Chapter 8

Mishima raced to the store. Iwai had a customer, but as soon as he saw Mishima's face, he hurried them along and locked the door behind them.

"What's wrong?!" Iwai asked.

"Our principal just died!"

"Died, of what?"

"... A heart attack, like that guy that we saw."

"Fuck, do you think it was the Phantom Thieves?"

Mishima's eyes widened in shock at Iwai's suggestion. "What? No, that's ridiculous! The Phantom Thieves wouldn't kill someone like that!" he exclaimed.

"He did allow the abuse to persist under his own nose. He had to have known. If I was the kind of guy seeking revenge, I would have definitely put him near the top of the list."

Mishima blanched. "The Phantom Thieves aren't like that, Iwai. They don't carry out revenge in blood. They bring the wrong-doers to justice."

Iwai sighed, his expression somber. "I know, I know, it's just... this is all starting to feel like too much. First that politician, now the principal... it's like people are dropping dead left and right."

Mishima nodded in agreement, feeling a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach. Ever since the Phantom Thieves had emerged, the city had been thrown into chaos. Some hailed them as heroes, while others saw them as dangerous vigilantes.

But regardless of what people thought of them, there was no denying the fact that their actions had consequences. And now, with the principal's death, things were only going to get more complicated.

"We have to do something," Mishima said, determination in his voice. "We can't just sit around and wait for things to get worse. We have to find out what's really going on."

Iwai nodded, a grim look on his face. "You're right. But we have to be careful. We don't know who we're dealing with here, or what they're capable of."

Mishima nodded, steeling himself for what was to come. He didn't know what the future held, but he was determined to face it head on, no matter what. The Phantom Thieves may have thrown the city into chaos, but he refused to let them tear it apart.

"I think…" Began Mishima, "That I might have an idea."

Iwai raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"About who they are, The Phantom Thieves, I mean."

He squinted his eyes at Mishima and removed the cigarette from his mouth. "Boy, you do realize how hot this pot is, right? It's not something that's safe. If they are beginning to kill, what would you think would happen if you said something? You think they are just going to let you skip off on your merry little way?!"

Mishima swallowed nervously, but his resolve didn't falter. "I know it's dangerous, but we can't just sit back and let them get away with this. Someone has to do something."

Iwai sighed heavily, the weight of the situation apparent in his expression. "Look, Mishima. I know you mean well, but this isn't a game. These people are dangerous, and they're playing for keeps. If you want to get involved, you have to be ready to face the consequences."

Mishima nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "But if it is what I think it is, and they are who I think they are, I know that they aren't the ones doing this. I just know it. You don't go from making people repent to passing judgement and playing the executioner…"

Iwai regarded him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. I'll help you. But we have to be smart about this. No taking unnecessary risks, and no jumping to conclusions. Who do you think they are? We need to gather as much information as we can before we make any moves."

Mishima grinned, relief flooding through him. "Thank you, Iwai. I knew I could count on you."

Iwai grunted, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "Don't get too excited. We've got a lot of work to do if we're going to take on the Phantom Thieves. Even if they are the people you think, they won't like that we know. I just pray to whatever God there is or any other being of power that they didn't have a hand in these killings. Otherwise, there's not a damn thing either of us can do."

Mishima nodded, feeling a sense of purpose wash over him. He didn't know what the future held, but he was ready to face it head on. With Iwai by his side, he felt like they could take on anything.

"Thank you, Iwai."

"Boy, when you look up at me with those big doe eyes, with so much love and trust, you should be calling me Daddy."

"B-but this is serious, You know I always look on you with respect and love."

"Well," He said, putting the cigarette back in his mouth and resting the phone on a nearby counter. "Right now, I don't want to be serious. I just want to hold my boy and have him dote on me. Maybe more…"

"Iwai, I don't think that's a good idea," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "I mean, we're in the middle of something important here. We can't let our personal feelings get in the way."

Iwai took a step closer to Mishima, his voice low and husky. "Who said anything about letting our feelings get in the way? Sometimes, it's important to take a break and indulge in our desires. Life is short, Mishima. We should enjoy it while we can."

Mishima's heart was pounding in his chest. He knew that Iwai was right, that they needed to take a break from the stress and pressure. Why not? Both of them could be dead in a matter of days if Mishima was wrong about the intentions of who he thought was doing all of this.

"D-do you mean-"

"Yes. I do. All the way. Here and now, but only if you want and only if you are ready. I would never force that on you."

Mishima blushed, his body feeling like he'd stepped through a sheet of pure heat.

Iwai took another step closer, his hand reaching out to caress Mishima's cheek. "I won't hurt you. I'll go slow and stop immediately if there's too great of discomfort. We'll be careful, I have protection. I don't have anything, but it would be irresponsible of me to not use one. If nothing else, I need to teach you about these things and set a precedent. I'll protect you, always."

Mishima looked up into Iwai's eyes, seeing a mix of passion and tenderness. He knew that he was taking a risk, but at the same time, he couldn't resist the pull of Iwai's desire. He leaned in closer, his lips meeting Iwai's in a passionate kiss, their bodies pressing together in a frenzy of desire. For a moment, they forgot about the outside world, the Phantom Thieves, the deaths, all of it; and gave themselves over to the pleasure of the moment. Their clothes came off as if they'd been Velcro. It was fast, quick, and both the clothes and the two men were piled atop each other in separate piles.

As their bodies intertwined, Mishima felt a sense of liberation and ecstasy wash over him. He moaned as Iwai's hands caressed every inch of his skin, sending shivers down his spine. With Iwai, he felt safe, cherished, and utterly desired. It had hurt, at first, but Mishima wanted it too badly to tell him to stop, and the pressure turned from pain to something akin to a deep tissue massage. For Mishima, it was more about the act than the feel, though that too was something he could easily grow to love. As their lovemaking reached its climax, they clung to each other, their breathing ragged and hearts pounding. At that moment, they both knew that their bond had grown deeper, and that they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, there had been some visual indication of this, other than the two of them laying beside each other, he was sure it would have been accompanied by chains breaking.

As they lay there, basking in the afterglow, Iwai whispered softly in Mishima's ear, "You know I love you, right? It's not just as a boy, it's as someone I want to protect, someone I want to see thrive."

Mishima smiled, snuggling closer to Iwai's chest. "I know. And I love you too."

Mishima could have said more, but he felt his body, eye contact, and true affection for the man beside him was far better conveyed non-verbally.

They held each other close, lost in their own world of love and passion, as Iwai stroked the hair of Mishima. It was strangely parental, even akin to the way an owner would pet a dog, but the act brought him so much comfort that Mishima hoped Iwai would continue with it until he drifted off to sleep. For that moment, they were content to be in each other's arms, and nothing else mattered.