#cant believe you're doing this to waver smh but also fair cuz WE DONT WANT DAI TO DIE IN THIS HOUSE LMFAO

[yoakenouta]

ㅤㅤIT was scary.

ㅤㅤTerrifying to the point that the horrors haunted his dreams every night but this was the responsibility he took upon himself so did he have any right to complain ? Well, not like he had any trouble admitting that he was afraid but still, what he's seen was beyond horrifying compared to the mere act of thievery. So that's why, he didn't want Daisuke to concern himself over his actions -- at least when it came to Ritsuka anyways.

ㅤㅤAll he could do was offer a wry smile at his pitying words, almost as if such an expression was meant to say that there was no need for Daisuke to say any more on the matter ( in some ways, part of him couldn't bear to see that sort look from others; it was a reminder of all the things he endured without a thought ). He lowered his hand to his side, ready to give Daisuke his space until, suddenly the distance between them had closed and Ritsuka found himself being pulled into a gentle embrace. He froze in place, arms hanging slightly above his side and eyes widening as he stood momentarily paralyzed in surprise.

ㅤㅤUpon realization, he felt his face flush with subtle embarrassment from the uncertainty of how reciprocate this act of affection ( it wasn't everyday he received such a sincere hug after all ). Eventually, he eased up and returned the embrace with a warm, albeit bashful smile. " I told you, didn't I ? You don't have to worry about things like giving me anything in return. I'm doing this because I want to, that's all there is to it. Besides, we're friends, aren't we ? It's more than enough for me to see you enjoying yourself. I don't need anything else. " He blinked as the stick of pocky was offered to him before grinning in response to accept the chocolate coated biscuit. " ... But in this case, I'll happily accept. Thanks ! "

ㅤㅤCome to think of it ... was this the first time the other called him senpai ? Something about it made him more giddy than it should've ( apart from Mash, he didn't have many kouhais so in some way, it was a little gratifying ) but still ...

ㅤㅤTaking a bite of his pocky, he decided, " If you want ... you can just call me Ritsuka. " They were friends and in it for the long run so there wasn't too much of a need to stick to formalities for long.

mm ... he can't help but sulk a little --- being annoying didn't seem any good either , but then what was it he wanted , in the end ? to be blamed after all ? ( no , that wasn't it , it was only uncomfortable ... ) to be fixed ? ( in the first place , the reason he had come to chaldea at the start was to try to rid himself of his family's phantom servant curse . ) his thoughts meander and go nowhere until ritsuka's head comes down onto the top of his head . the sudden touch surprises , and like a hiccup he feels his heart leap --- out of his chest and into his throat , where it grips his chords and briefly feels to suffocate him .

( was it this --- ? ) had he wanted someone to tell him that things would be okay , that he could still have the sorts of things he wanted --- pocky , someone who didn't hate him , a pat on the head despite feeling like someone ; something untouchable anyways ? his cheeks retain their fluster , until shyly , he hides his lips behind the pocky box . his eyes and their ever-red blink pitifully at the other , until softly , he speaks . ' it sounds ... scary . ' even if he had been here from the start , he hadn't been able to accompany ritsuka through every adventure . what had he missed ? if a thief became nothing in the other's mind , then just exactly what sorts of things had they seen ?

' i'm sorry . i still don't really have anything that i could give you in return , but --- ' he steps forward , and shuttling the other close to his chest , gives ritsuka an embrace in exchange for each pat . ' thank you for the pocky ... master . fujimaru-senpai . ' the stretch of his black wings reaches outwards until they finally dissolve ; soon enough , warmed by the hug , the niwa had become himself again . the box of pocky too is irreversibly opened , a single chocolate stick procured and offered to the other . ' here . since it's the holiday , at least keep one , okay ? ... i mean --- please . ' it felt like so little , and yet --- it was still the least that he could do .