The tunnel was cold and empty.
Sebastian had waited. He told himself he was not waiting for Julian. He was just slow getting his gear together. He was just tired. He was just standing in the tunnel for no reason at all.
But when he heard footsteps behind him, he did not turn around. He knew who it was.
"Sebastian."
Julian's voice was quiet, the way it always was when they were alone. No performance. No mask. Just him.
Sebastian turned. Julian was standing a few feet away, his bag over his shoulder, his bandaged hand tucked into his jacket pocket. His face was pale under the fluorescent lights. He looked exhausted.
"You should not be here," Sebastian said. "You got thrown out of the game. The team bus is probably waiting."
"I told them I would find my own ride."
"Why?"
Julian did n
