A Scripta

This takes place after Mase has told Stronghold of their relationship.

They walked into the empty apartment. Daisuke listlessly hung up his scarf at the foyer and kept right on walking.

"Daisuke... Daisuke?"

Nate locked the main door, then turned to see Daisuke go to the bathroom and shut the door to it. Nate went into the living room and sat on the couch, his eye on the bathroom door. Just needs some time, that's all.

He watched the door, but he didn't come out. Nate walked over. "Daisuke? Are you all right?"

"Yeah." He opened the door.

"No, you're not," Nate said, wiping the tears from Daisuke's cheeks. He pulled him into a hug, while Daisuke returned the embrace. He caressed Daisuke's hair and back, not wanting anything, just to hold him.

They stood like that for a long time, Nate listening to Daisuke's quiet sobs against his chest, and merely petting his back and hair. Finally the sobs turned to breathing hard. "Oh, Daisuke…"

He sniffled. "I'm sorry, Mase," he muttered in his chest.

"What's to be sorry for?" He kissed the top of Frosty's frozen hair. "I should be the one apologizing." He said quietly, "I guess this is what I had ready for you."

He looked up. "What?"

Mase looked at him. "Something the Captain said. Said that whatever I'd do to you would be worse than anything I've done to anyone else." He took his hands away from Daisuke's back slowly, but rested them on his bicep. "I've hurt you by hurting the other person so precious to you, your brother." He rested his forehead on Daisuke's forehead. "I'm sorry."

Mase closed his eyes. I never should have gone there, never should have done those things. You're not evil, you're not.

Oh yes you are.

Shut up, Jack.

Look at what you've done to the man you "love" – or is it just lust? If he gets a brain will you still like him? Or do you love how he worships you—

Mase's eyes hardened. Daisuke saw it, and stepped back. Mase focused on Daisuke. "I'm sorry, that's not meant for you."

"Who?"

"Jack. He's not helping. He keeps saying I should go back to the Isles."

"Oh," he said. Mase caressed Daisuke's hair.

"I don't care about me. I care about you. Do you want me to still stay?"

Frosty looked around at the alternative – an empty apartment. "If you want to go…"

Mase glared at Frosty. "I'm asking you."

Frosty put his head back down on Mase's chest. Mase continued to caress him. He leaned back against the doorframe and let Daisuke hold onto him. He kissed his hair again. "Come to bed."

Daisuke followed Masonry to the bedroom. They both changed into a pair of shorts and climbed into bed. Masonry set his chest against Daisuke's back, like they always did when they fell asleep.

"It's okay, Daisuke."

"Why, Mase, why?"

Mase held him close, nestled his head into Daisuke's neck. "I don't know." He didn't know a whole series of "whys" – Why do I like killing? Why did I want to give up the life of my best friend's daughter for my own happiness? Why do I think life's so cheap? Why do I hurt those I love?

"You've done such things… such horrible things…" Daisuke embraced Nate's arms wrapped around his chest. "But you love so much…"

Mase cried silently. There were no more words between them, just holding, and both men drifted off to sleep.