Gold bent over the billard table, shooting with precision to explode the balls' triangle, surrounded by Green, Red and Ruby. Blue was typing on her phone and Yellow was watching them intently. A week had passed since the party, and no one knew that Gold and Krystal had shared a bed, whereas Red and Yellow who had spent the night together, had admitted it publicly, and the petite girl was following him everywhere without anyone knowing if they were a couple or not. Green had given up and let Blue follow him everywhere, noticing with relief that other girls stopped stalking him when she was there, he reluctantly accepted her presence. She obviously changed her wallpaper with one of the plenty pictures Gold had taken, and spent her time texting with the other acting girls, telling Faitsu, Selene, White et Whai all details about the party. It seemed they had a group conversation on which they all talked together, and Blue was really present in those talks. The boys were ending their second game when Green and Blue arrived, vice-president having finished his tasks. Green aimed and hit a white ball right in the center, sending a red in one of the six holes, and took a step back with a confident look. Red turned around the table, checking the distances and angles, then aimed and shot, missing the yellow ball he was aiming at and getting another one in a hole without meaning to. Gold bursted out laughing, and Ruby took his turn when Gold's phone rang. He had the time to see Krystal's picture when she was looking in his eyes at the party before taking the call. But she wasn't speaking in the mic. He almost growled and lashed at her when he understood she couldn't talk. He concentrated fully on what he heard, then put his queue in Yellow's hands and ran to the street, yelling at them to continue without him.

He kept the phone stuck to his ear, trying to hear a clue. He had understood that Krystal had problems, that she was near the riverside, but those clues weren't enough for him to find her. He got to the river quickly and looked for her, before hearing the sound of a truck in the speaker. Looking for it, he localised it further away and ran as if his own life was at stake. As the days went by, he understood some things. Firstly, Krystal was ashamed of her behaviour at the party, and if she was thankful he didn't give her away, she kept her distance from him, which wasn't really difficult when he understood he was to avoid her. Secondly, she had forgotten strictly nothing from the party and the night after, and was blushing madly the rare times they met. Thirdly, he hadn't been able to face against a simple attraction that exploded at the party into something more powerful, and it was this feeling that made him run faster and faster to her.

In a second, he saw her pushed against a boy, his back against one of the bridge's pillars, surrounded by six other guys, all of them older. The taller of them was pulling on her uniform, looking at her with nasty eyes as one of his hands was going under the shirt.

Forgetting he was alone, younger, not that strong, and that he had planned to use his brain, he ran and jumped to them, his feet making contact with the face of the dude trying to touch her. They didn't have the time to be surprised that he already punched two of them right in the nose, the one behind her falling backwards with his face a bloody mess as Krystal yelled, falling on her knees. He pushed her previous holder to the others, making them trip, then kicked the boss in his knees to make him fall. Lost, the attackers ended up fleeing the scene, leaving their boss on the ground, unconscious. Gold turned to Krystal, ready to get a long talk about violence and fights, but she stayed on the ground, trembling like a leaf. He crouched in front of her, checking she was okay, and saw she didn't seem to want to stand up.

- Krys... We can't stay here, if they come back... you can get up?

A teardrop rolled on her cheek, and Gold cursed, gritting his teeth. Then he fetched her bag, slipping it on his shoulder, before putting his arm around her back. She held him on instinct, burying her face in his shirt, and he slipped his second arm under her legs, holding her skirt against her before lifting the girl. He climbed up to the thankfully desert street, then went back to the café, being the nearest safe place. Their friends ran to them as he went in, and he sat on a sofa with a sigh, without letting go of Krystal. Green made him describe the gang, Red went running outside to see if they came back to pick up their comrade, and Yellow was sitting next to them with a first aid kit that never left her, checking Krystal's state. But the victim wasn't hurt, and refused to leg go of Gold. He considered he was better off holding her, he knew that as soon as he would be free to move he would go search for them, and even if the idea had a seducing side to it, he knew he shouldn't do that. So he held tightly the crying girl against him, his cheek on her hair, his eyes killing the wall in front of him. Green watched him, then whispered something to Blue who called Platina right away, negotiating a summer sleepover, most of them being free of summer supplementary classes. Platina accepted quickly and took the lead of the organisation of what they called the "crisis meeting". Everyone was calling, running and talking around them, and Gold and Krystal stayed still, in the storm's eye. She wasn't crying anymore, wasn't piercing holes in his shirt with her nails anymore, but hadn't lifted her head. He looked up to watch her, worried. His anger had fell in the background of his mind, now he was concentrating on her. She looked up slowly, meeting his gaze, and he saw the fear still present in her eyes with something he didn't understand.

