Work Text:
Obanai refuses to look up, terrified that the woman demon will eat him, but a warm hand on his back startles him into doing so. Before him stands a person, cloaked in flames with a red-bladed sword. Obanai looks around frantically, but the dissevered remains of the demon are turning into ashes around him.
He looks back at the flaming person. A man, maybe? Obanai has never seen another one, having only himself as a reference. He kneels in front of Obanai with an odd expression, another thing he’s never seen before. Is that what they call concern?
Kaburamaru brushes against his cheek, above the bandages where it doesn’t hurt and Obanai remembers he needs to breathe.
It’s hard to breathe deeply through your nose when you’re crying. The congestion makes it nearly impossible, but Obanai has become quite good at it in the few days since his mouth had been cut.
The man (because that is what he must be) speaks softly to Obanai saying, “Hey, I’ve got you.” He puts his hands out and Obanai isn’t sure what it means. So rarely has anyone touched him that he just freezes.
The man slowly and gently wraps Obanai in his warm arms and pulls him close, rubbing a large hand over his back.
Obanai shakes. He’s so scared. Something must be wrong with his heart due to the way it hurts. But it is the only thing that hurts.
How can that be? Every other time he’s been touched has been so painful and he doesn’t understand what’s different now.
He whimpers into the man’s chest and Kaburamaru slides comfortingly around his shoulders and neck. The man’s other hand cradles the back of his head.
“I’ve got you.” The man repeats and the words rumble comfortingly in his chest. “I’ll keep you safe.”