Only A Bite Away

If you guys every wonder... my titles for chapters are at random...(i hae that they require chapters and the whole chapt 1, chapt 2 thing makes me mad so i give you random titles).


A few notes on Japanese - Itterasshai - what someone says to someone who is leaving the house, it's kind of like "goodbye, be safe, come back"
Ittekimasu - what someone says when they're leaving the house, like "I'm gone"
Tadaima - I'm home
Okaeri - Welcome home
Shachou - President
Gaijin - foreigner, refers to anyone who isn't Japanese, a little rude but pretty much standard nowadays

Only a Bite Away - Part 4

Kyosuke opened his eyes with a start. He hurt. Every part of him, from his wrists to his thighs to his rear were all raw. Sitting up with a grimace, Kyosuke took in his surroundings. The bed was huge, as well a the room, all done in warm shades of cream and beige. With a sigh, Kyosuke leaned back against the headboard, took the pressure off his protesting behind.

So it hadn’t been a dream. Kyosuke grinned ruefully. Stupid. Of course it hadn’t been a dream. Last night, Risha had propositioned him…no, coerced him more like, gave him no other choice but to bend to Risha’s demands. Bringing his knees up, Kyosuke folded his arms along the top of them, rested his chin on top of his arms. Even though Kyosuke had been lusting after Risha since they first met, to force him like that, and then…

Warmth bloomed in Kyosuke’s belly as he remembered Risha’s kisses, Risha’s hands sliding over his body, Risha’s eyes as he pressed into Kyosuke…It’d been good, but…The arousal that had risen in him at the memory of Risha last night was pushed back down as Kyosuke recalled the “guests.” Gods, his first time taken by a man, and to have all those people watching? Though Kyosuke couldn’t remember many details as he’d been otherwise…occupied, he still remembered looking out from time to time, remembered seeing some of the guests watching avidly, some of the guests looking bored and then that violet eyed man…

More than human, Risha said. Demons. Rulers of the night. Kyosuke scoffed at the last one. This wasn’t some bad horror film. But still, the guests had been...there weren’t human by any stretch of the mind. Slitted eyes, tails, oddly colored skin, sharp teeth…If you glanced at them, they would perhaps pass as human, but looking closely, there were most certainly demons. Idly, Kyosuke wondered how many demons he’d met already, without knowing, passing off their odd attributes as nothing but personal peculiarity, or not even looking closely enough.

And then, Risha. I am among them, he said, when he spoke of Capricorn’s clientele. Among them? So Risha was…not human. Running a finger along his arm in thought, Kyosuke frowned. Maybe that was why he’d been so attracted to Risha in the first place – maybe the man held some sort of power over mere humans that made them drawn to him…

“Will you eat?”

With a start, Kyosuke looked to the door, blushed when he saw Risha standing there. The man looked like something from a magazine, once again – dark slacks with bare feet, white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and top gaping open, pale hair pulled back but messily enough that strands of it fell forward to frame his face. Kyosuke felt small and ugly in comparison, pressed his chin father into his arms to hide the lower part of his face.

“Will you eat or not? You’re my responsibility now, and I can’t have you starving.”

“Ah.” Kyosuke pulled his eyes away from Risha’s form. “Yes, I’ll eat, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Without another word, Risha turned and disappeared through the door. Looking after him, Kyosuke threw the sheets back, then hastily pulled them back over himself when he saw he was naked. Casting about the room, Kyosuke sighed in relief when he spotted a pair of pajama pants on top of the low dresser at the foot of the bed. Rising quickly, he pulled on the pajamas and walked the same way Risha had gone.

From the door to the left of the bed, a short hallway led to what seemed to be a bathroom at the end of the hall. Following noises coming from the open door to the right, Kyosuke walked in slowly. Eyes widening, he looked around at the sight before him.

It was a kitchen, but not anything simple. It seemed like one straight out of the culinary magazines that the women at his office read, all the equipment neat and modern-looking. Cabinets stretched along one side of the wall, and before a shining multi-burner stove Risha, frowning at the contents in the pan he was holding. Sliding his eyes away from Risha, blushing when his gaze lingered on the line Risha’s shoulders, the graceful curve of his back. On the other side of the room, a simple table that looked to seat no more than six people was set up in front of an open barrier that separated the kitchen and what seemed to be a living area.

