Jealousy
Selam, everybody! I'm back with more, hahahah! Because once just wasn't enough!
I really hope you guys will like this little story! Please lemme know what you think of it, yeah? I'd love to read your thoughts.
Now then. Shall we?
As always, stay safe, everyone!
And take care!
Yukihira Soma isn't the jealous type. That's what Erina had believed when they'd started dating roughly a year ago. But recently, she's begun to have doubts about that theory, and more often than not, she would find herself asking if it's just her imagination playing tricks on her or if it's actually true. Could he be the jealous type, after all?
What had led her to this question? One simple observation. Very small. They'd attended a gala one night, and coming face-to-face with a couple of old acquaintances, new business partners, and other famous chefs from all around the nation, it hadn't been easy for them to be around each other longer than five minutes. As per usual. Nothing out of the ordinary.
But then, as the night had progressed, so had her conversations with all these influential people around her. And something had changed.
There'd been one man in particular- Ido Hinata- who'd taken more time than necessary to introduce himself as the next heir of his family's business. And that's when Erina had felt the pair of amber eyes all too well on the back of her neck.
"It's such an honor to make your acquaintance, Erina-sama. I've heard so many great things about you," he'd said, "To receive three Michelin Stars at such a young age… It's just what all Chefs should strive for. You're a role model to us all."
And she'd smiled politely, ever the professional. All had been going well. Nothing wrong with a few praises from a fellow heir. Until he'd taken her hand and lowered his face to kiss the back of it- slowly, because that's what he must've thought would appeal to her.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Erina had wanted to add something to that, feeling like she needed to. But the hand that had suddenly been placed on her waist wouldn't allow her. It had thrown her off- enough to make her blink for a moment before she'd glanced at her boyfriend with parted lips. He'd just grinned at her, then at the young man in front of them. And whatever he told him with that one look that'd seemed too long for comfort, Ido-san had let go of her palm, excusing himself with a forced smile. Very abruptly.
"W-what… just happened? Yukihira-kun?" She'd tilted her head, trying to read him like she always would. For some reason, it hadn't worked that time.
"Dunno. Maybe he had to be somewhere?" And he'd grinned again while his hold around her waist tightened. Even though their relationship hadn't been public knowledge, back then, he'd seemed like he wasn't caring much about that. All the more reason to question him and his impulsive tendencies.
"…Somehow, I highly doubt that. But, whatever." She hadn't minded the hand on her back, the warmth of his touch on her bare skin, so she'd let it go. "How are things going for you so far, Yukihira-kun? Are you making friends?"
"…Define 'friends'."
"New connections?"
"I have a Shokugeki with a former graduate this weekend. He wants to see if I actually picked up some skills from my old man or if I was just lucky to have survived Totsuki 'till graduation. So… I guess I am?"
She'd rolled her eyes, "Of course you would find another former student to mess with… Please tell me he at least knows that you graduated as the Second Seat?"
"I'mma let my food talk for me. He's over fifty. He probably would've forgotten if I'd just told him."
"Sure…" Smiling up at him, Erina had rolled her eyes again. Not meaning the annoyance that she'd displayed. "But you really need to work on your introductions, Yukihira-kun. Get your name out there more tactfully. Not through Shokugekis but through advertising your work in the kitchen. Your cooking." And then, as the hand on her back had disappeared, Yukihira taking a step away and squinting at her, Erina had felt like the sudden tension in her shoulders had left her too. Just like that.
"I see what I can do. Maybe there're a few more people around here who'd wanna try me on."
"T-that's exactly the opposite of what I just said."
He'd shrugged, grinning. And he'd been off again as quickly as he'd appeared, leaving Erina to stare after him with raised brows.
…
It's a couple of weeks later at a different formal gathering that Erina notices this tiny detail again. A simple touch on her waist, her shoulder, her arm. A small look, a mere brush of fingers. Nothing more. He'd been all smiles and friendly small talk- just like always. But the firmness of his hand on her body and the intensity in his eyes whenever she'd been talking to someone who'd seem a little too invested in their conversation had shown her that this was not his earnestness talking. It was something else. She'd just needed to figure out what exactly it was that made him want to be near her so much. Because it couldn't be jealousy, right?
