This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This work contains mature themes, including violence and sexually explicit content, and may not be suitable for all audiences. It is only intended for readers 18 years and older. Reader discretion advised.

Butler #4 came into the living room right as Alexei opened his mouth to throw another dagger Daniel’s way. It was petty and beneath him, but his body trembled with a rare, blistering sort of anger and so he spoke rashly, against his better judgement. 

"Don’t talk about my home,” he said. “You want to talk about work? Fine. You need guiding? I said I’d do it. But we are not friends. We share no closeness. The privilege of sharing your opinion about my life is not one that you possess."

Daniel stood motionless, the color draining from his face. Whatever modicum of progress they’d made the previous night was gone, and his pleasant memories of being guided were fading quickly, replaced by an almost palpable disgust that radiated out of Alexei and crashed against him like waves. They were right back where they started that first, bloody night– Daniel frozen in dissatisfaction, and Alexei leaning over the furniture with a scowl. 

Still, part of Daniel felt relieved. The anger, sharp and radiant, was directed solely at him. As a byproduct of his abilities, Daniel could feel the emotions of those within his immediate proximity. That is, if they were strong enough. And despite the harsh whip of Alexei’s tongue lashing out at him, all he could feel was the pleasure of being touched by such a strong emotion. Even if it was not gentle, any touch would be enough for now. 

“Why are you fighting?” Felix yelled, his voice caught halfway between a question and a groan. 

At the sound of the other guide’s voice, Alexei suddenly became aware that they were no longer alone. Butler #4 waited in the foyer, Kalvis beside him. 

"Today is an extremely important day,” Felix continued, “How are you supposed to make it through your first day of training if you can’t even get along with your partner?”

Felix sidled up to Alexei, wrapping his arm around his neck to pull him into a clumsy sideways hug, “Don’t worry, I know it wasn’t your fault.”

Daniel clicked his tongue, rolling his eyes as he turned to face the wall of windows. 

“Alright,” Kalvis called from the door, “Enough chit chat, we’ve got places to be. Put a pin in whatever dumb shit you were fighting about and let’s go.”

Alexei wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but as Felix took him by the arm, he felt his anger ease a bit. He could recognize it now– the feeling of guiding, and as they walked, he took a few opportunities to guide Felix, as well. 

“Your guiding is so warm,” Felix said, letting his head drop onto Alexei’s shoulder. “Kalvis says mine feels soft. What do you think?”

Along with Felix’s guiding, Alexei suddenly felt an icy, invisible hand snake around his waist from behind, pressing in possessively at the softest part of his abdomen. He inhaled sharply as the icy fingers moved like a winter breeze up and over the swell of his chest. Alexei had no choice but to ignore it. He didn't want to come across as easily provoked. He'd already been provoked to anger by his terror of a partner. Adding aroused to the list would constitute nothing less than a total loss.

“Very soft,” replied, gathering himself and adding a bit of playful teasing to the end of his words, “like holding up a soft, angora rabbit to one’s cheek.”

Felix beamed, “Oh stop. Now you’re just flattering me.”

Alexei laughed, “I mean it. It’s soft and silky, but I feel neither heat nor chill. It’s quite lovely. Like a day with a temperature so mild you can barely feel the air around you. I much prefer that to being cold.”

At that, the icy fingers on Alexei’s waist flinched and retreated, leaving behind a stinging sensation of frost. 

“We’re here,” Kalvis said, stopping the group in front of a large pair of double doors. “Don’t stress yourself out, Alexei. It’s just a simulated training. Nothing past these doors is real, and nothing inside can hurt you.”

“Plus,” Felix chimed in, “You’ll be with me today. We’ve never had another S-Class guide, so this whole thing is new to us too. I’ll show you the ropes.”

"He’s my guide, though,” Daniel said, speaking for the first time since leaving the penthouse. “Who decided he’d shadow you?”

"Sharpe did,” Kalvis replied curtly, “If you have an issue with it, take it up with the Director.”

"Oh don’t look all sour, he’ll be where you can see him,” Felix said, squeezing both of Daniel’s shoulders to try and shake him out of his foul mood, “You know I always stay near Kalvis, so just stick with us and it’ll all turn out alright. No running off on your own or we’ll keep him all for ourselves.”