Epoch 23: The clingy sub-beast.
The next morning.
Sounds of murmuring woke Tang Tang. When he sat up, he saw Xue and Hou on a corner whispering at each other; both had a serious expression.
'What are they discussing? It looks serious.'
[Do you want to know, Tang Tang?]
'Of course! Tell me, Ude.'
[Since they are planning to live with you from now on, they are talking about how to equally divide the daily chores to not burden you, so you can do anything you want and still have enough time to rest.]
"Pfft." Tang Tang can't help laughing. The two men were talking in all seriousness; without Ude, he would have thought that they were scheming some great plans.
[You are laughing, but I know your touch. (♡ω♡ ) ~♪]
'Yeah. Who wouldn't? On Earth, it is already hard to find men like them.'
"Tang Tang!" Hearing him laugh, Hou immediately ran to his side and hugged him. "Good Morning."
"Good morning, Hou. Good morning, Xue."
"Good morning," Xue said expressionlessly.
"Why did you laugh?" Hou curiously asked, still snuggling him.
"Seeing the two of you on a corner and talking in whispers the moment I opened my eyes makes me laugh. What are you discussing there, huh?" Tang Tang already knew, but he still jokingly asked.
Instead of answering, Hou asked anxiously. "Tang Tang, you both like us, right? You will marry us, right?" Without waiting for Tang Tang's answer, Hou continued. "Xue and I are both strong. I am not as smart as Xue, but I am willing to learn. We will try not to fight and will cooperate more with each other."
Xue sits beside him. "I will give my best to become a good leader and a good husband."
'Why are these two so adorable?'
Tang Tang smiles as he caresses the cheeks of the twins. "Do you think this tent is too small for the three of us?"
Hou beamed as he hugged Tang Tang tightly; even Xue showed a rare smile. "We will build a bigger tent."
"No. I want to build a house." Tang Tang remembers the brick recipe he learned from the first quest.
"House? What is that?"
Xue knew that it was another thing from Tang Tang's previous world and would need a long discussion. He stood up and went to the hearth. "Let's talk about it later. Let Tang Tang eat first."
Hou let go of him and followed Xue with a bowl. "We already heated the food last night."
"Hou, how's your body?" Tang Tang asked when he remembered that Hou became paralyzed after going berserk last night. He momentarily forgot about it when he saw how lively the beast was.
"I'm fine now. I already drank the medicine made by Xue to replenish my strength," Hou said with a smile.
"That's good then. I will wash first," he said as he went outside to wash in the nearby stream.
The moment he opened the tent's entrance, he was surprised to see someone standing in front of him. "AAHH!"
Xue and Hou immediately rushed beside him. "What's wrong?" Xue asked, looking at the sub-beast standing in front of Tang Tang.
"I'm s-sorry.. I didn't m-mean to.." the sub-beast said in a stutter.
Looking at Pen, who had nearly cowered after being intimidated by the twins, "It's fine; I was just surprised. Why are you here so early? Did something happen to Yan?" Tang Tang hurriedly asked. Yan is the only reason Tang Tang could think of for Pen's presence.
"N-no." Seeing that Pen was hesitant to speak, Tang Tang signaled to the twins to go back inside the tent and pulled Pen to come with him on the stream.
While walking, Tang Tang tries to probe why Pen is looking for him. The sub-beast didn't say much, but based on his answer, nothing happened to Yan, and Yan didn't even know he was coming to him.
Upon reaching the stream, Tang Tang immediately undressed before cleansing his face, hair, and entire body using a plant he found the other day. Based on the system encyclopedia, this plant has the same properties as soapwort on earth. It creates bubbles and smells fragrant. After, he wrapped a monster skin around his body, which he used as a towel. He washed everything he wore as well, including his one and only underwear.
Pen just followed him quietly and stood on the sidelines, red-faced. As they were both sub-beasts, he is aware that there shouldn't be any issues with him seeing Tang Tang naked; after all, the other sub-beasts typically take baths together, so this isn't the first time someone has bathed in front of him.
But he admires Tang Tang; he also saved him from death. That is why he can't help getting flustered after seeing Tang Tang naked. He wants to look away, but is immediately mesmerized by the view. In Pen's eyes, Tang Tang was like a fairy; his whole body was glowing as the sun shone on him. His fair skin is as white as a pearl with a tinge of pink, devoid of any mark or blemish. He looks more ethereal because of the striking contrast of his medium-length hair, which is as dark as night.
