The Next Element

3rd Person's POV:

The airship was once again soaring into the high sky.

As zeus, blizzard and shadow were having a conversation that seemed to have last for a couple of hours, max was too busy checking over lian.

He saw him carefully marking the maps with a pen.

"He must be marking of all the places where the realm gates could be located... Or is it the other way around?" In which he thought.

Lian: We've already secured ridinariyo and ullocyre... Both realms that holds the elements of fire and wind... Where could the others be.

He mumbled the words to himself, unbeknownst to him, max was listening carefully and of course as they always say, "you shouldn't underestimate a beastman's sense of hearing"

Getting up from the chair in which max was currently sitting on for the past hour, he approached lian and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Being too focused on the map, lian got startled but didn't react too much as he saw max behind him.

Max: Everything alright?

Lian: Of course.. Nothing's wrong why would you think of that?

Max: Huh? What are you talking about?

Lian: Oh... Weren't you asking if I was alright?

Max: Yeah I did... It's just that you acted weirdly, you sure you're okay?

Lian: Of course.

His mouth says yes, but judging from the shine in his eyes, max certainly knows he's lying.

Max: Lian you don't have to carry all of these problems on your own, we're here for you, I'm here for you.

Lian: I appreciate it max, but what I'm doing here is too complex, even for you.

Max: Well if that's the case then can you at least let me help you? You're stressing yourself out.

Lian sighed, max did have a point, if he keeps this up he'll snap like a twig.

Max: Here, how about if I...

Lian: Wait what are you- A-ah! M-max!

Max ran his hands on both of lian's wrists as he leaned himself a bit closer, his chest was almost in contact with lian's back head.

Lian could feel something rubbing against him from below but he didn't mention it to max, the others might get feisty.

Lian: Uhmm.. What's the purpose of this?

Max: Nothing... If you're certain that I can't help you, then I'll just keep you company, how does that sound hm?

Lian didn't reply for a second.

Lian: I guess this is nice... Let's just hope the other three doesn't notice.

Max chuckled softly.

Max: Shhh, don't worry about it, they won't find out if we... Keep it down~

Max said in a flirtatious tone.

Lian: Max I don't like where this is going.

Max: Too bad, because I do~

He started to gently sway his hips forward to lian as he nuzzled his chin above his head.

Lian: Max! We're in the middle of a mission! Stop this!

Lian whispered to max to not raise suspicion.