Chapter 19. Playful teasing

Luren slowly woke up, feeling the warmth of a heavy arm wrapped securely around him.

A soft smile curled on his lips as his eyes fell on the man lying beside him. Craige was still fast asleep, his breathing steady and peaceful. The morning light danced on his face, highlighting his strong jawline and slightly tousled dark hair. His lashes were long and rested gently against his cheeks, giving his usually sharp gaze a rare, gentle softness. Luren couldn't help but admire

him, how someone so fierce and commanding when awake could look so vulnerable and serene in sleep. His heart ached sweetly at the sight.

Luren gently reached out, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from Craige's

forehead. His touch was light, almost hesitant, as if afraid to wake him. His

eyes lingered on Craige's sleeping face, quietly admiring every detail, the calm expression, the way his lips were slightly parted, the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Then his gaze fell to Craige's lips, and a sudden warmth bloomed in his chest. He

remembered the way they felt against his own, the softness, the heat, the way his heart raced in that stolen moment. A flush crept up Luren's cheeks. The urge to kiss him again stirred inside him, strong and sweet, but he hesitated.

Would it be too bold? Would he mind?

His heart pounded as he leaned in just a little, close enough to feel Craige's breath

brush his skin. But his courage faltered, and he pulled back with a nervous smile. Instead, he nestled a little closer under the crook of Craige's arm, letting the moment stay safe in silence, for now.

Luren shifted slightly, inching closer to Craige, craving the warmth of his embrace.

But then he froze, something firm had pressed against his thigh. His eyes widened, and a deep blush bloomed across his cheeks. W-what was that?

Flustered, he glanced at Craige's face. He was still sound asleep, his expression calm and unbothered, as if unaware of the effect his body was having on Luren.

A mix of curiosity and nervousness stirred inside him. Slowly, hesitantly, Luren slipped

his head beneath the bedsheet, guided more by wonder than intention. The heat under the covers was immediate, and his heart thudded loudly in his chest as his eyes adjusted to the dim space.

Then he saw it.

His breath caught. It was that—hard, prominent, and undeniably real. His throat went dry, and he swallowed hard, his face turning a deeper shade of red. Is this normal? he wondered, half-embarrassed, half-fascinated.

Compelled by something he didn't quite understand, Luren reached out with a trembling hand and lightly poked it with his finger. The slight movement made him jolt

back instinctively, his heart racing. He pulled his head out from under the sheet, flustered beyond reason.

Why did I do that? he scolded himself, covering his face with both hands as heat rushed to his ears. That was so embarrassing…

Just as Luren tried to calm his pounding heart, still flushed and confused, he felt a

slight shift beside him. Craige stirred, his brows twitching before his eyes slowly blinked open, adjusting to the soft morning light.

His gaze was a little hazy at first, but when he saw Luren face red, breathing uneven,

sitting stiffly under the blanket, his eyes sharpened with mild concern and curiosity.

"…Luren?" Craige's voice was low and husky from sleep, the kind of voice that lingered

between dream and reality. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, then

reached out instinctively to tuck a strand of hair behind Luren's ear. "Are you alright?"

Luren jolted slightly at the touch, then quickly turned his face away, trying to hide

the lingering blush on his cheeks. "Y-yeah… I'm fine. You just… moved in your sleep," he mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

Craige tilted his head, noticing how tense Luren was. His hand lingered on Luren's

shoulder, thumb gently brushing over his collarbone. "You look like you've seen

a ghost," he said softly, a teasing note in his voice. "Or… did I do something?"

Luren swallowed hard, still not daring to meet his eyes. "No! I mean… you were just…

close. Really close." He tightened his grip on the blanket as if it could hide the memory of what he'd just seen and touched.

Craige blinked, then looked down slightly, realizing what might have happened. A quiet

understanding flickered in his eyes. For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick, awkward, yet charged with something unspoken.

He leaned in a little closer, eyes searching Luren's face. "Did I make you uncomfortable?" he asked gently, his voice steady but tinged with something

more, concern, maybe even vulnerability.

Luren finally met his gaze, startled by the sincerity in Craige's expression. "N-no…

I just…" He trailed off, unsure of what to say. His heart wouldn't stop racing.

Craige gave a small smile, soft but unreadable. "Then stay," he said, pulling Luren gently back into the curve of his arm. "It's still early."

Luren didn't resist. He let himself be held, burying his face into Craige's chest as

his cheeks continued to burn.

Luren stayed tucked against Craige's chest, trying to will away the heat in his

cheeks. But it didn't help that he could feel Craige's heartbeat… and the lingering firmness pressed lightly between them.

