Author's Notes:

This is my first SK8 fic so please don't come for me when I take creative license with the details.

As always, I've been inspired by the existing works in this fandom.

Fair trigger warning, this fic gets pretty dark so please note there will be referenced SA, explicit rape (chapter2), and mentions of abusive (and generally uncool) behaviour including flashbacks and discussion. Also, Adam's the worst.

Kaoru knew this wouldn't end well. He was already blaming Kojiro. Well, it wasn't technically his fault, but still… Joe's words of warning had played on Kaoru's mind since S. Now that Adam was back, Kojiro suggested the two of them take responsibility for the situation before things escalated, starting with a check-in with 'the kids'. The gorilla, in an unexpected and rare show of maturity, was right. Of course, that didn't mean Kaoru had to be happy about it. For one thing, they should have met at the restaurant. Joe offered, knowing how serious he was about keeping his private life separate, but Kaoru was adamant that a less public space would be best and, of the two of them, his house was obviously most suitable for humans. Dammit, he wished he hadn't opened his big mouth. It was all well and good making such plans, but now that the hour was fast approaching, his anxiety was having a field day.

Restless and with nothing to do but wait, Kaoru wrung his hands over his fan in agitation. Tonight was going to be uncomfortable for all concerned, not to mention his leading the damn thing which was laughable. He was arguably the last person to be trusted with such a delicate situation. Never one to willingly show weakness or talk about his feelings, he hadn't the first idea how to encourage the youngsters of their group to open up. As he fixed his low ponytail for the fourth time, Kaoru ran frustrated hands through the pink strands and wondered how he was going to get through this ordeal without losing the boys' respect. Although, regardless of his own embarrassment, he'd choose losing face if it meant they were all kept safe.

Hearing the familiar car engine on the drive, Cherry took to his feet and opened the front door wide, too anxious to sit and wait for Carla's automation. Meeting Kojiro's soft eyes as the group approached the house marked 'Sakurayashiki', Kaoru found his resolve and addressed them with a tight-lipped smile. "Welcome everyone and please come in. I apologise for calling you both here on a school night and will ensure not to keep you too long. Oh, and whilst you are in my home, please call me Kaoru. I know I don't need to remind you of the S rules."

Langa ambled in with Miya close on his heels, stopping to remove their shoes diligently as they took in the traditional décor of Cherry Blossom's house. It was all very tasteful, showing little of the flamboyant style they were used to seeing on the pink haired man. Neither had mentioned this weirdly clandestine meeting to Reki yet, although both were understandably confused why the red-headed boy hadn't been asked to join them and were planning to share any important details in their group chat later.

After refreshments were politely offered, Kaoru managed to wrangle everyone around his dining table. The various drinks were distributed and set on four matching coasters, tea for him, a small beer for Kojiro, soda for Miya and instant ramen for Langa (that boy really was a bottomless pit).

Suddenly feeling awkward, Kaoru took a hasty gulp of green tea and burned his tongue in the process. Fuck, he couldn't even get the bloody tea right! Kojiro was probably already laughing at his faux pas. Well, whatever! He was a calligrapher, not a damn chef, and this wasn't Sia la Luce. If he wanted his tea scalding, that was his business! Fighting back a cough and trying to regain some of his graceful posture, he moved the weaponised beverage aside. Not knowing where to start, he figured it would be simplest to take the direct approach. Mouth pulled downwards in distaste, Kaoru placed his hands neatly together and cleared his throat. "I've brought us all here to talk about Adam."

The warm atmosphere in the room shifted immediately at the statement, Miya and Joe dropped their gaze and only a set of curious blue eyes held his. Langa's face remained impassive as he waited for the older skater to elaborate.

The Canadian prodigy in their midst was the primary reason they'd arranged this gathering. Adam had taken a disturbing interest in the young man and hadn't been subtle with some of his more overt advances and declarations. Cherry knew they all put on a good show for the crowd and that Adam shone as their pantomime villain. The problem he and Kojiro had was that Adam's insidious nature far exceeded the exaggerated persona he donned at S. Peacocking and ridiculous speeches aside; his underlying actions and habits were altogether more worrisome.

