Hide knew the day was off to an “amazing” start when Carole tugged on his legs, dragging him out of his bed at noon. She said something about it being too late to be sleeping, but what does she know? He wanted to lie in bed all day and stay up all night. He spent years screwing up his sleep cycle, and he would not fix it now or ever. Carole, however, had other plans. “Get up, it's 1 in the afternoon,” she said as she dragged him by the arm through the now empty halls.

The pillared halls blasted his nose with the blinding scent of chlorine and various lemon-scented cleaning products. All of which mingled and assaulted his sensitive sniffer at once.

It has been over three weeks and that cleaning order for the aftermath was still noticeable.

“Carly, it's too early,” He whined.

“Either I wake you up now or you’ll come to me later to complain about how hungry you are…”

Well, she was right about him doing that. They made their way to what was once the Asbjorn family’s private kitchen. Not a single person came to interact with the two along the way. The staff were all either dead after that night or ran away for their lives, or were hiding away from the new owner of the place.

Not that would help them long-term.

Hide guessed they were afraid of messing with them and by proxy messing with Loukas.

The Dog Demon they call him…

They know nothing about that guy.

That wonderful person they screwed over.

Finally, they arrived in that kitchen and something warmer and more homely replaced the clean, sterile smell.

Someone laded the table with spicy apple pie sprinkled in cinnamon, a rich carrot soup with potatoes so tender they would fall apart in one’s mouth and finally several homemade, fluffy loaves of bread.

As tired as he was, the display before him turned his mood from sour and lethargic to already taking his seat for the meal prepared only for them. It still took Carole aback, although less obviously. She took her place, carefully putting her cane to the side of the chair.

Hide broke the bread in half and looked towards the other meal, arguably tastier meal before him, Loukas Asbjorn.

Despite all that has happened, he had dressed in that loose button-up quarter length sleeve shirt, revealing the faint scarring on his arms. Hair neatly combed and his bare feet buried in the carpet albeit they looked... deformed. He still had those tendrils from his back, and claws on his fingers, clearly sharper than they were before.

It was still odd to think of the guy as officially his boyfriend. Okay, it was more unofficial since after that night, nothing 100% brought. However what else they should call each other? Best bros who kiss and occasionally cuddle?

Still... been a while since had been with anyone.

They had only been three weeks and that first week was just busy. They got the place cleaned up, locking up his brothers, organised the remaining terrified staff, and they had barely any time to spend time together. Or sleep in the same bed or do anything with each other.

“Morning..... No, wait... a bit too late for the morning... So afternoon,” Loukas said, gripping a cup of what Hide can smell, hot creamy milky coffee.

Gross, he never got how people can even intentionally swallow coffee. It's bitter brown water.

Hide took a big bite out of the dessert of the meal which was the pie. He savoured the rich spices of cinnamon and the slight crunch of the apple. Taken aback from the skills on display, Hide covered his mouth and swallowed his bite. The guy’s cooking was still phenomenal and he doubted that part of him would ever change. Not that he wanted him to, it was rare to get someone who can cook so well.

“It's morning to me, and a morning with an alright desert,” Hide said as he tried to keep his cool composure and he waggled the fork with the piece of pie attached to it.

Carole had a stick up her ass and thus ate the actual soup first, “You know, it's alright to just say you like the food.”

Hypocrite.

Loukas as he took his seat at the table scratching the back of his head with his very sharp-clawed hands, “You're welcome, please don't argue.”

“We’re not,” They both said as Hide gave Carole his biggest force smile, “Carly Warly is a sweetheart and I have no issues with a tourist from the bitch planet.”

Carole tilted her head to the side, “Same, king of it...”

This girl…

Loukas shook his head at this as poked at his food, “If you two say so. Looks like it to me but I cannot tell with you two.”

No one wanted to say anything.

No one was going to mention nor ask the obvious.

No one wanted to ask, “What are they going to do now?”

The lunch was just casual chatting and general playfulness in a mostly empty dining room.

No one mentioned the things that sprouted from Loukas’ back and pretended it wasn’t there.

This of course could not last for long.

A knock at the dining-room door alerted broke the current atmosphere. Loukas' iris shrank to pinpricks as he heard the knock. Carole tapped him on the arm to focus, he gave her a nod and slowly opened his mouth and in that indifferent tone asked the knock he asked, “What do you want?”

