#/ i wish i could write the powerful eye contact scenes but kuro has the whole no-face thing going on oof

[huronnade-moved]

     Look each other in the face.  Look away.  Pretend it never happened.      This had become their new routine.

      After returning to Huron properly, moving into the house that his mother and father had been keeping void for him for the duration of his isolation, Murr had crossed paths with the Sheriff a number of times.  Every time had been wildly charged, despite its brief span, alight with unspoken feelings and troubles and hatred.  Even though he’d done a lot to frustrate Kuro in the last century or so, the supposed ‘’burden’’ he was putting on his shoulders was nothing in comparison to what the man had done to him.

           Every time I look at you, I want to fucking die.  Do you even care about that?

     It explained his hesitation to knock on the officer’s door, fist hovering uselessly before flopping back to his side.  You can do this.  Just knock.  It’s one quick request.  You can do this.  Before he could go through with it, a woman attempted to get his attention.  One look at her told him that she wasn’t of his race, his brow furrowing with confusion, then derision.  Her offer to get Kuro’s attention for him was sneered at.  It gave him the confidence necessary to grab the handle and push it open, striding inside without so much as a hello.

    ❝ I told y’already:  knock.  The damn.  Door. ❞   Kuro drawled, voice strung tight with annoyance.  His head was currently buried in a case file, grey eyes feverishly scanning information.  Whatever his latest case was, it clearly had him thinking hard.  When nothing was said for a while, the man slowly lifted his head, expression immediately flattening when he realised who was standing there.  With a heavy sigh:   ❝ Haaah.  What is it this time, Murphy?  The soil’s turned t’acid?  The sky’s fallin’ down?  The scarecrow on Route 9 has mysteriously moved? ❞

    ❝ That last one’s actually true-- ❞

    ❝ Aaand here it comes... ❞

     For a short while, Murr had to furiously hold his tongue.  He dug his teeth in so hard that he thought he tasted blood.  When he didn’t feel as if he was going to explode with rage, he forced himself to bow his head, hands clasped feebly in front of him.  Though the Sheriff said nothing, he could feel his eyes boring into the top of his head,  trying to burn a hole through his skull, trying to vaporise him completely--  but a spark just wouldn’t fizzle.

    ❝ I...  have come back ta Huron.  ‘n’ in doin’ so, I know I have a lot ta make up fer.  I came...  ta apologise, fer all the trouble I’ve caused.  I realise that I’ve been a nuisance.  An idiot, even.  I really just...   want ta leave this foolishness behind me, ‘n’ start over. ❞  He hated apologising.  He hated explaining himself even more, but no apology was complete without it.   ❝ I...  thought I could make ya notice me if I acted like a fool.  I thought that ya’d...  at least acknowledge me enough ta tell me ta go away.  ‘n’ I see now that all I did was make ya dislike me more.  I don’t expect ya ta accept me.  I can’t give you back the time I took from ya, but I hope that...  we can move past this--  f-from a civil standpoint.  L-Like adults. ❞

     The silence that followed was heavy, filled with doubt so lugubrious that it served only as an uncomfortable blanket;  the kind that itched and smothered.  Why is my heart beating so fast?  Am I really that afraid of him?  After all this time, do I still fear what Kuro thinks of me...?  Before he could delve any deeper into his brain, he was granted a temporary reprieve in the form of a response.

    ❝ What prompted this change’a heart? ❞

     Though his mouth felt incredibly dry now, Murr forced himself to continue speaking.   ❝ Well.  I did a lotta self-reflection while I was away.  I came ta the conclusion that it’s in my best interest ta try ‘n’ live a normal life, like a normal person.  No more...  hidin’ away ‘n’ playin’ pretend like an idiot.  I’m ready ta face stuff now.  A-And...  that’s kinda why I’m here.  I-I mean, aside from--  t-ta apologise-- ❞   He could feel his face gaining colour, a flush of embarrassment staining normally unperturbed cheeks.  Murr never blushed.  It just wasn’t in his nature.   ❝ I want ta...  request permission ta have a facility built. ❞   For a moment, he fumbled with his hands before continuing on.   ❝ I know ya have all the reasons in the world ta say no at this point.  But I also know that it’s worth a shot.  No amount’a wealth or prestige puts me above the law.  New projects should be approved by the High Court.  ‘n’ so, I’m...  askin’ you ta file a request fer me.  As the Sheriff. ❞

     By now, he knew that he had Kuro’s attention.  The sound of the file being put down sounded like gunfire to him.

    ❝ What for...? ❞

    ❝ I want ta have a theatre built. ❞   There was a long pause before Murr continued.   ❝  It’ll be mine.  But it’ll also be a public facility.  I’ll open it ta the masses.  Huron doesn’t currently have a functionin’ theatre.  I checked.  I can easily cover the expenses.  You know that. ❞   He took a breath he didn’t know he needed, trembling hands curled tightly into fists in an effort to mask his apprehension.           ❝ I want ta try again.  Since failin’ college-- ❞   The quiet became deafening in that moment, a deep sense of discomfort echoing dimly in their ears.  Murr swallowed hard, rage rising much like vomit, and he pushed it back down with just as much perseverence.   ❝ ... I haven’t stepped on a stage since.  I want that ta change.  So please, f-file my request...! ❞

     His head felt uncomfortably full in that moment, like a mason jar topped to the brim with unread confessions.  It’s your fault.  No matter how you slice it, you’re the reason I failed.  You stole my life away.  Now I’m stealing it back.  If you don’t try to help me, I’ll do it myself.  Yeah, myself.  Just like always since you left.  I’m no stranger to getting my hands dirty at this point.  I could kill you--

    ❝ Okay. ❞

     Murr blinked, snapping back to the present.     ❝ A-Ah...  okay? ❞

    ❝ Yeah.  I’ll file yer request. ❞   He watched, somewhat stupefied, as Kuro recollected his papers, eyes sharp despite their half-lidded state.  Dear Raku, how long has it been since you slept, Kuro?  Is it as long as me?   ❝ When y’leave-- ❞

    ❝ Close the door, ❞   Murr finished feebly.  There was a moment where they locked eyes  (  or at least, he thought they did, for he felt his soul quiver  )  before they both looked away again.  However the situation had turned out, it couldn’t be denied that Murr still knew most of him inside out.  It didn’t matter how many years had passed since they’d last shared proper time together.  A person was never gone for good.  In a pained but clear voice:    ❝ ... I know.  Ya hate it when it’s left ajar.  Ya always have. ❞   Do you even think about me anymore?  Or have you forgotten who I am?  Do you still know me like I know you, or am I just a ghost from your past?   ❝ ... thanks fer yer time, Kuro. ❞

     Before the Sheriff could utter another word, Murr pulled the door closed and left the station, all but running from the woman who was fervently trying to ask what he was there for.  Mind your own fucking business, bitch.  Are you riding Kuro’s dick or something?  I feel like vomiting.  Why am I breathing so hard?  Why is my face so hot?  Why’re my eyes filling up?  Why, why why?

     He stopped at the end of the road, wiping gently at his eyes.   ❝ Wh-What’s wrong with me...? ❞   His fingers shook against his reddened cheeks as he attempted to slap himself back into focus.

     It’s seeing him.  It’s seeing him that’s doing this.  He’s so unaware of what he’s done to me.