It was only because of his lifetime of careful precision that he knew his blade would strike home. A faithful blow, instantly fatal, just as it needed to be. If it hadn't been for the weight of steel sliding through flesh, he never would have known it was over. Suoh didn't make a sound, and while the one faced with death met it with a contented smile, he had to close his eyes just to compel his body to move.
Munakata had carried the weight of two Kings for a long time. Every conversation, every heavy look, every smile just added a few more pounds to his shoulders, but his posture never wavered. A King had no such leisure.
Suoh chased death as the moon chased the sun, unknowingly sharing the unspeakable burdens of a King with the only person who could see them. His tired eyes spoke volumes and seeing them was a constant reminder that it would be over soon, sooner than anyone else wanted, but Mikoto would never be swayed once his decision was made. His foolish goals would be met, not in spite of the cost but because of it. His every muscle gave him away, but seeing it meant nothing, acknowledging it would be pointless, no amount of talk would stop him.
He had always known exactly what he was doing.
But to Munakata, who was always in control, taking on that burden felt natural. If it helped Suoh — and he had no doubt it did, knew that if he hadn't it would have ended messier and much sooner — no burden was too heavy. Every time he drew his sword, its target stayed true.
In death, Mikoto was the same as in life. Selfish, certain, and sharing the weight of a lonely King with perhaps the only lonelier person in the world. The meaningless apology stung, struck a weak point in Munakata's perfect façade, and for a moment that lasted too long, he felt a fear he had swallowed down his whole life.
He wasn't afraid of Suoh's broken Sword of Damocles, or what he had to do to stop it. He now understood every look, every touch, every smile, and he wanted them all back. He understood, and so he closed his eyes, and his sword stayed true.
To ease Suoh's pain, he would take a hundred burdens, and the blood on his hands promised every one.
