He sank into the water slowly, allowing the soothing warmth to heal his worn nerves. He needed some time to himself. Not that he hadn't had plenty of it lately, what with Juudai being so occupied with his new friend. Shou glowered into the water. Juudai never had time for him anymore. Not since he had shown up.

Johan Anderson was nothing but a nuisance.

"May I join you?"

He jumped, startled by the voice. He looked up at the newcomer, but the steam from the tub had fogged his glasses beyond use. Even so, he knew that voice...

"You're..."

Johan smiled, untying the knot that held his towel around his waist. "It's Shou, isn't it?" he asked. "You're one of Juudai's friends. I don't think I've had a chance to get to know you yet. Can I get in with you?"

Shou blinked, then looked disdainfully away. "I don't care," he mumbled, blushing slightly. Johan just kept smiling.

"You and Juudai are pretty close, right?"

Shou tossed him a sideways glance. "Yeah, we are," Shou answered bluntly. "We met at the beginning of our first year. We've been best friends ever since." He strained the words to stress his important rank. If you want my place, you're gonna have to earn it, New Kid. Nobody thinks they can just stroll in and take Aniki away from me.

"I thought so," said Johan, his smile unwavering. "You have that nickname for him, after all. What was it? Ani-ue?"

"Aniki," Shou corrected sharply. He turned to face the wall of the tub and folded his arms over the edge. A snicker from behind caused him to twitch.

"What's funny?"

"What? Oh, nothing!" said Johan. "Sorry, I just thought it was cute, that's all." Shou glared, but Johan didn't notice.

"So you're his 'little brother,' then?"

"Yes."

"Then...you two aren't...you know."

Shou blinked, turning to meet Johan's eyes. "Aren't what?"

Johan scratched his cheek. "Well, I was asking if he's your boyfriend."

Shou stared blankly for a moment, until a brilliant flush spread across his face. He at first wanted to blurt out "no!" but restrained himself; after all, that would mark Juudai as available, and he couldn't just hand him over to this...this new kid.

"I don't think that's any of your business," he replied as nonchalantly as possible, turning away from him again. Johan shrugged.

"I'm just asking."

"Why do you care?"

There was a pause. Shou snorted inwardly. He knew the answer, anyway.

"I'm just...checking for availability."

Shou scowled at the floor. Knew it.

He felt a finger rest against his shoulder, and he froze. It slowly traced its way up his neck, then down his back, drawing little circles, causing him to tremble. Hot breath puffed against his cheek from behind him.

An indescribable fear gripped Shou without mercy.

"Well?" said Johan, softer now. His voice was closer than before; much closer. "Are you taken?"