Help, I'm in Another World and All the Men Are Are So Dangerous! [BL]-Chapter 286: Laxus’s So-Called Atonement

So... Laxus still wasn’t done talking about marriage, huh?

Rocco let out a troubled sigh, his brows furrowing slightly.

Laxus looked down at him and tilted his head in confusion.

"Hmm? What’s wrong, Rocco? Don’t worry, we will get married, so you can rest easy."

"That is not what I’m worried about."

"You bastard, Die."

I’m not sure how Laxus managed to twist things in his head to think that I was worrying like, "Oh nooo, what if I can’t marry Laxus? Boohoo."

As Rocco shuddered at Laxus’s self-serving logic, Sylas—though his response was rough—provided a much-needed retort.

Though, at this point, it was basically just an insult.

That said, Laxus had been subjected to Sylas’s verbal abuse for years.

He was a seasoned veteran.

Without reacting in the slightest to Sylas’s words, Laxus smoothly continued the conversation, which was honestly terrifying.

S-So strong... Laxus’s way too strong...

"Hmm, what should we do? To keep others in check, the ceremony should be sooner rather than later. Rocco, how old are you now? About twelve? I see, I see. Well, that works. Just barely safe."

"It’s definitely not safe! Die."

Laxus happily squished Rocco’s cheeks, completely ignoring Sylas’s reasonable retort.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he hummed, "We can wait a little bit before having children. We should enjoy some time together first."

Rocco looked up at Laxus, feeling a bit uneasy.

He’s getting way ahead of himself.

They hadn’t even decided on marriage yet, but Laxus was already thinking about the future.

Having kids? Even in the best-case scenario, that was at least ten years down the line.

Wait.

Why am I thinking about this so normally?!

It sounded like he wasn’t against the idea of having kids with Laxus.

...Well.

I-It’s not like he hated the idea or anything.

It wasn’t something he had a reason to reject, was it?

"Mmm."

"But, Sylas, think about it rationally. I get that you’re trying to ignore reality, but Rocco and I have already crossed the line."

Sylas visibly flinched.

Rocco also jolted in shock at Laxus’s words.

W-What the hell is he saying?!

It was way worse when a family member knew about something like this.

The embarrassment was on another level compared to strangers finding out.

As Rocco fumed silently, Laxus easily pulled him into a firm embrace.

It was as if he were telling him to stay quiet and let the adults talk.

Being left out of the conversation stung a little, but Rocco was mature enough to read the room.

So, he shrank back and sulked quietly.

"In this world, casual flings happen all the time," Laxus continued, his tone oddly matter-of-fact. "But that’s only if certain lines aren’t crossed. Basically, it comes down to whether or not you finish it inside."

"...!"

"In my case? I definitely crossed the line. And you know there’s an unspoken rule against touching kids, right? I broke that rule, so I have a responsibility to take responsibility."

Wait.

There was a rule like that?

Rocco was stunned.

No one had told him about that!

Also, why was Laxus acting all regretful now?

He sure as hell hadn’t shown a shred of restraint during the actual act.

If anything, he had been completely shameless while—

Rocco shot Laxus a skeptical glare.

But Laxus skillfully avoided his gaze, still acting like he was all remorseful.

"But I had no choice," Laxus murmured. "It was an accident. If I hadn’t done it, Rocco would’ve been writhing in agony from the aphrosidiac... And I... I didn’t want to see him suffer."

No, no, no.

Even when Rocco had repeatedly cried, I’m scared and Stop, Laxus hadn’t stopped.

He had been smiling while moving his hips.

Even though he had laughed so joyfully at Rocco’s suffering, now he was spouting lines like some kind of noble protagonist.

Well, technically, Laxus was one of the protagonist.

"So, Sylas," Laxus continued, his tone oddly sincere. "Let me take responsibility. Let me make amends. I have a duty to atone for what I’ve done to Rocco. And I’ll dedicate my entire life to that atonement..."

Was Rocco just being cynical?

Because the words "Just as planned. Now there’s no option but marriage. Heh heh." kept playing in his head like a script.

No, that was overthinking it.

He trusted Laxus.

Laxus genuinely wanted to make amends, right?

There were no ulterior motives here. None at all.

...Right?

As Rocco trembled slightly, Laxus pulled him close and held him tight before bowing his head deeply to Sylas.

"I truly regret taking your precious little brother’s first time," Laxus said solemnly. "But please understand—it was a decision made to protect Rocco."

Regret?

Regret...?

Before Rocco could voice his confusion, Laxus casually covered his mouth with one hand, still bowing.

And then, once again, he softly said, "I’m sorry."

Meanwhile, right in front of Rocco’s eyes, Laxus flashed a radiant, pressure-filled smile that screamed, Don’t say a word.

Could he cry now? Would that be acceptable?

"...I don’t like it," Sylas muttered, his voice laced with irritation. "But rumors about you and Rocco crossing the line have already spread. I find it concerning that we can’t trace their origin."

Sylas narrowed his eyes at Laxus, scrutinizing him.

Laxus lifted his head and simply smiled—a gentle, serene smile.

Ah. The silent, smiling kind. That’s the scariest one...

"Well, whatever," Sylas finally relented. "It’s unpleasant, but at the moment, leaving Rocco in your care is the safest option. Given the risk of turning Del Fiore into an enemy, few would be foolish enough to try and take Rocco from you."

"That’s right," Laxus replied smoothly. "I’m glad you understand."

"Don’t misunderstand," Sylas snapped. "This doesn’t mean I approve of you. It’s simply the best course of action."

Rocco huffed.

Wasn’t anyone going to include him in the conversation?

They were just casually discussing his fate while ignoring him.

Pouting slightly, he tugged at Laxus’s sleeve.

Immediately, Laxus looked down at him, his lips curving into a sweet, intoxicating smile.

"Hm? Don’t worry, Rocco. No one will ever lay a hand on you again. I’ll protect you—no matter what."