dogshitjay

107: Epilogue Part 11: Where Credit is Due

Added 2021-07-20 19:01:02 +0000 UTC

I should get sick more often, Connor thought, hyper-aware of how 100% of Inho’s attention was on him. Inho was clucking around like a mother hen, fussing about his cough, getting him tissues, and checking him for fever. But Connor was definitely getting sicker as the day went on, his head pounded, and the cold meds he took were making him sleepy. He coughed shallowly, too exhausted to clear his lungs, and drooped onto his desk.

“Are you sure you can present?” Inho whispered rubbing Connors back in the same slow gentle circles Connor’s dad had soothed him with when he was little– one circle, two, three, pause, then start again... He tensed, wondering if Stephen pet Inho like that too. Maybe it was a thing Connor’s dad and Stephen both got from their dad too… He shook the thought away, his mind was foggy and wandering, but he didn’t want to think about Stephen or his dad right now, not when Inho was touching him.

He resisted the urge to stretch and press back into Inho’s hand. Inho was watching the group presenting now, the last one before they were up. He turned back to Connor when he didn’t answer. “Well? Should we try to get a different date?”

Connor shook his head, the gesture making his vision spin unpleasantly, “Nah. I’ll be fine. Besides I want to see Josh and Sanjay’s faces when they see their names taken off the project. I think their suffering will heal me.”

Inho smiled at his joke but it was tight around the edges.

When the four of them finally stood at the front of the class, Connor willed himself to feel normal for the next twenty or so minutes. Inho struggled to plug his laptop into the display with trembling hands. He was so nervous, and it was so… cute. Connor wanted to wrap his arms around him and kiss his fluffy hair. Hold his shaking hands and bite his fingertips, maybe distract him with… Connor’s thoughts were drifting again and snapped back only when there was a gasp from the watching students. The title page was displayed on the screen with credits on the lower half. Only his and Inho’s names were there.

Connor’s gaze slid dreamily to Josh, and Josh turned to stare at the screen. He froze, then turned to look directly at Connor, his face contorted by an ugly rage. Connor flinched at the intensity, and Inho shifted between them so Josh’s line of sight was broken. Connor wanted to sag against Inho’s back. This was less fun than expected. Josh’s expression screamed violence.

Josh moved to leave, banging into the table holding Inho’s laptop and knocking it off to swing by the display cable. He stormed out of the room. Inho dove for his computer, which was an expensive MacBook of some kind, and visibly seethed. Connor squeezed his arm and jerked his head meaningfully at the screen. Someone still had to do this presentation. Inho ignored him, turning his glare on Sanjay, who hadn’t moved yet. Sanjay stared back awkwardly, like a deer caught in headlights, then silently returned to his seat to stare at his hands. Finally, Mr. Webb cleared his throat, and Inho rolled his shoulders, shaking off tension. They introduced themselves and launched into their research.

Connor somehow managed to focus for the whole thing, the adrenaline of Josh’s reaction carrying him through fifteen minutes of talking that felt like hours. Near the end, his voice gave out and Inho had to take over for the Q&A. He did fine, and Connor was probably the only one who knew how nervous he was.

When the lights were raised once more, and the class finally gave their polite applause, and Connor nearly collapsed with relief.

“Take a twenty-minute break, everyone. We have three more groups left for today,” Mr. Webb announced, instantly spawning chatter and disturbance as the class rustled out of the room, not bothering to lower their gossiping voices. “Inho, Connor, see me in my office after class, hmm?”

At Connor’s side, Inho stiffened and nodded cautiously to the instructor, but Connor was too exhausted to care. Who cared if they got scolded? It felt like the air was pressing on his eardrums. Before he could complain, Inho threw an arm around his shoulders and hurried him out of the classroom.

“Oh god,” Inho grinned, still flushed with nerves and excitement, “I’m so glad it’s over. I was freaking out.” He pulled up the hem of his t-shirt and shook it, to let cool air in. “I’m literally so sweaty. Fuck public speaking.” He laughed, and Connor stared at his bared stomach without responding. The edges of his vision were fuzzing out, but it was worth focusing for…

“You okay?” Inho asked, noticing Connor’s vacant expression at last.

“I dunno, I don’t feel right.”

Inho led him around the corner to a quiet hall where no classes were in session and pushed him onto a cushioned bench. “Shit,” He pressed his hand to Connor’s forehead, then double-checked by pressing his own forehead to Connor’s. “You’re on fire. We should get you to a doctor.”

“It’s fine,” Connor mumbled. Then, “I like it,” in reference to Inho’s face being so close to his.

“What?” Inho was distracted by something.

Silly Inho. Always worrying, so adorable.

“Hang on, I’ll go tell Mr. Webb and grab our stuff. Then we can go to the hospital.”

Connor nodded ambiguously and wondered if he might puke on his shoes. He shouldn’t, they were canvas and would stain.

Inho vanished, and Connor swayed gently in place while he waited for Inho to come back. His eyes fluttered shut.

And shot open when someone grabbed his shoulder roughly, “You little fucker. You think you’re better than me?” Josh grabbed him by the collar, twisting it in his fist, and dragged Connor to his feet.

Hey Superb Owls, the next Early Access KIB Chapter, will be in Inho's POV! What's gonna happen to Connor, will he get beat up?

I seem to have more content to share near the end of the month, but in case you missed any rewards, here's an update!

$3 Spice Tier