Free Web NovelChapter 48: _A Meal And A Kiss
"It’s about Leo." Devon went straight to the point, keeping his voice low. "You’re aware he’s in Norfolk, right? For his and his fiancée’s anniversary."
Magnus’ brows arched. "Yes."
Devon’s jaw worked.
The man’s indifference never ceased to agitate him.
"He’s your great-grandson," Devon took a step forward. "Last night you said we should be patient. Now his fate is unclear and you don’t seem to be in a hurry to find him."
Surprise flickered past the Guild master’s face.
It’s been a while since his grandson talked to him like this.
"Devon," the older man sighed. "You’re once again letting your emotions cloud your judgement. Leo—"
"No, God damnit!" Devon didn’t know when his voice rose, booming through the chamber.
A few Espers still lingering around snapped their heads to him, stunned.
Magnus’ sharp eyes narrowed as the S-Rank continued:
"It’s called being human," his head tilted. "You should try it sometime, sir. He’s the only piece of Lauretta we have left. One of the only pieces of your dead son as well—"
"You think I don’t know all that?" The Guild master snapped, words cracking through the air like a whip.
He released no aura yet Devon blinked with hesitation.
His old man’s voice was measured but hoarse at the edges. "This is a never before seen anomaly. Until we can understand the Echo Rift and the dangers surrounding it, we can’t just march foolishly like deranged hounds."
Then, his shoulders relaxed, chin lifting. "Leo was a promising young man—"
Devon shook his head. "Don’t give me that. Stop using ’was’ like he—"
"I’m being realistic. And if I were you, boy, I’d prepare myself for the worst," the Guild master spun away from him, arms folded. "You’re dismissed."
For a few seconds, Devon just stood there. Glaring at his grandfather’s back while trying to understand how a man could be so... cold.
But then he remembered.
He gave up on trying to understand that a long time ago.
With a scoff, Devon stormed out of the chamber, every footstep heavy with anger. When the sliding metal doors shut behind him, the Guild Master exhaled.
Magnus pulled out a locket from his front pocket. In it was a tiny picture. Showing much happier times in his life.
His son—Devon’s father—was at the centre. Timothy. Then beside Timothy was his wife. They both carried their two children, a little girl and a baby boy.
Devon and Lauretta.
Now it seemed like the only trace of his family he had left was Devon.
"I’m not losing you, boy," Magnus muttered. "You’ll understand soon enough."
★★★★★
"Well isn’t this interesting?" Ambrose rubbed his forehead as he gawked at the system screen.
And the daily quest blinking on it.
[QUEST OBJECTIVE: Cook a meal for Devon before he leaves. He must kiss you after eating it.]
[REWARD: +2 intelligence boost and +100 HP.]
The rewards did look promising, he wasn’t going to lie. But there was only one problem.
"What meal can I cook fast enough before he leaves?" He questioned himself, already heading for the kitchen. "It has to be something... thoughtful. Right?"
[Don’t ask me, sweetheart.]
"I was asking myself." He scowled when he remembered something.
Orion.
Glancing back, he spotted the little boy staring at him with those big golden eyes from the sofa. Curious as always.
"Daddy, who are you talking to?"
Shit.
Usually, he was used to communicating with Aura mentally. He’d let things slip just now.
"Daddy is just talking to himself, little one." He beamed. "I need to prepare breakfast. For you, of course, but especially for your papa."
Orion lit up. "Ouuu," he hopped off the sofa, bouncing eagerly toward him. "Do you have any ideas yet? Can I help?"
Ambrose recalled the one time he let the boy ’help’ in the kitchen. He shuddered, forcing a smile. "That won’t be necessary, Orion."
He moved to the fridge, opening the door with thoughtful eyes.
It had to be something simple. Something he could prepare within minutes. Something like...
"Bingo." He grinned, pulling out a crate of eggs. Orion watched him from behind while this happened. "I’ll make omelette sandwiches. With some coffee."
The kid rolled his eyes. "Ugh. That sounds boring."
Ambrose slid a look to Orion. One that said ’really?’
The latter’s little cheeks flushed red. "I mean... let me help! I can crack the eggs—"
"Absolutely not, little urchin."
"B–But why?"
"Because the last time I let you crack eggs you wasted three and spilt them all over the counter."
"That was ONE time."
Ambrose ignored the boy, already grabbing a bowl to crack the eggs into. Eager to get Orion out of his hair, he gestured. "Go get me three onion bulbs over there."
Orion’s smile widened as he skipped. Finally being helpful to his daddy.
