Olympian Syndrome

Chapter 20

Bad's day proceeded as normal, him stocking the shelves with Mega, Vurb ringing up stuff at the cash register and passing flirty comments to Finn, who was entertaining people, and of course Zelk who kept everything in order, while dealing with the usual Karen from time to time.

The Athena let out a sigh as the day came to a close. He waved good-bye to his co-workers, then headed out the door for the long walk home. When he arrived back at his place, he put his things away then changed into comfortable clothes, before getting started on dinner.

His phone rang when he was just about done with cooking, so he turned off the stove to pick it up.

"Hey Bad! Did you get home safe?" Skeppy's cheerful voice asked though the phone.

"Yes I did, why?" He answered, as he used his chin and shoulder to hold onto the phone while he poured the food that he made onto a plate, and set it on the table.

"Just checking, I was planning on picking you up, but my dad needed my help with something." Skeppy said.

"It's fine you muffin head, I can handle a simple walk home." Bad replied, as he walked over to sit on the couch.

The pair fell into a comfortable conversation, and Bad found himself smiling at how well the Hermes could make him feel so comfortable and special.

"Oh yeah, you mentioned that you had to drive me to your apartment after I got drunk. How did you know how to drive a motorcycle?"

"I used to work as a fast food delivery boy, I picked up the skill from there." Bad then heard hurried footsteps approach the door.

"I have to go Skeppy, I think Karl's home."

"Okay bye!" the Hermes partially yelled before Bad hanged up.

Right on cue, a very flustered Karl came running into the room and immediately tackled Bad in a hug.

"Karl? What happened muffin?" Bad asked sweetly.

=•=•=•=•=

Let's rewind a bit and switch POVs

=•=•=•=•=

When Karl stepped outside of his work place, he was greeted with a smiling Sapnap, who was leaning against his truck. Karl returned his smile, but let out a little yelp when the Hephaestus pulled him into a hug.

When Sapnap pulled away, he placed their foreheads together, "Did you have a good day?" he asked. Karl blushed and nodded.

"Oh I have something for you..." Sapnap said as he gently guided Karl to the back of his truck.

Karl gasped when he saw his bike sitting in the back of Sapnap's truck, all fixed up. No, it looked even better than before. It was originally a second-hand, with a couple of dents and scratches here and there, so he was able to get it cheap. But now it looked like it came straight out from the factory.

"I may have made a few tweaks here and there," Sapnap said, as he looked at the fancy bike with pride.

"Sapnap...I can't accept it," Karl stated.

"Well alright then," Sapnap answered, a little too happy. "I wouldn't mind picking you up every time, and dragging you on random dates." he added smugly.

"On second thought, I'll take the bike." Karl joked, making the Hephaestus pout.

"Aw... I was looking forward to kidnapping you for dinner sometime," Sapnap jokingly whined.

Karl laughed, "You could have just asked you know," he said making Sapnap beam with hope in his eyes. "But not tonight, Bad's waiting for me at home." Karl added.

The raven head nodded in understanding, then they jumped into his truck. They joked around during the ride, laughing their head off, and singing along to random songs on the radio. When they finally arrived, Sapnap helped Karl get his new bike from the back of the truck, while the latter leaned onto the truck's side.

"I still don't get what you find so special about me, I'm not exactly handsome, nor do I have an interesting personality." Karl suddenly said out of nowhere.

Sapnap turned to him with narrowed eyes, and slowly walked over to him. Karl felt a bit scared of Sapnap's sudden change of demeanor, but he didn't step away. Instead, he just took in a deep breath and gulped.

Karl let out a small yelp when Sapnap suddenly slammed his palms onto his truck, effectively trapping the Athena between his arms. Sapnap continued to hold his stare until he dipped his head into the nook of Karl's neck, and nuzzled his nose against the spot. Karl felt Sapnap's hot breath fan over his skin which caused him to shiver.

"Sapnap...?" Karl breathed out, secretly not wanting the guy to stop.

"I don't like it," Sapnap stated, with his face still nuzzled into Karl's neck. "I don't like it when you degrade yourself like that." He pulled back a bit to place their foreheads together again, then he cupped Karl's face with his hands.

"You're beautiful Karl, and it hurts me to know that you have no idea how amazing you are." Sapnap said with sincerity.

Karl felt his heart clench when he heard those words. He wanted to trust this man, let him into his heart, but should he risk falling in love again?

Without thinking, Karl gently pressed their lips together. He relished in the feeling of warmth that swept over him, and let out a sigh when he felt the Hephaestus return the kiss.

It was sweet and gentle, until Karl decided he wanted more, then it turned into one filled with passion. The brunette let out a gasp when Sapnap pushed him against his truck, before pulling away and smiling affectionately at him.

"We won't go any further for now," Sapnap said after he pressed a quick kiss to Karl's forehead. "I want to make sure that you know, that you're not just a one night stand for me. You're someone that I want a committed relationship with."

Sapnap then shot him one last smile before getting into his truck, leaving a still flustered Karl with his bike. "Go on now, I'm sure Bad's waiting for you." Sapnap stated in a gentle tone before pulling out and driving away.

Karl stood there in shock for a few seconds, before dragging the bike to the rack situated in front of the building, and bolting up the stairs to his apartment. Once there, he quickly tackled Bad into a hug. He just needed to be held for now and Bad gave really warm hugs.

"Karl? What happened muffin?" he heard his friend ask.

Karl sniffled a bit, biting back the tears, "I don't know Bad, I've never been this scared before."

Bad then guided Karl to sit down on the couch. "Is this about Sapnap?" he asked gently, and his friend nodded.

"I like him Bad, more than any other boy that I dated before. I know I said that I would try, but I didn't expect to fall this deep so soon. I don't think I can handle it, if he leaves me like the others did."

Bad tightened his hold, unlike him and George, Karl had already dated several people before. He had seen his friend get heartbroken so many times, and understood when Karl stated one day that he was done with dating.

"I don't think Sapnap would do that, and I'm sure George agrees me." Bad said as he rubbed Karl's back. "I can see how much he likes you muffin, and I think you should give love another chance. If he turns out to be anything like your exes, I will personally see to his demise."

Karl giggled at the last bit, "Thanks Bad," he said.

"No problem muffin, now why don't we have dinner and get a good night's sleep." Karl nodded, and they both headed into the kitchen.