A few days later. 

 

Jerome looked at the man lying face down, breathing heavily beneath him, with tender eyes. His penis, which had just ejaculated, was slowly withdrawn from the reddened opening, before his long, slender fingers slid in to retrieve his own semen.

 

"Damn it," Jinn muttered, not wanting to say anything more. His body, covered in rose coloured marks, was so exhausted he could barely move. It had been a long time since they'd had sex so intensely. He didn't know what possessed the other person to go all out, to the point where he knew he wouldn't be able to walk normally tomorrow.

 

"I love you," Jerome leaned down towards the person who was full of (angry) emotions, kissing the sweaty forehead while whispering sweet words of love to quell the raging anger.

 

"Don't you dare tell me you love me. Where are your three brothers, you liar?" The deceived man finally flipped over onto his back, feeling the aching pain in his lower body, making him almost unwilling to move.

 

"Here you go, one for me, two for you, this one for three. Perfect!" The speaker's large hand reached for something that had been discarded beside the bed as soon as it was no longer useful. It resembled rubber or silicone, a plump, round shape with a hole in the centre for inserting something.

 

"What did you say, P' Pussy, you idiot?" Jinn lifted his foot and lightly kicked his lover's chest, playfully. He kept kicking and shoving like that, while the other person didn't react.

 

"You know I'm just lying. Someone like you, generous? Hmph." Jerome tossed the sex toy can onto the pile of clothes beside the bed, grabbed the foot that was resting on his chest, and affectionately bit it.

 

"I knew it. I just didn't think you'd pull this trick, you bastard. I'm thirty-five now, my bones aren't as strong as they were when I was twenty."

 

"It's been a while, hasn't it? I've never done anything like this before. Let's give it a try." Jerome released his lover's feet before lying down beside him. His beautifully shaped head rested on his firm chest, and he enjoyed listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Hmph, do you think you can fool me?" Jinn gently ran his fingers through the strands of hair nestled against his chest, his sharp eyes reflecting a mixture of weariness and utmost affection.

 

Jerome's breath hitched slightly before regaining his composure. A look of uncertainty flickered in his beautiful eyes. His large body pressed into his lover's embrace like a small child seeking warmth.

 

"I'm not bored. We've been together for fifteen years, Jay. That's too long for any fleeting excitement. To be honest, the purpose of sex is to ejaculate. It's the same with anyone. For me, you're all I need. Just you, the position doesn't matter."

 

Jinn had already figured out the concept of offensive and defensive positions since the first two or three years he was with Jerome. As he grew older and learned more, he no longer needed to understand these things.

 

It no longer mattered. He didn't have memories from a past life like the other person. He had matured as he should. Pride, the desire to lead, the fear of losing face—these things faded with age and experience. Before, he was ashamed to let anyone know he was the submissive one, but over time, he felt it was ridiculous. He hadn't changed; he was still the same person he used to be. This was just a matter of position in bed; it didn't affect the relationship in any other way. Besides, he actually liked this position a lot. The pleasure he got from both sides was excellent.

 

“Sigh. I can never hide anything from you. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just… how do I put it? Lately, a lot of younger guys have been showing interest in me, and I like them too. Thinking back to the old days, you used to sleep with people who looked like this… It’s a little unsettling. Even if you replaced me with those guys, my brain keeps thinking, ‘Will you think about what it feels like to sleep with someone else?’ But I’m not broad-minded enough to let you try it with other people. So, I just end up finding things I’ve always avoided using with you instead.” Jerome pouted slightly, looking up at his lover with a pitiful expression.

 

Jinn chuckled softly at the adorable gesture, but his eyes were filled with the utmost tenderness.

 

"I know. You've used vibrating eggs, you've owned dildos. It's just that 'pussy in a can' thing you've never bought. You're deliberately avoiding it. Actually, it's not that big of a deal. I ejaculate in your mouth quite often when I want that kind of pleasure. I've been using my mouth instead of those things for ages. I don't have any problem with it."

"I was thinking of letting you penetrate me if you wanted to, but it seems you're not really into it, huh?" Jerome laughed at the disgusted expression his lover was making.

 

"I've thought about it too, but... I don't know. I'm afraid you'll like it, and I'll be the one doing it all the time. I'm tired of it. For years, I've been too comfortable. Besides, I don't have to do anything after being taken. And anyway, I prefer being taken in the hole now. If I have to penetrate, who's going to penetrate me?"

 

Jinn thought about everything that was said. Now, it wasn't just him who had let go of the issue of their positions in bed; Jerome had too. Many times, the other man had jokingly suggested that he be the one to "double up," but it was Jinn himself who didn't want to. He liked being hugged and doted on by this man, liked being taken passionately, but then, once everything calmed down, being treated like a prince. Only with Jerome would he allow that. Jinn never even considered sleeping with anyone else, no matter the position. He loved Jerome; he loved only this man. Why should he overthink things?

 

"I guess I'm really getting old. Menopause is definitely coming."

 

"Nonsense. How could it happen so quickly?"

 

"I love you so much, Jinn. I love you so much. I never get tired of being with you, not even once. I'm just afraid you'll get tired of me." Jerome leaned up to meet his lover's gaze. Their eyes met sweetly, their love and sincerity reflected openly, undisguised.

 

"I love you. I've loved only you my whole life. I never get bored, Jay. I absolutely love being together like this every day. I'm not bored today, I won't be bored tomorrow, and I won't be bored for the rest of my life."

