The Tangled Web He Weaves

A/N: Chapter 2 is up. Please enjoy :)

Chapter 2: Temptation and Blackmail


Talon headed down the apartment’s hallway, and quite belatedly he noticed that he was still in his slippers, his hair remained damp, the towel hung around his neck and he had forgotten the grocery list inside. But he wasn’t about to go back into his apartment now, he was filled with a burning desire to punch its occupant in the face for acting completely out of line. The manipulative bastard. Damn the thought-provoking demon.

‘What does he even mean by blood or cum? I mean, what does he want me to do, jack off into a cup for him? Or slit my wrist into a wineglass so that he can sip from it at his leisure? Or does he want him and I to…no way…,’ Talon closed his eyes and sucked in a breath in an attempt to clear his mind of the carnal thoughts that had festered in the confines of his own head. ‘Besides, I don’t even like guys, I’m into girls. Only girls...like Korin.’

Pushing jagged bangs back from his face, in running fingers through the spiky disarray that was his hair, he fought to regain his composure. ‘He is gonna pay for ruining my morning.’

Still irked, Talon made for the elevator, struggling to remember what to pick up at the supermarket. He pressed the button labelled with the inverted arrow, and almost at once the metallic doors slid opened. Talon found himself standing beside an elderly woman and an obese man with a noticeably receding hairline within the elevator car.

Softly, the spiky-haired boy recited what he could recall from the list.
“Eggs, butter, bread, sugar, cum—no! I mean milk!” He brought a palm to his forehead, in frustration. When he reopened his eyes he found that he was the center of attention, and his face blossomed with the color of humiliation. When the slid doors opened again to let more passengers on, he bolted from the elevator opting to take the stairs instead.

Outside was considerably chilly, especially for a late August morning, but he had to admit, the cool air was refreshing. It, combined with the walk to the supermarket, cleared his mind and almost made him forget about Ryo’s proposition… almost.

Talon wheeled his cart routinely through the aisles of the supermarket, finding that he had to pick up considerably less food without Bay around. Even then, he walked slowly, even backtracked every so often, in an obvious attempt to avoid returning home so soon.

As he rounded the corner of the dairy section, an auburn haired girl spotted him, a grin spread across her face. Tapping a finger at her silver nose stud (her only piercing), she strolled up to him and Talon caught the unmistakeable fragrance of apples and cinnamon, Korin’s favourite scent of body spray. Her hazel eyes paused on the towel that hung about him.

“Someone’s been working out I see,” she said with a snort, shaking a box of cereal at him.

“Korin,” Talon said distractedly,. “I…er…hey.”

This earned him a rather disappointed response from the young woman, obviously she had expected a more enthusiastic greeting, even then, Talon didn’t offer one.

“You don’t look too happy to see me.” Korin’s brows furrowed, her arms folded across her chest and a shrewd look came to her eyes as she stared up at him enhancing the slightly vulpine features of her face.

Frankly, he wasn’t thrilled to have run into her. He hadn’t expected to see Korin today, especially in his pyjamas of all things.

Korin stood about a head shorter than the young man, her hair was almost as untameable as his, yet despite this, she proved to be beautiful in her own right. When Talon didn’t say anything, she peered past either side of him, and finally spoke. “Whatever, where’s Bailey?”

“Still on his vacation, he’s supposed to be back next week.”

“Vacation? Vacation from what? Sitting on his ass all day? The guy’s lazy as hell.” Korin laughed.

“True say.” Talon agreed with a grin. “But I’m not complaining. No Bay means I don’t have to listen to him blaring his band’s new age rock music all week.”

“Oh come on, his band’s not that bad. He gave me a demo CD once. I liked that song about the secret world government hoarding aliens in underground military bases.” Korin said. “So I guess you’re pretty thrilled about having the apartment to yourself. Maybe I can stay the week, huh? We can spend quality time together, stay up all night watching horror flicks, just like old times.”

“Uh…not such a good plan.” Talon said inspecting a carton of milk, deeming it suitable he placed it in his cart. “I’ve got Ryo staying over for the week.”

“Ryo?” Korin repeated in raising an eyebrow in question. “A relative?”

“He’s an old friend, from back in high school. You wouldn’t know him.” Talon added quickly when he saw a thoughtful expression cross her face. The two headed to the check out lines.

“Hm, can’t bear to out of the company of men for even a day, no?” Korin said teasingly as she fell into step with the other (Talon didn’t find the joke very funny). “Anyway, are we still on for dinner Wednesday, your treat?”

