By Zephyria 
‘Why here?’
The question arose, but it didn’t escape his lips. Leonardo stared blankly at Hugo, one hand braced against the wall. Then, his gaze drifted to his discarded clothes beside him. He couldn’t recall their original state, having tossed them off haphazardly before heading straight to the shower.
However, the clothes looked slightly disheveled, as if someone had rummaged through them.
A strange unease flickered within him at the sight.
‘Could he have… gone through them? Where did I put my underwear?’
His esteemed Grace wouldn’t do such a thing, but hadn’t the mask been in his hand just moments ago? If so, the possibility of him having looked through other things was highly probable. A fleeting, impure fantasy washed over him, but he made an effort to conceal his flustered expression.
‘Damn it, I should have worn my favorite pair.’
Leonardo met Hugo’s eyes and returned his affectionate smile as he approached him.
“Hello, Commander.”
He raised the corners of his lips and draped the towel he had been using around his neck, letting it rest on his shoulders. His now-free hands idly tightened his belt.
“What brings you here? I was just about to shower and come say hello.”
He casually asked, as if he had known of his presence all along.
Blue eyes scanned his flushed face and damp body, which had just emerged from the shower.
“Am I intruding?”
“Well… not exactly.”
Beyond the dark line, a droplet of water trickled down his neckline, past his collarbone, and disappeared between his breasts. The lingering image in his memory filled in the long expanse below. Further down, a stream of water, now even more glistening, slid down the inside of his smooth calves.
His deeply set eyes narrowed. He knew the temperature of the water droplets swimming there.
Soon, Hugo lifted his eyelids and extended a hand, as if beckoning him closer.
“Were you going to come find me first?”
“Uh, well….”
Leonardo took a step forward, following the outstretched hand. At that moment, Hugo grasped his wrist and gently pulled him.
“How did you know where I’d be?”
Drawn in by the strong force, Leonardo found himself awkwardly standing before His Grace. More precisely, he was positioned between his legs.
“Uh….”
As the distance suddenly closed, Leonardo’s eyes widened as he placed his hands on the broad shoulders. The other man’s muscular thighs subtly pressed against his own.
‘What’s going on?’
The grip on his wrist was delicate yet somehow seething. His tone was subtly stiff. The uncharacteristic stooped posture created a composition where they looked up at each other from a similar angle.
Usually, he was the one looking up, so this position was rare. His cool eyes seemed sharper than usual, and his pupils appeared unusually intense today.
‘Is something wrong?’
Did he find out something about me? Did I get caught? Instinctively assuming the worst, Leonardo swallowed hard. Just then, moisture from his hair rolled down onto his golden eyelashes. Pretending to wipe away the wetness, Gold Eyes subtly averted his gaze.
“We always meet after the match. It’s not like we made plans today, but… I just assumed we’d find each other, like last time.”
He stammered, fiddling with his neck. Hugo’s eyebrows slightly rose at the virtuous reply.
He ‘just assumed’ they would find each other. He quite liked that this meeting, which had become a routine, had come to fruition. Perhaps that was why his hand naturally reached out to brush beneath Leonardo’s eyes.
“Look at me.”
Leonardo obediently rolled his eyes, responding by slightly closing them.
“…So that’s why you came all the way in here?”
The way he asked while glancing sideways made it seem as if he was begging for an affirmative answer. Finding the sight quite endearing, Hugo observed him with an impassive face for a moment. Feeling as though he would be swept away if he continued like this, he calmly changed the subject.
“All the way in here, as in where?”
“A place that doesn’t suit a Duke.”
“Why doesn’t it suit me?”
“You’ve never showered in a place like this, have you?”
Hugo’s eyes briefly rolled upwards before returning to their original position.
Well, certainly. Since he had his own private space, there was rarely a need to undress in a communal area.
“You know me too well.”
He feigned a displeased expression as he replied. It was also an affirmation of the question that had demanded confirmation earlier. Leonardo blinked a few times at the contradictory words and actions. Then, as if nothing had happened, he raised the corners of his lips into a smirk.
“I have you in the palm of my hand.”
“Hmm, confident, aren’t we?”
