Zephyr's shoulders dropped further as he retreated, a quiet air settling around him.
He tried to stand, only to stagger, yet still forced himself to stand and stepped back, droplets of blood trickling down the silver strands clinging to his forehead. A bitter smile flashed in his gray eyes. So now he couldn't even receive guiding from Cien?
He was clearly in pain, yet... he couldn't even reach out to the only one he wanted because if Zephyr did, he would kill him?
Then why had he even awakened as an Esper at all? Just why? Why was he given this vast power—that never came when he wished for it. What was the point of it all?
Although he had regained his reason, his mind was clearly not right at the moment.
If Zephyr could see himself now, he would have noticed the faint red creeping into his gray pupils. At first, Zephyr had only wanted to act a bit pitiful in front of Lucien to take advantage of his kindness, but the more he thought, the darker his thoughts became.
And this was the consequence of using a Gaya Ability. Gaya Abilities were far more powerful than normal skills, yet they were also capable of driving even the calmest and most brilliant minds crazy. Let alone Zephyr, who had never been particularly exceptional in that regard to begin with.
In the end, his mind came to a terrifying conclusion.
Wouldn't it be better for him to just die...?
That way, he wouldn't harm Lucien. That way, his existence... which was anything but a mistake, would finally be erased. His body stilled as a crimson glow began to cloud his lowered pupils, swallowing the clarity he had regained. His thoughts sank deeper, turning heavier with every ragged breath. Around him, the corrupted energy began to intensify, growing more chaotic and violent with every passing moment.
But just as his pupils turned a blood-red hue, a moment before everything around him disappeared into nothingness along with him, someone suddenly grabbed his collar, yanking his head down. A familiar, soft touch brushed against his cold lips.
His ears twitched slightly as the person pressed closer, cursing under their breath.
After the curse, a resigned voice followed.
"I can't keep pouring my remaining guiding energy into your body—it's not enough. But with physical closeness, I can still use what little energy I have to stabilize your power."
"Just don't drain my guiding energy!"
Lucien's heart was a mess. When Zephyr told him to leave, every rational thought in his head screamed at him to run away. He could just think of another way back home.
But this damn conscience of his simply wouldn't allow it! How could he leave?
This tall, powerful Esper before him, who only moments ago had looked so terrifying, now looked heartbreakingly lost, as though the world itself had turned its back on him.
The sight of his bloodied figure standing there alone with his head bowed, trembling as though he were about to simply vanish, made Lucien's chest tighten unbearably.
Seriously… he knew, deep down, that he should not think a man this tall—let alone an SSS-rank Esper—was pitiful… but his heart clearly hadn't received that memo.
Damn it!
He never knew he was the kind of person who couldn't stand seeing a good-looking man look like he was about to fall apart.
Not to mention, after sacrificing his first kiss, he was even giving away his second kiss… so painfully willingly at that… This shit wasn't even reasonable anymore.
And yet… here he was.
Still not leaving.
Still stepping closer.
Amidst his racing heartbeat, Lucien even told himself this was only to stop this guy from going into a rampage. It was merely repayment for saving his life earlier. Yes, Lucien began making excuses for himself—sacrificing a kiss or two meant nothing.
Hehe.
Yeah. Nothing at all. Thinking this, for the first time, he felt he was rather shameless—
Lucien's thoughts came to a halt when the Esper, who had been standing frozen like a stone statue before him for so long, letting him do whatever he wanted, finally moved.
Without warning, an arm slid around his waist, firm, almost possessive, and in one swift, powerful pull, he was drawn straight against his cold body—chest to chest, not even a tiny bit space left to run or retreat.
The kiss that had been soft seconds ago shifted instantly. It deepened—not hurried, but undeniably claiming—as if Zephyr was not content at all with the innocent, almost clumsy press of lips Lucien was initiating.
The arm around Lucien's waist tightened slightly, anchoring him in place, while the other—resting at Zephyr's side—lifted and smoothly tilted his head just enough that escaping the angle became impossible.
Lucien's breath hitched in his throat—the closeness, the coldness coming from him, the sheer certainty in the way he was held so tightly—made his pulse stutter. And let's not mention the soul-stirring pleasure that coursed through his entire being like a zap of electricity, because unlike the first time they kissed, this time he was guiding him.
The corners of Lucien's eyes reddened.
At that moment, he subconsciously lifted his gaze in a daze, but saw something that caused his eyes to widen. The eyes staring down at him held not even a flicker of the earlier desolation and pitifulness Zephyr had shown—only a faint, satisfied curve.
Lucien: "????"