After the intense game and their fight with Anton and his partner, both Samantha and Leo returned to their room exhausted, their bodies aching with new bruises and cuts. The basic shirt and trousers provided by the facility weren't exactly comforting, but at least they offered a fresh change from their battle-worn clothes.
Samantha, who had already showered, sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand gently over her sore arm. Her clothes were modest, but without any innerwear provided, she was painfully aware of the lack of support beneath her shirt. She sighed, making a mental note to get what she needed when they visited the shopping area the next day.
When Leo emerged from his turn in the shower, drying his hair with a towel, his gaze inadvertently fell on Samantha's black bra and underwear, hanging by the sink to dry. He felt his face flush and quickly looked away, embarrassed by the unintentional intrusion into her privacy. As he turned back, he saw her stretching on the bed, her posture relaxed but a hint of discomfort in her eyes.
The thin fabric of her shirt subtly outlined her silhouette, and it was clear she wasn't wearing a bra. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling self-conscious, but the worry for her injuries pushed aside his nervousness.
"Hey," he began, walking over, "I noticed your hand earlier—it looks hurt. Let me help you with that."
She glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. "It's not too bad, but… thanks." She handed him her injured hand, and Leo brought over the first-aid kit from the small cabinet by the bed. He carefully dabbed antiseptic on her scraped knuckles and wrapped the bandage gently, focused on his task.
After he finished, he looked at her and hesitated. "Anywhere else?" he asked softly, noting the way she seemed to favor one shoulder.
She paused for a moment before replying. "My back… but it's alright."
He shook his head. "No, I don't want it getting worse. Let me take care of it."
With a small, appreciative smile, she turned away slightly, lifting her shirt over her head and keeping it held in front of her chest. Her back was bruised, the marks from the scuffle visible across her shoulder blades. Leo took a deep breath, doing his best to keep his focus on the task at hand as he gently applied ointment to the bruises. Her skin was warm under his fingers, and he moved slowly, careful not to press too hard on the tender areas.
Once he finished, she thanked him softly, and they switched places, with her helping him clean and bandage a few cuts along his arms and shoulder. Her touch was gentle but steady, and he found himself oddly relaxed despite the lingering discomfort of their injuries.
Their focus shifted to their growing hunger as the adrenaline faded. Samantha noticed a small note beside the telephone on the nightstand, which she read aloud. "It says we can order luxury meals if we want, but it'll cost us points."
Leo's face lit up at the idea. "We should! We earned those points, after all. It's been a rough day."
She nodded, and after a moment of browsing the limited menu, they placed an order, deciding that a hearty meal would be worth it. Soon, they enjoyed a spread of warm, filling food far superior to the basic rations. They ate quietly, both savoring the meal after the long day.
As they finished, Leo glanced at Samantha. "Hey, we have a free day tomorrow. Want to go shopping? I need a few things, and, well, I noticed you might, too."
She looked down at her own shirt, feeling the lack of support, and nodded. "Good idea. I could use a few essentials," she replied, a bit amused at his awkwardness but grateful he was looking out for her.
After they ate, Samantha turned off the lights, and they settled into the single bed together. Though they'd tried to keep some space between them, the bed was narrow, and their bodies naturally rested close. Leo's arm brushed against her shoulder, and the light scent of her hair lingered in the air. He felt his face heat up again, acutely aware that she wasn't wearing anything underneath her shirt, but he kept himself still, unwilling to disrupt the fragile peace between them.
Samantha shifted slightly, turning toward him, her breathing calm. The day had been grueling, and the proximity was oddly comforting as they lay side by side in silence. Leo closed his eyes, willing himself to relax, telling himself to focus on their shared purpose rather than his racing heart.
As they drifted off, the awareness of each other's presence made them both feel a little less alone in this strange and competitive world they found themselves in. The trust and understanding between them had grown deeper, leaving them both with a quiet sense of reassurance that, come what may, they had each other's backs.