((CW: Mature themes and language, sexual themes, violence))

(Someoka)
I just...I can't believe this, I'm not like that, am I? Oh God this is bad, this is really really bad. It was only then that I noticed the slight redness on both of his shoulders and his upper arms, I must have really hurt him when I-
I stood up, not being able to look at him at all, I paced around the room, head in my hands. "Someoka....Please say something..." Handa stated. I looked at him and laughed exasperatedly "...What can I say?! I did something awful, terrible to you...I-I don't know what I'm supposed to say!" Handa just lowered his head, not knowing what to say either.

"I...I'm just gonna...go..." He said before crawling out of bed and picking up his clothes. I just watched in silence as he put them on, the clothes hung loosely off him-they were way too big for him. No, it wasn't that...he was just really skinny, really skinny. How did I not notice that before?... "You going back then...back to Kaido?" I asked and saw him tense. "..,I have to, I hope he can forgive me for what I've done-"

"Handa seriously, stop acting like all of this is your fault! You have done nothing wrong!" I urged but he shook his head defiantly before pushing past me and placing his hand on the door handle.

"What's he going to do to you Handa?" He stopped and looked back at me, panic and fear set in his eyes, I grabbed a pair of pyjama bottoms and quickly put them on before continuing. I walked up to him and noticed that he was shaking slightly-he wasn't scared of me was he? I backed off a bit and tried to make my voice a little softer. "I'm saying, what if he hurts you again? It's not safe for you there, you're vulnerable and-"
"-Stop. Just please...stop saying that." His eyes were downcast but I could see the tears forming as he hastily tried to rub them away.

"I-It's not like that. I made him angry yesterday, and he lashed out at me-that's all, he didn't mean it." I rubbed my temples in frustration. "Handa. Stop making excuses for him already!"
For a moment he opened his mouth, but he quickly shut it after seeing my expression. A few moments passed where he stayed silent before he finally spoke with a quiet voice. "He says I deserve it-if I'm being stupid or annoying him, making him angry, being clumsy. He does it because he knows I won't fight back. I'm just supposed to accept it and apologise to him, but that doesn't matter to him at all; there's only one way he'll forgive me..." He didn't need to carry on, I understood.

"It's not fair Handa, how can you honestly say that you love someone who enjoys beating you up and hurting you? That's not real love Handa."
"He kissed me the other day." Handa stated looking at me expectantly, I answered confusedly. "Yeah and?-"          
"Someoka. He's not kissed me, hugged me or told me he loves me since I started dating him. And yet, just the other day he did all three, don't you see?! He's getting better!" I wasn't at all convinced by his story and shook my head. "And since that moment, has Kaido shown any affection towards you?" I could tell straight away from his eyes what the answer was going to be.

"W-well I-"
"He hasn't has he?"
Handa fidgeted "He-he kissed me yesterday, twice!" He cried and I huffed in frustration "After he'd beaten you up? Handa that's what abusers do! They hurt you and then they say 'I'm sorry babe, you just make me so angry you know?' And then they kiss you and try and make you forget the terrible things they've done to you- why can't you see that!"
Handa looked down at the carpet. "Well-"

"And let me also guess, after he apparently declared his undying love to you, you were rewarded with a nice little trip to his bedroom, right?" He turned beet red "I-"
"Because at the end of the day, as long as Kaido's getting sex from you, the world can just keep on turning and he can continue treating you like shit whilst you continue being a doormat, giving him exactly what he wants, ignoring all your friends who are just trying to help you and-" I was suddenly stopped when I felt a stinging sensation in my cheek; I looked back at Handa, he was shaking, with tears streaming down his face "You don't know anything!" He yelled before running off.

I chased after him, almost falling down the stairs in the process; I grabbed his wrist tightly. "Get away from me! I fucking hate you!" He flailed about as I tried to prevent him from running away again. "Handa I'm sorry okay I-"

"Shut up asshole!" He screamed but I just ignored him, grabbing his other wrist firmly. He struggled but soon started to run out of energy. I let go of him but he fell straight into my arms, sobbing into my chest uncontrollably, I didn't know what to do. Slowly, I brought my arms up and wrapped them tightly around his skinny frame-it felt so strange, he wasn't the person I ever imagined doing this too, but I mean I did sleep with him so...