“Sit. It’ll be ready soon. I hope you’re not averse to Western-style breakfast.” Kyosuke looked back to Risha when the man spoke. Nodding, and moving over to the table, Kyosuke frowned a bit. Not once this morning had Risha met his eyes. Not even when he’d addressed him earlier. It didn’t make Kyosuke feel any more comfortable about their…situation.

“So – “ Kyosuke searched about for something to talk about. Anything to get Risha to look at him, acknowledge his presence as more than a nuisance to be bed and fed. “Nice place. Fitting for the president of Hamarasachi.”

Risha didn’t respond. Kyosuke cocked an eyebrow, leaned back, settled in. So this would be a fight then. That’s alright – he was used to tough negotiations.

“Did you see that orange man last night? The one with the fins? Well, not fins, but still…” Kyosuke stopped speaking, watched the line of Risha’s back. A little less tense. Good. “So, what was he? A fishman? Like…like, the creature from the black lagoon, or more orange lagoon – “

“He’s a kappa.”

“Ah. But I thought they were supposed to be ugly, and more green.”

“He’s royalty. Their colors distinguish them.”

“Oh.” Kyosuke sighed, fiddled with the tablecloth. “I guess I’m going to have to learn these things if I want to get along with all the people at Capricorn.”

“I would be for the best.” Hearing this, Kyosuke cocked his head. There was a smile in Risha’s voice, or something like amusement – warmth, not the indifferent tone he’d taken with Kyosuke before.

“And the one with the teeth, and the tail. He was what?”

“Vritra. A kind of Indian demon who just happens to signify drought along with other things. The kappa wasn’t too happy to see him there, but it couldn’t be helped.”

“Ah, because the kappa likes water…” Kyosuke dragged a hand through his hair, tried to work out the tangles from the bedhead. Casting about for another topic to keep Risha talking, Kyosuke suddenly remembered the violet eyed man, but decided against bringing him up. Both he and Risha seemed…uncomfortable around the braided man. Propping his chin on his hand, Kyosuke leaned against the table, tentatively decided to bring up the subject he most wanted to talk about. It was dangerous but…

“And you?”

Risha paused in his motions over the stove for a second. “Me?”

“You said you were one of them. Not human. So…what exactly are you?”

“You haven’t figured it out?” Kyosuke bristled, then realized that Risha was baiting him. Calming himself down, Kyosuke decided that Risha was playing, and so he would play too.

“Well, actually having a life, I haven’t spent my free time looking through information about monsters and things that go bump in the night.” Rubbing at his chin, putting on a thoughtful act, Kyosuke felt a thrill of victory when Risha turned the tiniest bit to look over his shoulder at Kyosuke with a small smile on his face.

“Let’s see. A fairy?”

Risha snorted at that. “I wasn’t the one acting like a fairy last night. Guess again.”

Kyosuke watched as Risha began pouring the contents of the pan onto a plate, reached over to check something in the oven. Was this was the man was like he wasn’t playing the role of Hamarasachi president? It was…nice. Domestic.

“Guess again? Alright. How about…a werewolf?”

“No. You’ll meet a few of those later. We’re nothing alike. Try again.” Risha turned to lean his hip against the counter as the prepared the plates of food, Kyosuke taking in his profile.

“I give up. Just tell me.”

“Oh, but that’s too easy.” Finally, Risha brought over the plates and placed both of them in front of Kyosuke before moving back to the cabinets, pulling out a glass. Suddenly, Kyosuke was tired of the game, wanted to know…

“Just tell me, Risha. Please.” At the last word, Risha turned to look hard at him for a moment. With a sigh, Risha turned away, opened the fridge to pour some tea in a cup.

“I’m a vampire.”

Kyosuke, about to tear into the food set in front of him, paused to look back at Risha. The man was walking back over, face stony. Kyosuke shrugged.

“That’s boring. I was hoping for something more like ‘son of Godzilla’ or Frankenstein’s monster.”

Risha sat down, said nothing for a moment. He looked suddenly at Kyosuke, who gazed back, unsure if he’d said the right thing. Risha was obviously worried about his reaction to this information. Playing it down seemed the right thing to do…

“What does a man have to do to impress you then, Kyosuke?”

Grinning, Kyosuke dug into his food. “Feed me well. That’s about it.” Picking up a bowl of rice, he shoveled it into his mouth.

“Then you aren’t that high maintenance at all. What about luxury?”

“Don’t need it, just gimme a bed to sleep on.”

