Haruto found Bijou.

There was yelling.

Lots of yelling.

And then crying.

Lots of crying.

Haruto didn't take Bijou for a crier, but here he was, hugging the other man and patting his back. Haruto almost felt like crying too. But he couldn't. If he did, it was as good as accepting that Michael was dead. It was accepting that he would never see him again. And that was one thing that Haruto couldn't do.

He would see Michael again.

"What are your plans for rescuing Tokishima Haruto?"

Shouko paused in her stirring. Tonight, Michael was having dinner at her place. He was actually rather confused as to how he got here but he was sure the JIORans' lax restraint on their prisoners was to blame. Even though Shouko had said many times that he wasn't considered a prisoner but rather a refugee.

"Right now...there's no official plan. Dorssia is considered hostile territory after what happened at the trial."

"So you've abandoned him."

"I haven't!", Shouko shouted. "But our government-"

"You always follow your government? Even at the cost of your friend's life?"

Shouko frowned and turned to face him completely. "Haruto is my best friend. And I know your feelings for him run deep." She reveled a little in the widening of Michael's eyes. "That's why you're trying so hard to sway me. But I trust my father's decision."

"Forgive me if I don't blindly follow men in power", Michael said.

"If you can't trust me or my father, then trust in Haruto who has faith in JIOR."

"He's even more naive than you are." Michael could imagine that dopey smile easily, telling him that he had to believe in others. Michael frowned. He hated thinking of Haruto's face. He got this strange sensation in his belly that he couldn't describe. And he really disliked things he couldn't put words to.

Michael's days were spent meandering on the surface but busy underneath. He was allowed to freely roam the government building he was being housed in and, if he was being escorted, leave the premises for whatever he needed. Not that he needed much. Most of his days were spent with Haruto's friends, who were also his colleagues.

They were too much like him.

They were too friendly, too welcoming, too optimistic. Michael was finally able to put a name to the feeling he had as he sat on a park bench with Shouko, watching the people go by. Many of them couples.

It was longing.

He longed for Haruto. The moment he realized that, he felt silly. Why should he want to see a stupid man who had only been good for sex?

Whenever he wasn't being babysat, he was making moves. Learning the movements of security and cameras. Visiting the Dorssia embassy and getting to know the representatives there, as well as their loyalties. Most were loyal to the fuhrer. But a few were in support of the princess. He got to know those ones the most.

Of Haruto's friends, Inuzuka was the least offensive. He just left Michael to his own devices most of the time while he did his own work. Shouko was too perceptive and seemed to believe that entitled her to 'helping'. Michael and Saki didn't get along at all and because of that, they hardly hung around each other. She looked at him like an enemy.

Which he supposed he was, being from Dorssia. But she had no way of knowing his opinion on his own government.

A few months after coming to JIOR, Michael had a package secretly sent to Dorrsia through the channels he had created. It held precious cargo that absolutely must get to its intended target. It took two weeks to reach it. Michael had procured a cell phone for precisely this reason. He had shipped a twin phone to reach a particular person, miles away, more than likely underground, with strict instructions that he was the only one to open and use it.

The call came in the middle of the night. Michael answered on the first ring, awaiting an answer on the other side. He heard the person take a breath before speaking.

"Michael?", Haruto's voice called out softly.

Michael cried.