Talon offered her a sideways glance and a lop-sided smile, “Yeah, I would never dream of missing you ordering the most expensive wines and meals on the menu of an over-priced restaurant and having to pay for it.”

Korin placed her box of cereal onto the counter, and then turned to punch him lightly on the shoulder, “Hey, if you keep criticizing the way a girl eats, you’ll never get one. So, after that we can head back to your place, I’m sure this Ryo won’t mind if I stay over for one night, besides I want to meet him--

‘No you don’t.’ said a voice in Talon’s mind. Korin stooped over to study the shelf stacked with candy bars and gum.

“By the way, what kind of nicotine gum should I buy, they have a new pineapple flavour out, but I’m afraid to try it.” Korin said. Why the store’s staff kept the recovering smoker’s gum on the same shelf as the candy remained a mystery to Talon.

“Korin, you don’t even smoke. Why are you buying nicotine gum?”

Korin’s shoulders rose and fell in a shrug, she picked up the mint one and tossed it on the counter. “Once I bought it by mistake, I got used to the taste so I kept buying it.”

Korin extracted her wallet from her handbag and fingered through it until she found her credit card. She had a strange and unbreakable habit of charging anything and everything to her card, even when she would order twenty-five cents worth of extra butter for her popcorn at the movies. The clerk cashed her out and gave her a receipt to sign.

“Well, I’ll call you tonight.” Korin said with a wave before heading towards exit, and sweeping through the glass sliding doors. Talon watched as she headed down the street and crossed the road (Not failing to flip off a car that had sped through on the red light). Korin served as a great reminder as to why he liked girls. When he turned back to face the cashier, he found that the pockmark-faced adolescent had also been watching her.

“You know what would have earned you major points with her?” The clerk began after watching her disappear from sight. “If you had manned up enough to pay for her stuff.”

“You know what would have earned you major points with me? If you didn’t stick your dick into places it doesn’t belong. You mind getting back to work?” Talon retorted with a cutting tone. The clerk appeared as though he had been struck, and without another word, cashed out Talon’s groceries.
--
“You’re late.” Ryo said as Talon moved past him with the grocery bags still in his arms. Talon snorted at this remark.

“Whatever Ryo, what you’re my mom now?” Talon said teasingly; he kicked off his slippers.

“No, I’m hungry, and I told you to be back by noon.”

“Quit whining, it’s not even twenty minutes past twelve, so don’t worry, you’re not going to die.”

“It’s not me I’m worrying about, I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried for. See, I take breakfast at seven, lunch at noon and dinner at six respectively—

Talon began pulling foodstuffs from the plastic grocery bags, “So?—

“So, every minute past feeding time, my hunger increases…tenfold, so if you care about your life, you’ll adhere to the schedule. Now,” Ryo’s voice took on a much lighter tone. “Let’s get to that lunch you promised me. So what is it I’ll be taking? Blood?” The bastard.

Talon paused just as he was about to pack away a can of soup, avoiding Ryo’s eyes, he responded. “…Y-yeah.”

“You look nervous.” Ryo said thoughtfully.

‘Why wouldn’t I be nervous, you’re talking so calmly about feasting on my blood, you friggin’ jerk.’

Talon waved a hand dismissively. “Me? Nervous? Hardly.” That was a big lie.

“What ever you’re gonna do, just make it quick. I’ve got other stuff to do today.” That was an even bigger lie.

Ryo stood there regarding the paler-than-usual teen, with his head tilted, an eyebrow arched with quiet inquisition. Talon’s dark gaze flickered up to meet the demon’s.

“What? You need a knife or something? Utensils are in the kitchen.”

Ryo shook his head no causing long platinum bangs to sway side to side before his eyes. “You should probably know the process –

“No thanks, I don’t care if you plan to stab me with a straw. I really don’t want to know, just take some…some blood,” Talon could hardly bring himself to utter the word without feeling nauseous. “and get it over with.”

“You can always change your mind,--

‘About letting you stay here?’

--You know, from blood to…”

“No, it’s fine. Just do it.”

Ryo’s lips lifted in a clear display of his amusement.
“Such haste, alright then.” Ryo directed Talon to the couch, whom with unhurried movements, sat down silently staring straight ahead out the large screen window, and onto the streets below. He balled his hands tightly into fists on his knees to keep them from shaking and could only hope that Ryo wouldn’t notice his unease.

