After we left the Cobra's Lair, we walked back down the hallway of the 25th floor. Yet, Ray's demeanor seemed to change after I took Yahiko's offer. Initially, he was smiling, but then he became lost in thought. A darkness clouded his eyes and his smile soon faded. 

Did he not want me to take the offer? Is that why he asked me to think it over?

I wanted to ask him, but he abruptly stopped in front of the door closest to the elevator. When he put in a combo, hearing the door unlock, I suddenly felt silly. I figured Ray was going to take me to some lavish mansion, but of course a snake wouldn't live far from its den. 

"Make yourself comfortable," were the first words he uttered in what seemed like an eternity, "I'll be back in a sec."

He took off his shoes near the door, as I fumbled with mine: hearing his footsteps recede as the lights came on. When I finally managed to get my shoes off, placing them by his, I almost gasped. I figured this was a one room apartment, but boy was I wrong! It was a massive suite! The entrance was large and inviting with smooth dark tile floors. He had, what looked like, three rooms, a fully-furnished kitchen, and a wide-open living room with the city lights as a backdrop. The only thing that seemed to be missing was a table, but there were barstools near his island. 

What was really striking was the image of a tribal-art cobra that was stenciled into the wall to the right of the living room: sitting above the fireplace. My hands drifted over it, taking in the delicate strokes. It was mesmerizing...almost like...

"You like that?"

I jumped, feeling super shy all of a sudden, as Ray stood behind me with clippers, scissors, and a comb in his hand. He changed into a tank top, his tattoo slightly peeping out, with comfortable joggers. Yet, what became apparent, were some love marks near his collarbone. I moved my eyes away from him, suddenly realizing my irritation coming to a height because they had to have come from Kizuna.

Ray eyed me for a second too long, then turned from me: heading toward the black couch that blended into the tile.

"My brother commissioned some guy to paint that. If I found you before him, I would've asked you to paint it instead." 

Idk why, but when Ray said "commissioned" it seemed more like he meant forced. I watched him sit on the elongated portion of his black leather couch, putting the styling products on a nearby end table: motioning for me to come over. 

I did as he commanded. My mind had already deviated from the painting.

As I neared him, I started to sit on the floor but Ray started chuckling as if I was doing something wrong.

"What the hell are you doing? Get up here or you'll end up getting braids instead of a cut," he said, patting in between his legs. 

Let’s be honest, my eyes went straight to his pants. In between being mad about him making fun of me, I only felt my cheeks redden when I thought about his manhood. I didn't care if he saw my embarrassment, it was an accurate assessment of the situation at hand.

"Oh...ok," I whispered shyly.

I turned to sit before him. I tried not to get too close because I wasn't sure what I'd do if I accidentally bumped into him. I couldn't even keep my head up, feeling my neck heat. I couldn't help but notice his thighs then. They were large...muscular even...and his legs were longer than mine. I mean of course they were...he was like six foot something.

This wasn't helping at all.

"I figured after sleeping in the same bed, you'd be less shy around me."

I didn't know what to say to that. We weren't this close when we were in bed...but if I said that...

His hands massaged their way up nape of my neck towards my crown. I had to grasp my knees to keep the gasp from escaping. This was bad. I know he was just seeing what he had to work with...but it felt good...and honestly familiar.

I heard the razor whirl, as its blades were placed the back of my head. Ray's comforting hand moved my head further down, and with every touch I felt my heart quicken.

Ray sighed, continuing, "If there's something you'd like to get off your chest, now's the time."

"Huh?"

My surprise escaped my mouth...I thought it was just in my head. Ray moved up my neck, and with every inch I could feel the cool air kiss my skin.

"You got quiet a second ago, and the last time we met it seemed like something was eating you."

Hair started to fall down my neck, prickling my skin.

"Since you agreed to my brother’s terms, I'm going to treat you like one of my guys. Their problems end up being mine."

His thumb brushed my hair, giving me a moment to think. Initially I was nervous to bring it up, but he was right. Something was bothering me...I think I had feelings for him and I didn't know why.

"Are," I exhaled, uncertainty mixing into my words, "...are you dating Kizuna."

Silence ensued, as Ray slightly tilted my head, the razor nearing my ear.

"Ah, I thought I saw you when we were outside the Seven Eleven."

How...when?!

My silence only told him that he was right.

"But Kizuna and I...I guess it's complicated."

My heart quickened, but my stomach tightened after I didn't hear him say no.

"The Raichi and Venom have been at each other's throats for over a century. We've gotten in so many turf wars that it ended up depleting out ranks. When my eldest brother, Imura, died...my father had enough."

He had another brother? I felt a shiver down my spine, as the blade made its way towards my sides.

"That's when our gangs met to determine a truce. Kizuna's father, Iyuma, was dying, which made Kizuna the future head of Raichi. It was long known that Kizuna was gay and his father wanted him to be married to a member of our gang to create an unbreakable bond. Kizuna, without hesitation, chose me...only because when we were young...we were friends. Even though we were forced to hate one another...we vowed to never take each other's life."

Married? 

Ray continued, "But I was devastated when he chose me because back then I had someone I..."

He paused, stopping the razor as he looked me over, "cared about...but what I wanted didn't matter. My father, and in turn Yahiko, fed me to the wolves without a second thought."

I felt bad for Ray in that moment. I couldn't fathom what it'd feel like to be forced to marry someone you didn't love. 

The whirring returned, as he moved my head to the other side. "So, to answer your question, we're supposed to be married on his 22nd birthday. Until then, we do as we please."

Do as we please? Yahiko didn’t seem phased when he kissed me...as if he's done it before. That...I guess that means that he gets around...and at the end of the day I'm nothing special.

I'm just a toy.

The clippers stopped as he looked me over. "Head over to the sink in the kitchen, I'll give you a quick wash and finish this up."

I felt hollow as Ray washed my hair in the sink. When he was done, he messed with my locks, using his scissors to trim it up. When he finally dried it, a wide grin sat on his face.

"Go check it out. Bathrooms ahead."

I did as he said, honestly feeling too confused and saddened to care at first. Yet, when I reached the bathroom and looked in the mirror...I was stunned. I didn't even recognize the person before me. He didn't look like a boy...but a man: albeit an attractive one! My hair was curly, so it still fell over my eyes, but my sides were buzzed and modern.

I suddenly started touching my face in awe, hearing a chuckle behind me. I looked back, seeing Ray leaning on the door.

"Like it?"

"Yea," I said smiling, "I love it!"

Ray smiled after that, his head facing the ground. Yet, I was fixated on how genuine and pure his response was in that moment. His smile was something I wanted to preserve...keep to myself, and before I knew it, I held his cheek in my hand and pressed my lips against his.

It was only when I came to my senses, pulling back, that I realized what I had done. What made it worse was that Ray looked shocked...or...was he blushing?!

"Uh...um...thanks for the haircut," I said, fumbling over my words, turning hella red and scooting past him.

I didn't even realize how quickly I made it to the door to his apartment, quickly putting on my shoes.

"Niko..."

Ray followed me, but his voice was wavering.

"I'll...I'll see you later. Bye."

I didn't even finish putting my shoes on, but Ray trying to hold me there was enough for me to open his door and bolt to the elevator. I kept pressing the button to the first floor over and over again like a madman until it finally closed. I sighed, slinking to the floor.

Yep...I've officially lost my mind.