Disclaimer: I do not own Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End). I write this for your enjoyment only.

6: Painfully Good

"Hey, Mika, are you awake?" Yuichiro Hyakuya whispered softly, his knuckles rapping gently against the wooden door of his brother's room. He glanced around cautiously, ensuring that the dimly lit corridor was empty and that no one else was lurking nearby.

It was well past ten o'clock, and the rest of their squad had long since retreated to their rooms for the night, having completed their chores after dinner. It was a routine they had all grown accustomed to—most of the squad would be fast asleep by this hour, rising around seven for breakfast before heading out to the village and its surrounding areas to tackle their daily tasks. Shinoa and Mitsuba, ever the early risers, would wake up an hour earlier to prepare the meals for everyone.

The responsibilities of the squad were divided along gender lines: the girls primarily managed the household chores and assisted in the village, while the boys ventured out to hunt for food and handle various repairs requested by the villagers. The only notable exception to this division was Yuichiro and Mika, the brothers who were inseparable, much to the villagers' curiosity.

Known affectionately as the "Hyakuya Brothers," they were often seen together, and while they didn't partake in the same duties as the rest of Shinoa's Squad, their mere presence was tolerated as long as Mikaela behaved himself.

Now, with Mika transformed into a full-fledged vampire, the signs of his nature were impossible to conceal: his pointed ears and striking ruby-red eyes were a dead giveaway. Despite his best efforts to keep his mouth closed in public settings, the sharpness of his fangs was a constant reminder of what he had become.

The villagers harbored a deep-seated fear and wariness of Mika, and their suspicions extended toward Yuichiro as well, who was almost always seen at the blond vampire's side. While Yuichiro appeared entirely human, there was an undeniable aura about him that hinted at something deeper, something that made the villagers instinctively wary.

Understanding this underlying tension, the brothers had decided it was best to limit their excursions into the village unless absolutely necessary. They wanted to avoid instilling fear in the villagers, particularly because Mikaela needed to stay close to Yuichiro. The demon lurking within Yuu posed a potential risk; if it ever gained control of him, only Mika could effectively restrain him without needing weapons. His strength made him a crucial asset to Shinoa's Squad, especially alongside Yuichiro and Kimizuki, both skilled swordsmen.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Yuichiro let out a quiet sigh of relief as he saw Mikaela open the door. The blond vampire stood there, dressed in casual attire—his shirt and slacks a stark contrast to the sleepwear he might have worn if not for his brother's visit. They had established a routine of late-night meetings, a ritual that had become essential for Yuichiro. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to ensure Mikaela's well-being, knowing how exhausting it was for his brother to constantly keep vigil over him, even if Mika himself never voiced any complaints.

Mikaela said nothing but gestured silently for Yuichiro to enter. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Yuichiro inquired, "How are you feeling, Mika?"

A weary smile flickered across Mika's face as he replied, "Same as always, Yuu. I'm hungry."

Yuichiro frowned, concern etched in his features. "You know, you don't have to join us for dinner if you don't want to. It must be tough for you, sitting there while we eat. I know you can't enjoy it."

Despite his best efforts to mask it, Mika's discomfort at the dinner table was evident to Yuichiro. He could sense the unease that settled over his brother as he sat among the others, surrounded by plates of fruit, meat, bread, and desserts—foods that had once delighted Mika's palate but now only served as painful reminders of what he could no longer savor. The first few months after Krul had transformed him had been particularly brutal; Mika had tried to consume normal food, convinced it could quench his thirst, only to find himself violently ill afterward. The taste of real food had become a distant memory, and the yearning for it gnawed at him.

"No, it's all right, Yuu-chan," Mika insisted. "I need to be there for our discussions and plans, especially when it comes to you. My personal comfort doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things."

Yuichiro sighed in resignation. He knew that further argument would be futile.

"If you say so, Mika. Shall we begin?"

Mika nodded, stepping aside to allow Yuichiro to approach his bed. Their nightly feeding had become a ritual of sorts—one that provided both comfort and necessity. They had discovered that the most comfortable positions for these sessions involved Yuichiro either sitting against the wall or lying down on the bed, a far cry from their first awkward attempt in that dilapidated convenience store back in the city.

