Next day --
After breakfast, Soren suggested that they should start looking for the boy who stole Avalon's locket where every member's information is registered from the registration house.
Soren explained everything to Zale, who listened without interrupting. He became a little irked after hearing Soren's eagerness in telling him how Avalon's pendant could help him and cure his triggers.
It ached him and broke his heart how badly Soren wanted to see him as normal as everyone else. It saddened him to see his mate desperately seeking help from everyone who was willing to help him.
Yes, mates. They're mates. Just Soren isn't aware of it yet. Zale claimed him without his knowledge or consent. To keep him by his side forever, he even went against fate, and his wicked soul denied him any chance of considering of finding his mate. He only wants and craves Soren.
He wanted to be completely honest with Soren about everything-including the fact that he is his mate and how much he values and admires him. However, he was unable to do so due to his fear of Soren's response to his betrayal once he learned the truth. He isn't prepared to face Soren's contempt. He could withstand any pain, he'd be fine if the entire world despised him, but the mere thought of Soren despising him made his chest tighten in agony.
"Zale?" Soren gives him a little nudge, making him startled and snapping back to reality. "Are you alright?"
"Huh?" Zale faced him, his lips curved into a forced smile. "Yeah, just a little tired."
"Wow, you get tired too?" Avalon snickered, he shut his mouth after Soren glared at him. "No, I mean how could you get tired whose only job is to make everyone else tired."
"You fucking-" Zale starts but Soren hurriedly cuts him off.
"Mr. Avalon, why don't you go ask Uncle Frank for the map to the registration house, and then we leave?" Soren asked as he politely smiled but his voice was far from polite.
"Well, it does sound like a good idea." Avalon grinned before turning on his heels and left.
Seeing him walking away Soren sighed in exhaustion and looked at his master.
"I still think that we should kick him out. Do you really believe a lunatic like him is any help?" Zale suggested seriously and Soren examined him for pretty good seconds before exhaling a long breath. He clasped his arm with Zale's arm and started to drag him along with himself.
"Ignore him, He's just suicidal," Soren mumbled lazily. And Zale couldn't help but let out a genuine soft smile, he was delighted with being pulled along like this and being so close with his mate.
He couldn't help but feel excited as his heart raced. No matter how hard he tried to stop these virulent sensations, he always felt good and hot when he was close to Soren. This is also one of the reasons why he always stayed with Soren-to quench his thirst for his mate, even if it only involved passing touches here and there. He felt like a jerk for always taking advantage of Soren in this manner, but hell, does he intend to keep doing it? Yes he does.
Which also explains the reason why only Soren's scent could help him. Because of the mate bond between them.
Soren held the door open of Zale's room to let him enter.
"I don't like him" Zale murmured under his breath but Soren still heard him.
"You don't like anyone." He let out a crippled sigh.
"Yeah, but he made it at the top of that list. Throughout the morning, all he did was flirt with you. You probably didn't notice, but the way he looks at you is strange."
"And that's a topic worth discussion." Soren approached the drawer before instructing Zale to take a seat on the bed. He pulled out the first-aid kit.
Zale's comments caused his heart to sag. His eyes burned with wrath as he gazed at the back of Soren's skull. When Soren turned around and saw him again while holding first aid, his expression abruptly returned to normal.
"Are you okay with anyone hitting on you?" Zale implored as Soren came upon to stand in front of him. He tried to mask his discomfort by changing his voice, but his jealousy got the best of him and he failed.
Soren wanted to tease him even more after hearing his whining. He approached him with slow steps, not breaking the staring contest between them.
"What's wrong with it? I mean, isn't it time for me to find someone who could take care of me?" Soren raised a mischievous brow at him, fascinated by his glare the side of his lips curved up. Reaching Zale, he bends down to observe his wound.
Although he already knows what harm his words were doing to Zale, he deliberately likes to scratch that same spot of his master where it hurts the most.
He's well aware of the guilty feelings he has for his master but he purposely plays the oblivious part. Because he knows just how dangerous these feelings could cost both of them. First, Shilister would never approve of them and somehow they got rid of that hurdle, Soren doesn't want to start something that probably won't last even a few years.
He has to give up these feelings, he has to give up his master when Zale's mate comes around. So, why even start something that is not possible. Furthermore, he has no idea what Zale thinks about him, he doesn't know whether Zale is capable of feeling emotions like love and longing for him or someone else.
"Do it, I dare you," Zale exclaimed, grabbing his collar, he jerked his face closer to his. He stared deep into Soren's eyes with his hazel green eyes as if he was looking straight into his soul and setting it on fire as punishment for having such vicious thoughts.
Soren shivered at the close proximity, he could feel Zale's heated breath tickling on his face and his cold hands that he could even feel even upon the shirt's fabric.
"Why am I not allowed? Are you thinking of keeping me with you even after you meet your mate?" Soren asked, though he himself doesn't like the sound of his words. He chuckled without any humour, "But that will make me your mistress."
'Though, I probably will be okay with it.' Soren shuddered at his own thoughts.
