When Dino went back to work two weeks later, he found that Kyouya had been behaving himself and going to most of his classes; sitting in the staff room with Reborn, the blond was surprised to hear what he had to say; he had expected for the other to be difficult as usual, anything but this...

"You mean he hasn't even been fighting?" Taking a sip of his coffee, Dino was truly surprised; Kyouya lived to fight, so why...

"Not unless he's seriously been provoked." Curling his sideburns, Reborn made himself more comfortable in his chair. "He's been coming to class and doing his work, though he won't stay if he finishes it early. What did you do to him while he's been staying with you?"

Shaking his head, Dino grew uncomfortable with this question; he knew Reborn could read him like a book, but he didn't want anyone to find out that he was dating Kyouya; it would only lead to trouble if the wrong person overheard. "I didn't do anything, Reborn; Kyouya must have decided to behave."

Sending the younger a knowing look from beneath his fedora, Reborn gave Dino that look that just screamed he knew the blond was hiding something. "If you don't tell me yourself, I can always ask Belphegor; he'll spill every bean he knows."

Knowing that Reborn wasn't lying, and that Belphegor would indeed talk and greatly exaggerate everything, Dino sighed; he might as well tell the other himself instead of having his student make mountains out of molehills.

"...You won't tell anyone, will you...?" Casting the man a pitiful look, Dino sighed. "You're one of the ones I trust the most, Reborn; please try and understand..."

Reborn smirked, an amused sound escaping his lips; he didn't need for the younger to tell him what was going on; he already knew. "I thought this would happen eventually. How long have you been with him?"

Dino blinked, not sure he had heard right; Reborn already knew? And he was seemingly okay with it? "...Well... Not all that long... But I don't think he's behaving at school because of me; he's still himself when he's with me."

"Knowing Kyouya, he probably just doesn't want you to get into trouble because you're his. Why did it take you so long to date him?"

"Because I guess I was trying so hard to tell myself I couldn't like Kyouya - I mean, I'm his teacher, and Fon trusts me with him; I couldn't betray anyone by being interested in my student, Reborn. I kept denying it because I didn't want to feel like a creep or anything, but I really do love him."

"I can't say I accept your relationship one-hundred per cent, but I do know that if I had to make a decision between letting teachers date their students, I'd choose you; I know you'd never do anything to hurt any of them, and I know you'll take care of Hibari. I won't tell anyone, but you'd better look after him and not let me down if you want me to remain quiet about it."

Dino let out a nervous laugh. "Thanks, Reborn... I would never want to make him uncomfortable or anything like that; I just want to make him happy."

Reborn nodded, getting up from the couch. "Don't thank me; I just know you too well, Dino."

Dino blushed at these words before he nodded, leaving it at that. Getting up from his own seat, he moved towards the coffee machine, needing another coffee before he moved on to writing reports; at least he had a bit more support, well aware of the fact that most people would be against him dating Kyouya.

However, what bothered Dino the most was wondering how Fon would take it when Kyouya eventually told him about their relationship; he sincerely hoped the man would be understanding, but he doubted it; Kyouya was the only family he had left, after all.

~~XX~~

During class, Dino found himself growing tired; he hadn't slept well the previous night, and he knew he needed a nap. Standing at the whiteboard as he tried to explain one of the new topics to his class, the blond decided his students would learn best if they could do group activities and help each other out; he wasn't coherent enough to clarify what he was trying to talk about, after all.

"Guys, pick groups of three and I'll write the activity up on the board." Eyes flicking over three of his students in particular, Dino knew he would have to group them together; Kyouya was too unsociable to want to approach anyone, Belphegor was half asleep himself at his desk, and Ryohei was too busy trying to make his mind up as to whom he wanted to work with than to actually find himself a group. "Kyouya, Bel and Ryohei; you three can work together, okay?"

Kyouya sent his teacher a reproachful look before he reluctantly got off his desk, making his way over to Belphegor. Ryohei was only too happy to join them, as accepting as ever, and took a seat next to the blond. He took no notice of the way Belphegor startled, having been on the verge of sleep, and instead threw his arm over the other's shoulders in a friendly manner, forgetting who he was dealing with. Belphegor yelped before sinking his teeth into the boxer's arm viciously, having been caught off-guard and frightened by the sudden pain. Kyouya pulled him away, glaring at the small dribble of blood that slowly rolled down the older male's chin.