After Yuichiro had stripped off his shirt, revealing his bare skin, he settled into a position that felt just right, leaning against the wall. He beckoned Mika closer, who climbed onto the bed and knelt beside him, gently taking his brother by the shoulders. Yuichiro tilted his head to the side, granting Mika access to his vulnerable neck.

In the privacy of their shared moments, Yuu preferred to remain topless during these feeding sessions, a precaution to avoid staining his clothes with blood. He knew that Shinoa would be relentless in her teasing if she discovered that he had been secretly feeding Mika each night; the blood of their squad members simply wasn't enough to satisfy Mika's insatiable thirst.

As the familiar ritual unfolded, Yuichiro found himself growing accustomed to the sensation of Mikaela's fangs piercing his skin. Initially, he had anticipated an excruciating pain, but to his surprise, it was nothing like he had imagined. The initial bite brought with it a strange sweetness, a blend of discomfort and pleasure that coursed through him. As Mika settled in to feed, they were enveloped by a blissful euphoria that transcended mere physical sensations—a profound connection forged in this intimate act.

If Yuichiro were to draw a comparison, the feeling was akin to the intoxicating pleasure of passion, a sensation that stirred every nerve in their bodies and brought them closer together, even as the world outside their door continued to spin in chaos.

The raven-haired boy felt a deep blush creep across his cheeks as he contemplated the situation, grateful that Mika was too engrossed in his task of feeding to notice the fiery color staining his face. Yuu couldn't help but wonder why his mind had wandered to such thoughts at that moment. What did he truly know about passion? After all, he was still a virgin, a fact that both Guren and Shinoa took delight in reminding him of almost every single day. He chuckled inwardly, thinking that if he received a nickel for every time his former guardian referred to him as a 'cherry boy,' he would undoubtedly be wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.

Yet, despite the teasing, Yuu didn't feel ashamed of his virginity. Relationships and love had rarely crossed his mind over the past four years, consumed as he was with the singular goal of exterminating vampires during his time apart from Mika. But with the newfound knowledge that his adopted brother was alive and in good health, Yuu found himself contemplating such subjects more frequently, especially during these intimate moments when Mika was feeding from him.

It was widely recognized among vampires—and the humans who willingly engaged in relationships with them—that the act of drinking blood directly from the source was profoundly personal and intimate for both parties involved. To take blood without consent was not just a violation of trust; it was akin to a form of rape, a brutal act that shattered the boundaries of personal autonomy.

Although Mika couldn't see Yuu's flushed face, he was acutely aware of the changes in his brother's body: the rapid beating of his heart, the quickening of his breath, and the slight rise in his body temperature, which made Yuu's blood feel warmer against his tongue. Despite Yuu's best efforts to suppress any sounds of pleasure, Mika could tell that he was becoming increasingly aroused. Yuu had instinctively wrapped his arms around Mika, pulling him closer, his fingers threading through the soft strands of the vampire's golden hair and even playing with the tips of his pointed ears—all done unconsciously, in a state of blissful oblivion.

How curious it was, Mika mused, that Yuu willingly offered his blood when he had always complained about vampires taking theirs when they were children. Was it because they were family that the dynamic felt different? As Mika savored the exquisite taste of Yuu's blood, he couldn't help but reflect on the uniqueness of it.

As a seraph and a virgin, Yuu's blood was unlike that of ordinary humans, a fact not lost on Mika. It was more nourishing, more fulfilling, and tasted absolutely divine. If he had to compare it to something, it would be like contrasting ordinary water with the finest wine—two entirely different experiences. Mika could technically survive a few days without blood, but he knew that to protect Yuu and their companions effectively, he had to be at his best, fueled by sustenance. This was a shared understanding between them.

Mika's thoughts drifted momentarily to the silver-haired vampire lord, Ferid Bathory, and Yuu felt a pang of jealousy at the thought. Did Mika feel the same way he did when Ferid was drinking his blood? After all, Mika himself had given his blood freely to the noble, just as Yuu was doing for him now.

