Even a Lonely Squirrel Has Its Burrow - Chapter 68

Chapter 68

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The time spent with Jang Seokgyu wasn’t bad. He had always been someone who maintained an appropriate distance with Garam, allowing Garam to feel at ease. Considering that Sa Muheon had only planned to be out for an hour or two, Garam figured that even if it had been someone less comfortable than Jang Seokgyu, it wouldn’t have been much of an issue.

Honestly, Garam thought Sa Muheon might be a little late, given that it had been a while since he’d gone out. But surprisingly, Sa Muheon kept his promise to return quickly.

However, this was something Garam hadn’t anticipated at all.

“Oh no, baby…”

“Squeak, piiit!”

When Garam saw Sa Muheon nearly collapsing to the floor in front of him, he quickly ran away. Desperately looking up at Jang Seokgyu with a plea for help, he saw Jang Seokgyu sigh and step forward.

“What on earth…?”

Jang Seokgyu effortlessly lifted Sa Muheon, who was slumped by the entrance. Garam froze on the spot, his mouth slightly agape. Sa Muheon wasn’t a small man, and at first glance, there didn’t seem to be much of a size difference between him and Jang Seokgyu. Yet seeing Jang Seokgyu easily lift Sa Muheon left Garam astonished.

“Shall we take him to the bedroom?”

“Pit.”

Garam nodded and quickly led the way. Scampering through the slightly open door, he climbed onto the bed and waited for Jang Seokgyu. Shortly after, Jang Seokgyu entered, supporting Sa Muheon.

“Ugh…”

As Jang Seokgyu placed Sa Muheon on the bed, Sa Muheon grimaced slightly and moved his body. However, it seemed to be no more than sleep-talking, as he soon quieted down. Relieved, Garam let out a small sigh as he perched on the bedside table.

“Phew…”

Jang Seokgyu chuckled at the sight of Garam sighing and then spoke up.

“He’s not usually one to drink this much. Something must have happened today.”

“Squeak.”

It was as if he were making excuses on Sa Muheon’s behalf. But that didn’t matter to Garam. He was simply relieved that Jang Seokgyu had been there to help bring Sa Muheon back.

Noticing that Garam wasn’t making too much of the situation, Jang Seokgyu shrugged.

“Well, given how much he’s had, I doubt he’ll wake up in the middle of the night. He might get up later than usual, but don’t worry too much. If you think it’s taking too long, just contact me, and I’ll come right over.”

“Pit.”

Garam nodded and leaped off the bed. He gave Jang Seokgyu a polite bow as if to thank him for helping bring Sa Muheon back. Jang Seokgyu laughed heartily and said he would take his leave.

“Squeak!”

Garam followed him to the entrance. After seeing him out, Garam returned to the bedroom. Sa Muheon was still sleeping soundly.

“Phew…”

A sigh escaped again. Shaking his head, Garam confirmed that Sa Muheon was still motionless in his sleep and climbed onto the bed. It seemed like a good idea for him to go to bed early as well.

As Garam climbed onto the bed and looked at Sa Muheon, he noticed that the man hadn’t even taken off his clothes, which looked quite uncomfortable. Yet Sa Muheon, seemingly too drunk to notice any discomfort, was breathing steadily in his sleep, just as he always did.

Wanting to make him more comfortable but unable to do much in this situation, Garam shook his head and turned around. He was about to climb onto the bedside table when a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed him from behind.

“Squeak, piit!”

Startled, Garam’s heart began to pound wildly. Of course, in this house—especially in this bedroom—there was only one person who could have grabbed him.

Slowly, Garam turned his head to look behind him. Sa Muheon, who had seemed to be sleeping peacefully until just now, had his eyes half-open. However, he didn’t appear fully awake, as his gaze moved sluggishly.

Sa Muheon stared intently at Garam, whom he was holding, and pulled him closer. Though Garam wanted to escape, Sa Muheon held him firmly but not painfully. After squirming a few times, Garam realized it wasn’t going to work and relaxed his body.

Sa Muheon brought Garam closer until he was right in front of his face. Seeing his face up close again made Garam’s heart race once more.

Not long ago, Garam had been this close to Sa Muheon’s face as well. And back then…

Remembering that moment, Garam’s pounding heart quickly calmed. With a composed heart, he looked at Sa Muheon and slowly reached out his hand.

If this was like that time, it would wake Sa Muheon up.

