TW: self harm, suicide mention, death, lots of upsetting stuff so just be warned.

10: Summer Shudder

A blond sat at a bar taking shot after shot after shot. It wasn't enough to numb the sting of betrayal. He almost didn't notice when someone started talking to him.

"…Hey. Can you understand me? I think you've had too much to drink."

Jack turned to see a shorter man with tattoos all over his body. His hair was flaming and spiked and he wore a leather vest like he was in a biker gang or something.

"Do I know you?" Jack asked grumpily.

"Doubt it. The name's Crow Hogan."

That made Jack laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"My cousin has schizdoblardia and he hallucinijates a guy named Crow," Jack answered, unable to say any large words coherently.

"You're Kiryu's cousin? Ah, that must mean you're Jack."

"…I really have had too much to drink… now I'm hajucitating Crow…"

"Nope. I'm the real deal." Crow sat on the bar stool next to him. "I was Kiryu's childhood friend. I moved away in middle school. Apparently he has a hallucination of me."

"Right. Okay."

Crow could tell that Jack didn't really believe him. Well, maybe he could have some fun with this.

"Why are you here alone instead of with your friends?" Crow asked, turning on his charm.

"My boyfriend likes Kiryu's boyfriend better," Jack sulked, slurring all his words. "He fucking cheated on me, bastard…"

"Well…" Crow tiptoed his fingers up Jack's arm. "Maybe you should get back at him."

Jack snorted.

"That's such a Crow thing to say," he said to himself, taking another shot.

"Well, I am Crow," Crow replied, his hand making its way to Jack's face. He traced Jack's jawline and leaned in seductively. Jack was so drunk and upset that he didn't even care whether Crow was real or not. He let Crow suck him into his lustful trap.

Yusei and Bruno were sitting in silence on opposite beds. Neither one wanted to start the conversation they knew had to happen. The conversation that started with-

"What now?"

Yusei turned his head to see Bruno looking straight back at him determinedly. Yusei could tell that his eyes pleaded for Yusei to answer with something like, "I love you!" or, "Let's be together!" But that wasn't true, and that wasn't what he wanted. He'd just been upset and he wasn't thinking… God, he messed everything up again.

"…I'm sorry…."

Yusei looked away and closed his eyes, letting silent tears pool from them.

Bruno jumped up.

"Sorry? You're sorry?! Yusei, you can't just do something like that and… and not take responsibility!"

Yusei turned so his back was facing Bruno.

"Go back to Jack. It was just a stupid kiss. I forced myself on you. It was my fault, not yours. He'll forgive you."

"It wasn't a stupid kiss!" Now Bruno was crying too. "Yusei, when you kissed me, it felt… real. Like it was meant to be. That's not something I feel with Jack. You can't tell me you didn't feel it too!"

Yusei sat up and wiped his face. Then he looked at Bruno.

"Bruno, I like you. But… I'm in love with Kiryu. I always have been, and I always will be. I'm sorry but… that's just the way things are…"

Yusei could tell that that hit Bruno really hard. He could see the heartbreak in his eyes.

"I can't be here right now." Bruno got up and raced out of the room. Yusei pulled a pillow over his head and bit his lip to stifle his sobs.

He'd ruined everything. He'd ruined everything. God, he hated himself. He hated himself.

Bruno ran down the hall, his vision blurred because he was crying so much. In the end he couldn't go farther than the end of the hall so he sat down there and cried.

Everything was out of control. Everything was so confusing. He had feelings for Yusei but he also had feelings for Jack; the two feelings were different yet he couldn't separate them. And both boys had messed up his relationship with the other. How was that even fair? Jack had messed up his chance with Yusei, and now Yusei had ruined his relationship with Jack. Now he was alone. And he couldn't be alone. Because when he was alone…

Suddenly there was some sort of commotion down the hall. Bruno looked up and dried his eyes enough to see that Jack had returned. Maybe he should go talk to him… He stood up, but then he saw that Jack wasn't alone. Jack had someone pressed up against a hotel door. A short redheaded punk looking guy, and they were making out and groping each other!

Bruno put his hands in front of his mouth as he felt his heart being ripped out once again. Jack was already with another guy?! Wait, hadn't Placido said something like this would happen, because it happened to him? Bruno's legs felt numb as he realized that everything Placido said must have been true.

Without another sound, Bruno turned and left.

It was a brisk night. Antinomy wanted to take Placido out for a romantic evening. It seemed like he didn't get much of those.

