#also the fact that Unji Zuma looks like Ken Takakura

[roydeezed]

Gonna be a good year for mfer's who look like this

[pikuna]

Missing Parts of Me - Chapter 3

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Category: F/M, Gen

Fandoms: Dandadan (Manga)

Relationships: Ayase Momo/Takakura “Okarun” Ken, Takakura “Okarun” Ken & Turbo-Granny

Characters: Ayase Momo, Takakura “Okarun” Ken, Turbo-Granny (Dandadan), Zuma Unji, Ayase Seiko, Shiratori Aira (Dandadan), Enjouji “Jiji” Jin, Vamola (Dandadan)

Additional Tags: Youkai Takakura “Okarun” Ken, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Insecure Takakura “Okarun” Ken, Takakura “Okarun” Ken Needs a Hug, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Dandadan Manga Spoilers, Post Danmara arc, Pre-Relationship, No Confession previously, Momo never shrunk, Events of Kozuka Knives Arc haven’t started yet, Found Family, Enemy To Family, Canon-Typical Violence, canon-typical cussing, Romantic Fluff, Eventual Relationships, Pinning

Summary

Never would Okarun have thought that he would actually miss it to transform into his Yokai form. Or that he would ever miss Turbo Granny. Both things had changed his life forever and while it hard been a...troubled start to put it mildly, he had become accustomed to both and also relied a lot on his ability to fight. Lucky for him there is a chance for him to regain both things.

It was just bad timing. A Bloodmoon is always a very tricky time for young Yokai or those desperate souls. And Okarun was both young and desperate. Desperate to finally get his feelings for Momo straight. And so desperate for something akin to a family.

AO3 Link

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Just as he had predicted, Okarun had almost thrown himself on the floor with how deep he had bowed before Momo in an attempt of an apology after he had returned to human form. Most of it was him just stammering incoherent sentences and trying not to look into her eyes.

Why did he pick her up and spin her around in circles like in some cheesy romance movie? And then nuzzled her, even when she made it clear she was uncomfortable with it? That was completely inappropriate!

He completely ignored the fact that she had given him a quick kiss on his mask, which he curiously did feel on his actual cheek. And the ghost of that feeling still lingered, but he was absolutely not thinking about that.

His pleading for forgiveness was interrupted when Momo picked him up with her spectral hands to hover in the air and make him look at her, to tell him it was okay. She ruffled his hair when he finally agreed with a meek voice to stop apologising, which made him blush for a different reason now.

He pointedly ignored Turbo Granny's questions if he actually had both his balls back.

One thing was for sure, transforming on his own was now more exhausting than when he still had all of the spiritual powers from the old Yokai. Not to the degree it was when he did it the very first time, but he had to rely now way more on his own stamina.

After Seiko heard about that she immediately scheduled proper training sessions with him to get him even more in shape. It was also a good opportunity for Turbo Granny to teach him more about his Yokai instincts. Not that she waited too long with that, dropping the nugget of wisdom that he needed to get his mind and heart to align. If they were not in balance, he could not control his own instincts due to the infighting he had. Whatever that meant.

The invitation to stay for the night was not something he fought anymore. He was actually happy to stay as often as possible at the Ayase house. It just felt more like home, warm and welcome. Usually he would stay in one of the small spare rooms, but he surprised himself by agreeing immediately to spending the night in Momo's room when she suggested it. To keep an eye on him, she assured her grandmother who had given her a long look before just waving with her hands, acting like she didn't care.

It was getting closer to bed time and while they both were in their pyjamas, neither of them really wanted to go to sleep or even think about school tomorrow.

One of Momo's many Ken Takakura movies was running, providing Okarun with background noise, while he sat on her beanbag and leant against her bed. His newest UAP magazine was on his lap. Now that he felt more excited about reading, he wanted to give it another try. But he had been on the same page for the past 15 minutes, just staring at it. At least this time it wasn't because he was spacing out. He was just very deep in thoughts.

Having the power to transform into his Yokai form again was great. Now he could help the others in fights again. He could protect Momo without her having to worry about him. At least not much more than before.

There had been a slight concern when he transformed for the first time in a week. The last time was against the Fairy Tail card, after he had gone All-Out already two times. He hadn't been able to see how he had looked, but he knew it had felt different. More feral, more wild. He remembered he had been on all four and was running purely on instinct to save Momo. To his relief, it hadn't felt like that earlier. He had never felt more in control before.

Or at least that's what he wanted to believe.

