April 15, 2011

Yosuke rubbed the severed rope that he'd tied around his waist between his palms, willing it to splinter and burn him. Anything to keep the creeping numbness from crawling back over his skin.

Saki was really gone. And not only that, even while she was alive, she…

Yosuke focused harder on the rope, rubbing his hands together frantically while the sharp strands cut into him. From an outward perspective, with hands clasped tightly and shoulders shaking, Yosuke looked as if he was freezing. Upon closer inspection, however, the sheen of sweat was visible across his forehead. If Souji was bothering to look that closely, he wasn't saying anything about it. Yosuke was grateful, although shame was lingering as well.

It had been Souji who suggested they take a break, citing his own sore legs. Yosuke knew better. While the gray haired boy who had taken him into this strange place walked with unfaltering energy, Yosuke flagged. His eyes burned, his feet dragged, and his head felt as if it was about to split open while it adjusted to the new being that resided there. The being that had been born from…from that thing. That monster. The one Souji had defeated, protecting him. And now here he was, standing ever vigilant while Yosuke sat huddled on the ground in silence. He was still protecting him, even now that Yosuke had the same power; that he could protect himself.

If he hadn't been so exhausted, Yosuke would've gotten angry. But he was, so he didn't, instead taking out his tired frustrations on that goddamn broken rope.

"Why are you taking so long?" Teddie asked impatiently, foot tapping with an infuriating squeak squeak squeak, "The exit isn't far from here! You could've been home by now!"

Souji said nothing for a long moment and looked back at Yosuke, his gaze lingering even while he addressed their bear companion, "Five more minutes, then we'll get going."

Yosuke didn't look up. He didn't even make a sound, beyond the noise of the rope rubbing his palms raw. Souji didn't call him on it.

In five minutes, the gray haired boy walked over and gripped Yosuke by the wrist before hoisting him to his feet. Yosuke didn't say thank you or ask him for more time, simply walking alongside him towards the exit in contemplative silence.

Once again, Souji didn't mind.