"S-Someoka..." His words brought me back down to my senses. "Sorry for hitting you..." He mumbled into my chest, I ruffled his hair without thinking but he didn't seem to mind. "No, I kinda deserved that." He gave me a sad smile before snuggling back up to me. "Maybe....you should just stay here for a little while...." I wanted to do as much as I could to protect him, keep him away from Kaido for as long as possible. It was strange but I just felt so comfortable with him all cuddled up to me like that-it felt so natural.

Handa looked up at me and I wiped away his remaining tears. "M-maybe...Yeah I'd like that..." I couldn't help but think about the fact that he would still have to face Kaido eventually though-this wasn't solving anything. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. Handa was still latched onto me. "Someoka..." I looked down at him, his cheeks were tinted pink. "Is this...too weird for you? I'm sorry it's just...I've really missed this, I miss just being able to cuddle up to someone..." I understood completely "It's fine Handa, don't worry about it. You just do what you need to do-I'm here for you."

Something flickered through my mind. A thought, a feeling, from last night. Through the haze I could barely remember it, yet I knew it was there. The feeling of him holding onto me, or maybe I was holding onto him? It was so warm. The feeling I'd craved for so long. The feeling that I was experiencing again, now, as he held onto me tightly.

He finally pulled away from me and smiled awkwardly.
"Thanks."

"No problem." We both just stood there silently before I turned and walked into the kitchen, wanting to diffuse the awkward tension. "Hey you're probably hungry right? I'll cook us some breakfast, how does bacon and eggs sound?" I started rummaging around in the fridge. "Um, no thanks." I turned around to see him looking at the floor and tugging at his shirt sleeve. "Not a fan huh? Well then there's bread-"
"I'm not hungry." He interrupted and I frowned, I could tell that wasn't true. As if to illustrate my point there came a quiet rumble from his stomach, he bit his lip.

"I don't eat breakfast." He said quietly and I felt anger rise up inside of me; he was hiding something and I was pretty sure I knew what it was too. I decided to just not say anything-I didn't want to make him any more angry or sad than I'd already managed to.

He watched me eat my breakfast in silence, the hunger clearly evident on his face throughout, I couldn't take it anymore. "Handa, seriously, please eat. And don't give me any of that 'I'm not hungry' bullshit-your stomach's been saying otherwise for the last 20 minutes!" He looked at me before twiddling his thumbs nervously. "Um I..." I leaned in closer to him so he couldn't escape my glare "Handa-" I warned and he let his hands drop to the table "I just, I can't."
"What do you mean you can't? I'm telling you to eat-"
"I'm not allowed..." Handa interrupted and my heart sank-I was hoping so badly that I would be wrong.

I sighed. "Kaido right?" And he nodded his head solemnly "...He says I'll get too fat. He wants me skinny."
He wants him skinny? Probably makes it easier, he'll not have the energy to fight back. I kissed my teeth, he'd lost so much weight since I last saw him. I pushed my plate towards him and he just stared at me "Eat it." I said simply "B-but Kaido-"
"Kaido's a fucking asshole who can't see absolute perfection when it's standing right in front of him. Why should someone so beautiful have to change themselves for someone like him?" 'Wow. How poetic of you Ryuugo, you weren't saving that for someone else were you?'

Without thinking I stood up and walked over to him. I stooped down and looked deeply into his eyes, in truth I was embarrassed by my words, it didn't sound right coming out of my mouth, but I couldn't take them back now. Might as well keep going. "Handa, I meant what I said. You're a beautiful person, don't let anyone tell you otherwise." I placed my hand on his cheek and he leaned softly into my touch. His eyes closed slowly as his breathing began to get calmer; my eyes veered towards his soft pink lips, I wanted to kiss him. What was happening to me?! There was barely any space between our lips now-what was I doing?! We're supposed to be friends, friends don't kiss friends, especially not after they've just-

His deep brown eyes threw off my train of thought, Handa looked at me for a second before placing both hands on my cheeks, he moved closer to me and slowly connected our lips. My eyes widened, before I could respond in any way he pulled away from me, eyes fixed to the floor. "I'm sorry."
I smiled lightly and lifted his head so he was looking at me "You don't need to apologise Handa-"

"No. I don't want to get attached to you."
"I said I would be here for you, I said I would help you in any way I could." I replied, completely dodging the issue. He gave me a sad look. "Someoka, you're perfect but you can't give me the one thing I need right now. I can see you care about me...but you don't love me. A-and that's okay, I could never ask that of you; I know you already love someone else. And it wouldn't be fair of me to-wouldn't be fair of either of us to...start something like this...I can't let myself fall for you, because I know I can never make you mine.."

