Autumn is a second spring

131. Drums

Fluke's wrist ached from the iron grip that held it.

"P' Ohm—let go," Fluke hissed, tugging against him. His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed his alarm.

Ohm didn't hear. Or perhaps he heard and simply didn't care. His hand remained tight around Fluke's wrist, dragging him swiftly down the dim hallway. His shoulders were stiff, his expression unreadable, but the force in his movements betrayed a storm he couldn't contain.

Fluke stumbled once, nearly losing his footing. "P' Ohm, please. What are you doing?"

No answer.

They reached the door of the room allocated to Fluke. Ohm shoved it open with a sharp push and pulled him inside. Fluke barely had time to blink before he was pushed further into the cabin tucked inside—a space meant for changing costumes. The small room felt even smaller with the weight of Ohm's presence pressing in.

Fluke's back slammed lightly against the wall, the shock of it forcing a sharp breath out of him. He frowned, glaring up at Ohm.

"What is going on with you?" Fluke demanded, rubbing at his sore wrist.

Instead of an answer, Ohm closed the distance between them in one swift motion. His lips crashed against Fluke's in a kiss that was nothing like the ones before. It wasn't tender. It wasn't patient. It was fierce, angry, desperate. A claiming.

Fluke gasped, trying to push him back. "P' Ohm—!" But his protest was swallowed whole.

The kiss was suffocating, wild, full of frustration. Ohm's hand gripped his jaw, holding him in place as though terrified he would vanish. Fluke could barely breathe. He struggled, palms flat against Ohm's chest, pushing, but the man was unrelenting.

He knew Ohm wasn't himself. This wasn't the calm, composed Ohm the world saw. This was the side that came alive when emotions ran too high—when obsession drowned reason.

Minutes passed, though they felt like forever. Fluke's lips throbbed, swollen from the unyielding assault. Finally, Ohm paused, his forehead resting against Fluke's. Both of them panted, breaths hot between them.

Fluke seized the chance. His voice softened, gentle where Ohm's actions had been harsh. "P' Ohm... calm down. Please."

He slid a hand cautiously to Ohm's chest, feeling the thunder of his heartbeat. "Whatever this is... let's talk later, okay? Just calm down."

Ohm's eyes, dark and burning, searched his face. He didn't respond, only clenched his jaw tighter.

And then—the sound of the cabin door creaking open.

Fluke jolted, panic flashing in his eyes. The scene they were in was unmistakably intimate. If anyone saw them like this, it would explode into chaos. To most people, he and Ohm were nothing more than close colleagues, friends who had each other's backs. Only a handful knew the truth of what they once were.

His breath caught when he saw who it was.

"Prem!"

Prem froze in the doorway. His eyes darted from Fluke, pressed against the wall, lips swollen, breathing uneven, to Ohm towering over him. The pieces fit instantly.

A slow, mischievous smile curved Prem's lips. "Well, well... sorry for interrupting. Please—carry on."

Fluke's eyes widened. "Prem—it's not what—"

But before he could finish, Prem had already shut the door with a teasing chuckle, the sound of his footsteps retreating.

Fluke groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Unbelievable."