Solo For Two

Karel showered Sasha’s face with multiple kisses, including a long, passionate one. Sasha’s body and soul melted under Karel’s caresses, his hands roaming across his skin. Soon, Sasha’s body relaxed, and Karel, gripping Sasha with his large hands, began licking his ear for a long time. He nibbled on the protruding bone beneath his ear and pressed his lips to the pulse point, feeling the throb of his artery. The movement of his lips, the warmth of his hot tongue, and the sound of suction—all these sensations close to his ear moved Sasha deeply.“…Ah!”Then, unexpectedly, a sharp needle pricked his earlobe.The pain was brief but intense. As Sasha opened his mouth in response, Karel immediately inserted his tongue, kissing him deeply, making him forget the throbbing pain in his ear.“Did it hurt? There’s one more to go.”“…I can endure it.”The sharp pain was fleeting, but the sweet caresses before and after lasted long. Sasha thought he could endure such pain multiple times if it meant receiving Karel’s touch for an extended period.Karel, after teasing Sasha’s body again, positioned his member at his rear entrance, rubbing the tip against the opening.“Ah, not yet. Ugh….”The moist tip of his penis seemed to catch slightly, then slowly, but without hesitation, pushed deeply inside in one long motion.“Aah….”Sasha twisted his body, feeling Karel deep within him.“Which hurts more?”“Huh?”“I’m asking which hurt more, your ear or your ass.”“Um….”Embarrassed by the question, Sasha hesitated before answering.“Anything is fine.”Even though the initial penetration stretched him to the brink of tearing, Karel liked to push in all at once. After being subjected to it constantly over a few days, Sasha’s body had relaxed enough to accept Karel’s size with little pain.Karel patiently waited until Sasha adjusted, then repeatedly pulled out until only the head remained and slowly pushed back in. Sweat formed on Sasha’s back, causing his body to slide slightly on the leather sofa each time he moved.Sasha anticipated that today’s sex would last long. Karel’s patience during the initial penetration signaled his intention to stretch him enough for a final, more intense session. Sasha tried to steady his breathing. Once the real penetration began, he wouldn’t have the luxury of thinking.“No one else can satisfy me like this.”Karel’s words deeply moved Sasha once again.Could anyone else treat his flawed self with such tenderness? Sasha regretted once more having left behind such precious affection in the past.“I’m sorry.”“Why apologize?”Sasha struggled to express the accumulated regret and the newfound love he had realized. But he was reassured that Karel did not respond with anger as he had in the past.Without expectations and trust, there would be no reason to be angry. It was a thought he still didn’t fully grasp.“Sasha.”Karel asked gently.“If you love me, how much are you willing to sacrifice?”“Sacrifice?”“Yes, because love involves sacrifice. Honestly….”As he spoke, Karel pressed down on one of Sasha’s nipples. A short gasp escaped Sasha’s lips.“I don’t think you’re capable of giving love. You’re very used to receiving it.”Karel then lowered his head and began licking the nipple he had just pressed. Sucking, biting, and licking, he elicited constant moans from Sasha.Karel brought the other earring close to Sasha’s now slightly swollen nipple. The sharp tip pricked the tender flesh, causing Sasha to reflexively clench his backside. As his body tensed, anticipating the impending pain, sweat dripped from Karel’s chin.“…Here.”With that, Karel gently rubbed Sasha’s pink nipple.“Can you handle it?”“Yes… it’s fine. Do whatever you want, Karel.”Sasha tensed his entire body. He didn’t fully understand what Karel meant by “sacrifice,” but if enduring pain for Karel’s desire was true love, then Sasha was ready to bear it.Karel pulled Sasha’s nipple taut with his fingers, stretching the skin. Sasha closed his eyes, trying not to think about what was happening to his body. The sharp end pierced through the delicate flesh quickly.“Hngh!”At the same time, a sharp pain shot through his sensitive nipple. Karel licked up the bead of blood that formed and then traced Sasha’s tear-streaked cheek with his tongue, kissing away every drop.“You endured well.”“Haa, haa….”Karel kissed Sasha’s eyelids multiple times, then rubbed his sweaty chest and firm abdomen. The sticky touch made Sasha realize he had climaxed at the moment he was penetrated. Karel looked lovingly at Sasha’s body, which was keenly feeling the pain.‘If he looks at me like this, I can endure it however many times.’Perhaps sensing Sasha’s submissive gaze, Karel stroked his hair.Enduring pain for the happiness of the other.Is this the “sacrifice” Karel spoke of?If that was the case, Sasha was now ready to sacrifice anything. He felt like he had been reborn, experiencing sensations completely different from a few years ago, and he was grateful to Karel for awakening emotions he had never known before.“Sasha, we’ll be together forever.”