14. Wound

After class ended, Karel didn't go to the cafeteria like he usually did. Instead, he headed straight to the teachers' lounge. Without bothering to knock, he pushed the door open and strolled in as if he owned the place. Without hesitation, he flopped down onto the sofa in the corner of the room, making himself comfortable.

His dark eyes scanned the room, searching for his target. His gaze landed on a man fast asleep in his chair, his back resting against it, glasses still perched on the bridge of his nose.

Karel paused, staring.

Seeing Arthur like this—without his usual sharp expression or commanding presence—made him look almost harmless. If the students at SUN High knew about this sight, they'd never believe it.

Pushing himself off the sofa, Karel walked over to Arthur's desk. With careful fingers, he plucked the glasses from Arthur's face and set them down on the table carelessly. His eyes lingered, taking in Arthur's features. Thick, dark eyebrows framed a face that looked like it had been sculpted to perfection. A strong jawline, a straight nose, and lips that always seemed too alluring for their own good.

A smirk curled at Karel's lips.

"Damn, even in his sleep, he looks handnsome... Whose boyfriend is this??" he muttered under his breath, chuckling. "Ofcourse my boyfriend. Yep, definitely mine"

Karel sits on the table, he pushed aside a few papers without a second thought. He leaned forward slightly, his mischievous grin growing as he inched closer to Arthur's face.

With the tip of his index finger, Karel traced Arthur's eyebrow, feeling the soft texture beneath his touch. His fingers then moved downward, brushing against the bridge of Arthur's nose before sliding along it like a tiny slide.

He barely stifled a laugh as he pressed a little harder, watching Arthur's breath hitch for a moment—yet strangely, the man remained sound asleep.

Karel chuckled, reaching for his phone. He started snapping photos from different angles—front, side, even from above—trying to get the perfect shot.

But just as he was about to take one more, a warm hand suddenly wrapped around his wrist.

"Ah...!"

Startled, he nearly dropped his phone. But before he could react further, Arthur's other hand found its way around his waist, pulling him in.

In an instant, Karel found himself settled on Arthur's lap, their proximity so close that he could feel the warmth of Arthur's breath against his skin.

His heartbeat quickened—not from shock, but from the sudden intimacy that now surrounded them.

He swallowed, lips curling into a teasing smirk. Instead of pulling away, he shifted slightly, adjusting his position so he could sit more comfortably on Arthur's lap.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he placed his phone on the desk and wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck, pulling him even closer. Their faces were now mere inches apart.

"Quit pretending to be asleep," Karel whispered, his voice low, breath warm against Arthur's skin. "That's your hand, isn't it?"

Arthur didn't respond, his eyes remaining stubbornly shut. But the grip on Karel's waist tightened ever so slightly, as if he had no intention of letting go.

Annoyed that Arthur kept up the act, Karel pinched his nose—hard.

Arthur let out a quiet groan, then reluctantly cracked one eye open, looking every bit like a teasing playboy.

Without warning, he pressed a quick kiss against Karel's lips.

Karel jerked back in surprise, his breath hitching.

"You are here," Arthur murmured, his voice husky from sleep, his gaze so soft that Karel felt a sudden warmth creeping up his cheeks.

Instead of responding, Karel simply rested his head against Arthur's broad chest. He could hear the steady rhythm of Arthur's heartbeat—except, it wasn't steady at all. It was quickening.

A small, knowing smile curved on Karel's lips.

Arthur, watching his lover's affectionate behavior, instinctively began to run his hand over Karel's back in slow, soothing strokes, absentmindedly tracing random patterns over the fabric of his uniform.

But as his fingers moved lower, something suddenly felt… off.

There was a strange bump beneath Karel's uniform, disrupting the smoothness of his back.

In an instant, Arthur's drowsiness vanished, replaced by a creeping sense of unease.

Without a word, he abruptly pulled away, his grip loosening so fast that Karel blinked in confusion, eyes widening.

"Stand up for a moment," Arthur ordered, his voice tense and impatient.

Though confused, Karel obeyed without question. He got up from Arthur's lap, standing in front of him with a curious expression. But his eyes widened in shock when Arthur suddenly began unbuttoning his uniform, one button after another, in a rushed manner. His breathing grew heavier.

"What the hell is he doing?" Karel's mind raced with possibilities, his cheeks flushing as questionable thoughts flooded his head.

Arthur discarded the uniform carelessly, and in just seconds, the thin shirt underneath followed. A cold breeze met Karel's bare skin, but more than that, the weight of Arthur's piercing gaze sent a shiver down his spine.

His body tensed. His thoughts spiraled.

Was Arthur really going to do this? Right here? In the faculty office?

But before he could dwell on the thought any further, Arthur gently turned him around, his large, warm hands settling carefully on Karel's back.

And then—Arthur's entire expression changed.

The concern in his eyes twisted into pure rage.

"Who did this to you?!"

His voice shattered the silence in the room, making Karel flinch.

Arthur's breathing was ragged, his fists clenched at his sides, his gaze dark with barely restrained fury. The softness from earlier was gone—his expression now sharp, cold, and terrifying.

Karel stood frozen, his lips parted slightly, but no words came out. The air between them felt suffocating, heavy with Arthur's anger.

For once, Karel had no idea what to say.

O0O