Nail & Confusion

Part II: Letting Go

The dim glow of the convenience store's neon lights flickered against the night sky as Kenji leaned against a lamppost, watching the bustling scene before him with a few plastic bags resting at his feet.

He glanced at his watch and sighed. Nail had been inside for what felt like an eternity, and even if Kenji didn't mind that they did their weekly shopping after work, he was a bit tired despite the quiet day.

He and Nail had been colleagues living together for a little over four months now, and even if it didn't seem like much, they did spend 24/7 together, so it felt like they had been co-existing for a long time already.

Kenji couldn't say that his life was complicated, apart from the fact that going on missions meant that he never knew if he'd make it out alive. But, well, at least he knew Nail had his back, even if the Fiend did not allow Kenji to slack off and depend on him.

Things between them at home were alright. Because of Nail's constant pestering, Kenji had no choice but to start being more organized around the house. After all, Nail had started ordering him around and leaving all the chores to him, and it was becoming more of a hassle than necessary, so Kenji unavoidably had to get shit done. Eventually, they automatically settled on a good routine that suited them both and left no space for argument.

Still, Nail always found ways to complain about something—be it leaving the windows open, his poor cooking skills, the fact that he forgot to pick something up from the grocery store, anything—only to have Kenji do something for them in return.

Kenji found that he didn't mind. Even if he complained, he liked it when Nail was happy and in a good mood, because the Fiend was good company, and quite hilarious in an effortless way. Weird as it may seem, he liked them and couldn't have asked for a better housemate.

Despite their occasional bantering, they made a good team and Nail had helped Kenji improve himself for the better.

Their good relationship was a reason for gossip in Public Safety, though. Be it out of envy, spite, or boredom, people talked in a not-so-nice way about them—how the pretty boy and the wussy Fiend were on good terms.

There was speculation, of course, and while Kenji tried not to feel self-conscious and pay no mind, the truth was that he did.

Not that he cared about what other people said; he was comfortable with his relationship with Nail, and he didn't feel embarrassed about it. People could gossip about Nail's eccentric nature all they wanted, and at times, Kenji would've felt offended on their behalf, but the Fiend had a suave way of dismissing these things, especially because they were stronger and smarter than most of the people who liked to be assholes.

But it did make Kenji think about things in a more serious light, and this made him feel more than a little on edge.

He had accepted Nail wholeheartedly from the start, had been curious about them and, to a certain extent, had admitted to himself that they captivated him for all the right and wrong reasons. Even if Kenji tried to sweep this issue under the rug and ignore it altogether, he also knew that a part of him had accepted that this was his reality.

Because he didn't know what to do about it, he just kept it to himself and moved on, regardless of the dreams that assaulted him at night and of Nail's occasional and not-so-subtle teasing.

At times, Kenji wondered exactly why Nail teased him. Was it for fun, or was there something else they were trying to get out of him? Kenji couldn't because Nail was a mystery even to him and was capable of getting too close for comfort as easily as they kept their distance.

Kenji didn't know what to make of his personal feelings, let alone waste time trying to understand Nail's. Was it even worth it anyway?

Nail was at times mean enough to push his buttons just for the heck of it, so perhaps there was no meaning to it at all.

Many times, Kenji preferred it that way, or at least he thought so.

He didn't know anything.

Eventually, Nail emerged from the convenience store, carrying a small bag crammed with various beauty products.

Kenji couldn't help but roll his eyes, even if he was smiling. "You went all out, huh?"

Nail gave him a playful smirk, holding up the bag proudly. "Only the best for this gorgeous face," they said proudly. "A little self-care goes a long way, darling."

Kenji chuckled, grabbing the bags on the ground before they began the walk home. His stomach growled hungrily. "I don't think I've ever met anyone who takes their beauty routine as seriously as you do," he pointed out playfully.

"Of course not," Nail replied with a haughty tone. "You're surrounded by mere mortals. I, on the other hand, am a work of art."

Kenji rolled his eyes again but couldn't suppress his grin. "A work of art, huh? You always think so highly of yourself."

