"Does it hurt when I press here?"
"No", Octavio replied, biting down on his lip as a pressure was applied to the area around his hip.
"This benefits no one, unless you're truthful", the doctor told him, continuing to press and feel around the area. "You don't need to lie to me. I can tell it's causing you discomfort."
"Fine," the runner huffed. "It hurts."
The doctor hummed thoughtfully, tapping something onto his tablet.
"Do you ever experience a feeling of stiffness?"
"Um...yeah. Sometimes. Normally the day after an intense game," Octavio explained, toying with his fingers. "Or, after um...other erm...activities."
"After intercourse?"
"Do you have to call it that?" the speedster shuddered. "It's so...cringe."
"Turn around. Hands on the bed," the doctor spoke, giving him a disapproving look over his glasses.
Octavio did as he was told, biting down on his lip again as gloved hands began feeling around his lower back.
"Any pain here?"
"A little...Mostly on the right side."
"Is your right leg your most dominant one?"
"I...think so?"
"I see," the medical professional spoke, stepping away to tap on his tablet again. "You can put your shirt back on now."
"So, what's the verdict, doc?" Octavio asked, pulling his vest over his head and hopping onto the medical bed. "Am I all good?"
"I think what's cringe here, is that you obviously haven't been following the programme the medical team designed for you."
"What are you talking about?!" the runner protested. "I take my meds everyday!"
"Yes, because you're in pain, which shouldn't be the case," the doctor explained, removing his glasses and placing them on his desk. "Not as frequently as you are anyway. You should be following your physio plan. Adapting your workouts to include exercises that-".
"I'm doing just fine as I am, doc."
"Octavio, I can't stress the importance of taking your condition seriously. You are aware of the risks that come with wearing your prosthetics, yes? Just the weight alone-".
"But I don't wear them all the time! I have others!"
"...can have detrimental effects on your joints and muscles. Think of your future. You must combat possible movement difficulties now, while you're still young and your body can adjust and be resilient to wear and tear."
"I really don't think it's that serious."
"It is," the doctor told him, his tone firm. "If you want to continue your life the way it is now, you'll start taking this very seriously."
"I'm home!" Octavio announced, as he entered the apartment, making his way into the bedroom. "Elliott?"
"I'm in the shower!" his partner called back, from the adjacent room.
"Why hello there", he said teasingly, as he entered the bathroom, stopping to lean against the countertop. "How strange, running into you here."
"You're so funny," Elliott replied, raising his voice slightly over the sound of the running water. "How did your check up go?"
"Great! I'm good to continue kicking ass!"
Elliott hummed in acknowledgment, washing the suds from his body.
"Y'know...I've got room in here for one more, if you're interested."
"Hell yes!" the runner exclaimed, quickly removing his clothes and hopping into the shower. He paused to run his hands over his boyfriend's exposed chest.
"How could I resist the chance to get my hands on all this?"
Elliott chuckled quietly, promptly placing his hands firmly on his partner's shoulders, turning him around.
"Unfortunately for you, I'm not dirty anymore."
"I beg to differ, mi amor."
Octavio sighed contentedly as Elliott applied some body wash to a washcloth and began working it along his shoulders. He rolled his head back, absorbing the attention, completely relaxed, until his partner spoke up.
"Tav?"
"Mmm?"
"When you texted to say you were on your way home, I...went on your laptop…".
"Mmhmm."
"And I checked your email."
Octavio's eyes shot open.
"You what?!"
"I needed to see if they sent you a plan or...a new prescription or something!"
"That's an invasion of my privacy!"
"But you don't tell me anything!"
"So, what?! You get me naked so you can interrogate me?!" Octavio huffed, quickly grabbing a towel, draping it over his shoulders and getting out of the shower, before stomping off towards the bedroom.
"Babe?" Elliott called after him, wrapping a towel around his own waist, before following his partner back into their bedroom. "Babe, come on. Don't be like that. I'm sorry."
"I don't want to talk about this right now," Octavio responded, tugging on his underwear.
He quickly skirted by his approaching partner to sit on the edge of their bed.
"Tav…," the trickster sighed, coming to kneel in front of his lover. "I read the notes they sent you, and I think it's important we do talk about it now, when we can do something about it."
The younger legend looked away, sticking out his bottom lip, until Elliott's fingers came to rest on his jaw, forcing him to look at him.
