It hits Naoki that Isamu is afraid of him. Like Chiaki was. He's trying not to say it out loud, but the way he is trying to send him on his way without demanding the door be opened, speaks volumes.
Isamu cares a lot about their teacher, yet that he is insisting Naoki leaves over looking for her together, is worrying.
And Naoki could walk away like he's asking, but what then? Will he even see his friend again? What if he dies? Or gets captured again, as one of the few still living humans? How much time will pass before they meet again in this timeless world? If they meet again?
If Naoki walks out now, he might never see Isamu again. Or so much could change. Naoki would never have guessed that, back at the hospital, the world would end, and he would become a demon. If he had known, would he have done something different? He doesn't know. You can never predict the day you will die, no matter how similar it is to the day before it. Or so he heard.
He couldn't have predicted it then, but now, hesitating at the cell door, he feels that if he walks away like Isamu wants him to, everything will change. The fear will grow an ever widening rift between them, until they are like strangers to each other.
But what can he do about Isamu's fear?
Shit.
It feels so lonely, this world of demons, ghosts, puppets, and the last few humans left alive. Empty. Crushingly so.
No one looks at him like a human anymore. He is not a human anymore, but what does it mean to be human anyways? At what point is someone non human? Did he cease being one the moment he felt it burrow into his eye? Or is it something slowly slipping away from him the longer he lives as a demon, in this strange empty world?
That thought feels lonely. He feels lonely. He slips into the cell and is hugging Isamu before he can think about what he's doing, and normally he's not a huggy person, but the world ended. He thinks a hug is warranted under the circumstances.
Isamu probably wouldn't think it's cool, but who would even care? The spirits? They would probably be too busy being jealous to judge. Isamu is cold and shaking in his arms.
Oh right. Isamu is afraid of him.
"I don't want to hurt you." Naoki tells him.
He doesn't know if that helps, as Isamu is still shaking. He makes hushing noises and rubs his back. He's not sure if that helps either,as Isamu whimpers.
Naoki has to bite back hard on his non-human instincts, that want him to pin his friend to the floor, teeth at his throat. As it is, he has brought them both to their knees. Isamu's fear perfumes the air. Naoki growls.
"Please don't do that." He whispers.
He pulls him into the hug again, and Isamu slumps into him. His hat falls to the ground. He should have asked, but it is far too late now.
"Yes this is uncool." He tries to joke. "But the world ended, so who's going to judge."
Isamu doesn't laugh,but he doesn't whimper again, either. Naoki takes it as a victory.
"What happened to you, when the world ended? I got some kind of bug dropped into my eye, and it burrowed into my brain, and turned me into a demon. I woke up in the morgue. I wonder who put me there? Did you guys think I was dead?"
Saying it out loud ,does not capture the terror he felt. His breath caught inside his throat by the fear that choked him, leaving him unable to scream. There are no words he can think of to describe it, and he wonders if they can even exist.
Isamu still doesn't say anything. That might explain his friends fear, if they are assuming he is a zombie. He doesn't know what to do about that. Naoki hugs him closer and presses his hand against his chest ,just to feel him breathe, just to feel his heart beat. He's not calm, but he has stopped shaking at least. Isamu is still alive. It's nice to have that kind of reassurance.
Maybe talking will help. Naoki doesn't think any medicine will help with panic, and the talking can't hurt at least.
"When the world ended, it started with lightning. I would know, I was on the roof when it ended. Ms. Takao asked me to meet her there, after I ran into a man called Hikawa ending the world in the basement. She threatened to cancel the apocalypse if he didn't let us live. I don't know what to think about that. She promised to guide us, but so far the most guidance I have gotten has been from Pixie. I'll introduce you later. "
Naoki talks about all the things that have been on his mind since the world ended. His throat gets dry doing it. He can't remember how long it has been since he talked this much. Has he ever talked this much in his life? He doesn't remember.
It doesn't matter. The world ended. Who would keep count?
By the time he has stopped talking, Isamu is calmer. Not completely, and with an underlying fragrance of mild hysteria, but calm enough he is looking at Naoki with disbelief instead of fear.
Naoki looks around, and picks up the hat. "Want to get out of here?" He asks.
Isamu nods.
They walk out hindered, but not impeded, by other demons. Naoki's pack takes care of them, while Naoki supports Isamu, and gives orders.
Isamu doesn't say a word until his prison is not visible to the naked eye, lost in the haze of the dust and wind that is all that remains of the weather after the storm that ended everything.
Then, when they are nearly alone ,but for his pack, slowly, hesitantly, Isamu starts to tell his story.
I decided they need to have cuddles and a bit of a meltdown about the world ending and all. For mental health reasons