Maybe Agent Grant was not that immune after all.
----------------------------
"When did you leave the hospital?" Maximillian asked.
The hospital was supposed to inform the bureau regarding Julian's release, but he didn't get any relevant notice.
"A week ago. My injuries have mostly healed and I am perfectly able to take care of myself."
"I see."
"We have arrived," the female mechanical voice announced again before the hover car stopped and lowered itself to the ground. "The destination is to your right side."
Maximillian exited the door and went around the car.
He extended his hand toward Julian.
"Let me help you."
"Thank you, Agent Grant."
Maximillian maneuvered Julian with practiced ease, looping the omega's right arm around his neck and steadying him with a firm arm around the waist. Together, they navigated towards a small house nestled amidst the quiet suburban streets.
It was a relatively quiet neighborhood, typically filled with families with younger children.
On Valentine's Day, the neighborhood took on a different character. Young couples felt the need to go out and have fun, while couples with children tended to stay home and cook a hearty meal to celebrate with their families.
Julian took out his house card and swiped it against the entrance, allowing them entry to his house.
The omega sank into his couch with a slight groan.
"I need... I want to go into my bedroom," Julian said.
"To get some pants and underwear," he quickly added before strange thoughts occurred to Maximillian.
"Of course."
Maximillian closed the door before he supported Julian on his feet again.
The single-story house wasn't grand, it was perfect for a single inhabitant.
The living room was a haven of cozy simplicity. A worn but comfortable couch, the color of faded denim, invited relaxation under the soft light of a standing lamp.
A bookshelf, overflowing with well-loved paperbacks and dog-eared textbooks, stood sentinel beside a potted ivy plant clinging to life with determined tendrils.
A 40" television stood on a flat table just three meters apart from the couch, offering entertainment when the student in question became tired of studying.
The kitchen was located behind the living room.
It was both compact and functional, with several electrical appliances cramming the counter, a double burner electrical stove, a water sink, and dishes drying neatly in the rack by the window.
To their left side was the bedroom, doubling as the study room.
The door led directly to the single bed, flanked by two nightstands. One held a night lamp with upturned flower shade while the other held a stack of heavy reading materials.
In front of the bed stood a sturdy desk, littered with a laptop, several notebooks and pens. A lone lamp on the desk offered its assistance for those inevitable late-night study sessions.
Finally a triple-door tall wardrobe stood near the window, crammed with the single owner's sparse amount of clothing and personal belongings.
"Anything specific you want to wear?" Maximillian asked before he opened the wardrobe.
"Any pants are fine," came the reply.
Wordlessly, Maximillian grabbed the closest pants on top of the neatly folded pile and rummaged inside a drawer for an underwear.
"Where is your first-aid kit?" He asked. "I will take care of your ankle."
"Uh, inside the bathroom. At the end of the corridor, to the right side."
"I will be back soon."
That was what he said, but he took adequate time to spare Julian the embarrassment of putting on his underwear and pants under his watchful eyes.
The bathroom was equipped with a shower room and a sitting toilet.
The first-aid kit was tucked inside a wall cabinet, hanging directly above the sink.
Maximilian's trained eyes scanned through the content of the cabinet. There was nothing suspicious. Neither poison nor prohibited drugs.
When Maximillian returned to the bedroom, he was greeted by a tantalizing scene.
Julian sat at the edge of the bed, no longer naked down there but he might as well be.
The pants Maximillian brought him were short black leggings. They hugged Julian's curves like a second skin, emphasizing his slender frame in a way that left Maximillian breathless.
Pretending not to care, Maximillian clawed into his palm and knelt in front of Julian. Carefully, he lifted Julian's right leg to examine it.
"Ah..."
Maximillian hummed.
"Thankfully, the fractured bone was unaffected. Only a sprained ankle indeed."
Maximillian took out a roll of elastic bandages and started tying it around Julian's ankles like an expert.
"Compress with ice cubes several times a day, fifteen to twenty minutes each. Replace the bandage every day after taking a bath."
Maximillian stared at Julian.
"Do you need help with daily chores? I can order some help for you if you want."
"No need."
Julian moved his leg up and down.
"It is no longer painful. Thank you for the help. I can manage."
"Alright. Then, I shall take my leave."
Julian pushed himself off the bed.
"I will see you off."
Maximillian pushed Julian onto the bed instead.
"No, just rest. I can see myself off."
Maximillian waved goodbye at the doorway before he left.
Once he was inside his hover car, he closed his eyes and exhaled.
The rear mirror showed him the discarded bouquet of flowers and box of chocolate.
"..."
Maximillian grabbed both and stepped out of the car again.
After ringing the bell a few times, he was greeted by Julian, who looked a little surprised to see him again.
"Yes, Agent Grant?"
Maximillian extended both the bouquet of flowers and the box of chocolate in Julian's direction.
"Happy Valentine's Day. Get well soon."
Without waiting for Julian's response, he turned around, marched into his car, and left.
Julian stood at the doorway with the gifts in his hand.
His lips curled up into a smile as he stared into the distance.
Maybe Agent Grant was not that immune after all.