The Forbidden Light [BL]-Chapter 64: Mountain Trip

They set out and started hiking early in the morning. Yan Mo walked in front, holding the map with the marked route. Asahi and Second Shion were holding Haru’s hands – Asahi was the one holding his golden hand. Sayaka helped the king along the mountain path, holding his arm. Maldie and Gari stayed in the back – Yuri had been sitting on Maldie’s back for quite a few minutes, while Gari sometimes helped Rouhuo push Ayame’s wheelchair along the rough, narrow trails.

"Quite the workout," Rouhuo huffed once they finished climbing a steeper slope. They had already been walking for half an hour – maybe an hour.

"Right? I can’t remember the last time I pumped my muscles like this," Gari added with a small grin.

"I’m starting to feel like a dumbbell," Ayame joked, and all three of them burst out laughing.

"Grandma Maldie, I want go down," Yuri said.

"Oh sure, sweetie."

Maldie carefully put Yuri back on the ground, and the girl immediately ran to Haru and hugged him.

"What’s up, sweetheart?" he asked, stroking her hair with a smile. Yuri giggled. Asahi hugged him too, while Second Shion sat down next to his father and Sayaka on a nearby rock.

"Yan Mo," Rouhuo asked. "How much longer?"

"According to the map," the bodyguard answered with a serious tone, "there’s one last stretch left. Not steep, but fairly long."

"You really didn’t have to come here because of me, but thank you for the support," Ayame said.

"We’re family. Family’s supposed to support each other," Haru replied with a smile.

"But why are we going there?" Asahi asked. "Wasn’t this just supposed to be a mountain trip?"

"Kind of," Ayame said. "Well... ever since I moved to this country, I’ve heard a lot of different legends about this part of the mountains."

"Legends?" Maldie repeated, surprised. "Please don’t tell me we’re getting ourselves into trouble again! I’m already sick and tired of things happening that make zero sense."

"Well... what if I said it’s fifty-fifty? There’s a legend that at the top of the mountain we’re going to, there’s a shrine for some forgotten being – not a god, but supposedly just as strong, maybe even stronger. I just want to see if it’s true."

"Oh, so it’s tied to something dangerous," Haru said. He glanced at his husband, but Shion stayed quiet, lost in thought. "Then maybe we should split up. I don’t want to be away from my kids again, and Shion doesn’t either, so it might be better to head back now."

"So, we’re done with the trip? We’re not going to the shrine Aunt Ayame mentioned?" Yuri asked.

"Looks like it," Haru answered with a gentle smile.

"Honestly, good. My legs hurt like crazy," Second Shion muttered.

"All you do is complain," Asahi replied. "I don’t want to walk back with such a grump – you’ll whine the whole way and kill the mood!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"That’s not true! I can hold it in."

Asahi stuck his tongue out at him. Second Shion was just about to jump up and chase him, but Shion told the boys to stop squabbling and simply enjoy the trip.

"Ayame," the king spoke a moment later, "why do you want to go to that shrine? Not enough thrills for you with beings that don’t care at all about human life?" His tone was gloomy, serious. Haru looked at him with worry in his eyes.

Ayame sighed. She looked around at everyone.

What am I supposed to tell them? After everything that’s happened, will they look at me weird if I’m honest...?

Rouhuo leaned closer to her ear and whispered, as if she read her mind:

"Tell them the truth, my lady."

Ayame exchanged a look with her. They both nodded.

And to think that if she hadn’t told me right before we left, I probably wouldn’t even know why we were going there myself, the half-lion maid thought just before Ayame began speaking.

"I heard that this being isn’t dangerous. It can grant incredible power to people, but according to the legends its behavior is... strange and unpredictable. It can be dangerous sometimes, but only in rare cases and only if it feels seriously threatened or really insulted."

"So it’s just like I suspected," the king answered darkly. "You want to get your old magic back."

That irritated Ayame.

"That’s not true! I’m doing this to be more useful to our family. That really hurts, Shion. The way you’re saying it makes me sound like a complete selfish brat!"

Shion stood up from the rock. Sayaka snapped out of whatever daze she was in when she saw him rise and immediately took his arm. Shion the Second got up and went over to Haru.

"I’d never think you’re being selfish, sister" Shion said calmly, but with distance. "But I won’t put my kids at risk. Still... thank you for bringing us here. It was a nice trip. I think we should part ways now."

"Wait, Shion," Ayame said. "You might get lost on your way back – and so could we. And we only have one map..."

