Soubi just couldn't let something so strange go like that. He lay awake in his bed, eyes straight up but the bedroom door forever in his peripheral vision. Kio… Kio had never acted like that before. He was usually so open and straightforward… but he just brushed Soubi off so quickly and easily… Soubi couldn't forget the look in his eyes as he stood there, torn between his two halves…

It's that look that inevitably drove him out of bed and across the small apartment. His door was a little creaky, but then again, Kio was typically a heavy sleeper. He managed to get all the way over to the couch, over creaky floors and after stubbing his toe on the end table, without Kio ever stirring. It was almost peaceful, though… his arm hanging over the edge of the couch, one leg propped up and his mouth hanging open slightly… Soubi wasn't exactly into guys like him, but he did look somewhat cute, he had to admit… But now wasn't the time to get emotional.

For a moment, Soubi considered waking Kio up to confront him about his behavior and especially those marks of his, but then again, he didn't have to. His reason slipped and his hand went for the bottom of Kio's shirt. But he had just brushed skin lightly when Kio stirred and his tired blue eyes opened. Soubi froze, realizing too late the awkwardness of his position- what with his hand partway up his friend's shirt, but once Kio's mind woke up a little more, he cracked a smile.

"Could resist me after all, could you?"

"Guess not." Sleepily, Kio shifted to wrap his arms around Soubi's neck and proceeded to snuggle his unprotected skin. Soubi shuddered at the feeling of skin against skin, and he pushed Kio back down, not willing to ignore his purpose.

"Kio, I'm not here for that."

"Pity."



"I'm being serious. Kio… I want to know about those marks on your back."

At this, Kio's eyes widened the rest of the way and every ounce of exhaustion left Kio's body. His hands removed themselves from Soubi's hair and his head turned away, attempting to ignore that he had ever been woken up. This reaction was not to Soubi's liking, and he grabbed onto one of his friend's arms.

"Kio." He prodded. Kio remained silent. Again he asked, and each time, he was answered with silence. Kio wouldn't even look him in the eyes… but his whole body was tense, and it looked like Kio was grinding his teeth.

"Kio, this is bothering you…"

"Then drop it. It has nothing to do with you."

"Maybe not, but you're always pushing yourself into MY business, so here I am, pushing right back!" Kio shook his head. "Come on, Kio…"

"No…"

"Come on, Kio, tell me."

"No, I wont…"

"Kio, tell me…!"

"Leave it alone!" And Kio outright shoved Soubi. The blonde hit the floor with the most surprised look on his face, staring at his friend who was curling up against the back of the couch, trying to bury himself in it. He'd only ever been shoved like that by Ritsuka, though not with that much force, and the desperate tone of Kio's voice only made him more concerned. Kio was trying to go back to sleep, trying to ignore it all, but Soubi was still not satisfied and he quickly recovered himself, sitting down on the edge of the couch behind Kio.



At first, Kio ignored his presence, but then Soubi started running his hand over Kio's back slowly, comfortingly, and then his fingers weaved through his hair. Kio couldn't ignore him forever, and he slowly started to relax and roll back onto his back. He was still obviously reluctant, but Soubi was a very persuasive person. With a little bit of coaxing, he managed to get hold of the bottom of Kio's shirt again and got Kio to raise his arms as he pulled the article of clothing over his head. The marks that had troubled him were on his back, but Soubi couldn't ignore that there was another one on the right side of his chest as well. Slowly, Soubi ran his fingers over the mark, making Kio shudder slightly.

"S-Sou-chan… your hands are cold…"

"Sorry." Soubi pulled his hand back. "Kio… What is going on with you? This isn't like you."

"…How do you know what I'm like, Sou-chan?"

"Well, I have known you for a couple years now… and we spend so much time together. Have you been keeping things from me? This…?" He touched the mark again, making Kio squirm.

"I… got that before I met you… About a year before…"

"? What is it from? How did you get it?"

"…." Soubi was so close to getting an answer, but Kio need more coaxing. He went back to petting the messy green hair, trying to remain calm and patient, but inside, the curiosity was just eating away at him.

"Kio…"

"…" He sighed. 'Finally!' Soubi thought, but the answer he got was not at all what he was expecting.

"I was… shot."



"…What…?"

"I was shot, Sou-chan. Twice in the back. The first one got stuck on a rib, and the second one went straight through, and…." His voice suddenly cut out again. He was breaking down, shaking, sweating, and Soubi could swear he saw tears forming at the corners of his eyes. Soubi wanted to reach out for him, but Kio moved, sitting up and hiding his face in his hands.

"I wasn't always cold to kids, you know… I used to kind of like them… but they're- they're just so stupid…! You try to do something nice, but it never does any good! I hate how stupid and weak they are!"

"…Kio…" Soubi threw an arm around his friend, feeling the heaving of his body and heat radiating off of him. He was really worked up…

"Kio… I don't understand…"

"No… I guess you wouldn't…" And Kio lifted his head only slightly, those once bright eyes of his dulled, staring into the past he tried so hard to forget, to disregard, to brush off as a bad dream…