Their breathing slowed after a few seconds, still sitting on their knees in each other's arms. Hiyori sniffled, clearing her throat after having sobbed into his jersey. Yato watched her wipe her face on her sleeve. Her tortured expression caused him great guilt.
As if trying to obtain some sort of inner peace, Yato reached out a gentle hand to brush a few stray hairs out of Hiyori's face. She lifted her head to look up at him. They both caught each other's pitiful gazes, each sympathizing with the other. For a brief moment, it was silent as their stressed expressions spoke for them.
Yato opened his mouth to speak, inhaling before the words he wanted to convey.
Then, altogether, the surrounding elevator seized and came to a screeching halt. The red blinking numbers on the screen above the keypad flickered away, and an emergency light flipped on above them.
Hiyori gasped, feeling the floor rumble below her. Yato's loving hug quickly became a tight, protective hold. He cradled her head to his chest, the other hand flying down to her swollen belly between them.
There was an absence of sound. The humming of the elevator suddenly disappeared as it stood still. Yato's voice broke the quiet air.
"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
The brunette cautiously pulled away from him, blinking in realization as she observed him in the new fluorescent light.
"Mm…" she hummed in response with a slight nod. "W-what happened?"
"I-I dunno. It just stopped."
The god straightened and helped pull Hiyori up to her feet with him. He immediately went to the keypad, attempting each button he saw.
"Nothing's working," he explained with growing panic to Hiyori watching behind him.
The girl sighed in defeat. She mentally slapped herself. "My brother warned me that this elevator was broken…"
The god didn't answer. He quickly gave up on his current task and turned to the elevator doors. Even from where Hiyori stood a foot away, she could feel his fear setting in.
The god found the line where the double doors met, feeling for a decent grip on them. He grunted, closing his eyes as he focused all his physical strength and struggling to get the two doors open. His aggressive desperation only concerned Hiyori more.
"Y-Yato, what are you doing?" She asked, grabbing his shoulders to gain his attention. "You'll hurt yourself!"
For a second, it seemed his attempts failed him. Then, he tuned in to his strength, sweat breaking on his forehead. Finally, the doors creaked with mercy under his bare hands. He cried out, finally prying the doors apart and crushing them towards the edges of the walls on either side. As he did, the elevator's mechanisms revealed themselves just inches from Yato's face, and he was one loose footing away from a fifteen foot drop.
"Yato!" Hiyori called out in horror.
She caught his wrist and instinctively pulled him back deeper into the elevator. The brunette was busy catching her breath from the sudden adrenaline rush that had struck her. Her shocked eyes were glued to the disturbed doors framing the vast pipes and entangled wires outside.
In theory, no normal person should have been able to acquire that result. The god of calamity's immense power always caught her off guard. What was more was how he must have still been hurting from the injuries of his father's punishment as well. What gave him the extra energy to replace the missing force he needed to achieve such a feat?
As Hiyori tried to calm her shot nerves, Yato stepped away from her. She felt his body slip from her hands and watched him grab the railing, his head pressed against the steel wall.
The brunette blinked at him before slowly approaching. She caught him hanging his head, baring his teeth. His body tensed when she reached out to place her hand over his on the rail. She noticed his fingers had run cold like ice. Her dark hair swayed across half her face as she lowered her head to find his expression, but his eyes were squeezed shut. The god's jaw disconnected from itself to let out air, panting heavily.
Hiyori knew immediately; Yato was panicking. For what reason - she didn't know. But she instantly stole the role of supportive partner.
"Hey…" she spoke gently, staring at him with pitiful eyes. "It's okay…"
Yato only shook his head. He took a shaky breath, a tear slipping from his eye. A strangled sob left his throat. "No. No, it's not…! None of this is okay, Hiyori!"
The half-Phantom knew it was her responsibility to comfort him. It was only fair after he had held her just moments ago while she sobbed in his arms.
