CHAPTER 09
Lying in my brother's arms was a great source of comfort; it's a feeling most people take for granted in this day and age. Yup, that's right, I - Hiro Setsuna Mendego - not only am swinging the blue bat, but my lover is my twin brother. I bet it's never crossed your mind how wonderful it could feel to be in the warm embrace of a forbidden lover. You should try it sometime, I honestly think you'll enjoy it more then you're willing to let on. He's beneath me, his chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm, betraying his state of unconsciousness with an easy sigh. Kane's most likely exhausted, and I can't say I blame him. I'm feeling incredibly drained, emotionally as well as physically.
I know everyone says that bottling everything up inside is the worse thing you could possibly do with your emotions and such... but look what it's brought me. I have a beautiful lover, who is also my best friend. We're identical in every way, except for our academic pursuits; he's an artist, a damn good one at that, while I'm the writer, the one who can tell a story to accompany any painting that my brother turns out. So while I'm writing my little bleeding heart out all day in my various writing classes, he's painting his soul on canvas, or sketching it on paper with graphite.
Did I mention how much I love him? I could spend hours watching him sleep, so peaceful even with my weight upon his chest. Not that I weigh all that much, mind you. We're both terribly thin, borderline anorexics according to our doctor. But that's honestly not the point. We've been through a lot of shit together, kind of hard to believe considering we're only eighteen, huh? I guess Akio got the worse of it, you know, with the whole gang rape incident and then there was his suicide a year or so later. After all, you can't do much worse then being six feet under in a coffin that will rot and become one with the earth, as will your body once the fancy clothes and satin lining melt away.
Kane and I could be doing a lot worse, or so we've been told time and time again by the few that knew of the past we have harbored deep inside. But, maybe we're not holding up as well as we portray, since our current exhaustion was caused by the biggest emotional breakdown this university has probably ever seen, followed by a spontaneous, but much needed, fuck on the couch. Needless to say, we weren't taking the news of our childhood home being sold very well. Most would be sad, but no tears would be shed, that's what was the normal reaction.
For us, it was different. All of our memories of our deceased older brother and parents were tied to that roomy townhouse where we had lived for nearly all our lives. Aunt Lillian had called with the news hours ago, that we had to go back home for the day to sign the necessary paperwork before gathering up all of the personal possessions that had been tucked away in various corners of the over-sized apartment. The new owners would no doubt tear up the blood-stained carpeting, and paint over the gore-splattered walls; never being able to understand the significance that the now black and dark grey matter held for Kane and myself, the remaining Mendego sons.
A choked sob escapes my lips before I can even stop it, hot salty tears running down my cheeks to splash on my brother�s chest. Kane stirs under me, eyes fluttering open to find the source of the mysterious fluid.
�Hiro-chan?� he whispers, �What�s the matter?� Eyes that mirror my own are filled with sleep-tinted worry.
Only one word is necessary, the ultimate explanation in our lives: �Akio-chan.� And Kane understands; but of course he does, he�s my other half. My completion� yes, that�s what my twin is to me.
Soon, my face returns to its� normal pale shade, the only trace of my sorrow is the dried salt rivulets. He was silent through the whole thing, merely holding my still naked body close to his own. I guess what they say is true � actions do speak louder then words. How ironic�
Sleep pulled me down not too long after that, taking Kane along for the ride. Perhaps it was the comfort that my twin�s arms provided me with, or the emotional strain was too great� but whatever the reason, it kept the dreams at bay � a blessing in disguise if anything. I know what those dreams held, not that it matters, I suppose. The worst part is, I already know how they all end, every single last one of them.
Of all the things that I have to go through during the day, who would have thought that waking up would be the hardest of them all? Kane can roll right out of bed, find clothes and he�s heading for the bathroom, and it takes him under a minute to do it! It takes me at least five minutes to open my eyes, another five contemplating whether leaving the warmth of our shared bed would be worth it, and by the time my brother�s out of the shower, he�s made up my mind for me and he�s dragging me out of bed by my legs. Not very dignified, I suppose, but it works for us.
While he�s making breakfast, I end up digging through our dresser and closet, looking for something that is signing-away-one�s-childhood-home appropriate. Funny, I don�t seem to have much in that department� Poking my head into the kitchenette, I find Kane�s wearing a gauzy button up tee shirt (that�s not even buttoned) over a black tank top, knee length jean shorts gracing his legs. So, casual it is then! Giving up my clothes search for the moment, I make my way to the green-hued bathroom, looking forward to a hot shower.
