Inside the room, Henry held Joshua in his arms, looking down at the boy curled up against his chest.
Joshua was truly exhausted—his face a little pale, faint dark circles visible beneath his eyes.
However, Henry knew it wasn’t simply because Joshua was tired. Lately, Joshua had been waking up in the middle of the night, clinging to him while murmuring something under his breath—words Henry could never quite make out.
But Henry had always known—there seemed to be someone in Joshua’s heart... Someone who either looked like him or perhaps simply had that same small mole under the left eye.
He didn’t know. Yet every time it happened, he felt a strange mix of warmth and bitterness—warmth because Joshua unconsciously sought him out, bitterness because, deep down, Joshua was thinking of that person.
Who was that person? Were they already gone? Henry had entertained countless guesses based on Joshua’s state.
He suspected that the person must be dead. Otherwise, Joshua would surely still be by their side.
But a love that deep, once lost—it’s not something easily forgotten. And if Joshua could never let go, not for the rest of his life, then what would that mean for him?
Henry thought it would be fine. As long as he could see Joshua healthy and happy, that would be enough.
Wouldn’t it? That should be enough... right, Henry?
It was as if countless voices echoed in his mind, asking the same question over and over, and Henry could never give an answer.
He lowered his gaze to Joshua, then bent down, burying his face in the hollow of Joshua’s neck. The tip of his nose brushed against the boy’s smooth, cool skin as he listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Joshua, you’re so unfair," he whispered softly. "I only wanted to watch you from afar... but when you’re like this—when you cling to me like this—you just make me greedier..."
Greedy for more—for more embraces, more touches, more of those glances—until all those eyes could see were him alone.
Henry had always thought he only needed to see Joshua safe and smiling, that he wouldn’t care as long as the person beside Joshua was someone kind.
But now, just the thought of Joshua giving his heart to someone else made him ache—as if his own chest were being torn apart. He was no longer satisfied just standing in the shadows.
"What do I do, Joshua... I’m too greedy..."
Henry lay Joshua down on the bed and gently drew him into his arms again.
Joshua seemed to love the warmth of Henry’s embrace—every time, he would burrow closer, murmuring softly against his chest.
Henry looked down at him, at the soft curve of his cheek, at those slightly parted pink lips. He reached out instinctively, his fingers brushing against them. They were so smooth, so warm—like a ripe, tender fruit ready to burst...
Not until Henry reacted was his thumb already inside Joshua’s oral cavity.
Joshua’s sleeping face was soft and completely unguarded. His beautiful lips parted, revealing a glimpse of white teeth, a rosy tongue tip, and a hot, moist mouth.
Henry’s breathing instinctively grew ragged. He opened his eyes wide, pressing his thumb slightly onto the tip of Joshua’s tongue. The warm, slick sensation transmitted was like an electric shock to Henry, who immediately pulled his hand back.
Joshua, in his dream, seemed to be slightly uncomfortable, making a petulant humming sound.
Henry trembled. He held his breath, staggering into the bathroom.
I’m sorry, Joshua, I’m sorry, Joshua, Joshua, Joshua, stay by my side forever, lie next to me forever, okay, Joshua...
Joshua was dreaming again, dreaming about Henry... After Henry scared him into tears, the relationship between the two children seemed to have improved.
At least, Joshua felt that way unilaterally. Because he realized that as long as he acted spoiled, Henry, the brother with the cold face, would follow him no matter what he did!
How wonderful!
Today, after so many days of persistent begging, Henry finally agreed to come to his house to play, and Joshua was overjoyed!
It should be known that everyone in the family was very busy. His brother even had to go to school, even in the summer, and only Henry stayed at home. He didn’t seem to need to go to school, and Joshua wanted to be like that when he grew up.
But when he told his mother this, she said no. She said Henry was too talented, which was why he didn’t need to go to school, and Joshua was no exception.
"Brother Henryyyyy!"
Henry had just been led into the house by the servant when he heard a resounding, jumping voice from the top of the stairs.
Joshua was wearing a sailor-style outfit with shorts that reached almost to his knees, and he had a rabbit ear clip on his head, smoothing all his hair back to reveal a lovely, small, round face that still had a bit of foam clinging to it.
Seeing Henry, Joshua’s big, round eyes lit up instantly. He smiled so brightly that his eyes were almost invisible, and he rushed down the stairs.
Henry’s eyes widened. The servant anxiously chased after Joshua: "Young Master, don’t run, it’s hazardous!"
Henry instinctively ran forward, catching the little bunny that was hopping straight toward him—and immediately found his arms full of Joshua.
Joshua stood on tiptoe, rubbing his cheek against Henry’s chin. The sharp lines of Henry’s face were soon smeared with soapy bubbles, but he didn’t care. He simply looked down at Joshua and said thoughtfully, "Don’t run like that again."
Joshua: "Oh." He didn’t seem particularly bothered.
Henry frowned slightly. "If you do that again, I won’t come over to play with you anymore."
Hearing that, Joshua’s eyes widened. He nodded furiously. "I’ll be good, Brother Henry!"
As he spoke, he rubbed his foamy face against Henry’s chest, leaving a trail of white bubbles on the little suit Henry was wearing.
A servant stepped forward and said softly, "Young master, shall we dry your face first before playing again?"
But before Joshua could respond, Henry had already taken his hand and started leading him away. In a calm tone, he said, "I’ll wash Joshua’s face."
Joshua immediately began hopping with joy, his voice full of delight as he exclaimed over and over how much he loved Henry and how much he liked Henry. The white foam on his face ended up all over Henry’s little suit.
Henry: "..."
Henry took a towel and carefully wiped Joshua’s face. The soft, smooth skin beneath his fingers made him press a little harder without realizing it.
Then he suddenly said, "Joshua."
Joshua blinked up at him obediently, eyes wide and clear.
Henry’s expression didn’t change as he asked, "Where’s your dimple?"
At that, Joshua broke into a bright grin, revealing the dimple on his right cheek.
Henry looked at him, his heart pounding oddly fast—he even had the absurd urge to bite him.
Calmly, he reasoned with himself: it was simply because Joshua was too cute. That was all. Joshua was... an extremely dangerous creature.
With that profound thought, Henry finished drying Joshua’s face and adjusted the bunny-ear headband on his head.
He first brushed down Joshua’s fluffy hair, then straightened the headband so that the soft ears looked as though they were growing right out of Joshua’s hair.
So cute!!!
Henry’s entire mind was filled with those two words. He wondered why he didn’t have a little brother of his own.
But then he realized he didn’t need one. Joshua was enough—there could never be another Joshua in this world.
Joshua tilted his head to look at his reflection in the mirror, smiling to reveal two tiny front teeth, which made him look even more like a rabbit. Then he turned to Henry, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Brother Henry, am I cute? Am I cute, Brother Henry?"
Henry looked at Joshua clinging to him, and instead of answering, he said thoughtfully, "Don’t act cute."