Authors Notes: Weh, I'm late. This chapter took a lot out of me;w; I tried my damn hardest.

But hey, look at these two sad babies.
They're suffering so much, even without each other they can't seem to have a good time.
Does that make me mean? I suppose it does.

I think after this chapter, we'll go along with Nagisa's 'date' and Karma may or may not follow.
Then I'll show how tense their house is. ;w;

Please pass over some thoughts, I'd love to hear them! I hope you're still enjoying this as much as I am. I love you all, thank you for the support!

Nagisa and Asano went to the most well-known mall in their hometown, it was the biggest and probably the most popular. It could hold a huge crowd. However they were only window shopping, that's what thought Nagisa were doing. Instead, they were inside the isles of a clothing store. Rarely did he have the money, but it wasn't just that, he had anxiety. The noise was a constant reminder that he was being looked upon and the paranoia terrified him.
The mall brought up thoughts he'd experienced with his mother, how she used to force him to try on the girly clothes. He'd come out with a beaming smile of "How does this look, mummy~?" Voice strained from the high pitch.Once she adored it and voiced her opinion, he had to return inside the tortuous hole that had millions of lights and mirrors. It highlighted his body to show the different shades of discolouring in his bruises and scars, a reminder that he was never going to be loved.

His imagination made his stomach swirl like a toilet being flushed, clenching it he tried to ignore it. Nagisa's eyes darted at all the clothes, never did he look at anyone. His face scowled at the tortured imagery, and he completely disregarded what Asano said.

Since he was occupied by the images, Nagisa didn't notice where he walked or what he was walked on. His foot had tangled in a pair of tights, it managed to pull his weightless body over. As if the humiliation couldn't get any worse, he thought with a yelp. The shock moved him like a lifeless log, he fell in slow motion. Unable to act quick enough, he was going to end up flat on his face. The thuds of his feet alerted the boy beside him, who continued to talk.

Asano was always quick with his reflexes, recently he'd taken more karate lessons to get better. It was no wonder his body easily lunged towards Nagisa, two steps forward and hands that pulled him against his chest. The two landed back and Asano landed into the clothing stall. The brunt of fall bashed the back of his spine and it knocked a few items of clothing off the stall. Though, it probably hurt he didn't feel it. He was more concerned for the beauty bellow him. Asano didn't say a word, he was almost scared it would break this embrace. Nagisa belonged here...

Violet hues looked down at who he shielded. Oh, how he missed that warmth that scattered pink across his cheeks and the undeniable shock that Nagisa had from being rescued. His lips curled into a smirk. Nothing was like this, nothing compared to the blue locks that brushed into his chin, and the soft petite hands that grasped around his arms. Everything reminded him of the things he'd missed. This moment was going to be one that would be kept cherished. His hand left one of Nagisa's arms he held, he was going to brush those locks that were messy from the fall.

Unfortunately, it seemed Nagisa didn't think the same as he wriggled from his grasp. His hands left those he adored. A reminder that Nagisa didn't feel the same way. What felt soft is heart became stale from looking into those crystal blue. Though they continued to look away and were awaken from shock, his expression was lifeless and displeased.

"T-thank you" The bluenette muttered, uncontrollably a stutter fell from his lips. It annoyed him... The fact that in a flash anyone could be that close and that it still made him flustered. It was no wonder why his heart was caught by another boy. It was so easy to manipulate him, he tched. His hand went up and over his face, trying to disguise his blush by biting his nails. His face scowled again to the frustrated bang to his head, Nagisa was never one to lash out. But if everything continued to go wrong, he knew he'd crack. Asano had no right to see this anymore, no one did.

Seemed the shock of the fall, did, however, pull him back into his senses and listen. So he was quick to be in front of Asano to avoid any unwanted eye contact. Eyes desperate to find the sign to leave and despite the two having talks all day about various subjects, Nagisa was still nervous and nothing made this situation easier.

"Nagisa," the voice behind him said. Once again the reminder he wasn't alone, he kept forgetting by being so out of it. It happened as soon as they entered the mall, they arrived here at peak times and he didn't forgive Asano for this. Whenever he forgot about him, he deserved it.

"Hmm?" Quick to mumble back, his body jumped from the sudden hand on his shoulder. It caused him to halt but not look back.

Unfortunately, that wasn't what Asano wanted, as he saw the strawberry blonde hair rush in front of him. "If you hadn't realised, you're rather tangled… It'd be best if you either let me help you or you help yourself? This entire day… You've not been you…" Asano exclaimed, he went down to his knees to untangle the boy's feet. A t-shirt had tangled in the tights latching itself onto his thighs and shins. Asano knew from then, Nagisa was out of it. He couldn't clock onto why, but it meant he could make the most of it… He continued to pull the clothes away and he peered up. Violet hues easily noticed how uncomfortable he felt here. He could always tell by Nagisa's body language, his back became hunched, daze concentrated not on their situation and hands fumbled around.

