They seriously need to stop playing this type of stupid game. First, it was the King's Game at Cloud's place, now it's this ridiculous game of Spin the Bottle-Truth or Dare.

On top of that, someone has to stop issuing these absurd challenges.

"You want me to hug the friend for whom I am most thankful?"

Eujae observes as Poll gives Risa a look that's asking for confirmation.

Nodding, Risa answers, "Uh-huh, except for Tem. She's your twin sister, and we don't want you to play it safe."

Well, it's not as ludicrous as being dared to sing, Eujae decides. His friends know that he can't sing if his life depended on it, but Cloud still asked him to do it. Or perhaps it's exactly because they know he's terrible at singing that they dared him to do it, just so they could have a reason to make fun of him.

To be fair, he can play a few musical instruments because he was taught by his parents when he was young. He's also been told a lot that he has a nice speaking voice. However, singing is a whole different story. He is just not cut out for it.

"Okay, no big deal."

At Poll's voice, Eujae breaks out of his thoughts. Apprehension rises within him all of a sudden as he watches the guy stand and look around for his subject.

His heart starts to pound against his chest, seeing Poll walk in their direction.

The male twin then squats beside Lia, asking with a wide grin, "Do you mind?"

Instantly, Eujae feels his heart drop. What was he even expecting? Of course, it has to be his cousin. In the first place, Ten-Ten already admitted that she was his favorite friend.

However, as Eujae observes the natural interaction between the two, he finds himself questioning if that's how Poll still sees Lia. Aren't they too affectionate for just being mere friends?

Eujae gives a hard stare, his whole body tensing, when Poll puts his arms around Lia's shoulders. The young woman lets out a soft giggle, before returning the hug.

He feels his mouth dry as he keeps looking at them. Then he clenches his teeth so hard that it almost hurts. The muscles on his face tighten.

Unable to take it anymore, Eujae springs up and grunts, "I'm sorry. I suddenly don't feel well, so let me step out for a bit to get some fresh air."

He doesn't wait long enough to see any of his friends' reactions as he immediately turns away and walks out of the beach house.

As soon as he reaches the waterside, Eujae grabs a handful of his hair, aggressively messing it up. Exhaling, he crouches right in the middle of the shore and bends his head down, his left hand still on his disheveled hair. With the other arm stretched in front of him, he balls his right hand into a fist.

This doesn't suffice to allay his frustration. He has a strong urge to scream. He wants to hit something, do anything that would rid him of this nasty feeling.

What in the world is this? He has been like this for the whole day.

While he is still in the same position, Eujae catches a glimpse of his phone peeking from the side pocket of his white button-down polo shirt. Straightening up, he moves his hand from his hair and lets it rest on his nape. He then pulls out his phone and unlocks it, expecting to see a couple of notifications, only to be reminded that the Wi-Fi in the area is terrible.

He sighs, before opening the settings of his phone to switch up his internet connection. Immediately upon turning the mobile data on, messages from the game application pop up.

There are a couple of texts from Ten-Ten.

Ten2: hey, what are you up to today? my friends and i are currently here on a beach for a weekend getaway, just letting you know in case you dont hear from me for the whole day coz their wifi here is shit

Ten2: oh i just learned that the mobile data signal here is more stable than their shitty wifi so i am using it now. this place is actually nice, i couldn't help but think it would have been a lot nicer if you were here too, though i know that's kinda impossible since we haven't even met each other, hehehe.

Ten2: gaeeeleee, you busy? i'm tired from swimming so I just took a rest, but now i am bored coz i couldn't play online games without strong wifi. everyone is still out there.

Normally, messages from Ten-Ten can improve his mood right away, but as he remembers how Poll has been avoiding him the whole day, Eujae can't help but look at his phone with a bitter expression. How can he say that he wants Gaele to be here when, in reality, all he's been doing from the moment they arrived in this place is avoiding him? And it's funny how Poll said he was busy when he ran away from Eujae earlier, but he still found some time to chat with Gaele.

Eujae stops as he becomes aware of what he's doing.

Is he being cranky because Poll prefers Gaele over Eujae? But he is Gaele, for Pete's sake. Is he seriously getting jealous of himself?

