Ayen met his eyes through the heavy mask, then waited without saying anything. He expected Devion to immediately also carry him like a sack and be done with it.
However, Devion did not immediately go on the task. Instead, he stared at Ayen with an odd look for whatever reason. His expressions seemed the easiest to read, but also not at the same time.
It was confusing. Perhaps, because his face looked gentle, it was giving such an impression.
"Come up here," Khal's voice interrupted the staring contest or whatever that was. Devion furrowed his brows as if annoyed, but walked closer.
Ayen stood straight, waiting to be carried. However, the next thing was not something he expected. Instead of being carried like a sack, Devion pulled him from his feet and then held him firmly in his arms.
Before Ayen could react, he was already at the back of the huge lizard after Devion put him in place. Ayen glanced at him, but Devion was now talking with Khal.
Ayen did not think too much, and his attention was quickly caught by Keeran. She was hugging herself and too scared to even make a sound.
He did not say anything and directly sat beside her. She remained in her position, not glancing his way. It seemed she was concentrating, or she had already fainted with her eyes open.
"Are you alright there?" Khal looked down at them, looking at Ayen and mostly asking him instead. "Make sure not to move a lot; the saddle will only help to not make you fall easily."
Ayen nodded, indicating he understood. Khal eyed him for a second before smiling and calmly instructing them to depart. Not long after, the lizard began to move.
He leaned on the backrest and touched it firmly so as not to fall. However, it was completely unnecessary, as the lizard's back felt more comfortable than expected.
The movements were dizzying at first, but he got used to them quickly. His eyes observed the surroundings as they passed through them, but because of the darkness and the miasma, he could not see anything.
The only light was the one coming from the electric lamp situated at the end of the saddle. Ayen looked at Keeran and found out she was already curled up and began to doze off, and thought of doing the same, as it was still too early.
Before he could do so, someone sat across from him. It was Devion. Ayen narrowed his eyes, peering behind him, and saw the silhouette of the one sitting at the top of the lizard's head. Khal already switched with him on maneuvering the lizard.
Ayen shifted his gaze back to Devion and found that his eyes also bore onto him. He met those eyes calmly, waiting as usual.
"What's your plan after this?" Devion's tone was calmer, gentle even.
"Work where I will be assigned," Ayen answered in a similar tone, but slowly.
"Back at the Guide Association?"
Ayen nodded. "Yes."
Devion stared at him, licking his lower lip as though hesitant to say his next words.
Ayen had a hunch about what he was hesitant about, and honestly, his mind was still a bit restless about that. The proof was the dreams he had.
He noticed that the two might seem to have returned to normal, but how could Ayen not sense them being careful around him? It was a bit far-fetched to say this as an E-class Guide to two SS-class espers, but it was obvious they were making sure they kept their distance from him.
"What did you talk about?" Ayen asked, curious about what transpired between them. "Last time."
Devion sat comfortably, legs folded as he leaned his back. "Obviously about you."
Ayen did not look surprised, but without any intention to ask about the specifics of their talk.
"I also thought about it..."
"You've been thinking about this, too?" Devion exclaimed, seemingly surprised that he cut off Ayen.
"A lot." Ayen was not one to lie to escape something; he was still pretty decisive about things he thought were important.
It did not mean that he was prepared to face it.
"I'm an E-class Guide on official records, and I want to stay that way."
Regardless of whether it was a miscalculation or if it was indeed the case, Ayen did not want that to change; at least the current him thought that way.
Devion's expression dropped; the light from his surprise earlier faded. He was about to open his mouth to say something, but a gesture from Ayen stopped him.
"Let me finish." Ayen sighed and looked at him before shifting to Khal, not far from them. He looked immersed in what he was doing, but Ayen was aware he could hear everything they were talking about. "Is it fine for him to come here too?"
Ayen did not know if the lizard needed something like a driver for direction, but as this talk revolved around the three of them, he wanted Khal to participate, too.
Devion did not answer; he merely turned in Khal's direction.
"You've heard him loud and clear." It was a statement.
Ayen also looked in Khal's direction. At first, there was no movement. Just when Ayen thought Khal would ignore them, he stood up, then slowly arrived before them and sat beside Devion.
The lizard remained at its speed.
Ayen did not ask about it or their journey and continued with what he was about to say. While nervous inside, he bravely met both of their eyes.
"It's true that I can sense both of your wavelengths." For himself, he decided not to divulge that he could directly see them even.
Their faces were serious, listening silently.
"I managed to accidentally make contact with Khal's... briefly."
Khal nodded while Devion clicked his tongue.
"Despite that, we're not sure if I can truly guide both of you." Without an actual guiding session, everything was only on the premise of theory and speculation.
They did not look like they agreed, but remained silent to let Ayen finish.
Ayen took a deep breath, and the heavy mask made it harder to do so, but it was better than nothing.
To stop his dreams out of guilt and to have peace of mind, Ayen wanted to face this problem. Whatever the result was.
"I'll try."
Devion and Khal blankly stared at him, as though processing what he said. Both were seemingly surprised by the sudden turn of events, having already decided not to press Ayen to guide them.
About forcing Ayen? Don't think about it. They disdained even the thought of it.
Ayen clearly repeated his words, for the two and also for himself. As a result, his voice sounded more determined.
"I'll try guiding both of you."