CHAPTER 77: MY LOVE

Shion gave Haru one last, deep kiss, then lay down beside him under their blanket.

"Oh my god," Haru panted. "That was so good... I can’t even catch my breath..."

"I wanted to give you even more, but I tried to be careful," Shion said, turning onto his side. Their eyes met as Haru turned toward him too.

"Our next baby is going to grow healthy, I can feel it," Haru said, then pulled him in for a strong, tongue-deep kiss. "Get over here..." he murmured, stretching his arms out.

Their naked bodies wrapped around each other – stomach to stomach, thigh to thigh — holding each other in a warm, loving embrace. They kissed even harder, trying to show their love in every way they could, but even the most intense, tender, passionate gestures didn’t feel like enough.

"I love you so much, Haru," Shion said, looking straight into his eyes. "If I could... I’d want you to give me even more kids."

"Oh, you dummy," Haru smiled. "That wish is already coming true."

Shion put his hand on Haru’s soft, smooth and skinny belly.

"Hey there, new family member. Are you gonna be a boy or a girl?"

Haru laughed.

"If it’s another boy, I hope he’s as manly and brave as you," he said, staring at Shion with love.

"And if it’s a girl, I hope she’s as beautiful and gentle as you, Haru," Shion replied, kissing him again.

"And speaking of kids – Maldie told me yesterday that we might get a little break from parenting, because they need to finish their fun little tournament. But honestly, I want to spend as much time with our wonderful children as I do with you. I love all of you so much..."

"Haru, you’re so cute when you talk like that," Shion said, pushing his tongue into his mouth.

They hugged even tighter, wanting to feel each other — hotter, closer. Haru felt Shion’s hand slide onto his bottom, teasing and playing with him.

"Oh, you naughty boy," he whispered, kissing his cheek.

"I just realized it’s already morning. Did we really go at it the whole night?" Shion asked a bit spaced out.

""Why do you think I was struggling to catch my breath for so long, huh? You wore me out, you wild beast," Haru teased, then nibble his ear.

"Let’s just enjoy being with each other today. I’d love to spend time with our kids too – sometimes I feel like I’m not giving them enough, but balancing everything is so hard, Haru. I want to be there for them, handle my duties as a ruler, enjoy you... and on top of that, we’re caught up in these star and god beings’ schemes that could threaten our family... Lately I feel like time is slipping through my fingers, even though the last two weeks were so peaceful..."

"I get you, love, you have no idea how much. My life is a bit simpler – no royal duties," Haru joked with a soft smile. "But I think no matter what happens, we’ll get through it. Honestly, after I got turned into a statue, I doubt anything worse is waiting for me."

"I’m sorry. I was useless then... I couldn’t help you..." Shion muttered, looking down. Haru gently took his face in both hands, brought it closer, and gave him a soft kiss.

"It wasn’t your fault. We both went through hell back then. You lost your vision, you couldn’t see our kids’ faces anymore, or mine – but luckily it changed. And honestly... when I was turned into gold, I thought I’d lose all of you forever. I wanted to cry all the time thinking that I wasn’t beside you or our kids, that you’d all have to live without me."

"Sweetheart..." Shion whispered lovingly, pulling Haru close. Haru hid his face in Shion’s arms. "Now that I have my sight back, everything will go back to normal. Maybe I inherited some powers from that god Hoshizuma connected me with, I don’t know. But with or without them, I promise I’ll do everything to protect you and our kids."

"I know. Thank you, sweetheart," Haru whispered, snuggling against his chest even more.

"When I lost my sight," Shion said after a moment of silence, "that was one of the worst times of my life too. I could live with a cursed gaze, but losing it completely – not being able to see your smile or the kids’ again, knowing their brightness before – it hurt more than anything I’ve ever felt. Depending on others all the time because I couldn’t see what was right in front of me... I felt like a useless tool. I wanted so badly to protect all of you and give you my best, and instead I was wandering in darkness."

He looked Haru straight in the eyes as he said it.

"But now everything is better than it was. Neither of us is stuck in that void anymore. We can look after our kids and each other."

"Yes," Shion murmured, then kissed him. "You’re my light, Haru. Your voice, your warmth, your touch — they were like light in that darkness back then."

"Oh, that was so sweet. You’re my light too, Shion." Their lips met again.

A calm silence settled between them, filled with deep, honest emotion. A few soft rays of sunlight lazily reached the foot of the bed through the windows. It felt like the outside world didn’t exist – like time and reality had stopped just for them, forever and yet only for this moment.

The heat of their bodies seemed to slip out from under the blankets and spread through the whole room, creating a warm, unforgettable atmosphere.

"A lot of crazy things have happened, and more probably will," Shion said after a while. "But as long as I have you beside me, everything will be okay."

"Yes," Haru nodded, hugging him even tighter. "Honestly, I didn’t think... my relationship with Asahi would turn out this way."

Shion gave him a surprised look.

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, sweetie. I didn’t push him away because he wasn’t my child – mostly... I was scared. I never told you this, Shion, but I was scared of myself. I didn’t know if I’d even be able to love him, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt him. That was my biggest fear."

Shion kissed him.

"That just shows how mature, sweet, and compassionate you are, Haru. You and Asahi get along so well."

"Yeah. I can’t imagine a day without his cheerful and a little chaotic energy," Haru laughed. "Actually, I can’t imagine a day without any of you."

"Unfortunately, sooner or later we’ll have to get used to this palace getting emptier," Shion said sadly. "Our kids will want to go out into the world and live on their own, and we’ll have to let them, even if it hurts."

"Yes, I know. I don’t want to think about that day yet. Maybe because it feels far away, even though it’ll probably come faster than we think."

"That’s usually how it goes..."

"Shion..." Haru said softly, "do you think Asahi will ever realize that, you know... he’s not mine?"

"I think as long as you don’t tell him directly, he won’t suspect anything. And anyway, he is your child, Haru. You two have an amazing bond. Being a mom isn’t just about giving birth, right?"

"Yeah... sometimes I forget such simple truths," Haru said with a smile.

"Your mind — maybe. But your big heart remembers them. Otherwise you never would’ve loved that kid."

"Shion... you’re wonderful. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Haru."

They hugged and kissed again, hotter and more intensely than before.

After several minutes, they broke the kiss, both breathing hard.

"I want to do that again and again, but after last night I’m seriously exhausted..." Haru panted.

"That’s funny... I’m not even that tired, and I moved way more than you," Shion laughed, teasingly.

"Maybe that’s your divine superpower – staying on top of me for hours and still wanting more, even when I’m completely spent?" Haru teased.

"Oh, then that’s a superpower I’ll use very often," Shion grinned half-proud, half-playful.

"Oh, you..." Haru laughed and gently bit Shion’s ear.

They started kissing again – instantly going into long, deep, hungry kisses, like they hadn’t spent an amazing night together already.

After a moment, Shion pulled Haru even closer, then rolled him onto his back. Supporting himself on his arms, leaning over him, he said:

"Time for round two, my love."

"But I told you I’m tired..." Haru panted, very much turned on. "Even though I want to do it again, over and over..."

"I’ll be gentle," Shion smirked.

"Oh, I know you too well, you wild thing," Haru joked.

They shared another wave of kisses, their hands exploring hungrily, every nerve alight with desire, and moments later, their bodies joined again in a passionate, loving embrace.