Nail merely shrugged. "That's what self-love does, my prince, and I have no remorse."

They fell into companionable silence as they walked side by side. By now, Kenji was more than used to Nail's mock terms of endearment, and he knew they were used affectionately at times, out of habit.

Nevertheless, Kenji always felt a little prickling sensation in his belly at this, because a part of himself was proud that he had such a close relationship with a Fiend.

Looking at Nail from the corner of his eye, Kenji cleared his throat. "So, do you have someone special to admire all this hard work?"

The question had been on Kenji's mind for a while, but he instantly regretted asking because what was the point and why did he even care?

Nail's face turned to Kenji, and there was a mock surprise in their features. "Why, Kenji-kun! Are you prying into my personal life? How bold."

Kenji blushed, scratching the back of his head. He didn't even know if Nail had a personal life. On the rare occasions when they weren't together, Kenji had no clue what his friend did or where they went. "I was just curious. You know, since you put so much effort into your appearance and like to... well, smell good and all that."

Nail observed him for a while before releasing an amused laugh, and Kenji knew he was giving himself away, but his mouth was always ready to betray him. "I see! Well, I have had my fair share of adventures. Let's just say I don't lack company when I desire it."

Kenji's curiosity piqued even further. "So, you do have someone, then?"

Nail's expression turned enigmatic as they smirked. "Hmm, who knows? Does it matter?"

There was a hint of teasing there that didn't go unnoticed by Kenji, but he still felt himself growing redder.

"Nope, not at all," he quickly said, turning his face away so Nail wouldn't see it. "Just making casual conversation."

"Has anyone ever told you how much of a terrible liar you are?" Nail asked mercilessly.

"Yep, you keep reminding me," Kenji muttered.

Nail snorted, and even that sound was strangely charming and posh if such a thing were possible—a huge contrast to the murdering machine the Fiend could be.

"Well, I do enjoy my adventures, but a lover? That's a bit too conventional, don't you think?" They leaned in slightly, their voice dropping to a whisper. "Let's just say I have my fair share of fun."

Kenji felt himself grow hotter at the implication. "Right. Fun."

It was such a strange concept that a Fiend could have sex or whatever it was that they did.

Did Fiends have sex with humans? Did they do it among each other? It was so weird to think about. How could people want to have sex with such a creature that possessed such weird traits and physical characteristics?

As if you haven't jerked off to that before... Kenji thought but quickly shoved it away. He didn't need to remember that. Those details went straight to his mental box of shame.

Nail straightened up, their playful demeanor back in full force. "Humans have the most interesting minds when it comes to what makes them tick in sex," they said as if reading Kenji's mind. "I believe that, at times, the weirder and less conventional it is, the more exciting it becomes for them. In that sense, I suppose I'm like a Christmas tree filled with presents for them if you know what I mean."

Kenji swallowed, unsure of how to respond. He didn't even know what to feel about suddenly knowing that Nail had an active sex life, but it made perfect sense.

Why did Kenji feel like he was the only weird one? Did he think that Nail would be attractive to him alone when the Fiend was very alluring in more ways than one.

"And what about you, my dear Kenji?" Nail pressed on to pull Kenji out of the silence. "Any lovers hiding in the shadows?"

Kenji snorted. "Nope. Too busy trying to survive."

And too busy fantasizing about certain Fiends to have time to think about other people.

"Well, that's a shame. You should try having some fun yourself."

Kenji's gaze shifted to the ground as they walked, his thoughts spinning. After a moment, he gathered the courage to ask another question. "What do you identify as, in terms of gender?" Nail's steps slowed, so Kenji tried to placate them in case he was being inappropriate. "You don't have to answer that if you don't want to! It's just that you always refer to yourself with neutral pronouns, and now with this conversation, I just thought…"

He trailed off, unsure of what excuse he could provide, but Nail merely turned to face Kenji more directly. "I use neutral pronouns because it makes sense and it sounds considerably more polite. Also, I quite enjoy making people wonder about it, especially yourself," they explained with a small, dark grin. They stopped in their tracks, forcing Kenji to halt too, heart beating fast in surprise and hesitation. "What do you think? What do I seem like to you?"

