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It was already late and fuck — Nobu should’ve been asleep by now, especially after that round — that stupid game. That game that almost killed him. Everyone… well, mostly everyone.
Not that it mattered. Right? Just a game. He doesn’t feel anything. It’s just a stupid game. Shouldn’t matter.
So why did his chest feel so unbearably heavy?
He shifted on the cold floor, the thin blanket twisted around him.
Some of the others snored, some lay completely still, already drifting deep into dreams.
He sighed, pushing himself upright, eyes scanning the dark room.
But he noticed something immediately.
Arisu wasn’t there.
“Arisu…” his voice was barely above a whisper, uncertain.
Arisu had saved him more times than he could count. Comforted him when he didn’t even know he needed it. Protected him in ways no one else had.
“Arisu…?” Nobu whispered again.
He rose to his feet, quietly stepping over the sleeping bodies, searching.
His heart thumped too loudly in his chest, but he didn’t care. It didn’t take long.
Arisu was just outside, sitting on the stairs, leaning slightly forward, hands clasped, eyes fixed on nothing. Lost in thought.
Nobu paused, standing a few steps away. For a moment, he just watched him, the older man so still, so… heavy with something Nobu couldn’t name.
The door creaked shut a little too loudly.
Arisu’s head snapped up, eyes sharp for a second before softening when he saw who it was.
“Nobu?” he breathed out, the tension in his shoulders easing. “What are you doing up? You should be asleep.”
His voice was low, rough with exhaustion but warm — too fucking warm.
Shit. Nobu could almost hear his own heartbeat.
Nobu froze in the doorway, wide-eyed, caught like he’d done something wrong.
“I could say the same for you…” he murmured.
Arisu huffed out a quiet scoff, shaking his head. The corner of his mouth lifted into something small and tired.
He patted the step beside him. “Come on.”
For a moment, Nobu just stood there, a step away from him, the pull to obey immediate and confusing. He wanted to listen. He always did. Arisu had saved him, more times than he deserved, being near him felt like safety.
He took one step forward — but stopped.
Arisu tilted his head, watching him. “Nobu?”
Nobu didn’t answer. His gaze fell to the floor.
“Nobu—”
“Sorry.” He said quickly. “I shouldn’t bother you. It’s late. I should sleep.”
“Don’t be like that…” Arisu said softly.
That made Nobu lift his eyes again, his breath immediately caught in his chest.
Arisu looked unreal in the moonlight — silver on his skin, dark hair falling into his eyes, that patient calm he always carried.
For a second Nobu could only stare, overwhelmed by how someone could look like that.
“Hey.” Arisu’s voice was gentle but sure. “You’re fine. Come here.”
He froze. He wasn’t used to being spoken to like that — not softly, not without disappointment behind it.
Arisu nodded toward the step beside him. “It’s all right. Sit.”
The word sit landed like a command, but it didn’t sound harsh. It sounded safe.
Nobu moved before he even realized it, lowering himself onto the stair beside him. The air between them tightened — not in fear, but in the way quiet gets heavy when someone actually notices you.
“There you go.” Arisu said, voice softer now, almost fond. “You should be resting.”
“I couldn’t—” Nobu murmured.
Arisu hummed, thoughtful. “Couldn’t, or didn’t want to?”
He didn’t answer. He just watched the older man’s profile, the line of his jaw in the moonlight, how steady he looked when everything else felt like it was breaking apart.
Arisu turned slightly, eyes finding his. “You did well tonight.”
The words hit harder than they should’ve. Nobu blinked, heart tripping over itself at the simple praise.
“Thank you..” he said, quiet, automatic — like a student afraid to sound ungrateful.
Arisu gave a faint smile, then looked back toward the dark.
“S-so—” Nobu started, but his voice cracked halfway through.
Arisu blinked, then huffed out a small laugh, the sound soft and brief.
He reached over, ruffling Nobu’s hair like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nobu went still. Heat rose up the back of his neck, and he stared down at his lap, mortified.
“Hey..” Arisu murmured, catching it immediately.
He leaned in just a little, pinching the younger boy’s cheek with a gentle tug. “Don’t be embarrassed. I used to be like that too.”
Nobu swallowed hard, his ears burning. “Really?”
“Mm.” Arisu nodded, his hand dropping back to his knee.
Nobu smiled faintly. “Can’t imagine that. You were probably… really cool when you were my age.”
Arisu let out a quiet snort, shaking his head. “Nah. I was lame.”
That made Nobu laugh — quiet, breathless, trying to smother it behind his hand.