"Yato…" Hiyori carefully called, lowering her voice to not overwhelm him. "Look at me…"
For a second, Yato didn't budge. Then, he hesitantly opened his eyes to view the girl standing beside him. He watched as a bittersweet smile reached her face, and his heart tugged towards her.
A piece of his old Hiyori was already beginning to shine through once again.
She's next to me. She's always been right next to me...
The god pulled away from the wall and faced the brunette. He swallowed the lump in his throat as she took both his hands from the railing. Hiyori pulled his forehead down to meet hers.
"Deep breaths, remember…?" She whispered.
His surreal eyes fluttered shut upon her contact. Yato felt heat rise in his cheeks. He wondered briefly if his hands were sweaty, but rid his mind of the thought.
Suddenly, as he had gathered air to fill his lungs, he felt gentle warmth pressing against his lips. His eyes flew open, and Yato caught the sight of Hiyori planting a kiss on him. The shade of pink already on his cheeks darkened.
It had been so long since the two had last shared a hug - much less a kiss. He missed it so.
The surprise quickly drained from his face as he settled into a comfortable bliss, closing his eyes once again. The air he had sucked in escaped through his throat in the form of a long, pleasant sigh. His shoulders loosened, dropping enough that she could reach and place her hands against him.
He wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her closer until the only thing keeping them apart was their unborn child between them. One of his hands slipped down to hold her there - her hand drew away from him to hold over the one he had on her round belly.
The once deafening screaming in Yato's head suddenly hushed. He couldn't remember what he was freaking out about. His mind was only seeing colors.
They continued for another moment, trying different angles and finding their rhythm. The couple only stopped when they had to catch their breath.
Hiyori was the first to speak. She seemed a lot calmer as well, too.
"Better now?" Her angelic voice consoled him.
Yato stroked her soft locks with his thumb, resting his head against hers again. "Y-yeah…"
She felt the corners of her mouth turn upward, and she hummed in response. Her hand caressed his wet face, ridding him of his fear.
"That's my god…"
Hiyori noticed Yato's expression morph to one of fragile guilt. He was silent, and he neglected to return her kindness.
Kindness. That's what was bothering him. Hiyori quickly mirrored his low confidence, retreating from him.
"Oh, Yato…"
He lifted his head at the mention of his name. The syllables carried every bit of remorse in her voice.
She released a heavy sigh, one that implied incoming crying. Yato stepped toward her, prepared for more comforting, but he paused at her next words.
"I'm such an idiot! I should be happy that you're back safe!" She buried her face in her hands, ashamed of herself. "But all I've ever been was cruel to you…"
Yato carefully pulled her hand down so that she could see him. She seemed to pick up on his gentle demeanor. Her hand hesitantly fell back, followed by the other one. She stared up at him, allowing for unfiltered reactions.
"I haven't been very fair either…" he mumbled, glancing away awkwardly. "I've only been thinking about myself."
His teeth grinded together, causing his skull to vibrate. When his fist tightened at his side, Hiyori immediately grabbed it and began running small circles across his knuckles. She watched as he relaxed and turned himself to her completely.
"Deep breaths," she reminded him.
The god smiled weakly at his lover before huffing out a sigh. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. Hiyori pressed her palm up to the side of her head, slipping down the wall into a sitting position on the floor. Yato suddenly joined her at her side, kneeling down to meet her gaze.
"What's wrong? Do you feel alright?"
He searched for any sign of hesitancy or pain from her. However, she remained in-tact, fully aware of his hand resting against her leg as she sat easily. Despite appearing completely worn out, Hiyori didn't have any complaints.
Except one thing.
"Yato…," she began, her exhausted eyes glazed over as she pondered. "I need the truth."
Yato began to stretch his mouth in the form of words, but Hiyori interrupted his chance.
"But I'm not entirely sure how I'm supposed to believe you now…"
When she caught his expression, Hiyori found his eyes staring back at her with sympathy and desperation.
He was clutching at her while she was pulling away. The brunette knew she desired to reach out too, but she needed to see the steps before her to meet him. For in that moment, there was an imaginary Borderline between them.
