Underground Secrets ( M-jow and Sosuke0549 )

[M-jow]

Leon stepped into the room quietly, his hand resting on the doorframe for a moment before he pushed it closed behind him. His eyes landed on Asta, sitting at the edge of the bed. The cast was off now, but the tension in the room was thick as ever.

Leon’s gaze dropped to Asta’s leg. Pale. Thin. Laced with angry red stitches that curved across the swollen skin. Leon hated looking at it cause it remind him that this was his fault. That Asta would never get rid of it.

 

Without saying a word, Leon crossed the room and knelt down in front of him.

He could feel the stiffness in the air. Asta wasn’t looking at him, his shoulders hunched as if bracing himself for a storm that hadn’t come yet. Leon didn’t force eye contact. Instead, he gently reached for Asta’s leg, moving slowly, giving him time to pull away if he needed to.

Leon’s hands were warm as they settled on the lower part of Asta’s calf, just below the stitches. He began to rub gently, his thumbs pressing in soft, careful circles along the muscle.

Just like the nurses had told him when he had asked the hospital staff.

The skin was cold and stiff under his palms. The muscle wasn’t responding much, but that didn’t stop him. He worked his way slowly up the leg, mindful of the most sensitive areas, avoiding the incision line but encouraging blood flow back into the dormant tissue.

“You’re tight,” Leon murmured, more observation than concern. His voice was quiet. Steady. “We’ll loosen this up bit by bit.”

His thumbs worked into the sides of Asta’s shin, coaxing warmth into the skin, stimulating the nerves. His touch was with care. Leon might not have been a physical therapist, but he’d done his research, asked questions, watched videos. If this was something he could do for Asta to help ease even a little of the discomfort, he’d do it every day without hesitation.

He shifted closer, gently lifting the leg onto a pillow on his thigh to give better support as he moved to the thigh, fingers kneading with a delicate firmness that tried not to press too far. He glanced up briefly, noting the way Asta’s jaw clenched as he stared at the floor.

"Tell me if I am hurting you sweetheart. I heard this could help and prevent cramps but your comfort comes first" He told Asta. Not blaming the other for how he treated him. He understood abd didn’t judg.

His fingers slowed slightly as he reached the top of the thigh. Then he eased his touch into softer strokes, encouraging more relaxation.

“We’ll do this together. One step, one day at a time.”

For a moment, he paused, his hands resting gently against Asta’s leg. The silence between them was heavy, but not in a bad way. It was full of something unspoken. 

Leon glanced up again, voice low and sincere.

“When you're ready... we'll try standing. No rush. No pressure. Just... you and me.”

He didn’t need an answer. In this moment with Asta’s leg in his lap, and his hands gently massaging it.

 

“You can lean on me, I can handle it. Just don’t push yourself too fast. You’re doing so well,” Leon said, his voice warm with encouragement, a confident smile tugging at his lips.

He refused to let himself look sad or weak in front of Asta. Not now. Asta needed strength and someone solid to rely on, and Leon was determined to be that person. His rock.

Just like Asta’s mother.

Leon had never met a stronger woman than her. In the chaos of everything that had happened, she had stood unwavering, resilient, with endlessly compassion. She had become his idol in many ways, a clear image of what support and comfort should look like.

 

She was incredible, even just for allowing Leon to help care for her son. Leon wasn’t entirely sure if she knew the full extent of what he and Asta were to each other, but she still trusted him enough to give him a spare set of keys. That alone meant more than he could put into words.

Honestly, Leon didn’t even know what they were himself.

They’d been intimate again and Asta hadn’t pushed him away. Leon had seen it in his eyes, in those rare quiet moments: the longing, the hesitation, and need to feel more than just anger and pain. It was there, unspoken but unmistakable.

He liked to think Asta felt safe in his arms. At least, during those restless nights when the nightmares returned, and Asta would thrash and scream like he was fighting demons in his sleep.

Leon would hold him tight, whispering quiet reassurances, through the worst of it.

And when morning came, Asta would wake with a frown and gently pull away, distant and guarded once more. Leon never took it personally. He understood.

He hadn’t slept much on those nights, but it didn’t matter.

What mattered was that Asta had.

 

--------------------------------------

 

Sora saw him immediately.

Fang built wasn’t exactly subtle compared to most of the college kids around. He stuck out, even when he tried not to. And right now, standing half-slouched near the gate, hoodie thrown on like an afterthought and dark circles etched deep under his eyes, Fang looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Which, honestly, wouldn’t surprise Sora at this point.

