Capitulu XII. Scontri
The weather was shit, but the mood was bright.
I sat in the stands of the stadium, my eyes fixed on the field below. A few hours earlier, we had arrived in Ajaccio after a three-hour bus ride. Corsica wasn’t that big of an island, but it wasn’t exactly small either and Ajaccio always felt like a distant city to us, down in Porto-Vecchio.
Our team was playing against Bastia in the Corsican tournament, and Yanis had practically begged me to come along with the rugby squad to support them. Aside from the players themselves, only three of us had tagged along: Marion, Vanessa, and me.
The three of us sat in the cold, our enthusiasm to cheer for Porto-Vecchio quickly smothered by the sheer volume of Bastia’s supporters.
It felt strange to sit next to Vanessa. All through high school, she’d made it painfully clear that she despised me, and I never missed the chance to return the favor. The feeling was mutual. She was snobbish, vain, and about as deep as a puddle. But she was also Antonu’s girlfriend. I glanced at her and wondered what he really felt for her. Was any of it even real?
It was impossible for me to truly understand Antonu. The bond between us felt as fragile as it was unbreakable, born of a mutual desire that burned hotter than fire.
It had been two weeks since that night at Les Antennes, and I hadn’t seen him since. Worse, he was clearly avoiding me, careful not to glance in my direction, not to leave any opening for a conversation. The door was shut, and I hadn’t dared to force it open. Deep down, I couldn’t help but feel that his sudden coldness had everything to do with the tenderness we shared that night.
Maybe I was just imagining it. Maybe he had managed to convince himself that what happened between us was nothing more than sex; a raw, bestial urge he couldn’t control, but that didn’t mean anything. But then, how did he explain our kisses, the way our hands clung to each other... and that name he whispered at the height of it all?
Processing all these emotions wasn’t easy, and it was part of the reason I hadn’t made a move toward Antonu. The other was strategy, I knew better than to push him too far, too fast. That kind of pressure might have driven him away, and I wasn’t about to let that happen.
But what bothered me the most… was Vanessa. In his scramble to suppress whatever was simmering between us, Antonu had started clinging to her. They couldn’t stop kissing, cuddling, parading their relationship in front of me like a shield. Was it a statement? A cover-up? I couldn’t tell. But each time I saw them together, a surge of rage built inside me, harder and harder to swallow each time.
My gaze was fixed on him; his towering, mud-covered frame imposing even from a distance. As captain of our team, he commanded respect from his teammates… and, somehow, now from me as well.
Yanis suddenly seized the ball and sprinted down the field, weaving through the Bastiais players one by one before crashing into the muddy grass, the ball clutched tightly to his chest.
Marion and I jumped to our feet, cheering, ecstatic; while Vanessa remained seated, a smug little smirk plastered across her bimbo face.
“Looks like your boyfriend isn’t so useless after all.” She sneered; her tone laced with mockery.
I turned to her, my joyful expression instantly souring into a glare. I locked eyes with her, saying nothing, but in my mind, I could still feel her boyfriend inside me, his scent clinging to my skin while she sat at home, clueless and humiliated.
Marion gave me a wary glance, well aware of how easily my temper could flare. But I didn’t need to explode, not for Vanessa. Poor thing was no match for me. And I would make sure she got exactly what she deserved.
The second half of the match was breathtaking. I’d never cared much for rugby, but the suspense held until the very end. The Bastiais had been leading from the start, but our team slowly clawed its way back. In the last ten minutes, they managed to take the lead. Yanis, Antonu, and, unfortunately, Gianlucca were the main reasons for that, their talent obvious even to someone like me.
When the final whistle blew, I couldn’t help but smile. I wouldn’t have minded coming all the way to Ajaccio just to watch Yanis lose, the point wasn’t really the score, but being here when it mattered to him. That said, watching him win made it all the sweeter.
I quickly made my way out of the stands, heading toward the team’s locker room to congratulate Yanis. I left Marion and Vanessa behind, feeling the usual mix of excitement and nervousness. As a guy, I was technically allowed in, though I couldn’t help but think how much more I probably stood out among the players, especially considering how much of a slut I was.
When Yanis caught sight of me, he broke into a wide grin and pulled me into a hug, smearing wet mud all over my sweater, but I didn’t care.
“You’re a real beast; you smashed it!” I exclaimed, pride swelling in my chest.
“Thanks! I was so fucking nervous!” He admitted, letting go of me, his eyes still shining with gratitude and adrenaline.
I looked around as the other players stripped down, all in varying states of undress. Gianlucca caught my eye, clearly annoyed by my presence in the locker room, but for once he kept his mouth shut.
Julien came up behind me and clapped my back with his usual warmth; his smile was as sunny as ever.
“Thanks for coming, Max; it’s always good to have at least a few people cheering us on.”
“Thank you, Ju, for recognizing the key role I played in your victory,” I replied cheekily, flashing him a playful wink. He chuckled, shook his head, and turned to his bag to get changed.
Then Antonu walked in.
He had been speaking with the coach and now entered with his usual calm, serious expression. Standing in the center of the room, his gaze swept over the guys and briefly landed on me. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes, maybe surprise or confusion, but it vanished just as quickly.
“Congratulations, guys; you all played really well today.” He said, his deep voice cutting clean through the post-match chatter. “We’re up against Ajaccio tomorrow. It’ll be just as tough, maybe even tougher, but I know we can take them.”
“Fuck yeah!” Gianlucca shouted, earning a chorus of approving grunts from the team. Antonu smirked at the outburst, nodding slightly before slipping back into command mode.
“No alcohol tonight. Don’t stay up late. I want you all in top shape; understood?”
“Yes!” the team answered in unison. I leaned toward Yanis, whispering with a confused frown
“Didn’t you say we’d be going out?”
“I’ll stick to Liptonic.” He shrugged with a light chuckle. “And I guess we can still enjoy and be back at the hotel around 11pm, does that sound fair to you?”
“Yeah, sounds great! Just the two of us?”
“I was thinking of inviting Julien and Marion, what do you think?”
“I’m down!” I smirked.
Ajaccio was much bigger than Porto-Vecchio, and as we walked down the street toward the bar we had spotted on Google Maps, I looked around with excitement. It felt strange to still be in Corsica, yet in a place that actually looked and felt like a real city, especially now that summer had ended.
The streets were packed that Saturday night. I walked beside Yanis, while Julien and Marion trailed just behind us, sharing an ice cream and whispering flirtatiously to each other.
If I didn’t like them as much as I did, I might have been jealous of their chemistry. I shot Yanis a knowing smirk; we were both tangled in secret relationships for different reasons, both robbed of the chance to be so outrageously tender in public.
Of course, Yanis didn’t know I understood his situation more than he fathomed; I wondered if he ever would.
We walked into the crowded bar, music blasting through our ears. I shot Yanis a look and instantly knew he liked the place. We headed to the counter and ordered our drinks over the loud hubbub. Julien and Yanis respected the deal not to drink alcohol, so Marion and I were the only ones to get a beer while they stuck to Liptonic.
