"Stop." Tsukishima said, flicking Yamaguchi's fingers to stop him from digging them into his skin. It was a routine by now, he was the one to point out and stop him from engaging in his unintentional self-destructive habits. It usually happened after a rough day at school.
"Sorry Tsuki." He quickly retorted.
Tsukishima sighed, "How many times do I have to tell you to stop saying that. I'm not upset or anything."
"That's not why I said it, I'm not listening to you, just let me for a while." He looked down at his hands and dug three of his nails into the sides of his middle finger. It didn't last for long though, the blond quickly pried his hands away.
"No, I'm not letting you do that." Yamaguchi tried ripping his hand away, but his best friend always had the advantage of strength.
"Let go, seriously, you're not my mom. You're no different than the stupid hospital workers! Aren't you supposed to be my friend?" The freckled boy rarely spoke with such anger in his voice, but the taller remained calm.
"You're just saying that to get me to leave you alone, and I'm not doing that, I suggest you stop saying stuff like that though, you'll regret it later." He sat down on a bench, their intertwined fingers forcing them both there.
Yamaguchi stopped struggling after a while, they just sat in silence for a while, save for some shaky breaths and sniffling. Eventually Tsukishima let go once he had fully calmed down. "I'm sorry for what I said to you, that was really mean." It came out a bit scratchy and quiet, but he understood.
"It's fine, you were just upset. What happened today?" The usually unbothered boy was a bit shaken honestly, everything had seemed fine, he knew his friend was anything but mentally stable, but it never got that bad anymore.
"Someone figured out that I went to the hospital that one time, and the bullies got a hold of it. It just kind of got to me, I guess." He forced a smile, despite the tears threatening to spill over.
"Don't listen to them, whatever they say, it doesn't matter, they don't know you. Those idiots have no right to comment on something they know nothing about." There wasn't a hint of hesitation in his voice as he spoke.
"Yeah, but they're right. I'm just a freak, and I've always been a burden to you and-"
"Shut up." Tsukishima interjected, cutting off his train of thought. "Don't talk about yourself like that, you're letting them win." Yamaguchi's wide eyes narrowed to a calm expression, and he nodded.
"We should probably head home now." The smaller said as he stood up.
"Your mom's on a night shift, right? Stay over at my place, I don't really want you to be alone right now." The green haired smiled genuinely for the first time in a long time.
"Like old times?" he asked.
"Yeah, like old times."
