Book I : Guardians of Love in the Beast World (BL)

Tangtang was surprised by Hou's sudden confession. He already knew that the man liked him, but he didn't expect that he would confess just like that.

Hou let him go and turned him over. Looking at the man's face, Tangtang can see how frustrated he is. "Can you tell me what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"I like you so much, Tangtang, but I am afraid that you will not like me." Hou hugged him again. "I am not as good as him. That's why everyone prefers him more than me. Everyone wants to please him, and he always has the first say in everything. What's even good in that cold-faced guy?"

Even though Hou didn't mention the name of that person, Tangtang already knew who it was. The feud between the twins is an open secret in the whole tribe. What Tangtang didn't understand is the connection between Xue being liked by everyone and Hou liking him.

"Tangtang..."

"Hmm?"

"Don't marry him, okay?"

'eh?'

When Tangtang didn't respond, his hug tightened, and he immediately added, "If you want to marry him, you have to marry me first, okay?"

'Wait! What? Who will marry who?'

The four fluff balls who instantly vanished the moment Hou hugged Tangtang once again appear. "I think he's talking about you," Ero innocently said.

'I know. What I mean is... He just confessed. Why suddenly talk about marriage?'

When Hou didn't hear any answer, he held Tangtang's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "Do you like Xue?" he asked, his voice trembling and in an almost crying tone.

"Hou..." Tangtang muttered, confused. He still can't understand what's going on.

Hou grew more frustrated the moment he saw Tangtang hesitating to answer his question.

"I know that I'm not as good as Xue, but I believe that I am worthy too. I just need you to give me a chance, okay? All of the things he can do, I can do too. I can hunt, collect herbs, and cook. If you want fruits, I will find them every day for you. Also, from now on, I will always clean my tent. No, I will build a new and big tent." Hou is like a vendor trying to sell himself.

The more Tangtang listens, the more confused he gets.

Hou continues to blabber.

'What's wrong with Hou?' Tangtang asked the four furballs.

"He eavesdropped on the tribe's meeting," Ero answered.

'Meeting?'

"Lia and Bei called all the tribe's elders this afternoon to ask for guidance. Lia was afraid that the Beast God would get angry because of all the malicious rumors spreading in the tribe about you."

'Why would the Beast God be angry?' Tangtang thought that things were getting complicated. Hou is talking about marriage, and Gae is talking about the Beast God. His brain can't cope with it. He just wanted to wash up and sleep.

"Lia believed that you were the one sent by the Beast God, and offending you will make their God angry."

'Is the Beast God really the one who sent me here?' Tangtang casually asked.

"Hmm... Yes and no," the four fluffy balls answer. "He is the one who opened the void for you to transmigrate safely in exchange for you helping his people," Gae added.

'Oh!' Tangtang wanted to know more about the Beast God, but seeing Hou's frantic blabbering, he chose to talk about it later. 'Tell me first what the marriage Hou is talking about.'

This time Phi responded, "Lia wanted you to marry Xue in the next Eulogia because, as the person sent by the Beast God, you should only marry the most worthy."

'I see.' Tangtang inwardly nodded. 'I understand you can now log off. Let's talk again later.'

The four fluff balls instantly vanished without any questions.

"I know that I scared you when we first met, but it was only an accident. I just wanted to check the bushes when I heard a movement, and then I didn't expect that it was you hiding."

Tangtang plans to let Hou finish his monologue, but his ears can't take it anymore.

He holds Hou's face with both hands. "Hou, please calm down!"

Hou abruptly stopped, looking intently at the beautiful sub-beast. Clear water drops slid down his face, looking particularly seductive.

Tangtang's brows were furrowed, and his clear eyes were filled with unconscious charm. Hou's been with the sub-beast every day, but every time he looks at Tangtang, he can't help but marvel at how a person can be this beautiful.

His heart skipped a beat.

"I don't care about who's worthy or not. If I marry someone, I want it to be the person I like," Tangtang stated. He doesn't care which world he is in; he will only marry the person he likes, not because someone wanted him to.

"Really?"

Tangtang nodded.

"Then do you like me?"

Tangtang was momentarily surprised, but when he realized what the man meant, he pinched Hou's face as he chuckled playfully. "I just gave you an inch, and now you want a mile?" His voice was so pleasant that it made one's ear itch.

The pinch isn't painful at all. Instead, Hou felt hot because of those soft and tender hands squeezing his face.

He likes Tangtang so much, and with each passing day, his feelings grew deeper. Hou doesn't know if Tangtang feels the same. Either Tangtang was sent by the Beast God or not; a beautiful and kind sub-beast like him deserved to be with the most outstanding beast, and he knew that compared to Xue, he is nothing.

"How about Xue? Do you like him?" Hou blurted out but immediately added, afraid of what Tangtang might answer, "It is normal to like him. They said that he is the strongest and most handsome beast here in Gaia."

Xue again? Hou undoubtedly feel inferior to Xue, a detrimental consequence of constantly being compared to others, particularly to your siblings. Tangtang was very familiar with this.

"Aren't you strong and handsome too?"

"But they said—"

"Stop!" Tangtang covers Hou's mouth. "I don't want to hear the words, 'They said this, they said that.' Don't bother with what other people say. Just believe in yourself."

"Listen, Hou, the two of you were twins, but you are also two different people, and like everyone else out there, you have your own personalities, strengths, and interests. Don't compare yourself to him or to anyone. Find what you're good at and focus on that."

