Dangerous Attention

chapter 8: Unspoken Desires

The tension between Daou and Offroad had grown thicker with each passing day. As they settled into the new safe house-a much smaller, secluded cabin deep in the mountains-the suffocating silence weighed heavily on them both. Offroad found himself pacing the modest living room, his mind spinning with questions that Daou refused to answer.

Outside, the wind howled through the trees, a reminder of how isolated they were. Offroad couldn't decide if that made him feel safer or more trapped. He was beginning to feel like a prisoner, not just in the physical sense, but also in the way Daou controlled every aspect of his life now. He hated it-hated that he had no say in his own fate, hated that Daou was so distant. Always so close, yet so distant.

Offroad glanced toward the kitchen, where Daou stood by the counter, preparing dinner. His movements were swift, calculated, like everything he did. Offroad had never met someone who could maintain such a cold and detached exterior, but there was no denying the way Daou's presence affected him. It was maddening.

Finally, Offroad couldn't take the silence anymore. “How long are we going to keep running?” he asked, his voice sharp, cutting through the quiet.

Daou didn't look up from chopping vegetables, but his shoulders tensed. "As long as it takes.”

"That's not an answer," Offroad said, frustration bubbling to the surface. He couldn't stand how Daou could be so calm, so composed, while his own world had been turned upside down. "What's the endgame here? Am I supposed to just live in hiding forever?"

Daou stopped what he was doing and finally looked at him, his dark eyes unreadable. “No,” he said quietly, "but until I know you're safe, this is how it has to be."

"And when will that be?" Offroad pressed, stepping closer. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anger and something else- something darker, something that had been building inside him ever since that night they kissed. "When will you finally tell me what the hell is going on?”

Daou sighed and set the knife down. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're not ready to hear it."

Offroad clenched his fists at his sides, the anger boiling over. "Stop treating me like a child! I deserve to know what's happening, Daou. I deserve to know why my life has been turned into a nightmare."

Daou's eyes flashed with something -was it guilt?-but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. Не pushed off the counter and took a step toward Offroad, his presence as overwhelming as always. "You think I don't know that?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I don't know what this is doing to you? To us?"

Offroad's breath hitched at the way Daou said "us,” the unspoken connection between them lingering in the air. He swallowed hard, his anger mixing with something far more complicated. “Then why won't you tell me?”

Daou's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. For a moment, Offroad thought he was going to push him away again, to lock his emotions behind that cold, impenetrable wall. But then, Daou's hand reached out, grabbing Offroad's wrist with a firm but gentle grip. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through Offroad's body, making it impossible to ignore the tension that had been building between them for days-weeks.

"Because once I tell you, there's no going back," Daou said, his voice a low growl. "You'll be dragged even deeper into this world, and I won't be able to protect you the way I am now."

Offroad's heart raced as Daou's words sank in. There was something more, something Daou was keeping from him, but not out of malice-out of fear. Daou was scared. Offroad could see it in the way his hand trembled slightly, the way his eyes softened for just a second before the mask slipped back into place.

"Maybe I don't want your protection," Offroad whispered, his voice shaky. "Maybe I just want the truth."

Daou's grip tightened on Offroad's wrist, pulling him closer until they were only inches apart. The heat of Daou's body was overwhelming, his scent intoxicating. Offroad's mind raced, torn between anger and desire, fear and longing.

"I can't give you both,” Daou said, his voice barely a whisper, his breath ghosting over Offroad's skin. “But I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Offroad's chest tightened, his emotions swirling in a storm of confusion and frustration. His anger faded, replaced by something more primal, more dangerous. He hated that he felt this way-hated that despite everything, he couldn't deny the pull between them.

Before he could stop himself, Offroad reached up and grabbed the front of Daou's shirt, pulling him even closer. Their faces were only inches apart now, the tension between them crackling like electricity. "Then stop pretending like you don't care," Offroad whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "Stop acting like I'm just another pawn in your game.”

Daou's eyes darkened, and for a moment, Offroad thought he had gone too far. But then, in an instant, Daou's mouth crashed down on his, fierce and unyielding. The kiss was rough, full of pent-up frustration and desire, and Offroad responded with equal intensity, his hands fisting in Daou's shirt as he kissed him back with everything he had.

Daou's hands gripped Offroad's waist, pulling him closer, his touch possessive and demanding. Offroad could feel the raw need in every movement, every kiss. It was as if all the tension between them had finally reached a breaking point, and now there was no going back.

They stumbled backward, Daou's hands never leaving Offroad's body as they moved toward the bedroom. Offroad's heart raced, his mind a blur of desire and confusion. He didn't know where this was going, didn't know what would happen next, but in that moment, he didn't care. All he wanted was Daou-all he needed was to feel something real, something undeniable.

As they reached the bedroom, Daou pushed Offroad against the door, his hands gripping his waist tightly. Their lips never parted, the intensity of the kiss growing with each passing second. Offroad moaned into Daou's mouth, his body trembling with need.

But just as quickly as it had started, Daou pulled away, his breath heavy, his eyes filled with conflict. "We can't," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Not like this."

Offroad's chest heaved, his heart pounding in his ears. "Why not?" he asked, his voice barely audible. "What are you so afraid of?"

Daou's eyes softened for a moment, and Offroad thought he saw a flicker of something vulnerable, something real. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by the cold mask Daou always wore.

"You don't know what you're asking for," Daou said quietly, his voice filled with an edge of regret. "And I'm not ready to give it to you."

Offroad's heart sank, the weight of Daou's words hitting him like a punch to the gut. He didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond. All he knew was that he couldn't keep living like this-caught between fear and desire, trapped in a world he didn't understand.

"Then tell me,” Offroad said, his voice trembling. “Tell me what you're so afraid of."

Daou's jaw tightened, his eyes hardening. For a moment, Offroad thought he was going to push him away again, to shut him out like he always did. But then, Daou sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as if the weight of the world was pressing down on him.

"You want the truth?" Daou said, his voice quiet but filled with intensity. "Fine. I'll give you the truth. But once you know, there's no going back."

Offroad's heart raced, his mind reeling. He had no idea what Daou was about to say, but whatever it was, it was going to change everything.