Page 29 of Obsession of the Egoist
“Would you mind giving us a minute?” Twisting his neck, Kuon faced the nurse and hit her with another blinding smile. Yugo hated it. Painfully fake, it looked so unnatural as if made of sharp glass.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea, Herr Leiris.”
“It’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Fine… You have fifteen minutes. If they don’t leave after, I will call the police.” She rolled the chair to the window that overlooked the small park. “You aren’t allowed to move without the wheelchair and supervision, Herr Leiris. If you need anything, please call. I’ll be around.”
The nurse gave a glare to Rick and Yugo before leaving.
AS SOON AS THE FOOTFALLSdied out, Kuon’s shoulders slumped. Anger bubbled in his throat, shuffling his thoughts. In a habitual movement, he palmed his eyes, fingers brushing against the rough bandage. So familiar, yet so alien, he wanted to tear it off his face, but the feel of the tender, uneven skin around his eyes was even worse.
“What do you think you are doing?” His blood seethed with rage as his voice came out low and menacing. When no one answered him, he lost his temper. “I asked, what the fuck was that? Do you even understand where you are? It’s a fucking hospital!”
His voice bordering on a yell. Running his fingers through his hair, he tried to control himself, then the realization hit him.
“You know what?” He couldn’t suppress a thin, evil smile. “On the other thought, be my guests. Why don’t you kill each other right now? The morgue is nearby; you will save the paramedics from racing to the scene.”
WATCHING KUON’S SPIRITbreaking through the emotionless shell, a weird satisfaction filling Yugo’s chest. The same as two years ago, the need to stir Kuon’s reactions possessed him. The same delight tingled under his skin, as he noticed a trembling vein on Kuon’s neck, and his helpless fingers, clenching and unclenching as if this simple movement helped Kuon to contain his anger. Yugo basked in delight, knowing he was the reason for Kuon’s distress. When Kuon crumpled his shirt, the urge to get closer and grab his hand overwhelmed him. The desire to muffle his fast and torn speech with a kiss and feel Kuon’s angry words vibrate against his tongue messed with his mind. He wanted, needed, to be the only person on Earth who could stir Kuon’s emotions.
“Sorry…” Rick offered.
Yugo flinched. He’d forgotten about the man’s presence.
Rick approached the wheelchair, squatted in front of Kuon. His fingers covered Kuon’s palm. Yugo wanted to pull a gun and shoot the bastard, who dared to touch what belonged to him. The screeching sound of his gritted teeth filled his ears as Kuon didn’t immediately pull back. His blood boiled, chest tightened, and his pride bled out with darkness. He wanted to step forward and break Kuon’s arm, so it would never again touch anyone else, but him.
Yugo shifted his attention to Rick. His dropped gaze and flushing cheeks and ears gave him an apologetic look, but Yugo remembered the direct, warning gaze of his black, piercing eyes.Annoying…
“You should both leave,” Kuon said, folding his arms over his chest. “If you don’t, I will be the one calling the police.”
“Kuon!” Rick’s voice brimmed with pitiful, pleading notes. His fingers twitched when he raised his hand, wanting to touch Kuon’s face, but dropped it.
Pathetic…Yugo smirked.
Turning his face toward Rick, Kuon kept going, “I don’t need your help, your pity, or your so-called protection. What I needed was your support, but you’re unable to give it to me.”
Stretching out his hand, Kuon froze with his palm up. “The knife.”
“Kuon, don’t be silly…” Rick tried to reason.
“The knife. Now!” Kuon repeated; the sides of his face sharpened with tension.
Yugo’s smile widened, as Rick fished the knife from behind his back and placed it on Kuon’s palm. Putting it aside, Kuon outstretched his hand again.
“Yugo, your gun.”
“Phht…” Yugo couldn’t help snorting. “Forget about it.”
“Fine, but the next time I see you, I’ll get a restraining order.”
“It won’t hold,” Yugo laughed.
“I’ll make sure it will.”
Yugo’s shoulders tensed, as he wondered if Kuon was bluffing. Either way, testing Kuon’s limits wasn’t a part of his plan. Not yet, anyway.
“Fine.” Squinting, he stepped forward, pulled out his gun, and unloaded it before placing it on Kuon’s palm. His fingers lingered over Kuon’s for a long second, before retreating.
“Now, get out. Both of you,” Kuon said in an uncompromising voice. “I don’t want to see you here anymore.”
