Dry branches crackled softly beneath the soles of Calian's and Wolvin's shoes. Their footsteps continued to carry them through the thicket, slipping further into the untouched forest.
The married couple was now quite far from the main road, leaving behind the resting caravan area at the roadside until there was no longer any sound of humans or the neighing of horses to be heard. There was only the hum of forest insects and the whistling of birds in the distance.
Time continued to pass without anyone being able to feel it for certain. The tranquility surrounding them made the vigilance-filled journey feel like a burdenless exploration.
Without realizing it, the two of them had been exploring the dense forest for more than thirty minutes.
Not far ahead of them, the dark shadows of the trees seemed to fade. The midday sunlight shone very brightly at the end of it, piercing through without obstruction, no longer hindered by the dense canopy of the forest leaves.
"Wolvin, look over there!" Calian said softly, halting his steps for a moment as he raised his hand, pointing toward the bright area ahead of them. "It seems that in front of us is an open area."
Hearing that, Wolvin's ears twitched softly. He followed the direction of his husband's index finger and stared sharply ahead.
"Yes, you are right, Darling!" Wolvin replied, his tone sounding enthusiastic yet controlled. "Let's go check it out! Who knows, we might be able to get a better vantage point to see the surrounding area from there."
"Let's go!" Calian answered briefly.
Calian and Wolvin quickened their pace slightly, passing by tree trunks covered in thick moss, rushing to reach the boundary between the dark, leaf-covered forest and the open area bathed in sunlight.
As soon as they stepped past the boundary between the lushness and the light, the rays of sunlight directly hit their faces.
The married couple simultaneously raised their respective left hands, shielding their eyes to reduce the glare caused by the highly significant change in light intensity.
After letting their eyes adapt to the bright sunlight for a few seconds, Calian and Wolvin lowered their hands and looked around the area.
Currently, the two of them were standing at the edge of a vast expanse of grassland. As far as the eye could see, the calf-high green grass swayed gently following the direction of the wind.
Even though the midday weather was quite scorching in that area, the gust of wind carrying the scent of earth and wild grass provided a very refreshing natural coolness for the two youths.
"Wow!" Wolvin exclaimed unconsciously, amazed by what he was seeing. His pair of golden eyes sparkled brightly, reflecting the blue sky above them.
The Night Wolf youth spread his arms wide, letting the cool wind brush against his face and black hair. "This place is so refreshing! The wind is also very cool even though the sun is scorching hot up there."
Seeing his spouse so mesmerized by the natural scenery around them, Calian smiled warmly, filled with a sense of relief.
"Do you like this place?" Calian asked softly, stepping slowly and standing beside his spouse.
"Yes, Darling, I really like it!" Wolvin answered enthusiastically, turning to his husband with a wide blooming smile. "Feeling the wind like this... I truly feel grateful to still be alive and enjoy the beauty of this world's nature with you."
"I'm glad you can enjoy it." Calian replied, his eyes radiating a similar relief and happiness. He gazed at the expanse of grassland for a moment, before his eyes sharpened again, remembering the main reason why they were here.
"But, please do not get lost in this enjoyment for too long." Calian continued in a tone that had turned serious again, though his voice remained gentle. "We still have to continue our mission and must quickly find the bandits' base before late afternoon."
Hearing the gentle reprimand from his husband, the Night Wolf youth's relaxed demeanor evaporated in a matter of seconds. His black tail, which had been wagging casually, now stopped, and his posture straightened up again. He immediately refocused on their initial objective.
"Yes, you're right!" Wolvin replied, now fully back into the alert mode of a professional adventurer. "Let's continue our search, Darling!"
However, just as he took one step forward, Wolvin suddenly felt something.
Tap! Tap!
Two soft taps were suddenly felt by Wolvin on his right shoulder. He immediately stopped his steps and looked back.
"What's up, Darling?" Wolvin asked with a puzzled look on his face, finding Calian standing very close behind him. "Did you find something suspicious?"
Calian stared straight into his spouse's pair of golden eyes. Instead of answering the Night Wolf youth's question, he threw out a completely unexpected question.
"Wolvin, do you want me to carry you?"
The atmosphere between them suddenly fell silent for a second.
Hearing that offer, which had come out of his husband's lips for the very first time, made the Night Wolf youth's eyes widen greatly.
Wolvin stood frozen. He truly did not expect that the person who had always been stiff and always followed the flow would now dare to take the initiative to pamper him in the middle of a search mission.
"A-Are you serious with your words?" Wolvin asked with a slightly stammering voice, his facial expression still showing adorable disbelief.
"I'm serious, Wolvin." Calian answered softly yet full of certainty, without a speck of hesitation or awkwardness on his face. "Do you want me to carry you?"
After hearing the confirmation that came out of his husband's mouth, without a second thought, Wolvin nodded very enthusiastically, unable to hide his happiness.
"Of course I do!" he answered with a wide smile.
Hearing that spirited answer, Calian slightly widened his stance, then immediately bent down, lowering his back and inviting Wolvin to climb on.
Without the slightest hesitation, the Night Wolf youth stepped closer. He wrapped his arms around Calian's neck from behind, then hoisted his body up, pressing his chest and stomach against his husband's back.
Once he felt his spouse had hugged his neck tightly and securely, Calian reached his hands back. He slipped his hands underneath and held both of Wolvin's thighs to support his spouse's body so he would not fall while being carried.
Slowly, Calian began to straighten his body back up.
He adjusted his posture for a moment, ensuring Wolvin felt comfortable in his carry, then prepared to continue their search through the grassland.
For the first time he was in this position, carried by the man he loved the most, and the feeling almost made him overflow with euphoria. Unconsciously, Wolvin leaned the side of his face against his husband's shoulder.
A smile of happiness radiated very clearly on his cute face. He could feel Calian's calmly beating heart from behind his clothes.
Is this what it feels like to be carried by my own husband? Wolvin thought, his eyes radiating a mixture of awe and emotion as he felt their bodies pressing closely together. This body warmth, the touch of his sturdy hands supporting me... truly makes me feel so comfortable and happy!