 

"Even in the next life, you have to love me forever, Jinn. I loved you in my past life, this life, the next life, and every life. I will only love you," Jerome interrupted, his deep voice sounding more like a vow than a statement.

 

"Yeah, I love you in every lifetime. In my last life, I abandoned you for seventeen years. In this life, I'll be with you for the rest of my life, and in the next life too. From now on, I won't leave you again. Stop overthinking it. I'm not bored, and I don't want to sleep with anyone else. I only want you for this life. Just prepare yourself well, that's all. Don't let it become impotent first, okay? Haha!" Jinn burst into laughter the moment the listener made a completely disgusted face at what he had just heard.

 

"Go on, go on. Looks like you're no longer tired. Good. I want to do it again. After this round, we'll take a shower and drain the water all at once."

 

"Ah! Jay! Ah!"

 

"Even if I knew it, I could still handle seventy years!"

 

After that, people were used as tools to test their sexual prowess until they were so weak they couldn't even walk to the bathroom to shower—something that had never happened before. It's unclear whether it was because they were getting older or because the people doing it wanted others to witness their own strength. All Jinn knows is that after that, he never talked about erectile dysfunction again, for fear that he would be the one to suffer from joint degeneration in the end.

 

"Ajin designed this wine himself. Isn't it beautiful?"

 

"Wow, your skills have improved even more! You're definitely going to be the successor!"

 

"See, Auntie? Ajin said the wine was very well-made."

 

"Okay, okay, whatever Ajin says, I'll go along with it. Let's eat barbecue first, then we can brag. Where's your sister?"

 

“Stay with Mom, I’ll go call you later,” the twelve-year-old boy said, then turned and sprinted into the house, leaving his two favourite uncles sitting there, watching him affectionately.

 

"He's so cheerful, this kid. He's been talented since he was a child; no wonder he'll be great in the future." Jinn placed the iPad, on which his nephew had been showing off pictures, to the side before opening his mouth to accept the barbecue that his lover was feeding him.

 

"Yeah, he's really good. He learns quickly. Vince's been really encouraging," Jerome said, smiling as he praised his nephew.

 

Wine is Vince's eldest son, now twelve years old. He loves drawing and designing, and his idol is Jinn. In his past life, he was this grandson to whom Jerome gave JJ's HOUSE, and he thinks it will be the same in this life.

 

They're currently at Vince's house. Actually, it's not that far from their own homes; they live in the same village, just on a different street. Their parents didn't come along; apparently, they're on a trip together, typical of people nearing retirement. So, it's just the three of them in their thirties and two little kids left behind.

 

Jerome and Jinn stayed at Vince's house until late at night before deciding to say goodbye to their nieces and nephews and return to their own home two streets away. Being close to family, even though they were older, was a wonderful feeling. They weren't estranged by age; at least they could see each other whenever they wanted, unlike when they got married and eloped to live together.

 

The person beside him said, "Did you eat too much today? I feel bloated." Jinn immediately burped after speaking, his right hand rubbing his stomach while his left hand clutched.

 

“Yeah, quite a lot, but it’s good to walk around and digest. Don’t shower right away when we get home, sit down and rest first.” Jerome swung their clasped hands back and forth, playing like little children, even though they were both thirty-five.

 

“Yes.”

 

Two tall young men walked side by side on a brightly lit village street, their hands still clasped together as they had for over ten years, and would always be that way, no matter how many more decades passed.

 

Jerome turned to look at his lover's profile, the person he had walked beside throughout his past life. Although their current age wasn't the same as it was back then, his feelings told him their journey would go much further. He wanted this person to walk beside him until the very end—eighty, ninety, or a hundred. Jinn would be with him. If this life weren't enough, there would be a next life, and so on. Jerome hoped that the God he prayed to would allow them to be together forever.

 

"Your eyes look like you want to devour me again. Please, for the sake of sucking me, spare me for another two days."

 

"You always ruin my romantic moments," Jerome leaned in and playfully bit Jinn’s cheek. Wasn't that annoying? Every single time, year after year, he always managed to interrupt.

 

"Ouch! Does that hurt?" Jinn kicked Jerome's leg, almost making him collapse to the ground.

 

"Quickly, 'Hey Jinn! Did I kick too hard? Take that!'" Jerome, summoning half his courage, lightly kicked his lover in the arm before running away.

 

"Hey Jay! You kicked me?! You can kick me anytime, but you absolutely can't kick me while I'm still sore from the hickey!" Jinn pointed his finger at the person running ahead. Two steps forward, then stopped; two more steps, then stopped again. It was as if he wanted to escape, but didn't want to leave him to walk alone. His actions were so comical that Jinn couldn't help but laugh.

 

"Let them know who's in charge," people say, but they're just saying it. In the end, they're still walking hand-in-hand with their loved ones.

 

"You damn jerk, you're such an annoyance," Jinn slapped Jerome on the head playfully before leaning against the taller, bigger man, letting him drag him all the way home—the home where they would live together for the rest of their lives, forever.

 

The two men, even though they were thirty-five years old, remained as good to each other as ever. They argued and bickered sometimes, but it was both a habit and a source of fun in their relationship. Their sweet moments didn't last long; they always made up, but they never had a serious fight. They remained the same, just as they had always been.

 

JJ, who started as rivals and ended up as life partners, will be together for another ten, twenty, or thirty years, or even into the next life. Their lives are forever intertwined.

 

JJ doesn't get along well.

 

JJ is my boyfriend.

 

JJ got married

 

JJ has each other forever.