Dewi had only gotten a glimpse of Blake when Luce is leaving his room, but it was enough to see that he's shirtless. He looks good without a shirt…. He knows he shouldn't think of his roommate like that, but Dewi can't help it. Blake has captured his mind and heart. He doesn't even know when his feelings of companionship became him wanting something more. It was such a gradual change and yet it happened so fast.

It feels so different from his past relationships. He loves feeling like he can be himself around Blake. There's none of his usual pretending to be what the other person wants. It is so freeing but also scary. What if he doesn't like the real Dewi? There isn't any persona to hide behind this time.

Lost in thought, Dewi doesn't notice at first that Blake has joined him at the table. As soon as he looks over, he gets lost in something else. Blake's purple eyes hold a mystery that Dewi just wants to spend hours solving.

It's so distracting that his brain barely comprehends what his love is saying. Something about my trip…? Have to respond so he doesn't think I'm being weird. Dewi answers his question, just glad to be hearing his voice again. It's just so hypnotic. The words’ meaning mostly just pass over his head, until... Wait, 'your girlfriend’? He thinks I have a girlfriend. Why does Blake think I'm dating someone? Dewi has to fix this misunderstanding right away.

“What are you talking about? I don't have a girlfriend.” Everyone else pales in comparison to Blake in Dewi's opinion.

“Oh, I thought Destiny…. Sorry, I jumped to conclusions. I mean, she had your keys which you don't let anyone touch. Plus, I don't know, she just seems like she'd be your type.” He thought… me and Destiny? This is so messed up. I have to tell him the truth.

“Never going to happen. Destiny is…” Come on, it's Blake. He won't judge me, right? “She's….” But after what happened with Luce…. He probably hates people with powers. “Come with me for a minute.” Dewi drags Blake into his room and closes the door.

“It’s okay. You don't have to tell me.”

“No, I want to. I'm just worried that you'll freak out. But you are my best friend and you deserve to know. I… I'm Destiny. She's one of my modeling alter egos.”

“You don't have to lie to me. I've met her and Destiny is definitely a girl while you are without a doubt not.”

“That’s all technically true, but there's something you need to know. I can change my appearance. That's what makes me such a great model, I can look like whatever the client wants. Here, I'll show you.” Dewi closes his eyes and concentrates on his memory of Cronos. Within seconds he looks just like the handsome stranger, other than still wearing his heart pajama pants and tank top. “I want you to know, we aren't all like that power drunk witch that hurt Luce. I would never use my powers to purposely harm someone.” Blake absently touches Dewi's face as if confirming that it's real. He is obviously distracted by it.

“Of course I know we're not all like Esma… Sorry, I've never seen what I'll look like. Luce's rules.”

“Right, we're not like- wait, what? I thought you said Luce doesn't know the girl who brainwashed him. And what do you mean 'we’? Also I look like Cronos, not you.” This snaps Blake out of his daze.

“Since we're sharing secrets, I have my own confession. I don't know the girl who manipulated my brother, but some time in the future I will find out. At that time, I will commit the name Esma Grimwell to memory and write it down in an indigo journal to be read the night of Luce’s attack. The truth is, Lucius wasn't upset about being manipulated. He was upset because he fought back. We also have powers. I'm cursed with a form of time travel and you are wearing my face.” Dewi's brain short circuits.

“But, Cronos…..”

“...Is the name for an ancient god of time. Future me probably thought it would be a funny hint about my powers. Luce sure didn't find it funny. Why did you tell him anyways? I'm sure I would have told you not to since my powers usually only activate when I'm having an anxiety attack.”

“I only asked if you guys had an older brother or something. I just wanted to know who the hot naked guy in our bathroom was.” Wait, if Cronos is Blake in the future, then the hot naked guy is Blake. I have a crush on this guy twice over. Shit, and now he knows that I think he's hot…. “Um…. I have so many questions and I'm sure you do too, but we should probably go get breakfast before the others get suspicious. We can continue this later. Just one thing, neither of you two are mind readers, right?”

“Not the supernatural kind. Luce can be pretty intuitive though.”