The four of us stood around a high, round wooden table, chatting and debriefing the day, joking as we sipped. It felt good to look around and see only unfamiliar faces for once.
“Do you want to dance?” Marion suddenly asked Julien, a spark in her eye.
“Yeah!” He replied with a complicit smirk.
She grabbed his hand, and they disappeared into the crowd, heading for the dancefloor in the centre of the bar. I glanced at Yanis and chuckled, shaking my head in amusement.
“You know, I looked into universities last week, and I think I’d like us to move to Toulouse, if you’re still down to come with me,” I said with a smile, sipping my beer, my gaze never leaving his.
“Toulouse, huh?” He repeated with a growing grin. “Is that thanks to my rugby performance today?” He laughed.
“Well, the Capitole University looks amazing actually, but yeah, I’d love to keep watching you play rugby.”
“You know I’d follow you anywhere,” He replied, reaching across the table to rest his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. “And I’ll do it with even more enthusiasm in Toulouse.”
“I can’t wait,” I answered, the tenderness in my heart spilling into my voice and eyes.
“Shall we dance?” he offered, his gaze locked onto mine. I raised my eyebrows, a little taken aback by the proposition, but nodded.
I grabbed his wrist and followed him into the crowd, the music growing louder with each step. When he finally stopped, he turned to face me and started to dance. I giggled at the awkwardness, slowly easing into the mood and joining him. I felt ridiculous, but I didn’t care, because I was with him.
A few minutes later, we were both moving with enthusiasm, completely swept up by the music and by each other, our eyes always finding their way back to one another.
At some point, I turned around, my back to him, and playfully swayed my body in a suggestive rhythm. Yanis pressed himself against me, his hands gripping my hips as he moved with me. My heartbeat quickened; I could feel it pulsing in my chest, wild and erratic.
It was innocent enough that it could have passed as a joke, just friendly teasing, but it still left me reeling. His body against mine, the heat of his skin searing through my clothes; his fingers pressing into my hips, his firm arm brushing along my ribs. I didn’t know what to make of it, and maybe that was what unsettled me most.
I realized that I was slowly chubbing up into my briefs, so I turned around, flashed Yanis a smile and quickly made my way back to our table alone. I swallowed hard, inwardly cursing myself for ruining such a nice moment with him. Why did I have to be that way? Zeus.
As I took a sip of beer, lost in thought despite the deafening music, a couple of guys came up to me, dropping their heavy hands on my shoulders. I turned to face them, frowning with confusion and a flicker of defiance; their bright smiles stood in stark contrast to my cautious stance.
“How’s it going, dude?” The first guy asked, leaning close to my ear to be heard over the hubbub. “I saw you dancing with your boyfriend, we played against him today. I’m on Bastia’s rugby team.”
I studied him, scanning for sarcasm or some veiled hostility, but found none. Relaxing, I decided not to be a jerk to a random guy in a bar.
“Yanis is my best friend,” I said with a grin. “I just tagged along with the team to watch them play. But congrats on the match, you played really well and gave them a hard time.”
“I wish we’d given them a harder time,” He replied with a chuckle. “So he’s not your boyfriend? It’s cool if he is, by the way.”
“Bro, let the kid breathe!” His friend laughed.
“Yeah, sorry. I should mind my business,” He added quickly, glancing between his friend and me. “I meant no disrespect. It’s just, someone from your team told me you were a couple earlier today.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry. I am gay, but Yanis is straight as an arrow,” I replied with a friendly smile. “Who told you that, though?”
“I don’t remember his name, honestly, I just…”
“Hey guys, everything alright?” Yanis’ voice cut in as he appeared beside us, his tone easy-going but his face set. I met his eyes and chuckled, amused by his protective posture.
“Yeah, these Bastiais recognized you from the game; they just came to say hi,” I told him, placing a hand on his forearm and giving it a light squeeze. “Apparently someone from our team told them we were dating.”
“Really? Who said that?” Yanis asked, a little too fast, his voice tight.
“I don’t know his name. He was one of the guys who scored a lot, a forward, I think.”
“That must be Antonu,” Yanis muttered, shaking his head in annoyance.
“No, Yanis, Antonu would never say that we’re dating,” I replied quickly, realizing too late how odd that might sound to him. “I mean, it was obviously Gianlucca. He was tall, thin, green eyes?” I added hastily.
“Yeah, that sounds like him. Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to bother you guys,” the Bastiais guy said.
“You’re not bothering anyone!” I replied with a bright smile. “Come have a drink with us!” I shifted slightly to make space around the table. “Gianlucca’s a homophobic asshole. He didn’t realize you’d be cool guys. What are your names, by the way?”
“I’m Matteo, and this is Charles,” the more talkative one replied.
Yanis threw me a sidelong glance, still looking vaguely sulky that Gianlucca would go around telling people we were boyfriends. I didn’t mind as much; I mean, I’d be lucky to have a boyfriend like Yanis. But I got why it pissed him off.
“I’m Max,” I said, raising my beer. “Cheers.”
“Cheers, guys,” Charles replied with a wink.
“Are you ready for tomorrow’s match? You’re playing against Ajaccio, right?” Matteo asked Yanis.
“Yeah, we’re hoping to repeat today’s performance,” Yanis answered with a cocky grin. “You didn’t make it easy for us, and we’re expecting the same from the Ajacciens.”
“Please beat them,” Charles laughed. “Now that you’ve beat us, they’ll taunt us forever if they win against you.”
“Hey guys,” Julien said, panting and sweaty as he emerged from the dance floor, still holding Marion’s hand.
“You played against us today too, right?” Matteo asked, glancing between us for confirmation.
“Oh, you’re one of the Bastiais? Sorry, didn’t recognize you without the muddy jersey!” Julien laughed, clapping Matteo on the shoulder before circling around the table.
“I’m going to get another drink. What should I get you guys?” Yanis asked, his cheerful mood finally returning.
Charles and Matteo were charming; I think we were all a bit seduced by their energy. The evening flowed easily, and I almost wished we could stretch it out, just a little longer. But rules were rules, and Antonu had made it clear, no late nights.
Around 10:30, we said our goodbyes and stepped out into the rainy streets of Ajaccio, heading back to our hotel.
“It was nice,” I told Yanis as we stepped into our shared bedroom. “I wish we had more cool guys like them in Porto-Vecchio.”
“Getting tired of me already?” Yanis teased, tossing his sweaty T-shirt at me. I caught it mid-air, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to bury my face in it and inhale his scent; instead, I played it cool and tossed it onto his bed with a chuckle.
“You know what I mean; sometimes I feel like you and Julien are the only genuinely nice guys I know.”
“Come on, there are plenty of good guys at school. If only you’d open up a little,” Yanis said, his voice playful, though I caught a flicker of seriousness beneath it.
“You’re probably right,” I admitted with a half-smile. “Anyway, I’m off to shower,” I added, grabbing my towel and heading out into the corridor; the showers were communal in this cheap hotel.