"Hiyori, I promise you - to the best of my knowledge - I can give you the answers you're looking for," he explained, sincerely. "Right now."
In an instant, the half-Phantom realized that her god was not the one in control of what happened. It was all up to her - she could make or break it. And Yato was providing her with that power.
His response was not telling - it was asking; offering. Ultimately, it was the ability to change both their futures despite their pasts or presents. And to effortlessly placed both their lives out on the line for his truth just showed how confident he was she could trust him again.
Hiyori also hadn't considered that there were limits to how much he knew. He was claiming there were things he may not have been aware of. Even if his idea of the truth was false, she could not hold that over him. It would be unjust of her to decide so.
That all suddenly put her much more at ease.
"I-..." she stared at him in sorrow for a second, "I just need to know-... why? Why did you go…? What happened?"
Yato's eyes suddenly avoided hers. He adjusted himself so that he was sitting flat against the wall beside her.
"I'm afraid my answer isn't very satisfying," he replied, fidgeting with his fingers.
From his peripheral vision, Yato noticed Hiyori waiting patiently. With no objections, she was almost encouraging him to continue despite his reluctance.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well-" he began, "I know it sounds completely lame, but I was… scared."
He caught the motion of Hiyori shaking her head, turning to see her face again. He felt her grab his hand beside her.
"It's not 'lame', Yato," she reassured. "We're all scared of something. It's fighting it that makes you strong. And your fear is your father."
Hiyori took a moment to gauge Yato's reaction, but he was nearly frozen. Then, warmth spread across his features. His eye spilled a single tear. Hiyori carefully caught it with her finger as it rolled down his fair face.
It was validation.
Hiyori's maroon eyes dropped to the floor, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. "I knew something was bothering you. I just wish you had come to me…"
Yato stared away from her as well. He buried his knees against his chest and rested his head against his arms with blank eyes.
"I didn't want anyone to get involved…" he admitted aloud. "You were just gonna get hurt somehow - I had to go alone. My father had already figured out about us from spying, so I had to find out just how much he knew. And at the same time, I was keeping him away from you, and Yukine."
By the end of his explanation, Yato glanced over at his lover. It was meant to be harmless, but then he saw the girl's quivering lip and puppy eyes. She was trying with everything in her to stay in one piece - like a dam ready to burst from the weight of its own damage.
Hiyori turned the other direction to contain herself before her response. She looked down at her bump, caressing it as she thought.
"D-...does he know...?" She murmured.
Yato became alarmed at her question and quickly interjected, placing his hand over her stomach to comfort her. "He doesn't - I promise!"
He heard Hiyori's sigh of relief, and he noticed her weak grin for a split second.
Yato drew his hand away. "Well-"
"'Well?'" She glared at him, challenging him to speak with caution.
"I might have made him more suspicious by being super secretive about it…" he finished slowly, cringing to himself.
"Yato…!" Hiyori audibly groaned, her palm colliding with her forehead.
"I know, I know! I'm sorry!" He waved his hands in front of himself frantically, nervous sweat running down his temple.
They both became hushed, lost in their own separate trains of thought. Then, the sound of Hiyori's tender voice woke his ears again.
"You keep saying that," she whispered. "You keep saying how you're sorry and you love me. But I can't make myself believe you…"
There was a twinkle of something shiny from the corner of her eye. Intrigued, the half-Phantom swiveled her head around to discover a gold coin in between the god's fingers.
"What-?"
"It's your wish," he said simply. Her lover took her hand, carefully dropping it in her palm. "The one you made the night we first spent together. When we confessed our feelings."
The brunette stared down at the five yen in her grasp. It glistened at her under the fluorescent light.
She hadn't used any five yen to make her wish to him that time. She guessed he must have only been using it for symbolism. And considering the money wasn't coming from her wallet, Hiyori assumed Yato was only working with what he had, considering they were trapped within the confines of a stalled elevator.
