Gyutaro almost had a full blown panic attack when she fell off his bike

Was she shot? was she ...dead?

He assessed her entire body for bullets but found nothing. It was only when giving the head massage did he pull back and see blood. A concussion perhaps?

He felt a bit of relief but not much considering there were still a plethora of problems he needed to address. The first being that he didn't have much time before enmu sleep inducement was causing him to hallucinate and his body to shut down. He doesnt know when he got hit with it, Enmu was always inventing new and creative ways to to launch it at his victims without them suspecting, but the instant he saw eyes floating around hte warehouse like butterflies from hell he knew his clock was ticking. his bike deadlining wasnt the only reason he had to pull over. He needed to find a shed or something quickly before he passed out next to marin.

he carried her on his back. passerbys didnt seem to notice she was out cold and not enjoying a piggyback ride with her boyfriend like some old couple commented from a bench when he walked passed.

He found a locked shed for lawn equipment broke it open and placed her inside so he could collect supplies for the night eince they were probably going to spend the night in this shed.

Damn it all...

Now the flying eyeballs were turning into other body parts... hands... mouths... teeth...

he could still see the rest of the world... at least he thinks it's the real world... its very possible he's already fallen asleep and doesnt know it. Every victim of Enmu's reports seeing these same illusions before losing themselves somewhere between dream and reality. The man they tortured was the same way its why the damn sessions went as long as they did. His mind was lost in the delirium making extrcting information more difficult. No wonder Akaza was so pissed...

enmu was a sadistic bitch. His only aim was to cause as much suffering as possible. Even this… strange quasi-dream sequence gyutaro was experiencing was part of enmus hypno-potions. It why he asked marin if she'd taken anything on the ride there, he loved torturing his victims by making them dream they escaped only to wake still in chains. He loved drugging people while laughing dragging them to wherever he could perform his sick twisted acts until they breathed their last.

Akaza was the complete opposite, preferring straight shooting, strength and barbarism as opposed to cunning and devious tactics. In fact Gyutaro had a hard tieme understanding why the two were even paired for this assignment, was this by design? If so, no doubt Kokushibo was behind it...

He fell to his knees finally making it inside the shed, supplies hitting the ground- he turned to assessed marin one last time, she was still unconcious but she wasnt… mortally wounded.

His original plan was to have her take over for him after gving her a specific set of instructions to lay low for an hour or so to make sure there werent any kizuki trackers on their trail considering they were only a few miles from the cite, call his sister letting her know they were safe and when he awoke again he'd head down to the inui's to stay over until it was safe enough to go back home. Well that plan was utterly fucked now. Now he'd have-

"Brother I fixed marin, You can head over now" What the hell? Daki?

"What did you end up saying?" he heard his voice repeat what he said this morning on autpilot. Am I dreaming? He looked down at himself sitting on the stool by the island like usual as his sister bragged how she convinced marin to talk to him again by getting her to pity him with stories of their fucked up childhood. He could hear himself talking but it was like he was a spectactor watching a movie he had no agency in. this is my memory from this morning…

he flexed his hands on the table, how insanely real it all feels. He actually cant tell the difference at all besides this vague felling of dejavu and detachment.

He ended up sitting through the entire morning conversationhe had with her

He had to admit his sister was an absolute pro, always able to put into words what he couldn't. She made him promise that if she could get marin to come around that he better ask her out today and quit pussy-footing. She had been coaching him for weeks on what to say but even though he agreed he was still was absurdly anxious about it.

Not because she didn't like him or vice versa, the entire world fucking knew at this point they liked eachother… but because Marin was another vulnerability on top of daki. He planned on spending the day taking care of herif only to make absolutey sure being with him was what she wanted and even then he had no intention of officiating it until he established ground rules like how teaching her all of their shabana style protocols when crazy shit popped off. She basically had to go through shaban bootcamp for him to feel secure enough that she could handle herself and he didnt need to baby her 24/7 incase another client caused mayhem.

Because of course the very fucking instant he was ready to move forward so long as she was willing the fucking universe had to step in AGAIN. Why is that? Why fucking is that? Every goddamn time!? It was exactly what he didn't want to happen!

His heart must've palpitated in his chest a billion times over the course of the day, the moment he saw enmus disgusting face smirking at him from heer house.

Huh? What's going on?

Next thing he knows he's getting off his bike at the warehouse his body replaying the conversation again

"This is the last job, Gyutaro" When akaza said that, his heart sank to his stomach. That's it they were going to kill him after this, seems muzan found a suitable replacement after all.

