Archive of Our Own ^beta

Fiat had been dealing with his own problems for a while.

After the mess that was his childhood, it never really occurred to him that he could rely on others to help him when he needed it. Maybe if he did he could have avoided the disaster with P’Type. Maybe he could have been Leo’s boyfriend for years by now.

But that was all in the past. He had Leo now, and he was trying his best to keep him. The situation with King however, now seemed to be causing issues for them.

He wouldn’t necessarily say that he had forgotten that he had acquiesced to King’s advances in exchange for his silence on the matter of his teammate using steroids, but he wasn’t exactly trying to remember the experience either. It was in the Time Before Leo. The nebulous time of his life before they had both stopped being the biggest dummies in the world and used their words for once.

Fiat had been under the impression that letting King fuck him would be the end of it - the bastard would shut up about what he had heard, and then they could all just play basketball. Seeing King show up in their locker room before the game should have clued him into the fact that this was not the case.

“I heard that you two were dating,” King said as he came around the corner slowly clapping like the absolute wanker that he is, “looks like it’s true.”

“What are you doing here?” Leo bit back.

Fiat looked to his boyfriend and could see the ramped up tension in the line of his shoulders. This wasn’t going to be good.

“Oh come on man, yeah we’re competitors today, but we really should be chummy don’t you think? At the very least we do share a wife.” He leered.

Hearing these words made Fiat’s skin crawl. He then gasped as Leo leant forward to grip King by the front of his jersey and demanded he explain himself.

Fiat felt frozen, and he was glad that Rick was there to break the men apart.

“Hey hey hey! Leo chill out,” Rick said with his hands calming up in a calming gesture, then he turned to the intruder, “and you. Go back to where you came from.”

Rick didn’t need to raise his voice at all, as the rest of the team came around to back them up, sensing that this didn’t need to escalate anymore. Seeing he was outnumbered in enemy territory, King turned to leave, but not without the final parting shot.

“See you in the game.” He murmured, and it felt like a promise.

Fiat felt rattled from the confrontation, and he could see from the uneasy glances the other guys gave him and Leo that they were too. It was obvious that King was trying to psych them all out, and it was working. He dreaded the inevitable clash later on the court, especially as Leo’s jaw tightened even further. He had to try and diffuse some of this now, before it could get out of hand.

“Leo.” Fiat said softly, lightly gripping his boyfriend’s elbow.

Leo turned to glance at him but it seemed to be a struggle. Fiat was unsure if this was because Leo was angry at him or the situation, and Fiat blamed himself.

“Maybe I should have told him before now I slept with King.”, Fiat wondered, “I should have realised he would use it against Leo, they have been somewhat rivals for a long time now.”

There was no time for anything else however, as it was time to go to the court. Fiat felt his heart racing and they hadn’t even warmed up yet. This was going to be the longest hour of his life.

………………………………………………………………………

Fiat had been right to be scared.

The torment had begun as soon as Leo and King had faced off for the first touch of the ball. King had remarked about a beauty mark on his thigh for the whole team to hear, making the small forward blush in embarrassment, and that was just the start.

Halfway into the second quarter, while Leo was taking a shot and unable to see, King had smacked Fiat’s ass. Even though Leo hadn’t seen it directly, the rest of the players and the spectators (and more importantly Fiat’s friends) had. There were murmurs throughout the bleachers, and Nam and the twins were all trying their best to stop An storming the court.

It had been a strategic move. Not only had Leo been distracted, the referee was as well, and so play continued.

It all came to a head when King had started marking Leo instead of Fiat.

Fiat just about heard the words “eating my leftovers” come out of the bastard's mouth from the other side of the paint and then suddenly he was on the floor, smirk still firmly in place. Leo had fouled him, and after a game full of shoddy mistakes and clenched fists, their coach had removed Leo from the rest of the match.

At the end of the fourth quarter King had achieved his goal. Fiat's team was in shambles, and King wiped the floor with them.

Fiat sat on the bench back in the locker room and couldn’t look anyone in the eye. His fingers were trembling. He curled them around the wooden slat at the edge next to his thighs to curb the desire to sink his nails into his skin instead.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rick get into Leo’s face and push him into the locker behind. There wasn’t much force behind the move but Leo looked angry enough to blow steam.

