Tristan had started on the second article he wanted to read, which was longer than the first, but far less dense. The topic it covered was also less complex, involving the history of political movements. Normally he would have been able to get through a cursory read in thirty minutes – but that was without Hibiki on his shoulder reading along.

Each time Hibiki reached the end of a page, which was often around a minute after he did, he was notified by two taps on the side of his wrist. The arrangement didn't bother him too much though, glad to have Hibiki's quiet company.

"I thought you'd be too much of a rebel for politics?" Tristan commented about half way in, but Hibiki shrugged immediately and began to type on his phone.

'If you don't know what you're rebelling against, you're just an idiot'

"So then what are you rebelling against?"

'Criminals, false authority, corruption, and my parents'

Tristan shook his head and chuckled, only to be immediately kissed by Hibiki to silence his dismissive attitude.

'You're a rebel too. You just pretend you're not'

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Hibiki puffed up his cheeks and pointed at the article in his hands.

"That's activism at most, not a rebellion."

Hibiki rolled his eyes and sat up and away from him, arms crossed.

"Should I read without you then?"

A high pitched, disagreeing noise left Hibiki, who clearly didn't want to be left out. Tristan smiled, raising one arm to invite Hibiki back onto his shoulder. Despite his earlier stand-offish attitude, Hibiki gave in and laid his head down.

"Do you really think we can achieve something good?" Tristan asked more seriously, as he began to doubt the scope of his ambition. It didn't feel very realistic, but the idea was the only direction he had.

'As long as we keep trying. You can't achieve anything by giving up'

A slight smile spread on Tristan's face, and he nodded.

"I like the thought of us doing it together."

He felt a nod against his shoulder, and two arms wrapped around him tightly.

"Is there anything I need to do for tomorrow?" Tristan asked once they had finished the article, but Hibiki shook his head. "Nothing I have to wear?"

Another headshake from Hibiki denied that, and instead of answering further, he only smiled.

"I just don't want to embarrass you." He admitted softly, and without the article in his hands, he didn't know what to do with them. A bit anxiously he gripped at his sleeves.

Hibiki noticed that, and took his hands. Afraid to show how much he cared about it, he forced himself to relax. Once more Hibiki shook his head, slower and more genuine. When he let go of his hands to write a message, he had to consciously lay them in his lap.

'It's nothing like that. And you always dress better than me'

"Sorry." He mumbled, "I don't even know why I'm scared… you're already dating me."

Hibiki chuckled and nodded, giving him a quick little kiss which he gladly accepted. Even a short moment of being loved eased him more than any words could.

'I wanted to go for a long walk. Just us.'

"A walk?" Tristan responded, a little surprised by that. His bewilderment seemed to amuse Hibiki, who chuckled and kissed his cheek.

'Unless you want to fly to Rome?'

"No… a walk is fine. I just didn't expect it."

'We can bring Maki along'

"Yeah, I'd like that." He smiled, actually looking forward to the idea. "But what if it rains?"

'Then there will be less people to disturb us'

Hibiki grinned, and his own smile widened.

"Maybe with dinner after?"

'Already reserved two spots'

"Of course you did."

'I had Kazuo make sure it wasn't super expensive'

"Thank you." He responded heartfelt, resting his head against Hibiki's chest and holding him tightly. "I'm sure I'll like it."

Two strong arms wrapped around him in return, and he fully leant in for the embrace. With nothing else to say, a yawn instead forced its way through. Despite his earlier nap, tiredness had begun to catch up to him.

'How about we shower and go to bed?'

He nodded, but didn't let go just yet. Maybe after a few more moments he'd consider it.

Hibiki had showered first, leaving the bathroom wearing a black T-shirt and loose shorts. His still damp hair was tied back in a short ponytail. Tristan looked up at him from the bed and smiled. But then he remembered something said earlier that evening.

"You said you wanted to talk to me? Do you still want to?" He asked cautiously, his mind wondering what it could have been, but knowing Hibiki's backstory, that quickly turned into worry. Especially so when he saw Hibiki glance sideways, before sighing and biting his lip. One of his arms grabbed the other, and he seemed to sign something before realising that he couldn't understand him. So he plucked out his phone and wrote it down instead.

'Maybe it's better if you shower first. I need to think'

Tristan stood up and walked over, unable to keep watching Hibiki struggle. Quietly, and carefully he placed both his hands on his shoulders, which made Hibiki glance up at him. He wasn't able to maintain that, the gaze quickly shifting down just a little, as if he was looking through him instead.

"It's fine if you don't. You don't have to."

But Hibiki shook his head, staring at his chest for a second before typing on his phone again.

'I want to, it's something you should know'

"Okay… you don't mind if I go?"

Another headshake confirmed that, and Hibiki gave his side a squeeze before letting him go. With a step back Hibiki reaffirmed that he could shower, but that didn't satisfy Tristan.

