3.11 OBSESSIVE LOVE: Surprisingly

It's only natural that they get suspended. 

Kyden and Voir get an earful and more from the Chief.

"Did you not even think about the consequences? What if the demon had combative powers instead? You would have been two sitting ducks with no backup!"

"Huh? But we handled it fine on our own, didn't we?" Voir pouts, making desperate puppy dog eyes while the two of them get scolded. He turns to his partner in crime, "Didn't we, Rev. Kyden?"

"…" Kyden says nothing at first, standing at attention with his hands held behind his back. Though he shares Voir's sentiments in part he doesn't make them known. "We're at fault. I should have thought things through and not let my emotions get the better of me."

The chief glares at them both, first pointedly at Voir then with concern towards Kyden. The priest grits his teeth, he doesn't need her sympathy. But despite his annoyance, he holds his tongue.

"You will be suspended for thirty days and I expect a detailed report as well as an essay on your errors and why you won't be repeating them again. Dismissed." 

Kyden bows and quickly ducks out of the office. He hears Voir fast on his heels and annoying little chuckle, "Man, that kind of sucks. But I guess there's no helping it, huh?"

"…" 

"By the way, Rev. Kyden! Don't you think you owe me one?" Voir teases with a nudge to the side. Kyden glares at him as they leave the edifice but he also doesn't contest the younger man's words.

"Yes. I owe you one."

"Huh?" Voir flinches, his eyes blinking rapidly, "I didn't— You…!" A light rouge flits over his cheeks and he suddenly feels energy at his heels, bouncing after the priest. "Really?"

"Yes," Kyden pauses in front of the car; which Voir belatedly realizes is his own. "Are you going to take me back, or not?"

He's being treated like an errand boy again but Voir doesn't care. In fact, he beams. "Of course I will!"

…

His few days off of work for his wrist was bad enough, now that he's suspended for a whole damn month…well, Kyden's confident that he will lose his mind. But he supposes it's worth it. Raziel is safe and it's worth it.

He leans back on his couch as drowsiness takes him because he feels chronically sleepy when his schedule isn't filled to the brim. What now? He wonders. What now?

Kyden's mind wanders. The TV controller is just out of reach. His eyes flit over to it before he thinks about Raziel. The professor has somehow become his only friend over the years. While Kyden isolated himself from everyone else after Cici's death, Raziel was the only one who stayed.

The sudden itch to see the older man inspires Kyden to sit up. He reaches for his phone but then remembers what exactly had transpired.

And frowns.

Won't the professor need therapy after that encounter?

Well, he used to be a seasoned hunter, so surely, it shouldn't be a big deal right?

Worse, Kyden hasn't even contacted him since the affair and it's already been a few days. Would it be too awkward now?

Actually, why hasn't the professor contacted him?

Kyden blinks, overwhelmed at the strange anxiety that festers in his heart. He's forgotten about this particular trait of his; the over-dramatic one that over-thinks all of his entourages' intentions. 

For the past several years, he hadn't had time for such thoughts, such trivialities. So now…

Kyden hisses at himself and runs a hand through his hair. He asks himself what does he even has to lose by sending one measly message. But no matter how much he rationalizes, his emotions are in disarray. That's what he gets for bottling them up and ignoring them for so long… 

The phone suddenly buzzes in his hand and his attention is won, stolen away from his insecurities.

It's Voir.

[ What's up? :) ]

"…" Ah, speaking of which, doesn't Kyden owe the kid one? 

[ Nothing. ] Kyden types in response and waits. 

[ Cool! Want to meet up with me? xD ]

Well, since it's Voir who messages him first, then Kyden can't exactly refuse. He'll meet up with the professor on a different day.

[ Sure. ]

…

It's the weekend. Kyden didn't realize that when he left the house, probably because the days have blurred since he's been suspended from work.

It's how he ends up being surprised when he arrives at the amusement park and finds a crowd and children screaming and zooming about here and there. It's noisy, and he isn't used to it. In fact, he's pretty sure the last time he's been to such a place is over six years ago when Cici was still around.

