Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 128: Let Me See It

Nathan felt more excited about school, he hadn’t expected that having a boyfriend would make him so happy. He finally understood why Vale was always so happy and excited every time Gerry had practice. He was also happy to be around Zane.

Nathan learned about Zane’s activities, which he had never expected. Zane often spent time at the gym after school on days when they didn’t have lessons.

There were two gyms at their school that students could use. Zane often returned to school when night fell and the gym was empty.

Today, Zane looked at Nathan with a worried expression. Nathan was moving stiffly, lowering himself into his chair with a wince and shifting constantly to find an angle that didn’t hurt.

Zane didn’t say anything at first, but his eyes never left Nathan during the lecture. He watched the way Nathan’s brow furrowed every time he had to adjust his position.

When the bell rang for lunch, Nathan stayed put.

"Can you go to the cafeteria alone?" Nathan asked, his voice a bit strained. "I don’t feel well. I think I’ll just stay here and study."

Zane didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned down, bringing his face level with Nathan’s. "What happened? Are you sick?"

Nathan felt his face heat up instantly. He shook his head, looking away. "No, I’m fine. I just... I don’t feel like eating right now."

"You can’t skip lunch, Nathan. You know your stomach can’t handle being empty for too long," Zane said firmly. "I’ll bring food back here. We’ll eat together."

Before Zane could move, Eli popped into the room. Seeing Nathan’s pale face, the ever-attentive friend didn’t even wait to be asked. "I’m going to the cafeteria! I’ll bring something for both of you, okay? Just wait here!"

Eli vanished before they could argue.

Once the room was empty of other students, Zane pulled a chair closer, his expression darkening with concern. "Tell me the truth. What happened? You’ve been acting uncomfortable all morning. Do you have... a boil or something?"

Nathan let out a sharp, annoyed click of his tongue. "No!"

"Then what?"

Nathan bit his lip, humiliation bubbling up. But Zane’s gaze was too steady to ignore. "My grandfather," Nathan muttered under his breath. "He... he punished me."

Zane’s eyes widened. "What? He hit you?"

"He’s harsh and evil, Zane. You wouldn’t believe it," Nathan grumbled, shifting again. "I can’t even sit properly. He treats us like we’re his property, not his family."

Zane went quiet for a moment, his jaw tightening. He pulled out a chair and sat down next to Nathan. He reached out and squeezed Nathan’s hand. "You once asked me why I go to the gym so much, right?"

Nathan looked up, confused by the sudden change in topic. "Yes. I didn’t realize you went that often."

"I used to go just to stay fit," Zane said, his voice dropping to a serious, low tone. "But now I go more. I’m trying to make myself stronger. I have to be strong enough to take you away from your family."

Nathan caught his breath. He had spent so many nights worrying that Zane would leave him once he left that family. He never expected Zane to be training to take him away.

"Because of me?" Nathan whispered.

"You always say you’re leaving after June," Zane said. "You can’t just leave a family like yours without a plan. I have to be ready to accompany you. I need to be strong enough to protect you. I know the Salazars are an impossible enemy to have, and I don’t want to be an enemy... but I need to be strong enough to protect you once you walk out that door."

Nathan stared at him, his heart aching with a mixture of love and fear. "You don’t need to protect me. I can take care of myself."

"I’m not going to be easy about it," Zane countered with a small, determined smile. "I’m serious about taking care of you. So if you see me at the gym a lot, don’t be angry. I’m doing it for us."

Nathan wanted to protest, but then the image of Alexander flashed in his mind. Alexander was the strongest man he knew—powerful, wealthy, and feared, yet even he couldn’t stop Antonio from taking Huan away. The reality hit Nathan like a physical blow. He didn’t want to be a victim, and he didn’t want Zane to become a memory.

"I think... I need to be strong too," Nathan said, his voice gaining a new edge of resolve. "We’ll go to the gym together."

Zane blinked, surprised. "Why? You hate the gym."

"I don’t know when they’ll decide to get involved in our relationship," Nathan said, his eyes locking onto Zane’s. "I just don’t want to lose you. I won’t let what happened to Huan happen to us."

Zane understood. He knew the shadow that the story of Alexander and Huan cast over Nathan’s heart. He reached out and gently ruffled Nathan’s hair.

