Work Text:
When Shin meets Nagumo, it’s in a graveyard of bleeding corpses.
Shin cannot see. He has never dared to take off his black blindfold that prevents his ability from activating. However he feels the imposing energy of power in front of him. As if a gigantic mountain and evil vivacity chaotically merged together, bearing down on every living thing in the vicinity.
For all that Shin was practically a ’ blind ‘ man, he knew the consequences of weakness and the outcome of giving himself this disability.
He does not let himself shake like a coward. He simply drops to his knees until his forehead is stark against the bloody grounds. Somewhere somehow, he hears heavy breathing, the kind of muted heaving where fear has paralyzed the vocal chords.
It’s coming from Shin .
The blindfold around his eyes feel damp with something other than dried blood. The minute trembling of his limbs is subtle but present.
He hears the crunch of bone underfoot before he senses a shadow cast over his prostrated figure.
Panicked, scrambled sentences repeated like a mantra is Shin’s mind, mostly consisting of words along the lines of pleasedontkillme and idontwanttodie
The being is in front of him. Shin can’t breathe. His lungs refuse to do so. A single tear trickles past his blindfold as he bites his lips hard enough to prickle blood.
“ You’re cursed ”
The man sounded like nothing Shin has ever heard before. It was power fluidly entwined with the sound of voice. Two uttered words and the pressure wracking his body, intensified.
“ The monster who paralyses people and consumes their thoughts before slaying them, the terror of this mountain. ” The man continued to drawl, his stare felt hot and intense.
Shin wanted to protest and exclaim, everything the man was saying was correct and wrong all at the same time.
‘You’re the monster’ remained unsaid.
His fear held him back from any movement possible. The pressure of absolute power unbearable to the weak. And that’s what the blond was— weak
Shin jolted.
He felt a strong hand tilt his head, even without sight, he knew the man was staring down at him. It made Shin’s skin feel like it was burning.
“ How interesting. ”
Shin did his best to keep the trembling of his lips in check, tasting the blood fresh on his lips. The new angle left him dangerously vulnerable, one wrong move and the man could snap his neck in two.
The hand holding his chin felt icy cold. Yet it was unnaturally gentle in its handling of Shin’s face. The unexpected mercy left him more fear than relief.
Was he going to die soon ?
“ You’re human though ”
Shin flinched at that.
“ At least you seem normal with this thing on ” the man stated and he lightly brushed the fabric covering the blond’s eyes
He knew the man was looking straight at him, yet all he could do was stare ahead. Nothing was there. But the fear remained. A coiling parasite inching its way under his skin, the numbness and inability to see, it was all so pathetic.
This was how he was going to die.
Blind and Terrified.
The man shifted closer.
Closer.
The man was an inch away from his neck.
This was it.
Even though he could not see, even with a blindfold, the instinct of fear remained.
His eyes are squeezed closed. Hoping, praying, for something.
It never comes.
He senses something solid near his neck before it hits.
—
“ You ”
Shin was staring straight at the direction of the man who seemed to be lost in thought
There was no response.
Shin scoffed, it’s a soft thing. No ridicule or annoyance, only simple amusement. His hand reached out, meeting the face of another.
A larger hand met to cover his hand. Cupping it close to the other’s face. He felt the breath of a kiss ghosting his palm, the corners of Shin’s lips twitched.
“ hey you— “
“I have a name you know, Darling ” The man’s voice is honey smooth. Deep and attractive in the most literal sense, Shin could feel his heart flutter at the pet name. Still quite not used to being called by a term of endearment.
Shin tutted, his hand on the assassin’s cheek squeezed. “ A murderer with soft cheeks. How scandalous. ”
Shin feels it when the older man’s mouth moves into a gaping expression. The soft laugh bubbling inside his chest is impossible to keep in.
“ My love, I am a feared assassin in this country. Please leave this lover some dignity. ” The man hadn’t let go of Shin’s hand on his cheek. Keeping it clasped unlike a treasure.
“ Well, lover, I am here to deliver you your most awaited meal of the day. ” Shin gently pulled his hand away from the other man’s cheek. The hand is unwillingly let go.
Spreading both his arms open, Shin awaited the embrace that always came. “ Dinner’s served. ”
A cocky smile is graced on his lips. In the face of the most powerful assassin this generation has ever seen, he serves himself on a golden platter.
