Chapter 1: Opening Image
Ombre sat in the smoking room, a dull look in his eyes as he took a puff out of his cigar. "Hah..." he exhaled, the smoke curling around his face, a face that held no expression. His red and purple star eyes looked out of the window, at the rain pouring down. The room was filled with the smell of stale cigarettes and the sound of Ombre's heavy breathing.
Merak stood outside the room, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his blue and purple sweater. He could see Ombre through the glass door, sitting there, smoking. He sighed, his horns twitching nervously. "Ankoku..." he muttered, turning to his boyfriend who was leaning against the wall, a smirk on his face.
Ankoku's black hair was styled in a sharp undercut, his red turtle neck sweater hugging his muscular frame. He was playing with the silver piercing on his tongue, a habit that drove Merak crazy.
Ankoku raised an eyebrow, pushing off from the wall. "You gonna stand there all day, or are we gonna go in and talk to him?" His voice was calm, but Merak could hear the slight tension underlying it. Ankoku was always like this around Ombre, a mix of admiration and unease.
Merak took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Right.
Right, let's go in," Merak said, more to himself than to Ankoku. He pushed open the door, the hinges creaking softly. The smell of cigarettes hit him like a wall, making him wrinkle his nose. "Ombre?" he called out, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ombre didn't turn around. He just took another drag of his cigar, the end glowing red in the dim light. "What do you want, Merak?" he asked, his voice flat. He sounded tired, but Merak knew better than to think Ombre was actually tired.
Ombre was a creature of endless energy, his body constantly churning out new cells, replacing the old. No, Ombre wasn't tired. He was... something else. Something Merak couldn't quite put his finger on.
Merak stepped further into the room, Ankoku following close behind. "We've noticed you've been smoking a lot lately, Ombre," Merak said, choosing his words carefully. He knew Ombre didn't like being told what to do, but someone had to say something. The smell of cigarettes was starting to permeate the entire office, and the other employees were starting to complain.
Ombre shrugged, sticking out his tongue playfully, "And? Awww, am I going to get fired, bossy?" Ombre teased, his star pupils dilating slightly, mocking Merak's authoritative tone. He turned to face them, the chair creaking under his weight. His eyes flicked to Ankoku, lingering on the piercings that winked at him from the man's tongue. "Or is this one of those 'concerned boss' moments?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Ankoku rolled his eyes, pushing past Merak to stand toe to toe with Ombre. "Cut the crap, Ombre.
We're not here to play games," Ankoku said, his voice firm. He crossed his arms, his biceps bulging under the thin fabric of his sweater. "You've been smoking non-stop for days. It's affecting the whole office."
Ombre leaned back in his chair, chuckling softly. "Oh, so now I'm affecting the office? How exciting." He took another puff of his cigar, the smoke billowing around him like a cloud. "At the rate, just flat out fire me, it's not like-"
"Ombre, we hired you because you were living on the streets for a couple months... Because you got fired and lost everything. I... Me and Ankoku would never do that to you." Merak said, putting a hand on Ombre's shoulder, "Please. I know you're hurting, but.... this. It isn't it." Ombre's gaze shifted from Merak to Ankoku, then back to Merak. "I'm not hurting," he said, his voice steady, emotionless. But Merak saw the flicker in his eyes, like a candle flame in the wind. He knew better than to believe Ombre's words.
Ankoku scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "You're not hurting? Then why the sudden urge to light up every five minutes?" He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low growl. "And don't give me that 'I'm just bored' crap."
"Y'know what?" Ombre pushed Merak away from him, "I'll get get back to work." He stood up, his chair falling backwards with a loud clatter. He walked over to the table, picked up a thick file, and started flipping through it.
Merak looked at Ankoku, his eyes wide, "Ankoku, what should we do?"
Ankoku sighed, "Leave him be, Merak. You know Ombre. He won't talk until he's ready." He turned to leave, but paused at the door, "Just keep an eye on him." He gave Merak a reassuring smile before walking out, leaving Merak alone with Ombre.
But, he just got worse.
Soon, Ombre came to work wearing his shamrock jacket, even if it was ninety degrees outside.
It was like...
He was committing self-harm.
Merak could see it plain as day, despite Ombre's best efforts to hide it. The shamrock jacket was a clear sign, a desperate attempt to cover up the holes in his clothes, the ones that matched the size of his wings. Merak had seen them before, the tiny pinpricks of blood where Ombre had been pulling out his own feathers, one by one.
