Chapter 1: Opening Image
The office was silent, save for the gentle hum of the air conditioning and the distant murmur of voices from the open floor plan. Merak sat in his chair, swiveling gently from side to side, his eyes fixed on a framed photograph tucked away in the corner of his desk. In the picture, he and Ombre laughed, their smiles wide and genuine, captured during a team-building retreat last summer. They were surrounded by a group of colleagues, but it was clear that their laughter was a private joke, a shared moment that only the two of them understood.
Merak's fingers traced the edge of the frame, a soft smile playing on his lips. He remembered the warmth of Ombre's hand in his, the way their laughter had echoed through the woods, and the way Ombre's eyes had sparkled in the sunlight. He sighed, the smile fading as he looked back at the photograph. It was a reminder of a time when things were simple, when he could look at Ombre without the weight of his feelings hanging heavy between them.
However, just outside his window, was Ombre. With another man.
Merak's gaze shifted from the photograph to the cityscape outside his window. Ombre was walking along the bustling sidewalk, his colorful shirt a beacon amidst the sea of suits and dresses. His metal wings were tucked away, but his peacock tail was a vibrant splash of color, drawing attention from passersby. Merak watched as Ombre stopped at a street vendor, his robotic arm and leg moving fluidly as he gestured to the vendor. The snake, Kaburamaru, perched on his shoulders, seemed to be enjoying the attention.
Merak's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Ombre. He knew he should look away, but he couldn't.
It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. He saw Ankoku approach Ombre, his red turtleneck sweater a stark contrast to the sea of neutral colors around them. Ankoku was tall, his silver and golden piercings glinting in the sunlight, his smile predatory. Merak's grip on the photograph tightened as he watched Ankoku say something to Ombre, who turned to face him, his pink and yellow sunglasses reflecting the city lights.
Ombre's body language was casual, his hands in his pockets, his tail swishing gently behind him.
He seemed to be listening to Ankoku, his head tilted slightly to the side, a small smile playing on his lips. Merak's stomach churned as he watched them, his mind racing with thoughts of what they could be talking about. He knew Ankoku was after something, and it wasn't just a friendly chat. He was after Ombre.
Merak's intercom buzzed, breaking him out of his thoughts. He pressed the button, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "Yes, Maria?"
"Mr. Merak, your 2 PM appointment is here," his assistant's voice replied.
Merak glanced at his watch, surprised to see how much time had passed.
He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had lost track of time. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself before answering. "Thank you, Maria. Send him in."
A moment later, the door to his office opened, and Ankoku stepped inside. He was dressed impeccably, his red turtleneck sweater and black pants a stark contrast to the neutral colors of the office. His silver and golden piercings glinted in the sunlight filtering through the windows, and his smile was as predatory as ever.
"Merak," he greeted, his voice smooth and confident.
"I trust you're well?"
Merak stood, extending a hand towards Ankoku. "Ankoku. Always a pleasure. Please, have a seat."
Ankoku took a seat across from Merak, his eyes scanning the office. "Impressive place you've got here, Merak. I must say, I'm impressed."
Merak raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Is that so? And what exactly are you impressed by, Ankoku?"
Ankoku leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your success, of course. Your company's growth, your leadership.
It's quite remarkable," Ankoku replied, his gaze flicking back to Merak. "And I must say, your taste in... associates is as impressive as ever."
Merak's smile faded, his eyes hardening. He knew Ankoku was referring to Ombre, and he didn't appreciate the insinuation. "Ombre is a valuable member of my team, Ankoku. His contributions to our company are invaluable."
Ankoku chuckled, a low sound that sent a shiver down Merak's spine. "Oh, I have no doubt about that. I've seen his work, Merak. He's a genius. But I must admit, I'm curious about his...
unique qualities," Ankoku said, his gaze flicking to the window, where Ombre was still engaged in conversation with the street vendor. "I've always had a soft spot for... unusual things, you see."
Merak's grip on the armrest tightened, his knuckles turning white. He knew Ankoku was baiting him, but he couldn't help but rise to the challenge. "Ombre is not a thing, Ankoku. He's a person. A brilliant, kind, and incredibly talented person."
