Life in the Apex Games was stressful, you knew that as well as anyone.

Octavio never really got stressed, in fact, he seemed to thrive under pressure; often the adrenaline pumped through him and he performed the best he ever could.

Though recently, Octavio had been…off.

He’d barely been paying attention to you, almost completely ignoring you in favour of training and the games.

One ‘last place’ match had sent Octavio spiralling into a need to perfect his actions. His aim, his skills, Octavio was under the impression he wasn’t good enough. He was obsessed. Determined to be the best again.

Until you brought up his neglect, that is.

Octavio felt horrible, his heart crushed in his chest. Was he a bad boyfriend?

Was he just like his father?

The neglect, the obsession, the dismissal of his lover. Maybe he was like his father after all. After so many years of being determined to be different…

Octavio gently tapped his fingers on his leg, before whispering an apology, almost imperceptible to the ear. “I…didn’t realise..”