Perhaps it was also perfect timing that this backlash happened at this time. Ayen could say what he wanted without thinking too much about it.

The words flowed smoothly from his mouth to convey the real emotions behind them.

Ayen wanted to say everything without holding back.

"Devion," he looked him in the eye. "It’s not the only way now. Before, and even now, it’s not the only way."

Ayen put great emphasis on his words.

"I’m here, aren’t I? We succeeded. We have hope."

Devion’s pupils shook as he watched Ayen, his gaze conflicted.

"But... Everyone’s still suffering. Khal... and you... it’s not a simple curse. Ayen, you will be in danger."

That was the reality. Ayen did not deny that. While guiding this curse, he would be subjected to harm and pain, and he was certain it would only get bigger each time.

"So, what?" He saw Devion’s eyes widen slightly, stunned by his nonchalant words. "Devion, I’ve always been in a delicate and dangerous situation. We just found out someone more terrifying is after me. The Nevaris clan isn’t my only enemy."

Ayen leaned closer.

"All this time, my life’s never been peaceful. And I thought, it will continue like that until the day I die. But no, you and Khal arrived in my life."

Ayen’s lips curled slightly. Despite the tears in his eyes, his expression remained warm.

"These past few months... gave me the safest moments in my entire life. It somehow scared me. That, I’ll begin to be dependent on you. To the security and safe haven you gave me. I don’t feel the danger when I’m with you."

Ayen sighed in relief, as though he had finally voiced these bottled emotions, and his chest became lighter.

"These days, I don’t even care if I truly became dependent on the two of you." Ayen’s smile widened slightly as if finding his words hilarious. "The Ayen before will surely curse me. Why will I rely on others? Why... will I trust you? And, now, I got the answer."

Ayen leaned and pressed their foreheads together; the curve of Ayen’s lips was so beautiful, Devion’s heart skipped a beat. Slowly, the two closed their eyes, and feeling each other’s breath made the tension in the air dissipate.

"Devion... I’m beginning to like you. Both of you. My heart... I don’t even know if this is how liking really is. But I don’t care. I trust you... and that matters to me more."

Ayen had never trusted anyone with his whole heart after what happened to him. He had already closed his heart, afraid that the only remaining pieces would end up broken for another betrayal.

Then, at that time, Ayen would not be able to live anymore.

Survival would be meaningless if he were already dead inside.

"You both make me safe and comfortable. I don’t want this to end yet... So, Devion, please, let me guide you. Let me be the string that pulls us all together."

He did not care if he was reaching for that impossibility or if he was overstepping his line. Ayen wanted to grasp that only meaning that drove him to come out of his hiding spot.

Khal and Devion... They were all his, and he would make sure that even the two could never ever deny that fact. His pupils turned darker as he opened his eyes.

"Ayen..." Devion could only call his name. For the first time, Ayen overwhelmed him with emotions that his words left him.

Ayen merely smiled slightly.

"Next time, talk with him."

Devion did not say anything, but he nodded.

He finally calmed down. His head leaned forward and pressed on Ayen’s shoulder.

"I hope you know. I’m the same. I’m truly... falling for you." Devion chuckled, his voice tired from his burst earlier. "I never thought it was possible. To fall for someone else, other than Khal. He’s my first love, and I hope to be my last. I’m not romantic, but this much I’m certain."

Devion tightened his hold on Khal’s hand, but his other hand went and snaked through Ayen’s waist.

"Then, I’m not anymore. I love him, and I want to try this with you. We were never incomplete before, but we are both stubborn. We... are strong-headed. That’s the reason it’s been years, and we have never talked about our problem."

Devion let out a chuckle, and Ayen brushed his hair.

"I’m also stubborn."

Devion laughed at that.

"Maybe? But you have something we lack, Ayen. You’re straightforward. And you’re not afraid to say your emotions."

Devion and Khal were both straightforward, but never with each other. For some reason, it turned that way. They were scared and so stopped talking about issues seriously.

Becoming together... was enough.

Ayen was different. Devion could see it. That gaze of which wanting to possess them whole. And he encouraged it. Devion... and probably Khal... Both were waiting for that.

"As I said before. Ayen, we’re very lucky to have met you. You are a piece... we never thought we needed."

They were both waiting because... Ayen could not escape them either. Devion and Khal were espers and possessive creatures. They were dominant on their own, and somehow they expected it at least.

They needed a stabilizer. And Ayen... was that person. He was the only one deserving of that position.

Ayen nodded and sighed in relief.

Slowly, the two became exhausted. Ayen’s backlash symptoms were beginning to wane, and he needed to rest. Devion was the same. He had poured most of his emotions after a long while.

Fortunately, Khal’s condition stabilized, and his fever had gone down a lot. Ayen was the first to sleep. Devion checked him and also Khal.

Once he was sure that Khal’s temperature was not alarming, he decided to take a nap beside him.

Silence fell and shrouded the room.

Slowly, Khal’s eyes opened. He stared at the ceiling, and gradually he turned to Devion’s side and then to Ayen.

Khal faced the ceiling again. He contemplated for a while before a loud sigh resounded in the room.

His emotions were heavy while listening to that conversation. However, a smile appeared on Khal’s lips.

Those memories, that fever dream... and their conversation...

Khal felt the beating of his heart.

This... was real.