But then marin mentioned something equally as terriying: enmus proposition. No, no no, he cannot let that happen... Gyutaro was never one to ask for help,, especially not other kizuki, but no matter what he had to get her out of here.

So he had to put his pride aside and asked Akaza because Like himself, Akaza had a code he absolutely refused to break. Even if he hated gyutaros fucking guts there was no way he'd be on board with killing marin or allowing enmu to. He could rely on him as far as that went… even better when he made it painfully clear to both of them he wouldn't restrain her. Enmu might have picked up on it, but akaza held more favor with muzan not even that frilly haired fuck could do anything against the muscle head if he ignored orders or half-assed his guard duty.

As the midget so eloquently put it, the only thing Gyutaro trusted was how distrustful people were.… the moment Akaza stepped in ruining the rat bastard Enmu's hard-on his actions were all but predictable from that point …still a gamble, but one where the odds were tilting in his favor again. Had Enmu kept Yahaba with him instead of sending him to monitor Akaza on the suspicion he'd save MArin, then MAYBE Gyutaro would've died that day. But just like the kizuki knew his weaknesses, he knew there's as well. Akaza was staunchly against killing women. Gyutaro has heard and witnessed on multiple occasions where he almost lost his life over it. So he knew killing MArin was off the table so long as he guarded her.

He also knew, that Akaza, despite his blatantly hypocritical views on honor and integrity, was an absolutemonster when it came to his job, good luck to the rookie henchmen for thinking they could kill him with guns or physical strength, he had complete mastery of both, there was a reason he was muzans 2nd most reliable member after kokushibo. Gyutaro doesnt know anything about his backstory but Akaza works he was like that John wick character from that movie marin made them watch.

However strength and skill was all he had, he was not a liar, schemer, cheat, tracker, or escape artist (hence the muscle head comments) that's Gyutaro's bread and butter. which is why akaza never fucked with Gyutaro despite his advantages. Even superman would be remiss to fight batman whose had proper preparation to deal. It's also why Playing enmu's sadism off Akaza's steadfast resolve was the best outcome he could hope for. Wouldnt have worked with any other kizuki members

what he didnt expect however was to get drugged. He wasn't sure if it was part of Akaza's plan when he heard the bullets pop off outside to save him, but it did allow a big enough distraction for him to pull his concealed carry and shoot at the 2 in front of him. Susamaru went down but Enmu, the little weasel escaped his fate yet again taking cover behind the witness. Thank God he was a coward, because when he returned fire he did so blindly, hiding his face behind the man, now dead as a doornail, missing every shot… well as far as hitting Gyutaro went, the bike not so much. Still he had to get out of here so popping off more rounds as cover fire, some of which hitting Enmu as evident but his squealy cries, he ran to his motorcycle and thankfully it started.

He wasnt shocked to see Yahaba half-dead on the ground when Akaza pushed marin to him...like he said the man was a beast in his own right, but he did wish he had given marin more of a heads-up that she was safe with him because she looked ghostly pale like her soul had left her body.

Hm...Now im dreaming about the shed… oh wait…Gyutaro groaned as he lifted his body, heavy as lead, off the ground. Is this reality now? He knows he should be thankful, but he had to roast Enmu for that weak-ass hypno-potion, he was expecting something wayyy worse than an anime recap of his day.

Gyutaro blinked, groaning audibly. Fuck now im beginning to sound like her... he said with a smacking of his forehead. Funny enough she woke up maybe 30 seconds after he did.

"what happened?"

"You fell off your horse humpty dumpy," he tried to jest,"I was scared you lost your last braincell with that fall... that or you fucking died. Still I must say, I am thoroughly impressed, MArin."

"My head hurts"

"You might have a concussion mar, if you feel dizzy let me know." He says right as a wave of nausea hit her She couldn't even say move, just shoved him out the way to vomit by a tree- twice Before dry heaving. She sat in the rain for a while screaming at him not to touch her when he tried to help her up.

So Instead he made a phone call to daki watching marin from the predictably shit-talked him for letting his guard down again despite him rebuking saying he did nothing wrong this time. But he knew she was just afraid. When they both sufficiently ran out of insults for one another he hung up and ateempted to get marin inside again but her hysterics weren't over yet, in fact theyd just begun.

"They shot at us, they shot at us, gyutaro. They tried to kill you. They—" she dry heaved again, " I know mar, but let's go back inside so you don't get wet." He tried again as soothing as possible like he were talkingto his sister.

