Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-One
Author’s Pov
The evening air was soft. Slightly cold. And Elias wasn’t sure why his feet led him to the courtyard. He had been bored without his friends and he couldn’t bother Lucien.
He could’ve stayed in his room, curled under the sheets like usual. But something about today felt… heavy. Maybe it was the way Anastasia suddenly changed towards him which he considered a good thing. Or how his friends had disappeared for a supposed “errand”. Or maybe it was just the silence that had started to eat away at his thoughts again.
He needed a distraction. Something loud. Something physical.
That was why he found himself walking toward the basketball court.
The courtyard was already buzzing with vampires, all dressed in dark athletic wear. The tall lamps had been lit around the court, casting golden glows on their pale skin. Elias walked in slowly, his hoodie tucked around him like a second skin.
The moment he stepped in, a wave of silence hit.
Eyes. Too many of them.
Some curious. Some annoyed. Some glaring.
He swallowed.
“Why is he here?” Someone whispered.
“Isn’t he the human the king is obsessed with?”
“He is going to slow us down.”
Elias lowered his head slightly, hands deep in his hoodie pockets. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe he should—
The gate creaked again.
The coach had arrived.
And Elias’s heart almost stopped.
It was him.
Adrien.
The young man from the soirée. The same one who had danced with him and angered Lucien that night. The one who smelled like mint and mischief. His dark hair was messier now, pushed back casually, and he wore a sleeveless vest that showed off the ink crawling down his biceps.
His gaze swept across the crowd until it landed on Elias.
He grinned.
“Didn’t think you would register for this,” Adrien said as he walked up.
Elias blinked, caught off guard. “You…. work here?”
“Volunteer. Sometimes.” He smirked, clapping his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, listen up. We’ve got a new face joining us. Be nice.”
A collective groan swept through the group.
“He is human.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Coach, come on.”
The man turned around sharply. “Anyone else wanna whine like a child?”
Silence.
“Didn’t think so.” He turned back to Elias, eyes playful. “Ignore them. They will warm up eventually. Or they will freeze to death. Either way, win-win.”
Elias let out a small chuckle despite himself.
The coach extended a hand. “Nice meeting you again.”
“Yeah…..same.”
“Cool.”
Elias blinked again.
Adrien chuckled and turned around. “Alright, Elias, let’s see what you got.”
They started simple. Passing drills. Shooting form. Elias had played a few times in the neighborhood, but vampires were fast. It took everything in him to keep up.
Adrien was patient though. He corrected Elias gently, with firm hands on his shoulders or guiding his arms when he shot. He didn’t leer. He didn’t make it weird.
Still, Elias felt out of place. The others barely interacted with him. One or two shoved past him on purpose. He tried not to let it show.
Then came the scrimmage.
Elias caught the ball, ran down the court, and just as he jumped to shoot—
His ankle twisted underneath him.
He landed with a sharp cry.
“Shit—“ Adrien was the first to rush over.
Elias winced, gripping his leg. “I’m fine. Just—just give me a sec.”
“You are limping.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Adrien didn’t push. He helped him up, walked him to the edge of the court, and handed him a bottle of water.
“I will check on you later,” Adrien said quietly. “Take care of that leg.”
Elias nodded. “Thanks.”
—————-
By the time night rolled in, Elias had showered off the sweat and dirt. He limped quietly into his room, peeled off his hoodie, and headed into the bathroom.
Warm water ran down his body, soothing but not enough. His ankle still throbbed.
He didn’t hear the door open.
Didn’t hear the familiar footsteps.
Not until he felt it—the warmth of someone stepping into the shower behind him.
Strong arms wrapped around his waist. A chin rested on his shoulder.
Lucien.
Elias froze for a second before relaxing back into his chest.
“You scared me,” he murmured.
Lucien hummed against his neck. “You didn’t tell me you were showering. You didn’t tell me a lot of things.”
“What?”
“I missed you today.”
Elias brushed as Lucien’s lips brushed against his shoulder. “You saw me this morning.”
“Not enough.” Lucien’s voice dropped lower. “I thought of you all day. Thought of how good you smell. How warm your skin is. How you look when you fall apart in my arms.”
Elias shivered. “Lucien….”
“I want you,” he breathed, voice possessive and rough. “Right now.”
The water muffled everything except their breathless gasps. Fingers tangled. Lips crashed. And Lucien made good on his whispered promise, worshipping Elias slowly, deeply, like he had all the time in the world.
When it was over, Lucien didn’t leave.
He wrapped Elias in a towel gently, kissed the top of his head, and led him to the bed.
“I will dry your hair,” Lucien said softly, taking the towel and sitting behind him. He ran the fabric through his damp strands, taking his time like it was some sacred ritual.
“You are being sweet,” Elias mumbled, smiling.
Lucien leaned down and kissed the back of his ear. “You deserve it.”
When they were done, Elias took his turn drying Lucien’s hair, giggling as he messed it up on purpose.
But when Lucien crouched to help Elias into his nightwear, his expression changed.
“What is this?” His tone dropped, voice hardening.
“Hm?”
Lucien lifted Elias’s ankle gently, frowning at the swelling bruise. “Your leg.”
Elias stiffened. “It’s nothing. Just a small injury—“
“When did this happen?” Lucien’s brows furrowed as he looked up.
“Earlier. During basketball practice.”
“Basketball?” Lucien’s voice rose slightly. “You signed up for that?”
Elias nodded slowly. “Yeah….I was bored.”
“You didn’t think to tell me?” His eyes darkened. “You are human, Elias. Playing with vampires? You could have been seriously hurt.”
“I wasn’t,” Elias said quickly. “It’s just a sprain.”
“That’s not the point!”
Elias reached out and touched his face gently. “Hey…. It’s okay. I’m fine.”
Lucien exhaled sharply like he was holding back from yelling.
“I don’t want you doing things that will hurt you,” he muttered. “Not when I’m not there to protect you.”
“I promise I will be careful. I just….wanted to do something that made me feel normal.”
Lucien looked away.
“You didn’t even treat the injury..” he said under his breath, almost pouting.
“I didn’t think it was that serious—“
“I’m calling a maid,” Lucien snapped, walking to the door and summoning someone immediately.
Soon, the aid box was brought in.
Lucien sat on the bed, grabbed Elias’s foot gently, and began tending to it himself.
His hands were precise. Soft. A little too aggressive when he wrapped the bandage.
“Ow—gentler, please.”
“You should have told me,” Lucien said through gritted teeth.
“You are sulking.”
“I’m furious.”
Elias giggled and leaned forward, brushing his lips against Lucien’s pout. “Well… I’m sorry. But thank you.”
Lucien stayed silent, still pouting, but let Elias pull him into a hug.
“Come here,” Elias whispered. “Lie down.”
Lucien followed, resting his head against Elias’s chest.
“Stay with me tonight?” Elias whispered.
Lucien didn’t reply with words.
He only wrapped his arms tighter around him, like letting go would end the world.
And Elias kissed his forehead, whispering soft nothings until Lucien finally drifted into sleep.