206: 5.16 Like What You See?

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.1

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.

As he did, images flashed in his mind, too quick to be caught. He had similar dreams before, of a man in light blue robe, of snowflakes around him, of the way his pale eyes glowed under the lantern light. But every single time, he would wake up only with hollowness and the man's face blurred along with the fading dream. Every single time, it would slip through his fingers like crumbling sand.

Yet now, he could clearly see it as if he was standing there in flesh. 

A man whose side profile was so gorgeous that it put Gods to shame, illuminated by the golden glow of flowing lanterns around them. He tiptoed and dropped a kiss to the man's cheek, his heart galloping wildly he feared that it was going to stop soon. The man turned to him in shock and this time, Terra could finally sketch his features. Angular cheekbones, sharp eyebrows, thin parted lips. A pair of familiar silver eyes dilated in shock. "Lan'er…"

Terra's eyes snapped open with a silent gasp. W—What was that?!

"Terra?" A concerned voice sounded above him. "What's wrong?"

Terra looked up and it was as if he was transported into that place, standing beside the man in light blue robe and having those silver eyes on him. The images overlapped with each other and when Terra blinked again, the man in light blue robe had disappeared. In his place was Kai, different face, different person, identical silver eyes. Terra rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating, only for his wrist to be caught. "Don't." He tried to ignore how striking Kai's sunkissed skin was against his pale one, how broad and warm his hand was. "Does your eyes hurt? Let me see." 

He went still as Kai's thumb grazed the corner of his eyes, wiping away the dampness and residual gunk. Kai's eyes zeroed on him in single minded focus and Terra subconsciously held his breath at their close proximity. So close… too close. He could feel Kai's breath fanning his cheek, could count Kai's lashes, could meet Kai's lips if he were to lean forward a little bit. Terra's eyes glazed over, transfixed on the way those lips moved when Kai spoke, the hint of tongue peeking out in between pearly white teeth, teasing him endlessly. 

Just like in the dream, he wanted, he yearned, he ached—

"Your eyes are a bit bloodshot. Does it hurt—" Kai's words trailed off abruptly when he realized that Terra was staring right at his lips. The infuriating tongue came out to slide across the man's bottom lip, leaving a trail of glistening saliva. And when he spoke next, it was low-pitched and nasally, each word struck a chord in Terra's heart. "Like what you see?"

Terra blinked, bewildered.

.

.

.

Mini theater

The group of doctors and nurses were huddled together to watch the screen showing 000's — no, it's Terra now — room. They had made a bet; half wagered that General Kai would be kicked out as soon as Terra was awake and half disagreed, there must be something between General Kai and Terra! Their gossip senses were tingling!

When General Kai almost left only to be held back by Terra, half of the group cheered. 

They wanted to call it done, but next, the screen showed something that made their eyes bulge out in shock.

Terra… Terra was beckoning General Kai over and the latter obeyed without a word. When they hugged, the group held their breath, unable to believe what they were seeing. And then… General Kai's palm glided up to hold Terra's nape and the guide craned his neck up. Their faces were inching closer and closer…

All of a sudden, General Kai's eyes met them through the screen. They let out a chorus of undignified shriek. That… That was so scary! It was as if the General knew that they were peeping on them! The group was still reeling in shock, even as the screen abruptly turned black.

Heavy silence descended upon them.

"That… They—They almost kissed right…? I didn't see it wrong?"

"Aaaah! What happened next? Do they kiss or not?!"

"If I go to Terra's room to snoop right now, will I be killed?"

"What's with the ruckus?" Doctor Wyatt strode in with a scowl. "Still gossiping and not doing your job?!"

"Doctor!" They broke the news with glee. "General Kai and Terra are kissing!"

"They… what?!" Doctor Wyatt almost stumbled on his steps. His face was drained of all colors. "K—Kissing?!"

"Yep. Well, we didn't really see it but it couldn't be wrong, right? The tension between them is so real— Doctor?! Oh my God, what's wrong with you?!" 

The room turned chaotic when Doctor Wyatt suddenly fainted. Kissing… they had only met last night and they were already kissing (he didn't hear the continuation of the group's sentence). Wyatt had considered Terra as his own, had protected him and shielded him when nobody did. Had been the only one allowed to approach him when he was too cautious of everyone. It was no wonder that Doctor Wyatt had gotten a little too protective. 

It felt like the child he had been rearing had just been eaten by a big bad wolf!

There was no need to matchmake them at all!

pqdm.com