My heart sank, because of course he was right. No matter how affectionate I was towards him I could never truly tell him that I loved him, he wants an actual relationship-not something meaningless. Besides, like he said, I'm in love with someone else right now; it wouldn't be fair for me to lead him on like this.

He only stayed for another hour or so before finally deciding to face Kaido. I watched him leave; a pit forming in my stomach at the thought. I had to say something. I took hold of his wrist "Handa, you can't go back to him. You need to call the police."
The same response, the same damn response.

We didn't speak about it again, I didn't want to anger him. I thought about offering him a lift back, but I knew I would only make it worse if I went with him. He doesn't want me knowing where he lives, he must be afraid of what I'd do if I found Kaido-I shook my head, trying to focus on Handa instead.

He pressed a small note into my hands "Kaido got me a new phone yesterday." He said softly, I looked down at the scribbled number. He continued "I was supposed to get rid of this one, he doesn't know I still have it but I'm sure he'll find out soon enough. And when that happens I want you to be able to have my new number to contact me on." He let out a sad laugh "This is the second time he's done this now, I guess he must have realised I was still in contact with someone...that's a big no no for him. I don't know how I'd be able to cope if I lost you too..."

I clenched my fist around the note, I'm the only person that Handa knows who still has his number. I remember the day clearly, it was snowing, and I ran into him at a bookstore, he had snow in his hair. I had been trying to plan a sort of reunion with my old classmates and I'd been trying to get ahold of Handa for some time, but his number didn't work, and I couldn't find him on any social media. Now I know that was all Kaido's doing.

I managed to persuade him to give me his new number (maybe I intimidated him?). I remembered how I stopped running into him after that, Kaido tried to keep him indoors as much as possible I found out- I thought he was just being antisocial. I missed so many things back then.
But it didn't matter, the reunion didn't happen- everyone was busy with university, Gouenji wasn't even in the country and the one person I actually wanted there was going through...some stuff...

"I was quite surprised you called me." His soft voice brought me out of my trip down memory lane. "I mean...I know why, now but...well I always have my phone on silent just in case, because Kaido will get suspicious otherwise-"
I took hold of his hands "I promise I'll only text you. I won't call again, okay? Unless you've let me know you're alone." I reassured and saw his expression relax somewhat. I still felt guilty about last night, even moreso now- I could've really got him in trouble with Kaido. I just about get away with sending him the odd message every now and again- Handa always deletes my messages because he's so afraid of Kaido.

"Just text me if you need me, or just pop round-I work from home mostly so I'm almost always here." That was all I could really do.
He stopped in the doorway, half-in, half-out before he turned back round to speak to me.
"I thought about leaving, after..." he began, eyes once again trained to the floor. I stepped closer to him. "I was so anxious about getting back to Kaido that I thought I would just take a bath and then go. I was trying to go but..." he looked up at me, looked properly at me, and for a moment I was worried about what he was going to say. But then he smiled.

"I came back to get my clothes and you just looked so peaceful there, you had such a content look on your face and you were mumbling my name." There was a soft blush on his cheeks. "I thought about Kaido and I thought about you, and I couldn't justify it to myself. What I'd felt with you, regardless of why you called me, I knew there was love there- even if maybe you didn't mean for there to be. You didn't treat me like he always did. And I just looked at you lying there and thought about how much I wanted to lie beside you, be in that space with you, for as long as I could."
He chuckled softly. "A better reality than the one I was living."

Then he shook his head, chuckling again. "Sorry that's a lot I know, and I hope it made sense. I just wanted to tell you. I wanted to let you know that...I didn't regret it Ryuugo..." I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding. I didn't know what to say, but maybe that wasn't important, he didn't seem to mind my silence. A hand on my cheek, just like before, the softest of touches before he left. "Thank you Someoka, thank you for letting me experience love again." He said softly and stepped out onto the pavement, I smiled at him and he smiled back before taking a deep breath and walking off.

(Handa)
I walked in and shut the door quietly before checking the time, 10:30 Kaido would have already left for work-good, I don't have to face him until he gets back. "So you decided to show up then." I tensed not wanting to turn around but knowing I would have to.

"K-Kaido!" I said turning around, scolding myself for stuttering. He appeared from behind the kitchen door, arms folded and a scowl on his face, I gulped. "Sorry Kaido, I decided to go for a walk this morning, to get some fresh air. Y-you were sleeping so soundly t-that I didn't want to wake you up." I put on a smile, taking off my shoes quickly and walking over to him. It was such a shitty excuse, I never leave the house these days anyway.
"Yeah? Is that right? I never realised how much of an outdoorsy person you are!" He said with a smirk and my eyes widened, this was bad.

