Gareth sighed, his gaze softening as he looked at Jason, still perched on the edge of the bed. Blood stained his clothes, streaking across his bruised lips and the side of his face. It was clear that Jason didn’t give a damn about his injuries, but the sight made something tighten in Gareth’s chest.

  “You’re bleeding,” he muttered, his voice low but ced with an edge of concern he couldn’t hide.

  Jason shrugged, trying to py it off as if it didn’t matter. But Gareth could see through it. There was no escaping the reality of the situation.

  Without waiting for a response, Gareth moved closer, standing over him. He wasn’t giving Jason the chance to argue. Jason wasn’t getting off that easy.

  Jason didn’t resist as Gareth straddled him. He barely shifted as Gareth gently pushed his knees apart, settling between his legs with careful precision. The space was tight, their bodies almost in sync in the stillness of the room. The heat between them lingered in the air, but neither spoke.

  Gareth’s fingers were light as they reached out, carefully touching Jason’s wounds. His touch was deliberate and slow as he started to clean Jason’s bloodied lip with a damp cloth. Jason’s gaze never left his face, his mind swirling with a hundred different thoughts.

  There was something in Gareth’s eyes—something that softened the usual sharpness. He wasn’t just doing this out of obligation, wasn’t just a moment of tenderness in the chaos that had taken over their lives. There was care there. Affection. And that made Jason feel something deep in his chest that he didn’t expect to feel.

  Jason held Gareth’s waist, his fingers tightening around his hips, grounding himself. His other hand instinctively reached out and cupped Gareth’s face, his thumb brushing lightly over his jaw. For a moment, all he could focus on was the way Gareth was taking care of him.

  It was as if everything else faded away—everything except the warmth of Gareth’s touch and the quiet way he was tending to Jason’s wounds.

  Jason closed his eyes, letting the tenderness wash over him. He hadn’t realised how much he missed it—how much he needed this, even if he didn’t want to admit it. The pressure in his chest loosened slightly as Gareth continued to work, the man’s focus unwavering as he cleaned the blood away with gentleness Jason didn’t know he was capable of.

  He felt a flicker of vulnerability rise in him, an unfamiliar sensation that settled deep in his stomach. But he pushed it down, not ready to face it yet. Instead, he pressed his face against Gareth’s side, letting his lips graze the man’s waist in a quiet show of appreciation.

  “Thanks,” Jason murmured, his voice rougher than he intended, as he reluctantly opened his eyes and met Gareth’s gaze.

  Gareth didn’t say anything at first, just looked at him with an unreadable expression. But Jason could see the unsaid words in his eyes. He could feel them in the air between them.

  It was a rare moment—a crack in the armour of their usual banter and animosity. And for once, neither of them was in a rush to break it.

  Gareth’s fingers trembled slightly as he cupped Jason’s face, his thumb brushing gently against his skin. His eyes softened, his voice low as he spoke. “We only kissed, Jason. I did it because I knew Collin was watching. You were gone for so long, and I didn’t know how else to get your attention.” His words were raw, the guilt cing his tone clear, but there was something else there too—something more vulnerable that Gareth rarely showed.

  Jason let out a heavy sigh, his chest tightening as he let Gareth’s words wash over him. “You can always call me, Gareth,” he muttered, his voice thick with frustration. “But you never do. And when we were together, you always pushed me away as if I’m nothing, like I’m not worthy to be with you. How am I supposed to feel?” He paused, eyes narrowing, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. “And how do you expect me to feel after watching that video? Of course I’ll come running, but I’ll come running back to you any time of the day if you tell me you miss me, if you tell me you want me. But did you? No. You didn’t. Instead, you went and betrayed me.” His breath hitched, as if the words themselves were a weight he couldn’t carry any longer.

  Gareth’s brow furrowed as he processed Jason’s words, confusion creeping into his gaze. “I’ve always been like this, Jason. You know that. Didn’t you say this is why you like me?” His voice wavered, unsure, defensive, as if trying to justify his actions. But there was a trace of regret buried beneath it—a crack in his usually confident facade.

  Jason scoffed, his eyes hardening as he pushed Gareth away, the space between them growing thick with tension. “It was only one of the reasons,” he said, voice cold, harsh. “But now I know—I’m not interested in childish people. I’m not interested in someone who thinks they’re better than me.” His words hung in the air, a sharp sp of reality.

  Gareth stared at him, horrified. The shock in his eyes was visible, as if Jason’s words had struck him deeper than anything else. For a moment, there was a silence between them, heavy and thick with the weight of everything unspoken. But Jason wasn’t waiting for Gareth’s response. He crouched down, bringing himself to eye level with the man who had once meant everything to him.

  “If you want to be a bitch, then you are welcome to,” Jason said, his tone venomous, sharp. “I’m no more chasing after you. Not in this lifetime.” He straightened up, turning on his heel, and walked away without looking back. He stepped over Gareth, his movements purposeful and filled with determination.

  Gareth remained frozen, his mind racing, but as Jason’s figure disappeared from view, something inside him shifted. He gnced around the room aimlessly, the storm of emotions in his chest too overwhelming to process all at once. Then, a slow, sinister smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

  “Not in this lifetime...” Gareth whispered to himself, his voice low and almost predatory. The words had an edge to them now, a promise of something darker brewing behind his gaze. Jason might have walked away, but Gareth knew this wasn’t the end. Not by a long shot.

  And so, the game continued—this time, with higher stakes.