Bound by Shadows

part 1

The city never sleeps. Under the neon lights and the scent of danger lingering in the air, the mafia world thrives in the shadows. And at the top of it all-Nagumo.

Black-haired, tall, and covered in intricate tattoos that tell stories of blood and power, Nagumo was a man everyone feared. A devil in human skin, a predator with a carefree smile. Rich beyond imagination, dangerous beyond reason. And yet, in his private world, there was one person who never feared him.

Shin.

A delicate blond with a baby face and eyes too pure for this cruel world. A timid little thing, too soft, too naive-yet the only one Nagumo ever allowed close.

Tonight, like always, Shin was waiting for him at their penthouse.

The moment Nagumo stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed tea greeted him. The lights were warm, soft-nothing like the outside world. And there he was, curled up on the couch, wearing one of Nagumo's oversized shirts.

"Nagumo!" Shin's face lit up like the sun as he jumped to his feet, rushing over. "You're back!"

Nagumo smirked, catching him with one arm, pulling him in close. "Missed me?"

Shin pouted. "You always come home late..." His voice was small, filled with unsaid worries.

Nagumo chuckled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You worry too much, sweetheart."

"I can't help it..." Shin murmured, fisting the fabric of Nagumo's shirt. "I hear things... people say you're dangerous. What if-"

Nagumo silenced him with a deep kiss, one hand tangled in Shin's soft blond hair. When he pulled away, his golden eyes gleamed with something dark, something possessive.

"No one can touch me, love," he whispered. "And no one will ever touch you."

Shin's cheeks turned red, flustered, but his worries melted away in Nagumo's arms. Because despite the rumors, despite the blood on his hands-Nagumo was always gentle with him.

And in this cruel, unforgiving world, that was all that mattered.

To be continued...