He came up close to my face; I cowered in fear and wanted to run but an arm around my waist stopped me. "Baby, don't test me~" he said in that tone I knew all too well "If I ever catch you pulling off a stunt like that again-" he poked the bruise under my eye and I winced in pain "you'll be getting plenty more of those, I can assure you."
I was shaking, utterly terrified.

He placed a hand on my cheek, gently stroking it. "I know what you've done. There's no point trying to deny it." He gave a short laugh as I just remained speechless before his eyes glistened dangerously. "You really are a slut, you know that right? Am I seriously not enough for you? Did he pay you, or did you give it to him for free huh? Surely you wouldn't sink so low. If you wanted me to fuck you that badly you should have just asked." I couldn't stand listening to him degrade me like that; I can endure most things he does, most things he says, but this-this always gets me. I grabbed the arm that was restraining me and managed to push myself away from him. He shot me a glare.

"S-stop calling me that!" I yelled, trying to sound angry but I couldn't disguise the cry of pain in my voice. Kaido looked taken aback but fashioned an angry look on his face once more "Did you just, raise your voice at me Shinichi?" I bit my lip but spoke back just as loudly "Yes! Do you have a problem with that?! I'm tired of you! Why can't you just love me instead of thinking you can just say and do whatever the hell you like to me?! That's not how it's meant to fucking be Kaido, why don't you get that!"

I'd just lost it. My body was shaking, not from fear this time but rage.
"You piece of shit!" he brought his hand up and before I could react he brought it down, slapping me hard straight across the face.

I winced but then my body seemed to move on its own; I straightened up and slapped Kaido across the face, just as hard.
He blinked twice, staggering back a little at the force.

Adrenaline was pumping through my body, and for a few seconds I felt a great amount of elation. Then I saw his eyes darken; at that moment my blood ran cold, my feet refused to move, my body froze.

I saw him ball his hands into fists, I should have ran.

His fist came into contact with my stomach; I doubled over, not being able to breathe properly, he grabbed my shoulder and forced me to stand before landing another blow, this one to my jaw, I couldn't see straight as the pain started to take a hold of me. I saw his fist coming towards my face, instinctively I shielded my face with my hands, but the impact knocked me backwards, I lost my balance, falling and banging my head on the wall.

Kaido's eyes widened and he rushed towards me. I looked up at him with half-closed eyes.
"Now look what you made me do!" He yelled, I felt my chin being lifted as I looked into Kaido's eyes, they were swimming with worry and concern. However, as soon as his eyes caught mine, all the emotion disappeared, being replaced by cold, pale pools of green.

He stood up, muttering something under his breath before turning his back on my crumpled form. "You get what you deserve. That'll make you think twice before you ever think you're anything more than worthless." He turned to the door and slipped on his shoes and coat, grabbing his phone, wallet and keys and opening the door. My body jolted as he slammed the door.

I couldn't breathe.
The floor was so cold as I slowly curled up in a ball, not wanting to move and just cried, cried until I physically felt sick. I wasn't sure how long I was there for, maybe it was minutes, maybe it was hours. My phone buzzed a few times but I dared not check it.
I needed Someoka, needed him to hold me, comfort me. But I didn't move.

(Someoka)
Handa's been visiting me for the past few days now, he's always quiet and it was kinda awkward at first; we didn't really know how to act around each other. But now we're fine. I think he's gotten comfortable with me now, and I with him. It's nice having him around.

"You're awfully quiet today Someoka." I looked down to see Handa's brown eyes staring back at me. "Sorry, spacing out." I replied and brought him a little closer to me. He smiled and snuggled into my side, sighing a little. "I never realised how nice it could feel just cuddling, I wish Kaido would cuddle with me." Handa remarked in almost a whisper, I stiffened. "Well...I'm here for you now..." Handa didn't reply. 'Why did you have to say that? Haven't you confused him enough? He told you not to get too attached, and that's what you're doing right now!'

Dammit. I keep telling myself that I don't love him, and that's true I don't; but it's just so difficult! Every time I see him I just want to cuddle him, hug him, kiss him, and uh other stuff... I just can't help but want to show affection to him, I know it's wrong but it feels right to me, I'm just giving him the loving care that he needs, that he damn well deserves!

