"Please hold me, Ritsuka."
Please.
"I'm holding you right now, aren't I?"
Yes Ritsuka, you are.
He never could've thought that such small arms could hold such power in them. He felt safe, secure for the first time in a long, long time.
Soubi was afraid; he was scared of what he might find about Nisei and Seimei, he was scared of what Ritsuka might find.
But right now, at this moment all he could think about was Ritsuka's heartbeat beating softly in his ear and his voice telling him quietly not to worry.
He won't. For now, he leaned into Ritsuka's embrace, closed his eyes and murmured a quiet thank you.
He had never felt this warm in years.
"Suki dayo, Ritsuka."