Free Web NovelChapter 206: _Do You Love Him?
Viktor had his legs stretched on a couch in the living room, his hair messily fringed over his face. His eyes lazily followed a sitcom from the nineties that he and his mother used to watch.
He had zero plans to do anything remotely Hunter-related or ’adult’ worthy today. Just kept replaying everything that happened with Ambrose before he and Devon left.
’Did I really overstep?’ he questioned himself. ’For once I thought I was helping without making things worse. Instead of bringing nothing but chaos to his life.’
A bitter smile slowly curved his lips as he popped open his vodka soda. "I should’ve known better." Just when he gulped the drink, he heard tiny footsteps approaching.
"Uncle Viktor?" Orion tapped his shoulder from behind, forcing him to stretch his neck backwards. The kid had an innocent smile, eyes moving from his face to the vodka. "What are you drinking?"
Viktor sighed. "What? Your daddy never drinks one of these around you?" He paused, realising his blunder. "God, we shouldn’t be drinking around you at all."
"But isn’t it like juice?"
"No!" Viktor sat up instantly, nearly spilling the drink in an effort to set it aside. "It’s just... something adults take to unwind. You shouldn’t be taking anything like it until you’re eighteen—oh, right. The age for that here is twenty-one."
Orion blinked cluelessly, probably not understanding most of what he was saying.
Which to Viktor was mostly good news.
"Anyway," he grabbed the boy’s shoulder, pulling him closer. "What are you doing here? Done with your weekend homework?"
"Mmhm." Orion nodded. "I–I heard you and my daddy yelling earlier about something."
The Ice Prince froze for a beat.
He didn’t know how to address that at first. Then he sucked in a deep breath. "Your daddy can be a real piece of work sometimes."
Orion giggled. "What does that mean?"
"It means he can be really annoying."
"Oh. But you still like him very much?"
Viktor’s fingers twitched, almost withdrawing entirely from the boy’s shoulder.
If he was being honest with himself, he needed someone to talk to right now. Yes, the boy was six—but at least he was a good listener.
He slowly made space for Orion to sit beside him, placing his arms over the couch’s headrest once he did. "I really do actually," His expression shifted for a moment. "So much that it might hurt."
"... But why does it hurt?"
"Boy, I wish I knew." Viktor snorted, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Maybe it’s—"
"I think you do know." Orion angled his gaze to him, his golden orbs sparkling with a brief hint of awareness that stunned Viktor. "Do you feel... happy when you’re with my daddy?"
The S-Rank lost the ability to speak for a couple of seconds. "I–I do. And—"
"Does your tummy bubble weirdly anytime you see him?"
"... How do you—"
"Do you love him?"
Viktor’s heart skipped a beat.
Literally.
Then it quickened to a pace that made his breathing short. Suddenly the room seemed to spin as he did a little introspection.
Love?
He’s never associated that word with anyone. Ever.
When Devon told him he confessed his love for Ambrose, he remembered how he thought he could never possibly top that. But now—after going through this glorified therapy session with a six-year-old...
"Orion," Viktor cut the boy a look, a grin cracking across his face. "Has anyone told you you’re so smart for your age? It’s honestly creepy."
Orion gawked without a word. Then, his head swerved to the television.
"Ew, are those two kissing?"
Viktor’s face paled as he grabbed the remote and switched the channel to a nature documentary. He shook his head, getting on his feet gradually.
Years ago Devon had once told him his heart was made of literal ice. It never bothered him then.
Now something swirled in his chest, beating with an odd warmth he didn’t want to lose. And he couldn’t help but wonder.
Did Ambrose burn half as badly as this when it came to his feelings for them?
★★★★★
"Shit, you got the job?" Devon took Ambrose’s new Hunter ID card off his hands, his eyes flashing with a mix of surprise and pride.
The Guide merely smirked smugly as they made their way to the car. "They’d be crazy not to take me." He paused once they got beside the car. "And I don’t really see it as anything much. They’re in dire need of Guides and for a B-Rank Guild, a C-Rank Guide is absolutely perfect."
"Tch. Typical Ambrose Hale." Devon threw the ID card back to his waiting palm before opening the driver’s seat door. "Always undermining your wins."
"Considering I barely have any wins, I resent that thought toward me."
"See? You’re doing it again."
They settled into the car, putting on their seatbelts. After starting the ignition, Devon snapped his neck to him. "Seriously though. I’m proud of you," his smile widened when he saw the subtle blush on Ambrose’s cheeks. "You managed to turn all this drama around and found the perfect path to start afresh."
"Any more sweet words and you’re going to make me melt." Ambrose raised a pleading hand. "Can we just... go home now?"
Devon shrugged.
As the car pulled out of the driveway, Ambrose stared out of his window. In reality, he loved how much Devon tried to reassure him.
Because really... stepping out of the comfort of Phoenix Flight into the craziness that was the rest of the world was pressuring.
But at least he had this newfound family by his side.
Just when they crossed the large fields surrounding the Guild compound and were about to drive into the main road—two black jeeps cut off their path, seemingly out of nowhere.
Ambrose nearly shit his pants. "What the—?"
The car doors opened.
Six men in suits that looked like they were plucked out of a stereotypical spy movie immediately rushed out, standing in front of Devon’s car.
Then—one of them opened the back doors of one of the Jeeps. Devon pulled his hands off the steering wheel, immediately noticing the badges on the men’s chests.
"They’re with the Federation."
Ambrose shot him a look. "Huh?"
"Their badges. They’re from the United States Hunters Federation."
A boot carefully stretched out of the Jeep. Soon the owner stepped out, adjusting his grey trench coat. Everything from his muscular build to the way his eyes narrowed as he took in their car screamed authority.
Ambrose’s heart plummeted to his stomach. "... President Josiah."