"Do you not want to be able to keep wearing your prosthetics when you're older?"
"I don't wanna think about it at all!" Octavio whined, receiving a pointed look from the trickster in response.
"I did things I didn't want to do, for you," Elliott told him, as he got to his feet.
"That was completely different!"
"I don't think so."
He shoved the younger legend back onto the bed playfully, leaning over him so he could whisper in his ear.
"So stop being a whiny little bitch for once in your life and do as you're told."
"Fine," Octavio grumbled, begrudgingly rolling over onto his stomach and burying his face in his pillow. "But you're gonna have to help me with some of them."
"Of course," the trickster replied, a triumphant tone to his voice. "Just let me throw some clothes on and we'll get started."
Octavio lifted his head up, peering over his shoulder at his partner who was making his way to their closet, a mischievous grin spreading to his face.
"Aw, amor...do you have to?"
"Ow. That hurts. Ow. Ow."
Elliott looked up from his boyfriend's leg which he was holding in his hands, exasperated.
"How do you expect me to do this if you're complaining that every stretch hurts?"
"Because it does!"
"All you have to do is move your leg out. Stop resisting!"
"I'm not!"
"Look, all I'm saying is, I never had a problem getting you to spread your legs for me before," the trickster quipped, causing the younger legend to snort into his pillow.
"According to the doctor, mi amor, that's one of the reasons I'm in the mess in the first place."
"Oh sure. Blame me," Elliott laughed, swatting Octavio's butt lightly. "Okay, next one. It says...You need to sit on the floor, hands firmly on your knees and lean forward while keeping pressure on your knees."
"Wow. That might actually do something if I still had my knees," Octavio said sarcastically, smirking when he noticed his partner rolling his eyes.
"Tav, please…".
"How did your check up go?" the runner asked, just wanting to change the subject at this point.
"Fine," Elliott replied, leaning back on his elbows casually. "Well...they said my blood pressure was a tiny bit high, but once I explained all the, uh, stuff happening with mom they said it might be stress related."
"And?" ;
"And…," he seemed to let out a breath before continuing. "And...we were talking about y'know, my meds and stuff and I asked about maybe starting to lower the dosage a little because I feel okay."
"And what did they say?"
"They asked if I had put any more thought into trying therapy again and...I said yeah," Elliott concluded, his shoulders untensing slightly like he was pleased with himself.
"That's...good, right?" Octavio asked, scooting closer to his boyfriend. "They're not forcing you into it, are they?"
"No, no. It's not like that," Elliott replied, shaking his head and brushing away any stray curls that fell into his eyes in the process. "I...kind of want to go. I feel like I'd be able to do a couple of sessions without freaking out this time. I mean...I'm not promising anything but I'm gonna try my best."
"You are gonna kick therapy's ass!" the speedster said enthusiastically, causing his partner to laugh, before sighing. "If you're doing that, I guess that means I'm gonna have to take my plan more seriously."
"Yes. It does," Elliott said, reaching out for Octavio's hand to give it a gentle squeeze.
Octavio shuffled closer, resting his head on his lover's chest as they lay back on the bed together, in a comfortable silence.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but...sometimes I wish our lives could be a little more...boring?"
"I can't believe it either," the trickster chuckled, brushing his fingers lovingly up and down his partner's arm. "I think we're doing alright. I'm definitely more bored here than I was in the city."
"Yeah, that's true but...when was the last time we did something fun and something bad or...sad didn't happen? Or we just did it because we wanted to and not because we had an obligation to the games."
"Are you saying I'm not fun?" Elliott gasped softly, feigning offence. "I'm hurt, Octavio."
"Shut up," the runner laughed, elbowing him playfully. "You know what I mean."
"Boring lives," his partner mused, out loud. "Okay, I'll indulge you. What would our boring lives look like?"
Octavio rolled onto his stomach, propping himself up with his elbows while he thought the question over.
"We would...have more freedom to do whatever we want. We could order take out whenever we felt like it and...travel more! You said you wanted to do that. To see all the planets and stuff. We would do that. And we'd find all the best parties and events to go to…".
"That doesn't sound very boring," Elliott chuckled.
"I didn't mean boring as in...boring", Octavio clarified, toying with his fingers. "I meant...just do stuff like normal couples do. But just sometimes. I don't wanna be... super bored."
"Your idea of normal is so funny," the trickster hummed, receiving a confused look from his partner.
