AN: I had the itis thus the delay. Please enjoy hehe. I hope you had a great a turkey day.
By the time the team neared the end of their last round, a sudden cry broke the rhythm. Rowland yelped in pain, collapsing to the ground. "My ankle!" he gasped, clutching it tightly.
Jenn’s voice rang out from behind, sharp and commanding. "Team leader, what are you going to do?"
Yu Xi halted immediately, and the rest of the team followed suit, concern etched across their faces. Arya, a guide with quick instincts, crouched beside Rowland. "Can you get up?" she asked gently.
Rowland winced, his face pale. "I can try." Arya helped him to his feet, but the moment weight pressed onto his ankle, his expression twisted in agony.
Yu Xi stepped forward decisively. "Here, let me carry him. We’re almost at the finish line."
Another team rushed past them, their footsteps echoing, but Yu Xi didn’t falter. He scooped Rowland into a princess carry, his movements steady and sure. Rowland’s arms wrapped around Yu Xi’s neck, his cheeks flushing red like a rose in bloom. Yu Xi, focused solely on his duty, didn’t notice. He simply did what a team leader should.
Jian Ci was standing off to the side, sipping electrolyte water, when he felt someone nudge his elbow. He turned, only to see Elias grinning like a fool, mischief written all over his face.
"Seems like your roommate will be in a relationship soon," Elias teased.
Jian Ci blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Elias pointed toward the training grounds, where Yu Xi was carrying Rowland in a princess carry. The sight hit Jian Ci like a punch. He choked on his water, coughing violently. "Fuck—" he cursed between coughs, his face flushed with irritation.
Meanwhile, Yu Xi brought Rowland straight to the medical tent. "His ankle is injured," Yu Xi said firmly to the nurse.
The man smiled kindly. "Let’s take a look."
Yu Xi immediately turned to leave, but Rowland called out, his voice soft. "Wait."
Yu Xi paused, turning back. Rowland’s face was hot with embarrassment as he whispered, "Thank you."
Yu Xi nodded once. "Sure," he said, before walking away.
Heading toward the water station, Yu Xi grabbed a bottle. Just as he twisted the cap, someone draped an arm casually over his shoulder. He assumed it was Jian Ci and didn’t react at first.
But then he spotted Jian Ci standing opposite him, a distance away, his expression dark and clearly unhappy. Yu Xi’s brows furrowed as he turned his head to see who was leaning against him.
It was Vigil, smirking with that familiar arrogance, his presence heavy and annoying.
Yu Xi shrugged his arm off with a sharp motion, his expression cold. Vigil was taken aback, his smirk faltering for a moment.
"Don’t touch me," Yu Xi said, his voice like ice.
Vigil snorted, masking his surprise with arrogance. "What are you made of, precious minerals? Why can’t I touch you, team leader?"
Yu Xi didn’t bother replying. He turned away, asking the attendant for some juice before walking off. His stride was steady, deliberate, as though Vigil’s words hadn’t even reached him.
As expected, Jian Ci was standing nearby, his face clouded with unhappiness. Yu Xi held out the juice. "Here."
Before Jian Ci could take it, Alarna appeared suddenly, her tone light but intrusive. "He already has one. I gave it to him."
Yu Xi blinked, then said, "Oh," and started to pull it back.
But Jian Ci’s voice cut in, firm. "Who said I had it? I only had water."
Yu Xi handed him the juice again, and Jian Ci drank it happily, his lips curling into a smile. "You know me too well."
Yu Xi twisted the cap of his water bottle, only for Jian Ci to drape his arm around his shoulder. "Let’s go."
Vigil, watching from a distance, felt irritation gnaw at him as the two walked together. Why could Jian Ci touch him and he couldn’t?
Alarna called out, "Ci, aren’t you going to gather with the others to pick a name?"
Jian Ci didn’t even glance back. "I don’t have to be there," he said, before turning to Yu Xi again. "Let’s go."
Alarna stood frozen, her lips pressed tight. "...."
Jian Ci’s voice broke the silence as they walked side by side toward their dorm. "What’s up with that?"
Yu Xi tilted his water bottle, taking a sip before answering. "What?" His tone was casual, though he already suspected what Jian Ci meant.
Jian Ci’s eyes lingered on him, sharp and unyielding. Yu Xi sighed. "You mean Vigil?"
Jian Ci didn’t reply, his silence heavy. Yu Xi smirked faintly. "I thought it was you. Are you jealous?"
"Yes," Jian Ci said without hesitation, his voice firm.
Yu Xi blinked, startled by the bluntness. "It was only for a few seconds before I realized it."
"A second too long," Jian Ci retorted, his lips curling in irritation.
Yu Xi groaned dramatically. "Oh my gosh, you are being ridiculous. What if I get into a relationship in the future? Are you going to be jealous too?" He knew it was a foolish question, but he wanted to hear Jian Ci admit it.
Jian Ci shook his head. "No. That’s different. I won’t be jealous of your girlfriend. But I would be jealous if you found a new friend."
Yu Xi froze, speechless. "...." He pulled his hand away and walked ahead, trying to mask the sudden rush of warmth in his chest.
But Jian Ci caught up quickly, leaping onto him with reckless energy. Yu Xi instinctively held him up, the motion natural after having carrying him on his back before.
"Are you embarrassed? Everyone is watching you," Yu Xi muttered, his voice low.
Jian Ci tilted his head, his voice teasing yet edged with something deeper. "Are you embarrassed?"
Yu Xi wasn’t embarrassed at all. In fact, he felt a quiet happiness blooming inside him. Jian Ci would only act this way with him—clingy, playful, unrestrained. He loved it when Jian Ci’s attention was focused solely on him, as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. Shaking his head, Yu Xi answered softly, "No."
Jian Ci grinned. "Then onward we go. I will carry you the rest of the way."
Yu Xi chuckled, his tone light.