Ayen’s tone was noticeably playful, obviously teasing them. It was the first one. And most likely because of his backlash. Not only was Ayen especially clingy this time, but he was also mischievous enough to tease his espers.

Ayen had also noticed what was wrong with him, although Khal and Devion hardly thought it was wrong in any way. In fact, the corners of their lips softly curved, amused.

"When was that?" Devion asked, beginning to massage Ayen again, to which the other groaned in satisfaction.

Devion’s hand has an electrifying warmth in it that lingers on his skin. It was probably intentional.

Ayen’s lips stretched into a silly smile. Devion was stunned, and so was Khal, who was also looking down at Ayen.

Their whole attention was drawn now to Ayen, who wore such a smile for the first time.

"When your hair’s red." The smile on Devion’s lips stiffened, and Khal almost let out a chuckle, but fortunately held it in. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Devion pinched Ayen’s skin playfully. "You should have said my age. I love dyeing my hair red back in the day."

Although he had dyed with other colors too, his go-to color was red.

Khal nodded. "He acts cool in front of the media before."

Devion was caught off guard by such words.

"I look cool, not acting cool. There’s a difference."

Devion shrugged. "Sure."

Although he agreed, Devion felt offended by his lack of reaction. Just as he was about to bicker again with Khal, something Ayen often witnessed, he had to interrupt again.

"But he really looks cool," Ayen agreed, eyes shining. "Your natural hair color suits you, and every color too, for sure."

Devion was once again caught off guard.

"Ahh, Ayen," Devion kissed Ayen’s hand lovingly again. "How are you so adorable?" He paused and looked at Khal. "Compared to the other one here."

Khal only moved his brows, not saying anything. Yet, the gloom in his eyes had lessened significantly; it was as though most of his exhaustion was being healed as they spoke.

Devion was actually not serious, but he was sincere when he found Ayen so adorable, especially his smooth talking now. One thing they realized was that Ayen was not sober and was under the influence of the backlash.

But it was still how he truly thought in his heart.

"No." Ayen shook his head. "Khal loves your red hair, too."

This time, it was Khal who was taken aback, and he stared at Ayen, as if conflicted whether to shut Ayen up and divert his attention elsewhere.

Devion’s eyes narrowed, as though hearing new information and surprising one at that. His lips curled mischievously.

"Oh, really? Why don’t you tell me about that, Ayen?" His tone was enticing for some reason.

And Ayen did not have reservations as well. The only one conflicted was Khal. While not really ashamed, it was something from years ago; Devion did not even ask him once.

Ayen, oblivious to Khal’s feelings, decided to snitch on him.

"Khal watched you closely. His eyes will stare at your hair... wanting to touch it."

Khal averted his gaze and tightened his hold on Ayen. It was weird to hear it from others, but he was not even mad. Devion’s eyes directly landed on him, his lips stretching into a grin.

Devion enjoyed a blabbermouth Ayen, someone without any filter on his mouth. Who knew when this would happen again?

"Tell me more." Devion became eager to hear more about Ayen’s perspective on Khal at that time. And even more so, he liked hearing Ayen’s voice.

The gloom of what happened had been replaced by Ayen’s soft but naughty tone.

Ayen was perceptive enough, especially if he had the direction in his observation. Khal was hard to read, but for him, who knew the future and had interacted with the older Khal, it had become easier for him to discern some expressions.

Like how Khal would look at Ayen every time Devion paid attention to him, his body language was clear. He did not like Ayen being close to Devion.

It was more than just jealousy; he was wary of Ayen’s intentions. Yet, he distanced himself from Devion, not really pursuing anything. Even then, he was already overprotective of him.

"I think, Khal... likes you." After saying his other observations, Ayen ended it with that.

Khal and Devion fell silent; the smile on Devion’s lips faltered slightly. The two did not look at each other this time; their eyes fixed on Ayen’s face.

Ayen noticed it. A small smile lingered on his lips. He looked up and met Khal’s eyes.

"I don’t want to interfere with how you do things. More than our relationship, or whatever it may be..." Ayen paused and shifted his gaze to Devion, serious words coming out of his lips all of a sudden.

Yet, his soft smile remained, his gaze sparkling with sincerity. The indifference was nowhere to be found, making Khal and Devion unable to take their eyes off him.

This was a version that Ayen had also never shown them yet. It could be an influence of the backlash, but Ayen was still conscious. Not exactly sober, but he was not unconscious either.

He would remember it the next day. The backlash only made him clingy and talkative, maybe a little playful. It was not enough to change his thoughts or views regarding this matter.

"I’m not in a position to do so either. The two of you have known each other for years; I’ve only been here for a few months. I’m not measuring the time. That isn’t the most important right now."

He squeezed their hands and slowly closed them to each other.

"What I’m trying to say is... I hope you know that I’m trying this relationship with both of you. I’m clear about this, and I hope both of you are certain about me, too."

His black pupils looked especially bright and clear despite the unusual sense of incongruity in his actions.

"Not just about me..." He grasped their hands tightly. "About your relationship, too. We’re all in this together. I’m not choosing anyone. I want... both of you."

This stemmed from the curse’s words. Ayen had realized how insecurities, while not important at the moment, had to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Especially so as the curse, in Devion’s mind, targeted their subconscious and mental state.

Ayen, heightened by the backlash, finally let it out without any hesitation.