"Why? What's your idea of normal, amor?"
Elliott stretched his arms over his head, brown eyes appearing to shimmer as he thought of his answer. He turned himself into his side, resting his head on his hand as he began to speak.
"We would...leave here. When we're ready. And we would move back to Solace. We'd finally get our own place…".
"What would that look like?"
The trickster ran a hand over his beard, considering it.
"I always wanted a house outside the city. But not too far. Maybe like...we could buy a whole ranch just for us. I could...be like...a farmer or something?"
Octavio snorted into his hands at the thought.
"I can't picture it."
"I always kind of wanted to grow some of my own vegetables. Like my grandpa used to," Elliott shrugged, nonchalantly. "Or...brew my own beer. Or maybe even try to expand on what mom was doing with her holo-tech."
He paused for a moment, looking uncertain.
"Now that I think about it…I don't really know what I want to do after this. I...guess I never thought I'd really have a life after the games."
"Keep going," Octavio said, his voice quiet. "What else would we do?"
"Well," the trickster continued. "You already know we're getting a dog."
"Si."
"And...a couple of kids running around, would be nice."
"One kid."
"I was thinking more like...three?"
"Three?!"
"Yeah, why not? If my mom could raise four on her own, I'm sure we can manage just fine."
"Alright," Octavio sighed. "And then what?"
"Then we do the boring stuff," Elliott answered, with some finality to his voice. "Argue over what colour to paint the nursery, and laugh about it later when we're up to our elbows in dirty diapers because it didn't even matter. Walk the dog. Family dinners every weekend. Grow old and die within a week of each other."
"Sounds...really boring", Octavio quipped. "But...maybe not in a bad way."
"Let's hope you have the same attitude when you're doing night feeds," the trickster chuckled.
Octavio rolled his eyes, amused.
"Bitch please. I'll be the king of night feeds, in comparison to you, Mr "I would sleep through an earthquake"."
"Okay, maybe you have a point there," Elliott replied, sliding his hand onto his partner's hip fondly.
"Come on, compadres. Peek. I dare you," Octavio muttered, aiming his gun towards the cluster of rocks in the near distance.
He knew they were hiding there; a group of fledglings who thought they could make it into the big leagues faster than he did. They were obnoxious really, but there was one in particular he had his eye on. Well, he was trying to have an eye on them all but they hadn't moved from behind that rock in a while, and he was starting to get impatient. He knew he had the upper hand in this, having set up in one of the buildings in Geyser already.
"Too scared to give me a show, huh? Ring's coming soon, amigos. Hurry up, I'm getting bored."
His fingers tapped on the barrel of his gun, impatiently. It was hard to keep still with all this anticipation building.
"You know it's pretty hot when you get all serious and competitive like this," Elliott piped up from behind him, diverting his attention to the trickster momentarily.
"I want to win," Octavio replied simply, squinting at the rock again.
If he had laser beams for eyes, they'd be dead by now.
"And win we shall," Elliott continued, pausing to blow a cheeky kiss to the camera flying by outside. "We'll look incredible on that winner's podium. What other team knows how to coordinate outfits like we do? Me, the local Folk Hero…", he said, resting a hand on his chest before gesturing wildly in his partner's direction. "And you...Red Mist."
"Red Shift," Octavio corrected him.
"Of course. Beautiful. Just beautiful," the trickster carried on. "Both of us. But especially me."
The speedster hummed in accordance. Normally, he'd be the first one to play up Elliott's Mirage antics with him. The fans ate it up. But he really wanted to win this fight, and couldn't have Elliott's performance distracting him; or his butt in that suit. They were already down a teammate. The trickster noticed his boyfriend's sudden disinterest, and it forced him to break character. He moved his hand onto his opposite arm, with the intention of toying with the strap, securing his holo-gear, before membering this suit didn't have that crutch. Instead, he rested his hands on his hips and took a few tentative steps towards his partner.
"You...have a real hard on for that team, huh? Should I be concerned about them?" he asked, his voice becoming quieter before continuing. "Or you?"
"I want them dead," the runner said bluntly. "Especially the one in orange."
"Okay, you want 'em dead, we'll take them out," Elliott shrugged nonchalantly, and leaned against the wall. "You got some sort of vendetta on these guys, I don't know about?"
"Something like that," Octavio said, shifting his position slightly in an attempt to get a better angle on them.