I was about to push open the guys’ bathroom door when, suddenly, I found myself face to face with Antonu. He was stepping out, wearing only a pair of navy blue rugby shorts that still revealed the lower half of his muscular thighs. Pearls of water clung to his torso; a white towel hung loosely from one shoulder, and his hair was messy and damp.
“Oh, sorry,” I said, stepping back as his gaze locked onto mine, deep, unreadable, and unwavering.
“That’s okay,” He replied, stopping in front of me in the narrow corridor.
“You… you played really well today. Congratulations.” My voice held a slight hesitation. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, and all at once I felt the heat rise inside me; I wanted to press my mouth against his, the air between us suddenly thick with everything unsaid.
“Thank you. You liked it?” He asked, voice low and steady, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Yes,” I breathed.
“I’m sure you’ll crush them tomorrow too,” I added after a long silence, desperate to keep the moment alive, unwilling to let go of the connection sparking between us; being near him always rekindled a fire that never fully went out.
He took a step closer; his bare chest nearly brushed mine, his body radiating heat. He stared at me for a long beat.
“Thank you,” he said at last, voice deep and even.
“I…” I stammered. “I hope that you…”
“Babe?” Vanessa’s voice suddenly rang down the hallway. “Are you coming?” she called, casual and oblivious.
Antonu turned his head in her direction and nodded silently. She disappeared back into their room, unaware of what she’d interrupted.
He turned back to me for one last second; my heart thundered in my chest, my throat tight. Then he turned and walked away.
I finally pushed the bathroom door open and stepped under a showerhead, the cold tiles echoing under my feet. My thoughts were consumed by Antonu. I had to find a way to bring him back to me; he was ripe for the taking, and I was starving for him.
The next day, Vanessa, Marion, and I took our spots in the stands, much closer than the day before so we could see better and be heard better. Since we were playing against Ajaccio, right in their city, the home crowd far outnumbered us, but that didn’t stop us from cheering loud.
The clouds had cleared, and the sun was finally shining over the field as the players stepped in and took their positions. I was almost holding my breath through the entire match, my eyes bouncing between Yanis and Antonu, completely absorbed.
Once again, it was a close game, but in the final five minutes, Antonu snatched the ball from the Ajacciens and sprinted across the field, dodging defenders like a tall, muscled ballet dancer. His powerful thighs flexed with every push forward, the fabric of his shorts stretching over them; I watched, breath shallow, unable to look away.
He crashed onto the muddy grass, and I jumped to my feet, erupting in a sincere cheer. The team rushed around him, walking back to the center of the field as they patted his shoulders and back, voices loud with victory and camaraderie.
Then, all of a sudden, he looked up at the stands; and I could have sworn his gaze landed on me. Vanessa wasn’t far, so maybe I was just imagining things, but it felt like those deep eyes locked onto mine, not hers. That cocky smirk on his lips made my stomach flip; it was as if he wanted me to see him, to witness his triumph.
I held his stare, powerful and intimate, and he eventually looked away.
A few minutes later, when the referee blew the final whistle, I decided to skip the locker rooms and stayed outside with Marion and Vanessa, waiting by the bus for our team to arrive.
When Yanis appeared, showered, changed, his heavy sports bag slung over his shoulder, I smiled wide and pulled him into a quick bro hug, unsure which one of us felt prouder in that moment.
As I dropped my bag into the luggage compartment, Antonu stepped up beside me, mimicking my move and tossing his next to mine. I turned toward him with a playful grin, and he met my gaze, pride shimmering in his eyes.
“I told you you’d smash them,” I said, not exactly whispering, but low enough that no one else would hear.
He slammed the luggage trunk shut and straightened, throwing me a wink before turning on his heel and hopping onto the bus.
When we finally arrived in Porto-Vecchio, three hours later, the sun had already set and I was honestly wiped. Yanis’ mom dropped me off at home, and I lazily made my way toward the front door when, suddenly, my brother stepped out of the house, his heavy bag slung over his shoulder, car keys in hand.
“Oh, hey there.” He said when he saw me. I walked up to him and pulled him into a hug, lingering a little longer in his arms; a silent apology for all the drama I’d dragged him through.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Already? I’ll be in Corte late enough as it is. I’ve got class tomorrow; not on holiday like you!” he said with a chuckle.
“You don’t have holidays?”
“I do, but only one week. I’ve still got another to go before mine start.”
“Oh, okay,” I said, a little disappointed. “Well, drive safe then.”
“Thanks, Max.” Clément replied, ruffling my hair like he used to. “We should plan something during the break. Just the two of us, maybe a couple of days somewhere. Would you like that?”
“Really?” I asked, genuinely surprised he’d even suggest it, considering how much I must have gotten on his nerves. “Yeah, I’d be down.”
“Great. I’ll text you some ideas when I arrive in Corte.” He said with a smile before turning away and heading for his car.
The following days were quiet ones. I hung out with Yanis a lot, making the most of the autumn holidays to spend as much time together as we could, now that we weren’t classmates anymore.
Since I came out this summer, Yanis and I had actually grown considerably closer, like we used to be when we were younger. I guess that, despite him still haunting my thoughts more than I cared to admit, opening up had done us both some good. I was no longer afraid he might one day reject me, and for the first time, I could picture our bond becoming something solid, something that could last a lifetime.
I was sitting on his bed, dressed in my pharaonic attire, a golden winged scarab necklace hanging over my bare chest, paired with white satin shorts (I had passed on the skirt). I was waiting for Yanis to finally decide what to wear, an amused smirk plastered on my face as I watched him pace around, picking up shirt after shirt.
“Come on, it’s not that deep; just pick a black one.” I teased with a soft chuckle.
“Easy for you to say, you look like a fucking ancient god!” He grumbled, frowning with a spark of irritation.
“I can turn you into one too, if you want.” I laughed as he shot me a death stare.
“Whatever. I guess you’re right; black shirt it is.” He finally gave in, tugging off his T-shirt without a second thought, baring his torso to my hungry gaze. My smirk slowly faded as my eyes latched onto the way his muscles shifted and flexed while he browsed his wardrobe, blissfully unaware of the storm he was stirring in me.
Yanis buttoned his shirt and exhaled in frustration, clearly still not convinced by his outfit. I chuckled and gestured for him to come closer, grabbing my black crayon from the nightstand.
He knelt in front of me by the bed, tall enough that he reached my eye level even though I was sitting cross-legged on the mattress. He closed his beautiful eyes as I leaned in, placing my hand gently on his cheek. My heartbeat faster with the closeness. I traced the crayon carefully around his eyes, adding a touch of Halloween vampire to his look, our silence thick with something unspoken but deeply familiar.
“Do you want me to do yours?” He asked softly as I finished his makeup.
“Yes, please.” I replied, my voice tender and almost timid.
