This is longer than usual because I added flashbacks.

Back when they were in Teiko, Daiki and Shougo had some sort of a relationship. If you could call being fuck buddies a relationship. Daiki didn't remember how it started or who started it. Neither did he care. It just felt good having someone like Shougo withering beneath him.

It was like a drug…

Addicting…

Sinking his teeth into flesh, biting hard enough to draw blood, pushing his body into Shougo's, holding him down and having him scream his name, begging for more.

It was bliss…

And it went on for months with the others never finding out because they only ever got along when they were having sex.

Typical casual sex with no strings attached and no feelings except for hate and lust.

And that was how it went. Was supposed to be—

Until…

Daiki started caring, got attached, falling into the rabbit hole called love.

And…

It all started with a scar…

L.O.V.E

"Did someone hurt you?" Daiki asked, tracing a scar on Shougo's torso.

"I don't know what you're talkin' about," Shougo mumbled, glancing up at the ceiling.

"This one's new…" Daiki brushed his lips against it. "…and I know all your scars." It was kind of hard not to when he saw them every time Shougo undressed. He just never asked how. Always chalking them up to being from the fights Shougo always managed to get into.

"Why the hell do you even care?" Shougo snapped. Daiki felt him tense up. "We aren't friends. We aren't lovers either."

"Shou—" Shougo was right. 'Why do I care…?' "Shut up." Daiki kissed him roughly.

L.O.V.E

A week later, during practice. It was like any other normal day in Teiko. The others were butting heads again. Seijuurou and Tetsuya were having a silent conversation in the far corner of the gym while Shuuzou tried to break the fight between Shintarou and Atsushi.

Amongst all the chaos, Shougo slipped out. Nobody noticed him leave or the way he blinked as if he were trying to get rid of the black spots invading his vision. Nor the way he bit his lip as if he were in pain. Nobody—except for Daiki, who followed him out of the gym.

"Haizaki," He spoke, stopping him in his tracks. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Shougo turned around and flashed him a smile, ignoring how Daiki noticed the way he dug his nails into his arm as if causing himself more pain would dull out the other. "Why you askin' Daiki?"

"You're lyin'." Daiki's eyes slightly narrowed. "You're in pain."

Shougo's eyes widened. "I—"

"You suck at lyin' Haizaki," Daiki cut in. "So, shut up and go to the infirmary."

"Don't fuckin' need to," Shougo snapped, glaring at him. "Mind your own business Daiki."

"No," Daiki told him and pointed to the direction of the school. "Go to the infirmary."

"No." Shougo crossed his arms over his chest like a stubborn five-year-old who refused to eat his vegetables. "Make me."

"Fine," Daiki picked up Shougo and threw him over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. But still being careful not to jolt whatever injuries he had. "I will." He did just that, heading towards the infirmary and ignoring the stares they got as they passed by.

Surprisingly, Shougo hadn't thrown a tantrum like he had excepted. Instead, Shougo was silent. Probably too tired to say anything. Perhaps in too much pain to as Daiki felt him tense up. Felt something wet drip onto his shirt, ignoring it as Shougo continued to stay silent. Even as Daiki walked into the infirmary, placed him down onto the bed and shut the door.

"Take off your shirt," Daiki spoke, breaking the ice.

"Why?" Shougo raised an eyebrow, smirking a little. "You wanna have sex right now?"

"No," Daiki rolled his eyes. "I gotta make sure you don't gotta go to the hospital, and I can't do that with your shirt on."

"No!" Shougo shook his head, fear flickering through his eyes. "You ain't touchin' me!"

"I've touched you a billion times before, Haizaki," Daiki stated matter of factly. "I—"

"T—This is different!"

Because they weren't having sex.

"I get it," Daiki glanced into his eyes. "You're scared." He could see the fear in them. "You think I'm goin' to hurt you."

Shougo flinched, glancing away from him.

