Temperative: having a moderating influence

In which Endorsi has a little talk with Bam, and it influenced him more than it seems

By no means did Endorsi plan this date with the intention of getting Bam's heart or anything along the lines. It was painstakingly obvious who the brunette had set his heart on, and even blind people could see that. Well she did have that fleeting thought about 7 years ago when she was contemplating stealing his heart. But that was long in the past and now she didn't even know why she had feelings for him in the first place.

Maybe a part of her was influenced by his thoughts and beliefs, of how he reminded her the meaning of loneliness. She was a Jahad Princess anyway, getting into a relationship with Bam would do her more harm than good and it'll guarantee their execution.

The childish idealism and innocence of his was a miracle in the cruel Tower. Back then he was still powerless, no actual strength to back him up yet accompanied with a monstrous potential. The Bam who was standing in front of her now was vastly different. Stronger than ever before and much aware of the Tower's dangers.

And yet… Said prodigal Wave Controller was currently lost in thought. He had caught sight of Evolet and Khun heading to the lavender field, walking leisurely as they struck up randomly confusing conversations with ease. Bam exhaled lightly, not quite knowing what he was feeling. There was a subtle pang of pain in his chest, not one of raging anger or jealousy. Simply a hurtful sensation that something has been taken away from him and it was no one's fault but his. He wanted to reach out to Evolet, call out her name and walk alongside her at his rightful spot.

It was so glaringly obvious that she didn't understand how they hadn't gotten together. Though she had an inkling as to why that was. Endorsi crossed her arms, expression blank as she sighed unimpressed. "So, what are you going to do now?"

That effectively snapped Bam out of his stupor, blinking slowly as he regained his thoughts and focused on Endorsi again. "Huh?"

"The Workshop Battle is over and you even ran away from FUG. Are you now going to seriously start searching for her?"

He had gone silent, eyes lingering on Endorsi fleetingly before he looked up at the sky. His gaze was one of longing and silent dedication, telling of how he's willing to chase his brightest star endlessly and give up everything for her.

With that kind of look she could understand why Evolet was so hesitant and unsure about their non-existent yet blatantly obvious relationship. Sometimes she just couldn't understand what Bam saw in Rachel that was worth chasing. If she had to compare Evolet and Rachel by her standards then it was clear who'd win in every aspect. Well… maybe every good aspect except self confidence and self esteem. She'd like to think he was pursuing Rachel to get answers why she betrayed them. But that wasn't the gaze of someone searching for a bitter answer.

Huffing lightly in irritation, she asked him. "Hey Bam, what do you think about Eve?"

His expression brightened like a kid in a candy store, prepared to give an impromptu speech of all the things he found endearing about Evolet. Seeing that Endorsi immediately raised her hand, prompting him to pause in confusion. "And… stop right there, I don't want to hear a thousand word essay this early in the afternoon about your undying love. Let me rephrase that question."

"Bam, do you like Eve?"

That was the first time anyone has ever pointed that out directly to him. Endorsi thought he would be shocked by her question or perhaps mull over it. If she had asked this two days ago then Bam probably would've done so. But as he is now… "Yes, I love her… truly."

Endorsi wouldn't be herself if she failed to notice how Bam answered her question using the word love instead of like. The ever so affectionate golden gaze that conveyed his endless love for his beloved. He'd go through hell and back for her sake. His love was as calm as the still ocean and as stormy as the raging sea. Unspoken it may be, but it was undeniable that the 25th Bam was utterly, madly, hopelessly and beautifully in love with Evolet Euterpe.

In a way Endorsi might've been somewhat jealous, sighing internally as she heard his declaration. Though she had to admit those two make a great pair, and she wouldn't mind giving Bam away to Evolet since she deserved it either way. But there was still something nagging at the back of her mind, one question that she knew all too well.

"Then, if you had to choose between Eve and… her, who would you choose?"

And just like she expected, Bam couldn't answer. The Wave Controller had gone inexplicably silent, having thought he cherished the two familiar females equally. Or at least that's what he thought. Endorsi's lemony eyes narrowed at the wordless moment, unsatisfied with the indecisive brunette in front of her.

No… that's not right. He was decisive, wasn't he? Just as it was indisputable how he loves Evolet, it was also clear to both his friends and Evolet herself that he would undoubtedly choose Rachel to chase rather than her. And that fact irked Endorsi endlessly, having guessed that this fact brought Evolet an ever present pain and insecurity.

Yet the purplette would never say something about it, nor will she push Bam to make a decision to pick her instead. Because she loves him too much for that and she wouldn't want to pressure Bam into a seemingly impossible decision. As much as Evolet loves Bam, she has never thought of him as reachable nor did she ever expect anything back from him. She was aware of how futile it was even if she begged him to stay, so she settled to stay by his side and deem it as good enough for her. It was fine if he left her, because she grasped his hand knowing that and she was prepared for it.

The longer Bam didn't speak, the more anger Endorsi felt. She couldn't understand Bam who was all too reluctant to choose. One was who threatened and tried to steal everything from him, pushing him down the abyss of darkness as he was taken away from those he thought to be precious. The other was who stayed by his side through thin and thick, giving him warmth and protection as she promised him everything he could possibly ask for in the midst of the Tower's insanity.

Deciding she's done enough waiting, the Jahad Princess cocked her hips and put a hand on her waist. "If you can't answer that, then let's change it to the question I asked you back on the Floor of Tests. What if Eve ends up on a different path than you, what if Eve and Rachel's paths end up to be opposites of one another? Will you still choose to chase Rachel even if Eve ends up leaving?"

Unlike before, Bam didn't waver to answer this question. He spoke out steadily with belief in his voice, but the underlying tone of fear didn't go unnoticed by Endorsi. The fact that he sounded like he trusted his own answer yet at the same time trying to convince himself it was true… "Eve won't leave. She promised she wouldn't leave and that she'll stay by my side forever."

