Chapter 148: The Warm Night
"Fian, could you take Della home?" Gara turned to the elf who hadn’t done anything since earlier, not even eaten, since he had finished his meal before Gara arrived.
Without a word, Fian lifted Della into his arms and carried her away.
Meanwhile, Chief Hari scratched his head, looking guilty. Getting tipsy from a single drink wasn’t unusual... was it?
After chatting briefly, he excused himself to check on Rima.
The night stretched on. No more singing, no more talent shows, just villagers and Liners focusing on their drinks. Gara and Madha included.
At first, Gara resisted. He hadn’t touched alcohol once in the year since arriving in this world. But once wouldn’t hurt, right?
He was confident in his tolerance. Back in the office, he was the one who had to take care of his boss and coworkers whenever they got wasted after company dinners.
What Gara forgot was that his sturdy old body was gone. This new one wasn’t nearly as resilient.
By now, his vision blurred. He tried hard to steady it, to focus on Madha’s handsome face.
But that handsome face kept swaying left and right, refusing to stay still.
"Ha—!" Gara’s hands shot forward, cupping Madha’s cheeks. "Don’t move!"
Madha, tipsy himself but far less gone, chuckled. He had been careful, sipping only occasionally and talking more than drinking.
As Madha spoke, Gara’s hands suddenly cupped his face, bringing their heads close together. Madha’s heart raced.
The beautiful face before him carried the scent of rum mixed with that familiar, sweet aroma that always lingered near Gara. Gara’s cheeks were flushed, his pink lips slightly parted.
Madha swallowed hard, an urge stirring within him—he wanted to taste those lips, devour them—but he held himself back.
"Why do you keep moving?" Gara muttered, flustered. "I can’t see your handsome face if you won’t stay still."
Madha couldn’t help but smile at that.
"Oh! You’re so handsome when you smile, too."
This time, Gara’s words left Madha genuinely flustered.
"Let’s go home. You’re already very drunk."
Madha stood, and Gara’s hands slipped from his face. The warm touch was gone, replaced by the chill of the night air. Madha’s gaze lingered, tender.
"I’m not drunk!" Gara protested. "But we should go. Mom and the triplets are waiting for me!"
The brown-haired man could only smile at Gara’s antics, finding them utterly adorable. "Yes, you’re not drunk."
"Exactly, exactly!" Gara chuckled.
Madha’s hand reached out, softly brushing the top of Gara’s head. Gara caught the large hand in his own, locking eyes with his hazel gaze.
"Your palms are rough... but I like it." Without hesitation, he pressed a kiss to Madha’s hand.
Madha’s face instantly burned red, deeper than any villager who had overindulged in alcohol.
"W-we should get home," he stammered, nerves flaring, and gently guided Gara away.
No one bid them farewell; everyone was already too drunk. That was for the best. Madha had no idea how he would explain Gara’s behavior if anyone had seen.
While the villagers hadn’t noticed, two Liners—Kian and Mohan—had witnessed the entire scene.
They exchanged a look.
"Just as I thought... they’re together," Kian muttered.
He had been planning to say goodbye to Gara when Madha asked him back, but after seeing what happened next, he decided not to interrupt their moment. Mohan felt the same.
"It’s obvious," Mohan nodded.
"Madha’s behavior is really blatant... not like a certain someone," Kian replied, taking a sip of rum.
Mohan squinted. "Want me to make it even more obvious?"
Before Kian could respond, Mohan stood. "Let’s head back to the Liners’ camp, crowded or not, it doesn’t matter."
"Huh? That’s not what I meant," Kian stammered.
But when Mohan gently took his hand, Kian followed behind. The couple spent the rest of the warm night together.
...
On the way back to the house, Gara rambled, his words making Madha flush again.
"Your muscles... they’re like bread. I want to eat them. I wonder if they taste sweet?" Gara grinned foolishly, thinking of square-shaped bread that looked just like abs.
"Your jaw looks so sharp... will it cut my hand if I touch it?"
"Your chest is so broad. I just want to rest on it."
"Your lips are full and brown... do they taste like chocolate?"
When they reached the front of the house, Madha immediately covered Gara’s mouth, fearing the beautiful man might say something that could be misinterpreted.
Even though it was indeed not a misunderstanding.
Before Madha could open the door, Fian appeared from inside. Apparently, because Della was unconscious, he stayed behind to help Wina feed the triplets.
Fian glared at Madha with intensity. Madha refused to back down. Their eyes locked in a silent challenge until Madha stepped into the bedroom and closed the door behind him.
"Why are you squinting your eyes like that?" Gara asked, gently touching Madha’s face as the strong-jawed man sat him down on the bed.
Gara’s hands didn’t stop. He traced along Madha’s thick eyebrows, making him close his eyes. Madha felt Gara’s soft fingers glide over his eyelids, down his nose, and then... his lips.
Madha’s eyes widened.
Suddenly, Gara leaned in and kissed him.
After the sudden attack, Gara chuckled foolishly, scratching the back of his neck.
Smooch!
This it was Madha.
Madha leaned forward, meeting Gara’s lips, recreating the intimacy of their previous kiss. He was still inexperienced, but adapted quickly.
Gara wasn’t shy either. He wrapped his arms around Madha’s neck, deepening the kiss.
The young man, having felt this sensation only twice before, struggled to contain himself. Madha wasn’t satisfied. He wanted more.
Eventually, his body pressed the handsome man in front of him onto the bed. Madha’s hands roamed over Gara’s cheeks and neck before slowly gliding over his flat, smooth stomach.
Gara’s body twitched repeatedly under Madha’s rough hands.
With awareness teetering on the edge, he could no longer hold back. Desire consumed him, and he unconsciously rubbed Madha’s lower body with his.
That’s when he realized something had hardened beneath.
Gara’s thoughts became a chaotic storm of lust.
Amidst it all, he muttered quietly in his mind, "Max Charm, activate!"
...