Chapter Text
The ambient light in the hotel suite was low and warm. Michael leaned in close to Kylian on the couch, sliding his fingers through Kylian's hair and trailing a gentle kiss along his jawline.
"Ky..." Michael murmured softly, his voice full of quiet intent as he pulled him closer. "It's just the two of us tonight."
Kylian gently placed a palm flat against Michael's chest, creating a firm boundary between them. He offered an apologetic, slightly strained smile.
"I really can't tonight, Mikey," Kylian said, shifting back. "My body is completely done after today's drills. I need to hit the ice bath and rest up, or I'm useless for the weekend match."
Michael stared at him, his hand freezing in mid-air. A quiet pang of disappointment hit him, settling heavy in his chest. He pulled his hands back into his lap and looked down at the carpet, retreating into himself the way he always did when hurt.
Before Kylian could reach out to soften the blow, the suite door latch clicked open after a quick double-tap. Désiré Doué sauntered into the room, holding two chilled cans of soda in one hand and a spare phone charger in the other.
"Hey Cap, came to borrow your fast charger—" Désiré stopped mid-stride, his eyes darting between Michael, sitting flushed on the sofa, and Kylian, looking guilty. A slow, mischievous smirk spread across his face as he pieced together the scene. "Oh. Did I interrupt something?"
Michael quickly sat up straight, clearing his throat, while Kylian stiffened on the couch.
Désiré tossed the charger onto the side table, casually cracking open one of his drinks. He leaned lazily against the armrest, looking down at Michael with exaggerated affection.
"Well, if Kylian’s too broken down to appreciate you tonight, Michael..." Désiré offered a sly wink, holding out a hand to Michael. "I’m right here. I've got plenty of energy, and I definitely won't reject you."
Kylian’s jaw dropped. The fatigue in his body instantly evaporated, replaced by a sudden spike of protective jealousy.
"Excuse me??" Kylian snapped upright on the sofa and shot Désiré a glare that could melt steel. He immediately threw an arm over Michael’s shoulders, pulling him firmly against his side. "Dés, get out."
Désiré raised his hands in mock innocence, laughing softly as he backed toward the open doorway with his drinks. "Just trying to help a teammate out, Cap!"
"He doesn't need your help," Kylian declared, tightening his grip on Michael until Désiré simply shrugged, content to linger by the open door.
Michael looked up at Kylian, his expression blank as he processed the sudden shift in energy. He let out a quiet breath, gently unweaving Kylian’s protective grip from around his shoulders.
"Actually..." Michael said, his voice completely flat as he got off the couch. "Désiré makes a pretty good point. At least his knees work."
Kylian froze, staring at him in utter disbelief. "Wait—Michael, you're not serious."
Désiré, still lingering at the open door, flashed a triumphant grin. "Told you, Cap," he laughed, offering the second unopened can to Michael with a smug wink. "Come on, Mike. Let's go hang out in my room. We can actually relax."
Michael didn't hesitate. He walked straight past a stunned Kylian, taking the cold can from Désiré and sliding an arm through his as they turned toward the hallway.
"Michael! Hey!" Kylian scrambled up off the couch, completely forgetting about his sore joints as he took two hurried steps toward the doorway. "You can't just leave with him! Michael!"
Michael glanced back over his shoulder just before crossing the threshold, offering Kylian a short, effortless wave. "Get some rest, Ky. Enjoy your ice bath."
Désiré raised his can to give Kylian a final mock-salute before pulling the door shut behind them with a soft click.
Kylian stood alone in the quiet suite, staring at the closed door in sheer shock. "Unbelievable," he muttered, grabbing his phone off the table and dialing Michael's number.
It went straight to voicemail. Three times in a row.
His knee throbbed slightly, reminding him of why he had turned Michael down in the first place, but his pride was throbbing significantly worse. Refusing to sit around while Désiré carried off his boyfriend, Kylian pulled on a hoodie, grabbed his room key, and marched down the dimly lit hotel corridor straight to Désiré’s suite.
He didn't even bother knocking subtly; he gave three heavy, authoritative thuds against the wooden door.
After a few excruciating seconds, the door unlatched and swung open. Désiré stood there in a comfortable oversized hoodie, leaning casually against the doorframe while taking a slow sip from his opened can, looking deeply amused.
"You're going to break my door down, Cap," Désiré said smoothly. "I thought you were supposed to be resting those knees?"
"Where is he?" Kylian demanded, attempting to peer past Désiré’s shoulder into the suite.
"He's right here," Michael’s voice echoed calmly from inside.