As Ayen was being extra adorable this time, they decided to truly celebrate. After all, it truly deserved to be one.

This success, though it left them with conflicted feelings, proved that everything was not uncertain and hopeless anymore. That much was enough to celebrate.

Since Ayen’s backlash was considered mild, they did not need to be confined to the bed. As long as Ayen was hugging one of them, his need for intimacy could be satiated.

While Ayen preferred both of them, it was fine for now.

Standing in the kitchen, Ayen held on to Khal as both of them watched Devion get busy baking a cake. It was also one of his areas of expertise, though he did not show it as much.

None of them were into sweets.

"What are you feeling now?" Khal began his interview after everything calmed down.

Ayen leaned his head on Khal’s toned arm, listening to them. Devion looked up slightly; he was about to answer, but his attention was again caught by Ayen.

Devion flashed a smile and reached out, touching the tip of Ayen’s nose, leaving a white spot. Khal glanced at it, his eyes automatically smiling at the sight.

Ayen scrunched his nose but did not complain as usual; he only wiped his nose. Devion laughed again and glanced at Khal.

"I feel lighter." He nodded. "I don’t know what else, but it’s positive. The curse isn’t here."

To make him more reassured, Devbion felt he had to mention it. Khal noticeably became relieved after that. At least, Ayen risking his life was not in vain.

Ayen rubbed Khal’s arms as he listened to their conversation; Khal glanced at it once before he let him be.

"That’s good." Khal relaxed and did not mention it anymore.

Devion also returned to what he was doing. At some point, Khal had already sat in the counter stool while Ayen sat on his lap.

Ayen looked so soft and delicate now that Khal directly towered over him.

Devion paused again and teased him.

"Wow, the one wanting to celebrate is sitting pretty here and doing nothing?" He raised a brow, his demeanor completely changed, focusing on the moment.

Ayen shrugged at him. "It’s not just me. Khal too." He did not hesitate to throw Khal under the bus as well.

Khal pinched his abdomen, and Ayen leaned on him, almost giggling. Devion rolled his eyes.

"Stop being so adorable, or I can’t finish the cake."

Khal smiled at him, hugging Ayen much closer.

"Want us to leave?"

Devion’s lips twitched.

"Did I say that?" Devion rolled his eyes at him before he returned to what he was doing and asked Ayen. "What toppings do you want?"

They did not have any ingredients and went for a standard chocolate cake. Still, putting toppings could make it a little special.

Ayen thought for a moment, hugging Khal’s arm. Then, he looked up at Devion and shrugged with a silly smile.

"Just go with anything." He was not craving anything other than physical intimacy, so it was hard to think of it.

Devion bit his lips; he narrowed his eyes and glared at Khal.

Khal smirked and hugged Ayen, making him jealous even more.

Devion licked his lips and finally could not take it anymore and leaned forward and claimed Ayen’s lips for a good few seconds before he withdrew, licking his lower lip.

Ayen was a bit distracted by a kiss, as though he were not satisfied by that short kiss.

Devion glanced at Khal and smirked. "A little motivation for me."

Khal’s brow moved, amused. Then, he turned Ayen’s head to his side and leaned to also kiss him passionately. This time, a bit longer and deeper than Devion’s kiss.

As their lips pulled apart, a silver thread shone, extending to their lips, and Ayen looked more seductive than adorable. Khal glanced at Devion and smiled menacingly.

Ayen did not care about their ongoing competition at all; he licked his lips and returned his attention to what was in front of him.

He met Devion’s gaze, and the other could only sigh in the end.

Okay. He had to finish the damn cake first.

Devion focused his mind on baking. It was easier, and he soon became immersed in them.

Ayen had gotten used to it, and so he had not taken the initiative to talk with him. Khal was the same, watching him with an appreciative gaze.

"Do you know Khal," Ayen whispered, wary of interrupting Devion’s immersion.

"Hmm?" Khal hummed and looked at him.

"I found that you were so petty when you were young." Ayen clearly remembered how the other responded to his teasing.

Although what he encountered was not real, they were the basis of real events and, so also, personalities.

One could argue it was only Dveion’s perception of Khal, but Ayen saw them differently because of the realm core. It was truly a memory that was grafted from the real world.

Khal’s brow rose, intrigued.

"How come?"

Ayen drew circles on Khal’s arms as he answered.

"You’re so jealous of me being with Devion." Ayen’s eyes crinkled, seeing Khal’s face turned sour. "It’s true. You always glared at me when Devion paid attention to me."

Khal’s expression was complicated, but he seemed convinced and very self-aware. He began stroking Ayen’s abdomen.

"What did I do to you, then?" Khal whispered, serious.

While it was not ’really’ him, he did not want that version of him to harm Ayen either.

Ayen smiled slightly.

"You only broke your promise with me."

"Promise?"

"Mhm, you promised to help me talk with Devion, but broke it." Ayen pouted slightly, but actually, he did not mention that he had teased Khal first.

"I did that? Hmm," Khal narrowed his eyes, seeing that Ayen did not disclose some things; he played along. "Well, you should have taken revenge against me then."

"I did." Ayen excitedly told him how he let Khal be reprimanded by Devion by not clearing up for him and watching as a bystander.

Khal smiled while listening to Ayen ramble.

Actually, Ayen was also the one petty here, but Khal would not say it out loud. He only agreed to everything.