This time Kade's sword fell to the ground, and the hand around Florian's wrist opened as well—but the pressure from Kade’s arm around his chest was still just as tight. If he struggled enough, he could break out of the weakened grapple, Florian thought, but he couldn't bring himself to move. Kade was panting in his ear now, the exertion catching up with him.
“Not enough,” Kade said, but this time the goading tone was gone from his voice.
“Fuck,” Florian hissed under his breath, though he was sure Kade heard him. Hopefully he thought it was still out of frustration, and not the sudden wave of lust that had sent him spiraling.Focus!he told himself, shaking his head. “Let me go.”
Though Kade's muscles tensed, trying to keep the hold, gradually his arms lowered. Florian darted away, snatching up his sword as he went. Panting, he kept his back to Kade as he paced to the far end of the garden in the hope that the taller man wouldn't see his hands tremble where he gripped the sword.
“You alright?” Kade's voice came from the opposite end of the courtyard. Though he sounded concerned, it didn't seem like he'd noticed just how flustered Florian had become.
“Y-yeah,” Florian stammered. His heart beat frantically, almost painful against his chest. “Um, can we take a breather?”
There was a beat of silence as Kade seemed to look him over, then he said, “Why don't we end early today?”
“Oh,” he said, glancing back over his shoulder. “Um, okay.”
From across the courtyard he couldn't quite read Kade's expression, but his voice remained neutral as he turned and said, “I'll see you tomorrow, then.”
“See you,” Florian echoed faintly, and he watched in confusion as Kade walked down the path, until he turned and disappeared between the buildings.
