DAD: "What are you three doing?"

TAIKI: "Making Better-Than-Sex cake."

DAD: "Trust me, it's not."

As an apology for my (again) long absence, here is a quote from Animaniacs.

YAKKO: "Alright, Dot, you dust for prints!"

DOT: "Found him!" 'holds up Prince'

YAKKO: "No, no, I mean fingerprints!"

DOT: 'looks at Prince'"I don't think so!"

Read it again. You will shit your pants when you figure it out.

When his alarm clock went off the next morning, Kayashima, who hadn't slept a wink all night, began to hyperventaliate. His heart began to beat erratically, and he clutched his sheets in his sweaty palms.

Next to him, Nakatsu slept on, oblivious. Kayashima forced himself to take a deep breath and relax his muscles. He was tempted to just turn the damn clock off and go back to sleep, saved for another day. But the responsible, academically-inclined side of him nagged him about how he had already missed a day and a half, and Nakatsu had missed a day as well. 'Because of me...'

With a sigh, Kayashima forced himself to sit up and turn the alarm clock off. He got out of bed, wincing when his feet made contact with the cold floor. Behind him, Nakatsu grunted in his sleep. Kayashima turned around.

"Wake up..." Kayashima whispered, shaking his roommate gently. "Wake up, Nakatsu. We'll be late."

"Five more minutes..." was his mumbled reply. Kayashima noisily exhaled, annoyed. He shook Nakatsu harder.

"I don't want to hear you complaining about your empty stomach later today. Get up."

Nakastu swatted his hand away, but ended up lazily pulling himself out of bed.

After Nakatsu had stumbled down the stairs like a zombie, Kayashima began stripping off his own clothes. He wished briefly that he was a shower in the morning kind of person-he still felt filthy, and the hot water would feel good. Plus, if he took the time to shower, he could avoid going to breakfast, putting off his inevitable encounter with Ryoto.

But he rarely showered in the morning, and Nakatsu would know something was up.

After they had both dressed, Nakatsu noisily banged out the door, eager to greet his neighbors.

"Mizuki! Izumi! Let's go! Time for breakfast!"

From the look of their faces, Kayashima could tell Sano and Ashiya were in the same boat as him as far as their feelings about Monday morning went. Nonetheless, visibly perked up when they saw Nakatsu. Kayashima began to wonder if others could feel Nakatsu's practically radiate happiness.

"Hey, Kayashima!" Ashiya smiled at him, her feminine face lighting up as she stepped over and embraced him. "God, we haven't seen you all weekend! Hope you're feeling better."

Kayashima swallowed, feeling a little sick. "I am, thanks."

There were quickly joined by Noe and Sekime, and, after banging on Nakao's door for a few minutes until he emerged, they proceeded to the cafeteria.

The sight of the cavernous room made Kayashima's chest tighten uncomfortably, his breathe coming out in short gasps. He watched the cafeteria obsessively as he followed Nakatsu through the breakfast line. He kept his ears trained for the sound of Ryoto's familiar laughter, his voice calling out to him.

Thankfully, he didn't see Ryoto at all as he pushed his tray along and paid for his meal. He carefully followed Nakatsu to their regular table, trembling all the way.

He sat down to Nakatsu's left, leaving a seat open for Nakao, who was grilling one of the lunch ladies about the fat content of the eggs. Sano, Ashiya, and Noe dropped their trays on the opposite side, leaving Sekime to sit on the end. Kayashima allowed himself to breathe a little easier as Nakao began to walk over to claim the spot next to him.

"Hey! Taiki!"

The air in Kayashima's lungs wooshed out as Ryoto came up behind him, clapping a hand on his shoulder and dropping into the empty seat next to him. Everyone at the table turned to stare at the new arrival. Kayashima, however, kept his eyes straight ahead, one hand clutching his butterknife.

"Excuse me?" Nakao, who was stuck standing at the edge of the table, sniffed. "Do we know you?"

