Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit
Chapter 222: Insatiable

Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Insatiable

"S-So, um...," Trailed off Jules, as she and Aster took a seat by a tree, struggling to think of something to say.

"I, uh...I’ve never done anything like what we did last night. And, honestly, I really didn’t expect that to happen. I still can’t believe it did," He replied awkwardly.

"Y-Yeah, I...I’m sorry," She mumbled, fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Huh? N-No, there’s nothing to apologize for. I...I did enjoy it, and I definitely don’t regret it," He muttered, his gaze darting about slightly.

"R-Really? You enjoyed it?"

"Of course I did, who wouldn’t? It was certainly an unexpected surprise, but far from a bad one."

"I see...that’s good. I, um...I let myself get carried away in the heat of the moment, just thinking back on it feels so mortifying," She admitted, unable to look him in the eye.

"Oh. I see...in that case, I guess I should pretend it never happened, huh? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what happened, I-..."

"Huh? N-No, that’s not what I meant! When I said it feels mortifying to think back on, I didn’t mean that I regret it or anything. I’m just...embarrassed at the way I acted," She clarified with a bashful look on her face, Aster’s heart skipping a beat as he briefly met her gaze.

"You are? I mean, it was definitely a big change from how you usually are...but not in a bad way. It was really...really alluring, seeing you like that," He replied, his face heating up.

"Really? I-It wasn’t off-putting?"

"Huh? No, not at all! I’m pretty sure I didn’t seem put off in the slightest, did I?" He pointed out.

"W-Well, no...you were, um, really enthusiastic. And that look in your eyes, it was so...," She trailed off with a mutter.

"Hm? So...what?"

"J-Just fill in the blanks with the context, y-you know what I mean!" She huffed defensively.

"So, like...does this mean you’re, you know, attracted to me?"

"Huh? C-Come on, that should be obvious," She mumbled as she covered her face with her hands, before peeking out through her fingers and inquiring quietly, "What about you? Are you...attracted to me?"

"I am, yeah...but it’s not just that. I...I’ve got feelings for you. I didn’t really realize it until last night, but...I always enjoy being around you, it’s fun to tease you, and as stern as you are, you can be really cute sometimes, and-...," He began.

"W-Wait, slow down! You can’t just say stuff like that out of nowhere!" She blurted out in embarrassment, but also felt really happy.

"Huh? But you’re the one who asked."

"That’s not what I-...n-never mind. I...I feel the same way. I have for a while. But I kept denying it to myself because...I-I don’t know, that stuff makes me really embarrassed," She admitted.

"I had no idea," He responded in surprise, before a smile broke out across his face.

"Hey, what’s so funny?" She frowned self-consciously.

"No, I...I just feel really happy, that’s all. So...if our feelings are mutual, then...wanna start dating?" He suggested nervously.

"H-Huh? You can’t just say stuff like that and blindside me, this can’t be good for my heart!" She exclaimed, her chest pounding.

"Is...that a no?"

"Of course not!"

"Then, can I take it as a yes?"

"O-Obviously..."

"Wow...I guess we’re a couple now, huh? It feels surreal...I have no prior experience with romance, so I’m not really sure what this entails," He replied sheepishly.

"It’s the same with me, this is all a first for me too," She responded quietly.

"Well, in that case, I guess we’ll just have to figure this out together," He smiled as they finally met each other’s gaze, Jules blushing as her heart skipped a beat.

"I, um...could we keep this between us, for now? The thought of other people finding out and teasing me is really embarrassing," She said quietly, thinking to herself, "Especially Lyra, I can picture the smug smile on her face, I really don’t want to have to deal with that anytime soon."

"Yeah, sure. That’s fine by me," He replied, as he reached over and patted her head, his hand sliding down and cupping her cheek, as he caressed her skin with his thumb.

Before she could stop herself, Jules scooted over and leaned in, kissing him softly as she reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.

He took hold of her hand and kissed her back, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer towards him.

