“COME ON IN,” YUGO MURMURED.Holding Kuon’s hand, he slowly led him forward. When the texture under them changed from thick, bouncy carpet to hardwood, Kuon didn’t need eyes to realize where they were. The sweet scent of tobacco and heady cologne suffused the air, the soft notes of dried wood, vanilla, and smoke laced within. There was only one place on Earth that smelled like this—Yugo’s bedroom.
Blazing flashes of memories of hot, sweaty nights spent in the room washed his darkness in red. So bright, so vivid, he could hear his own moans in his head—embarrassing, shameless. Kuon shook his head, trying to chase away the rising heat in his stomach.
It’s been a long time…He had an urge to touch something, anything, that would remind him of this place, and Yugo, as if reading his thoughts, let go of his hand.
Kuon’s mental projection grew vivid, feeling more like an odd dream than reality, and he needed something to make them real. He took a step forward, then another one and his foot caught in the thick fur of the huge wolf pelt. For a moment, he didn’t know how to feel. The sensation it stirred filled his mouth with a bitter taste. The memory of the rape, scattered cutlery, and how he fisted this fur trying to maintain his sanity invaded his mind. Escaping the captivity of the vision, he turned left and made an uncertain step. When his shin hit something soft, he bent forward and touched the bumpy, cold leather of Yugo’s favorite chair. Slanting forward, he trailed the backrest. A raised scar he’d left with a meat knife differed from the ostrich leather texture. It stirred a more pleasant memory.
Funny…He smirked as the back of his hand drifted over the leather. Cool and rough, it felt pleasant, familiar.It’s been so long…
He remembered all the fights they had during those long eleven months. All those bruises and hickeys Yugo left on his body, all the scars, pain, and pleasure they shared. The recollection made him realize that the events would never be repeated. Back then, he was a prisoner, a toy. Kuon’s belly fluttered as it occurred to him: this was the first time he’d come to Yugo’s place of his own will. Things had changed.
Life is so funny. He straightened up, feeling Yugo’s curious gaze on his back. It was so obvious as if Kuon could see his cold, gray eyes following his every move. As seconds ticked by, Kuon’s awareness of Yugo’s presence became stronger. His imagination ran wild as he felt the elusive touch, caressing his arms, as if Yugo’s hands trailed his limbs close enough to stir his body hair, but not to touch the skin.
“Welcome home, Kuon,” Yugo whispered as his hands broke the tiny distance and caught his shoulders. “Welcome home.”
TO BE CONTINUED...