Turning on the facet with one hand and flipping on the radio with the other, I�m instantly surrounded by Nirvana�s �Smells Like Teen Spirit� and a cloud of lukewarm mist. Off go the boxers, kicked off somewhere by the toilet as I step under the warm water. Involuntarily, a soft moan echoes off the mock porcelain walls of the shower, which I pretend didn�t happen as I reach for the shampoo.
Though the plywood door was left open, whether in invitation or plain forgetfulness on my part, Kane knocked on the doorframe before coming in. Elegant painter�s fingers muted the music to where it was barely audible, signaling he had something to say. I finished rinsing off the shower gel that smelled like strawberries before flicking off the water. A fluffy beach towel was placed in my outstretched hand and with a hint of modesty; I wrapped it around my waist before pulling back the curtain.
My twin was sitting on the closed toilet lid, one of his legs tucked beneath him. Another towel, this one for the jet-black hair that was clinging to my back, was in his hands, and the unspoken favor was obvious � Kane was going to dry my hair for me like he used to when we were children. Without so much as a quiet protest, I sat down on the floor, reveling in the feeling of those wonderful hands massaging the excess moisture out of my dark tresses.
No warnings, no preambles, Kane just started talking, his voice lacking its� usual spark, �Why did they have to buy the townhouse? Why our townhouse out of all the ones in New York? Why the one that holds all of our memories and everything that reminds us of those we�ve lost?� His hands were a bit rough in my hair as he spoke, but I didn�t bother to protest; I was just as upset as he was, I was hiding it better, that�s all.
As if the outburst hadn�t happened, my brother continued to use the towel on my ebony mane that was so much like his own. Whatever water remained on my skin dried as the minutes went by, until Kane deemed that my hair was as dry as it was going to get. Affectionately, he ruffled said locks, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead before helping me to my feet. The poorly wrapped towel around my waist tumbled to the floor, leaving me in a predicament my twin had witnessed a thousand times before. Citrine eyes met mine before running over my nude body, a light sparkling in green depths that I recognized.
But instead of grabbing me and delaying breakfast further, he kissed me gently on the lips, that light fading into one of sorrow. �Hurry up, Hiro-chan, breakfast is getting cold.�
Hanging up the towels, I followed him out of the bathroom, detouring to the closet for a few moments. When I stepped in the kitchen, my lithe frame was adorned with basketball shorts sporting 1971 across the ass and a loose mesh jersey to go with it. Not that I was a basketball fan or anything, give me hockey any day, but I knew it wasn�t the time to give a damn. We had more important things weighing on our troubled minds.
By eight a.m., we were walking through the student parking lot, wishing for our pickup as we realized that not many boxes would fit in the sports car Aunt Lillian had bought for us, a going-away present as it were. To make up for my laziness that I knew my brother didn�t appreciate, I climbed into the driver�s seat, starting the convertible in a heartbeat. Pressing a button on the left side of the steering wheel caused the cloth roof to retract, folding up behind the squashed backseat. Even this early in the morning, it was too hot for my taste and no amount of air conditioning could cut from the ominous heat.
Kane fiddled with the radio, looking for a soundtrack to fit the mood that hung over us like a black cloud. Unable to find anything, he grabbed our CD binder that was usually stashed beneath the passenger�s seat. Rounded nails tapped each CD he came across while I was backing out of our spot � a definite rhythm becoming noticeable as I guided the foreign sporty matchbox car into traffic. Fingers that somehow radiated certainty plucked out one of the discs, popping it into the CD player that was one of the perks of expensive cars.
Cranking up the volume, guitars and drums raging from the healthy sound system as From Autumn To Ashes� �The After-Dinner Payback� made itself known on that early New York summer morning. The Fiction We Live was the perfect choice, a mixture of screaming, raw lyrics and subtly all wrapped into one glorious CD. It had been one of Akio�s favorites and rapidly becoming one of our frequently played choices. It reminded us of home, of brothers and parents long gone, of friends lost, of innocence stolen.
