They would've introduced themselves, but Clarice seemed to know them. Well, she knew Album and Adrien. "Let me guess, Album." She pointed to him. "And Adrien." She pointed to Adrien.

"Oh yes, you're such a genius." Adrien said sarcastically. Album had to hold back a laugh, and the look Daniel gave them sobered him up. Monoma, for his part, hadn't laughed but introduced himself and lightly kissed her hand.

She seemed charmed by him and said something about good manners, but Album was too busy rolling his eyes. "I'm Album's friend, it's nice to meet you."

"I'm Clarice." She smiled, and then it was finally over and they went into the dining room.

Except dinner felt very awkward, at least on Album's side of the room. Daniel and Clarice were having a grand old time, but that wasn't so for the other side of the table. Surprisingly enough, Monoma hadn't said a word either, maybe he really did know how to shut his mouth occasionally.

"So, what grades are you all in this year?" Clarice asked them eventually.

"I'm a freshman this year." Monoma chirped.

"Me too." Though Album wasn't happy about it. Clarice seemed a little surprised from his answer, but didn't say anything. Album deemed that to mean she had been thinking something possibly rude.

"I'm in seventh grade this year." Adrien said, purposefully with a mouth full of food. Daniel looked at Adrien like he wanted to kill him.

Instead he said politely, "Adrien, don't talk with your mouth full."

"Yes, Daniel." He said, with his mouth full.

Daniel didn't find the rebellion as amusing as Album did, but regardless, no one said anything else. Not until Monoma broke the silence with his annoying, whiny voice. "So, how long have you two been dating."

"Dating?" Clarice asked.

"We're not dating!" Daniel said, a little louder than he had intended.

"Inside voice, Daniel," Adrien mocked him.

Album glanced at the other boy, wondering just how far he was going to go with this. He obviously didn't want Clarice to come back, and if that meant painting Daniel a bad guy, he would do it.

Album had always known Adrien was selfish, but he supposed he never understood just how selfish. Or maybe this was all an attempt for petty revenge at how Daniel had boasted about Adrien's father earlier today.

Album wanted to disappear from the dinner table in that moment, but he still sat there, feeling the tension grow. Adrien smirking, and Daniel tensed and smiling a little too tightly.

"Adrien, come with me, I want to talk to you."

"Sure."

They left the dining room and left Album, Monoma, and Clarice alone. "Are they always like this?"

Album wasn't sure what she meant by that. Was Adrien always a little shit? Did he and Daniel always butt heads? Did Daniel get tired of Adrien's disrespect? Well, he supposed the answer to all those questions was yes, so he nodded.

Though usually things weren't as quietly dealt with. Normally, Daniel just openly started grounding him, from his phone, video games, blah blah blah. That usually went on until Adrien finally got it through his moronic head that he couldn't win and shut his big mouth.

More silence until Adrien screamed, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!"

Then more silence. "Album, could you show me to the restroom." Monoma suddenly said, startling him. He'd almost forgotten the little parasite was even there.

He nodded and they left the dining room, but Monoma was leading the way to Daniel's bedroom where a vicious sounding argument was taking place.

"I thought—"

"hush." Monoma murmured. "You want to find out what's happening just as badly as I do."

"Are you always so nosy? And you have no idea what I'm thinking."

"Then why haven't you left." Monoma said dryly, pressing his ear to the door.

"Shut up, Daniel, you don't know a goddamn thing about me!"

"I haven't lived with you this long for you to tell me I don't know you. I know that you'll only take hamburgers without the tomatoes, and I know that you hate the rain and pretend to be sick to get out of going to school on rainy days. I know you're allergic to peanuts, even though you never told me. I know you like when my first shift is taken by someone else so I'm home longer in the morning on weekends. I also know your eyes look anywhere but me when you're lying, and I know—"

"Shut up! That doesn't mean anything! You still don't know me!"

"Have you ever thought that maybe that's your fault for never telling me anything!"

