Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Reggles

We miss her the very instant she's gone.

Her parting kisses still fresh on our lips,

Her way of staying with us in the moments after she's slipped out the door and down the hall.

As for us, we attempt a normal afternoon.

But when we reach our dorm and realise it's just the two of us, realise that we're completely alone, we dare to be a bit bolder than usual.

We fool around, the both of us hopelessly turned on by the state we'd brought her to earlier.

And when Reggie and I finally tumble out of the room together and into the hall -

Only then do we realise we aren't actually alone.

Because there -

Back pressed against the wall, face half obscured by shadows ...

"Evaaaaan. Reggles."

"Mulciber."

Within my reply is a thinly veiled message:

Back off!

Seriously -

Back the hell off, Henry!

For a few uncomfortably long seconds Mulciber and I stare one another down in tense silence.

Then, his gaze momentarily breaks away from mine as he tips his head pointedly towards Reggie.

And when his black eyes met mine again ...

That look -

Instantly freezing the blood in my veins.

Crossing my arms defensively, I frown at him as I silently repeat the message, this time thinking it even more assertively; practically mentally screaming it:

BACK OFF, HENRY!

From his place beside me, I can sense Reggie's obvious concern.

Though he really has no idea the true degree to which he should be worried right now -

How could he?

And when neither Henry nor I say anything else, Reggie clears his throat, "Hello Mulci."

Eyes lighting up at this, Mulciber flashes Reggie a smile far too sharp for my liking, "Why hello, sweet Reggles."

"Everything alright, Henry?"

"Why wouldn't it be, Black?"

"Don't know. No reason. You just seem -"

"- Just admiring you. You're looking so very handsome today, Reg. Bordering upon irresistible, I dare say."

Visibly caught off guard by this, Reggie lets out a shy, nervous laugh, "I - thank you?"

"You're very welcome."

And with that, Henry sighs and pushes himself off the wall, whistling softly as he begins slowly backing away.

Completely rattled and beyond furious, my voice catches pathetically in my throat as I call out after him, "Henry Mulciber -"

Eyes locking on mine once more, he comes to a sharp stop, "- Evan Rosier."

Don't Henry -

Don't you dare -

Then, twirling on his heels, he continues on his way, not deigning to look back as he calls out to us, "... See you around, boys."

In stunned silence we watch him round the corner and disappear.

As soon as he's gone, Reggie leans over and whispers to me, his tone one of obvious dread, "Evan ..."

"Mmm?"

"He heard us together, didn't he? Must have, right? Because he stood here; waited. He didn't come in the room or -"

"- No, he didn't."

"Why wouldn't he come in the room, Evan? It's his room too. So why would he stay here, waiting -"

"Reggie -"

"- Do you think he knows, Evan?"

...