“This about Cherly right? Or you want to talk about a man worth more than all the gold and silver in the world,” Loukas' eyes were cold and his sneer was vicious, showing all his razor-sharp teeth. He grabbed the servant’s other arm and tugged it taut causing him to shriek out in pain.

“Wouldn’t want to lose the other arm, right? I would dislike that, make you even more useless,” He stuck the hand into his sharp tooth maw, allowing his teeth to sink into the base of a finger, biting off the digit proving his point. The screams echoed throughout the previously peaceful room.

Carole watched on with her usual indifferent expression yet she mixed the face with something unreadable as the corner of her lips twitched downwards.

Was that disgust?

Hide ignored that for now, as despite the gruesome sight before him, despite his automatic fear response at the wrongness, he felt his heart flutter at the sight of someone, finally sticking up for him after so many years. No one would ever do that, no one was ever strong enough to help.

Loukas wanted to protect him and make him happy. The way he licked the man’s blood off his lips. Then in a twisted show of his gentleness pat him on the back as a "thank you for the meal." Loukas led him outside the room to the halls for a chat and whispered probably soft reassuring words.

However, Hide knew that there was one big issue to handle. That night could not be a secret forever and when it gets out...

What should they do?

He remembered that bloody night he suggested running away. To somewhere cool, but Carole had to put a damn hole in it by pointing out the possibility of being tracked down, how dumb it was, Loukas' connection with the smog may make things iffy, and a bunch of other logical holes.

Wet blanket.

She was the only one who wanted to stay here.

Loukas, of course, was silent during the whole thing, shaking like a leaf, still stunned by what he had done, and what he was capable of doing. They never really got his full input in what they should do.

He was too... unstable.

“Tonight we’ll contact Lucky,” she whispered suddenly.

“Your girlfriend? Didn’t you blow them off in your wing debut?,” Hide quipped back.

His girl narrowed her eyes at him shaking her head, “I still keep contact with her.... idiot. Listen,” she looked around.

“We have to check that machine.”

Hide looked at her in confusion.

Machine?

Oooooh...

That machine

“Ah, seriously why now?” He realised what she meant. Maybe it was because she was this place’s angel, but the girl seemed constantly drawn to the strange shit here. Ever since she became the black wing whatever she was more… connected with the things here. One of which was the ventis, that red smog.

The very foundation of Ildens.

Hide rather be anywhere else but Ildens, this city could burn in hell for all he cared.

“Tonight,” she said with little elaboration.

Bitch.

She then got off from the table and looked towards the doorway Loukas went through with her usual blank expression.

“We’re not telling him?” Hide said with a cheeky grin.

Carole shrugs, “up to you.” she brushed her hand through her messy black hair and said, “ I doubt it would be of any benefit anymore... Do you honestly think he is in any condition to not be a liability"

Benefit? Liability?

Cold way to refer to the guy.

She left the room most likely to give the impression of nothing being wrong to any outsiders. Going about her duties. Hide then heard the door open and the man who slumped in was... Loukas.

Whatever air of aloof confidence and sadistic glee vanished. The blood on his lips and teeth hid away what he was, with his eyes dull with none of their usual sparkle, sharp nails digging into the flesh of his arms and fat tears rolling down his face.

What Hide saw was a man. A sad, scared, heavily traumatised man.

“I... I’m sorry…,” He was muttering.

Hide went up to him and hugged his midsection causing the man to stiffen under his touch as per usual at this point. Hide said nothing to allow him to calm down in his embrace as if that was all there was in the world. Loukas' shuddering and shaking gradually slowed to a stop as he held the shorter man tightly.

“Bad news right?” Hide finally said. He never was the 'comfort kind your bae kind of guy', but he wanted to try. He would try to be Loukas’ comfort when no one else will.

“Cherly wanted to speak to me... He just wanted to talk and… I can’t… I can’t... I can't let him see me like this…”

“So you di-”

“Of course I declined!” He shouted back as those tendrils of his went from their lazy swaying to wrapping themselves around Hide’s waist and lifted him off the ground.