The assassin is the only son to the most well-known and widely feared underground figures in all of Japan, heir of the long standing mafia group that has lived for decades and nearly hitting a century— The Crimson Empire. The proclaimed genius with a talent to kill instilled in his veins since birth, Nagumo Yoichi
His Nagumo Yoichi.
What was there to be afraid of ?
A soft sigh escaped the assassin in front of him. Warm and firm arms met Shin’s open embrace. A happy hum pleasantly buzzed around the room as Shin wrapped his arms happily around the taller man.
“ I wish you could see how beautiful you are in my eyes, sweetheart ” The words drip like honey from Nagumo’s lips.
Shin greedily soaks it all up. “ Smooth talker. ”
“My dearest, I would slaughter anyone who dare to cross against you. If you wish for an ocean of blood, I’d bleed all their carcasses if you so wished ”
Shin’s happy smile immediately lost its fuel. A disbelieving chuckle leaving his lips. “ Thank you ? ”
“ Anything for you. ” Nagumo buried his head on the crook of Shin’s clavicle. His lips were sharply curled, his teeth peeking out, adoration and madness made into sweetness.
The assassin looked up towards Shin, his hair tickling past the blond’s chin. “ My meal smells divine. You have my thanks, darling .”
Shin gave him a soft peck on the black haired male’s forehead, gentle and loving
“You may have me, however you wish.”
—
It was raining.
Shin hasn’t seen rain in a very long time.
The sound of rain is one of his favourites. He tries to remember how beautiful the scene of water droplets falling looks like. The sound of pitter-pattering is a staccato of perfect rhythm. Shin’s fingernails dug into the palm of his hands, leaving crescent shaped moons as he resisted the urge to remove his blindfold.
The silk blindfold around his eyes is a heavy reminder of his ability. The oath he took, his curse.
To Shin, the sound of rain is the only comfort in a world of nothingness. It’s one of the rare times where he doesn’t feel alone. The echoes of loneliness washed away by the torrential waters.
He wishes he could see it again.
—
“ You’re not actually blind. ” It’s an astute observation.
Shin would praise the stranger if it were any other situation. Rarely was anyone ever to deduce the exact predicament of his pathetic life as a wanderer.
If only, the smart bastard wasn’t his kidnapper, then maybe, sure.
“ Why haven’t you killed me ? ” Shin breathes, mentally patting himself on the back for not stuttering.
The room is warm, warmer than he’s ever been allowed to. The air is filled with the ambience of luxury, if the soft cushion underneath his body was talking.
Falling off the edge of death and consequently being pulled up is an experience he never wants to do again. Ever. The bruised wound that is now patched up, vaguely throbbing as a reminder of his almost death.
The man—murderer, he concludes; after the whole experience of hearing at least 20 men drop dead next to the blond’s feet before being knocked out himself only to wake up on a comfortable, cushioned sofa.
Shin receives no reply and he feels the man scrutinising his body. The powerful presence is still burning, but it’s substantially more muted than previously. The blond internally sighed in relief when he discovered his lungs weren’t in emergency lockdown anymore.
“ A mutant? Hmn, one with an ability at that. ” The man’s voice, now that Shin wasn’t scared out of his living wits, was.. quite pleasant to the ear. But every word that came out of his nice sounding mouth made him tense with fear.
The man knew too much.
“ How unlucky. ”
Shin gritted his teeth and stayed silent.
“ I wonder if the rumours are true, will one glance from your pretty eyes leave me stunned to the bone ? ” There is a smile in the his tone, unfamiliarly teasing.
Shin squirmed in his place on the couch. His blindfold was still soaked with blood and damp with his tears.
Will the murderer force him to remove his blindfold too?
(Hands grabbed and harshly held him in place, laughter and cheers around him, someone held his head in place, making quick work of pulling his blindfold off— stop. It was like Shin stopped time itself because everyone around him remained motionless, just terrified looks staring right back at him as a thousand thoughts flooded Shin’s mind. Then, his body locked up— surrendering to his survival instincts as he took a blade from the closest man nearby before slaughtering them all in one breath. A horrifying twist in the the blond’s face when he looked at his bloodied hands. Horror and disgust etched into death.)
“ Hey now, you’re getting distracted. ” The man’s voice is an attractive timbre. It scratches at all the sensitive spots in Shin’s eardrums, it also snaps him out of his reverie.
