How Not to Provoke a Predator
There are things that, once you become conscious of them, you can hardly return to normal. Like breathing or walking. Activities that you usually perform naturally, but once you start focusing on them, they become awkward. This happened to Yan.
‘He’s handsome.’
Yan swallowed hard as he looked at Sirius. Since becoming the vampire king, there had been subtle but definite changes in his appearance. Even when dressed all in black as usual, he now added accent pieces as accessories.
Moreover, his suits had become more impressive. Given his position, it was natural that he would pay more attention to his attire. Yan had heard that Sirius had a dedicated stylist, and he felt like sending a thank-you gift to this person he’d never met.
‘He’s really handsome.’
This was as natural a fact as night following day and day following the setting of the moon. Yet since recognizing this, Yan somehow couldn’t look Sirius in the eye. No, more than that—he could barely look at his face at all.
This was all because of how quickly they’d grown close. Like a fan who suddenly meets their idol. When Sirius had been far away, Yan could simply admire him from afar, but now that he could suddenly see him up close, he felt flustered.
“It will take some time to get used to this.”
Today, after stealing glances at Sirius again, Yan decided to take a break. He got a latte to go and sat on the café’s terrace, turning his gaze to the street. It was around sunset, and the streets were becoming lively. Seen like this, it didn’t seem that different from New York.
“The coffee actually tastes better here.”
“Does it?”
Yan flinched at the voice that suddenly came from behind him. This voice, deep as if emanating from a cave, could it be…? He was certain he had seen him disappear around the corner…
“Sirius…?”
Turning around doubtfully, there he was. Dressed in a suit that accentuated his impressive physique, his cufflinks—the only silver items—sparkled. Yan could only move his lips without uttering a word.
“Is it delicious?”
“What? Oh, the latte? Yes. They seem to use good beans, and I like the generous milk foam.”
“Hmm, I see. May I taste it?”
“What?”
This time his “what” meant “why,” but Sirius seemed to take it as consent and abruptly took the coffee cup from Yan’s hand. When his long, elegant fingers touched Yan’s, he tensed up. It was remarkable that he didn’t drop the cup.
Sirius took a light sip of the latte. Gulp—watching his Adam’s apple move made Yan unconsciously swallow as well.
“It is delicious.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. By the way, Yan.”
“Yes…?”
“You seem to have been avoiding me since coming to the kingdom. Am I mistaken?”
Having taken back the coffee cup from Sirius, Yan lowered his head. Even though he knew this made him look more suspicious, his body instinctively curled inward.
“Mistaken…”
“…”
“You might not be mistaken… but it’s not what you think.”
Ah, if only he were better at making excuses. Yan’s face fell. Of course he didn’t dislike or avoid Sirius—quite the opposite—but facing him directly was a different matter.
Your face is so handsome I can barely look at it—Perhaps he should just confess honestly. It was the unembellished truth, but he wasn’t sure Sirius would believe him.
“Yan.”
“…Yes.”
“If you keep avoiding me like this…”
The languid, drawn-out voice sounded ominous. Yan wasn’t so dull that he couldn’t sense such danger.
“I think I’ll get angry.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Then just stop doing things you need to apologize for.”
Though his tone was the same as usual, was it Yan’s imagination that there was a subtle hint of anger? No, looking at those ice-blue eyes, it was certain. Yan, who had gathered his courage to look up, shrank back in fear.
Unbeknownst to him, Sirius smiled coldly as he looked down at Yan.
“‘Yan Circuitz will obey Sirius’s words.'”
Hmm, where had he heard that phrase before…? While Yan tilted his head in confusion, the second command fell.
“‘Yan, look at me right now.'”
With a jolt, Yan lifted his head. His body had moved on its own. Only then did he recall that Sirius’s unique ability was none other than hypnosis.
“Do you find me unpleasant to look at?”
“No, it’s just…”
“Then prove it.”
“What? How?”
Sirius, narrowing his eyes as if displeased, lightly pulled Yan toward him. As a result, Yan stood up and found himself trapped in Sirius’s embrace.
“Mmm…”
A kiss followed immediately. While not rough enough to be called violent, it was a persistent kiss, as if confirming ownership. Sirius bit Yan’s lip and invaded his mouth. As their tongues intertwined, arousal gradually awakened.
“Mmm, ah…”
With each slight change in angle, waves of pleasure surged. Yan, completely swept away by Sirius, began to move actively as well. He gently bit Sirius’s tongue and licked his lips. Pleased by this, Sirius embraced Yan’s back.
Only after they finally separated did Yan regain his senses. Exhaling hot breath while nestled in Sirius’s arms, he wondered what he had just done. Intensely kissing the vampire who was probably the most famous figure in the kingdom these days. And on a café terrace with open views from all sides.
Sure enough, everyone from passersby to coffee drinkers was staring at them. Even for these relatively discreet individuals, a celebrity’s kissing scene must have been quite shocking.
“I don’t think we should be doing this here.”
Yan murmured in a small voice. He wanted to push Sirius away, but perhaps due to the hypnosis from earlier, he couldn’t move an inch.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because people—I mean, vampires—are watching.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Yes. Doesn’t it bother you, Sirius?”
“Not particularly.”
“Well, I don’t like it.”
Human society—or rather, vampire society—has its etiquette… Yan added desperately. He wondered why he had to explain the common sense that sexual acts should be private.
Even Procion was relatively indifferent to outdoor play. Given Sirius’s comparatively proper personality, Yan had hoped his anger might have subsided by now, but that was merely wishful thinking.
“Then how about being seen but not seen?”
“What? What does that even mean?”
Rather than explaining verbally, Sirius took action. He murmured quietly:
“‘No one can see or hear. Visible yet unseen, audible yet unheard.'”
What philosophical nonsense is this? Yan thought irritably. It seemed like he was using some ability, but what good was just muttering? At the very least, like vampires in movies, he should conjure some fog or something…
“…Huh?”
Just then, Sirius lifted Yan. He picked him up so effortlessly that Yan felt like a balloon doll. Before he could react, Yan found himself bent over the table.
“S-Sirius?”
This is just a place to set mugs on…? Yan timidly protested. He worried that the table might collapse under the weight. But instead of putting Yan down, Sirius placed his hand on Yan’s belt buckle.
“Th-there’s a hotel in the building right next to us.”
“Is there?”
His tone suggested he couldn’t care less.
“Wouldn’t it be better to get a room instead of doing this here?”
“You seem quite aroused, Yan?”
No, it was Sirius who seemed aroused. From the way his body pressed closely to Yan’s and his voice whispering low in Yan’s ear. Intensely seductive, as if wanting sex immediately.
Sirius removed Yan’s pants. Yan, in his briefs, struggled to cover his lower body, but Sirius instead commanded him:
“I’ve removed the bottom, so take off the top yourself.”
“N-no.”
“No?”
Sirius raised one eyebrow. Feeling somewhat afraid, Yan made excuses.
“I-It’s not that I don’t want to. But we’re outside. People are watching…”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