There was non influence of Turbo Granny he could sense and yet he still felt like his hand was just one of two on the steering wheel. According to Turbo Granny, his Yokai instincts were that other hand and they were far more happy to risk things and not think at all. Hence him picking Momo up and just nuzzling her!. At least before he was just saying stupid stuff, not doing it. He really needed to control those instincts better or things between him and Momo would get...awkward. More than they already were.

Ever before the space alien invasion and especially ever since that damned note she had left with his curry...there had been a tension between them he couldn't explain. When other people were around, they could interact just as they used to most of the time. But when they were alone...

It was hard to say, but he had the feeling that Momo was expecting something from him. To say or do, he had no idea, just that she seemed to get frustrated with him over nothing. He was just at a loss what to do about that.

And what to do about his own feelings.

He had always been a bit flustered when Momo was very close from the moment he had realised his crush on her. But recently it took all his willpower to even look at her directly, too afraid to get lost in her beautiful dark pink eyes that always had such an enticing spark in them. The possibility that she had meant her note romantically...that she had the same feelings for him that he had for her... Okarun just didn't know if he wanted to take the risk and jump off that cliff. He had already danced at the edge by saying it out loud that he...loved Momo. Granted it had been to Vamola, but he remembered how thrilling it had felt to finally admit it to at least himself.

And it had made things even harder for him.

Momo was his whole world, she made him feel like someone special, someone worth caring about and he was so happy about it. But he never could find the right time to say those things to her. Not that he thought he would be able to say anything like that at all. Fear had a tight grip on him when he even thought about confessing to her, the worst scenarios playing in his head that paralysed him.

Absently he stroked over the spot where he could still feel her kiss linger on his cheek. It had caught him so off guard when she did that, his heart had done somersaults in his chest. Surely that meant something? Or was it just a friendly gesture? The same thing as with the note... Her actions always seem to contradict themselves, which really didn't help with all these feelings bubbling up inside him.

At first he had thought he had been able to stuff those feelings deep down and just be content with her friendship and enjoying her company. But now... His Yokai instincts were adamant to push him off that risky cliff. If Turbo Granny hadn't had appeared outside the torii gate, Okarun was sure he would have blurted out something utterly stupid and not salvageable after that kiss. He had to find a way to bury these feelings again and also to get to the bottom of Momo's frustration. Then they could go back to just goofing around and enjoy each other's company.

As it was right now, there was again a slight tension in the air. It had been Momo's idea that he would stay in her room, but as soon as the two of them had been alone, she had just shuffled around nervously. Okarun, not having any better ideas at that time, just said he would read his magazine until they would go to sleep. She had nodded and plonked herself on the bed to start watching a movie.

They hadn't spoken a word since.

And he hated it.

A sigh came from deep within himself, laced with frustration.

Being so deep in his thoughts, he didn't register when Momo was trying to get his attention. Not until she put her hand on the top of his head and gave him a few gentle strokes. The electricity of the sensation jolted him out of his thoughts and almost out of the beanbag. His head whipped around to look at Momo, who had removed her hand from his head and seemed to have been startled by his sudden reaction.

"Sorry Okarun," she immediately apologised. "You were just not responding."

"Oh, apologies Ayase-san." Okarun averted his eyes again, adjusting his slightly askew glasses with one hand. "I was just...thinking." He missed her raised eyebrow.

"Just thinking? Not spacing out?"

"No, nothing like last week," he assured her with a small smile. He could feel how her aura sight was scanning him over and a glance to her face confirmed she had her eyes closed. Huh, that was new. He never had felt it before.

"Your aura is flickering around more than it should," she finally said and opened her eyes again, worry in them. "You sure you're okay?"

Okarun couldn't help but letting out an amused huff. She would always complain when he was overprotective of her and now this. Such a hypocrite. Not that he didn't mind it.

"Yes, I feel fine. Probably just adjusting to everything."

Momo only made an affirmative hum, while he settled back into a comfortable position in the beanbag. The weird silence settled in the room again. An uncomfortable knot formed in Okarun's stomach. Would it always be like this now? Could they not sit in silence together without it feeling awkward?

But then Momo pressed her face against the top of his head, almost making him jolt again at the closeness. As it was, he just went rigid, feeling her warm breath whispering over his hair.

"So, what is good old Bigfoot up to these days?" she asked him with a nonchalant sounding voice. Unbeknownst to Okarun, she was blushing almost as much as he was at that moment.

"Huh?" was the only thing he was able to articulate. She moved her arm past his heated face and pointed at the magazine in his lap.

