Sebastian gritted his teeth, his body aching with every small movement. The lingering pain from the accident clawed at him, but he refused to let it weaken his hold.
"Not that easily..." he thought darkly, blocking out Alexander, who was pushing to take control.
He wasn’t about to give it up.
Not yet.
However, just as he reinforced his grip on his mind, he made a mistake.
A small lapse in focus.
And that was all it took.
The moment Lilith entered the room, carrying a tray of breakfast in one hand and another bag in the other, he felt it.
The sudden change.
The familiar pull.
Ray slipped through.
Sebastian barely had time to react before Ray took over, pushing past both him and Alexander.
In an instant, the coldness in his face disappeared.
The sharp look softened.
The dark, unreadable expression faded into something gentle.
His whole face brightened.
Lilith noticed the change immediately.
"Ray."
She recognized him in an instant, her voice softening.
She quickly set the tray and bag aside and rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around him.
Ray let out a shaky breath, his whole body relaxing into her embrace.
He hugged her back.
His arms circled her waist, holding on tightly as if grounding himself, as if he was afraid he’d disappear again.
Lilith could feel it.
He was trembling.
Not from fear.
Not from pain.
But from relief.
"Miss Mystery! You came for me... you really came for me," Ray mumbled against her, his voice muffled as he buried his face into her soft stomach.
Lilith’s heart clenched at how fragile he sounded.
She felt his arms tighten around her waist, his fingers slightly trembling as if he still couldn’t believe she was there.
With a soft sigh, she ran her fingers through his hair, stroking it gently. His dark locks were smooth.
"Of course, I did, silly," she murmured, her voice low, comforting. "Did you really think I wouldn’t?"
Ray let out a shaky laugh, but his grip on her didn’t loosen. "I was scared..." he admitted, his words muffled against her skin. "Scared you wouldn’t find me... that I’d disappear before you got here."
Lilith’s fingers paused for a second before she cupped the back of his head, pressing him closer.
"No one can take you away from me."
Her words were a quiet promise.
Ray exhaled deeply, his entire body melting into her warmth.
She could feel how exhausted he was, how much he had been holding in.
She cradled him gently, protectively like he was something precious.
"And Alexander was so bad... so bad... he tried to erase me and Gray... but thankfully... Darkness appeared," Ray mumbled, his fingers curling around Lilith’s sleeves as if afraid she would disappear too.
Lilith’s brows furrowed as she stroked his hair gently. "Darkness?" she echoed, confusion flickering in her icy blue eyes. "He’s the original Sebastian, right?"
Ray suddenly laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Hehehe! Miss Mystery, don’t believe him! He’s not original!" He leaned closer, cupping his hands around his mouth like he was sharing a secret. "He lied because he doesn’t even have a name. I call him Darkness. He’s just all the dark memories, all the pain... all the things Sebastian wanted to forget."
Lilith’s eyes darkened. "So he’s just... a collection of trauma?"
Ray nodded eagerly, swinging their hands back and forth like a child. "Yes! And guess what? He’s totally delusional! He thinks he’s the real one! But Alexander thinks that too! Only I am sensible! And then second is Gray!" He grinned proudly, his eyes twinkling with innocence despite the heavy words he just spoke.
Lilith inhaled deeply, staring at him. This was worse than she thought.
"Ray," she started, keeping her voice steady. "If Darkness and Alexander both believe they’re the main one... then where does that leave the real Sebastian?"
Ray’s smile faltered for a split second before he giggled again. "Miss Mystery, you’re too smart!" He poked her nose. "But even you can’t figure this out yet."
"Try me," she challenged, her grip on his hand tightening.
Ray pouted, then sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine... but don’t tell Alexander, okay? He’s too logical. He won’t understand."
Lilith nodded, waiting.
Ray pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes as he whispered, "Sebastian Carter never had a ’main’ personality. He was just... broken."
Lilith felt a chill run down her spine.
"So you’re saying..." she whispered.
Ray pulled back, smiling but with an eerie sadness in his eyes. "There never was a real one. Just pieces that tried to survive."
Her stomach twisted.
Sebastian Carter wasn’t a man with multiple personalities.
He was a shattered soul, and every piece was fighting to exist.
And now, Darkness had taken control.
A version of him that knew nothing but suffering.
Lilith ran a hand through her hair, exhaling slowly.
"This is a mess."
Ray only hummed, resting his head on her shoulder. "You won’t leave, right, Miss Mystery?"
Her grip on him tightened. "Never."
And she meant it.
"You must be hungry, right? I brought you breakfast." She carefully helped Ray sit up, adjusting the pillows behind him so he could lean comfortably.
As soon as his eyes landed on the bowl of warm porridge, a deep pout formed on his lips. His big, dark eyes blinked at her as he whined, "I don’t like porridge... I want spicy, spicy food, Miss Mystery!" He made an exaggerated sad face, looking betrayed, as if she had committed the worst crime by bringing him something so bland.
Lilith narrowed her eyes. "No, Human Doll. You just got out of surgery. You’re going to eat this." Her tone left no room for argument.
Ray huffed, crossing his arms like a sulking child. "I don’t want it..."
But Lilith simply sat on the edge of the bed, scooped a spoonful of the warm porridge, and held it up to his lips. "Open your mouth," she ordered.
Ray turned his face away dramatically. "No."
Lilith’s lips curled into a slow smile. "Ray."