Third person pov

Kit didn't go home the next day, or the day after that. Tenya certainly wasn't about to mention it. The longer Kit stayed, the better. The blue-haired teen had been wanting to bring up the idea of Kit staying here indefinitely. The prospect of it was nearly foreboding, even to the young Iida, but not in a way that was bad. It was near exhilarating to think about. Just having Kit here these past few days and being able to be near him made him giddy with delight.

A few things had taken place that had left Tenya in somewhat of a reeling state, during which he struggled to gather himself and function as a normal human being. The first came in the form of Kit showering. Not a big deal; he'd showered at Tenya's house before. The thing was that Kit had forgotten to bring a change of clothes, and thus walked into Tenya's room with a towel wrapped around his waist without shame. This shouldn't have been a big deal, of course. People went to hot springs plenty, wrapped in towels and such! It was normal!

The next was Kit changing in front of him. Locker rooms existed, of course, but it was customary to face the lockers as you did so and not stare. Kit walked into the room and began to strip without shame. Tenya couldn't even look away, eyes round and wide, and mouth agape as Kit stretched in nothing but briefs. God, he was wearing briefs. Tenya wore briefs as well, so it shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but... it was. All he could do was stare at Kit's body, nothing much left to the imagination. 

The next had almost been his undoing, if he was being completely honest with himself. This one didn't involve nudity. Kit wore a normal shirt and a normal pair of shorts, though they were a little shorter than what he'd seen a lot of men wear, and... knee socks. Tenya certainly didn't own knee socks, and definitely none that colorful. When asked, Kit had said something about his mother buying them for him. Tenya could only stare in slight awe at the way they hugged the tan teen's legs, trying to comprehend how this was possible. Kit? In bunny pattern socks? God had to be real.

"You're going to put on weight if you keep this up." Tenya scolded as Kit shoveled more ice cream into his mouth. Kit's favorite things to eat were either extremely sweet, extremely spicy, or extremely sour. It was as though he couldn't bring himself to fully enjoy anything mild. Tenya had realized this when he witnessed the boy blatantly dousing his rice in ghost-pepper hot sauce, letting it mingle with his curry without batting an eye. Tenya had never felt so intimidated in his life.

"Oh please, you'll love me anyway." Kit gave a sly grin, pointedly jamming another spoonful into his mouth. Tenya felt himself flush, eyes flitting away as his embarrassment swelled. Kit was totally and completely right. Oh my god, he was right. What did Tenya do with this information? Perhaps nothing. Nothing was different. It didn't even matter. He already knew he was in love. He just... kept realizing he was in love, over and over again. It was odd and he didn't know what to do about it.

Kit watched Tenya with no small amount of amusement, watching his expression shift unabashedly. The poor guy had no idea just how readable his face was at the moment. He was so comfortable around Kit that he didn't feel the need to keep his emotions and expressions in check. Kit wasn't about to complain. He was living for it. Not like he had much else to enjoy other than the taller teen. His life sort of sucked without Tenya.

Speaking of his life sucking, he'd turned off his phone. The only other person he texted was Tenya anyway, and his mother had been calling non-stop. She was probably freaking out, thinking he'd crawled off somewhere and succumb to his injuries. She always did freak out if she thought there was a possibility of his body being somewhere, but only because of the police and her sister. Kit was positive his aunt would raise hell if anything happened to him, and he was glad.

His mother didn't know about Tenya. Quite frankly, his mother didn't know jack or shit about anything going on in his life. She used him solely for profit. He'd grown up in the modeling industry, and it wasn't too bad. Could be better, but he wasn't about to complain. His mother was far less violent if she knew a shoot was coming up. People would start to get suspicious if he showed up with bruises all over him, after all. Not that his mother necessarily needed to be in a sour mood for that to happen. Kit got into enough fights outside of school, resulting in an abundance of minor injuries even without her.

Tenya hadn't asked anymore questions since that night, but Kit knew he knew. The brunette wasn't sure how to feel about that. Of course he trusted Tenya. He trusted Tenya more than he'd ever trusted anyone before. It wasn't the kind of blind trust kids seemed to have in everyone, but something realer and more genuine that had begun to build and build. It held strong even now as he sat next to him, and his affections for the taller boy only helped spur that on.

That was another thing Kit was curious about. Just what on god's green Earth was Tenya waiting for? Kit didn't want to push himself onto the blue-haired teen before he was ready, but the fidgeting and goo-goo eyes were starting to make him antsy. He didn't doubt Tenya liked him, but all the boy did was stare and try not to touch him all that much. Barring the last few nights, that is. It was quickly becoming a common occurrence for Kit to wait for Tenya to fall asleep before slipping out of bed and joining him. The shorter of the pair wondered how long it would take Tenya to get the memo and just join him on the bed, which was far bigger and far more comfortable than the floor.