Without his knowledge, his lips were pursed by themselves, silent tear-tracks going past his dirty blindfold.
The man placed his hand on his cheek, and before Shin could push him away— he had wiped his tears away.
Shin sharply inhaled and backed as far as he could on the loveseat he was seated on. He hears the man laughing at him, the sound of lips smacking, loud inside the warm room.
Lips smacking…?
“ Tasty ”
Shin’s jaw dropped open from shock. He couldn’t think of an appropriate reaction. The blond is pretty sure tears are salty, is there something wrong with this man’s taste buds ?
—
“ Why are you letting me stay ? ” Shin was sat hugging his knees in the same loveseat he came to a month ago.
“Do you have anywhere else?” The assassin— That Nagumo Yoichi, he learned after their disastrous first meeting, sat across from him. He seemed to be holding a book, the telltale sounds of pages turning- calming the anxiety in Shin’s queasy heart.
“ …..No ”
“ There’s your reason ”
Shin frowned, a human who chooses not to see and an assassin reading a book
How was any of this normal?
Shin gasped internally. Realisation sinking in.
“ Is he reading a book in front of me to mock my inability to read ? “
The sound of a book being closed caught Shin’s attention, snapping out of his trance, he turned his head in the direction of the sound.
“ What ridiculous thought has crossed your mind now, hm ? ” Nagumo asked.
Upon being reminded of his recent scandalous discovery, Shin’s legs untucked themselves under his chin and he sat straighter on the loveseat. A small frown was twisting his lips down.
“ You were reading a book. ”
A hum. “ I was. ”
“ I see. ” Shin opened his mouth to continue,
“ oh~ ? but i’m sure your blindfold is getting in the way of that ” Nagumo interjected.
Shin sputtered, “ So you are! You were reading a book to mock me for not being able to see, weren’t you ?! ”
Nagumo stayed silent. Shin accepted it as a silent assent.
Of course the assassin was doing it to mock him. Everyone was the same, human or not, they all were.
What Shin didn’t notice was that his lips were downturned, upset and bitten red. With the assassin’s abyssal eyes locked onto his every movement, almost obsessively following all his actions.
“ How are you so fearless around me? Just a month ago, you were full of fear, hm ? ” Nagumo said.
Shin snapped his head into attention, facing towards where he knew the assassin was. “ I still am.. ? ”
The man across from him chuckled. “ Are you taking me for a fool ? Or are you just naive ? ”
Shin didn’t know which to choose. Maybe the first one. But he wasn’t suicidal.
“ Tell me, are you still scared of me ? ”
Shin knows he can’t avoid this question, but he fears his honest answer is too pathetic for the powerful assassin to understand.
Nagumo hummed, somewhat displeased. “ So, you are ? ”
Shin knows he has to answer. Is he still scared ? Everything happened so fast that day, first, people discovered his existence and forced him to take off his blindfold to purge his existence, second, the more he resisted the worse the outcome became. All of his assailants have either ran or ended up dead. Third, Nagumo found him huddled on a mountain of corpses and the rest is history..?
“ I think I’m still scared of you ” Shin began.
“ But not as much as I did a month ago. You let me stay in your house so the others can’t get me. You aren’t interested in my abilities and I’m a weakling. You could’ve killed me if you wanted… but you haven’t ”
Shin finished his spiel and nodded to himself. The cloth of his blindfold coming undone with the heavy movement of his neck.
His closed eyelids slipped past the hidden barrier. For he could not see, he didn’t meet eyes with the assassin who was looking at him with blood-crazed eyes. An imprint of possession.
“ Oh my, You’re far too naive. ” Nagumo’s eyes could not leave Shin’s face. His closed eyelids hid wonders he could never imagine.
Shin hurriedly fixed his blindfold and tilted his head at Nagumo’s remark. “ You only think that way cause you’re old. ”
Nagumo stared at the eyes, once again covered from the world and smiled wistfully.
He used his forefinger and middle finger to flick Shin’s forehead.
“ Very funny ”
—
Shin was hungry.
The assassin who owned the house was out. Surprisingly, this was the first time Nagumo left him alone inside his mansion. It’s been a month after all.
He supposes the older male is confident he won’t run away anymore. Shin would disagree but, unfortunately, he had nowhere else to go.
The villagers at the bottom of the hill were still patrolling the forests to search for the monster . The anger and desperation of the people tripled once the bodies of the previous hunters were found. It was dangerous for him to wander around, especially because he lacked the ability to see.