My eyes trained over to his body, the bruise under his eye had turned an ugly yellow colour, but at least that meant it was healing. Handa told me how Kaido hardly ever hit him in the face, because if it was visible people might get suspicious. Kaido would only do such a thing when he was drunk or enraged. I'd already noticed the others though- fresh ones, more than I had seen before. There was ones on his forearm and chin.

I couldn't pretend not to notice. "Handa, he hurt you again, didn't he?" I expected him to shout at me or something but he didn't, just drew his knees up and hugged them tightly "Yeah." He said simply and that was it. I wasn't going to probe for answers.

"Oh" was all I said as I stroked his hair subconsciously and he looked at me before closing his eyes slowly and leaning back into my awaiting arms, it was silence but it was comforting, he felt warm against my skin. Then the warmth was gone as Handa pushed himself away from me, he stood up shakily and bit his lip. "Someoka...I'm sorry but I just can't do this anymore. I'm sorry for leading you on-" I stood up quickly, wrapping him in my arms, holding him tightly into my body. I cursed. "Don't-just don't fucking say that. You're not leading me on." He looked up at me and I swore under my breath "I...I don't want to stop...this. I don't want to just forget...about you, about us." I finally spoke the truth, his eyes swam with emotion.

"B-but what about Fubu-" I sighed "He doesn't feel the same way about me. To be honest I knew for a while, I was just lying to myself I guess, but I need to face facts" Damn Shuuya. I looked back down at the man in my arms. He'd be a fine replacement.
"Someoka I-" I silenced him with a kiss, he melted into it straight away, like we'd been together forever. He wrapped his arms around my neck as he deepened the kiss, it soon became much more intimate, both of us longing for each other's touch.

After what seemed like an eternity I broke the kiss for air, only to be pulled into another kiss by Handa, I momentarily lost my balance and fell backwards onto the sofa, dragging Handa down with me. I laughed and heard him chuckle, I smiled; I loved seeing him laugh and smile like that, I wondered about when he last must have properly laughed. He looked down at me "I love you so much Handa." He hesitated before giving me a small smile "I love you too."

"Why should someone so beautiful have to change themselves for someone like that?" His words rang in my ear as I continued to get dressed. "I'm so sorry Someoka...but I have to try..." I looked at myself in the mirror. I was doing this to please Kaido, that's all, I'm not changing myself, I'm still Handa.

But I wasn't Handa.
I was a caricature.
Kaido is straight, so I'll just have to give him what he wants. Maybe this will make him love me. It all felt so uncomfortable, but at least the makeup helped to cover the bruises.
I saw a side to him I've never seen before- not love, but lust, he looked pleased with me for once. He said I looked good, that blue was a good colour on me.
Maybe this will change things.

I felt so sick, I felt dirty. Nothing changed. Kaido had left to go for a drink and hadn't returned, I wept into the bedsheets. "S-Someoka...I should've listened to you." I cried over and other again before I heard my phone buzz. I sniffed and picked it up, unlocking it to see a text from Someoka: Hey, hope ur alrite, I miss you <3
Still in love with u Han xx
I smiled slightly, I'm so lucky to have someone like him in my life.
That's it, no more feeling sorry for myself. I got up and dried my eyes before deciding to wash my face, to get off all the smudged makeup. I felt a little better, I changed back into my old clothes again and smiled at my appearance. "If Kaido can't love me like this then...then he doesn't deserve me at all!"

Suddenly I heard the door being opened downstairs, I rushed downstairs, phone in hand "Kaido!-" I stopped at the sight. Kaido was there, standing at the door making out with this girl, he stopped and they both looked up at me. "Oh hi." I couldn't even speak, Kaido turned back to the girl. "Sorry, I forgot about my cousin, don't worry, he was just leaving." My eyes widened, he gestured for her to go into the living room and she did as I just stood there, unable to speak.

"Go on then." He said plainly and opened the front door. I didn't move, he huffed and grabbed my hand harshly, pushing me out the front door. I stumbled and looked back at him, the emotion finally caught up to me and I found my voice. "Kaido! Y-You can't do this to me! Pl-Please Kaido!" Tears streamed down my face but he just remained expressionless. "You cheated on me baby, you get what you deserve, remember?" He shut the door in my face.

I stared at it for a second, wishing, desperately that it was fake. A drop of rain slid down my face, followed by another, and another, as I stared at the door. My breathing began to quicken. More rain fell. Before I knew what was happening I took off-only one place in mind.