"What are you? Two?" Pushing the other back down into his wheelchair, Kyouya then took his own seat. Ryohei didn't seem bothered at all by the broken flesh on his arm, instead looking over at the whiteboard to see what they were about to do. With a sigh, Belphegor dropped his face back down on the desk, wanting to go back to sleep; he was so tired, he could almost attempt to ignore the deafening sounds of the classroom if that was what would get him more rest.

"Okay, you guys are going to come up with a script for three people having a conversation in English. It's okay if you struggle a bit, and I'll be here if you need any help. Give it your best, and be sure to help each other out." With that said, Dino made his way over to Kyouya's group, making sure they were okay; out of his entire English class, these were the three that needed the most help and supervision, even if only to make sure they were doing their work and not getting into trouble instead - Kyouya and Belphegor certainly needed no help with what they were doing, but they did need constant encouragement and guidance; it was Ryohei who needed the help.

"Cavallone." Looking up at his boyfriend, Kyouya put his pen down on the table. Pointing to Ryohei and Belphegor, he said, "Why do you always pair me up with these two? I can do my work just fine by myself."

"Because it's a group activity, and I find you work best with them over the other students in the class, even if you still don't get along with them. Please do this, just for me?"

"…" Wishing he could decline, Kyouya instead opened his mouth, ready to reply, but Belphegor beat him to it.

"Yeah, listen to your boyfriend!" Belphegor didn't mean to speak so loudly, but he was feeling anxious and had to force the words out of his mouth; he was unaware of the way the class fell silent, focused on Ryohei who spoke in a tone even louder than him.

"Boyfriend?!" Slamming his hands down on the table, Ryohei was in shock. "Hibari and Dino are dating?!"

Belphegor nodded, turning around to find the class fixed on the group. He could hear their whispers, listening to the girls muttering amongst themselves in jealousy at the two being taken by each other - it was no secret the majority of the school's population crushed on both Dino and Kyouya.

Twisting around in his wheelchair, Belphegor blurted out the first thing that came to his mind, having always struggled in keeping his thoughts to himself. "It's okay; they haven't humped yet."

Dino could have died from embarrassment while Kyouya hit the older male around the back of his head, not wanting anyone talking about his and Dino's private activities, much less to a group. "Shut it, herbivore."

Belphegor whimpered and recoiled, staring at Kyouya for a few seconds in fear before he threw himself forward, trying to attack the other; he had always been violent, but he knew that ever since he had been sent back to his parents, he had come out of it angrier than ever; he wasn't going to let Kyouya hit him and get away with it.

Ryohei was the one who held Belphegor back while Dino addressed the class, knowing that if rumors were to emerge about his new relationship, trouble could arise quickly; he'd have to end them as quickly as possible so no one else would hear them. "I'm so sorry; Bel doesn't know what he's talking about. There's nothing between Kyouya and I; it was just a misunderstanding on Bel's part. Please don't listen to him or you'll keep encouraging him."

Dino knew his class wasn't entirely convinced, so taking control of everyone once again, he redirected their attention back on their task. Pulling out the nearest unoccupied chair, he sat at the table with the younger three.

"Bel, that's something you don't tell other people." Trying his best to make sure his fellow blond understood properly, Dino said, "If anyone finds out about Kyouya and me, I'll get in lots and lots of trouble. You wouldn't want Squalo to get into trouble if he ever touched you down there, would you? It's the same with Kyouya and me, so you can't tell anyone."

"But Squa never has touched me beneath my pants," Belphegor pointed. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

Shaking his head, Dino tried to explain things in a different manner, leaving Kyouya and Ryohei to look at each other.

"I'm extremely confused right now," the taller teenager said. "Are you dating Dino or not?"

Kyouya nodded, tensing slightly; if the other was to disapprove... "I am..."

"That's awesome." Smiling, Ryohei's eyes crinkled with happiness. "So Gokudera and Bel aren't the only ones in the group to be gay."

"I was never part of your crowding; don't associate me with it." Turning back to his work, Kyouya started working on his script, leaving the two blonds to talk amongst themselves. But then, after writing his opening sentence, he wondered; why would Ryohei consider him part of the group the skylark rarely had anything to do with in the first place?

But the biggest question of all was, why didn't it bother him as much as it used to, to be associated with other people?

~~XX~~

Sitting on the couch in Dino's living room, Kyouya watched as the man hurried around his home, seemingly trying to rush around getting ready for something. Belphegor lay next to him, the blond's head tilting slightly as he seemingly followed the movement intently, much like a cat watching its prey.