“Good to know.” Dewi goes back to his normal appearance.

“Ah, your highlights are off. They were a deeper red before.”

“Oh, thanks.” Dewi looks in one of his mirrors as he fixes his hair color. On the outside he's trying to play it cool, but inside his head is a gushing teenage girl. Blake noticed such a tiny detail. Does this mean he's paying extra attention to me?

***

Satoshi comes out of his room just in time to see Blake being dragged into Dewi's bedroom. There is probably a very logical reason for that…. He just doesn't know what it is.

He walks over to Luce who is plating up two servings of sausage and eggs for them. “What's that about?”

“Friend bonding, maybe?”

“In Dewi's room? What, are they going to play dressup with his enormous wardrobe? No offense to your brother, but those two are weird. So help me, if they come out with braided hair or any kind of girly makeover, I am locking myself in my room for at least a week. You do food deliveries, right?" Luce can't help laughing.

"I can totally imagine Dewi in girly makeup going around asking us 'aren't I the prettiest princess you've ever seen?' And Blake reassuring him that he is the 'prettiest princess' we've ever seen."

"Those two have been surprisingly close since day one... Are they both…?"

"I suspect so, though to my knowledge they are still unaware of each other's feelings."

"And you're not worried about what they might be doing in there?"

"Blake's an adult, I can't keep babying him." Lucius' expression suddenly becomes similar to a serial killer finding potential new prey. "Plus, if Dewi is ever stupid enough to hurt my brother, I have ways of making him wish he'd never been born." Seeing such a dark side to Luce weirds Sato out a bit. He would be less surprised to discover that an ancient witch cast a blood curse on his family which can only be stalled by annual virgin sacrifices.

"Wow. If I ever get on your bad side, please have mercy on me and just stab me until you are no longer angry…."

"No promises. Now, finish your breakfast."

"Whatever you say, Daddy." Sato says it to poke fun at Luce and see what kind of reaction he can get out of him, but unfortunately for him, that is the moment Blake walks out of Dewi's room. Blake freezes, causing Dewi to walk into him.

"Ah, Satoshi, I wasn't aware that you two's relationship had become like that…" Blake is smiling but Sato can sense the malic behind it. These overprotective brothers are definitely related.

"I apologise for the misunderstanding, but I was only teasing him. I would not dare make a move on your brother behind your back, dearest Brother Blake.” Sato carefully puts a lot of emphasis on his next sentence. "You two are too protective of each other, such that I would fear for my life if I even thought of dating one without the other's approval. You can be sure, I will come to you if I even choose to go that route." Dewi is understandably confused by something Sato says.

He leans over towards Blake and not so quietly whispers. "Wait, so are they dating or not? Because last night you said they were on a date." Of course Dewi wouldn't know the situation. He has been away since before it happened.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to clarify. Luce is having some problems with a few admirers so Sato is pretending to be his boyfriend. The fake dating is only until one of them gets a real significant other." Blake is really liking emphasizing that they aren't really dating. Does that mean he doesn't approve of them having a real romantic relationship? Satoshi really hopes that isn't the case. He might be taking advantage of the situation, but he's loving being able to have this kind of relationship with Luce, even if it is fake. The only thing better is if all of it were to become real.

***

After making sure everyone gets breakfast, Luce heads to work. Since his agreement with Shi-shi, the one persistent hostess has been pestering him less. She doesn't seem very happy about it but they have made it clear that he's not on the market. And she isn't the only one who has backed off. Even some of the flirty regulars have gotten wind of his unavailable status.

Due to this, his shift passes peacefully. Once he leaves the store, though, trouble finds him. Tonight trouble takes the form of the girl who used her powers on him previously.

"Hey, Cutie. You want to join me for a night of fun again?" Lucius tries to ignore her but she blocks his way.

"Piss off, Lady. I have a boyfriend and don't have any interest in you."

"Forget about him. It's just a bit of fun so he doesn't need to know about it." She reaches to grab his hand as she says this, but he instinctively pulls it away from her.

"You know, you could get in trouble for using your powers like this if you get caught." She is startled at first but smirks when she notices something. Due to Luce's turbulent emotional state, his eyes have started glowing.

