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The sun shone down relentlessly on the pair as they sat together in the parked jeep sitting outside Kazuma's home. Kimishima sat quietly in the passenger seat, waiting for the younger man to start the engine, put it in gear and drive him on the long trek to his home.
While shifting in the seat and buckling his belt, he subconsciously moved his hand to adjust the blindfold covering his vacant, blank eyes.
Kazuma noted his companion's hesitant movement, and his heart clenched at the sight.
"…You all right, buddy?" His voice was low and sympathetic, and it took all his will power to not pull Kimishima into his lap and comfort him.
"No," The older man said softly…brokenly. "But I'll have to deal with this. There's nothing I can do to change what's happened."
"I know," Kazuma whispered, his mind drifting back to the previous week…when Kimishima's eye disease had transgressed, resulting in complete blindness in both eyes. "But…I'm always here to talk if you need me. You know that, right?"
Kimishima nodded, managing a shaky smile in Kazuma's general direction.
"I know, but I don't want to burden you too much. You've already done so much for me…I mean, you even learned to drive just for me."
Kazuma smiled, laying a hand on his friend's trembling shoulder. "Don't worry about it. It's all worth it as long as I get to be around you."
Kimishima gave a genuine smile, so Kazuma started the car and drove him home.
XXX