Chapter 24 – Bandaging a wound is tricky business

He could hear Masato grumble about something. Something about him, not taking care of wound, careless, irresponsible towards own well-being.

Corvus sweat dropped. Was Masato angry with him?

Masato couldn't believe it. Corvus could've done a better job taking care of himself. Unwrapping the bandages, Masato found a trail of blood trickling from the wound, the ointment having little effect on the gash. He grumbled some more as he looked for something in the first aid kit that could help in any way.

Inspecting the wound, he saw that at least there wasn't an infection spreading. The flesh looked red and sore, probable from wearing the old bandages too long.

They were sitting in the kitchen, on tall stools, Corvus' arm on the counter, the first aid kit set aside. They had turned on a small light so that Masato could get a better visual.

"I wonder how you know so much about this." Corvus didn't take Masato as a practical one. He assumed that he liked to stick to theories better.

Still working on the wound, Masato simply answered "I used to do this a lot. Especially on Ren when we were younger. He was careless as a mutt." He dabbed a cotton ball in a type of white liquid, soaking it. "He still is."

Corvus could feel the envy, no, jealousy in his heart. Means that, compared to Corvus, Ren had more intimate At the same time he knew how important Ren was to Masato. He gave a small chuckle at the bluenet's last comment. Ren as a mutt didn't sound too bad. "How is Ren?"

Masato's fingers stopped their work for a moment. "He's good."

He didn't want to talk about it, and Corvus got the hint. As quickly as the topic of Ren had surfaced, it had closed just as fast.

Masato dabbed the soaked cotton ball directly onto the spot where blood was trickling down. Corvus winced and grabbed on the stool harder. It hurt. A lot more than the last time. Pulling a fresh bandage from the kit, Masato expertly wrapped it tightly around the wound.

"There." said the bluenet as he sat back to look at his handiwork.

Corvus flexed his arm, testing it. "Feels great!" He twisted his arm, brought it back again and did the same thing twice more. "Thanks a lot, Masato!"

Sitting there in the kitchen late at night, treating Corvus' wounds, seeing his charming smile, it just made his chest clench. Was it his chest, or was it his heart? The thought of it made Masato feel uneasy. Like he had betrayed himself. Or he had betrayed Ren.

Corvus looked at the stark white bandages again. They looked like the paper snakes he used to make as a kid. He would sit on the creaky wooden front porch of their almost dilapidated house, cutting out strips from the newspaper, drawing eyes and a tail on the strips to make snakes. Sometimes he would doodle the shapes of other animals like fishes or elephants, cut them out and he had his toys for the day.

If anything, being poor while he was young taught him how to save, how to appreciate the smallest and fleeting things in life. How to treasure them.

He risked a glance at the bluenet who was packing away the objects used to treat his wound.

He was not appreciating the fleeting moment. He was going against his life's principals. And he never went against them, under any circumstances.

With his good hand, he grabbed Masato by the wrist, causing a shocked look on the bluenet's face. "Masato, I'm sorry."

"Corvus, what do you me-...!"

Before Masato could fully get his sentence across, the taller male had pulled him closer, smashing their lips together.

It was like the time when they did the recording for the BL CD, only this time, there was no obligation to do it. This wasn't for the sake of their jobs, for the sake of their careers, for the sake of their pride. This was for the sake of nothing.

What was he doing? The simple answer was: he was kissing Masato. The complex answer would be: he was kissing someone who already had another person. He cursed at himself inwardly. Yet he could not get his mind to focus.

The only thing he could think about at the moment was how soft Masato's lips felt against his own. They were the softest things Corvus had ever touched.

Masato could feel a tongue licking at his bottom lip. Corvus' tongue. Wet and slick against his lip, begging for entrance.

He hesitantly opened his mouth to a crack, and Corvus saw this as a good opportunity. He slipped his tongue into Masato's mouth, exploring every corner, every crevice.

Slowly but surely, Masato was losing himself in the kiss, and his tongue responded with Corvus'. It rose from the floor of his mouth, making its way into Corvus' mouth, licking his teeth, feeling around.

He must be dreaming. After all, how could Masato want to respond to his kiss? But at the sight of Masato, just the beautiful sight of him, convinced Corvus that this wasn't a dream. That this was happening. Right now.

Their tongues danced, locked in a tight embrace. They turned, twirled, swirled, twisted, licked. They had slipped their tongues into every part of the other's mouth, leaving no area unexplored. Their breaths mingled together due to the proximity.

Running low on air, Corvus pulled away. Swimmer he was, but even the best have to come up for air. Masato had wanted to pull away first, but he wasn't sure if he could. As their tongues returned to their original places and their lips left each other, a trail of saliva was seen, connecting them until it dripped onto the counter.

The two of them were panting heavily. Wiping his mouth, Corvus took a look at Masato. His cheeks were pink, a lustful look in his eyes that made Corvus want to kiss him all over again. Corvus himself was burning and there was a dull ache in the area between his thighs. Thank god the counter acted as a barrier between them.

Masato had felt his member growing hard, and was thankful that the yukata hid his mild erection. Corvus had kissed him, and it felt good. It was much different than Ren's. This kiss felt much more passionate.

But the rule he had broken still remained. Corvus had kissed Masato. Kissed another man's lover. Kissed him heatedly. "I'm sorry, Masato." he repeated.

Corvus got up and walked pass the bluenet who wasn't moving. "I promise it'll never happen again." A glance more. "Good night."

Masato was left standing there, fingers on his lips under the moonlight.

As much as he would try to deny it, he wanted it to happen again.

Arigatou minna-san!~ Please don't forget to favourite and/ review!

Thank you Tokittoki for your support!

Afterthought: heh heh...You finally did something right, Corvus.