Chapter 48: Massage

Sebastian leaned in Lucian's arms, still hooked up to the IV drip. His face was pale, and his lips had a reddish-purple tint.

It had to be said—as long as this man wasn't being stubborn with his tongue, he was truly easy on the eyes, especially in his current fragile state.

As the medicine took effect, he began to sweat. Perhaps because he felt sticky and uncomfortable, the man in Lucian’s arms began to squirm.

Lucian looked at him, his heart a mess of complicated feelings.

He disliked Sebastian. He disliked his pride, his coldness, and the way he always kept people at arm's length.

But at this moment, seeing him so sickly and weak, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity.

"Hmph, stop acting so pitiful," Lucian muttered under his breath, trying to use words to mask the turbulence in his heart.

He reached out, hesitated for a second, then slowly slid his hand under the quilt to begin massaging Sebastian's legs.

His fingers touched Sebastian's skin without any barrier.

Sebastian’s body stiffened slightly, and his eyelids fluttered, but he did not open his eyes.

Lucian’s massage technique was unrefined, even a bit rough.

He squeezed Sebastian’s calf with so much force it felt like he might crush the bone. Sebastian let out a muffled groan of pain, his brow furrowing deeply.

"I told you to be gentler!" Sebastian finally couldn't resist opening his eyes, his gaze full of fury. "Are you trying to pinch me to death?"

Lucian let out a cold laugh. "Complaining about this and that—who do you think I am to you?"

"Massage me or don't, nobody is begging you."

Sebastian turned his head away, not wanting to look at Lucian’s annoying face.

"Fine, then I won't." As Lucian spoke, he started to withdraw his hand.

Sebastian suddenly reached out and gripped Lucian's wrist tightly. "You dare!"

Lucian arched an eyebrow, looking at Sebastian’s pale hand before gripping it back. A mocking smile curled his lips. "What? Weren't you just acting all tough? Now you can't bear to let me leave?"

"I didn't come here to see you anyway; I only came for my computer! I'm only showing mercy because you're half-dead!"

Sebastian gritted his teeth, staring defiantly at Lucian. "Fine. If you dare stop now, even if I have to crawl, I'll crawl over and smash your computer."

"You dare!" Lucian’s eyes sharpened. He suddenly tightened his grip, pinning Sebastian’s ankle. "If you dare touch my computer, I'll burn this villa down with you inside it."

"You're insane!" Sebastian shivered with rage, but the sudden movement agitated his pain, making him hiss as he sucked in a breath of cold air.

"I'm insane? I was driven insane by you long ago."

Lucian pulled him close, forcing Sebastian’s head toward him until their noses almost touched and their breaths intermingled. "Sebastian, do you have any idea how annoying you are? Arrogant, conceited, acting like you're the center of the world. Who do you think you are? Does the earth stop spinning without you?"

"Then leave right now."

Sebastian stared back at him without flinching, his gaze as cold as ice. "No one is stopping you. Take your computer and never show your face in front of me again."

"You think I don't want to?" Lucian roared. "But I’m just a good person! Understand?! Unlike you!"

"I don't want to argue with you." Sebastian knew he had no strength left; he didn't want to truly provoke this hot-blooded university student.

Lucian didn't give him another chance to speak. He suddenly pulled the man into his arms and held him tight.

The IV tube attached to Sebastian swayed from the movement, the medicine dripping down. Lucian immediately reached out to steady it.

"Don't move!" Lucian growled into his ear. "Move again and I'll tie you to the bed so you can't go anywhere."

Sebastian struggled a few times only to find he couldn't break free.

He was angry enough to curse, but the high fever had left him powerless. He could only allow Lucian to hold him.

"Let go of me..." Sebastian's voice carried a trace of exhaustion and helplessness.

"I won't," Lucian said overbearingly. "Unless you have the strength to beat me to death."

He tightened his arms, holding Sebastian even closer as if trying to pull him into his own body.

Leaning against his chest, Sebastian could clearly hear the powerful thrum of Lucian's heartbeat—it sounded like a heavy hammer striking against his own heart.

He was starting to feel suffocated.

"You... you're doing this on purpose..." Sebastian closed his eyes, a hint of grievance in his voice. "You're trying to smother me..."

"It would be better if I did," Lucian said harshly, though the pressure of his arms lightened slightly. "It would save you from making me angry every day."

Sebastian didn't speak. He simply leaned against him, his breathing gradually stabilizing.

Seeing that he was no longer struggling, Lucian slowly loosened his grip a bit more, though his arm remained draped around the man's waist.

"Alright, stop playing dead." Lucian reached out and pinched his cheek. "Get up. I'll keep massaging you."

"I don't want to..." Sebastian opened his eyes, his gaze full of resistance. "You make it hurt."

"Endure it even if it hurts." Lucian turned him over without negotiation, forcing him to lie prone on the bed. "Dr. Xavier said your back and waist need massaging to promote circulation."

It would have been better not to mention it. Mentioning it only made Sebastian annoyed.

Dr. Xavier? The one from his Moments?

"I don't need it..." Sebastian tried to refuse again, but Lucian pressed a hand onto his back.

Lucian’s palm pressed against his skin.

Starting from the shoulder blades, he slowly massaged downward with moderate pressure that was nonetheless impossible to resist.

Sebastian’s body stiffened again. He gritted his teeth, not wanting to make a sound.

But Lucian’s massage actually brought an indescribable sense of comfort; the aching stiffness and fatigue seemed to dissipate bit by bit.

"Does it feel good?" Lucian whispered into his ear, his voice tinged with mischief.

"It... doesn't." Sebastian turned his head away, not wanting Lucian to see the flush rising on his face.

"Stubborn."

Lucian gave a light laugh, his fingers continuing downward to press into the small of his back. "Look at you, you're nothing but skin and bone. Have you been skipping meals again?"

"What's it to you..."

Sebastian muttered softly, but he instinctively relaxed his body, allowing Lucian’s hands to wander across his back.

Lucian’s technique grew more practiced, his strength perfectly measured.

Sebastian felt a tingling numbness wash over him, and his consciousness began to blur.

"Sleep if you're tired," Lucian said softly, though his hands didn't stop moving.

"You get out first." Sebastian forced his eyelids open; he didn't want to show weakness in front of Lucian, didn't want him to see his vulnerable side.

"Still stubborn?" Lucian pinched the back of his neck. "If you don't sleep now, I'll flip you over and kiss you until you fall asleep."

"You dare!" Sebastian snapped his eyes open, his gaze full of warning.

"See if I dare or not." As Lucian spoke, he actually leaned in closer until his nose nearly brushed Sebastian's lips.

Sebastian’s heart rate suddenly accelerated. He turned his head away in a panic, his cheeks burning. "Don't... don't do anything reckless..."

"Then sleep like a good boy."

Looking at his shy state, the fire in Lucian's heart vanished for no reason, replaced only by a sense of helplessness.

Sebastian bit his lip and stopped speaking.

He closed his eyes and let Lucian massage him, his consciousness gradually sinking into darkness.

Before falling completely asleep, he felt someone place a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Lucian looked at Sebastian's sleeping face, his fingers lightly tracing the lines of his eyes.