The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 264: Perfectly Normal

By the time they had arrived at their destination, after introducing Damien to the comforts of flying first class - which Damien politely described as being ’a bit too much’ - all the earlier awkwardness had vanished completely. Even if there was still some bitterness left at the bottom of Damien’s heart, he just couldn’t be cold to Lane.

Not now that Lane was finally dating him earnestly. Besides, Damien had known from the start that Lane was trouble... It would be ridiculous to complain that it was too hot and uncomfortable after you had jumped into the fire.

At least things were getting better.

The hotel they were staying in was located in the capital in country E, the fanciest one in the city. Although the main purpose of the trip was to visit Diana in country H, Lane turned it into an actual holiday. Partially because he needed a cover-up, in case someone got more interested in their trip than they should...

And partially because he simply wanted to. To take Damien on luxurious holidays. It would be fun, something new for the man, and interesting for Lane as well - it might not have been the first time for him, but he didn’t go on enough trips to get tired of them, it was just not possible with the way he had been living his life.

And there wouldn’t be many opportunities for that in the near future either, with how busy Damien was, and the fact that Lane would also be in permanent employment, under a (probably very strict) contract.

Either way, since there was a chance to get Damien to try to relax and enjoy himself a bit, Lane naturally had to take it!

The plan was simple. They had a week, so they would spend two days at their hotel in country E, maybe going out for some sightseeing if Damien wanted to. Then, they would go to country H to meet Diana, return straight to the hotel afterwards, and spend the remaining time relaxing. No one would really find it weird if they disappeared for a day. Even if anyone noticed, they would just assume they went on a one-day trip somewhere, and didn’t bother checking out because they were going to be back soon anyway. Nothing unusual.

And they did just that. Since lying by the pool and sipping drinks wasn’t really Damien’s thing, they went out to see the city, visiting popular spots, trying local specialties, Lane taking a lot of photos, while Damien spent some time picking souvenirs for his mother, sisters, and brother...

Just a normal, happy couple going on holidays together!

And on the third day in the morning, they finally left in a rented car. Rented in Damien’s name, but Lane was driving. It was just one of the extra precautions, one that was probably completely pointless, since the hotel was already booked in Lane’s name, listing Damien as another guest, and then there were their plane tickets... If anyone could get their hands on the car rental data, they probably would also know that the two of them were on this trip together.

But Lane tended to do a lot of unnecessary things at times. As for Damien, although he had voiced his concerns - it was fine to rent in his name, but it would be better if they were to at least list Lane as another authorized driver - in the end, he still agreed to go along with it.

Even though what they were doing was most likely illegal. freewebnσvel.cѳm

So, Lane drove the car, using the navigation on his phone. At first, the atmosphere was normal, as they sped through the highway in the accompaniment of Lane’s screeching... that is, singing... However, as they approached the border, the mood started to change. By the time they reached the checkpoint, Lane was already completely silent and serious. He handed their passports to the officer, then drove for a while longer, before pulling over into a quiet, fairly empty parking lot with some restaurants and other shops.

"Let’s have a meal first," he just said, getting out of the car. After all, once they left that place, there wouldn’t be any more stops.

He was clearly nervous. He ate his food mindlessly, and didn’t talk at all. And Damien also remained silent - although he wanted to reassure Lane somehow, he had no idea how he could possibly do that. His own experience when it came to introducing his boyfriend to his family was very... limited, and all such events (that is, Lane meeting Clara ’for the first time’ twice) didn’t exactly go well...

And besides, it wasn’t quite a normal family meeting. They typically didn’t include hypnosis, not as far as Damien was aware...

But this one did. As another ’precaution’, necessary for Damien to be allowed to visit. Diana’s location couldn’t possibly be revealed to anyone, after all...

"Alright. Your rank is a bit too high to normally use it, but..." Lane pressed his lips, cupping Damien’s face in his hands as he stared straight into his boyfriend’s emerald eyes. "Let’s try this way first. Just relax, and trust me..."

There were several bottles of vodka prepared in Lane’s spatial bag, just in case. Lane had already admitted to Damien about hypnotizing him once before, so they had discussed how to get it done, and Damien had given Lane his consent. And he would drink it if there were no other option. But then he also might be drunk during his meeting with Diana, and that would kind of suck...

So they tried to use another method this time. Some mental abilities could work on the higher-ranking Awakened if said Awakened allowed it, so even though Lane’s hypnosis ability was a rank below Damien, if Damien lowered his guard and entrusted himself to Lane...

Lane’s eyes flashed with a red glow, and almost immediately, Damien’s eyes grew hazy. It was incredible how fast he had surrendered, and Lane couldn’t help but blink, taken aback.

...Was Damien really willing to trust him that much?

It wasn’t the time to think about that, though, so Lane shook his head lightly, and gave his commend, "You will fall asleep now. You won’t know what’s happening around you, or where are you going... And you’re not allowed to wake up until..." Lane paused, thinking for a moment. Then, his lips curved slightly in a playful smile, and he finished in a hushed whisper, "Until I kiss you."