Two parties in the equation.

Oh.

Right.

Now that was probably an obvious thing for most people. Practically a given, but for the Guide who had long since seen a version of two people in an unbalanced equation, it wasn’t really as simple. As if it were something out of the ordinary, he kept forgetting it and inadvertently reverting to what he was used to.

After all, from what he’d witnessed growing up, a lot of it really had to do with performance and keeping scores.

Of course, he wouldn’t dare think that others had no love for one another. That simply wouldn’t be fair for those who had genuine relationships.

But unlike the kind of love he received from his husband and the people around him, what he saw before was definitely more transactional.

If a Guide performed well, then they would continue to be kept. But if someone performed better, even those in supposedly stable bonds would start panicking.

To think that Guides and Espers were already mismatched in number, and yet even after confessing their love, those who managed to remain unbonded would still chase greener pastures when given the chance.

Well, back then, he hadn’t really experienced love for himself, but he had definitely found himself on the unfortunate, antagonized end of the stick.

And maybe witnessing that for so long had contributed to his anxiety about constantly doing his best? He couldn’t be sure, but it was definitely something worth considering now.

It was rather unusual, but he had to remember that it was no longer something he had to deal with. While his Auntie Cece had warned him that such people still existed, he was thankfully married to a man who would even go out of his way to explain things like this to him.

Not only was his husband patient, kind, and highly capable, but he was also undeniably easy on the eyes. So how could he not want to be with him?

Of course, others would have ten billion things to say about Luca’s suspicious and blatantly biased claims, but the love-struck wife wouldn’t hear of such claims anyway.

"..."

Ahem.

Pulled from his thoughts by the sound of Xavier’s voice, the little Guide focused on his partner once again.

"Remember our earlier talks? Just as with compromising to find happiness and fulfillment for both people, the same principle applies here.

"Both parties working together—that’s how most relationships should be, even in intimacy. It’s a two-way street, where taking turns to take the initiative would be ideal."

"In the end, there’s no need for one person to be burdened with the thought of holding up the entire relationship, when all forms of effort should be handled by both parties."

Xavier could practically see the thoughts moving behind those golden eyes.

So he continued, even though he knew he’d already said more than he usually would in a week.

"Besides," he added, a little more casually, "even if I become the best at seduction, employing techniques from who-knows-where, it wouldn’t really mean much if you’re not particularly receptive to it, right?"

"!!!"

The little chipmunk looked scandalized, and Xavier had a feeling he needed to make sure things were very clear between them.

"You remember that you don’t have to indulge me all the time, right?"

"Right?!"

Short of leaning in just to drive the point home, the Prince looked like he was about ready to hold up actual signboards to make sure it was understood.

"You must say no when you’re not feeling it at the moment. There’s no need to force anything because I’d understand. Moreover, there’s no need to stress about initiating. We can take our time exploring our comfort zones and unfamiliar territories slowly."

Xavier, who normally wasn’t this pushy, had to stress that point for his beloved, who was still in the middle of forming his own boundaries.

For some reason, he felt this moment would shape how Luca understood things going forward, and he couldn’t help but want to double-check that he was doing it right.

Moreover, he really didn’t want his wife thinking he’d need to do something as dangerous and daring as dragging himself next door while half-naked.

Not that he didn’t appreciate the sight—every cell in his body appreciated it—but with this guy, the universe was the limit.

Who knows what else he’d come up with if he didn’t tell him this early?

To the Imperial Prince’s credit, he really tried to explain things as simply as he possibly could, relating the concepts to things his little wife would hopefully understand. However, he should’ve seen the response coming just from the way those golden orbs trembled in alarm.

"But you’re already the best at seduction! Also, I like everything you do!"

Hands clasped before that beautiful chest, the upstanding future monarch had to mutter prayers for mental fortitude.

Luca looked so earnest, genuine, and innocent that Xavier felt like a big bad wolf who’d led this little one astray. But at the same time, he wasn’t even the one who’d come home and chosen this form of alluring violence against sanity.

In fact, he actually tried to do the right thing. Or at least, what he thought was right given the situation.

But apparently, none of his preaching truly mattered, because in the end, Luca just said, "I think I understand... to nourish our relationship, we both need to put in the work. After all, relationships require the active participation of both people!"

However, just when the relieved husband was about to pat himself on the back for getting through that, his little wife, with those furrowed brows, followed it up with:

"But now, more than ever, I have to learn, because I have to keep up with you! And if you’re putting in that much effort, there’s no way I can just sit still!"

The Prince almost slipped in his momentary distress.

Oh, heavens.

As if it wasn’t bad enough, the blushing fox leaned in eagerly. And Xavier, for some reason, wondered why it felt like he saw fire in those eyes.

The Prince, rightfully intimidated, leaned back a bit, stunned by the intensity, wondering if this was another form of karma.

For someone trying to keep his conscience as clean as he still could, he really had no room to give in to the temptation that was his beloved wife.

But wouldn’t it be so much worse if he didn’t?

Then maybe just a little bit?