The other stood directly behind the sofa, leaning over Talon, considering him. Ryo’s eyes raked over the boy before him. He gazed at the delicate pale spikes of his hair that undulated gently in the breeze entering through the partially opened window, and exuding from him, he could smell the distinct scent of a light musk.

“What are you waiting for?” Talon suddenly spoke up; this seemed to draw Ryo back to reality.

“Take off your shirt.” Ryo’s voice issued chillingly close to Talon’s ear.

Talon jumped at this and turned around, “What? Why?”

“Unless you don’t mind if your shirt collar gets bloody.” Ryo went on logically. “But then, I suppose you could always wash it at the Laundromat, but all I’m saying is it’d be a lot easier--

“Fine.” Talon lifted his hands to unbutton his top, but stopped short at once. He jumped off the sofa and pulled the window’s curtains shut, cloaking the room in darkness. He didn’t want anyone peering inside and getting the wrong idea. Ryo chuckled lightly at this but said nothing when Talon caught his eye. Talon proceeded to remove his shirt, now revealing firm pectorals and a tight stomach.


Ryo advanced, and circled him with a predatory air. He studied the alabaster skin that enrobed bands of toned muscle, and then his eyes became trained on the bared skin on his shoulder blades.

Involuntarily, Talon shivered as Ryo tipped his head in towards his neck, moving aside a lock of hair. Talon could feel his warm breath bring about a wave of heat across his skin. Ryo gently laid his lips to rest upon Talon’s neck, just above his collar bone. Talon drew in a sharp breath, his body went rigid.

Seeming to reconsider his actions, Ryo moved away. Talon was able to relax slightly, until Ryo circled again, now finding himself on Talon’s other side. This was repeated several times before finally, scratching his head, Ryo sighed and stepped back as though trying to look at a painting from another angle.

“What’s the big idea? You move in then you circle around me, back away and move in again!” Talon cried weakly. “Get it over with already, it’s cold!”

Ryo smiled, sheepish. “Heh, sorry, I can’t find your pulse.”

Talon scowled in response. “I’m thirsty; I’m gonna get a drink.” said Talon, before he made towards the kitchen. Ryo’s gaze followed his movements as he stalked away.

“Ah, I see now,” Ryo said in a soft murmur.
There was no warning when Ryo pounced on Talon, easily pinning him on to the couch before he could clear the living room. He held the other by his wrists and straddled his hips leaving Talon gasping in surprise.

“What the hell!” Talon yelped, his voice had risen at least an octave. Ryo only lowered himself on the mahogany-eyed boy.

“Ryo, h-hold on a second!--” Talon was saying.

Ryo ignored him; his eyes slowly fell shut as if listening for something.

“I can hear it now,” Ryo said in a husky voice, he reopened his eyes, there was a feral look within the gold depths, hunger flickered in them.

As he grinned wolfishly, Talon could clearly make out the elongated canines in his mouth. Why had he never noticed them before now? They just hung there like stalactites, blatant before his eyes; in Talon’s mind they registered danger.

“Hear w-what?” The young man stammered almost too afraid to ask, and trying to pull himself away from the incubus.

“Your pulse...it sounds like you’re excited…or are you just scared?” Ryo leant in further, his hair falling over his shoulders and spilling like liquid onto Talon’s bare chest, Talon pressed himself into the throw cushions, wide-eyed, his heart pounding.

“Relaxxxx.” Ryo said drawing the word out with an animalistic hiss; he ran his tongue across the deadly looking syringe-like fangs. This drew a disturbing amount of attention to his shapely lips.

Talon hated to admit it, but the young man bearing down upon him was a huge turn-on. Even then, Talon found it unnerving to be looked upon as if he were Ryo’s meal or better yet his prey. He tore his gaze from the incubus.

“I-I’m not ready.” Talon said in an attempt to gain control of his helpless situation.

“Hmm, you look ready to me.”

“Get…off…m—

Talon’s voice was muffled by a wet mouth, pressed against his own. Talon tried to push the other off of himself, and unthinkingly, parted his lips, allowing Ryo the chance to quickly slip his tongue in past Talon’s lips, mixing the saliva. Ryo released Talon’s wrists, and opted instead to mesh his hands through the other boy’s hair.

Too overwhelmed by shock, and pleasure of the kiss to fight back, Talon hesitated, and allowed his eyes to drift shut as he became immersed in the feeling that practically left him in a daze. Ryo pressed harder against him, their flesh only separated by the fabric of the demon’s sweater. Ryo drew away from Talon’s mouth and lowered his head to Talon’s chest, leaving Talon’s lips with an odd tingling sensation.