- Let's go, signaled Blue while putting her hand on his shoulder. Platina welcomes us all in her house, I'm going to pick your stuff and Krystal's and meet you there. You'll have to go outside, but the others will be there, it will be alright. Don't ever let go of her, no matter what, you hear me Gold?

- Yes.

- Good. See you later.

He took off his cap and googles and put them on Krystal's head before helping her sit upright on the sofa. She had a strangely empty look, but was still holding onto him whatever he did. He moved his arm against hers and slipped his hand under hers, making her let go of his shirt as she replaced it by his own hand, like a kid. Her other hand was holding the cap on her head, as to protect herself from whatever could be attacking from above. Gold got up, pulling her with him, and fetched his bag and Krystal's before going outside, followed very closely by the girl. She held her head low, gripping his arm with her free hand, she couldn't get nearer. Gold growled loudly and met Ruby's eyes. Whatever happened, he knew they would watch him, as closely as her, maybe even more. They surrounded them like a human wall, and Gold spent the trip watching the girl, checking with regular hand pressures that she was still conscious of his presence. Platina's family butler welcomed them with a gentle smile, and Platina lead Gold and Krystal straight to a guest room, leaving them to meet the others in what she called their crisis meeting.

Gold put down their schoolbags, then closed the door, the locking sound seeming to wake her up as she looked around, lost.

- We're at Platina's. Take all the time you need, we'll go down to see the others when you'll be ready, we're all crashing tonight. Blue went to get our stuff, and give an excuse to your parents. You're safe.

- You...

- I'm staying right here, he answered with a pressure of his fingers. Until you throw me out.

- They... began Krystal, missing the fury in his golden eyes. I couldn't... they... needle...

- Where? Asked Gold a bit abruptly, making her jump.

She turned around, stretching her uniform collar to release her neck. He saw a red point, her skin inflamed around it, and without thinking, he bent to kiss gently the small wound. Krystal whined, and he took a step back apologizing, letting air between them for the first time since he found her. She pulled him almost violently against her and moved her free arm around his waist, holding him tight against her. Gold apologized again, and put a hand on her back, doing small circles slowly to calm her down.

- Don't let go of me, whispered Krystal.

- Sorry, I won't do it again, promised.

Krystal nodded, breathing in slowly, her ear agains his chest. He walked slowly, making her go backwards to the bed, and sat with her. She climbed right away on his knees, holding up her legs against her chest. He tried to joke as he told her off about her shoes on the bed, but it failed miserably and he took off her shoes himself to let them fall on the ground. He took off his own without using his hands, and sighed as he rocked her gently. She was a bit taller than him, but managed to look small and weak, curling as a ball against him. He heard her talk against his shirt, but didn't understood what she said and bent his head at the same time she lifted hers. Their noses were touching, but he didn't dare move back, not if she didn't clearly ask for it, and she wasn't moving either.

- Is it bad if I want something I shouldn't be thinking about right now?

- Err... answered the boy.

- I don't even know if you...

- Anything you want, breathed Gold.

- But because... because it's for you, or for me?

- Erm, I don't understand what you're talking about, sorry.

- Don't move, whispered Krystal, making the cap fall on the bed.