What if he gave him the same cold stare as before? The thought made him hesitate, but waking Sa Muheon was more important now. Besides, he was somewhat confident that it wouldn’t hurt him as much as it had before. Still, he couldn’t stop his fingers from trembling.

Garam barely steadied his trembling hand and extended his arm.

Slap.

Garam’s small hand touched Sa Muheon’s cheek. Holding his breath, Garam swallowed nervously.

But contrary to his worries, the drunken Sa Muheon didn’t wake up just from that. Even with Garam’s hand on his cheek, he continued blinking slowly, as if nothing had happened. Garam stretched out his other hand.

Slap!

Now both of Garam’s hands were on Sa Muheon’s cheeks. Yet Sa Muheon, still with his eyes half-open, only continued to stare at Garam. Frustrated, Garam pushed against his face with more force.

“Ha…”

Only then did there seem to be a slight reaction. A short exhale escaped Sa Muheon’s lips, and the strong smell of alcohol wafted out. Garam instinctively removed his hands from Sa Muheon’s face and covered his own nose.

“Squeak…”

‘The smell of alcohol…’

As Garam pinched his nose shut, Sa Muheon let out a chuckling laugh. Garam shot him a sharp look, but it was of no use to someone as intoxicated as him. Instead, Sa Muheon pulled Garam even closer.

“Pit!”

Even when Garam slapped his cheek again with a loud chop sound, Sa Muheon didn’t seem to care. He drew Garam right up to his face and poked Garam’s cheek with his other hand. Despite being drunk, his touch remained as light and careful as always, as if ensuring that Garam wouldn’t get hurt. Feeling the gentleness, Garam’s tension began to ease.

“Baby.”

“…Squeak.”

It had been a while since Sa Muheon had called him that, and Garam wondered what had brought about this sudden change today. Nevertheless, he obediently responded when called. Satisfied, Sa Muheon chuckled with a soft, “Hehehe.”

“So cute…”

Sa Muheon leaned in even closer.

“Squeak, piit?”

Garam tried to pull back, but it wasn’t easy. And then, the very next moment.

Smooch.

“…Pii, ii…?”

Sa Muheon’s lips lightly brushed against Garam’s cheek and pulled away. Garam stared at him in shock, unable to process what had just happened. But Sa Muheon didn’t stop there. He kissed Garam’s cheek two more times and then, as if that wasn’t enough, grabbed Garam’s small hand and pressed his lips against it as well. Overwhelmed and flustered, Garam couldn’t hide his reaction. His body stiffened, though it seemed Sa Muheon didn’t notice.

After holding onto Garam and planting a series of kisses, Sa Muheon finally seemed satisfied. He smiled contentedly and then placed Garam’s body on his chest, covering him entirely with his hand as if it were a blanket.

“Let’s sleep now…”

All thoughts of sleep had vanished from Garam’s mind. After committing such an outrageous act, how could Sa Muheon nonchalantly suggest going to sleep? Garam wriggled, trying to free himself from under Sa Muheon’s hand.

But whatever Sa Muheon interpreted the wriggling as, he only patted Garam gently and kept repeating that it was time to sleep. Eventually, when Garam gave up and went limp, Sa Muheon finally seemed to fall into a deep slumber.

Feeling the weight of Sa Muheon’s hand loosen, Garam didn’t try to escape. Instead, he lay quietly atop Sa Muheon’s chest.

Through their contact, Garam could feel Sa Muheon’s heart beating steadily. He listened intently to the rhythm and simultaneously noticed his own heart racing in contrast.

While Sa Muheon slept peacefully, Garam couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

Why had Sa Muheon kissed him? What could it possibly mean? His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. But one thing was clear: it hadn’t been entirely unpleasant.

Although his thoughts kept spiraling, Garam shook his head lightly. There was no point in agonizing over something that wouldn’t be resolved right now.

Sa Muheon’s body, perhaps due to the alcohol, felt slightly warmer than usual. It wasn’t the kind of heat from when he had been sick last time—just a comfortable warmth that radiated gently.

“…Squeak.”

‘…Yeah.’

It must have been a misunderstanding. Considering how many times Sa Muheon had called him “baby,” he was probably reminiscing about the time before he had learned that Garam was a shifter. Thinking that way helped calm Garam’s racing mind.

But even so, Garam’s heart continued to thump faster than usual. In the end, he hugged his tail tightly to try and calm his restless heart. Fortunately, it worked this time. Nestled atop Sa Muheon’s chest, Garam drifted into a cozy sleep.