Chapter 408: Restraint

Words : 1343 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 408: Restraint To be fair, Luca really wasn’t accusing Xavier of lying, but he couldn’t help but feel like his husband was avoiding him. Not during the day, no. If anything, Xavier had been more present lately. Prior to today’s busy schedule, the prince had actually increased his visits, and sometimes they’d sit for breaks and Xavier would ask about the letters and a few words he was trying to learn from a Tessarian children’s book. They’d even read his "research materials" together sometimes, and Xavier would then explain things that he found confusing. Time was tight, but he didn’t mind because the short but frequent visits felt nice. He liked and enjoyed seeing him like that. But that was before hearing a particular comment that alarmed him. It was when Luca decided to rest for today, just as he offhandedly mentioned trying to wait for Xavier because surely they’d see each other for the night, right? However, D-29 suddenly chimed, "Host! That might be difficult, as the benefactor usually leaves to go back to the space after checking on you." "Huh?" Luca tilted his head in surprise, because if that were the case, then when does Xavier sleep? More importantly, where? Well, the little system would’ve normally said something since it had definitely seen something like this. But since the prince kept returning to the space where D-29 could actually see him just training, all it could do was acknowledge how the benefactor had the "longest training hours." So, D-29 didn’t think of informing its host about it since nothing seemed amiss. Or so it thought. Because Luca’s face was drained of color, the informant was suddenly unsure of what to do. Although it was not like D-29 would’ve been able to do something about it when Luca was the one visualizing the possibilities based on all those stories he had now read. It just dawned on him. All of a sudden, the the morning visitations felt like it was in exchange for not seeing him at night. He didn’t really notice because he’d usually been asleep due to fatigue, but now that he’s learned of this odd behavior, Luca couldn’t help but feel bothered. It was unsettling, and he couldn’t really figure out why he felt that way. In fact, he was really planning on waiting for Xavier so he could confront him, but when he paced inside the room, the little guide caught a whiff of Xavier’s coat jacket and couldn’t help but be drawn to it. Then, once he started getting anxious, what started as one piece of clothing turned into two and then into three. It was just that he didn’t count on it being too reassuring that, eventually, the determined lad who said he was going to wait up ended up knocked out in bed. And that was how they got to this point. At this unusual situation where he didn’t know how to explain his frustration, but was relatively certain that his grievances would likely call upon his tears. He couldn’t say anything at first and just kept pouting unconsciously while maintaining his tight grip on Xavier, who now sat on the edge of the bed. "...Luca?" "I’m alive," Luca mumbled. Xavier raised a brow. "You’re alive?" "Perfectly." Well, Xavier could see that, and was sure because he was still alive. But what he couldn’t see was how Luca, who had seen this, was planning to say that he was fine, but bailed because he couldn’t lie. He didn’t feel fine. When those beautiful brows furrowed further, the prince decided to take matters into his own hands. "I’m glad you’re alive, Luca. But what I’d like to know is if you’re alright." Luca’s lips trembled, but still, he didn’t say anything as he hadn’t actually figured out how to explain all this. "You’re curled in three coats and staring at me like I left you at the altar." "But I don’t think such a thing would be remotely possible. So, would you mind telling me a bit about what’s bothering you?" Golden eyes searched Xavier’s face as if unsure about what to do. But maybe what got him speaking was how the prince didn’t sound annoyed or sarcastic, and Luca didn’t feel any bite to his tone. "I was waiting for you," Luca mumbled, his grip still tight. "Just for a little while." "I thought we’d see each other tonight because you’d eventually have to sleep, right? But then D-29 said...you usually leave." There was a pause, for even Luca didn’t know if any of this made sense. "And that’s when I realized...I didn’t even know. And it didn’t feel nice." Xavier frowned gently. "You didn’t feel nice?" Luca’s eyes flicked up at him, then back down, staring at his chest like that was going to help him get through this. "I thought maybe...you were avoiding me," he whispered. "Because people have done that before," Luca said, voice thinner now. It was honestly a valid thought, one that surprised Luca as it’s been so long since he felt conscious about the possibility that people were avoiding him. It’s just that he’d felt so safe and cared for that such a thing hadn’t crossed his mind until today. Xavier inhaled slowly as regret bubbled up in his chest. He wasn’t avoiding Luca like that, but it wouldn’t change the fact that it felt that way to his little chipmunk. "Luca," he said softly. "I wasn’t avoiding you." "In fact, I am pretty sure it’d be impossible for me to go too long without seeing you," he admitted. "Otherwise, I get...irrationally worried." He looked up momentarily, praying as he thought about how to properly explain his next words. "Is that why you’ve been visiting a lot?" "Yes, because unlike before, when we mostly did things together, now it’s much harder for us to see each other, so I’d make sure to come see you." Honestly, Xavier didn’t think that Luca would notice as it’s been like this since before, this time their time together were just more intentional on his part. Whenever possible, the prince would check on him or relocate his work area to the hangar so he could be around his wife. "Then...why would you keep leaving at night?" Luca’s brows were furrowed but he managed to ask, wanting an explanation so he could calm his heart. "Ah. I would like to apologize for giving you the wrong impression." "I didn’t mean to make you feel like this," he continued, "but I want you to know that I wasn’t avoiding you. I was just avoiding instances where I know I might put you at risk." "At risk?" Luca asked, puzzled. The prince hesitated, but he owed him a proper explanation and an apology. "Ever since I confessed my feelings for you," Xavier said, "It’s been more difficult to control myself. It was as if the floodgates had been opened, and at any point in time, I could endanger you." His voice dropped a little. "And all of this is new to me. And while I’ve long been a monster in presentable clothes, this one was a version even I wasn’t familiar with." "I couldn’t afford not to see you, but at the same time, I was trying not to put us in situations where we’d be alone like this." The silence was heavy, but not awkward, as Luca really tried to understand what Xavier was saying. Luca tilted his head, confused. "But we’ve been alone lots of times." Xavier smiled. "Yes. But back then, you didn’t look at me like this." "Huh? Like what?" "Like you’ll allow me." Xavier leaned forward, his free hand brushing a few hair strands away from Luca’s face. "Like you’ll let me get away with whatever I want." "Like we won’t stop once we start..." Luca could only stare at Xavier, whose eyes bore into him. But the moment the prince opened his arms, the anxious little guide lunged for him. "Just like this."

Chapter 408: Restraint

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