\nSeiichi knew the moment Genichirou noticed Mad Hatter’s seal, low on one
\nhip and inconspicuous except to a thorough lover.<\/p>\n
\nGenichirou went still. “What is this?”<\/p>\n
\n“The Hatter’s mark,” Seiichi said, and there was no point in
\ntelling him how it had come to be there. “A seal for the contract.”<\/p>\n
\nAs he had half-expected him to, Genichirou pulled away and sat, back to Seiichi.
\n“His mark,” he said, voice flat.<\/p>\n
\nSeiichi sat up as well, and placed his hands on Genichirou’s shoulders.
\n“Part and parcel of the deal, I’m afraid.” He kneaded the muscles
\nthat were already beginning to knot up again.<\/p>\n
\n“Every time I have myself convinced that this has all been something Niou
\ncooked up, something happens to prove me wrong.” He shook his head, and
\nbegan gathering his scattered clothes.<\/p>\n
\n“You’re going?” Seiichi asked.<\/p>\n
\n“I—yes. I am.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I need to think.
\nSorry.”<\/p>\n
\nSeiichi inclined his head. “I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”<\/p>\n
\n“Will you?” Genichirou asked, doing up his last button.<\/p>\n
\n“Of course.”\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sanada makes a further discovery.