Free Web NovelChapter 24: _You’re Not Getting Rid of Me
The walk back to his suite felt longer than it was supposed to. First because of the tense stares he got from Espers and Guides alike in the HQ’s lobby.
Then because he couldn’t focus on anything else but Viktor’s words and the thrill of completing the system’s mission.
"He called me intriguing." He muttered as an elevator took him upstairs. "It’s been a while since I felt so... wanted."
His past life had completely shattered his trust in the idea of love and being vulnerable with anyone. Most of these people weren’t "in love".
They were just so comfortable with the idea of relying on someone that they couldn’t imagine life outside them.
"Hell forbid I tread that line again," he shuddered just thinking about giving up trust to another man. "Never again."
Tyler.
It was all that bastard’s fault.
Speaking of which, how would life be like now back there? Did Benji Foster even end up getting any justice?
’Hey, Aura.’ he went into his mental space as the elevator doors slid open to his desired floor. ’Can you check on the other earth? See if—’
[Negative. I’m unable to scour information regarding the current flow of time in your home universe.]
Ambrose’s jaw ticked. ’But you once said something about being able to retrieve my search history or something.’
[Yes. Because that was past information about your home universe.]
Tch.
He should’ve known the system would be useless.
"Well," he rubbed his neck, snapping it once. "I deserve a long bubble bath after everything today. I’m pretty sure I still stink like centipede guts and blood."
Devon and everyone else definitely freshened up while he went out running like a madman thanks to the system’s stupid mission.
Finally, he got to his suite door. He reached out to the handle, touching the familiar cold surface. However, his eyes widened when he twisted it and realised something.
The door was open.
"I told Orion to lock this." He grumbled, hoping desperately that no one had entered and discovered him.
Especially Han.
"Orion?" He burst into the room, shutting the door behind him. "Where are you little urchin? I told you to—lock... the door..."
Words turned to incoherent rambling when he took in what stood in front of him. Or rather... WHO.
Yep. You probably guessed right.
Devon!
Now his shock on seeing the guy was already expected. But what he didn’t expect or imagine in a million years was what the Esper was doing.
"Tag!" Orion squealed excitedly as he tapped Devon’s arm, scurrying away immediately. "You’re it!"
Devon had his back facing Ambrose, barely registering his presence as he rubbed his hands. "Oh, I’m going to get you."
He’d been wearing a jacket earlier but that was taken off now. All that was left was a white T-Shirt that exposed enough of his ripped, chiselled muscles to leave Ambrose speechless.
Laughter echoed from the child and Esper as they ran around the living room. Devon intentionally slowed down, giving Orion free space to run and dodge his attempts.
However, that didn’t last long.
"Gotcha!" Devon wrapped his arms around the boy, lifting him off the floor. "You’re it, little guy."
"No, no... It’s not fair." Orion kicked helplessly, giggling despite his complaints. Then, they both turned their heads to Ambrose. "Daddy! You’re back."
The little guy slipped out of Devon’s strong arms, hopping to Ambrose. When those tiny arms coiled around his waist, Ambrose stumbled back a step.
His mouth was still parted, eyes barely staying on the boy before trailing back to Devon. The latter smiled, giving him a nod:
"Your boy’s got a lot of energy for his age."
All Ambrose could do was blink at him, not knowing what to say or do. Suddenly, guilt from chasing after Viktor hit him like a bad hangover.
Why, though? Why should he feel any guilt when he and Devon weren’t in a relationship?
Heck, he just got to this world last night and barely knew the guy—speaking from a past and present perspective.
[Yet the child and now the permanent link are both factors that make your paths entwine.] Aura’s mechanical hum came in. [I’m impressed. You’ve managed to make him close to the anomaly without telling him who he truly is.]
"You went out." Devon’s voice broke past his thoughts. "Did something come up?"
Ambrose stuttered. "Oh... it—nothing important." He forced a smile. "Just a small errand."
"Nothing important." Devon’s head tilted as he took a few steps closer. "Yet you went out still dressed like you’re in a dungeon raid."
At this point Orion pulled away from Ambrose, looking between him and his papa with curious eyes.
"Devon..." Ambrose’s eyes fluttered shut for a beat. "What is this? I... appreciate you being here for Orion and me but why the interrogation?"
Without hurry, Devon closed the distance between them until their faces were inches apart. A sweaty musk emanated from him. Ambrose gulped, trying and failing to avoid those golden orbs.
"The link makes you my responsibility, Ambrose." The words left Devon’s mouth, low and certain. "If anything happens to you—"
"Right." Ambrose snorted, nodding once. "The link. It all comes down to that, doesn’t it?"
A pressuring silence was what answered him.
Mustering the willpower to look away, Ambrose said calmly. "I need to freshen up, Devon. And rest."
The S Rank’s mouth thinned. "Am I disturbing you?"
Ambrose’s lips opened and closed repeatedly but he didn’t have an answer to that. At least, not a straightforward one.
How does he explain to this man that his staying any longer would crumble all his restraints like they were nothing? He could barely have this conversation without thinking of how his tongue would—
—Damn it, focus!
"No answer," the corner of Devon’s lips lifted. "I’ll take that as a no then."
He gave Ambrose a pat on the shoulder before taking Orion off his hands. "You can go freshen up. It’s only afternoon and I have nothing to do till evening."
The Esper glanced over his shoulder, his eyes glinting with a suggestive light. "We’ve got a lot more time to ourselves. To truly... understand each other."
His words were like an echo, resounding over and over again in Ambrose’s head.
As the Guide’s mind went to mush following Devon’s receding back, the latter thought to himself. ’You aren’t getting me out of your hair that easily. One way or another we’ll navigate this odd dynamic.’
The coming hours were set to be quite eventful.
