Chapter 209: Curse Guiding (9)
Ayen held Khal’s hand, familiar with his touch by this point. He firmly grasped it before he lifted his gaze and looked Khal in the eye.
Khal watched his movements, not pulling away. Ayen nodded slightly, signaling he was about to start.
The other did not say a word but was waiting.
Ayen had no intention of fully guiding Khal, but only of showing him that he was telling the truth. He did not take his gaze off Khal, either.
With this kind of minimal guiding, Ayen could do it effortlessly, unlike the first few times.
Looking at that expression, Ayen could tell Khal was unconvinced and not expecting anything. They had not reached a certain level of desperation here yet.
That feeling of anticipating something, even if the chances were slim, that they had a decade from now was not present to the current Khal.
Ayen realized his appearance a decade later might be the perfect timing.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Ayen activated his wavelength and observed Khal’s expression as he was doing the same thing with his.
The two stared at one another, and soon, Ayen witnessed once more the astonishment in those blue pupils. Ayen was immersed enough not to give a small, accomplished smile seeing that reaction.
Ayen held Khal’s hand tightly as he felt the other wanting to pull away.
Khal’s brows furrowed as he bit his lips, his expression conflicted. Soon, he gave up. His eyes lowered and looked at their clasped hands, feeling the new sensation in his chest, and Khal bit his lips.
Ayen watched his expression change, and the soft glow in his pupils indicated Khal’s mood.
A few seconds later, and Khal’s gaze abruptly shot up, puzzled.
Ayen wanted to tease him, not directly.
"I already proved it." Ayen pulled his hand away, leaving Khal’s hand frozen in midair. "Can you help me now?"
As he said, he would only do minimal guiding, but halfway, Ayen chose to stop, teasing Khal a bit. As for his retaliation, he was not worried in the slightest.
Khal stared at his hand for a moment before it fell beside him. He then took a deep breath. His eyes shifted to Ayen, now with more complex emotions.
It was like how he wanted to say something, but as complicated as his mind might be, Ayen knew he would think of one person more in this situation.
"Let’s go," he said, turning around, and the ice platform moved. Soon, they were almost approaching Devion. His laughter became clearer.
When the light dimmed, Devion stopped what he was doing. But he tore the monster he was fighting first before he did so. He turned around and looked up.
"Huh? What’s up?"
It was obvious he did not have enough.
Ayen glanced at Khal, who eventually let out a defeated sigh.
"Come up here for a moment." Khal motioned to Devion.
"Why?"
"Ayen wants to say something." He gave a side glance to Ayen.
Ayen frowned at him. Khal shrugged.
"Ask him," Khal continued.
Was Khal always this... petty? He had already returned the provocation Ayen had done earlier to him.
He wanted Khal to give the word; in the end, he still threw the matter in Ayen’s hands. Truly... Ayen could see a different side of him, huh?
Devion looked confusedly at Ayen.
"What is it? You said you can stay with Khal," Devion rambled, annoyed that he had to stop fighting monsters. But then, his expression changed. "Khal, did you bully him?"
Khal grimaced.
"Why would I?"
This time, Ayen did not say anything, not defending Khal or denying the claim. When Devion looked at him, he only averted his gaze.
That made Khal look even more guilty in his eyes.
Devion glared at Khal.
For the first time since earlier, Ayen witnessed Khal’s expression change; his jaw almost dropped. Khal swiftly snapped to Ayen’s side, eyes accusing.
Again, Ayen remained silent. If Khal wanted to provoke each other, then Ayen would gladly accept it. After all, he was more than experienced with playing dead. And it was not often one could get this opportunity.
Devion became more suspicious and jumped onto the ice platform, standing in front of Ayen, shielding him from Khal.
"Khal," he called the name, without any playful tone this time. "What happened?"
Khal did not answer immediately; his eyes locked with Ayen’s. His eyes flickered, and the corners of his lips twitched.
Why? Because for the first time ever, Ayen had done something so childish. He just stuck his tongue out at Khal.
He did not know, but he was enjoying teasing Khal. Especially a 22-year-old Khal, though mature for his age, had yet to reach the same level of composure as his future counterpart.
If only this time’s Khal knew that his expression was not an exaggeration. Both Khal and Devion would even have their jaws drop if Ayen did that in front of them.
Devion frowned, looked at Ayen’s side, and saw him silently standing there. Why was Khal looking intensely at him earlier?
When he looked back at Khal, his eyes filled with questions.
"What exactly is it, Khal?" His tone became deeper, not having time for jokes.
Khal let out a breath, then slowly he sighed in defeat. His eyes glared at Ayen’s side before landing on Devion.
"Ayen can guide you," Khal casually said, and then added. "That’s what he said."
Ayen’s eyes light up, feeling betrayed. The corner of Khal’s lips hooked up faintly, seeing such an expression.
Ayen felt Devion’s gaze on him, and his eyes met Khal’s eyes, and a taunting gaze flickered on them.
Hah. So, there was a time when Khal was truly this petty and childish? He did not look like it at all.
"Ayen, is what Khal said true?" Devion’s inquiring gaze met his.
Ayen ignored Khal for a moment. This was his mission.
"Why don’t you try first?"
Not directly answering the question, but showing confidence instead with this suggestion.
During the meeting here, Devion had already seen Ayen’s rather straightforward nature. This did not surprise him.
Still, he was not convinced.
"Can you really?"
Ayen reached out and held his hand, becoming proactive. Devion flinched at the sudden action, and Ayen felt a gaze on him again. His eyes glanced at that side and raised a brow before returning his focus to Devion.
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