takumato | 🌙🌊

What?

[ despite everything, takumi's voice is still surprisingly level. ]

Before we parted ways after our little experiment a few weeks ago, you were going to say something before cutting yourself off.

[ "And Aotsuki...

...no, nevermind. I'll see you later." ]

I should have asked sooner. What was it?

[ He knows he's putting Takumi on the spot here, which is why Eito offers up a compromise, fingers flexing in his lap. ]

And if you're willing, I'm ready to talk now. About—us.

[ The vulnerability of it makes him visibly cringe a little, but at this point and after so many other developments, continuing to ignore it feels even more cringeworthy. ]

[ takumi counts it as a blessing that eito misses the way he suddenly freezes up, the terseness in his features draining instantly and cheeks coloring a bit. he regrets having thrown the towelette away now; he'll just have to pull at the sleeves of his clothing instead.

a sigh is expelled through his nose, and then he answers, albeit reluctantly. ]

I was gonna remind you that I care about you.

[ any language stronger than that is out of takumi's bounds, but eito is good at reading between the lines. ]

You didn't seem to know or understand that before the experiment.

[ takumi plays with a loose thread in the seam of his hoodie. ]

So... I wanted to make sure you didn't forget.

Ah.

[ Eito sucks in a breath. Obviously he can read between the lines here, and he knew, of course he knew, but the confirmation is...

He can hear the susurration of fabric Takumi is pulling at, giving away his bashfulness. Cute. ]

I appreciate the clarification. [ Such a clinical way of putting it, but Eito means that. ] It's one thing to see and feel the sentiment, as we both did, and another to hear it spoken aloud.

[ Eito's fingers flex again before one hand inches across the space between them, ever so slowly. His pinky extends outward, searching. ]

... No one has ever said that to me before.

[ eito's delicate response causes takumi's blush to burn hotter. he shoots the other an embarrassed glower, but forgets eito can't see it, so he feels a little stupid immediately afterwards. however, looking in eito's direction again does draw attention to that carefully outstretched finger.

takumi's cheeks swell and he reaches out to touch eito's pinky with his. ]

You ran away before I could. ...Not that I'm blaming you or anything. I know it was a lot.

[ more squirming. ]

I guess I'm the first person, then.

So you are.

[ Eito smiles softly, going a step further and interlocking their pinkies together. The feather-light touch is nice. Now, he doesn't need to have a hand buried deep in Takumi's chest cavity to have the distinct cognitive awareness of touching actual skin, even through his glove, and not some kind of monster flesh. ]

After learning the truth about our memories, I couldn't face it. I couldn't bear the knowledge that all my loathing was for nothing... That I wasn't even meant to be this way to begin with. Frankly, I wanted to hide away forever.

But seeing the proof of everyone's resolve made me want to keep fighting. And if we manage to get through all of this in one piece, then I hope...

[ With a quiet huff of breath, Eito slides his full palm over the back of Takumi's hand in one smooth motion. ]

Afterward, I hope you'll allow me to remain by your side.

[ Now, there's a delicate flush coloring Eito's cheeks, too, rising up to his forehead and spreading to the tips of his ears. It's the most honest he's ever been with Takumi, or anyone else. ]

Edited 2026-02-02 16:22 (UTC)

[ some of the heat in takumi's face cools, and he lowers his lashes. ]

No... I couldn't face it, either. The person I thought I was doing this for never existed. My memories of her... and the promise I made her... they weren't real. I didn't want to believe it—that everything was a lie.

[ there's a beat of silence, and then he scoffs softly to himself. it's entirely self-derisive. ]

Who was I trying to protect?

[ there's no answer to this question. there never was.

takumi had reconciled with nozomi shortly after revelations were made. she'd apologized for interrupting the flow of false memories that were being fed into him. takumi reassured her it was fine, but he was admittedly left with a lot of vague feelings about it. what could he even say? like eito, his very foundation was fake. ]

But I know that the people I met here aren't imaginary. If I can't return to my old life, then I want to devote it to them.

[ takumi pauses, wavers, and then gently curls his fingers around eito's. this is the first time eito has touched him like this. ]

...That includes you, too, Aotsuki.

[ The moment is so fragile, Eito doesn't even flinch when Takumi brings up Karua. With all this reflection, it makes sense that Takumi's own insecurities would rise to the surface. For once, Eito behaves and listens patiently, not interjecting with any snide comments.

Their circumstances couldn't be more different. For Eito, there's no old life he had ever hoped to return to. His fake past consists of violence, trauma, and the confines of stark white hospital walls. No parents, no childhood friends. His only reason for carrying on was his objective of the total destruction of humanity.

Even when he tried to play nice with the others, it had felt cheap and hollow. Takumi has been the exception to that. Now, though, Eito wants to make an honest and sincere effort. A lot has changed in these few short weeks. ]

I'm prepared to do the same. So long as you'll have me, I plan on devoting myself to you, completely and utterly.

