Epoch 22: Everything ends well.
Xue cleaned up the mess they made, Hou lit a fire, and Tang Tang cleaned himself and changed his clothes. Now the three of them were sitting face-to-face.
Both men have a solemn expression.
"First, Hou, why are you here?" Tang Tang asked.
Hou glared at Xue before he answered. "I'm looking for Xue when I notice that he hasn't come back yet from our father's tent."
Tang Tang nodded, then asked Xue. "Why are you calling me earlier?"
"I just want to inform you about father and mother's decision to support our plan." Xue then summarizes what Bei and Lia said earlier.
Tang Tang nodded again, looked at Hou, and asked about the thing that was confusing him. "Why are you calling Xue a liar?"
Hou glared again at Xue; this time, Tang Tang could clearly see the anger and dissatisfaction in Hou's eyes. "We made a deal."
"A deal?"
When Hou looked at Tang Tang, his expression softened, and tears streamed down his eyes again.
"Hou." Tang Tang felt distress seeing Hou crying.
"We agree that we will not fight in front of you or argue. We will spend time with you equally, and we will also try not to do intimate things with you," Hou said aggrievedly.
"Why?" Tang Tang asked, confused.
"To give you enough time and for your decision not to be clouded by desires, so you can choose who you really like the most," Hou answered.
Tang Tang frowned. "Decision in what? Choose?" The more he listened, the more he got confused.
[You're getting dumb, Tang Tang. 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜]
'What do you mean? Do you know what's happening, Ude?'
[Of course. ( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°)ᕤ]
"For you to choose who to marry this incoming Eulogia."
'eh?'
"Xue is the one who offers this deal, but he is also the one who goes against it. Tss, what a liar," Hou continued angrily while glaring at the silent Xue.
Tang Tang also looks at Xue, who has been looking down and not saying anything since earlier.
'Do I really need to marry, Ude?'
[Yes. In this world, they believe that a sub-beast who has come of age needs to marry. It is 18 years old, the same as yours, Tang Tang.]
'Can I use the title God Messenger to be excluded?'
[No, and you see, premarital sex here is a sin, and you are committing it twice now. So if you want to have sex properly in the future, you need to marry or else..]
'But I don't want to marry just because of sex. I want to marry the person I like.'
[Don't you like the two of them?]
'That is the problem. I like the two of them.'
"I'm sorry. It is my fault. I don't know that the two of you have a deal like that."
Hearing Tang Tang's words, Hou's eyes darkened, and his body trembled from anger. "Do you like him that much for you to defend him?" he muttered through gritted teeth.
Xue feels the sudden changes in Hou. He immediately stood up and tried to grab Hou's arm to pull him outside, but he was thrown the next second.
"Ngh.."
"Xue!" Tang Tang was stunned. They were just talking when Xue suddenly fell to the ground and was pinned by Hou.
"Why? Is it because he is much better at everything, or is it because you dislike me after seeing me go berserk? Tell me, Tang Tang, what I need to do for you to choose me."
Tang Tang was taken aback when he saw Hou's eyes staring at him. The beast's golden irises turned red, and his body is oozing a black mist that makes him step back unconsciously.
Seeing his reaction, Hou grimaced. "I knew it. The only solution for you to like me is if Xue dies," Hou said as he tightened the grip on Xue's neck.
'Ude help! What's happening to Hou?' Tang Tang asked in a panic.
[He goes berserk. ⊙﹏⊙]
'Berserk? What should I do?'
[The strength of a Berserk beast is doubled. Go outside and ask someone for help.]
'But it may be too late. Hou might really kill Xue.'
[Then try to talk to him. He gets mad after you defend Xue. Try to explain to him what really happened.]
'How can I tell him that I am just horny and Xue came at the right time, so I pulled him in to masturbate together?'
[...]
"Hou," he softly called as he stepped closer.
"Don't come closer, Tang Tang!" Xue tried to struggle but was strongly pressed down by Hou.
Afraid that Tang Tang might be inadvertently injured by their commotion, Xue is simply waiting for the right moment to struggle and break free from Hou. However, he is now forced to lie flat on the ground in order to avoid upsetting Hou as the sub-beast approaches.
"Hou, please calm down. I am not trying to defend Xue; it is just really my fault," Tang Tang explained.
[Tang Tang, don't come closer, aren't you scared? Hou might accidentally hurt you.]
'I am scared, but I am worried that Hou will hurt Xue, and it distresses me to see Hou's pained expression.'
[If you like them that much, then why don't you marry them?]
'I want to, but I can't choose who to marry first.'
[Then marry both of them at the same time.]
'eh? Is that even possible?'
[Based on the data I gathered, yes.]
He already knew what to do now that he was aware he wouldn't need to choose between the two. All he could hope was that it would work and calm Hou down.
Tang Tang kneeled in front of Hou, looking straight into his eyes as he gently caressed his cheeks. "I like you, Hou," he said, kissing the man's lips.
Hearing the sub-beast's confession, not only Hou but also Xue were surprised. "You are only saying that to save Xue, right?"
"No, Hou, I do really like you," Tang Tang said as he planted small kisses on Hou's face.
"Really?" Hou asked, tears flowing down his eyes. His eyes are slowly turning back to normal.