"Okay. We do it together. But today we have lessons. You already missed enough yesterday."

"That was because my grandpa forced us to stay home," Nathan sighed.

"I know. You have a gym at your place too, don’t you?"

Nathan shook his head quickly. "I do, but I don’t want to do it there. I like doing it with you."

Zane smiled, the tension finally breaking. "Well, okay. We start tomorrow, then. Bring some clothes. Usually I go home first, but tomorrow we’ll head straight there after school."

After school, as usual, they went straight to Zane’s house for tutoring.

The tutoring session had been an exercise for Nathan today. Every few minutes, he had to shift his weight, leaning on one hip and then the other, his face scrunching in a silent wince.

Zane, usually focused and disciplined, found it impossible to concentrate. He watched the way Nathan’s hand gripped the edge of the table every time he moved.

Finally, the clock struck the end of their hour. The teacher went out.

"I think... I’ll be ready for the final test," Nathan said, exhaling a breath he felt like he’d been holding for hours. "I actually feel confident now."

Zane packed his pens away, his eyes softening. "Good. You’ve worked hard for it."

Nathan moved to stand up, but as soon as he straightened his legs, a sharp, stinging heat shot through him. "Ow!" he hissed, instinctively reaching back to steady himself.

Zane was by his side in an instant. "Is it that bad?"

He looked concerned. "Nathan, let me see it."

Nathan’s head snapped up, his face turning red. "No! It’s fine! It just... it stings a little."

Nathan retreated to the sofa, sinking onto it with a muffled groan. He looked up to find Zane standing over him, looking uncharacteristically stern.

"You’re really not going to let me check?" Zane asked.

The image of Zane—calm, cool Zane—unzipping his pants and inspecting the damage made Nathan’s heart do a frantic tap-dance against his ribs. "No! Absolutely not!"

"Why?"

"Why? Because... because!" Nathan sputtered. "It’s not exactly something you show people, Zane!"

"Are you shy?"

Nathan wanted to scream Yes! but the words died in his throat. He just sat there, his ears burning.

Zane sighed and walked toward a small cabinet, returning with a tube of medicinal salve. He sat on the edge of the sofa next to Nathan.

Despite his calm exterior, Zane’s own pulse was racing, and a faint pink tint had climbed his neck. He was trying his best to look "professional," even if his hands were a little less steady than usual.

"I have this salve. It helps with inflammation and the sting," Zane said softly. "Let me help you, okay?"

Nathan swallowed hard, looking at the tube and then at Zane. "You... you really can’t see it."

"Why? Seriously, we have the same shape of butt. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about in front of me. After all, I’m your boyfriend now."

The word boyfriend acted like a magic spell, breaking Nathan’s stubbornness. He let out a long, defeated moan and rolled over onto his stomach, burying his face in a cushion. "I hate this. I don’t want you to see me at my worst moment."

"I should see you at every moment," Zane countered, his voice steadying as he focused on the task.

With a trembling hand, Nathan reached back and began to lower his trousers. When he hesitated at his underwear, Zane reached out. "It’s okay. Let me help—"

"No! I can do it!" Nathan squeaked, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Outside the bedroom door, Ben was leading a guest up the stairs.

"It’s his room. You can just go in," Ben said, gesturing toward the door.

Louis nodded, his expression worried. "Thanks. I have to take him home soon."

Natasha and Dante had arrived, and Roger wanted Nathan brought home soon.

Louis didn’t bother knocking. He turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The scene inside froze his blood.

Nathan was sprawled face-down on the sofa, his trousers pulled down, and Zane was leaning over him, his hand frozen mid-air as he applied the salve to Nathan’s bruised skin. From Louis’s angle at the door, the context was completely lost.

Louis’s jaw hit the floor. His eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he took in the sight of his "innocent" young master in such a compromising position.

"NATHAN!" Louis roared, his voice echoing through the entire house.

Nathan shrieked, shocked to see Louis. He tried to stand up, scrambling to pull his pants up and falling off the sofa in the process.

Zane jumped back, the tube of salve flying out of his hand and rolling across the floor.

"Louis! It’s not what it looks like!" Nathan yelled, his face now a deep, agonizing purple.

But Louis was already marching into the room, looking like he was ready to commit a felony.