"Pen?" Tang Tang called to the dazed sub-beast.
"Huh?"
Tang Tang smiled and pinched Pen's cheeks. "I said I'm done. If you have something to say, you can say it now."
After he learned from Yan that Tang Tang didn't hate him after knowing that he liked him and followed him around the tribe, Pen's filter for Tang Tang doubled. It is also the reason that gave him the courage to talk to him now.
"I w–want to follow you and h–help you in any way I can. I also want to l–learn from you. I can do anything. I am not smart, but I can learn faster, so please..." Pen's voice is getting lower and lower the longer he talks. "You can use me in any way you want. I am not d–delicate like the other sub-beasts."
Tang Tang smiles and reaches out to ruffle Pen's hair. "Of course I am willing to teach you. I will also be needing a lot of your help."
"Really?" Pen asked in surprise. He was so happy that Tang Tang accepted it, but his joy faded in an instant when he heard his next words.
"Yes, but not now."
"W—why?" Pen dejectedly asked.
Pen is a year younger than Tang Tang, but he is a head taller than him. He has honey-colored skin, but due to the incident yesterday, his complexion is slightly pale, and there are still some red marks around his face and arms. His long chestnut hair is tied in a ponytail. His almond-shaped eyes with brown irises were watery, and his pink, thin lips were slightly quivering. He looks pitiful and cute at the same time.
'He is cute. Many doms on Earth would fight to have a sub like him.'
[(ー_ー゛) Calling FBI.]
"You are not completely recovered."
"N–no, I am already—"
"You want to learn from me?"
Pen nodded.
"Then you should listen to me. I really need urgent help, but that doesn't mean I will accept anyone, especially someone who is still recovering," Tang Tang said as he pointed out all the red marks on Pen's arms. "The person I need should be healthy. So come back to me once all of these marks are gone. A special task will be waiting for you."
"Really?" Pen asked with bright eyes.
"Yes."
Pen became lively, and he immediately bid farewell to Tang Tang. He plans to drink a lot of ginger soup to recover as soon as possible.
Tang Tang advises Pen to recuperate well before separating ways. He was walking back when he met Hou on the way.
"Why do you take so long?" Hou asked.
Tang Tang has never had a serious relationship before, but he believes that trust is the best foundation for a long-lasting relationship. He tells him about his conversation with Pen—nothing more, nothing less.
Hou listens attentively with a smile, but when Tang Tang is not looking, his expression becomes solemn.
[Tsk.. (٥↼_↼)]
'What's wrong?'
[Nothing.]
When they returned, Tang Tang hung his laundry before starting to eat the food the twins had prepared.
While Hou called Xue to talk outside, he then recounted to Xue the conversation between Pen and Tang Tang.
After a while, they both agreed that they should not only be wary of the other beast but of the sub-beasts and females as well. At least one of them should always stay with Tang Tang.
'Their wife is too beautiful. Everyone can fall in love with him.'
________________
Yan was about to go to Tang Tang to ask for Pen when she met Pen on her way.
"Where did you go? I am looking for you. I am so worried that Gio and Kea might do something again to you." Yan angrily nags.
But Pen didn't reply and just hurried back to their tent. Yan angrily followed, still continuing to reprimand her brother. When they returned to their tent, that's when Pen spoke while looking at the stock of vegetables on the corner.
"Yan, where did you put the ginger roots?"
Hearing Pen's question, she worriedly pulled Pen and checked his temperature. "Why? Are you feeling sick?"
"No," Pen answered with a smile.
Yan was taken aback when she saw Pen smile, but she still asked. "Then why?"
Pen happily narrated what Tang Tang told him earlier. "I want the rashes to fade as soon as possible so I can help him and stay by his side."
"You like him that much?" Yan helplessly asked.
"Yes! I like him so much."
She knew that Tang Tang was a good person, but she couldn't help but worry for her brother. Yan looked at Pen, who was still smiling while putting some medicine given by the Clan Witch on his rashes.
Yan sighed. 'Nevermind, as long as you're happy,' she thought as she continued boiling ginger roots.