Merak leaned against the doorframe of Ombre's office, watching as the hybrid pretended to work. His eyes were red and puffy, a stark contrast to his usually vibrant star pupils.
Merak knew better than to comment on it, though. Instead, he cleared his throat, "Ombre, can we talk?" Ombre didn't look up from his desk, his fingers still flipping through the pages of the file. "About what, bossy?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion. Merak sighed, pushing off from the doorframe and walking into the office. He pulled up a chair, sitting down in front of Ombre's desk. "About you, Ombre. About what's been going on with you," he said, his voice gentle yet firm.
Merak leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he looked at Ombre. "You know you can talk to me, right? We're friends, aren't we?"
Ombre scoffed, finally looking up from his file. He stared at Merak, his star pupils dilating slightly. "Friends? Since when?" "I thought you were just my boss, the one who signs my paychecks."
Merak sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Ombre, come on. You know that's not true."
"Look," Ombre said, crossing his arms, "I don't wanna be friends, I just need money, okay?"
Merak looked into Ombre's eyes, only for him to advert his gaze, "Ombre, look at me."
Ombre didn't listen, so Merak grabbed his chin, "Sweetheart." He said, forcing Ombre to look at him. "You're more than just an employee to me. I care about you, and I'm worried. You're hurting yourself, and I can't stay silent about it."
Ombre's eyes narrowed, but Merak could see the flicker of emotion hidden beneath the anger. "You don't know anything, Merak," Ombre hissed, trying to pull away from Merak's grip. But Merak held on tight, refusing to let go.
"I know enough," Merak said, his voice steady. He leaned in closer, his eyes softening, "Darling, I..." Merak started, but Ombre cut him off. "Don't," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't you dare say it."
Merak ignored him, his grip on Ombre's chin tightening. "I love you, Ombre. And I'm not going to stand by and watch you hurt yourself."
Ombre's eyes widened, surprise flashing across his face. Then, just as quickly, it was replaced by anger. "Fuck you, Merak," he spat, shoving Merak's hand away.
But Merak grabbed his waist from behind, "Shh, I know...." Merak whispered, his breath hot on Ombre's ear. He could feel Ombre's body trembling, not with anger, but with something else. Something that made Merak's heart race and his cock harden.
Ombre's breath hitched, his voice barely audible, "Don't fucking say that."
Merak chuckled, his hands wandering under Ombre's shamrock jacket, feeling the smooth skin of his back. "Why not, darling? It's the truth." He kissed Ombre's neck, his tongue tracing the line of his jaw. "I know you're in pain, and... Ankoku and I have tried to stay quiet about it, but... Not this time." Ombre's voice was barely above a whisper, but Merak could hear the challenge in it. He could feel the tension in Ombre's body, the way his muscles were taut, ready to snap. Merak's cock throbbed in response, pressing against the zipper of his jeans. He knew he was playing with fire, but he didn't care. He wanted Ombre, wanted to make him feel something, anything, to break through the wall he'd built around himself.
Merak's hands moved to the buttons of Ombre's shamrock jacket, his fingers fumbling in his haste.
Ombre hissed, trying to wriggled away, "Not now, Merak!"
But Merak has already removed the jacket to reveal the self harm damaged Ombre had done to his wrists and arms. "Oh, you poor, poor thing..." Merak murmured, his fingers tracing the delicate, bloodied lines etched into Ombre's forearms. He felt a pang of pain in his chest, seeing the hybrid like this, vulnerable and broken. But there was something else, too. A dark, twisted desire that made his cock throb.
Ombre's breath hitched, his eyes flicking to Merak's face. "Don't look at me like that," he growled, trying to pull away. But Merak held on tight, his grip like iron.
"Like what, darling?" Merak asked, his voice low and husky.
Ombre's pupils dialated, "Merak, you shouldn't... I'm not the person for you, and you already was a relationship with Ankoku and-" Merak cut him off, his voice firm. "Shut up, Ombre. Just shut up." He spun Ombre around, pushing him against the desk. Ombre gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with anger. "What the fuck are you doing, Merak?" he snarled, trying to push Merak away. But Merak was stronger, his hands pinning Ombre's wrists to the desk. "I'm doing what I should've done a long time ago," Merak growled, his voice low and dangerous. He leaned in, his lips brushing against Ombre's ear.
