Vampire // Kagami & Himuro (!AU)
As the potent coppery scent of blood clogged up his sense of smell, Tatsuya felt like retching. However his body was too tired, too worn out and too broken to even move a finger. His head rolled towards the side as he was jolted by a familiar figure, and his eyes went hazy as his life flashed before him.
He was four. A lonely child, wandering in the expensive, polished hallways of the Himuro estate. Expressionlessly, the young boy walked regally, as he was taught by his governer -- show no emotion, keep your head held high as though you ruled the ground you walked on. He slowed his footsteps, coming to a stop before the gigantic gothic-styled windows, his eyes shimmering with wistfulness on his otherwise neutral face; a desire to be free one day.
He was nine. Laughing gaily, he cheered as another one of his shots made the hoop. His team mates ran forward, embracing one another in a group hug as they celebrated their fourth victory that day. His eyes brightened as the older kids acknowledged his skills, the younger ones chasing after him with admiration in their eyes.
He was thirteen. From his peripheral vision, he saw a boy with exquisite red hair, the ends tinged in a jet black color. For a moment, he was entranced by this stranger who had been staring at their basketball game. Approaching the staring boy, Tatsuya gave him a wide smile. "We're short-handed," it was a lie -- they could take turns to play, but Tatsuya simply wanted a reason to be with the boy with those fierce eyes and fiery hair. "Want to join us for a game of basketball?" And that fateful day, he found a brother.
He was fifteen. They fought. Tatsuya punched the same boy he called his brother in the face, because he had dishonored him in the worse fashion one could do to a fellow sportsman -- he had gone easy on him, allowing him a win just because he was injured. With his torn pride, Tatsuya lost his cool, declaring that they would bet their next match on the ring. But the red haired boy never turned up. He vanished, disappeared from him, just like a mirage.
He was seventeen. With the ring that hung on a chain around his neck, Tatsuya trained, even harder than before. In hopes of meeting the boy that he was sure would have improved much more, and then defeating him, fufilling the promise of that day. And then fate was kind enough to allow them to meet again after two long years -- only for Tatsuya to lose. For real this time, no punches pulled. He supposed he was finally satisfied, in the two years that they were apart, he finally admitted the fact that he was never going to be better than his younger brother, who had limitless potential. But he had missed him in those years, wanting to feel his warm body beside him, the laughter and joy they had shared in their youth. It was then he finally realized his own feelings towards the red haired boy who had grown up to become a fine man, feelings more than a friend would have for another, even more than the feelings a brother would hold.
He was nineteen. Saying his goodbyes to his basketball team mates in high school was hard, but he had to do this. It was time he moved on, accepting the fact that he would never be strong enough. But it was enough. Enough to know that he had done his best and never having regrets. Going to a college far away from where all his friends were, he had never imagined to meet his brother again. They reunited. Made up. Became the brothers that were partners in basketball matches as well as opponents. With everyday that passed, Tatsuya held in the overwhelming feelings he had for his brother, his heart aching with pain with every attempt he tried to confess, ending up with an awkward silence, the words lodged in his throat. But he supposed being friends was still better than nothing. So the days moved on. And then tragedy struck.
Taiga came home one day, struck with a strange influenza. He changed -- his eyes glinting with predatory light, feral hunger written all over his face. He had lost all common-sense. But Tatsuya was adamant. He believed that his beloved younger brother was still in there, somewhere, his consciousness lost as the monster within him took over. When Taiga's new, sharp fangs sank into his neck, Tatsuya shouted in pain, but was choked by the agonizing, unbearable feeling of pain as his lifeblood rushed out of his veins.
"Taiga!" Tatsuya cried, bucking, pushing, fighting the insanely strong creature that was now towering above his body. But he barely budged, continuing to drink from him. And it hurt like hell. Like all the bones in his body was broken at once, unbearable. He felt his strength leave him as his blood poured out of his neck into his mouth.
"T-Taiga..." he gasped desperately, blackness penetrating at the side of his eyes. And then he knew it, that he hadn't had much time left. The cool, soothing blackness beckoned at Tatsuya and he willingly accepted it with open arms. Anything to take the pain away, the pain of his aching heart and his physical pain. Before darkness completely overwhelmed him, Tatsuya felt his head rear up away from his throat.
He had always tried his best, so he would never have any regrets. And he had never expected this to happen, but it was too late. Summoning the last of his breath, he held up one weak, blood stained hand, caressing the contours of the very familiar cheek of the man he loved. His eyes started to fill with tears as he attempted to mouth the words that he had kept locked in his heart.
"I..lo..v..." Before he could complete the sentence, Tatsuya's consciousness collasped, utterly swallowed by darkness. His breath hitched as his heart pumped one last time before it completely stopped. And then his body went limp in the other's arms, the usual vibrant blue-grey eyes open and still on Taiga's, just that there was nothing behind them. No focus. No light. Simply vacant.