“Really?” Arisu said, pretending to sound offended, though his grin gave him away. “You can’t just laugh at me like that.”
Nobu shook his head, still hiding his face, still trying not to make noise.
And for a moment, Arisu just watched him.
The boy’s shoulders weren’t trembling anymore, his expression had softened, the fear replaced by something lighter.
It was such a small thing, but it hit him how good it felt — to see the kid finally relax.
Arisu let out a soft sigh, leaning back just slightly. “Ah… it’s great to see you finally laugh again.”
Nobu froze for a heartbeat, still smiling faintly, and slowly lowered his hand. “Thank you…”
“For?” Arisu asked, his voice gentle.
Nobu’s eyes flicked down at his own hands. He fidgeted, shuffling them in his lap, a nervous energy radiating off him. His words stumbled out in a rush, almost a confession and apology all at once.
“For always saving me. I… I don’t know why you—” He paused, swallowing hard. “…why you’d even want to save someone like me.”
Arisu’s throat tightened slightly but he said nothing, just watched Nobu’s small, tense movements.
Nobu chewed on his lip, shifting awkwardly, voice dropping to a hurried murmur.
“I’m sorry. You probably just came out here to take your mind off things, and I’m just talking about all this stuff that’s upsetting and—sorry…”
Arisu didn’t speak right away. He just reached out slowly, deliberately, and took Nobu’s hand in his.
The touch was soft, grounding.
Nobu froze for a moment, eyes wide, then let his hands rest limply in Arisu’s.
His thumb traced over Nobu’s knuckles, down the curve of his wrist, and paused over the scar that marked the past. His fingers lingered there, gentle.
Nobu’s breath hitched.
He tried to pull his wrist back, heat flooding his cheeks, heart hammering but Arisu’s grip was firm, steady and impossibly gentle. His fingers held Nobu’s wrist like it was precious, like it belonged to him.
Shame.
Nobu felt so unbelievably ashamed.
Even though everyone knew about his pitiful past, it didn’t make it any easier. Even though he should have been used to it, he couldn’t help it.
But he knew he didn’t have to be afraid. Not with Arisu.
His chest felt hollow and full at the same time. His hands itched to cling, to touch back, but he was frozen, shame still curling around the desire he couldn’t admit.
Then, quietly, just low and controlled. “I should be thanking you.”
Nobu’s stomach twisted. “…me?” His voice came out hoarse.
Arisu’s gaze didn’t waver.
The slightest lift of his brow, the curve of his mouth, the way he let his fingers linger… it was enough to make Nobu ache, ache to the point of miserable desperation.
Why me? Why here? Why is he doing this, and why does it feel like the only place I can breathe?
His chest tightens, pulse racing.
Every second he stayed there, wrist in hand, heart pounding, made him feel… alive.
Terribly and painfully alive.
He hadn’t felt this way in so long.
“For being here.” Arisu quietly continues.
Nobu’s lips part slightly.
He feels seen. Needed. Appreciated. Held. And it’s all because of him — because of Arisu. Someone he barely knows, yet somehow feels like he’s known forever.
“Arisu…” he whispers, voice trembling.
Arisu’s gaze softens at his whisper, steady and gentle without a word, he lifts Nobu’s wrist slowly, guiding it closer to his face.
His thumb traces over the scar one last time before pausing
Nobu didn’t dare to pull away.
Then, softly, almost hesitantly, Arisu presses his lips to the scar.
Just a brief, careful kiss — warm and quiet — like he’s marking it as seen, as something that matters, without needing any words.
A quiet gasp slipped out, Nobu’s eyes fluttered shut, letting the moment fill him as a small shiver ran up his arm, his chest pressed a little closer, unconsciously leaning in.
Arisu’s fingers brushed Nobu’s hand, guiding it slowly until Nobu’s palm cupped his cheek.
“Just promise me you’ll stick by my side. No matter what. No matter what game, no matter what situation we’re in.”
Nobu’s throat went dry. Eyes wide, heart pounding. He couldn’t even speak.
The words stuck somewhere between fear and desperate need. His hand trembled slightly against Arisu’s cheek, but he didn’t pull away.
Not this time.
Arisu leaned into Nobu’s soft palm. And then, gently he pressed a kiss to the warmth of Nobu’s hand.
“Please…” Arisu whispered, “promise me, Nobu…”
The words hit Nobu like a wave. His whole body went rigid, then pliant, trembling with the intensity of the moment.
“I promise.” His voice was small. “I promise, Arisu. I promise—promise.”
Arisu’s eyes softened. “Good.”