It was working. It hurt like hell, but he was definitely healing. Compared to the gruesome, bone-deep injury of the previous night, a couple of cuts and a small gash were child’s play. Once he became aware of the burning itch of his skin closing up and rationality returned to his pain-stricken mind, Reika was free to divert all of his focus to the supreme gentleness of Naoki’s touch and the thumb brushing his skin in a reassuring caress. He was so caught up in the conflicting physical sensations of uncomfortable healing and gentle soothing that he never deigned to consider the toll his actions were taking on Naoki’s normally unshakeable composure.
Distracted as he was, his heart leapt in irrational fear when he was suddenly trapped in a strong grapple. His pulse continued to thud equally