She lifted her head a bit, and made the space between their faces disappear as she put her lips on his. He was far from guessing that she wanted to kiss him, after what she went through, and was wondering confusedly if he should encourage her or not, finally choosing to follow her orders to not move. She backed a bit, watching Gold's face who felt like he was sunburnt. He resisted with all his might against the want to do it again, longer, stronger, and gulped hardly as he opened his eyes, drowning himself in hers. She seemed surprised by his reaction, and a smile's shadow went through her face. Barely holding it in, Gold whined quietly, begging with his eyes without daring to speak. She moved her hand, which was on his waist, to his cheek, without ever leaving his warmth.

- How could I miss that?

Gold gulped again, unable to avoid her clear and teary eyes.

- Was it for you or for for me?

- ... You, whispered Gold.

- May I know what it's like when it's for you?

- ... You sure that's the right time ?

- I need to forget, mumbled Krystal, bending her head and holding her free hand against her chest.

He began a really difficult mental battle against himself, as she even seemed to want a rerun, and there wasn't any apparent reason for not giving in to her, except for the fact that he absolutely didn't want her to regret, the fear of being rejected was violently overpowering him, as much as his fear to aggravate her trauma instead of help her forget it. She watched him intently, then pushed him to make him fall on his side, following him. As he hit his head on the pillow, he seemed to put an end to is internal debate, and breathed in slowly.

- I'll compromise. I'm not going all out, so I won't replace a trauma by another.

Krystal rolled her eyes, and he had a mocking smile. Then, with utmost care, he slipped a hand behind her neck, checked with a look that she still agreed to it, then closed his eyes as he slammed his mouth against hers. He couldn't believe it, he was kissing her for real! Moving his lips against hers, he took the advantage as her mouth wasn't fully closed to slip his tongue between her lips. He nearly lost it when he felt her fingers claw his hair, pushing him to her, and his tongue invaded her mouth completely as his heartbeat resonated in his ears. She clawed her nails in his skull and the boy moaned quietly against her mouth, losing part of his self control as his hand slipped down her body, following her curves to her hips before going back up under her shirt, brushing against her skin. She sighed heavily and he ended the kiss, breathing quickly as he held his forehead to hers, discovering a dark shade over her eyes. He apologized while blushing, taking back his hand to put it gently on Krystal's head. She answered a small "thank you" almost silent, and fell asleep, her fingers still lost in his hair. He let out a long sigh, and felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Writhing to pick it with his free hand, he saw a new message from Blue. He told her Krystal fell asleep, but he had to lock the door to reassure her. Thinking she was going to laugh, but she simply told her Krystal's parents authorized a week of absence from home, and they had food without time limit. She even offered to meet them if Krystal needed someone with her in the shower, and he promised to tell her. He thanked her more nicely than usual, and put his phone on the bed before watching the sleeping girl. He was detailing her intently, checking under her collar if she didn't have another wound, and breathed more freely when he saw she had none. He ended up closing his eyes, drowning a bit, but jumped awake as his stomach growled loudly, only twenty minutes after she fell asleep. She opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly, searching for what woke her up as he didn't seem to have moved, then the noise came back. She panicked and rose up, turning on the phone next to her to know the time, then she froze as she watched stupidly the lit screen where she was playing Mario Kart with high concentration. She understood it was Gold's phone, and that she didn't sleep enough to make them skip a meal, she looked up to see him sitting on the bed next to her, his hand in his hair, uncomfortable. She reached with her hand and slipped her fingers in the dark strands, mesmerized by the sensation between her fingers. He froze, nervous, and she finally recognized the tension she saw a few times on him during the games party at Ruby's.

- You're... scared ?

- Not exactly, I... well, yeah, but of myself.

- How so? She asked, curious.

- Erm... let's say I'm scared of the reactions you might... cause in me...

- Oh. Sorry.

- I don't see how this could be your fault, retorted Gold with high eyebrows.

- I am causing those reactions, am I not?

- Yeah, but they're not really bad or disagreeable, and...

A louder gurgling interrupted him and Krystal smiled. He gazed at her, and she slipped her hands around his neck, getting dangerously close. He blinked, surprised to see her this close, and stared at her mouth. She gave him a small smack on the neck and put her forehead against his, drowning her gaze in his golden eyes.