[ Smoothing his thumb over Takumi's knuckles, Eito thinks about how Takumi had a chance to turn him away even after he gouged out his eyes, and he didn't. Honestly, Eito would have accepted any decision he made, would have turned and left the Last Defense Academy forever if it's what Takumi had wanted. But that didn't happen, and Takumi has made it clear that it won't. ]

Thank you, Takumi-kun. [ A pause, and then he chuckles to himself. ] Hehe, I didn't think I would be saying that again so soon...

[ if there's one thing that takumi is very skilled in, it's devotion. whether that was instilled in him by the scientists overseeing their creation or something he developed himself—likely through a glitch of his own, karua fumble being the culprit—it still stands. but to have someone declare their dedication to him...

takumi shyly lowers his chin and nods. he then belatedly realizes a second time that eito can't see, so he speaks up properly. ]

Um... I'll have you. [ the strong and resilient team leader facade is gone again, much like it was in the heat of their experiment. takumi sounds demure and sheepish. eito is better at this sort of thing. ] Just so long as you'll have me.

[ he glances down at their hands again. with eito's on top, takumi is reminded of how warm and large they felt the first time. ]

And you don't have to thank me. You've already done enough.

Of course I will.

[ Eito can't help but imagine how ridiculous they must look like this, and it brings another smile to his lips. They're seated side by side on the sofa, joined hands bridging the respectable gap between them. In retrospect, it seems silly that they're sitting so far apart, but the visit had been more clinical in nature when Takumi was cleaning his sockets. ]

Are you blushing, Takumi-kun? I can practically feel the heat radiating off of your face from here.

[ There's a teasing lilt to his voice as he squeezes his hand a couple of times, appreciating the tangible weight of it and admiring how much smaller it is than his own. Even if he can't see it, he can feel it. With a thoughtful hum, Eito shifts closer, casual as can be. ]

I'm not!

[ it's such an awful lie that takumi himself shrinks the second it comes out. ]

I mean, n-not that much. You can agree this is embarrassing, right?

[ yeah, let's share that embarrassment with eito...... who just got a little closer?

flustered, takumi observes the slightly shortened distance between them, and then peeks haphazardly at the empty room. eito's bedroom. with just the two of them in it. alone. together. ]

What are you doing?

[ squeaky. ]

I'm moving closer, obviously.

[ The way Takumi's voice rises about three pitches does not go unnoticed, and it's a miracle Eito doesn't laugh. That playful, airy tone doesn't go anywhere, though. ]

What's so embarrassing about it? I'd love to get a glimpse into your thoughts.

[ And then he moves closer yet again. Still casual. ]

[ duh. takumi can see that, idiot. ]

I just, we—I told you... how I feel... and you did, too...

[ how fortunate that eito's hearing has improved because takumi's voice noticeably dropped in volume there. eito, meanwhile, claims a few more inches of the sofa.

takumi is feeling very much like a prey animal now. ]

You're doing this on purpose!

Doing what on purpose? Why, I have no idea what you're talking about.

[ Instead of moving another quarter of an inch, this time Eito turns fully so he can reach for one of Takumi's small shoulders. Sadly, his newfound lack of sight means he misses the mark, palm planting flat against a couch cushion, instead. His arm ends up outstretched beside Takumi, more or less trapping him in place.

Well... actually, this position could work, too. ]

After voicing such a heartfelt confession, I thought you might want to be closer.

[ He speaks as though his own confession wasn't just as heartfelt, but embarrassing Takumi is just too much fun. He does wish he could still see him squirm, but hearing it and sensing it are pleasing in their own way. His other hand traces a little pattern over Takumi's hand, slender fingers outlining the cracks between his fingers. ]

Edited 2026-02-02 18:06 (UTC)

[ one large, gloved hand reaches out to do—something, but it goes beyond where takumi expects and lands on the cushion beside him. eito's weight naturally redistributes because of it, and he lurches forward enough that their faces end up very, very close. takumi has to wonder if eito even realizes it; he just continues to pleasantly smile, oblivious to takumi staring owlishly up at him but a meager few increments away.

the fingers that proceed to brush over his hand bring takumi back to reality, and he blisters. ]

I was serious! Stop teasing me.

[ takumi managed to not fumble a confession; cut him some slack, okay. ]

And I gross you out or something. You'll regret getting this close to me.

Why would I regret it? I know exactly what I'm doing. Now that I can't look at you, I need to reorient myself with other ways of familiarizing myself with your presence.

[ A half-truth, maybe. It does make sense, if he goes out of his way to think about it strategically. After all, he needs to know where Takumi is on the battlefield if they're to fight side by side again.

