Sitting on the floor of Lussuria's living room a few days later, Squalo sighed. He leant back on his elbows as he looked up at the roof, his eyes watching the way the ceiling fan spun around.

"Mink…"

Lowering his head to look back at Belphegor, Squalo sighed as he found the younger trying to get a comb through his pet's silky fur. It wasn't that the fur was matted, or that the tiny animal was even moving; it was that Belphegor couldn't seem to recall the process of bathing his pet properly.

"You need to wash him first." Gesturing to the tub of water Lussuria had brought out for his charge, Squalo was patient; he knew that the blond was anxious about the strange group of people who had gone into the backyard with Lussuria earlier. "Put him in the water."

Belphegor did as told, submerging the comb as well. He barely took notice of Squalo taking it off him, instead holding his pet down in the warm water. "…"

"Now rub your fingers all through his fur and try and get the dirt out." When Belphegor didn't even attempt to follow instructions, Squalo did it himself. He understood when he ended up doing most of the work anyway, never blaming his friend; it wasn't Belphegor's fault he was struggling.

"Are you ready to go, Squalo?" Dino, who had been outside talking with Lussuria and the man's work friends, appeared in the doorway. "We have to leave now so we're not late."

Squalo nodded, getting to his feet. He wasn't surprised when Belphegor stumbled upwards as well, his pet held haphazardly in his arms. "You wanna come, brat?"

Belphegor nodded, a shy smile crossing his face. "…"

"I'm going to see a doctor; I'll be talking about things that will make you sad." Patting tousled blond locks in a gentle manner, Squalo allowed his demeanour to soften. "It will be best if you stay here and play with Mink."

Shaking his head, Belphegor pressed himself against Squalo's side. He hugged Mink closer to him, his behaviour closer to normal than it had been ever since the attack; did Belphegor understand that he also had gotten justice and peace for what had happened to him…?

With a sigh, Squalo nodded. "Alright. Stay here while I get your jacket."

Belphegor obeyed, standing with Dino. He waited patiently for a few minutes before his friend returned with his red jacket and his stuffed mink. He allowed the man to dress him, and he was quick to drop Mink to the ground in order to accept his favourite toy. He held Squalo's hand tight as they started leaving the house, a little anxious, but knowing that Xanxus wasn't out there anymore to hurt him again.

Once Squalo had buckled Belphegor into the backseat, he climbed into the front passenger seat and waited for Dino to start the car. It was quiet between them all, Squalo and Dino lost in their thoughts while Belphegor hummed quietly to himself.

"Do you think you'll be okay?" Knowing how much Squalo didn't want to see a therapist, Dino had been glad when his lover had finally agreed after snapping on Hayato; Squalo couldn't keep going through life without the help he desperately needed. "Do you need me to come in with you?"

"I'll be fine. Do what you want." Looking over his shoulder as Belphegor made a strange sound, he smiled as he found the youngest was playing with his teddy, doing very well today and being much more active and sociable. Hopefully he was going to keep getting better, but Squalo knew not to get his hopes up; Belphegor's recovery could take any turn.

"He's having fun." Smiling as well, Dino looked into the rear view mirror. "He's very happy right now."

"Lussu said he stayed at Fran's house last night and slept through without waking. And he had breakfast in town with Mammon after."

"Maybe he's just had a lot of stress lifted after seeing Xanxus being taken away. He's probably been that terrified of him, and has been in his shell because he was scared of him coming back."

Squalo nodded, knowing it made sense. "…"

"Do you feel that way, too?"

Looking over at Dino, Squalo blinked. "What?"

"Do you feel better with him gone?"

"…Yeah… Sort of… I mean… I still feel shit, but… But I'm not really looking over my shoulder all the time now…"

Slowing down the red light up ahead, Dino pressed the clutch in and changed gear. "Hopefully you'll soon stop looking over it completely, hey?"

"…" Sighing, Squalo nodded. "…Thanks…"

"Hmm?" Bringing his car to a stop, Dino glanced over at his boyfriend.

"You know…" Fumbling with his hands, Squalo grew uncomfortable; he wasn't used to thanking people or showing his gratitude, but…

This was something Dino had to know.

"…For still being with me, and never leaving me once… Most people would have fucked me off twenty years ago, and yet… You're still here with me… Even after killing someone…"

Reaching across to wrap an arm around Squalo's shoulders, Dino then pulled his arm back to himself. "You don't need to thank me for any of that, Squalo; if I were in your position, I know you'd do the same for me."

"Of course I fucking would…"

"I love you, Squalo."

"…" Looking down at his lap, Squalo nodded. Quickly, he mumbled, "Love you, too…"

Giving his boyfriend a quick peck on the cheek before putting the car into first gear, Dino smiled; hopefully both Squalo and Belphegor would continue to get better now that Xanxus was gone. Whatever it took, he would be there for them both, no matter what.