Chapter 1: Opening Image
Merak sat on his and Ombre's shared bed, a photo of Ombre in his hands.
The image was from their last trip to a store, Ombre's favorite place. In the picture, Ombre was mid-laugh, his wings outstretched, and his eyes shining with a light that Merak hadn't seen in months. He felt a pang in his chest, a familiar ache that had become his constant companion since Ombre had left.
The apartment was quiet, too quiet. Merak missed the hum of Ombre's energy, the constant chatter, the occasional argument, and the laughter that always followed.
He then noticed in the corner of his eyes, Ombre walking into the lobby from the window.
It was a sight he had grown accustomed to seeing, but one that still brought a smile to his face. Ombre was a creature of habit, always taking the same route home, always stopping at the same spot to watch the city lights reflect on the river, always twirling his wings just right before jumping onto the fire escape that led to their bedroom window.
Merak put the photo down and stood up, walking towards the window. He could see Ombre's silhouette against the setting sun, his wings casting a shadow on the brick wall.
Ombre then entered an elevator, heading to the 2nd floor, before going to Merak and his shared room.
A quiet knock followed , and then the door creaked open to reveal Ombre, his roller blades clattering on the wooden floor as he stepped inside. He was as impeccably dressed as ever, his yellow and green checkered shirt and shamrock jacket a stark contrast to Merak's usual all-black attire. His baggy black jeans were stuffed with various items - a small plant, a few pebbles, a half-eaten sandwich. It was a wonder he could even walk, let alone roll, with all that weight in his pockets.
Merak raised an eyebrow. However, he eyes then wandered to the wounds on Ombre's arms and legs, "Where did you get those, sweetheart?"
Ombre looked up at him, "I tripped, brav."
"Are you sure, sweetness?" Merak asked, standing in front of the taller man, "Or are you lying again?" He knew Ombre's penchant for adventure often landed him in scrapes, and his "trips" usually involved more than just gravity and clumsiness.
Ombre, however, just grinned, showing off his sharp teeth. "Would I do that, brav?" he asked, his voice a soft, raspy whisper. Speaking still hurt him, but he was getting better at hiding it.
Merak rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yes, you would," he said, walking over to the mini-fridge tucked under their desk.
He pulled Ombre down, "If you keep this up," He then chuckled, before winking, "I'll have no choice but to punish you." He then reached for a band-aid in the first aid kit under the fridge. "Come here, sweetheart."
Ombre, despite his size, complied, sitting down on the bed beside Merak. He watched as Merak gently cleaned the wounds, his touch surprisingly soft for such a muscular man. "You know," Ombre started, his voice barely above a whisper, "I can heal these myself."
Merak paused, looking up at him.
"I know you can, sweetheart," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "But that doesn't mean you should have to. Besides, it's not like you can regenerate blood. And we both know how much you hate needles."
Ombre wrinkled his nose, a gesture that made him look even cuter. "Ugh, don't remind me, brav," he said, shivering dramatically. "I'd rather lick a toad than get a blood transfusion."
Merak chuckled, applying the band-aid to the wound on Ombre's arm.
"Well, I'm glad we agree on something, sweetheart," he said, his fingers brushing against Ombre's skin. He looked up at Ombre, his red eyes meeting the hybrid's star-pupiled gaze. "But seriously, Ombre, you need to be more careful. You're not invincible, you know."
Ombre sighed, looking down at Merak. "I know, brav," he said, his voice soft. "I just... I can't help it. Because that's how I'm earning us mon-" Then Ombre shut up, "Nevermind." He was trying to hide something, and Merak wasn't having it.
"Oh no, you don't," Merak said, his voice stern. "What are you up to, Ombre? And don't you dare say 'nothing'. Your 'nothings' always lead to trouble."
Ombre pouted, "It's not trouble, brav. It's... opportunity. A chance to make some extra cash. Legitimately!" He crossed his heart with his finger, a gesture that would've been more convincing if he wasn't wearing a checkered shirt. "Pinky swear! And if I don't keep it, cut off my pinky." Ombre added, holding up his hand and pointing at his little finger.