Ryoto laughed. "Taiki does. We're best friends. Right, Taiki?" He poked Kayashima in the side, smiling. He turned back to Nakao, who practically had steam shooting out of his ears. "Sorry for stealing your seat, mate. Nothing personal."

Nakao stood glaring daggers at Ryoto, who picked up his fork and began shoving food into his mouth, oblivious. Eventually, Mizuki took him by the hand and pulled him down.

Sekime adjusted his glasses. "So, Ryoto." He said, breaking the silence. Ryoto looked up. "How do you know Kayashima?"

"Best friends all through middle school." Ryoto grinned, elbowing Kayashima in the side. Kayashima visibly winced, his hands curling into fists on the table. Nakatsu looked over, raising his eyebrows and he shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth.

"Oh, okay." Mizuki smiled. "We've just never heard his say anything about you."

"We actually never hear Kayashima say anything at all." Noe piped up, deciding he liked Ryoto.

Ryoto's laughter and his friend's amicable laughter faded away as Kayashima returned to that day in his dorm room. Ryoto was no longer at his side, but on top of him. Moving his hips, stroking his face, moaning Kayashima's name over and over again.

Kayashima barely registered anything that happened in class that day. Ryoto was in every single one of his classes, besides art. And every period, he'd sit down right next to the dark-haired psychic, happily chattering away like nothing had ever happened between them.

And Kayashima had remained silent, only nodding when it seemed appropriate. Whenever his friends asked about it, he claimed his throat was still sore from being sick and they'd leave him alone.

Only Nakatsu seemed to not buy it.

The blonde had watched Kayashima warily all throughout the day, his normally bright aura stormy and dark, tainted by unnamed thoughts. Kayashima could feel his curious eyes on him, watching his every move, trying to come to a conclusion about Kayashima's odd behavior.

As far as Kayashima could tell, Nakatsu hadn't been satisfied.

When the final bell rang and Nakatsu had to go off to soccer practice, Kayashima grabbed hold of Nakao's bony arm as he veered away from the rest of the group, making his way to Dorm 2.

"Hey! What's your-" A single panicked look from Kayashima was all it took to shut Nakao's mouth, however grudgingly. Ryoto, who had been glued to Kayashima's side the entire day, broke away from the group, which he had seemingly adopted as his own. He ran to catch up with them, attempting to grab hold of Kayashima's hand, but gave up after Kayashima snatched it away. His smirk only faltered slightly, though, and Nakao, sensing something was going on between the two, adopted a snooty expression.

"What do you want, Ryoto?" He sniffed. "Kayashima certainly doesn't seem to want to talk to you."

Ryoto just laughed. "Nah, Taiki here is one shy guy. I've always done most of the talking. He doesn't mind."

Nakao simply scoffed. "If you say so."

If there were ever a moment Kayashima was grateful he was friends with Nakao, this would be it. The rest of his friends had fallen in love with Ryoto, making easy conversation with him and accepting him as an integral part of their group without even knowing him for more than a few hours. Nakao was the only one who had really rejected Ryoto right off the bat, and for that, Kayashima was grateful. At least Nakao was on his side.

"So Taiki, how come I don't have your number?" Ryoto asked, casually knocking their fists together as they walkd along. "If you were sick this weekend, I could have come and taken care of you." He smirked at Kayashima, who bit his lip and stared at his shoes.

"Or maybe he didn't need you to take care of him." Nakao said. "Nakatsu takes pretty good care of people."

"Hey, why don't you just piss off, okay?" Ryoto snapped, dropping the friendly mask he'd worn all day. "I'm trying to have a conversation here, bitch."

Nakao stood still, his mouth arranged in a perfect O. Finally, he snapped his jaw closed, turning his back on the two without another word.

"Well, finally." Ryoto sniffed as Kayashima slowly turned towards him. Ryoto began to walk again, slipping one arm around Kayashima's shoulders. "Now we can be alone."

