Boy Trouble GT

Chapter 40

The heat of the day gradually eased as the sun dipped below the skyline, stretching shadows across the track. Kye remained seated on the grass, still feeling the warmth on his pale skin, while Mason lounged comfortably on his lap. In any other setting, the sight of such a tiny figure perched on the knees of a towering giant might have turned heads. But here, it just felt like them. Even so, Kye's cheeks held a subtle flush at the attention they drew.

Eventually, the day's final races concluded, and the remaining crowd began to scatter. Mason hopped out from Kye's lap with practiced ease, and Kye found himself missing the contact almost immediately, as if Mason's presence had kept him anchored. Mason glanced back with a teasing grin, swinging a small duffel bag over his shoulder.

"All done, big guy," Mason announced, his voice brimming with the day's success. "Ready to head out?"

Kye mustered a brief nod, forcing his long limbs to cooperate as he stood. A faint twinge ran through his knees after sitting cross-legged on the ground for so long. The memory of Mason's affectionate lap-sitting was still fresh—unbelievably so. He silently wondered how he'd face people again, knowing half of Mason's track team had witnessed that scene. But Mason didn't seem bothered in the slightest.

They walked side by side—Mason's quick strides next to Kye's more deliberate, measured steps. Though the campus walkways were wide and designed to accommodate both humans and giants, Kye still felt each passerby's curious gaze. Mason, unfazed, kept looking up at him with that easy smile, the same expression that silently asked if Kye was doing okay. The warmth behind it settled some of the nervous churn in Kye's chest.

A couple of Mason's teammates jogged by, sending them cheerful waves. Kye felt the familiar prickle of self-consciousness, half-expecting a barrage of teasing remarks about seeing Mason curled up in his lap earlier. Instead, the runners just grinned, leaving Kye to release a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

Since the track was located at the campus's far edge, they decided to take the mixed-size shuttle back to the dorm. Kye lingered near the back, where the seats were scaled for someone of his height. Mason slipped into the front section, easily settling onto a human-sized bench. Kye noticed Mason craning his head around every so often, flashing him a supportive grin as if to confirm that he was okay. Kye responded with a small, shy wave, still not used to how large everything felt for him—and how minuscule by comparison it must seem to Mason.

When the shuttle reached their stop, Kye ducked through the door first, stepping onto the pavement. Mason joined him moments later, looking relaxed and content, even though the day had been long. Dusk had fallen across the campus, painting the horizon in pastel tones that mixed with the last bits of daylight.

Kye wanted to say something, some expression of thanks or apology for being so awkward. But the words tangled in his throat, so he settled for a soft tilt of his head in Mason's direction. Mason just winked, apparently satisfied with the quiet acknowledgement.

Back at the Dorm

They let themselves into the dorm, the overhead lighting casting a familiar glow across the common area. Mason dropped his track bag by the door with a casual thud and bent to unlace his shoes. Kye carefully toed off his own, trying not to let his gangly frame knock into anything. Exhaustion made his shoulders sag, but along with it came a curious sense of contentment.

After a shared glance—Mason's still bright with leftover adrenaline, Kye's still tinted with shy warmth—they drifted into the living space. Mason collapsed onto the couch, an unspoken invitation in his raised eyebrow. Kye hesitated, then lowered himself to the floor beside it, resting his back against the cushions.

With a soft laugh, Mason scooted until his legs dangled over the side of the couch, peering at Kye. "You and your floor-sitting," he teased.

Kye shrugged, letting his head fall back to gaze up at Mason. "It's... comfortable," he said, aware of the affectionate undertone in his own voice.