- Stop it, you stud. I wasn't thinking about that.

- I... Sorry, my brain got sidetracked.

- Apology accepted. Now ask your question.

- How do you...

- Because I felt it. Don't worry, I'm already feeling better than when you found me.

- Hum... I was wondering if..., Gold hesitated, before taking a deep breath. Did they... touch you?

His sentence ended as a whisper, and if Krystal could hear a whole lot of concern in his voice, she also saw the huge violent promise of wrath in his eyes, depending on her answer. She patted his hair, closing her eyes, then decided on the truth, her gaze meeting his.

- They had almost no time to do anything. The one holding me was... rubbing himself against me, explained Crystal with a disgusted face. And the other only lifted my top, you got there right before he touched me...

Confirming his thoughts, Gold growled and balled his fists, his eyes burning with fury, then Krystal gave him a small hit on the head. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and felt her snuggle her fingers in his hands, making him relax his hands finger by finger. He ended up opening his eyes again, a reproachful look in his eyes.

- What? Asked Krystal.

- You'll prevent me from going after them. I know you, you'll find a moral or educative reason to forbid me to give them the beating they deserve.

- Yes, she answered firmly. I don't want you to loose your time with them. They don't even deserve a second of attention from you.

- But you do, right? Retorted the boy with a playful gleam in his eyes.

- This and that are different matters, I just want to avoid something happening to you.

- Well, you needn't worry about me you know, they wouldn't even have time to see me, even less to touch me!

- Who said I was worried about you? We kissed twice and what, we're already married?

- I wasn't planning that far, but if that's what you want, I'll gladly honour you on your wedding night!

- You... what?! You pervert, don't you have anything else in mind ?

- Well I don't really have a choice with that body of yours, I often have a hard time contentrating...

Krystal opened her mouth, but found nothing to retort and closed it. Then she turned her back on him and sat cross-legged on the bed. He closed his eyes, breathed slowly, before beginning to move to stand up. But the girl fell to push her back onto him.

- I'm not leaving, I just want to pee, I'll come back.

- But...

- You wouldn't come with me, would you? Laughed Gold.

- Krystal, you are the Dtudent Council's President, there's no way in hell that you're coming to the toilet with me.

She pouted, and Gold shifted to hold her gently. Then he got up and went to the toilet, locking the door behind him. Krystal looked at the room, checking her cell but the battery was dead. Putting it to charge, she turned to Gold's and stole his cap on her way, putting it backwards on her head to her eyes, before unlocking the boy's phone without even knowing how. Looking for a game, she gave up and put the phone in plane mode before opening Google to play Jumping T-Rex. Concentrated on the game, she didn't hear Gold getting out of the toilet. He unlocked their room and found two duffle bags in the dark corridor on the other side of the door, with a handwritten note from Blue saying they could call to get their meal in the room if needed. He picked the bags before closing the door, missing the sound of his phone falling on the carpeted floor. Krystal threw her arms around him in a panicked move as he locked the door again.

He turned around slowly, letting the bags fall on the floor, and put his hand gently on her head. Her legs wavered and she held him as if she was going to fall. He crouched slowly, pulling her with him, untill they both sat on the floor. She climbed on his legs automatically, and put her head under his. He slipped his arms around her, holding her back without speaking. She stopped moving for long minutes, her breath more and more calm, and Gold wondered if she would be able to stay alone in a room before she had to go back home and face her everyday life. He lifted his arm and reached his school bag to pull it closer. Searching blindly, he pulled out a box he opened expertly with one hand before pulling out a handful of pocky biscuits and munching hungrily on them. His stomach growled without any noise, but the feeling woke Krystal up, who straightened up hearing him munch. She watched him as he finished his biscuits, and slided back a bit. He held the box to her, and she took a pocky to bit at it absentmindedly. Then she froze, her eyes in his, and kept the stick between her teeth while her fingers let go of it. He smiled playfully and got near, biting the other end of the stick. He then kept it in his teeth, allowing her to bite it next with a challenging look. Gold took a small bite, his nose slightly brushing against Krystal's, his eyes glowing with amusement. Growling, she took the last bite and gulped it down while keeping her mouth against his, her eyes never leaving his. Accepting her challenge, he slipped his hand on her shoulder blades and closed his eyes, bending his head to get even closer to her, his tongue slipping past her lips. She pushed it back with hers and invaded his mouth, surprising him as he let out a stiffled moan. She climbed on his knees, sticking her body to his, and her hands lost their way in his hair and under his shirt. She felt him stiffen, his breathing became uneven, and his hands tensed on her hips. She moaned softly, then ended the kiss, moving back a bit. They were both bright red, breathing heavily, and kept their eyes closed, holding onto each other for support.