"S-Since we’re dating now, it’s okay if I do this anytime I want, r-right?" She whispered as she pulled back slightly, thinking to herself, "Wh-What am I saying, I sound s-so insatiable! B-But the words just come out before I can stop myself!"

"Y-Yeah, I...I have absolutely no objections to that," Aster nodded, before placing his hand on the back of her head and pulling her closer, kissing her again.

"Mm...," She mumbled, as she caressed his lips between hers, running her hand through his hair.

"You...you wanna pick up where we left off last night?" Suggested Aster, breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath.

"Wh-What? Out here in the open? That’s so...so...wrong...," She muttered, gulping as she placed a hand on his inner thigh, her eyes gleaming with desire.

"You’re so beautiful..."

"H-Huh? Where’d that come from?" She blurted out, her face bright red.

"It just slipped out, but...I definitely meant it."

"R-Really? Then, um...thank you. Y-You too...," She muttered, as she lightly touched the side of his face, staring into his eyes.

"Oh? I’m beautiful, huh?" He smiled with a raised eyebrow.

"N-No, I-...you know what I meant," She huffed, before pushing on his chest to knock him onto his back, before she hopped onto him, straddling him as she placed her hands on his chest, blushing furiously.

She leaned down and placed her head on his chest, closing her eyes for a moment as she took in his warmth and scent, a mix of embarrassment and happiness welling up inside her.

She then lifted her head and pressed her lips against his again, moving her hips slightly as she kissed him with steadily increasing passion and fervor...

Meanwhile...

"I can’t believe we ate that entire thing by ourselves. I’m stuffed," Akila sighed contentedly, as he patted his stomach.

"Y-Yeah, me too...even though it got a bit burnt, I couldn’t stop myself from stuffing my face," Nodded Kia.

"I know, right? Being stuck in that cave was awful, I’m glad that’s over. The sunlight, the breeze, fresh air...this is nice. It was so stagnant and stuffy in the cave, and stumbling around in the dark was rough," Recalled Akila with a shudder.

"It would’ve been an awful way to die, succumbing to hunger and thirst, slowly getting weaker and weaker...," Muttered Kia, a grimace on her face.

"Yeah, it was hard to stay positive, not sure I would’ve been able to keep my cool if I’d ended up there alone. But you freaking out kinda helped me stay calm," He grinned sheepishly.

"H-Huh? Uh, that’s a bit embarrassing," She responded as she averted her gaze.

"I wonder how long we’re going to have walk before we find a populated area? I don’t even know if we’re going in the right direction," Remarked Akila uncertainly.

"I-I think it’s fine. At the very least, we won’t have much trouble finding food and water out here. So even if it takes a while, it certainly beats being stuck in that cave."

"I guess, but I’d rather not be wandering around the wild for days on end, or even longer. I really want to take a shower and change into some fresh clothes. Wish I’d stocked up my Item Box more. I unpacked everything when we got to the hotel, I should’ve just kept everything in my Item Box," He sighed wistfully.

"Y-Yeah, maybe," She shrugged in response, a carefree look on her face.

"She’s been in a really good mood ever since we got out of the cave, and especially after we finished eating. Was she really that convinced that we’d end up dying in that cave?" Akila thought to himself in bemusement.

"It’s so nice and pleasant out here," She smiled, as a gentle breeze blew across.

"You sure are upbeat, aren’t you?" Responded Akila, watching her with a amused smile.

"Hm? Yeah, I guess I am," She replied with a relaxed look on her face, stretching her arms up and closing her eyes as the breeze got a bit stronger.

"Glad you’re feeling better, I-...hm? Hey, over there! Please tell me I’m not seeing things!"

"Huh?" Responded Kia, looking a bit startled before adding as she followed his gaze, "Oh, looks like a town. Looks like we aren’t going to have to wander around any longer, after all."

"Oh, hell yeah! Come on, let’s go!" Grinned Akila eagerly, breaking out into a swift jog towards the town, Kia following his lead and hurrying after him.