His Royal Possession (Completed)

Chapter 21: Crossing line 🔞

The soft hum of the rain outside barely registered in Gulf's mind as he rested against Mew, their breaths mingling, the warmth of the bathwater a stark contrast to the emotional storm swirling within the emperor. Gulf's fingers lightly brushed through Mew's damp hair, offering what little comfort he could. For now, it was enough. The moment was fragile, a brief respite from the sorrow that hung heavily between them.

Without warning, Mew's arms tightened around Gulf, pulling him impossibly close. His grip was suffocating, but it wasn't physical pain that made Gulf gasp-it was the raw, broken words that spilled from the emperor's lips.

"I lost him again..." Mew's voice cracked, barely a whisper, yet it struck Gulf like a blow. The anguish in those words, the weight of loss and the bitter frustration, made Gulf's heart clench painfully. He stilled, his hands instinctively stroking Mew's back, offering silent reassurance even as his own chest tightened.

Mew's breath was hot against Gulf's neck, each exhale rough and uneven. "Why does God give me hope only to take it away?" Mew's voice was thick with despair, his body trembling. "I didn't ask for an heir, but every time-" His words broke off into a ragged breath, the weight of his grief overwhelming. "Why is He punishing me like this?"

Gulf remained quiet, knowing words wouldn't be enough to soothe the torment Mew was going through. He pressed a gentle kiss to Mew's temple, the soft gesture a silent vow. "You don't deserve this pain," Gulf whispered, his voice steady despite the ache in his own heart. "You've done nothing wrong."

Mew didn't respond, but Gulf felt the slight loosening of his grip, the tension in his body easing just a fraction. It wasn't much, but it was something. The vulnerability in the emperor, once so composed, was unraveling before him, and Gulf knew that, in this moment, Mew needed him more than ever.

The ache in Mew's voice pierced Gulf's heart. Without thinking, he closed the space between them, pressing his lips to Mew's in a soft, tender kiss. It wasn't filled with passion or lust but with a quiet understanding, a desperate need to comfort. He wanted Mew to know, if only for a moment, that he wasn't alone in his sorrow.

Mew responded slowly, almost hesitantly at first, as though unsure how to accept the comfort being offered. But as the warmth of Gulf's kiss settled over him, something inside the emperor shifted. The cold, distant mask he wore cracked, and the man beneath-the one burdened with so much pain-began to melt. Mew's hands tangled in Gulf's hair, deepening the kiss with a longing that had nothing to do with desire and everything to do with solace.

The warmth of the bathwater surrounded them, but it was the shared heat between their bodies that truly thawed the chill of despair. In that moment, there was no empire, no duties, no loss-just the two of them, finding solace in each other's touch.

Gulf rested his forehead against Mew's, his breath mingling with the emperor's as their kiss finally broke. "You're not alone," Gulf whispered, his fingers tracing the lines of Mew's face with a tenderness that spoke of unspoken emotions. "Not anymore."

Mew's breath hitched at those words, and Gulf could feel the shift in his energy. The despair that had weighed so heavily on the emperor's shoulders gave way to something deeper, something more primal. The kiss they shared had sparked something between them, and that spark quickly turned into a flame.

Mew's lips, once tentative, became more insistent, pressing against Gulf's with a raw need that took them both by surprise. His hands, which had only lightly grazed Gulf's skin before, now roamed with purpose, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them. The bathwater rippled as their movements became more frantic, driven by a desire that neither of them could control.

Gulf kissed him back, pouring every ounce of empathy into the embrace. He wanted to comfort Mew, to make him feel less alone, even if just for a fleeting moment. But as Mew's grip tightened, as the heat between them grew, Gulf's heart began to race. The bathrobe slipped from his shoulders, and the cool air kissed his exposed skin, sending shivers down his spine.