Under the Mask [Meloghia]

Chapter 7: Communication

Melone winced as Ghiaccio gently cleaned the wound on his chest. He sat on the counter, shirtless, with Ghiaccio working quietly in front of him. They were in the upstairs bathroom away from the rest of the team downstairs. Ghiaccio needed to chill his head for a bit after that. Melone thought having him do first aid would help clear his mind.

"You owe me a new crop top." Melone teased. Ghiaccio scowled as he taped a large bandage over the spot.

"Why did you do that?" Ghiaccio mumbled in annoyance. "You know you can't fight close quarters."

"They couldn't either, Ghiaccio," Melone said softly. Ghiaccio stopped what he was doing and put both hands on the counter. He closed his eyes and huffed. Melone put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, no one else got hurt."

"I don't care about anyone else," Ghiaccio snapped. Melone's heart sped up.

"It's not a big deal," Melone cajoled as he squeezed Ghiaccio's shoulder.

"Of course you wouldn't think it is," He muttered. "You can just go around acting like a whore and no one gives a shit." Melone withdrew his hand, perplexed by the sudden topic shift.

"You really think they care? Is that what you're mad about?"

"I'm mad about the whole damn day! Breakfast, the camera, at the table, during the game. One moment you seem like you're fine and want what I want, and then you just leave me high and dry!" Ghiaccio seethed.

"And why is it high and dry?" Ghiaccio suddenly snapped. Melone loved his word rants, he felt they were endearing. "I never feel high, I feel incredibly low afterward, and you usually leave me wet, not dry. It makes no fucking sense!" Melone chuckled at that.

"It's a reference to boats being left high and dry when the tide goes out. It's a metaphor, Ghia, it's not meant to be taken literally, but I'm glad I make you so wet," Melone purred with a smile.

"See? You're doing it right now. You're flirting with me again but if I try something, I know you'll pull away!" Ghiaccio said, exasperated. "You're dicking me around left and right and I don't know what you want from me!" Ghiaccio looked over to Melone, but his face wasn't angry, it was stern and searching. Melone looked away. He felt bad that Ghiaccio viewed it that way, like Melone was using him. Melone had always felt it had been the other way around.

"And what do you want?" Melone asked tentatively. "You said, you thought I wanted the same thing, so what do you want?"

"I should think that's obvious," Ghiaccio sighed.

"Ghiaccio," Melone said sternly and looked at him. Ghiaccio looked through the corner of his eyes but didn't respond. "Would we be here now if I knew?"

Ghiaccio had no response.

"So you're really jealous then of Gelato and Sorbet?"

"Yes, okay? I hate them because they have what I can't have," Ghiaccio sighed and looked back at the sink. He does want this.

"Why can't you have what they have?" Melone's heart was pounding.

"You keep pulling away from me," Ghiaccio stated quietly. He closed his eyes again and rubbed his temples. You keep pulling away. You.

It's me, he wants me!

"But you wouldn't talk to me yesterday," Melone muttered.

"Cause I was fucking embarrassed! What was I supposed to say after just rage fucking my friend?" Ghiaccio continued to rub his head. He didn't call him "partner" that time. He'd called Melone a friend. He'd never called Melone that before.