Connor dropped against the treatment table like he was supposed to be here, even though he snuck in after hours without an appointment. The lights were low, the building was nearly empty, and he heard the sound of your sneakers before he saw you—those rushed footsteps down the hall like you already knew it was him.

“Connor,” Your words came out in a hushed tone, arms crossed. “What part of physio room closes at eight didn’t you understand?”

“Time is just a concept,” Connor replied, flashing a grin. “And technically, the door was unlocked.”

Aurora exhaled—the sigh. The one that meant he was pushing it but you weren’t going to send him away yet.

“You’ve got the biggest match of the season tomorrow. You should be sleeping. Resting. Not showing up here like some lost puppy.”

“I can’t sleep,” Connor admitted, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. “Too much in my head.”

Your expression softened, just slightly, and you nodded toward the table. “Ten minutes. That’s it.”

Connor didn’t argue. He hopped up like a kid being offered dessert, lying on his stomach, folding his arms under his head. The moment your hands pressed into his shoulders, he exhaled. You always knew where the tension lived, even the kind he didn’t admit to.

You fell into a quiet rhythm. You worked; he breathed. And something about it feels more intimate than it should. Like the silence between the two wasn’t awkward—it was full. Full of things neither of you said out loud.

“You’re tense,” You murmured.

“Yeah,” Connor whispered, eyes closed. “Big game.”

You pressed a little deeper. No. It wasn’t just that. You were always like this when you were alone.

Connor lifted his head a little, turning it to look at you. You were focused, but there was a flicker in your eyes—something you were holding back. Something he had been holding back too.

“I’m like this because you’re touching me,” Connor countered, voice low.

Your hands froze for a second.

“Connor…”

“I know,” Connor let out a scoff. “I shouldn’t say it. You’re my physio. I’m your patient. We’ve been over this.”

You took a step back, like distance would fix the heat creeping between the two.

“But if this were any other situation—any other job, any other timeline—I’d be asking you out tonight. No hesitation.”

You bit down on your lip. Dangerous move. It made Connor want to pull you in close and kiss the stress out of both of you.

Seriously, Connor needed you so bad it might kill him.