“…How can you be so sure?”
Iberis, momentarily at a loss for words, asked with a complex expression. Perhaps because guiding aroused sexual pleasure, ability users tended to have more liberal sexual attitudes than ordinary people.
As a result, he had encountered various romantic incidents. There were people who dated multiple partners simultaneously or changed lovers like shopping, couples who made a big fuss about becoming official pairs only to break up, and those who married and divorced. Even in the N-0 unit, there were a few who acted like they couldn’t live without each other, only to break up and become mortal enemies.
Maybe because of these experiences, while not doubting Lucas’s love, Iberis considered words like “forever” and “absolute” to be quite futile. Naturally, promises of lifelong love seemed unrealistic to him.
That’s why he found it fascinating. Lucas, who was so confident in his own feelings. At the same time, it scared him. What if one day, Lucas suddenly said his love had cooled and left?
Although they were bound by their names, it wasn’t a cure-all. Guiding with a name partner did provide more intense pleasure than with other guides, and there was an instinctive attraction, but it didn’t guarantee they would become lovers.
Though rare, there were people who met their name partners but stayed with their original partners. Many who started dating their name partners ended up breaking up badly due to personality differences. So Iberis was curious about the source of Lucas’s confidence.
“It’s not so much confidence… I’ve never once doubted my feelings for you, Major.”
“Huh?”
“I told you before, right? That I kept denying my attraction to you. But in the end, it was futile resistance. That’s when I realized that loving someone is beyond rational control. Despite having many reasons why I shouldn’t like you, I eventually had to acknowledge my feelings.”
“…”
“After going through such a difficult and arduous process to finally look inward and fully realize my love for you, how could I doubt it?”
Lucas chuckled softly and cupped Iberis’s cheek with his hand.
“So I understand why you’re skeptical and what you’re anxious about. Sometimes I wonder if all this is just a dream. On those days, I pray that I can remain by your side in the distant future.”
“…Pray? Are you religious?”
“Do you need to be religious to pray? I did go to church with my parents when I was young… but I don’t believe in God. I think if such an absolute being existed, it wouldn’t have given me such misfortune. Now I’m closer to being an atheist.”
“Ah…”
“But when there’s something I desperately want, I find myself wanting to plead earnestly to anyone – God, heaven, or even the devil.”
Iberis’s gray eyes wavered like ice crystals forming water droplets at Lucas’s sincerity. He bit his lip, as if unsure what expression to make. His heart raced at the realization that Lucas desired him so desperately that he would rely on beings he didn’t even believe in.
“If you’re anxious about the future, we just need to work desperately to make happy days continue. For that, I try to be true to the present and honest about my desires. So there won’t be regrets later.”
*Chu* Lucas met Iberis’s trembling gaze, like scattering snowflakes, and then lowered his head to kiss him.
“Being human, we’ll probably have days where we hurt each other’s feelings or argue with harsh words. We might even go through periods of boredom. So even when difficult times come, I’ll make sure you think ‘It’s too precious to throw away.'”
Lucas spoke of his plans with a more serious attitude than usual. Whether it was for physical satisfaction, maintaining health, or emotional comfort, he wanted to create reasons for Iberis to stay by his side. So that even in the distant future, if Iberis grew tired of him, he wouldn’t dare think of leaving.
“Why would I ever throw you away…”
“I’ll remember those words. No taking them back later.”
Instead of hooking their fingers and pressing thumbs together, Lucas kissed Iberis’s lips once more before slowly backing away. If he stayed any closer, he felt he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself any longer.
“And it’s still far from compensating for all I’ve held back. Honestly, by my standards, the past few days have been… just average.”
“Average…?”
Iberis furrowed his brow as if he had heard something strange in Lucas’s additional comment.
“Yes, so you should brace yourself for the future. I’m the kind of person who gets aroused even when you’re wearing pajamas with cute duck family or funny cat character patterns.”
Lucas picked up the shirt he had thrown on the floor in his rush to pounce on Iberis, shook it out with both hands, and playfully warned him.
“Ugh, that’s… The pajamas aren’t my taste… Lieutenant Cali bought them on her own.”
Iberis mumbled in a small voice. He had never cared about his attire before, but suddenly felt embarrassed about having slept in the same bed with Lucas wearing cute pajamas for the past few months.
Something that could warm his cold body even a little, comfortable enough not to hinder movement in case a battle broke out unexpectedly.
Iberis’s criteria for choosing clothes were purely based on practicality; design didn’t matter at all. Though his combat skills were superior to anyone else’s, his sense of daily life was somewhat lacking. During his time in the special team, he relied on his teammates’ help to purchase things, and after being assigned to the N-0 unit, he left everything to his aide, Brenda. As a result, he became even less concerned about clothing designs.
“…Should we buy some clothes while we’re at the department store?”
“Hm? That sounds good.”
Lucas brightened when Iberis expressed his intention to buy clothes for himself. Seeing different sides of his lover was always welcome.
“If you don’t mind, shall I pick out a few for you? Um, you don’t wear suits often, right?”
Lucas pondered, recalling Iberis’s attire from the past six months. Basically, Iberis always wore military uniforms or combat gear at work, and mostly pajamas when relaxing at the residence after work. When going out, he preferred thick, soft knit sweaters or hoodies with jeans, or matching tracksuit sets.
“That’s right. I can wear my uniform for official occasions.”
“Hmm, I wanted to undress you in a suit… I guess that’ll have to wait.”
“Un-undress?”
Did he want to do some kind of costume play? Iberis’s clear cheeks turned slightly red at the suggestive murmur. Quickly composing himself, he spoke with determination. Though it would be incredibly embarrassing, there was nothing he couldn’t do if Lucas wanted it.
“Is it your preference to do it in a suit? I have one at the residence… Should I buy a new one this time?”
“As I said earlier, I like you in anything, but… Are you really going to do it?”
“If you want to see it…”
“As much as I’d love to see a new side of you, there’s no need to force yourself if you’re not comfortable.”
“…It’s not like that. I just want to look good for you.”
Iberis pouted his lower lip as if to say ‘Don’t you understand that?’ Feeling a bit shy after saying it, he cleared his throat softly and put on a cardigan.
“You’re already plenty cute, cool, and pretty as you are, Major. Hmm, shall we pick out clothes for each other later then?”
“Sounds good. It’ll be fun. But is it okay if I buy you pajamas with puppies on them?”
“…As long as only you see them, it’s fine.”
Lucas, who had hesitated at the playful question, soon answered nonchalantly. He grabbed his jacket and wrapped his arm around Iberis’s waist, pulling him close.
“We’ve been delayed quite a bit. Let’s leave the cleanup to the intelligence agents and get going.”
“Alright.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Iberis gathered his courage and reciprocated by putting his arm around Lucas’s waist. The thought that there might be reporters outside briefly crossed his mind, but he continued walking. Before coming to the hospital, they had decided not to hide their relationship.
Sure enough, as they left the hospital, they sensed multiple presences as expected. Iberis ignored the stares following them and enjoyed his date with Lucas.
The next day, photos of the two dining together at a restaurant and shopping at a department store appeared in a Paris daily newspaper.
