The cool fall breeze danced through the red and blue hair of Karma and Nagisa. They had just left the house to visit Nagisa's mother, who the last time the blunet made any contact with her was when he bit her on her forearm.

He can still remember the absolute terror and disgust on her face, as if it had just happened yesterday. Her words pierced his chest like daggers and ever since, he had refused to go home. The warmth of Karma's hand who Nagisa held onto for dear life was soothing, but he was afraid how his mother would react to him revealing two things:

1. That he is half reptile,

2. He isn't her little girl.

He always presented himself as male and believed that ever since he was a little girl, that he was a boy. Of course, appearances didn't matter back then, but he was lucky enough that he got to wear what he desired...

In a perfect world, maybe. Hiromi Shiota thought that this whole 'being a boy' thing was just a phase, and that it would end.

So when Nagisa reached the age of 10, and presumably thought he was no longer in that phase, all she made him wear through middle school was dresses and skirts. Hiromi's hatred for Nagisa's "choice" only grew when the two went shopping for clothes at their local super centre.

"Mommy, can we go into the boys section?" Young Nagisa asked, pointing to the giant sign that labelled: BOYS. With a slight chuckle, Hiromi grabbed his wrist gently.

"Oh Nagisa, you're a girl and they must be wearing dresses and all sorts of pretty things!" She proceeded to pull him in the completely opposite direction, with young Nagisa on the verge of tears.

"Karma..." his throat felt clogged. The red head turned to him, attentive like always.

"Yes?" He replies, his tone soft like silk that made Nagisa's heart flutter.

"I..." he paused, thinking whether or not to express his concern.

"Sorry I took so long leaving, I had to throw the bed sheets in the wash." He blurts.

"Why? Did you spill something?"

Nagisa immediately felt his face heat up, and he looked down to the cold, grey sidewalk.

"Y-Yeah...I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier." Not only did Karma give a slight muse, but he grabbed Nagisa's other hand and clamped them together with his own.

"You're adorable, Shiota." He cocked a grin, showing his slightly sharp teeth. Nagisa rolled his eyes playfully and gave a small smile back.

"And you're very flirtatious, Akabane."

They arrived a few minutes after throwing compliments at eachother like some sort of competition. Karma, obviously won, because he made Nagisa freeze up and blush ever so harshly. He would then try and get back into the game but he always stumbles on his words.

A soft hand on the blunet's shoulder made the anxiety in his stomach ease slightly.

"Hey. Don't be so worried. I'm here if you need some support." Nagisa could almost feel him grin.

"Or if she needs an ass whoo—"

"I don't think that's a great idea.." he sighs, smiling abit. Immediately, Karma stared at him in disbelief.

"Why are you protecting her?" He asked, his tone slightly ablazed with fury. Why does he protect someone who physically harms him? She's the only reason Nagisa is now an anxious mess. He was now lost in his own thoughts, unaware of Nagisa's blue eyes staring up at him, or the frown that he presented.

"I..." he began, but his voice didn't allow anymore words to come out. The blunet found himself almost choking on his words. Karma, finally out of his head saw Nagisa's distraught and his inner rage ceased into sympathy and guilt.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Let's just get this over with. You'll feel much better after this is done. I promise." The redhead says, and Nagisa gave a hesitant nod. Only a few more minutes and they were at Nagisa's house. Karma gave an encouraging pat on the smaller's back. With a breath, Nagisa walked up the steps of his home, fingers trembling as he glanced at the doorbell.

He inhaled the breathe he was holding and pressed the doorbell, a soft chime-like sound echoing through the Shiota house-hold. Soft footsteps thumped gently against the wooden floor from inside.

As they grew close, a female silhouette approached the door and Nagisa's posture shot up. Then, blue eyes met with dark brown, and Ms. Shiota was the first to gasp.

"N-Nagisa?"

And out of nowhere, Nagisa felt the warm embrace of his mother.