Lucien slept like the dead... waking only when the mid-morning sun hit his face.

He rolled over, a sharp sting in his chest making him hiss.

Peeking under the hem of his shirt, he saw the swelling had gone down.

The red marks remained... an indicting map of Leon's teeth.

"Jerk," Lucien muttered, climbing out of bed to find something that covered his neck.

Leon was in the kitchen... breakfast already spread across the table.

Lucien marched past him—sliding into a chair without offering so much as a glance.

Leon leaned against the counter... a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips.

"No classes today," Leon noted. "Want to go out?".

"No," Lucien snapped, stabbing a piece of fruit.

Leon let out a heavy sigh, the sound of a man playing a very specific role.

"I'm failing at this... aren't I?".

Lucien's fork paused.

"I'm supposed to be pursuing you," Leon murmured, his voice smooth as expensive whiskey.

"We should be at a concert... or a movie... or chasing the sunset in the hills."

Lucien's resolve wavered... the "cold treatment" plan Jamie suggested already crumbling.

"Where did you have in mind?".

Leon's eyes glinted. "Airsoft... ever played?".

Lucien had expected a quiet afternoon... not a tactical invasion.

Leon had invited half the boxing club... ensuring the game would be high-energy and chaotic.

On the drive there... Lucien tore into a chocolate bar.

"Exerting yourself takes energy," Leon noted, watching Lucien's jaw work.

"Team selection is a random draw... we might not end up together."

Lucien paused, a bit of chocolate on his lip. "Then what?".

Leon leaned in—his thumb swiping the stray chocolate away.

"Think about how you'll beg for mercy," Leon whispered. "I might go easy on you."

Lucien crunched the rest of the bar defiantly. "Don't count on it."

The universe—or Leon's luck—was a traitor.

Lucien ended up on the blue team... while Leon wore the red armband.

Joey clapped Lucien on the shoulder. "Don't worry... I'm a marksman. I'll protect you."

Lucien looked at Joey... then at Leon... and felt his stomach drop.

Leon didn't say a word... he just plucked Lucien by the collar and dragged him toward the lockers.

"Hey!" Lucien squawked. "Are you surrendering already?".

"Tightening your gear," Leon rumbled, ignoring the protest.

The locker room was cramped... Leon's massive frame blocking out the light.

He reached around Lucien's waist... pulling the tactical vest tight.

"Stay in cover," Leon commanded, his hands lingering on Lucien's hips.

"Wait for me to find you."

"And if you find me?".

Leon's gaze dropped to Lucien's mouth.

"I'll eliminate everyone else... then there's only you left."

The "abandoned town" map was terrifyingly realistic.

Lucien clutched his rifle... following Joey through a dusty alleyway.

"Trust me... this is strategy," Joey whispered, moving low.

Thwack!

A red paint pellet exploded against Joey's chest plate.

Joey froze... staring at the bright red stain. "I'm hit... I'm dead."

Lucien didn't wait... he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction.

He ran until his lungs burned... slipping into a corner of the map that looked forgotten.

Lucien collapsed against a wall... gasping for air.

Joey is useless... everyone is useless.

The floorboards creaked.

Lucien scrambled to his feet... but an arm slammed against the doorframe—blocking his exit.

Leon stepped into the room... his predatory grace making the air feel thin.

He caught Lucien by the waist... hoisting him up until their eyes met.

"Got you," Leon rasped.

Leon's knee slid between Lucien's thighs... pinning him against the wood.

"I've been tracking you for twenty minutes."

Leon pressed the barrel of his rifle against Lucien's hip.

"How are you going to please the winner... baby?".

Lucien's heart did a frantic... desperate somersault.

"You're taking this way too seriously," Lucien hissed—his face flaring.

Leon leaned in... his nose brushing Lucien's.

"You look soft in this gear," Leon murmured.

"I want to taste you... just a little bit."

Leon pinned his prisoner against the wall—hard enough to make Lucien's grip on his rifle slip.

The rough kiss ended... leaving Lucien's lips raw.

Leon's large palm settled on Lucien's rear—kneading the soft flesh through the tactical gear.

"Either shoot me or quit the extra stuff!" Lucien hissed... his eyes burning with kitten-ferocity.

Leon let out a low... dangerous huff that was almost a laugh.

"You're in my hands... and you're trying to negotiate?"

Lucien responded with a sharp kick to Leon's shin.

"How did you find me anyway?" Lucien grumbled... leaning into the man's neck despite himself.

Leon buried his face in the crook of Lucien's shoulder—inhaling the scent of sweat and expensive soap.

"I ran into Joey at the respawn point," Leon murmured. "He sold you out."

"That traitor," Lucien muttered.

Lucien pulled away... straightening his vest with shaky fingers.

"Rules are rules. If we meet again... you're dead. Just watch your back!"

Leon watched him march off—Lucien looked like a clumsy... determined bunny with that oversized rifle.

Lucien stumbled over a root... checked his surroundings with wide eyes... then sprinted into the brush.

Leon followed at a distance... moving with the silent... predatory grace of a wolf tracking its prize.

Lucien eventually spotted Joey emerging from the respawn zone.

Lucien didn't hesitate—he opened fire... paint pellets flying everywhere but at the target.

"What are you doing? Lucien! Stop! We're on the same team!" Joey yelped... diving behind a crate.

"We were teammates until you told Leon where I was!" Lucien shouted... firing another wild burst.

Joey threw his hands up in mock surrender. "He's a heavyweight champion! What was I supposed to do?"

