joshua.

Joshua lay beneath him, arms limp, fingertips curled. His eyes glistened faintly with tears. He parted his lips, panting uncontrollably. His mouth, reddened from Luther’s kisses, trembled; the tip of his tongue flickered; a suspicious streak of moisture clung to his chin. Each breath he exhaled came out hot, almost steaming.

His shirt was also rumpled, exposing a sliver of pale collarbone.

Luther’s eyes darkened. His knee, still between Joshua’s legs, pushed upward slightly.

Joshua’s eyes flew open—he curled in on himself instinctively, thighs rubbing together in discomfort. "Don’t... don’t do that."

Seeing Joshua react like this nearly made Luther explode.

He suddenly leaned down and wrapped Joshua in his arms, pulling him upright as if he wanted to crush Joshua into his chest, melt him into himself.

He murmured, "So my dream was wrong after all... Joshua, you’re so much more sensitive in real life than you were in my dreams."

Dream?

More sensitive than in his dream?

Just what kind of dream had Luther been having?!

And if that weren’t enough, as he spoke, Luther’s hand had already drifted to Joshua’s crotch, pressing down lightly.

Joshua’s body jolted violently, trembling beyond control.

"Smack!"

A sharp sound cracked through the air. Luther’s face snapped to the side from the force of the slap. A clear handprint bloomed across his cheek, paired with the blood still staining his lip. His hair—freshly braided by Joshua—had come undone, falling forward to obscure his expression.

Joshua didn’t spare him a glance.

He quickly pulled his legs in, curling up to one side, facing the window. Through the glass, he could faintly see his own reflection—his face was probably flushed.

His body felt strangely warm. Uncomfortably so.

But whatever. Right now, he just wanted to go home.

At that moment, Luther’s tall figure suddenly leaned in again, enveloping Joshua almost entirely.

Joshua frowned, struggling, muttering, "Get lost."

Luther stayed silent. He only held Joshua tightly, repeating under his breath, "Joshua... can’t you like me even a little? You clearly said I was number one in your heart."

Joshua just wanted to escape Luther’s arms, but Luther was like an immovable mountain.

All he could do was say quietly, "Not anymore."