"I've told you stuff, but you never listen! I've told you what my father did to me but your only response was that it was my mom's fault, because he was the supposed 'hero' and she was a villain! Well I'm sorry to break it to you, BUT NOT ALL HEROES ARE GOOD PEOPLE!"

"Maybe that's true, but all villains are bad people. They would rather hurt others than save them."

"My mom is NOT like that!"

"Yes, she is."

"OH MY GOD, CAN'T YOU JUST ACCEPT THAT MAYBE YOUR WORLD VIEW ISN'T ALWAYS RIGHT! THAT MAYBE MY MOM WAS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE BUT SHE COULDN'T DO IT AS A HERO BECAUSE MY DAD WAS SO FUCKED UP!"

"Your mother was a terrible person." Daniel's voice held finality, and with that tone, Album knew Adrien was never going to be able to change his mind. "She's crazy."

Adrien simply screamed incoherently and Album heard the tears in his voice, "You're wrong, she loved me! She's the only one who did!"

"I'm not saying she didn't love you, I'm saying she wasn't a good person. There's a difference. Adrien, there's things you don't know about your parents that I do."

"WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW BETTER THAN ME!"

"I was there when they met, Adrien." Daniel said. "I always knew my aunt was a little strange, but I never thought much of it. My dad never seemed to like her presence, but I couldn't understand why when I was little. I didn't understand why they always hired a babysitter instead of asking your mother, who lived in the same neighborhood, to watch me when they went out for the night."

"And I remember your father too, when she first brought him over to meet my parents, and me. My parents were surprised, but I didn't know why. He was very nice to me, Adrien, both your parents were. I didn't realize anything was wrong until she killed my cat when I was in fifth grade." Album could hear the sadness in Daniel's voice, "I didn't realize something was horribly wrong with her until she did that, and asked if I wanted to help."

He paused and then continued, "She was banned from the house after that. You were born when I was seventeen, and I pitied you, I did." Adrien was silent. "My parents and I came to see you, and I saw your mom and her husband for the first time since they got married. But I noticed he was different then I remembered. He was… jumpy, I suppose. You were so tiny, I was the fifth person to hold you, and I remember wondering what she would do to you. If she did that to my cat, what would she do to her baby?"

"She never did anything to me!"

"I suppose she didn't, but don't you ever wonder why?"

"Because she loved me!"

"Because your father didn't let her! You said he killed her, right in front of you?"

"Yes." Adrien muttered coldly.

"Maybe he was protecting you both, but by that time, it was too late, and she had already destroyed him. Adrien, I know you don't like it when I talk ill of your mother, and I know you don't like it when I say how great your father is, which is why I try not to. But you have to understand how I see it."

"And how do you see it?"

"Your mother killed my parents. Later that year, my house caught fire, and my parents didn't make it out, I was at school at the time. And for the rest of my senior year I lived with your parents. And I didn't have any proof, but I knew she did it. She looked too happy about the 'accident'." Daniel's voice was hard and cold. "I was home as little as possible but when I was there, your father was the only ally I had, and we protected you from her too."

"You're lying."

"Why would I lie?"

Adrien didn't have an answer for that so he just growled to himself, "My mom was the only one who ever cared! My father hated me, he beat me, nearly killed me too! I hate him so much, I don't, you don't get to do that! You can't say that about them, you're wrong! Wrong and stupid!" Adrien screamed.

"I'm not wrong, these are my own experiences."

"NO! THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR ATTEMPTS TO PAINT ALL VILLAINS AS EVIL!"

"They're called villains for a reason."

"SHUT UP! YOU'RE WRONG, YOU'RE VIEW OF THE WORLD IS COMPLETELY BLACK AND WHITE, WRONG AND RIGHT! AND IF I DON'T MOLD TO THAT, YOU'D PROBABLY GET RID OF ME TOO!"