It was a bummer, but … Nagumo was a good roommate. Given that Shin was freeloading.
But! Shin forgave him for rudely knocking him out on their first meeting. So, it’s even between the both of them. As all things should be.
The stupid assassin didn’t even take him seriously, but he at least had the decency to make Shin’s meals. (It was nice.)
The older male was more quiet than noise, but he always provided Shin the things he knew to be difficult for someone lacking sight.
He’d wake him up for breakfast, the handrails that were installed nearly everywhere safely leading him down the staircase. That was probably Nagumo’s doing, he liked doing annoying things with his ridiculously huge amount of money. Shin wishes he could complain but those same handrails are what help him safely avoid hitting walls and injuring himself.
It’s awfully thoughtful.
But, this time around Nagumo and his watchful eyes no where in sight. Shin can finally make his own meals.
(Not that he disliked the unspoken kindness.)
He missed having a variety of food, Nagumo was too strict on the diet. Shin deduced the assassin doesn’t cook often because not only was his food stiff and simple, it was too boring!
Although the blond could not see, he’d lived all his life alone- he was used to doing things without assistance. Technically he could take his blindfold off since there is no one in the house except him at the moment, however Shin didn’t want to take the risk— it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
As he scurried around the kitchen, making his breakfast, he faintly recalled that Nagumo knew about his situation too. The assassin knew he wasn’t helpless without assistance, or had the need to be made food when he could do so himself. So why?
Shin doesn’t want to know.
It’s a peaceful day and Shin has never had the luxury of safety. It would do him good not to overthink every little detail of his life
—
“ It’s been a week. You haven’t given me your name. ” Shin was having breakfast in his kidnapper’s mansion.
Who would have thought that was possible?
The man gave him food every day, starting from that cursed first meeting. At first he believed it was a trap, serving poisoned food to a blind person, a terrific plan.
But, his instincts didn’t send any warnings, and he was starving. It had been a week since he’d been on the run from the random people hunting him down, and it was the third day since he started staying in the man’s home. His stomach was eating itself out.
And so, he took the first bite of (poisonous) tomato soup. It was unexpectedly delicious.
From that day forth, he begrudgingly accepted the peace offerings of food. They were all oddly vegetable based, all soups and light food. Murderers sure had unique platter palettes.
“ I’m far more terrifying than you could ever imagine. My true name comes with its dangers. ” The man was seated right across from him, Shin didn’t know if he was eating food too.
“ I don’t mind .” the blond immediately replied. It was basic etiquette and the other male was letting him hide in his home. He was shameless, but not ungrateful.
Shin heard the sound of a glass being put down. The older man was facing him. Even with a blindfold- Shin could feel the weight of his stare.
“ Nagumo Yoichi, and you ? ” The man said it casually, a bored lilt to his intonation.
Shin’s breath hitched, “ C-come again? Nagumo.. ? ”
Nagumo chuckled. “ You heard me, pretty. ”
“ Oh. ”
Oh.
Nagumo Yoichi ? Shit.
His luck was downright deadly. He’s a mutant born with telepathic abilities. A person not worth the time and day of any powerful human. So how, pray tell, did he end up crossing paths with one of the pillars of the underground world ?
“ U..um, Shin. Just Shin....Sir?”
Fucking Fantastic.
—
Shin is a curse.
He’s known this fact all his life.
He was the result of an affair— an irreparable mistake.
Shin’s mother was a witch. She fell in love with a charming human while wandering mortal villages. The witch.. his mother was irrevocably in love. More than the human loved her.
He was born out of their love.
Maybe it was because his mother was too obsessive in her love, his human father had an affair before he was born. It was with another human woman. The witch fell into despair and brutally killed both of them.
Shin remembers all the details close to precision. The curse would mumble, murmuring all the evil and atrocities he made by being born.
When he was born, his mother was enraged. He looked exactly like his human father. But, she couldn’t murder her own child— but the essence of her hatred was too strong.
After childbirth, she died cursing him … a life of despair, and that any living creature who dared come too close will suffer
Thinking back on it now Shin wondered if perhaps his mother’s curse was actually a form of protection, his telepathic abilities sometimes came in handy in certain situations— but whenever Shin hears laughter and thinks of true companionships he can never have, the thought immediately leaves his mind
—
Shin does not remember when it started.