He knew his boyfriend sometimes had issues with his anger - the rational and collected Leo seemed to go out the window. He was blank faced to many of the people that knew him, but Fiat never had an issue reading him. Years of miscommunication and the confusion from before the match notwithstanding, Fiat could see he was at boiling point, where the others couldn’t.

“Why did you let him get to you?” Rick demanded, not for the first time.

Leo hit the metal door behind him with his hand and Fiat decided now was the time to speak up.

“It’s my fault.”

Everyone in the room turned to him at the words and Fiat felt queasy. You could hear a pin drop in the sudden silence. Dropping his stance in front of their captain, Rick looked at him incredulously.

“Fiat, what happened out there is not your fault. Why would you think that?” Rick asked.

“It is though, if I hadn’t let him sleep with me he wouldn’t have anything to say.”

Looks were exchanged around the room as everyone took his words in. Fiat had never felt ashamed at his previous sexual escapades - sure he knew some people thought he was a slut, but so what. He had been single and sad, and sex with randoms on Grindr was a better solution than letting himself wallow about what he seemingly couldn’t have. Now however he couldn’t help but regret King being part of that past. His cheeks felt hot, and he wanted to bury himself in a mountain of blankets and never leave.

“What do you mean by ‘let him’ sleep with you?” An said from the entrance to the locker room. She walked closer and stopped in front of Fiat, pulling Natsu by the hand behind her.

“Huh?” Fiat gracelessly replied, not having noticed the girls come in. “How long have they been standing there? Great, just more people to judge me for my bad decisions.” He added in his mind.

“Fiat I’m not judging you, I promise. What happened?” An implored, her face showing nothing but fierce sincerity. She was a passionate and intense woman, but no one doubted An’s good intentions. Fiat felt like he was missing something when she looked at him with such worry.

“Natsu, you remember right? The problem with P’Peam?” He offered, standing up.

Natsu seemed to choke on air, and suddenly Fiat felt this had been the wrong thing to say even though he didn’t quite know why.

“Oh Fiat you didn’t…” Natsu started, tearing up, “if I had known you would offer that I would have tried to figure out another way.”

“Well I didn’t offer…” Fiat trailed off, mind going back to that day.

“What are you talking about?” Leo intoned. He looked blank again instead of angry, and for the second time today Fiat couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Fiat looked back at Natsu and she thankfully understood his plea for her to explain.

“A while back, just before the season I think it was, I found out P’Peam was doing steroids, and even though he hadn't played in any matches yet we didn’t know if that would be enough for the referees to disqualify the team for the season.” She said.

“Ah, so that’s why he suddenly dropped out.” Rick interrupted. Natsu nodded in reply, still looking troubled.

“But what does that have to do with that fucker King?” Leo uttered sharply.

“He overheard Fiat and I talking about it and said he would be a shame if he had to report us to the tournament organisers. He asked to discuss it with Fiat, captain to captain.” She gulped and addressed Fiat directly, “If I had known you would offer to sleep with him I wouldn’t have left you Fiat, I’m so sorry.”

“Natsu it’s fine you couldn’t have done anything anyway, I didn’t offer, he said if I didn’t he would report us.” He replied, trying to assuage her worries, not knowing what an absolute bomb he was dropping.

“Oh Fiat!” Natsu exclaimed, the tears coming back full force.

“What’s the big deal Nat, you never had a problem with who I slept with before. I thought the issue was dealt with, I’m sorry I failed.” Fiat felt defensive. They could judge him all they want, he didn’t need them anyway. The only person he needed was Leo.

Speaking of Leo, Fiat thought his boyfriend was probably disappointed in him. He knew Leo could be possessive and hearing how he fucked his rival before him was likely just making him even angrier. Fiat didn’t want to see his boyfriend's anger at him, but hearing a small sob his eyes darted in Leo’s direction.