"What are you doing?" Kyouya couldn't help but blink as the other tripped over his own feet, collapsing in a heap on the floor. "…"

"Ah, sorry, Kyouya..." Rubbing his head, Dino frowned. "Hayato was meant to be here ten minutes ago to stay with Bel, and I... kind of forgot to get myself ready while I waited for him... Squalo's going to be so angry at me..."

"Is he getting out of the hospital today?" Cocking his head to the side, Kyouya wasn't bothered either way; he didn't like Squalo much at all, the man too loud for his liking.

"Yeah; the longer I keep him waiting, the more he's going to yell at me." Picking himself up from the ground, Dino hurried over to the window to look for Hayato. It seemed that in his stress, he was clumsier than usual, falling over again within seconds.

"Calm down." Kyouya stood up, walking over to his boyfriend. "Take a deep breath. Stop rushing; it won't make that herbivore get here any faster. Get yourself ready, and the herbivore will get here when he does. I will watch the blond herbivore in the meantime so you can leave."

Dino nodded, knowing Kyouya was right. Pulling the younger into his arms, he held on tight; oh, how he loved the skylark so much. "Thanks, Kyouya."

Kyouya nodded, moving back to the couch. He watched as Belphegor remained fixed on the adult's movements, but his attention soon drifted to his schoolbag; pulling out a novel, the Prefect waited patiently for Hayato to arrive.

When at last the silver-haired male stepped into the house, Kyouya moved from the couch and over to one of the chairs. He tried to ignore the two kissing, not entirely interested in what they had to say to each other; he didn't care much for their unstable relationship, certain that it would most likely collapse for good in the coming weeks anyway; Hayato hadn't acted like a good boyfriend at all until Belphegor had been hospitalized, and Kyouya was sure that the younger male would soon get sick of finally being a decent partner and break up with the blond for good.

"I got something for you, Bel."

Glancing up as he heard the younger student rummaging around in his bag, Kyouya watched as the silver-haired male pulled out a box.

"I got a new puzzle for us to do together. That'll keep you amused for a while." Helping Belphegor off the couch and sitting him on the floor, Hayato then opened the box and tipped the jigsaw pieces onto the floor. "Here. Don't strain your arm, though."

Kyouya couldn't help but watch the other two, interested in their interactions together; Hayato really had been a lousy boyfriend – if he could even call himself that – but he really seemed to have sorted himself out, instead talking peacefully with the blond as they worked together on the puzzle.

Turning back to his novel, Kyouya relaxed, knowing the two weren't going to bother him any time soon; they were both content with the other.

~~XX~~

When Dino arrived back at his home a bit over an hour later with Squalo in tow, Kyouya felt joy bubbling up inside of him; if Squalo were out of the hospital, then that meant Belphegor would, without a doubt, be going back home with the long-haired man.

However, when Dino greeted the three teenagers, all hope of having Dino back to himself vanished.

"Squalo's head really got hit hard, so he's going to stay with me for a few days so I can make sure he'll be okay on his own again."

Kyouya felt like getting up and biting them all to death, but he controlled himself; he knew that Dino would be upset with him otherwise. Instead, he forced himself to stay silent and nod, trying to focus on his book once more.

"Squa..." Extending his good arm, Belphegor kept trying to get to his feet, fidgeting continuously until Squalo approached him and picked him up. He made soft noises of contentment as he snuggled in close, just glad that the man had finally come back for him; he had been so scared that night, afraid that he would never see Squalo again; it was comforting for him to be back in his favorite person's arms after so long.

Kyouya didn't want to witness the act of affection between guardian and charge; he instead closed his book and went to Dino's room, wanting the peace and quiet. Dino followed him in after minutes, not saying a word as he curled up next to his boyfriend and pulled him close.

The skylark allowed himself to be held like this, knowing that the blond needed a bit of comfort as well; it mustn't be easy for him to see his best friend in this condition.

And then, as if proof of Kyouya's suspicions, Belphegor's scream filled the air, one of panic and desperation, as if the severity of the situation hadn't entirely hit him until he had seen Squalo again.

"Bel must have seen Squalo doesn't have his left hand anymore..." Frowning deeply, Dino rubbed his cheek against Kyouya's. "…"

Shaking his head, Kyouya didn't know how to respond to this; how was he supposed to respond to something he could barely understand himself?