“Yes, that’s right.”At Karel’s almost brainwashing words, Sasha nodded enthusiastically. Karel once again caressed Sasha’s thigh, spreading his legs wide. Sasha panted, anticipating the long night ahead.＊ ＊ ＊“I need to meet that woman directly.”At Karel’s anxious words, Georg nodded.“That would be best to be sure. What does Sasha Sedrin say?”“Well, no matter what he says… I’m not confident I can trust him.”Georg added to Karel’s words.“Paying so much child support, the neighbors saying he’s lived alone for years… they might already be divorced.”“It’s possible.”“Or maybe they weren’t married, just living together, or it was a one-night stand that resulted in a child… there are many possibilities.”When Karel didn’t respond, Georg looked back and regretted speaking. He had intended to suggest that Sasha and the woman might not be deeply involved, but he seemed to have provoked unnecessary suspicions, irritating Karel.“I’m sorry.”“Why are you apologizing?”Asking why someone was apologizing was Karel’s habit, especially when he was in such a bad mood that he didn’t even want to hear apologies. Georg chastised himself for his blabbering.He then recalled the face of Sasha Sedrin, who had seen Karel off that morning. A blue diamond Karel had recently purchased was set in his ear. It seemed well-healed, as if taken care of properly, but Georg wondered why a pair of diamonds was only on one ear.Not knowing where else the diamond might be on Sasha’s body, Georg assumed Sasha had exaggerated the pain and decided to wear only one.The car soon turned into the alley where Sasha’s mansion was located. The area was lined with expensive mansions, closely packed despite their high prices.“That’s the house. Third floor.”“Hmm…”“To stay on schedule, we need to leave in thirty minutes. There’s no place to park here, so I’ll wait in the next alley.”“I’ll be out soon.”With that, Karel got out of the car. Watching him ascend the mansion’s steps, Georg slowly drove out of the alley.＊ ＊ ＊When he heard the knock at the door, Levin initially thought Sasha had returned.‘How many days has it been? Where has he been all this time?’Leaving Charles, who was trying to climb out of his crib, Levin quickly exited the room. Hearing another polite knock as he reached the front door, Levin remembered that Sasha would never knock to enter his own home.“Who is it?”There was a brief silence before the person on the other side answered.“This is Scar, Sasha Sedrin’s benefactor.”Levin had crossed paths with Scar a few times. Despite his courteous tone, Levin felt uneasy.‘Levin, I have an appointment with Scar. I’m already late.’Sasha had said this a week ago when he left and hadn’t returned since. Sasha’s erratic behavior wasn’t unusual, but since bringing Charles home, he had stopped visiting opium dens, making Levin even more worried.Levin hesitated before opening the door. A tall man loomed in the backlight, looking down at him.Naturally craning his neck to look up, Levin momentarily forgot to greet Scar. A long scar marred his otherwise scholarly, handsome face. Levin recalled some rumors about Scar: a butcher in the last war, a man who butchered humans, a war maniac, or even a perverse deviant.For Levin, who had only ever dealt with his younger brothers and Sasha, who needed his care, Scar’s presence was overwhelming and intimidating. Levin felt his shoulders instinctively hunch as he let Scar inside.“Excuse me for a moment.”As Levin prepared tea, he quickly observed Scar. He was slowly surveying the wallpaper, the window, and the small furniture in the house. Levin soon realized Scar was also observing him, noting details like his apron, wet from dishwashing, and the stray hairs pulled out by Charles.“Isn’t it difficult managing the house alone?”“I’m used to it.”Scar’s question seemed odd. Unsure whether to sit or stand, Levin continued speaking.“He doesn’t know how to take care of himself or the house. It’s tough, but he’s not a demanding person… Um, but Sir.”Scar looked up at Levin’s words.“Sasha has disappeared. He hasn’t come home for a week.”Levin heard his voice tremble, feeling a new, unsettling emotion. It felt like his anxiety was about to burst from his chest. For the first time, he clearly sensed the fear he had never expressed or acknowledged before.“He said he was going to meet you, Scar. He would never leave without a word. Could you tell me when and how you last saw him?”The ballet company director had only said Sasha extended his vacation. Levin considered reporting to the police but feared it would tarnish Sasha’s reputation. Levin pleaded at Scar’s feet, feeling the dangerous man might be capable of anything but also able to help.“Don’t worry. Sasha Sedrin is at my house.”Levin felt a wave of relief wash over him at Scar’s words.“You will meet him soon.”“Really? Why can’t he come here? Is he sick?”“Please sit down. You seem quite shaken. I came here because I have a few questions for you.”Scar helped Levin, who was kneeling on the floor, to his feet. Levin, soothed by Scar’s calm voice, found a seat, feeling his way with his hands. Scar even handed Levin his own untouched teacup.