---- Nox ----

“Guide 609!” Nox pulled away from the Esper biting and sucking on his neck, “Let one of the other guides cover him, we just had an S-class clear the test in under fifteen minutes, he needs you more right now.” 

Nox nodded and pressed on the Espers head, trying to break free from his grasp. When it became clear the gentle route was useless Nox pinched the Esper’s nose closed causing him to reel back gasping for breath. 

“Cruel 609!” The Esper wheezed out glaring at Nox even as he reached out for the other guide taking Nox’s place. Nox flashed a passive smile as he turned away. 

“Just following protocol Esper, I suggest you do the same.” 

The guide who replaced Nox choked out a poorly disguised laugh and Nox smiled to himself. He approached the testing staffer and politely nodded.

“Name, consent forms, and bio-monitor code please.” 

The staffer pressed a few buttons on her own watch and nodded to Nox.

“Sent.”

“Received.” Instinct and habit took hold of Nox’s voice as he stared at his watch.

Welcome Deadalus Kane S-Class Esper

The image of his bashful smile and his awkward stilted speech flashed in Nox’s memory. The gentle flush on his cheeks when Nox joked with him. Every single thing from their encounter was burned into Nox’s memory. At the time Nox hadn’t known why he’d been so drawn to Dae.

A little seed of relief began to take root in Nox’s chest. Maybe they weren’t testing Nox. Maybe it was a challenge meant for Dae.
S-class huh? 

Nox guided S-classes before, his universal compatibility made it unavoidable. He should have been able to recognize that endless vessel filling out Esper Kane’s core. Guiding meant opening up the empty space that stored an Esper’s power. That power turned to corruption as it was used. The more space for power, the more space for corruption. 

Nox was almost embarrassed for failing to notice what that boundless vessel meant. But he’d been so caught up in Esper Kane’s gentle demeanor. His soft boyish charm and his unassuming gaze. 

When Esper’s got a taste of Nox’s guiding they always sought more. Nox knew how poor his control of his energy was. It would have filled the room while Nox kissed Cas. But still, Esper Kane hadn’t said a word. 

He sat quietly and spoke only when spoken to. He made no attempt to enquire about Nox’s relationship with Cas even after the scene Mac and Layla made. It made Nox curious, so curious that he offered guiding, by taking Esper Kane’s hand, without being asked for the first time in his professional career. 

Everyone else treated Nox’s guiding as an over the counter painkiller. Convenient and plentiful. Esper Kane's comment about being a battery, drained over and over again until it was too damaged to hold a charge was very accurate. It was strange to have someone upset about an aspect of Nox’s life that he’d never considered with anything more than neutrality. The shock and surprise stopped Nox from seeing Dae’s clear potential. 

It was a happy surprise. There were no S-class guides at the center. So, at least until Esper Kane’s inevitable recruitment into a private guild, he would be under Nox’s care. Nox was almost giddy at the prospect of seeing Esper Kane again. Even the idea of another total drain sounded appealing. Nox wouldn’t hate a white streak if it came from him.

          Nox hoped he’d get to tease Esper Kane more, see his ears turn red and the corners of his lips twitch in discomfort. Thinking of his lips made Nox wonder what kind of guiding he signed off on.

Nox scrolled through his consent forms and tried not to feel disappointed that hand-in-hand and embracing were the only boxes checked. Guiding an S-class was difficult enough without being limited in the level of intimacy. 

It was always possible that after his testing Esper Kane would adjust his forms in consideration of his potential guides. It seemed like something he might do. His gentle, non-confrontational nature led Nox to guess he was a pushover. 

Next, Nox scrolled to Esper Kane’s live corruption level. He stopped in his tracks, hovering outside the training room door. 

3% 

Less than fifteen minutes and Esper Kane, a metal manipulation Esper, was only at three percent corruption. Nox thought of the feeling of that vessel. The vastness of it. It was no wonder a simple testing facility didn’t have a significant impact on his corruption levels. Nox tried to shake off the itchy uncomfortable sensation sneaking up his spine. 

