“Exactly my point. He hasn’t said anything. He won’t talk about stuff unless we do, and then he’ll only go along with what we say because he thinks it’ll make us happy. What if Kuro doesn’t go to university because Dasai doesn’t? Or, what if Kuro isn’t even gay but he goes along with it to make you two happy?”

Hands on Kuro’s shoulders, he pushed him onto the couch. “Sit,” Dasai commanded. Dasai was walking towards the kitchen when Kuro let out a small bark. A slow turn found Kuro sitting obediently on the couch with his hands pressed over his mouth.

“That’s another thing,” he snarled. “I’m tired of your apologies! Every time you waste my time with one, you’re gonna start making it up to me.” “How…” Dasai’s kiss stopped the question short. Anger shot through Dasai into Kuro. The kiss came as a surprise. Yet, it wasn’t a moment before Kuro’s shoulders released their tension and he felt his fingers in Dasai’s shirt. Dasai dropped him. The anger was trying to disguise the feelings that had brought them here. Kuro dared to point out, “you might be confused on how punishments work.”

“I doubt anyone would want to kiss me,” Kuro was fumbling with worried thoughts. Dasai’s eyes narrowed dangerously! “But if I can get good now…”

“The bullying is worse than we know. And he’s doing his best to hide it, which tells me that they’re striking where Kuro can hide it. Or they were but something happened today.” “You should keep your head up if you have a nosebleed.” Kuro jumped. Blood and water flowed down his chin where it fell to the heavily stained sweater. “I-I tripped.” An excuse without being asked what happened was always a sign of a bad liar.