“When did you meet Sasha?”“Um, just before the war ended.”“So, you’ve been together for almost two years.”“Yes, I didn’t know who Sasha Sedrin was, but it was fortunate for me.”“Fortunate?”Scar asked with a gentle smile.“If I had known he was such a famous dancer, I wouldn’t have taken the job. He said he chose me because my name is the same as his older brother’s….”“I see….”‘Chosen’ was a rather misleading word, but Levin, unsure of Scar’s thoughts, continued.“He was a very lonely person. There was no one around him.”“And you?”“He didn’t talk much with me either.”“He is very reserved.”“Yes, exactly. So, when he showed tears, I was very surprised. He often got annoyed over trivial things but never expressed much emotion. So, when he received the letter from Julian…”“Julian Ludwig, you mean?”“Yes, through him, we learned about a friend’s death.”The heavy silence that followed felt oppressive. Levin sensed Scar’s intense focus, almost as if he were holding his breath.“Sasha cried as if every bit of moisture was leaving his body. I never knew a person could shed so many tears.”“I see.”Though Scar responded calmly, his lowered eyes couldn’t hide his agitation.“Thank you for being there for him.”Levin felt an odd sense of dissonance in Scar’s words.But he couldn’t pinpoint what was strange. Scar’s words seemed more like those of an old family member expressing gratitude rather than a mere benefactor. Initially frightened by Scar’s imposing presence, Levin began to relax, reassured by his gentlemanly demeanor.“Um, Sasha sometimes gets unnecessarily irritable….”As Levin spoke, he watched Scar’s reaction. He was worried about how Sasha might have behaved before this magnanimous noble.“He’s very unstable, so please don’t mind it too much.”Scar nodded, maintaining eye contact.“Knowing more about him, I am relieved.”“About what?”“That someone like you has been by his side.”Perplexed by Scar’s peculiar praise, Levin felt a bit more at ease. It seemed Scar already knew Sasha’s personality well.“Um… is Sasha doing well now? There aren’t any problems, are there? You might already know, but he has severe issues with alcohol and drugs. He must not touch alcohol….”“He will be moving to a new place soon.”“Moving? Where to?”“A place where he will be under 24-hour care by a doctor and attendants.”“I see….”Scar’s words made Levin feel a wave of relief.“That’s good news.”If Sasha could have such an environment, it would be beneficial. It also signified that Levin’s role was coming to an end. His worries about Sasha’s potential misconduct in front of this noble seemed unfounded. Fortunately, Sasha was under the careful watch of his benefactor.Levin was momentarily overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of emptiness.Karel observed Levin’s expression, seeing the unrecognized attachment within it.“Is that really the end?”“What?”“Are you okay with Sasha leaving this house?”“There’s nothing I can do about it.”Levin answered, trying to stay composed.For Levin, who had never stopped working, Sasha was just another employer. He had a peculiar personality and was much more generous than others. Levin had many employers, some very harsh, some very kind. Sasha was a ‘demanding’ employer.In many ways, Sasha had occupied Levin’s thoughts beyond just work.‘If this is goodbye….’It was unfortunate, but as he had said, ‘there’s nothing he could do about it.’Levin recalled wanting to hold Sasha tightly as he cried, full of regret and self-reproach. If he had embraced him with all his strength instead of just handing him Charles, would something have changed? Levin wasn’t sure, but he quickly dismissed the thought.“Do you want to stay by Sasha Sedrin’s side?”Levin remained silent. Scar’s piercing gaze seemed to have already seen through to his innermost feelings.“If you wish,” Scar began, “you can come live with Sasha.”“Are you offering to hire me?”“Yes.”For the first time, Levin’s face lit up with undeniable joy. Seeing her reaction, Scar smiled as well.At that moment, the sound of a baby crying came from the room. Levin instinctively jumped up and ran into the room. Charles had likely fallen on his bottom while trying to stand by holding onto the bed rail, and was now crying. Levin picked up the baby, soothing him as she brought him out of the room.“This child is…”“This is Charles.”Scar extended his arms, and Levin, without hesitation, handed the baby over to him. She couldn’t explain why she felt comfortable giving the baby to this unfamiliar noble. Scar held the baby with a practiced ease, but Charles looked so tiny in his arms, like a small loaf of ciabatta. Watching this, Levin couldn’t help but laugh out loud.“You know Charles?”“I’ve heard a lot about him.”In truth, Karel had learned about him through Georg, but with the subject left unspecified, Levin assumed Sasha had told him. Lately, Sasha’s joy was in raising Charles, who was growing day by day. He must have proudly bragged about the baby to his benefactor.