"What happened? I like to know my motivation before handing out ass whoopings," the trickster quipped, with a small laugh.
"He bumped into me in the hall the other day."
"Uh huh."
"And he ate the last pain au chocolat at group breakfast. I wanted that."
Elliott slid a hand through his curls, a sigh escaping him.
"Tav…".
He looked up, after that, interrupted by the blaring noise over head, signalling the ring was now moving.
"Finally!" Octavio exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Let's go, let's go! They're gonna have to move now! Dios Mio, this game has been so slow!"
"You got it," Elliott concurred, unholstering his Wingman, giving it a flashy twirl around his fingers. "It's showtime."
Like most of Octavio's game plans, this one was rushed and disorderly; something Elliott didn't usually mind. He thrived in chaos. It allowed him to pull off some satisfying bamboozles and sneak up on their opponents with little effort. However, this time, it didn't quite work out in their favour; something Elliott quickly realised upon waking up in the medical bay. He stretched himself out before rolling onto his side and sitting up, smiling to himself when he noticed his partner laying in the bed opposite him.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Elliott slid off his bed, the mattress protector crinkling as he did so. He rubbed the stiffness from his wrist as he sat down on the edge of his partner's bed, who appeared to be feeling sorry for himself.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"I know you're disappointed," Elliott said, giving his hand a comforting squeeze. "But you know how it is. When it gets down to the last few squads like that, it's anyone's game."
"It's not that. We'll get them next time," the runner said, as he sat up, though his tone was dispirited.
"Then what's bothering you?"
Octavio looked up at his partner, shoulders hunched slightly, with his big hazel eyes holding nothing but innocence and serenity.
"It's just...how am I meant to raise a kid when I can't even avenge my breakfast properly?"
The trickster blinked a few times, the corners of his mouth curling into an uncontainable smile, as he processed what he'd just heard. He swallowed, and bit on the inside of his cheek, but inevitably lost the battle against his laughter, which came out in a loud splutter, surprising his partner.
"What's so funny?!"
"You are."
"What? How?"
Elliott wiped at the tear speckles in the corner of his eyes, before resting his hand on the back of the younger legend's head, bringing him close so he could kiss the top of it.
"Because you're just so...You," he hummed fondly. "You're funny."
Octavio opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Both men turned to see a young nurse eyeing them, before quickly excusing themselves.
"Um...excuse me uh, gentlemen, but Dr. Finley wants to see Octavio."
The runner rolled his eyes.
"That guy again?"
"I'm sure it's nothing," Elliott soothed, rubbing his partner's back gently. "Go. I'll see you at home."
Elliott: I have an idea. Meet me outside.
Octavio squinted at the text on his phone as he left the medical wing. It was always exciting when Elliott had an idea out of the blue like this, but the fact that it was apparently happening outside made him question what it could possibly be.
"You took your time," the trickster quipped, hands buried in his pockets, as he watched his partner approach. "For a fast guy, you're pretty slow."
Octavio stuck his tongue out at him.
"What's this idea you have?" he asked curiously, while his boyfriend offered him his arm.
Elliott didn't say anything for a moment, as they walked arm in arm towards the ship yard, subtly slipping something to the guard at the gate as they walked inside.
"I'm taking you on a date," he said. "Y'know...like normal couples do."
"I'm not really dressed for a date," the runner pointed out, gesturing to his game gear that he was still wearing.
"And somehow you still look incredible," Elliott hummed, giving his partner's arm a light squeeze.
They took a small ship back out the arena, and Octavio couldn't help but grin cheekily, when they ended up at the Mirage Voyage and began to wonder what else he could have expected.
"I should've known we'd end up here," he quipped, watching as his boyfriend did a small twirl upon entering the bar area.
"Of course," Elliott said, moving to step behind the bar. "It's only the finest establishment this side of Solace. And...well, I can't help but want to get my worth out of this place."
He ran his hands over the bar top fondly, feeling completely at home.
"Now, what can I get you?"
"Surprise me," the runner said, leaning against the opposite side of the bar. "No decoys working tonight?"
"No. I thought tonight I might be a little more…", Elliott paused to wink before continuing. "Hands on."
He searched around for any mixing equipment he might need.
"So, do you come here often?" he joked, causing his partner to snort.
"Some times. But normally there are a lot more hot guys hanging around."
