Chapter 206 - 5.16 Like What You See?
Terra’s hand was trembling ever so slightly as he moved to touch the man’s cheek, just like how he had been itching since the first time Kai had appeared in front of him with flames blazing his skin. His lips parted in a shaky exhale and only when he felt the burn in his lungs did Terra realize he had been holding his breath all these while. His thumb glided up to stroke the faded cut near his cheekbones. The man’s eyelashes fluttered and he tilted his head to lean into the touch more.
A twinge of pain shot through Terra’s chest at the affectionate gesture.
Who are you? His lips parted without a sound. What are you doing to me?
Terra had heard of the sentinel and guide’s bond before. A partner, a life companion, a lover. He knew the theory in his head but he had never given it much thought. Surely, a guide like him wouldn’t be able to find a sentinel in his life. Who would want a violent and murderous guide in their life?
He found it hard to believe that someone would lay their eyes on another and feel a fatal attraction from deep inside their soul and never had he understood how scientists could translate it into numbers — the index of compatibility. To find the missing half of yourself; to fill the emptiness you didn’t even know existed. Those mystical and romantic stories seemed so far-fetched for someone whose life revolved around how to survive into the next day. It was an idea he didn’t even dare to entertain.
Was this what they meant? Wishing to touch, to get closer, to know the other more, even though he knew practically nothing except the man’s name. Would God be so kind as to bestow someone made only for him? Instinctively, he let his spiritual element out. He hadn’t quite managed to control it, having not received any proper education in his life. It was wayward, chaotic and rough. But Kai met him midair, hooking his own spiritual element with Terra’s and pulling him in so Terra could see into his mind, uncaring of any damage Terra might do to him.
And when he did, he saw nothing but gentleness, reassurance and love.
Love. Terra’s vision blurred and he didn’t even realize that he was crying until Kai reached out to wipe his wet cheeks. "Don’t cry." He murmured gently. "It’s okay. Everything will be okay now."
He let out a faint sob and tugged on Kai’s wrist. The man leaned closer and Terra surged up to wrap his arms around Kai’s torso. It was embarrassing to cry twice in front of the same person and Terra was sure that he would be unable to look into Kai’s eyes after this. But right now, he ached to sink into the man’s embrace and let himself be held in a way that nobody ever did before. When Kai placed his broad palm on Terra’s back and rubbed gently, Terra almost sobbed from how right it felt. It was just like the stories he heard, the way everything just clicked in place and you complimented each other to become whole. No, this was even better. His eyelids fluttered shut and he allowed the tears to melt away the barrier around his heart, allowing the man in.