Soon, Ambrose was done in the kitchen and stepped out holding a plate filled with omelette sandwiches as well as a creamy cup of coffee.
Orion trailed out with his own sandwiches, already digging into one.
They were right on time.
Three knocks sounded on the suite door, making Ambrose’s lips quiver with a smirk.
"It’s open!"
The door swung open and darting in was Devon. The Esper’s expression was twisted with anger as he walked past Ambrose.
"The nerves on that man," he sneered, crashing on a sofa. "Always acting like he’s some robot with no fucking feelings."
[Ouch.]
Ambrose’s lips thinned, gaze flicking briefly to Orion. The little boy didn’t make a sound, instead giving him a wink before continuing with his sandwiches.
Here goes...
"Before you head for the mission," he walked to the man, sitting casually beside him. "I made you some sandwiches. Figured you can’t leave on an empty stomach."
Devon glanced at the plate.
The golden omelettes tucked between toasted bread still steamed faintly. The smell of onions and butter curled through the air.
For a moment he looked almost tempted.
Then he shook his head, pushing himself slightly upright on the sofa.
"Thanks," he muttered. "But there’s no need."
Ambrose’s eyebrow twitched.
"Oh there is," he said flatly.
Devon blinked.
Ambrose shoved the plate a little closer to him. "I’m not eating them and I’m sure as heck not letting them go to waste."
Devon let out a tired breath through his nose.
"You’re stubborn."
"Correct."
For a second the Esper simply stared at him. Then, as if deciding it wasn’t worth the argument, he grabbed one of the sandwiches.
"Fine."
He took a bite.
Ambrose immediately leaned forward.
Watching. Very intently.
Devon chewed slowly, brow raising a little as he swallowed. He took another bite.
And another.
Ambrose still didn’t look away.
Finally, Devon lowered the sandwich slightly, eyeing him. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Ambrose didn’t even blink. "Like what?"
"Like you’re waiting for me to drop dead." Devon tilted his head. "Did you poison this?"
Ambrose shrugged.
"Maybe."
Devon snorted despite himself and finished the rest of the sandwich.
He grabbed another one without hesitation.
By the time he wiped his fingers on a napkin, the plate was empty.
"Alright," he admitted, leaning back into the sofa cushions. "That was actually good."
Ambrose sat a little straighter as Devon picked up the coffee and took a sip before nodding. "Thanks."
The Guide brushed a hand through his hair, suddenly sitting up a bit more.
Right.
Now comes the part where he—
Devon kept drinking. No kiss.
Ambrose waited.
Still nothing.
His eye twitched. ’Aura?’
But silence answered him mentally.
Devon placed the empty cup down.
Still no kiss.
Ambrose leaned forward slightly, clearing his throat. His hand slid behind his neck as he casually brushed his hair back, inching closer with the subtle grace of a man absolutely not desperate for a system reward.
Devon didn’t seem to notice.
Instead, he exhaled slowly, elbows resting on his knees.
"My grandfather," he muttered after a moment.
Ambrose paused while Devon’s gaze dropped to the floor.
"He talked about Leo like he was already dead."
The anger from earlier returned to his voice, quieter now but heavier.
"That man can watch the world burn and still look like he’s discussing the weather."
Ambrose studied him. Then he shrugged lightly.
"I guess..."
Devon scoffed.
Ambrose continued, tone softer now. "But maybe he just hides it better than you."
Devon glanced at him.
Ambrose leaned back into the sofa.
"People who’ve been fighting monsters for decades tend to build emotional armour thicker than those exoskeleton beasts you’re about to slaughter."
Devon huffed a breath.
"Doesn’t mean he doesn’t care." the Guide added.
"I’m not convinced."
"Yeah," Ambrose said with a small shrug. "But I’m convinced."
Devon looked at him again. Something in his expression softened.
"You really believe that?"
Ambrose smirked faintly. "Someone in this room has to be the optimistic one."
For a second Devon simply stared at him.
Then suddenly he leaned forward.
Ambrose barely had time to register the movement before Devon’s hand slid behind his neck and pulled him closer.
Their lips met.
Warm and totally unexpected.
Ambrose froze.
The kiss lasted only a moment before Devon pulled back.
But it was enough.
More than enough.
Because right then, a screen flashed before Ambrose’s eyes.
[DAILY QUEST COMPLETED.]
[+2 Intelligence.]
[+100 HP.]
Another notification immediately followed.
A new, brighter one.
[NEW SIDE MISSION UNLOCKED.]
Ambrose’s smug expression died the moment he saw the mission.