Leo was crying. Fiat couldn’t believe his eyes. It had been years, they were still young children even, since the last time he saw Leo cry. When they were having their issues and got together, at most Leo’s eyes got a bit misty - it was Fiat that was the cry baby between the two of them. But here he was. Tears streaming down his handsome face, hands gently reaching out to cradle one of Fiats own.

All Fiat could feel was confusion.

“I’m sorry I upset you Leo, it was before we were together, please don’t misunderstand.”

Leo’s face crumpled even more at his words, and Fiat couldn’t look away. He distantly heard An shuffling most of the guys out of the room, leaving him, Leo, Natsu and Rick alone.

“Let’s sit down, and discuss this more.” An said as she locked the door, the rest of them following her instructions. The smaller man sat on the bench he had been on before and Leo gingerly joined him. Fiat started feeling scared as Leo, still gently clutching at him, raised their joined hands to his lips briefly to place a soft kiss there. His boyfriend took a deep, steadying breath and raised his head again.

Nothing made sense to Fiat anymore. He couldn’t understand why everyone was being so dramatic and was at a loss of what to say next.

“Fiat, darling, I’m not upset with you,” Leo started, still choked up, “and I’m sorry that I ever made you feel that way. I would never be upset with you over this.”

Fiat wiped at a tear that still managed to escape from Leo’s eye, and tilted his head to the side, still so confused he couldn’t think of anything to say.

“I’m upset because that happened to you, and I couldn’t protect you. Or even know about it.” Leo gruffly stated.

“I don’t get what you mean, what do you mean that happened to me?” The other four exchanged glances yet again and Fiat was beginning to get annoyed at being left out of the loop. “Tell me! I really don’t get what you’re all being so weird for!”

“Fiat…”

“Leo! Tell me, please?” He pleaded.

His boyfriend looked troubled and seemed to be having an argument with himself. Looking deeply into Fiat’s eyes, he seems to have come to a decision.

“I think this might be better said at home.” He said with finality.

Hearing this Fiat had had enough of beating around the bush. If no one was going to tell him he was going to leave.

Detaching his hand from Leo, he jumped up and began stuffing his clothes into his bag. He couldn’t be bothered to change and left the locker room still in his jersey and shorts.

“Fiat! Wait!” Leo and Natsu called together, but he was used to running away. Fiat was fast and agile like a feral cat and he escaped without issues. He heard his other friends calling out to him when he reached the parking lot, but he ran right passed, ignoring their earnest exclamations.

Fiat was desperately trying to ignore what was happening despite the nagging thought at the back of his mind that something must be really wrong for Leo to cry like that.

He had a pile of blankets waiting for him at home calling his name and he was going to put them to good use.

……………………………………………………………………..

Natsu couldn’t believe this was happening. Well, considering Fiat’s apparent childhood trauma and general disposition, she could kind of believe it. It seemed impossible that a person wouldn’t recognise their own assault, but Fiat disproved that notion.

“Maybe it’s a coping mechanism?” Rick contemplated.

“In what way?” An replied.

“Like, I don’t know, it’s easier to pretend that it was consensual than face the fact he was raped?” He grimaced out, turning to Leo, “Man you need to go after him.”

Natsu watched as Rick patted the taller man’s back awkwardly, but Leo could only place his head in his hands.

An sighed beside her, and Natsu gripped her girlfriend's hand for more comfort. Tears still tacky on her face, she gestured towards the boys and An nodded resolutely in response.

The woman stood up and firmly pulled Leo’s hand from his face, revealing his wet cheeks. Pulling him to stand she looked him in the eyes.

“I know you feel guilty,” she said with a gentle tone, “but you need to be there for him. You probably already know where he’s going, so it won’t be hard to find him. Get yourself together, okay?”

Leo seemed to agree and physically shook himself, face going back to the usual amiable blank mask he held. His stature and lack of visible emotion should make him seem intimidating, but Natsu knew he was a soft soul. She just hoped he had the fortitude to help Fiat and bravely address his own shortcomings.

Seeing that she had made her point, An returned to Natsu’s side and their hands gravitated to each other automatically.