He carried Ombre, bridal style, to Ankoku and Merak's boss's office. Ankoku was sitting at the large desk in the front, "Merak- O-oh." The words died in his throat as he saw Merak carrying Ombre, his eyes widened, "What the f-"
"Shut the door, Ankoku," Merak ordered, his voice firm. Ankoku hesitated for a moment, then did as he was told, slamming the door shut behind him. "What's going on, Merak?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Merak didn't answer. Instead, he dropped Ombre onto the desk, sending papers flying. Ombre glared at him, "What the fuck, Merak?!" he snarled, trying to sit up.
But Merak pushed him back down, his hands pinning Ombre's shoulders to the desk. "Stay down, Ombre," he growled, his voice laced with a dark, primal hunger that made Ombre's heart race. He could feel it, the heat radiating off Merak's body, the way his eyes were locked onto him, like a predator stalking its prey. And fuck, it was turning him on.
Ankoku watched the scene unfold, his eyes wide with shock and... something else. Something that made his cock twitch in his pants.
Merak leaned over Ombre, his voice low and dangerous, "Ankoku, lock the door. We're not to be disturbed." Ankoku didn't hesitate. He turned the key in the lock, the click echoing in the room. He turned back to them, his eyes flicking between Merak and Ombre, a question in them. Merak answered it with a nod, "Take off your clothes, Ankoku. Both of you." Ombre's eyes widened, surprise and excitement warring in his gaze.
"What are you planning, Merak?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Merak just smirked, his hands moving to the hem of his sweater, pulling it off in one swift motion. He tossed it aside, his chest heaving with anticipation. "I'm going to make you feel better, Ombre. In every way possible," he said, his voice low and husky.
Ankoku swallowed hard, his eyes locked onto Merak's naked torso. He could see the outline of Merak's cock, straining against his jeans, and it made his own cock twitch in response.
He licked his lips, his eyes flicking to Ankoku, who was watching them with a hungry gaze. "You're gonna just stand there, or are you gonna join us, Ankoku?" Merak taunted, his voice laced with challenge.
Ankoku didn't need to be told twice. He stripped off his sweater and jeans, his cock springing free, hard and ready. He stalked towards them, his eyes locked onto Ombre's. "You're playing with fire, Merak," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Merak just smirked, his eyes challenging.
"You saying you can't handle the heat, Ankoku?" he taunted, his voice low and husky. He reached out, his hand wrapping around the base of Ankoku's cock, making the man groan. "Because I know you can take it. I've seen you in action."
Ankoku's eyes flashed, his hips bucking into Merak's grip. "You're playing dirty, Merak," he growled, but there was no venom in his words. Instead, he leaned in, his lips capturing Merak's in a searing kiss.
Merak moaned, his grip on Ankoku's cock tightening as he kissed him back, their tongues dueling for dominance. Ombre watched the two, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt a familiar warmth spread through him. He wanted this, wanted them, more than anything.
But he also knew he needed to put an end to this, at least for now. He couldn't keep hurting himself, and he couldn't keep using sex as a distraction. He needed to face his problems head-on, and that meant talking to Merak and Ankoku about what was really going on with him.
He couldn't keep hiding behind his walls, using sex and self-harm as coping mechanisms. It was time to be honest, with himself and with them.
"Stop," Ombre said, his voice coming out stronger than he felt. He pushed Merak away, breaking their kiss. Merak looked at him, surprise and confusion written all over his face. Ankoku pulled back as well, his eyes searching Ombre's.
"What's wrong, Ombre?" Merak asked, concern etched on his face. He reached out to touch Ombre's cheek, but Ombre pulled away.
"Don't," he said, his voice firm. "I can't do this right now. I need to talk to you both." Merak and Ankoku exchanged a glance, then nodded, understanding passing between them. They quickly put their clothes back on, the mood in the room shifting from heated to somber.
Merak sat down on the desk next to Ombre, while Ankoku took a seat in one of the plush chairs in front of the desk. They both looked at Ombre, waiting for him to speak. He took a deep breath, his eyes flicking between the two of them.
"It's...
it's not easy for me to talk about this," Ombre started, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked down at his hands, twisting them in his lap. "I've been... struggling with some things. Things I haven't wanted to face." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I've been hurting myself, and I know it's not healthy. I know it's wrong, but... I can't seem to stop." He looked up at them, his star pupils dilated, a vulnerability in his eyes that Merak and Ankoku had never seen before.