Ritsuka kept flinching on his bed as cold air ran across an opened cut on his forearm. It didn't hurt. Every hit, slap, object thrown, being beaten, none of that hurt. What hurt was seeing her crying, seeing her in pain. He knows its not actually his fault, yet he still blames himself.
Soubi constantly suggested and asked that he leave her for his own safety, but he constantly declined. He knows that if he left she would only get worse. If he left she would be all alone. His father already left as did Seimei, aside from him, his mother had no one.
Alone. No one.
Loveless, one without love.
Did that mean he was going to end up alone, with no one? He didn't want to end up alone he liked being around everyone, Yuiko, Yayoi, Youji, Natuso... Soubi.
The tween's face flushed as all the memories of Soubi's lips against his own ran through his head. All the times he had said "I love you" echoed through his ears. Apart of him really wished those words were true, but because of Seimei ordering it he would never know for sure.
His ears flickered as he heard a light knocking at his balcony door followed by it slowly opening.
"Ritsuka" He sat up as he saw his fighter enter the room.
Soubi's eyes quickly locked onto the red blood on the boy's arm. After closing the door he sat besides his sacrifice, putting the first aid kit he was asked to bring between them.
"Thank you." Ritsuka said as Soubi took his arm.
In response Soubi kissed his knuckles, smiling at the sight of his ears flattening and his cheeks turning a fair pink. With that Soubi began to treat the small ones injury, recently most of Ritsuka's injuries had been somewhere on his arms, as he often used them to shield his face. After all it was easier to cover a bandage on his arm then one on his face. For a moment Soubi thought it'd be better if there were marks on the boy's face, that way people would see what was happening to him, but even so he was glad see his arm was the only thing hurt.
"There. All better." He smiled.
Ritsuka ran his fingers over the bandaged wound. "Soubi, am I going to be alone?"
Soubi was slightly taken back by the question. He looked into the boy's eyes and saw not only pain but the need for reassurance.
"If my name really is Loveless does that mean I'm going to be alone?"
"Ritsuka" He pulled the boy into him, resting his cheek on top of his head. "As long as I'm here, as long as I'm alive you won't ever be alone."
"Promise?"
He kissed the boy's head. "I promise."
Ritsuka nestled further against his fighter, happy. Soubi smiled, there is no way this boy could be Loveless.