He took the crayon from my hand, and I shifted to the edge of the mattress, scooting closer. I swallowed hard, closing my eyes as he gently hooked his fingers under my chin to keep me still. He was so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin; the crayon became an afterthought, barely registering compared to the storm of sensations moving through me. His presence radiated heat, and the silence between us thickened; his focus absolute, my heartbeat unsteady.
“Done!” he said with a satisfied grin as he stood in front of me.
I hopped off the bed and walked to the mirror to inspect his handiwork.
“How did I do?” He asked.
“Perfect!” I replied with a joyful smirk, giving his lower back a playful tap. “Let’s go ; we’re already late enough.”
We had rented a large villa near Palombaggia for Halloween, pooling our budgets to afford something really nice. Julien’s father picked us up in front of Yanis’ house and drove us there.
The only rule was: you had to be in costume. With the exception of a few people who took themselves way too seriously, like Antonu or Gianlucca, almost everyone played along, and the place buzzed with colourful, creative outfits of all kinds.
I drew plenty of looks, whether impressed, amused, or even slightly annoyed, as I paraded around as a semi-naked living God.
“Looks like someone’s trying to get some.” Vanessa snarked as I passed by.
I turned to her with a slow, mean smirk curling at the corner of my lips, giving her a deliberate once-over from head to toe.
“I’m sorry, Vanessa, but you’ll have to stick to your boyfriend. Thanks for the offer, though.” I replied coolly, my voice soaked in mock politeness.
Yanis snickered beside me as we walked away, the sound of her scoff following us like an afterthought.
The party was already buzzing, and I chatted with a few people from school here and there, all the while scanning the room, looking for Antonu. I had seen him when we arrived; his gaze had lingered on me for a second before he vanished into the crowd.
Yanis tapped my shoulder discreetly and leaned in, his lips close to my ear.
“Look at Gianlucca.” He whispered with a subtle nod toward the far end of the room.
I followed his gaze, and sure enough, there was Bianca, giggling and twirling her hair while chatting with Gianlucca in a way that left little to the imagination.
I winced and turned to Yanis with a soft chuckle.
“I wonder what she sees in him.”
“Maybe he’s packing.” Yanis said with a mock-serious tone, barely containing his laugh.
“Even if he were, no dick is big enough to make me put up with that!” I replied with a theatrical pout, shaking my head. Gianlucca wasn’t bad-looking, but he was such an arrogant, brainless bully; I couldn’t imagine ever letting him lay a hand on me.
“I’m going to get a drink to wash that scene out of my mouth.” I joked, tapping Yanis’ shoulder before slipping into the crowd toward the drinks table.
I poured myself a generous glass of raspberry iced tea when I felt someone step up behind me. I frowned and turned slightly, already sensing who it was.
“Aren’t you cold?” Antonu asked, a quiet smirk playing on his perfect lips.
“No, why? Do you mind?” I replied with a teasing tilt of my head, trying to gauge whether he was flirting or just being a jerk.
“Nah, I don’t.” His voice was calm, but there was a flicker in his eyes; a hunger, barely hidden beneath the surface. I smiled, savoring the thrill of being desired by him, again and again.
“It looks like Gianlucca finally got over Stella.” I pointed out, trying to gauge the familiarity Antonu would allow me to use with him in public.
“You should be happy, I guess he’ll be less on your back from now on.” He answered casually, a flicker of playfulness in his tone.
“May Zeus hear you.” I winked, grabbing my glass before making my way back to Yanis, feeling unreasonably cheerful.
“Everything’s alright?” Julien suddenly asked me, stopping me in my tracks with a hand on my forearm.
“Yes, why?” I frowned, confused.
“I… nothing, you just were talking with Antonu and I…” He asked, confused himself. I chuckled, touched by his warry and a little amused. “I guess I just assumed he was being an ass to you.”
“No, he was being nice, for once.” I laughed. “How are you enjoying the party? Where is Marion by the way?”
“She felt sick and headed back home.” He shrugged, sounding bummed. “I guess I’ll head home soon too.”
“What? Nonsense, Marion won’t get better just because you stop yourself from having fun, come with us!” I said, grabbing his wrist and dragging him with me towards Yanis.
“Who wants to play pool with us!” I exclaimed, looking around me with a cheeky smile.
“You know how to play pool?” Yanis asked me with a mocking smirk.
“Clément taught me in Corte.” I retorted, satisfaction in my voice. “Try me if you don’t believe me.”
“Okay…” He chuckled, shaking his head.
“Hey, you three, come and play with us!” I called out to a group of Yanis’ rugby teammates. They were close friends with Gianlucca and Antonu, and I had a feeling they didn’t like me much, but I didn’t care, we needed more players. They exchanged hesitant glances until one of them shrugged, grabbed a cue, and the others followed.
It was Yanis, Julien, and me against them. As we began playing, I could feel the awkwardness; the guys joked among themselves but barely interacted with us. I wanted to change that.
So, I started teasing them a little, poking fun here and there, gradually pulling them in. At first, they were stiff, wary; but soon they started firing back with jabs of their own, and before long we were laughing and joking like it was natural.
I grabbed my cue and took a clean shot, scoring for our team. I cheered and taunted them with a playful grin, earning a few smirks in return. Yanis stepped up behind me, leaning in toward my ear.
“What’s gotten into you tonight?” He asked with a grin, his voice tinged with curiosity and amusement.
“What do you mean?” I replied with a mischievous smile, turning to him as the others kept playing.
“You’re so sociable and cheerful. I remember I had to drag you to these parties when we first started going out this summer.” He said, his tone soft, almost nostalgic. I gave a small laugh and shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’m just in the mood. We’re having a good time, and I’ve got the best of friends around me.” I smiled, placing my hand gently on his forearm.
He leaned in a little more, his expression turning thoughtful.
“Thanks, Max. I’m glad you’re here too.” He said, his voice quieter now. Then, after a beat. “But that’s not all, is it?”
“What?”
“There’s someone else, right? Someone who makes you feel good?”
I couldn’t tell if it was a question or a quiet observation. I frowned slightly, caught off guard, and swallowed hard as a lump rose in my throat.
“No, I… there’s no one else.” I whispered, the words faltering on my lips.
He looked at me for a long second, his eyes steady on mine, searching. My heartbeat quickened, temple pulsing faintly in the silence between us.
“Okay.” He said at last, soft and calm. “Well… when there is, I’ll be here if you need to talk.”
“Yanis, it’s your turn,” Julien called, snapping us out of our bubble. I sighed, straightened up, and tried to shake the conversation from my head. I hated lying to Yanis, I truly did, but I had no right to out Antonu. And I knew Yanis wouldn’t let it go if I simply told him I was seeing someone without saying who.
We kept playing and, in the end, we won. The other guys wanted a rematch, but Julien needed a smoke first, so we followed him out to the garden.
To my dismay, Gianlucca, Bianca (his new crush), Antonu, and his girlfriend Vanessa were already sitting there. Julien led us straight to them and sat next to Bianca.