He hadn’t seen Fang sleep even once since he got discharge from the hospital.

 

Seeing him there… again… brought that familiar mixture of guilt and frustration. Why the fuck couldn’t he just listen. Sora had even agreed to Fang installing a tracking app on his phone in exchange for the other to take it more easy.

To be honest it hadn’t helped much.

 

Sora adjusted the strap of his bag across his shoulder and exhaled through his nose. He didn’t slow his pace, just walked straight up to him with a sharp look.

"You said you wouldn’t do this today,” he said, voice quiet but firm, cutting through the murmurs of students trickling out behind him.

 

Fang didn’t answer. He just slipped his hands into his pockets and looked away like he always did when he didn’t want to have another discussion.

Sora’s jaw tightened. He hated how predictable this had become.

He stepped past Fang without waiting, forcing him to fall into step beside him. He didn’t ask. He just started walking, the familiar ache between his ribs barely noticeable compared to the weight in his chest.

It wasn’t the overprotection that hurt. It was what it represented. The trust Fang used to have in him felt like it had disappeared entirely. Like that one incident he had no control over had erased everything they'd built up over a very short time.

 

~You can’t keep doing this. It’s not helping either of us.~ Sora didn’t say his thoughts out loud. Because it was useless and Fang wouldn’t listen.

Sora could feel the tension radiating off him like heat.

“You look like hell,” he added. “When’s the last time you slept? You’re gonna collapse at this rate.”

 

Sora glanced at him then, really looked this time. And for a moment, the irritation softened into something else. Something heavier. Fang didn’t look like himself anymore. The energy around had changed, his charm, his special spark. It was all buried under layers of exhaustion.

 

Sora couldn’t even remember the last time he’d held Fang’s hand.

The realization hit him one quiet afternoon, in the middle of nothing in particular. Just a hollow moment, standing alone in Fang’s apartment, fingers twitching slightly at his sides like they were still waiting to be held. But that warmth hadn’t been offered in weeks. Maybe longer.

Fang kept pushing him away. He kept his distance from Sora yet was always near, always watching, but never truly present. Close enough to guard him, and far enough to avoid. And it was killing Sora, slowly.

He’d tried talking to him. Again and again, carefully choosing his words, trying not to sound accusing or ungrateful. But Fang barely looked at him anymore during those conversations. He just nodded absently or muttered something under his breath. Always tired. Always on edge. His stone cold attitude had wrapped around him like a second skin, and it turned everything into a battlefield.

Their arguments had become a part of their daily routine.

 

Sora fought just for the right to go to school or collect clothes from his own apartment. He hadn’t set foot at the dog shelter since the accident, not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn't handle the fight that would come with it. Even holding onto his part-time job at the convenience store was a struggle. Every day felt like a negotiation. A battle for scraps of independence. 

And it was wearing him down.

 

He hated waking up in the morning knowing it would all happen again. The tension, the silence, the fights, the constant weight of being watched but not really seen. It was like living inside a loop that never ended.

Sora still quietly hoped that things might change.. But as the weeks dragged on, that hope dimmed. He couldn’t deny what he was feeling anymore.

He was breaking.

Not all at once. Slowly. Like paper tearing under too much pressure.

He started doubting himself, wondering if maybe he was the problem. Maybe if he tried harder, stayed quieter, stopped talking so much. Maybe then Fang would come back to him. But deep down, he knew that wasn’t the answer.

The truth he didn’t want to face was this: being with Fang now was draining him. Mentally, emotionally, completely. He didn’t feel safe anymore. Not in the way that mattered. And worse, his thoughts had started to turn dark. Some mornings, he found himself staring at the bathroom mirror, wondering how much longer he could pretend this was okay. There were even days he dreaded going back, dreaded being near the person he loved because the silence between them hurt more than being alone ever could.

They didn’t feel like a couple anymore.

No kisses. No touches. No late-night laughter. No intimacy.

They were two people sharing a space but living in different worlds. Like ex-lovers forced to cohabitate, each too tired to fix it but..Sora still loved him.

 

Right now, the only breathing room Sora had left was when he was at school… or visiting Asta.

Those brief windows of time out of an otherwise suffocating routine were the only moments he felt even remotely like himself.

At school, he could blend in, be another student with a busy schedule and too much homework. No one hovered over him, or tracked his every move.

