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Touma lay back on their bed, wide eyes staring unblinking at the carefully placed glow in the dark constellations that dotted their ceiling. They'd spent hours with their mom positioning them until every dot and glowing planet was perfect. Moving in to this apartment at the time felt like some kind of secret clubhouse— their mom had packed up their things in the middle of the night and whisked them away, kissed them on their forehead and told them that they wouldn't be seeing their daddy for a while. It felt like a hideout. It wasn't as though they didn't understand what was going on— they understood all too well, after all, they'd been on the end of his rage themselves a few times. But they were young, and couldn't let themselves be sad. It was easier to think of it as some kind of adventure. They'd spent the first night snuggled up on a futon with their mother thinking that they'd never been happier.
After the incident at their grade school, they felt alone— they didn't remember it well, they'd been knocked out by bullies and when they woke up, everything had been demolished.
And then they found out Kusuo, their only friend, their best friend, had moved. They didn't feel safe at school, and they didn't feel safe at home, so moving far away was a good chance to start a new life.
Their mom worked day and night, but still, somehow, always found time to be there for them. Yeah. She helped him feel just.... A little less alone.
Returning to school was difficult— no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't make a single friend. No one liked how blunt they were, how much they talked about the things they cared about, how they always wanted to be home right after school to watch their favourite show like they used to do with Kusuo. They used to wonder if Kusuo would watch it too. They hoped so— they found the idea of sharing that connection even years later a little romantic. The day it stopped airing, they cried themselves to sleep. It was stupid that they cared so much, and they knew that it was stupid, but it felt like once again they were losing a constant of their life.
They'd transferred from school to school, the target of bullies, until they'd ended up at P.K Academy— it had been recommended to them by a neighbour they'd grown to be friends with over the years. They'd been assured by her that any bullies would be "dealt with".
Aiura had promised to walk them to school that day, but it must have slipped her mind— they didn't blame her. For a psychic, she had a terrible memory. Though they got lost on the way and showed up a few minutes late, they managed to get there.
And they saw him.
They didn't even really know what to do at first— seeing Kusuo again felt unreal. Though their memories of Kusuo were fuzzy, they knew something was strange about him. He had some sort of powers. They were sure of that. They didn't even realise that they were practically stalking Kusuo until things came to a peak, the other confessing everything.
They would never tell. They probably would have died without him. They loved Kusuo, genuinely— they'd missed him every day, and though they weren't superstitious, reuniting felt like fate.
They hadn't been to school in a few days. They were sick, or so the school was told. They'd been too anxious to leave the house. Despite their extroverted nature, they'd struggled with anxiety since they were small— every so often, they had episodes where all they wanted to do was hide from the world. Recently, at school, certain individuals had taken an interest in them, cornering them after school and threatening them in to doing homework or forking over their lunch. They told themselves they were fine, they were the smartest in school and they could teach themselves from home. Unsurprisingly, no one had checked in on them yet. Not even a text. They'd expected this, even those they considered friends wouldn't concern themselves too much with them— they hadn't been at the school for long, and their friendships weren't as strong as others. What they didn't expect was how sad it made them feel.
Again, they felt alone.
They spent a lot of time sleeping, finding it to be a lovely break from their overactive mind. It was alluring to put things on pause— their headaches had to be soothed by something, and so far, that was the only thing that had worked.
Touma, you're being pitiful.
They jolted upright— if they hadn't been dipping in and out of consciousness, they'd have noticed Kusuo standing by the side of their bed. He was glancing around the room, head tilting.
Your room looks like a child's. A pause. It's pleasant enough.
Ah. Kusuo had likely sensed how tangled up they'd gotten in their head— he was being far kinder than usual.
"Kusuo, it's nice to see you. I was just thinking about you, but you likely knew that already— I wonder how long you've been reading my thoughts? Not too long, I have to assume, I know you find it difficult to listen to my brain as it's rather crowded—" they winced, rubbing their forehead. "Ah, my headache hasn't gone away yet, unfortunately. I'd recommend you don't get too close in case you get sick, however I'm unsure if diseases can affect psychics such as yourself."
Kusuo rolled his eyes, sitting down on the bed next to his friend. You're not contagious. You're mentally unwell. Nothing I could catch.... Idiot.
"Hey. You're going to hurt my feelings." They knew Kusuo well enough to know he didn't mean it. It was just more fun to engage with him.
You should have spoken to me about that. I could have done something.
"Hey. I don't want you to do anything, I was perfectly happy to keep it to myself."
You're in a depressive episode. Besides, you knew I was going to figure it out.
"Kusuo, I'd rather not talk about it."
He looked suprised for a moment, and Touma could imagine what was going through his head— Touma didn't want to talk about something? Wow.
I'll walk with you to school tomorrow.
"... Okay." They'd been away too long, anyway. Any longer and people would start to get suspicious. And the bullies would just get angrier.
Kusuo closed his eyes, lying back on Akechi's bed. If you're not going to get out of bed, I'll join you. Lie with me. Come here. He extended an arm, looking at them expectantly. They moved in to his arms, head against his chest. Kusuo was a cold man, but... He really did care. And Touma really did feel like the other loved him in moments like this.
But it wasn't as though either of them would say it. Not yet anyway. Touma thought it would be silly— they both knew.
Kusuo ran a careful hand though Touma's hair. I'll keep you safe.
"I don't want to be safe. I just don't want to lose you." They knew it was irrational, but they couldn't help it.
Idiot. How am I supposed to keep you safe if I'm not around? I'll be there. Trust me.
They let out a sigh, eyes fluttering shut. The hand combing through their hair was comforting. Maybe Kusuo was healing their headache.
Or maybe they were just relaxed.
"I trust you."