Free Web NovelChapter 264: _And Yet You Trusted Me
"...You," Gabriel blinked repeatedly, "stopped... because you wanted my consent?"
Ambrose nodded slowly, scared the man would snap at any second. Although that would be unlike Gabriel. Worst comes to worst he’d probably just teleport the heck away from him.
For several seconds neither of them said a word. Which only made Ambrose feel like digging a hole and crawling into the earth’s core.
[There you go.] Aura’s voice almost sounded like she let out a sigh. [You’ve broken the man.]
’This is your fault. You know that, right?’
[Wow, deflecting blame. I’ve never seen that one before.]
’You know I’m right.’ Ambrose pushed. ’Every impossible mission, especially the ones that make me do things to these people without their consent it—’
[Someone finally questioning his mortality?] Aura sounded amused. [Well—keep going. I have this feeling you’re getting close to something.]
’... Feeling? Since when do you have feelings?’
"How does it work?"
Ambrose was startled by the sudden question. He gawked hard at Gabriel, unable to believe he was actually speaking to him.
No signs of anger, fear or anything of the sort. Just plain old curiosity.
"H–How does it work?"
"The permanent links, I mean," Gabriel folded his arms across his chest. "Every Guide is supposed to have only one permanently linked Esper. So you have no limit to how many you can create that link with... are there any differences you’ve noticed? When did you even know you could do this?"
Each question only made Ambrose blink faster.
His brain took a while to register that yes—Gabriel’s reaction to hearing this madness was to bombard him with questions.
"I..." Ambrose swallowed. "I discovered I could do it some weeks ago. Shortly after creating one with Devon. As for how it works, it’s just the same thing as regular permanent links. I guess."
"So you’re not brainwashing us with this?"
"W–What?" Ambrose’s face lost colour. "No! God, no!"
"Forgive the question," Gabriel raised a finger. "It’s just... I’ve always been surprised by how drawn Valentine is to you. By how Viktor and Devon circle you like they’ve been charmed or something."
At this point, Ambrose was almost hoping Gabriel would start up something. Maybe curse him out. Call him an abomination. Anything to fit the script in his head.
He didn’t do any of that.
"I mean," he caught his lips curling. "We almost kissed that one time today. And you know for sure that I haven’t created the link yet."
Gabriel arched his brow. "Oh, do I now?"
"Yes," Ambrose placed a hand on his waist, his shoulders relaxing. "The permanent link only heightens feelings that were already there. Pretty sure they taught this in Hunter newbie classes, no?"
Gabriel chuckled. Actually chuckled like they were talking about a comedy show.
"Well, they never mentioned anything about Guides basically having a cheat code to acquire multiple life partners," he shook his head. "This is... Incredible. You’ve got no idea."
"Actually, I do." Ambrose sighed. "I’m aware of how much risk letting this out puts me under. From the Federations not just in this country but all around the world. Heck even Rogue Espers and Guides would want a piece of me."
Another stretch of silence settled between them.
Not an uncomfortable one this time.
Gabriel simply stood there, studying Ambrose with an expression the Guide couldn’t quite decipher. It wasn’t suspicion. Nor was it disappointment.
If anything, there was something almost... contemplative behind those iridescent eyes.
Finally, the space god exhaled through his nose.
"And yet," he said quietly, "you trusted me enough to tell me all of this."
Ambrose’s chest loosened.
A faint smile found its way onto his face despite everything.
"I’ve done this too many times already," he admitted. "Keeping something this huge from the people I’m linking with only turns into a bigger disaster later. I... didn’t want to make that mistake again."
Gabriel lowered his gaze for a brief moment before taking a slow step closer. Without warning, he reached for Ambrose’s hands.
The Guide nearly forgot how to breathe.
"Do I still have questions?" Gabriel asked with a small chuckle. "Far too many."
His thumbs brushed lightly across the back of Ambrose’s hands.
"But you’ve answered the most important one already."
Ambrose blinked.
"You gave me a choice."
Something tightened painfully inside his chest.
"So..." Gabriel continued, holding his gaze steadily. "For whatever it’s worth... if you’re still willing to create that permanent link..."
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"...You have my consent."
Everything around Ambrose seemed to stop.
"You..." His voice cracked embarrassingly. "You’re sure?"
Gabriel nodded without the slightest hesitation. "I wouldn’t have said it otherwise."
For several seconds Ambrose simply stared at him. Then his lips slowly curved into a smile so genuine it caught even himself by surprise.
"...Thank you." He closed his eyes.
The familiar warmth of his aether answered him almost immediately.
[Permanent link creation initiated.]
Golden threads materialised between their joined hands, weaving themselves together like countless strands of light. They spiralled around their wrists before dissolving beneath their skin.
[35%...]
[48%...]
[67%...]
The pressure arrived first.
Then came the overwhelming rush.
Ambrose sucked in a sharp breath as information exploded through his senses.
Every vibration in the surrounding space became painfully vivid. The rustling leaves overhead. The tiny insects crawling beneath the grass. Even the subtle distortions created by Gabriel’s spatial affinity now felt impossibly clear.
His knees nearly buckled as he ground his teeth.
[100%.]
[Permanent link successfully established!]
Ambrose staggered half a step before Gabriel instinctively caught his arm.
"You alright?"
"I..." Ambrose laughed breathlessly. "Yeah. Just... give me a second."
His spatial awareness had never felt this sharp before.
It was almost overwhelming.
Before either of them could say anything else, the sliding backyard door suddenly rolled open.
Valentine stepped outside, one hand tucked neatly into his coat pocket.
His crimson eyes drifted from Gabriel, to Ambrose... then finally to the hands they had only just let go of.
The Necromancer’s expression didn’t change.
"Oh," he said flatly. "Good."
His lips curved with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"You’re back."