"If you really don't want to, we can keep it for another time." Hibiki frowned at his chest, but he simply responded with a kiss on his forehead. For just a moment, Hibiki glanced up and looked into his eyes, a slight smile breaking through – but then his gaze fell again.

"I'll be back soon." He returned the smile, and let go slowly, in case he was needed for longer. It didn't appear that way, but he had to resist the urge to look back and make sure when he closed the bathroom door behind him.

He showered quickly, taking at most a few minutes to wash his hair and body. With a single towel, he dried himself off. Despite his hurry, he still folded it up neatly when he was done. He noticed his hands trembled slightly as he did up the middle buttons of his dress shirt. Although he doubted about whether to put his pants back on, he decided that just his underwear was enough. Trying to calm himself down, he ran his hand over the back of his neck and then his jaw. There was some stubble there, but he'd leave shaving for the morning.

When he exited the bathroom, the lights had been turned off. He saw Hibiki sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the windows. Only the cold glow spilling from the bathroom was there to outline him. Quietly Tristan turned that light off as well.

In the darkness he moved over to the still figure, and sat down beside him. It was only then that Hibiki shifted, falling sideways and resting his head against his shoulder. Tristan wrapped an arm around him, waiting for whenever he would he ready. He saw Hibiki's phone in his hands, but the screen was turned off.

"You know, whatever it is, I'll still like you."

Hibiki nodded and let out a deep sigh, then turned on his phone and unlocked it to write.

'It's something I have to show. Can you promise me?'

"Of course. I promise." Tristan said, trying to smile reassuringly, despite feeling nervous.

'I didn't think it'd be so difficult'

He heard Hibiki swallow audibly, before sitting upright and laying his phone beside him. In silence he watched on as Hibiki took a deep, shaky breath and grabbed the edges of his shirt with both hands. Trying to get it over with as quickly as he could, he took it off in one go.

Tristan's eyes widened at the sight of the many scars that dotted Hibiki. He had seen a glimpse of the round ones before, but it was the cuts on his side and shoulder that really troubled him. Spaced evenly and straight, he knew what those had to be from. And Hibiki clearly knew that he knew, staring down at his knees and wrapping both arms around his waist to feel less exposed.

Not sure what to say or do, Tristan moved slowly. He didn't even really know what he was doing as he sat down on his knees in front of Hibiki, hoping to catch his gaze. It wasn't that easy. Cautiously he laid one of his hands on Hibiki's neck, and there it stayed for a long, silent moment. He could feel his heartbeat, the pace fast and intense, and how each breath trembled.

Instead of writing, or even just looking at him, one of Hibiki's hands moved to his other arm. With a bit of difficulty he undid the button that kept his sleeve up, and stripped it down. Despite being exposed, Tristan didn't resist it. With both hands, Hibiki took his hand and wrist, including the scars. Even as he placed his hand against his cheek, he didn't appear to be able to look at him.

Although the situation was supposed to be strange to him, Tristan knew what made this behaviour. There was a familiarity to how alien Hibiki's mind was – a brokenness he too felt to some degree. And knowing how difficult it was to piece the shards back together, he decided not to complicate it further with talking. If it was necessary, he'd sit there until dawn.

But it didn't appear he would have to, as it only took a few minutes for Hibiki to let go of his hand. Although it was a long time to spend on the outside, it probably hadn't felt that long inside Hibiki's mind. He watched as with trembling hands Hibiki struggled his way through a few words.

'I understand'

Finally Hibiki looked at him. He didn't look away, even when he struggled to keep up a smile. Although he couldn't say it, the truth was written in the tears that slowly rolled down his cheeks. It hurt to see such a bright person break from his own darkness. Is this what you feel with me?

Unable to sit there and watch, Tristan gently pulled Hibiki in for a hug. He felt him shake, still fighting despite everything. The very sound of Hibiki crying was enough to pain him to tears as well – his protective side angered, but he was useless against something that had already happened.

"I know…" his voice broke slightly, but he didn't care. "I do too,- I understand you too, love."

The words caused Hibiki to sob against his shoulder, but that was fine; if anything, it made them equal.

____

Tristan laid in the very middle of the bed, one arm wrapped tightly around Hibiki's shoulder, while his other held his hand. The weight on his chest was rather heavy, but he didn't want to disturb Hibiki now he'd finally fallen asleep – even if that meant he couldn't sleep himself. In one of his dreams, or perhaps a nightmare, Hibiki tensed up and gripped his hand so hard it hurt, but he didn't pull away, squeezing back instead.

"Shh, it's fine…" he said softly, not sure if he would be heard. It appeared to work, as the tension eased and Hibiki relaxed again. But Tristan couldn't, a question on his mind keeping him from easing up because every answer enraged him; why would someone do this to you?