Lines of Deception

Case File Entry #020

The house was quiet, the darkness only broken by the faint glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. Ohm stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. His shoulders sagged, the day's weight heavy on his frame, but before he could even take a step forward, he heard hurried footsteps.

Nanon appeared from the shadows, his eyes wide and glinting with a mixture of fear and desperation. His body trembled, and without a word, he threw himself into Ohm's arms, clutching him tightly as if afraid he might vanish. The sudden embrace caught Ohm off guard, but his instincts kicked in, and he wrapped his arms around Nanon, steadying the younger man as his frame shook violently.

Nanon buried his face in Ohm's chest. His body heaved with quiet hiccups, his fingers twisting into Ohm's shirt with an urgency that bordered on panic.

"I'm here," Ohm murmured, his voice calm and soothing. He ran his hand along Nanon's back, feeling the tremors racking his body. "I'm here now."

As the sobs subsided, Ohm gently pulled back, cupping Nanon's face to look at him. His cheeks were damp with tears, his hair disheveled, and his eyes were red-rimmed and glassy. Ohm's chest tightened as he took in the sight.

"You panicked, didn't you?" Ohm asked softly, glancing at the untouched plate of food on the table and the crumpled blanket on the couch. The air carried the faint tang of sweat, and Nanon's clothes, the same ones he had worn the previous day, hung limp and unwashed. He reeked of fear and neglect, but Ohm said nothing, his hand still steady on Nanon's shoulder.

"You didn't eat, you didn't change," Ohm muttered to himself, sighing. He guided Nanon toward the bathroom, his movements firm but gentle. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

Nanon followed without protest, his feet shuffling against the floor. His eyes darted to Ohm every few seconds, watching his every move as though reassuring himself that Ohm was real and wouldn't disappear.

The bathroom light cast a warm glow over the tiles, the steam from the running shower quickly fogging the mirrors. Ohm adjusted the water's temperature, testing it with his hand before glancing at Nanon, who stood still as a statue in the doorway.

"Take these off," Ohm said gently, his voice low. But when Nanon didn't move, didn't react, Ohm stepped closer. His hands moved to the buttons of Nanon's shirt, undoing them one by one with steady precision.

Nanon's eyes followed every motion, his chest rising and falling unevenly. When the shirt slipped from his shoulders, revealing his pale, bruised skin, Ohm's fingers froze for a moment, the sight twisting something deep in his chest. But he said nothing, his touch remaining steady as he moved to the waistband of Nanon's pants.

Each layer was peeled away with quiet care until Nanon stood completely bare before him. Ohm took a step back, his eyes meeting Nanon's. There was no fear in Nanon's gaze, only an unspoken plea—don't leave.

Ohm hesitated briefly before pulling his own shirt over his head. Nanon's eyes flickered to his chest, the lines of his shoulders, his torso, before darting back to his face. When Ohm began undoing his pants, Nanon blinked, his breath hitching slightly but saying nothing.

Once they were both undressed, Ohm guided Nanon into the shower, stepping in behind him. The warm water cascaded over them, the steam curling around their bodies like a protective cocoon. Nanon tilted his head back slightly, the droplets running down his face and neck, his eyes never leaving Ohm.

Ohm reached for the soap, lathering it in his hands before running them gently over Nanon's shoulders. His touch was firm yet tender, moving with a deliberate care that made Nanon's chest ache in a way he didn't understand.

Nanon's gaze stayed locked on Ohm, watching his every movement. His breathing was shallow but steady, and his body leaned slightly into Ohm's touch, as though seeking the reassurance he couldn't put into words.

Ohm moved lower, his hands gliding over Nanon's arms, his back, the curve of his neck. Every motion felt like an unspoken promise: You're safe. I'm here.

When Ohm tilted Nanon's head back to rinse his hair, their eyes met again. The raw vulnerability in Nanon's gaze made Ohm's throat tighten. He worked the shampoo into Nanon's hair with slow, deliberate movements, his fingers massaging the scalp gently.

The silence between them was heavy but not uncomfortable. It was filled with something unspoken, something that lingered in the air like the steam around them.

When the shower ended, Ohm reached for a towel, wrapping it around Nanon before drying him off with the same care. Nanon stood silently, his body pliant under Ohm's hands, his gaze never wavering.

Ohm dried himself quickly before guiding Nanon to the bed. He helped him into fresh clothes, the movements slow and steady, as though coaxing a wounded animal. Nanon's hands clung briefly to Ohm's as he tucked the blanket around him, a silent plea for reassurance.

Ohm stayed by his side, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand resting lightly on Nanon's shoulder. For the first time, Nanon's body relaxed, his breathing evening out as he sank into the warmth of the blanket.

As Nanon's eyes began to close, his hand reached out, gripping Ohm's wrist loosely. Ohm didn't pull away. He stayed there, his presence a quiet anchor in the darkness.

And in the stillness of the night, the fragile trust between them grew, unspoken but deeply felt.