The Boy Next DOOR.

Two Days Later...

Dave had spent two days at Sebastian's house and had gradually come to realize that Sebastian wasn't as bad as he initially thought. Still, a lingering frustration gnawed at him as he continuously asked why Kelvin hadn't come to get him. Each time, Sebastian gave the same response:

"He's on a mission. He'll arrive soon."

Two days had passed, and the answer hadn't changed. To make matters worse, Sebastian refused to let Dave go home. When Dave questioned why, Sebastian explained that Ortho might come for him again.

"What about my parents?" Dave protested. "They'll come home and find out I'm missing!"

"Kelvin's parents will take care of it," Sebastian assured him.

Dave felt like he was being kept in the dark, like a crucial secret was being withheld from him. Something significant and mysterious was happening, and he had no idea why. For now, he had no choice but to wait for Kelvin to return and offer an explanation. His anxiety grew as he thought about missing school—his friends were probably worried sick.

Meanwhile, Valerian's anger and jealousy simmered to a boiling point. Sebastian had never given him much attention before, but now, with Dave in the house, it felt like he'd been completely cast aside.

Sebastian's focus was entirely on Dave. It was always "Dave this" and "Dave that." The name echoed in Valerian's mind, fueling his irritation. What made it worse was that Valerian didn't understand why he was so angry. It wasn't as if he liked Sebastian, yet the sight of Sebastian being so warm toward Dave stirred something uncontrollable within him.

Descending the stairs one morning, Valerian spotted Sebastian chatting with Dave, a genuine smile on his face. To his annoyance, Sebastian was even serving Dave breakfast—food Valerian had cooked.

With a glare, Valerian walked past them to the kitchen, yanked open the fridge, grabbed some fruit, and headed back upstairs.

"Rian!" Sebastian called after him, stopping him mid-step.

"What?" Valerian snapped, his tone sharp enough to make Sebastian raise an eyebrow.

"Where are you going? Aren't you having breakfast?" Sebastian asked.

"And how is that your business?" Valerian retorted, rolling his eyes. "Please, don't bother me." Without another word, he stormed up the stairs.

"What's wrong with him?" Sebastian murmured aloud.

Upstairs, Valerian muttered under his breath, mocking Sebastian. "Idiot. Mm-mm-mm-mm," he sneered as he slammed his door shut.

---

Back Downstairs

"Sebastian," Dave said, breaking the silence.

"Yes?" Sebastian replied.

"I think Valerian's jealous," Dave said, continuing to eat.

"Rian? Jealous?" Sebastian scoffed. "That's impossible. He hates me."

"I'm not so sure he hates you," Dave said, leaning forward. "I've been watching him these past two days. His reactions scream jealousy. Honestly, I'm starting to worry he might come and rip my head off while I'm sleeping."

Sebastian chuckled. "So, he's jealous? Interesting." A mischievous smirk spread across his face.

---

During Lunch

"Dave, try this. It's really good," Sebastian said, offering a spoonful of fruit salad. Dave leaned forward and accepted the bite.

Unbeknownst to them, Valerian stood in the kitchen, his eyes narrowing. Anger surged through him as he watched Sebastian's attentiveness toward Dave. Unable to contain his frustration, he knocked a plate off the counter. The crash startled everyone, and the broken shards left a deep cut on his foot.

"Ouch! My foot!" Valerian cried out in pain, his voice sharp and distressed.

Sebastian, alarmed by the sound, rushed to his side. "Rian, what happened? How did the plate fall?" he asked, his tone filled with concern yet laced with frustration. "I've told you several times to be careful."

He knelt beside Valerian, gently lifting his foot into his palm. But Valerian, clearly agitated, pulled his foot away. "Don't touch me," he snapped, glaring at Sebastian.

Sebastian remained calm, as he took hold of Valerian's foot again. "Hold still," he said firmly, carefully removing the glass shards embedded in Valerian's skin.

"I'll clean this up," Dave interjected from behind, rising from his seat. "Take him to the room and tend to his wound."

Without hesitation, Sebastian scooped Valerian into his arms. Despite the younger man's protests, he carried him upstairs to his room. Setting him down gently on the bed, he placed a towel beneath Valerian's foot before hurrying off to fetch the first aid kit.

When he returned, Sebastian resumed his scolding. "I told you to be more careful, but you're always so careless."

"Don't touch me," Valerian said, retracting his foot once again.

"Will you just stay still?" Sebastian's voice rose, his patience wearing thin.

Valerian turned his face away, his voice trembling as he repeated, "Don't touch me... I don't need your help." Tears began streaming down his face, catching Sebastian off guard.

"Rian…" Sebastian's tone softened, his eyes widening in surprise. "Why are you crying?" He placed the cotton wool on the bedside table and leaned closer. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"You're always scolding me," Valerian said through his tears, his voice cracking. "But if it's Dave, you treat him like he's made of glass. You take care of him without a word, yet with me, it's always criticism. Just go. Go back to him and your little chats."

Sebastian sighed inwardly, guilt settling over him. 'This isn't how I wanted things to turn out,' he thought. He moved closer, his voice gentle as he tried to soothe Valerian. "No, no, it's not like that. I'm sorry. Please don't cry."

He reached out and pulled Valerian into a warm embrace. "I just want you to be more careful. I didn't mean to upset you," he murmured. "And as for Dave, I have no feelings for him. He already has someone he loves, and Kelvin would have my head if I even thought about that."

Valerian's sobs gradually subsided, his body relaxing slightly in Sebastian's arms.

"Okay now," Sebastian said, brushing Valerian's hair back from his face. "Let me clean your wound properly." He smiled softly, placing a gentle kiss on Valerian's lips.

As he resumed tending to the injury, a thought crossed Sebastian's mind, making him smirk. 'He really was jealous,' he mused, unable to suppress his amusement.

---

Back at Dark Water.

"Kelvin, calm down! We can talk this through!" Arthur pleaded as Kelvin advanced toward him.

In a flash, Kelvin struck down the elders and guards surrounding Arthur, leaving him defenseless.

"Talk? Do you think I've forgotten your crimes?" Kelvin growled. "You captured my mother, tortured her, and drove her to her death! Even though she told me to spare you, I can't. My mom demanded your head, and I will deliver it to her!"

"No, please! I didn't kill your mother!" Arthur stammered. "She—she killed herself! I swear!"

"But it's your fault she did. It's all of your fault!" Kelvin roared, his fury consuming him. With one swift motion, he severed Arthur's head, watching as it rolled to his feet.

Breathing heavily, Kelvin picked up Arthur's severed head.

"From this day forward, I will spare no enemy. Fear will not hold me back anymore. Let them come—I am ready!"

Kelvin strode to the center of the Dark Water Clan's stronghold and smashed one of the bottles Sebastian had prepared for him. Flames erupted and began to spread rapidly, consuming everything in their path.

Teleporting to a nearby mountaintop, Kelvin stood tall with Arthur's head in his grasp. He watched as Dark Water burned to ashes, and with it, the legacy of the clan was extinguished forever.