She hasn't asked him about it- not yet. Up until now, she's waited patiently for him to drop another hint of sorts. Something to help her see the whole picture, because a simple frown, a clenched jaw, a small pull on her hand isn't enough anymore to keep her curiosity at bay. She's kept on waiting- still waiting- until she finally gets that hint she's been looking for at Totsuki's annual foundation banquet. For some reason, he always seems to get moody in these types of environments.
"I just can't keep it to myself any longer. Erina-sama… You look absolutely marvelous tonight. Just beautiful."
She turns around, not surprised to see the young heir of the Ido-group again. "Thank you, Ido-san," she says and holds back on rolling her eyes, "It's nice to see you too."
"Oh, no. The pleasure is all mine." And right when Erina thinks the conversation is over, ready to turn back to her drink, he leans forward and places his hand on the table beside her. "I don't see the former Second Seat anywhere. May I ask… did he not attend tonight's gala?"
"Oh, he should be around here somewhere. Actually, let me go look for him." An excuse, yes. But in Erina's eyes, it's a valid one, considering this man is so insistent on invading her personal space every time they meet. She's frowning at him- almost glaring, because she doesn't like where this conversation is going-, but he doesn't seem all too bothered by it.
In fact, "Why? Are you that close to him?" he just leans in closer. Closer and closer until she can smell the champagne in his breath. That stench… actually explains a lot.
Erina's eyes narrow, her tone ice cold when she crosses her arms. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, p-please don't think I'm even considering that as a possibility, Erina-sama. Of course I'm aware that you would never be close to some plebeian. But I…" He shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose and squeezing his eyes shut before he smiles at her, "You're well in your right to be mad at an assumption like that. Please forgive me."
"…Please excuse me. I have somewhere I need to be." And just as she's about to walk right past him, he takes her hand, pulling her back with a surprisingly soft grip.
"W-wait. Erina-sama… W-would you give me the honor of having this first dance with you? Before you go? Please?"
"My apologies, but I will have to decline."
"But I'm really not a bad dancer. I know I look like I can't pull off a waltz, but I had my fair share of lessons. Please allow me to show you." His grip on her hand tightens then, and Erina tries her best to avoid inhaling the alcohol in his breath.
It's when she's about to push his face back that Yukihira shows up again, grabbing Ido's shoulder and pulling him away from her. Discreetly, because they both know what her grandmother would do with them if they were to cause a scene here.
The grip on her hand loosens enough for Erina to draw hers back, rubbing her wrist as inconspicuously as possible. Because she's not sure if this is what had triggered the redhead this time or the fact that Ido had been trying to kiss her.
"The lady's busy." She hears the anger in his tone. Fake friendliness that anyone knowing Yukihira Soma would be able to pinpoint. And it sends a shiver down her spine.
"How would you know? Erina-sama looks quite available to me."
"Available…?" She's beside Yukihira before he can get a word out, gently taking his hand from Ido's shoulder as she glares daggers at the man, "Did I hear that right?"
She watches with growing satisfaction how he rubs the spot Yukihira had just gripped, taking a step back and clearing his throat. "Please don't misunderstand, Erina-sama. I-I didn't mean to imply anything. All I was trying to say was-" and he stops at the raise of her hand.
"I believe you should go take a breath of fresh air outside, Ido-san. It would do you good." Stop embarrassing yourself, is what goes through her mind but is left unsaid. There're more tasteful ways to show someone their place. Even if dealing with a drunk.
"W-what. But I was just-"
"Now." The growl in Yukihira's voice leaves him trembling. The step he takes forward causes the heir to take one back. And before Erina knows it, he's out of their sight. Faster than she can blink. Not looking back at either of them. Almost hitting another guest on his way because he's too intoxicated- or nervous- to walk properly.
"What a nuisance." Huffing, Erina turns to the redhead next, opens her mouth again to finally ask him where this anger is coming from every time they attend a gathering like this, when suddenly, he takes her hand and pulls.
"Avoid that guy for the rest of the night if you can, Nakiri," he says and lets go before anyone from the press around them has the chance to take a picture- or maybe they already have and Erina's been too slow to notice.
How is she supposed to notice when the fire in Yukihira's eyes is about to swallow her whole?
"H-huh…?" It's merely a shaking breath she lets out behind his retreating back, staring after him until he disappears in the crowd. And that's when she makes her question official: Is he… jealous?
…
When they enter the small apartment above Yukihira diner, it's nearly impossible for Erina to keep this question to herself. She needs to know. Now.
