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What makes a psychopath, a psychopath? Is it the way they look? The way they talk? They dress? They smell? Some would say it was all those above. Others, would disagree. Others would say it would be the way they think. The way they act. Zero Michaelis would agree with those that said that. He would agree, because he did think differently from others. I mean, a 6 year old wasn’t thinking about bashing his dogs head in just for jumping on him. Right? Zero knew he was different from the moment he entered Junior High. Knew it because while yes he got along with others, he was also known for beating kids to a bloody, snotty mess just for shoving one of his friends. He knew he didn’t think like others when every time he would date someone, the only thought in his mind was to break them down until they were nothing more than an emotionless person, just to rebuild them to be completely and utterly dependent on him. Zero knew he was sick from the moment he killed his neighbors dog. But he never thought someone so sweet, and innocent looking would come into his life, and love that sick side of him so much. That he, became utterly dependent on them and only them. He would forever need Tobio, and Tobio would forever need him.
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Tobio walked to the corner of the gym’s bleachers. His knee started to bounce in a repetitive motion when he sat down in the seat, teeth pulling, peeling, and chewing the skin of his inner bottom lip. He rubbed his sweating palms on the fabric of his jeans, jumping as a ball flew askew and hit the railing of the bleachers, the motion and sound of it making Tobio bite his lip too hard splitting it. He tasted more than felt the split, the coppery taste on his tongue calming him down in a way. Looking down at the court, he saw Hanamaki’s raised hand in an apology. With a glare, Tobio flipped him off. He smiled as the male gasped in mock offense before doing it back. He felt a chuckle bubble in his throat, biting his lip as Matsukawa had seen what Hanamaki did, marching over and slapping his back as he playfully started to scold him. Tobio waved as the two went back to warming up, his hand falling immediately when two pairs of eyes turned towards him when Hanamaki and Matsukawa went back to their spots. Looking over to the opposite court, Tobio felt goosebumps rise on his arms as he watched the other team warm up. He knew watching any Shiratorizawa match was exciting, but watching them warm up seemed to be even more exciting. The silence was what had Tobio shifting in his seat, back straightening and tingling as he watched Ushijimia’s hand raise and cock back, just to come down quickly and smoothly; hitting it towards his partner. The other members didn’t say anything, too used to the motion and power of the spike to even stop and look at Ushijima do it. Glancing back towards Aoba Johsai, Tobio felt a hint of fear settle in his gut at the looks on Oikawa and Iwaizumi’s face. A glare of jealousy and desire settled into their eyes as they went back to passing to each other. Tobio dug his nails into his palm at the prospect of Aoba Johsai winning this practice match. When the whistle blew to indicate the beginning of the match, Tobio tensed in his seat— his back straightening and tightening as he watched Oikawa and Ushijima walk up to the referee, hands shaking as they wished each other good game. Tobio watched as the coin was flipped up into the air, the ref catching it and slapping onto the back of his hand. He motioned towards Oikawa; they had the first serve. Releasing a breath of relief, Tobio watched as the two walked back to their respective courts and to their team as they began to talk and discuss. Tobio held a thumbs up when Hanamaki and Matsukawa looked up and his way, both smiling at him before looking back to their coach. When the whistle blew once more, the male bit his lip as the players of both teams walked onto the court, one with desperation and desire evident in their eyes— the other showed boredom and uninterested. This was going to be an intriguing match, Tobio could feel it. 15 minutes had gone by, and Aoba Josahi was in the lead by 3 points. They were 1 away from match point and 3 away from claiming the first set. With Oikawa serving next, Tobio had a feeling they were bound to win the first set. Watching with attentive eyes, the male held his breath as Oikawa walked behind the serving line. He watched as brown eyes scanned the court and he bounced the ball a couple times, before tossing it up, taking a couple steps forward, back arching and arm cocking back before snapping forward to hit the ball. In bounds, service ace. Smiling lightly, Tobio looked towards the opposite court, slightly surprised to find them frustrated with how the match was going. Aoba Johsai was at match point now, if Oikawa served as well as he did last time, then it was a win for them. Tobio looked into the crowd across from him, blue eyes scanning the students and cheerleaders in the large mass of people. He stopped when they landed on a certain person, eyes focusing in on them as they stared back at him. He was staring. Staring at Tobio. The male’s gray eyes were intense and unyielding as he and Tobio held eye contact, continuing to hold it until the whistle blew and cut the contact off. Looking back to the court, Tobio glanced at the scoreboard to get an