Page 123 of Contested

“I haven’t spoken to your dad today.”

Sebastian punched Marcos’ shoulder. It wasn’t hard, but it was enough for Marcos’ body to shift before he adjusted himself and leaned even closer to Sebastian.

“Okay, okay,” Marcos said with a laugh. “I’m just thinking about the game tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” Sebastian gave a sharp nod. “We need to win to make the top eight.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking about, but it’s now on the list. Thank you.”

“Shit, sorry.” Sebastian chuckled, eyes darting down before meeting Marcos’ again. “Your old team.”

“Yeah. I haven’t spoken to any of them since I left.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m just a bad friend.”

“That would check out.”

“Wow. Fuck you.”

Sebastian laughed again, the edges of his eyes crinkling as the smile lit up his face. It looked wrong in the hotel light. Too unfamiliar in a way that hit Marcos harder than it should have, hooking itself under his ribs and pulling him down. Sebastian tired, hair ruined, shirt inside out, smiling like he had forgotten to hold half of himself back for once.

“I’m kidding,” Sebastian said “You’re alright.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, the hum of the vending machine filling the stale air.

Marcos’ fingers picked at the stitching of his pants to stop himself from reaching out. The distance between him and Sebastian stayed too small.

“So, how is your dad?”

“He’s…alive,” Sebastian said carefully with a slow nod, and Marcos narrowed his eyes.

“Should he not be?”

“Oh, uh.” Sebastian cleared his throat. “He’s sick.”

“Shit.” Marcos’ arm twitched, begging to reach out, but he forced it still. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Sebastian paused, then shook his head. “It’s not, actually. But…it’s fine.”

“Is he gonna be okay?”

“For now.” Sebastian nodded, his gaze falling between them.

Marcos followed it.

Sebastian’s hand shifted from his side and found Marcos’.

The touch was small. Barely anything. Fingers first, then his palm. It was gentle. Sebastian didn’t grip onto Marcos’ hand or pull it closer or do anything more than let his hand settle into Marcos’. The warmth spread quickly, and Marcos’ let his fingers close around Sebastian’s to stop it from escaping

They didn’t say anything else or move any closer.

They just stood there with each other, hand in hand, silence wrapping around them.

Marcos’ thumb moved once over Sebastian’s knuckle, and a grin flickered on Sebastian’s face.

“Where the fuck is my chocolate?”