Free Web NovelChapter 96: _Admitting It Would Make It Real
Once they got back to the hotel, Ambrose’s hands had stopped shaking. He waited patiently for Devon to open the suite door, letting out a breath once it did.
The first thing that welcomed them was quiet. An instant red flag when you remember they have a whole child who’s supposed to be running to them.
Ambrose’s mind immediately pulsed with a negative sensation. He swerved his head around the living room, walking in deeper. Once his gaze trailed to the bedroom door, however... he exhaled with relief.
The door was open, allowing them to see the little boy lying comfortably on one of the king-sized beds. Fast asleep too.
Devon shut the main entrance door behind him, following Ambrose’s gaze. "Aw. Look at the little guy," he made his way to the room, dropping the few ice-cream cups he held.
Ambrose watched as the S-Rank got to the bed, sitting gently beside their son. He adjusted Orion properly, tucking him into the bed sheets.
After brushing back his hair, he pivoted back to the living room.
"I guess we’ll just keep his in the fridge," Devon gestured casually at a fridge at the other side of the living room, closing the bedroom door behind him.
Then his eyes narrowed on Ambrose. "Okay—no sarcastic remarks or cheesy comments?" His arms were folded in front of his chest. "What’s wrong, Rose? You’ve been awfully quiet since we left those guards."
Ambrose’s breathing stilled.
For a split second, Devon’s face was replaced by that of the man he killed. Same dishevelled hair. Same widened eyes staring at him with pain.
He looked away, clearing his throat as his mind pulled him back into reality. "N–Nothing. Just... tired."
Devon didn’t buy it, taking a couple more steps closer. "Tired? Did we really walk around that long?" His head tilted, a thought hitting him just then. "Ambrose... did something actually happen in that alleyway that you didn’t tell those guards?"
The question made Ambrose’s heart jump into his throat. "What?"
"I was asking—"
"Of course, nothing else happened." He snapped. "I got a little bored waiting for you so I wandered off. I–I only went into the alley to..."
Words failed him.
He’d told the guards he went in there to take a private call. Devon wouldn’t buy that even for a second. And if he did, he’d ask who was calling him.
So... he chose silence, shaking his head as he crashed into one of the sofas.
"Never mind."
He buried his face in a palm, hoping Devon won’t say anything else. Anything that would get his heart racing or make him remember what happened.
Alas, it didn’t take long for him to hear footsteps getting closer. The familiar scent of the Esper stopped right beside him, slowly lowering until he was crouching.
Nothing was said or done for several seconds.
Until a hand crept up his shoulder, making him shiver for a beat.
"We can’t continue doing this, Rose." Devon’s voice was soft. Patient. "Even if you don’t tell me what happened, I can FEEL something is wrong. Permanent link, remember?"
Ambrose’s throat constricted.
Of course.
How could he forget?
Gradually, he raised his head, angling it to face Devon. He couldn’t bring himself to look into those piercing eyes. But that didn’t last long, the S-Rank grabbing his chin and pulling his gaze to meet his.
Devon’s eyes sparkled like stars under the room’s lighting. "Talk to me."
A trembling wave of guilt washed through Ambrose. His shoulders slouched, the lump in his throat growing bigger. He couldn’t.
Where does he even begin? What if Devon never looks at him the same way again? No—admitting what happened would make it real.
As Devon’s thumb traced the contours of Ambrose’s jaw, his self-control slithered away. His gaze flitted to his lips. Those full pink lips that kept saying the sweetest things to him.
Before he realised what was happening, he lunged forward. Their lips met in a breathless kiss that made Devon stiffen like he was electrocuted.
Ambrose didn’t stop, adjusting on the sofa so his hands could roam freely. The kiss deepened, their hearts beating in tandem while the link thrummed.
As it went on, it all sauntered away.
The guilt. The fear. The images of the man he killed. All of it was just static, unable to compete with the tenderness before him.
On the flip side, Devon was beyond confused. Here he was thinking Ambrose was about to open up. Make him a shoulder to lean on.
Now they’d brushed past feelings and gotten into... THIS. Sure, he wasn’t complaining. But it felt like a front to avoid something else.
"R–Rose," Devon pulled away first, keeping his hands on Ambrose’s shoulders. They simultaneously turned their heads to the bedroom door.
It was still closed. And still had their little light sleeping soundly.
"Rose," Devon murmured again. "Are you sure about this? Seriously, if anything is bothering you. Anything you feel like you can’t tell me—"
Ambrose grabbed his cheeks before he could finish, dragging him close until their noses brushed. He rested his forehead on his, taking in a shaky inhale.
"Please," the word came out broken. "I need this. Nothing else but this."
Silence stretched between them like a live wire. Devon’s fingers wrapped around his wrists. They stayed still for a moment.
Then—their mouths crashed into each other again, this time with more intensity. Ambrose knew instantly that it wasn’t going to end with just a kiss.
He didn’t care, tugging at the collars of Devon’s jacket until the Esper was forced to climb onto his lap. His hands trailed to his waist, fingers digging in as Devon’s mouth lowered to his neck.
A shuddering moan escaped Ambrose’s mouth before he could stop it. He arched his head back, arousal already hardening his member.
The emotions in his chest burned hotter as thoughts ran through his mind.
’He was going to take me. He would’ve killed me.’ he told himself, getting lost in the sensations. ’I didn’t have a choice.’
Something darker sprouted in his head. An emptiness he lunged to like a long-lost friend.
’Anyone who comes after me... deserves the same fate.’