"Adrien, that is NOT true, I—ow!" There was nothing but a thump and then if Monoma and him hadn't backed up quick enough they would've been smacked in the face by Adrien running out of the bedroom and out the front door.

Daniel sighed and stood up, a long, bloody scratch across his face. "Were you two there the entire time."

Album had the decency to look ashamed, but Monoma answered truthfully, "Pretty much."

"It's not polite to eaves drop."

Monoma shrugged.

"Are you going to go after him?" Album asked.

Daniel shook his head, "He'll come home, when he's calmed down. Why don't you two go hang out in your room, you know, since you're best friends."

Daniel had an all-knowing look on his face, fully expecting Album to reject the proposition. "Okay!" Monoma chirped instead, and dragged him off as Clarice appeared in the hall.

"What happened?" she asked as they left.

"Adrien just ran out, did something happen?" she added, worriedly.

"He's just angry, he'll come home soon."

"How can you be sure?" Clarice asked.

Daniel hesitated before he answered, "There's a reason he came to live with me, even though he could've gotten away from this town and every horrible thing it stood for, for him. And it's because he has nowhere else to go. No other relative of his is going to be a good option."

"I see…" Clarice murmured, looking sad too. "What happened to…" she trailed off and pointed at her cheek.

"Adrien." Daniel said, and laughed a little bit, though it was humorless and empty sounding. Clarice frowned, putting a hand on his arm, and told him to put a band aid on it.

"Wow, I didn't know your family had so many issues." Monoma said once Album had closed the door. He glared at the other and threw a shoe at him.

It didn't come anywhere near him, but it brought Album peace to know he had tried. "Every family's got issues, Monoma."

Monoma said nothing, but still smirked at him, sitting atop Adrien's bed. "So…" Album trailed off and then eventually decided to just say it, a smirk gracing his own features. "Have you found a way to make me want to kiss you yet?"

Monoma's features went blank after he said that and Album wondered if Monoma had hoped he'd forgotten. No such luck though. "No, I haven't. But I'll find a way. It's impossible for someone to resist my charms."

Album only snorted, "Oh yes, you're very charming. Or at least, you would be, if I was into people who threaten and blackmail me."

Monoma's smirk grew wider, "What are you talking about, bestie? I'm an angel." Monoma did a little pose, the back of his hand under his chin, pouting a little.

Album wasn't very impressed and walked over to where Monoma was sitting, his back against the wall. Hands placed on the wall, on either side of Monoma's head. He looked surprised for a moment before smirking, "Are you saying you want to kiss me, because this is a prime kissing position." Album glared at him.

"I hadn't even thought of that, but I wanted you to know something. I know what you are."

"What I am?" Monoma looked a little confused but kept his tone carefully mocking.

"Let me give you some hints. You use your own body to get money. I don't know what you're doing with the money, granted, but I know how you get it. And if you don't delete every trace of the video right now I will tell everyone at school."

Monoma glared at him. "Please, who would believe you. Everyone knows you hate me, and it would be just like you to spread lies."

"Yeah, but they would start paying more attention, and then maybe they'd find out for themselves. After all, I found out, and I'm supposed to be a complete moron, remember? I always wondered why you wore long sleeves, even when we're in gym class, and now I know it's because—" Album cut himself off to grab Monoma's sleeve and yank it up to reveal bruises. "—some people play a little too rough."

"Let go!" Monoma shoved him off and yanked his sleeve back down. Album backed away, having gotten his point across. Close to tears, Monoma swallowed them back and kept the hateful glare on his face, "You have no idea what you're talking about! You understand me? NONE!"

"You wanted to take advantage of me, and what my life was like before I came here, and so I don't see why I can't bring up bad memories for you too. All's fair in war, isn't it?"

"Then why not let me be killed by that guy yesterday." Monoma murmured.

"I don't even know why. But I would think you'd be a little more grateful. Regardless, you ARE going to pay for trying to take advantage of me, I will make sure of it!"

