There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)
Chapter 81 - 79. A Test

Chapter 81: Chapter 79. A Test

It started with a little glass that Han Shin brought for Zein. A harmless wine with a low percentage catered to people with a normal constitution like guides and civilians.

"I never drink," Zein said with a frown.

It was easy to understand why--Zein never touch something that would result in him losing consciousness. One could easily imagine what might happen to a guide with a pretty face who couldn’t say no or fight back. So he had never touched one, although it might be easier to find a bottle of booze than a bottle of fresh water in the red-zone.

"I know," Han Shin already guessed that might be the case. "But just a little bit is alright, isn’t it?"

The guide was in a different environment right now, and Han Shin wanted to show the guide that he was in a safe place. That he didn’t have to feel too scared or too cautious of things anymore.

"Don’t worry, you’re safe here," he patted Zein’s shoulder reassuringly, spreading his arm around. "It’s just Trinity."

At that time, around the table where Zein decided to stay, were only the guides and the civilian staff. They had been warming up to him and seemed to shed their apprehension of him little by little. He looked at those green-zone dwellers’ faces, all looked harmless, having fun on their own.

Actually, Zein might be the most dangerous one in this group. Who else between guides and civilians could beat an esper but him?

"I’m here," Han Shin kept giving him reassurance from the side. "Bassena’s here...somewhere," he looked around, although there was also a little mischievous smirk playing on his face.

Zein looked at the small glass in the healer’s hand. If he had to be honest, then...he was kind of curious actually. People seemed to like those alcoholic drinks a lot, but he never found the courage to try them. Even if he could strengthen his body with magic, Zein didn’t want to risk it.

But just as Han Shin said...he was in a safe environment, right? There would be no one in this building crazy enough to do anything that would harm him--not with the rumor about his relationship with Bassena still circulating.

"Well..." in the end, with the healer’s wide grin, he took up the small glass, retracted his mask, and drank it.

It was...weird? A bit sour, a bit bitter, but he liked the sweetness that lingered in the end. It smelled nice too, fruity.

"How is it?" Han Shin asked eagerly, as someone who introduced the stuff.

Zein tilted his head, twirling the glass in his hand while savoring the remnant of taste above his tongue. He thought he’d feel the effect of alcohol right away, but he didn’t feel anything different with his body. "Not bad," he said in the end.

"Right?" the healer laughed cheerfully. "Just relax and have fun, okay?"

With that one cheerful message, Han Shin left to mingle with the other guild members and workers. Zein stayed in his spot, leaning into a high serving table like an exquisite sculpture, observing the place.

It was his first time knowing that Trinity had a ballroom. No--it was actually the main conference room, the largest one which took almost a quarter of the entire floor. It was indeed meant for the kind of event that included all members and workers, like guild anniversary or such.

Normally, it looked like a symposium hall. But once the chair and desk, the rising platform, and the podium got taken off, it turned into a wide ballroom, with glass walls on two sides showing Trinity’s compound. Zein had no idea what they did to decorate this place but there was no trace of a serious conference room in this place anymore.

The noise and the joyful vibe reminded him of the borderland unit’s new year party--perhaps the only mass event the unit held aside from the more common funerals. It was one of the rare days they would be able to eat fresh meat and vegetables, maybe even fruits if they were lucky. The Captain even allowed them to drink as much as they wanted--although Zein never touched any--to celebrate the fact that they were alive to see a new year rolling by.

Of course, comparing that event with this one was quite ridiculous. From the quality of the food and drinks that couldn’t even be compared, to the nice music in the background instead of a yelling for more meat. Zein was sure none of them would end up in a petty brawl over who emptied out the beer crates.

Here, everything was mild, with people talking in good mood, and food kept flowing endlessly. Zein found himself full with just plates of canapes and finger foods his division members brought him.

Now that they had spent more time together, the guides realized that Zein wasn’t as scary as his initial image was. In fact, although the man always strict and pushed them hard, he was also caring, always making sure they were back in good enough condition. It made them curious to know more about this new boss of theirs, who surprisingly always answered their question as long as it wasn’t too personal.

With Han Shin leading that first glass, these guides came to Zein with another. They had been too unsure about offering Zein a drink or two before, but the 5-star healer paved the way. That one glass became two, three, and then other department staff started to greet him too--especially the PR team whom Zein often treated with coffee and lunch. More and more people started to flock to him, now that they could see the mysterious guide’s face clearly, trying to strike up a conversation or just admiring him.

It seemed like every time he talked with different groups, he ended up with a different glass. Thankfully, he had a mind to circulate magic energy to up his tolerance. So despite it being his first time drinking, Zein was fine through many glasses of wine and cocktails.

