Chapter Text
The world outside had been nothing but noise all day—cars honking, people shouting, the everyday buzz of city life. But inside Hugo’s head, everything had come to a standstill, the kind of quiet that creeps in when disappointment settles deep in your bones. Today was his birthday, but it seemed like the universe had forgotten, along with everyone else.
He brushed a hand through his blond hair, which was already messy and disheveled from the long day. His chest felt tight, but it wasn’t like he hadn’t had birthdays pass quietly before. He wasn’t some kid expecting a parade. Still, it hurt in ways he didn’t expect, a slow burn of disappointment settling in.
Earlier, Hugo had gone out for a walk to clear his head. The streets had been crowded with people, but none of them seemed to notice him—the Sagittarius Saint, who could shoot arrows from the sky and wield powers beyond their understanding. To them, he was just another face in the crowd.
He walked aimlessly down the dimly lit street, his mind heavy with the weight of unmet expectations. His phone had been silent all day—no messages from his children, no surprise visit from his disciples, not even a word from Geon. Geon, who usually had some snide comment for every occasion, hadn’t even acknowledged what day it was. Hugo tried to convince himself that it didn’t matter. It wasn’t like he cared about birthdays anymore. But as the hours passed, each one felt heavier than the last, like the day itself was mocking him for hoping.
He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going, too lost in thought to notice the truck speeding down the street. His instincts didn’t kick in until it was almost too late—a little boy ran after a ball that had bounced into the road, oblivious to the danger. Without thinking, Hugo lunged forward, shoving the boy out of harm’s way just as the truck screeched past.
The impact was brutal.
The truck clipped him hard, sending him tumbling across the pavement. Pain bloomed, sharp and overwhelming, as he crumpled to the ground. Blood dripped from his forehead, running down his face in warm rivulets. His vision swam, the world tilting dangerously as he tried to stand. Saints were supposed to be stronger, more durable than regular humans—but today must have been his bad day. The combination of physical and mental exhaustion had worn him down. The blood loss from his head wound was significant, and the streets spun around him.
His knees buckled, and he barely managed to catch himself on one hand, his other pressed to his bleeding head. “Stupid…” he muttered to himself, swaying as the street blurred in front of him. He had saved the boy, but at what cost? The physical pain was nothing compared to the weight in his chest—the exhaustion, the loneliness.
As he collapsed, his mind spun back to the emptiness of the day, the silent reminders that no one had thought of him, that no one had cared. No one cares, he thought bitterly as the world around him faded to black. But just before he lost consciousness, he thought he heard someone calling his name. A voice that sounded like him.
But Hugo didn’t let himself believe it. No one had cared enough to remember today. Why would they care now?
When he woke up, everything was quiet again, the sterile white of the hospital room nearly blinding in the dim light. His head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing at the base of his skull as he blinked groggily, trying to remember how he ended up here. The clock on the wall showed it was nearly midnight.
And then he saw him.
Geon sat by the bedside, arms crossed and scowling like usual, but there was something different about him. The raven-haired Ophiuchus was glaring, yes, but his posture seemed…tense. Like he was holding back from doing something he normally wouldn’t. His piercing eyes flicked up as soon as Hugo stirred, sharp and focused, immediately snapping into action.
“Honestly, Taeksoo, are you stupid or what?” Geon’s voice was rough, more annoyed than usual, though it had a strange undercurrent of something Hugo couldn’t place. “Who just walks into an oncoming truck like that? And don’t you dare tell me it was to save some dumb kid with his ball, or I swear I’ll kick your ass. You could’ve used your powers, or an artifact, or something to protect yourself, but no—you decide to play the hero.”
Hugo blinked, still dazed. “Geon…?” He wasn’t sure if it was the concussion or the shock of seeing the raven here, but he felt an odd warmth bloom in his chest despite the scolding.
Geon’s glare deepened, his sharp features twisted in frustration. “What, are you laughing at me? Did you hit your head too hard? Don’t tell me you’ve finally gone insane.”
A small, involuntary smile tugged at Hugo’s lips. Geon was always rough around the edges, always snapping at him, but in moments like this—moments where the Ophiuchus was clearly worried but didn’t know how to show it—it was hard not to feel touched. After all, it was Geon. The fact that he was here, sitting by Hugo’s side when no one else had come, spoke louder than any words.
“I’m fine,” Hugo said, his voice softer than usual. He winced as he adjusted himself on the bed, the pain in his body flaring. “Well, as fine as I can be, I guess. Thanks for being here, Geon.”
