#i loved ryuji getting the spotlight but hated how the rest of them responded afterwards UGH

[the-storm-winds]

I should’ve stopped them - Pegoryu

Inspired by @ask-the-trickster​‘s fanart.

Set during/after that scene just after Shido’s palace.

–

“Are you sure that was really necessary?” Akira finally spoke up. He felt a bit sick to his stomach. He knew Ann’s intention had been a “how dare you scare me like that” slap like he’d seen in movies, but it had escalated way too quickly, with each of the girls getting in a few hits. One had caused his head to bang against the lamp post, and the poor guy had passed out for a few seconds. They’d played it off like they meant it, like Ryuji’s well-being was worth less than a bruised ego.

Did they even know about Ryuji’s past? Ann and Makoto surely did, although he wasn’t so sure about Haru, and Futaba almost certainly didn’t. Still, they had all gone too far, the victim having had a history of physical abuse or no.

He’d taken a few steps to follow the others, but now he turned back to approach Ryuji’s slumped form. He wasn’t going to just leave him here, damn it all.

“What? You going to hit me, too?”

Ryuji’s voice startled him. No. Although… God, he might as well have. He was as guilty as the rest of them. I’m their leader. I could’ve stepped in. He knelt beside Ryuji and gripped his shoulders with trembling hands, before pulling him into an embrace, finally giving in to the emotions over everything that had happened that night. I almost lost you.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve been quicker to stop them,” he apologized.

“Nah, it’s… It’s fine. I’m used to it anyway. I prolly deserved it or somethin’.”

Akira squeezed him tighter. It wasn’t fine. He’d be having a talk with every one of the other thieves after this.

“Dammit, what did I do wrong?” …This time. The rest of Ryuji’s question hung in the air, unspoken, but Akira heard it anyway. His heart wrenched.

“Nothing. You didn’t do anything wrong. We were just scared for you. We all love you, Ryuji.” I love you.

“Y'sure got a funny way of showin’ it, then,” Ryuji grumbled.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Nah…” Ryuji patted his back awkwardly. “It ain’t your fault, dude. I might give those girls a piece of my mind, though.” He paused, then added more quietly, “But I guess it ain’t really their fault either. I just did somethin’ stupid. As usual.” He laughed.

At that, Akira pulled back from the hug to look at his face “No. You were very brave, Ryuji,” he said. “If you hadn’t done what you did, we all would’ve died in there. You’re the hero.” He moved to gently touch his cheek―to comfort him further, that was all―but Ryuji flinched away, as if on instinct, and Akira felt his heart twist even tighter. He expects me to hit him, even now.

Instead, Akira leaned forward and touched their foreheads together. “You can believe me. You’re a good person. One of the best I’ve ever met, and one of the most selfless.”

Ryuji didn’t meet his gaze, opting to stare at the bit of grass between them instead. Akira could feel him trembling. He held him there for a few more silent moments, then sat back and removed his glasses to rub at the slight wetness that had been stinging at his own eyes for some time. No, he wasn’t ashamed to let Ryuji see that he was crying. Let the boy know that his unflappable leader had been moved to tears by his near death. He was worth that much and more.

“The last train is gone already, so you can sleep at my place. It’s closer,” Akira said. Ryuji nodded mutely in response. “And you’re taking the bed, since you’re all bruised.”

“What? I can't―”

“No ‘buts’. That’s an order.”

“Yes, leader.” He looked sheepish. Cute. 

Akira helped him to his feet, and they soon settled into a comfortable pace for the walk home. He still felt guilty for having been such a bad friend, but he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to try his best to make it up to him.