Of course, it was not easy. Who said it was? If not, Devion and Khal had sorted their feelings long ago, before Ayen arrived.

Other than things being hectic and them having become accustomed to how things were, there was also uncertainty that gripped Devion’s heart.

Khal was only waiting for Devion, moving at his pace.

Devion was not certain about the future, not willing to commit. His curse was a ticking time bomb, and it seemed unfair to tie down Khal in a relationship when no one could determine when it would end.

Yet, they remained in this relationship. Not only because Khal was stubborn, Devion, from the deepest part of him, knew he also could not let go.

Ayen sensed the conflicted emotions that surfaced, something he had expected.

It would not be an easy fix just because he said it.

So, Ayen did not wait for their answers. Both espers might have already had it in their minds; it might not be obvious on the surface, but they could be discerning enough not to be mistaken as something hollow either.

"I only want to make my thoughts clear to both of you." Ayen, even when he was not under the influence of backlash, was outspoken about what he wanted.

Yet, they were not as smooth or easy as this situation. The backlash aided him in conveying his true thoughts.

"It might be presumptuous of me to be this greedy, but... I don’t care."

Ayen’s usual indifferent tone slipped out, which made these words more impactful; the two espers could not help but smile and relax at that.

None of them intervened, even if they wanted to say something, letting Ayen say everything he wanted to say.

Their hands caressed Ayen’s palm to show appreciation and attentiveness.

"While guiding Devion, I met the curse." Ayen noticed the two flinched slightly at his words; their gaze also held a solemn glint. "And it talked to me."

He wanted to share what happened during the guidance session, something that would make the two feel reassured, but at the same time, they could come up with countermeasures each time it happened.

Ayen recounted the curse’s words to them; the two speakers’ expressions immediately darkened.

"It corrupts the mind. I know. And it targets that insecurity against me. If we’re dealing with it, it’s best to slowly... deal with some matters."

It did not need an immediate response. Ayen, himself, was not sure what the future held; he was more living in his present. He cherished these moments with them, not caring what they were called.

With that, Ayen said his piece. That if ever that time arrived, the two should know that he would always choose them both.

There was no need to hesitate, either.

As silence lingered for a few seconds, Khal stroked Ayen’s smooth hair, strands brushing between his fingers. Devion, feeling sorry, massaged his thigh again, wanting to do something.

Ultimately, everything still had him as the focal point, the start of this. Before his mind could truly spiral, Ayen spoke again.

"Do you all remember that realm core that entered my body?"

Both nodded quickly. That was also one of their concerns, but they had yet to give it another thought because of what happened recently.

"It helped me."

"Huh? How?"

"If not for it, I already got lost in Devion’s subconscious..." Ayen told them what happened and the experience in that ’subconscious’ after meeting the young Devion and Khal. "It also helped me when dealing with the curse’s words,"

The constant warmth that spread around his body constantly made Ayen awake, although it used his wavelength, which was hardly a consequence.

Khal and Devion stared at Ayen’s face, processing his words. The more they listened to them, the more the two were alarmed.

Khal frowned slightly, and Devion’s lips parted, stunned.

Slowly, the two let out a sigh in relief, and they pulled Ayen closer to them. Things could go wrong, and though they dodge it... The prospect of Ayen actually getting lost in Devion’s cursed subconscious was enough for their hearts to sink in alarm.

Khal’s heart rate increased, even though he already prepared... It was not enough. What if... The core was not there? 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"The core is here." Ayen, seemingly able to read their thoughts, snapped them out of it.

In this situation, Khal and Devion were easily distracted, not like the powerful esper that the world views them as.

The curse was... a root of the weakness and trauma, which Ayen was aware of by now. They were scared of it, and rightfully so. After experiencing it himself, Ayen commended Devion’s will so much.

If not for the core, Ayen’s originally weak mental state would likely fall apart even more. And to think Devion had dealt with it in a decade?

He grasped their hands tightly again, shifting his gaze to both of them.

"The monster did not lie. It truly helped us."

So, there was no need to wallow in a terrible possibility when it did not happen. Just like worrying for an uncertain future.

Maybe because Ayen had never hoped for a future before and often felt like his present was a chore that he was not overly concerned about.

He could influence the two espers with that mindset, exuding a calm assurance for both of them.

Now, he loved this moment. The present him... Ayen was beginning to like it.

It was his time to lift his espers from that darkness as well. Just as they did to him.

"Everything work well." Ayen scooted closer to Khal’s chest while wrapping his legs tightly to Devion’s waist. "We should celebrate."

He forced himself to have a cheerful tone, which sounded a bit weird instead. Perhaps even a backlash could not make Ayen’s usual tone higher in pitch.

The two stared at him, taken aback at first, before Lhal and Devion obviously became amused and chuckled at his cuteness.

Just like that, Ayen erased the darkness that was beginning to shroud the room.