CLICK!
Ethan turned on the light in his house, revealing the warm cream color of the walls. One glance inside and Ilyas could tell how luxurious the place was. A huge living room area combined with the kitchen on the first floor, while the second floor was the bedroom and Ethan's personal space. He could only gasp in awe as he marveled at the spotless furniture.
"Sit down first, I'll bring you a drink."
Ilyas was directed to the sofa while Ethan rummaged through the shopping bags in his hands. They had bought a lot of things from the convenience store, so the bags were piling up when Ethan put them on the kitchen counter.
"I'll help you. Where do you usually store these items?"
With the homeowner busy, Ilyas couldn't stand idling around. He offered to unpack the items and sort through them.
"Ah, then I'll take the offer. Put the eggs and meats in the fridge, the flour in the second top cabinet and the rest on the bottom one."
Ethan gave him some instructions and Ilyas immediately took action, opening the cabinets and storing the items as he was told to.
'As expected, he's really meticulous.'
Ilyas stole a glance at his esper, his broad back as he peeled the layers of his coat and suit was revealed. With only his white shirt on, he could see the silhouette of the sturdy muscles that were hidden inside.
"Hm? Ilyas? What's wrong?"
"Ah, n-no, it's nothing, ahem."
At some point, instead of moving his hands, Ilyas had been blatantly staring at Ethan. He was trying to cover up his mistake by brushing it off. But him, fumbling on his words made it even worse.
'I couldn't help it, he's such an eye candy to look at.'
It wasn't just the face and body, but his caring personality combined with the soft tone of his voice was what enhancing his attractiveness.
"Let's start cooking."
Ethan rolled up his sleeves, revealing the arm covered in faint scars. It caught Ilyas' attention, but he couldn't comment anything on it.
For espers, no, for Ethan, that was the proof of his fight all this time. The proof of his journey to protect their country and its civilians. Ilyas, who's only been his guide for a year had no right to challenge its truth. The truth that many lives had been saved by sacrificing Ethan's blood.
'But somehow those scars just make him even more attractive.'
His esper was a reckless man, one that would sacrifice himself for the benefit of others, a commendable trait from others' perspective but a dreadful one for his closest family and friends.
But even then, Ilyas admired that trait of his. That's what made him fall in love with Ethan in the first place – his willingness to save others and his bold approach to doing it.
A soft ringtone rang, which made Ethan pull out his phone. The name displayed on the screen was one Ilyas was familiar with – the name of the only brother Ethan had.
Ethan excused himself and answered the call.
"Yes?"
Ilyas opened his ears wide to hear the snippets of their conversation.
"What?"
A surprised tone was detected in his voice. Curious, Ilyas looked up at him, and their gaze met for a second before it was immediately broken by Ethan.
Watching him, Ilyas grinned wide. Why? Because Ethan's ears had turned red, so he must be flustered by something Wilson said, and his guess was proven true.
"You're being ridiculous, Ilyas is here with me so no."
Ethan frowned as he mumbled under his breath. "... Ha...You…"
His fingers fidgeted around the phone as he looked back and forth between it and Ilyas before a sigh of defeat finally escaped his mouth.
Gritting his teeth, he started talking again, "Yes~ Yes~ This is your cute little brother, what do you need from me dear big brother?"
"Pfft!"
Refreshing laughter resounded in the kitchen. Ilyas was heaving on the floor at the sight of Ethan's behavior. He was trying so hard to keep his image in front of Ilyas, and yet that was all useless in front of his brother.
'He's so cute.'
No one would believe this adorable man was the same S-Rank esper with the highest gate clearance records in his first year of career portrayed by media. And the fact that the same S-Rank esper known for his perfect image was blushing in embarrassment just from receiving a call in front of his guide.
Only Ilyas knew this side of him. And that made Ilyas want to dig out every lovable side of him even more.
"Yeah, yeah, work hard for your little brother and bring me some souvenirs, I'm not going to miss you."
Ethan ended the call with a sigh which made Ilyas grin, "What did your brother say?"
"He won't be home until next week to take charge of his company's main office, so he ranted about how I'll be left alone when he leaves." He shook his head, "He always treats me like a kid, I'm already a full-grown adult and he thought I couldn't take care of myself."
"No, I think he got a point."
"What?"
Ilyas pinched Ethan's cheek, his almond eyes narrowed into a judgmental look.
"You really need someone to watch over you, who knows what kind of stunt you are going to do when left alone?"
The grey eyes observing Ilyas widened, the signature look of Ethan when he was too stunned to speak. This sight made Ilyas chuckle, the man he fell in love with was so helpless about noticing things himself.
'Ah... I can't stand it anymore.'
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
"Lower your head."
Ethan obediently lowered his head toward Ilyas, and Ilyas used that chance to yank his collar and plant a kiss on his lips.
"Hngh..."
"Stay still."
Gently holding his head in place, Ilyas slipped his tongue inside Ethan's mouth. Slick wet saliva clashing at every movement of their tongue.
"Haa.. I-Ilyas."
When Ethan tried to pull back, gasping for breath, Ilyas greedily chased after his lips again – searching for the warm sensation from their mouth contact.
It was a kiss conveying Ilyas' love for him, no guiding energy was mixed in and no fake stimulation caused by their wavelength tangling with each other.
Observing his esper's reaction, Ilyas released his grip and gently touched his cheek. Ethan's face was flushed red with saliva on the corner of his mouth. The sight made Ilyas' heart pound, and along with it, something else awakened inside him.
Hugging his neck, Ilyas whispered, "Do you know there's research claiming a guide as the top had better chance of guiding esper's wavelength than on the bottom? Want to test it out?"
"H-Huh?"
Ethan was still slightly dazed, but the redness of his ear couldn't hide his feelings as he slowly nodded.
The all-knowing Ilyas laughed as he stroked the back of Ethan's hair. The stiff and tidy hair because of his pomade was slowly unraveled by his fingers.
His dazed face, his warm breath and the steady hug of his as he supported Ilyas' body, all of it were things other people never experienced up close.
Ilyas buried his face on Ethan's nape, engraving his scent in his mind. His eyes glinted as a dark urge swirled in Ilyas' heart.
He's my esper.
All mine.