“Only to sleep on?” Suddenly, Risha lifted Kyosuke’s face with a finger under his chin, moved close to him. Sure he was going to kiss him, Kyosuke closed his eyes, parted his mouth the slightest bit, only to jump when felt fingers on his cheek. Opening his eyes, Kyosuke watched Risha pull back, a grain of rice between his fingers.

“Gods, but you’re a messy eater. No wonder no one else wanted you.” Stunned into silence, Kyosuke could only nod and turn back to eating, face crimson in the onslaught of arousal and embarrassment. He was finished before he knew it – he only realized after he ate how famished he’d been. Just as Kyosuke was about to speak to Risha, a buzzer sounded from the doorway. Rising gracefully, Risha moved over to an intercom and pressed a button.

“What is it, Yuuen?” Kyosuke felt a bit left-out when he was suddenly left to answer the intercom, but now he felt downright jealous. Yuuen – that dark haired call boy-type who’d greeted him at the company’s headquarters a few days ago. Why was that fairy talking to Risha?

As Risha finished up the conversation, Kyosuke checked his thoughts. Why was he getting so defensive of Risha so easily? This wasn’t good – he’d never felt jealous before, at least not over his bed partners. They’d always been the ones who worried about him…

“Kyosuke, something’s come up at the company. I need to leave, but my secretaries will be here to look after the place – “ And you, the unspoken nuance seemed to say. “I’ll be back by tonight.”

Kyosuke nodded, rose to bring the dishes over to the sink. Risha stopped him short, pulled the dishes out of his hands to drop them unceremoniously onto the table. Without warning, Risha brought his mouth down on top of Kyosuke’s, slanted it so he could press his tongue through the seam of Kyosuke’s parted lips. He brought his hands up to tangle in Kyosuke’s hair, press his body close to Kyosuke’s. With a quiet moan, Kyosuke brought his hands up to clench at Risha’s shoulders, clutch at the fabric there.

Last night, they’d kissed, but this was different. No audience, no coertion. Risha kissed him like he hadn’t seen him for weeks. His tongue swept over every part of the inside of his mouth, rubbed against Kyosuke’s own tongue in the onslaught. It was over then, Risha pulling back to press small chaste kisses against Kyosuke’s lips, swipe his tongue over Kyosuke’s mouth one last time. Looking hazily into Risha’s eyes, he hoped the man wouldn't let go of him too soon. He feared he might fall.

“Kyosuke, I – “ The doorbell sounded.

Watching Risha move away, supposedly to go answer the door, Kyosuke realized that Risha didn’t even need to say anything. It didn’t matter that his words got cut off. Kyosuke understood. He was saying “thank you.” For what though, Kyosuke couldn’t even begin…

Unconsciously, Kyosuke went over to the sink and began rinsing off the dishes, then scrubbing them clean. What the hell had he gotten himself into? This situation – the kept boy of a vampire who ruled the Tokyo underground – what was he supposed to think of it all? Should he accept it? It certainly wasn’t doing much for his masculine pride.

“Kyosuke, I’m leaving. Alban and Sasha will be here soon, so I’ve put some clothes out on the dresser for you.” Risha reappeared in the doorway, this time dressed as the competent businessman in a dark suit, hair down once again. Yuuen stood behind him, only glimpses of his face and body visible behind Risha’s form. Kyosuke had to suppress a surge of worry at the boy’s slim form, his hauntingly beautiful face. Yuuen wasn’t human either – Kyosuke knew it. No one could be that appealing, cut that deep and not be…

“Kyosuke?” Looking up, Kyosuke met Risha’s questioning glance. He shook his head in reply, and followed Risha out to the entrance hall, watched as the other man put on his shoes and Yuuen opened the door for him. Smiling a bit, Kyosuke bowed casually.

“Itterasshai.” Risha paused, turned back to Kyosuke with an unreadable look on his face. He gazed a Kyosuke for a moment, eyes searching the other man’s face before turning back to Yuuen and stepping out the door.

“Ittekimasu.” Kyosuke’s grin widened when he heard the man’s reply. Waiting for a moment, Kyosuke stared at the closed door. It wasn’t bad, so far, whatever this thing between them was. Maybe he was just in shock, and the reality of it all would set in later. With a shrug, Kyosuke walked back to the bedroom to get dressed. It wouldn’t do to be meeting Risha’s secretaries in his pajamas.