Much as Fiat had done earlier, An swiped tenderly across her face to clear the tears there. Her girlfriend truly was amazing, a steady rock for not just her, but all their friends and Natsu was grateful she had been here today.

“Let’s go back to yours?” She enquired.

“Uh huh.” Natsu mumbled back, still feeling off kilter.

The girls went to leave when Leo called out to the pair.

“Thank you An, I’ll text you later?”

An nodded and they finally left the locker room. They exchanged quick words with Nam and the twins outside who were still clueless.

Surprisingly the rest of the team hadn’t spilled any of the beans, and Natsu attributed this in part to them not wanting to gossip about their captain and fellow teammates, and part because they knew An would tear them all a new one.

They reassured their friends that Leo would be getting things under control, and started making their way back to Natsu’s dorm room.

It felt like a million miles, and when they reached her safe space she flopped onto her bed with a huge sigh.

An deposited her handbag on the desk, and nudged Natsu’s ankle. Knowing what the other woman wanted, Natsu pulled herself up the bed to rest her head on the pillows, and immediately her girlfriend climbed on and settled behind her.

Natsu was always the little spoon. An was a good cuddler, and she loved wrapping her up in her arms, just as much as Natsu loved being cradled. She felt safe and loved and like nothing in the world could touch her.

Now at home, she felt the tears begin anew.

“How could someone do that?” She sniffled into the pillow below. “I feel like it’s my fault, I just left Fiat there and he got taken advantage of.”

“It’s no one’s fault other than King’s. He is the one that decided that blackmailing a competitor into sex was acceptable behaviour, and at this point there isn’t anything we can do to change it.”

“Then we have to do something! He can’t just get away with hurting my friend!” Natsu exclaimed. She shuffled and turned over to look her girlfriend in the face, but An just looked resigned.

“I understand how you feel. But Fiat is the one that gets to decide what happens now. The best thing we can do for him now is be there for him, no matter what he decides.” An affirmed, and smoothed the furrow on Natsu’s brow with a soft finger tip.

Although it hurt to think of doing nothing for now, Natsu could see the wisdom in her girlfriend's words. She nodded and pouted back.

An smiled softly, and cupped her exposed cheek. Natsu held her breath as she was subsequently peppered with sniff kisses all over her face until she couldn’t help but giggle.

Wiggling away to get enough space to lean up and over, Natsu moved to gently brush her lips over An’s.

Both girls sighed into the loving kiss and relaxed back down into the sheets. After a moment, Natsu broke away to rest her head under her girlfriend's chin, and if she concentrated just enough she could make out the rhythmic beating of her love’s heart.

Calmed for now, Natsu felt herself drifting off.

“Have a nap, we can regroup when Leo messages later.”

“Hmm.” Natsu hummed the affirmative and fell deeper into sleep, mind at ease knowing her girlfriend would be there when she awoke.

………………………………………………..…….……………..

Leo couldn’t help but dread the upcoming conversation they would have when he arrived home.

He knew many people would probably think his boyfriend would hide elsewhere, but Leo knew this wasn’t the case. Fiat would be at their home, and sure he might try and hide away in his own room, but he had always made sure Leo would be able to find him.

If he wasn’t here, he would be at his favourite spot on the lake.

Fiat had seemed a little more angry than sad when he left the locker room though so home was the more likely option.

Pulling up in front of the house, he took a moment to steady himself. He leant forward and lightly thumped his head against his hands on the wheel, staring into the footwell.

The guilt was eating Leo alive.

He and King had never had a good relationship. Rivals from the time they were children, King seemed to always want to one up Leo.

He had never been truly bothered by it until it became clear King knew his biggest weakness: Fiat.

At the last training camp they had both attended, Leo had still been a pining idiot and his bastard rival took every opportunity to remind him.

He had heard some vile things from the other man’s mouth but he had no idea that King would go this far. He would have had him dealt with if he did - he would have either asked Aek what his father could do or in a last ditch effort spoken to his own mother.

Now he had to face the consequences.

Leo knew he wasn’t blameless. He knew that King wouldn’t have been interested in Fiat at all if it hadn't been for his rivalry with Leo, but here they were. Fiat having been raped and not knowing (or at least not acknowledging) it, and Leo struggling not to drown with the weight of the situation.

