Seram let out a low chuckle. "Go crazy. Just don't ruin the company while I'm gone."
"I am the CEO now…" Siran said smugly.
"Temporary CEO.." Seram corrected.
"Right, right. Three months of glory and millions worth luxuries. I'll hold the fort."
"Thanks, Siran."
There was a beat, then his brother said, more quietly, "Be happy, big bro. For real this time. Don't let them scare you out of it."
"…I'll try.." Seram murmured.
"Don't try. Just do it. It's high time, you stood up to dad."
The line clicked off, and Seram stared at the phone for a few seconds before pocketing it.
Then he picked up the bowls and walked over to the table.
"Hey babe, dinner's ready" he called out.
Silke stretched once before standing, his body moving with unhurried grace as he padded over and took his seat.
"Did you just call me babe?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he reached for his chopsticks.
"Is this the part where you start writing our names in cursive hearts on your planner?"
Seram smirked faintly as he sat down across from him.
"What? You don't like pet names now? I thought lazy house cats loved affection."
"Only when it's accompanied by tuna.." Silke said dryly, but he started eating without protest.
For a while, the room was filled with the quiet clinking of chopsticks and the scent of warm stir fry.
The mood had relaxed, but something lingered between them, a thread of tension Seram hadn't quite addressed yet.
He waited until Silke had taken a few more bites before speaking.
"I want you to come with me tomorrow," Seram said suddenly.
Silke didn't look up. "To the company?"
"To my father's house."
Now Silke paused. His chopsticks stilled mid-air. He looked up, slow and deliberate, expression unreadable.
"I figured you'd ask."
"You heard the call.." Seram said, not surprised.
"I did.." Silke confirmed, setting his utensils down.
"And I think it's a bad idea."
Seram leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his arms.
"You think I can't handle him?"
"I think you shouldn't have to," Silke replied calmly.
"Not tomorrow. Not when the whole family's still chewing on the idea of you having a male partner."
"Then when?" Seram asked, his voice quiet but firm.
"It's never going to be a good time."
"I know.." Silke said. He sat back, arms crossed.
"But right now you're vulnerable. Your movement's restricted and your father, he's clearly displeased. You show up with me at your side, he'll take that as provocation."
Seram exhaled through his nose.
"I want them to see I'm not ashamed and I don't care if he's provoked. If he was the one in my situation, we'd be forced to accept it."
He took a sip of the water, trying to calm his nerves.
His father had power in different places, he wouldn't be surprised if he got his hold on Silke.
That was the reason, he had to act fast. To make his father see that no one can touch Silke.
"My father is a funny one, you probably think you'd be safe if he doesn't see you. But he's not like that, he's going to haunt you, that's how he traps his prey, he'd make you lose your job and make your life a living hell.That's how he it is."
"..."
Silke scratched his head, he guessed they were going to see Seram's father.
"I guess there's no shortcut to this. I should prepare a gift then. It's not like we're dating, what's his deal.."
Silke leaned back, things like this were very common for Espers and Guides, he guessed Seram's father was the traditional type.
".."
"You're so nonchalant about this ... .I guess it was in my head…to think we're like boyfriends."
Seram sighed, he had gotten caught up in this. We can have sex but there are no strings attached shit.
"Do you like me Seram?? I know your attention on me isn't because I'm your guide, so tell me..do you want to be boyfriends??"
"..."
Seram felt his heart race, Silke really had no filter.
He sighed and shook his head.
"I know that wouldn't be a bad thing and people probably won't be surprised but what's the point of dating someone when they have no actual feelings for you? I'd be torturing myself."
".."
"You're the one…I mean we can date if that's what you want."
".."
"That's the problem. It's always what I want, what do you want Silke? I want you to know you have a choice, don't give yourself to me so easily, make me fight for it, beg for it. Your body is yours to control, you've integrated yourself into your role as a guide that you've forgotten how to be human.."
Silke sighed "I'm sorry, I didn't know I made you feel that way. It's easy when you just do what the other person wants. Saves the trouble."
"But you're nobody's slave and no one is your master."
"..."
"Oh? I guess I never looked at it that way before."
Seram stood up, picking up his plates "You should think about yourself and what you want more often. It will make things easier for me, then I won't feel guilty."
Silke thought for a long time, long enough for Seram to clear his plates as well and clean the table.
He was even doing the dishes, when Silke suddenly banged on the table.
"I've made my decision." Seram blinked, heaving a sigh that he had not broken a plate due to shock.
"Seram.." he asked seriously "Will you be my boyfriend?"
".."
"Is that what you really want?"
Silke nodded "Yes, I've never been in a relationship before, so I might be slow and I'm old as well too ..so go easy on me."
Seram let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he dried his hands with a towel.
"You're ridiculous."
Before he could say anything else, arms slid around his waist from behind, warm and sure, pulling him into a back-hug.
Silke leaned his cheek against Seram's shoulder, eyes half-closed, voice a low murmur.
"I'm serious. You said to think about what I want. And I do want this, okay."
There was something so simple and certain in the way Silke said it.
No hesitation, no dramatics, just pure honesty.
It hit Seram harder than he expected.
He glanced over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of white hair and a faint blush painting Silke's cheek, it was barely noticeable with how close he held him.
"Alright.." Seram said quietly, his voice curling with amusement and something fonder underneath.
He reached down to brush his fingers over Silke's hands where they rested against his abdomen.
"I'll go easy on you... since you're so cute."
Silke let out a half-snort, half-laugh.
"Didn't peg you for the type to fold over cuteness."
"Only because it's you.." Seram said, turning around in his arms so they were face to face.