Chapter Text
“I don’t understand you. I can’t understand why you keep sacrificing yourself for me.”
Fai’s confession comes under moonlight and the scent of floral tea, his hand fisted into the soft blanket of Kurogane’s futon. His eye is on the empty sleeve that hangs from Kurogane’s shoulder with an expression of disdain. Not for Kurogane nor the missing arm but for himself, for the fact that his very existence caused such an outcome.
“Didn’t I tell you that I’d cut down anyone that threatens the people I care about?” Kurogane asks in response.
Fai blinks slowly and his eye lifts to meet Kurogane’s.
“I didn’t think that would include yourself,” Fai tells him in a hoarse whisper, throat tight.
It’s almost strange, Kurogane thinks, to see the mage with such a raw expression. Because even after the events of Tokyo and with his signature smile frequently missing, Fai was always guarded, never allowing his true feelings to reflect on his face as he carefully crafted how others would perceive him. Now, there is none of that; no fake smiles, no look of forced hatred. Just loneliness. Just grief. Just guilt. Just longing.
Just Fai.
“I love you.”
It’s so easy to say. An answer to his choices and an admission that he had wanted to say for so long. And without any attempt to hide his feelings, Kurogane can see Fai’s thoughts work through his words. He can see Fai’s jaw tighten, notices his swallow as he attempts to rid himself of the lump in his throat so that he can speak. It doesn’t work and Fai can’t get a word out. But it’s okay, because Kurogane can then see, for one of the first times, a true smile come to Fai’s lips; the kind of smile that you just can’t help, that fights to break through even if you try to suppress it.
And that is all the answer Kurogane needs.