Kenji turned to Nail as well. He wished he could see Nail's eyes, and yet it gave him some comfort to be able to perceive that Nail was observing him intently. "I don't know. You're… you. I don't want to jump to conclusions about things like gender or identity because I don't know anything. But understanding how you feel about it will make me understand you better, I guess."

Nail's smile softened, and they reached out to touch Kenji's arm; their fingers were so gentle, even, that it made goosebumps run down the shorter one's spine. "You're thoughtful, Kenji. I always liked that about you." They removed the hand, and it was both relieving and disappointing. "If you must know, I present myself the way I do because I want to, but I identify as male."

Kenji's mouth hung open as he absorbed this information. It wasn't exactly shocking since Nail could have a very masculine energy and demeanor sometimes. Their—his—body was very masculine, and yet, it made Kenji's heart race even more as the air seemed to leave his lungs completely.

It was as if, for some mysterious reason, the gears had shifted inside him.

So, Nail was a he.

What was the difference, anyway? Would Kenji feel better about his desire, and his feelings, if Nail had claimed to identify as a woman? Or even nothing at all?

Did it even matter what existed between Nail's legs?

Would Kenji be relieved if it was a vagina or disappointed if it wasn't a dick?

What if it just didn't matter?

What does that make me, then?

Kenji was suddenly assaulted by one of his very unwelcome but common waves of panic.

He shouldn't have asked anything. It was best not to know and stay ignorant; now he felt even more confused and uncertain because there were so many things he didn't know.

What was he looking for anyway? A way to excuse his attraction to Nail, or to find excuses to not find him attractive and appealing at all?

Was that even possible?

Shaking his head, Kenji bowed a little too nervously and quickly tried to mask his chaotic thoughts. "Thanks for telling me. I just didn't want to make any wrong assumptions."

Kenji resumed walking, a little faster than before, and Nail easily fell into step beside him.

"You could've asked before," he said easily, even if there was no amusement in his voice, just a gentle, conversational tone that became knowing. "And what else do you wonder about me, Kenji? It's now or never. I might not feel so willing to share my secrets at another time."

Kenji hesitated but shook his head again. No, he was not going to do this to himself. Instead, he took a deep breath and asked something entirely different. "Well, does identifying as male have anything to do with the Devil you are or the body you possess?"

Nail watched him, not replying immediately, which let Kenji know he was aware of the fact that Kenji was dodging it. Regardless, he sighed and smoothly reverted to his normal self, grinning. "Ah, now that is a fascinating question. The truth is, it's a bit of both. This body is male, but my sense of self comes from something deeper. Devils don't conform to human ideas of gender, but we can adapt and identify as we please. It's part of the charm, don't you think?"

Kenji pondered this, trying to wrap his mind around the complexities. "So, you chose to identify as male because it felt right to you?"

Nail nodded slowly. "Exactly. It's a blend of the body's previous identity and my essence. Gender is fluid, especially for beings like me. But for now, I find being male suits me best."

Well, that explained things on a superficial level but still didn't answer Kenji's question. Nail's body could've been male at the time of death but not completely so. Of course, it made sense that the person identified as male anyway. "Okay."

Nail's smile widened. "What about you, Kenji? How do you see yourself?"

Kenji was caught off guard by the direct question, which didn't seem to have anything to do with him. "Me? I don't know; why are you asking me that? I'm a guy. I'm just me, plain and simple," he exclaimed hurriedly. He elbowed Nail's side a little too forcefully. "Weird guy…"

Nail's laugh was soft and knowing, detecting Kenji's struggle and discomfort. "Ah, the simplicity of human identity. It's both refreshing and limiting." Nail elbowed Kenji back, twice. "But you, Kenji, are more than just 'you.' You're a blend of experiences, emotions, and desires, all wrapped up in that lovely face of yours."

Kenji's stomach twisted at the compliment, and he felt the heat rise in his cheeks again. "Urgh, don't talk about my face."

