9:00pm.

Kio painted to take his mind off it.

10:00pm

Kio painted some more. But everything he painted wasn't good enough.

11:00pm

"I'll never be as good as Sou-chan..."

12:00am

Kio lay on the floor, he had collapsed merely from not being able to stay awake another moment. He slept quietly, loaded brush still in hand, red paint dripping on the paper. He slept through the quiet footsteps, the jingling of keys, and the soft click of the door opening and shutting most carefully.

Soubi looked at his friend lying so peacefully on the ground. He looked so carefree, of course this was just because he was asleep, without the troubles of the day wearing him out. He looked relaxed and happy. Soubi realized that he hadn't payed so much attention to Kio in ages, he always looked, but never hard enough, at the empty soul he had once felt so close to. Soubi knelt down beside him, his knees clicked, piercing the silence, frightening him for a split second. He stroked the young mans hair  and smiled, Kio-chan was a good friend. He loved him dearly. He didn't feel for him like he did the younger boy, Ritsuka, but he loved him all the same. He lifted Kio up - who was surprisingly light - and placed him on the couch. He did not wake. Soubi covered him up with a blanket then sat beside Kio, and watched him sleep. He listened to his rhythmic breathing, finding it almost enchanting...

Soubi lit a cigarette. He hadn't smoked in a few hours, Ritsuka didn't like it. He wondered if he should quit... Maybe Ritsuka would love him more if he quit. Oh well, he'd think about it another time. He smoked. It cleared his head. Soubi didn't like having his mind cluttered up with so much nonsense.

Kio's nose twitched. He stirred.

"Sou-chan?" Said a little muffled voice.

Kio rubbed his eyes and straightened his glasses, which were skew.

"Sou-chan!! You we're gone ages you had me worried!" Kio sat up, but Soubi was still taller.

"I told you not to worry about me, Kio-chan." Said Soubi bluntly. "I was seeing Ritsuka."

At the mention of the name "Ritsuka" Kio's face dropped.

"Of course, you were with that little brat..." Kio mumbled angrily. "Isn't it past his bedtime?" he added.

"For the last time, Kio, don't speak of Ritsuka like that, I don't like it."

"It seems all you ever talk about is that child, though! Don't you have anything better to do than stalk Semei's stupid little brother! I was your best friend, your brother! We were inseparable! Now I only get a "hello" in the mornings if I'm lucky! Don't I mean anything to you anymore, Sou-chan?!" By now tears were starting to well up in the young mans big eyes. Tears of anger, and loss. "Why don't you just leave and-"

Soubi cut Kio off abruptly. He couldn't take anymore of hearing what he had done and regretted from the person he knew and trusted so well. He pulled Kio into a tight embrace, not allowing him to speak another word.

"I'm sorry." Said Soubi, his voice slightly shaken.

Kio wanted to say that "sorry" wasn't enough, but he couldn't bring any words out. So he closed his eyes and clung onto his friend tightly. His smell, his voice, his touch. It made him feel calmer already... Nothing more needed to be said. They held eachother for a long time until Soubi suddenly felt Kio's muscles relaxing, and his sobs fade to steady breathing. He must be asleep, he thought. Soubi smiled and stroked Kio's yellow hair, kissing the top of his head gently. He then lay back on the couch, his dear friend safe in his arms, pulling the blanket over them both.

"I'm never going to abandon you again, Kio-chan" He whispered.

Secretly, Kio smiled.