Tangtang smiles as he caresses Hou's eyes. "Look at you! You're so handsome. Your golden irises were so beautiful, and your unruly hair is so cute. It perfectly matches your personality."

Hou's eyes started to well up.

"From now on I don't want to hear you comparing yourself to Xue, or else I will not talk to you anymore. Do you understand?" Tangtang said, trying to be intimidating.

Hou nodded.

Tangtang is the only person who believes in him, the only one who didn't compare him to Xue, and he won't do anything that would cause the sub-beast to abandon him. As long as Tangtang chose him, he is willing to do everything and agree to anything.

Tangtang thought that right now, Hou looked really cute, like a child that needed to be coaxed. He suddenly had the urge to tease the man.

"Here's a reward for an obedient beast," Tangtang said as he caressed Hou's cheeks down to his nape and pulled him to a kiss.

Tangtang licked his slightly parted lips and softly bit onto it a few more times before letting go.

Huo was dumbfounded by the sudden soft touch on his lips. His breathing grew heavy, but before he could react, the warm and sweet sensation was already lost.

"Tangtang..."

"Hmm," Tangtang tiptoed and hugged the man's neck as he smiled seductively.

Hou instinctively hugged Tangtang's waist and pressed it to his own. He kissed the sub-beast lips, imitating Tangtang's action earlier, but his movements were clumsy.

Tangtang slightly rubbed the tent between Hou's legs and was stunned by the size. This elicits a groan from the man.

Hou licked and bit the soft lips, but it was not enough, like a thirst that can't be quenched. He wanted more.

Tangtang noticed the impatience in the man's action as he voluntarily parted his mouth, welcoming the invading tongue. He sucked and played with it using his own.

The sudden entanglement of their tongues makes Hou's breathing quicken. His hold on the sub-beast's waist tightens, and he unconsciously rubs his hardened member against Tangtang's navel as their tongues keep teasing each other.

"Hnng~," Tangtang moaned. 'So big!'

Their passionate exchange continues, oblivious to the strong smell of citrus and a faint scent of vanilla wafting into the air.

Hou was overcome with lust, trampling his rationality. He knew that what they were doing was not right since they were not married yet, but his instinct was pushing him to mark the sub-beast in his embrace.

"Hou!" A cold voice called, bringing the two to their senses.

They both reluctantly parted, breaking the silver thread that connected them. Tangtang buried his head on Hou's chest as he panted, listening to the loud pounding of the man's heart.

Hou didn't answer and just continued to hug Tangtang. He planted small kisses on his hair as he repeatedly whispered his name. "Tangtang..."

"Hou!" Xue called once again.

Hou was still immersed in happiness and was repeatedly interrupted,

"WHAT?" he angrily retorted without looking back.

"Mother and Father are looking for you." Even though Xue can't see the person Hou is hugging, he knows who it is.

Xue saw Hou eavesdropping on the tribe meeting earlier. Hou usually does that, but this time Lia had a proposition that made Hou's face turn gloomy, and he immediately ran off to somewhere.

"Let Tangtang marry Xue in the next Eulogia."

Their mother already informed him about it, and he didn't have any objections. His mother is the high priest, and he knows what is best for the tribe. The only problem is his twin brother, who showed strong interest in Tangtang and had a deep hatred for him.

Afraid that Hou would do something outrageous again because of anger, he instantly followed him.

Xue had a positive impression of Tangtang, and it was even better after hearing what the latter had said to his brother. He already plans to leave and let the two have their moment when he smells Hou's pheromones.

When Tangtang heard this, he slightly pushed Hou. "Let's go back."

"No, I want to stay with you!" Hou pressed Tangtang again to his bare chest, afraid that the sub-beast would be taken away.

'Me too. I want you to fuck me right now, but it is too embarrassing to make them wait for that.'

How long had it been since he had sex? He can't remember at all. Tangtang was used to visiting XXX places during his days off, but because of the trouble the dean gave him, his schedule became busier. Unfortunately, before he could enjoy life once again, he died and transmigrated here. Now a great opportunity comes knocking, but it was interrupted at the end.

He inwardly sighed. 'How unlucky!'

With a smile on his face, Tangtang caressed Hou's cheek and said, "They might talk to you about something important. Let's continue our conversation tomorrow. Alright?"

Hou was really unwilling, but how can he say no to Tangtang? At the end he reluctantly nodded, "Okay..."

Tangtang was a head smaller than Hou, and he could only kiss the man's chin without standing on tiptoe. "Good! Let's go," he said as he held the man's hand.

When they pass by Xue, Tangtang politely smiles at the emotionless man, who only responds with a nod. Hou didn't even glance at him, treating the other like air.

Xue is the least he wants to see right now. Even Tangtang said that he would marry the person he liked. He still didn't clearly say who it was—him or his brother.

'Didn't we kiss? He kissed me! It means he likes me too, right?'

No matter what, he will be Tangtang's first husband. He will show his mother that just like Xue, he is also worthy of Tangtang. He just needs to believe in himself.

Xue is looking at the backs of the two as they get farther away. His face is emotionless, but if one looks closer, there's a glint of warmth in those ocean blue eyes.

He was thankful for what that sub-beast had said to his brother.

Unfortunately, he needed to stop the two before the situation became out of control. Hou was too reckless, not afraid that someone might see them, or else it would be detrimental to Tangtang's reputation.