"Why? Afraid I'll call you a pretty boy?"

Making a face, Kenji refused to comment.

They walked in silence for a few moments, the air between them charged with unspoken words and a newfound tension that Kenji knew was only electrifying to him.

At some point, Nail broke the silence. "Consider yourself lucky, my prince. If I didn't have a crush on your face, I would've thrown you out the window already, what with how messy and inconsiderate you are."

"Like that cat last week?" Kenji pointed out—choosing to ignore the 'crush' bit because he had no rational mind to even think about what it meant—referring to the cat Nail had adopted, only to throw it out of the window the moment the poor creature started scratching the sofa. Luckily, they lived on the first floor and the cat survived. "How can you say I'm inconsiderate? I'm doing a lot better, and I rubbed your feet just the other day because your highness was having a bad day. You damn Devils are never happy, geez."

"Oh, don't talk as if it did nothing for you, sweetheart," Nail teased, reaching out to pull softly at Kenji's ear. "We had a good time, didn't we?"

"Oh, shut up," Kenji retorted, slapping the hand away. He huffed. Good thing they were almost reaching home. "You have nice feet. It's not that I liked it; it just wasn't exactly unpleasant, you see."

Now, why did he have to say that? He and his stupid mouth always betrayed him whenever they had less normal conversations.

Nail chuckled, the sound rich and warm, before throwing an unexpected arm around Kenji's shoulders. When a mouth brushed his ear, all of Kenji's muscles tensed. "You know, Kenji, you're making it very hard for me not to flirt with you," Nail whispered seductively. "You're quite fun to tease."

"It's you who always interprets everything I say in a twisted way!" Kenji complained, and yet, this time, he did nothing to push the Fiend away because the guy had a point, and, truth be told, awkward and confusing as it was for him, Kenji did enjoy the teasing.

"Of course, blame it on the Devil if it makes you feel better, darling."

They continued their walk, the playful banter continuing as they neared their apartment. Kenji couldn't help but feel that their relationship had shifted unexpectedly because, even if everything was the same, so many things seemed to change and evolve inside him, and he didn't know how much they would unfold and how far they would go until they reached their final destination.

Kenji didn't know what shape these feelings would take, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.

000

With his legs crossed, sitting in one of the armchairs of their living room, Nail filed his nails as he openly observed Kenji, who was excitedly playing some handheld game console called Gameboy on the armchair across from him. Kenji had been talking nonstop about the damned console, so Nail purchased it for him. It was costly and he couldn't see the appeal of such a device, but it had undoubtedly made his friend ridiculously happy.

Kenji had been immersed in the damn thing for several days now, and even though Nail could understand the excitement, it was impossible that it could be that exciting.

The Fiend knew well that this was just Kenji finding an excuse to avoid thinking about the things that plagued him.

Despite Kenji's obvious self-denial, Nail knew the truth. The way Kenji's eyes lingered a moment too long on the skin Nail exposed on purpose, the blush that crept up his cheeks whenever Nail got too close—it was all too obvious.

Now, Nail had been aware that his partner had a particular interest in him that went beyond mere curiosity towards the nature of a Fiend.

Even if Kenji didn't wear his emotions on his face—which he did, poor thing—his smell gave it all away.

If Nail told his friend that he knew the smell of his arousal as well as the smell of his favorite shampoo, the guy would be packing his things and fleeing forever.

This was because Kenji did, unfortunately for him, get aroused too often around Nail, not to mention all the times he had pleasured himself thinking about Nail, who found it both amusing and flattering.

Kenji was an ordinary young man, smart, curious, and open-minded, but very stuck on ideas of what society dictated was right or wrong. Nail could only understand his concerns from a logical point of view because Devils did not care about most of the things that humans found shocking.

Regardless, it was because Nail was sensitive to his partner's agony and internal struggle that he had given Kenji his space and time to process whatever he was dealing with.