"They almost killed us! You were right! This was so much worse than the apartments! So much worse! "

sHe crawled on her hands and knees like a baby hugging his shins tightly, i'm sorry!" She cried, What're you sorry for?" He bent down petting her head gently as the rain poured on both of them.

I- I didn't know what to say when enmu came i couldnt get rid of him quick enough that's why this happened I almost got you killed, like I got him killed because I was stupid"

"Who?! That guy in the warehouse!?"

Nooo! Gojo! She cried.

"what …do you mean? He asked cautiously,

the day he died…I asked him to pick up my cosplay, so it's like I killed him, right? Thats why i stopped cosplaying! He should've said no! If he did that day then maybe.." She squeezed him tighter crying even louder. "If I apologize to you now then I wouldn't be making the same mistake, right?!" he didnt know what him making a pharmacy run and her getting taken had to do with her boyfriends accident, but he knew shock and the consussion played a big role so he decided to try something else.

"marin give me your hands" She sniffed peeling herself off him placing both palms in his as he holds them up interlacing her fingers in his own. "stop being selfish" only he could get away with saying shit like this. "in your opinion you killed him. But have you ever asked yourself what he thought? im sure he's never thought that way about you, not once. So let it go, crying won't help. let's get inside. Dont need to add hyperthermia to the laundry list of your health concerns."

She finally gives in and allows him to escort her back. Now soaked soaked to the bone he sucked his teeth before taking his shirt off wringing it out and telling her to take hers off too.

"You sure?"

"Yeah" he said taking his pants off as well. Slowly she removed her clothes Laying them out like he had on some hangars on the wall to hold tools. He pulled out a large fleece blanket he shoplifted earlier and told her to sit in his lap.

"You're not gonna get weird about this are you?" Really? Little Ms hentai? The nerve!

"How weird I get depends on you, princess." he said with a grumble but She cracked a smile at him, the first smile he's seen on her in weeks. And leaned back into his chest as he wrapped the blanket around both of them. He felt the warmth immediately, letting out an unwitting sigh. Her too, he knew she liked it, not only did she feel cold to the touch but she was covered in goosebumps.

"I-is this what you and d-d-daki did when you were homeless?"

"Every day."

And in this moment, in this shed, shivering in the freezing cold, wind and rain howling outside,He places his chin on top of her head inhaling her shampoo scent as she shivered in his arms. He was... happy. She understands him now, what his life has been, completely. He knows he shouldnt feel happy, but strangely he is. finally he FINALLY felt like she understood him. Not by nodding their heads at what he's saying but actually witnessing the horror herself. Now you see why it's us versus the world, marin.

"Y-you were afraid back there, w-weren't you? I saw." She says suddenly,

"what deal did enmu promise you?" He asks instead.

"He said m-muzan knows wh-what I am to you a-and i-invited me to talk. I assume he wants to hire me."

"Dont believe him. Enmus a liar and I told you muzan is cutthroat. If you accept the invite they'll fuck you, its what they do."

I know, we should probably go to the polic–

"-No I'll handle it."

She whipped her head around at him, "How!?" Wow she really is beginning to sound like daki. That how wasn't a mere question, he was almost offended by her lack of faith in him.

"Gyutaro we need t-to go to the police."

" That fucking house we live in, all those stupid legal name changes we have on our documents you're always fretting about- that was the police helping us. Trust me, they're useless. In fact it's very possible muzan has informants within the police."

"Like who? The police down the street,?"

"No, While it's not impossible, it's highly unlikely considering how long we've lived there without incident. Ithink its somebody new. Jim Or nowa, or daia, or… hell it could be sanemi too at this point it could be anyone." He growls but still remains poised not wanting to give up the warmth her body heat gave by getting too animated,

"Gyutaro that's like all my friends"

"look just give me some time to see if I can find the leak." She wanted to protest- wanted to protest so badly, shes just like daki But unlike daki she remained silent. she knew His mind was made up and let's be real she's wayy in over her head.

But when she asked him:

"Are you leaving?" His voice caught in his thoat. She picked up on and immediately rattled off reason for why they should stay at Daia's.

I'll stay." Fuck she knows. She fucking knows it's a lie. He shouldnt have shared that stripper story, he spilled a ton of his secrets during their truth or dare session.

Without saying anything she moved his arms out of the way to grab her pants. Tanya's again?! He averted his eyes downward so as not to be… weird as she put it.. She pulled something out her pocket sitting back on his lap side saddle.