“I can’t look them in the eye. I know what he wants... Same as yesterday. Same question. Over and Over again. Why did I do this? Why kill so many innocent people?” He was quivering. Hide felt the blood beginning to rush to his head with all the shaking Loukas was doing with his meat tentacles. Loukas' breathing was escalating, “Because I-”

“Because they all deserve it and he doesn’t need to know right?” Hide had to assure him, he the room started to spin from how much Loukas was shaking him in the air.

“I-I don’t know, Hide.” Loukas sank onto the floor as he lowered Hide, his sticky tendrils retracted into his body. “What if I'm just a sick manipulator? What if I was seeing things and nothing bad happened and I was exaggerating? What if I was wrong?”

“Loulou, First of all, I'm not some idiot I don’t get manipulated that easily, and second,” Hide wrapped his arms around Loukas straddling his waist and did what he never thought he would do again to anyone. Nuzzle the man under the chin, his fluffy tail wagged under him. “They all deserved it, and I like it when you stand up for yourself, Loulou… You’re a wonderful, handsome, sweet guy. ”

Loukas’ blush intensified at the affection whilst Hide grinned in return. This guy was really easy to embarrass and fluster. It was cute.

“I-I... um I, Hide I…”

Hide got the guy to shut up with a kiss on his soft lips. Loukas, was both surprised and stilled by the sudden affection and returned it with equal vigour. He held onto Hide as his tendrils moved up and down the smaller man’s body, getting under his shirt to feel every inch of it. His chest, his hips that pressed against Loukas'.

Loukas' sharp teeth sunk deeply into Hide’s lower lip. Hide winced at both the pain and the foreign taste of the metallic liquid in his mouth. He felt Loukas’ tongue lazily trail the superficial wound created, lapping at the blood nursing the thing as those tendrils went from their lazy affection to a vigorous caressing. Despite the injury, Hide could not hold back his moan into the bloody kiss as the sting sent a heat throughout his body.

Hide knew his tastes were more… Exotic than most. He always enjoyed a little pain, despite his knowledge of what Loukas could do to him. Hide licked at the wound of his lips seductively as soon as Loukas pulled away reluctantly.

“Eager are you Loulou,” he said breathlessly.

He then noticed Loukas looking away. Those tendrils were still feeling up his body but he also noticed Loukas seemed to shift himself a bit with a blush.

Hide, confused at the sudden shyness, observed his lover some more until he moved his hands away from Loukas’ face. Hide looked down to the front of where he sat on Loukas’ groin, feeling and now seeing a very large, very obvious bulge.

So that was it.

“... Sorry about that,” Loukas said, as he looked away.

Hide burst out laughing, “Are you kidding? I would be offended if you weren't getting as hard as me. I take it as a compliment.”

Loukas’ face could not have gotten redder, as Hide continued but gentler, “Hey if this whole thing is making you all pent up and you need a break… I can help with that.”

Hide trailed his finger around the engorged area causing Loukas to let out a hiss. Hide allowed the silence between them to settle until he got a response.

Finally, after what feels like ages, Loukas nodded his head…

“I... I have never done anything like……….this before”

Hide smiled and gave him a lusty kiss back trailing his tongue over the man’s neck resulting in him letting out a sudden shudder of pleasure under it.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of that.”

Hide allowed Loukas to unbutton his shirt as his tongue went lower and lower from the neck to chest to his suprisingly chisled abs. He went all the way down until he arrived at the tented bulge in the man's brown pants all the while Loukas squirmed.

Hide grinned before he mouthed at the clothed erection through the expensive fabric teasing Loukas as it grew harder and harder, almost ready to tear through the constraining zipper. Loukas' gasps during the act were something too sweet to not enjoy. It tempted Hide to tease even further but damn, this tool of his was intimidating. If that was its size, half-erect in his pants, Hide could only imagine what it was like free out of it.

It should be a national crime to be this big and still a virgin. Depriving the world of such a thing should be an S -class offence.

“... When are you going to...” Loukas asked huskily, it sent a shudder down Hide's spin. Loukas’ tendril was already trailing down to unbutton his restrictive pants, but Hide bravely swatted it away, gave it a kiss causing it to quiver. He looked Loukas in the eye and said, “Impatience doesn't pay, just enjoy this.”