Kaoru continued. "Now that he's returned to S, Adam's behaviour has been more than a little inappropriate."

Langa shrugged his shoulders, knowing they were referring to his recent beef. "He is a bit weird, but the way he moves when he skates…"

Cherry held up a frustrated hand, hearing echoes of his own words of praise for Ainosuke's other-worldly abilities. He no longer had the stomach for it and was unwilling to hear further adoration on the subject, especially while they were under his roof. This was his house and his rules. Goodness, that was a weird thought. Was he seriously channelling his father right now?! Recovering from the horror of apparent common ground with Sakurayashiki senior, Kaoru lowered his hand apologetically and clarified. "Yes, Adam's skating is impressive, but his opponents are the ones who suffer for it. You saw how he was with Reki, and that's just the beginning. You're on his radar Langa and I dread to think what he's got planned for you next. He's not made any moves to approach you outside of S, has he?"

Langa looked bewildered at the suggestion. "Erm, no? I've only seen him there."

Kaoru was relieved to hear that, at least things were somewhat contained (for the moment). "And, when you've both been at S together, you've never been alone with him?"

The blue haired teen frowned, trying to put the dots together with his limited Japanese. "No, I'm usually in the crowd with Reki or skating."

Nodding, Cherry Blossom allowed himself to relax and noted the tension in Kojiro's shoulders ease back a little. "That's good then. I would suggest keeping it that way, if possible. Adam is more manipulative when he's one-on-one. Avoid allowing him to isolate you if you can, and if not, just make sure one of us is nearby. Me and Kojiro will be keeping a close watch on him too."

Glancing down the table towards their youngest skater, who'd remained silent so far, Kaoru frowned at the way he'd completely crushed his empty soda can. "Miya? You ok over there?"

Startled at being called upon, Miya looked up and rolled his eyes. "Pft I'm fine, Cherry."

Kaoru held his gaze, not missing the way Miya's cheeks coloured as he slunk back in his seat and pulled his neon hood down. Deciding not to reprimand the teen for his S nickname, he brought up a second problem which needed to be addressed. "This may seem like an overreaction but when we heard Adam was your sponsor, it was another cause for concern."

Langa's eyes widened, he hadn't known that.

Folding his arms defensively, Miya responded. "Yeah, the slime's interested in skating and has money to spare so..."

Kaoru continued, wanting to make himself clear. "Still, I would guess Adam's position means he's been to your house and school, has already charmed your parents, and accompanies you to training and any out-of-town skate exhibitions or competitions?"

Idly flicking his empty soda can, Miya didn't say anything, but his elongated silence confirmed Cherry's suspicions. "Boys," Kaoru looked to Miya and Langa, capturing their attention with the seriousness of his glare. "I want to make it clear to you both that Adam is dangerous. Me and Kojiro have known him a long time, way back before S was founded, and he was impossible to reign in even then. Not even our close friendship was enough to stop him fro-"

Joe stood up abruptly as Cherry's voice cracked, recycling his bottle at the back of Kaoru's kitchen whose worktops were filled with spotless equipment that screamed 'fresh out the box'. Jeez, what did he even eat when he wasn't scrounging from the restaurant? Kojiro was worried about the naturally private man and hadn't missed the way Cherry's mask slipped in front of the kids. He'd figured this evening might be too much for him. Ainosuke held a perverse amount of power over Kaoru, even now, and Kojiro hated him for it. Attempting to smooth the gap in the conversation, Joe's voice boomed loudly from the kitchen. "We don't need the details, Pinky. There are children present."

"Huh? I know that you overstuffed ape!" Kaoru bit back. Honestly, did Kojiro think he had no tact at all?

Holding up his hands as he rejoined them, Kojiro tilted knowing eyes in Cherry's direction. "Just thought it needed saying four eyes. Don't get your knickers in a twist."

After an appropriate escalation, one which required hitting Kojiro repeatedly over the head with his fan, Kaoru (centred and himself once more) continued. "As I was saying, Adam being dangerous isn't new and he always pushed boundaries where he could. I know that first-hand. You see, loathe as I am I admit this to you both, back in high school me and Adam had a brief… entanglement."

