"Good morning, Squalo." Looking over his shoulder at his disgruntled lover, Dino couldn't help but smile; Squalo was always adorable in the mornings, especially when he had bed hair. "How'd you sleep?"

"Shit." Sitting down at the table, Squalo rubbed at his eyes. "That damn brat kept waking up, and while I stayed with him, you slept like a fucking log, you asshole."

Dino chuckled. "Yeah, I know; I'm a heavy sleeper. I'll get you a coffee."

"Thanks…" With a sigh, the long-haired male turned to look out of the window. He could see Scuderia out in the paddock, grazing happily while a few birds drank from his trough. Dino's dog could be seen sleeping on the veranda, and the surrounding trees swayed from the wind. The sky was blue, barely a cloud to be seen as the rays from the sun lit up the Earth. "Looks like a shit day out there."

Glancing out of the window, Dino shook his head. "It looks like a very nice day to me. I'm glad I don't have to work today; I can spend it with you."

"I'm tired…" Sending the other a pitiful look, Squalo hoped his boyfriend would understand his exhaustion; it wasn't that he didn't want to do anything with Dino; it was just that he was so tired, he really didn't want to leave the house or do much.

Moving to put a coffee on the table in front of the smaller male, Dino smiled. "I know you are. How about we just watch movies for a while? Something nice and relaxing."

Shrugging, Squalo took a sip of his coffee. "Whatever… Something Bel wants to do, too; he needs something to keep him amused."

"You know that's never a problem, Squalo." Kissing his lover's cheek, Dino returned to the kitchen counter, working on his pastries. "Bel's my friend, too, and I want him to be happy like you."

"Good, because I'd knock you out if you didn't give a fuck about him, and you know it."

Smiling, Dino cocked his head to the side. "It's great that Bel has someone who loves him so much and looks after him. No wonder he adores you as much as he does."

"He'd wanna fucking adore me with everything I've done for him over the years… I got him that stupid mink of his and it's done nothing but try and take my fingers off since I've laid eyes on it."

With a chuckle, Dino paused what he was doing. "He loves you."

"Yeah… I know he does… I love him, too, the little brat…" Glancing down at his watch, Squalo sighed. "It's almost nine… I should get him up soon…"

"Let him sleep a while longer; he's probably been having nightmares all night."

"He has been. That, and his body's fucked from what Xanxus did to him; he can't even fucking sleep properly now."

"That's not good at all for him; he's going to get really sick if he's not sleeping."

"Lussu gives him sleeping drugs when he needs them; he just can't have them every night."

Wishing there was something he could do to help, Dino instead resorted to bringing over a plate of pastry for his lover. "Here you are, Squalo. There is lots left over if you're still hungry, but make sure to leave some for Bel when he wakes up."

Humming in response, Squalo picked up a croissant. "You do too fucking much for me, stupid. Let me do something for once."

Shaking his head, Dino couldn't have that; Squalo had been a slave for so long, he deserved nothing but love and special treatment. "While you are my boyfriend, I am going to spoil you so much, you'll forget everything you know about house work and cooking."

"…" Dropping his head, Squalo understood the hidden meaning; Dino just didn't want him to feel as if he were still with Xanxus. "…Thanks…"

"You're welcome, Squalo. If you're still tired, go back to bed for a bit."

"Don't need to go back to fucking bed…"

Dino chuckled. "Alright, grumpy. Finish your breakfast."

With a pout, Squalo reluctantly did as told. Dino had better consider himself lucky that the long-haired man allowed him to tell him what to do, because he wouldn't listen to just anyone.

~~XX~~

"Voi, brat…" Shaking Belphegor's shoulder, Squalo sighed. "Come on, wake up; it's past ten-thirty."

Belphegor didn't move, sparking deep concern in Squalo; had something happened to the blond through the morning…?

"Bel…?" Brushing golden bangs out of Belphegor's face, the long-haired man let out a relieved sigh when purple orbs blinked and fixed on him. "What's wrong, Bel? It's time to get out of bed now. Come on."