Deciding his pity party needed to be over, Leo retrieved the keys and slid out of the car.

He had to be strong now. Fiat was the most important being in his life and he had to make sure he was okay.

As he unlocked the front door Leo saw Fiat’s gym bag haphazardly thrown the the side of the entranceway, and knew his assumption of his boyfriends whereabouts was correct. He heard the quiet warble of the tv in the next room and made his way there.

In the living room he found Fiat wrapped in his favourite black and white blanket, studiously ignoring his entrance.

“Fiat…” he called, but the other boy only acknowledged him by turning his head in the other direction, “Fiat please look at me.” He pleaded further.

Leo saw his boyfriends pout wobble slightly, but he still made no move to end his cold shoulder. Heaving a sigh at the lack of response, the taller man went to sit next to him and placed his arm along the back of the couch - his usual invitation for a cuddle.

“I’m ignoring you!” Fiat supplied despite taking the invitation and burying his head into the side of Leo’s neck.

“Hmm.” Leo hummed in response and began running his hand over Fiat’s soft hair. He let them have a few minutes of quiet, but knew it couldn’t last.

“Fiat, I’m not trying to upset you, but we need to talk.”

“Leo,” his boyfriend huffed, “I don’t get the big deal. You know my past, you can be jealous but it doesn’t matter!”

“It’s not that Fiat. I’m not making a fuss because I’m jealous.” He started, but was quickly cut off by the smaller man.

“Then what? Just say whatever it is!” Fiat's eyes burned into his, no longer laying against him. He looked fierce, but Leo could also see the frustrated tears beginning to bubble up to the surface.

He couldn’t hold the truth back any longer.

“He raped you, Fiat.” He said solemnly and his boyfriend looked like he had been slapped.

Completely taken aback, the smaller man shook his head, hands clenching and rucking up the blanket in his lap.

“No Leo, he didn’t. You can’t just say that stuff even if you don’t like him!” Fiat cried back.

“I know it probably hurts to think about it, but that is what happened. Do you really think I would make that up?” He challenged.

Fiat blustered, ready to deny it once again, so Leo cut him off.

“You said he told you, you had to sleep with him or he would report the team to the refs right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“And would you have slept with him if he hadn’t?” Leo added quickly.

“No of course not! He’s a dick!” Fiat blurted with full conviction, then seemed to realise what he said. His eyes widened, whole body still.

Leo laid his hands palm up between them, and Fiat took them with his own without question. He stayed silent and let the other come to his own conclusions.

Then, when neither of the two noticed the extra party in the room, a new voice cut through the silence.

“What the actual fuck?” Leon exclaimed, making the pair on the sofa jump with surprise. His face showed deep shock, which then transitioned into a small wince as his mother beside him jabbed him in the ribs.

“Leon!” She scolded while giving him the look seemingly only mothers could make towards their naughty children.

“Sorry Mama.” His little brother mumbled in a small voice.

While the timing could have been better, Leo felt a small amount of relief that he wouldn't be alone in caring for Fiat.

His mother would have a better idea of where to go next and she had always cared deeply for his boyfriend like he was her own son so there shouldn’t be any issues, but he was still surprised to suddenly see them standing in the entranceway.

His relief was short lived however, as Fiat gasped a small cry and bolted for the stairs.
For the second time today Leo couldn’t move fast enough and his partner escaped, but not before they all saw the tears on his face.

Empty handed yet again, Leo turned to his family at a loss.

“P’Leo what happened?” Leon asked as he came to plop down in the spot Fiat had vacated the moment before.

Words escaped him and he felt dazed at their sudden entrance and his boyfriends just as sudden exit.

“Mama…Fiat,” Leo began but couldn’t finish.

Somehow understanding what he couldn’t say his mothers face showed a quick resolve and she gave him a gentle smile.

“Leo my darling, I’ll go and find Fiat. You boys stay here and I’ll go speak with him.” She said comfortingly.

Darting quickly to kiss them both on the forehead, his mother then turned and ascended the same stairs Fiat had taken.

