Free Web NovelChapter 258: _They Don’t Deserve This
"Hey."
Gabriel raised his head from the full-body mirror in the room assigned to him and Valentine. Ambrose walked in quietly, a small smile tugging his lips.
"Hey, Rose."
Ambrose’s smile widened at that.
Rose.
The only person who called him that so freely and constantly was Devon. More so Gabriel rarely ever says or shows any signs of affection or care.
"Good morning," Ambrose went on, dragging himself closer to the SS-Rank. He was busy adjusting the white long-sleeve and black pants he was wearing. "Were you able to sleep last night? After—"
"I did," Gabriel answered too quickly. But then he noticed he might seem too serious to the Guide. So he sighed—before adding with a soft voice. "Thank you for last night, Ambrose. Really. Your presence alone helped get my head off stuff I would’ve probably hidden."
"Even from Valentine?" Ambrose took more steps forward until he was only a few paces behind the Esper. "I mean, you two have been friends for what? Centuries?"
Gabriel smiled sarcastically when Ambrose giggled at that. "Very funny." He shook his head. "And yes. We’ve indeed known each other for years. Seen each other at some of our weakest moments."
He paused, dropping his hands from his collar. "But Valentine won’t understand my situation with my parents. Not entirely at least." He huffed. "A man like himself would probably advise me to abandon my parents if they aren’t accepting whenever I come out."
Ambrose scratched the back of his neck. "Honestly, he won’t be too wrong for that. Just saying."
Gabriel’s expression remained unreadable. "... I can’t just abandon the only family I have."
The words came out quietly. Not defensive or angry. Just tired.
Ambrose felt something tighten in his chest.
"Maybe," He shrugged lightly. "But it’s not much of a family if they can’t accept who you are."
Gabriel didn’t answer.
The silence stretched between them.
Eventually, Gabriel broke it first.
"I should probably get going soon." He looked away, fixing his attention on the bed. "I need to return to Canada before the Federation starts assuming I’ve died."
Ambrose immediately felt his stomach drop.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
Not Canada. Not when the mission was finally progressing.
"Already?"
Gabriel blinked. "Yes?"
The disappointment must’ve shown on Ambrose’s face because Gabriel’s brows furrowed slightly.
Before he could stop himself, the Guide blurted out. "I’ll miss you."
Silence.
Ambrose’s entire body went rigid, his face heating up.
"Oh my God," He rubbed a hand over his face. "I mean—not like that. Well, not that I wouldn’t miss you. Obviously. Because we’re friends. Sort of. Not sort of. We are friends. I think."
Gabriel continued staring.
Ambrose wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. "Please stop looking at me."
"I’m trying to understand what just happened."
"Trust me, so am I."
A laugh escaped Gabriel before he could stop it. The sound instantly made Ambrose’s chest feel lighter.
Then neither of them spoke again.
The room grew quiet. Dangerously quiet.
Gabriel’s gaze lingered on Ambrose’s eyes. Then his lips. Then back to his eyes.
Something strange twisted inside him. An unfamiliar pull.
One he couldn’t quite name.
Ambrose seemed equally frozen.
Neither of them moved. Yet neither of them looked away.
Slowly... Gabriel stepped forward. First it was just one step. Then another.
Ambrose’s breath caught.
Gabriel’s heart beat faster. ’What’s happening to me?’ He genuinely didn’t know the answer to that.
Yet he found himself leaning in regardless. Carefully.
As though giving Ambrose every opportunity to stop him.
The distance between them vanished.
Ambrose’s pulse thundered in his ears.
Gabriel’s eyes drifted half shut.
Just when it seemed like they were about to do something they could never take back, the bedroom door opened.
Both men jerked apart.
Valentine stepped inside, his crimson eyes moving from Gabriel. And then to Ambrose. Then back to Gabriel again.
A knowing look crossed his face. Though unlike usual, there was no teasing. Neither did he bother making any smug remarks or sarcastic comments.
Only suspicion settled on his face. And perhaps something else. Something Ambrose couldn’t quite identify for the life of him.
The Necromancer simply nodded once after standing there for several seconds. Then he turned around and left, shutting the door with a soft click behind him.
"Shit." Ambrose dragged both hands through his hair. "Shit, shit, shit."
Gabriel straightened immediately, his expression cooling. "That was a mistake."
The words stung more than Ambrose expected. "Gabriel—"
"No." The Space God shook his head. "You have Devon and Viktor."
The reminder hit like a bucket of cold water.
Fucking hell, that’s right.
His literal boyfriends who were already dreading the idea of Valentine joining them. And now he’s doing this with... Christ!
Guilt immediately settled into Ambrose’s stomach.
"You’re right." He lowered his gaze. "I shouldn’t be doing this to them."
A bitter laugh escaped him.
"Not unless you end up becoming my boyfriend too."
Gabriel stared, more surprised than offended. "I’m still struggling to understand how two S-Ranks are out here sharing one Guide."
"Believe me." Ambrose sighed. "So am I."
The Space God placed his hands into his pockets. "Well... I should go."
He turned.
Only for a hand to catch his wrist.
Both men froze as a familiar screen immediately exploded into Ambrose’s vision.
[Permanent Link candidate stabilised.]
[Conditions fulfilled.]
[Creating permanent link...]
[1%]
[7%]
[13%]
Oh, shit.
It was actually working!
Gabriel looked down at the hand around his wrist. Then back at Ambrose.
The Guide swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. "Gabriel?"
"Yes?"
"Can I come with you?"
The Space God blinked. "To Canada?"
"Just for a few hours." Ambrose forced a shrug. "I’ve spent months in America dealing with Guild politics, dungeon raids, psychopaths and eldritch horrors. I think I’m entitled to leave the country for a bit."
Gabriel studied him like he was searching for something.
Whatever he found seemed to satisfy him. Because eventually a small smile appeared on his face.
"Fine."
Relief flooded through Ambrose.
Behind the scenes, the system screen continued climbing until he withdrew his hand.
[Permanent Link creation: 22%]
For once... one of Aura’s missions wasn’t trying to ruin his life.
At least not yet.
’I guess we’re going to Canada.’
