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"Touchi! Wait, please. Just— think about this for a second! Please? For me?" Es looked up with pleading eyes. Touchi turned and stared back at them. His eyes were filled with quiet fury.
Es had to try and salvage this somehow, all they did was tell Touchi about what the tenth prisoner had done back in trial 2; her beating up the prisoners and the contents of her interrogation. Touchi was curious, so Es answered honestly. They didn't mean to anger Touchi!
Touchi was usually so calm, even when Es opened up about these things. Hell, Touchi didn't react this way when they told him about the events of Mikoto's first interrogation!
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't."
Es tried to speak, to think of some excuse to pardon Kotoko. They spat out the first thing that came to mind. "She already has the restraints! She's being punished daily by those alone. Surely, thats a good enough reason…? She can't even defend herself!"
Es hoped that Touchi would see reason. That he would spare Kotoko. Es could try to step in and forcfully stop Touchi, but they already knew they wouldn't be powerful enough.
Touchi knelt down until he was at eye level with Es. His eyes softened at Es's desperate face. Es gripped onto Touchi sleeves like a lifeline, pressing their head against his chest, almost begging. Tears began to form in the corners of their eyes.
They cared so much for their prisoners, it was both adorable and infuriating. Es was so, so kind. They were too kind for these people. Even through their cold warden facade, Touchi could see just how delicate they really were. Both physically and mentally.
They were much too light, and they always looked tired. They would become emotional if someone questioned their capabilities enough.
Es let out a whine. They had never felt so pathetic
"Please… I don't want this. This won't make me happy…" Es hopelessly muttered. They were begging.
Touchi hummed, shutting his eyes as if in thought. He opened them again and spoke, in a cold, detatched tone.
"Es. Your happiness in one of the most important things to me," Touchi softly placed one of his gloved hands on Es's cheek, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb.
He continued to speak, his tone had turned soft, affectionate, loving. It was a voice he only ever used for Es. "That's why I need to do this. Having dangers such as her wandering around will only cause you problems in the long run."
Touchi stood up and began to walking to the door, leaving Es crumpled on the floor in defeat.
"I hate you." Es muttered, trying to seem angry as they bared their teeth. Touchi froze. But then he smiled. Es was trying so hard to look intimidating, when in reality, they couldn't do a thing to stop him; they were too weak to fight him, the barrier didn't work with other wardens, and Es didn't like the idea of hurting anyone after what has happened.
Besides, Touchi already knew that Es didn't hate him by the conflicted look in Es's eyes. Es was just confused and too little to understand what he was trying to do. It was almost amusing how hard they were trying.
Touchi didn't respond. He turned around left the room, shutting the door. Es froze as they heard the sound of the door lock from the outside. 'No no no… this can't be happening…' Es quickly forced themself to their feet and ran to the door. They desperatedly tried jiggling the doorknob, to no avail.
Touchi actually locked them in here. He locked them in there and was going to hurt— or worse, kill— one of their prisoners. They hate him. They should hate him.
Why didn't they hate him..?
( 'He's the only one who's still there for Es.' )
'No… This isn't okay!'
( 'Honestly, am I the only who thinks Touchi is justified?' )
'What? Are these my thoughts? Or are they the wills?'
( 'How? Kotoko doesn't deserve death…' )
'That's right! She doesn't!'
( 'She's still a threat. Has she even learned from her guilty verdict?' )
'I…'
( 'I kinda agree with that ngl…' )
( 'Touchi looks nice when he smiles.' )
( 'It is partially Es's fault for telling Touchi what she did… They are kinda reckless tbh' )
Es just moved to one of the walls, beside their desk. They pressed their knees to their chest, pressing their back against the wall. It was like Es was trying to make themself seem smaller. Es dug their fingers into their arms to the point of injury. Es let out a whine of pain.
Touchi walked down the hall towards the warden's room. He had done it. He had saved Es once again. It was a tiring task, but one he was happy to do, especially if it kept Es safe from her corrupt ideologies.
He knew Es would probably be mad. They would probably yell at him, try to hit him, or even try to kick him out. That was fine. Touchi understood why Es would feel that way.
It was still annoying though. Es was so stubborn, as expected of a child like them. They were too small to understand why Touchi did these things. Touchi unlocked the door and stepped inside the room. He almost instantly spotted Es curled against the wall beside their desk. They were trying to make themself seem smaller, as if Touchi was a threat.
"S..Stay away from me… please…"
Touchi looked down at their arms. They had red marks on them, most likely from squeezing. Touchi clicked his tongue as he walked forward, he knelt down in front of Es. Es tried to move away from him, but was stopped by the wall.
They were trapped.
Touchi softly gripped Es's hands. Es tried to pull away but Touchi was stronger. Es resorted to try and kicking him, but Touchi simply moved to their side, out of their legs's trajectory.
"Es… please stop making this harder than it needs to be. You hurt your arm, please, let me fix it." Touchi voice almost sounded… pleading? Es didn't know what to do; their arm hurt, but at the same time… Es looked into Touchi's eyes, then back at their arms.
"Promise…?"
Touchi nodded, a slight smile on his face. "Like I said, your safety matters most to me."
"…Fine." Es muttered as they relaxed their arms, allowing Touchi to examine the marks. Touchi frowned as he softly ran his thumbs over Es's arms. Touchi stood up and walked into the bathroom, soon coming out with some bandages. Touchi sat down in front of Es and began to wrap bandages around their arms.
Touchi finally finished wrapping Es's arms. Es ran their hands over the rough fabric.
"I promised you, didn't I?" Touchi spoke quietly. Es raised an eyebrow at him. "I promised you that I would save you, Es. If I didn't dispose of that vigilante, who knows what would've happened." Touchi pulled Es close, holding their head in his lap, he began to softly play with Es's hair. Es's resistence crumbled. It was warm. Comforting. That only made them more scared.
( 'Wow. Es gave in so easily.' )
'No, I haven't.'
( 'Touchi is so kind!!' )
'That's not—'
( 'Es has brand new fangs now lmao' )
'Shut up.'
"You're quiet," Touchi stated as he moved a stray strand of hair from Es's face. "Is it those voices again? I thought I told you to stop listening to them." Touchi's voice turned irritated, his grip on Es slightly tightening.
Es just muttered a half-assed apology in response, it wasn't much but it seemed to satisfy Touchi by the way he loosened his grip. Es didn't really care anymore.
Touchi was the older one. Of course he knew better. This was stupid. Touchi was stupid. Jackalope was stupid for bringing him back here. Es just sighed and let Touchi continue his so-called 'affection'. They hoped no one else Touchi was close with had to deal with this side of him.
It would be fine. They just have to hold on a little longer. They would rather die then give into Touchi's saviour complex.
They won't give in.
No matter how comforting his love is.