The first time they met, it wasn't perfect. Connor had just been assigned to watch over the youngest son of the Franchis. He had to enroll himself in the military, using his real name as well to add more credibility. It wasn't easy to enter, the National Military Institute's intelligence gathering far surpassed A.C.E.
He was risking his life.
But A.C.E promised him a hefty sum.
A smile tugged on Connor's cheek, checking himself out in the mirror a few times. He looked neat; the uniform was made with high-quality fabric.
He was sharing the room with David and Kian.
He cleared his throat, finally catching the attention of the two.
"If we don't hurry, we'll miss our class, and..." His voice trailed off. "They're already serving food at the cafeteria.
The two immediately broke off. The reason they have been arguing, Kian had managed to sneak his phone inside.
The cafeteria was spacious. Multiple tables lined up, a large chandelier at the center. Numerous servers, with all-kinds of dishes.
Multiple cadets were already lining up for their food.
They took their seat. Connor stared at the tray; it was heaven. Each bite was amazing. Even he wondered how a pancake could be so fluffy.
While they engrossed themselves, some of the cadets were running around the cafeteria, immediately throwing it into chaos.
Connor noticed something amiss.
Everyone in the cafeteria was rushing outside.
David noticed as well, as he grabbed one of the guy's arms. "Hey, what the hell is going on? Where is everyone going?"
"Huh? Oh, there's a fight outside. 1st years like us. It's crazy!" The 1st year cadet, excitedly ran off.
Curiosity also got the better of them as they decided to check it out.
Numerous students were in the field, and there were even some teachers. Everyone was shouting aloud. Kian, David, and Connor squeezed themselves inside the crowd. Connor finally saw what was going on; his eyes landed on the two kids.
One of the kids, a redhead, was on the ground, his face barely recognizable as blood continued to spray from his face. On top of the redhead, was a young man, light blonde hair. He looked like an angel, and yet his face was covered with blood.
His hand was bruised, his uniform looked oddly wet, and the black uniform made the blood look invisible to the naked eye.
Connor stared at him in wonder. How can someone be so beautiful?
The fight was escalating.
Some of the students began falling to the ground.
Connor had managed to stop himself from his fascination, noticing that some of the students, and even the teachers, were shaking, some had trouble breathing, while some began throwing up.
He couldn't feel it, yet, he knew what it was, pheromones.
Connor stepped forward.
The man looked like he was far too gone. The only way to snap the cadet out of his trance, Connor had to throw a punch.
Ever since then, their relationship turned sour.
Connor always caught Thomas staring at him. It was annoying. Their growing animosity was publicized as well. The very man he had to gather intel from was the same man he had thrown a punch at.
Thomas didn't even hide that he hated him. Often much, not masking his anger, hatred, and animosity. He was an arrogant, prideful son of a bitch. Even when Connor tried to be-friend him, Thomas answered by spitting on his hands.
God, he hate him.
And yet, he did felt sorry for him.
Though Connor knew it wasn't his fault, it was the guy for losing control of his pheromones. But, Connor wasn't worried. He had been overthinking, that once winter break comes, he might get murdered.
...
"Are you mocking me?" Thomas's voice hung low, his fist clenched, he was putting off that he was ready to throw a punch if Connor misspoke.
"N-No, I meant, maybe you want to eat with us?" Connor felt David and Kian's conflicted looks, he was shitting right now.
"Why?"
"The more, the better?"
Thomas scoffed. "Is that so?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want me to sit in that cafeteria, with the rest of you lowborn?" Thomas had a prideful smirk on his face.
"Lowborn? Who taught you to call other people like that?"
"Your mother who was moaning under me."
God, he fucking hated this piece of shit. Especially with how the guy's Sarakovian Accent made him look even hotter.
Connor was close to punching his face. Yet he forced a smile. "Okay, it seems like you are very busy."
"Tell your mother, to not teach me a few more words yes?"
Connor left. Anymore than that, he really would have engaged in a fight.
Still, Connor tried. Especially with Winter Break, coming close. He was trying to come up with ways to finally make the bastar—Thomas see him in a different light.
"You are making yourself look desperate."
"With what?"
"Desperate to have me as a friend." Thomas had a winning smile on his face. He was clearly enjoying the situation.
"Right." Connor rolled his eyes.
"You scared." Thomas sat besides him on the ground. They had just finished running five laps around the field. "If you go out for winter break, my men will break your legs." The words were terrifying, and yet Thomas didn't look bothered, in fact he was smiling, as if he was going to enjoy it.
"Fuck you!"
Connor decided not to go home for winter break. Well, no one would look for him anyways. He never had anyone in his life. It was better to stay at the military, he had food, a shelter, and a nice bathroom. Connor watched as many of the cadets were going home for the holidays. Finall he could have peace a quiet, and yet the source of his suffering, decided to stay for the holidays.