"This is stupid," Placido tried to complain when Antinomy led him up to the local shopping district.

"Come on. Just try to enjoy being romantized, just for tonight. You might like it."

"Is 'romantized' even a word?"

Antinomy stopped pulling Placido to look at him.

"Look, I know you said before that you don't like being treated like a prince or whatever, but if I have to treat you like crap all the time to get you to be attracted to me, then the least you can do is give me one night where I can treat you right. You deserve it."

Placido's cheeks turned red and he looked away. Antinomy couldn't help but smirk.

"…Fine. Do whatever you want. I'll give you this day."

Antinomy kissed Placido's hand, which made him roll his eyes, but then he began kissing up his arm which prompted Placido to say "hey!" and then made his way to Placido's neck, which of course made him weak-kneed and tendered up.

"Damn you and your knowledge of all my erogenous zones!"

"You made it pretty easy to find out."

Antinomy bit Placido's ear which sent him reeling.

"Hey hey hey! That's unfair!" Placido whined, his voice soft.

"You're right. Sorry, Your Majesty."

Placido gave him a look that said "the fuck?" but also "yeah, that's right, you better call me that, bitch."

Antinomy led Placido to a somewhat upscale restaurant. He acted like a true gentleman, holding the door open for Placido, pulling his chair out for him and then pushing him in. It was disgusting. It was disgusting because it was so cliche and sappy and Placido found himself falling for it.

"Order anything you want," Antinomy said. "My treat."

"You really don't have to do that," Placido said. "I have money flowing out my ass. You work for your money. Keep it."

"No. I want to treat you. It's more special that way."

"Really, Antinomy. I eat expensive shit. I couldn't ask you to pay for that."

"Now who's being the gentleman?"

Placido's face turned scarlet.

"Fine! I'll order whatever I want! It won't be cheap! Idiot."

Antinomy couldn't help but smirk. Placido was pouting and acting so… Placido.

True to his word, Placido's order was extremely costly. Antinomy had to admit to himself that this would be a big hit on his bank account. But it would be worth it, to treat Placido. He'd probably never been treated like this before.

While they were waiting for their food, Antinomy decided to small talk.

"What's it like being the face of such a huge company as Yliaster?"

This, however, turned out to be the wrong choice of topic. Antinomy could tell right away by the look on Placido's face.

"I'm a fucking show pony," Placido spat. "I do nothing but look pretty to help sell shit. I don't even get to drive the cars we sell. My uncle doesn't give a damn about me or my shit little cousin."

"Your cousin?"

"Lucciano. He's twelve and he thinks he owns the world. He's a little brat and heir to the company since he's a direct bloodline. I'm just a substitute until he grows up enough to act responsible."

Antinomy noticed that Placido was looking away with bitterness.

"You seem upset. Do you want to be the heir yourself?"

Placido let out a snort of dismissal. However, he didn't answer. It was that moment, luckily for Placido, that their food came.

"You're not off the hook," Antinomy said, starting on his food. Just for the hell of it, he ran his foot up Placido's sleek booted leg. Placido kicked him without even looking up.

Halfway through the meal, Antinomy heard his phone text tone for Bruno go off. He supposed he should check it, just in case something had happened. He took out his phone and read the message.

Antinomy dropped his fork.

"Oh my god," he said, and Placido looked up.

"What?" Placido asked.

"We have to go. Now!" Antinomy jumped up and shoved on his jacket. "Placido, do you have cash? I'll pay you back. Just throw down $250 and come on!"

"What the hell?!" Placido demanded.

"My brother's trying to off himself!" Antinomy hissed.

"What? Shit…" Placido quickly whipped out his wallet and threw down five fifty dollar bills. He had barely pocketed his wallet again when Antinomy grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.

"Keep the change!" he yelled as he ran out.

Bruno took a cold, deep breath.

He'd decided.

He just couldn't do this anymore.

With tears still running down his face, he texted a goodbye to his brother, telling him he was going to jump off the Seaside Bridge.

'I'm sorry. I love you but I can't take this anymore. Goodbye, Anthony. I'll tell Johnny you say hello.'

After he sent the text, he started walking in the direction of the bridge.

Johnny had drowned, so he would drown too. That made sense in Bruno's mind. An eye for an eye.

He wouldn't cause anymore trouble for Yusei or Jack. It was clear that no one would ever love him. And even if they did, he couldn't be trusted with love.