"Yes. Why are you crying again?" Tang Tang smiled helplessly as he wiped Hou's tears. "Can you now let go of Xue, so the three of us can talk properly? I need to tell something to both of you."
Hou hesitated at first, but eventually released Xue. He kissed Tang Tang on the forehead and carried him back to bed. "I like you so much, Tang Tang, ever since I saw you for the first time."
While Xue lifelessly stood up. He doesn't know what to feel after hearing Tang Tang confess to Hou; he feels that everything has lost its meaning.
Looking at the dejected expression of the Xue, Tang Tang sighed. "Xue, sit here," he said, patting the space on his right side.
Xue obediently complied; he silently sat next to Tang Tang, staring down, while Hou was staring at the sub-beast intently. Although his eyes are still slightly red, the black mist surrounding him is slowly dissipating.
Tang Tang heaved a sigh and said, "I have been thinking about this for a while now. Actually, I don't plan to marry anyone this incoming Eulogia."
"Why?" the twins asked at the same time. Hou is on the verge of crying again, while Xue frowns.
"Because I can't choose."
"What do you mean?" Hou asked.
Tang Tang took Hou's hand and said, looking into his eyes. "I like you, Hou. I like how you freely express yourself. I like your radiant smile and crying face as well. Your quick remarks, your warm disposition, and even your bad sense of humor. I like them all. Your presence alone gives me warmth and comfort. Seeing you go berserk didn't make me less like you."
The color of Hou's eyes completely returned to normal. "T—tang tang.." he muttered as he choked on his sobs. He hugged the sub-beast and buried his head on his shoulder.
Tang Tang lifted his head as he wiped the man's snot and tears. "See? You're so cute, Hou. How can I not like you?" The sub-beast's every word makes Hou's heart beat faster.
After confessing what he really felt for Hou, Tang Tang looked at the expressionless man on his right.
Xue may look expressionless and calm, but Tang Tang's words are like a sharp claw, scratching him all over and piercing deep into his heart. Unlike his brother, he can't cry; he doesn't know how to. All the things the sub-beast used to describe Hou are the complete opposite of him; no wonder Tang Tang doesn't like him.
When he saw Tang Tang looking at him, he wanted to say something, but there was no voice coming out, as if there were a lump stuck in his throat.
"Xue.."
"I-I know..." Xue tried to squeeze out those two words. 'I know that the one you want to marry is Hou.'
Tang Tang was surprised. "You know?"
Xue solemnly nodded.
Tang Tang sighed and smiled. "This is one of the reasons I like you, Xue."
"Huh?"
"You're so reliable and calm. I can tell you my problems, and you can immediately come up with solutions." Tang Tang continued, ignoring the flustered expression of Xue. "You make everything look so easy. This is the first time I feel dependent on someone; it gives me a sense of safety."
Tang Tang looked at Xue and Hou. "Do you understand now why I planned not to marry?"
Hou shakes his head. Xue stared at him in a daze.
"Idiots." Tang Tang chuckled. "I can't decide right now because I like the two of you equally. Before making a decision, I wanted to learn more about the two of you. I know that being the first husband is a big deal; that's why I want more time to think about it." He looked down and muttered. "If only I could marry both of you."
Hearing this, the two beasts look enlightened. Tang Tang suppressed his smile and stood up. "Do you understand now? I will not marry anyone, so stop fighting and go back to your tent," he said with determination.
Xue and Hou looked at each other. Both have a look of disbelief about why they didn't think about that solution and were preoccupied with competing.
Tang Tang turned around and pretended to be busy. "I also want to travel throughout Gaia, visit other tribes, and meet new people," he hinted.
Hou is the first to react. He stood up to follow Tang Tang, but it seemed as if all the strength of his body had vanished; he fell face first.
"Ugh.."
"Hou! What happened?" Tang Tang worriedly asked Xue because he didn't see why Hou suddenly fell. "Lay him there."
Xue carried Hou and laid him on the grass bed as per Tang Tang's instructions. "It is normal to lose strength and feel weak after going berserk. There is no need to worry; he only needs to rest."
"I'm fine," Hou grinned. "Tang Tang, let's get married, okay? No need to choose." Ignoring the slight pain on his nose, he said the things he planned to say before he fell.
"What do you mean?"
"The three of us can marry, and we can be both your first husbands," Xue explained.
Tang Tang pretended to be surprised. "Is that even possible?"
"Yes, yes. You know Gio. He married Yul and Toa at the same time, to slap Xue in the face after being ignored. It means that the three of us can get married too." Hou answered happily, even though his whole body is aching.
Tang Tang saw Xue nodding. He smiled and lay beside Hou. "Okay! Let's talk about the details tomorrow. Let's sleep first. Xue, put out the fire and sleep here."
Xue obeys. After he lay down, he immediately hugged the sub-beast. His eyes are full of warmth for the person in his arms.
Hou also wants to hug Tang Tang but doesn't have the strength to even lift a finger.
Tang Tang kissed Xue and Hou's cheeks. "Goodnight," he said, letting Xue hug him from the back, then hug Hou.
"Goodnight." The wide grin on Hou's face didn't fade.
"Hmm," was Xue's response as he buried his head on Tang Tang's nape.
'Everything ends well, Ude.'
[You're so great, Tang Tang. ✧\(>o<)ﾉ✧]