Daiki sat down next to him. "It's okay, Shou," he told him softly. "I won't hurt you."

Shougo glanced at him. "You won't?"

Daiki shook his head. "I won't,"

"Okay," Shougo mumbled, taking a deep breath. "You can take it off now."

"What?"

"My shirt, dumbass,"

"Okay," Daiki placed his hands on the hem of Shougo's shirt. But –

"J—Just wait a sec!" Shougo put his hands on Daikis', stopping him. "Y—You…" He bit his lip, taking a deep breath. "…You won't tell the others, will you?"

"I—"

"Please Daiki?" Shougo cut in, pleading. "Don't."

"I won't,"

'What are you so afraid of….?'

"Promise?"

"I promise,"

'Why do I care….?'

L.O.V.E

A month later, Shougo showed up at Daiki's doorstep like he usually did when he wanted sex.

Except this time…

Shougo was soaking wet from the rain, trembling as tears fell from his eyes, covered in cuts and bruises.

Before Daiki could even open his mouth, Shougo was kissing him, grinding himself against him. Desperate, so fucking desperate, desperate to feel—

"Shou—" Daiki pushed him away. "Stop."

He couldn't do it.

"Shut up." Shougo placed his hands on Daiki's pants, fumbling with his belt. "And just fuck me."

'Make me feel…'

'I'm sorry…'

Daiki grabbed Shougo's hands, stopping him before things could escalate. "No," He wasn't going to— Not like this. It would be wrong. So, he just pulled Shougo close and held him, ignoring the way tears stained his shirt.

'Why do I care…?'

That was the first—time they didn't have sex.

Frist—time, Daiki woke up feeling empty.

The last time he saw Shougo.

Shougo, who disappeared without saying a word.

Like…

He had been erased from Daiki's life.

L.O.V.E

When Daiki punched Shougo, apart of him had been angry that Shougo had disappeared without saying a word. Like what they had was nothing, leaving Daiki with only memories. Memories Daiki buried deep inside him.

So, deep he forgot about them.

Yet…

'Why do I care…?

Until now…

L.O.V.E

'Why am I remembering the past?' Daiki thought bitterly as he glanced out of the window. Outside, a blizzard was raging on. It was so strong the familiar sight of streets had almost been erased. The flakes falling slowly and the air almost still, but so thick it almost obscured his view completely. As he looked upwards. He could almost feel as if he were flying rather than watching the crystals fall like oversized confetti towards him.

He shivered as he nursed the hot chocolate in his hands. He brought it to his lips and took a sip, frowning to himself as he got lost in his own head.

Was it because he still cared about Shougo?

Or…

Were the feelings he buried resurfacing?

Daiki put the mug down.

Suddenly realizing that yes. Yes, they were. He loved Shougo. Still loved him. Never really hated him. Felt bitter instead.

Hurt…

When Shougo left, apart of Daiki went with him too.

It felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest….

But now…

Shougo was here. Sick. Hurt. Helpless. Completely vulnerable.

Daiki felt like crying.

' F—Fuck,'

He couldn't do this. He couldn't handle this. Couldn't handle seeing him like that.

It hurt…

Yet…

He had to make sure Shougo was doing okay. He just had to.

So, he stood up and headed up to Ryouta's room.

L.O.V.E

When Daiki stepped inside, the first thing he noticed was that the spot beside Atsushi was empty and no Shougo.

Daiki's frown deepened. Where did he go?

Daiki looked around for Shougo, only to find Shougo in Ryouta's bathroom, wincing as he attempted to undress himself. Daiki went inside and shut the door behind him. "Haizaki, what are you doin'?"

"Bath…." Shougo said, still struggling to take off his clothes.

"Alright," Daiki stepped closer to him, helping him get his shirt over his head. "Let me help."

"Nuuuu—"

"It's okay," Daiki told him softly. "I just wanna help."

"M'kay…"

Shougo let him.

Awww, Daiki does care