"No, I'm not the one who's going to pay, you are!" Monoma growled, standing up and facing him directly, not backing down despite their height difference. Monoma yanked up his sleeves and started raising his hand.

Album thought he was going to get slapped, and flinched away on reflex. But Monoma only raked his own nails up both arms, starting at his wrist and moving to his upper arms. Blood drew, and Album watched as Monoma slapped himself for good measure.

Album took a step back, wondering if he was experiencing a psychotic break and he'd just pushed him over the edge. But when Monoma started crying loudly and he heard footsteps coming towards his room, he realized, as always, that Monoma knew EXACTLY what he was doing. "Fuck," was all he had time to say before the door opened and Daniel and Clarice came in, looking worried.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, he just attacked me for no reason." Monoma sobbed. "I thought we were friends."

"You son of a bitch." Album growled, clenching his fists. He knew this wasn't helping him look less guilty but he didn't really care. If Monoma wanted to cry then he'd GIVE HIM something to cry about!

"Everybody, calm down." Daniel said. "Monoma, come with me."

Monoma followed Daniel out of the room, sniffling but didn't completely disappear before giving Album a smirk.

He and Clarice stood there in silence. "You have eventful days like this often?"

"You don't know the half of it." Album growled, glaring at the doorway.

Daniel led Monoma to the bathroom, "We need to disinfect the cuts first, to make sure they don't get infected."

Monoma nodded, still sniffeling a little. It did hurt, but not that much. Monoma was a pretty good actor though, and whipping up tears in a hurry was one of his specialties.

Daniel cleaned the wounds with water first and then took a cotton ball to spread the medicine down the wounds. Monoma had never had someone clean his cuts for him, he had to learn how to do it himself. It was nice, he supposed.

"So, Monoma, would you mind answering a question for me?"

"I guess not." Monoma murmured.

"I'm just wondering why you would hurt yourself and blame Album for it."

Monoma made sure not to give any reaction, he didn't even tense, just said, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I see, well would you like me to tell you how I know?"

"Well, I would like to know how you came to the false conclusion that I did this, so yes, I suppose I would."

"Well, the way your cuts on your arms are. They start at the wrist, where they're deeper, but as the pain increased you went lighter instinctively, allowing me to see where the cuts started. It's natural for you to start at the wrist and move upward." He demonstrated, gently running his fingers up his arm. "But if you go down, it feels awkward and forced. However, if someone was doing it to you, and they were standing in front of you like Album was, they would start at the shoulder and go down. Because that's more natural. Furthermore, I can tell by the hand mark on your cheek."

"See, if you slap yourself, the thumb print is closest to the neck, which I can clearly see. However, if you're slapped by someone else, the thumb is higher on the cheekbone." Daniel demonstrated again, by taking Monoma's hand and positioning it sideways so he could see where the thumb would land. "You could remedy this by slapping yourself with the opposite hand, but again, it feels unnatural."

"However, the most tell-tale sign, is that you have skin underneath your fingernails, where you clearly scratched your arms. Now, with that said, are you still telling me that Album did this?"

Faced with the facts, Monoma fell silent. "What are you gonna do?" he finally asked.

"Nothing really, but why have you been pretending to be Album's friend this entire time."

"None of your business."

"Except it is my business. I've met kids like you in my lifetime, they are manipulative, and mean, and a lot of them never really change. And if you intend on continuing this behavior in my house, you aren't allowed to come over anymore, and I'd appreciate it if you stopped talking to Album."

Monoma didn't say anything else and glared. "Now, one thing I haven't figured out, is these bruises." He stared right into Monoma's eyes and in that moment, Monoma had a hard time matching their intensity. "They look a few days old." Daniel said. "And they're severe."

Monoma yanked his hand away and grabbed the bandages off the counter. "I can do the rest myself." He growled. It wasn't like he hadn't before.

"Alright then." Daniel stood up, looking at him, frowning. It bothered Monoma that he couldn't tell what he was thinking. And he knew Daniel couldn't know, but it seemed like he did. And if he didn't now, it seemed like he would find out.