Yuu shook his head, trying to dispel the spiraling thoughts that crowded his mind. No, that was different, he reassured himself, his inner voice firm yet unsteady. He remembered Mika's selfless nature, the way he had always prioritized the well-being of their family above all else. Mika only did it because he wanted to provide for me and the rest of our family, Yuu reflected, a pang of guilt washing over him. It was true—Mika would never have willingly given his blood away unless he believed it was the only way to protect them, to ensure their survival.

Yuu took a deep breath, reminding himself of his own intentions. I'm doing this because I want to help Mika, he thought, clinging to that conviction. It's not about what I might gain from it. Yet, doubt crept in, gnawing at the edges of his resolve.

Or is it?

The question lingered, heavy and unwelcome. Yuu felt a turmoil of emotions stirring within him. He knew, deep down, that what he was contemplating should feel wrong—should be laden with guilt and shame. But instead, there was an inexplicable thrill that coursed through him, a sensation that was both exhilarating and disheartening.

Why does it feel so painfully good? he wondered, grappling with the conflicting feelings that surged through him. It was as if he were standing at the edge of a precipice, teetering between duty and desire, between the noble urge to help and the intoxication of a forbidden thrill. The duality of his emotions left him feeling more lost than ever, caught in a web of conflicting loyalties and burgeoning desires.

As he mulled over these conflicting feelings, Yuu suddenly felt light-headed, a wave of dizziness washing over him. He knew that this was the signal he had agreed upon with Mika, the cue that indicated he had given his all for the night. Gently releasing his grip on Mika's hair, Yuu placed his hand on his brother's back, patting him three times. In response, Mika immediately withdrew, but not before licking the puncture wounds on Yuu's neck clean, sending shivers down his spine.

To avoid raising suspicion among their comrades, Mika had been careful to bite Yuu in different places each night, rotating between the sides of his neck, his shoulders, and the insides of his wrists. This way, each puncture could heal before being used again. Yuu, in turn, made a concerted effort to conceal the bite marks on his body, opting for collared shirts with long sleeves. So far, it seemed their strategy had worked; none of their squad members, including Shinoa, had noticed anything amiss.

"How do you feel?" Mika asked, his concern evident.

"I'm okay," Yuu replied, mustering a soft laugh as he began to put his shirt back on. "Just a little tired, but that's a good thing since I plan to hit the hay soon anyway. I should be fine come morning."

"Do you need help getting to your room?"

Yuu chuckled gently. "No, I'm alright! I might be a bit tired, but I'm not that weak. Plus, my room is right next to yours, remember?"

"Of course!" Mika replied, his tone lightening. "Just let me know if you need anything. I'm sorry you have to go through this every night."

Yuu shook his head, eager to reassure his brother as he prepared to leave. "It's no bother at all!" he insisted, before pausing, caught off guard by his own thoughts. "In fact, it feels go—" He abruptly cut himself off, realizing how that might sound.

Mika's eyes twinkled with mischief. "It feels what, Yuu-chan?" he teased, clearly enjoying Yuu's discomfort.

Yuu's heart raced with embarrassment, scrambling to recover. "It feels good knowing I can help you in any way I can!" He tried to sound confident, but Mika could see through him, sensing the unspoken truth lingering beneath the surface.

"I see… so you'll be back tomorrow? Same time? Or should I come to your room instead?" Mika asked playfully.

"No, I'll come back here!" Yuu replied, his eagerness palpable. "Good night, Mika! Sweet dreams!" He hurriedly exited the room, desperate to escape the dim light that surely revealed the deep blush on his cheeks.

Mika couldn't help but chuckle to himself once Yuu was gone. It felt refreshing to smile and laugh more frequently, a stark contrast to the somber existence he led while serving in the vampire army. In that moment, he felt a flicker of the cheerful, optimistic boy Yuu had been drawn to eight years ago.

"You'll be back, Yuu-chan. You always do," Mika said softly to himself, a smile lingering on his lips as he settled back into the quiet of his room.

A/N: Phew, finally a Yuu and Mika solo snippet! I hope you like this one, I'll try to make a few more in the future even though I like to have the other characters come into play as well. Please, please review and let me know what you think of this one!