Asano watched Nagisa nod in response, aware not to make too much sound. It was a part of his defences to pretend to be a mouse when he didn't want to be recognised as a person, especially in social places. His hands pulled the last of the tights off, his reflexes realised how shaken Nagisa's legs were. He wasn't sure if that was from him or how this place made him feel.

"Hey, why don't we go to a noodle bar? There's one not far from here, and it isn't busy like this. I'm sure you'd feel more comfortable there… right?" Asano spoke calmly, knees clicked in place as he got up again to stand in front of the boy. His arms stretched up towards the ceiling, the idea was Nagisa had gotten better. When they were dating they were able to do things like this. But something or someone had made the blue-eyed beauty go backwards. So instead, he took Nagisa's hand from this opportunity, and like his previous thoughts, he knew it was going to work. The bluenette's expression was hesitant, mouth open to deny. But Asano knew Nagisa thought it would be quicker this way.

The other two also found themselves at the same mall. Apart from they were on the top floor in the gaming and music section. Karma eyed up the new end games and the upcoming ones. They both weren't together though, as she looked at music rather than the games. She did try and involve Karma by bringing over CDs. To her surprise, he knew most of them. Karma loved music and video games, video games were to escape and the music was to relate to. His mind was a dark place that no one knew about and he needed the music to understand himself. Music to him, allowed him to see different perspectives of situations without having the need to tell someone. It made him feel better if someone else could relate.

The new upcoming game he desperately wanted was actually out. Golden hues noticed it fast, a smile stretched into a grin, his canines on the show. He grabbed it with both hands in his excitement. His hands nearly shook like a kid in a candy store, with it up and above his face. Since he had played most games, he sang the tune from Zelda when link finds rupees. His heart ecstatic, almost like it would pound out of his chest. He waited too long for this game.

His voice boomed with his enthusiasm "Fucking yes!" At least that was one thing that went right today! His glance tore down at Okuda who wasn't impressed, Karma could see that much. She furrowed her brow and struggled to not say something. Definitely wasn't going to work, oh how he knew that too much. When one feels something, it easily bounces and pulls down the atmosphere. Sure it was awkward as hell, but Karma was never one to duel on that. An audible sigh left his lips so he quickly relaxed back to his usual expression. Quickly the redhead went to the counter to pay. However, it seemed the cashier had noticed the Zelda tune from earlier and the two began talking about their favourite games.

Okuda's gut instinct told her to follow behind like a dog with a leash. Hands grasped tight around the teddy against her chest. She was hesitant to say anything as if she was a different person. If she could she'd question how he had the money, or why that game or what games he was into. But she couldn't find herself doing that. The two having conversations at the desk allowed some of her questions to be answered.
Karma enjoyed most games, he liked both old school and the high-end ones. He didn't have a preference to which, but he preferred roleplaying ones where you choose your own decision. Okuda found it nice to watch him become so animated about something, his voice was loud from how passionate he was about gaming.

Once the two had finished their talks about gaming, Karma had shoved both the game and teddy he'd won in the bag they gave him. He turned back around to look at her, she was smiling now? The redhead just couldn't work her out, at one moment she seemed disinterested and the other she looked like she cared. Usually, he cared about how people functioned, but the scenario with Nagisa made him not care. It caused too much hassle than it was fucking worth.

"You alright to go now?" Karma quickly said, his voice bland. He hid the excitement, he didn't want the enthusiasm for the game to overpower how he wanted to go home. She nodded in response. The redhead was a little thankful that they both lived the opposite ends of town and that she needed to get on a bus. At least then, he didn't need to worry about how she got home. He needed the time to cool his mind by himself before he walked through that dreaded house. It wasn't like he wanted to be there, he just wanted to play games before he met his mother. The house drove him nuts now, he was constantly aware of where Nagisa's feet were.

His pace was usually a lot faster than hers, but he knew he needed to slow down. He'd feel it later if he didn't, his paces became a 'normal' walk compared to the people that went past. Okuda was quick to catch up and the two walked side by side. Barely, they scratched small talk as they both knew the pain of awkwardness far too well.

Karma minded his own business, his glance looked at the faces that went past. A habit he used to have with his smirk, to either gain attention or to pick fights. They both headed with the crowds as they knew they had to go down to the front entrance. Their pace slowed down, as the crowds made it difficult to squeeze past. The lines of traffic weren't coordinated either so they both ended up bashed by the public. Karma could slightly hear her make noises of discomfort from the rush of people, it was going to tear them apart. They felt like sardines squashed in a can from how everyone pushed together.

The redhead probably wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to her. So with manners, his own grabbed Okuda's hand from behind him. Karma kept their distance short so he could batter the people that surrounded them, like hell would they bash past him into her. Elbows kept out to nab a few that were too close.

Why do people have to rush like this? He thought a tch left his mouth. It annoyed him, the logic made no sense.

They took the escalator down, seeing as they both knew the lift would be crowded. It pushed the two uncomfortably close on one step, as the crowd barely lined in queues. Their shoulders brushed into each other, her smaller frame pressed into Karmas. He never laid eyes on her, there was no need to, and so golden hues glanced at the scramble of people below them.