Ankoku turned his attention back to Merak, his smile never wavering. "Oh, I agree. Wholeheartedly. I've been trying to... get to know him better recently."
Merak growled, turning to where Ombre once was. He was gone. He must've entered the building.
Merak's eyes darted to the door, then back to Ankoku. "I suggest you keep your distance, Ankoku. Ombre isn't interested in your... affections."
Ankoku laughed, a sound that grated on Merak's nerves. "Oh, Merak. Always so protective. But tell me, what makes you think I'm not just being friendly?"
Merak leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Because I know you, Ankoku. You don't do anything without an ulterior motive. And I won't let you use Ombre to get to me."
Ankoku's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. "You overestimate your influence, Merak-"
That's when Ombre enter.
"Uhm, boss, there's a group of protesters outside the building." He said, entering the room. "And they're all nake-" He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. Ankoku was still seated, his smile back in place, but there was a tension in the air that Ombre could feel.
"Ah, Ombre," Ankoku said, his voice smooth and casual. "Just the person I wanted to see."
Ombre's eyes darted between Merak and Ankoku, his tail swishing nervously behind him. "Uh, yeah, boss. I heard there were some protesters outside. They're... they're not wearing any clothes."
Merak stood, his chair scraping against the floor. "Ankoku, I believe we were just discussing your-"
"Are you guys married?" Ombre asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, you guys seem to be arguing like a married couple soooo..." Ombre repeated, his tail swishing nervously behind him as he looked between Merak and Ankoku. "I mean, you guys seem to be arguing like a married couple soooo..."
Merak's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he looked at Ankoku. "Ombre, this is not the time-"
Ankoku chuckled, his eyes never leaving Ombre. "Oh, I don't mind, Merak. I think it's quite refreshing to see you so... passionate." He turned his attention back to Ombre, his smile never wavering. "So, Ombre, what do you think?
Should we go out there and address the protesters?" Merak asked, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. He wanted to change the subject, to defuse the situation before it escalated further.
Ombre's eyes widened behind his pink and yellow sunglasses. "Uh, I don't know, boss. I mean, they're naked. And it's freezing outside. And they're... they're holding signs that say 'Merak's a jerk' and 'Ankoku's a jerk'."
Ankoku laughed, a low sound that sent a shiver down Merak's spine. "Well, Ombre, it seems we've both been accused of being jerks."
"Then they're saying that I should jerk you guys off? I don't even know what that means." Ombre shrugged, his arms falling to his side. "Do you guys know? What 'jerk you guys off' means?" He asked.
"I mean, I've heard that phrase before, but I don't know what it means. Do you guys know?"
Merak and Ankoku exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They both knew what Ombre was asking, but neither of them wanted to be the one to explain it.
Merak cleared his throat, his eyes flicking to Ombre. "It's a... a figure of speech, Ombre. It doesn't mean what it sounds like."
Ankoku chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Yes, Ombre. It's a way of saying that someone is being... provocative or...
irritating," Ankoku added, his gaze flicking back to Merak.
Ombre tilted his head to the side, his cat ears twitching as he processed the information. "Oh, okay. So, they're just saying you guys are being annoying?" he asked, his tail swishing gently behind him.
Merak sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Essentially, yes. Now, about those protesters-"
Ombre held up a hand, stopping Merak mid-sentence. "Wait, wait, wait. Before we go out there, can I ask you guys something?" he asked, his eyes darting between Merak and Ankoku.
"Why are they naked? And why are they holding signs that say you guys are jerks? I mean, you guys aren't ever mean to me, so..."
Merak and Ankoku exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They both knew that this was a delicate situation, and they needed to tread carefully. "Ombre, these protesters are... well, they're not exactly happy with our recent business practices."
Ankoku nodded, his smile never wavering. We've been accused of... certain things.
They believe that our methods are... unethical," Ankoku said, his voice smooth and casual.