Once we hit the highway, the music became even louder, rivaling everything else that filtered out of the passing cars. This earned us dirty looks that we chose to ignore, they knew nothing of the mission we were on, the deed we were being forced to commit. When The Fiction We Live came to a close, I divided my attention between the steady flow of traffic and the binder that held our CD collection mixed with what used to be Akio�s. �Ah, our Full Metal Alchemist mix � perfect,� I thought as I slipped it out of its� sheath, putting From Autumn to Ashes in its� place. As I handed the binder back to Kane, �READY STEADY GO� by L�Arc~en~Ciel pushed adrenaline back into our veins.
The fast-paced anime music lifted our spirits, and kept them high as we pulled in front of the deli. It was here that we�d sign away our childhood to a family of five, complete strangers who couldn�t understand why this was hard for us. Locking the convertible with the remote keychain, and grabbing Kane�s hand, we walked in, heads held high and smiles on our lips.
Standing on the doorstep to your childhood home is a surreal feeling, especially when it�s no longer yours. Meeting the family and the signing of the papers had gone well, considering how much we wanted to keep the townhouse to ourselves. The parents were nice, in their early thirties but looking so much younger. Ironically, they had triplets, except they were three brunette little girls who were sure to be heartbreakers once they grew up.
The family had gone back to their hotel for the day, planning to move in tomorrow. Which left Kane and me with an entire afternoon to pack up everything we wanted to keep and load it into the backseat and trunk of our matchbox car wonder. Lunch came first however; as we set up camp on the living room floor to eat the sandwiches we had bought at the deli. The TV appeared to be in working order, so I flipped on a rock music channel to provide entertainment.
Kane and I talked quietly about what we wanted to keep, a legal pad of paper dug up from some obscure drawer of father�s desk quickly being filled with ideas, written by me while I stuffed my face with the delicious meat trio sub sandwich. There�s absolutely nothing better then New York deli sandwiches, I can guarantee it! Not that that�s the point of this story, honestly. At least, I don�t think it is� Anyhow! To make a long drawn out packing and crying scene short � it took us all afternoon and well into the evening to get everything boxed up. Whenever we came across something that brought a flood of emotions to the surface, we fought them back, letting maybe a tear or two make it down our cheeks. Instead, we reminisced about the happier times this home of ours had seen.
Nine p.m. rolled around and found us in Akio�s room, the one room we had avoided all day. Before moving to Albany, we had cleaned out most of his stuff, taking it with us to the college. Little pieces of our brother�s life were scattered throughout our dorm, and now Mom and Dad would be remembered in our shared room as well. It was time for one last sweep, to make sure nothing would be forgotten. I tackled his desk and dresser, while Kane took on the closet and bed. An eerie silence descended on the room as we tried our best to ignore the dark stains that had yet to fade. I found a hidden compartment in the desk, and rummaging in it blindly revealed a stack of photos with several folded sheets of paper, all tied up with a simple blue ribbon.
�Nii-chan? Come here, look what I found,� I called over my shoulder, hands numbly going through the pictures.
A grunt and a crash followed, causing me to turn quickly. �Be right there,� Kane bit out, pushing the fallen shelf off of his pinned body with a hiss. �What the hell did he keep on that thing, bowling balls?� he complained, turning onto his stomach and using his arms to lift himself up onto his feet. Glaring at the faulty wooden shelf, a box full of something was picked out by keen eyes.
Kane grabbed the box, bringing it over to the desk where I still stood, photos held loosely in my fingers. Taking them from my hand and blatantly ignoring the shallow cut showing through a rip in his tank top across his torso, chartreuse orbs widened. The papers held frantic scribbles in black ink, incomplete sentences and half-finished thoughts making up the majority of the pages. And the pictures you ask? Akio�s stash was comprised of pictures of Kane and myself. There must have been at least a hundred of them, all labeled on the back with the same black pen. Us twins sleeping, holding each other close, kissing, sharing secret smiles, and oh god, there was even a few of me caught in the throes of passion as my other half sucked me off late one night.
Thoughts fought in my mind, trying to make sense of what I had found. Why did Akio have these? How had he even gotten them? My heart skipped a beat; my mouth went desert dry in a matter of seconds. That�s how he had known� when he had been making his final speech, and he had mentioned us being in love. It had struck us as odd since we had never divulged such information to our eldest sibling, we were afraid to. But all that time, he had known and kept our secret. The summer before junior year flooded into every cell of my brain as the pieces slowly clicked into place. And one look at my lover�s face told me he had made the connection as well. Memories long buried gasped for air as they were freed, sending tremors through our thin bodies.