“Risha.” Jumping a bit, Risha looked to Yuuen, who was holding the door of the car open for him. He’d spent the entire drive consumed with thoughts of Kyosuke…this didn’t bode well. The boy had been infectiously casual and bright, looked at him like he knew him…

“Risha, if you would – “ Risha shook his head in an attempt to clear it, nodded to Yuuen and stepped out of the car. He’d already bedded the boy, he shouldn’t be thinking about him this much. Vampires took humans for pets, to play with and discard, and Kyosuke had seemed like a good candidate due to his bold nature and quick temper. Risha had thought taking the boy’s pride down would make him even fierier, but now he seemed more accommodating…it was disconcerting. Kyosuke wasn’t reacting the way he was expected to.

“Our guest is waiting in your office. He would only speak with you.” Yuuen pressed the button for the elevator, then bowed as Risha stepped in and the doors closed behind him. With a sigh, Risha wondered what horror awaited him. To be called in on a day off meant that this guest was a difficult one. Walking out of the elevator, Risha paused as he looked through the glass doors into his office, saw the back of the man who’d demanded to speak with him. Broad shoulders, an obviously designer suit, and a dark braid winding down his back…

Checking his facial expression, Risha opened the door and strode into his office without another look to the guest, only acknowledging him once he’d sat down in the chair across the desk. Looking up, Risha met a pair of violet eyes.

“We weren’t introduced formally last night, but surely you didn’t come all this way to tell me your name.”

The violet eyed man smiled like a cat, seated himself and leaned back like he owned the place. Risha narrowed his eyes.

“No, I fear my business is much graver than self-introduction.” The man’s voice was just as smooth as Risha remembered from last night. At the sound of it, the dark tones of it, last Kyosuke had shivered and clung to Risha in fear. Risha could understand that aversion now, facing this creature alone.

“Nonetheless, I would appreciate a name to put with a face.” Leaning on the desk, steepling his fingers, using the motion to hid his discomfort, Risha looked avidly at the other man.

“I am called Tsubaki. I recently had the pleasure of taking over the Western Clan.”

Risha managed to hide his surprise, only a slight widening of his eyes betraying his emotion. The Western Clan? This man was the new head? He’d heard news of the old leader being killed, but this…But the man seemed to have the presence. And not wonder Risha had felt odd around the man last night – he was a vampire, like him. They knew their own kind, and the rabid competition between clans and childer meant that a vampire meeting was usually something of anger more than joy.

“Which means that we’re going to be spending more time in each other’s company, seeing as you’re the head of the Eastern Clan, Hamarasachi Rishanobu.” With a nod, Risha acknowledged Tsubaki’s words. He was the head of the Western Clan – only those with a great amount of power knew Risha’s full name. He only allowed those heads of important corporations Clan heads to know because names held power, even in these modern times.

“Well, then, it’s a pleasure to finally meet the new head. I wish you’d told me earlier – we could have arranged a party of some kind. I feel obligated as the Eastern Clan head” He’d been given the title years ago somewhat unwillingly due to his financial prowess, but did little in the way of leadership. Having his own problems, he left the details to the bureaucrats under him.

Tsubaki chuckled. “I think that little gathering last night was compensation enough. Pretty little thing, you’ve got there. But he’s got some fight in him, hasn’t he?”

Trying not to bristle, Risha merely nodded. Tsubaki kept speaking.

“Have you tasted him yet? Oh, but his blood will be hot and – “

“Pardon me, but I would rather focus on your reasons for coming here. A head of the Western Clan doesn’t come easily to the door of the Eastern Clan.”

“We’ve never done things the traditional way, as you know, Hamarasachi Rishanobu. And so I decided that this matter would be best resolved by not beating around the bush and coming straight to the man who will most likely be able to help me.” Tsubaki’s shadowy voice distracted Risha for a moment – the accent was undoubtedly Western, the lilt in it making his words seem jovial despite their subject matter. Risha had always liked Kansai ben, liked the way the people from the West spoke so brightly and energetically, but in Tsubaki’s voice…it was nothing short of disconcerting. And oddly…familiar.

The compliment sounded stale to Risha’s ears, but he still leaned forward in anticipation of listening to the reason Tsubaki was here.

“Something is killing my people. Five now have been found sucked dry.”

Risha raised an eyebrow. “Sucked dry? Would the cause be – “ He waved a hand to himself and then to Tsubaki – “vampires?”

“No. They’re not just sucked of blood – it’s like their vitality is taken from them. The victims’ bodies are shriveled, look older despite the fact that a vampire’s body is supposed to be immortal.”