idea of what had happened. Aoba Johsai had taken the first set, both teams near their coaches now as they got prepared for the second set. Tobio felt a sense of excitement wash over him as he watched the team’s faces contort with pride and happiness. Tobio relaxed into his seat before his eyes flickered back to the opposite stands, brows furrowing when the guy was no longer there, his seat empty. Casting a look around, Tobio found him as he exited the gym to presumably go to the bathroom. Looking back to the court Tobio watched as the ref blew his whistle and signaled the players to get back onto the court. Rolling his neck, Tobio tucked his hands into his pockets as he watched Shiratorizawa get ready for their serve. Watching the match, Tobio shifted as he felt his stomach tighten. He had to use the bathroom. With a sigh, the boy reluctantly got up and headed towards the exit, jogging down the stairs and to the restroom as the pressure in his stomach built more and more with every step. Slowing down, Tobio walked into the bathroom and towards the nearest stall, not taking notice of anyone in there as he did his business. Walking back out and to the sinks, the boy washed his hands keeping his gaze down as the door opened. “You have nice eyes.” Tobio jolted at the deep voice behind him, head snapping up and eyes locking with familiar ones through the mirror. “Excuse me?” “You have pretty eyes. They remind me of the water on a moonlight night, light casting a beautiful glow onto the water.” The male spoke, standing behind Tobio as he tilted his head to the left, grey eyes never once leaving the boys. “Oh.. uhm, thank you. You have nice eyes too.” Tobio replied back, breaking the contact he held with the male to reach and grab some paper towels, drying his hands off. Throwing them away, Tobio turned around and looked at the male again. Tobio watched as the males eyes ran up and down his body before making contact with his again, head lifting with a smirk. “What’s your name?” Tobio asked, nails digging crescent marks into his palms as the male stepped a bit closer. “Zero. Yours?” “Tobio.” Zero, hummed as he took another step, closer now that Tobio could see better the colors of Zero’s eyes. “How long have you been staring at me back there?” Tobio questioned, gulping when Zero took another step so close, his hands reached behind Tobio and landed on the sink; either side of Tobio’s hips. “A long time.” Tobio gulped as Zero leant in. “H-how long?..” Tobio’s breath caught in his throat as Zero smirked more, his canines flashing in the bright light above them. “Are you sure you wanna know, Tobio?” Zero questioned the male, hand coming up and tucking a stray hair behind his ear. Bending his head, Tobio shivered as Zero whispered in his ear, lips ghosting over the sensitive shell of his ear. “Because I think you would be a bit scared if you knew how long. How long I watched you stare at the players. How long I thought about your eyes, mouth, fuck, your body.” Tobio’s eyes widened as his hands fisted into Zero’s shirt, attempting to shove at the males chest. He didn’t budge. “Let me go..” Tobio muttered, voice a mere whisper as he looked to the side where Zero’s head was. With a loud gasp and yelp, Tobio bit his lip as hands came up to his and grabbed them, pulling away from Zero’s shirt and pinned him against the bathroom wall. The paper towel dispenser thudded next to Tobio as he was slammed against the wall, a grunt escaping. Looking startled, Tobio whimpered when he met Zero’s eyes, head falling back as he squirmed against the male’s hold. “Let me go. Let me go, Zero!” Tobio pleaded, gasping when a thigh nudged its way in-between his legs. Tears began to prick in Tobio’s eyes as Zero chuckled lowly. “Come on, Tobio. Relax a little, I’m not gonna do anything.” Zero said calmly, letting go and pulling away completely. Tobio stumbled forward a bit before catching himself, gulping as he wiped the unfallen tears. The male watched as a look of concern flashed across Zero’s face, lips tugging downwards. “Sorry, did I scare you that badly? Cause if I did, I am so sorry.. I didn’t mean to scare you or anything. I just wanted to joke around a bit.” “Y-You.. have a very weird way of joking around.” Tobio said, sniffling. The two stared at each other, Zero’s lips twitching upwards as silence enveloped them. Tobio felt his own do the same, a smile across his face. It wasn’t long before they burst out laughing, Zero chuckling and smiling whilst Tobio smiled. “Gods.. why are we laughing after that?” Tobio questioned with a giggle, wiping his nose when he felt a bit of snot make its way out. “I don’t know?” Zero said with a smile, eyes glancing towards the door. “Let’s get out of here, yea? We could get some food and hang out. Only if you want to though!” Tobio bit his lip as he looked at Zero. He didn’t know why, but Zero made him feel comfortable. Relaxed. Almost like his aura and personality put Tobio at ease and made him feel safe with him. Even after the incident a moment ago. “Yeah, let’s do that.” “Great! Come on, I know just the place.” Tobio smiled and nodded, following Zero out of the bathroom and school grounds. His mind completely forgot that he was here for two of his best friends, watching them play against their biggest competitor. All he could focus on was Zero and the idea of hanging out and getting to know this man, made butterflies twist in his gut as they walked.
