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"You really can not stay out of trouble." Gepard sighed as he bandaged Sampo's bloody arm, his every gesture gentle and meticulous.
In response, the criminal shrugged and offered him one of his signature smiles, repressing a wince. Despite the captain's gentleness, his wound was too deep not to hurt as it was tended to.
"What can I say, Geppie? I'm afraid trouble is my middle name."
There was a slight tremble in his voice, one that betrayed his true feelings, even as Sampo tried his hardest to remain his usual cheerful and teasing self.
For a second, he had really thought this would be the end for him, that the Fragmentum monster he had crossed paths with in the frozen plains would put him in his grave.
If Gepard hadn't showed up, alerted by the ruckus of their fight...
No, he'd prefer not to think about how that would have ended.
"You're insufferable. At least make sure Natasha takes a look at your injury once you return to the Underworld." Gepard advised him.
"Do I really have to?" Sampo whined.
He really, really wasn't looking forward to that conversation and the inevitable scolding that would ensue.
"Yes. The medical skills I picked up on the front are quite basic. You still need to see a real doctor. I wouldn't want your wound to get infected."
"Be careful with your words, captain. You almost make it sound like you're worried about lil' old me."
For good measure, Sampo winked at him, and that was enough to put Gepard's cheeks aflame. Damn, that man was almost too easy to mess up with.
"Well, obviously. I mean, I would not be doing this if I didn't care."
Now, it was Sampo's turn to be beaten at his own game. He knew how honestly blunt Gepard could be sometimes, but it never failed to catch him off guard.
"Care? Now that's a big word, captain." He chuckled a bit awkwardly.
"I mean it. As infuriating as you can be sometimes, I would hate if something bad happened to you. Believe it or not, but for some reason I can not explain, I like having you around."
For once, Sampo was left speechless. He had never expected Gepard to reciprocate his flirting. Suddenly, he was the one flustered and at a loss for words, unsure on how to handle the situation.
"You... You're not joking, right?"
Gepard sent him a stern look.
"Okay, you're serious, got it." Sampo said hurriedly.
"Is that so hard to believe?" Gepard murmured.
"What, that the esteemed captain of the Silvermane Guard would show any kind of interest towards an Underwolder like me? Kinda, not gonna lie."
Without thinking, Sampo moved his arms as he spoke, but stilled immediately as it awoke his pain anew.
"Outch, that hurt."
The captain looked at him with concern in his eyes, then his expression turned into one of resolve.
"It would be too dangerous for you to make it back to the Underworld in this state. You'll stay at my place until you're in good enough shape to endure the trip."
Wait, what? Was Gepard really offering him shelter until he recovered? Despite how badly it could impact his reputation if news of his decision got out?
Damn, any more of that and his heart would not be able to take.
"What, taking me home already? How bold of you, Geppie." He teased the captain in an attempt to hide his true feelings.
He was started to feel a little bit too vulnerable around Gepard, and his injury had nothing to do with it.
The captain only rolled his eyes at his banter.
"Also, how would you feel if I borrowed a few of your heirlooms?" Sampo added with a grin.
"Do that, and I'll arrest you myself."
"Ah, now that's the captain I know!" Sampo laughed.
It would not suffice to hide his true feelings, not in the long run. Of that, he was well aware. But at least, it would give him some time to come to terms with it.