"You were scared, yes?" Thomas chuckled, he was standing beside him, watching the other cadets. "Is was a lie."
"As if I can trust you."
Thomas burst into laughter. "Is was a lie."
"You should improve your English if you want to be a believable liar."
"I am already a believable liar."
Connor didn't want to argue with the asshole.
Yet for the first time, Connor felt that they had something in common.
The two sat on the floor at one of the empty rooms, in front of the fireplace.
"Why didn't you go home?"
Thomas stared at the fireplace, as if he was contemplating. Connor didn't expect an answer, there was no way the bastard would tell him, especially since they were rivals.
"I...I do not like home." And yet, the words trailed off.
"Oh." Connor was taken aback. But didn't add anything more. Both of them had their own problems, and issues.
"You?" Thomas shot the question back to him.
Connor rose a crooked smile. "It's the same. I don't like home."
"Oh." Now it was Thomas's turn.
The two were quiet, the rest of the winter.
And yet, their shared silence meant something more.
As time continued to pass, their rivalry shifted, they found themselves getting closer. It was awkward at first, but, the two of them could somehow share some jokes. It wasn't that bad, and gathering information became easier.
Though Thomas was still competitive.
Their relationship was improving.
As enemies, they soon turned to friends, but... time passed, and yet, Connor started developing feelings for him. Maybe it was when, when they were getting closer? Or that night.
...
It was winter break. Once again, only the two of them remained in the academy. Connor and Thomas were playing charades. It was a game of "never have, I ever."
"No. You are lying."
Connor shrugged. "It's true, I have never celebrated Christmas."
"Who, doesn't celebrate Christmas? It's one of the greatest thing ever. I am not religious, but even I love Christmas." Thomas raised his hands in disbelief.
"It's true."
"Why?"
Connor hesitated. "Well...I'm an orphan, the orphanage I came from, was poor..." Connor didn't bother to finish. "Now your turn, never have I ever."
Thomas cleared his throat. "Never, have I ever...ate pizza."
"What the fuck? Now that's a lie!" Connor threw one of pillows at his face.
"Is not a lie!"
"It is, who the fuck has never ate pizza?"
"I am the fuck who never ate pizza."
"Well we have to order one, oh right. Not allowed." Connor chuckled. "You are a liar."
"I am not." Thomas tried to defend himself. "My father is very strict with our diet."
"Even for pizza?"
"Yes, even for pizza."
"Damn." Connor chuckled.
That night, Connor was awoken by Thomas tugging him.
"What?" Connor groggily stared at Thomas.
"Look." Thomas was smiling, on his hands, was a mini Christmas tree. "What do you think?"
"Where did you get that?" Connor asked, in disbelief.
"I had my brother sneak this to me. He likes making toys. And look." Thomas adjusted the mini Christmas tree, he pressed a button. The lights began to change and flicker. "Is small, but, what do you think?."
"I..." Connor's heart tugged, he stared at the mini Christmas tree. For the first time in his life. He thought that, Christmas wasn't that bad. "Thanks Thomas."
"Well you have to treat me to pizza since I went all way to get this."
"I will..."
For the first time, Connor felt something differently. I took him a while to understand, that complicated feeling. Years passed, when Connor graduated, under the guise of working in a office job, he was dealing with other missions from A.C.E.
Yet, the mission for gathering intel about Thomas was still ongoing, It was either, someone close to Thomas, or a deranged man or woman.
Thomas often visited, the four of them with Kian and David still hang-out. Connor's feelings have further deepened. Though he still hid it. It was wrong; Thomas man already had a fiancée. Yet, their relationship completely changed.
Thomas arrived at his place, a mess.
"Thomas? What are you doing here?"
Unresponsive, Connor was worried. He had to call 911.
"Don't..."
"Thomas? What's wrong?"
That night, everything changed. Thomas rushed at him, in frenzy, their tongues enveloping. He was in a trance; he wasn't in his right mind. Connor had to grab the medicine and tranquilizer he always hid in case of emergencies.
"Connor? Help me, please?"
Yet, he couldn't. "I...."
Their bodies tangled on the bed. It was wrong, very wrong. But it felt too damn good.
"Connor, I love you..."
If only he weren't drunk. Connor forced a smile, "I love you more." Connor winced, Tom was knotting inside him. "A...Ah."
"Shh..." Tom kissed him. "I love you..."
Connor stayed in his grasp, hugging him tight. It felt like a dream, a dream that Connor never wanted to wake up from.
Author's Note: Hello, hope you like this prologue. I'm still trying to improve the dialogue, and like explain thingy. I am not that good at explaining stuff.