Langa looked confused but Miya sat bolt upright, fixing Kaoru with an incredulous look. "What?! Oh my god Cherry, I thought you were cool. Ugh he's the worst! What the actual fuck?"

Kaoru felt his cheeks flush and noticed Kojiro was wearing a similarly disgusted expression, although he'd at least tried to hide it from the rest. "Now, now, let's be nice please. I was young and naïve enough to believe I was in love."

Langa's mouth hung open in horror and he sought the reassurance of his fellow teen, nudging Miya's shoulder lightly. "We really don't need to know this, right Miya?"

Miya didn't say anything, although he offered gagging noises which Kaoru chose to ignore.

As the weight of Cherry's revelation sunk in, each of the group was lost within their own troubled thoughts.

Knowing that it was now or never, Kaoru battled forward, he might as well lose the entirety of his dignity. "Thank you for the OVERWHELMING support, everyone. I won't share the grizzly details, but I will say that Ainosuke Shindo has a way of drawing people in and making them feel special. Don't let his attention fool you. Adam's a selfish bastard at heart whose passions are ever fleeting. The rest of us are either beneath his highness's notice or simple playthings to be discarded. By the time I recognised his sadistic side, I was in way over my head. Adam took great delight in hurting me, sometimes with the cruelty of his words and other times… well, you can imagine. I carry several reminders of his warped 'love' to this day and if he was like that at sixteen, there's no telling what he's capable of now. So, moral of the story, don't be a gullible fool like I was. You hear me? I expect better from you two."

Kojiro sighed deeply, struggling to hear the abridged story spoken aloud after so many years. "You weren't the only one he tricked Kaoru, we all thought Ainosuke was brilliant."

Cherry pulled a face at the offered reassurance. "Maybe, but my weakness for him meant I fell the furthest. Dazzled by skill and charm, I lost everything I was chasing his dream of 'perfect' skating. For us to achieve that goal together, I'd have done anything he asked. My pathetic infatuation took me willingly to the cliffs edge and, like the starry-eyed idiot I was, I didn't sense the danger until it was too late."

Kaoru hated to admit his own stupidity, and he liked sharing it publicly even less. Frowning at the group, he waited for resounding agreements to back his self-deprecating words. He knew they all must be thinking it, poor heartbroken Cherry, but his guests surprised him with their stoicism. Damn, their pitying looks were somehow worse, especially from Kojiro who knew the full story. Assessing the room again, his sharp eyes identified something odd; while the others were fidgety and visibly uncomfortable, Miya had gone completely rigid. Recognising a defensive stance when he saw one, an ominous feeling took over Kaoru. In that split second, he knew the boy had more going on than he'd already admitted.

Clearing his throat once more, Kaoru met Kojiro's eyes and wordlessly drew his attention to Miya. "Well then, as much as I've enjoyed scaring some sense into you, I really think that's enough from me tonight. It's time we let the boys go home, Kojiro. Can you take Langa back in your car and I'll take Miya in mine?"

Kojiro grimaced in understanding before he leapt into action, glad to have a task to focus on. Slapping a reassuring hand on Langa's shoulder, who almost buckled at the impact, he brightly chirped. "Come on then, you're the furthest away and we don't want to worry your mum."

Langa stood and headed for the exit, stopping to speak to Cherry quietly before he left. "Thank you for having me, and for looking out for us. I'm sorry for whatever happened in the past and I promise I won't let him hurt me or anybody else."

Kaoru smiled broadly; the sweet boy didn't talk much but whenever he did it was always very earnest in sentiment. "Thank you Langa. I appreciate you saying that. But please, the best thing you can do for us all right now is keep yourself safe and leave the matter to me and Kojiro. We're the adults here, after all."

Kojiro huffed ruefully at that, pulling on his coat as he dug out his car keys. "Huh. We are? When the hell did that happen?"

Shrugging at the recent shift in their group dynamic, it had admittedly come as a surprise to Kaoru too. "To hell if I know. Now hurry up and get going Gorilla, preferably before letting all the heat out of my house!"

Holding back a laugh at Kojiro's mock offense, Kaoru watched the two of them go. At least Langa was ok. Now, they just needed to figure out what the hell was going on with Miya.

- - -.