Free Web NovelChapter 101: _No Strings Attached
"Okay, baby. We’re off."
"Please, come back early so we can go see some castles later!"
Devon watched from the suite’s entrance as Ambrose and Orion shared one last hug before they left. The Esper’s eyes dimmed, mind still reeling from the video Han sent him.
He knew he should’ve never opened anything that the Guide sent him. But this... this one actually hit a part of his mind that he hated.
Yet standing here and seeing his permanent Guide being so cheery around their—his son—warmed his heart. Made him forget for a moment what he saw earlier.
"We’ll try our best," Ambrose ruffled Orion’s hair. "And you promise you wouldn’t destroy the suite before we come back?"
Orion pouted. "Duh. I’m not a baby."
"No," Ambrose grinned, "you’re... THE baby." Without warning, he grabbed the lad by his sides, tickling his stomach.
The boy doubled over, giggling and trying to pry Ambrose’s fingers off him. "Daddy, stop it. It’s not fair!"
Devon sighed. "Ahem." They both turned their heads to him in time to see his forced smile. "Ambrose, we have to go now. It’s already five."
Ambrose shrugged, getting on his feet. "Alright, little light. Take care."
"Bye, daddy. Bye, papa!" The lad waved at them as they eased out of the suite.
Devon returned his wave before they shut the door with a click. The silence in the hallway brought back all the intrusive thoughts he had while watching that video.
What could Viktor have been doing at the Guild HQ yesterday? Why did he stay so long in the restroom before Ambrose rushed out? And, more importantly... were they up to something before that suited man walked in?
Han still hadn’t sent any new messages since the video. It was as if he was waiting for it to marinate, knowing Devon would spiral if Ambrose actually meant anything to him.
Which would be correct.
"Ugh," Ambrose yawned as they approached an elevator. "I hope this meeting doesn’t stretch out. Now I’m starting to see what you meant when you insisted I didn’t tag along. I could’ve been back home binge-watching reality TV shows or something."
He paused, head sliding to Devon beside him. It was only after a few seconds had passed that he murmured. "Uhm, you cool?"
Devon met his eyes with a sarcastic smile. "Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?"
Ambrose’s brows snapped together.
Since he and Orion came out of the bedroom, he’s noticed something off with Devon. The Esper had been taking peeks at his phone once in a while, his jaw tensing in that way it always did when he was stressed.
Or pissed.
As they stepped into the elevator, Ambrose was about to click on the button leading to the last floor when someone shoved their arm in.
"Pardon me," a familiar voice chirped, the doors sliding all the way open again. Alisha strutted in, donned in a light blue handless dress that complemented her glistening dark skin.
Her eyes lit up when she saw Ambrose and Devon. "Oh, hey boys. Didn’t expect to run into you two." She placed herself between them, grinning from ear to ear like an aunt ready for the latest gossip. "So, how have things been? You know... with the whole..."
She inclined her face to Devon this time. "... Permanent link stuff. Have you guys ever tried a successful guiding since the Aurelian S-Rank Rift or—"
"I’m guessing you’ve been quite busy recently, Ambrose." Devon damned it all, bringing his gaze to the Guide.
The latter frowned, exchanging a confused look with Alisha. "What do you mean by that?"
Alisha cleared her throat, sensing the tension. "The one time I decided not to leave with my headphones on." She muttered to herself but the two men were already too locked in on their argument to care.
"Oh, I don’t know, Ambrose," The elevator had begun moving when Devon spoke again. "Where do I begin? Let’s start with... yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
"You were outside for hours. I didn’t get a text, call... nothing. You left me worried if it weren’t for Orion reassuring me you’d be fine."
"Devon, I—"
"Do you know how insane it is? Leaving your kid under my watch and then disappearing to God knows where."
"Where in the ever-loving fuck is all this even coming from?" Ambrose was gobsmacked. "Minutes ago you were acting all concerned about my attitude or whatever and now you’re giving me this? Right now?"
Devon’s eyes darkened, a fiery yellow light burning deep. "Acting? Did you just call my concern for you... acting?"
Alisha scratched her neck just then. "Okay, boys. I don’t know what’s happening here but can we please not say anything we’ll—"
"I didn’t mean it like that—but you know what?" Ambrose snapped. "Maybe that’s really what it is. Acting. Cause hell knows you never blinked in my direction before the permanent link."
"—Regret." Alisha finished her sentence with a defeated sigh. "Sweet Jesus."
The light in Devon’s eyes died.
His shoulders dropped as the elevator dinged, the doors sliding open and revealing the vast hotel lobby ahead.
He scoffed, head lowering to his feet. "After everything we’ve been through, you still don’t trust me. Or my feelings."
It was at that point that Ambrose’s throat tightened with regret.
A little too late.
"Maybe this whole thing was a mistake from the beginning," he added, shaking his head. "Let’s leave it at what it is. A Guide and an Esper. No strings attached... I give you and Viktor my blessings. Whatever you two have going on—"
"I keep telling you there’s nothing." Ambrose was careful not to raise his voice. "Devon—"
The S-Rank didn’t let him finish, waltzing out of the elevator without looking back.
Alisha caught her bottom lip between her teeth. "Devon." She only gave Ambrose an unreadable glance before running after him.
Ambrose lumbered out of the elevator lazily, ignoring the stares from a few people rushing to get in. A knot wrapped around his chest as he watched Devon and Alisha recede further away.
"You’ve really done it this time, Ambrose Hale." He snorted a dry laugh. "Or, in this case... Benji bloody Foster..."