He thinks it was when Nagumo returned and opened the door to Shin serving them both dinner.
Shin couldn’t see the expression the other was making, but he knew the other was probably stunned.
A normal meat stew was on both sides of the table, along with 2 glasses of fruit juice.
“ Welcome home ? ” Shin faced towards the direction he knew the other was. The other male was probably staring at his creation on the dining table.
He proudly puffed his chest and gestured with a hand, “ I cooked something for both of us. I figured i should return the gesture as a token of my thanks ”
“ Is my cooking not to your liking ? ”
Shin jolted, vehemently shaking his head. “ No, not at all. They’re great! I just like meat more, you know ? ”
“ I see ”
“ is he mocking me ? ” Shin internally grumbled.
“ You never mentioned any allergies and even though you mostly cook vegetable based dishes i realised your food does contain bits of meat sometimes so i assumed you’re not fully vegetarian, i hope this is okay… ? ”
Nagumo was silent.
Shin wet his lips and tried to act casually. “ So you know— ”
“ You’re playing a dangerous game. ”
Shin shut his mouth. He heard Nagumo’s footsteps growing nearby.
“ I… ”
Nagumo opened his mouth,
“ I’ll play along with you. Take your seat. The food will get cold. ” Nagumo gestured, and a big hand gently nudged Shin to sit down.
” You prick! I prepared everything and you’re acting like you did all the hard work!! ”
Shin made his movements exaggerated, scraping the chair back and plopping down loudly.
Maybe it was then, when he heard Nagumo picking up his cutlery and taking a bite of the meal Shin prepared. There was a pleasant hum that came from the assassin, so quiet the blond nearly missed it.
Shin wondered what kind of expression Nagumo was making, did he like it ?
The blond didn’t have to wonder much longer because he soon got his answer when the sound of lips smacking together—as well as the ensuing sigh of delight, Shin felt oddly flustered.
Oddly enough, Shin felt as if he was being stared at, but Nagumo was clearly focusing on his meal. Did he get it wrong?
They finished their meals in silence. One, more satisfied than the other. And Shin flustered beyond belief.
Once that change took place, everything seemed to fall into place.
There was that time.
Shin was too distracted, the blond was in a jolly mood with a record player playing a tune in the background as the younger walked around with a dance in his steps, before he knew it he accidentally knocked over a vase and cut a large gash on his leg.
The pain was searing. He hissed and tried to stay calm but he couldn’t keep in the groan of pain that lead to a small whimper
There was the sound of a door slamming shut and suddenly he was off the ground. He unconsciously registered Nagumo as the one who swept him off the ground. His body sagged and a shuddering breath left his lips.
“ Sorry, ‘broke your vase ” Shin leaned his head on the other man’s shoulder, biting his lip to stop another whimper from escaping his lips as his inured leg jostled a bit when they reached the stairs
He distantly heard Nagumo curse at himself before being more gentle and mindful with his actions
“ don’t blame yourself, i was being too careless ”
Nagumo snorted, “ Did you only realise how clumsy you are now ? ”
“ I said I’m sorry ! ”
“ Okay, okay. Let me fix it for you. ”
Nagumo laid him on a soft cushion, bringing a pillow to support his back. Shin heard quiet shuffling and suddenly, his shoes were suddenly taken off. He felt the assassin’s cool hand on his skin.
“ May I ? ” Shin imagines Nagumo kneeling down in front of him. His leg rested on top of the assassin’s lap.
“ You don’t have to sit on the ground.. ”
“ Is that a yes or a no ? ”
“ ..yes. ”
Nagumo made a pleasant sound and dragged his hand from Shin’s thigh down to his calf, the cold tips of his fingertips leaving trails of goosebumps. “ It won’t hurt at all. ”
Shin felt goosebumps wherever Nagumo’s fingertips touched, the man seemed to be skilled with dealing wounds because the blond felt the man treat his injury with firm and deliberate movements. It was quick with no hesitation, leaving the younger slightly stunned. Shin only felt a sting of the antiseptic and before he knew it, his injury has been carefully treated and wrapped in a bandage.
He feels a kiss on his leg.
Shin stilled. He held his breath as chilly lips left trails of coldness across his bandaged leg. A small part of him wished, the assassin would kiss his lips instead— but quickly pushed the thought to the back of his mind with hot cheeks. Shin thinks he’s imagined it when he feels a smile against his skin at one particular moment.
