The academy courtyard was buzzing with activity. Students clustered in small groups, chatting and laughing, while instructors walked among them, observing. Daniel adjusted his gloves, trying to focus on the upcoming drill. But the hum of his suppressor beneath his skin made him hyper-aware of every movement, every glance, every subtle scent shift.
Leo was already in the area, standing casually against the edge of the training ground, watching the students with a calm intensity that made Daniel's chest tighten. He tried to ignore it, tried to focus on his own preparation—but every glance Leo sent in his direction made him painfully conscious of his own reactions.
Mika and Ryo appeared on either side of him, grinning knowingly.
"You look like you're going to explode," Mika whispered. "Everyone can see it, you know."
"I'm fine," Daniel muttered, though his jaw clenched.
Ryo smirked. "Sure. Totally fine. Totally in control. We get it."
The drill began. Students paired up, performing coordination exercises while navigating a short obstacle course. Daniel was paired with Leo again, a fact that made his stomach twist in anticipation.
"Ready?" Leo asked softly, leaning just close enough that Daniel could feel the faint warmth of his presence.
Daniel swallowed hard. "Yeah."
The first obstacles were simple: balance beams, low walls, and small jumps. Daniel focused intently, forcing himself to ignore the subtle hum in his chest. Every movement he made was precise, measured, controlled.
But then, a fellow student—an eager, competitive alpha—rushed past them, nearly colliding with Daniel. Reflexively, Daniel adjusted, losing a fraction of his control.
Leo's hand brushed his elbow, subtle but grounding. "Careful," he murmured.
Daniel's heart raced. Almost… almost exposed.
The nearby students noticed the brief contact, but no one commented—yet. The atmosphere shifted slightly, whispers passing through the crowd like a soft ripple.
As they progressed through the course, Daniel found himself reacting more to Leo than to the obstacles. A slight touch, a guiding hand, the way Leo adjusted his pace to match Daniel's—it was all deliberate, protective, and infuriatingly distracting.
At one point, Daniel stumbled slightly on a narrow plank. He caught himself just in time, but the faint scent shift—the omega signature he worked so hard to suppress—was noticeable enough that Leo's sharp eyes flicked toward him immediately.
"Stay with me," Leo said quietly, guiding Daniel with a gentle nudge.
Daniel's pulse surged. He was aware of the students around them, the whispers circulating, and the teasing glances from friends. If anyone notices… if anyone sees…
But Leo's presence was grounding, steady, protective. It was maddening.
After completing the course, Daniel and Leo walked toward the sidelines, trying to catch their breath. The students around them whispered softly, exchanging glances, picking up on the subtle tension.
Mika and Ryo were nearby, grinning.
"You're… glowing," Mika said, smirking. "Can't hide it anymore."
"I'm not—" Daniel began, but Ryo cut him off.
"Oh, come on. Everyone saw the way he stayed near you, adjusted to protect you. That's not normal."
Daniel pressed a hand to his chest, suppressor humming faintly beneath his skin. He wanted to sink into the shadows, hide, disappear.
Leo glanced at him, noticing the flush, the tense movements, the subtle signs of his inner turmoil. He didn't comment aloud, didn't tease, didn't make a scene. But Daniel felt the weight of his gaze, aware that Leo knew exactly how much the public attention, the teasing, and his own reactions were affecting him.
Later, as students gathered to discuss the drill, Daniel tried to focus on the instructor's words. But his mind kept returning to the brief contacts, the protective gestures, the subtle awareness that Leo had of him.
If anyone notices fully… Daniel thought, pressing a hand against his chest. The hum of his suppressor beneath his skin was a constant reminder: he was walking on the edge, one small slip away from revealing everything.
And deep down, he realized: the more Leo stayed near him, protective and subtle, the harder it became to maintain control.
Every glance, every touch, every protective nudge was a tease. A reminder that his secret could be discovered at any moment.
Daniel sighed, leaning against the railing. He knew the next slip was inevitable.
And he wasn't sure he could—or wanted to—stop it.