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“These woods are definitely haunted. These woods are haunted as hell.” Tenma was practically shaking, and it had only gotten worse as they went deeper into the forest, Sakuya noted. And it was hard not to note, just from the way the junior leader's hand trembled in his. That, he'd realized, was more intimidating than anything the Director's team could throw at them.
“You believe in ghosts, Tenma-kun?” Sakuya tried to ask casually, but definitely let slip a hint of nerves.
“I dunno, but I definitely believe there's something out here that I don't like, and it doesn't like me!” The ginger shouted, gripping his partner's hand tighter.
Sakuya didn't miss a beat. “That's just Yuki-kun, then.”
Tenma stopped walking for a second, briefly confused, but quickly understood. “Hey, that wasn't bad. And... I feel a bit better now. Thanks.” He started to loosen his grip, which made Sakuya panic a little. Though it hadn't quite crossed his mind why yet, he knew that he wanted to keep holding Tenma's hand. Maybe it was just because...
“Hey, if we let go, we might get separated. I don't want to be alone out here...” Sakuya held on. Now that he said it, that didn't feel like the whole reason either. He looked aside, wanting to assess how Tenma felt about that, and—
It hit him like a ton of bricks. Something about that innocently shocked expression in the faint lantern light gave him the last piece of the puzzle. It was because it was Tenma specifically that Sakuya wanted to hold his hand.
Tenma, completely unaware of Sakuya's sudden epiphany, nodded. “You're right. Don't get scared and run away from me or something.” He was so blatantly projecting, Sakuya couldn't help but laugh and feel his tension ease a bit. “Hey, why are you laughing? Oi! Sakuyaaaaaaa!”
“I won't run away, promise.”