Honestly, it's a bit of a strange spot to go with a male colleague but Kyden decides not to question it too much. He owes Voir one so he lets the kid decide.

"Kyden! Erm, Rev. Kyden…!" A familiar voice drifts over and he turns to spot Voir bouncing over to him. His stupid colleague wears a snapback and a loose t-shirt with pants fashionably rolled up just above his ankles. He looks like a kid, but a good-looking one, and Kyden feels like his 'business-casual' doesn't really match his company. "What are you doing?" Voir tilts his head. And though he blinks with those curious eyes, the grin on his face seems annoying. Mischievous. 

Kyden frowns and folds his arms. "Standing in line," he deadpans. "To get inside."

Voir flashes his pearly whites and flashes two tickets with a shiny 'Fast Pass' stamped onto both of them. "No need! I already got us this. C'mon Ky- erm. Rev. Kyden! Let's go."

"You—" Kyden barely has a chance to speak when the brat grabs his wrist and pulls him forth. 

He gets dragged all the way to the much shorter Fast Pass line and only then does Kyden wretch himself free. "How much was it?"

The priest pulls out his phone, ready to transfer his bratty coworker money but Voir just shrugs and rolls his eyes. "Nothing! It's my treat. I really want to try out as many rides as possible, you know? Who knows if I'll get another chance…"

Kyden frowned, brow raised. It's not like they don't get occasional breaks so he has no idea what Voir is talking about. Being an exorcist is hard work, but they aren't slaves. 

He doesn't really get a chance to question the younger exorcist though, because the Fast Pass line moves quickly and Voir's hand is back around his wrist, pulling him forward. Kyden hisses, trying to wrench himself free but his auburn-haired companion merely laughs and keeps pulling him. Was Voir always this strong?

"Voir, you—"

Voir cuts him off, pointing excitedly at the first ride they come before, "I want to go on that! The line's not even that long. Oh, wait! We have Fast Passes!" 

Kyden is flabbergasted, staring at a boring old swing carousel. The riders are young, generally children around the age of ten and their chaperons. As well as a few couples. He cannot fathom how and why Voir finds this exciting. 

But Voir is so giddy that Kyden finds it hard to say no, remembering that he's the one that owes the younger man. They don't even have to suffer the wait, cutting directly with their Fast Passes.

The ride isn't bad but Kyden can't bring himself to admit to having fun on something so childish and trivial. But Voir is smiling brightly with the innocence of a five-year-old so the priest supposes that it's worth it, even if the entire affair makes him feel old. 

"That was awesome," Voir grins, and Kyden almost fears the man-child asking him to go again. Luckily, he's saved from such whims when Voir points forward, at a different ride that paints the landscape. "Let's go to that one next! Oh, there's also something called a Pirate Ship, I really want to try that too, and…"

Kyden sighs and shakes his head. "We have the entire day. There's no need to rush." He plucks the pamphlet from Voir's hand and actually opens it to use it as it's intended. Voir is quick to step in close and lean over Kyden's shoulder. He feels the warmth of Voir's breath on the shell of his ear and Kyden doesn't know if he wants to inwardly chuckle or scoff.

Contrary to popular belief, Kyden's not dense. But he doesn't say or do anything about Voir's distance or lack thereof. 

With a map in hand, Kyden takes control. He points to the nearest attraction on the map. "Here. We'll start at the Rocky Mountains and then head to the Mirror Maze next. Your Pirate Ship isn't too far off so we'll continue that way first before doubling back for the Wild Zoo ride. What do you think?" He looks up and their eyes meet. 

For a moment, Voir is frozen, eyes wide. There's a youthful glow about him, likely the slight flush he has on his cheeks. "Kyden you— You're—" he stutters, before gathering himself to say, "You're surprisingly good looking huh?"

Kyden takes the map and smacks Voir in the face with it. "If you want to compliment me, don't turn it into an insult," he chides, with a voice surprisingly light then proceeds to walk away.

"A-Ah I'm sorry! Hey, wait up!" Voir jogs after him.