System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]-Chapter 71: Jeez, they’re evil

"Jeez... I’m sorry you had to see all that."

After such a... weird interaction, he wasn’t sure how Myles’ would react, so Blake’s gaze lingered on him.

Of course, the irony wasn’t lost on him.

Myles is watching him just as closely.

"Don’t apologize."

Blake huffed weakly, the sound barely carrying.

"Yeah... easy for you to say. C’mon, that was—"

"Blake."

"...Eh?"

"Drink some water."

Only then he realized, his throat felt like sandpaper.

"...Right."

Myles had already reached for the bottle on the bedside table, pouring it into the glass.

Before Blake could even try to sit up properly, a hand slipped behind his back, firm but careful, lifting him just enough.

The rim of the glass touched his lips.

"Drink."

Blake did.

The water felt colder than expected, sliding down his throat in long gulps. He hadn’t realized how thirsty he was until that moment, until his body practically latched onto the sensation.

’...He isn’t half bad at this.’

Once he finished, the glass was taken away just as smoothly.

Myles’ fingers brushed against his hair, pushing it aside.

Then, slowly, he lowered Blake back onto the bed.

Everything about it was embarrassingly careful.

’Should I be happy that I fainted? I mean, obviously not but... this side of him is pretty cute.’

A cold hand settled against Blake’s chest, moving in slow, repetitive strokes.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Blake’s lips twitched.

His body, traitorous as ever, responded immediately. The tension that had been coiled tight inside him began to unravel, little by little.

His breathing deepened.

Slowed.

’Ah, no. Don’t...’

His eyelids grew heavier.

’Don’t close...’

The rhythm of Myles’ hand didn’t change. If anything, it became more deliberate, like he’d noticed the shift and leaned into it.

Blake’s fingers twitched against the sheets.

His thoughts blurred.

And then, nothing.

***

Myles didn’t stop.

Even after Blake’s breathing evened out completely, even after it was obvious he was fully unconscious, his hand remained where it was, moving in that same pattern.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

He stared.

Earlier, this fierce person talked back without much of a hesitation, holding his ground.

And now, he looked a bit too fragile.

His face had softened in sleep, the tension erased, leaving behind something almost defenseless. His breaths were quiet, shallow but steady, his chest rising under Myles’ palm.

Myles didn’t move his hand or look away.

To begin with, he disliked scenes like earlier. People wailing around also displeased him.

But with Blake, it wasn’t irritation.

"Ngh..."

Blake’s face tightened, his brows knitting together even in sleep.

His eyes squeezed shut harder, like he was trying to shut something out.

Myles’ gaze sharpened.

What could possibly make someone react like that... even unconscious?

What exactly was he seeing?

What kind of nightmare made his body move like that?

For a brief, fleeting moment, Myles wondered what it would take to find out.

***

A few hours later, Blake woke up to a blank ceiling.

"...Uh..."

His voice was groggy, rough around the edges. He blinked slowly, trying to focus, trying to piece together where he was.

Right.

He was at hospital.

He dragged a hand over his face, rubbing his eyes before letting out a long yawn.

"You’re awake."

"Ah?!"

Blake’s head snapped to the side so fast it sent a dull ache through his neck.

It was Myles, still sitting there and watching.

Now, he did look a little dark.

"Myles, what is it—"

"Blake!"

Another voice cut in, it was louder and panicked.

Blake blinked.

"...Huh?"

Anthony and Asher stood near the door, both looking like they had rushed over without a second thought.

"Oh my god... you two? You didn’t have to come all the way here! Seriously, c’mon, that wasn’t necessary!"

Anthony scratched the back of his head, gaze dropping slightly.

"It’s nothing, really. You have no idea how worried I was."

Blake’s chest tightened just a little.

He felt oddly guilt of this.

Two absolute nerds skipping school early, probably for the first time in their entire lives.

...Just for him.

"You guys are pretty damn precious," Blake muttered, letting out a laugh.

His gaze shifted instinctively toward Asher.

That was his main concern.

"...Hey," Blake said, softer this time. "Sorry."

Asher blinked. "Huh?"

"For not being able to show you around at school. I said I would, didn’t I?"

For a second, they all just stared at him.

Then, almost immediately, Asher quickly shook his head.

"There’s, there’s really no need to apologize!" he said, visibly flustered. "You’re sick. That’s way more important."

His ears were slightly red.

Blake couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

"...Still."