As Bruno approached the bridge, the wind began to pick up. He had stopped crying. He felt like a zombie. Soon he'd feel nothing at all.

Except as soon as he reached the bridge, someone tackled him to the ground.

"Get off me, Ant!" Bruno struggled.

"What the hell are you thinking, Bruno?!" Antinomy panted, holding him down. "'You scared the living shit out of me! Jesus Christ, if I hadn't come here right away… What the hell's the matter with you?!"

"Everything," Bruno sobbed, bursting into tears again.

"What happened? Did something happen with Jack?"

Bruno nodded.

"Placido was right. I… there was an incident with Yusei… he kissed me… but I didn't stop it. Jack saw and left and later he came back with another guy. Just like Placido said he would. Placido was right…"

Antinomy got off Bruno and let him sit up properly.

"Ah," Antinomy suddenly said, whipping out his phone. "Speaking of Placido, I need to call him and tell him I got you. He's manning the other side of the bridge."

Antinomy whipped out his phone as Bruno wiped his face.

"Hey," Antinomy greeted his boyfriend. "I got him. Come to the other side of the bridge." He hung up.

"Wow. Placido actually cares about me?" Bruno said sarcastically.

"He does, actually. Placido is sweeter than you think. He just buries his real self deep inside."

"Mmhm. Right."

Bruno sounded like he was on autopilot. Antinomy realized that there was still a lot to talk about. He put his hand over his brother's.

"Bruno," he sighed, "I don't know what I would have done tonight if I lost another brother. Please don't ever scare me like that again. I just… I can't lose you. I can't. And Johnny definitely wouldn't want that either. He didn't die for you so you could throw your life away."

Bruno looked down.

"I'm sorry. Everything is just…. too much for me right now…"

"I know it seems like that now, but it's nothing you can't work through."

In the distance, Antinomy could see Placido approaching.

"Come on. We'll go back to the hotel. You can get some sleep. You'll feel better in the morning. I promise."

Jack didn't remember how his clothes had gotten on the floor, but somehow they were, because he fell on the floor with the feisty ginger on top of him and he was definitely on a bunch of clothes.

But something felt… wrong about this.

This guy, despite being hot and sexy…. well, he just wasn't Bruno. As the ginger reached for his boxers, Jack realized that he couldn't go through with this.

"Stop. I can't do this."

He was starting to sober up now and was realizing that this was indeed a real guy, not a hallucination.

"Stop? Now?"

"Yeah. Sorry. I just… I can't do this."

Jack pulled away from him and started finding his clothes.

"You can't be fucking serious."

"I am. I have a right to say no whenever I want."

Crow made an annoyed sound of dismissal, then rummaged around to find Jack's coat.

"Fine, here's your fucking coat! Get out!" He threw it at Jack.

"I paid for this room."

Crow was furious. He shoved his clothes on, gave Jack the middle finger, and slammed the door behind him snarling, "Asshole!"

Jack sighed, sitting back against the bed. That had been a shitty thing to do, but then again this whole situation was shitty. After all, Bruno had only been kissing Yusei, and they had broken apart when they noticed Jack glaring at them. He was sure they wouldn't have done anything else. And here he was, about to have sex with another guy.

What a shitty thing to do.

He needed to talk to Bruno, and maybe Yusei too. But first, he really needed a cigarette. He rummaged through his jacket for his pack but couldn't find… well, anything.

That son of a bitch robbed me! Jack realized with fury. Well, he'd worry about that later. He was itching for a smoke and he knew Kiryu still had a few packs and his lighter in his jacket, which was in the other hotel room. Jack finished dressing and then exited the room to go back to his original hotel room. He wondered if Bruno and Yusei were inside. Should he knock?

No. If they were doing something he'd catch them at it. Jack slid the card key in and unlocked the door. When he opened it, immediately he smelled something weird. A little like burning. Was something burning in here?

Jack walked in and saw exactly what was causing the smell.

"Yusei! What the fuck?!" Jack ran over and grabbed the lighter out of his hand. Yusei put up a struggle, but it was a weak one because his arms were both completely covered in burns. All thoughts of having a smoke were completely gone. Jack threw the lighter out of sight and held Yusei down.

"What the fuck's the matter with you?!" Jack demanded, trying to remember where the first aid kit was packed.

"I fucked up," Yusei said in a monotone. His gaze was unfocused, like he wasn't all there.

