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“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
Genya’s face blooms pink and he stiffens on instinct. “What?”
Muichirou only flashes him a knowing look while he secures the bandage keeping Genya’s midsection together. “Tanjirou. You’re thinking about him.”
“I…” Genya meets Muichirou’s gaze for only a moment before glancing back down at his bloodied hands. It’s embarrassing enough asking for help in such a compromising position, swallowing down his pride, but being caught in such thought was another thing altogether.
Still, though, Muichirou is perceptive- there isn’t much that slips past him. Genya knows better than to lie to him.
“… yeah,” He replies, his voice small. The ground shakes beneath them and he can’t help but flinch. The battle between Upper One, Himejima and his older brother rages on close by, reminding Genya of their current circumstance.
This was no time for hesitation. Not with so much at stake.
“That obvious, huh?” Genya huffs a laugh, meeting Muichirou’s eyes again. “What gave it away?”
Muichirou looks thoughtful for a moment, still studying Genya’s face, making it burn just a little warmer. “Your eyes. You looked like you were remembering the faith he has in you.”
Genya sucks in a short breath. As usual, Muichirou is right. He can’t help but think of the other boy, the bright sunshine that is his smile, his kindness, his support. For a fleeting moment Genya almost wishes he were here. “I… don’t get it. I don’t know why he thinks so highly of me. I’m not anything special.”
Muichirou hums. He looks so much younger like this, practically falling apart, on the last of his strength. Genya hurts for him, bitterness rising in him as he thinks of his hatred for Kibutsuji.
“Because he loves you, Genya,” Muichirou offers, cutting through his thoughts as he takes one of Genya’s hands in his one good hand. “And you love him.”
Genya swallows a lump that definitely wasn’t there before, his chest tight as he squeezes Muichirou’s hand. “Yeah. I do.”
Muichirou smiles at him, soft and genuine, and Genya feels like he might just melt into the ground right there. “I thought so,” he says. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The way he talks about you.”
Muichirou’s smile doesn’t fade. “I know it, because I feel the same way.” He admits. “About him, about you, I can’t even imagine where I’d be without either of you.”
Genya’s eyes shoot up at his confession, but Muichirou is looking down at where their hands are joined. “I find the strength I need to become stronger in you. After all… you’re all I have left.”
Genya is too stunned for words for a moment, a rush of emotion taking over his adrenaline-riddled brain. Joy, relief, sorrow; everything hits him all at once and he surges forward, awkwardly crushing his lips against Muichirou’s own.
Muichirou makes a muffled sound of surprise but quickly reciprocates, letting go of Genya’s hand to instead hold onto his neck. They spend what feels like hours together, like nothing else matters, breathing each other in as they trade kisses tinged with blood.
Distantly Genya realizes that it’s his first kiss, gripping Muichirou’s shoulders tighter to pull him impossibly closer. He wants to scoff at the cruel irony of it all, to be sharing his first real moment intimacy on what could very well be their deathbed.
They break apart, taking a moment to breathe the same air, faces inches apart, and there’s so much Genya wants to say but Muichirou does it for him.
“Together.” He promises, resting his forehead against Genya’s own. “We’ll reach tomorrow together.”