Lucien fired again—missing by a mile.

Joey started to retort... then his eyes went wide.

He spotted Leon lurking just a few feet behind Lucien... watching the "lamb" with a cold... amused stare.

Joey didn't say another word—he turned and bolted into the trees.

Lucien let out a triumphant huff... wiping his nose and shouldering his rifle like a conqueror.

Leon stepped out of the shadows... a faint... satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

The game ended at dusk.

Lucien emerged from the "town" with a backpack full of flags—first place.

He was practically vibrating with excitement... spinning in a circle until Leon caught his shoulders.

"Take it easy," Leon rumbled. "You're going to fall over."

Lucien's legs were actually turning to jelly... but his face was flushed a brilliant... happy pink.

To Leon... he looked like a delicious... over-excited strawberry cupcake.

Leon began unbuckling Lucien's heavy chest plate... his fingers lingering on the straps.

"The guys are going out for food," Leon noted... pinching Lucien's cheek. "You want to go... or should we head back?"

Lucien thought for a second. "Let's go. Group dinner sounds fun."

As they headed for the cars... Joey pulled Leon aside.

"So? Did you close the deal? Are you guys official?"

Leon's expression flattened into a stare that made Joey's collar feel too tight.

"Are you bored, Joey?"

"Come on! I'm concerned!" Joey waved a hand dramatically. "You guys act like an old married couple."

Leon looked over at Lucien... who was currently struggling to pull a stray blade of grass out of his hair.

"I'm doing it his way," Leon said... his voice dropping into that private... protective register. "Whatever makes him happy."

Joey let out a frustrated groan but shut his mouth when Lucien hopped over to them.

Leon handed Lucien a chilled energy drink. "Drink. You're dehydrated."

Lucien pouted. "This flavor is gross."

He then proceeded to chug half the bottle anyway.

Leon just watched him... his thumb tracing the line of his own jaw.

Joey watched the interaction... feeling like he was witnessing a very expensive... very private brand of foreplay.

Dinner was at a restaurant Joey swore was the best in the city.

The private room was large... smelling of roasted meat and expensive cologne.

"Leon said you like cake," Joey said... sliding a menu toward Lucien. "My friend makes the best in town. I had one pre-ordered."

"Thanks," Lucien chirped. "I guess I can forgive you for snitching."

Joey let out a loud laugh. "You're too cute. I see why Leon's obsessed."

Lucien's face went nuclear... his eyes darting to Leon.

Leon was already looking at him—his steel-gray eyes full of a heavy... simmering heat.

Lucien looked away... his heart doing parkour in his chest.

Leon pulled out Lucien's chair... smoothed the tablecloth... and took the seat right next to him.

Joey watched in stunned silence—Leon Bolton didn't do "service."

The man was a king... and yet he was currently cutting Lucien's steak into perfect... bite-sized pieces.

"When are the finals?" Leon asked... his focus entirely on the boy beside him.

Lucien sighed... his shoulders slumping. "Right after Christmas."

"Any plans for Christmas Eve?" Leon asked casually.

"School has some event... but I'm skipping it. Sounds boring."

"Good. Don't go," Leon commanded. "I'll pick you up. We'll do Christmas properly."

Lucien's eyes sparked with interest. "Are you making roasted chicken?"

Leon smiled—the slow... predatory kind. "I'll make whatever you want, baby."

Halfway through the meal... Lucien felt the energy drink hitting his bladder.

He tugged on Leon's sleeve. "I need the bathroom."

"I'll go with you," Leon stood up instantly.

The restaurant was a maze of dark wood and dimmed lights.

Once inside the restroom... Lucien washed his hands... watching Leon emerge from a stall in the mirror.

Leon didn't go for the sink—he went for Lucien.

He caught Lucien's wrist... spinning him around until he was trapped against the marble counter.

"Kiss me," Leon rasped.

Lucien blinked... his hands pressing against Leon's chest.

"Don't you think we kiss too much? I told you... you have to ask first."

Leon ignored the rules—he was already leaning in... his breath hot against Lucien's mouth.

"I don't care," Leon murmured. "I want to kiss you every single day."

Lucien tried to push him back... but he was already melting into the heat.

Leon crashed his lips against Lucien's... a deep... hungry invasion.

Lucien's head tilted back... his fingers tangling in Leon's blonde hair.

The door swung open with a definitive creak.

Lucien jumped... shoving Leon back with a gasp.

Joey stood in the doorway... frozen.

"Whoa. That's... that's a lot of tongue."

Lucien's face was a crime scene of embarrassment.

Joey cleared his throat... rubbing the back of his neck. "So... are you guys actually dating?"

Lucien's eyes narrowed... his "snail" instincts screaming for a retreat.

"No," Lucien squeaked.

Joey tilted his head. "No? But you were just... you know. Eating each other's faces."

Lucien looked at Leon... then back at Joey... his stubborn streak taking over.

"You're right, Joey. We aren't dating... so we shouldn't be kissing. No more kissing, Leon."

The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

Leon's face turned into a mask of icy... lethal silence.

The look he gave Joey was enough to make a lesser man stop breathing.

Joey broke out in a cold sweat... his hands waving frantically. "Wait—no—that's not what I meant!"

"I think we've stayed long enough," Lucien said... drying his hands with forced calm.

He walked out of the restroom without looking back.

Leon followed... his expression like thunder.

As Leon passed Joey... he leaned in... his voice a sub-zero growl.

"Tomorrow morning. The training ring. Be there."