"Jesus Christ…" Jack muttered. "You've been hanging around Kiryu too much."

Jack hurriedly tore apart their suitcases searching for the first aid kit. When he found it, Yusei had his hand on the lamp lightbulb.

"Get away from there!" Jack snapped, putting his arm around his waist and pulling him away. He took out the Neosporin and squeezed a glob onto Yusei's arm. Finally, Yusei showed signs of being in pain. He winced and whimpered like a puppy.

"It's going to hurt. You fucking lacerated your arms."

He coated both arms and wrapped them in bandages. He'd have to remember to get a new Neosporin since three-fourths of it was now on Yusei's arms. Then he grabbed the keys to Kiryu's car, picked Yusei up bridal style, and left the room to take him to the hospital.

By now Yusei was barely conscious and incoherent. Jack didn't really know much about burns, but he hoped they weren't too severe or anything.

He was only half way down the hall when Antinomy burst through the stairwell doors like a hurricane. He looked ready to kill.

"What the hell is this?!" Antinomy exclaimed, gesturing to Yusei.

"This is a bad time," Jack said, trying to sidestep him. However, Antinomy didn't let him go.

"Did you do this to Yusei because he kissed Bruno?"

"What? No! Yusei did this to himself. He needs to go to the hospital. Please let me pass."

"I don't believe that for a second! And I have a bone to pick with you!" He shoved Jack back. "I told you that if you ever hurt my brother again I'd break your face!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"He saw you hooking up with some ginger skank just because he didn't stop Yusei kissing him. Placido was damn right about you! You have no respect for your partner's feelings. You're a scumbag and if you ever come near Bruno again I will break your fucking face!"

By now doors were starting to open as people were looking to see who was causing such a commotion.

"Look, first of all, I didn't sleep with the ginger guy. We just made out but then I sobered up enough to tell him to get lost. It wasn't right but really wasn't all that much worse than what Bruno did. Second, I fully intend to talk things out with Bruno later. But right now I need to take Yusei to a fucking hospital and if you don't get out of my fucking way I swear to god I will fucking re-seduce Placido and steal him from you, and don't think that I couldn't. I stole Bruno and I can steal Placido. We've already been lovers. So get the fuck outta my way!"

Finally, this seemed to get through to Antinomy. Jack could see immediately that he had no doubt that he could steal Placido back.

"Move!" Jack yelled. Antinomy obeyed disdainfully. Jack kicked open the stairwell door and raced down it.

This was a fucking shitty ass day.

Antinomy returned to his hotel room, in a different hotel. Placido was keeping an eye on Bruno, who was sleeping when Antinomy got back. Placido got up as if to talk to Antinomy outside, but Antinomy shook his head and shut the door. Placido gave him a questioning look.

"I don't wanna talk about it right now," Antinomy whispered, kicking off his boots. "I just wanna go to bed." He climbed into bed and isolated himself under the covers.

Placido was very confused and suspicious. Antinomy was acting weird. Maybe he lost the fight? What had happened?

Placido slipped into bed and tried to get close to him.

"Antinomy, what happened?"

"Nothing. Go to sleep." He scooted away from Placido.

Placido was hurt, which he translated into anger.

"Fine, if you're going to be an asswipe I'm going to get my own room!" Placido jumped out of bed, shoved on his boots, and left.

"…Ant? What happened?" Bruno asked sleepily.

"Nothing. Go back to sleep," Antinomy told his brother.

"I miss Johnny…" Bruno said, rolling over.

"Me too," Antinomy sighed, taking his goggles off and setting them on the end table.

It was a cold, winter day. The snow was piled high and the frozen pond gleamed in the sun. No school today.

'Faster! Faster!' Anthony laughed, holding onto the edges of a sled as his older brother pulled.

'This is as fast as it goes, Anthony,' Johnny said, pulling as hard as he could.

'Mush! Mush!' Anthony said. 'Let's find Bruno'

'I think he's by the pond,' Johnny said, and he headed that way. As they approached they saw a small blue-headed figure walking towards the pond… and then on it.

''Bruno!' Johnny shouted, letting go of the sled and speeding towards the pond.

'Hey!' Anthony pouted, getting out of the sled and pulling it behind him as he followed his brother.

'Bruno, get away from there! That's dangerous!' Johnny yelled.

'It's fine,' Bruno waved him off, sliding to the middle of the pond. 'It's frozen solid. See?' Bruno stomped on the ice. There was a loud crack and Bruno screamed as the ice split like a spiderweb.