" i know you hate photos..." She explain and placing a chain around his neck, "But i had it specially made"she held the light of her phone on it so he could see, atthe end of the chain was a locket that opened up with 2 photos on either side one of them going down the coaster together and the other side was a picture she took of him and daki. Daki jumped on his back hugging him but just before his face fell into a scowl marin snapped the photo so his expression was comically surprised as daki smiled brightly.

"Its Pretty girlie you know, a locket." He kept his eyes downcast staring at the golden chain hanging around his bare chest as his heart swelled. His lips turned unwittingly upwards looking fondly at the gift he just insulted. "Thank you." Out of all her gifts this might actually be her best one, but instead of saying your welcome she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

"stay with me, gyutaro." She whispers in his ear, making his entire back shiver, and the hairs on his neck stand on edge. "Stay." she whispered again pulling away placing her hand gently on his chest to steady his heart beating thunderously like never before. Hers was too for that matter though maybe for a different reason.

When he saw the look she was giving him. He could feel himself getting "weird" even in the shitty light provided by the phone he knew what expression she was making – that wanting look. He should be forgiven for not expecting in his current emotionally depleted state, for marin to still… love him, right? Is it love? He's not really sure, but she cared deeply; genuinely. She Worried about him, his life his sisters life, his wellbeing and even their compromised living situation. He accepted her heartfelt apology for dragging him down, not that he ever thought that for a second but he was touched no one had ever cared so much and that's despite seeing what he did she asked him to stay with her anyways, it hurt him to hear. He wanted tomclaw himself but forced it down. When she moved in to kiss him again his first instinct was to run away , And berate her for being so attached to him. He warned her, he always fucking warned her...She almost died yet still she…

…yet, still… she…

…he couldn't help it, he was hypnotized, he closed his eyes and let her do it. She wasn't forceful like last time, very hesitant infact. It felt awkward at first, he was stiff and unmoving but she adjusted her lips and deepened the kiss. Her hand reached the side of his face while the other stayed on his bare chest probably to still the heart attack he was undoubtedly having, and for several blissful seconds he was lost in her. Wanted more of her. Placing his hands on either side of her face to pull her in more deepening their make-out session. He didnt care she was sick or a sobbing mess just a little while ago... he just wanted...

he pulled away sharply dropping his hands from her face to her shoulders to keep her at bay,

No...

"w-we cant do this." He said quickly before correcting himself, "I can't do this, marin." He could almost hear her confusion in the darkness. But how could he explain? She was a good thing, and like all good things in his life they were immediately follwed by bad. macabre images of the warehouse shooting played in the back of his mind like a reel while they made out. That little voice in his head- the one ALWAYS telling him 'youre not good enough' reminded him that the hands he'd just caressed her face with eere drenched blood he spilled today.

"are you rejecting me, gyutaro?" No, no, nonononono… stop, marin. Just stop! His mind spiraled again.

I'm not what you think, Mar. Its not smarts, its cunning! Its not cool, its callous! I have no fucking potential! I have no future! my entire life has been nothing but borrowed time front the moment i was born, ive accepted it. I was born a dog raised in shit, ill die a dog in shit. but you dont! You have a future! You and ume… I'd die happy knowing youd take care of ume, you already have…! But that can't happen if you're dead, mar!You'll fucking die if you stay with me or else lose the light you have. It's not you dragging me down, it's me dragging both of you–

He bit his bottom lip, faintly tasting her cherry chapstick, before uttering the words he knew neither wanted to hear but had to be said

"I am."

Out of the maelstrom of thought going on his head the only 2 words came out. This is why he sent daki! How fucking insane! Marin was everything; she was the whole package. He was almost disgusted with himself considering how much he bitched about deserving more while others deserved less. But here he was denying her for the second time not because he wanted to; Not because he hated her but because he lov–

He groaned audibly.

–nope, too vulnerable. He knew what he felt he didn't need to give it voice not Even in his own head. He'd always care, he'd always protect her. But could he really stay…?He said it months…no a fucking year ago when she first approached them… his presence was corrosive it was only a matter of time today was inevitable. She didn't say anything the rest of the night, she was mum. but atleast she wasn't crying, he did feel her adjust her position on his lap every half hour or so But At some point well past midnight he fell asleep. When he woke he was slumped on the ground still holding her close to his chest. He got up gently tossing the blanket over her while he put his semi dry clothes on, and left to relieve himself of the morning wood outside before calling his sister again. Marin woke up soon after.

And with a bit of convincing he decided that staying at daias would probably be best. (with a truck)