It was protocol to have newly tested Espers receive guiding. They would have a few moments together. A handshake at the very least. Nox could congratulate Esper Kane on his rank and ask him about his future plans. 

Information redacted, guiding canceled 

Nox felt sick. Esper Kane rejected guiding. It was possible he rejected Nox specifically. Nox tried to shake himself out of his haze. It wasn’t possible that Esper Kane knew enough to intentionally reject Nox. The two hadn’t exchanged names. The only reason Nox knew Esper Kane’s was Lila addressing him so aggressively. Even IF he’d learned Nox’s name the guides were only referred to by their numbers. 

All Nox’s self soothing dissolved as he noticed his badge while looking down at his watch. A badge which lay twisted backwards and displaying his number. 

Espers were notoriously perceptive, especially when they felt anxious or threatened. Esper Kane had been a ball of nerves from the moment he stepped into the waiting room. He must have seen it. 

While these thoughts swam through Nox’s mind the door to the training center swung open. Nox was barely able to step to the side in time to avoid being hit. The door stopped Nox from seeing who was exiting. He could hear the gentle voice of Dr. Cunningham giving congratulations. Then he saw Esper Kane. 

The Esper was just as striking as the first time Nox had seen him. Strong but rounded features, slender wire framed glasses, and thin delicate lips. Nox felt his gaze linger on the Esper’s lips in the split second before he turned away. Nox tried not to think about how Kane’s clothing wasn’t wrinkled. Or how his fluffy hair still held the shape it had before the test. Or how there was not so much as a drop of sweat on his brow. 

Nox’s main duty was guiding newly tested Espers. They had less control of their powers and overreacted to the test. It was what he had the most experience with. He took pride in his capability to fulfill the role. But at the end of the day it was just a test. Even if its difficulty had been adjusted, it was a controlled setting. What could Nox do for an Esper like Daedalus Kane? Nox wanted to pull on the single fragile thread stretching out from his chest and connecting him to Esper Kane. 

I’m a good guide. I can help you. I can-

But Nox couldn’t bring himself to call out. He feared the string would snap the moment he applied any tension. Nox had always been good at compartmentalizing. That’s why he viewed Cas’ pathetic pseudo love triangle with utter neutrality. Why he dedicated himself to guiding as many Espers as he could. Donning an impenetrable mask of professionalism. 

Guides could not afford to show too much affection. Especially not Nox, whose guiding was often compared to miracles and addiction. If Nox ever offered his hand first he knew it would be bitten off. A corrupted Esper was no different from a rabid wolf. Guides were lambs, sacrifices to protect the rest of the herd. Nox hadn’t minded until this moment. Or maybe it was the moment he admitted to himself that he was aware of his inevitable obsolescence. 

Nox would let the thread stretch out, let it meet his own breaking point. He couldn’t find the strength to draw it towards him or to sever it with his own hands. So he stood like a coward, hidden behind the door. Watching Esper Kane walk away. 

His cowardice was nothing in the face of his burning curiosity. The moment Esper Kane was out of sight Nox tried checking his file. Of course it wasn’t available to him. Nox was a new employee with minimal clearance. He wasn’t even able to view Esper Kane’s stats. He thought it might ease his mind if he didn’t see the percentage tick down, proof that it was guiding itself, not Nox, that was rejected. 

No such relief was afforded to him. So he slowly made his way back to the medical center, trying to solidify the air of professionalism required to deal with young Espers. By the time he reached the doors he felt confident he had properly schooled his expression into a stony but pleasant mask of indifference. 

Esper Kane was gone the following day. He made no attempt to reach out and Nox returned the favor. Nox shrouded himself in comforting neutrality and reassured himself there was no use in trying to pet a hostile dog. Not when there were plenty of puppies barking for his attention.