Perhaps that was why he started to let his guard down. He carelessly took any glass being offered to him, one of which felt way stronger than the others he took before. It was good though, made him feel quite warm. But when he took another sip of the same drink, someone grabbed his wrist.

"Are you crazy?" Bassena snatched the glass and chucked it into the nearest potted plant. Blinking dazedly, Zein looked at the esper, who seemed to be frowning angrily.

"Huh, why?"

At the guide who asked innocently, Bassena just sighed and took his hand, pulling the man away from the venue and the people. "That’s a drink for esper, way more potent than what you had earlier. If a guide drinks that, they’d be unconscious immediately."

He gripped the guide’s hand tightly--just the fact that Zein followed him meekly like this was enough proof that the man was tipsy. What the fuck is that brat doing?! Bassena almost wanted to curse in rage when he realized an esper drink found its way to Zein’s hand.

"Let’s get you some water,"

Bassena looked at the guide, who just followed him out quietly with ears painted slightly red. "Mm," Zein just mumbled in response, and Bassena sighed again, feeling like his patience got thinner and thinner each time.

They went down to the lobby, away from people’s eyes, and Bassena bought bottled water from the vending machine. Zein kept walking on his own, and the esper found the man raising his arms to stretch, sitting on a railing outside the back entrance.

Looking up into the night sky, the blue eyes still looked deep and beautiful even in their hazy state. For once, Zein looked as if he was at peace, like he no longer had all those heavy thoughts he always carry in his pretty head.

And when he turned his face to look at the esper with a slight smile, Bassena had to really hold himself back from caressing those slightly flushed cheeks and kissing those rarely smiling lips.

It was an ordeal to only see Zein from afar all night, being anxious about the people who approached the man. But the biggest ordeal for Bassena was right here; when Zein looked completely soft and unguarded, like he would give permission to anything Bassena might ask him.

In this place where no one walked around, on a quiet night, as he sat beside the guide on the railing...everything seemed peaceful and permissible. Bassena almost froze when he felt Zein’s head on his shoulder, the body heat of the guide almost corroded his willpower.

"I’m sleepy," the guide muttered, swaying the almost empty bottle of water between his legs. "Does alcohol makes people sleepy?"

"Hmm...yeah..." Bassena had no idea what he was saying between his wildly beating heart and his reflex of holding the guide steady. "Let’s just...get you back to your room?"

It was funny how much a simple chuckling sound from Zein made his heart flutter tonight. The pure sound of it--without cynicism or bitterness--was such a blessing as well as a curse for his longing heart. The distance it took to walk from Trinity tower to the dorm was Bassena’s struggle to curb any desire from his heart and mind.

It was only after they arrived at Zein’s room and Bassena was in sound mind again that he realized half of the water Zein drank earlier ended up in the guide’s clothes. They stared at the huge water stain on Zein’s shirt, and the man let out an adorable laugh, giggling to himself while rolling on his bed.

Whatever risky thought Bassena had earlier was evaporating at the sight of this rare, simple joy emanating from the guide. At that moment, Zein looked happy and free of thought, and it filled Bassena with warmth.

"You need to change your clothes, come on," he chuckled as he pulled the man to sit at the edge of the bed. "Should I help you with it?"

"Mm," Zein just leaned back on his arms, closing his eyes while Bassena rummaged through his closet to find a sweatshirt between the pile of clothes Reina had sent.

"Alright, up with your hand!" Bassena ordered with a smile, treating the guide like a child. Well, when else could he do that to Zein? When the guide obediently raised his hands, Bassena couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled the wet shirt up and away.

That was the end of his cheerful thought, however.

He realized then that he had never seen Zein’s bare upper body, not even when they had sex that time. And now that he laid his eyes on it, what transpired in his mind wasn’t lust, but fury.

It was faint, but with his enhanced sight, Bassena could see it clearly; the many scars riddled the fair skin. And it didn’t seem like a wound from battle too--lashing scars, burning scars, old scars that seemed to be there from his childhood.

"Clothes," the nonchalant voice made Bassena look up, at where Zein was looking at him with a faint smile. He didn’t look offended that Bassena was staring, nor did he look flustered at the risky situation they were in.

Wordlessly, Bassena put the sweatshirt on the guide, help him drink another glass of water, and pulled a blanket over the drowsy figure.

He stayed seated on the floor beside the bed, laying his head while staring at the guide. When he felt a hand stroking his hair, Bassena muttered. "Zein..." he caught the clear gaze of the blue eyes, and continued with his question. "Is this a test?"

The answer came in a little smirk, and Bassena lifted his head. Propping his cheek with his palm, he asked with a smile, "Did I pass?"

With a small chuckle, Zein patted the esper’s cheek to announce his judgment.

"That date you talk about," Zein muttered as he closed his eyes. "Let’s try it."