Belphegor didn't respond in any manner; he simply watched Squalo, unmoving. He groaned quietly when gloved hands tried to sit him up, his body too heavy to support himself. Frowning, he dropped his head against the older male's shoulder, his fingers digging tightly into the other's clothing.

"Brat…" Sighing, Squalo wrapped his arms around the younger's frail body, hugging him tight. He wished there was something he could do to turn back time and never allow his friend to be hurt like this, but what could he do? Nothing, except sit and watch as Belphegor suffered because of him. "…I'm so sorry… I didn't mean… for you to get hurt…"

Belphegor didn't reply; he just started picking at the long-haired man's sleeve, making soft noises.

Fighting back tears, Squalo held the younger close; why did he have to get Belphegor involved in something that didn't even concern him...?

~~XX~~

"Here we go; nice and comfortable." Siting Belphegor down on the couch, Dino smiled as he passed the other's mink plushy to the injured blond. He was saddened by the way the younger hugged it like a lifeline, but at the same time, it showed that Belphegor was making small improvements; he hadn't been able to acknowledge people or objects until a few months into his recovery, instead staring at them but rarely interacting - to see him hugging his teddy so tightly meant that he was slowly but surely getting back some of his awareness. "Squalo is making you a hot chocolate and he'll get you a blanket and some pillows so you can curl up on the couch by yourself."

Belphegor blinked, staring at his fellow blond for a few seconds before he turned to his teddy, picking at the fur. He mumbled something incomprehensible before he looked back up at Dino, a thoughtful hum leaving his lips. "Lussu...?"

"Lussuria's at home, Bel." Patting a blond head affectionately, Dino used his gentle tone. "He's having a bit of a rest."

"Want Lussu..." Frowning, Belphegor tensed. "Go home..."

"Ah, but, Bel, we -"

"-Voi! Damnit, Bucking Horse! Stop leaving the doors unlocked! What if someone walks in and Bel's by himself?!"

Dino blinked at these words before he stood up and moved into the kitchen, finding his boyfriend grumbling as he locked the sliding glass door to the kitchen. "What are you talking about? I've locked that door twice this morning, and I've only been out once with the animals."

"Well, why's it unlocked again?!" Agitated by his fear of encountering Xanxus once more, Squalo couldn't help but lash out. "I keep checking all the doors and this one keeps getting unlocked! For fuck's sake!"

"Squalo, I have been locking it; I thought you were the one leaving it open."

"Voi! No, you fucking idiot! Keep it locked!"

Closing the distance between them, Dino put his hands on his lover's shoulders, seeing that Squalo wasn't understanding. "Squalo. I haven't been leaving this door unlocked and neither have you. Bel hasn't been out of bed until a few minutes ago. If none of us have been leaving it unlocked, then I don't know who has been."

Gulping at this information, Squalo's eyes widened. Paranoid by all the possibilities, he pushed past Dino to go into the living room, checking on Belphegor; he would never forgive himself if something were to happen to the youngest again.

Thankfully, Belphegor was still seated on the couch, his teddy on his lap as he played quietly with it. The blond lifted his head at Squalo's approach, a single tear sliding down his cheek. "Lussu…" Extending his arms, the youngest was glad when Squalo pulled him into a tight hug. "Lussu…"

"Lussu isn't here, but I'll give him a ring soon so you can talk to him," Squalo promised, threading his fingers through golden locks. Turning to Dino, the man pulled Belphegor's head against his chest, holding him close. "Voi, Bucking Horse, go check the house and make sure no one's snuck inside or some shit. Then go see if we have any spare locks lying around to change the kitchen one with."

Dino nodded, going to do as told; he would be damned if he let anything happen to the younger two.

Sitting with Belphegor, Squalo rocked him in an effort to help him calm down. "It's okay, Bel; it's going to be fine."

Somehow, trying to reassure his friend only made Squalo feel worse about the situation.