And when he visited Asta, things were... easier. Asta was the focus of his attention. His friend was too wrapped up in his own situation to notice the way Sora's voice sometimes cracked mid-sentence. And he didn’t ask Sora hard questions.

Sora didn’t let anything slip when he was with Asta. Didn’t talk about Fang, didn’t mention the arguments or the tension between them. He definitely didn’t say that Fang was waiting outside like a guard dog, refusing to leave even if it meant standing in the cold or rain.

He knew Asta would worry if he knew.

And Sora didn’t want to see that look in Asta’s eyes, the one that said, You don’t have to live like this. Because if someone said it out loud… if someone truly saw it… Sora might not be able to handle it.

Even Leon, didn’t comment. Maybe he knew better than to ask, because it wasn't his business and he had more that enough on his own plate. And honestly Sora was thankful for that.

At least Asta didn’t notice the way Sora's smile never quite reached his eyes anymore.

So, for those few hours, Sora clung to the illusion.

He laughed when Asta made dumb jokes. He helped him catch up on classes, talked about school, about meaningless little things that didn’t really matter but made both their minds drift away to other things. 

But when he stepped back outside he would instantly felt Fang’s presence again. See the figure standing across the street or leaning against the car. It was like waking from a dream he didn’t want to leave.

 

He never asked Fang to leave.. not after that time at the hospital. He didn’t talk to anyone about hos feelings Esther.

Because if he did… then he’d have to admit something he wasn’t ready to face.

That he was no longer safe in his own relationship.

That love wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

 

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[Sosuke0549]

Asta said nothing as Leon entered the room but he was surpised when Leon knelt down in front of him and took his leg. He could feel his voice tangling up in his throat. For weeks...the tension between them was heavy...and even though they had slept together that one night...it hadn't happened again since...and to be honest it was a moment of sheer desperation. A way for Asta to feel something...anything...

 

In that single night. All his fears, anger, misery, and brokenness fadded away...and it was replaced with pleasure...heat...moans... ecstasy...a wonderful distraction...and thats all it was...a distraction, a hint of longing and love. 

 

Asta still felt bad about it...but he didnt want to talk about it. Didn't want to bring it up.

 

The red stitches and scars on his leg weren't elegant, dispite the doctors best efforts he hated looking at it...and yet...he found himself obsessibly staring at it. He flinched when he felt Leon touch him leg, his gaze now on Leon as he began to rub and message the tissue. 

 

He didnt mind the act when his mom had done it but now...

 

Leon's hands were warm and steady. The pressure he applied was slow and soft, but calculated. Asta bit his lip as stared at the hands in his lap.

 

[“You’re tight, We’ll loosen this up bit by bit.”]

 

This feeling wasnt new to him...his mom had done this same message and technique with him a few hours ago...so why did it feel so much different with Leon? He felt embarrassed. Was it because deep down he still loved Leon....

 

His thumbs worked into the sides of Asta’s shin, making Asta clench his jaw. As Leon continued, he got closer, placing his leg on his thigh and pillow as he worked his way up. There was a lot of tension in the muscle so Astas discomfort grew. 

 

 [ "Tell me if I am hurting you sweetheart. I heard this could help and prevent cramps but your comfort comes first" ]

 

"I-its fine." 

 

He muttered. This was nothing compared to the pain he had endured before. 

 

Even though there was this wall between them and the air was thick was tension, Leon still managed to read him like a book. Still managed to see him...and Asta secretly loved that. Leon worked his way up his thigh, his touch alittle softer. 

 

[“We’ll do this together. One step, one day at a time.”]

 

Asta was listening...but he didnt respond. He wanst sure how to. Another moment of silence filled the room before he spoke again. 

 

 

[ “When you're ready... we'll try standing. No rush. No pressure. Just... you and me.”]

 

You and me.

 

It sounded nice...but...was it possible?

 

Asta gave him a small nod. His eyes watching Leon massage his leg. His hands so gentle. 

 

 

[ “You can lean on me, I can handle it. Just don’t push yourself too fast. You’re doing so well,”]

 

"..ok." 

 

Asta heard the warmth and encouragement in Leon's voice. He still vividly remembered the day he first woke up in the hospital with his broken leg...and the words that Leon told him. Asta had fully believed it was over for him...that hed never walk...let alone play basketball again...but Leon...he believed in him. Even when he couldn't believe in himself...and that is what really moved him... looked back now...

