Page 122 of Sixty Meters Under
“I think I’m good,” Ryosuke said and shook his head.
“Well, if you think there’s a need to get checked, you know where to go,” she said and left the room.
When the two of them were left alone, Lennart sat beside Ryosuke, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I think I’m fine.” Ryosuke had his sleeve pressed to his nose. “You look worse.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Lennart said, but winced. “But we definitely should get you checked.”
Ryosuke shook his head. “No need.”
Lennart examined his face and while doing so, he said, “I want to apologize.”
“Apologize for what? For saving me?”
“For my brother’s behavior.”
“It’s hard to believe he’s your brother.”
“Sometimes I wonder about it too.” Lennart sighed. “But, all in all, he shouldn’t have acted like that.”
“Was Scarlett related to you?”
“No.” Lennart shook his head. “They were lovers. That’s why he’s so pissed about her death.”
“Oh–”
An awkward silence filled the room. Ryosuke’s heart pounded wildly and his palms began to sweat. He could still feel the effects of that squeeze on his throat and wondered how Lennart felt after the fight.
“I need to clean myself,” Lennart broke the silence and got up.
“Do you need help?” Ryosuke got to his feet right after but instantly regretted it. Lennart turned to him, and his expression made Ryosuke bite his tongue and his face flush.
“Are you sure?” The corners of Lennart’s lips turned upwards.
Ryosuke swallowed hard and quickly averted his gaze.
“The way Björn squeezed your throat…” Lennart changed the topic. “It would be good to check you out.” He tilted his head and leaned closer to examine Ryosuke again.
“I don’t feel particularly bad.” Ryosuke stood still, afraid to make a wrong move. He stopped covering his nose, and he was glad he didn’t feel the blood dripping.
As Lennart touched his throat with his fingertips, Ryosuke felt the tension between them growing. He tilted his chin up so Lennart could have a better view of the bruises.
“Does this hurt?” Lennart asked when he rubbed a spot under his ear.
“A little bit, yeah…” Ryosuke barely held back a moan. The touch delivered a mixture of pleasure and pain.
“You have a bruise here,” Lennart said and ran his fingers along his neck and stopped in the middle. “And here.”
While Lennart’s face lingered near his, Ryosuke closed his eyes and parted his lips slightly. When nothing happened, he came to his senses and quickly opened his eyes, asking, “But it shouldn’t be anything serious?”
What was I thinking?Ryosuke mentally kicked himself.
“It shouldn’t be, but I’m not a doctor, so I can’t tell for sure. It’s always better to get checked.” Lennart’s eyes roamed his face and his lips stretched into a smile.
Ryosuke returned a smile and looked away. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“I would suggest you go to see the doctor.” Lennart pulled away, his face becoming serious again.
