"Someone go get S, he's the only one that can scold this dummy."
The marble wobbled in the air many times but it didn't shatter or drop to the ground.
Slowly but steady, Seram finally placed it on top, when he was certain the glass wouldn't fall.
He let go of the connection, the current snapped back into him, and for a second, the world tilted sideways.
Seram heaved a sigh of relief and spat the blood in his mouth out.
Kyren was already on his feet, moving toward him. "You absolute idiot."
But even as the blood smeared down his chin and dripped onto his shirt, Seram raised his eyes and said hoarsely, "What's next?"
"…"
Hitting his head with the clipboard, he hissed slightly "Nothing. You're done for the day. S will be here to reprimand, when your trainer says stop..you stop."
Seram chuckled "I'm afraid I can't do that. Once I start something I have to finish it. My mind craves perfection, so even if it means dying…I have to finish it."
That line earned him another jab to the head.
"You sick fuck! You're not dying on my watch. Osyth get the cleaners to clean this mess. And you.." he said turning back to Seram.
"You wait here for S."
"…"
Seram laid down on the floor, too tired to even think.
"Alright I'll wait here for my guide.."
Kyren raised a brow "his guide huh.."
Seram smiled, slowly losing consciousness..he felt like he could see someone reach for him just before he passed out.
When he woke up he found himself in a warm embrace, he looked down to see Silke snoring slightly.
His froze, did they do the stuff again? He shook his head if they did he would have remembered it.
"He smells so.." Seram paused bringing Silke close enough for him to bury his nose on his nape.
He smelled like something expensive, but soft. Like the kind of warmth that creeps in slowly and stays under your skin.
Sweet. Dangerous. He hated how much he liked it.
Seram chuckled deprecatingly, he said he wasn't gay but here he was seeking warmth from a man and not minding it.
"You shouldn't get close to me Silke..I'll hurt you just like your previous partners…they make you feel less but I know I'm the one who needs you the most, you don't need me…so allow me to be selfish and keep you close while I can."
Seram hugged Silke tighter, losing unconscious once again.
Silke opened his eyes later, he raised his hand and pat Seram's head.
"I'm the one who needs you… to be safe. So please don't leave me as well."
When Seram opened his eyes again, Silke was gone, he ran his hands through his hair and stood up.
He froze when he saw his reflection on the mirror. "Never thought I'll see myself in a cute pajamas one day."
He wore his slippers and left the room, he came to the living room and saw Silke in the kitchen.
"What are you doing and why are we wearing matching pj's?"
Silke didn't say anything yet and placed the plates on the counter.
"I thought they were cute…you can take it off, if you don't like it.."
"…"
"No.. I didn't say I didn't like it, it's warm.."
Silke finally looked up, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind his ear as he leaned against the counter.
There was a faint flush on his cheeks, but his expression was calm, unreadable as always.
"You passed out," he said softly. "So I brought you here. You were cold, and bleeding, and talking nonsense in your sleep."
Seram scratched the back of his head. His body still felt like it had been wrung dry, but his voice was steadier now.
"Did I say anything weird?"
Silke turned to open the cabinet, his back to Seram. "Mm. Just your usual death wish monologue, and something about me smelling sweet."
"…I said that?"
"You did." He placed two mugs on the counter. "You also called me 'your guide.'"
Seram looked away, ears pink. "You are my guide."
".."
"That's right. I made shrimp alfredo…you're not allergic to anything right?"
Seram shook his head, not that he knew of but he was certain he wasn't allergic to shrimp or fettuccine pasta.
"What's the occasion? Guides don't cook for their Espers right?"
Silke nodded, they were just there to guide and give advice sometimes.
"You deserved it. Though I'd like you to stop when your trainer says you should stop. No I have to finish it nonsense, people will die if you don't change your perspective, you will also die. You can't be the best in everything, you can't win the heart of everyone…if you don't think about everyone's opinion, you'll live your life more freely."
"…"
"I'm nothing if I'm not the best.."
Seram clenched his fists, the household he had grown up in, you had to be the best constantly to be loved. If you were not, your favorability in their eyes dropped.
"Don't say that.." Silke held his face so he could look him in the eyes.
"It doesn't matter if you're best, it's your actions that count..the people you helped will always remember you, you don't have to be a national hero, that doesn't stop you from impacting the lives of many others."
"…"
"So you'll continue to be by my side even if I'm not the best?"
"Yes. I'll be by your side for as long as you want me."
"Why? Is it because you're a guide? Do you say this to all your partners? Tell me something you haven't told anyone yet."