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[kappastrophe]

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(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

[The door swings open loudly.]

HAKKAAAIII! I finished deliv--

[And then Goku freezes in the doorway, eyes wide as he stares at the scene in front of him. Gojyo and Hakkai cuddled up on the bed, facing each other from inches apart, hands locked and fingers twined. It's not hard to figure out what's going on here, not even for Goku. He's weirdly perceptive like that sometimes. He can tell he's walked in on something private. Intimate.

But also--]

Oi oi!! No pervy stuff 'til you're both fully healed!! Not even kissin'!!

[There's not enough blood there to be "CPR", so he won't be fooled by that excuse!!]

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[It's magnetic, isn't it? Whatever this thing is, this thing he can't name. Intoxicating. It's like there's a string in his chest and Hakkai keeps tugging it, willing him forward. Closer. Closer. He needed to be closer.

Unbidden, his body follows the command. His tongue darts out to dampen his lower lip. He---

A moron bursts through the door.

Gojyo's heart leaps ten feet in the air and the rest of him does its best to follow. He's still holding Hakkai's hand, but the other is now pressed against his chest.

His cheeks are uncharacteristically pink.]

W-what the fuck are you talking about, you dumbass shitmonkey!?

[There. That was smooth.]

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

[He hasn't realized he's moved. He's inched forward as well. Tilted his head ever so slightly. It's hard not to, seeing what Gojyo does. That he hasn't pulled back, either. That he's still there. Maybe being a coward as he has been... maybe that isn't necessary.]

[Maybe - ]

[Maybe Goku is going to bust in. And Hakkai is going to practically yeet himself onto the floor, even if he lands on his ankle funny. Which he does. Which is absolutely why he stifles a noise in his throat. Only then does he end up letting go of Gojyo's hand entirely - to clamp his hands down on it.]

I don't know - what you're talking about!

[That came out a little too loud.]

(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

AAAAAHHHH!!! [He points to where Hakkai has landed on the floor, then back at Gojyo, then back at Hakkai.] See what you did?!

[Goku closes the door behind him with a little huff. He should probably also be embarrassed for interrupting them, but somehow his concern for their injuries has won out.]

You guys're too hurt to do that stuff. You gotta get better first! An' don't call me a shitmonkey!

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[Gojyo jerks forward to check on Hakkai, though being bedridden himself there's not much he can do about it besides reach.]

Oi! Man, your ankle's already fucked up as it is!

[And then, of course, there's Goku. Spluttering just--- nonsense, super obvious nonsense.]

Look what you made him do, dumbass!

[He reaches for a wooden plate by his bed, previously home to some bread Hakkai'd made, and flung it at him.]

And stop sayin' bullshit, we ain't doin' shit!!

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

Ah, don't worry - it just stings.

[No it doesn't, it hurts. But like hell is he going to let that on. Ever. Because that's clearly the most important thing here. Not what Goku walked in on. Which was nothing. Goku walked in on nothing.]

We were talking. [That's. Not actually a lie. For once.] We were discussing haircuts.

[And staring deeply into each others' eyes. And having some realizations he doesn't want to discuss with anyone who has a pulse. It's fine. This is fine. Nothing happened.]

You finished quickly, didn't you? [Also not even going to acknowledge the plate throwing. It's wooden, thankfully, so Baba Yaga won't ask for Gojyo's scalp.]

(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

[Goku just blocks that incoming plate like it's nothing, barely even acknowledging it with a little "ow". He's too busy making a face at the way his friends are freaking out over what, to him, seems like nothing. Because that's not the part he's upset about.]

I'm not sayin' bullshit, you are! Stupid pervy kappa!!

[He does at least go over to help Hakkai get back up, even guide him to sit on the bed with Gojyo again if he'll let him.]

You're both s'pos'd to be restin'... I even grabbed food on my way back here, y'know!

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[He slides Hakkai an 'Oh, please,' glance. He knows by the tone there that he's in a pretty huge amount of pain.]

We were restin'! Your brains rotting outta your head or something? Layin' out in bed, talkin' about--

[Is his voice hitching? Is it getting warmer in here? Are his cheeks pink? Of course not, don't be stupid. Because you're the one who's stupid here, definitely not him.]

--haircuts!!

[He swallows]

At least help Hakkai up, you got his ankle all fucked up again!

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

It's the truth. That's all we were doing...

[And suddenly, it's like he can't look Goku in the eye. Or Gojyo. Or anything. Except the accusatory plate on the floor. What a fascinating plate that is.]

[He's reaching back for the edge of the bed, to pull himself back up there to sit. Like absolutely nothing is weird here. Like there's nothing at all going on.]

No, I don't think it's fractured. I just landed wrong... [No, it's okay, he's got this. He's not thinking about Gojyo's voice doing that or the memory of the look on his face or - ] That's all.