For countless times, Eujae sighs and ruffles his hair.

First, his cousin, and now, his own online identity. What the hell is wrong with him?

While he is busy having an internal conflict, he doesn't notice someone walk near him. Eujae ends the argument with himself only when he hears the voice of someone he doesn't want to see at the moment.

"Hey."

He schools his face to look indifferent before staring up at the person. He stands up and, without considering his words, he asks, "What are you doing here, Apollo? Shouldn't you go back inside and continue the game with them? You don't want to miss even a few seconds you can spend with Lia, do you?"

He can't deal with him right now. Why did he even come here?

Obviously galled by Eujae's questions, Poll scowls. "I knew it. You're misunderstanding something, aren't you? Look, I know you're just being protective of your cousin, but don't you think this is too much?"

"You're wrong," Eujae answers coolly, speaking less on purpose, afraid he might blurt out something that he will regret later.

"If that's not it, then what's your problem?" Poll demands, his stare is just as challenging. It's amazing how he can act like he's looking down at the other man despite being a couple of centimeters shorter.

Knowing this confrontation will not end up in anything good, Eujae opts to dismiss the question. "Just go back inside, Apollo. It's getting cold, and I can't handle having a proper talk with you at the moment."

Determined not to leave any room for argument, Eujae starts to get away from Poll.

However, it seems like the other man is just as intent on getting his answer.

"What the hell? Don't just fucking walk away from me, you jerk! I am still talking to you. Hey!"

Eujae hears Poll yell after him and senses him following, but he pretends not to give heed.

"Hey!"

More hollering. More ignoring.

As he keeps trying to get further from Poll, a thought crosses Eujae's mind. He notices that this has been a recurring problem between the two of them—the fact that someone is always running away.

Even so, while he is aware that they need to talk to settle their issues, this is not the perfect time for it. At least, not for him. He doesn't think he is in a good emotional state to do it here and now. He needs to cool off first, or else he might end up doing something that may hurt both of them.

"Eujae!"

At the shout of his name, Eujae is finally brought to a halt. He turns around to look back at Poll. Almost mockingly, he asks, "Oh, so you actually know my name?"

Poll also stops walking. With an even more confused expression, he responds with his own questions, "What are you saying? Of course, I know your name. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Of course, he didn't realize it, Eujae muses bitterly.

He is quiet for a good minute, just scrutinizing the other man, before he mutters something unexpected with his restrained voice.

"Jerk."

He notices the way Poll's eyes widen as soon as the word comes out of his mouth. It must have surprised him to hear Eujae say something like that after a long time. After all, he never uttered any offensive word in front of Poll again since he discovered that he is his online friend. In fact, he seldom did even before he knew the truth, as he wasn't into using foul language unless Apollo started to go too far in their arguments. Hardly had he ever hurled profanities at him.

Even at this moment, the word is not meant to insult Poll. This is not Eujae showing contempt for him.

"Prick. Dipshit."

This is not him calling the male twin names.

"Piece-of-shit. Jackass. Asshole," Eujae continues, voice grave, intense gaze never leaving the other man's puzzled eyes. Under the moon and through the beach lighting at night, he can easily spot the bafflement on Poll's face.

Confusion fades away in Poll's eyes, and then comprehension gradually takes over. As he witnesses the change in Poll's expression, a mixed feeling of self-satisfaction and bad conscience sets in within Eujae.

A bitter smile tugs on the corner of his lips while he keeps looking Poll in the eye. Eujae takes a deep breath, pausing for a beat, before calmly coming out with the last punch.

"Fuckboy." The term trips off his tongue, albeit with the strong taste of acid that's coating it. Eujae's voice is barely audible, but the gravity in his enunciation is palpable. "Tell me, Apollo. Has there ever been a time that you called me anything aside from those vile words?"

He knows. He is perfectly aware that he is being petty for bringing up this issue now. He shouldn't take his frustration out on Poll, even though the guy is the main reason why he's feeling like this.

The thing is, he finds it difficult to stop himself now. This is exactly what he feared, exactly the reason why he tried to avoid having a confrontation at this time.

It is too late now. The lid has been ripped off.

