And Goro places himself not beside Ren, on the bed, but behind him. His arms go around him, and his legs, and he presses his whole body against Ren's cringing back. He wraps himself around Ren like a blanket, like he did back when Ren had his Palace, and still does now just because they can. And they watch the tape together.

I thought you'd learned better than this, Amamiya. The words fill him with a sullen rage. Talk about making someone bleed. Goro has the aim, now, to put a bullet right in Shido's eye. As for the next stage....

That's what he is, to the man who spawned him. The next stage. A target for his own amusement. A bauble for the press. And he can hear the silent plea beneath Ren's terror, as he babbles out that panicked reply. Please don't hurt him.

No matter what happens now, and after this, Ren will never be alone again. He swears it. He rocks Ren gently in his arms, ever so gently, just enough to not be insulting.

But he can't find words. Not a terrible idea. "Piece of shit," he murmurs, voice thinner than he means it to be.