'Anthony, go get Mom!' Johnny ordered, and Anthony ran back to the house as fast as he could in the snow.

'Bruno, don't move. Everything will be okay.'

'I'm sorry,' Bruno sniffed.

'It's okay.'

Johnny tested the ice. No, it definitely wouldn't support his weight. The best bet was for Bruno to try to get off it himself.

'Move very, very slowly towards me,' Johnny said.

Bruno moved his foot slowly and the ice creaked and cracked more.

'Help, I'm scared!' Bruno sobbed.

'Just stay calm, Bruno,' Johnny said. 'Try to come forward again. Slowly.'

Bruno moved his foot forward and the ice broke. He fell straight through.

Thinking quickly, Johnny pulled his red ski goggles over his face for some protection and jumped in after him. This way, he could see in the water. He took his gloves off and grabbed his brother, pushing him up into the only break in the ice so he could breathe. Bruno wasn't strong enough to pull himself out of the water. It wasn't until five minutes later that Anthony came running back with his mom at his side, holding blankets. Bruno couldn't move and was shivering so bad he could have been having a seizure, but he survived.

No amount of CPR or warming up with blankets could bring Johnny back to life.

When Antinomy woke up, his hand was on top of Johnny's goggles on the end table. He groaned sleepily and sat up, realizing he was alone in bed.

Right… Had a spat with Placido… he remembered. He suddenly felt something drip down his face. Was he crying in his sleep?

"Ugh," he groaned, wiping his face. This was already turning into a disgusting morning. He turned to see Bruno still sleeping in his bed. He didn't want to leave Bruno alone, but he really wanted to go make things right with Placido. Then again, he didn't even know which room Placido had rented for the night.

Antinomy sighed and laid back down. He held the red goggles over his head.

What do you think of us now, Johnny? he thought. He closed his eyes.

"Anthony?"

Anthony. The name he only let his family call him.

For a fleeting moment, Antinomy thought Johnny had called to him. But then the voice came again and he realized it was Bruno.

"Hmm? What, Bruno?"

"You're sleeping with the goggles again."

Antinomy looked and saw that he had fallen back asleep and the goggles had fallen at his side, his hand still around them.

"Yeah, well… It's been an upsetting night."

"….Sorry. Where's Placido?"

"He's…. We had a little spat and he's in a different room."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Maybe you should go talk to him."

"I don't want to leave you by yourself."

"Anthony, I'm fine now. Well, not really fine, but I'm better. I won't do anything stupid. I'm just going to go back to sleep. So go to him, okay?"

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yes. Just… Can I have the goggles for a bit?"

Antinomy gave a soft smile.

"Of course." He handed his brother the goggles.

"Thanks." Bruno smiled. "I promise, I'll be fine. Go find Placido."

"Okay," Antinomy finally gave in. He got up and kissed Bruno's forehead before slipping on his jacket and boots and leaving. He didn't know which room Placido had taken so he went to the front desk to ask which room was under "Yliaster." It turned out Placido had rented the most expensive suite in the hotel (of course) and it was on the top floor. Antinomy took the elevator and made his way to the door. He took a deep breath and knocked.

It took Placido a while to answer the door. He opened the door and stood with his arms crossed, dressed in a fluffy white robe.

"Can we talk?" Antinomy asked.

"You can talk," Placido replied. "I'm listening."

"I'm sorry about last night," Antinomy said. "Jack said something that really upset me. Something about you."

Placido raised an eyebrow.

"So you believed him?"

Antinomy scratched the back of his neck.

"He threatened me by threatening to re-seduce you. And… I guess I just got upset because I wondered if he could…"

"So basically, you don't trust me."

"I didn't say that!"

"You didn't need to." Placido stepped back and tried to slam the door in Antinomy's face, but Antinomy stuck his boot in the doorway.

"This conversation isn't over."

Antinomy forced his way in and shut the door behind him.

"This relationship began because we both wanted revenge on Jack, and you still had pretty clear feelings for him. So I need to know. If Jack turned around and sincerely begged for you back, would you leave me for him?"

"How dare you ask me something like that?!" Placido seethed.

"That wasn't an answer."

Placido looked daggers at him.

"You want an answer? Fine!" Placido grabbed Antinomy by the collar of his shirt and yanked him down, pulling him in for a deep yet somewhat violent kiss. Then he shoved Antinomy away and said, "There's your fucking answer! Now get the fuck out!"