As the triumphant Gold Eyes smiled brightly, Hugo’s eyes also softened.
“It’s not that I dislike it… but there’s nothing more helpless than having all your moves read. Especially in front of you.”
Having said that, Hugo caressed Leonardo’s cheek with an affectionate touch. From the increasingly delicate sensation, Leonardo could clearly sense that the other man’s mood had improved.
‘You were always helpless.’
He didn’t know exactly what had caused the initial stiffness, but he wanted to maintain this relaxed atmosphere, whatever the reason. Leonardo instinctively rubbed his chin against the palm caressing his face. The fact that this man’s emotions changed from moment to moment because of him was quite enjoyable.
As expected, Hugo asked warmly with an even more softened gaze.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Did the match go well?”
“Yeah. You were watching me play, weren’t you? You know everything.”
“…How did you know? Did you see me just now?”
“I didn’t see you, but I could feel it.”
Leonardo slowly closed and opened his eyes, placing his hand on Hugo’s cheek in the same manner. There was a time when he would have hesitated, but now he was quite unreserved.
“I can tell where you are just by looking into your eyes.”
His curved eyes mischievously added. At that, Hugo’s lips slightly parted before closing tightly.
He hadn’t meant anything special by it, but it was as if he had received an answer that he, too, was feeling the sensation that only he had vaguely felt.
Hugo’s left thumb rubbed the lips that were not very coy.
“I see.”
The well-trained lips fluttered repeatedly before gently parting. As he slightly pried open the gap, a red tongue that looked particularly sweet was briefly revealed. The blue eyes deepened at the beckoning, teasing movements that soon came out to greet him.
“This is a problem.”
His right hand lifted the towel covering Leonardo’s hair and shoulders. As the wet towel fell back like a veil, the luscious blonde hair was revealed under the lights. He still thought it was too precious to show this sight to others. Everyone would lose their minds and rush at him.
“Then guess what I’m going to do next.”
Hugo wrapped his arm around Leonardo’s lower back. His palm, diagonally across, grasped the buttocks that had been swaying before his eyes and pulled him closer. Leonardo’s lower body, which had rushed forward, was flush against Hugo’s thighs. A heat, different from before, spread between the thick gown and the taut fabric.
The lowered Gold Eyes narrowed for a moment before tilting his head slightly. The hand that had been resting on his shoulder slid down like a snake, now gripping the back of the man’s flushed neck.
“Open your mouth. That’s how you’ll get it.”
A chuckle escaped from between Hugo’s teeth as he looked up. The mouth that had been pretending to be gentle slowly opened.
“As you command.”
“Why is the infirmary so far away? Who planned this route, seriously.”
Ero, carrying an armful of spray pain reliever, compression bandage, and anti-inflammatory patch, hurried along. When he had tearfully said that his brother’s wrist was stiff and that he might not even be able to hold a fork, the medical team had given him all sorts of things, which had taken half a day to gather, and another half a day to transport.
At this rate, the shower time would be over.
“He said he doesn’t like to be kept waiting….”
He grumbled anxiously while constantly hurrying. Fortunately, Asher’s match was in full swing outside, so all the crowded reporters had rushed over there. Thanks to that, the ‘Cleaning’ sign was still neatly attached to the front of the locker room, which he had reached relatively easily.
There were no signs that anyone had touched it. Relieved, Ero carefully pushed the door open with his shoulder.
As the heavy door opened halfway, the still-empty locker room was revealed. Leonardo was not visible through the gap.
‘Is he still showering?’
He entered, gathering the things he had brought. He didn’t forget to push the door closed with his back, in case anyone else followed him in.
The heavy door moved smoothly with hardly any noise. Ero, who had immediately passed through the space where the cabinets were lined up, headed for the powder room that connected to the shower room.
He was about to shake the spray and shout, ‘I’m here!’ when it happened.
“Ah, just a moment.”
“…Why?”
‘Huh?’
Suddenly, a strange noise came from inside. At the same time, a strangely hot and humid breath lingered.
“Is someone here?”
Ero reflexively stopped walking. He held his breath and tiptoed, sticking close to the wall.