Healing Touch
Theme #3 - Bubbles
With intense interest, Ritsuka watched the fibers of Seimei's bedspread.
"How many times?" Seimei asked.
You dumb child, how many times do I have to tell you! My Ritsuka wouldn't make such a mistake.
"Ritsuka?"
The younger Aoyagi rubbed fingers over the raw flesh of his wrist, not responding. Seimei put a hand on Ritsuka's shoulder. One thumb stroked the base of his neck absently.
"I was gone four days, Ritsuka. How often did it happen?"
"I don't know."
You're such a liar! You little monster, monster stealing my poor baby angel's face!
Seimei sighed. "I shouldn't have left you alone with her, I know. And I'm sorry. But you can still trust me. You can depend on me. I won't leave again."
"I'm not mad, Seimei! I do -- I trust you! I just...I just wanted to be better, so you would see that you don't have to protect me. But I got so scared"
"Being scared isn't bad." Seimei took Ritsuka's wrist gingerly and dabbed peroxide onto the ragged, puffy scratches scoring pale skin. Ritsuka stared at the tiny bubbles that foamed there, grew and burst and grew all over again. That meant it was infected, or something. "But when you're scared, just run like I told you. Okay?"
Sniffle. "Okay, Seimei."
You little brat! You can never be my Ritsuka! Seimei hates you -- he hates you, hates you, HATES YOU! Disgusting little --
"Don't cry, Ritsuka. I'm right here."