Tobio sat down in the booth that Zero chose, eyes wandering the retro style of the diner they were in. Looking over at the male, Tobio jumped when he found him staring already. Zero chuckled when Tobio looked down at the table instead of him. “You suck at holding eye contact with others.” Tobio’s brows furrowed, gut twisting as he felt a twinge of fright course through him. “I’ve never had someone stare at me as much as you do..” Zero just hummed. Tobio peeked up through his lashes, biting the skin off his lip when he noticed that Zero was now on his phone. Lifting his head, Tobio scratched the fabric of his pants as silence enveloped the two. “This is a nice place.” Tobio said in hopes of starting a conversation. “Yeah, it is.” “How did you find it?” Zero turned his phone off and put it into his pocket, smiling at Tobio softly. “When I first got accepted into Shiratorizawa, I became friends with Wakatoshi and Tendo. We were wandering around town after a long night of us practicing, we found this little spot and decided to eat here.” Tobio nodded, eyes locking with Zero’s as he smiled lightly. “That’s cool. Do you play volleyball too?” “No. Basketball.” Tilting his head, Tobio squinted his eyes at Zero as he pursed his lips. The latter raised a brow at the look, tongue peeking out to wet his bottom lip. Tobio’s eyes flickered down at the motion, before they flickered back up. “I’ve never watched a basketball match. How does it work?” Tobio watched in amusement as Zero squawked after Tobio said that. His hands, comically, trembling as they rested slowly on the table. Zero stared at the boy with a serious expression, gray eyes dull as he regarded Tobio with a look of light offense and shock. Tobio didn’t like that look. “You have.. never, like, ever watched a basketball game??” Zero asked slowly, leaning forward a tiny bit. Tobio nodded slowly. “Oh lord.. Alright, kid. Let me tell you the basics.” Without waiting for Tobio to agree, he began to start talking again. “Basketball is a very popular sport in the US. In total, there’s 12 players on the team; 5 on the court.” Zero started his fingers intertwining together underneath his jaw, resting on them. “There’s an unlimited amount of substitutions. Thanks to Dr James Naismith, he introduced basketball in 1891. He came up with the sport. Now, there is way too much history about basketball and frankly,” Zero held up a hand next to his mouth, whispering. “I forgot most of it.” He winked leaning back as Tobio chuckled a bit, relaxing into his seat as Zero lowered his hand and started talking again. “The point system is really simple. You have three-pointers which is a shot anywhere from outside the three point line which is just the big circle on the outside of the goal. Two-pointers which is the area inside the three-point line, and finally you have one-point shots. These are shots done inside the smallest square of the court or by doing a lay-up.” Stopping for a moment, Zero looked to the waitress to place their order before turning back to Tobio. “Make sense so far?” “Yea, kinda.” Zero smiled and laughed. “Yeah, it can get pretty confusing but if you watch a match it’ll make sense and then you’ll start understanding things from then.” Tobio nodded and made a mental note to watch a basketball game when he got back home. “What about you?” “Huh?” Zero tilted his head at Tobio. “What about you? Do you play anything?” Tobio’s eyes drifted to the table, fingers twisting together in his lap as he stared at the table. Zero raised a brow. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It seems like a sensitive topic.” “Uhm, yeah, it’s still a bit too.. fresh.” Tobio’s eyes left the table and looked at Zero, smiling lightly at him. He bit his lip when Zero just narrowed his eyes before humming, grabbing his phone again to do something. Tapping his fingers, Tobio felt his ears burn as he lowered his head to stare at his lap, embarrassed tears clinging to the corners of his eyes as he peeled the skin of his lip off more. The two sat in silence as they waited for their food. Tobio prodded his tongue at the mark on his lip, the taste of metallic coating his tongue.
‘I’m an idiot. God, he probably thinks I’m some baby for not telling him something so simple.’
Tobio’s head lifted when the sound of something heavy hit the table filled the silence. Oh. It was their food. Looking at his plate, Tobio glanced at Zero’s.
‘I shouldn’t eat too much, lest I want him to think I’m fat.’