It warmed his heart Loukas was getting this desperate, ready to unbutton and start. Hide unbuttoned the trouser, took the zipper between his teeth and pulled it down. He might as well be porn star level sexy during this or die trying.

He then held the waistband of Loukas' boxer, the last piece of fabric between them and gave Loukas one last look as he appeared both needy and filled with raw desire. One big sign, his excitement standing long and proud, tenting his thin boxers with the very tip already dampened with pre.

“One, two, two and a quarter, two-point three, two-point three one, two-point-” Hide could not help himself as he teased the waistband of the boxer.

“Just suck me off already,” Loukas finally said in frustration.

“Aw, ruined my countdown,” Hide giggled.

"Hrm, Yeah, but you would never finish it,"

Well, he was damn right about that.

He pulled down, revealing the large throbbing erection already leaking at the tip, needy flushed and desperate.

Hide licked his lips, felt the size of this could potentially break his jaw, but it would be so worth it.

Damn... the younger man was cut down there too. Never seen a dick without the hood before.

Hide started with a few kisses on the shaft from base to the tip. Loukas gasp and squirmed under his touches. Those tendrils of his could not take this anymore and already was going into Hide’s pants to find his throdding shaft and began stroking it causing the shorter man to for a moment lose his focus he bucked against their grip.

Damn it Loulou.

“Can I-” Loukas tried to ask.

“Y-yeah, yes right there. I don’t mind,” Hide answered, though it would make focusing difficult, he was always up for a challenge. With one hand he held, massaged and caressed the balls, the other he held on to the shaft and gently stroked.

"Better than your hand right?" Hide teased as he looked Loukas in the eye as the younger mab bite down on his hand to hold back his moans.

Hide readied himself as he licked, kissed and finally he slowly took the entire member into his mouth, inch by inch. He moved his tongue around every inch that entered, making sure he serviced the entire shaft as his free hands.

“H-Hide...”

Loukas panted and gasp at the sensation and held onto the back of Hide's head.

Hide seriously hopped Loukas' would be able to last for at least a little longer.

Hide’s own member, whipped out into view was pumped with increasing vigour as he tried to resist moaning around the massive member in his mouth. He felt his hips moving of their own accord against the tenticles strocking him.

How long has it been since he had done this with someone he liked?

Loukas’ breathing grew into heavier pants as his grip on Hide's hair tightened. Of course, the virginal guy had little self-control and thrusted his hips forward as those tendrils pump faster. Damn it, Hide would not let himself finish first no matter what. He allowed Loukas to hold the back of his head and move him back and forth on his cock.

He preferred blowing a guy rather than letting himself get facefucked, but damn was it a nice sensation to be held and moved back and forth.

Loukas was so very close as he feverishly thrusted into his mouth even faster.

Those other tendrils were under Hide's shirt caressing his now sensitive, harden nipples. Hide, determined to let his partner cum first, endured this torment. He had these skills to be awesome.

Loukas’ breath finally hitched as he released that salty sticky mess down into Hide's throat and shortly afterwards Hide finally let himself go, with a sharp moan of relief into the stroking tentacle on his dick.

Loukas panted and slumped forward, sweat formed at his brow as his tendrils were shaky themselves. He, in more of a haze, pulled up his boxer and his pants.

Hide rubbed his jaw to relieve a dull ache and throb that began to formed. He would probably be needing an ice pack, but before he could do anything else, Loukas tenderly kissed him. His forked tongue went into every crevice possible in Hide’s mouth, practically cleaning it from its previous activity.

Kinky ass guy.

Finally, with pure breathlessness pulled back and said “... Thank you …”

“Nah no problem, it was fun.”

“Would you... Would you be fine staying like this?” Loukas nuzzled into him…

How can he refuse such a request?

On the kitchen floor, enveloped by the tendrils and arms of a cannibalistic being, after sucking him off was not how Hide would imagine his life would have gone. Both men enjoyed the afterglow and their warmth.

“Of course I would..… It's nice.. being with you.” Hide looked away shyly

Loukas smiled as he hugged back him tightly, body seemed to be somewhat turning back to a more human form. His eyes however, remained that of a predator, Hide did not mind that.

Thus they stayed and enjoyed each other's warmth for the rest of the day.