Bound By Shadows

Chapter 8: He's Back For Blood

Kazuyaki sat tensely on a low stool in the middle of the dim room, his head tipped forward slightly as Blue stood behind him, carefully filing down his horns. The slow rasp of the metal file against his curved black horns was a sound that used to make his skin crawl, but over time, he had grown accustomed to it. Still, the feeling of Blue's steady hand grazing his scalp kept his nerves on edge, though today, it wasn't just the touch that unsettled him.

Across the room, leaning casually against the wall, was Red. He watched the scene in silence, a faint smile tugging at his lips, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement as they bore into Kazuyaki. The weight of his gaze was unbearable, making Kazuyaki's chest tighten with guilt.

"Stay still," Blue muttered sharply, her tone was curt as ever, though it lacked the usual edge of malice. Despite everything, Kazuyaki found himself almost grateful for that. She didn't seem as angry today, not at him at least, but the tension in the room was thick.

Red's presence was like a storm cloud looming overhead, and even though Kazuyaki wasn't looking directly at him, he could feel it. The memory of their heated exchange a few nights ago, of Red's hands on him, Red's lips biting and teasing, sent a wave of unease coursing through him. He clenched his jaw, fighting to suppress the memories, but his body betrayed him with a slight shudder.

Blue, ever observant, noticed the tremor immediately. She paused her filing and narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to the side.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, her voice flat but probing.

"N-nothing," Kazuyaki stammered, trying to keep his tone steady, though his fingers gripped the edges of the stool tightly. He could feel the heat of Red's stare, a silent accusation that clawed at his insides, dragging his guilt to the surface.

From the corner of the room, Red let out a quiet chuckle, just loud enough for both of them to hear.

"Nothing? That's hard to believe," he said smoothly, pushing off the wall and walking closer. His footsteps were light, but each one felt heavy with meaning. "You seem a little... distracted, gorgeous."

Kazuyaki's face flushed with shame as Red's voice curled into his ears like smoke. Blue's hand gripped his horn a little harder than necessary, and her eyes flickered briefly to her brother, narrowing in suspicion.

"What are you playing at, Red?" she asked, her tone laced with irritation. "Don't you have anything better to do than stand there and make this even more uncomfortable?"

Red grinned, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the side of the chair Kazuyaki was seated in.

"Just enjoying the view," he said, his voice dripping with suggestive undertones. He cast a sideways glance at Kazuyaki, who was now staring down at the floor, his golden eyes filled with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

"Why so tense, Yagi? You've been jumpy ever since that little... encounter," Red teased, his fingers lightly brushing against Kazuyaki's shoulder as he leaned in close enough that only Kazuyaki could hear. "Feeling guilty about something?"

Kazuyaki swallowed hard, his breath hitching as Red's words slithered into his mind. He didn't dare look at Blue, knowing that if she caught even a hint of what had happened between them, she wouldn't just be filing his horns—she'd break them clean off.

"Red," Blue's voice was a low warning now, her patience visibly thinning. She put down the file and stepped around to face her brother, her icy gaze sharp and unrelenting. "Whatever game you're playing, stop it. Now."

Red raised his pierced eyebrow, his smirk widening as he straightened up.

"Oh, come on, little sister," he said, his tone playful but tinged with mockery. "I'm just having a bit of fun. Can't blame me if Yagi here gets all worked up." His eyes flicked to Kazuyaki again, his gaze predatory. "Right, beautiful?"