When the door closed, Monoma let himself cry a little while finishing up his arms, but the ugly, burning lump in his throat and aching emotion in his heart was real now.

And real emotions were the worst kind, because they were uncontrollable and made him feel weak. But at the same time he had no techniques to stop them. Especially when he was alone.

At this point he didn't even care whether Daniel could hear him outside or not.

Daniel closed his eyes, hearing the very quiet cries. Daniel had a problem with crying people, because even if it wasn't his fault, he felt like it was. He stood there for another minute, trying not to cry as well, before ripping himself away and going back into Adrien and Album's room.

He felt like a piece of him had been left behind though. A piece he'd given to Monoma that he wasn't sure he could ever get back.

"Hey," he said opening the door. Clarice had left by then.

"I didn't do it." Were Album's first words and they were hard and angry.

"I know."

He looked up in surprise, frowning. "Really? Monoma did that to himself, just to paint himself into the victim and me into a horrible person!"

"I know." Daniel said. "I know."

"Well then where is he! That motherfu—"

"He insisted on bandaging himself." Daniel interrupted before he could finish the curse word. "I called him out, and he was pretty upset."

"Good."

"Album…"

"What! It is good! He deserves to get called out on his shit, and if he gets all butthurt about it, that isn't my fault!"

"That's not what I was going to say. I was wondering where he got the bruises."

"The bruises?"

Daniel nodded, "You saw them, didn't you. They look several days old. Do you know where he got them?"

Album hesitated, not really wanting to say, though he didn't know why. Maybe it was because he wanted to keep holding it over Monoma's head and if he told Daniel, then who knows what kind of legal action would take place.

"Album, if you know…"

If Monoma kept in the profession he was in, Album knew very well he could end up getting seriously hurt one day, raped, beat, even murdered. It was dangerous. It wasn't as if Album didn't KNOW that.

He just couldn't find it in himself to care very much. "He didn't get them from his parents, I know that, if that's what you're wondering. As far as I know, they're abroad in Paris."

"Is that what he told you?"

Album nodded. "I don't know where he got them."

Daniel seemed to believe him and nodded, still looking concerned, though Album wasn't sure why. Who even cared if he had a few bruises. That's all they were, bruises. It wasn't like he was dying or anything.

At least, not yet. "Hey, so, Daniel…" Clarice said, knocking on the wall.

"Oh, yes?"

"Why don't I just come back another time, you seem to have your hands fall."

Daniel was silent for a moment before saying, "Yes, I do, I guess. I'm so sorry." He came over to the door and opened it.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled at him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I completely understand. I'll see you later."

"Bye…"

She left and Daniel groaned. "She's never coming back."

"You don't know that." Album said, but he secretly thought the same thing. This entire dinner was a complete bust and none of that was his fault, surprisingly.

Two minutes later, Monoma came out of the bathroom. "I heard the front door close. Did Clarice-san leave?"

"Yeah." Daniel said and took a deep breath.

"I should go home too." Monoma said, going into the front room and putting his shoes.

"It's getting kind of late, do you want me to drive you?"

Album silently hoped that Monoma said yes, and that Daniel had a plan to get in a car crash to kill Monoma. But then he realized Daniel wasn't him and was probably being genuinely nice and then he felt disappointed.

"No, I don't live too far from here, I'll just walk."

"Well…" Daniel glanced at the clock, that was nearing nine. "Okay." He eventually conceded. "I guess if you don't live far. But be careful."

"I will."

Album knew it wasn't likely he actually would be. Monoma left, and he didn't say goodbye like Clarice had and Album hoped that would be the last time he had to deal with Monoma until Friday when he would win the bet anyway and Monoma would be forced to delete the videos.

"So, when are you going to go looking for Adrien?"

"If he isn't home by 9:30 I'll go around to look for him."

"9:30… a.m.?" Album said, only half-joking.