�Oh god�� I breathed, and I knew Kane was thinking the same thing. It was all coming back to us now, and more then anything, we wished it had all stayed where it belonged � if not dead, then at least hidden from sight.
Amaya and Gavin Mendego were well on their way to Japan by the time Akio called Hiro and Kane downstairs for dinner. Despite his whining earlier that week, he had cooked a five-star Thai dinner for his younger siblings and himself, being perfectly sweet ever since the taxi turned the corner that morning. Not that this was unusual, it wasn�t like Akio was a complete dick to his brothers all the time; he just chose to ignore them when it was convenient for him.
Kane and Hiro came downstairs, laughing over something, cheeks faintly flushed, something that Akio didn�t fail to notice. He figured his brothers were up to something, they usually were after all; spending so much time tucked away in their room. A few times, the eldest Mendego son had wandered into their room throughout the years to find them curled up on one bed instead of in their own, arms wrapped possessively around each other. It could have been just a phase, but Akio doubted it since this one never came to a close like most do.
The triplets sat down at the dinner table, murmuring a Japanese saying under their breath with their heads bowed before picking up their chopsticks. Eating without conversation, chopsticks occasionally scraping against the dishes, soft slurping sounds mingling every now and then. Hiro and Kane sat side-by-side while Akio was at the head of the table, watching them over the lip of his handle-less mug with curious citrine eyes. One could almost hear the gears whirling and clicking in the actor�s mind; a plan was formulating and it was blossoming like a rose in the spring. Oh yes, it was going to be beautiful.
After dinner, they retired to the living room, curling up on the couch to watch Saving Private Ryan, one of their war movie favorites. Akio sat in the middle, his brothers pressed up against his sides, long ebony hair spilling down his chest and pooling where his legs and torso met. His arms were wrapped around their shoulders, a smile dancing on his lips. The plan was already in action, and he was positive it could go off without a hitch. Watching a favorite movie always tamed the boys to a point of gorgeous submission, they wouldn�t argue with anything Akio suggested. Complete control would be his in a few hours, and the oldest triplet could hardly wait. Squirming as if to get more comfortable, but in fact to try and calm the blood that had begun to boil as his mind ran rampant with the illicit details that Akio had conjured.
The movie finished a little after 8pm, and everything was turning out perfectly. Hiro and Kane were snuggling close to Akio, normally bright eyes dark with something unreadable. They were like putty in his hands as he stood, flicking off the TV and guiding them up the stairs to his bedroom. Being the oldest and most favored, Akio had been blessed with a queen size bed, plenty big for more than one boy, especially since the triplets were so damn skinny.
Together, the younger boys made their way to the bed, hands on each other, oblivious to their older brother who locked the door behind him. Midnight tresses were fanned out around the two teens that were kissing almost desperately, Hiro pinning Kane to the bedspread in an unusual display of dominance. Akio made himself comfortable in the plush swivel chair he used at his desk, a devious grin playing on his lips as he watched his siblings swap spit like any young lovers do. The jeans he was wearing were growing tighter as he continued on with his voyeurism, enjoying himself immensely.
�They�re so beautiful together� so compliant,� he mused silently, citrine eyes shamelessly riveted to his twin brothers.
Lips parted, lungs trying frantically to draw in much-needed oxygen, breathing coming in shallow gasps, hearts racing and threatening to burst from the pressure. Their eyes met and held, almost afraid to look away, worried that the dream might shatter. Before, they had been content with holding hands and sleeping in the same bed wrapped in each other�s arms, even sharing chaste kisses. But now� it seemed the fine line of what was right and what was wrong had been permanently blurred, and there was no stopping them. They wanted this, hell they needed this.
But then Hiro's eyes drifted from his lover's face for only a second; gazing about the room as his body shook with pleasure. It was the surreal feeling of being watched that had finally pulled him from his fantasyland. His gaze landed on none other than his brother, Akio, staring at them with such a transfixed stare that not even an earthquake would call him from the show he was watching. Hiro's mouth opened in surprise and it was with a sharp, unpleasant sensation that he found himself in reality. Kane only vaguely noticed the difference in his lover's libido and it took him a few moments more to see what Hiro was looking at.
Both teens now were fully aware that they had been giving Akio his own private display of their affections for one another. The slightly older brother, however, still watched as though the spectacle was still going on, the same eager look in his eyes as he sat comfortably in his chair. He rested his head in his palm, sliding his other hand down to the obvious growing bulge in his denim shorts that were becoming painfully tight.
