Chapter 9

"That was great!", Kato tells Abel as leave the hall. After getting a muffled 'mmh' as a response he puts his arm around his shoulder and practically pulls him forward. "You weren't watching at all, were you. You dummy".

"You picked the movie. I'm not into romantic comedies".

"Oh, who would've known?", Kato asks in a sarcastic tone, "Anything you suggested would've either bored me to death or cost me my sleep".

"Let's just go and get dinner, all right?".

Kato gets a concerned expression on his face, "If I had known you'd be this hungry I would've picked a movie that starts at a later hour. No wonder you couldn't concentrate. You didn't even eat anything in the hall". He turns Abel to face him and grabs his shoulders.

"Don't die on me".

"Fine".

Kato chuckles and messes up Abel's hair. After he's told to stop he pulls Abel closer and hugs him tightly.

"I love you, buddy. Never change".

Abel feels slightly disappointed it's nothing deeper but at the same time glad he doesn't have to take the next step. He has a compulsive need to be completely sure about what he feels before he tells about it to anyone else, which makes it difficult for him to open up to anyone.

As he stands awkwardly in Kato's embrace he raises his arms to hug him back but quickly lowers them, deciding against it.

"Oh, the restaurant's over there", he points behind Kato once he clears his mind enough to notice it. Kato lets him free, then grabs his hand and starts pulling him towards the restaurant.

"Now, let's get in there and fill that stomach of yours", Kato pronounces, determined not to let go. Abel smooths his hair out the best he can with his free hand, though it proves difficult without a mirror.

"A tomato salad, please", Abel orders as they get to the counter. Kato asks for a big plate of sushi and after Abel pays for both of them they sit down to the nearest free table.

"A tomato salad? Are you kidding me? A damned tomato salad? You'll starve at this rate", Kato complains, a mix of disapproval and worry in his voice.

"Why not? I've survived on it this far".

Before Abel can protest Kato switches their plates and digs into the salad.

"No buts. Just eat it", he commands.

Once they empty their plates and the waiter takes away their plates Kato begins staring into Abel's eyes with a serious look on his face.

"So, what's the real reason you didn't watch the movie?", he asks.

Abel tries to turn his gaze away, to mutter something vague but can't. The question caught him off guard.

"There's no way it's the hunger. You're hiding something".

He feels the pressure rising and tries his best to keep his plans as a secret.

"Please, Abel. I don't want there to be any secrets between us. You know you can trust me, right?", the look in Kato's eyes turns desperate.

While Abel knows he's just being guilt-tripped he can't help feeling guilty for keeping secrets.

"I'm sorry. I can't." He gets up from his seat and turns towards the doors. "I-I've got to go".

He hurries out of the door and starts running, holding back his tears before Kato manages to say anything.