Seducing the Guideverse With My System — Raising an Anomaly [BL]

Chapter 177: _Absurd Dynamic

Phoenix Flight HQ

"Look who made it in time for curfew." The first thing that welcomed Ambrose as he stepped into his suite was Devon’s voice and the blare of a fast-food commercial.

The S-Rank stood ahead with his arms folded in a way that reminded him of his mom in his past life. He sure aced the judgmental look and intense pose.

"It’s almost nine pm, already?" Ambrose rubbed the back of his neck, opening the door all the way in. "Welp. That explains the guards lining the hallways like it’s a World War III camp."

"It isn’t funny, Rose," Devon clicked on the remote, tuning down the television’s volume. "You are just four minutes shy of curfew. You’ve been in this Guild long enough to know how my grandfather can get about rules and—"

"Dearie me." Another baritone resounded behind Ambrose. One that made Devon’s forehead crease. "He’s here now, isn’t he? Get some water on that flaming hair of yours."

Ambrose sighed as Viktor strode in with the casual grace of a man who knew he wouldn’t be chased out. He shut the door with a lazy kick, taking off his jacket.

Devon blinked, his eyes swaying from the ice Prince to Ambrose. His face gained an almost unnatural rosy shade as he clicked his tongue. "So he’s the reason you went out?"

"Devon, it’s not—"

"You could’ve at least told me you were going on a date with him." Devon shook his head.

Ambrose scowled. "First off, we weren’t on a date. His mom invited me for dinner at their house. Weird but true." Then he swung an arm into the air. "Besides, how would I have had the chance to explain to you when you shut me down before I could speak to you? Remember that?"

Devon dragged a foot forward, ready to respond.

"Could you two continue this couple’s therapy session some other time?" Viktor snorted, heading for the fridge in the kitchen. "I think we need drinks."

"Wait," Ambrose lifted a finger, "we can’t be drinking. Where’s Orion?"

"Got to sleep about ten minutes ago." Devon narrowed his eyes on Viktor and that smug stretch on his lips. "What’s gotten you giddy enough for a drink, Morozov?"

Viktor swung the fridge door open and almost immediately pulled out a bottle of wine—which Ambrose forgot was in there to begin with.

He tucked it beneath his armpit, also bringing out a can of vodka soda. "Because, my dear friend," he glanced over his shoulder. "Ambrose here agreed to that proposition I told you about earlier today."

Devon’s frown only deepened while Ambrose paled. "I didn’t agree to anything yet—"

"Oh, but you will soon." Viktor closed the fridge door before taking confident strides toward them. Without another moment of dramatic pause, he let it out. "I told him about the idea of dating both of us at once."

The shift in Devon’s expression was priceless. He nearly choked on his own saliva as Ambrose wished he could sink into the earth and never return.

Devon stared at Viktor as though he’d just announced plans to start a cult. "... You told him?"

"Unfortunately." Ambrose groaned, dragging both hands down his face. "In graphic detail too. Your best friend is clinically insane."

"Former best friend," Devon corrected instantly. "I refuse to be associated with whatever madness this is."

Viktor barked a laugh, tossing his jacket over the sofa arm. "You weren’t saying that a few hours ago when you were imagining domestic life with him."

The silence that followed was catastrophic.

Ambrose’s mouth parted. "You WHAT?"

Devon’s eyes widened half a second too late. "I never—"

"Oh, you absolutely did." Viktor grinned wickedly. "You should’ve seen his face, little bird. Man looked two seconds away from asking what colour curtains we’d use in our shared apartment."

"I hate both of you right now." Devon deadpanned.

"And yet you’re still here." Viktor pointed out smoothly.

That only made Devon grumble beneath his breath as he dropped onto one of the sofas. Viktor followed suit shortly after, lounging comfortably like he owned the damn suite.

Which, honestly, with the way he behaved everywhere, he might as well.

The ice Prince spread his arms over the sofa’s backrest before gesturing lazily at the empty spot beside him. "Come on, Rory. Sit."

Ambrose hesitated.