�Don't mind me boys�continue on, please?� He said almost child-like, a smirk on his face. �It was just getting to the good part��
Bright cherry infused itself in their cheeks, though most of the blood in their body was pooling straight to their groins, unable to stop what had already begun. But somehow, they didn�t even need their brother�s convincing words, the fact that he was watching made it all the more desirable to continue. It was in their blood to perform after all, and what was more artistic, more beautiful than blossoming love?
Feeling Akio�s eager eyes roaming over their still-clothed bodies, but surprising themselves by enjoying this fact, Hiro and Kane fell back on each other like a starving man who had been invited to the feast of the century. The material that had once covered them was tossed uselessly to the floor at various intervals, slowly revealing inches of smooth porcelain skin that Akio longed to touch. Whimpers and moans reached his ears, causing him to rub his own erection through his shorts, the friction the double layers of fabric brought on pulling a groan from his own throat.
Hot open-mouthed kisses were shared, lips becoming bruised by the intensity of it all. Kane had his brother pinned now, their naked bodies grinding desperately as the artist sucked and nibbled at the elegant expanse of neck exposed when Hiro threw his head back, a soft keening spilling from those swollen lips. The beauties that were partaking in such sinful pleasure in front of his chartreuse eyes were going to drive him over the brink of insanity without any true gratification gained on his part if he didn�t do something about it. His throbbing sex was so hard it ached, his breathing reduced to shallow rasping sighs.
The heat that filled the room was becoming smothering, even the simple shorts and tank top that the actor wore were unbearable. His brothers were oblivious when he rose to his feet, unsnapping his shorts and pulling them along with his boxers down in one swift motion, kicking them under his desk carelessly, his tank top following shortly after. Looking down, Akio smiled as he saw his erection standing at attention.
�Yes, things are going just as planned � this is beautiful�� he assured himself under his breath as he crossed to his own bed currently claimed by his nude brothers.
A firm hand gripped Kane�s shoulder, pulling him slowly away from Hiro�s sweet lips. Dual whines of protest made themselves known, but tapered off as the twins took in the sight of Akio, standing confidently and completely naked beside the bed.
�Akio-chan?� the middle son asked, his voice husky with obvious bliss. The unspoken question shone in both of the lovers� eyes, wondering why the voyeur had interrupted them.
�Don�t have all the fun without me,� Akio murmured, his lust-darkened orbs raking over the wanton writer who was shuddering from pent-up pleasure before moving to the kneeling artist whose chest was heaving with every labored breath. Placing a teasing kiss on the nape of Kane�s neck, and receiving a look that was undeniably a request to make them both tumble over into oblivion; Akio could barely contain his purr of excitement.
Before climbing onto the bed, the actor grabbed a scarf that hung from the foot of the bed, an almost sinister light dancing in his eyes. Using his knees to gently scoot Kane back so there was room for himself, Akio straddled Hiro�s hips, very aware of the velvet encased steel that pushed persistently against his ass as he leaned forward. His chest was pressed against his youngest sibling�s, he could feel every rapid beat of the writer�s heart along with every breath that caught in his throat as he arched his hips up, rubbing the tip of his sex into the cleft of his older brother�s ass.
Hiro�s arms were already thrown over his head, making it easier for Akio to tie those thin wrists to the metal bed-frame, effectively keeping him at the older teen�s mercy. He was about to sit up, but decided to lick a wet trail down Hiro�s cheek to his chest, swirling deviously around those hardened pink nubs, eliciting a loud whimper and a definite squirm from the poet. Shifting his weight around, he moved down the bed to Hiro�s feet, roughly pushing pale dancer�s legs apart so he could kneel between them and set to the task that had his mouth watering with anticipation.
Akio could feel Kane�s presence behind him, the heat radiating off the boy a dead give away. Smiling crookedly, he leaned down, not even giving Hiro a teasing flick of his tongue before he engulfed his brother�s length entirely with his mouth. Purposely, he arched his ass up, wiggling his hips enticingly against Kane�s own erection. Curious hands cupped the globes so willingly presented to him, squeezing gently, then a bit harder, pleased to hear a groan from around the �lollipop� in Akio�s mouth.
