Always With You (Caejose)

Tight (2/2)

....Caesar POV....

The weight clicked into place, and I let out a long, exhausted breath. Jojo made sure the weight was in place before letting go. My stomach cramped, and I stumbled back. My back hit something warm and solid, and I froze. Arms wrapped around me, steadying me. A long breath escaped my lungs, my eyes drifting half shut. The sun was warm on my face, rising through the clouds to cast bright rays on the fresh morning.

The arms pulled away, and I blinked. Jojo moved back onto the grass. I turned after a short moment to follow him.

He was silent, just as exhausted as I was after the full night of training. I hoped we would be able to sleep after eating- that Lisa Lisa didn't have something else planned. 

For once, he was quiet as we made our way back to the main hall, the air devoid of his usual mindless chatter. 

He was rubbing out a knot in his arm for most of the way, his glove leaving an oily smear on his arm. My muscles were full of tension myself, though I was too exhausted to attempt to release it. I was worried that I wasn't even going to make it through breakfast- the exhaustion pulling my eyelids close.

Lisa Lisa took one look at us, then let out a soft breath. 

"I'll have food sent up. Clean up- get some rest. We'll begin again at midnight."

I thanked her softly, though Jojo just turned to trudge his way up to our room. 

"Do you want the bathroom first?" he asked, struggling to keep his eyes open. I glanced at the door, lips thinning. Knowing he was likely to pass out before he made it. 

A knock sounded on the door, and he perked up. That answered my question, I supposed. I beckoned him, taking off his mask with what small amount of hamon I had left. He went to receive the food as I slipped into the bathroom.

I managed to get off most of the oil- finding that it had somehow made it's way into my hair. I wasn't surprised. It was everywhere.

Jojo was half asleep when I stepped out, toweling off my hair. He stood, brushing past me without another word. 

I quickly wolfed down the food, then fell into bed with a full stomach. I barely bothered to pull up the covers before I fell asleep. 

...

Warmth surrounded me as I awoke, blinking. Bright sunlight streamed in through the open window, carried by a soft, sweet-smelling breeze. 

Judging by the sun, it had to be somewhere just past noon. I'd been asleep for a little over six hours. I rolled over to face the other side of the room. Jojo was fast asleep, blankets tangled around his waist. One arm was thrown over the side of the bed, face smashed into the pillow. He  snored softly, chest back rising and falling with each even breath. 

I made to sit up, but pain twinged through my body- every muscle that ever existed crying out in pain. I let out a hissed groan, falling back onto the bed. 

Jojo shifted in his sleep, readjusting his head before falling back asleep.

Pain was now prominent in my body, pressing in on every muscle. I wasn't about to fall asleep again until I worked it out, despite the fogginess still pulling at me.

I slid onto the floor, muscles still in a hard muddle. 

I set to working them out. Halfway through my right leg, Jojo stirred. I glanced up to see him watching me with half-lidded eyes.

"Are you awake or do you sleep like that?" I asked him dryly. He yawned widely, teeth glinting in the afternoon light.

"I'm awake. Unfortunately. Your groans woke me."

I clamped down on the heat filling my face. He sighed, watching me.

"Do you need help?" he asked eventually. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"From a man such as-"

He moved before I could say another word, slipping off the bed. He'd fallen asleep in only a pair of boxers, his strong, lithe body on full display in the warm light of the noon sun. 

"Turn around," he said through a yawn. I only watched him. He kneeled in front of me, gently but surely turning me around. I fought it for a moment, though eventually gave in as a muscle in my back pulled taut, sending pain slithering through my body.

He rested his hands on me, and I stiffened, turning my head to look at him.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" I asked tightly. His thumbs pressed into a tight spot right at the indent of my shoulder blade- and I let out a tight gasp. Slowly, he eased the tension from it before moving onto another spot. 

"What do you think, Caesar-chan?" he asked, voice dripping with sarcasm. I bit my lip, fighting another flush. No one managed so easily to get under my skin as he did. It was an unfamiliar feeling- and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not yet.

I didn't reply, letting him work through my back. 

As he did- the oddest thing flashed into my head. 

The memory of him helping me in training earlier today- his chest pressed against my back as he hauled up the weight link by link. The feeling of his muscles tensing against mine as our bodies worked in rhythm-

I blinked, pushing it away with a sudden flush.

No. 

It couldn't be. 

I risked a glance back at him. 

I knew that I was attracted to both genders- though I only ever showed my preference to girls. Easier to manage. 

But...

My gaze trailed to his mouth- uncovered for this small amount of time. His full lips, tongue poking between them as he concentrated on releasing the tension from my back.

I blinked, wrenching my gaze away. 

No.

I couldn't afford attachment. I couldn't afford to trust someone. I'd lived my whole life with only myself. 

I wasn't about to stop that now just because of some pretty boy. 

Even if...

No. 

He hated me just as much as I hated him.

Well...

Except...

I didn't really hate him... did I?