2.3 This messenger has the light sight

Atlas followed Leah with his eyes for a few seconds. When she looked back, he smiled gently, and she beamed back.

He then glanced at the two brothers, who were looking at him with interest. Both were standing in front of him, looking at him fixedly. 

He couldn't miss the heated gaze of Damien. He's been feeling it since he entered the garden. Damien smiled when he saw Atlas's cheeks flush. He'll make sure that from today on, he'll only blush for him.

He grabbed his hand, pulling him inside. Daniel was about to say something, but they were already gone. He looked at his brother, retreating with anger. Because he didn't want Atlas, his father forced him.

He had no say, and now that he's happy about it, his brother thinks he can change his mind like that. He's used to everyone putting Damien first because he is the high priest, but in this case, he won't.

For once, I'll stop worrying about him and put myself first. He's done being patient and catering to Damien's new personality. Even if it's not official yet, there's already a promise of marriage. He'll talk to his father, so they can marry before the battle in two weeks.

Damien pulled Atlas inside the castle and led him to his chambers. Atlas peered at their laced hands. When he looked up, he met Damien's beautiful green eyes. He was a little surprised by his intensity.

While the original's sole purpose was saving people, Damien's was killing onis. Even if their end goal was the same, their way of thinking was polar. That's why Damien categorically refused to marry him.

But right now, he was looking at him as though he were his universe. He had a gentle and affectionate smile. How can he care about me already?

Damien forced himself to stop staring at Atlas and showed him around the castle, then his chambers.

"My chambers are just next door if you need anything. I'll have someone bring up your trunk."

Atlas smiled friendly.

"Thank you."

Damien watched as Atlas opened his mouth and then closed it. It seemed like he wanted to ask him something, but felt hesitant.

Damien took a step closer to him and smiled encouragingly.

"You can ask me whatever you desire, and I'll accept."

Atlas tilted his head and asked confused:

"Why? We just met."

Damien thought for a few seconds. It is a legitimate question, but he meant what he said. He feels this strong pull toward Atlas, and he wants to be close to him.

For once he wants someone, he won't stop himself, and he'll make sure Atlas feels the same way. He answered earnestly, his eyes full of conviction:

"Because I feel like we should be closer. I feel drawn to you and I won't fight it."

Atlas just looked at him, his cheek slightly flushed not knowing what to say. He truly is direct. That beautiful sight enthralled Damien, and he couldn't stop himself from caressing his red cheek.

Atlas let him and asked apprehensively:

"Can I use my light sight on you?"

He looked at Damien equally part worried and expectantly. Damien took back his hand and cautioned:

"I told you anything you desire, I'll accept, but I also said I won't fight my pull toward you. You need to keep that in mind, no matter what you see."

Now that he's seen that Atlas has no darkness in him, he knows he earned his reputation as a saint. But if he's the closest thing in the land to an angel, why would he want to be with someone who is not as pure as him?

No matter what, he won't let him go, that's why he warned him. Atlas looked at him, taking a step closer. He used his light sight and wasn't surprised by what he saw.

Despite Damien's loss of faith in humans, he still believes in them deep down. He knows that not everyone has darkness in their heart. Atlas could see that his heart and soul were half pure. It means that he hasn't settled completely.

It shows he knows that not everything is black and white, and that he is open-minded. Atlas was satisfied with the result. When he smiled, Damien let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

He grabbed Atlas's hand, tracing the lines in it. Atlas was stunned. This is something Shengli would always do to calm himself, or when he felt happy.

He would trace the lines in his hand over and over again, Shengli would do it at least five times a week. Damien looked at Atlas and could see that he seemed sad and lost in thought.

He let go of his hand and pulled him into his embrace. He asked worriedly:

"Are you okay?"

"Why did you do that?"

Damien asked, confused:

"Do what?"

Atlas stared at his hand and traced the lines Damien had previously done.

"That."

Damien thought for a few seconds. He has no reason, and he's never done it before.

"I don't know."

"Have you done it before?"

Damien said:

"No, this is the first time."

Damien looked at Atlas, trying to read his mind as he looked at his hand lost in thought. He grabbed the hand, tracing the lines again.

"It just makes me feel calmer."

Atlas looked at him wide-eyed. He pulled back his hand as if he'd been burned and took a step backward. He looked down and said expressionlessly:

"Thank you for showing me to my chambers."

Damien looked at him disappointed. He could tell he needed space. He left after looking back one last time.

Before he left the room Daniel left for his chambers, his eyes red in anger. He had heard their entire conversation, he's been spying on them since Damien took off with Atlas.

He feels the same way as Damien. He also feels drawn to Atlas. There's just something about him that makes it impossible not to want to be around him.

Atlas was given to him, and he won't let go. He let go of everything because he had no choice, with his brother being the high priest of the Church of darkness, but this time he won't. Atlas will be mine.