Gianlucca didn’t say anything, though the look on his face made it clear he wasn’t thrilled. The air immediately turned heavy, that kind of subtle chill only a few people can cause without speaking. Antonu threw me a glance, brief, unreadable, but not hostile. Just… present.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, read the screen, and broke into a smile before nudging Yanis to show him.
“Message from one of your boyfriends?” Gianlucca snarked, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Antonu’s expression shifted; he looked at me sharply, suspicion flashing in his eyes.
“Just a rugbyman.” I said sweetly. “You know I’ve always had a thing for rugbymen like you, Gianlucca.”
The disgust I felt even joking about sleeping with him was nothing compared to the satisfaction of watching the irritation tighten in his jaw.
“A rugbyman?” Antonu repeated, his voice low and sharp, his gaze cutting straight through me with silent accusation. I opened my mouth to answer, but Yanis beat me to it, smirking as he turned pointedly to Gianlucca.
“Yeah, the Bastiais we played last week. They spotted Max at the bar afterward. Recognized him and mentioned that you told them I was his boyfriend.” He said, his tone reproachful.
Gianlucca snorted under his breath, but the moment he caught Antonu’s glare, cold and unamused, he stiffened, then shrugged.
“What? You two are allowed to be boyfriends, for now…” He muttered with a smirk, smug in his bad faith.
“Well, their interest in Max only grew once they realized he was single.” Yanis added coolly, flashing Gianlucca a frosty smile that said everything without saying too much.
“What? Yanis, no… come on. They weren’t flirting.” I said quickly, frowning as I turned to him, caught between confusion and disapproval. “They were just… decent. Not homophobic assholes, that’s all.”
“I mean, they did seem to like you. A lot.” Yanis replied with a teasing tilt of the head. I rolled my eyes, about to shoot back, but Julien cut in.
“Yanis.” He said firmly, his tone fatherly, almost scolding. “Even if they were, it’s not our place to say. Especially not to anyone.” He added the last word with a pointed glance at Gianlucca.
“Let him be.” I said calmly, locking eyes with Gianlucca. “He’s always had a weird fascination with my private life.”
“Watch what you say, Pinzutu, or I’ll…” Gianlucca began, voice thick with warning.
But Bianca cut him off with a loud sigh as she stood abruptly, brushing past him, walking off into the house.
Gianlucca froze, caught off guard, then stumbled after her like a kicked puppy.
The silence hung thick for a moment. Then Yanis, looking a little hurt from being scolded, stood up without a word and walked back into the house. I was about to go after him when Antonu’s voice broke through the stillness.
“Were those guys really flirting with you?” He asked, trying to sound offhand, but the jealousy was unmistakable.
“I really don’t think they were.” I gave him a small, knowing smile.
“Come on, babe, have you seen them? They’re obviously not gay.” Vanessa chimed in, her mocking tone followed by a snide little snicker.
“You’d be surprised.” I replied, holding her gaze with quiet defiance.
I didn’t wait for a comeback. I simply turned and walked back into the house, Julien trailing behind me without a word.
The evening went on smoothly after that little hiccup. Gianlucca kept his attention on Bianca and pointedly avoided even looking my way, while Yanis apologized for having ‘outed’ the Bastiais players; though I honestly didn’t think any of them were gay.
Later, I was in one of the bedrooms grabbing my jacket from my bag; the temperature had dropped and, considering I was basically shirtless, I figured it was time. I felt someone behind me and straightened up quickly, turning around to find Antonu standing there. His tall frame loomed, his gaze intense, deep and raw.
“What’s your plan after the party?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, a little thrown.
“Are you sleeping at Yanis’ again?”
“Oh… no, he’s got something going on and I…”
“Okay.” He cut me off, clearly uninterested in the details, then turned and walked away without another word.
I stood there for a second, not sure what that was supposed to be, before shaking my head and heading back to the party.
I danced with Yanis, Julien, and even some classmates for a good hour. At some point, I made my way to the drinks table, parched. As I reached for the Liptonic bottle, a nearby voice caught my attention.
“Are you sure, babe? I really wanted to sleep with you tonight.” Vanessa said, her tone dripping with exaggerated sweetness.
I turned, my stomach twisting. She was pressed up against Antonu, all over him… eyes wide, voice low, overly seductive.
“Yeah, sorry, my love. I need to wake up early to work out.” Antonu replied softly, dropping a gentle kiss on her lips and pulling her closer with his hand on her back.
“You’ll have to make it up to me, then.” She whispered, just loud enough to catch.
Then she noticed me. Her expression darkened with irritation, as if I were the one interrupting. I took my glass and walked away, my chest tight with anger and frustration.
I started looking for Yanis but couldn’t find him anywhere. I asked Julien, but he didn’t know either, so I stepped out into the garden; no trace of him there, either.
“Grab your stuff and meet me outside in ten minutes.” A voice murmured in my ear.
I jumped, startled, and turned around to see Antonu walking away without a glance. I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly pounding, and headed back inside on instinct. I told Julien I was heading home, grabbed my backpack from the bedroom, and quietly slipped out of the villa.
Out on the street, I looked left and right, scanning the shadows, until I heard a whistle coming from beneath a tree. It was dark, but I recognized him immediately.
I walked over, and Antonu handed me my helmet without a word. I swung a leg over the dirt bike and slid behind him, wrapping my arms tightly around his torso.
The engine roared to life, and as we sped down the empty road, cold air whipping against my face, I couldn’t help but feel we were heading straight into the unknown.
After the dirt bike climbed over the maquis-covered hills of Palombaggia, we descended toward Porto-Vecchio and veered off in the direction of Murateddu. It didn’t take me long to realize where we were heading; his father’s hunting lodge. My grip on his sweatshirt tightened, and I felt my heart thudding faster in my chest.
As the bike came to a halt in front of the wooden lodge, I hopped off and quietly unfastened my helmet. There were no houses nearby, the road lay several dozen meters away and was rarely used; we were truly in the middle of nowhere. Just him and me.
He took off his helmet and held my gaze; dark, unreadable. I exhaled, anticipation building in my chest; these secret meetings were becoming a craving, sharper each time.
I’d waited for him to stop pulling away from the intimacy he let slip that night. Now, he was letting me close again, and it felt like my patience was finally paying off.
I followed him to the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me. Antonu lit the wood-burning stove, its soft orange glow casting warmth across the room.
I stepped toward him slowly, uncharacteristically shy. He turned to face me, his eyes locking with mine; steady, unreadable, searching. I swallowed hard and rose onto my toes, closing my eyes as I brushed a soft kiss against his lips. His hands found my hips and pulled me in, firm and wanting.
Then, without a word, he slipped his arms beneath me and lifted me effortlessly, drawing a quiet gasp from my throat.
I looked down at him, breath hitching, completely his for the taking; my fingers roamed over the hard curves of his neck and shoulders, craving the power he held over me.
Antonu walked over to the wooden counter and set me down on it. My butt over the edge as he pulled me toward him, his hands already hooked around the waistband of my satin shorts and briefs, tugging them down in one swift, deliberate motion.