She lifted her head once more to search him for an explanation. Her eyes silently asked the question.
"You can still change your wish, or retract it altogether," the god clarified.
Suddenly, it dawned on her. He was relinquishing his position on her. Again.
Only, this time, she didn't want it. Hiyori wouldn't allow it. She required his decision.
Her desire wasn't for him to act as the god. If he continued behaving as a god with his regular godly responsibilities, she would never truly know if he was doing it for himself or someone else. She had to be sure this was what he wanted, too. Yato had to express the emotion without mirroring her, the human.
However, Hiyori was also aware that he would not accept a rejection. Her request would have to be in the form of a wish.
I can't be anchoring him down. I would be selfish - I would be despicable.
"I-in that case, I'll change it."
She held the coin out for him to take.
"I…- I wish for you to decide. You do what makes you the happiest, Yato." She lifted her gaze gently, catching him instantly taken aback. "Just this once, please don't think about me or anyone else. Whatever it is, I'll accept it. Because I know you'll be happy."
Yato's fingertips were halfway to the coin presented toward him when he paused. He blinked at the girl before him with surprise.
"A-are you sure…?" The question came out as a whisper, sounding doubtful.
He peeked at her through his dark hair with an expression she couldn't decipher. Was it shock, hope, or both?
Hiyori smiled warmly. Yato felt his heart leap. She nodded and let him retrieve his coin from her.
She could see how important her new wish was to him. He was being seen, he was being heard. That one simple gesture he had used to symbolize her request was now his symbol of freedom and independence.
"No one's ever…-" The rest of his words caught in his tightened throat.
Yato turned away from the five yen he was holding back to Hiyori. He gaped at her incredulously.
Suddenly, he broke down altogether. He clutched the coin in his fist. With one swift movement, his arms flung out and enveloped his lover. She gasped, but didn't resist.
"How dare you tell me not to think about you," his choked-up voice rang in her ear. "Ever since you came into my life, you've only ever plagued my mind!"
It was Hiyori's turn to start tearing up. She bit her lip, but failed to suppress her whimpering.
When the god spoke, he spoke with passion, meaning, and determination.
"I choose you. And Yukine. And our lil' girl."
Streams rushed down their faces as they wrapped themselves around each other in a tight hold. Hiyori could've sworn her chest was lighter, and her head was clearer. Yato stifled a few quiet sobs into her shoulder.
"I've missed you so much!" Hiyori cried, freeing herself of all the burdens from the last month.
Her heart stretched wider and reached for her lover. She clutched him, grappling at the back of his jersey with desperation. He barely noticed and only proceeded to press a soft kiss to the side of her head.
"I've missed you too, my Hiyori…" he whispered against her skin, wetting her shirt with his tears. "I'm so, so sorry…"
"I forgive you, Yato…" she replied with tenderness.
The god's heart was full. He could feel her. Not just her smooth skin or hair, but her kind soul and character. She welcomed him.
They sat on their knees with each other for another few minutes before they regained their composure. And as they gathered to their feet again, the more immediate issue loomed over the couple.
"We're still stuck in here," Hiyori pointed out.
"That's right…" Yato answered, remembering their caged environment.
The silence fell upon them as they thought. Suddenly, the god grabbed his lover's hand. She faced him, seeing a light switch in his eyes.
"Wait, I know how we'll get outta here!"
He drew the girl closer and draped his arm around her waist. She blinked up at him cluelessly as she tried to figure out what his brilliant idea had been.
And with light filling their surroundings, Hiyori felt her feet lift off the ground, only to be replaced a split second later. When the white sheet around them faded, she took in the new setting before her.
The awful lighting from the elevator was now a golden glow of sunlight seeping through windows nearby. Yato was still with her, closely monitoring her to ensure she landed safely. The half-Phantom turned around, finding herself just outside her brother's apartment. The elevator was then only a yard away from them.
Hiyori's eyebrow twitched. "We could've done that the whole time?!"