Geon scoffed, his face twisting in that familiar annoyed expression. “What are you talking about, dumbass? Of course, I’m here. No one else wants to drag your sorry self back from the hospital.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Hugo replied, still smiling despite the discomfort. “Thanks for caring.”
The Serpent bearer bristled, his cheeks tinging a slight shade of pink as he turned his face away. “I don’t care. I just don’t want to deal with the paperwork if you die.”
“Sure, sure,” Hugo said, amused at the typical Geon-ish response.
The room fell into a somewhat awkward silence after that, the only sound being the faint beeping of the hospital machines. Geon shifted uncomfortably in his chair before letting out an irritated huff. Without a word, he reached into his jacket and tossed a small, neatly wrapped box onto Hugo’s lap.
Hugo stared at the box for a moment, confused. “What’s this?”
Geon narrowed his eyes. “Are you stupid? It’s your present.”
“For…?” Hugo trailed off, his brow furrowing. The day’s events had left his brain a little slow on the uptake.
Geon’s eye twitched. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember what day it is.”
The Sagittarius racked his brain, trying to figure out what Geon was talking about. He glanced over at the clock, realizing it was late, almost midnight. "Umm… Tuesday?" he guessed, still clueless. "How long was I unconscious again?"
Dark eye twitched, and the Serpent Bearer let out a low growl of frustration. In one swift motion, he pounced on Hugo, careful to avoid his injuries but making his irritation clear. . "Are you seriously that dense? Don’t tell me you forgot your own birthday!"
Hugo blinked, surprised. “Oh… yeah. I guess it is.”
Geon sat back, glaring at him like the gold-haired male had personally offended him by forgetting his own birthday. “How do you forget your own birthday?!” he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair in frustration.
Hugo shrugged weakly, glancing down at the box still sitting on his lap. “I just… didn’t think anyone remembered.” His voice was quiet, a little raw from the earlier disappointment. But as he looked at the box again, a small smile tugged at his lips. “Thanks, Geon. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
Geon scowled, crossing his arms over his chest again. “Of course I didn’t have to. I just…” He trailed off, looking away, his expression softening for just a moment before hardening again. “Just open it, idiot.”
The blond blinked down at the box in his hands, his fingers fumbling with the wrapping. He hadn’t expected anything—least of all from the raven, who usually didn’t even celebrate his own birthday. Carefully, he peeled back the paper, revealing a small, velvet box underneath. Inside was a silver ring on a delicate chain. The ring had an intricately coiled snake design with an emerald stone set in the middle, gleaming faintly in the dim light. It was unmistakably Geon’s style—dark, sharp, and a little intimidating.
Hugo could only stare at it, speechless. The craftsmanship was beautiful, the stone shimmering in the dim light. It was clearly something Geon had put thought into, even if he’d never admit it.
“Well?” The thirteenth muttered, trying to sound nonchalant, but his voice held a note of nervousness. “I put a bunch of protection spells on it, so don’t lose it. And don’t even think about taking it off.”
The Sagittarius swallowed, his throat suddenly tight. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
The raven cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the emotional weight of the moment. “You don’t have to say anything. Just wear it.”
The blond remained silent, staring at the ring, overwhelmed by the gesture. After everything—after feeling forgotten all day, after the accident, after the loneliness—this small, rough act of kindness from Geon meant more than he could express.
Geon, noticing the silence, seemed to grow more uncomfortable. He pulled out a matching chain from under his shirt, revealing a gold ring with a flame-like design and a blue stone. “It comes as a set,” he said gruffly. “So I’ll know if you’re not wearing yours.”
Of course. Only Geon could give someone a present and turn it into a veiled threat.
Hugo smiled, a genuine warmth filling him as he carefully slipped the ring onto his finger. “Thank you, Geon.”
The thirteenth looked away, his ears burning red. “Yeah, well… don’t mention it. And stop doing stupid things like getting hit by trucks.”
Hugo laughed softly, the weight of the day finally lifting off his shoulders. Maybe everyone else had forgotten, but Geon hadn’t. And that was enough.
As the night stretched on, the hospital room grew quiet once more. Hugo glanced at Geon, who was now sitting slouched in his chair, arms crossed, his eyes closed as if he was trying to fall asleep.
“Geon?” Hugo whispered softly.
“Hm?” the raven grunted, not bothering to open his eyes.
“Thank you. Really.”
Geon let out a long, dramatic sigh. “If you thank me one more time, I’m leaving.”
Hugo chuckled under his breath and closed his eyes. For once, the chaos of the world outside didn’t seem so overwhelming. As long as Geon was there, grumpy and caring in his own way, things would be okay.