Daniel smirked at him, letting out a little laugh and then shook his head, "No, p.m."

That was too bad, that was more than enough time for Adrien to get kidnapped and murdered.

The door opened at 9:17 p.m. and Adrien came in, and he was soaking wet, so it had probably started raining. It might've been the only reason he actually came home.

"Adrien's home!" Album called and there was a crash in the kitchen, "Unfortunately." Album grumbled, glaring directly at Adrien.

Daniel came in from the kitchen scooped Adrien up, hugging him tightly. "I was SO worried, don't you EVER run off like that again." he cried.

Daniel had seemed calm to Album, "Okay." Adrien murmured.

"Good, good." Daniel slowly unwrapped his arms. "Now go change your clothes, you're soaking wet."

"Okay." Adrien pulled back and went into his room to change.

When he came back out and sat on the couch, Daniel sat beside him. "Hey," Daniel murmured. "I'm sorry. And I want you to know I would never get rid of you, either of you. I love you both so much."

"But… I don't understand that. I make so much trouble, and I'm always so mean and horrible to you. I don't know why…" he trailed off, tears building up.

So Adrien was aware of what a terror he was. Album hadn't expected that really, that was for sure. "I know you don't understand this yet, I know you don't get it. But you will one day, one day when you hold a tiny, helpless baby in your arms and realize that without someone to help it, it would die. And then, you would do anything for that baby."

"Even when it grows up into a spoiled brat." Album grumbled.

Adrien rolled his eyes, pouting. "Even then." Was all Daniel said to that comment. "Before you, I had nobody. My parents were gone, and you know what the rest of our family is like. I lived alone, but then you came, and I had you. And you were the only thing that mattered to me from that moment on."

"And then," he continued. "Album came, and I wanted to help him too. I saw you in him,"

Album wrinkled his nose, not sure how he felt at being compared to Adrien, "and I wanted to give him what I gave you too."

Adrien didn't say anything and sighed, leaning against Daniel's shoulder. Album could see within three minutes he was asleep. "He's a good kid." Daniel said.

"Really deep down." Album rolled his eyes.

Daniel laughed a little, "He can be difficult, I know, but he's good. I feel like I'm a pretty good judge of character."

Actually, he was a horrible one because he thought Adrien was a good person, and he was pretty sure Daniel thought Album was a good person too.

It almost made him feel guilty for deceiving him like this. Album sat down beside Daniel too and just stared at the wall blankly. "A great judge of character huh." Album frowned, "I guess."

"Do you not think so?"

"No, I do." Album said.

They were silent for a moment until Daniel added, "We should go to bed, with school in the morning for you, and work for me."

"Yeah…" Album stood up and went to brush his teeth, Adrien following him in shortly after.

"How'd it go with Monoma?" Adrien asked.

He shrugged, "Not very good, as usual. He was a little shit, just like usual and beat himself up just to try and get me in trouble."

"Wow, sounds kind of like me." Adrien said.

"I know, it's a bit problem." Album rolled his eyes. "But he knows I know. Things are getting pretty complicated, but I think I've got everything mostly handled. And it wasn't because of your advice. It was because of me."

Adrien rolled his eyes, "I suppose I shouldn't have expected my plan to work anyway. After all, for that you'd have to be charismatic."

Album glared at him but didn't say anything in his defense, just finished brushing his teeth and then went to bed. He crawled into bed and hoped things would be better, and less convoluted tomorrow.

At least, even if it wasn't over tomorrow, everything would be by Friday. And that was all he needed. Album closed his eyes and tried to clear his head of all the thoughts and worries he had.

He heard Adrien come in and close the door, but that was the only disturbance. Soon, before he even realized, he'd fallen asleep, and the next morning, light was shining through his window, and it was finally tomorrow.


A/N Wow, I actually can't believe I wrote this, but it was so much fun! Thank you guys so much for reading, I hope you look forward to the next chapter!