This genuinely felt like he was walking into the world’s most emotionally constipated threesome interview.

Still, he eventually sat right between Viktor and Devon, placing his arms on his lap.

Viktor snapped his fingers suddenly. "Ah. The glasses."

He rose back to his feet and headed toward the kitchen island, leaving Ambrose enough time to immediately swivel toward Devon.

"You seriously didn’t think to warn me?" he whispered. "About this ridiculous idea?"

Devon looked mildly offended. "At first I thought he was drunk and rambling."

"I was drunk rambling," Viktor called from the kitchen. "Then I sobered up and realised it was a brilliant idea."

"See?" Devon pointed a finger toward the kitchen. "Normal people don’t expect those kinds of suggestions to survive sobriety."

Ambrose blinked slowly. "You know what? Fair enough."

"Besides," Devon lowered his voice now, his golden eyes flicking briefly toward him, "I wanted to see how you’d react on your own."

"Oh, that’s comforting," Ambrose muttered sarcastically. "Thank you for tossing me into the lion enclosure for research purposes."

"You survived, didn’t you?"

"Barely. Your boyfriend nearly corrupted me in a luxury restroom."

Devon choked on air so violently that Ambrose almost felt bad.

Almost.

Thankfully, Viktor returned before the teasing could escalate further. He carried three wine glasses between his fingers with the bottle tucked under his arm.

"Now this," he placed the glasses down carefully on the centre table, "looks significantly more civilised."

The cork popped free with a soft sound as he opened the wine bottle. Rich crimson liquid poured smoothly into each glass.

Then Viktor handed one to Ambrose first.

Their fingers brushed, sending heat crawling up Ambrose’s spine instantly.

"So," Viktor leaned back after passing Devon his own glass. "How are we feeling about all this?"

Ambrose took one large gulp of wine before answering. "Like there’s a golf ball stuck in my throat."

That earned a laugh out of both S-Ranks.

"Reasonable," Devon admitted, swirling his wine absentmindedly. "This isn’t exactly a normal arrangement."

"No," Ambrose stressed. "It really isn’t."

Viktor crossed one leg over the other. "Yet none of us seems entirely against it."

The room quieted after that.

Annoyingly enough... he wasn’t wrong.

Ambrose hated how naturally his thoughts drifted toward them lately. Devon’s steadiness. Viktor’s intensity. The warmth he felt whenever either man paid attention to him.

Permanent links truly were dangerous things.

"And what exactly happens if this absurd dynamic actually works?" Ambrose asked eventually. "One Guide. Two Espers. Are we making schedules now?"

"Weekdays and weekends still sound fair to me." Viktor mused casually before taking another sip.

"Please shut up."

Devon rubbed his temple with a sigh. "Ignoring his insanity for a moment... we’d obviously have to figure things out slowly."

"Hm." Viktor tilted his head thoughtfully. "Though now that I think about it..."

Both men looked at him cautiously.

"If Valentine eventually stops ignoring whatever happened between him and Ambrose..." a slow grin stretched across Viktor’s lips. "Do you think he’d be open-minded enough to join the trio too?"

Ambrose almost inhaled his wine wrong. "Absolutely the fuck not."

Devon looked equally horrified. "One Viktor is already enough psychological warfare."

The ice Prince only laughed softly before suddenly leaning toward Ambrose. The movement was so abrupt that the Guide barely had time to react.

Viktor’s fingers slid against his jaw, cupping his face with surprising gentleness. His thumb brushed Ambrose’s cheek once.

Then he kissed him.

Ambrose’s heart skipped so violently that he nearly dropped the wine glass.

Warm lips pressed against his cheek. Testing.

For one suspended moment, his brain emptied.

Then—without thinking—he kissed back.

A pleased sound rumbled from Viktor’s throat. He deepened the kiss briefly before eventually pulling away just enough for their breaths to mingle.

Ambrose stared at him, visibly dazed.

Viktor smirked lazily before shifting his gaze toward Devon.

Then he gave the red-haired Esper a subtle look:

Your turn.