 

 

That mattered. It had to count for something. As much as he hated him for the all the chaos and half truths he told...Asta fell deeper in love with him on that day. The worst day of his life...

 

He couldn't deny it...he saw all the effort Leon was putting in...being his rock...his comfort...being whatever he needed him to be...and not once complaining. He hadn't complained about his depression, or his angry outbursts, or the sudden moments where he was cold and distant only to cling to him when he had a nightmare. Didnt complain when he'd forgive him one day...and reject him the next. Didn't complain when he needed help getting around, showering, or cleaning. 

 

( N-not...once...)

 

And that....had to count for something...

 

He needed to apologize... but there was still so much pain built up inside him...and so many things he wanted to say that just wouldn't take shape...wouldn't come out of his mouth...all these feelings...these emotions....

 

He had so much to say...but didnt know how to say it. 

 

 He hung his head in shame, his hands clenching the bed sheets underneath him, his eyes hiding behind his bangs. 

 

"I-im sorry..." he said softly. He wanted to explain why he was sorry...but when he looked up to meet Leons gaze...he froze. He tried to speak...his mouth opened...but closed..and nothing came out...

 

A moment of silence passed before Asta gave up, sighing heavily and running a hand over his face in frustrated and utter defeat. He hated this...this...thing they were in....the thick air...the weight of it all....

 

Perhaps...now wasn’t the time to address it...

 

But if not now....when?

 

" M-my mom said we could order out tonight." 

 

He hide behind a smile, desperately trying to escape the tension in the air and the feeling in his heart.

 

( w-why can't I face you?)

 

" What are you in the mood for?"

 

( Why can't I apologize?! I know your hurting too...so...w-why...)

 

" I was thinking pizza oooorrr Chinese!" 

 

( I miss...us...the way we were...how we use to be...)

 

"You still like Asian Palace right? We could order your favorite and watch a movie."

 

( When will it stop....hurting...When will this tension between us go away?! )

 

Would it ever go away?

 

Asta reached for his phone

 

" I can order if you wanna pick the movie."

 

 

 

--------------------------------------

 

Fang could feel the frustration radiating off of Sora the moment he saw him. When he got closer he didn't greet him, but simply walked passed him, giving him a sharp look. 

 

[ "You said you wouldn’t do this today,”]

 

Fang bit his lip, his eyes turning back to the students gawking and gossiping as they trickled out of the school...

 

He sighed and quickly followed behind Sora, walking in silence. Fang was use to Sora's firey temper...its what drew him in to begin with...but today he seemed more frustrated then usual. Was it because he showed up again unannounced....it was never a problem before...back then... 

 

[ “You look like hell,” ]

 

"Nice to see you too."

 

[ “When’s the last time you slept? You’re gonna collapse at this rate.”]

 

Fang averted his gaze, his small but fake grin quickly fadding...he didnt even have the engery to banter with Sora anymore. There once flirtatious banter and arguments we're now actual arguments filled with guilt and frustration. 

 

"I'm fine.." He lied. He could feel something inside him shift. Something heavy. He clenched his hands, balling them up into fists as he hide them in his pockets...he was feeling Sora's emotions again...and it was rather suffocating. Fang had a hard time regulating and deciphering his own emotions...but adding Soras to the mix...was no easy task. 

 

There were times were Fang struggled with deciphering whos feelings he was feeling and dealing with. Sora was worried....or was he worried? No....Sora was worried about him...angry...lonely?

 

How could he be lonely when Fang was right in front of him. Doing everything he could to protect him? A small part of him was furious with Sora... you don't have the right to feel lonely. He had no idea what true loneliness felt like....

 

Fang hadn't realized he was pushing Sora away...in his mind he was constantly present...but always alert... he hadn't been intimate because he was more concerned about Sora's safety and healing. He didnt want to do anything that could affect his recovery and whenever Fang found himself in a situation where Sora and him needed to talk...he'd find himself distracted. Present physically but not mentally....

 

Straining his hearing to make sure nothing bad was approaching...his mind running through contingency plans. Was the door locked? Was Sora's tracker still working? Was he wearing his amulet...did he eat? Was his secnt still on him? 

 

"Fang? Are you even listening to me?!"

 

Fang blinked looking up at Sora.

 

"yeah...I hear you...." 

