Last chapter, hang in there. Disclaimer: I own nobody. Blah.

-

Shou felt like crying. He felt like standing up and screaming to the whole world, "Why are you doing this to me?" He felt like walking out of the flat and never going back.

Shou was at home. Kei wasn't.

Son had called him to make sure he was home okay. He supposed he should be grateful that someone cared. He'd considered going to see Shinji, but decided against it. The sight of that useless, drug-doing brother of his sitting around and waiting for Shou to bring the world to his door might well have sent him over the edge. And Shinji wouldn't care.

He heard a quiet knock on the door. "Come in, Son," he called dully. Obviously Son was more worried than he'd thought. Firstly, he'd actually come round to check on him. Secondly, he hadn't beaten the door to within an inch of its life. "Door's open."

Shou watched apathetically, as the handle turned, and the door opened, making that little squeak it always made because neither Shou nor Kei could ever be bothered to get round to oiling it. Son didn't come in, but stood outside. Which may have been because it wasn't Son at all.

Shou gaped at the little sheepish figure in the doorway. Sheepish was right. The word was probably coined for Kei at this moment. Shou got unsteadily to his feet. "Kei! Where have you been?" he yelled.

Kei's answer was quiet, as always. "Walking." He smiled hopefully. "But I'm back now."

Ah. Shou knew this. Asking for forgiveness. It happened every time, and every time, Shou forgave him, knowing it would happen again. Nothing had changed. He shouldn't forgive him. He knew he shouldn't, but maybe it would be different this time. He couldn't help it. "You selfish, ungrateful son of a bitch!" he cried, and dove at him, rugby-tackling him off his feet. "Goddamn you, if you ever do that again, I'll rip your head off!"

It may have started out as anger, but they ended up just hugging on the floor. Shou had missed him. He was scared of losing him now.

Kei's shoulder felt wet. It was okay; he'd been forgiven this time. He was safe for now.

Shou wanted to stay like that all day, sprawled on the floor outside his door, obstructing the corridor. Just lying on top of Kei, his head on the vampire's chest. If Kei had been anyone else, Shou would have been able to feel a heartbeat. However, the unexpected appearance of Son put an end to all of that.

"What the fuck-?"

"Son?!" Shou looked up guiltily. Son was silent, but not for long. It was only a matter of time before he exploded. And not much time.

"I come here," ranted the Chinese, "to give you moral support, come to help you in your time of need, comfort you in the depths of your despair, and here I am after all that effort, when I wanted nothing more than to be asleep thanks to you calling me at some stupid hour of the morning, and here I am only to find you and Kei rolling around on the floor together!"

Oops. Shou flushed beet-red. "It's not what it looks like!" God, how lame did that sound? Kei snickered beneath him. Shou wished the floor would just swallow him now before he said something really stupid. "Well… um… Kei's back now… so…"

"Yeah, I can go now right?" Son sounded angry. And… hurt? Not to mention embarrassed.

And I wouldn't be if I just happened to come upon two of my best friends in a very compromising position on the floor? thought Shou dryly. "I didn't mean that, Son." He started to scramble to his feet. Now wasn't that just the best idea he'd had all day?

"I know, I know. Don't worry about it." Son shot an amused grin in Shou's direction. "It's okay. I'm leaving anyway, Kei's back, and you're not suicidal anymore. My work here is done. Enjoy your reunion, okay?" Son didn't bother saying goodbye, as such. He just walked away and left them. To be honest, he couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Not only was he fiercely embarrassed at the whole situation, but Shou… it sounded silly, even admitting it to himself. He'd thought he had a chance. Of course he knew Kei would always have priority, but when he was gone… And Shou still had no idea what was going on behind Kei's constant presence, what he was saying behind the silence. Or what was going on behind Son's 'only-there-when-you-need-me' presence, and what he was saying behind the constant chatter.

"Shou," he whispered. "You are so naïve."

-

Owari

That's all, folks. Review now