Nail didn't care for people, but he'd had an instant affinity with Kenji from the moment they met. The young man was gorgeous (despite how exasperating this was for him), and he did have a kind of beauty that was delicate yet rebellious but seriously charming. Nail had instantly been lured to Kenji, but the young man's innocence was as tempting as he was.

With time, their mutual fondness and trust had grown, as did a growing intimacy that forced a sort of sexual awareness to unravel.

Nail had tried to tell Kenji this, but his friend pretended not to notice. Granted, the Fiend had been patient because teasing Kenji was fun and one of the reasons why they had become comfortable with each other in the first place, exchanging casual banter that had helped them become familiar with each other.

But Nail had to wonder for how long this would continue.

He had teased while also giving Kenji space. He answered his questions, hoping it would help the other feel more at ease and comfortable, allowing him to explore his desires further.

But no. Kenji closed himself off like a clam, and while he didn't actively try to push Nail away, he didn't exactly indulge in the little openings that Nail created.

It was an interesting and exciting game, but Nail was starting to feel both frustrated at Kenji, and sorry for him.

He was also starting to feel sorry for himself because it wasn't just Kenji who was thirsting after something seemingly unreachable.

How many times Nail had tried to push Kenji into acknowledging his desires? There was the time he'd purposefully walked out of the bathroom with just a towel around his waist, droplets of water clinging to his toned body. Kenji had nearly choked on his cereal, his eyes wide and his face a brilliant shade of red. Or the countless occasions when Nail would casually lean in close, his breath warm against Kenji's neck as he whispered something seemingly innocent yet loaded with double meanings.

And yet, Kenji persisted in his denial.

Nail knew Kenji was curious about what was between his legs. So many times Nail had pranced around the house butt naked, and the guy would just hide his face and yell at him to put some clothes on.

Nail sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Tonight was no different. Kenji had his face shoved in his console, but his thoughts were elsewhere because that familiar scent was starting to infest the air. Nail had pretended not to notice Kenji's glances his way, but he'd always look away when he noticed Nail was watching him.

Nail wanted to shake him out of his stupor.

What was the guy afraid of, anyway? Nail wasn't even human and was the last individual to ever judge him. They had seen horrible sides of each other, so Kenji should know this.

Didn't he know Nail had an interest in him?

Nail set his file aside and got up. He quickly crossed the room and stood in front of Kenji's armchair. The shorter man tensed but looked up at Nail, and the Fiend could hear through his heightened senses, Kenji's heart beating a lot faster.

Good.

"Kenji," Nail began, his voice soft, more serious than usual as he crouched in front of Kenji.

"Yeah, what's up?" Kenji asked in a falsely casual tone, clearly oblivious to the storm brewing within Nail but nervous because he always was whenever Nail approached him physically.

"I think it's time you admit it."

Kenji lowered the console and blinked. "Admit what?"

Nail inched closer, his gaze locking onto Kenji's, even though he knew Kenji could not see his eye. "That you're attracted to me."

Kenji's reaction was immediate—he put a hand on Nail's chest to push him away and got up, his eyes widening in shock and his face immediately red. "What?! Are you insane? Don't say weird stuff, Nail!"

Nail pressed his lips together and slowly got up, trying to keep his frustration and temper in check. "Don't lie to me, Kenji. I can see it every time you look at me. Do you think I'm blind? Or perhaps stupid?"

Kenji shook his head; his hands were trembling. "It's not like that. Just because I'm curious and we're on friendly terms it doesn't mean…"

"Then what is it like?" Nail demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Because from where I stand, it's very obvious. It's been like that for a while."

Kenji looked away; his hands clenched into fists. "You're imagining things," he muttered, but his voice lacked conviction.

Nail wasn't having it. He took a step towards him and reached out, grabbing Kenji's chin and forcing him to meet his impatient expression. "Look at me and tell me you feel nothing."

Kenji's gaze darted around, desperate to look at any place but Nail's face. He seemed completely at a loss, looking both flustered and ready to flee. The truth was there, and Nail could see it as clearly as day.

"You're scared," Nail said, his voice lowering to a near growl. "Scared of what it means and of what you feel. But there's nothing wrong with wanting me, Kenji. It doesn't make you weak or strange."

