The afternoon sun spilled across the academy grounds, casting warm golden light over the training fields. Daniel walked with his usual focus, trying to keep his thoughts on drills and exercises. But he couldn't.
Every time Leo moved near him, even without touching, Daniel felt the familiar hum of his suppressor beneath his skin, the subtle pull of his scent against the invisible control he tried to maintain.
Mika and Ryo weren't far behind, leaning casually against the railings of the field, smirking knowingly. They'd been quiet this morning, observing silently, but Daniel knew that wasn't going to last.
"You're tense," Mika said finally, voice dripping with mischief.
"I'm not," Daniel muttered, glancing away.
Ryo laughed softly. "Sure, sure. Not tense at all. Totally fine. Totally normal. That's what the suppressor says, right?"
Daniel's jaw tightened. "It's none of your business."
Mika leaned in closer, eyes glinting. "It's all our business. We've been watching. And it's… interesting."
Daniel groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Interesting?"
"Yes," Mika said, smirking. "The way you stiffen when he's nearby. The way your eyes follow him. And the way you almost—almost—forget to breathe during drills."
Daniel wanted to protest, but even he knew they were right.
"You two are impossible," he muttered.
"Not impossible," Ryo replied, stepping forward. "Observant. Accurate. Precise. We see everything. And you? You're a mess. But a very interesting mess."
Daniel's face heated. "You're enjoying this."
Mika shrugged. "We are. But also… concerned. You're hyper-aware of him. He's subtle, careful, but he's doing things that make you… distracted. And you're not even noticing half of it."
Daniel exhaled sharply. "I'm noticing everything."
"Uh-huh," Ryo said, grinning. "And that's exactly why we're pointing it out. You're trying so hard to stay calm, but it's failing spectacularly."
Daniel shot them both a glare, but they ignored it, smirking knowingly.
Across the field, Leo was engaged in a sparring match, movements fluid, calm, almost effortless. But Daniel noticed, heart tightening, the subtle way Leo's gaze flicked toward him every few moments. Not to check his form—he knew Daniel could handle it—but… just to see.
Just to watch.
And that tiny awareness made Daniel's chest ache.
"See that?" Mika whispered, nudging Ryo. "That subtle glance? That's exactly what we're talking about."
Ryo grinned. "Yeah. And notice how he moves without overstepping, just brushing close enough to keep him aware. Protective, but not obvious. It's… clever."
Daniel groaned. "They're analyzing me now?"
"Of course," Mika replied. "We know what's happening, even if you don't."
Daniel pressed his palm to his chest, feeling the suppressor hum faintly beneath his skin. Focus, he reminded himself. Control.
After the sparring ended, Leo walked toward him, water bottle in hand. Daniel felt the pull in his chest, the tension coiling like a spring.
"You okay?" Leo asked quietly, voice low, measured.
"I'm fine," Daniel replied automatically, though his heart raced faster than his steps.
Leo smirked faintly. "Sure you are."
Daniel's fingers twitched. The words from Mika and Ryo echoed in his mind: he's doing things that make you distracted.
He hated how right they were.
Mika and Ryo followed quietly behind as Daniel and Leo left the field.
"You two are… so frustrating," Daniel muttered under his breath.
"Oh, we know," Mika replied, grinning. "But also… informative. You've got to see the pattern. He's subtle, yes, but he's consistent. Protective gestures, small touches, the way he stays aware. You're not imagining it."
Daniel's chest tightened. "I'm not imagining anything."
Ryo laughed softly. "Sure, sure. Just admit it. You're distracted. You notice him more than you notice the drills themselves."
Daniel's jaw clenched. "I'm not distracted."
"You totally are," Mika added. "And it's cute. But also dangerous. Because we all saw the near-slip yesterday."
Daniel's eyes widened slightly, heart racing. "Shut up!"
Ryo grinned. "Not until you admit it. You're… flustered. Big time."
Daniel groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. "You two are unbearable."
"You know it," Mika said with a wink. "But also… helpful. Someone's got to keep you from falling apart in front of everyone."
Daniel took a deep breath, suppressor humming faintly beneath his skin. He knew they were right. Every subtle look, every protective gesture from Leo, every teasing comment from his friends—it all added up.
And deep down, he realized… he was beginning to like it.
And that terrified him more than any drill, any rival, or any slip that might come.