Shin’s cheeks were flushed red, his lips wet and glossy from how much he kept anxiously licking them. He was a sight for the assassin on his knees.
Maybe it started then. But Shin doesn’t regret it.
—
It was raining.
Shin was caught off guard.
Nagumo had gone out again, but he didn’t tell the blond what he was going out for. The assassin only grumbled about annoying vermin before patting Shin’s head and promising to return soon.
It was unusual. Nagumo never had to leave so abruptly. His status was enough to take care of any trivial disturbance without lifting a finger.
There was an eerie premonition simmering in his gut. His survival instincts never failed him.
Someone was coming. And they were after him.
He needs out. Someone was going to destroy the mansion before Nagumo got back. Shin had to go.
The people who were after him were coming.
—
Shin backed himself up until his back hit the tree, His clothes were wet from the rain, his shoes and pants were caked with mud. They were all in front of him. He could feel the disgusting auras of their energy.
“ So this is that bitch’s offspring ? The monster with the cursed ability ? ” One of them spat, their voice was rough and ill-sounding. Shin wished he could cover his ears.
The rough downpour on his skin prickled the bleeding on his lips and the cuts on his arms and knees.
“ His brain and organs are worth billions if we sell them, better than letting loose an uncontrollable curse. It’s not as if his existence is worth anything… ”
Shin tuned the noises out and held his blindfold tight.
His cheek was still throbbing from the kick of one of the attackers. But it wasn’t anything new.
They were going to beat and play with him. Settle all the grudges they had on his mother.. then they’d take his blindfold off and they.. they’d start screaming as they temporarily get paralysed before Shin’s body moves on his own to deal the final blow.
Shin was tired, he never asked for his ability, his curse. The frozen faces of all the past people he’s killed still haunt his nightmares at night, his guilty conscience eating him from the inside— wondering if he ever took a father from a child or a child from their mother.
Shin wonders if Nagumo will still accept him after knowing what he has done, what he can do. The older male is an assassin, the blond is sure the fact that he has killed before doesn’t faze him, but will Nagumo still want him by his side when he finds out that the younger can read the thoughts from every corner of his mind ? Will his ability disgust him like it does to the rest ?
He just.. didn’t know anymore
The people surrounding him stopped talking. Shin knew what was coming.
The first kick to his stomach is hard. But bearable. The slap to his cheek stung, but not painful enough to scream.
The sound of the rain was strong. It was a comfort to the pain.
The second kick comes to shoulder, it knocks the breath out of him and he falls on his face. They all laugh.
The scratchy and high-pitched sounds of his surroundings overstimulated his sensitive senses, a whimper slipping from his lips from the blearing pain.
“ So this blind buffoon isn’t mute, after all ? ” One of them stepped closer, Shin braced himself.
Someone put their foot on top of his head, pushing all their weight down till Shin had no choice but to get buried under dirt.
They all took turns beating him up. Taking pleasure in the small noises of pain he failed to keep in.
It was all so so painful. His senses as a person deprived from his sight were heightened double than the normal person. He could feel everything burning, bleeding .
Shin wanted to go home.
“Time for the best part~”
“I heard his eyes are terrifying.”
“ Just make the gouging quick. He got boring too quickly ”
One of his harassers pulled his head back by the hair. “ Time to unwrap your blindfold, little fool ”
Shin squeezed his eyes shut as he willed himself not to think too hard, to not activate his ability. He felt the rough hand pulling his hair back undo the knot of his blindfold.
One second.
Two.
The blindfold was off, it slid slowly down his closed eyelids— as if waiting, expecting, for something to occur.
His assailants are silent, he waits for the pain to go near his eyes, the tool they always used to try cut his eyes out—
“FUCK!”
“ WHAT IS NAGUMO YOICHI DOING HERE?! ”
“SHIT! HURRY- FUCKING HELL HE’S COMING—!!”
Shin felt his face fall when the rough grip around his hair suddenly vanished. He braced himself for the pain on his face,
nothing.
Cold and slender hands held him up.
Nagumo.
Shin’s eyes unconsciously snapped open.
“ Who did this ? ” Nagumo was calm.
Shin knew he wasn’t. “ Nagumo— ”
“ Shin, who dared ? ” Black obsidian eyes bore into Shin’s faded blue irises, the simmering tempest of rage threatening to overflow at a moment's notice.