Okuda appreciated the manners, pink darted across her cheeks. He still made her nervous in that way, she thought every girl would probably feel the same given their situation. She also kept her eyes down, desperate to avoid anyone's gaze. It looked like they were partners and more images kept popping up in her mind which heated her face more.

It was slow, but Karma was quick and careful not to get caught on the people behind them. He pulled both him and Okuda to the side where he knew the crowds wouldn't gather. Karma tried to peer on his tip toes for the best way to get out the building. Head peered around so he could plot a way around these stupid crowds. He managed a way out, letting a rushed family go in front.

Karma took them on their way, until… Right at that wrong moment.
Right at that brief second, he took a glance into a similar set of eyes… That glimpse of the crystal blue he was so used to, he felt dumbfounded. He even had to shake his head in response, Nagisa never left the house. Nagisa never did anything like this, he hated places like this unless he was with someone he knew. His other hand slapped his cheek from reality, and not mistaken... It was him.

It was almost like slow motion as they brushed shoulders, their eye contact not broken. Lips parted as if Karma wanted to say something, as if the words that wanted to be said were sorry, but he didn't have the time… Stomach swirled like it was a sickness, it was going to swallow him whole and he was going to be violently sick from the tension. It engulfed him out of the crowds like they were the only two there. The rest of public had no faces compared to the one he stared into.

But Nagisa's expression didn't say anything... It was blank.
He didn't seem shocked or sad. He was in another world... It was like he was going backwards again...

It wasn't good, nothing of this was good. His eyes quickly darted from the blue into a deadly violet of violence. Almost like they were forcing you to be sick with how sweet he tried to fucking seem…

Asano…

Fucking Asano.

His hand let go of her grasp as the two jolted in the distant, it left him to stare at orange and blue hair… Hands grasped into fists of anger, he shook. Eyes narrowed into daggers, he couldn't tell if it was the pain or the anger. Pity washed over him.

Was this his fault?

But Karma couldn't and didn't move. His feet froze from being on tip toes at what they were doing, his glance left their hairs and could barely see how their hands grasped in one and another.

He couldn't do a fucking thing. He didn't have the right to.

Nagisa nearly tumbled in the distance from the pain that tore throughout him. His hand left Asano's as they were hidden outside behind a wall. He needed a moment, a moment to himself to register what just happened. Hands shook violently from how Karma had taken the breath his breath away. He could feel his body edging towards a panic attack.

Was it the fact they held hands? Was it the fact Karma wanted to move his lips to say a word? Was it the curdled pain that shot in his system? Questions that raged made his eyes clench shut. He didn't want to waste tears on him. He didn't want to waste pain on Karma. Nagisa knew he had decided on what he wanted to do... But if this one moment could break him he would never get over it. His hands flung themselves into his cheeks and one punched into his chest.

The pain was like a gun womb that was reopened, and it would make him bleed to death. So much he wanted to think, so many emotions ran high. The tremors in his hands tore his legs to shake like jelly, back tried to steady himself against the wall behind him. But the frustration forced him to stand tall, another fist went into the wall behind him. He couldn't contain this, eyes stung from the need to cry. It frustrated him, the annoyance throbbed in his head. The uncontrollable need to hurt and release it became too much.

His hands continued to bash repetitively into the wall as if he wanted to bleed. As if this was all his fault. The clouds from earlier had grown larger, ground damp from where it was beginning to rain. His eyes opened, a glimpse at how they fell and bounced onto the pavement. Reminded him of his own that began to fall like the rain drops. At first, they were slow and then came the bellows, as the rain became heavier. His body felt stiff and weak, never did Nagisa become angry and whenever he did it never lasted long.

He didn't want any of this. He hated the power love had over people, he just wanted to be left alone to rot.

Asano stood aware of how Karma made him feel, he barely got a glance but he knew it was him. No one else made Nagisa seem like this and in his own crooked mind, he needed to get these two apart... It'd be the only way to get what he wanted, no one should make Nagisa be like this apart from him. He didn't deserve it this way.

Quick Asano paced towards him, his hands held Nagisa's to stop them shaking. Nagisa shouldn't ever hurt himself over that asshole. Even if it was a little forced, he knew he needed to hug him. His expression changed from his usual cold glance to someone who was considerate. His features relaxed, so he could smile. He had to try. Nothing was worth it if Nagisa was broken first.

Crystal blue looked into his own before he sealed the deal. He pulled from his hands up to his arms to smother him into his chest. His hands gently grasped around the smaller back, before he found himself twirling Nagisa's damp blue locks. He knew how to help, they dated for a while before this. Asano didn't say a word there was no need to, Nagisa's body shuddered into his own. He could tell the cry became worse, his breath as deep as it was, gasped a few times for air. Asano felt how Karma grasped his heart by the way it pounded into his chest, it pissed him off. His teeth clenched into his lip, Karma had no idea what he was fucking missing.

Asano's plan was to break and have Nagisa under his control again, however this time he wanted it to be more painful for Karma. Use and abuse the boy right underneath his nose.