But just as she's about to ask him, placing the keys and their coats on the counter beside the door, she's suddenly being shoved against it. Yukihira's lips on hers, his hands almost aggressively tugging on the zipper of her dress.
Wait… what…?
"Mine," she hears him growl between kisses, and finally, it sinks in. As subtle as the hints may have been, she gets her answer.
He's jealous. Very jealous. Slightly possessive even? Doesn't matter.
He kisses her lips, her jaw, her neck, her collar bone. He leaves no area unattended, sucking on skin with the intent to bruise it. And she can't do anything but breathe. Heavily. In and out. Gasping from time to time because his warm hands have finally managed to pull the zipper all the way down.
"Y-Yukihira-kun…" She drifts off, not sure what she'd wanted to say to begin with. Ask him to stop? No. He's like an animal at this point, unruly and led by raw desire alone. He's upset, and she can feel it in every touch. How could she demand for this to stop?
"Yukihira-kun… W-what are you doing…?" she tries again. For different reasons, she thinks. But the sudden pull on her hair makes her choke on air, not because it hurts but because it feels too good for words. He effectively exposes her neck- more than it already had been- and he dives in to leave yet another bruise.
"Nakiri, stop moving so much," is his only reply to her endless squirming. He has no patience, hurries to get the black dress off her. Almost tears it apart when pulling it down her waist. He grips her backside roughly, making her suck in a breath. And he goes back to kissing her, leaving her no time to adjust herself to the cold- hot?- air suddenly hitting her exposed skin.
In return, Erina pulls on his red locks. Payback, she tells herself before moving her trembling fingers down his sides and over the fabric of his shirt to unbuckle the belt underneath. She's struggling to unzip his pants, too impatient to take it slow like she usually would. But when she finally pulls everything in her way down, the satisfaction almost overwhelms her.
"Fuck. Stop moving already, Nakiri." Yukihira lets out a hiss and presses himself harder against her, not letting her touch him the way she wants to. Touching her instead.
And from there, everything just feels like a blur. He takes her right here. Against the closed door of his family's apartment. With her legs around his waist and her arms almost hurting his neck. She moans and throws her head back, not minding the dull ache it causes. Her release is as delicious as it can be despite coming so quickly, his name on her lips when she feels him following her. And he's kissing her again- just to let her know he's not turned completely into a ruthless animal. To show her he's still him, even if upset.
But the thought of this ending right here seems to be far from Yukihira's mind. She can tell. He still has that glint in his eyes, that fire that says he hasn't calmed down yet. Not yet. And they take their play over to the living room, the bedroom, every corner they can find in the small apartment. Their hunger insatiable, their desire endless. And all Erina learns from this is that she should never underestimate the amount of anger this man is able to carry inside him. Nor his stamina.
He's out to prove a point, and he's certainly right when he says she's his. Because only he has the privilege to come this close to her. Who's Ido Hinata to say the redhead is less than what she deserves?
Maybe… that's what had actually upset him?
…
She wakes up in his bed the next morning, barely able to move- not wanting to move because the way he holds her in his arms makes her heart melt all over again.
"Yukihira-kun? Hey…" She tries wiggling her way out of his grip when no response is given, sliding to the edge of the bed and letting out a hiss. And despite feeling sore, her muscles hurting, Erina drags her heavy body into the bathroom. She needs a shower. A hot one. She needs to be able to form a coherent thought again.
How she even manages to step in, wash her hair, clean herself with lotion, and step back out, she doesn't know. But the moment she wants to sigh in relief when stepping into a fresh set of lingerie, finally back to her senses, that's when she notices it. The difference.
Standing in front of the mirror, Erina finds a large part of her skin covered in red and purple marks. Her neck, her thighs, her shoulders, her sides. She blinks at them before turning to one side and checking her back. She gasps at the bruises she discovers. And it's eventually what drives her to let out a scream so loud she doubts anyone living close to them hasn't woken up to it.
As for Yukihira. She's heard the thud coming from the bedroom just now, turning to glare at the man as he stumbles through the hallway towards her. "Nakiri?! Shit, what happened?!"
"This, Yukihira-kun! This! What is this?!" She makes an up-and-down motion with her hands, showing him the marks he's left behind in his possessive state last night.
He stares at her, then rubs over his eyes. He stares again, blinking this time. "Uh…" His lips curl into a nervous smile. "Did I do that?"
