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Throwing Stones
Chapter Eighteen: Faint Wish
Kagome paced nervously by the front door.
It'd been several hours since Aizawa had taken Shouto back home. Everyone had for the most part gone back upstairs safe for herself and Touya. When she'd asked him if he wasn't going to sleep, he simply told her that he'd go to bed when she did. So he was currently camped out on the couch with old reruns playing on the television with the volume set low.
"Keep pacing like that and you'll burn a hole in the carpet." The man teased her, a lopsided grin stretching mischievously across his lips.
She paused, casting him a quick glance.
"It's been a while since Hawks left to talk to the representative. I do hope everything is okay." She cupped her chin with her index finger and thumb thoughtfully.
Considering the length of time those two were gone, they'd either headed into town for some drinks or something terrible must've happened.
She began pacing again as her heart started to beat wildly within her chest.
Had they decided to go ahead and pull the plug? Will all the people currently under her purview be sent back to prison? Will everything she'd worked for simply go back to the way it was before?
She hardly noticed Touya getting up from the couch and approaching her. She barely noticed him when he came to stand beside her. It was only when he'd wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest that she'd finally registered his presence.
The beating of her heart thundered even louder, causing the blood within her veins to rush through her painfully.
"You're stressing out too much," Touya's voice was soft as he spoke. "Most of us made the choices that we did and don't regret them for an instant. If we get sent back to prison then that just our karma to bear." She felt his arms pull her deeper into his chest as she heard the steady beating of his own heart. Unlike hers, it was even and strong—a sharp reminder of the life he still had yet to live.
He continued, "So don't try to take on our burdens for us. We're having fun, sure, but we want you to be healthy. So enough with the freaking out. We'll be fine one way or another." His hands combed through her hair affectionately and Kagome found herself leaning into his warmth.
She didn't have the heart to tell him that 'healthy' was an impossible condition for her to meet. She hadn't been healthy for many years now.
Kagome leaned into his warmth as she steadily evened out her breathing.
It was somewhat comforting to know that they at least cared about her. She had Hawks, Aizawa and even Sesshoumaru watching over her but it felt different hearing the same sentiment coming from Touya.
"Knowing the bird, he probably just dragged our rep to the local bar for some drinks. They'll probably be out the rest of the night." Touya explained as she felt his cheek rest upon the crown of her head. "Don't strain yourself waiting up for them."
She closed her eyes, taking solace in the warmth of Touya's presence.
It really had been so wonderful to see Touya having such a pleasant time with Shouto. She'd read that he had a complex relationship with his youngest sibling due to their father's desire to create a 'masterpiece'. The fact that the two of them could be in the same room and engage in brotherly play was proof that they were all taking a step in the right direction.
She felt one of his arms curl around her waist while the other hand tangled itself in her hair.
The rational side of her brain was immediately warning her to put some distance between them. They had no idea when exactly Hawks would return or if he'd bring the Safety Commission's representative with him when he did. Being seen like this would compromise everything she'd fought so hard to build.
"You tired?" Touya's voice was low and full of concern.
She could barely manage a nod as the strength in her limbs started to fade.
She really was worn out from all the arguing and fighting she had to do with the Safety Commission.
"Then let's get you to bed." He shifted to lift her into his arms.
Kagome grew flustered as she wrapped her own around his neck to steady herself. Touya picked her up with ease and flashed her a confident grin.
"You know, you're feeling pretty damn light. You sure you're eating enough?" He strolled towards the elevator.
Kagome felt her face flame but she hadn't the energy to respond to his remarks. She allowed her head to rest on his shoulder as her eyes drifted closed. It'd been many long years since anyone had ever carried her in such a way. It felt comforting yet she also couldn't deny the painful beating of her heart that pulsed through the entirety of her veins.
This man would be the literal death of her if he kept this up.
Kagome curled against his chest as she felt him exit the elevator. She heard him ask something but her mind was in far too much of a fog to decipher any of his words.
She felt her back hit a mattress and sheets being pulled up to her neck. Her body felt heavy and she couldn't open her eyes to see where Touya had gone. However she heard the slight squealing of a chair, as if he'd taken a seat nearby.
Kagome groaned as she rolled to her side.
Just this once, she wanted to forget the world even existed.
She wanted to forget about the irreparably damaged organ she called her heart. She wanted to forget the twinges of pain and pressure that often pushed down on her chest. She wanted to forget the silence of the house next door and the sound of death that followed.
All she wanted right now was to fall into a sleep so deep that not even dreams could reach her.
A warm palm pressed against her forehead in a manner she could only describe as affectionate.
If only time could stop.
