Fangs and Claws [Boy X Boy]

Chapter 10 Biting and Clawing

Chapter 10
Biting and clawing

(( SLIGHTLY MORE EDITED ))

PICTURE to the right (or top) -------> your imagination

This chapter is dedicated to the people I've lost in life. I'll miss you.

DOMINIC •

         The week after my parents' visit taught me several things and changed much more. Firstly, it's best if Nic takes his meds every day. He doesn't necessarily have to, but he still hasn't told me the story about his parents, and I can tell there are quite a few things that'll trigger his anxiety. It seems like something more than his parent's death's bothering him, as well, but he has yet to tell me anything. And he's pretty good about hiding it when he does forget his meds, but I'd rather not watch him struggle, no matter how well he hides it.

         Secondly, for several days now, Colton has been refusing all food. Not that our food can sustain him, but he's also denied Nic's offerings of blood. Any time Nic has offered, Colton waves him off and leaves to make our food instead. And I'm unsure if he's eaten since the blood Nic gave him the first night they told me their secret over a week ago. Of course, I still don't know much about vampires, Colton even less, but I'm still concerned. It can't be good for him to go so long without eating.

         And finally, Ryan has locked herself in the library and has become unresponsive. The first night we noticed we tried breaking in, but all entry points were sealed. Once she heard me struggling to get in, she shouted through the door that she was working on her book, but I've not seen her since. I'm not even sure if she's been eating, either. It's not a huge problem, considering she's an adult and can care for herself, but I'm not used to her being this reclusive.

         So, needless to say, the last few days have been intriguing and somewhat challenging.

         Nic's brother, Toby, called while we were preparing breakfast, pulling Nic's attention away and leaving Colton and me alone. Colton stood in front of the stove, a frying pan of screaming bacon in one hand and still dressed in his sweatpants from the night before. A loose apron hung around his neck to protect his skin from the popping grease. He has his hair slicked back out of his face as he bites his lip in concentration, his brow furrowed.

         I've never considered an apron attractive before, and I don't even know where he found this one - but seeing him in it has my brain getting a little carried away. Thoughts of removing other clothes to complete the image keep popping up, making me quickly distract myself before getting too far gone. I try to get a better look at his tattoos', as an attempt to distract myself, too.

         Various symbols, images, and words cover nearly every inch of his back and arms. I didn't recognize most of the signs tattooed on him, and the ones I did look like ones I'd seen in my chemistry classes. Knowing at least one of them was the alchemical symbol for sulfur. Another is the symbol for the sun, but I'm lost on all the others. Most of the words were quotes or told passages on his skin, but I was more intrigued by the images to read them. Various plants and natural scapes detail his skin, twisted around other inkings of animals and even demons with what appear to be angels. His tattoos were unlike any other tattoos I'd seen on others, his body void of the cleché tattoos I'd seen so many times before. And despite the lack of color, being almost all back and white with only colored splashes here and there, I can't help but feel drawn to it all.

         "Col, are you sure you don't need blood?" I attempt to distract myself further as I take advantage of this opportunity alone. "I still don't know much about vampires, but you've got to be getting hungry. It's been a while." He glances at me as I break the silence, drawing a slight curve to his lips.