How We Are: A MFM romance

Present Pt. 2

Cain

The smell of blood is strong, it pulls me from my sleep. I look over, and find Ezra, stuffing something into his suit case.

I frown, and throw a pillow at his head. He turns around, that dumb grin on his face. "Good news! We can go home! Dad did us a favor and took care of the vendetta but he said we have to go. Now."

I narrow my eyes. "What did you do?"

Ezra meets my eye. I notice the blood splattered on his face. He grins.

"Cain—"

I stand, cross the room, look him up and down. I nod to the suitcase, demanding he open it. He shakes his head.

"Cain... don't ask me anything else about this. Vera will come stay with us soon. The vendetta is over. I never want to talk about yesterday, ever again." He informs me solemnly.

I clench my jaw but I nod softly. "Okay. Deal."

Ezra sighs and grabs his suitcase. "Then let's go. I know you want to get back to work."

"Ezra?" I pull his hair roughly, forcing him to stop in his tracks. He looks back at me with a crazed grin. I look between those eyes. Then down at his shirtless chest. He's been here so long fuzz is coming back. I reach down, touch his chest softly. It's...nice actually.

He looks to me and even though he's smiling, like always something in his eyes seems...off. I'd ask him if he's okay but he'll just say yes.

"Two days after we get back, call Dominque over."

Ezra swallows, and leans into my chest. He listens to my heart beat. For once, I let my grip on his hair soften, I cup the back of his head and hold him a little tighter, stroking his head softly. He gasps, and clutches my shirt nuzzling my chest.

The blood he forgot to clean off his hands ruin my white Ezra beater but it's fine. I'll get another one. I kiss the top of his head and we stand there for a minute.

There's no need to ask if he's okay, since he's not. But he doesn't know that, I do. That's how we are, Ezra and I.

"Why...why two days after?"

"You know why," I rasped. He shivers in my arms, forcing himself closer. If he could skin me and wear me, while keeping me alive he would. And in fact I'm sure he could, I just wouldn't let him.

Since I'm his Cain, it's my job to prevent him from doing shit he shouldn't. That's what I do. I beat him into submission, into humanity. This is not his fault. It's just his true nature.

This is my failure.

"You forgive me for the vendetta?"

I nod, and he doesn't have to look up to know I did, he can feel it, but I hum my agreement anyway. His lips press against my neck, his fingers dragging down my shirt leaving a trail, like a victim clawing their way to life.

"Kiss me then," he pulls away, now giving me a petulant look. He's a shark. I feel...responsible for his horrors. He smells blood.

Insolent little shit.

"Didn't brush my teeth yet," I shrug. I'd pull away, but in this state I may end up needing some medical assistance if I do.

Ezra frowns and pulls away of his own accord, stalking away.

"You'd have to open the suit case," I call to him as he leaves the room to the bathroom. "That's where my toothbrush is."

Ezra doesn't answer, instead coming back with an unopened tooth brush, toothpaste and a cup of water. I swallow and scoff. What a little prick. Did I ask?

I take them anyway, since he's like this because of me, brush slowly, just to taunt him.

"Cain," he pulls at my shirt after my 10th minute of brushing. My gums are bleeding. It's worth it.

But I let it go, going to the bathroom, my eyes straying toward the other bedroom. What's in there? What has he done—

"Don't."

I slowly allow my eyes to stray to him. He stands right beside me, his head cocked, eyes wide and wild, peering directly at me, our faces almost touching.

I swallow roughly. It's important I make the right choice here.

I reach out, my hand covering his face. I grip it, my finger digging into the sides of his skull, until I slam him into the wall, the force of it leaving a dent. I feel his nose cave a bit, but it'll be fine. I let him fall to the floor, a trail of blood leaking from his nose.

He raises his finger to it.  I crouch next to him, grab his jaw.

"Don't ever fucking buck at me. You understand?"

Ezra nods softly, and the cursed look is gone. Anyone who doesn't know us will say I'm cruel and abusive. Maybe I am. But I have to be. He needs me to be. There's no other way to stop him.

Love doesn't work. Pleading doesn't work. Nothing works but sheer utter violence—quick and disarming before he can even think.

That's what I do. That's what I'm here for.

I pull my shirt off and wipe his nose. "Good. Get your shit. Let's go. This place makes you...unbearable."

Ezra nods putting my shirt to his nose like an absolute fucking lunatic. It's fine. I roll my eyes and leave him there. He should be calm enough.

What a fucking morning. I can't wait to leave this shit hole.

"Leaving then?"

I turn around and nod. "Yes. In a few days we're gonna move you out of here. Pack your things. Don't go in that bedroom, Mom. Or maybe...maybe do."

She smiles softly, and pats Ezra's head. "You boys stop roughhousing, breakfast is ready."

Ezra looks up at her shocked. He stares at her, as she looks away. His head cocks, his eyes narrowing the smile on his face dying as he tries to examine her.

"Hey," I bark. His neck snaps as he looks at me. "Go get dressed."

He sighs and stands, cracking his neck. Then he stops at mom with a sly smirk. "Do go into the room. I left you a present...Mom."

He ambles away, my shirt in tow.

I follow after him, before pausing. I glance back at Mom. "Don't, Mom. Don't go in the room."

She frowns. "But you just said—"

"If he said do—don't," I advise her.