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The door creaks open and a crack of light filters in from the hall. As if it isn't bad enough that the curtains don't quite shut fully and chase an incessant beam of sunlight across Kunikuzushi’s face. Can he not wallow for one moment without being disturbed here?
He still has his back turned to the door, but a faint swishing sound tells him all he needs to know about his visitor. Of course, it's Tighnari, because Collei avoids being in her room when Kunikuzushi is. And he's always in there right now. He wouldn't know where else to go even if he had the strength to get up.
Tighnari picks up the bowl of cold food he left by Kunikuzushi’s bed this morning. There's silence for a moment, save for the faint sound of the Forest Watcher's breathing and his tail going swish, swish, back and forth.
"Kunikuzushi..."
Damn it. Why is he opening his mouth? Kunikuzushi stays still and silent, and the silence that follows almost gives him hope that Tighnari will give up and leave. But he doesn't, instead, he sits down at the end of Kunikuzushi's bed.
"...I know you're going through a lot right now. And... I know it's not easy to talk about. But... I am here, you know. If you.. needed me."
Kunikuzushi tries to stay as still as possible.
"...Or if you just want someone to talk to, about something boring. That works, too."
He's really trying, isn't he? But Kunikuzushi has nothing to say. His throat feels like it's been sealed shut. What does it matter if he wants to speak when he can't?
Kunikuzushi closes his eyes as that beam of sunlight flashes into his eyes again. Begrudgingly, he rolls over, trying to convince himself it's just because of the sunbeam. He doesn’t need to talk. He doesn't want to talk.
"I don't understand why I'm here."
The words slip out before he can stop them. If Tighnari is surprised, or pleased to hear him speak, he doesn't show it. Somehow, this makes Kunikuzushi feel better.
"That's okay," is all Tighnari responds. "You're here. You're safe, now. Maybe that doesn't need a reason, beyond the fact that you deserve it?"
Kunikuzushi tries not to scoff. He fails.
Tighnari sighs, and reaches out to place his hand on Kunikuzushi’s shoulder. Kunikuzushi makes no attempt to shake him off for once.
"...It's okay," Tighnari says quietly. "You don't believe it. I know. But I don't care, because I do, and I'm willing to help you believe it, too."
This time, Kunikuzushi gives the barest of nods. He doesn't know how he's meant to be feeling at the moment. He doesn't want to think about it, really. So, for once, he doesn't. He tries not to. Maybe Tighnari’s right, maybe all that matters is that someone believes he deserves this. Even if he doesn't, and never could, even in a million years.
Maybe, one day, he'll be able to believe it, too.