Ombre's eyebrows furrowed beneath his pink and yellow sunglasses, his tail swishing nervously behind him. "Unethical? But you guys are always so nice to me. And you guys always do what's best for the company. I don't understand."
Merak sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's not that simple, Ombre. Sometimes, in business, there are... sacrifices that need to be made. And some people don't agree with those sacrifices."
Ankoku nodded, his eyes never leaving Ombre. "Exactly. And these protesters are a representation of those people."
"Okay, yeah. But... uhm... why are they naked...?" Ombre asked, his tail swishing nervously behind him. "I mean, I get that they're upset, but... why the nudity?"
"Ombre, these protesters are... well, they're not exactly happy with our recent business practices," Merak explained, his voice steady despite the tension in the room.
"Ah, okay." Ombre nodded, before tapping his chin. "Oh, why's Ankoku here? Thought he was our rival? Not that I mind or anything, heheh." Ombre chuckled, scratching the back of his head with his robotic arm. "So, boss, what do you think we should do about the... uh... naked protesters?"
Merak glanced at Ankoku, who seemed to be enjoying the situation a little too much. "Ankoku, perhaps you should wait here while Ombre and I handle this."
Ankoku leaned back in his chair, his smile never fading. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world, Merak. I'm quite curious to see how you handle this... unique situation."
Merak gritted his teeth, standing up from his chair. "Fine. But stay out of the way, Ankoku."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Ombre ran up to Merak's desk, "I was... later tonight, was going to go a club... but... I have two extra tickets, so.. do you guys want to come with me later? I just don't want to go alone." Ombre's voice was filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness, his tail swishing behind him as he looked between Merak and Ankoku. "It's a new club, and I heard the music is amazing. Plus, I could use some help navigating the crowd. You know, with the wings and all."
Merak raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "A club, Ombre? Really?"
Ombre nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I've been wanting to check it out for ages, but I never have anyone to go with. Plus, it's not like I can just go alone and expect people to leave me alone.
I mean, have you seen me?" Ombre gestured to his wings and tail, a small smile playing on his lips. "I stick out like a sore thumb. And I don't want to end up on some weird mutant-hunting website or something." He knew Ombre had a point. Despite his unique appearance, Ombre was still a young man who deserved to have a normal night out. And if Merak could help him have that, then he would.
"Alright, Ombre. I'll go with you," Merak said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach.
He looked at Ankoku, who was watching the exchange with a smirk. "But I'm afraid Ankoku will have to decline. He has other... business matters to attend to."
Ankoku chuckled, standing up from his chair. But I do have a meeting with a client in an hour. Perhaps another time?" I mean, I don't want to keep you from your work or anything. But... later tonight, right? You guys will come with me?"
Merak nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Of course, Ombre."
"Perhaps I can reschedule. I do want to come with you, my dear." Ankoku said, tapping Ombre's hand and kissing it.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll make sure to clear my schedule. And who knows, maybe I'll even learn a thing or two about... navigating the crowd." He winked at Merak, who rolled his eyes but couldn't help but chuckle.
Ombre's face lit up with a smile, his tail swishing excitedly behind him. "Really? That would be awesome! I mean, I know you're not a mutant, but I'm sure you can handle it. Plus, you're not exactly small yourself."
Ankoku laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I do have a certain...
charm about me," Ankoku replied, his gaze flicking back to Ombre. "And I must admit, I'm quite curious to see what this club is like. I've heard whispers of it, but I've never had the opportunity to visit."
Merak's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching as he looked at Ankoku. He knew Ankoku was up to something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "I'm sure it will be... enlightening," Merak said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Ombre clapped his hands together, his tail swishing excitedly behind him. "Awesome! So, it's settled then.
We're all going to this club tonight," Ombre said, his tail swishing excitedly behind him. "I'll go ahead and make the reservations. And I'll make sure to get you guys some drinks on the house. You know, to thank you for coming with me." "Drinks on the house, huh? I must admit, Ombre, that's quite generous of you."
Ombre shrugged, his tail swishing gently behind him. "Well, I figure it's the least I can do. Plus, I don't want to be the only one there without a drink."