Kenji jerked his face out of Nail's grasp, his eyes suddenly flashing with anger and desperation. "Don't assume to know how I feel or what I want," he snapped, through clenched teeth. "You've been teasing me senselessly and I'm fine with it because it's all fun and games until you decide to ruin it by making these accusations. I won't have it, Nail."

"Then say to my face that you're not attracted to me," Nail dared, and he knew he sounded a bit threatening, but this whole situation was just ridiculous to him, and he would've done something about it already if he didn't respect Kenji the way he did.

Kenji opened his mouth as if to speak, but eventually gave up and bit his lip instead. "We're not having this conversation, Nail. We're done here."

"You can't even deny it, sweetie." Nail's patience was wearing thin. "Try me. Let me in, Kenji. I want to help you. I can help you."

But instead of calming Kenji, Nail's insistence and underlying purpose only made him more panicked.

The young man swallowed, barely blinking, as he looked at Nail. "We're done." Kenji's voice was barely a whisper, yet it was cold and decisive, and very indicative of his mental turmoil. "I will not let you ruin our relationship for something stupid like this."

Nail took a step back. "This isn't stupid, Kenji. This is important. We're important."

He hoped Kenji could understand what he meant. If Kenji didn't open up with straightforwardness, maybe if Nail softened things up and showed him that a door was opening, he would reconsider.

However, Kenji shook his head. "No, Nail."

Before Nail could say anything more, Kenji turned and walked away with heavy steps and an obvious tension in his figure. Nail watched him go, frustration and exasperation making him want to throw a vase against the wall—but he wouldn't, of course, because his lovely vases were expensive and precious to him.

He sighed, wondering why humans had to be so damn messy and complicated. To him, taking care of these things was so simple, and yet Kenji and his stupid morals and mental blockages didn't make it any easier.

But he wouldn't give up—not when he knew the truth was so painfully clear. He'd be damned if he let the object of his affections escape him.

Kenji wanted him, and Nail would make sure he knew exactly what a fool he was being.

000

A few days had passed since their tense and fruitless argument in the living room. Nail had given Kenji some space, hoping the time apart would help him sort through his feelings and see things in a different light.

Nail had hoped that the expression of his willingness to work things through would have helped Kenji to finally open up and be honest, but his partner had done exactly the opposite by closing himself off and pretending that nothing had happened.

Running away was something Kenji was good at, in an emotional sense, because in battle, he faced danger with his head held high. Funny that.

However, Nail knew, much to his dismay, that this was nothing but pretense.

Kenji's distress and anxiety were evident at moments; his eyes, so expressive and honest, would always search for Nail's figure, filled with longing, desire, and pure despair, and yet he would not budge.

The particular scent around their house was a constant, too, and even if Kenji was clueless about it, it drove Nail crazy, not only because it angered him but also because it was a cry for help that the Fiend eagerly wanted to answer.

He wanted to give Kenji everything he wanted and more, if only the man would stop being so dramatic.

And Kenji called him the drama queen.

They walked down the hallways of Public Safety, heading for a meeting with their superior to get information for their next assignment. Nail was subtly observing Kenji while his little prince pretended that the tension between them had not made things weird.

As they turned a corner, a smug-looking colleague named Saito approached them. Saito smirked, gazing between Nail and Kenji. "Hey, pretty boy," he called out mockingly. "Taking a stroll with your boyfriend now?"

Kenji's face flushed, his discomfort palpable, but he merely made a displeased face at the man. "Fuck you, Saito. Mind your own business."

Nail didn't even bother to say anything, simply because he didn't care. His eccentricity had always been the perfect excuse for miserable humans to pick on him, and he knew better than to feed the vultures.

"Make sure you send us your wedding invitation," Saito joked. The man chuckled and walked away, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Nail could see Kenji's shoulders tense, his jaw clenched tight.

"Why does it matter if people think we're a couple?" Nail asked, his tone casual as they proceeded on their way.

