Heaven's Shadow

Chapter 17 | Three Paintings

"Who did this?" Yun asked. His eyes were ablaze, drilling into him.

Why did he care so much?

"I said who did this?" he repeated.

Too loud. His voice hurt his ears.

"Get off."

Was it him who said that? He kept getting confused. Was it his own voice saying that or the one in his head?

"Rem, did he do this to you?"

Who was he? He couldn't remember him—no, he couldn't feel anything towards him. Why was he mentioning that person right now? He was speaking nonsense.

"Hey, please answer, I'm not mad at you."

Why were his eyes so soft? He glared at those soft eyes. Who was he to have such soft eyes?

"Remigius, I thought you were going to the washroom."

He pushed Yun off of him and stood.

"I am."

Was Eugene always this tall? Or maybe Remigius's legs grew weaker and he wished to lay down. What was he doing again?

"Yun. Good to see you again." Eugene dipped his head at him with a smile. Why did he bother smiling? How useless.

"I'm talking to Rem." Yun's voice was void of kindness. Ah, yes, that was right. That should be the way people talk to each other.

"I didn't know that involved rolling on the ground." He picked up the fallen black mask, dusted it off, and hooked the straps over Remigius's face. He tucked his hair behind his ears and fixed it up, not that Remigius particularly cared how he looked at the moment.

Did Yun care? His lips twisted in an ugly scowl.

Ugh. Remigius's head hurt. He wanted to sleep.

"Leave him alone," Yun said.

"I will if Remigius wants me to." He turned to Remigius. "Say, didn't you want to go to my dorm?"

Remigius didn't remember why, but he nodded anyway. His head moved lightly as if a balloon was attached to the top of it.

"He should go to the infirmary," Yun argued, grabbing Remigius's hand. Too hot. "Can't you see he's hurt from—"

Eugene yanked his hand away from Yun. He moved in closer to Yun, noses inches apart. "Please refrain from bringing up those memories, Yun. I suggest you allow me to take it from here."

"Who are you to do that?"

"Let's leave it up to Remigius then, hm?" His hand chilled the hairs on Remigius's body, making his head buzz. "Do you want to go to my dorm or Yun's?"

Ah, he remembered why he wanted to go to Eugene's dorm. "Yours."

"It's settled then." Eugene smirked, pulling Remigius with him. "Let's get going."

"Wait!" Yun's voice sounded far away. Didn't they take only a few steps? "Rem, we need to talk, I—you can't just..."

"Leave me alone," was all he remembered saying.

Remigius didn't remember getting to Eugene's dorm. One moment he dragged his feet across the halls, the next he lay slumped on a velvet couch. Eyes half-lidded and a euphoric weariness tingling his skin, he sighed into the pillows. Now that he was away from all those people, he could enjoy himself.

The murmuring. It miffed his ears. Remigius tried to bury himself deeper in the fluff of the pillows.

"He's staying in the academy. Fuck, this is bad, this is so bad."

When did Malachi get here? At least the voice was someone familiar.