Well the next morning was oddly quiet. Asuka ate quietly, Aki ate quietly. They refused to even acknowledge each other with even their eyes.

Noah whispered to Kei, “Is it just me, or are they more pissed at each other than usual?”

Kei whispered back, “Asuka’s taking Hito on a date today is why.”

“WHAT?!” Noah screamed. Kei elbowed him.

“Stop choking on your eggs!” Kei shouted. Then he whispered, “Yeah, heard it last night.”

“So then does Aki…?” Noah began. Kei nodded. The two stared over at Asuka and Aki.

Hito came down last, walking slowly into the silent kitchen. He looked around nervously before helping himself to some food. Before he could even take a bite, Asuka grabbed him and announced they were leaving. And off he tugged Hito.

Noah and Kei looked as Aki stood up and left back upstairs.

“Should we..?” Noah started.

“Interject?” Kei finished.

The two looked to each other and thought. “Nah.” They valued their lives much more than that.

The date went as said. First Asuka led Hito to the megaplex, ordered two tickets for a horror flick and in they went. Asuka got freaked a bit, but was amazed to see Hito hadn’t minded at all.

After that they stopped in for a warm lunch. Cheeseburgers and tomato soup. Asuka also had a milk shake and tried to get Hito to try, who finally did reluctantly.

Then they walked around the river on the cement path. Asuka smiled a bit, noticing the cold air and wrapped an arm around Hito. Hito pulled away and started to walk faster. Asuka smiled, caught up and took Hito’s hand. Hito slapped his hand away. Asuka still just smiled and pulled Hito to him, embracing him. Hito fought to shove him away.

“Shh.. Why do you fight?” Asuka asked softly. “It’s not like I’m going to hurt you.”

Hito shoved him away after a quick punch to Asuka’s gut, then took a few steps back.

Asuka spat out the saliva. “What the hell? My brother can get you to talk but you won’t even shout ‘no’ to me?” Hito shook his head. “Is my brother really that much better to you?” Hito shook his head, taking another step back. Asuka grabbed Hito’s forearms. “Tell me! What’s so much better about him?!”

Hito gasped and tried to shout, only soft air coming from his throat.

Asuka gritted his teeth. “Even like this, I could rape you and you wouldn’t make any noise?” Hito stared in horror at the other. “How pathetic. Are you really even human?” Hito froze. Asuka dropped Hito to the ground and walked off, saying over his shoulder, “You can’t be human. You can’t even scream when you’re terrified.”

Hito’s eyes were wide with shock like he’d just had the wind knocked out of him. A second later he covered his face, unable to even let a tear fall from his eyes.

Asuka returned first, waving to Kei and Shubira who were playing DDR. “Having fun?”

“Yeah,” Kei said looking to him. “Where’s Hito?”

“Wanted to keep walking.” Asuka shrugged and walked upstairs. “I’m taking a shower. It’s cold out there.”

Noah looked up from his book to Kei and then over to Aki who was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall reading. They watched as Aki closed his book and stood up.

“I’m going for a walk.” He said and left the room.

“Think he’s going to find Hito?” Kei asked.

Noah shrugged, “I hope so… It is cold outside.”

Shubira walked over to the window to see Aki walking away. “He’s got Asuka’s jacket…”

“What?!” Kei jumped up and ran over to the window to see. Aki was walking briskly away from the building with his own coat on, and under his arm was Asuka’s good winter coat lined with faux fur inside. “Asuka’s not going to like this.”