Chapter 4 Whispers in the Library

The scent of old paper and dust clinging to the teak shelves on the central library's fourth floor was usually the most potent sedative for final-year students. But for Bima, this unsettling silence was a stage for experimentation.

Across from him, Arka sat upright. His gaze was fixated on a thick book about fluid mechanics as if the outside world didn't exist. Arka was always like that—too serious, too rigid, and too guarded with his secrets.

Bima slowly shifted his chair. The screech of wood rubbing against the marble floor sounded loud in the profound silence. Bima paid no mind to the sharp glares from other students. His eyes were fixed on a single point: the calmly throbbing vein in Arka's neck.

Since that night at the apartment, Bima had realized one thing: his phone was clear of messages from that unknown number. Its history was gone. Bima knew Arka had touched his phone while he was asleep. Arka was hiding something, and Bima had to lure it out.

"Ka," Bima whispered. His voice was soft, almost inaudible, yet it was enough to make the pen in Arka's hand stop moving.

Arka didn't turn his head. He simply took a long breath. "Study, Bim. Mr. Danu's assignment is due tomorrow."

Bima smirked faintly. He rose, pretending to look for references on the shelf directly behind Arka. As he passed that broad back, Bima deliberately let his fingertips brush Arka's tense shoulder. The muscle tightened instantly. Bima stopped right behind him, leaning down until his lips were just one centimeter from Arka's ear.

"You know what, Ka? I can still feel your hand on my waist from the apartment yesterday," Bima whispered. His breath made Arka close his eyes for a moment. "And I also know... you like to check my things when I'm asleep."

Crack.

The tip of the pencil Arka was holding snapped. The guy stood up in one swift motion, grabbed Bima's wrist, and pulled him roughly towards book aisle number 700—the most secluded area not reached by surveillance cameras.

Once they reached the shadows of the large shelves, Arka pinned Bima against the cold wall. He placed both his hands on either side of Bima's head, completely trapping the guy's movement. Arka's sharp, masculine cologne now enveloped Bima.

"Are you looking to get yourself killed, huh?" Arka growled, his voice low, trembling from his suppressed emotions.

Bima looked up, his eyes challenging with a brave glint. "Why? Are you afraid of being found out?" Bima deliberately licked his lower lip to provoke Arka's predatory instincts. "Or are you afraid I'll find out what you're doing behind my back?"

Arka snorted roughly. He pressed his body closer, his broad chest against Bima's until there was no gap. "I'm never afraid, Bim. But don't you dare play with fire with me if you're not ready to get burned."

Arka's large hand snaked down, gripping Bima's hips and pulling him tight. Pure passion mixed with mental tension erupted between them. Bima could feel Arka's suffocating dominance, but beneath that, he searched for a hint of guilt in Arka's eyes.

"Try me," Bima challenged, his hand rising to grip Arka's short hair.

Arka didn't wait long. He buried his face in the crook of Bima's neck, roughly sucking on the sensitive skin there. Bima almost groaned, but immediately clamped his hand over his own mouth. The sensation of Arka's lips and teeth against his skin made all of Bima's nerves tremble violently.

Arka's hand moved further, creeping under the back of Bima's shirt, gripping the warm skin of his back with his rough palm.

"Arka... shhh..." Bima whispered between ragged breaths.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of dress shoes echoed from a distance. It was Mrs. Ratna, the notoriously strict librarian.

Arka froze. He released his kiss on Bima's neck but still held Bima's body locked. It was clear how hard Arka was struggling to restrain himself. Their breaths hitched, competing with the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Quiet," Arka whispered right against Bima's lips.

The footsteps stopped right at the end of their aisle. "Who's there?" Mrs. Ratna's voice broke the silence.

Arka quickly grabbed a random book from the shelf, then calmly turned around just as Mrs. Ratna appeared. He stood firmly in front of Bima, using his broad back as a living shield that completely hid Bima.

"It's me, Ma'am. Arka," Arka replied flatly and steadily.

Mrs. Ratna narrowed her eyes from behind her thick glasses. "Oh, it's you, Arka. Why are you tucked away here? This aisle is a bit dim."

"I was just looking for old philosophy book references, Ma'am. Sorry if I disturbed you."

"Alright, then. Don't take too long; the library will close soon for the break. Remember, no noise."

As soon as Mrs. Ratna's footsteps disappeared, Arka let out a long breath. He turned around, gazing at Bima who was still leaning against the wall with a reddened face and a neck now adorned with a contrasting new red mark.

Arka approached, his fingers moving to straighten Bima's shirt collar to cover the mark.

"That was close, Ka," Bima whispered with a small laugh, hiding his pounding chest.

Arka didn't laugh. He gripped Bima's chin with a pressure that demanded full obedience. "I'm never playing games, Bim. If you provoke me again in a place like this, I won't care who shows up."

Arka released Bima's chin, picked up his bag, then pulled Bima's hand and intertwined their fingers tightly. "Let's go back to the dorm. Radit won't be back until evening."

Bima followed Arka from behind. As he gazed at the guy's broad back, Bima's smile slowly faded, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze.

Bima deliberately let Arka mark his neck. He deliberately gave himself up. Because only by making Arka feel he completely possessed and dominated him would Arka lower his guard—and that's when Bima would expose the full truth about his brother's death.