"Shut your damn crap." Zale snarls anxiously. "I don't want a mate." He hurriedly lets out.
The 'I already have one' was silent. "
"Why do I need a mate in any way? It's not like I can give them the love and protection they deserve. I can't even protect myself, so looking for a mate is out of the question. And if I can't have one, neither can you; I know it's selfish, but I don't care like I've never cared. And if you really want someone to take care of you, I can do it for you. I'm not sure how, but I could learn if you could give me some lessons or something when you're free-"
"You sure talk a lot when you're nervous." Soren chuckled as he cut off his agitated ramblings.
Zale let go of his collar as he stumbled upon hiding the red tint on his cheeks. Soren smiles but didn't tease him further, he felt somehow pleased with his ranting.
"Why do you always have to act like a saint and help everyone?" Zale questioned and hissed in pain when Soren ripped the bandages carefully.
"I'm not a saint master Zale." Soren rolled his eyes. "And I know that you prefer me to never help anyone that is not you. But I can't let things go like that forever."
"Why not?" Zale asks, by his tone Soren knows he was sulking.
"Because," Soren opened the box and attentively started to apply the medicines while Zale impatiently waited for his answer like a little kid. "As you are my most important job, you're my priority. However, that doesn't mean I don't have any other jobs. Not as important as you but still I need to take care of them too."
"Job?" Zale softly let out as if he couldn't believe or maybe hear Soren wrong.
'Ouch,' Zale heard something breaking in his chest. 'So, you still think of me as your job."
"Hmm, and to take something I need to give something too." Soren casually let out, he feigned the normal expression outside but deep inside he felt like a huge dick because he knew how deep his words were cutting Zale.
But, in order to scrutinise Zale's every move and submit a report to Shilister, he must carefully study him and his every action. The report will determine how much more medication and treatment Zale requires. As a result, it is also his responsibility to investigate what triggers him and what the initial symptoms are.
Because of a particular idiot vampire, his last plan-in which he asked for Toma's help failed, leaving Zale with a sizable wound on his face. So, he must use greater caution from now on.
None of them spoke after that, they didn't try to make the already intense atmosphere even more awkward.
Soren lets out an exhausted sigh as he quickly and meticulously redresses the bandages. Seeing how much Soren was sighing, Zale couldn't help himself but ask him, though he was feeling irritated and angered from being called a 'Job'.
"Are you tired?" He asked bitterly while Soren straightened up and looked at him.
"A little." Soren lets out another tired exhale. A little is an understatement; he was drained out beyond words. "A little headache is all. Nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried," Zale let out without any care and Soren rolled his eyes.
'Yeah, why would almighty master Zale would worry about me when he doesn't even worry about himself, it's my job for fuck's sake.' Soren thought in his head. He picked up the first aid and back in its place.
"Here, come and sit," Zale ordered when he couldn't bear his sighing anymore.
"Why? What are you up to this time Master Zale?" Soren trudged back to Zale when he saw him standing and pointed to the bed. Soren eyed him suspiciously.
"Shut up and just sit here." Zale grabbed his wrist firmly and forced him to take a seat on the bed. Soren was afraid that he was up to no good like his unpredictable self and will do something shady.
And he was correct to confirm his doubt. Zale was up to no good when he hopped on top of Soren. Zale sits securely on his lap, straddling him by both of his legs beside him.
"H-Hey what are y-you doing?" Soren let out a scared squeak. Startled to death, he unconsciously put his hands on each side of Zale so that he wouldn't fall until he was completely sitting on his lap face to face. He frowned as his face twisted in shock, his heart started to race rapidly and his ears turned red.
"You said you have a headache so I'm sharing it." Zale let out firmly. He made sure that he didn't put his whole weight on Soren even though he was dying to do so. Soren couldn't comprehend what exactly he was saying or wanted to do. He hesitantly nods.
"Just transfer it to me," Zale said, putting his hands on both sides of Soren's face and scooping his scorching cheeks. Soren could no longer deny his desire for the cold hands around his face, and he felt something tense. His heart pounded against his ribs. He couldn't say anything and could only stare back at the bewitching eyes in front of him. Zale inches his face closer to him and his breath hitches in his throat. Frowning his brows in nervousness he closed his eyes. A split the second later, he felt Zale pressing his forehead against his own.
"This way I can take care of you." Zale softly whispered in a gentle voice, trying to keep his promise of taking care of Soren so that he doesn't look for someone else.
Soren felt a powerful wave of nostalgia wash over him. Because this is how he cared for Zale when they were children. Soren always held him like Zale is holding him now whenever he complained about the headaches he got from the nightmares his father gave to him.
Soren always told him that he could transfer his headaches and pain to him in this way. Even though it was a lie, it always seemed to soothe Zale. He's now attempting to do the same with Soren.
Soren couldn't handle his amazement and unconsciously hugged Zale who gasped in surprise and put his whole weight in Soren's lap, eyes widening in shock Zale looked at his smirking face.
He unknowingly gulped.