(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

[Goku eyes them both critically as he helps pull Hakkai up off the floor. He's happy to act as support for him too, if he wants it. After all, he really has to keep his weight off of that ankle while he eases back onto the bed.

That's when he remembers Hakkai's weird reaction to when he asked if he and Gojyo would be sharing a room. The one that implied to Goku that they were keeping a secret together. He still doesn't get why that would be the case. What was the big deal?

He huffs again after a second, putting his fists on his hips.] You guys're so weird, with all your secrets or whatever. I don't have any secrets, s'not fair that you guys do.

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[He's sat next to Hakkai a million times. They've held hands, shared a bed, all that shit. So why is he all flustered about it? He'd say he's acting like a goddamn teenager, but he was actually a pretty fucking smooth teenager.

He glances over at Hakkai for a second. was his jaw always that sharp? And his nose kinda does this ... small curvy thing at the end that was kinda--

Gojyo coughs a little into his hand.]

Course you don't have any secrets, you're a dumbass.

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

It's probably healthier to have some secrets than none. Or too many.

[This is a normal conversation. This is a normal situation. Like sitting next to Gojyo after ... whatever that was ... hasn't made his chest feel tight. Made it too hard to look at him without feeling too warm.]

[Even Goku has it figured out, it seems like.]

[That's probably not good. He should probably count his days before he's shown the door. That's how it would turn out, wouldn't it? He would have to find something else. Have to find a new place to exist. Lose the person who made life worth living... worth returning to.]

[So now it ends, as soon as Gojyo puts the pieces together. Why would he ever... ever want...?]

I should - probably return that plate.

(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

[Goku blows a raspberry at Gojyo, clearly oblivious to whatever internal turmoil he's going through. It's clearly much more important to tell them both that he's annoyed at them for not being good patients.]

Secrets are stupid! We're not s'pos'd to have any here, right? Or else we get suuuuper messed up, right???

[And he turns that look on Hakkai, cheeks puffing out and everything.]

An' you stay put! I can take the plate back just fine myself!

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[Gojyo clucks his tongue.]

He's right man, let the monkey take care of it. You gotta take care of you too.

[And Gojyo really does want you to just ... sit here some more. Keep him company. His eyes keep catching on parts of Hakkai he hadn't noticed before. He wanted to keep looking while he gave his brain time to catch up to whatever the fuck had just happened.

So he finally lets his eyes hang on Hakkai, hoping he'll turn and meet his.]

Stay, man.

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

That... that isn't entirely the case...

[But it's a weak protest. It feels like the wind got pulled out of him. Thoughts bouncing around in his head that won't stop. He should go. He should just go. Make the choice before anyone else does, before what he stumbled into ruins everything. It will, won't it.]

[Someone like him... he'd never deserved anything more than punishment, didn't he? Doesn't he? Just go. Just get up. Just...]

[Stay, man]

[Why don't they get it? Why can't they see he's crossed a line already? Or they will. They should. He doesn't pry his eyes off the ground. Perfect place for someone who stands to ruin friendships - the dust.]

Right. Thank you... Goku.

[Hakkai for fuck's sake nothing even happened.]

(frozen)

[glutton_monkey]

Yeah, leave it to me, 'kay??

[Goku tilts his head as he looks at them, lips quirking to one side. He's definitely still annoyed, but he also knows he's stepped into the middle of their secret whatever-this-is. Maybe they need a second to get it sorted out or something.

He can do that.

So he bends down to pick that plate up off the ground, even though he fixes them both with A Look again. It's not exactly intimidating, because it's coming from him, but he is totally trying to copy something he's seen from one of them.]

I'll be right back, 'kay? An' I'll bring dinner up too, so no suckin' face 'til waaaay later!

[He doesn't even give them a chance to respond to that before he's out the door again.]

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

Oi, I ain't---!!

[The door closes and the pillow he threw at him bounces uselessly off it, falling limply to the floor.

Just like anything that could very generously be dubbed "a plan" that Gojyo had. The tension in the room is back, and this time he knows it's on him to do something about it.

He clears his throat again, tucking his hair behind his ear.]

C'mon. Let's see that ankle. And none of that "it's fine" bullshit, yeah?

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

[His shoulders go tight when Goku makes that final statement. But he can't really bring himself to say anything. What would he say? No, we weren't, but I would like to? Ugh. Pathetic.]

[He's turning everything through his head, still. Caught up in all of the what-ifs, still. Completely sure this is going to go sideways before he blinks. Absolutely certain.]

[... And, as usual, Gojyo goes and turns his expectations on his head.]

Ah. All right. [Is all he can think to say. Feeling like there's a bomb about to drop over his head. He just slowly eases his leg onto the bed, his eyes locked on it. If he looks Gojyo in the eye, he might say something he shouldn't.]

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[Really Gojyo just needs some space to think, and he's always thought better when his hands were busy. There were already bandages by his bedside from his last patch job, so this was an easy fix.

He'd always been good with his hands.