A small knock on the door frame drew Kit from his thoughts. He and Tenya both twisted around as Tensei hesitantly poked his head through the cracked door. The man looked tired, but grinned when he saw the two of them sitting there. Kit sent him a thumbs up. He and Tensei had reached a mutual understanding these past few days. Both of them were waiting for Tenya to buck up and make his move, simmering in a hot vat of anticipation. They were both all for it. It was all up to Tenya now.

"You two doing okay?" Tensei asked, eyes flitting between them. Tenya's brows furrowed.

"Of course. I don't see why we wouldn't be." Tenya's eyes shifted to Kit, who gave a miniscule shrug. A sign he didn't know why the older Iida was asking either. Tenya let his gaze move back to Tensei. The man looked vaguely uncomfortable, like he had something to say. Kit cocked his head to the side in a way that made Tenya want to stare at him for the rest of eternity. His blue eyes flickered to the boy's lips before he cleared his throat, eyes jumping back to his brother awkwardly.

"Right, that's good, that's good." Tensei perked up a little hopefully, though he still seemed apprehensive. "I was... wondering if Kit might be willing to go see a doctor of some kind. Just to check on his injuries."

Kit tensed at this. His spine went straight in the way it did when he was uncomfortable, and his shoulders tensed defensively. Tenya could already see the unintentional glare beginning to form on the shorter boy's face. The urge to wrap an arm around him to try and comfort him was tempting, but Tenya resisted with the strength of ten men. Honestly, he'd been wanting Kit to go to see a doctor since the moment he found him bleeding on the floor.

"No." Kit's voice left no room for argument. The two brothers winced, and Tenya put a hand on his shoulder.

"Kit, it would be good to at least get your ribs checked out. To ensure they heal correctly, and such." Tenya encouraged, proud to see conflict flit through his friend's scarlet eyes. Knowing he influenced Kit's decision made him feel elated for some reason. Not because he wanted to control the brunette, but because Kit listened to essentially no one. He lived by his own rules and went about his day on his own terms.

"He's right. I know someone who won't ask questions." Tensei looked pained by this, grimacing more. The heroic side of him didn't like it, but Kit needed to be checked out. The amount of blood that had come from his head wound was concerning, and Tenya had reported horrible bruising on his side. "I promise neither of us will inquire where your injuries came from unless we need to. We won't dig into it, and I promise we'll be quick."

Kit hesitated, looking to Tenya. It took the taller teen a moment to realize Kit was asking what he wanted to do. Again, his heart gave a lurch.

"Yes, of course!" Tenya urged, eyes wide with hope. "We should go get you checked out at once! I realize you dislike medical facilities, and doctors, but I believe it would be... you need it. You're hurt." He frowned at that, seeming to sadden.

Kit knew he was a goner the moment Tenya adopted the 'kicked puppy' expression. It wasn't something the blue-eyed boy often pulled out of the stacks, nor was he aware that he was doing it, but god damn was it effective. He huffed through his nose. Tenya was right when he said Kit didn't like doctors or hospitals. It was the same with clinics and nurses. They just made him severely uncomfortable was all.

"Ah, fuck it." Kit grumbled, punctuating the statement with a sigh. "Let's get this shit show on the road. How far is it? Can we get food?"

Tensei and Tenya beamed, and Kit tried not to let his cheeks color.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Doctor Sakiaki wasn't amused in the slightest. In fact, he was more teetering towards severe concern if nothing else. He'd seen injuries like this before in his line of work, and a million questions were drifting on the tip of his tongue. Tensei's stern look was enough for him to press his lips together in a tight grimace and power through. The Turbo Hero was someone the doctor owed a favor, and he wasn't about to break that.

It didn't change the fact that this boy, this child, was a victim of some form of physical, possibly domestic, abuse.

He was going to flip his lid at this rate. All he could do was try not to freak out and call the police, because god know's he'd done that in the past. Sakiaki was personally a huge fan of the Walking Dead, and this kid looked so exhausted and beat down he could probably slip right into the cast and nobody would even notice because of how well he fit in. The fact that he looked like he'd just survived a zombie apocalypse had him mentally reciting the number for CPS as he checked the poor boy over. 