Leo felt drained. The weight of the day was hitting hard and he was grateful his brother was there to lean on. They often comforted each other throughout their childhood, but more often than not it was Leon who initiated any physical affection.

The older of the two lightly sniffled and his soft-centred brother immediately wrapped him in a warm hug.

“I couldn’t protect him.” He whispered, the words muffled into Leon’s hoodie.

“P’ did you know he was in that situation? Did he or anyone else tell you? Because I doubt if you had known you would have let him be in that position.” Leon said assuringly.

Leo couldn’t say anything in response, and the younger man heaved a sigh while collecting him closer.

“P’Leo,” he started again, dragging the sound of his name out, “knowing you, you’ll still feel guilty no matter what I say.”

He nodded against him.

“Hmm see? Well, even though I think he’s annoying, Fiat would never blame you for this. He’s too good for that.” Leon said, jostling his shoulders so that they could look each other in the face. His brother had on a small smile, obviously trying to cheer him up while still being somewhat serious.

“Maybe he should though, maybe I should feel guilty.” He said not addressing the annoying comment.

“P’, when Fiat is ready you can discuss it with him. Or a therapist? Or can you both talk about it with a therapist?” Leon suggested cheekily.

Leo went to push his shoulder and Leon ducked playfully, reaching into give a tight hug again. The brothers stayed like that for some time, Leo looking curiously at the stairs.

Now they just had to wait for his mother and Fiat.

…………………………………………………………………….

Fiat didn’t know what to feel, but it seemed his tear ducts had decided on sadness for him, and he couldn’t stop crying. He burrowed deeper into his duvet, squeezing Leo’s pillow in his arms as a poor substitute for the man himself.

He was confused. He really hadn’t understood what Leo and his friends had been making a fuss about, but trust Leo to get him to realise things on his own.

He still wasn’t sure what to call what happened to him. His boyfriend said it was rape and the reaction of his friends would say that was correct thing to call it as well, but he just didn’t know.

It didn’t sit right with him. He didn’t think of himself as a victim like that. He didn’t know what to think.

Then Mama and Leon showed up and he felt such a sudden wave of shame that he couldn’t stay.

Fiat knew deep down they were good, kind people (though he wouldn’t admit that to Leon, it would just give him too much of a big head) and they wouldn't judge him. But they were basically family to him and had been even before he and Leo became a couple.

They had known him for years but he still wanted to give a good impression.

“Who would want their son with a slut like me anyway?” Fiat thought, and the tears came out harder.

Maybe if he wasn’t known for sleeping around, King wouldn’t have bothered him. As he thought about it more his breath caught in his throat and he choked on a louder sob.

Then there was a soft knock on the door.

Fiat didn’t want to see anyone and pulled the sheets tighter over his head, going still, he tried to pretend he had fallen asleep so whoever it was would go away.

“Fiat, my lovely boy, I’m coming in.” Leo’s mother said from the doorway.

Fiat covered his mouth with his hands and stayed as quiet as he could. He felt the bed shift as she sat delicately by his feet. She patted the general area of his hip and hummed softly.

“Fiat,” she said his name so tenderly he couldn’t help but let a hiccup lose, “my darling boy can I lay down with you?”

Ah, so she was pulling out the big guns.

When he was younger, usually after an argument with his Dad, or the rare times he was upset after a fight with Leo she would always lay down with him and they would talk through what was upsetting him under the covers. It was like his own little bubble and she would be there to keep him safe.

It had been several years since the last time they had talked like this and Fiat remembered the feeling of safety and comfort it brought.

He decided he wanted that comfort again so let out a feeble noise to indicate that she was allowed to join him while lifting the side of his blanket cocoon for her to lay inside.

Once settled beneath the blankets with him, the older woman reached out a gentle hand to swipe at the tear tracking its way across the bridge of his nose, although a new one quickly fell to replace it.

“Little bunny, do you want to tell me about what’s made you so upset?” She asked.

“Mama, I don’t know.” He whimpered as she gathered him to her chest. Fiat wrapped his arms around her and tucked his head beneath her chin.

