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Amidst the strangely familiar murmurs of the night, the darkness was broken only by the light falling on the floor from behind the colorful stained-glass window. With his eyes closed, Atsushi couldn't see whether the crystal tears, already shattered on the floor and still gliding down his cheeks, were turning red, blue, purple, or whether they were disappearing into the intricate depths of shadows. He was only roused from his wistful, tearful existence by a stinging slap on the cheek, which caused him to turn his eyes skyward, to the face of a man he deeply hated. Perhaps he only hated himself more deeply and sincerely.
But at that very moment, the light drowsily shifted, and with his awakening, he realized that this event was not happening now and would never happen again. After opening his eyes, the first thing he noticed were Akutagawa's dark ones, staring at him with a seemingly calm expression, yet with a poorly concealed anxiety.
"When did you came?" He asked, not yet fully adjusted to the real world.
"Just now."
Nakajima noticed the man smiling faintly, as if trying to reassure him. His hand wandered to his sleepy face and he brushed damp forehead with his cool fingers.
"Have you caught a cold?"
"No, I don't think so..."
"Mhmm..."
This was all unsettling. The room expanded incomprehensibly through the swirling night; despite his words, Atsushi didn't feel well. He still felt a strong hand on his cheek, but it must have been just an imaginary memory; it didn't exist. He was flushed and feverish.
He wanted to escape everything connected to his past, and therefore himself as well.
"Sorry for waking you up, go back to sleep."
"No..." He sighed. "I won't fall back asleep."
"Did you have a bad dream?"
He nodded hesitantly. "Can you hug me?"
Akutagawa wordlessly approached him and allowed Atsushi to snuggle into his embrace. They remained motionless for a long moment, until the scent of smoke and cool air that surrounded Akutagawa sobered Atsushi enough to frighten him from his bold request. He then slipped out of Akutagawa's arms.
"I'm sorry..."
"What are you..." His gaze was gentle yet piercing, and concern was written on his face in a slight frown. He didn't increase the distance between them. Atsushi closed his eyes, avoiding his gaze, though it seemed warm. And heavy, with that worry, as if he'd guessed everything. This conviction was reinforced when Akutagawa's arms wrapped around him again, this time more securely, with more strength, yet somehow more gently.
"Everything will be alright now." Akutagawa assured him.
Those words shook him strangely; At first, he was overcome with a disquieting sense of relief, a terrifying joy, then a sadness and a sense of loss that he wanted more than anything to deny. Being with him, now, he felt as if one day all his troubles would pass.