The rain soaked them both. All the blood washing off Shin’s face, a raindrop falling right underneath his eye, trailing down like a tear.
Shin was covered in wounds. A large bruise covering a part of his cheek, cuts and scrapes all over his lips and chin. His own blood was pooled around his whole body, yet,
Nothing else mattered at that moment. Shin could see .
His blindfold was abandoned and discarded on the floor.
The assassin’s face was fully in view, sharp nose, perfect lips, the perfect proportions. Shin could only gape as he took in the tattoos scattered on Nagumo’s uncovered skin.
For once in his whole life Shin could not hear a single thought while his eyes are uncovered. His mind was quiet and his body felt at ease as his face was held so gently by the man whose face was twisted in fury
That wouldn’t do.
Without realising it, his hand delicately reached out to smooth the frown between the assassin’s eyebrows. A look of perplexion crossing the other’s features before his eyes softened to look at Shin. (He was looking at Shin and he could look back. ) There was not a single trace of disgust on his face, just the softest and most loving expression Shin has ever seen in his 23 years of living.
“ Let me do this for you. Those insects don’t deserve to look at your magnificence ” Nagumo’s irises were dilated, huge and dark like a black hole sucking everything in.
Shin couldn’t look away. “ i can’t hear your thoughts ” he stated, stupefied. It almost felt like he was reborn as a normal person
“ You shouldn’t underestimate me, I’m not an easy person to read darling. ” Nagumo smirked, an eerie grin taking over his features.
A large hand cupped Shin’s cheek, a finger caressing the skin near his eye. “ Stunning, stars should be ashamed of being next to you. ”
Shin licked his lips, tasting the tang of blood, but that didn’t stop the giggle from escaping his chest. “ For a murderer, you’re not so bad yourself .”
It was raining. And the raindrops were gorgeous as they slid down Nagumo’s face.
Shin couldn’t bring himself to look up at the sky he always longed to see again, for all he wished was right in front of him.
—
Nagumo came back through the window. Shin’s eyes were wide as he stared at Nagumo’s blood soaked appearance.
The man was staring straight at him, a confident lilt to his smirk as he trudged forward.
“ You’re all bloody. ” Shin whispered
“ and you’re beautiful ”
Shin glared.
Nagumo charmingly smiled, a hand taking Shin’s to kiss. “ It’s always time to remind you how beautiful you are ”
“ The blood isn’t mine. ” Nagumo wrapped an arm around Shin’s waist. He was trembling.
“ Of course, I know that. You’re getting the blood on me.. ” He stopped trembling when the arms around him tightened. Firm and secure.
The assassin was staring, almost obsessively at Shin’s doe eyes, all blue and bright. A drunken look struck across his face. “ How dazzling. ”
Shin’s gaze softened. He moved closer to the assassin and leaned forward to match his height, landing a kiss on the hand Nagumo held his. A bashful smile gracing his pale complexion. “ My eyes are only for you to see. ”
“ I wouldn’t let anyone dare. ”
—
“ Are you sure you don’t want to throw away your blindfold? You don’t need it anymore ”
Shin nodded.
Nagumo was right, he didn’t really need it but he wasn't ready to let go of it either. The curse inflicted on him from birth is one that activates his telepathic abilities when its stimulated by sight, now that Shin doesn’t wear a blindfold he can detect thoughts freely and uncontrollably as long ad the person is in his peripheral vision. However the mansion really only consisted of the two of them and given that Shin can’t read Nagumo’s thoughts easily, the blond wouldn’t have to be worried about invading the older man’s privacy.
Shin was also worried that he might accidentally overwrite Nagumo’s thoughts and hurt him but after a few ( reluctant ) experiments, its safe to say that the assassin’s mental defence is just as strong as the man himself. Only if Shin is too overwhelmed by emotions will he overwrite Nagumo’s thoughts to do as he says, so far the strongest command the clairvoyant uses is stop.
His survival instinct is another thing though, now that Shin can see, a lot of things stimulate his vision and whenever the younger feel even a little bit threatened— his arms reflexively grab the closest thing next to him as a weapon. There was a time they were both lying on the same bed for the first time when Nagumo suddenly hugged Shin from behind, causing the younger instantly flip them over as his hands engulfed the man’s neck to choke him. Nagumo didn’t panic, he just used a tattooed hand to cup Shin’s cheek— his thumb rubbing the space under the blond’s eyes was all it took for Shin to snap out of it.