Sucking hard, occasionally scraping the underside of the sensitive organ with his lower teeth, drawing harsh whimpers from the writer who pulled desperately at his bounds. The pleading noises his sibling issued were music to Akio�s ears, but the teen behind him had stopped in his teasing, but only for a moment. Kane couldn�t help but moan as he watched his older brother suck off his younger. It was incredibly erotic, no matter how immoral. Delicate hands gripped Akio�s hips, hard enough that there were sure to be bruises come morning, the painter grinding his groin roughly against those round cheeks, rubbing his length in that tight cleft every now and then. Akio couldn�t help it, his already tight erection was dripping pre-come all over the sheets � he needed to finish this soon lest he explode from the overload of sensations claiming his body.
Pulling away from Hiro�s own sex, Akio reached behind him impatiently, taking one of Kane�s hands into his own, pulling the teen down onto the actor�s back so he could reach the other boy�s fingers with his hot wet mouth. His tongue snaked out, capturing two digits, and tugging them in, sucking on them furiously like a hungry kitten on its� mother teat. When he released the slick fingers, he guided his reflection�s inexperienced hand to his own puckered entrance, allowing Kane to push his fingers experimentally through the small opening. The feeling was exquisite, something indescribable, and Akio wanted more � now. Taking a firm hold of his triplet�s hand, he pushed forcefully, shoving Kane�s two fingers deep into Akio�s tight passage. A cry of obvious pain and pleasure rang through the room, engulfing the ragged gasps for air, the actor arching his back hard.
Kane was about to pull out his fingers when a near-black look thrown over Akio�s shoulder told him to continue � he needed this desperately. Slowly, he drew his fingers out until just the tips remained before shoving them back in. The appreciative growl was enough of a hint, and he kept up the rough pace, wanting to please Akio further. Hiro pressed himself against Akio, hoping he wouldn�t be forgotten; his already neglected erection was becoming unbearably hard, it was painful. Smiling down at the passion-driven writer, he reached out with a happy to oblige hand, wrapping it around the hot length and squeezing teasingly. Soft noises of pleasure grew louder from all three teens as they continued to torment each other.
Feeling he was prepared well enough for the purpose he was seeking, Akio reached back, stilling Kane�s hand and pulling it out. A trickle of blood ran down his thigh, he could feel it even if he couldn�t see it, but it was ignored as the actor pushed his hips back, causing the stiff arousal to press just barely into his entrance. Kane took the hint, and thrust into his brother, his own cry merging with Akio�s muffled one as the oldest teen leaned down, taking Hiro back into his mouth.
The end was near for all of them � they had been driven to the edge by the incessant teasing and delayed ministrations. Hiro arched wantonly, his back a perfect curve as he unabashedly thrust himself into Akio�s wet mouth, riding it out happily. On the other end of the actor, Kane was doing his own rough thrusting, deep into his brother�s rounded ass, his hands in a death-grip on those previously unmarred hips. Bodies shaking, breathing suddenly became overrated as the younger twins gave one last hard thrust, to Akio�s mouth and ass in turn before succumbing to the fire that consumed their thin bodies. Kane�s hot seed filled him from behind while Hiro�s sex emptied itself in his mouth, Akio's throat working eagerly, not wanting to miss a drop.
He was teetering on the brink, about to fall in the depths of darkness, but needing a little extra push. And as he settled back on his knees, trembling violently with need, his younger siblings were ready to comply even though their limbs felt weighted down with lead. Kane leaned heavily against Akio's back, using a lazy hand to turn the actor's face just enough so the artist could kiss him passionately. And Hiro? He's kneeling before his older brother, leaning forward to kiss, lick and nip at his nipples while a slightly calloused hand takes a hold of Akio's momentarily forgotten arousal. Slow, teasing jerks countered with love bites all across his chest, a hot, pink tongue massaging his own inside his mouth. Hungry lips attach themselves to his prominent collarbone, sucking lovingly as the pleasure consuming Akio's body reached a feverish pitch. For a moment, he hung there, suspended before a tight squeeze on his member shattered his world.
Bright light devoured his vision, leaving him blind for a few moments as he felt his body fall forward; a delightful mixture of exhaustion and Kane leaning against him. Akio landed half on Hiro whose skin still gleamed faintly with a thin layer of sweat. Their hearts were slowing back to a normal pace, their breathing - once ragged and shallow - deepening with each inhale and exhale. Occasional shivers still traveled down formally arched spines, as sleep descended on them in a blanket effect, taking the triplets into its' embrace all at once.