Kenji shook his head, his eyes trained ahead, not looking at Nail. "It doesn't matter," he hissed, and he sounded serious and honest. "I don't give a shit about what they say. I'm okay with how things are between you and me, and I'm not ashamed of you if that's what you're thinking."

This answer came as a surprise for Nail, who had expected Kenji to deny some more and dismiss him, and yet Kenji had gone the extra step to reassure him of their bond somehow, even if Nail had never even considered the possibility that his partner could potentially feel embarrassed.

Using his longer legs as leverage, Nail hurried and stepped in front of Kenji, blocking his path. "Then why are you upset?"

Huffing like a brat, Kenji shoved his hands inside the pockets of his suit's trousers and looked away from Nail. "I don't know," Kenji muttered, his voice barely audible. "I'm not upset about what he said; I just... I don't know."

Nail's patience snapped. He grabbed Kenji's shoulders and easily slammed him against the nearest wall, making him gasp from slight pain, his eyes wide with shock and something else—something Nail had seen countless times before that gave him immense pleasure.

There was an opening there, and Nail could see it—he would not let it go to waste.

"Does it bother you because it's a concept you've entertained?" Nail pressed, his voice low and intense, demanding. "Us together?"

Kenji looked up at him before trying to avoid his gaze, his breath coming out in short huffs. He chewed on his lower lip, and he was desperately and genuinely trying to find answers within himself. "I... I don't know," he stammered.

Nail pressed a hand on the wall on either side of Kenji's head and leaned in, his face inches away from Kenji's. They were finally getting somewhere. "You should try and find out, Kenji," he said firmly, yet carefully. "If you keep thinking about what's going on outside your mind, you'll miss something potentially good for yourself in the real world."

At this, Kenji looked up, and his eyes were so alive, filled with such hope and pining, and so humanly fragile that he'd never been more alluring to Nail.

"It's not about people or the world, Nail," he finally whispered, his voice breaking. "It's about me. How I see myself and how everything I know is changing because of it. And I don't know who I am or what I want anymore."

Nail's expression softened slightly. "Or perhaps you have simply convinced yourself that you don't know."

At the end of the hallway, approaching steps could be heard, and both jumped a little. More to protect his partner's dignity than for himself, Nail grabbed Kenji's wrist and dragged him into a nearby cleaning closet, shoving the shorter man inside before following after him and shutting the door behind them.

The cramped space forced them close together, the tension between them almost suffocating.

Kenji tried to move a little awkwardly so he was pressed against the door and a bit further away from Nail (a vain effort), the small holes in the wooden surface above him allowing only the slightest source of light to illuminate the cubicle. "What kind of idea is this?" he asked breathlessly, sounding upset. His hands pressed against Nail's chest as he looked up at him, trying to look threatening. "What are you trying to do?"

No matter what Kenji did, there was no denying that this was affecting him, from his scent to the heat emanating from his body and the way he fidgeted—like prey caught in a trap—and it was as enticing as it could get.

"If there's one thing we both know, it's that you're attracted to me," Nail said without hesitation, his voice calm but unyielding. "I know it because I can smell your arousal, my dear, even now. "

Kenji took a sharp intake of breath through his nose, his expression one of mortification and realization. His fingertips scratched the fabric of Nail's shirt. "Nail, I..."

"I also know that whatever it is that you want from me and are trying to deny is quite probably the same thing I want from you," Nail continued, cutting him off and leaning in, slowly but full of intent, breath brushing against Kenji's parted mouth. "In this situation, all that should matter is us. Nothing else."

Without giving the man a chance to respond, Nail closed the gap between them and pressed his lips against Kenji's.

Kenji released a small, shocked grunt, completely disarmed and unprepared for any of it, but Nail's kiss was fierce and demanding, months of pent-up frustration and unspoken wishes moving him as he made sure his intentions and his desire reached the man in front of him.

Kenji seemed frozen for just a moment, but quickly melted into the kiss, his hands coming to life and clutching at Nail's shirt to pull him closer, as if grounding himself in the reality of the moment.