"So you say you were kicked repeatedly in the side, then?" The information Sakiaki was given was vague. He'd been given the nature of the injuries, but not who'd given them. The kid was locked up tight. Kit knew what to say and how to act to throw the doctor off, but Sakiaki was more perceptive than that. He'd dealt with this time and time again, and the looks on Tensei and Tenya's faces were telling enough. They were enraged, and while the older of the pair hid it decently well, Tenya's was blatant and white hot.

"Seven times or so." Kit shrugged as though it were no big deal. Really, it wasn't. He'd had far worse. He could tell his lack of a reaction was throwing the doc off, but he didn't give much of a fuck. Though Tenya's expression was staring to get concerning. He looked pissed, and pissed Tenya was pretty damn scary. "Hurt like a bitch, but I don't think my ribs are too mangled."

Sakiaki frowned as he looked down at the X-rays, not bothering to hide how put off he was. He didn't like this in the least. "Well, you're not wrong. I see a few cracks here and there, but it could definitely be worse." He eyed Kit, who didn't look surprised. There was no doubt about it. This kid had done this before. He itched to call the authorities. Ironic, considering there was one in the room with him. Why hadn't Tensei acted yet?

"See, I'm fine." Kit said pointedly to Tenya, who huffed. Kit looked mildly offended. "Don't look at me like that. I didn't kick myself in the ribs."

"I know." Tenya ground out without hesitation. His tone was short and clipped, but it was clear as day that he wasn't angry at Kit. That meant he probably knew who did this. Sakiaki itched to ask-- to find out so he could do something.

"Concussion?" Kit checked. He didn't think he had one at all, but better safe than sorry. He may as well take full advantage of the situation while he still could. There was no way in hot fuck he could ever come back here again. The doctor knew. Kit could see it in the guy's eyes. It was the same look everyone got anytime they saw him. He knew he was small, and young, and therefore perceived and defenseless and in need of defending.

"Nope. Looks like it was less of a gash and more of a cut. Iida-kun here did a good job of cleaning both that and the cut on your cheek up." Sakiaki managed a small smile. "I'm afraid your cheek will scar, however."

Kit gave a quiet snort, muttering a quiet 'what's new?' Sakiaki was sure he wasn't meant to hear. He tried not to snap his pen in two out of frustration. Instead, he glanced at Tensei. The man looked almost physically pained. Sakiaki tried not to sigh. Was crying professionally acceptable? Probably not, but he'd never been asked not to say anything before. Well, he had, but he didn't owe those people any favors. He'd just smile and make direct eye contact as he dialed the police, reveling in their horror as he exposed their abusers. It was heavily satisfying to hear of various people's arrests. Now, he was just suffering. 

"Is there anything you can do for him?" Tenya asked, brows creased in concern. "Is he alright?"

"Oh, I assure you that he'll be just fine." Sakiaki gave a small smile to hide the internal battle waging within him. Kit tried not to look too smug. Tenya's flat look told him he'd failed. The doctor decided to fish. "We do have a nurse on staff that can mend minor breaks, but we'd need a parental signature to make that happen."

Tenya and Kit both tense very briefly, and Sakiaki knew. By the look on Tensei's face, he's come to the same conclusion with a grimace.

"Like hell that's going to happen. Thanks anyway." Kit slid off the bench, disappointed by how far he'd had to fall before his feet hit the ground. Not a huge amount, but enough to make him feel like some sort of dwarf. "Let's blow this popsicle stand, sluts. Someone owes me a burger and fries."

Tenya let out a heavy sigh, but managed to smile nonetheless. Sakiaki was pretty sure the taller teen couldn't help it. "Please watch your language while we're in public. Doctor Sakiaki was very nice not to ask questions! You should be thanking him, and perhaps considering a new diet. So much fast food and sugar in one day cannot be good for you, Kit. Don't even try to tell me I'm wrong."

"You know what? I just realized what the fuck you are." Kit said in an accusatory tone as he threw open the door, ready to walk out and never look back. Sayonara, fuckmunchers. He was out of here. "You're the mom friend."

He skipped out of the room as Tenya went red, eyes widening and sputters of denial flying from his mouth as he barreled after him. Tensei grinned after them, unfolding his arms from their place across his chest and shaking his head. Sakiaki stared after the two teens with a smile that was far sadder than Ingenium's. On the side, he couldn't help but feel like he'd seen Kit somewhere before. Before now, anyway. Maybe he just had one of those faces.

"You take care of that kid, Ingenium-san." Sakiaki demanded. It was not a request in the least. 

"Of course, Sakiaki-san." Tensei gave a blinding grin as Kit and Tenya's heated conversation about 'proper vocabulary' faded the further down the hall they got. "Kit's a good kid. Too good for this."