"It’s really fine," Asher insisted, softer now. "I mean it."

Blake let out a quiet breath.

He was happy.

Genuinely.

Seeing them here, seeing that they cared enough to show up like this, it did something to him.

But...

"What were you guys even doing while I was out?" he asked, glancing between them.

Anthony hesitated.

Asher looked unsure.

Blake’s eyes drifted, almost unconsciously, back to Myles.

He looked the same as always.

All ordinary with a straight look on his face, so really nothing out of the ordinary.

If anything, he just looked mildly annoyed by the extra people in the room.

...Yeah.

That made sense.

"Hey," Blake said suddenly, shifting slightly in bed. "Did you guys eat lunch?"

Anthony and Asher exchanged a glance.

Then both shook their heads.

"...No."

"Not yet."

Blake frowned, then looked at Myles.

"...You?"

"I already ate."

Before he could say anything else, Myles stood.

He stepped closer to the bed, his hand reaching out, and then, his fingers pressed against the side of Blake’s neck.

Blake froze.

"...What are you doing?"

"Checking your pulse."

"Huh, there’s no need to do that. I just had a mild concussion"

"Yeah."

After a moment, he pulled his hand away.

"Your heartbeat is stable," he said flatly. "I’ll ask the nurses if they can bring you some soup."

And just like that, he left.

The room fell into a brief, awkward silence.

Blake sank back into the pillow, suddenly very aware of the two pairs of eyes on him.

"...Why are you staring at me like that?" he muttered.

Anthony coughed lightly, looking away.

Asher did the same, though less successfully.

"...You scared us," Anthony admitted.

Blake scratched his cheek.

"...Yeah. Sorry about that."

Another pause.

"Hey," Blake said, shifting the topic. "If you guys haven’t eaten... just order takeout or something."

Anthony blinked. "What?"

"It’s not a problem," Blake shrugged. "You don’t have to leave just to eat."

The two of them hesitated, then, almost immediately, grabbed the chairs nearby and sat down.

"...Alright."

"...Pizza?" Asher suggested quietly.

"Pizza works, I guess."

Blake snorted.

"You’re not even going to pretend to hesitate?"

They both froze.

"...W-were we supposed to?" Anthony asked.

Blake grinned.

"Nah. Go ahead."

It didn’t take long before they were scrolling through options, placing an order without much debate.

Blake watched them, amused.

"...You know," he said casually, "it kind of looks like you’re doing this on purpose."

Both of them looked up.

"Huh?"

"Eating something good right in front of me," Blake continued, gesturing vaguely. "When I’m stuck here as a patient and probably can’t eat any of it."

The effect was immediate. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"What?! No, that’s not—"

"That wasn’t our intention at all!"

Their reactions overlapped, both of them flustered beyond belief.

Blake stared at them for a second.

Then, he bursted out laughing.

"Relax, relax," he said, wiping at the corner of his eye. "I’m just messing with you."

Honestly, those two just looked relieved.

After a moment, Blake leaned back slightly, tilting his head.

"...So," he said, looking at Asher. "Who’s going to be your guide now?"

Asher blinked, then, glanced at Anthony.

"He is," he said.

Anthony paused mid-scroll.

"Wait, what?"

Blake grinned.

"Oh, that’s going to be fun, then."

Before the conversation could go any further, the door opened again.

Myles returned.

"They’re bringing soup," he said simply.

Blake perked up slightly.

"Nice."

His stomach chose that exact moment to remind him it had been ignored for hours.

"I’m actually starving so badly."

He shifted a bit, then, without really thinking about it, reached out and lightly patted Myles’ thigh.

"Thanks."

He leaned back again, looking far more relaxed now.

Not long after, the food arrived.

Blake’s soup came first. It was warm, simple, but it smelled better than he expected, considering it was hospital’s food.

A little later, the pizza showed up too.

The room filled with the scent of melted cheese and baked dough.

"That smells so good," Blake muttered.

Anthony winced.

"Sorry."

"I said it smells good, not that I’m offended. Gosh, you two." Blake rolled his eyes.

They started eating.

Blake with his soup.

Anthony and Asher with their pizza, a bit more hesitant at first, like they were still worried about eating in front of him.

But eventually, that faded.

Conversation picked up.

Small things.

Random comments.

Occasional laughter.

And Blake felt good.

It wasn’t by any means perfect, since this wasn’t exactly an ideal group.

But it was comforting to have friends.

And... Myles?