"They have a new article about him. So I guess people tried to get new photos of him? Or her."

"I..uhm...I haven't read it yet..." he sheepishly admitted. Feeling her chuckle more than he heard it, his cheeks turned even more red.

"Would you read it to me? Please?"

Momo could have asked him for anything with the sweet way she said Please and he would have done it without a second thought. God, he was so weak for her.

"I-if you want. Of course."

Clearing his throat he started to read the article about new Bigfoot sightings and discoveries about the species behaviour. The more he read, the more Okarun relaxed, his voice lacing with excitement and he stopped a few times to add his own theories. Momo, absolutely sweet and magnificent Momo, even contributed with her own...'theories' that made Okarun laugh at how absurd they were. He knew she didn't make fun of this, it was just her way to engage with it. She did listen to him intently when he was reading, always staying close and touching him in some way. As much as he couldn't bring himself to initiate any touch, he enjoyed it when it came from her.

They went past the Bigfoot article and read a few more, until Momo let out a yawn. She had almost fallen asleep with her face nestled into his hair and Okarun almost wished she did. But it would have become uncomfortable for her after a while for sure, so he gently nudged her to suggest they should call it a night. She grumbled a bit in protest, but then rolled over into a comfortable sleep position, while he crawled into his futon on the floor. Exchanging a quiet 'Goodnight', she turned off the light and silence embraced the room again.

A smile formed on his face while he slowly drifted off to sleep. This was fine. This was good.

---------------------------------------------

Okarun had all sorts of dreams since meeting Momo.

Many were unpleasant ones, mostly involving Momo or his friends getting hurt by some fierce Yokai or alien. Sometimes they were more pleasant and of course it was always because she was in them and they were just doing very mundane things. Laughing, holding hands...kissing. You know, absolutely normal things friends do.

He never had a dream where he was just standing in an endless blackness and felt so aware and in control of his own dream.

Turning in all directions, he tried to see anything in the vast nothingness, but with no luck. He contemplated to just start walking and see where he would end up. When he suddenly felt a presence behind him.

He spun around to face...himself? Or rather himself in his Yokai form, minus the mask. At least Okarun assumed hit was his Yokai self, since he looked so similar to himself. Not like he had much time to check himself out in mirrors during fights or his errand runs. Well, since this was just a dream and he didn't feel any fear or dread flaring up, this was as good an opportunity as any.

His Yokai self just stared at him, his red piercing eyes only showing mild interest. He remembered the others telling him that while he had no filter, his emotions got tonally muted and only flared up when he was angry. The way he got stared down was a bit unnerving, so he looked up to his white billowing hair with the red streaks. Okarun had to admit it looked cool and explained his sudden hairstyle change back when he transformed the first time. He was just a bit worried about the sickly grey skin tone the Yokai had. Currently his double wore his school uniform, just with the difference that the back end and collar were flaring up in ghostly flames tipped in red. Not fair. He wished his uniform would look this wicked normally.

None of them spoke a word and Okarun could feel himself getting nervous with how the other just...glared at him. To be fair, he had been studying him too for a few minutes.

Why was he here in his...dream? Had he something to do with Turbo Granny's powers?

"You shouldn't call them hers anymore," the other suddenly spoke up. "They're ours now."

Okarun was startled by the sudden response to his thoughts! Was he reading his mind?

The Yokai chuckled slightly at that. "Don't need to. I'm part of you, yo."

That was probably supposed to be an explanation, but it left him with more questions than anything else. Ignoring the other him for a moment, Okarun held onto his safety and thinking blanket that was his glasses and tried to remember. Did he ever have a dream like this? Has he ever had someone talking back in his head? To both he could say no. The only thing he ever had was the feeling of something in the back of his mind agreeing or disagreeing with his thoughts and actions. It had started after Turbo Granny's spiritual powers remained in him, so he always assumed that it had something to do with that. But when he transformed earlier, there was nothing left of that feeling or was he just some leftover...something from Turbo Granny?

"I have nothing to do with that old hag," the other suddenly said with a growl in his voice and pulled Okarun out of his thoughts. Feeling braver in the comfort of this being inside his own head, he vocalised his question now: "Then what are you? Why are you here?"

At first the other hummed thoughtfully at those questions, as if he had to think about them before he answered with the shrug of one shoulder: "Just here to talk. Probably my only chance."

Raising his eyebrows in confusion at that, Okarun let go of his glasses.

"For what I am..." Now his Yokai self really seemed like he had to think about it with the way he looked at his hands. "Just think of me as your subconscious. Not that I really know the details myself."