Antinomy glared back at him and then suddenly, in a rush, had his arms around him and his lips against his. They growled at each other as they made their way to the deluxe bed. There was no talking, just body movement. As it turned out, Placido had on only silk boxers under his robe. Antinomy fucked him with the robe spread out under him.

However, something unexpected happened.

"A-Anthony…" Placdio moaned as he came, panting afterward. Antinomy stopped in his tracks. Placido was still basking in pleasure and didn't notice anything was wrong. When he regained himself, he noticed that Antinomy was getting dressed.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Placido asked with a pout.

"What the fuck do you think you're playing at?!" Antinomy shouted, and Placido recoiled at the unexpected yelling.

"What? What the hell's wrong with you?!" Placido snapped back, alarmed.

"You called me my fucking name in bed!"

"So? I thought that was sexy. Maybe something is wrong with you."

"There is something wrong with me! No one is allowed to call me that name except family. That means Bruno. No one else. No. One."

"Well, why the fuck not?!" Placido snapped.

"Because my name was the last thing my brother said to me before he died!"

The room echoed with silence. Antinomy realized too late what he'd said. He continued to dress and then got up to leave.

"Wait."

Placido had his robe on again and he got up and pulled Antinomy back to the bed.

"You had another brother? Who died?"

Antinomy shook off his hold and looked away bitterly.

"I really don't like talking about it."

"I told you my story. This is a two-way street."

Antinomy fidgeted with his hands. He guessed he did owe Placido an explanation of some sort.

"Bruno and I are twins, but we had an older brother named Johnny. We looked up to him and thought he was just the greatest person ever, like siblings are supposed to feel towards one another while growing up. Then when Bruno and I were twelve and he was sixteen… we were outside playing in the snow and Bruno got stuck in the middle of the ice of a pond. The last thing Johnny said to me was 'Anthony, go get Mom.' So I did. And when I came back holding blankets in case someone fell through, Bruno was sticking out of the ice convulsing with shivers and Johnny was under the ice, holding Bruno up through the only air hole…" Antinomy had to stop. Talking about this was so upsetting he felt nauseous. He stood up and paced around to calm down.

"I'm… sorry…" was all Placido could say.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore, okay?" Antinomy said, his voice a little higher than normal.

Placido sighed a little.

"All I wanted was to be more intimate with you. I feel closer to you when I use your real name…"

Antinomy had to admit that that was a nice gesture, especially on Placido's part.

"I'm glad you want to be more intimate. But you can't call me by my real name. Sorry."

Placido laid back on the bed. He wouldn't push the subject any further.

"I'm going to go back and check on Bruno. I'd like it if you'd come by," Antinomy said, pulling on his boots.

"Yeah, yeah," Placido said, waving him off. "I need to take a shower first."

Antinomy walked over to kiss Placido goodbye and then left. Now that Antinomy was gone, his attention was brought to something that he'd been trying to ignore.

There are fucking spots in my right eye, Placido thought to himself, rubbing his eye. Surely this was something that would go away…?

How did it come to this? Jack wondered as he left the court building with papers for Aki to sign. He was now in charge of all the errands since Yusei was incapacitated. He had to take care of Aki's court stuff, check in on Kiryu, and then see what condition Yusei was in. Aki's court crap took most of the day, and by the time he got the papers to Aki and told her about Yusei, visiting hours at the mental hospital were over. Jack hoped Kiryu would be okay missing a day. Besides, there was no rush to tell him about what happened with Yusei. That could very well cause him to regress.

Meanwhile Yusei was a complete mess. He barely said anything or showed any emotion when Jack visited. It was as though he was on autopilot. And Jack didn't even see Bruno, his brother, or Placido at all, so he still hadn't had the chance to talk things out with Bruno.

Finally, after two days of craziness, Jack was able to find time to visit Kiryu.

"I'm here to see Kiryu Kyosuke," Jack told the receptionist. She looked at her list of patients and said, "Sorry, sir, but it says here he was released this morning."

"What?!"

Without thinking, Jack grabbed the clipboard from the receptionist.

"Hey!" the receptionist protested, which Jack didn't even hear. He was looking at the line that said:

Kiryu Kyosuke released to Crow Hogan

Kiryu didn't have a phone. He didn't know any of their cell phone numbers by memory. He didn't know which hotel they were staying at. And Jack didn't have any contact information on Crow.

"Did this Crow Hogan guy leave any contact information?"