Nail's tongue swept into Kenji's mouth, exploring and claiming, and Kenji responded eagerly, even if a bit clumsily, and yet Nail found his innocent deliverance rather endearing.

Wanting to make a statement but not overwhelm his friend, Nail pulled back, scanning Kenji's face for any sign of regret or fear in the shadows. Instead, he saw something else—acceptance and such strong hunger that it took the Fiend a few seconds to register what he was seeing.

Kenji looked… feral.

But before Nail could say anything, Kenji's hands unexpectedly moved and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt before pulling him down into another open-mouthed kiss, and this one wasn't tentative or innocent, but desperate, knowing, and fervent.

Nail groaned into the kiss, his hands moving to cup Kenji's face as he pressed himself closer, elated at feeling Kenji's resistance crumble in his hands.

And Kenji was crumbling as he was the one to press himself more against the door while pulling Nail closer, hands letting go of his shirt to roam over his torso wantonly and down to Nail's ass.

The Fiend almost laughed as his butt cheeks were possessively gripped and fondled.

How satisfying that his little prince had a feisty side to him.

Nail's hands moved lower, fingers brushing over Kenji's neck and down to his chest, brushing covered nipples on the way down. As they kissed loudly, Nail eventually reached behind him and gripped Kenji's wrists to make him release his ass. The younger man didn't fight as Nail confidently guided one of Kenji's hands to his erection, pressing it firmly against the hardness underneath his pants. Kenji all but released a moan that sounded both surprised and sensuously relieved, pleased even, and Nail could barely register how sexy the sound was because his fingers were already instinctively curling around the shape of his cock.

Well, this was going to be a lot more interesting than he thought.

As appetizing as the idea of having his dirty way with his lovely friend then and there was, Nail didn't like cramped spaces, and Kenji was all over the place already. Who knew if he'd change his mind and blame Nail later on?

Ruining this for them was not an option. Humans were fragile creatures, easily wounded and offended, and Nail didn't want to risk it.

Nail broke the kiss and yanked Kenji's hand away from his cock, his voice a husky whisper against Kenji's lips. "Not here, my prince, and not like this."

Kenji's breath came in short, ragged gasps as he leaned away, his eyes simultaneously glazed and wild as his mind seemed to struggle to process the reality of the situation. He was the horniest Nail had ever seen, which was a good thing, but all the more reason for them not to be mindlessly impulsive about this.

"Nail..." Kenji whispered, looking up, his voice shaky but in awe. "You have a penis."

He said it as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world, and Nail couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, who would've thought?"

"You also have a really nice ass."

Kenji was positively adorable whenever he allowed his mouth to run off with the stupidest things.

"Thank you, darling," Nail whispered, placing a small kiss on his friend's lips. "All you need to do is ask, Kenji, and it is yours. All of it will be yours."

Kenji looked down, guilt and confusion swirling in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Nail. I'm sorry for denying myself. I honestly didn't know you felt the same way. I thought you were just teasing, and in the middle of everything, I just…"

Nail's expression softened, knuckles brushing against Kenji's cheek. "Kenji, I've wanted you from the start. Teasing was just a way to get you to see that."

Kenji's eyebrows rose, his gaze still downcast. "Can we work through this together? I don't… I still don't know how to deal with this, or how to feel about it."

Nail's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and affection. "Of course, my prince."

"Thank you," Kenji whispered.

Because he wanted to, and Kenji needed it, Nail pulled Kenji into a tight hug, their bodies pressing close together. The closeness, the warmth—it all felt right, and Kenji heaved a sigh against his shoulder, clearly a lot more relaxed and at ease than before.

"We should get going," Nail murmured against Kenji's ear. "We have a meeting to attend and an assignment to complete."

Kenji chuckled, still a bit breathless. "Yeah… Let's promise not to die, okay? It would be such a waste after all this."

"Agreed."

They reluctantly pulled apart, straightening their clothes and trying to compose themselves. Nail gave Kenji one last reassuring smile before opening the door and stepping out into the hallway.

A promising journey awaited them both.

TBC...