Kayashima slapped his arm away, looking at the taller boy with disgust. "Get away from me. Don't you dare come near me." He backed away, his fear of Ryoto battling with his anger over Nakao's mistreatment. Ryoto backed him into the outside wall on the dorm, partially hidden due to a large rosebush.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Ryoto spat, his eyes narrowing down at his former friend, who was crouching down by the ground. "I see you for the first time in years, and you act all pissed off-"

"I believe we've already been through this." Kayashima said as calmly as he could, getting up and walking around the the entrance to Dorm 2.

"Yeah, and I thought we were cool!" Ryoto yelled as he ran to catch up with Kayashima. Kayashima ignored him, getting his card ready to swipe through the front door. Ryoto quickly caught him by the waist, spinning him around so they were face-to-face. Kayashima opened his mouth to yell, but Ryoto quickly lifted his head to scan their surroundings, and Kayashima knew there was no one around to hear him. Ryoto leaned in close, looking sincerely into Kayashima's eyes. "Look, I just...being with you felt so...right. It made me feel happier than I've ever felt before."

Kayashima bit his lip, his cheeks burning as he looked down at his feet. Ryoto slipped his own hand into his. "Let's just go up to your room, okay? We can work this out. I don't want to fight."

Without looking up at Ryoto, Kayashima nodded.

"Oh yeah, Taiki and I have been best friends forever! All through middle school! I know him better than anyone!"

Nakatsu's eyes narrowed in determination as he planted one foot in the earth and brought the other around to slam into the soccer ball. It went wide, of course, just like every ball he had kicked at practice that day.

'What is it about that new kid that pisses me off so much?' Nakatsu thought vehemently. 'Why do I want to wring his stupid little neck?'

He knew the answer, but he didn't want to admit it. Ryoto had been all over Kayashima all day. Talked to him during passing time. Sat next to him in every class. Touched. Him. Every. Chance. He. Got.

And Nakatsu didn't even have a right to be mad. Kayashima wasn't his property. They had sex once. Kissed. Cuddled a bit. All within the sanctuary that was their room, because once he had gone past the threshold of their door, Nakatsu could no longer make his confusing yet breathtaking world with Kayashima coincide with the other world that comprised of everyone else.

Kayashima could choose someone else if he wanted to, and Nakatsu was too big of a coward to do anything about it. He was too scared to come out to his friends, scared to jump off that cliff with the full knowledge there was no coming back. He knew that if Kayashima did choose to be with someone else, it was simply because Nakatsu had stood by and allowed it to happen, instead of letting his affections for the other boy become known. Nakatsu had allowed this to happen. None of it was Kayashima's fault, none of it was Ryoto's fault.

'So why the hell do I want to murder that bastard?'

"So what's up? What's bothering you?"

Kayashima could only stand there stupidly as Ryoto presented this question, as if it were legit. Ryoto had casually dropped his backpack onto the floor and was now kicking back in the desk chair, staring at Kayashima through his gray, soulless eyes. Kayashima blinked, unsure of how to respond.

"L-last week..." he stammered, "You and I...we...you had sex. With me."

Ryoto nodded slowly, as if this were the most obvious thing on the planet. "Yeah, and it was fucking great." He suddenly sat up straight, grinning like the Chesire cat. "Why? You want me to do you again?"

Kayashima closed his eyes, bracing himself on the edge of Nakatsu's dresser and he shook his head. "I just...I..." He broke off, breathing heavily. Ryoto was up and out of the chair, guiding him to Nakatsu's bed.

"Hey, calm down." He said as he lowered the other boy down onto the bed. "First times are hard. It'll get better, I promise." He said, rubbing Kayashima's back absentmindedly while the other boy fought to get control of himself. "I know it was a little kinky and you probably weren't ready for that yet, but I-"

"I said no." Kayashima whispered, barely audible over the hum of the dorm heaters. Ryoto was silent for a moment before collecting his thoughts.

"What?"

Kayashima stood up, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I said no." He repeated. "I said no and you raped me anyways."

"Whoa. Whoa." Ryoto laughed bitterly as he got to his feet. "I sure as hell never raped you. You wanted it just as bad as I did. Don't you try to deny it."

