They were rooming together. Rationally Reita knew it shouldn’t bother him. But his thoughts had twisted. Being too close to either of the two hurt, as if their smiles burned him, flayed him and left his failures exposed.

He dropped his bags by the foot of the bed and sprawled out, praying he’d be asleep by the time Kai arrived.

The drummer didn’t even pretend to be fooled when he arrived. Made a beeline straight for Reita’s bed and sat on the edge.

“Akira.” The genuine worry in the tone made Reita feel horrible and he turned to look at him. “What’s wrong?”

Reita squeezed his eyes shut and turned back, facing the wall stubbornly. “Please. Don’t care Yutaka.”

Your smiles aren’t meant for me.

Kai sighed softly as he considered the blond. Something was tearing Reita apart, he could see that but not what was causing it. He wanted so badly to help, as a friend, a band mate, maybe something a bit more.

He rested a hand on Reita’s arm.

“You can’t stop me Akira.”

Reita turned to look up at him and Kai was suddenly struck with how young he looked without his nose band. A soldier without his armor.

“You’re only making things worse.” Kai flinched at the blunt tone.

“If it’s my fault then let me help make it better.”