Eating small bites of his food, Tobio didn’t look at Zero again their whole meal. Silence staying over them as the only sound being the occasional sound of their chopsticks hitting their plates filled it. Tobio pushed his plate away when he felt himself become too full. He looked up at Zero to see him still on his phone, smiling. Tobio bit the mark on his lip hard enough he felt more of that metallic coat on his tongue. Tobio lowered his eyes when Zero’s flickered his way. “Are you done?” “Yeah.” Zero hummed and stood up, walking out of the dinner casually. Tobio’s eyes widened when he realized what Zero had done. Scrambling up and out of his seat, Tobio raced after Zero who was texting on his phone again. “Zero!” The male glanced back. “Are you not going to pay??” “Pfft, no? I didn’t bring any money with me. They’ll never know anyways.” It was just then, they heard a yell. “Hey! You kids, get back here and pay for your meal!!” Zero and Tobio locked eyes, panicked. “Shit.” Zero said before grabbing Tobio’s hand. Before Tobio could even question, Zero was running and pulling Tobio with him. Running with him, the two sprinted down the streets as they heard footsteps behind them. Glancing behind them, Tobio saw two of the waiters running after them. “Zero! Where are we going??” Tobio yelled, looking back to the male in front of him. “My place!” Was all the teen got before they were running faster. Taking a multitude of turns, Tobio felt a rush of adrenaline course through them. Stopping in front of a door, Zero quickly unlocked it before they both stumbled in. Slamming the door shut, they leaned their back against it as they panted harshly. Both teens turned their heads towards each other, eyes locking as they stared. Tobio felt a smile tug at his lips and watched as Zero struggled to keep one down. It wasn’t long before they both bursted out laughing, tears gathering in their eyes as they wheezed through their harsh laughter. “Holy shit. We just ran half way across town, from a-“ Zero’s sentence was cut off with a laugh. “-Group of waiters because we didn’t pay.” Tobio finished with a giggle. As they caught their breaths, Zero pushed off the door before glancing down. Tobio followed his gaze. They were still holding hands. Zero chuckled before letting go, toeing his shoes off as he walked down the hall. “Come on, Tobio.” Zero called over his shoulder, entering a room to the left. Tobio smiled as he pulled his shoes off, walking down to the room Zero entered. “Shut the door.” Zero said when Tobio entered. Doing as he asked, Tobio looked around the room and guessed it to be Zero’s bedroom. There was a bed in the middle of the room that seemed big enough for two, a closet behind Tobio, and a TV that was mounted on the wall in front of Zero’s bed. The walls were littered with music vinyls and posters of basketball. He had a desk in the corner but it was empty except for the textbooks stacked on top of it. “Doesn’t Shiratorizawa have dorms?” Tobio questioned as he looked at Zero who was on the floor. “Yea, and I stay in them. It’s just that I come home on the weekends so my parents keep my room the same. Come sit next to me.” Zero patted the spot next to him as he laid on his back. Walking over, Tobio laid opposite of him, Tobio’s shoulder brushing against the top of Zero’s head; Zero’s own doing the same to him. Tobio glanced to his side as Zero shifted a bit before laying back down. Tobio smiled when the room was bathed in a purple glow. “Cool.” Zero smiled. “Thanks.” Tobio hummed and looked around the walls, pausing when he caught sight of something interesting. “Why’s there a hole in your wall?” He pointed out, turning to look at Zero who turned to look where he was pointing. “Oh.” Tobio watched as his face grimaced before going back to it’s neutral look. “I have a really bad temper. I kinda punch things when I get really angry.” Tobio nodded and dropped his arm. Turning their heads back up, the teens gazed at the ceiling in silence. “Do you wanna tell me why you don’t play a sport?” Tobio tensed against Zero, eyes staying glued to the ceiling. With a sigh, Tobio licked his lips. “It was in junior high.” He started gaining Zero’s attention. “My grandpa had taught me how to play volleyball, told me I should try out at whatever school I went to. And so I did. In my first year I walked into the Kitagawa Daiichi gym and tried out as a setter. It’s where I met half of the Aoba Johsai team there. Oikawa-san, Iwaizumi-san, Kindaichi, and Kunimi.” Zero glanced at Tobio as he paused. “Oikawa-can was jealous of me. I guess. Honestly, I don’t even know to this day. I just know that he didn’t like me. And he made it well known that he didn’t like me and therefore, the other members took it as they shouldn’t like me either. I mean, he was their captain, of course they would do whatever he did. It was against Ushijima-san in Junior high that our coach subbed Oikawa-san