I locked eyes with him; impatient, aching, dizzy with lust and anticipation. He tossed the discarded fabric aside and slid his hands along the inside of my thighs, prying them open with quiet authority.
He began kissing my torso, his warm mouth trailing down my skin, past my belly button, heading lower. I held my breath, the air thick between us, wondering if he was about to do what I desperately hoped he would.
My cock was already rock hard, twitching right under his eyes, brushed by his warm breath. He looked at me and dropped a single kiss on my pink exposed cock head, a pearl of precum coating his lips, before going lower and spread my cheeks, exposing my twitching pink pussy.
I gasped the moment his tongue found it, my knuckles whitening as I gripped the edge of the counter. He pushed into me, and a sharp shiver ran down my spine, heat blooming through every inch of my body. I moaned softly, surrendering myself fully as he claimed the most intimate part of me with greedy devotion.
After a few minutes of this overwhelming treatment, he straightened up, his eyes meeting mine with burning intensity.
“Ask me to do it.” He asked me, his tone deep and raw.
“Antonu…”
“I want to hear it.”
“Please…” I muttered, my tone soft and imploring. “Please fuck me.”
He smirked with satisfaction and spat on his fat cock. He then placed one hand on my hips while the other guided his cockhead at the entrance of my hole. Slowly, he pushed in as I let my head fall back, closing my eyes as a mix of pain and pleasure browsed through me.
Antonu gripped both my hips and began to thrust into me, deep and deliberate. My moans grew louder with each movement, echoing freely in the secluded silence around us; no one could hear, and I didn’t hold back.
He was ruthless, slamming into me with a force that made my back arch painfully against the counter. Our moans tangled in the air, drowned by the sharp, relentless sound of his hips crashing into me, his balls slapping hard against my skin, again and again, faster each time.
I was panting, breathless and slick with sweat, the wood stove quickly turning the room into a furnace of heat and desire. My golden scarab necklace clung to my chest, glinting softly in the dim, flickering light. I reached for Antonu’s torso, my fingers brushing over the tense muscle, feeling the thunder of his heartbeat beneath my palm.
He straightened up, one of his hands letting go of my hips and grabbing my rock-hard cock. My eyes shot open with surprise, and I met his eyes, deep and lustful. He started jerking me off, slowly at first, but soon matching the rhythm of his restless pounding. I was able to feel his whole fat cock inside of me, my hole stretched to its limits, and it was getting me closer to the edge. .
“Antonu…” I moaned, breathless. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to… I’ll…”
“Do it.” He ordered, his voice low and commanding.
My body arched instinctively, a ragged cry escaping my lips as I erupted in his hand. My cum flew everywhere and landed on the counter, on my stomach or even on my face, coating his hand in the process.
Suddenly, he pulled out and slammed back in, loudly groaning, his face twisting in orgasmic pleasure. I felt his cock twitch inside of me, his balls, slick with sweat, flexing against my skin.
He swallowed hard and leaned his forehead against my chest as my fingers traced slow, lazy patterns along the muscles of his back.
We stayed like that for a while, wrapped in the warm afterglow of a powerful orgasm, our breath gradually syncing, slowing.
When I finally slid off the counter, my legs trembled beneath me. Antonu grabbed a towel, wiped the sweat from his chest and my cum from his hand, then tossed it to me without a word.
I thought he would get dressed and drive me home, so I quietly bent down to gather my scattered clothes from the floor. But before I could slip anything on, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his warm lips brushing against my neck, his bare skin pressed intimately against mine.
“Stay with me tonight.” He said. His voice was low, firm, almost a command. But I didn’t mind. I would’ve pushed back if I hadn’t wanted to. But I did.
I nodded, turned in his arms, and kissed him, softly, slowly, melting against him once more. He lifted me effortlessly from the floor, again, holding me close, and carried me to the bedroom.
I rested my head on his chest, my arm draped across his stomach, his fingers trailing lazily along my back. I felt both spent and elated, like drifting through a perfect dream. A wave of pure, quiet bliss settled over me, wrapping me in warmth, gently pulling me into sleep.
The next morning, I woke up slightly disoriented, unsure of where I was, until I caught sight of Antonu’s tall frame beside me. His arm was draped around my waist, pulling me close, his breathing slow and steady, his body warm against my back.
I stirred a little, exhaling as I came to my senses, feeling an odd sense of wellbeing in his arms. It must have awakened him, because I felt him move behind me, his powerful arms pressing me closer.
His warm lips kissed my nape and shoulder sensually and I grabbed his hand, resting on my stomach, to squeeze it tenderly. I had no idea what time it was, but the sun was already peaking through the window’s wooden panels.
Antonu suddenly rolled me over my stomach, pinning me on the mattress with his muscled body on top of mine. I felt his hardening cock on my butt cheeks and almost instinctively spread my legs, a silent invitation I’m not even sure he needed.
He kissed my neck, close to my ear, giving me goosebumps; his warm breath on my wet skin driving me crazy, his scent overwhelming my senses and the feeling of being utterly at his mercy filling me with dread and arousal.
He grabbed his now rock-hard cock and slowly plunged it inside of me, a gasp of pain and pleasure escaping me. Once his cock was lodged inside, he let the gravity take over and let go of his meat, grabbing my wrists instead to make sure I couldn’t move.
“Oh… Antonu…” I moaned, my eyes closed in bliss.
“I’m right here, babe.” He answered, his voice deep and hoarse.
There it was again, the B word, my heart skipped a beat hearing it, wondering if he would again come to regret it and punish me for it. I tried to relax as much as I could under his body, his movements slow and deliberate, feeling nothing like the power-fuck he gave me the previous night.
Weirdly enough, I could feel it even more this time. Of course, his cock was stretching me wide and far, my pussy accommodating him with difficulty, but it wasn’t just that. I could feel his sweaty muscles grinding against my back, his hungry lips kissing my delicate skin, his hands gripping my wrists.
It was an overload of sensation and I loved it. My neglected hard cock was rubbing against the sheets under me, but I could tell it was leaking precum like a faucet.
This lazy rhythm lasted for a few more minutes, until he decided he wanted to speed things up. His rough hands gripped my hips and pulled me on all fours, his cock still lodged deep inside of me. Antonu groaned and started pounding me, his balls slapping my ass as he fucked me doggy.
I let my head rest on my crossed arms on the mattress, my eyes closed as I let him use me as the fucking whore I was. I’m sure his eyes were riveted to his fat meat stretching my pussy every time he pulled out, before plunging it back with brutal efficiency.
A slick strand of precum clung between my cock and the sheets, silent proof of how much I’d given in; letting this guy, Yanis’ rugby captain, boyfriend to some clueless girl, and my own classmate, use me for nothing but his pleasure. I knew it was wrong, and yet I couldn’t stop it.
I wanted him; more fiercely each time, my hunger growing with every day we spent together. I didn’t know where we’d draw the line; the thought of it thrilled me as much as it terrified me.
