Chapter Text
Falling snowflakes imitated the universe’s stars, flowing about until they landed softly, either on grass or a window sill or a roof. The birds were long gone, off to find another warm and habitable land, feeling no care for the one that had been caring for them and sheltering them.
Crouching alone in a place that even the birds did not desire, a blonde haired boy bit his hand harshly. Again, again, again. Do it again.
As usual, Tsukasa Tenma was battling his violent thoughts. Lately, things have not been looking up for him. Rather, it seemed as if he was having dirt and corpses shoved down his throat.
After a long bout of grunting and grumbling, silence filled the air. Suddenly, Tsukasa stood up. He had had enough of this.
As his sharp eyes latched onto new prey, he grabbed a nearby black cat. He had been holding back for God knows how long, and yet, all at once, he lost all care for the consequences. The small kitten squealed and whimpered, oblivious to the fate that awaited it.
~~~
Tsukasa looked down at the trembling kitten. Its legs splayed open, tied to a wooden board. He grabbed a pair of tweezers, then used his delicate hands to indulge in the fantasies that had been snaking around in his mind.
One, two, three. Tiny claws fell to the ground with a tk. The small cat squealed pathetically, squirming violently. Tsukasa held back a smile, savoring the sweet feeling that enveloped his entire body.
Tchh. The kitten let out a loud screech, screaming for its life. The blood dripped from its chest, as Tsukasa’s eyes glittered. Nothing could ever compare to the feeling of relief he was holding at this moment. He continued to tear apart the poor kitten's skin, revealing its internal organs. The kitten's heart beat faster, and so did the blood. Time seemed to be a living entity, picking up its pace and slowing down whenever it desired.
Suddenly.
“Tsukasa-kun?”
…
What the hell?
“R…Rui?” Tsukasa stumbled forward in his shock. What was Rui, of all people, doing in his home?
“Why are you here?” Tsukasa, surprised, did not notice the vulnerability in his voice.
“Fufu~... do I need to answer that question?”
“Of course you have to, damn it!! How did you get in!?” Tsukasa quickly regained his composure. He couldn’t let a soul find out about what was happening here in this basement.
“Ah, I simply… opened the door. You left it unlocked.”
Tsukasa’s breath came to a halt. Did he really just make such a fatal mistake?
“O-oh… well, just give me a second—”
“Oya? You won’t let me in?” Rui’s voice sounded amused. That was when Tsukasa realized the situation was slipping out of his control. He looked at his bloody hands, then back to the taunting door.
“Just… give me five minutes—”
A long, dreadful squeal from the cat made Tsukasa’s heart drop. His almost drug-like high had completely withered away.
Just then, a dreadful sound reached the blonde haired boy.]\
Creaaaaaaakkk…
The door swung open fully. There, silhouetted against the dim lights from outside, was Rui. His golden, knowing eyes swept across the basement. Tsukasa, the kitten, and the blood dripping onto the floor. Rui smiled.
“You’re so beautiful like this…” Rui whispered softly. The purpled haired hands quickly flew up to his face, muffling what sounded like a groan. As Tsukasa stood frozen, his thoughts scattering like roaches, Rui stepped into the dimly lit room. He hopped down the stairs and walked over to where Tsukasa was standing, a smirk on his face.
Rui tilted his head. Almost mocking the blonde haired, he whispered, “You’ve made quite the mess here, Tsukasa-kun.” He took a step closer, not bothering to ask. He knelt beside the quivering kitten, narrowing his eyes as if he were observing an amusing play.
“Rui, get out. Or else I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Stab me with those tweezers?” Rui giggled. “You’re so funny, Tsukasa-kun. Even you know you would never do such a thing.”
Tsukasa fell silent. Then, another whimper from the black cat, weaker this time.
“The cat’s dying. Would you really want to leave such work unfinished?” Tsukasa gasped as Rui took hold of the blonde’s hands, gently stroking Tsukasa’s fingers. This physical sensation was enough to snap Tsukasa out of it. The blonde immediately snapped, pulling away from Rui violently. The bloody tweezers fell to the floor with a crash. “What the hell? What’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me?” Rui repeated slowly, as if tasting the words. He tilted his head to the other side. “Nothing is wrong with me, Tsukasa-kun. I simply love you.”
Tsukasa stared. The humid atmosphere of the basement hung in the air between them. Rui then clapped his hands. “Now, don’t you want to finish what you’ve started?” Rui picked up the shiny, tainted tweezers. Tsukasa watched to see what the purple haired one was thinking, narrowing his eyes. Then, all of a sudden, Rui did the unthinkable.
Crrrrch.
Tsukasa watched in horror as Rui peeled his own nails off.
Crrrrch.
One more nail. Then another. Then another.
“Stop… stop it…” Tsukasa whispered, his back hitting the wall. His eyes widened more than he had ever widened them before.
“Make me,” Rui whispered back. Kcccch.
Tsukasa, his mind not processing a word, grabbed Rui’s hands and threw the tweezers to the floor.
“T-Tsukasa…” Rui moaned in satisfaction, blushing.
Tsukasa jerked away like he had been burned. He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over the board and the cat’s body. “...god...” Tsukasa sighed.
“Tell me what you want.” Rui fell to his knees and started crawling towards Tsukasa. “I’ll do anything. Anything…”
Tsukasa looked down at Rui. His heart filled with something he was not familiar with. Rui continued to crawl, until the purple haired head bumped into Tsukasa.
Rui’s breath hitched.
“You’re insane,” Tsukasa mumbled.
“Of course, Tsukasa-kun,” Rui whispered. “But so are you. That’s why we’re perfect.”
Tsukasa was suddenly curious. “What… what do you want me to do?” Tsukasa didn’t know what this feeling was, but he knew that this feeling made his heart fill up nicely with Rui around.
“Ahh…” Rui breathed. “I want you to do whatever you want to me, Tsukasa-kun. In return…”
Rui looked Tsukasa directly in the eye, each boy’s golden eyes clashing with the others’. “...I would love for you to date me.”
The basement was quiet except for the cat’s ragged breathing. Tsukasa didn’t let go of Rui’s hands.
"Date you?" Tsukasa laughed. It was a strange sound — rusty, like he hadn't laughed truly in a millennium. "You want to date me? After all this?"
"Because of this," Rui corrected. His bloody hands squeezed Tsukasa's gently. "No one else would ever understand like I do."
Tsukasa looked down at their joined hands. At the blood, Rui's ruined fingernails. At the quivering cat, nearing its end.
"...Okay." He said quietly, in silent acquiescence. "Okay."
Outside, the snow continued to fly swiftly and elegantly, sitting atop the hurdles of wind.