Mascot

Bokuto

Akaashi was back in class Monday, but Bokuto remained on the other side of the gym, gritting his teeth when the gym shorts slid up to reveal the hickeys on his thighs.

Then it was time to stretch and he couldn't avoid him any longer because the coach had paired them together. Akaashi wouldn't be able to do much of the stretching himself, but he was still to help Bokuto.

Bokuto expected Akaashi to request a different partner, but he simply hobbled over, unsteady on the new walking boot and that alone improved Bokuto's mood a little.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you Thursday."

The apology caught Akaashi off-guard. "What?"

"It's your relationship. I shouldn't have gotten involved."

"Oh, it's not on you. It's my fault. I put too much stress on him and wasn't there to help relieve it."

"That's bullshit. It's not your fault that he cheated. There's nothing you can do to make him cheat. What he told you is a victim statement; putting the blame on you to make him look innocent. How healthy can your relationship be if he convinces you to feel guilty for something you had no control over."

"What do you mean 'how healthy'?"

"I think your relationship is abusive."

"It can't be. He's always telling me that he loves me."

Their voices had dropped to whispers which drew more looks, but the conversation wasn't audible in the obnoxiously loud gym.

"Abusive partners can still say 'I love you' and show affection the same as a healthy relationship. It doesn't make them any less abusive."

Akaashi shook his head. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Afraid to push his luck, Bokuto dropped the topic.