As he closed the door behind him Layla spun around to address Dae. 

“Daedalus!” 

“Dae” Dae corrected. 

Layla ignored him, steamrolling on, “You’re the tech genius that’s been getting all those offers, aren’t you?” 

Her eyes roved over him, analytical and intimidating. Accessing Dae’s worth to her and Mac now that she didn’t see him as a threat to whatever arranged marriage bullshit was going on between Mac and Cas. Whatever she found must have been enough as she strode across the room to stand directly in front of Dae. The way she looked down at him made him feel inferior. Not in the fluttery self-conscious way 609’s gaze did. 609 felt like potential. Layla felt like a failure. Her eyes held him in place as if she were a telekinetic Esper. 

“What’s your predicted rank?” 

Dae looked away from her, reluctant to discuss the topic, especially in front of 609. Luckily, 609 stepped in like Dae’s very own white knight. 

“Wait- You’re named after the wax wings guy?” 609 seemed to have recovered from his earlier melancholy, much to Dae’s elation. 

“The inventor of the wings, not the one who fell into the sea. That was his son.” 

609 laughed, “Well damn, don’t have any kids.” 

The blush was back, now spreading down Dae’s neck. 

Layla scoffed and turned away from Dae. The click of her heels faded as she walked down the hallway to the spectators stairs. 609 smiled at Dae, soft and intrigued, “Can you show me some of the stuff you’ve made?” 

“Uhhhh…” Dae glanced around nervously, “I don’t really carry that stuff with me.” 

609 laughed again before leaning forward, into Dae’s space, and tapping the phone in Dae’s hand, “I meant pictures.” Dae’s mouth fell open in a silent O. 609 nearly doubled over with laughter. The embarrassment was nothing if it meant getting to hear more of that laugh. 

Dae thrust his phone forward. Offering it up and creating space between himself and the guide simultaneously. The screen lit up to show Mac’s video. 609 arched an eyebrow at Dae who lunged forward to switch over to his photo album. 

“I- we’re just friends. I mean not really friends…um- so the thing is we just-” Dae covered his face with his hands and let himself enjoy 609 cackling for a moment as he tried to compose himself, “We go to the same school. There’s only five of us.” 

“Mmmm” 609 nodded showing his understanding. He turned his attention back to Dae’s phone, now showcasing his latest creations. After several beats of silence filled only with 609 nodding 609 looked up at Dae self consciously, “I dunno why I was expecting clockwork shit. I don’t know what half of this is, sorry.” 

Dae shook his head vigorously, “You don’t have to be sorry. I’ll explain it if you want- Or not, it’s fine if you don’t care. I shouldn…” 

“Explain it to me.” 609 was smiling softly at Dae. Open, eager, and earnest. Dae couldn’t remember the last time someone had shown genuine interest in his creations beyond their perceived monetary value.

Before he could tumble into an impromptu lecture about his work, 609 spoke again, “Can I hold your hand? I can’t control my guiding well yet. It’s easier when it has somewhere to go-” 

Dae was already reaching out eagerly. As 609’s fingers laced between Dae’s, cleansing smoke filled Dae’s entire being. The sensation of 609’s guiding was amplified tenfold as their hands knit together. Dae turned to a puddle completely at 609’s mercy.

“You were going to tell me about your work?” 

“Huh?” Dae spoke breathlessly, fighting the desire to pull 609 into his arms and embrace him, “Oh yeah…” Dae bit the inside of his cheek to regain focus and began stuttering through his explanations. 

As time ticked on it became easier to talk. 609 was a good listener, engaged and eager to ask questions. The biggest project Dae was working on was a device meant to drain energy from the extradimensional gates Espers and guides were tasked with closing. 

“It could be an alternative to in gate deployment! Imagine being able to close unsafe gates without any corruption!” 

“That would save so many lives…” While genuinely invested, 609 seemed a little hazy as he spoke. 

Dae nodded in agreement, “That’s the hope anyways. Course that wouldn’t help if someone’s already in there…” 

“...yeah,” Dae fucked up, he didn’t know when but he was sure he’d done something to upset 609, “Do you think you could do that with guiding energy?” 

Dae blinked several times in surprise, “I could try, if that’s what you want.” 

609 laughed again and Dae stared down at his lap anxiously. 

“Have you heard of Total Drain?” 

Dae’s head shot up. 609 was twisting the white tuft again. Dae’s eyes went wide with horror as the pieces started to fall into place. Total drain, full drain of a guide’s energy. Leaving guides bedbound for weeks and or physically injured. Something only used in the most dire circumstances. Circumstances that a nineteen year old first year guide should never have been subjected to. Anger coiled in Dae’s chest, a viper ready to strike. 

“Do they think you’re some kind of infinite resource? A rechargeable battery? I got news for them, even rechargeable batteries fail if they’re abused like that. What’s the plan then? What’ll they do when they use up all you have?” 

“I’m universally compatible,” The guide spoke softly, gentle and placating just as he’d been with Cas. The gentleness forced Dae to bite his tongue even as anger surged in his veins. Bitter comprehension bloomed in him as 609 spoke, “It’s not bad. Sure, it puts a little strain on my body. But I can bring people back from the brink of corruption. It’s a power trip, I’m not gonna lie. Plus,” A wry grin spread across the guide's lips, “The white’s pretty cool. And I don’t even need to fry my hair with bleach!” 

Dae tried to return 609’s smile but it fell flat. 609 sighed and looked down at his hands. He looked to be considering something with great sincerity. When he looked up his eyes seemed hollow.

“When I’m used up, I’ll have served my purpose.” 

Before Dae could embarrass himself further with another outburst, the testing room doors opened to reveal another participant hobbling out. At least this Esper was walking. Even if he was leaning heavily on the staff member. There was another entrance to the testing center. Was the staff intentionally sending participants through the lobby as an intimidation tactic? 

If it was, it wasn't working on Dae. Not with 609’s energy still swirling inside him. When the staffer supporting the Esper noticed 609 they called him over. When 609’s arm wrapped around the Esper, Dae felt that jealous, possessive beast thrashing inside his chest. He tried his best to crush its head. 

Dae could see the moment 609’s guiding energy reached the injured Esper. The Esper’s knees gave out beneath him. Dae knew he would have done the same if he’d been standing when the guide took his hand. 

A thought came to mind. 

Cas hadn’t reacted like that. Which meant he was so used to 609’s guiding he’d become jaded to it. This time he let the snake thrash and bite as 609 walked out the door. 

“What are they doing with this test! Almost every Esper has come out injured.” The guide spoke softly. 

“...because of you” Was all caught from the doctor’s response. 

Surely the facility wasn’t abusing their universal guide to try to push for higher rank espers. Still, that anger surged again. And Dae let it come. Anger, fear, anxiety, affection, amusement. Dae would take it all if it was coming from 609. 

“Mr. Kane,” Dr. Cunningham gave Dae a reassuring smile as he held the door open for him. But Dae didn’t need luck, not when 609’s energy still swirled around inside him.