That...was a surprisingly acceptable answer. The way Okarun acted when he was transformed always drew from deep within himself, saying things he usually would tuck away and never dared to think about, let alone speak them out loud. So this guy being his subconscious would make sense...in a weird way. He had read about people claiming to talk to their own subconscious during lucid dreams. Obviously he had thought people were just claiming things, but this right now felt like a very lucid dream and maybe...maybe his new spiritual powers influenced his subconscious to look like his Yokai form?

Again, his other self interrupted his train of thoughts, this time with clapping his hands: "Sharp es ever. You can be so perceptive if you want to."

Okarun didn't know how to handle a compliment coming from...himself. Especially one that sounded a bit backhanded. Instead he just focused on getting to the bottom of this whole experience: "You said you want to talk. About what?" He looked down to the ground and as if he had willed it into existence, he could see the blue and red flames of his soul swirling beneath them. "I guess it has something to do with my new powers?" It would make sense.

An affirmative hum came from his double. "It's part of what I wanna talk about. Mostly wanna tell ya..." His previous indifferent expression turned into a rather angry glare. "...that I'm sick of your bullshit."

"Huh?" The sudden change in tone caught Okarun off guard, as well as the other coming closer, until he was directly in front of him.

"Remember what the old hag said? That your mind and heart needs to be in balance to have full control of your Yokai instincts? Which will be very difficult, if you can't get your act together."

Feeling a bit uneasy from how close the Yokai was, Okarun took two steps back and turned away from his scrutinising gaze. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Oh you damn well do. It's all about Momo." The Yokai took a step forward to him again, so he matched that by walking a step back. Frustration was clear in the other's voice. "Remember when we heard Taro's confession to Hana? How inspired we were and adamant to prove ourselves to Momo? Where is all that determination? Just gone?"

Okarun took in a shaky breath. "I....I don't..." He was overwhelmed with this sudden confrontation. Not knowing how to answer his question directly he just recited the same thing that was rattling through his brain whenever he even thought about his feelings for Momo. "I don't want to lose her..."

"Who says we will?" Another step forth, another step back. "Think about it for a moment. She interacts with us differently than with others, hasn't hold anybody's hand when going home late at night or given Jiji a kiss on the cheek."

He had a good point. And Okarun knew it. Momo was always big on physical affections, he learned that very quickly with the way she always bumped into him gently. It was one of the many things he adored about her and he always craved that affection from her. Especially the one she doesn't seem to give anyone but him, which was more than he had realised before.

It's not something a friend should want. She would be creeped out if she knew how needy I am.

Making her feel uncomfortable was the last thing he wanted. And he was so sure that would be the case if he told her how much he needed her.

"Don't make assumptions," his other self tried to sound more calm. "Momo told us it's a bad habit of yours."

Okarun snorted at the memory of that particular conversation. As much as he wanted to believe her words to this day...his own experience told him otherwise. His assumptions about other people had been correct and there was still the chance that it would be the case with her, if he asked for more than he should.

"I don't want to risk our friendship..." he just muttered, his voice sounding so defeated.

"The friendship was a risk in the first place!" Before Okarun could try to get away from him again, the Yokai grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up enough that he was standing on his tiptoes. Brown and red eyes staring at each other. "If you hadn't followed and tried to talk to her that day, we wouldn't be here. We would still be all alone and forgotten..." Okarun could see an all too familiar hurt in those red eyes. "We took a risk before. It's time to take another. Who knows how many chances we have left? Who knows what will happen the next time we have to face an overpowering foe? We almost lost her for good twice now..."

His voice almost broke at the last words and Okarun could feel how the hands gripping his collar were trembling slightly. It was...an unnerving experience to see his own emotions on display in front of him. That fear he felt whenever Momo was in danger and the seconds of grief when he thought he had lost her. All the things he had left unsaid weighted so heavily on his heart he thought he would have died in those moments too.

"We love Momo. It's the ultimate truth of our heart," the Yokai spoke again, seeing his chance.

Okarun could not deny that. His heart swelled just thinking about her radiant smile and the way she sing-songed his name with that sweet voice of hers. Even thinking it was embarrassing, but he couldn't help but see her as an angel. A very badass angel that could kick ass.

Both him and the Yokai let out an amused huff at that thought.

He could definitely not deny that his heart ached for her so much. That all he wants is to love her and be loved by her.

But....

"But our mind is so...twisted from the past. You think we don't deserve this. Nobody cared before, so why would someone so amazing and wonderful as her love us back."