And as usual, where Apollo Helios is concerned, Eujae has a hard time keeping a tight rein on his emotions, so the feelings are taking charge of him instead.

"I... That's not..." Poll mumbles, the hesitation reflecting on his voice and expression, "Hey, are you seriously mad at me because of that?"

Eujae takes another short pause, before letting out a grim chuckle. "Mad?" he asks to no one in particular, his voice nearly dropping to a groan.

Sure, he's mad. In more ways than one.

But this exasperation is not meant for Apollo at all. If anything, Eujae is mad at himself for acting this pathetic.

He feels like crap. His emotions are in turmoil, and Apollo is once again in the center of the storm that's brewing within him. Just what the hell is with this guy that always manages to drive him off to the edge?

"I am not angry at you, Apollo," he then answers honestly, trying to sound as composed as possible, but he can't help the bile that drips through his every word.

A part of his mind begins to scream at him, telling him to immediately stop this irrational behavior and that he should calm down first.

He badly needs to step back before he does or says something in the heat of the moment that might turn his and Poll's relationship back to the way it used to be, to the time when all they did was argue and go around in circles because they never tried to listen to each other.

Then again, is there even a difference from the way things are at the present?

Apollo hated him then; he still does now. So how can anything even count as a change?

"Why would I be?" In the end, hard feelings and stubbornness rule over Eujae. "And even if I am, does that really matter to you? You never hesitated to show how much you dislike me, so even if I really am mad, what difference does it make for someone who has hated me all along?" Contrary to his chaotic inner state, he sounds unperturbed.

It occurs to him that he might be starting to ruin the little progress he's made to get closer to Poll with the way he's currently behaving. But as much as he wants to give it a rest, Eujae feels like these little grudges have piled up so much that the weight has become unbearable. It is necessary for him to unpack before these feelings make him explode.

"Wait, back up." Still looking confused, Poll starts to talk back. "I don't think we're settling anything here because you keep on deviating from the matter at hand. I just came out here because I wanted to make something clear to you. You seemed mad when you walked out of the beach house earlier, so I assumed it was because of what I did with L.A. I just want to ask you..." He hesitates for a second, the creases in between his brows deepening, before he continues with clear-cut labored confidence, "but if you're saying that's not the reason, then why did you suddenly leave? I am not buying your excuse that you don't feel well. I just don't understand why you're running away like this again."

For a spell, dead air befalls them when Eujae says nothing to answer Poll. As they stare down at each other, tension fills the atmosphere.

The silence lasts less than a minute, but it feels like an eternity. Sighing, Eujae breaks eye contact first and veers his gaze to the sea.

A gentle breeze blows, creating small waves in the deep. The wind smells like salt water. The surroundings look peaceful. At another time, Eujae may have appreciated the relaxing ambience of the place.

Maybe on a completely different day. Not today. Not when everything in him is a long way from being peaceful.

"Running away," he mutters, barely able to keep himself from letting out another mirthless laugh, "That's rich coming from you, Apollo. Aren't you the one who has been avoiding me? And I see that you didn't even deny that you hate me so much."

When Eujae looks back at Poll, he notices the different emotions that swirl in the man's eyes.

Disconcertion. Guilt. Indecision.

That is to say, Eujae has put Apollo out of countenance.

"That's not it... I don't..." Amidst the desperation in his voice, Poll speaks haltingly. "I mean, you're wrong. The truth is... The truth is w-when Risa dared me to hug the friend that I was most thankful for... I-I... I wanted to..." He averts his eyes, shaking his head in a daze. He's in a quandary, and it shows in the way he sounds and acts. It appears like he can't even decide where to focus his gaze as he looks around everywhere but Eujae. "You're the one I was... I wanna thank you... B-but... I just... I couldn't..."

As Poll keeps floundering, Eujae sends him a compassionate smile. "It's fine. You don't need to try hard to make excuses. I understand. Risa asked you to hug a friend. And you don't even consider me as a friend, do you? The truth is even without Lia, I was never an option for you from the beginning, right?"

Ah, so that was the real reason he was so pissed about the dare, wasn't it? Because it showed, once and for all, where his true place for Poll is.