“So whatever is doing this is unprecedented, at least in Japan. I’ve never heard of anything like it.”

“Neither had the Western Clan. Which is why I think we need to concentrate our efforts, work together to solve this. For now, only people of my clan have been affected, but I have a feeling that whatever is doing this will move.”

Nodding, Risha pulled out an electronic planner, spoke as he shifted through the names and numbers in the address book. “You have all of my resources at your command. Here’s the contact numbers for people who may help – people with knowledge about these things.” Scribbling down a few numbers on a piece of paper, Risha handed it to Tsubaki.

“And now, my apologies, but I have other business to attend to, so if you would excuse me.”

“Of course. It’s been a pleasure. I’ll come again when I have more.” With that damnable smile on his face, Tsubaki extended a hand. Risha clasped it quickly, had to suppress a shiver at the touch of the other man’s skin on his. Kyosuke had quailed when this man had touched him, and now Risha would understand why. Tsubaki was dangerous, in more than just a physical way. He knew something…

Walking out of his office, Risha paged Yuuen to bring the car around. He’d left Kyosuke in the care of Sasha and Alban, but now he had a sudden desire to lay hands on him, to ensure his possession after Tsubaki’s comments. Kyosuke was his now, and it was his responsibility to make sure he stayed his – not just for his own pleasure, but for his reputation in the community as well. That braided bastard better not come near Kyosuke.\

The bell rang as Kyosuke checked his reflection in the mirror. Risha had left out khakis and a dark t-shirt, both comfortable and seemingly well-worn. They strangely resembled Kyosuke’s normal casual clothes that he wore at home when he had no one to impress. And the t-shirt’s collar was cut just low enough to show off the pendant with Risha’s name on it, heavy at Kyosuke’s throat. Stroking the metal idly, warm from his skin, Kyosuke shivered, wondered whether he was proud or ashamed of being collared.

Walking back out to the entrance hall as the bell rang again, Kyosuke opened the door and stepped back to let the people waiting there pass, nodding his head in greeting. He recognized the man from a few days before, but he’d never seen the girl before – he would have remembered a blond haired gaijin like her if he’d ever met her. She looked him up and down, eyes resting on the chain at this throat before stepping inside.

The man’s rumbling voice broke through his thoughts. “Ne, boya, Shachou has sent us to make sure you don’t do anything stupid, but I’m not much for babysitting, so is there anything you want to do?”

Kyosuke grinned a bit ruefully. At least the other man wasn’t treating him like an imbecile, acknowledging that their coming here was nothing more than guarding him. Sasha, that was his name.

“I don’t know, Sasha. What’s there to do? I’m not much for going out right now, but I haven’t explored around in here yet, so…”

“There’s the study, if you’re into books, and the entertainment center for video games.” It was the blond that spoke, hazy voice wrapping around the Japanese words like a second tongue. Kyosuke started – he hadn’t expected her to speak Japanese. Her eyes, which had seemed be weighing him from the moment she stepped in, softened as she smiled. “It’s my off day, so I’d rather spend it not doing anything too mentally taxing, so shall we go to the entertainment center?”

Kyosuke nodded, followed after Sasha and the blond girl as they walked through the den and into a carpeted room with a large television. Sasha went to set up the equipment, and after he’d stepped away, Kyosuke looked to the gaijin.

“I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met, I’m Kyosuke.”

“From Juhara, yes.” The girl cocked her head, smiled crookedly. “The Vice President, no less.”

Suddenly uncomfortable, Kyosuke looked down, shuffled his feet a bit. Of course there’d be hostility – these people were the attachés to the president of his rival company. Kyosuke jumped when he felt a hand on his bicep.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just…interesting that you happen to have caught Risha’s eye despite that fact.” Smiling apologetically, the girl withdrew her hand to hold it out. “I’m Alban. I manage most of the PR and people problems at Hamarasachi.”

Shaking Alban’s hand, Kyosuke smiled slightly. “Alban? That’s an interesting name? You’re foreign, right?”

Alban nodded, put a hand on her hip as she spoke. “I’m originally from Northern Europe. The name’s short for Albanesische. It’s unwieldy, I know, but an important name in my clan.”

Kyosuke tried to pronounce the name, making it sound clumsy as his tongue tried to wrap around the syllables of it. He laughed. “I guess I’ll just call you Alban, then.”

It was then that Sasha came back, handed Kyosuke a controller and grinned before seating himself on one of the wide leather chairs. Alban moved to the couch, Kyosuke settling beside her. Pressing the start button, Sasha chuckled deep in his chest.