Actually hearing his worries said out loud made him wince. It really sounded...pathetic.

"But Momo cares. She always does. She wouldn't dump us just because we love her more than she might us." The other him finally let go of his collar and let him down more gently than expected. "Have some faith in her."

Oh and if that didn't hit a nerve. Of course Okarun had faith in Momo. He would never question her words or conviction. His negative assumptions were always more aimed at himself. That he would be too much, too greedy. If he would get a clear sign from her that it was okay...maybe then he could actually take that leap of faith and believe he could be...loved.

It was something he could work with. Testing out boundaries. Little steps, to work up the courage and to see what Momo would be comfortable with.

His other self sighed in exasperation. "Should just rip the band-aid off and confess to her. But beggars can't be choosers and all that."

Annoyed at the brazenness, Okarun was about to give a retort, when he suddenly felt...something? Nothing alarming, just like there was another presence here with them. It took him a moment to realise that it was Momo looking at him with her aura sight.

"Momo-chan is always so caring. She can't stop worrying about us." It was a bit of a whiplash to hear his other self talking with such a cooing voice. And a bit embarrassing. Mostly because he absolutely understood why. The Yokai looked back at him. "Would probably ease her mind if you could get your head out of your ass. Just saying."

Okarun wondered if all those crude words weren't actually somewhat influenced by Turbo Granny. No way that this was all him.

Instead of the expected bark of denial at the thought, his other self just chuckled and shrugged. He was not too far off then.

The head of his double tilted upwards and Okarun followed his line of sight. He was surprised to see two teal glowing orbs floating above them in the darkness. Before either of them could say anything, Okarun felt like he was yanked out of the black void, leaving his Yokai self behind.

---------------------------------

It was a yelp that woke Okarun from his conversation with his inner self. Befuddled he shot up and blinked rapidly with his eyes. Some light from the moon outside shone into the room.

"Wha-what happn? We under attck?" he babbled in sleepy confusion. It took him several second until he noticed Momo sitting beside him, a hand covering her mouth. That yelp must have come from her, given her shocked face.

"Dammit, sorry Okarun," she hissed in a whisper. "Didn't mean to wake you up. Just got...startled."

Realising that there was no immediate danger, he relaxed. "t's kay," he mumbled with a yawn. Rubbing his eyes, he managed to wake up a bit more and looked at her. "What are you doing down here?"

"You seemed like you had a nightmare. Moving around and all that. Just wanted to check on you," she explained and Okarun hummed in understanding. He would not be surprised if he had squirmed during the conversation in his head.

"Sorry about that," he apologised, earning himself a gentle shove from Momo. "Stop apologising for everything." He bit back another sorry and just grinned.

"What got you startled?" he asked instead. Momo's face went pensive at that. "It was weird. Was checking your aura, which by the way was flickering like heck earlier, worse than before." Okarun only nodded at that. "Anyway, don't know what it was, but it felt like someone...looked back at me? Did not expect that at all."

The teal colored orbs came to Okarun's mind. Were those supposed to be Momo's...spiritual sensing eyes or something? And had his Yokai self been so tangible in his dream that Momo had been able to sense and kind of see them both when they looked at her? He barely bit back a groan and pressed the palm of his hands against his eyes, rubbing them. He was not awake enough to think too much about the logistics of all this.

"Okarun?" Momo tilted her head confused at his reaction. He slowly removed the hands from his face. For a few seconds he debated with himself if he should tell her about his dream or not, but...she had sensed the other one. So she should believe him...right?

"That might have been us...me and my other self," he tried to start to explain, but Momo's face, scrunched in confusion, told him that he needed to elaborate. "I had...some kind of dream where my subconsciousness was talking to me. It was influenced by my new powers and looked like me when transformed." Momo's eyebrows shot up at that.

"Seriously? So you had a conversation with yourself?" Okarun had expected more scepticism, but was only met with a genuine curious look from her.

"I mean, technically all dreams are a conversation with yourself..." he mumbled, but she didn't care about that detail.

"Not the point Okarun." Her intense curious gaze was fixed on him, causing his cheeks to heat up. "What did you two talk about? Must have been very intense, the way you were tossing and turning."

'Oh you don't know half of it.' he thought.

"He just told me the same thing that Turbo Granny told me earlier, to get my heart and mind in balance. Almost sounded as crude as her." A deep sigh escaped him. This was the best summary he could give her without telling too much. Which he would never in a hundred years.

It seemed a certain detail had caught Momo's interest.