out and put me in. I was so excited. Excited to prove to the team that I was just as good as their captain. Excited to prove that Oikawa-san had a junior to pass his talent onto.” Tobio bit his lip as thought of that day. “It was after the match that I saw Oikawa-san practicing by himself. Stupid me didn’t notice the rage and exhaustion and so I walked up to him and said like I always did. “Oikawa-senpai! Can you please teach me how to serve.”” Tobio laughed bitterly. “Gods, Zero, when he looked at me.. all there was in his eyes were rage. He almost hit me that day. Had it not been for Iwaizumi-san, then he probably would have. It was after that I started to avoid them both. When they graduated I became the main setter.” Tobio turned his head to look at the mark in Zero’s wall. Gray eyes stared at him as he went silent. “My grandpa died in my second year. It tore me apart, he was the only person I had in my life and it was just.. ripped away.” Tobio’s voice quivered as he turned to look at Zero. Blue eyes, glossy with unshed tears, locked with intense gray ones. “What did I do to deserve having him taken away from me? I was a kid.. had no one else. And he was just gone.” Zero frowned as Tobio swallowed harshly. “I became known as a tyrant. A “king”. I started to yell at my teammates, pushing them to move faster and to jump higher. In my third year, they abandoned me on the court in front of everyone. Said they wouldn’t work with a king.” Tobio searched Zero’s eyes as he let the first tear fall. “I lost everything.” Zero sat up, Tobio staring at him in confusion when he faced him. “Sit up.” Tobio sat up and faced Zero, brows knitted in confusion as they stared at each other. Before he knew it, Zero had pulled Tobio into his lap, arms wrapped tightly around him as he pressed Tobio into his chest. “Let it all out, Tobio.” The dam broke. Tobio balled his hands into Zero’s shirt as he cried, shoulders shaking and eyes closing. Trembling in Zero’s arms, Tobio blubbered nonsense as the male held him tightly and allowed him to cry. “Why? Why did it happen to me??” Tobio sobbed, pressing his face further into Zero’s chest. “I don’t know, Tobio. You didn’t deserve any of it.” After several minutes, Tobio pulled back in Zero’s arms and wiped his tears. Chuckling wetly as he saw the mess he made on the male’s shirt. “I-I’m sorry you had to see me like this. God, and I ruined your shirt!” “Tobio,” Cool hands cupped his cheeks and tilted his head up. Gray locked onto blue. “It’s ok. I don’t mind.” Zero smiled at the boy. Thumb swiping under his eyes when tears continued to fall. Tobio blushed, smiling lightly when Zero just laughed at him. Holding his face, the two stared at each other. Tobio noticed briefly at the fact that the purple in the room framed Zero’s face nicely. His hair glowing almost like a halo in the light of it, his gray eyes dark in it. Tobio’s eyes flickered down to Zero’s lips. They looked soft, almost like silk. Full and plump perfectly it made Zero even more beautiful than he was. Looking back into his eyes, Tobio licked his lips. Heat curling in his lower spine when Zero’s own eyes look down to follow the movement. Leaning up, Tobio and Zero stared at each other as they leaned in. Stopping a few inches away, the two males searched each other's faces. “Do you want this, Tobio?” Tobio shivered when he felt Zero’s lips brush against his own, breath tickling his lips. “Yes.” He whispered back, leaning in the rest of the way. Kissing Zero felt like the brush of a fresh marshmallow against your lips. Smooth from excessive chapstick, they were as soft as Tobio imagined. Plump against his own it felt like he was kissing a marshmallow. Raising his arms, he wrapped them around Zero’s neck as said male tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss. Tobio gasped when he felt a tongue lick the seam of his lips, moaning lowly when the muscle moved into his mouth and caressed his tongue. Zero licked inside Tobio’s mouth, slowly coaxing his tongue to do the same as he was. Pulling away when they needed breath. The males stared at each other, Tobio’s fingers twirling in the strands of Zero’s hair. Tobio shivered when hands gripped his hips, massaging the skin there. “I don’t normally do this..” Tobio whispered, blushing and smiling when Zero pecked his lips. “I’ve never felt this way about someone before. What are you doing to me, Tobio?” Zero whispered back, pressing his forehead into Tobio’s with a light thump. Tobio shivered when he and Zero locked eyes again. They were dark. Tobio could see something lurking beneath Zero’s eyes but he couldn’t tell what it was. “Are you sure you wanna do this, Tobio?” “Yes.” Zero pulled him closer. “Are you sure you wanna see inside my world?” Zero whispered against his lips, eyes never yielding against Tobio’s. Kissing Zero again, Tobio cupped his nape before pulling away, a smile on his lips and eyes bright.
“Yes.”