Shin almost felt like crying once he realised what tried to do, he also insisted on them sleeping in separate rooms again but Nagumo wasn’t having it. He tackled the blond and swarmed him with kisses, only agreeing to stop once Shin promised they would share a bed from here on after.
“ you’re playing dirty, I just don’t want to hurt you again “ Shin muttered. His eyes had a trace of guilt in them as he stared at the faint fingerprint marks on the assassin’s neck and his right hand trembled, a small detail that didn’t go unnoticed by Nagumo.
Nagumo took his hand and brought it closer to give it a slow, tender kiss “ it would take more than that to hurt me, my love “
—
Shin woke up feeling ticklish.
His eyes slowly opened and blinked, in his periphery, he spotted Mr. Tall-Dark and Handsome nipping at each of his fingertips.
The assassin was looking at Shin with hooded eyes, looking at the blond like he was his next meal. He kissed Shin’s ring finger from bottom to top before sucking the tip. “ Good morning, darling.”
Shin’s fingers twitched, wringing them around as he felt some dried saliva coating them. The blonde grimaced before giving Nagumo a disgusted look
“ I rather you suck my neck like most people would, or give me some kisses like a normal person ”
Nagumo rose from his perch, their duvet pooling around the older man’s naked chest. He rose an attractive brow before pointedly lifting Shin’s hand, and taking a big lick across the blond’s palm
Shin flinched. His eyes blinking closed from the wet, sandpaper feeling against his skin
“ Gotta worship every part of you baby ” Nagumo purred.
“ It’s too early for your flirtatious words ”
He felt Nagumo shifting closer after he spoke, a cold hand fanning across his closed eyes. “ Too bright ? ”
Shin hummed, “ A little ”
The blond let himself be manhandled into the assassin’s lap, instantly sagging once Nagumo put him in place. He felt the strong fingers holding his jaw up with one hand, a smile gracing his lips as he anticipated the action to come.
Nagumo showered his closed eyelids with kisses, his cheeks, his nose, and his forehead.
Shin opened his lips to mouth his thanks but was cut off with the other’s lips covering his.
He closed his eyes and let the assassin take control. His lips were seized, the addicting pressure of a heavy mouth was intoxicating. Shin felt his head go muddled with how much Nagumo kept twisting their tongues together, saliva and the tang of blood mixing into the filthy kiss.
Shin gasped once Nagumo finally pulled away. A string of saliva messily coating their lips together. “ You’re so unfair. ”
“ Mhm. ” Nagumo dived back into kissing the sides of Shin’s lips, nibbling his bottom lip and grazing the tip of his sharp teeth over the plump flesh. He bit Shin’s lip and kissed the younger some more.
The assassin swallowed Shin’s whimpers and moans, all the blood mixed with the entanglement of their tongues.
They kissed for a while, unwillingly ending when Shin finally lost oxygen.
The blond flopped his head on Nagumo’s shoulder and clicked his tongue. “ Too unfair. ”
“ You’re learning, sweetheart. ”
“ Yeah, learning to get devoured. ” Shin gave him the stink eye.
“ You are in my territory. Therefore, I have the right to do what I want~ ”
Shin blew annoying raspberries onto the assassin's ear, grumbling once it was met with amused laughter.
“ Yeah, yeah. Eat me while you’re at it. ”
“ Is that an invitation~ ? ”
Shin wished he knew how to shut up.
—
The curse did not go away.
Shin was still a walking killer. Any intent to hurt him was equivalent to instant death.
Many years were spent wandering for purchase. He had no proper upbringing, he was a wanderer with no connections.
When he set his sights on this particular mountain, it was to run away, yet, this very same mountain led him to the man he was destined to meet.
A ‘ blind ‘ man who murdered people with one look—monster. That was his identity all his life. No matter where he wandered, he would end up with the same name. What use was a birth name when hardly used ? Did his name mean anything more than just a perfunctory title?
He’s heard himself being called all sorts of insulting profanity. Has had it drilled into his psyche- to the point that he answered more to the curses than he did his actual name.
Did anyone care to remember him as more than a monster?
Was his name what he was known for? Must he go by the insults and slurs thrown his way?
There was a time where he truly considered doing so.
But. His name was Shin.
Just Shin.
And there was finally someone willing to call his name.