Frostbite

He’s panting heavily, chest and shoulders raising erratically. Like this, hunched over, blood on his face, fingers so tense they might as well be talon- Tomoki gives off an image closer to a wild animal than to a kid. In his mouth, something sharp shines a lot like tusks.

“Fight back!” He spits, hands shooting for Yutaka’s collar. His younger brother has always been on the shorter side of things, but it doesn’t matter when Yutaka’s kneecaps are pulsing in pains. “You started this, FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!”

His teeth snap inches from Yutaka’s face, and the suddenly  fear in his throat prompts him to raise his fingers- to pry the cold cold palms away, to hit back, to do anything-

But there is nothing Yutaka can do

He is too weak.

He hadn’t expect it- this avalanche, beating up his body. This sudden whirlwind of violence, savage and untamed and nothing like the spoiled kid he used to know. He hadn’t expected it- and now, as bruises blossomed on his skin, he finds himself too weak to fight back.

With an angry shout, Tomoki drops him, and slams both fists against the wall.

There’s something dancing in his eyes; the harshness of winter, an undying hunger. His arms are trembling with something that is not quite restraint and not quite disappointment.

Blood runs down his knuckles. He shows no sign of pain.

As their parents shout and rush in, Yutaka finds that he does not recognize his brother.