(Someoka)
Someone was banging frantically on the door, the thudding mixing with the thunderstorm outside. I hurriedly opened the door, Handa practically throwing himself inside as he collapsed at my feet. Shivering and soaked with rain he looked up at me, lips trembling. "S-someoka!"
Water was dripping all over the genkan but I didn't care. Immediately I fell to my knees, grabbing him tightly as he shook with sobs. "Kaido..." he said between ragged breaths "He kicked me out!" I held him tighter as he cried, kissing his face which was wet with tears and rain. I couldn't believe it, he must've run all the way here. "Handa, your feet." He was just in his socks, the material soaked with mud and grass. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"I've drawn a bath." I told him as he sat on the sofa in silence, a towel wrapped around his body. He got up without another word, making his way solemnly upstairs. I began to load his clothes into the washing machine when a thought entered my mind. Him, alone up there, how silent and vacant he looked...
My body moved on its own, rushing up the stairs and flinging the bathroom door aside. "Handa!" I yelled, only to see him lying back in the water, eyes closed.

He opened them slowly, turning his head to me and laughing gloomily. "Did you think I was going to drown myself or something?" He asked. My breathing slowed. I furrowed my eyes worriedly "Don't joke about that kinda stuff."
He stared up at the ceiling. "I almost did, once...one time after he hurt me real bad, I was cutting vegetables for dinner and-" I grasped his shoulders tightly, forcing him to look at me. His eyes were so soulless. "Don't...please..." I whispered softly. He shook his head, speaking without any emotion "I don't think I would do anything like that now...because I think you'd be a little sad if I did."

I couldn't speak. What could I say? 'I knew things were bad, but never this bad.' He drew his knees up to his chest, allowing me a better look of his body- all the scars and bruises, more than I'd ever seen before.

"What happened?" I needed to know why Kaido threw him out, where we were supposed to go from here.
"He found out I was cheating on him." He said softly "He warned me before, but I didn't listen. So he brought a woman round, and told me to get the fuck out." He let out a strained laugh "And after I tried to make myself more appealing to him and all."
"Appealing?" I asked and he let out another laugh before his face fell. "It was stupid." His cheeks went a little red, like he was embarrassed. "I bought some clothes...and a wig...dolled myself up for him. I hoped that would work."

He exhaled tiredly, eyes completely vacant "It didn't." he whispered, turning around to face me and resting his chin on the rim of the tub, a few droplets of water dripping from his soft brown hair. I didn't consider it cheating, how could it be, when Handa and I were more in a relationship than he ever would have been with Kaido? Besides, it's not as though we even did anything more than kiss and cuddle. "Don't listen to a word that fucker says Handa, do you hear me? He's an abusive piece of shit who never cared about you."

I came close to him, our noses almost touching. "You deserve better."
"You, you mean?" He still had that vacant look in his eyes, like nothing mattered anymore.
'Do you really think you could be together?'
I brought a hand up, caressing his cheek slowly, the bruise under his eye had all but faded now, I couldn't shake the thought of it though. I could stop it, I could stop all of it. If he could just see how much better his life could be with me. If he could just see how much I love him.
'Love? Really Ryuugo, still sticking with that charade? Don't act like things would've been different if Shirou hadn't have-'

His lips pressed softly to mine. The gentlest of kisses, saying more than words ever could. And when his eyes fluttered open, I told myself they were brown, not the beautiful blue-grey I'd always seen in my dreams.
"Thank you Ryuugo." He said simply, a barely-there smile on his lips.

I helped him wash his hair, the bump I'd noticed on the back of his head before was gone. Replaced with bruises around the base of his neck. I kept a mental check in my mind, all the things I'd need to tell the police- if he ever allowed me.
That day he left, after our night together, I went to the police station. They refused to help, said their 'hands were tied' unless the victim wanted to press charges. They asked me to repeat myself when I told them my friend was a man.

I rinsed the shampoo out of his hair.
The water was getting cold.

I gave him a fresh pair of pyjamas, watching they way they hung off his body; they were too big. He's still not eating as much as I'd like him too.
Figuring he might want some space after what happened, I offered him my bed. "I can sleep on the sofa." For a minute his eyes flashed with panic, grabbing hold of the hem of my shirt tightly before coming forward and hugging me close, his head buried in my chest. "I don't want to be alone tonight. I...feel safe with you..."
I leant down and kissed the top of his head. "Whatever you need."

I held him in my arms, his breathing beginning to slow as he slipped out of consciousness. "I wish we could stay like this forever..." he mumbled before drifting off. "Me too." I whispered back.
'But it can't. Because you'll go back to him. You always do.'