Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!
Chapter 52: A Challenge

Chapter 52: A Challenge

Riven had been testing Xavier’s patience all day, but he wasn’t getting the reaction he truly wanted. Teasing, flirting, even fake-falling hadn’t done anything to break through that cold, stoic demeanor.

So, he did something drastic.

The moment Xavier turned his back, Riven lunged toward the sharp edge of the metal tray that once held his food. It wasn’t anything deadly, but a little self-inflicted harm was bound to make Xavier move.

And move he did.

Xavier rushed forward before Riven’s wrist could make contact, grabbing him with bruising force. One hand wrapped tightly around Riven’s forearm, the other around his waist as he yanked him backward.

For the first time, Riven heard Xavier’s voice.

A deep, furious growl. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Ah. So he did speak.

Riven let out a small huff, tilting his head up at him. "Oh? You do have a voice. And here I thought you were a mute."

Xavier wasn’t amused. His grip was still unrelenting, his dark eyes narrowed with pure irritation.

Riven sighed dramatically. "Relax. I wasn’t going to do anything serious. Just a little scratch, you know? I mean, if I’m supposed to be your precious master’s prized possession, I should be kept immaculate, right? I feel disgusting."

Xavier didn’t reply.

Riven smirked slightly. "And that’s on you, guard dog. How am I supposed to stay in my best condition when I haven’t had a proper bath?"

Silence.

Then, Xavier exhaled sharply, his grip tightening for a moment before he released him.

Riven knew he had won this round.

"You want a bath," Xavier finally muttered. It wasn’t a question. It was a reluctant statement.

Riven nodded eagerly. "Yes! If I’m going to be stuck here, I might as well be clean. You need to keep me in perfect condition, right? That’s what your precious master would want."

Xavier closed his eyes for a moment, as if trying to suppress a headache.

Then, without another word, he grabbed Riven’s bound wrists and hoisted him up.

Riven yelped. "Hey—"

"Quiet."

Xavier adjusted the bindings, making sure Riven was properly restrained before pulling him toward the exit.

Oh? Where were they going?

Riven expected some secret underground bath hidden within the dungeon. But instead, Xavier took him upstairs.

This was not the plan. He was going against his master. There was no proper bathing area in the cell because it was not planned. Riven was not supposed to be down there for more than a day, but since his master had urgent matters to tend to, Riven could only stay put.

Now, he liked to keep himself clean, he understood this young man’s feeling of disgust.

They walked past dimly lit corridors, past the main halls of the estate, until finally...

They arrived at a door.

Xavier pushed it open, and Riven blinked in surprise.

It wasn’t a grand bathing chamber.

It was... Xavier’s room.

Well, that was interesting.

The space was simple. No extravagant decor, no unnecessary furniture—just a large bed, a sturdy desk, and a surprisingly spacious bathtub in the corner.

Riven grinned. "Oh? We’re getting intimate now? Bringing me to your personal space? I must be special."

Xavier ignored him.

He walked toward the tub, turned the taps, and let warm water begin to fill the basin.

Riven shifted slightly in place, testing his bindings. "You know, I’m still tied up. How am I supposed to wash myself?"

Xavier didn’t respond right away. His jaw tightened.

Riven watched closely.

He was hesitating.

Good.

Riven smirked but quickly hid it.

He let out a small whimper, deliberately sounding as pathetic as possible. "I feel so dirty. I need to clean up properly, but my hands... I can’t even scrub myself."

Xavier still didn’t move.

Riven pouted. "You’re supposed to keep me in good condition, aren’t you? You can’t expect me to sit in there and just soak."

Xavier finally exhaled through his nose. Then, after a long pause, he spoke.

"...You are twenty years younger than me."

Riven raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"I have helped raise men younger than you. Consider this the same."

That made Riven blink. Wait, what?

Was Xavier trying to convince himself this was a fatherly act?

Riven had to physically stop himself from laughing. No, he did not want a dad. He wanted a daddy.

But he kept his face innocent, biting his lip and looking up at Xavier through his lashes. "You mean... Like a son?"

Xavier’s jaw tightened. "Yes."

Riven hummed, tilting his head slightly. "A very attractive son, though."

Xavier narrowed his eyes at the shameless half-wolf. He prayed his master comes back as soon as possible. He could not keep this up for any longer.

Xavier wasn’t going to break another rule.

He had already taken Riven out of his designated holding cell, already risked Soran’s wrath by bringing him to a personal space. He wasn’t about to commit another breach of duty by untying him.

No.

The restraints stayed.

He stared at the half-wolf, who sat on the edge of the bed with an infuriatingly pleased expression. Smiling.

Riven was enjoying this.

That should have been Xavier’s first warning.

Without a word, Xavier reached forward and began unbuttoning Riven’s shirt.

The fabric was worn out from usage.

His movements were efficient, his fingers working quickly to undo each button. And yet, despite his best efforts to remain professional, Xavier could feel Riven’s eyes burning into him.

Watching.

Waiting.

There was something about the way Riven was looking at him that made the air thicker than it should have been.

Too thick.

But Xavier didn’t falter. Did not react.

One button. Then another.

As he reached the last one, Xavier leaned forward a little when he was unbuttoning the last one. Perhaps out of habit.

And that was when Riven moved.

He leaned in too.

Shameless.

Their faces were inches apart.

Too close.

Xavier could see the amusement dancing in Riven’s green eyes. The slight curl of his lips. The challenge.