Sakiaki is sure it's the truest thing he's ever heard anyone say.

"Ten Signs You're Low-Key In Love With Your Best Friend"

1.) Physical contact

Even something as minor as bumping shoulders is enough to send your heart running. If any form of physical contact with your best friend sends your cardiac muscle into mayhem and caused even the butterflies in your stomach to go doki-doki, you might be in love with them. Does your face and body get hot? Do tingles race up your spine? Do you get random urges to just touch them and be closer to them in hopes of maybe you'll brush hands? Maybe you even stare at them and admire their body or face. Maybe their smile or the way their brow crinkles when they laugh. If you're experiencing literally any of what I just said, brace yourself. You've got the love bug, honey!

2.) You want to be with them all the time

They could move into your house and you'd be totally and completely happy. You want them by your side at all times if at all possible. If they're not in your line of sight, they're on your mind. How are they doing? Are they getting enough sleep? Are they talking to someone else? Oh god, should you text them?! You hope and pray they'll ask to hang out. You genuinely adore their presence. You bask in it. Handcuffing yourself to them doesn't actually sound like a half-bad idea when you really think about it. Check yourself. You're either in love or unhealthily obsessed.

3.) Attractive

You find them attractive, but hey, you'd think that about anyone attractive. It's not just them, you say! Hahahahah! Yeah, you're wrong. You catch yourself admiring them all the time, don't you? I bet your heart even picks up it pace anytime they show even just a little more skin. Yes, I'm calling you out. Get it in your head. You're totally in love, or at least a little bit. Just admit it. They're hot and you've noticed. Open your eyes and see the light! Smell those roses! Love is in the air!

4.) Jealousy

Oh my, what's this? Does your heart lurch painfully whenever you see them with someone else who isn't you? Maybe they're flirting with someone, or someone is flirting with them. Maybe they're on a date, or simply interacting with another friend. It doesn't matter. If your gut flips uncomfortably and you feel an odd amount of resentment towards the person they're interacting with, you're probably jealous. You just want them to be by your side, right? You want their attention on you and not whoever the hell they're talking to. Check yourself. If you're overly jealous, you may be in love.

5.) Oh no, thoughts

Are you having some inappropriate thoughts about your dearest, best friend? Maybe you find yourself staring at their lips and wondering what it'd be like to kiss them. Maybe you imagine holding them in a way friends don't hold one another! Hey, perhaps you've even had a dream or eight about what being with them sexually might be like. These are clear signs you're at least attracted to them. Are you in love? Depends on how many of these you're experiencing. Either way, you at least want in their pants, or you want them in yours. Reel in your urges and thoughts, kids. Nobody wants a sexual assault charge on their person.

6.) Their pain is your pain

If they're upset, you're upset. You get mad on their behalf! Sad! Happy! Excited! Anything you can think of. Their mood effects yours, doesn't it? I bet it does. Not like other, normal people's do. No, this person is special, aren't they? Them crying breaks your heart into a thousand tiny little pieces. But hey, when they smile, you probably feel like you're basking out in the sun with a martini. If your best friend's mood heavily impacts your own, to an extent that is quite frankly a little off, then you may be in loveeee. Oo la la!

7.) You would do anything for them

Everything is on the table. They need someone murdered? Yeah, I know. You're seriously considering it. Maybe they're in trouble! Maybe they're the one who hurt someone. You'd do anything to protect them though, wouldn't you? You'd let them hide out with you for as long as they needed. Any favors they need done, you're helpless to refuse! If you're seriously willing to do just about everything for this person, you need to explore the possibility that maybe you're in love. Especially if you've made it this far down the list.

8.) It's not a normal day if you haven't talked somehow

Maybe you texted, maybe you called. Hell, maybe you showed up on their front door out of the blue. Doesn't matter. If a day goes by and you don't hear a word from them, is it weird? Do you get uncomfortable tingles? Maybe you're just obsessed, or maybe you're in love. But if your days feels completely off and all out of sorts just because they didn't say good morning to you or ask how you were doing, something's amiss. Whether or not it's love depends on how many of these hit their mark.

9.) You trust them more than anyone

This one's a given! You trust this person more than you trust anyone in the whole, wide-ass world. Now, this could vary depending on what kind of person you may be in love with. They may be an untrustworthy asshole you've had the displeasure of falling for. However, if the friend you've fallen in love with is generally pretty normal and not a total bag of shit, then maybe you find yourself trusting them just a bit more than you would anyone else. Or hey, maybe you trust them way, way more than the rest of your friends, family, and other miscellaneous acquaintances.