"My lady," Yan Mo spoke, "as an Oni, the mountains are carved into my soul. I memorized the route here in an instant. I can lead them back and protect the children, but that would mean leaving your side."

"Then let’s switch," Gari suggested. "Not long ago I used to be Haru’s personal guard, remember?" she said with a grin. "Besides – Maldie may look like a gentle granny, but she can fight, and her grip is insane, heh."

Maldie smacked Gari on the back of the head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" the half-dragon said.

"For calling me old. If I’m too old for you, go find yourself someone younger, hmpf!"

"Oh, come on, babe, you know that’s not what I meant!" Gari tried to explain.

Meanwhile Ayame turned to Yan Mo.

"Looks like everything’s settled. Then hand me the map and take my brother’s family safely back to their rooms."

Yan Mo bowed deeply.

"As you command, my lady."

A small shiver ran down Yuri’s spine. Haru noticed right away – he felt it himself, since she’d been hugging him around the waist this whole time.

"You okay, sweetheart? Are you cold?" Haru asked, worried.

"N-no. I-I feel s-something weird. Can we go already?"

"It’s not just that we can – we should," King Shion replied.

Yan Mo nodded to him.

"Please, let me lead," he said, gesturing for them to follow.

"Good luck," Haru said to Ayame as they were leaving. "I hope you find what you came for, Ayame, and that nothing goes wrong."

"Thanks."

Haru walked close to his husband, whom Sayaka helped down the steep slope. Surrounded by their children, despite the mountain chill, there was a warm, caring family atmosphere in the air.

Their walk back went surprisingly fast. Asahi and Second Shion kept teasing each other, and from time to time, Haru or Shion had to make sure they didn’t run off too far or trip over a rock. Yan Mo kept an eye on them too.

Yuri, meanwhile, walked quietly, holding Haru’s hand the whole way.

Haru felt that at the beginning of the return trip she squeezed his hand tightly, as if she was scared, but the farther they walked from that place, the more her grip relaxed – that was a clear sign to Haru that she was feeling calmer and safer.

After a while, Haru asked cheerfully:

"So, what do you want to do once we’re back?"

"Sleeeep," Shion the Second groaned. "I’m so tired I might drop any second. Are we close, Yan Mo?"

"A few minutes. Maybe a bit more," Yan Mo replied emotionlessly.

"Oh." Second Shion yawned.

"I want sleep too," Yuri said quietly. "It was fun, but I’m so tired."

"Same," Asahi said.

"You definitely ran the most, didn’t you?" Haru teased, ruffling his hair. Asahi laughed. "Don’t want take a bath before bed?"

"I can’t... I’m too tired," Second Shion answered, exhausted.

"Me too," Asahi added, yawning this time.

Yuri stayed silent, just walking with them.

By the time they returned, dusk was setting in. The kids went straight to their room to sleep, and Yan Mo and Sayaka agreed to watch them while Haru and Shion went to bathe.

This time Haru didn’t bother with the staff’s stares and changed in the same dressing room as Shion, then went with him to the hot springs.

A moment later, both were soaking in the warm water, with the sky above them still bright, though already darkening, in the color of deep orange. Haru sat on his husband’s lap, arms wrapped around his neck.

"It feels great to take a break from being king and just spend time with family, right, babe?" he asked with a soft laugh. He couldn’t resist teasing Shion a little.

The king seemed to drift off into his thoughts again, then finally replied:

"Yes. You’re right."

"Something bothering you, love?" Haru asked, his voice gentle.

Shion pulled him closer, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around Haru’s slim waist.

"Ayame. I don’t know what she’s planning or why she went there, but... something tells me nothing good is going to come out of it. Ever since we arrived, there’s been this... uneasy feeling."

As he spoke, Haru kissed his neck.

"Sorry, babe, I can’t help it. It’s just the two of us here, and we have the whole hot spring to ourselves. Would be a waste not to use it," he murmured, kissing him softly. "And about Ayame – I think she’ll be fine. Even if something bad happens, she’ll find a way out. Can we think about it later, honey? S-sorry, I really can’t hold myself back anymore," he whispered, breathless and seductive.

Shion sighed, then said:

"You’re right. I should forget it for a moment and... focus only on you." He touched Haru’s cheek with his hand, then kissed him on the lips.

A moment later, Shion pulled Haru even closer, kissing him fiercely – almost wildly passionate – as if he wanted to pour all his worries and doubts into a series of intense kisses. Haru started moving his thighs slightly, rubbing against him like a cat, trying to get Shion in the right mood.

Haru didn’t even know when they started doing it right there in the hot spring – making the water feel much hotter than before...