Chapter 236 - 229. A New Direction
"Huh, your birthday is actually in spring, Captain?" Dheera asked in surprise as they were going back to Althrea.
"Presumably," Zein nodded, still feeling bloated from the cakes and meals. The delightful liquor also doing something for his nerves, because he felt so contended and relaxed--or was it because he actually felt happy?
"Oh--then we should do another one--"
"No, thank you."
Zein immediately raised his palm to stop Han Shin from making any wild suggestions. Yes, he felt it was nice having this surprise birthday party that he never thought he would ever experience, but he wasn’t really fond of repeating the process of becoming the center of attention in an event.
Or blowing twenty-eight candles. Once was enough.
The healer pursed his lips at the immediate rejection, crossing his arms and leaning back on his seat while making a sulking face. Well, at least Zein did not reject the birthday presents he received today. The guide looked like he would, but Bassena convinced him it would hurt the feeling of the gifters more if their heartfelt gesture were to go unappreciated.
Or course, Bassena had a clear agenda of making Zein used to receive presents so he could continue gifting his lover something. But the esper also wanted Zein to be able to accept something without thinking there were strings attached to it. Some people might come with that kind of intention, but there were also a lot of people in Zein’s life who did it genuinely.
He wanted Zein to know people care about him, so Zein would never forget that his existence was something precious. And not because he was the vessel of Setnath--because certainly, those people had no idea about this fact.
In the end, Zein came back with his dimensional storage ring full of gifts--including the one Azure Sky sent before they were out of the hotel. Bassena was sure there would be more waiting for the guide in the dorm room back in Althrea, but he refrained from telling Zein that because the man already looked uncomfortable.
Step by step; Bassena reminded himself as he looked at the guide with a smile. Step by step.