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Jou was avoiding him. Genba was very certain about that. His boyfriend was refusing to face him and kept finding reasons to not be around him. And Genba had a pretty good feeling he knew why that was. There wasn't much that had happened recently that he could see this being an appropriate reaction for.
Now... how did he get Jou to just talk about it instead of hiding away from him? That was the part Genba was most struggling with.
The first opportunity to talk came when he saw Jou sitting alone in their base. Everyone else was out doing other things, Genba guessed. He wasn't sure the details and didn't see it important to really ask. But, this did give him a chance to try and get Jou to talk to him.
Genba didn't think Jou knew he had entered the base. He was sulking, looking down at his feet. Genba quietly approached. He wasn't ready to make his presence known quite yet.
He reached his hand into his pocket. Genba sat down next to Jou and then held out a lollipop into his face. "Lollipop for your thoughts?"
Jou startled slightly at the sudden interruption. He glanced over at Genba. Genba offered him a smile and waved the lollipop in his view for a moment. Jou stared at it for a while, and then brushed his hand away. He quickly stood and left the room, uttering a brief apology as he did.
Genba frowned. That hadn't gone as he expected. He had at least thought Jou would be inclined to talk since he was pushing the matter.
"Going to be stubborn about this, huh?"
...
Genba found another time to approach Jou later in the day. He was in town, seemingly to be watching something from afar. Genba walked up to him and held the lollipop back in his face.
"My offer is still available." He simply said.
Jou looked as if he was going to try and flee again, but the stopped. He let out a small sigh and took the lollipop from Genba. He stared at it for a while, playing with it in his grip.
"Want to sit?" Genba offered.
Jou nodded. The two found a bench not too far away. They sat in silence for a while. Jou was still playing around with the lollipop in his hands.
"I'm sorry..." Jou whispered.
"It's okay. Take your time."
It took a few extra minutes before Jou did speak again. He started to explain. "I... I know it wasn't really my fault but... I feel horrible about attacking you and Taiya-san..."
Genba wrapped an arm around his shoulder. So he had guessed right about what this was all about. After all, that was the only thing that had really happened before this behavior started.
"It really isn't anything to feel bad about." Genba said. "I forgive you and I'm sure Taiya does to. That monster is to blame. None of this was your fault."
"I know but... I still just feel guilty. I know I couldn't do anything to stop it. I know it's stupid to feel bad when it wasn't really me but... I do and I don't know how to make these feelings go away." Jou said, his voice cracking towards the end.
Genba pondered if there was anything that might help. Was there a way to force Jou to get those feelings out of his system? If they could, it would be a lot nicer than just having to wait for it to go away on its own.
"I can't speak for Taiya but... perhaps I can at least make you forgive yourself for trying to hurt me." Genba said.
"How?" Jou looked at him.
Genba leaned in and pressed their lips together. It was a quick kiss. "If I was mad at you, I don't think I'd be doing anything like this."
"S-senpai." Jou stammered. He had clearly not thought this was what Genba had been implying.
"Let me give you some love for a bit." Genba whispered. "I'll make those thoughts and feelings go away."
"C-can we not make-out in public...?" Jou quickly pleaded.
Genba pulled away. "Alright. Where to then?"
"We could... go to my house."
"Sounds like a plan. Then that means I could do more to help you too."