Fixing things was never his forte, but he could patch them up. Make them a little better, a little more functional. Repairing a set of stairs in exchange for a roof over his head for the night. Repairing walls after a bad storm or youkai attack for a warm meal in his belly. It calmed him down, made his world feel a little more steady.

So he pushes up Hakkai's pant leg and pulls off his sock, inspecting the swollen joint with a wince.]

Yep, still fucked up.

[Gojyo meant it to be a bit funny, and normally it might have been. But now there was a weight in the room between them and Gojyo was starting to catch on to what it might be. This changing, growing thing.

Long fingers carefully pluck at the bindings on his existing bandage, lifting Hakkai's leg gently as he worked.]

Time works different here, yeah?

[He looks up at Hakkai briefly before turning back to his work.]

Heard from a few other people. Even if you're from the same place, know each other, all that shit. Sometimes you come in at different points in time.

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

Unsurprising. It's only been a few days, hasn't it? I'm told healing is faster here, for us, those who wash up on shore. Something else about the blood I hadn't known before. Funny, isn't it?

[Ramble. Ramble. Fill the silence with something that isn't inner turmoil. That isn't him jumping to conclusions aloud. Offering to stay here, while Goku and Gojyo can have the house. It's fine, he'll check up on them every day, but things can't continue like this, can they? And he's so sorry. He didn't mean this. He didn't ever think...]

[For all of Gojyo's care, it is a broken ankle, and it does hurt to have it manipulated. So the sharp stab of it cuts off his train of thought. Yanks him back down to earth again. He won't let it out, though, he knows Gojyo is trying. He won't judge.]

[... and the question? He's back off his spinning, catastrophic inner monologue, trying to puzzle out this new angle.]

Well. Yes. We talked about that when you arrived... Did you forget?

[A beat.] Did you hit your head too hard out there?

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[He lets out a breath that's mostly fond exasperation. Mostly.]

Think I hit everything pretty hard. You forget?

[He hums thoughtfully as he glances around, spotting another pillow to prop Hakkai's leg up with while he messes with the new roll of bandages.]

Think I figured out I'm ahead of both of you. There's some shit you don't know about me.

[A beat.]

About us.

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

I think I'm trying to.

[Trying to forget the sound of a body hitting the ground. The puff of dust and the silence. The way everything just snapped...]

[He swallows.]

[It feels like the shoe is dropping. He can't move. Something cold settling in his chest. He's absolutely sure this is going the way he thinks. About us... can never be good. How could it possibly be good? He's absolutely blown it.]

[His jaw works.]

I'll move my things out. I... have been a burden to you long enough, haven't I? That's what you're going to say. What you should say. [He laughs, but there's no humor in it. It's more like a death rattle than a laugh.]

What else could I possibly not know about you, except that we've... that we've parted ways?

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[His eyes widen, head turning sharply.]

What? Why would you--

[His eyes close, head hanging for a second. Of course. Of course Hakkai assumed the worst. Why wouldn't he?]

You know, after all this time bein' wrong you'd think you'd get used to it by now.

[Gojyo exhaled, looking back up.]

It ain't like that. It's-- easier to show you, probably.

[So he gathers his hair and turns. Exposing his neck.]

You saw it before anyone else somehow, but it was Goku who pointed it out. Dunno what it means yet, it hasn't done anything to me yet. But it's there.

(frozen)

[knowsvinewhip]

[He just shakes his head. Why would he think that? Does Gojyo really have to ask? Seriously? It's easier, not to look him in the eye still. Easier to laugh hoarsely, humorlessly. Bow his head to let his hair hide his eyes. Waiting... How could he be wrong? Maybe he's just jumping part of the gun. Not the whole thing.]

[At least until Gojyo moves. Then he lifts his head, finally.]

[The ground drops out from under him.]

[His hands are outstretched before his brain catches up. Brushing back stray red strands, thumbs smoothing along the black mark. As if it's going to vanish. As if touch is somehow going to banish the horrid sight like it did his corruption. It doesn't. Even if he traces it, again and again, the movements turning jerky, hasty.]

[It's not going away.]

[The surge of adrenaline fades out, and he slowly bows his head again, with a long shudder. This - well, he definitely didn't expect this.]

... How long...? Do you know?

(frozen)

[kappastrophe]

[Gojyo shakes his head.]

Nah. Few weeks, maybe? Dunno what it means back home yet, or here. Nothin' else changed.

[He lets his hair drop back and picks up the bandages again, beginning the slow process of re-wrapping his ankle.]

There was a point where I got worried though. If we went off and did some shit and I turned all demon I needed to know you'd stop me, put me down if you had to. If it's me or the world it's gotta be the world, you know?

[Gojyo's jaw flexes. The shock of it still makes him think he dreamed the whole thing.]

You said you couldn't. Said even if Sanzo did you'd youkai out and try to beat the shit outta him to keep him from doing it, even. You were dead serious.