oh-dear-oh-no

[oh-dear-oh-no]

Why is my life cycle starting to feel more like a life spiral? Get me the fuck out of here

[oh-dear-oh-no]

So like remember with like Dan Shu the immortality cult leader? She said something about how most longlasting species have jaw issues because they're wisdom teeth can't be removed?? Wtf do they do about their baby teeth? Do they even have baby teeth?? Are all of them forced to go through life with their would be adult teeth permanently stuck beneath their baby teeth??? DO THEY ROTATE BETWEEN ADULT TEETH AND BABY TEETH CAUSE THEY GROW BACK IN THE SKIN????

[oh-dear-oh-no]

Forgetting then Remembering

You thought it was over, but apparently not. This is, for sure, the last time you let Delwyn give you advice—and you mean it. "Kitsunes never go back on their word as long as their side is fulfilled." Who knew a fae could actually fucking lie?

At least his expression when you were whisked away was a little funny. You've never seen that look on him before—not even when he was human.

They fulfilled their end of the deal with Kenji. He asked to be smuggled into the Record Palace, and in return, he wouldn’t rat you out as a runaway human. It seemed like a good deal—until, not even thirty minutes later, he snatched you up. You strain your ears and can almost hear Delwyn yelling across the large circle of blue flames.

Great. It’s just you, a large circle of fire, and a kitsune pinning you to the ground. Kenji, the kitsune, might actually be about to kill you. What joy. You can’t die now—you still has to fulfill that promise with Delwyn.

There’s a knife in your pocket—if you struggle enough, you might reach it. You thrash desperately, jostling the kitsune pinning you down.

You can’t die here. You can’t.

“Wait! Stop! Would you quit it?”

Your heartbeat pounds in your ears and throat, drowning out everything else. You're so close—just a little further. Please!

“For fuck’s sake, stop it! I’m not going to—just listen!”

Tears stream down your face. You can’t die here, but surviving means killing Kenji. You don't want to kill him—haven't you already put him through enough? You grab the knife and whisper an apology as-

“Y/N!”

...Huh?

How did—? No, wait…what? How does he know? You never—he doesn’t remember. He shouldn’t... what?

You freeze, taking a moment to think. Despite his tight grip, his touch is surprisingly gentle. He seems to be trying to keep his sharp nails away from you. You lift your eyes to get a view of your supposed attacker. He looks rough. His long black hair is a mess, as though he’s been pulling at it, and his eyes are red, as if he’s been crying. Even before the Incident, Kenji was never one to cry. The frown and narrow eyes are... familiar—you haven't seen that expression in a long time. Now, as a Monster, he’s all smiles and jokes.

It makes sense. If you forgot all your responsibilities and friends, you'd likely be the same. That said, considering his face probably hasn’t made that expression in over 700 years, this is... unexpected.

Neither of you speak for a long time. You feel as if you've stepped into some strange, uncharted space, while Kenji’s eyes flicker over your face, as if solving a complex puzzle. His eyes narrow, sharpening into a scrutinizing glare. You finds your voice at last.

“How do you—? I never told you my name.” At least in this life.

Kenji’s grip tightens painfully, then relaxes again. He says nothing, instead turning his gaze to your wrist—the left one, the one with the bracelet. The bracelet he and Mahari made a long time ago... He shouldn’t even know it’s there.

You try to move again, but before you can even lift your head, Kenji grabs your wrist and tears your jacket's fabric like paper. Your protests die in your throat as his gaze locks onto the ancient bracelet. The colors have faded to a dull blue and pink, but the charms still gleam with an almost impossible shine.

The forest feels utterly still. You can’t even hear Delwyn anymore. You doesn’t know what breakdown this stupid fox is having now, but you can’t deal with it. Especially not... this.

“Hey! Uhh...”

The effect is immediate. Kenji straightens, his head snapping to look at you. His face is blank, golden eyes boring into you as if to pierce your skull. Your courage starts to slip away, but you forces yourself to persist.

“...Are you alright?” Wow. That was so not the question she wanted to ask.

Silence. Gods, the silence is suffocating.

You use this moment to slip out from under him, moving further away. He doesn’t follow, just stares at you, his eyes wide and mouth slightly parted, as if he has something to say. His hands twitch.

“What a freak,” Your heart says fondly. “Be careful. He isn’t ours anymore. Remember? None of them are,” whispers Your mind.

Silence. It stretches on, thick and oppressive.

“...Kenji?”

It happens in seconds. A sharp intake of breath, followed by the most miserable expression you've ever seen on his face. Then, nothing but darkness as two arms and eight tails engulf you. His arms hold you tightly, his face nuzzling into your neck. You feel all eight fox tails brushing against you, swaying gently around you. Your view is blocked by Kenji’s dark hair and clothes. Your so warm.

"...Y/N?" he whispers, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

“...Yeah?” Hope, fragile as it is, creeps into your heart after a long absence, and you can feel the sting of tears building in your eyes.

“...Y/N.” A statement this time, said in reverence. He sounds like he’s crying.

“Mhm. That’s me.” It isn’t like it used to be. Five people still don’t remember you. Your home is still incomplete. But finally...finally, a piece has found you.

You wraps your arms around him and cry.