Having picked a basic fighting game, Kyosuke and Sasha spent most of their time cursing and jumping up suddenly in anger, with Alban laughing at both of them gaily. After a few rounds, Kyosuke started to concentrate less on the television and more on his new companions. He’d met Sasha before, thought him a great hulking dark beast of a man, but now with his knowledge of the people who frequented Risha’s properties, he couldn’t help but wonder…And Alban, while she seemed normal enough physically, had a certain presence about her, something that seemed more animal in the way she moved, she way she cocked her head to look at you…

Taking a deep breath, eyes still on the screen, Kyosuke spoke. “So. What are you two?”

Silence met him. Looking away from the television, Kyosuke caught Sasha and Alban’s quick glance between them.

“What exactly do you mean, Kyo-chan?” It was Sasha who spoke, dark voice heavier than Kyosuke had ever heard it. He couldn’t even protest at the nickname, what with how serious Sasha sounded.

“I mean…Risha’s a vampire, and everyone at Capricorn is some demons or another, so…what are you two? And don’t make me guess, I’ve done enough of that today.”

“If it helps,” Sasha said as he leaned back in the chair before turning a toothy grin on Kyosuke. “Alban and I are both the same kind of…monster.”

“Don’t say that.” Kyosuke frowned, looked between the other two. “I mean, you’re not human, but I would have never guessed that you weren’t until last night.”

The atmosphere lightened a bit, and Alban shared a smile with Sasha before leaning towards Kyosuke. “Where I am from, we are known as the var. In France, the loup-garou. When I was born, in England they were calling us turnskins. And now they even have a scientific term for us: lycanthropes.”

Kyosuke eyes widened. “Werewolves.” It was then he noticed both their eyes were the same color, even though Sasha was so obviously Japanese and Alban from Europe. Their irises glittered gold – gold like the full moon - pupils slitted like a feline’s. Why hadn’t he noticed before...

“So, the clan you were talking about before, the one where your name is from, they’re a werewolf clan?”

“Yes.” Alban shrugged. “Vampires have clans too, though theirs are designated in different ways. My clan is my family – based on biology and marriages. Vampiric clans are based on sires and childer, who creates who. It’s complicated – “ Alban cocked her head suddenly, seemed to be listening to something, and then rose. “Risha’s back.”

Surprise forgotten, Kyosuke jumped up. “Already? But he said he had business, certainly it would take longer – “

“Don’t want to see your master, boya?” Sasha was grinning again. Kyosuke’s heart convulsed. Making an exasperated noise, Alban hit Sasha hard on the shoulder.

“Don’t call him Kyosuke’s ‘master.’ It’s not that.”

“And what am I?” The two secretaries looked back to see Kyosuke with fists clenched, face down. “What is Risha to me?”

Alban met Sasha’s eyes, pushed him towards the door and away before she moved back to Kyosuke.

“Even I don’t understand well, Kyosuke. Things are different in their world – the laws of vampires are old and convoluted.” She put her hands on his shoulders, squeezed slightly. “This is all a bit too much for you, but I think you’re taking it well. Just know…Know that what Risha did last night is not very common. To acknowledge a human as a pet or a consort would normally show weakness – it’s like letting a creature low on the food chain be part of your gang. But obviously Risha sees some strength in you to have let you wear his pendant, so…”

Alban stopped talking then, quickly pulled Kyosuke back out to the living room as the front door opened and Kyosuke could hear Sasha speaking quietly to Risha. He’s probably telling him all about my little fit back there, Kyosuke thought. Probably telling Risha about what a child I act like…

Kyosuke barely noticed when Alban left his side to move to the front door as well. Gods, what was wrong with him? He was fine with this, wasn’t he? He’d acted kind and strong this morning, when Risha had tried to give him the cold shoulder, so what was wrong now? Why couldn’t he just be happy that – “

Footsteps moved closer, Kyosuke jumping when he heard the front door shut. In the door to the living room stood Risha, still looking the part of the good businessman in his suit. The vampire – vampire, Kyosuke thought, what the hell am I saying? – looked at him for a moment, then sighed and put his hands in his pockets.

“Tadaima.”

Trying to fight tears of frustration and confusion, Kyosuke looked away from Risha, clenched his fists. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Risha was still there, leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. Kyosuke swallowed, tried to find the strength to speak without a having a waver in his voice.

“Okaeri.”