Orion had received the call thirty minutes ago. Panic on the other end, frantic voices, all because of his Esper. He didn’t know the details, but he had pushed too hard again, and this time he’d gone berserk. He wouldn’t admit how the news made his stomach drop, how he’d sped through the streets, how he was now sprinting, ruining his hair, his outfit, his carefully curated appearance, all for the hope that they were still in one piece.

He fumbled with the key to the Esper safehouse, cursing under his breath as it nearly slipped from his fingers. Jamming it into the lock, he twisted it sharply and shoved the door open, kicking it shut behind him. The faint hum of energy-dampening devices buzzed in the air, only growing louder as he stormed down the hall. He paused briefly to straighten his shirt and run a hand through his disheveled hair—couldn’t let them see how much he cared. Professionalism was key, even if his heart was racing.

Reaching the bedroom door, he didn’t hesitate. He slammed it open with more force than necessary, his eyes landing on the Esper chained to the bed. The restraints were standard protocol for a berserk Esper, but the sight still made his chest tighten. The room was thick with the crackle of chaotic energy, and Orion’s jaw clenched as he stepped inside, his polished facade firmly in place.

With a theatrical sigh and a shake of his head, he approached the bed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Really? Can’t go five minutes without causing a scene? One might think you do this just to keep me on my toes.” He stopped beside the bed, his sharp gaze scanning for injuries. Relief flickered in his chest when he found none, though he’d never let it show.

“Be a dear and make this easy for me,” he said, his tone harsher than intended. Reaching out, he wrapped his hand around the Esper’s wrist, just below the cuff of the chain. The moment his skin made contact, he began guiding and soothing the chaotic energy coursing through them. It was a mess—wild, erratic, and all wrong. “What on earth did you do to get this bad?” he muttered under his breath, sitting on the edge of the bed.

This was going to take a while. Orion shifted uncomfortably, nearly losing his balance as he perched on the edge of the mattress. He was breaking every protocol by getting this close without properly assessing mental state, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Better to act now than risk losing them.

“Well, talk to me,” he said, his voice softer than he’d intended. “I need to know you’re still in there somewhere.” His usual smirk faltered for a moment, betraying the worry he’d never admit to. “And don’t make me regret this, darling. I’ve already ruined my shirt for you.”