I'll admit, I love Batou/Togusa...it would be perfect if only there wasn't that little imbroglio of Togusa's family.

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It happens all at once –- Batou's sneering laugh, Togusa's hiss of aggravation, and the shattering porcelain of a coffee cup let fall.

"Nice going dumbass," Batou smirks, watching from his seat on the couch as Togusa picks up the ruined remains of the mug, cheeks burning red.

"Knock it off Batou," Pazu grouches, kneeling beside Togusa, and helping him –- almost seeming to be shielding him from something. Batou regards this anomaly for a moment before shrugging it off and turning away --

And he feels Togusa's eyes on him, and he turns to look, and for an instant, really SEES Togusa, sees HIM –-

And Togusa rushes out, face even redder than before, and Batou is pinned to his seat with shock, and if he'd had real eyes then they would be as wide as could be --

"Now who's the dumbass?" Pazu asks testily, carefully picking up the shards.

Batou, Batou, you fool, you imbecile, you half-wit, why didn't you see that Togusa was in love with you?