And that was how the summer had passed; sometimes it was all three of them having sex on Akio's large bed, sometimes just two of the three while other watched. It was a dangerous addiction, but one that couldn't be ignored. Those three months would forever haunt the minds of Hiro and Kane; they may have succeeded in disguising those memories with innocence and happiness, but they were powerless to be rid of them forever.
That was exactly what Akio had wanted - he had never wanted his brothers to forget the kind of power he held, but to also know that he loved them both deeply and knew of no other way of showing such affection. His plan was a successful one, and it was proven time after time at various stages of the twins' lives.
I was on the floor, Kane's head buried in my shoulder. We both remembered that summer, all too vividly. Hell, I still get phantom pains when it crosses my mind from the way he tied me up and then proceeded to torture me with his oh so talented mouth. Bastard. Shaking my head, kissing the jet-black locks that brush against my lips; I push all Akio-centric thoughts out of mine as I focus on comforting my older brother.
Staying one last night in what was soon to be the Knight's home was tempting, but we both knew in our hearts that it wasn't the best idea. Finishing up in Akio's room took only 10 more minutes, my artist lover taking the box of journals that had been tucked in the closet out to the car while I took one last wistful look around, turning off the lights with a deep sigh. Pictures in hand, I made my way downstairs, flipping off any lights we had left on as I went. Joining my twin on the front step, and closing the now locked front door behind me; the click and gentle slam having a ring of finality to them.
Kissing chastely, we pressed the tips of our first two fingers on our right hands to our lips, turning our hands and flashing the fingers in a proud V to the dark townhouse. Hand-in-hand, we walked to our convertible, the hood put up long ago to hide all the boxes from view. Kane volunteered silently to drive home, and I let him, not willing to put up a fight over it. I was tired, feeling drained, hardly able to keep my eyes open. A white chocolate mocha sounded like heaven, and it seemed our twin-esp was in full swing; Kane pulled into a nearby Starbuck Drive-thru.
"Bless your heart, nii-chan," I murmured, squeezing his right leg affectionately as he ordered 2 venti double-shot white chocolate mochas.
He pulled up to the window, trading exact change with a generous tip for the hot drinks, handing one to me with a smile. We raised our cups with a toast, whispering, �To our past,� before taking long sips of the smooth drink. That said and done, I settled into my seat, shifting to get comfortable but failing due to the heat that clung stubbornly to the New York night air. Even with the vents blowing icy air at high speed, sweat still trickled down my spine persistently. At the next light, I sighed deeply, my hot breath mingling with the even hotter air that hung in the car. My arm slipped under Kane�s, tapping the button on the other side of the steering wheel that would lead to a wonderfully cold breeze.
The cloth roof inched open torturously slow, but when fully open, the sixty miles per hour the convertible was traveling at provided a delectable wind that wound cool fingers in and out of ebony locks like an old lover. About half way to the college, a light mist fell upon us, bringing even more relief from the oppressive heat. And of course, we had the radio turned up incredibly loud, �Last Train� by Lostprophets cajoling our voices to rise shamelessly into song.
I paused a moment in front of our dorm room door, my arms stuffed with boxes, the rest in a stack beside the doorframe. The key was in my hand, but I had yet to insert it in the chiseled slot; something was nagging at the back of my mind. Lyrics overrode the not-so-quiet voice, curling themselves around each individual cell in turn, churning in my blood: Walk away, heard them say, poisoned hearts will never change. Walked away, again. Turned away in disgrace, felt the chill upon my face, couldn�t find within. They were familiar; I knew the lyrics to that entire song by heart. �The Leaving Song� by A Fire Inside, a personal favorite that was overplayed in my CD player when A Fire Inside�s Sing the Sorrow album had first come out.
Kane nudged my calf with the toe of his Converse sneaker, casting a curious look in my direction. Though he wouldn�t verbally tell me to hurry the hell up before his arms gave out, he could do it with his eyes just as well. Brought back to reality, I shoved the key into its� predestined sheath, turning it quickly and using my own foot to push open the door.
The boxes stuffed full of material things with memories that pulled at the heart were stacked in a corner beside the TV, meant to be dealt with the next day, or whenever we could possibly be bothered. But for now, all that mattered was drowning in each other�s arms, and careening out of control into a sleep that could erase all the bitter remains from our minds.