Chapter 255: Tell me now

"Why was Zlatan even there?"

Blake scratched the back of his head, frowning slightly as he unpacked the shopping bag he’d brought home. He’d been thinking about the encounter ever since they’d left the store, but the more he thought about it, the less sense it made.

’A stroll in a stationary store, as if I’d believe that...’

Blake wasn’t sure what bothered him more... the fact that Zlatan had so muc time to lose, or the fact that he’d apparently decided to strike up a conversation with Anthony for no particular reason.

"Did you have some business with him or something?" Blake asked, glancing at Myles. "I saw you two talking."

Myles, who was in the kitchen putting away the groceries, barely reacted.

"No. He was the only one speaking."

"...Oh."

That sounded about right.

Blake hummed thoughtfully, raising an eyebrow as he placed another item on the table.

"Maybe he holds a grudge against Anthony."

Myles said nothing.

"Seriously, though. Tell him not to target Anthony." Blake frowned. "Anthony’s not particularly good at dealing with people like him, he dislikes attention."

He wasn’t doubting his capabilities per se, Anthony was intelligent, analytical, and surprisingly good at acting, as he just recently discovered...

But Zlatan could bring out any side, with everyone.

’He said he can suppress emotions, but apparently, he can also do the opposite. He’s strong...’

Blake sighed heavily.

"Honestly, what does that man even want?"

Myles didn’t answer.

Instead, he finished putting away the groceries before turning toward the kitchen counter.

Blake watched him for a moment.

"...Are you listening to me?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"Don’t worry about it."

Blake stared at him. Before he could complain, Myles began preparing dinner.

He narrowed his eyes at his back, but eventually gave up.

There was little point trying to get more information out of Myles when he was in one of his quiet moods.

Besides, Blake had other things to worry about.

Like the fact that they’d spent practically the entire day outdoors.

A true shopping date, as Blake had jokingly called it earlier.

They’d visited several stores, walked around the shopping district, stopped for something to eat, and somehow ended up spending far longer outside than either of them had initially intended.

Blake had enjoyed himself, of course.

It was nice to spend time with Myles without having to think about their usual problems. For a few hours, they could simply walk around, look at things they liked, and talk about whatever came to mind.

There had even been a moment when Blake had forgotten they were supposed to be buying necessities...

He’d spotted a little shop selling some rather cute house accessories and had immediately dragged Myles inside.

He had followed without complaint.

Blake glanced at the remaining shopping bags.

’He paid for everything, in the end.’

His lips pursed.

’My pride is kind of hurt, but what can I do?’

He’d tried to protest at first, he really had!

When Myles had reached for his wallet, Blake had immediately insisted that he could pay for his own things. It wasn’t as though he couldn’t afford them, and there was no reason for Myles to cover every expense.

But Myles had simply looked at him and said that it was fine.

Then he’d paid anyway.

Blake had attempted to argue a second time, only for Myles to calmly point out that Blake had been the one who’d wanted to stop at the additional stores.

Which was technically true? But it was for himself.

Blake had eventually surrendered, muttering something about how he would pay next time.

Myles hadn’t responded, and that definitely meant he had no intention of letting Blake pay next time, either.

’One day, I’m going to win this argument.’

After finishing unpacking the shopping bags, Blake stretched his arms over his head and rose from his seat.

The kitchen had grown noticeably quieter.

Myles was standing by the sink, washing his hands after handling the ingredients. His sleeves were rolled up, and his expression was as calm as ever.

Blake walked over to him.

"What are you making for dinner?"

Myles glanced down at him.

"Chicken soup."

Blake’s face immediately brightened.

"Really? Thank you!"

Without another thought, Blake leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Myles’ cheek.

He pulled back with a satisfied smile. However, Myles didn’t immediately return to preparing the food.

Instead, he lowered his head slightly.

Blake blinked.

"Hm?"

Myles’ hand rose to his hair, gently caressing it.

Blake’s smile softened.

For a few seconds, he simply stood there, allowing Myles to stroke his hair.

Then he noticed something.

"Wait."

He grabbed Myles’ wrist.

"You just washed your hands!"

"I can wash them again."

He opened his mouth to lecture him about hygiene.

Unfortunately, Myles moved before he could get a word out.

He leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Blake, drawing him close.

’Again?’

Myles buried his face in the crook of Blake’s neck, his arms settling comfortably around his waist.

For a moment, Blake simply stared at the kitchen counter.

Then he slowly lowered his hands.

’What’s gotten into him lately?’

It wasn’t that he disliked the affection, quite the opposite...

But lately, he had been unusually clingy.

Blake gently patted Myles’ back.

"Hey. Are you feeling anxious?"

There was no immediate response.

Blake tilted his head, resting his cheek lightly against Myles’ hair.

"Is it because your plan is getting closer?"

Myles’ arms remained around him.

For a while, the only sound in the kitchen was the faint hum of the refrigerator.

Blake didn’t rush him.

He knew Myles well enough to understand that silence didn’t necessarily mean he was unwilling to answer. Sometimes, Myles simply needed time to put his thoughts into words.

If that were actually the case, he wouldn’t be sad about it, at all!

"You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you."

Myles’ face remained hidden against his neck.

"I’m listening."

A few seconds passed.

Then Myles tightened his arms around him just slightly.

Blake paused.

It was a small movement, almost imperceptible, but he felt it.

His expression softened.

"Oh..."

He hadn’t expected an answer so soon, even if Myles hadn’t actually said anything.

Blake rested his hands against Myles’ back, returning the embrace.

"I know there are things you are keeping out. Do you want to tell me now?"

Myles stayed silent.

Blake let out a quiet sigh.

"All right. You don’t have to tell me right now, but you can’t be like this, and not tell me a thing."

He leaned back just enough to look at Myles, though the other man still seemed reluctant to lift his head.

"Don’t keep everything to yourself, especially if it concerns the future, which you were so sure of just months ago"

Myles finally raised his face.

His eyes settled on Blake’s. He offered him a gentle smile in return.

"I am staying with you even though I know your plans. It’s not like I’ll leave you now. All this time, we never really addressed it, but you know that I am trying to stop you from destroying the world."

For a moment, Myles simply looked at him.

Then he lowered his head again, resting it against Blake’s shoulder.

"You were also helpful the moment I went on to get along with everyone else. Y’know, keeping my plans a secret and everything."

Myles stayed silent.

Blake let out a quiet sigh.

"You aren’t resenting me because I can’t tell you about the entirety of my background? I already told you, I physically—"

"I don’t resent it."

"Then, let me tell you this... our situations are not equals. I can’t tell you because I’d probably die, or physically suffer. But you are choosing to keep it away from me."

He leaned back just enough to look at Myles, though the other man still seemed reluctant to lift his head.

"So you will have to tell me everything, sooner or later, because if that doesn’t happen, I’ll have to take things into my own hand."

Myles finally raised his face, lips pressing against each other tightly, with a slight frown too.

He sighed lightly. He raised his hand, and smoothed out the frown with his finger.

"For now, I can accept your silence. For now, we will do it together... because we share some common goals, and because I love—"

"I will tell you, after we kill that man."

Blake’s eyes widened.

"Do you mean it? Wait, what will you tell me?"

Myles looked down.

"Everything I know."

Blake looked at him, feeling a sense of relief within him. At the same time, he couldn’t help but hear his heart beating like never before.

"I don’t want it to happen to you."

"? What?"

"Death."

Myles looked up at him.

"I don’t want you to die. I want to live with you, until I can’t live anymore."

Blake looked down, feeling his eyes sting a little.

’This guy... if you’re going to say me stuff like this, then just tell me your plans now!’