Craige's lips curved into a knowing smirk as he glanced down. "You're really warm," he

murmured lazily, his voice still heavy with sleep. "Or… is it just me?"

Luren stiffened slightly. "It's not you," he mumbled quickly, but the crack in his voice gave him away.

Craige chuckled, the sound low and teasing. "Hmm… are you sure?" he asked, leaning a

little closer, his breath brushing Luren's ear. "You're acting like something startled you under the blankets. Did you see a monster down there?"

Luren turned even redder. "Craige!"

He laughed again, clearly enjoying himself now. "You were bright red when I woke up. I was starting to think you had a fever. But now I'm starting to wonder…" He narrowed

his eyes playfully. "Did you touch something you weren't supposed to?"

Luren let out a strangled noise and smacked his chest lightly. "You were asleep!"

Craige raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Ah… so I was asleep. But you weren't."

Luren groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Stop talking…"

"But I'just trying to understand," Craige said, pretending to look thoughtful. "You

looked so curious. Like a little kitten who pawed at something new."

"Craige!"

Craige laughed again, this time pulling Luren closer with both arms, pressing a soft

kiss to his temple. "I'm teasing," he whispered gently. "But… I don't mind. Not

if it's you."

Luren's breath caught. The teasing warmth shifted into something deeper, sweeter. He

stayed quiet, his fingers unconsciously curling into the fabric of Craige's shirt.

"…I wasn't scared," he said softly, almost like a confession.

Craige rested his chin atop Luren's head, smiling to himself. "Good," he murmured.

"Because I don't want you to be."

Craige tilted Luren's chin up with gentle fingers, his touch soft but sure. His eyes

held a quiet affection as he leaned in, planting a delicate kiss on the tip of Luren's nose, making him scrunch it slightly in surprise. Then, slowly, his lips moved down, brushing lightly against Luren's.

"Good morning, baby," he whispered, his voice thick with warmth and something deeper, something tender and claiming all at once.

Luren's breath hitched, his heart fluttering in his chest. "Morning…" he murmured

shyly, barely able to meet Craige's gaze. His voice was small, almost unsure, but filled with something sweet, an unspoken trust.

Before he could say more, Craige leaned in again, this time capturing Luren's lips in a

kiss, soft at first, teasing, like he was savoring the taste of something he'd missed in his dreams. But the gentleness didn't last long. The kiss deepened, growing hungry and possessive, his mouth moving over Luren's with need and confidence.

His hand slid to the back of Luren's neck, holding him close as his tongue gently parted Luren's lips and explored with slow intensity. Luren's breath caught in his

throat, a soft sound escaping as he tried to keep up with the overwhelming sensation. He clutched the bedsheet with one hand, the other gripping Craige's arm for balance.

By the time Craige finally pulled away, Luren was breathless, his cheeks flushed, lips

slightly swollen, and eyes half-lidded with dazed emotion.

"You… you always kiss like that in the morning?" he managed to whisper, his voice shaky but laced with wonder.

Craige gave a slow, wicked smile. "Only when I wake up next to someone I can't stop

thinking about."

Craige leaned in again, this time pressing a trail of kisses down to Luren's neck. His

lips grazed the delicate skin, then lingered, sucking gently and nipping with

just enough pressure to make Luren gasp softly. One of Craige's hands slid beneath the hem of Luren's shirt, his fingers tracing along his waist with slow, deliberate curiosity.

Luren shivered under his touch, a rush of heat spreading through his entire body. It

was a feeling he couldn't name, too much, too new, but not something he wanted

to stop. His breath came faster, lips parted as unfamiliar sensations overwhelmed him, igniting something deep within.

Then—

Knock knock knock!

The loud sound at the door jolted them both.

"Your Grace," a maid's voice called politely but clearly through the door, "His Majesty requests your presence for breakfast."

Craige froze for a second, clearly annoyed at the interruption. He leaned his forehead against Luren's shoulder, sighing deeply. "Of all the timing…"

With a groan, he answered, "We'll be coming."

Luren's face was already flushed, but now he jumped up from the bed as if on fire.

"I-I'll shower first!" he blurted out, grabbing a towel and almost stumbling as he hurried to the bathroom.

Craige watched him go with a crooked smile, amused and hopelessly charmed. His eyes

softened with affection as the door clicked shut behind Luren. He leaned back on the pillows, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"So shy…and yet so tempting," he murmured to himself, still feeling the warmth of Luren's skin on his fingertips. A chuckle escaped his lips. "You're going to be the death of me, baby."