He still wants to keep his promise to him. He still wants to keep trying until he makes Poll believe how much he genuinely cares for him. However, with the way the male twin keeps blatantly shunning his efforts, Eujae wants to know if there still is a point to this whole chase. Where does he even stand in this?

Incredulous brown eyes rush back at Eujae.

"What?" Poll inquires, despair becoming more distinct in his voice. "I told you you were mistaken. Why won't you believe me?"

Eujae keeps the solemn smile, and with a matching tone, he returns Poll's own words from a few days ago. "Because it's you."

He watches as Poll opens his mouth, probably to say something, and then quickly closes it again. Without getting a word out, the male twin bites his lower lip and then drops his head. Eujae's answer must have put him at a loss.

Once Eujae is sure that Poll will not try to argue with him anymore, he tells him once again, "Go back to the beach house, Apollo."

Since he knows things will just get worse between them if they continue this conversation, Eujae turns his back one more time and begins to saunter away from Poll. Looking down, he watches as his feet sink into the fine sand as he walks.

He's already taken a couple of steps and walked far from Poll when something rends the air.

"Is this the extent of your resolve?"

There is just something in Poll's exclamation that brings Eujae up short and makes him look back at the guy. He has no idea what resolve Poll was referring to, but the resolution to walk away from him instantly shatters into pieces when he regards the other man.

As quickly as he left him, Eujae retraces his steps and is back in front of Poll again. Wanting to confirm something, he gently holds the male twin's wrist to get his attention.

At the contact, Poll flinches.

His suspicion is proven right when Poll looks up at him, and Eujae gets a good view of his face. He curses under his breath, seeing his expression—furrowed brows, trembling lower lip, glistening eyes.

Oh, god.

"Are you..." Eujae begins tentatively, voice hoarse with worry. "Are you crying?"

Poll blinks, a tear falling from an eye and then drifting on his cheek. "What?" His perplexity says even he is unaware of how he's acting. "I'm not!" He yanks his hand away to rub his eyes and wipe the single stream of tears on his face. "I'm... this is not... Don't make things up. Something just got in my eyes."

A classic excuse, something that will almost certainly not get Eujae sold.

He feels his temper mellow out as he observes the guy in front of him. Any trace of his earlier frustration disappears as his eyes begin to soften.

Regret envelops him upon acknowledging that he's the cause of Poll's current state. At the same instant, the icy wall he put up a while ago slowly melts away. Eujae feels warmth start to spread across his chest as affection surges inside him.

Reaching out, he puts his hand around Poll's upper arm. His hold is firm and gentle at the same time. Firm to make sure Poll will not be able to pull away from him again, and gentle so as to avoid hurting him.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."

And he didn't. Not again.

"I told you I'm not crying!" Poll gives him a death stare. He's supposed to appear intimidating with that menacing look, but his flushed face is making the intensity of his glare ineffective. "And why would I be crying because of you?! You're too full of yourself!" the male twin continues to deny in between his sniffles.

Eujae's lips involuntarily lift into a fond smile as he feels a sudden desire to enfold Poll in his arms. He badly wants to comfort him like last time, notwithstanding that he's the reason Poll is upset in this case.

Taking a step closer, Eujae decides to act on the desire as he shifts his right hand from Poll's arm to the back of his head, gently pulling the smaller man against him while his other arm winds up around his waist.

"Alright. I'm sorry," he repeats, murmuring on the side of the male twin's head, his voice as tender as his embrace. "I'm here. I'm listening. I won't walk away anymore, okay?" He presses his lips further against Poll's hair, nearly kissing his head, and inhales his sweet scent that mingles with the smell of the beach.

There is no denying the truth anymore.

The truth that he cares for Apollo so much that the guy can make him relent in a heartbeat. He can tell that this soft spot he has for him has no longer anything to do with him being his online friend.

He'd always seen Ten-Ten as a precious little friend he wanted to dote on. Now he's come to a conclusion that what he feels for Poll is different from that.

The obvious thing is, he adores the real person.

Maybe more than he realized.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

AN: Hah, I don't know what I'm writing anymore. My brain is drained dry, lol.