Suddenly, in a mighty roar, Antonu plunged balls deep inside of me and tightened his grip on my hips, digging his fingers deep in my flesh. He was panting, still lodged inside of me, catching up on his breath after his powerful orgasm.
At last, he eased out and let himself fall beside me, crashing into the mattress. I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his lips; a quiet offering of gratitude, my gaze betraying the admiration I kept hidden behind the mask I wore around everyone else.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I sat up, reaching for it.
“Who is it?” Antonu asked, his voice firm, with a faint edge of irritation beneath the surface. I turned to him, raising an eyebrow.
“None of your business, obviously.” I chuckled lightly, keeping my tone soft but letting the message land.
“Probably the Bastiais again.” He muttered, dry and cold. “Totally not flirting, right?”
I smiled, amused by his jealousy, and set the phone back down without checking it. Then I leaned over him and kissed him again, longer this time, gently tugging at his lower lip with my teeth, my fingers brushing along the line of his strong jaw.
“Not that I owe you any explanation, captain, but no.” I let out a small, teasing laugh. “Yanis only said that to piss Gianlucca off; he didn’t know it would end up haunting you even more.” I paused just enough to enjoy the flicker in his eyes. “And for the record, I’m not a fucking snitch. I’d never betray their trust. Just like I’ll keep your secrets safe, no matter what.”
“You better!” He growled, low and rough.
“Can I take a shower now?” I asked, half-teasing, half-hoping to cool things off.
Antonu sighed, his expression still unreadable, then suddenly got out of bed. He gripped the back of my neck; not rough, but firm enough to remind me who was in charge, turned me around, and nudged me forward. His bare body followed closely behind as he guided me toward the bathroom.
I was torn between being annoyed at how he still treated me like his bitch, even after everything, and turned on; my denied orgasm leaving me just willing enough to put up with his attitude.
Once in the bathroom, he turned the water on and waited a few seconds before pushing me under the showerhead. I gasped as the warm stream hit my skin, melting tension and sending a wave of pleasure through me.
Antonu stepped in behind me, his lips brushing against the nape of my neck as his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Water cascaded over us, hot and heavy. I turned to face him, slipping my tongue into his mouth, our bodies pressed together, my hard cock nudging against his slowly rising one.
One of his hands slid between my butt cheeks, gently probing my hole, while the other wrapped around my cock, firm and sure. My surprise melted into our languid kiss, overtaken by the heat of his touch. I knew I shouldn’t be so surprised that he wanted to explore my body, my whole body, but I couldn’t stop but being taken aback when he let his macho bravado down, even for just a moment.
The feeling of his warm hand on my cock, combined with his inquisitive fingers inside of me, would have been enough to send me over the edge, but I still wanted more.
I kneeled in front of him, setting my gaze in his, submissive and boyish, and grabbed his fat dick, peeling the foreskin before engulfing him whole. I took his heavy balls in my hand and bobbed up and down his cock, jerking off my own at the same time.
His cock head penetrated my throat, my nose pressed against his pubes, his balls sticking to my chin. He groaned, pressing me deeper, his hand on the back of my head. I worked on his cock, dutifully, alternating between putting his nuts in my mouth while jerking him off and deepthroating it. Antonu leaned against the tiled wall, panting, and I knew he was close.
As I was suckling on his cock head, my tongue teasing his piss slit, he grabbed my head with both of his hands and started roughly face-fucking me, making me gag and choke. In a matter of seconds, he pulled his cock out of my mouth and painted my face with his load, my mouth open, tongue sticking out submissively.
I smirked, satisfied and proud, before getting up on my feet.
Before I could even grab the shower gel, Antonu pinned against the wall aggressively.
“Jerk off, now.” He commanded, his voice deep and rough, his hand around my throat menacingly.
I swallowed hard, insanely turned on, and grabbed my cock, aching for release. With his other hand, Antonu found my hole and planted two fingers inside of me, triggering a high pitched yelp from me.
I jerked off even faster, my orgasm getting dangerously close, as he fingered me with brutality.
In a deep moan, a first rope of cum erupted from my cock and splattered his muscled thigh, followed by many others.
I was catching my breath as Antonu slowly pulled his fingers out of me, coated with the cum he’d planted deep inside me earlier, and rinsed them under the shower.
I grabbed his chin, turning his face to mine in one swift, assertive move, and crushed my lips against his in a deep, hungry kiss.
“You’re so fucking hot, you know that?” I panted, a cocky smirk tugging at my lips.
He didn’t respond, he didn’t need to. The satisfied grin playing at the corner of his mouth said it all, and he went on washing himself in silence.
As we finished showering, Antonu pulled me into his arms again, kissing me softly. My stomach tightened at the thought of how much I genuinely enjoyed spending time with him; how it wasn’t just about sex anymore.
We were back in the bedroom, getting dressed, when Antonu noticed several missed calls from Gianlucca. His frown deepened with confusion, and a flicker of wariness, as he called him back. I stayed close, curious and nosy like the little bitch I was.
“What’s up?” Antonu asked, his deep voice steady as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“I found him with my cousin Saveria again, I fucking knew it! I followed her and saw them together!” Gianlucca practically shouted into the phone, loud enough that I could hear every word. My heart sank to my stomach; I knew exactly what he meant the second the words left his mouth.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Who’s with your cousin?” Antonu asked, confused and clearly irritated.
“The fucking Musgingatu!” Gianlucca spat, dripping with rage. Antonu shot me an annoyed glance, shaking his head in frustration before focusing back on the call.
“Where are you? Did they see you?”
“No, I’m waiting for you. We’re going to end this. Once and for all.” Gianlucca’s voice was icy, full of threat. My heart started pounding faster, anger bubbling in my gut. My fists clenched. My breath quickened.
“Calm the fuck down!” Antonu snapped, his tone firm, annoyed, but also unmistakably tense.
“Come over now! I swear to God I’ll handle it myself if you don’t!” Gianlucca barked.
“I’m on my way. Send me your location and wait. Don’t get spotted!” Antonu replied, ending the call. He was pissed; his lips pressed into a pale, tight line, but I was livid.
“Send me the location. I’ll deal with him.” I said, voice cool, barely hiding the fire inside.
“Not a fucking chance.” He stood, gathering his clothes.
I stepped in front of him, my palm flat against his chest, eyes locked into his.
“Listen to me carefully, Antonu; I do like you, but if I have to throw everything under the bus to save Yanis, I will without a second thoughts. Do I make myself clear here?” I said, my voice cold and steady, even as turmoil churned beneath the surface.
“Crystal clear.” He hissed, jaw clenched, eyes like obsidian.
“Then send me the location.”
“Now you listen to me, you little Pinzutu.” He said, stepping forward. His body pushed mine back until I hit the wall, breath caught in my throat. “You might think we Corsicans go hunting Arabs in our spare time, and I hate to shatter your fantasy, but no one’s fighting anyone today.”
“Say that to your shitstain of a friend, asshole!”
