Special Property (BxB)

Chapter 68. Fourth Date

Apple bobbing, also known as bobbing for apples and many other terms, is an old game dating back to when the Romans invaded Britain and their customs and celebrations were merged.

Each year, unmarried people would try to bite into the floating apples, and the first one to bite into the apple would be the next to be married.

—Things People Do for Love by Dr. Harvey Eppendorf

As the boys walked back, Kato spent a minute thinking about that shower. It was like a war raging between his mind and his body, and he feared his mind was losing somehow. No matter what he did to shore up the defenses, his body was breaking through. He would think about Takahashi at odd times, and images of Takahashi's body at even weirder times. He felt his body reacting to that shower scene.

"Ken-san," Kato started up.

"Hmm?"

Kato looked to the ground and shyly asked, "Can I wash you next time?"

"No." Takahashi stated bluntly.

Kato looked up. "What?" he exclaimed. "That's not fair! You got to!"

Takahashi stopped. He looked at Kato who had crossed his arms. "Ren-san. I'm in love with you. I would trade almost everything I own for what you just offered."

"Then what's the problem?" Kato didn't get it.

"I'm in love with you."

Kato growled. "How is that a problem?" he emphasized.

Takahashi got hot for some reason and barked out, "It would be fucking torture, that's how!"

"Torture? Me touching you is fucking torture?" Kato yelled back.

Takahashi shed a single, angry tear. He started ranting, "You just don't get it. It's already hard enough being with you. You want to hold hands, but want me not to touch you, but then you want me to touch you when we sleep together, but not touch you because it might turn you on. Then we shower together, and you allow me to touch you and you get a hard-on when I touch you, but then I have to shut off my heart because I love you too much to take advantage of you. I almost fucking lost control of myself back there. A few minutes ago, I pretty much wanted to jump off a fucking building to my death to save me the pain of wanting you so bad!"

Kato just stood there, speechless.

"I love the fuck out of you, Ren. But you can't do this for me. It really would be torture."

Takahashi turned away as he wiped that one tear off his cheek.

Kato had no idea that Takahashi felt this way. He didn't know what to do. So, he did what he always did when Takahashi was in pain, he stood next to Takahashi and leaned his head on him. He sniffled as a couple tears fell from his eyes. "Don't be mad at me, please Ken. I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

Takahashi put an arm around Kato and squeezed. "I know, I know. I don't know what I'm doing either. This is a lot harder than I expected."

"What is?" Kato asked.

"Unrequited love."

"Huh?" Kato didn't know that word.

"One-sided love."

Kato sniffled some more.

"Come on, let's get back. Food will be waiting for us," Takahashi said.

Kato felt awful about himself because he was causing Takahashi so much pain. He looked back at all the times that he did the things Takahashi complained about. It's true, only the first time did Takahashi want to hold hands, it was Kato that offered every time since. Kato was the one that wanted Takahashi to sleep next to him, keep rubbing his belly. Kato was the one that wanted to play with Takahashi's happy trail. That whole scene in the shower just now that Kato allowed. He's been inadvertently hurting Takahashi for a long while now, it seems.