Things We Used To Share

Curtains

Trigger Warning:
Being starved/torture

"How do you feel?"

Maybe he was hallucinating, or maybe he was dead. Yeah, he had to be dead.

Because nothing could hurt this much.

Rido smirked, watching his nephew breathe heavily, unable to move on the bed. He shook every few seconds, cold and tired, yet restless.

He felt sick, almost like he was dying. Like someone was tearing open his stomach and his throat was on fire. His skin felt like wax and his eyes felt hot.

He couldn't move.

"Are you hungry?"

There was a slight whimper from him.

"You keep trying to escape. You never learn, do you?"

How long has it been?

"No blood or food...it's been a very long time, has it not? I've lost track." He chuckled.

He was too young to be in such a state, too inexperienced to be a victim hunger.

How long?

He didn't know, anymore, either. Time didn't exist in his room, there we no windows to tell where the sun or moon was. There was no breeze, no light, no clock, and his body felt like ice.

His lips parted, dry and hurting as he tried to speak. He only groaned, eyes fluttering as he tried to focus.

"You've gotten so small." Rido said pitifully.

He wasn't wrong. Hiro did notice his bones starting to show, his head feeling dizzy and his thoughts escaping him. It wasn't excessive, but his collarbone was sharper, his ribs were more visible, and his skin felt tight.

Vampires, especially Purebloods, couldn't die from starvation, but going without blood for so long...

It would make them wish they were dead.

Moreover, at such a young age, he was bound to be feeling the effects more.

Rido walked over, gently taking a seat beside him on the bed.

He ran fingers through Hiro's curls, leaning down near his face.

"You can hear it, can't you? My blood. Aren't you hungry?"

Hiro sucked in a slow breath, red and blue eyes looking up. He could see the veins pulsing. He could hear it, even smell it.

Rido lifted his own arm, biting on his wrist.

Blood poured out.

"Go on." Rido smirked. "Have a taste."

Hiro was quick, grabbing his arm and drinking the blood. He cried when it finally reached his throat. Tears mixed with blood, and he choked as he sobbed.

He could feel his body heal, his thoughts become clearer, and his stomach grow full.

It was healing his body.

His throat wasn't filled with cobwebs anymore. Hands and feet could move without too much effort, and his brain felt like it were alive again.

When he finally pulled away, Hiro sat up and looked up at his uncle. He frowned deeply, blood still on his chin.

"Have you learned your lesson?" Rido asked kindly.

Hiro looked away in shame.

He nodded slowly.

Rido smiled, pulling him close and chuckling. "My shadows will always find you..."

"You can't escape."

__________

Kaname heard a whimper.

At first it was faint, very quiet, almost unnoticeable.

But there was another one, and then a shuffle.

When he opened his eyes and looked down, he realized his arms were empty.

He looked around, surprised to find no one else the bed.

Looking down to the bed foot, he found Hiro sitting on the floor, eyes closed as he leaned against the mattress.

"Hiro." Kaname called out to him.

He flinched, eyes opening wide. He turned around, hands flying to his sides as he hugged himself.

He slowly relaxed, realizing who it was.

"What's wrong?" Kaname asked, sitting up.

Hiro smiled, eyebrows furrowed. He didn't trust his voice, so he only shook his head, as if saying there was nothing to worry about.

Kaname sat beside him on the floor, searching his face.

"Don't lie to me." Kaname looked at Hiro's hands, which seemed to be trembling.

Hiro bit his lip, closing his eyes with a grimace.

"What happened?"

Hiro grew silent, quietly flexing his trembling hands.

"I just...couldn't sleep." He murmured.

Kaname nodded, moving closer. He wrapped his arms around Hiro, pulling him close.

Hiro leaned into him and sighed in content, feeling his warmth. He shivered, swallowing thickly.

If he closed his eyes, he was was back there, shivering, alone and cold.

Kaname took his trembling hands, entangling their hands together. Hiro held on tight, keeping his eyes open.

"What did you dream about?" Kaname asked softly. "Was it him..?"

Rido stained his mind once again, imprinting on his memories and making him flinch. Hiro grew still, eyes wide as he tried to ignore the face of his nightmares.

But it was too late. Kaname's suspicion had been confirmed and he wanted nothing more than to place a barbed wire around his brother, keeping away unsightly beings and thoughts.

Hiro snuggled deeper into his chest, frowning deeply.

"Hiro..." Kaname said sweetly. He smiled, his fingers touching soft curls.

The sunlight poured in through the window, and he smiled at the gleaming light hiding behind the curtains.

"I have you." He said.

Hiro gave a slow nod, smiling.

"...I know." Hiro whispered back.