The Twins' Afterstory
Prompt 27: Bruises
The bruises hurt more because they were unjust. Kouji hated them more; it was like a step back into the past, except he couldn't fight back because now he had things he didn't want to taint with blood and anger.
And, as Kouichi pointed out and Kouji well understood himself, it wasn't true so the words and their meaning couldn't hurt them. It was just the bruises from single punches or something thrown – from people who just spoke ill, who didn't understand.
They were brothers and friends and Kouji and Kouichi and their relationship but not lovers. Not a couple.