Talon’s mind suddenly began to feel strangely sluggish as Ryo’s lips dragged at an erect nub of rosy flesh and Talon couldn’t stop himself from grasping a handful of Ryo’s hair, involuntarily letting out a soft moan.

Ryo continued to nip gently and suck at Talon’s nipple, switching every so often the other, eliciting a series of gasps and moans from the spiky haired teen.

“Agh…R-Ryo…” Talon started to feel himself becoming hard against the other boy, his back arched as he was drawn in deeper into what felt like bliss. Ryo drew his tongue up Talon’s chest, his neck and finally, he returned to running his tongue along Talon’s lips tracing each contour, before he retracted his tongue and sucked at Talon’s bottom lip, Ryo’s kiss was mind-numbing, nerve-tingling and then…painful.

Talon drew back in surprise at once, all pleasure gone. It had simply evaporated. Ryo’s lips were now slick and scarlet tinged with blood, his blood. Talon’s hand flew to his mouth and felt a warm wetness there, when he brought it to eye level, he saw the deep red covering trembling fingertips, a crimson pearl rolled down his middle finger’s length.

Ryo grinned evilly at Talon’s response, and captured Talon’s fingers in his mouth.

Talon felt light-headedness come over him, completely sickened by the sight and smell of his own blood. At that point, he felt a tickling, trail of warmth run slowly down his bottom lip, then his chin. Suddenly nauseous, Talon saw Ryo’s tongue trace his lips once again, before his vision blurred, darkened, and finally gave out.
--
“Hey, you’re alive. You should have told me you were squeamish.” Ryo said when Talon’s eyes finally cracked open.

Talon squinted as he allowed his eyes to adjust to the light. The curtains had been cast open once more, and blinding sunlight penetrated the living room. Talon saw Ryo leaning over him, the demon looked thoroughly amused and as though he was going to burst out into laughter.

Talon stared at Ryo’s lips, recalling the concealed weapons just beyond them.
“You did something to me before… made my head feel weird.” Talon murmured. Ryo only offered a child-like smile.

“What do you mean?” He said with an innocent quirk of his head.

“Don’t play dumb asshole…that kiss…” Talon’s head began to hurt with the effort of trying to think straight. “You know what you did, and whatever it was, don’t do it again.”

“That was about the only way I could get blood from you without you fighting me.” Ryo reasoned.

“So you did do something to me.” Talon said.

Ryo sighed. “Venom. I used venom, just enough to sedate you…slightly, though," he said in pensive retrospect. "I think I might’ve used too much.”

“So, you basically drugged me up. Fuck…you.” Talon slurred.

“But it's all good; at least it wasn’t neuro-toxic.” Ryo shrugged dismissively. "That would have caused a lot of problems. It probably would’ve stopped your heart…or your respiratory system, or both. Wait no, definitely both."

Talon had long tuned out the demon and merely groaned, attempting to sit up, but felt too weak to lift himself. So there he lay on the couch, his lip throbbing, and his neck sore--his neck? Talon’s hand gingerly reached up to touch his throat, and he winced in pain.

“I passed out…and the first thing you did was bite my neck…you sonuvabitch!” Talon rasped, kicking at Ryo’s form. “Dammit! Get away from me!”

“I checked if you were alive after.” Ryo said backing away to safety.

“Fuck this! Damn you! Some friend you are!” Talon cried out. “You’re probably planning to kill me in my sleep, aren’t you? I doubt I can even trust you!”

Ryo regarded his wristwatch. “It’s four.”

Talon laughed bitterly, anger seemed to help clear his head, so he stuck with it. “Trying to change the subject, huh? Yeah it’s four, so what?” Talon said averting his gaze and finally managing to sit up.

“Two hours ‘til dinner.” Ryo said innocently enough.

Talon froze, eyes wide, teeth clenched and asserted to himself that if things continue the way they were going now, this week with Ryo would be the death of him.

“No more blood.” Talon said very suddenly, and Ryo arched an eyebrow. “You heard me. Take something else, whatever you want; I don’t care what, just no more…okay?”

“Good choice.” Ryo a playful smirk graced his sculpted lips, and Talon had to avert his gaze.
He fell back upon the couch once more and closed his eyes wondering if he had made the right decision this time around.

--
A/N: Thank you for reading this far. Remember any and all feedback is greatly encouraged and widely accepted, so please review and tell me what you think :)