Perhaps it was the fact that he thought of it as a natural and indisputable truth that Evolet will always be by his side no matter what, or at least she will return to him even if she did go away for a while. His mind had altered the purplette's promise into an unshakable conviction of her never leaving his side.

It didn't even register that Evolet promised to stand beside him only as long as he wanted her by his side. Nor did he realize that she hadn't replied when he told her that she'll have to stay by his side forever because he'll always want her by his side. It was true that sometimes his insecurity may conjure up a passing thought that she might go away. But it has never crossed his mind as a serious thought that one day she might just… simply be gone. He has never thought of himself pushing her away.

The glare in Endorsi's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, lips pressed thin as a heavy feeling settled at the back of her mind. Promises could be broken even if they meant it after all. But this was Evolet and Bam she was talking about. Evolet would never make a promise she'll eventually break to Bam. So what was she missing from what Bam said? There must be something in the way Evolet worded it to Bam that the brunette didn't realize. Her stomach churned from the bitter unease, and Endorsi hoped by whatever power existed in the Tower that Bam would notice that fact so his love story wouldn't end in a tragedy.

"Eve has it hard huh…" Bam couldn't hear the words Endorsi muttered under her breath, but he simply watched as she let out a particularly loud sigh before turning to him with a somewhat hopeless stare.

"You know what– forget it. Let's go shopping! I'll make sure to spend your money dry!"

"Oh… ok…!" Well, it was FUG's money anyway. He simply let Endorsi drag him all over the mall, buying just about every dress, shoes, and accessories she set her eyes on. Needless to say, by the end of it Bam couldn't even see where he was going. Boxes and bags stacked on his arms and blocking his vision. And Endorsi did not have any intention of stopping any time soon.

That being said, it was evident that the questions Endorsi asked had actually impacted him more than it seems. He was distracted throughout the shopping spree, deep in thought and mindlessly answering randomly whenever Endorsi asked for his opinion on the clothes. A single thought haunting his mind even after they arrived back at the Wolhaiksong resort, the haunting possibility that one day Evolet would leave him.

Evolet and Khun came back with a strong lavender fragrance, wearing matching flower crowns and Evolet's hair was braided to the side with lavender decorations here and there. Their friends stared at them, specifically at Khun more than Evolet, before breaking out into laughter and cackling on the floor as some of them took photos of the bluenette who was growing more irked by the moment.

Khun was just about to pounce on them before Evolet stopped him, a gentle touch on his hand that had him freezing up comically before relenting with a sigh. They looked at her like some kind of saintess for holding Khun back, but someone didn't know when to stop. Actually, make that two people. Having approved of Khun to a certain extent, Yunuen didn't hesitate to join Shibisu to tease the younger bluenette.

The Scout and the High Ranker had a teasingly smug smile across his expression, grinning like the Cheshire cat with a singsong tone. "Ooh~ whipped–"

Evolet didn't manage to stop Khun for a second time. She sweatdropped as Shibisu ran away while shrieking about how he was too young to die with kids under his care, Khun was hot on his trail with a knife in his hand. Yunuen whistled nonchalantly at the side, safe from Khun's wrath since the Lightbearer wouldn't challenge a High Ranker of all things. And boy if Yunuen's gonna use that to his advantage in the future. Things were as peaceful as it could ever be. Or it was supposed to be.

A frown slowly formed on Evolet's expression, noticing how Bam was nowhere to be found. Smiling as she excused herself from the living room, she was tugged gently by invisible golden strings to her shared bedroom with Bam. The door creaked open, their room dark with the lights turned off. Bam was curled up on the bed, turning to face the door with sad miserable golden eyes when he heard the door open.

"Eve..." He called out her name weakly, voice tinted with unsureness.

Attentive as she was, Evolet was already by his side in a split second with a worried look. She knelt beside the bed, brushing away his bangs to gaze into his eyes clearly. "What's wrong, Bam?"

He reached out to her slowly with hesitation, grasping weakly at her hand. Evolet didn't waste any time to hold his hand, watching as Bam rubbed circles on her palm with trembling lips pursed. Just as she was afraid that Bam would one day leave her alone, Bam now feared that someday Evolet wouldn't be by his side anymore. Except he didn't know how to deal with the newfound fear like Evolet's been doing all along.

She knew that he'd inevitably leave her and she accepted that fact. Bam didn't want to admit it nor did he want to think of it, finding the idea of it too terrifying to be true. She was after all the only thing anchoring him to reality and keeping him grounded amidst the insanity this Tower brings. Ironic it was considering how he's the one who will push her away without trying to reach her anymore, blinded by whom he calls his brightest star.

"You won't leave me, right…?"

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she climbed into the bed, sneaking under the covers before pulling him close to her. She used one arm as a makeshift pillow for Bam, the other running her fingers through his hair as she whispered promises that she'll stay for as long as he'd allow her to.

Bam snuggled to her as close as he could, resting his head on her chest as he clutched the back of her shirt lightly. He could feel a gentle warmth enveloping him as his eyes fluttered close, and he couldn't help but feel like she was everything he could've ever asked for and this was the safest place he could ever be.

A/N

:

So yes— next week I'll post the epilogue and the 1st part of the special

chapter.

Yes, you heard me right. The 1st part of the special chapter because... I might've gone overboard in writing from Khun's perspective and I still dunno what in the world did I write ;-; The part 2 of the special chapter will be published the week after that, and it's in Bam's perspective. It turned out more bittersweet than angst too— Well it's angsty for Bam, not for Eve or Khun—

And I may or may not have realized that I'm such a simp writing Khun falling in love with Eve for Book 2—