Wings of Exhilaration: Story 1
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
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Guide
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Script
Race Track Preparation Area
Initially, you were confused as to why other teams had so many support staff members.
By the end of the first day of packing, however, you and Artem are so tired that your muscles are positively aching. That is when you realize how naive you've been.
You: (And this is only the first day...)
As you watch Artem make a phone call a short distance away, you softly rub the base of your palm through the cotton glove.
Your skin there has been rubbed raw with how the glove kept slipping off, but a whole day of busy work means the area has long become numb. The only thing you now feel are faint residues of pain.
Just as you try to peel back the glove to take a look at the wound, Artem wraps up his phone call and starts to walk quickly toward you.
You immediately drop your hands back by your sides and look over at him with a concerned look.
You: How is everything? Has Martin set off already?
Artem: Yes, and our supplies have all arrived as well. We'll need to get in the car soon and head to the next bivouac to make preparations.
Artem: It's been a long day for you as well. We've got a few hours before we have to move. Do you want to have a nap?
You: I do, but... I don't think there's a place to sleep around here.
You two look around yourselves. The largest flat area where one can have a nap is the wooden box you're currently sitting on.
You smile and pat the empty spot next to you, and Artem takes a seat there with a resigned look.
Artem: Sorry. This was a very rushed schedule, and I under-prepared a lot of things.
You: It's okay. There's no need to apologize. Besides, it's good that we get to cuddle together like this and chat.
You lean against Artem's shoulder and close your eyes. The exhaustion immediately catches up to you with a sudden sleepiness...
You only startle awake when Artem takes your hand and holds it, causing the fabric of the glove to graze your wound.
You: Ow—!
Artem: ...What's wrong with your hand?
Artem carefully takes your hand and looks it over, quickly spotting the area at the bottom of your palm that has been rubbed raw.
You: I don't know why the gloves here aren't the same size as the ones sold elsewhere. The gloves I got for the same size are much larger than what I usually wear.
You: It kept slipping off when I was working, which is why...
Artem: Next time, make sure you tell me about this as soon as possible. Let me take care of this wound for you.
You thought it was just a small wound and didn't put it to heart, but Artem still brings the first-aid box over and carefully cleans your wound.
You watch him carefully hold your hand up and use hydrogen peroxide solution to disinfect the area around the wound. His eyelashes tremble, but his gaze does not shift.
Artem: Does it hurt? If it hurts, tell me.
You: It's okay. It doesn't hurt at all.
His warm breath leaves your palm when the wound is finally cleaned and bandaged, but a pair of warm hands immediately embrace it.
Artem: It's not a big wound, but it won't be recovering anytime soon, either.
Artem: Take a break later if it hurts. I'll manage the work here myself.
You: It's nothing. It's just a small wound. But I do need to get a pair of gloves that fits before we start work at the next bivouac.
Artem: That'd be easy. I'll send the organizers a message to ask for a pair of size 24 gloves.
You: Huh? The glove sizes here are different from everywhere else. How did you figure out my hand size...?
Artem: ...
He doesn't immediately answer. Instead, he takes off his gloves and holds your hand, layering his hand over yours.
Artem's hand is very big, and his five fingers are all longer than yours. He softly curls the first joint of his fingers and completely wraps your hand in his.
Artem: This is how we can figure out the differences in our hand sizes.
You: Oh, I got it...
Despite saying that, you don't want to retract your hand just yet.
Perhaps due to the excessive exhaustion, your cravings for the small amount of warmth and support you are getting through his hand are enough to make you hesitate.
However, after a few seconds, you are surprised to discover that Artem doesn't retract his hand either.
You: Artem...
Artem: Hmm? What is it?
When he lowers his head to look at you, he also moves to lower the hand that is touching yours.
You hurry to clasp his hand and intertwine your fingers with his.
Artem: You...
You smile and swing your hand that is clasped in his.
You: Thanks, Artem. Thank you for knowing me so well.
Artem: ...
Artem: It's nothing. There are still a few hours to go. Let's make the best of the time and rest for a while.
You don't say much else to each other for a while. You simply lean against each other, hold hands, and close your eyes for a brief rest.
The other's heartbeat, body temperature, and breathing are particularly noticeable in this rare moment of quiet tenderness.
Summary
