Chapter Text
He’s not sure why he’s even attempting to carry out a conversation with the other.
There is no point to it but what spurs him on is that awful sensation sunk deeply into his chest.
Guilt.
“I’m sorry.” He says and it falls flat in the quiet.
Choso simply stares, shifting to get a better look at his face.
His eyes are dark, full of sorrow and something more- incomprehensible and Yuuji won’t decipher it.
It feels misplaced so he refuses to acknowledge that emotion.
He focuses rather on the coloration surrounding his eyes, past his eyelids, stark against the pallid skin, akin to bruising.
Exhaustion is set in those areas. A sigh slips out from the other and he’s startled at how fond it sounds.
Choso is shaking is head at him, eyes closed as if to focus on the simple motion of soft laughter. It’s a warm timbre, deep and airy.
It’s unexpected, how kind it sounds. That being the only way to really describe it. The change is bewildering.
“You’re so stubborn.”
Amusement is etched into his face and Yuuji lets out a noise, sounding more offended than he truly is. If anything, his confusion is too loud to be anything but.
His hands clench into fists and uncurl.
Repeatedly. He’s unsure what that laughter means or signifies and he makes that known.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
It’s a mixture of frustration, built deep within him and he doesn’t mean to sound that deeply affected and for whatever reason he’s glad for his softened tone at the end of it.
He chooses to glance back and a sensation of deja vu, albeit vague and sudden - hits him.
The slight amusement has faded from the curse’s face but the edge of a smile remains, faint but present.
It stops him in his tracks, mind gone foggy in an unfamiliar way. Which is even stranger because, he knows that particular expression, seen it somewhere, he’s sure of it. The warmth from that smile is irreplaceable and wholly undeserved, yet undeniably recognizable.
But from where, he’s not sure. The focus and baffling way his attention narrows down on that is solely an indication of its importance.
Concentrating on why exactly that expression is familiar is difficult. He stirs up his memory, and tries to recall, vainly. He searches.
Searches and finds nothing.
When Choso speaks next he tucks it away, a reminder to prod at it all he wants when he has more time. Firmly for later.
He attempts to make sense of the forgiveness bestowed to him by the other. It’s simply infuriating. There’s no way how to make sense of it. The other’s belief of their brotherly ties demolishes any sort of hatred-and makes him something more than a revenge filled existence. But that’s really the main issue he has with it.
Yuuji killing his real brothers is swept under the rug, dissolving all the previous ire held against him.
It doesn’t make any sense. When he tries, he gains no grip of any way of looking at it. The perspective is flawed.
Yet the same response is given every time and he doesn’t understand it. Even now the explanation holds no significance besides the never ending patience and abrupt stuck in his way behavior he displayed.
Desperately, he should be held accountable for it. He would like to be. It’s been getting on his nerves more than usual. Then again, considering his current situation, it’s possibly all the stress of figuring out how unideal everything is at the moment.
Choso simply looks. Looks past him, through him, at him.
It’s overwhelming to have him by his side, constantly, but at the same time, there’s so much more than just that.
It’s a reminder that he’s struggling to stomach. Choso would prefer for him to get past that, to move on and forget after he’s been forgiven. Speed up the process of normalcy. He just can’t bring himself to fully commit to it.
It’s as if lately all he’s managed to do is grovel and contribute nothing to resolving this incident. Choso has not been much for words but he has to admit, the company is nice.
Yuuji is not as reluctant as before of being tailed. Curse hunting together has been nothing short of exhilarating, and there’s a sensation of ease that comes with it.
Surprisingly, they’ve gotten to the point of moving seamlessly together.
The curse is content to be as close to him as possible and slowly, that is something that no longer is seen as such an issue.
The fire is crackling, bright and alive. Warm. The attempt of conversation is forgotten, exchanged for action and now in the lull of night, Yuuji has given up on getting anything else out of the other. With the way it is now, it really isn’t such a bad thing.
They’ve settled for the night. Typical as of late, since he’s been getting less likely to burn off as much energy. Unsatisfied with a break until his bones feel brittle and muscles are aching with the constant use. Only then is he able to discern any sense of accomplishment.
Staying out late until exhaustion finally hits him is something he’s been insisting upon, despite Choso’s clear dislike of extending time spent hunting. He worries for Yuuji, and those reasons are unknown and rather difficult to accept.
“You’re tense.” Choso observes and Yuuji hadn’t realized until it was pointed out. His shoulders are rounded forward, likely from being on constant guard all day and he lets out a breath, slumping back against the wall. He's attempting to soothe his body, a few stretches before examining the calluses on his hand.
Everything hurts and there a rather painful weight resting on his shoulders. It’s a constant thing, always there but tonight he ignores it, clearing his throat as an apology to the other, on the verge of being thankful.
Choso’s dark eyes reflect the flickering flames and Yuuji meets his gaze.
“I’ll watch over you tonight. Rest easy.”
A lump in his throat is immediately made known, a protest threatening to escape him.
But Choso seems rather melancholy. Yuuji shuts his mouth and gives a stiff nod instead. Closing his eyes is far better than acknowledging the downturned mouth and much too bright eyes the curse is displaying.
He’s far too weary to properly digest the tension at the moment.
So he shifts uncomfortably for a few moments and gives in to the fatigue.