"Ohhh?" she grinned and leaned closer towards him. Okarun knew exactly what she wanted to know and let out an amused huff.

"He said, and I quote to 'Get my head out of my ass'," he told her while making air quotes.

"Huh, actually sounds on point for you too," she said with a snicker, earning her a truly offended gasp from him.

"Ayase-san, I would never say something like that!"

"You can be pretty foul mouthed if you want to." She just poked him teasingly, causing him to sulk with crossed arms and look away from her.

"Mostly because you provoke me..."

"Hehe, I only bring out the best in you."

It was obviously a joke from her. Very, very obviously.

But Okarun couldn't help himself. He thought about how she had been the one to feel more confident around other people and to stand up for himself. He was a better and stronger person thanks to her.

"You really do..." he said with a soft smile. His eyes had returned to hers and he watched them having a dancing glint of mirth to them and then widened in shock at his admission. The dim light of the moon was still enough to see her cheeks turn more rosy and damn if she didn't look utterly beautiful like this in the moonlight.

They looked at each other for a while, before Momo blinked herself back to her senses. She fumbled a bit with putting a loose strand of hair behind her ear and trying not to look at him.

"W-well, you seem fine for now, so let's just go back to sleep. School tomorrow."

As she tried to get up, Okarun did something he rarely did: Acting without thinking. His hand gripped her wrist gently, keeping her from getting up.

"Wait," he said, a tad too desperate for his taste, but tried to ignore it. He certainly could not ignore how his heart was hammering against his throat at this bold action. Gently he tugged her closer to him and she let him do without saying a word. Just looking a bit shocked. When she settled down again, her knees were touching the side of his leg. He did not let go of her, instead he cupped both his hands around hers and rested them on top of the futon covers.

"I want...to thank you for looking after me," he started nervously, rubbing circles over her hand with his thumbs in an attempt to hide the tremble in his own. "I promise, I will work on myself. So that I will have full control over my powers." He looked at her with a determined expression. "I don't want to make you worry anymore Ayase-san."

Momo was just staring at him, which made him nervous. Was it too much? He just wanted to take small steps, but maybe he went way overboard with just touching her like that? But then her face split into a gentle smile and his worries just melted away.

"I will always be worried about you, dummy."

Her fingers started to scratch gently against the inside of his hand, sending pleasant shivers up his arm and down his spine.

"I would rather bundle you up in a hundred blankets and hide you away so that you can never get hurt again. But I know you would get mad at not being able to help."

How funny. He felt the exact same way.

"It would drive me crazy, because I know you would be out and attracting all kinds of trouble," he mumbled with a teasing tone, getting a huff as an answer. "Don't make it sound like it's always my fault."

While he didn't say it out loud, he was sure that Momo could see it in his eyes that he was thinking exactly that. They exchanged a look and just giggled quietly.

He could see her taking in a deep breath, before she wiggled her hand free from his grasp and then leant forward to...hug him! His arms flailed for a moment, overwhelmed with the sudden closeness, but as if he got a mental shove, he wrapped his arms around her to return the hug. They both nestled their nose against the neck of the other, breathing each other in.

"I know you will get this under control," Momo murmured against his skin, sending more pleasant shivers down his spine. "And I'll help you in any way you need."

Okarun took in a deep breath to calm his racing heart, afraid she could feel how frantic it was. But being so close he was sure he could feel her own heart going wild, so that eased his mind a lot.

"You're already helping me a lot," was what he said out loud.

'All I need from you is this,' he thought internally.

Holding her hand was all that he had wanted to achieve tonight. But now he was hugging her. Not because he had to carry her or because they were relieved to still be alive. They were safe and all alone in the dark of her room and just...held each other. Okarun had never felt so much comfort in his life before.

"I seem to do a good job," Momo said after a moment. "Your aura has calmed down."

And yeah, he could feel her taking a peek at his aura again.

Okarun only hummed in acknowledgement, too occupied with enjoying her warmth and how calm his usually negative mind was right now.

They sat like this for another few minutes and Okarun would have been content to just fall back into the futon with Momo in his arms. But even with his newfound conviction, he didn't dare to go this far. When they finally managed to let go of each other, his heart fluttering at how she was as reluctant as he was, they looked at each other with a shy smile, before crawling back into their respective beds.

Getting ready to fall back asleep, Okarun could feel smugness in the back of his mind. It felt like a 'Told you so' and he had a pretty good idea where it was coming from.

Maybe his Yokai self had a point. Maybe he should try to act more before thinking.