Awww thank you. ❤
“Why do you like me?” Seidou shakes his head.
“You remind me of me.” Juuzou pops more candy into his mouth.
Seidou can’t help but feel envy. He misses sugar.
“I used to kill, kill, kill too. I mean, I still kinda do.” Juuzou frowns. “Akira once said empathy is something I need to learn.”
“That, uh, sounds like Akira,” Seidou says with a laugh.
Juuzou grins. “Well, that makes you kinda like my project. I can empathize with you.”
“Juuzou, referring to people as a project is not considered nice.” Seidou bristles.
“Really?” Juuzou frowns.
Seidou bangs his head on the table. “God fucking dammit. I never would’ve thought you would be reaching out to me. I wasn’t exactly nice to you when I was normal.”
“Normal is boring.” Juuzou impatiently bites into his lollipop.
“Maybe.” Seidou shrugs.
Juuzou pecks him on the lips.
“Wait – what?!” Seidou splutters. “Juuzou!”
“You deserve a kiss, Seidou.” Juuzou speaks his name without disgust or hate. He’s just Seidou, his friend.
Seidou’s eyes mist, to his chagrin. Why didn’t he kiss him back? “Oops.”
Juuzou kisses him again, and Seidou reacts this time. He presses his lips against Juuzou, draws his friend closer to his chest.
“Wow,” says Juuzou.
“You’re so innocent.” Seidou rolls his eyes. Not that he’s wasn’t a never-been-kissed virgin two minutes ago, too. “Aren’t I repulsive?”
“I don’t think you’re gross. I like you.” Juuzou pulls off his shirt, revealing scar after scar from Big Madam.
Seidou scowls. “Who hurt you and can I kill them.”
“They’re gone now.” Juuzou doesn’t even seem happy about it.
Seidou pulls off his own shirt. He’s fairly muscular now, but his posture is terrible. He’d be grossed out by him. “Did that person make you into their plaything? I remember…I remember I felt like a lab experiment. I was, actually. And every time I behaved like a ghoul, I was praised. It was the only way to live.”
Juuzou runs a hand down Seidou’s chest. “I was Big Madam’s pet. In the restaurant. The more flashy the deaths, the less she hurt me. But she always hurt me. Every night. To prepare me.”
Juuzou looks sad. “Can I show you something?”
“Sure.”
Seidou watched Juuzou remove his pants and underwear.
He’s not surprised at what he sees – but his heart hurts. At least Kanou never castrated him. “Juuzou, I’m so sorry.”
Juuzou smiles sadly. “See, you’re not grotesque.”
“Neither are you.” Seidou kisses him again.
“Seidou, I can’t – I can’t make love. Ever.” Juuzou looks miserable.
“There are other ways.” Seidou rolls his eyes. “I can’t believe I, virgin extraordinaire, have to tutor you.”
Juuzou giggles. “Please do.”
Seidou eagerly removes his own pants. Juuzou seems fascinated by what’s beneath, and Seidou can’t help but feel pride. They explore each other for hours, and Seidou feels a rush of joy when Juuzou sighs with pleasure.
“See?” He smirks, and Juuzou kisses him again.

