Blunt

Brittle

"Hellooooooo?"

I eyed the empty air in front of me, my senses dead of any other things.

A translucent hand waved in front of me, its fingers wiggled in a ridiculous way.

"Heeeellooooooooo?"

I snapped. "Who are you?"

He raised an eyebrow, and delightly cackled, "so you can see me afterall!"

●●○●●

The slightly broken door slid open, the smell of old tatami invaded my nostrils. Taking off both shoes, I supported my weight with one hand, holding onto the door frame; "I'm home."

Silence. The room was still and dark, unresponding to my greeting. A chill snaked between the nape of my neck and my ponytail, caressing my sore spot like an invisible arm. Letting out a moan, lolling out my head - a routine in these past two months.

"At least greet me back first," a complain, but I couldn't deny the satisfaction.

"Welcome home."

A face popped out, floating midair, and my eyes revelled at the almost transparent, milky skin, matched with two beaded eyes which radiated a cold warmth and a pair of thin lips. A body faded in from nothingness, one which had been occupying my mind for also these past two months. I reached out, and touched nothing; my fingers dug deep into his flesh, a flickering image, pretending to caress back his cheek.

The lights turned on. I cursed. A smell wafted through, and I halted my cusses, "Do you want a potato gratin for dinner?"

"Yes."

"Bath first."

●●○●●

Steam decorated the blurry glass door, a pale color next to his skin. I stashed my clothes into the washing machine and unhooked the constriction known as a bra. A chill poked on the top of my breasts and I swatted my hand, chasing off nothing.

"Stop poking them."

"Can't help it. Are you going to do it in the bathroom or...?"

"Don't peek."

"Okay."

I slid in right into the bathtub, a compelling warmth wrapping me, releasing the tension I had built. A familiar tingle pried open my legs and I found my hand underwater, searching its way to the only spot the tingle could be residing.

"I'm glad I followed you inside, or else I would miss the show."

One, two slid in easily. I bit back my lips, the lukewarm water entered inside me. Three and I couldn't hold my body, the other hand gripping the edge of the bathtub tightly. I reached out for a small plastic tube I hid in the lower cabinet next to the bathtub; a friend had taught me this particular craft, and no shame marked me, I had used that particular craft for the wrong reason. He whistled, and hovered over the bathtub, his keen eyes staring at the clear water. The tingle heightened, turning into a hungry roar I couldn't keep tame for longer.

"It's quivering."

"It's hungry, okay?"

"Oh. Wow. Should I shut up?"