The X Guide

Simply speaking, everything that would happen here did not have an effect in reality. Ayen instinctively knew how to guide Devion based on this.

The problem was not the how but the approach. Ayen needed to connect with Devion’s wavelength here. To the manifestation of his subconscious.

As Ayen was lost in thought, he did not realize that he had been staring at Devion for so long that when he blinked, he noticed the other was already looking at him.

With a grin on his lips.

"Do I look so handsome, Ayen?" Devion winked and flashed a smile again.

Ayen was slightly taken aback and remembered again how Devion was exactly as shameless as this when they first met at the forbidden zone. He had forgotten somehow because Devion talked softly to him these days.

Aside from talks about sexual innuendos.

Ayen almost rolled his eyes again.

Still, he could not deny that.

"Yes, you are."

It was the truth.

Devion’s eyes widened slightly, not expecting Ayen to agree, but soon he laughed, seemingly so pleased. He then turned to Khal, who also watched them with a cold expression.

Ayen even noticed Khal glancing his way in a not-so-favorable gaze. He thought inside, was Khal already interested in Devion by this time?

Devion noticed Khal’s expression, but of course, unlike Ayen, he would not think Khal was interested in him. More like, he thought Khal was jealous that someone thought of him as handsome.

The familiar jab on the shoulder appeared. Ayen realized they were still the same, different, but the same.

"Are you jealous, huh? Tsk, I always told you, smile a little sometimes. Everyone’s scared of you." Devion casually criticized Khal, who glanced at him with a frown.

This made Devion’s smile widen, feeling elated whenever he managed to annoy the cold face.

Ayen clashed his hands and watched them, just like what he always did. On the surface, his expression did not change much. However, Ayen was feeling amused.

Devion was so clueless. But then again, if Ayen were not aware, he would not assume it either.

Khal furrowed his brows at Devion.

"I’m not like you," he said and shifted his gaze to the front.

Devion leaned slightly toward him. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Khal did not turn his face to the side.

Ayen could not see his expression from his position.

"Hey, I’m asking you," Devion urged once more, poking Khal’s side this time. "And look at me when I’m talking to you. I don’t like it."

Khal visibly took a deep breath, as if irritated by Devion’s urging. Ayen knew more. He was controlling himself.

Ayen’s eyes flickered. He did not interrupt; he let himself be a bystander. This was already a rare scene that he had not witnessed.

It was like an opportunity to be included in those cherished memories, too, even if he was not really present in them.

Khal sighed and soon turned his face to the side, facing Devion’s grinning face. Their eyes locked in midair, wearing different expressions.

Ayen bit his lips, suddenly feeling that his lips were about to curl up. He clasped his hands tightly. His heart quickened by watching them, even though technically the two were not together.

Ayen had always noticed, and he was vocal about this. The first time they met, he even thought they were lovers, but Devion denied it outright and said they were fuckbuddies.

They truly looked good together.

Which Ayen proved to be right when he found out that the two were ex-lovers and obviously still had feelings for each other.

One thing was for sure: Ayen was enjoying every second of it.

"What don’t you like?" Khal asked, seemingly focusing on this more than Devion’s earlier question.

Devion’s brows moved, confused, but he soon realized what Khal was talking about.

"I don’t want you looking away when I’m talking."

"Why?" Khal asked in a deep voice.

Devion’s eyebrow moved.

"Huh? Obviously, it’s disrespectful. Feel like I’m talking with air."

Khal stared at him.

Devion had not noticed it, or he felt like it did not mean a thing. Their faces were actually so close to each other. It was not yet a point where they could feel each other’s breath, but definitely closer than before.

Ayen sucked a breath.

How could Devion fail to notice it before? Khal’s blue eyes, though seeming to look cold, were actually expressive enough to tell that Devion was the only one in his eyes.

Ayen had noticed it one time before and realized Khal’s feelings for Devion immediately. And it triggered something with him, that greed where he wanted Khal to look at him like that too.

Now, he felt the same way. However, Ayen did not feel the same envy he used to have.

"Now, you’re staring," Devion commented, noticing it. He smirked, taunting. "You find me handsome too?" But again, he was oblivious. He did not even distance himself.

Ayen got it. The reason Khal finally used that training tactic was to trick Devion. He had had enough of Devion’s oblivious flirting.

Khal’s brow lifted. Devion continued to provoke him with his gaze.

"What do you want me to say?" Khal asked. "Do you want the truth or a lie?"

"What kind of response is that?"

Khal sighed and was about to say something when his gaze landed on Ayen. His brows instantly furrowed, seemingly forgetting Ayen’s existence.

Devion had also turned to Ayen. Unlike Khal, Devion was not as surprised.

"beauty,"

"Ayen," Ayen said.

Devion’s mouth twitched.

"I know, Ayen," he said, pointing at Khal. "This guy is as pretentious as ever."

Ayen did not respond, neither agreeing nor denying. Inwardly, he sighed. Devion had set him up. Now, Khal was looking at him again with such an unfavorable gaze. probably not liking how he ruined the moment.

Was that his fault? Khal was the one who looked at him. Sometimes, Khal was seriously unreasonable when Devion was involved. Ayen had experienced that firsthand.

But then, Ayen also did not feel it was excessive. After all, he was doing the same thing.