By Zephyria The officer was trying to figure out the situation, but she gave up. Sometimes, even if you have doubts, it’s wise to turn a blind eye and deaf ear.
“Ahem. I will repeatedly emphasize that you must check the medication status next time. And… if the patient participates in any future matches, they must follow the medical staff’s instructions. I’ll inform the match organizers that the patient has been located, so please rest here for now.”
The officer slowly tidied up and got up from her seat.
“Well… now that the treatment is finished, we’ll be on our way. The test match for the other group will be over soon, so we’ll be swamped with injured players.”
Hugo checked the clock on the wall and nodded in agreement.
“Alright, go ahead. You must be tired from the long schedule, but please put in a little more effort.”
“Understood.”
“And.”
Hugo added, hesitating for a moment before opening his mouth.
“There are reporters already camped out and waiting outside the restricted area. According to the league’s rules, the participants’ personal information must not be leaked until the official preliminary match schedule is decided. Do you understand what I mean?”
It was an uncharacteristic way of speaking for the Commander. The two officers, who briefly made eye contact, replied simply.
“Of course. We will remain silent.”
“Thank you. And about me being here.”
“Yes, of course.”
Having received confirmation, Hugo gestured for them to leave. Everyone from the medical team, including the officers, bowed their heads. There were glances exchanged about whether they should offer congratulations now that it was past midnight, but given the situation, they left the lounge without saying anything.
Click, the door closed, and Hugo, looking even more tired, swept back his disheveled hair. Then, he sat on the edge of the bed and stretched out his long legs.
“Hoo….”
His ankles, slightly exposed above his shoes at the end of his pants, crossed. Leonardo stared at the sight. He didn’t know if the other person noticed, but it was a part he often found himself looking at.
Just then, Hugo, leaning back and supporting himself with his hands, glanced at Leonardo.
Leonardo also rested his elbow on the bed table and looked up at Hugo with his eyes raised.
A silence hung between them for a while. Perhaps the space was particularly soundproof, as no outside noise could be heard at all.
Hugo was the first to speak.
“Leo, I think I’ve said this before… but I wish you would take better care of yourself.”
Leonardo, who was holding his nose, raised his eyebrows once. Hugo continued.
“I can’t say that always being on guard is a bad habit. But you clearly needed to take the medicine earlier. You were injured during the match, and you were even covered in the compound. Our team members explained the symptoms that could appear in you, and you acknowledged that. So why didn’t you take the medicine?”
“…….”
“Are you planning to hold out until I feed it to you myself if this happens again? What would you have done if I hadn’t found you?”
“…A little nosebleed isn’t a big deal. And they said it would be fine after a while even if I didn’t take the medicine.”
“It’s fortunate that it was just a simple nosebleed, but what if you had gone into shock? How do you think I would have felt bringing you all the way here?”
Leonardo, who was about to reply immediately, shut his mouth tightly. He was speechless when he thought about how Hugo must have felt.
In his mind, he grumbled, ‘You’re the one who tormented me as you pleased…’ but he didn’t say it out loud. After all, he had enjoyed it too, and he was also flustered by his rapidly deteriorating condition while being chased by reporters.
But perhaps because he wanted to be coddled today, he couldn’t bring himself to give a compliant answer.
As if he hadn’t expected it, Hugo shook his head and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. As the collar loosened, the hickey that had been hidden was partially revealed.
“What did you do with the medicine I sent you when you left?”
The medicine Agrizendro was referring to was the one that helped normalize the thickened blood when he was infected with poison during the battle on the peninsula. Several months’ worth of the medicine, in the form of small pills and powders, were included in the backpack Flynn had given him.
“I took it all. I take it when I think I need it.”
“That’s a relief then. I wish you would listen to my advice too.”
“…I think I’ve said this before too, but I usually take good care of myself.”
“Then why do you act like a child in front of me?”
Leonardo’s lips twisted at the word ‘childlike.’ He chuckled and then rested his chin on his left hand and turned his head away.
“Tch. Weren’t you the one who said you don’t kiss children?”
“…You never give in.”
“You’re the same.”
They stopped talking, fearing it would turn into a childish argument. Only an uncomfortable atmosphere flowed in the quiet room.
Then, Leonardo stealthily shifted his stiff gaze again. He intently watched the red marks spreading on Hugo’s neck.
It was a suggestive mark on a thick, straight neck, and although it wasn’t appropriate for the situation, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up.
His navy hair, which he usually neatly swept back, was sticking out messily, enough to make anyone wonder why. But that appearance, along with the hickey, was like a scene from a perfectly staged, attractive poster.