"You- Are you seriously asking that?! Of course you did!"
He scratches his head, "Sorry, Nakiri. I, uh… didn't think it would show so much…"
"Well it did. How am I supposed to cover all this up now? Honestly, I cannot believe you. Are you an animal or something?" He basically had been, and she'd loved it. But Erina is not going to tell him that. Never.
Huffing, she turns back to her reflection, pulling her wet hair over one shoulder and regarding the red marks on her back again. And just as she's ready to unleash another wave of anger towards him, she catches the thoughtful look on his face through the mirror. Surprised, she whirls back around, staring for a moment because she hasn't expected him to face the floor instead of grinning at her like a mischievous little boy.
"Yukihira-kun…?" She sighs. "What was the reason for this anyway? What's gotten into you lately?"
She knows the answer, but getting to hear him admit it out loud would probably lessen her anger- at least enough to focus on finding a good solution on how to cover up most of these marks.
But Yukihira doesn't answer her, only looks up at the bruises on her neck and takes a step forward. "Did I hurt you, Nakiri?" is what comes out of his mouth eventually, and Erina has to remind herself how to breathe when confronted with the guilty look in his eyes and the softness in his voice. Oh.
"O-of course not, Idiot. But this," she throws a look back into the mirror, frowning, "this is far from normal. You went a little overboard."
"…Guess so."
"Want to tell me why?"
He ruffles his already messy hair with a sigh of his own. Then, he shakes his head. "It's- I dunno. I think I just had a few too many drinks."
"Just that?"
"…Yeah?" He's unsure, avoiding her gaze and going back to scratching his head. A clear indicator for his nervousness, she knows. But Erina doesn't dwell on it, only sighs again as she takes a towel from the shelf beside her.
"I think you were jealous," she utters under her breath as she dries her hair, a small part of her hoping he would hear and confirm it already.
He doesn't. And Erina loses the courage to raise her voice and repeat her statement, watching him head back into the bedroom to pick up his clothes.
Frowning, Erina eventually places the towel aside. She's still mad about the hickeys, but the fact that she's discovered a new side to the man that's always been one giant puzzle to her somehow makes her feel warm inside. Yukihira Soma is the jealous type, whether he admits it or not. And these marks on her body are her ultimate proof of that.
Even if she's disappointed that he didn't say it, she knows better now.
But then, as she's about to look into the mirror one last time to give these marks another half-assed glare, she's surprised to find the redhead right behind her, wrapping both arms around her and kissing her shoulder. Then her neck, then her cheek. Careful not to press his lips too hard on her aching skin.
"…Maybe I was. Can ya blame me?" And he tilts her head back, leaning over her shoulder to reach her lips next. Briefly, but Erina doesn't find it within herself to complain. Her heart is pounding, her stomach stirring with excitement. "That guy was starting to get on my nerves. Next time I see him, I'mma feed him my newest gross dish for sure."
She laughs. Laughs hard enough to feel the vibration on his skin as well. "I won't take responsibility if you end up poisoning him."
"Oh don't worry. That's all on me." He grins, making her shake her head as she steps out of his hold. Blushing.
"Come on, you idiot. I have a meeting in an hour, and these hickeys won't disappear on their own."
"Need any help taking care of 'em?"
"No, I can handle it. You would probably just end up adding more."
"…Hey, Nakiri?"
"Hm?" Stopping on her way back to the bedroom, she gives him a curious look over her shoulder.
Yukihira merely crosses his arms and keeps on grinning, the black boxers he's put on making the heat on her face all the more evident. "Lookin' good there," he says with squinted eyes, sporting a flush of his own.
"D-don't you dare open your mouth about that! T-this isn't over. Just because I haven't said anything yet, it doesn't mean I'm forgiving you for what you did!"
"…Wait, what?"
She nods, flipping her long hair back as she continues on her way down the hallway. "As soon as I know how to punish you, rest assured you will be informed."
"Oh come on. I didn't mean to…" She hears the redhead groan and laughs.
Oh yes. His jealousy, as endearing as it is, will have consequences. She just has to come up with something suitable. Something that'll probably end up not being as vicious as she would have liked.
Annnddd I'm done!
Hahahah, wow! You know I'm really trying to get out of that comfort zone when I post another M-rated story, huh?! My, my!
Anyway, I hoped y'all enjoyed this one, guys.
As always, I'll see ya next time!
Take care!