Free Web NovelChapter 261: _One Of My Boyfriends
Meanwhile, back in the United States, Devon came back from dropping Orion off at school. He took off his jacket as he strode into the living room, throwing a glance at Viktor.
The latter was busy with his laptop at the kitchen island, taking small sips from an early morning cup of coffee.
But Devon quickly noticed something.
Without even searching he could tell Ambrose wasn’t around.
"Uhm," he frowned, walking up to the ice Prince. "Did Ambrose step out to work or something? He didn’t really mention anything after helping me pack Orion for school."
Viktor shook his head. "Nope. He didn’t go to work."
Devon’s frown deepened. "Then... where did he go?"
With a small sigh, Viktor paused his laptop. He angled his head to Devon, giving him a brief sweeping look which only confused the S-Rank more.
"Last I saw Ambrose he and Gabriel teleported. They were off to Canada or whatever."
Devon blinked.
It took a full two seconds for the words to register in his head. Even then his mind was blown by the sheer randomness.
"Rose... followed Gabriel to Canada?" He repeated. "H–How... what would Ambrose even want to do there?"
"Beats me." Viktor shrugged, his eyes darting back to his laptop. "He only barely mentioned it before they went over to the backyard. I didn’t ask too many questions so I won’t seem dramatic."
"Dramatic?" Devon was livid. "He’s the one who crossed the continent without giving us a heads-up."
Viktor looked around awkwardly. "I mean, he’s not in danger, right? If anything happens Gabriel could just teleport them back."
"Still doesn’t make it right."
"Don’t tell me you’re jealous." Viktor found himself teasing, his teeth shining when Devon glared at him. "What? Because if we’re being honest here... I think I am too. Is it just me or has Gabriel been warming up to him recently?"
Devon’s mouth parted to speak when another voice joined them.
"It’s not just you." Valentine approached from the living room, hand in the pockets of his coat. Unlike both of them, he didn’t seem disturbed or jealous. Just amused. "Gabriel has always given the little Guide a hard time. But now?"
He got to the island, resting a palm on its cool surface. "He might be trying hard to pretend but I can tell there’s something blossoming already."
Viktor nearly choked on his coffee, quickly setting it aside. "God, not again." He groaned. "It’s already been hard enough with Devon and me. Now you and Gabriel? Who is next? Apollo from the Pantheon?"
Valentine stared keenly at the Esper from underneath his sunglasses, withholding a chuckle. "It still fascinates me how drawn powerful Espers seem to be with him."
"Oh, that’s easy." Viktor scoffed. "The same tactic he used with Devon and me. Simply exist—then tie us around his fingers before we even begin to realise we’re getting obsessed."
Devon chimed. "We should organise a group welfare meeting for all the men he keeps adding to the polycule."
Viktor laughed. "Like a little AA meeting. We’ll call it ’surviving the surprisingly seductive C-Rank’." When Devon and even Valentine chortled at that, he added. "Also, not you calling it a polycule. Finally catching on?"
"Ugh, screw you."
"I mean, Gabriel doesn’t entirely fit the role yet. Unless Ambrose has already linked..."
Viktor froze.
Then his face paled as he swung his head to Valentine. The Necromancer had immediately caught that last word and pinned his attention entirely on the ice Prince.
"Link?" His head tilted.
Devon hastily shoved himself back in. "Viktor and his insane jokes. He was—"
"I know what I heard." Valentine didn’t even look at the red-head once, slowly taking off his sunglasses.
Suddenly memories of the one time Viktor burst into Ambrose’s suite, accusing him of permanently linking with him flashed through his head. Back then he hadn’t been explicit about the implication.
Yet Valentine caught on and decided not to bring it up again. But now...
"Valentine, it’s not what—"
"Permanent link." Valentine didn’t let him finish whatever lie was coming. "I mean, it’s a perfect explanation once you begin thinking about it... But how?"
Neither S-Rank answered him.
Not yet.
So Valentine’s voice turned icy. "You two know something that I don’t. Or at least, that I’m not sure of." He drummed his fingers calmly on the island. "I think it’ll be wise to involve me in the loop. No?"
★★★★★
"It’s like God just saw my heart last night and shipped you to us." Gabriel’s mother pinched his cheek for the umpteenth time.
Ambrose sat at Gabriel’s right side while his mother made herself comfortable on his left.
The OG Mrs Silverstone was a surprisingly petite woman with greying hair. Her smile always made her look at least a decade younger despite the wrinkles.
"Mom, at this rate you’re going to peel off Gabriel’s cheeks," Tristan laughed from the couch opposite theirs, an arm wrapped around his girlfriend.
"I wish I could shove the boy in my purse." Mama Silverstone slapped Gabriel’s face playfully. "Look at how handsome you look. I’m sure all the girls at work have a crush."
Gabriel almost appeared horrified but forced a smile. "Mom, please."
"Oh, he’s definitely a bombshell," Ambrose said before he could stop himself.
From this angle, he noticed Gabriel’s side eye glare and immediately lowered his head in embarrassment.
[Yeah, just sit there and plot how you’re going to go on with creating the link.]
Ambrose discreetly shook his head, pulling out his phone. Just then a notification buzzed, making him arch a brow.
It was a message from Devon.
>" Valentine knows. I repeat, Valentine freaking knows!"< Was all the message had, alongside a few panicked face emojis.
Confused out of his mind, Ambrose hesitated before deciding to speak up. "Uh, can y’all excuse me?" He got up while Mrs Silverstone beamed curiously at him. "I need to go make a call."
"No matter, dear." Gabriel’s mother waved dismissively. "I hope it’s nothing serious?"
"Nah. Just one of my boyfriends being—I mean, I..." Ambrose’s throat tightened instantly.
Gabriel’s eyes widened while his mother’s brows furrowed.
Silence settled uncomfortably in the room.
’Fuck me!’