Deep eyes beneath prominent brow bones, a smoothly sloping nose, and a firm jawline. It was a subject that embodied the perfect ideal. Seeing him in the light made him feel strangely moved.
‘Was he putting in extra effort because of the opening ceremony? Has he been working out a lot lately?’
The firmness of his arms and chest, which he had felt even in the dark, was clearly visible as a pleasing curve on the taut shirt. From the broad palm of his hand resting on the bed to his wrist, forearm, upper arm, and deltoid. The continuous silhouette drew his attention whenever it moved slowly.
Not to mention the other person’s cologne that covered even his own body, he was also curious and thirsty for the lower half of his body hidden under the casually folded cloak.
‘Damn… am I really horny?’
Around that time, Leonardo squeezed his eyes shut. How long had it been since he had retorted with a cynical remark, even though it was just a light argument? He was dumbfounded by himself for admiring the other person as if he were a delicious meal, especially since he had a nosebleed.
Wouldn’t that make him unable to call anyone a pervert?
Moreover, he felt inexplicably humiliated when he thought about how pathetic he looked after cumming, all dazed and confused.
His complex feelings were clearly revealed in his twitching eyebrows. Hugo, who had been quietly aware of the gaze on his profile, suddenly turned his head to check on him.
“What’s wrong? Are you dizzy again?”
“Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Hugo frowned because the words that came back in response to his caring concern weren’t very welcome.
“What?”
“I’m not usually like that.”
“…I don’t know what you mean.”
“I don’t usually get nosebleeds because of something like that… The reason my body was acting weird during the match was because I was so close to the Plarinas flowers. If it were normal, you would have already been sent off twice―.”
He would have already finished twice. His lips, unable to say that, hesitated.
Hugo, giving him a strange look, kindly urged him on as if telling him to say more.
“Twice?”
“Ah, anyway―. Don’t think that’s the end of it.”
The subject was ambiguous, but neither of them didn’t know what it meant. Hugo, who had slightly raised his chin, slowly touched his lips. Leonardo found it difficult to meet that persistent gaze and lowered his eyelids. Even so, he added in a creeping voice.
“I’ll pay you back properly someday.”
A challenge and bravado full of competitive spirit, and a cheeky declaration of war.
Did Leonardo know? That he had just made a very dangerous statement.
Hugo barely suppressed the laughter that was about to leak through his teeth. He quickly put on a dry face, but unlike his expression, the answer that came out of his mouth was very honest.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Leonardo, who had been trying to avoid it, glanced up. It flowed as if naturally promising the next time, so he was very taken aback.
The atmosphere became quite heavy with the answer as the turning point. A lot of exploration and information passed between the entangled gazes in the air.
Moreover, a subtle tension floated in the space that was even sealed off. Damn it, it’s too quiet. Leonardo paid extra attention to his breathing, afraid that his changed breathing would be heard. Because his nose was blocked, he swallowed his saliva, and it tasted bitter like iron. Even that went well with this moment.
Hugo, sensing that the flow of air had stagnated, realized that his upper body was leaning forward slightly. His mind quickly returned when he saw the red-stained gauze. He gathered the cloak that was sprawled on his lower body and got up a little hastily.
“Where are you going?”
Leonardo asked urgently at the sight of him leaving.
Hugo found a pen rolling around on a nearby side table and tore off a piece of paper next to it. His blue eyes fixed on the pen tip as he replied.
“I have something to take care of. Some excellent participant half-destroyed the stadium wall, you see.”
Leonardo’s eyes momentarily shrank as if he were a criminal.
“It’s not your fault. The opening ceremony is over, so as the person in charge, I have to take care of things.”
“…So I’m here alone?”
“According to the operations team, it will take some time to judge the match. Wait here until then. And when you get permission to go back, come this way. As quietly as possible, alone.”
Hugo put down the pen and handed over the note. Leonardo, who reflexively reached out, examined the contents with blinking eyes. The handwriting, neat and clear like its owner, described the way to a secret entrance in the stadium.
A puzzled look raised its head.
“Why here?”
“The key I gave you. You’ve never used it, have you?”
Key? As soon as he thought that, the key to Hugo’s villa came to mind.
“…Huh?”
He was a little embarrassed that Hugo knew he had never used it. Hugo had given it to him, telling him to come anytime he wanted to rest… He hesitated to answer, afraid that Hugo would be disappointed if he knew he hadn’t even set foot there. Of course, there was a reason.
Hugo, who had already realized it from his transparent expression, chuckled. The hand that reached out landed on his blonde hair and ruffled it affectionately.
“I was thinking of using it together today.”