"I will, because that's not true!" Kayashima yelled, backing away. "I pushed you away. You hit me and tied me up so I couldn't fight back. I yelled for help and you gagged me. Then you took off my clothes and had sex with me, without my consent. That's rape."

Ryoto crossed his arms in front, narrowing his eyes. "You wanted it. Your body consented." He walked forward, trapping Kayashima between him and the wall. "I think you don't want to deal with being gay, so you just don't want me to fuck you again."

Kayashima trembled, but he stayed standing. "You would never get another chance to, if I went to the police about this."

The fist came out of nowhere. It slammed into Kayashima's right temple, sending him crashing to the floor. Then more fists came at him, delivering blows to his stomach, to his ribs. Kayashima gasped for breath as Ryoto grabbed hold of his throat, slamming him against the wall so hard he saw stars.

"You will never threaten me like that again." Ryoto's voice had a commanding feel to it, though it shook with fear. "Do you hear me?" He shook Kayashima again, his head knocking against the concrete wall. "I own you. You are mine. Don't you dare try to threaten me again. I will not forgive you. Do you understand?" Kayashima blinked, his vision going blurry. Ryoto slapped him hard across his face. "Answer me, you son of a bitch. Do you understand me?"

Weakly, Kayashima nodded. "Yes. I understand."

"Good." Ryoto's grip on Kayashima's neck loosened, and Kayashima collapsed to the floor. Ryoto turned and picked up his bag, turning back to the other boy on his way out. Kayashima looked up fearfully, but Ryoto only smiled.

"I'll keep it a secret. You and me, I mean." He said, adjusting the strap on his bag. "You're not ready to come out. I get it. I can wait." He walked over, bending down and softly kissing Kayashima's forehead. "Really, I can wait."

With that, Ryoto turned and walked out of the room, leaving Kayashima sitting there alone, too stunned to even cry.

So I know I've been gone for...two and a half months...and no, I did not get lost in Costa Rica! I did get sunburned, (though not as badly as I thought I would) managed to injure my foot and my luggage got destroyed by Delta. Still, it was great. Being in San Jose really gave me a new perspective on my life in the Twin Cities.

Anyway, I was a terrible person and made no attempt to work on this when I came back. This entire chapter was written in about three nights, with the last two both being within the last week. I feel terrible, and I will try my hardest to make sure this doesn't happen again!

Good News: I got my own computer! Like, a month ago...so now that I've stopped being stupid I can update faster! I'm super happy to have my own laptop again, and I even had enough to buy a new one and not a crap-ass used one with porn still on it from last time. (I don't really care when things are used, actually, I buy most of my clothes and books secondhand. I don't like buying electronics used though.) More Good News: It's almost summer! I have a week left. I'm working this summer, but it shouldn't be too intense.

Then my senior year...gulp. Senior year I'm taking bullshit classes, I think I have one science class and no math. I have AP English & two extra Englishes, but then I'm taking things like art and music, so my workload won't be too bad. But my religion teacher forced-I mean, asked me to join Yearbook, so I'm doing that, and I finally got into my school's Varsity show choir-Woo-hoo! So yeah.

Oh, I was going to talk about the story, right? (Ha ha...) When I submitted this to my Beta, the lovely Collineesh, she thought it was weird how accepting Kayashims seemed when Ryoto first confronts him. I guess? I'm doing my best to guess how Kayashima would feel in this situation, but it's difficult. I do agree with her though. I'm confused why Kayashima is bringing it up with him. Yes, I wrote it, and I'm confused. We know the apocalypse is upon us when that happens.

As for Ryoto...I base a lot of his personality off of the stereotypical power-assertive rapist. Most date rapists fall under this category, and they normally rape their victims because they lack self-confidence and needs reassurance of their masculinity. The only difference I found between most power-assertive rapists and Ryoto is that normally PA rapists want as little contact with their victim as possible. Oh, well. Also I'm pretty sure Ryoto has bipolar disorder. It sure seems to fit.

Alright, my lovelies, review. They make me feel guilty about not updating, thus getting you updates faster!