"You're like me… that explains what happened that night. You have a persuasion ability too. I hadn't even noticed. I wonder if your precious boyfriend knows."

"Don't you dare tell him!"

"So you didn't even warn him before you forced him to date you. Of course you didn't, it's easier to control people when they aren't on guard. You've probably been constantly sending him suggests that he is in love with you every time you meet up." Luce defensively backs up with wide eyes.

"I'd never-" His phone cuts him off. It's the ringtone reserved for only one person. Luce picks up immediately. "What's wrong, Blake? Are you having an attack?"

"... I was just going to ask you to pick up the takeout I ordered on your way home. But, are you okay? You sound panicked. Did something happen with that power user again?"

"..." Luce doesn't want to lie nor worry his brother, so he just stays silent.

"Do you want me to have Satoshi come pick you up?" This gets Luce to react. He starts panicking.

"No, please anyone but him. He can't see me like this."

"Is that monster still with you?" Luce looks at the girl who has been cautiously standing nearby. She's probably worried about getting caught if the person on the other side of the call notices anything odd.

"Yes…"

"Hand her the phone." Lucius does as he is told. The girl questionly takes the phone. Whatever is said causes her to become deathly pale. She wordlessly hands back the phone. Luce brings it back to his ear. "The mean lady is going to leave now, so try to calm down a bit while you wait for your ride. In about twenty minutes a flashy looking guy with rainbow hair will be there to pick you up. You can trust him." This confuses Luce as the people Blake trust is limited to family members and two or three others, none of which fits his description of 'flashy' with 'rainbow hair.'

He doesn't even notice that the stalker girl has disappeared while he finishes talking to Blake. He ends their conversation and hangs up before he focuses on getting his emotions in check. What he would do for a bit of Blake's medicated tea.

Fifteen minutes later Luce has just calmed down enough for his eyes to stop shining when a plain looking guy with light brown hair approaches him. "Excuse me, are you perhaps Mr. Lucius Aqubellan?" Luce can only nod in confusion. Who is this guy? "Oh, good. My client suddenly said we had to pick you up before our meeting." Luce is wary.

"Who is this client of yours?" This guy doesn't fit the description Blake gave at all.

"He's an up-and-coming model, Vladimir-" Another man comes into view and the first man stops when he sees him. "Sir, I told you to stay in the car."

"No can do, Manager. He's expecting me so he doesn't have any reason to trust you. For all he knows, you could be trying to kidnap him." This guy, on the other hand, fits Blake's description perfectly. His wardrobe is quite eye catching and looks high end, including sunglasses that probably costs more than Luce makes in a day. It is really fashionable and well coordinated despite being mostly made of blindingly bright colors. And that's not even taking into account his long hair that's pulled back in a high ponytail. Luce can't even tell what his original hair color is as not a single inch of it is a natural hair color. How he pulls off what seems like a horrible idea is a mystery. "I'm here to get you, Luce. You're safe now."

The man, what was his name? Vlad? something like that, offers his hand to Luce. He accepts it with distracted thanks as Vlad leads him to a waiting car. It is only once they are driving away that Lucius realizes that he got into some stranger's car. He isn't even sure if this Vladimir is who Blake was talking about. He just assumed, but they could have been tricking him. Luce starts to panic.

Vlad, who is sitting in the back with him, leans over to whisper into his ear. "I told you before, you're safe with me. Blake did tell you to expect me, right? Now, calm down before my manager notices that your eyes are glowing."

This freaks him out more. He has revealed his status of having powers to two people in the last hour and it had been unintentional both times. His powers really are going out of control.

"Hey, I said calm down. Blake is going to kill me if his brother has a meltdown because of me. I can guess what it's about and it's not that big of a deal." Vlad lowers his sunglasses and causes his own eyes to flash deep red. "I already know you're like me." Luce tries to make sense of all the information and clues he has before he finally comes to there being only one reasonable conclusion. There are only three people Blake trusts in this city including Luce and Blake knows he didn't want Sato seeing him, so…

"Dewi?"