Chapter Text
“I’m so sorry, this is all my—“
Megumi cut him off with a weak wave of his hand. Surely, if he had the strength, it would have been a slap.
“No.”
“Yes!” Yuuji insisted, his words coming hot and fast as he blinked back tears. “You asked me to save you and now you’re—“
“Better me than you.”
Yuuji shook his head, dropping it to Fushiguro’s shoulder. He wanted to ask /how can you say that/, but there was cotton blocking up his throat.
His grandpas words echoed in his head. /you’re a strong kid, so try to help others./ Yuuji choked back an ugly sound, realizing he’d broken two promises, now.
Slowly, Megumi raised his hand to cradle the back of Yuuji’s neck. Yuuji’s tears soaked Megumi’s skin.
They stayed like that for too long or not long at all. The world was silent, and they felt so, entirely alone, in spite of the crowd of onlookers.
“Hey.”
Yuuji moved back enough to look him in his face. He was so pale, the blood on his face standing out in stark contrast. “What?”
“Thanks for letting me die first. I didn’t want to have to watch you die again.”
“Megumi—“
“Look at me.” Fushiguro cut in weakly. He raised his hand to Yuuji’s cheek. He stoked his cheekbone reverently. Yuuji shuddered, leaning into the cool palm, damp with someone else’s blood.
“I still don’t regret saving you.”