Sea walked through the school courtyard, the warm morning sun shining down, but he couldn't stop thinking about last night. The soft kisses. Boss's hands wrapped around him. The way he'd whispered, "You're mine."
His heart fluttered at the memory, but it was quickly replaced by a feeling of dread when he noticed the hallway ahead—empty. Too empty.
He turned the corner—
—and froze.
Boss stood in the shadows, his sleeves rolled up, fists bloody.
Two boys were on the ground, groaning in pain. One was crying. The other wasn't moving.
Boss didn't see Sea yet. He was too focused, too furious.
"I warned you, didn't I?" Boss growled at them. "I said if you ever breathe near him again—"
He stepped forward, grabbing one by the hair and yanking his head back violently.
Sea gasped.
"Boss…" his voice was barely a whisper.
But Boss heard it.
His head whipped around. Blood splattered on his cheek. Eyes wild. Chest heaving.
Sea's lips parted in horror.
"Sea," Boss breathed. He let go of the boy instantly. Took a step forward.
Sea stepped back.
"Wait, I—" Boss looked down at the mess. His fists. The unconscious boy. "This isn't what you think—"
Sea looked at him, eyes wide and scared. His voice trembled, "You… you beat them up for talking to me?"
Boss's lips tightened. "They were saying things. Disgusting things. I warned them."
"That's not… that's not normal, Boss," Sea said, voice cracking. "You can't just hurt people for that."
Boss's jaw twitched. He looked down, chest heaving with frustration.
Sea turned and ran. Again.
Boss didn't chase him this time.
He just stood there, the sun on his back, blood drying on his skin, and whispered to no one—
"Then maybe I really am the monster you should run from."
---
Later that day, the news spread like wildfire.
Photos. Rumors. Whispered words.
"Did you hear? Boss almost killed two students this morning."
"Someone said it was because of that boy… what's his name? Sea?"
"He's obsessed with him, I swear. It's creepy."
"No wonder Sea looks terrified every time someone mentions Boss."
Girls began whispering in the halls. Glaring.
"He's probably using his body to stay close to Boss."
"Desperate little slut."
"If I were him, I'd be ashamed of showing my face."
Sea could hear them. Every word. Every sneer.
And for the first time… he didn't feel the warmth of Boss's arms.
Only the cold shadow of the world he belonged to.
---
To be continued