The Substitute Healer (BL)-Chapter 78: Hey, hey, alright. That’s enough.

Heads up! This Chapter has adult content and sexual scenes. Just a warning before you keep reading!

Back at the encampment.

"Young Master, could you spare me a moment, please?"

Kaine stood just inside Gideon’s tent, yet it felt as though an invisible wall separated them.

Kaine stood inside Gideon’s tent, but it felt tense.

For three days now, Gideon had been avoiding him and refusing to talk but Kaine knew why. During the purification mission, he hadn’t reported back when he knew that Soren was in danger, and Gideon cared deeply about him.

Now, that silence pressed heavily against his chest.

"Hmph! I don’t want to see you or talk to you, Commander," Gideon snapped while still lying on his side atop the bed, his back turned in open defiance. He pouted like an offended child while tugging the blanket closer. "Go back to your post!"

Kaine remained where he was while standing just behind the curtain that divided them with his jaw tightened.

"Is this because of that man?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Gideon shot upright with fury flashing across his face.

"How dare you call him that?" Gideon shouted. "He has a name, you know!"

Kaine flinched inwardly. "My apologies, Young Master," he said quickly, lowering his voice. "Please, don’t be angry anymore. That ma- I mean, Soren was safe in the end. Isn’t that all that matters?"

Gideon scoffed. "Yeah, right. For you, maybe." Then his hands clenched into the sheets. "But not for me. Do you have any idea how it feels to know I couldn’t do a single thing for the person who saved me?"

The words struck deeper than Kaine expected.

At that time, jealousy twisted in his chest, sharp and unwelcome. His fist clenched at his side with his knuckles whitening as he grits his teeth and forced a slow breath. After a moment, he loosened his grip while steadying himself.

"...May I see your face, Young Master?" he asked quietly.

The tent fell into a tense silence, heavy with everything left unsaid.

Kaine knew that Gideon was on Soren’s side. He also knew that Soren deserved that kind of care from his master.

Still, Kaine couldn’t stop the jealousy from creeping in. The thought that someone other than him was occupying Gideon’s mind felt unforgivable.

He knew it was petty and pathetic.

Deep down, he was thankful to Soren. Truly thankful that Gideon had been given another chance to live but as the days passed, that gratitude slowly got buried under jealousy.

Whenever they were together, Gideon always talked about Soren. About how warm and gentle he was, how innocent he looked and how easy it was to talk to him. It made Kaine wonder if Gideon preferred someone soft and delicate over someone like him who’s rather masculine.

Even knowing that Gideon liked him, Kaine still felt a sharp sting every time Soren’s name left Gideon’s lips so gently. It irritated and unsettled him, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake the feeling.

"Please, Gideon... I’m sorry," Kaine said quietly. "I crossed the line this time. Please... talk to me."

He’s lowering himself like this realizing that it hurt more than any wound he had ever taken on the battlefield.

Gideon’s cold silence cut deeper than blades ever could. After a long minute, the curtain finally slid aside. Gideon stood there with his feet on the ground, one hand gripping the curtain as he looked down at Kaine who was now kneeling before him, head lowered.

"Hmph," Gideon said sharply. "Do you even realize what you’ve done?"

"Yes," Kaine answered, his voice shaking. "Please forgive me..." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

His eyes had turned red with even tears gathering as he sniffed quietly. Seeing that, Gideon sighed and stepped closer, crouching down in front of him. He then reached out and cupped Kaine’s cheeks.

"You’re really something," Gideon muttered. "Do you think just saying my name so gently will make me forget what you did?"

He squeezed Kaine’s face lightly while frowning even as a small smile betrayed him.

"I’m sorry," Kaine said again. "I’ll do anything you want from now on. Please... don’t hate me."

Unable to hold back anymore, Kaine leaned forward and hugged him while burying his face against Gideon’s neck. His breath was warm along with his tight and desperate grip.

Gideon stiffened at first then felt his face heat up along with his heart that’s betraying him as the anger slowly faded.

He was just really disappointed at how Kaine made a decision on his own especially now that two days later, they will have to go back to the capital.

"Hey, hey, alright. That’s enough. Will you let go of me?" Gideon’s voice was firm but carried a hint of exasperation as he tried to gently push Kaine away. "I heard Soren’s awake... I should go visit him or maybe talk to him for a bit, okay?"

Kaine stayed pressed against Gideon’s neck, biting his lip and rolling his eyes in frustration. ’Of course, he’ll go to him...Soren this and that. Of course he would want to see him.’

But the jealousy that knotted in Kaine’s chest refused to ease.

It didn’t matter that Soren was a hero to Gideon, or that Kaine himself was grateful. All that mattered was that Gideon’s attention was not on him and that thought made his stomach twist.

As Gideon’s hand rubbed comforting circles on his back, Kaine made a decision, one he rarely allowed himself to act on. He tilted his head up and cupped Gideon’s face in his hands while feeling the warmth of his skin with the steady thrum of his heartbeat under his palms.

Without a word, Kaine pressed his lips to Gideon’s. It was soft, tentative at first and testing but firm in intent.

"Hngh... haa... w-wait..." Gideon’s breath hitched as he tried to pull back while his hands are reaching out to push Kaine away but Kaine didn’t budge.

He just leaned closer while tightening his grip, letting their bodies brush together in the smallest, most intimate of spaces.