I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain

Chapter 79

After reluctantly accepting Theo’s help with dinner, Luke hadn’t moved from his bed. The fight with Benji had drained a significant amount of his mana, and while his hand was the most severely injured, his entire body was covered in minor wounds, leaving him in no condition to move much.

With a full stomach, he eventually drifted off to sleep, only to wake up close to midnight. He contemplated going back to sleep, but the uncomfortable, sticky feeling of his body quickly reminded him that he hadn’t properly showered since returning home.

Getting out of bed, Luke resolved to at least wash his hair. However, as his gaze fell on his bandaged hand, he realized there was no way he could manage it. He briefly considered trying with just his left hand but quickly dismissed the idea—it would take forever.

The first person who came to mind was Pale, who was likely asleep in his room on the first floor. While Luke was certain Pale would willingly help if asked, the memory of Pale’s earlier hysterics over his injuries gave him pause.

Luke had already downplayed his condition to Pale, brushing it off as a simple cut that the military doctor had over-treated. Knowing how sensitive Pale could be, Luke feared the truth—that his hand had been corroded by unholy mana—might cause him to faint on the spot. Luke didn’t want to burden him further. Besides, as Pale’s former superior, he still wanted to maintain a semblance of strength in front of him. Asking for help in this situation felt slightly humiliating.

“What should I do? I can’t sleep feeling this gross...”

Once the thought of discomfort crossed his mind, it was impossible to shake. It felt as though bugs were crawling over his scalp.

“Oh, right. That guy.”

Another option came to mind: Theo, who was likely asleep in the next room. Theo had literally offered to help with anything earlier. He’d fed him, so surely helping him wash his hair wasn’t too much to ask.

Resolving himself, Luke left his room and knocked decisively on Theo’s door.

“Hey, help me take a bath.”

“What?”

Theo tilted his head, clearly puzzled. It seemed he hadn’t fully grasped the meaning of Luke’s words. To make things clearer, Luke stepped closer, his feet now crossing the threshold of the room.

“Help me wash. You said you’d help me if I needed anything. I can’t manage it with this hand.”

“Wash...?”

“Yeah.”

Luke nodded vigorously, his disheveled silver hair bouncing slightly with the motion.

“Who’s... washing who?”

Theo’s voice wavered, his expression growing more and more serious. To anyone else, it might have seemed like he’d just received some devastating news.

“You. Washing me.”

Luke’s slender finger first pointed at Theo, then back at himself for emphasis. Despite the clarity of his explanation, Theo’s expression only darkened further. Luke couldn’t understand why Theo looked as if the world was ending, but his need to wash his hair outweighed his curiosity.

“L-Luke... why are you suddenly saying this?”

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Theo turned on the hose attached to the tub, adjusting it to a slow flow of water aimed precisely at Luke’s hair.

"Tell me if it’s too hot."

"It’s just right," Luke replied, closing his eyes as Theo began wetting his hair. Thin strands clung to Theo’s fingers, soft and silky to the touch.

"You know, I’ve always thought you had great hair," Theo remarked quietly, his voice barely audible over the sound of water hitting the floor.

"Really? Must be natural," Luke responded lazily, his tone light.

Reaching for a nearby bottle of oil, Theo poured some into his palm. The fragrant liquid carried a soft floral scent, the same scent he’d always noticed lingering around Luke. As he worked the oil into Luke’s hair, his fingers moved carefully, ensuring it was evenly distributed.

"You’re pretty good at this," Luke commented.

"I’ve had it done for me before," Theo replied matter-of-factly.

"Spoken like a true noble," Luke teased, the corners of his mouth curving up in a faint smile. His voice carried a hint of amusement, suggesting he was enjoying the experience.

Unlike Luke, however, Theo was anything but relaxed. Although his face betrayed no emotion, the close proximity of their positions and the silk-like texture of Luke’s hair beneath his fingers had him tense. He swallowed hard, focusing intently on being gentle, his hands moving steadily through Luke’s hair.

After thoroughly applying the oil, Theo extended his thumb, pressing lightly against Luke’s scalp.

"Mm," Luke let out a small hum of satisfaction.

Encouraged by the sound, Theo continued to massage Luke’s scalp, applying just enough pressure to be soothing without causing discomfort.

"Ah..."

Luke’s lips parted slightly, releasing a soft, contented sigh. Even amidst the rising steam, his flushed lips stood out vividly. The sight of them drew Theo’s gaze downward, and before he could stop himself, his eyes traced the smooth lines of Luke’s upper body.

Beneath the bandages, faint scars from past battles were visible, marking his otherwise lean and unblemished frame. Theo’s gaze lingered on the flat, toned stomach and the slight curve of Luke’s waist before traveling upward to his chest. There, the faint pink hue of Luke’s nipples caught his attention, and without realizing it, Theo’s grip on Luke’s hair tightened slightly.

"Ow... Theo."

Luke’s voice snapped him out of his daze, and Theo looked down to find Luke staring up at him, his soft brown eyes now open. The warmth of the water or the steam had painted Luke’s pale skin with a faint blush. His brows furrowed slightly, and his lips, still parted, gave him an almost sulky expression.

"You’re hurting me. Be more gentle," Luke said, irritation clear in his tone.

The oil coating Theo’s fingers made them slick, a few drops falling noisily to the floor. Theo’s expression darkened, his black eyes seeming to sink as he stilled his hands. Luke frowned, tilting his head slightly at the sudden change in Theo’s demeanor.

"Theo?" he called.

In the next moment, Theo leaned down slowly, their faces drawing closer, the distance between them shrinking with every second.