Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 287: A Promise to Decide

"Mm... Mmmph."

That’s not what he meant!

Rocco wanted to protest, but he gave up and simply mumbled to himself.

It wasn’t like he hated being with Laxus.

It wasn’t like he disliked Laxus, either.

Even as he brooded, the truth became obvious.

He had no real reason to refuse Laxus.

The moment he realized that, another thought followed: Wouldn’t it be best if I just stayed quiet?

So, without resistance, he let himself sink back into Laxus’s embrace.

"Mmrrgh..."

...

Several days had passed since that fateful evening.

Rocco, still nursing a lingering ache in his hips, was sprawled across the couch in Laxus’s room.

Lying on his stomach, he rested his head on Laxus’s lap while Laxus gently stroked his lower back in a soothing motion.

It felt nice... but it was also embarrassing.

The sensation threatened to bring back the pleasure of that night, making Rocco squirm and press his forehead against Laxus’s thigh in a desperate attempt to keep his composure.

As if sensing his distress, Laxus started running his fingers through Rocco’s hair, speaking softly.

"Hey, Rocco," he murmured. "Have you made up your mind yet? Or do you need more time? Because, honestly... I’m starting to feel a little lonely."

Hearing that gentle whisper, Rocco found himself blushing for what felt like the hundredth time in the past few days.

"Mm... S-Sorry," he mumbled. "I’m still a little scared... I don’t really know how to feel yet."

Burying his face against Laxus’s lap, he spoke in muffled tones.

Above him, Laxus let out a quiet, lonely sigh. "I see..."

Rocco’s chest tightened at the sound, but he couldn’t give an answer just yet.

His confusion was real, and he couldn’t pretend otherwise.

What they were talking about, of course, was their engagement.

For some reason, news of their intimate night had already spread.

And now, as far as society was concerned, there was no other option—Laxus belonged to Rocco, and Rocco belonged to Laxus.

It was as if an unspoken rule had been established: no one else was allowed to touch him.

With the future seemingly set in stone, Rocco still couldn’t bring himself to fully accept the idea of engagement.

Why?

It wasn’t because he disliked Laxus.

On the contrary—he liked him.

A lot.

Being held in Laxus’s lap, being so close to him—it didn’t bother him in the slightest.

But was this like the kind that led to marriage?

That was the part he wasn’t sure about, and it kept him hesitating.

"I’m sorry if I made you feel rushed," Laxus murmured. "I’ll wait for as long as it takes. After all, no matter what happens, our future together isn’t going to change."

...That last remark was so like him.

But the promise to wait—that was a relief.

If Laxus had pressured him with something like, "Hurry up and decide already!" or "Quit dragging your feet, you little runt!" Rocco would have panicked.

Being given time to figure things out was something he truly appreciated.

Slowly, he wriggled like a little caterpillar, climbing up to straddle Laxus’s lap and wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace.

Laxus froze.

Rocco could feel him inhale sharply, completely caught off guard.

"R-Rocco...?"

Trembling hands hesitantly circled around his waist and back.

Feeling the warmth of the hug, Rocco snuggled in even closer. It was cozy. Safe.

"Laxus," he murmured. "I’m going to meet Ares. And once we take down all the bad guys... then, um..."

Peeking up at Laxus from beneath his lashes, he saw Laxus blinking down at him in surprise.

Saying it out loud was embarrassing.

But he couldn’t keep dodging the topic forever.

That would be unfair to Laxus.

So, fidgeting slightly and face burning red, Rocco mumbled, "...I’ll properly tell you... whether I like you or not."

His voice was barely above a whisper, but Laxus heard him loud and clear.

For a moment, Laxus’s eyes widened.

Then, they lit up, sparkling with pure joy.

—Did he really have to look that happy?!

Rocco wasn’t saying he hated the idea, but still!

Before he could react, Laxus pulled him into an even tighter embrace, squeezing the air out of him.

"Ugh—!"

And then came the onslaught of kisses—on his forehead, his cheeks, his nose.

Completely overjoyed, Laxus smiled so sweetly it was almost blinding.

"Mm, mm! Thank you, Rocco. Thank you. I’ll be waiting for your answer."

Rocco let out a flustered huff but still accepted Laxus’s tight, affectionate embrace.

Being told that his answer was expected made it feel like the conclusion was already obvious—but no, no, that wasn’t true!

He needed to think things through.

Really think about it and come to a proper decision.

"Well then, let’s hurry up and wrap everything up," Laxus said with a grin. "For the sake of our lovey-dovey future."

"I-It’s not decided yet! And we are not lovey-dovey!"

"Oh, right, right. It’s still ’too soon.’ My bad, Rocco."

"Mmm... Muuu..."

Laxus’s casual confidence, as if their future together was already set in stone, made Rocco’s heart race.

He let out a flustered protest, puffing up in defiance.

Sure, Laxus might be acting all smug now, but the future wasn’t decided yet! His choice hadn’t been made! Hmph!

Seeing Rocco’s cheeks puff up indignantly, Laxus only chuckled, raining playful kisses on them as he grinned.

"Once we get rid of all the idiots trying to mess with our love life, we’ll finally be able to go out safely again," Laxus said cheerfully. "We can visit the park, eat sweets together—just like before."

"Mm! Yeah! I’m looking forward to it!"

Rocco conveniently ignored the first part of that sentence, but the second part genuinely excited him, so he nodded his head enthusiastically.

Right now, they had to limit their outings for safety reasons, but one day, he wanted to roam freely again—go on fun adventures with Laxus, just like before.

"Hehe, it’s gonna be so much fun."

But for that future to happen, they needed to take care of everything first.