“I think you do know, but I won’t force you to tell me. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what, okay?” She added

He didn’t reply, but Fiat knew she was sincere.

He still held a fair amount of trauma from his childhood, and his fear of abandonment was strong. He still occasionally thought that all it would take was one more wrong word, one more piece of bad behaviour and everyone in his life would leave him again.

It was this fear that stopped him from talking.

They laid in the soft blankets for a fair amount of time, Mama stroking her hand down his hair at the back of his head. He then remembered he hadn’t had a chance to change or shower after leaving the school's basketball court and he cringed at himself.

“Stupid Fiat! You probably stink!” He added in his mind.

Embarrassed now for several reasons Fiat wanted to gather his thoughts and supposed a shower was the best opportunity to get a moment alone.

“Mama, let me get washed up and then we can talk?” He offered, shuffling away.

She gave him a look that said “yes okay you can run away for now, but don’t think you can escape forever”, and he nodded with a pout. She pinched his cheek gently and he scuttled to the on suite.

Fiat avoided the mirror knowing he would just get annoyed at his tear stained face. He was a little vain at the best of times and he didn’t really need that extra knock to his confidence right now.

He stripped and stuffed his jersey into the wash basket, quickly stepping into the shower and turning it near to scalding.

Letting the water run across his skin, Fiat felt refreshed enough to consider the situation at hand.

Discussing matters like sex with a parental figure were always going to be embarrassing, but rationally he knew Mama would be the best port of call.

He allowed himself a few more minutes to unwind and then went about actually getting cleaned up. He washed his hair and purposely used Leo’s preferred scents, wanting to feel like he had the other man’s presence with him always - as an added piece of strength and comfort.

Somewhere deep down he also felt that if he smelt like Leo he could ignore that any other man had left their mark on him. It was dumb and sounded like some crap from a weird romance novel, so he shoved the thought deeper down.

Stepping out of the shower he grabbed his ridiculously large and fluffy bath towel, something his boyfriend had bought after a joke about wanting to be spoiled rotten, and dried off. His pajamas - a soft white tank and checkered cotton trousers - were still where he had left them this morning so he dressed quickly.

It was time to face the music. He was stronger than he was before and he had people here who loved him to help him if he needed.

Feeling more balanced he went out of the bathroom to find Mama again to have their promised conversation.

Fiat didn’t need to look far as she was sitting cross legged on the bed looking at her laptop. She had made the bed and the sheets were tucked away expertly, the lamp on the bedside table turned onto a low setting.

“I hope she didn’t look in the drawer on the bedside table. I don’t need her seeing the pink monstrosity, I would never live it down!” He thinks with quiet horror. If she had seen the toy squirrelled away she wasn’t mentioning it as she closed her laptop and placed it to the side.

Leo’s mother lightly beckoned him over and he joined her on the bed. They sat facing each other still cross legged and knees touching. Wanting more contact Fiat offered his hands and the woman took them gently.

“Do you feel ready to talk now?” She asked kindly.

“Mhm.” Fiat hummed, glancing down at their joined hands. He was so nervous he felt he could combust. “How much did you hear?” He added finally.

Mama took a moment to think before answering.

“We arrived fairly early on in your conversation.” She supplied.

“So everything then.” Fiat thought with a wince. He felt a small pressure on his hands so he looked up to meet her eyes.

“Fiat, my dear, we didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you boys seemed to be in your own world. I’m sorry for overhearing a private moment,” Fiat went to deny she had anything to be sorry for but she hurried on before he could, “but I’m not sorry for being here to listen to you. I want to help my boys in any way I can. So tell me what you think happened.”

He looked deep into her eyes but there was no deceit there. She truly meant what she said, and the implication in her words was that he, Fiat, was also one of her boys. It made him want to cry again, but this time with joy.

“Take your time, Fiat.” She added.

“Well, it was a while ago…” he began.

He then proceeded to tell her everything. The concerns he and Natsu had about P’Peam, King overhearing and threatening them both.

He explained that King had approached him and said if he didn’t sleep with him he would rat them out to the refs. That he had been given five minutes to think about it, but King had shown him the referee's number, and that he’d panicked and said yes.

