~Male crush x male reader~

not an update sorry lol

I swallow the last bite of the croissant my chef made for me for breakfast, when my butler steps into the kitchen. He places an envelope next to my plate on the table.

"This came in for you, Sir."

"Thank you, Humphrey."

Humphrey bows before exiting, leaving me by myself again. I open the envelope and pull out a paper with cursive writing across the front.

I swear, if this is another challenge from the gods...

"Apex,

We have noticed that you recovered too quickly from your battle with the previous hero we sent, so we're going to send another one to make sure you understand your place from now on. Meet our new prodigy at the battleground at 5 o'clock.

-Gabriel 'Silver Spirit' Seraphim"

Of course.

I release an exasperated huff, rolling my eyes and standing up from my seat at the table.

"Humphrey?"

Humphrey pokes his head into the kitchen and looks at me.

"Tell the security guards to watch the place while I'm gone. I have some business to take care of."

"Understood, Sir."

Humphrey leaves the kitchen again. I dump my plate into the sink, drying my hands on a nearby dish towel. I begrudgingly trudge up the staircase leading to my room, closing the door behind me.

I grab my black compression top out of my closet and begin taking my shirt off, pulling my arms out of the holes one at a time. I toss the old shirt into my dirty clothes hamper, pulling the new shirt over my head. I step out of my jeans and drop it into the hamper as well. I pick a pair of sweatpants from my closet, putting them on one leg at a time and securing the drawstrings to keep the pants from falling. I grab my fitness shoes and push my feet inside, tying them.

I grab my keys from my dresser and descend my staircase, checking the time and realizing how close it is to time for the battle.

It's already 4:30, wow. I need to go.

I open the front door and shut it behind me, groaning in frustration and walking along the path leading to my driveway. I unlock my car and step inside, closing the door and buckling myself in. I push the key fob into the opening, turning it to the side and putting my car in drive.

Here we go again.

~*time skip*~

I pull into an opening behind a nearby abandoned government building, turning the car off and stepping out. I close the door once I'm fully out of the vehicle. I straighten out my clothing and turn the corner, only to be met with what looks like a mere teenager.

He sent a child to fight me...

"How old are you?"

Gabriel's trainee looks down at the ground with an awkward expression, dragging their feet along the ground.

"Silver told me not to tell you..."

Of course he did, because he knew I would refuse if I knew this kid's actual age.

"That tells me everything I need to know. Look, kid, I don't want to fight a child, let alone an inexperienced one. It goes against what little morals I have."

The trainee looks at me with confusion for a moment before shaking their head, getting into a ready stance. I look into their eyes and see nothing but fear and exhaustion.