He watched as the trickster pretended to muse over what he could possibly create, stroking his beard thoughtfully to add to the drama. He mixed a small variety of non-alcoholic ingredients together, before pouring it into a tall glass, adding a cherry and paper umbrella for the speedster's enjoyment. Octavio took a large gulp from the glass, nodding enthusiastically when the sweet tropical flavours rolled over his tongue.
"Good?"
"Mmhmm."
"Well, if you think that's good, wait till you see what else I have in store for you."
Octavio allowed his spare hand to be taken as Elliott led him towards a pile of cushions and blankets, set out on the floor next to the hot tub. The runner's nostrils twitched, when he noticed the servicing tray nearby that was still covered, keeping it's contents warm.
"Hungry?" Elliott asked, as they settled themselves against the cushions, though he already knew the answer.
It was Octavio after all.
"Starving."
They spent the evening snacking on the finger food Elliott had provided, and chatting about their day and the latest gossip to hit the Apex compound.
"So...like I was saying, I think he's hiding something," Octavio continued, his tone dropping slightly, like he was sharing some big conspiracy.
He sounded quite serious, and Elliott may have even taken him seriously if he didn't have BBQ sauce smeared all over his mouth right now.
"You think the mysterious Crypto who sits in his room all day and barely ever speaks to anyone, is hiding something?" he replied, a hint of amusement to his voice.
Octavio was lucky he was cute; BBQ sauce or not.
"Maybe it sounds crazy but...I just know it," the runner said, nodding to emphasise his point.
"Honestly, I think we have more important things to discuss", Elliott remarked, stretching his hands over his head, allowing his shoulder to emit a satisfying crack.
"Like what?" Octavio asked, wiping his face clean with a napkin, until his partner nodded to the single remaining piece of chicken.
"Who gets the last wing?"
Octavio smirked, quickly getting to his knees and leaning over his boyfriend, bringing their faces close so they were almost touching.
"It goes to whoever wins."
"Oh?" Elliott questioned, flirtatiously. "Now, you've got my attention."
"I'm glad," Octavio hummed, his expression quickly turning to one of mischief, as he swatted his lover's butt lightly, before jumping up and sprinting away. "You're it!"
"Hey, Tav wait!" Elliott called after him, watching the younger legend as he vaulted through the back window of the room, with a laugh.
He landed on the lower deck, and the trickster decided to follow him, despite being left somewhat flustered after his partner's earlier display.
Elliott jogged slowly across the deck, to the backroom of the ship. There was nowhere else the runner could be hiding.
"Tav?" he called out, when he entered the room.
His eyes scanned the small area, looking under the seat and coffee table.
"Tav?" he called again, making his way down the stairs.
His head whipped around when he heard a quiet giggle, just in time to see the speedster dash out from behind the obnoxious Mirage statue, and take a sharp turn back onto the deck.
"Get back here you little shit!"
"You're just lucky I don't have my stim belt!" Octavio taunted, as he continued to run, laughing all the while.
Elliott eventually caught up to him at the front of the ship, when he'd run up against the railing there, cornering himself.
"Victory is mine!" he announced, dramatically stalking towards his partner like he was prey, and snaking his arms around him. "I'm gonna savour every bite of that wing!""
He was momentarily stunned, but not unpleasantly so, when Octavio placed a gloved hand onto both of his cheeks, pulling him down into a tender kiss. When he regained his senses, he slid his own hands under his partner's buttocks, lifting him onto the railing. Octavio wrapped his legs around him, while the cool night air tousled their hair and nipped at their skin, forcing them closer together. Their kiss deepened, until they had no choice but to part for air. Octavio snuggled into his partner contentedly, while Elliott rested his chin on his head, as they looked out over the landscape of World's Edge; It seemed so peaceful without a game in full swing, almost like it was a different place entirely.
"I think this is the only type of boring I'm into," the runner murmured into his chest, causing his boyfriend to laugh.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"That's a shame," Elliott playfully, making the younger legend look up at him, a confused look on his face.
"Why?"
"I was kind of hoping you'd be up for a little dip in the hot tub."
"But I didn't bring my bathing suit," Octavio replied, a coy smile on his face.
The trickster shrugged, feigning innocence.
"Me neither."
"Then that sounds perfect. Screw being boring!"
"Don't be silly, we have tonnes of time to be boring!"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah," Elliott replied, taking his partner's hand as he hopped down from the railing, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We have the rest of our lives for that."