Title: Sacrifice
Summary: Takes place after the Kurama-Bakken incident.-"He Still Looks Imposing, Propped Up By Pillows, Bandages Lacing His Entire Body."
Yusuke POV, Slight Kurama/Yusuke
"Yusuke...do you have any idea what you could have done...?" Taking a deep breath, I ran my hands over my face, looking in the mirror and trying not to see Kurama in the background. He still looks dangerous, propped up on 3 pillows, blood and bandages covering his body. He's pale... "Yeah," I sigh, "I know."
"Then what the hell were you thinking?" I don't miss the cringe as he forces himself to sit up straight, breathing heavily as one arm lays across the slashed remains of his chest, "Honestly, I've told you many times that impulsive behaviour is no way to win in battle..." Even though his voice isn't angry, I feel my fists clenching, "I don't care," I say slowly, "If you think your life is worth throwing away in some stupid fight," I take a deep breath, turn to him and take his hand, feeling the bones creak, "Because I'm not going to let you die! Okay! I thought I told you that when we first met, you dumbass!"
There's a minute where his fingers are crushed by my fist, and all I can do is look into those exhausted green eyes. And, slowly, he smiles, squeezing back in a gesture of reassurance, "Oh Yusuke," he sighed, "My death will not be so devastating." His smile is soft. Sad.
"And what about your mom?" I shake my head, pull his hand to my chest, let him feel my heart while I tangle my fingers in his hair, "And what about me, damn it. What am I supposed to do without you? You gonna let me get wrapped up in grief and the rest of us die anyway?! I need you Kurama...fuck, we all need you but...I need you, okay?" I close my eyes, finally letting my head rest on his chest. Gently, his free hand tangles in my hair, stroking the nape of my neck like we've done this for years.
"Yusuke," he whispers, that gentle, careless smile on his bloodless face. "I will not die." And I notice the gold rings in green eyes, the fangs behind his lips, "I've never been able to die, you know." I nod, hold his knuckles to my lips. I don't look at the cold smile, the sudden change in his demeanor. Because, even propped up by pillows, bandages covering his body, he still looks like a demon. He's still dangerous.
And I won't be the idiot who forgets it.