“Watch your mouth, Max.” He growled, inches from my face. Then he exhaled sharply and backed off a little. “You’re coming with me. But on my terms.”
“What terms?”
“You shut the fuck up and let me deal with Gianlucca. And if things go sideways, you handle Yanis. I’ll make sure Gianlucca doesn’t lay a finger on him; but if Yanis starts something, it’s your job to calm him down. I do the talking, no matter what Gianlucca says. Got it?”
“Gianlucca can go fuck himself and…”
“Got it?” He cut me off, sharp and irritated.
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling over, and locked eyes with him again.
“Fine. But I swear to Zeus, if Gianlucca ever hurts him, now or later, he’ll have far worse than the wrath of the Gods to deal with.”
“Understood.” Antonu said coldly, with all the gravity of a man walking into war.
We dressed in a charged, religious silence and stepped out of the lodge. I climbed behind Antonu on the dirt bike, my heart pounding as we took off. I fucking hated Gianlucca, and if he tried anything, anything, I’d make him regret ever being born. But I was commited on keeping my word to Antonu.
The closer we got, the faster my pulse raced. I was high on adrenaline, clinging tightly to Antonu; his presence was oddly reassuring, even as I simmered with hatred for his friend.
We reached the dirt tracks along the Osu river, just past the Trinité bridge, and there they were. Gianlucca stood too close to Yanis, shouting in his face, while Saveria tried to push him back. Yanis’ nostrils flared, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white, ready to strike.
Antonu brought the bike to a halt with a sharp drift, kicking up a cloud of dust that made the three of them flinch. I swung off first and Antonu followed, his jaw tight, eyes locked on the scene.
“Finally!” Gianlucca barked, puffed up with self-righteous fury. He spun toward Yanis. “You’re finished, Musgingatu. I swear I’ll…”
He froze mid-sentence as I removed my helmet too. The blood drained from his face.
“What the hell is he doing here?” He asked Antonu, his voice suddenly hollow. Yanis and Saveria turned toward me, both visibly stunned. Yanis stared like he was seeing a ghost.
“Stopping him from doing something stupid.” Antonu said flatly, nodding toward Yanis. “Just like I’m here to stop you.”
“You’re not stopping me from giving him what he deserves,” Gianlucca shot back, voice low and venomous. “I warned him to stay away from her, and he…”
“So what?” Antonu cut in, his tone tight, deliberate. “You’re going to throw your future away for this? She’ll move on; he’s not the only Musge on this island.”
Yanis tensed. His eyes darkened as he took a threatening step forward. I mirrored him instantly, stepping beside Antonu and raising a hand toward Yanis, silently telling him to hold back.
“Oh, I see now,” Gianlucca spat. “Teaming up with a fucking Pinzutu to protect him? Is that what we’re doing?”
“Enough!” Antonu barked, his voice cracking through the air like a whip. “I’m doing this for your sake!”
“I’m not letting him walk away from this,” Gianlucca hissed, shaking his head with rising fury. “He needs to learn…”
“Then fight me!” Yanis roared, stepping forward, fists clenched. “Let’s see what you’ve got without someone else doing the dirty work for you!”
Before he could close the gap, I stepped in his path and stopped him with a firm hand on his chest. Our eyes locked.
“Yanis. No.” My voice was low, calm, unwavering. He didn’t yield.
I quickly threw a glance behind; Antonu’s towering frame held Gianlucca at bay, the little shit squirming in his grip, desperate to lunge at Yanis.
“Look at me!” I barked, grabbing Yanis by the chin, forcing his eyes onto mine. “Don’t.”
“Listen to him, baby, please.” Saveria voice said, directed at Yanis with a soft yet worried expression.
“Listen to them!” Gianlucca barked at Antonu. “Fucking listen to them, this disgusting Musge getting into her pants and…”
“Shut the fuck up, Gianlucca, my pants are none of your problems!” Saveria snapped, her voice dry and cutting.
Suddenly, a car barreled down the dirt road, screeching to a stop just in front of us. A woman jumped out, her heels crunching on gravel as she rushed toward Gianlucca.
“What on earth is going on! What’s the matter?” She urgently asked, Gianlucca taking a step back from Antonu, furiously straightening his T-shirt and throwing her a dark glance.
“It’s Saveria, Mom, she’s being seeing this fucking Musgingatu in secret for weeks!” He spat out, her gaze turning to Saveria with disgust.
“Saveria! You should be ashamed!” She uttered, squinting her eyes.
“I’m not!” She answered defiantly, making me proud.
“What will you father say, such a disgrace for us all!” She shook her head, looking at Yanis as if he were a disgusting bug. “And you, don’t you dare get anywhere near her again. Your kind needs to know its place here, believe me I’m saying this for your own good.” My grip on Yanis’ forearm tightened. Rage coiled hot in my chest. Antonu glanced sideways at me, reading the storm that was about to break.
“Is this how you speak to your nephew, sister?” A voice said, making us all turn around.
“Mom?” Yanis muttered, stunned.
Yanis’ mother was standing here, composed and dignified, stepping closer to us all slowly.
“Livia…” Gianlucca’s mother said, her eyes wide with shock and confusion, getting paler by the second.
“Good morning, Francesca. It’s been a while, right? 25 years, maybe?”
“This is… your…” Gianlucca’s mother stuttered, looking at Yanis with a mix of realization and horror.
“My son.”
“Mom?” Yanis repeated, his face twisted in confusion and anguish.
“I have to warn you, Livia, if your son, yourself or the man you call your husband tries anything with Yanis, it will be over for you.” Yanis’ mother threatened, her tone calm but icy. “I’m still dad’s daughter, after all.” She added, finally reaching Yanis and putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Come, we’re leaving.” Gianlucca’s mother told her son, grabbing his arm and dragging him with her.
“Oh, and same goes for her, naturally.” Yanis’ mother added, nodding towards Saveria. They exchanged one last look before she shoved Gianlucca in the car, hopping on the driver seat before quickly leaving in a cloud of dust.
“Mom?” Yanis repeated, eyes watery and questioning. She smiled at him taking him in her arms and giving him a quick hug.
“Let’s go home, we need to talk.” She said tender and reassuring, her fingers brushing his hair.
“Can I come with you?” I asked, looking at Yanis with warry.
“Later Max, there are things I need to discuss with Yanis alone.” She answered, smiling at me kindly. “Thank you for always being here for him, though, it means the world to me.”
“Saveria, come with us, I’ll drop you off.” She added, inviting her to follow them.
After they left, Antonu and I being on our own again, alone on that remote dirt trail, I turned to him, stepping closer.
“Thank you Antonu.” I sincerely said, smiling at him meekly.
“I wonder what happens next.” He answered, his face still closed and unreadable. I raised on my toes and dropped a kiss on his lips, sweet and grateful.
“Let them cool off. We’ll see later. Turns out we’re not such a bad team,” I whispered. He caught my face in his hand and gave me one last kiss, just as soft.
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