Merak raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, that's a bit dramatic, isn't it, sweetheart?" he said, his voice laced with amusement. "But I appreciate the sentiment." He then patted Ombre's knee, "Now, spill it. What's this 'opportunity' you're talking about?"
Ombre hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. But Merak just waited, his gaze steady and unyielding.
"I'll tell you when on your birthday!" Ombre said, nervously. Before checking the time, "Heeey! Look at the time, it's time to go to bed!" Ombre exclaimed, his eyes wide as he looked at the clock on the wall. "I didn't realize it was so late, brav. I've got an early start tomorrow."
Merak raised an eyebrow, "An early start for what, exactly?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. But Ombre just grinned, tapping his nose with his finger.
"Absolutely nothing!" Ombre laughed, nervous, before removing Merak's clothes and giving him pajamas, "Haha, you don't gotta worry!" Ombre seemed to be rushing.
Merak noticed this, but he didn't call him out on it. Instead, he decided to play along, "Alright, sweetheart," he said, taking the pajamas from Ombre. "But only if you promise to tell me about this 'nothing' in the morning."
Ombre's eyes widened, "Morning, brav? But it's already nighttime!" he exclaimed, looking at the clock again, as if to confirm his own words. "Hahaha! So, put your head to bed and go to sleep!" Ombre laughed nervously, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding Merak's gaze. He was clearly hiding something, but Merak decided to let it slide for now. He knew Ombre well enough to know that pushing the issue would only make the hybrid clam up even more.
Merak sighed, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Fine, fine," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "I'll let it go. For now." He emphasized the last two words, ensuring Ombre knew that this conversation was far from over.
Ombre grinned, his eyes lighting up with relief. "Don't worry about me, brav. It's just my ADHD!" Ombre exclaimed, jumping onto the bed and bouncing a few times before settling down, his wings rustling softly. "You know how I get!"
"Yes, I do, sweetheart," he said, climbing into bed beside Ombre. "And that's why I love you."
Ombre's grin widened, his eyes softening as he looked at Merak. "Love you too, brav," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He then turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. "Platonically." Merak added, nudging Ombre with his elbow, a playful smirk on his lips. "You know that, right?"
Ombre chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Of course, brav," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know the rules. Besides, you're not my type."
Merak raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "And what exactly is your type, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.
Ombre grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Someone who can keep up with me," he said, his voice teasing. "Someone who won't hurt me, and care for me... Kinda like your gay friend, Ankoku. WHO I KNOW YOU ARE GAY FOR, brav."
Merak grumbled, blushing, "Shut up!" He playfully hit Ombre's pillow, "You're just jealous because I won't date you."
Ombre laughed, "Date you? Brav, please. You're like my brother. I wouldn't date you if you were the last man on Earth!" He shuddered dramatically, making Merak laugh.
"But... you just said Ankoku can keep up with you, and he's my type." Merak pointed out, a playful smirk on his lips.
Ombre paused, his eyes widening slightly. Then, he grinned, "Well, yeah. But he's also my type. Just kidding! Because, I'm not gay. I'm a byproduct of a failed experiment, I don't have any gender! HAHA!" Ombre laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You should've seen your face, brav! Priceless!" He poked Merak's cheek, his sharp nail gently tapping against Merak's skin. "I'm just messing with you. You know I don't have a type. I'm an equal opportunity flirt. Everyone's fair game, as long as they're not a jerk." He winked, his star-pupiled eyes twinkling mischievously.
Merak rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I wonder why I let you sleep here."
"Because you love me!" Ombre teased.
"I can kick you out anytime."
"You're such a big niegh sometimes!" Ombre pouted, before laughing again, "See you in the morning, brav!" He then rolled over, facing away from Merak, his wings rustling softly as he settled down. "Sweet dreams, brav!"
Merak sighed, shaking his head. "Goodnight, Ombre," he said, settling down under the covers. He knew he shouldn't encourage Ombre's antics, but he couldn't help it. The hybrid was like a breath of fresh air, a constant source of entertainment and amusement. And despite his sometimes annoying tendencies, Merak cared for him deeply.
As Merak drifted off to sleep, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Ombre was hiding something. Something big.
Something Dangerous.