 

Again and again and again....he honestly wasn't paying attention in those moments and what he had heard was Sora complaining about him being so overprotective which he didnt care to hear. In his mind the human was just too naive or willfully being oblivious. He had taken care of the shifters who hurt Sora...but there leader...she was still out there...waiting...

 

Fang hadn't realized it...but he was indeed keeping his distance...ever since Sora was discharged form the hospital. Fang and built up this wall to emotionally protect himself...the day Sora was attacked...was the day Fang was painfully reminded that happiness and love...we're fleeting. That it could be taken away from him at a any moment. 

 

( Im tired....or...no...your tired...)

 

His gaze on Sora... ( You're mad at me....)

 

( Your...hurting?...but why?)

 

How could Sora feel these emotions? These emotions of anger, hurt, and loneliness when he was with him? How was he lonely when Fang was doing everything he could to never leave his side. How was he hurting when Fang was doing everything he could to protect him. He showed up... he bought food...he walked with him...they were intim--

 

Wait...we're they?

 

Fang struggled to remember the last time they kissed. Held hands...had sex... 

 

Fang hadn't tried anything because he knew Sora was still healing but...it was deeper than that...Fang was scared to get close to him again...

 

Fang hung his head as his footsteps slowed to a stop. He stared at the ground his head pounding. 

 

( He....doesn't want me)

 

Was that it? Fang was trying his best to ignore it but now it was all building up in his head. His mind beginning to spiral...

 

(....Draining me.... suffocating me..... I don't feel safe with you..... I don't want to be around you...)

 

Fang tried to put words to these feelings that weren't his....did Sora feel drained? Did he not feel safe? Did he not want to be around him?

 

Where did he go wrong? How do fix something that you know is broken but can't see or touch! 

 

( H-hes...)

 

Fang looked up seeing Sora a few feet in front of him. He must of realized that he had stopped following behind him. He looked confused...

 

When was the last time he made Sora smile?

 

Fang started to walk again, his steps slow as came closer to Sora. He seemed irritated, muttering something about how Fang was going to make him late for work for his convenience store shift and to hurry up...

 

Fang suddenly grabbed the fabric of Sora's jacket with a few fingers his eyes heavy as he looked down at him. At this point his vision was starting to blur....and it felt like a bomb had went off in his head 

" call....R-ray..."

He muttered, before falling to his knees. Since Sora was so close, he was about to catch him before he hit the ground but Fang was out cold, collapsing suddenly and without warning in the middle of the sidewalk. 

 

_____________________________

 

" Its Ray-- whatcha need."

 

Ray answered the phone with his usual Southern twang greeting, but what he heard next took him by surprise. Whoever was on the other line was panicked, telling him that Fang collapsed. 

 

" Alright, calm down son, where ya at?" He was already on his feet, grabbing his keys.

" Sit tight, I'll be there in ten."

He hung up the phone before rushing out the door and locking up, and flipping over the open sign to closed. 

 

He hopped in his white pick up truck with a few rust stains and dents and hurried to Sora's location. By the time Ray got to Sora, a small crowd had gathered around them, worried bystanders and pedestrians, wanting to help or concerned for the unconscious male. 

 

"Should we call an ambulance?"

 

"Is he ok?"

 

"Do you need help?"

 

Ray pulled up to Sora and Fang on the sidewalk and quickly hopped out of the front seat. Ray was in his late 50s, with a head of gray short hair and a beard to match, he was big...but not fat...more on the hefty and bulking, muscular side. A Dad bod if you will, not to mention he was tall, taller than Fang, and it was obvious he was a foreigner...but if his looks didnt give him away...his sourthen accent definitely would. 

 

"Anit nohing- to see here people. Move along."

He moved passed the humans and looked down at Sora. When there eyes met he couldn't help but stare for a moment. ( So...this must be his mate )

 

He offered Sora a small smile. 

" I got him...let's get you boys somewhere safe." 

 

He reached down and grabbed Fang, easily tossing his body over his shoulder. He turned his attention to the concerned humans. 

" No need to worry folks... our friend just drank too much... I'll make sure he gets home safely. Sorry to worry you. "

 

He turned his attention to Sora. "Get in the truck."His voice more like a order than a request. He tossed Fang in the bed of the truck, before hopping in the front seat and driving off quickly. 

 

As they drove Ray couldn't help but notice the worry on Sora's face. So he tried to reassure him.

"Don't you worry now, he's fine back there. Kids been through worse. Names Ray...and you must be the human that sole that pups heart...."

 

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