Die frowned, the line was dead. He checked the number; it was Toshiya’s. Quickly he got up.

" Where are you going?" He turned around and saw Shinya looking at him.

" I’m going to check on Toshiya. Tell Kyo too okay? Ja," he bid farewell and left. The disappearing red mass of hair tugged on Shinya’s heart.

Tell him not to go! Call him!

But it was too late; he couldn’t see Die anymore.

***

The door wasn’t locked. Funny…why would Toshiya leave his door open? Die bit his lip; a premonition swept unto him, something bad has happened.

He gasped in horror as he entered the living room. The sight of Toshiya sprawled lifelessly on the floor made his heart seem to stop beating for a moment. He couldn’t move. His lips were numb, gaping at the horrifying sight. Suddenly, it felt as if all the blood and adrenaline rushed into his system and his heart beat in panicked rhythm. " Toshiya!!!" he rushed to his side. He checked and a little relief coursed through him that Toshiya was still breathing. " Toshiya, wake up!" Die noticed the blood caked on his naked thighs.

God, what happened?! Who did this to you?!

He cradled Toshiya in his arms and carried him to his bedroom, kicking the door open and then shut behind him as he placed the unconscious bassist down on the bed. Toshiya’s black hair fell over his eyes. Gently, Die swept it away.

Toshiya…

His fingers barely brushed against the man’s cheek when he caught himself and jerked away. Quickly, he went to the toilet and got a wet cloth.

***

He could taste his own salty tears at the corners of his mouth…

***

Toshiya woke up in his own room; he was staring up the at red ceiling. Wincing as he sat up, he realized he was fully dressed in a T-shirt and a pair of track pants. For a moment, he thought he felt clean. He bit his lips as he stood up. It was still painful. Smell of food wafted from the kitchen.

Kaoru?

Hobbling along, he padded to the kitchen. A nicely manicured eyebrow automatically arched up when he saw a red-head with his back to him humming as he cooked.

" Die-kun?"

Die nearly dropped his cooking pan in fright which he caught in his hand again before it could fall. "Ahhh!!!" he cried out, a tear slipping out of his eye, as the hot metal burnt his hand.

" Ahh! Die-kun!" Toshiya held his red hand, blowing at it. "I’m so sorry!!"

" You scared me!!!" Die cried, pouting as he eyed Toshiya. "But I forgive you ne…if you try my okonomiyaki!"

Toshiya let go off his hand, giggling as he walked over to the pan and scooped the okonomiyaki into a plate and took two sets of chopsticks. "Smells nice!" Toshiya commented as he put the plate down on the table before Die.

" Really? Taste it!" Die watched Toshiya poke at it and put a piece into his mouth. "Good?"

" Mm, delicious!" Toshiya exclaimed, eating more of it. He missed the blush highlighting Die’s cheeks.

Toshiya’s so cute…so innocent…

Who could have done -that- to him?

Occupied with his own questions, Die didn’t notice Toshiya had finished the okonomiyaki and was looking at him worriedly. "Die-kun? Are you okay?"

" Huh? Of course I am!" he answered. "Toshiya…?"

" Hm?"

" Are you…okay?"

Toshiya looked down at the plate, playing with the crumbs with his chopsticks. " E, I am okay…" But Die saw the flash of hurt running across his effeminate features.

" Toshiya, please don’t lie to me," Die said, reaching for Toshiya’s hand. He held his smaller hands in his. "Please tell me…someone is hurting you! I saw…" the red-head broke off.

" Wha- what did you see?" Toshiya’s voice went a level softer, more careful, as if afraid.

" Scars on you…horrible scars…what happened? Please don’t lie…" Die bit his lips. "…Please trust me." Toshiya pulled his hands back, sadly looking away. He could not tell Die. Kaoru is Die’s good friend. Yet he wanted to tell him, to trust him. But…

" Nothing." A bitter tear rolled down his face. Die felt his heart wrench in pain.

He can’t help me.

" You can’t help me. No one can."

***

" No one can help me." Tears burnt his eyes so he looked away from Die, biting on his lips so hard it could’ve drawn blood.

" Toshiya…" Die touched his shoulder. Toshiya cried out and pulled away. Kaoru had cut him there a few days ago and it had not healed yet. Die looked at him sadly. "Please, Toshiya! Let me help you!" He got up and held Toshiya’s hands. The younger man shook his head violently, backing away from him until he hit the wall.

" Iie! You don’t understand!" Toshiya yelled at him, crying. "Please go away!"

" I won’t until you tell me what the fuck is happening! Who’s doing this to you?!" Die yelled back, anger flashing in his eyes making Toshiya whimper in fear as his grip on his wrists on tighter.

It was like this…when it first happened.

Kaoru’s angry face flashed before him.

Toshiya shut his eyes. "Please…don’t…don’t hurt me!"

Die looked at the bassist, who shrunk away from him in fear. " I won’t hurt you…come on, Toshiya." Carrying him into his arms, Die carefully brought him to his room. He grabbed a bottle of Dettol and some cotton pads. "Take off your shirt."

Confused, Toshiya clutched at his clothes protectively. " What…?" he faltered, huddling at the corner of the bed.

Die rolled his eyes. " It’s not what you think!" Die said incredulously. He kneeled before Toshiya and helped him take off his shirt. The younger man’s cheeks turned pink but he soon winced as Die treated his wounds. A long scar ran from his collar bone to the middle of his chest. "Who is hurting you?"

Quietly, the young man shook his head. "Please, Die-kun, don’t ask." His voice was pleading as he swallowed back his tears. Die felt his heart throb at the sight of Toshiya, in pain, yet still so breathtakingly beautiful. He wanted to engulf the man in his arms, away from whoever who was hurting him. But Toshiya didn’t trust him. He wanted the young man’s trust so much…

" Toshiya…" The name left his mouth with a tinge of unrequited longing. Toshiya’s dark brown almond eyes met his own, his eyelashes fluttering attractively as he blinked seeing Die moving closer to him. His inflamed cheeks turned brighter.

" Die-kun…" he whispered, feeling his heartbeat increasing. A gentle wave of comfort swept over him as the older man embraced him in a hug. Toshiya closed his eyes, dwelling in the warmth and security of his arms. Tears slowly appeared from the corners of his eyes, rolling down. "Die-kun…"

Die stroked his back as he cried on his shoulder. He didn’t know what to say but it felt so right this way; Toshiya safe and sound in his arms…

"Die-kun, I’m so scared…" Toshiya uttered weakly, without any strength, any emotion except tiredness. Yes, he sounded tired…sad…lonely…just like Die.

" Please let me take care of you," Die said. He felt Toshiya pulling away from him, his eyes once again locking with his. Die felt as if he was drowning in those mesmerising orbs. His lips parted slightly as he tilted his head to kiss Toshiya. The bassist froze for a second when Die’s lips were a bare centimetre away from his. Then as if shocked awake from a dream, Toshiya turned away, Die’s lips missing and ended up brushing his cheeks.

" Go-gomen ne!" Toshiya blushed hotly.

Die felt his face burn too. What was he doing? Taking advantage of a situation? Shameless Die! He scolded himself. Sheepishly, he grinned at Toshiya who smiled back at him, shyly…