It hurt to talk about but he detailed going back to King’s dorm directly after and how it all happened so fast he could barely remember it.

He had flashes of not quite pain and a dingy shared bathroom with a quick clean up before an even quicker escape.

Fiat then told her about the events from earlier that day. The taunts in the locker room, the slap during the game.

Throughout his explanation, Mama never seemed to judge him, and he was grateful.

Even when he struggled to get the words out, she never rushed him and their hands never separated.

He had been ashamed before at the thought of her knowing this about him, that he was dirty good for nothing for agreeing to such an obviously avoidable threat. But having detailed the situation, truly facing it head on and saying the words out loud made him realise the weight of what happened to him.

Leo had said the words earlier, but Fiat needed to hear her thoughts.

“Mama…I don’t know what to do or think now.” He said as he finished his story quietly.

“First of all little bunny,” she said after a deep breath, “thank you for being honest and open with me. It can take a great deal of trust to open yourself up like that and I’m grateful that you feel comfortable enough to talk to me.”

Fiat felt warm at her nickname for him and nodded for her to continue.

“Now I know you were confused about what to call this. Obviously I’m not an expert, but from my own understanding and morals, I would have to agree with my eldest son that there has been some kind of sexual assault.” She said gravely.

Hearing this confirmation brought on a series of mixed emotions for Fiat. It was like a weight taken off his shoulders, the confusion had dissipated and he had a name to give the situation.

However, giving the issue recognition made it impossible to ignore the knowledge that he had been assaulted and that he hadn’t even known it.

Fiats mind felt jumbled up and he looked to the older woman for much needed guidance.

“I think at this point, and it’s up to you of course, but my advice would be to make a police report, at least to give them knowledge on what’s happened.” Mama said, her tone still soft.

“But what can they do now? It's been ages! And he’ll just say I agreed to it!” He exclaimed. Fiat couldn’t lie, the thought of involving the police was daunting - it was yet another factor to prove this was actually happening.

“I acknowledge that without proof they may not be able to do much, but we can at least report the harassment he gave you today,” she replied, “you said he hit you on the court?”

“Yeah, during the game.”

“Then there will be plenty of neutral witnesses that could testify to this.”

“I guess…”

Most likely seeing his indecision, Leo’s mother leant forward to envelop him in a quick embrace before rising from her seated position. She stood next to the bed and gave her parting advice.

“Whatever our next steps are on this matter, it is completely up to you to decide. You’re still coming to terms with it and it’s fresh, so take tonight and we can discuss it further in the morning.”

“Okay Mama, and thank you for being here.” He said wholeheartedly.

“It’s no problem little bunny, that’s what your Mama is here for!” She declared. “Now should I send Leo up or would you prefer to have some alone time?”

Fiat took a moment to think before answering. He felt both emptied out and too full all at once and he wasn’t sure if being alone would be better or worse.

He decided eventually that he didn’t want to be left with his own thoughts again, so confirmed he would like the older woman to ask Leo to come see him.

Promising she would do so, she left the room and it wasn’t long after that his boyfriend joined him in their bedroom.

Leo immediately came to stoop down and wrap Fiat in his arms, the action giving him the solace he had been looking for.

The couple stood in each other's arms, rocking side to side for quite some time, no words needing to be exchanged.

Face buried in his boyfriend's chest, Fiat was so distracted he almost missed the mumbled words that came from his partner's mouth.

“Huh?” He leant back to say.

“I said you smell like me.” Leo said in all seriousness.

Fiat could tell by his non-expression the other man was trying to hide how pleased that made him, so he made an exaggerated pout back, slightly tapping his shoulder in an approximation of a slap.

“Idiot monkey brain.” Fiat grumbled.

It was heartening to see there wasn’t any remaining tension between them.

Leo smiled a small smile, his usual barely there upturn at the corner of his mouth.

“Sleep?” His boyfriend asked.

“Yes please!” Fiat answered with a groan. He wanted to be comfy, cozy in bed with the love of his life and sleep for days.

They could talk again in the morning.

Everything could wait until then.