Blood & Bruises

Progress

>>Izel

Oh no no no!!!

The realization was like a blow and I began to panic

Seth pulled away but the distance between his face and mine was merely a few centimeters, "Doc?" His warm breath tickled my cold skin, making another shiver go down my spine.

OH LORD!!!

I felt weak in the knees and I knew if he did anything further, I would lose all my reason.

"M-move away," The heat inside me flared even more.

Instead of moving away, he got closer again, sliding his arms against my body, making me flinch, "What's wrong?" He noticed my expressions but it flipped my brain.

I wanted him away from me so bad I didn't think at all and ended up slapping him across the face. And mind you, I slapped him so hard the impact made him move to the side, away from me. But that wasn't the end of it, he fell out of the bed and crashed on the floor

!?!?!

Oh shit!

I clasped my hands over my mouth and looked down. Seth was on all fours with his head down, his eyebrows furrowed, then he brought his hand to his cheek that I just slapped and slowly turned his head up to look at me.

"Doc," The look in his eyes was so innocent I felt guilty, "Did I do something wrong?"

"I-" I wasn't sure how to tell him or what to tell him, "I'm sorry," So, I apologized and got down from the bed, "I shouldn't have done that," I went and stood in front of him, then gave him my hands to help him up. He pouted at me, trying to show me that he was angry, "Come on," I said, "I didn't mean it."

"Then why did you slap me?" He did give me his hands even though we both knew he didn't need them. He got up and tightened his grip around my hands as he stood up straight, almost as if he was afraid I'd let him go immediately.

"Uhhh-" I thought about what excuse to give him when the door banged open.

!!!

My head snapped towards the door, and my stomach tightened when I saw his coach barreling in, his face set in what looked like a scowl.

Oh no

For a second, I thought he'd come to yell at Seth, maybe even punish him for losing the match. Instinctively, I stepped forward, placing myself firmly between them. My hand found Seth's arm, and I tugged his solid frame behind me, his tall figure looming behind my small one. It was like a cat trying to hide a doberman behind her.

As the coach took another step forward, I braced myself, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin, ready to argue or, if necessary, defend Seth from whatever was coming. Because this time he was not supposed to give him any shit, the other party cheated.

But then the coach stopped in his tracks, his intense expression dissolving into a wide grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

"Well, there he is!" He boomed, a hearty laugh erupting from his chest, "My star!!"

!?!?

I blinked, completely taken aback, my posture faltering.

"You're... not mad?" I managed, still gripping Seth's arm but loosening my hold, the surprise clear in my voice. I turned my head around to look at Seth in confusion but noticed that he already had his eyes on me.

The coach chuckled even louder, a genuine warmth in his eyes that took me entirely off guard. "Mad? Are you kidding?" He stepped right past me, reaching out to grab Seth by the shoulder and practically yanked him out from behind me, pulling him forward. "This guy! That was a hell of a performance out there!"

???

What?

Seth's face went from surprised to sheepish, his cheeks flushing as he scratched the back of his neck. "I... I didn't think it was anything special," he mumbled, throwing a sidelong glance my way, his expression both modest and a little stunned.

Wait, what is happening here?

The coach laughed again, a big, boisterous sound that filled the room. "Nothing special? Are you kidding me?" He clapped Seth hard on the back, practically making him stumble forward, then grabbed him around the neck, playfully bending him down in an affectionate headlock. "You lasted longer than anyone thought you would! You've got grit, kid—finally showing what you're made of! Even when the other basted cheated, you still won!!"

Oh?

Seth won!? When the staff brought him in, knocked out, I thought he lost!

Oh...

He must have passed out when the match ended.

Seth managed a grin, though his eyes flicked back to me, still a little unsure. But there was pride there too, a glimmer that made his gaze shine.

The coach caught his eye and winked, keeping his arm wrapped around Seth's neck. "I'm telling you, the others are itching to celebrate! They're waiting for you to join 'em, and they won't take 'no' for an answer!"

Seth let out a low chuckle, his cheeks still faintly flushed. "Well..." The way his gaze kept coming back to me told me he wanted something from me

The coach scoffed, shaking his head with a grin. "They're practically lining up to raise a glass to you. It's been a long time since anyone brought that much fight to the ring."

I couldn't help but smile, watching Seth's face light up just a little more. There was a quiet pride there now, the kind that was rare for him to show, and it warmed me to see him being appreciated. This asshole of a coach is always abusing him, so a little praise from him is something Seth might have never seen.

But at the same time I feel like it was quite sad

The coach tugged him toward the door, still half in that headlock, his arm slung tightly around Seth's shoulders.

"Ah," Seth paused and looked back at me, "Wait," His gaze met mine, "Doc, you didn't give me an answer."

Ah...

About me taking his blood regularly?

I bit my lower lip, "Don't overdo it, alright?" I laughed, crossing my arms as I watched them move toward the door. "Coach, he still needs to rest, especially after that injury."

The coach waved a dismissive hand. "It won't be nothing too crazy."

What??

Seth glanced back at me, a soft, lopsided smile on his face. "I'll see you later," he said, his voice warm, his eyes catching mine. He was looking at me with a question in his eyes. Most likely seeking some sort of validating of our intimate exchange because I didn't answer his question.

Honestly, how was I supposed to answer him now? After discovering what his blood does to me, I don't think I can consume it again.

I crossed my legs subtly as I stood there.

But at the same time, it was too good not to taste it again.

"Have fun," I only waved at him and he seemed disappointed.

The coach then pulled him away and they left.