Gold ended up opening his eyes again, looking right into Krystal's.

- What ... You're doing is... dangerous...

- You won't... hurt me.

- You don't know that.

- I do. I... trust you. Either way, you would have jumped on me already.

- You got attacked a few hours ago and now you want me to jump on you?

- I didn't say that, breathed Krystal. I... need a shower.

- Err, you sure you want to get up now? We're good here, don't you think ? Asked Gold, nervous.

- Yes, I really need to... wash away this day. I need to feel I got all those off me, you can't just cover the traces.

- Alright then, don't you dare look I'm not... socially lookable.

Krystal's eyes got bigger under the surprise as he looked away blushing, and she struggled to keep herself from looking down. Smiling, she closed her eyes and stood up using his shoulders to stabilize herself, then turned her back on him as she rummaged through her duffle bag. Gold scratched his nose and sighed, standing up too, pulling on his pants to try hiding the too visible bump. He tried to put his shirt over it and hid more or less the source of his problems. Then he turned to Krystal who got in the bathroom and came back almost immediately.

- You're kidding, right? Asked the boy, alarmed.

- No. I tried to go, but couldn't close the door..., explained the girl as she looked down, a ball of clothes in her arms.

- And if I stay next to the door?

- It will be cold and I'll get sick. You're not obligated to look or touch you know.

- Thank god, grumbled Gold.

- That's nice...

- No, it's not like that, you know how difficult it is... rhaaa, alright, I'm coming. Let me take some clothes, I'll wash too when you'll be finished.

He picked up a pair of shorts Blue had taken at his home, his toothbrush, then went to the bathroom, tailed by Krystal as if she was his shadow. He closed the door and faced it before closing his eyes. He tried not to listen the sound of the water filling the bath, the clothes falling on the floor, or the sound she made while soaping after using the water spray... he heard the smallest move, almost able to see what she was doing without opening his eyes or turn his head. She rinced herself quickly and turned off the water before getting in the tub with a delighted sight.

- You can look, I'm hidden.

- Please accept my congratulations, you just invented a new torture form, mumbled Gold as he turned around.

His eyes fell right on her, knowing precisely where she was. Her dark hair with blue highlights were tied up over her neck, and he was suddenly under a powerful need to kiss her there, bite her even. Shaking his head, he unbuttoned quickly his shirt, throwing it on the ground before disposing of his socks. He turned to her, and saw that Krystal was staring at him, half her face in the water doing bubbles. He shot a glance at her with raised eyebrows. She mumbled something unintelligible, then turned her head, blushing. He sighed and turned his back to her, planning to wash the fastest way possible, when he heard Krystal move in the bath.

- You won't look, right?

- Krys, you said earlier that you trusted me, didn't you? If you don't want me to do something, I won't.

- Okay. I'm coming.

- What?!

Gold didn't turn around, but his nervousness almost got the best of him when he heard Krystal get out of the bath. He was staring right in front of him when she extended her arm to take the soap, and he gulped hardly. She put her hands on his back, and he couldn't suppress a shiver. He felt like his whole sensors were concentrated on his back, and got tempted more than once to just bend backwards. But he held on, wondering how many new forms of torture she would invent at his expense.