The receptionist snatched back her clipboard and said, "No," in a somewhat rude voice.

"Oh my god…" Jack said out loud, horror settling in. "My cousin's been kidnapped…!"

"He wasn't kidnapped," the receptionist snorted. "He knew the guy he left with. Said they were childhood friends."

"So what, you just released a mentally ill patient to some unknown person and you didn't get any contact information from them?! What kind of place are you running here?!"

Jack was so angry. He wanted to yell at someone, but what good would that do? Should he go to the police? Well, Crow did steal from him. But what if everything was okay and it was a misunderstanding? He didn't want Kiryu mad at him.

What Jack really needed right now was to talk to Yusei, but he wasn't sure if Yusei would be much help, the way he was now.

Damn it, Yusei! Why'd you have to go be stupid and land yourself in the hospital now of all times?! This is where you need to be responsible!

Jack decided to go back to his hotel room to get a few things, and then he'd go visit Yusei in the hospital. However, when he got to his room, Bruno, Antinomy, and Placido were waiting for him.

"Why didn't you tell me Yusei was in the hospital?" Bruno demanded.

"What's it to you?!" Jack snapped back, in no mood to deal with this right now.

"What do you mean, 'what's it to me?' I care about Yusei, and if he's in the hospital I want to-"

"Look," Jack interrupted him, "You three are not part of our group. I don't have to tell you guys anything. In fact, maybe it's better that the three of you just go home and let us continue this trip the way it was originally supposed to be. I don't care anymore. All I care about is that my cousin is missing and I need to find him, so get the fuck away from my door before I make you."

Bruno's face turned bright red and he looked like he was about to cry.

"Don't talk to my brother like that!" Antinomy started to shout, but Placido talked over him.

"Kiryu's missing?"

"Yeah. I went to the hospital today and they told me he was released to his childhood friend, Crow Hogan. They have no contact information on him and Kiryu doesn't have his cell phone and doesn't know any numbers by memory. So as far as I'm concerned, he's missing. Yusei can't help look for him because he's in the hospital, so now if you'll excuse me I have to go look for my cousin since I'm the only one who can!" Jack pushed Antinomy out of his way to open the door. Antinomy made a movement to fight back but Placido grabbed his wrists. Jack disappeared inside.

"Come on, let's go," Placido said, trying to herd the two distraught brothers away from the door and out of the hotel.

"Why are you sticking up for him?!" Antinomy demanded angrily when they got outside, ripping his arm from Placido's.

"I'm not," Placido said. "I didn't want him to hear. I know who Crow is. We can use this to our advantage." He looked at Bruno.

"This is your choice, Bruno. What do you wanna do?"

Antinomy also looked at his brother. He could see him thinking, thinking hard.

"Who do have feelings for, Bruno? Jack or Yusei?"

Bruno sighed.

"I don't know," he said miserably. "But… I think we should help Jack find Kiryu. Anyway, it doesn't matter if I like Yusei, because Yusei's in love with Kiryu. So for Yusei, I'll get Kiryu back."

Antinomy and Placido both looked at each other. This was the first they were hearing of this.

"Yusei loves Kiryu?"

"Yeah. He told me. He said he liked me but he loved Kiryu. So, maybe I like Jack and love Yusei. Or maybe it's the other way around. I can't really tell. Either way, I want Yusei to be happy. We have to find Kiryu. It will make Jack happy, too."

As noble as he sounded, Bruno looked completely miserable. Antinomy walked over and gave him a hug.

"You're such a good person, Bruno."

"Yeah, I'm a fucking angel."

Antinomy ruffled his hair.

"Johnny would be proud."

"So, where are we going?" Kiryu asked, walking with his old childhood friend.

"I know a place," Crow said. "It's good to see you so animated again. It weirds me out to see you so immobile in a hospital bed."

"I wish I knew where Yusei and Jack were," Kiryu sighed.

"Don't worry, we'll find them," Crow comforted him. "In the meantime, let's have some fun. I have money I am just dying to spend!"

"You didn't steal it, did you?" Kiryu asked blatantly. Crow only smirked. "Still as bad as ever, I see."

"You know me."

"Still, I don't feel right spending stolen money."

"Relax, Kiryu. This guy owed me anyway. I was just taking what was mine."

"Well…"

"Come on, I know someplace fun!"

And before Kiryu could protest, Crow had him by the wrist and was dragging him down a very questionable alley.