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“We’re back!” Charles’s voice echoed in the corridor.
Doors slammed open at once, voices flooding the hall as teammates came to greet their captain and youngest midfielder. It was late, but not late enough that anyone would dare to fall asleep to miss out on their homecoming.
Sentences overlapped, but Hugo could pick out the highs of Charles’s exclamations and the low timbres of Loki’s laughter.
Hugo put down his book. Picked it up. Put it back down to the side so it was there but also not.
Three months ago, Loki needed a midfielder to come with him overseas. Three months ago, Loki picked Charles.
Hugo didn’t hold it against either of them.
Charles had more untapped potential. Diversifying his teammates and play strategy would be more beneficial than it would be to Hugo, who was already successful in his field. The choice made sense.
And now they were back.
The noise outside his room began to dissipate, like the owners were relocating to another room.
“Where’s Hugo? I want to see him!” Charles’s voice echoed through the emptying hall. Quick footsteps neared his door but quickly stopped.
“Hey!”
“He might be asleep, Charles,” Loki’s voice was gentle, but firm. “I’ll check, then meet you in the commons.”
“Okie dokie, Loki!”
A trample of footsteps, like Charles was running to catch up with the others, then silence.
Hugo debated turning out his light and feigning sleep—the coward’s way out—but decided against it. Whatever happens, happens.
Loki didn’t knock, just pushed open the door quietly and stepped in. Gold eyes momentarily flickered around the room before landing on Hugo.
Hugo shuddered under that radiant gaze, feeling warmed by the sun yet blistered by the nuclear fusion at its core. He couldn’t look away—even if his eyes burned and watered. Even if he was blinded, Hugo was certain he’d never regret his last glimpse of the star.
“You weren’t there to welcome me back,” Loki teased, lips curving into a smile. “I thought you would be waiting by the entrance.”
Hugo had thought about it.
Hugo had never been much of a texter, but that didn’t stop Loki and Charles from adding him into a group chat right before they went to Japan.
Charles had spammed the chat outside of training, rambling about his day, his new teammates, his favorite Blue Lock players, and often sent obscure memes. It was as if his kid was still around.
Compared to the blonde, his deity texted the chat more sparingly: a few times a day to update Hugo on Blue Lock’s progress, to complain about breaking up another fight, and to react to Charles’s messages.
Hugo rarely responded, but made an effort to Like or Emphasize at least one message a day so they knew he was reading them.
The day before, Loki had sent flight information. Hugo saved it, looked their flight up, and watched their plane fly across eastern Europe. He knew the second Loki landed, how long it would take to drive back to PXG’s training facility, and what time he would walk in, traffic permitting.
And Hugo refused to leave his room.
Loki stepped forward, startling him. “You’re quiet.” A laugh. “Are you wondering how to apologize?”
Choking down whatever apology that begged to creep out, Hugo reminded himself of his role—of his desires vs what he allowed Loki to see. Even the most virtuous gods grew narcissistic after gorging themselves on praise, and Hugo refused to be a complacent follower.
“And if I said I didn’t notice you left?”
Loki laughed. Hugo’s heart squeezed at the familiar sound.
“The team’s celebrating our return. You should come.”
Hugo forced his gaze away and placed a hand on his book. “I’m at the good part.”
Liar. Hugo hadn’t read a word since he sat down hours ago.
“It’ll be even better if you wait,” Loki said. “Besides, didn’t you miss us?”
Ebony fingers flicked upwards, encouraging him to stand.
Hugo stood. Loki smiled, pleased.
Close to his lamp, Loki looked so soft in this lighting. So cozy. The artificial rays of light caught on his features, illuminating him and setting him aglow. He wasn’t in training gear either, having chosen comfortable clothes to endure the flight in instead. Soft looked good on him.
“Hugo?”
In an unusual moment of longing, Hugo reached.
He folded over the other, using his height to wrap around Loki. His arms went around his neck, hooking around the other like a cane.
Loki paused. Hugo couldn’t blame him. Physical contact was uncalled for. Hugs were unthinkable. But here he was.
Hugo’s forehead pressed against his shoulder, muscles twitching as he tightened his grip.
A careful touch on his shoulder blade made him flinch. It rubbed down, an attempt to sooth.
Hugo exhaled silently as Loki embraced him as well, hands smoothing over his back in slow, gentle motions.
“I missed you too.”