But the more prominent reason is because he wants to be close to Takumi like this, grimy little creature that he is. Since burning out his nasal mucosa, the scents of those around him haven't been as unpalatable—especially Takumi's, which he had already been growing semi-used to. As he thought, it's easier to be around him now without that telltale feeling of disgust, and even more so now that he has that image of him in his brain that he's replayed countless times since the experiment. ]

I was also serious, Takumi-kun. Do you really want me to move away? I will, if that's what you ask of me.

[ Even now, Eito knows the power he has over Takumi and is all too happy to wield it in moments like this. Not in a malicious way, anymore, though it still comes at Takumi's expense. Sure, this is on the manipulative side, but he's genuinely curious about the outcome, and about each fun reaction he can draw out of Takumi along the way. ]

But I'd like to touch you.

[ those thick, dark-tinted glasses are still sitting on the coffee table a far distance away, which has allowed takumi the overwhelming view of an unobstructed eito directly in his face. he'd worn his regular glasses during the experiment, but this—he is bare and actually illuminated by a bedroom lamp and not dusky ceiling lights. takumi can see the subtle flush in his cheeks, his unfairly long lashes, and his soft lips in hyper clarity.

the last one will probably be something experienced again far into the future. if takumi even gets there. ]

...I don't want you to move, [ he eventually admits, embarrassed. takumi has thought about it plenty since the incident—eito's hands on his body. ] But I figured it'd still be hard to touch me. Stressing you out when you're injured is bad, too.

[ if eito can leverage his height and weight, then takumi can take advantage of eito being unable to see to unabashedly stare at his face. ]

If you're sure, though... you can. We can stop whenever if it gets too much.

[ so gentlemanly. ]

How kind and considerate of you, but you don't need to be so gentle with me.

[ The palm pressed to the cushion drops down until it does hit Takumi's shoulder, and then Eito scoots closer again, caging Takumi in. Unless he were to push Eito away, there's nowhere else to go now. Fortunately for Takumi, Eito can't actually feel the heat of his gaze.

If there's one thing he misses about looking at Takumi, it's his eyes. The azure is incredibly striking, no matter what shape or form he takes. ]

It's been on my mind a lot. Too much, probably. How it felt, when we—

[ That same hand slowly, slowly glides over Takumi's shoulder, making the trek up the curve of his neck. Eito takes his time, genuinely exploring, feeling out what it's like to touch him now that he can't actually see what he's coming into contact with. His gloved thumb comes to a stop at Takumi's pulse point and rubs against it, feeling out the rapid thump-thump-thump of his heartbeat underneath. ]

Slept together? Had sex? Fooled around? Experimented? What should we call it? I'm still not sure, myself.

[ hearing eito string together a slew of carnal phrases takumi never thought would come out of his mouth causes a sharp, scalding heat to rush his face. his complexion darkens as red as his hair. in fact, the burning sensation is so abrupt, takumi almost mistakes it for being cold. the surprise and hesitance in his features then quickly crumples, and he tilts his head to the side in silent acceptance of eito's thumb.

if eito thought his heart was beating distinctly before, it's pounding now. ]

I don't know. I've never... done anything like that before.

[ takumi swallows and shifts, peering up at eito from under his lashes. ]

You were my first.

[ first something. ]

I can't even be sure if the memories I have of my body are real. Maybe—maybe that was also the first time I've ever— [ takumi's breath hitches, though it's nearly inaudible. ] —touched myself, too. Or felt anything.

[ Something about hearing Takumi call him his first causes a wave of pleasant heat to wash over Eito. The notion warms him from the inside out, and it shows in the way the faint flush on his cheeks darkens into a more interesting shade of pink. ]

Interesting. We're the same, then.

[ That hitch in Takumi's breath is nearly inaudible, but if there's one sense that has improved with the loss of his sight, it's Eito's hearing. He latches on to that sound, gliding his thumb over that racing pulse again in a slow circle. ]

Your pulse is racing a mile a minute. Relax, Takumi-kun. It's just me here.

[ Spoken as though they've done this dozens of times. He presses his thumb against the pulse point, just for a few seconds, wanting to hear Takumi's breath stutter again. Just to make sure he hadn't imagined it. ]

This is different from last time, [ he argues, waves of heat rippling through his body with each stroke of eito's thumb. it takes considerable effort to stifle his reactionary shivers. ] We're not trying to figure something out or getting carried away.

[ takumi huffs and searches eito's expression. he appears a lot calmer than takumi is, no crease between his brows or lick of uncertainty etched into his closed eyelids. the only thing takumi can discern is that his skin is a bit rosier. his fondling isn't hurried, either; he is genuinely intrigued by what he feels.

when takumi continues, his voice has lowered in pitch. ]

You're taking the time to touch me. I don't disgust you like I did before.

[ or as much, he wants to add. ]

What you're doing... feels good.

[ his admission is paired with a shaky exhale. ]

[ Oh. It hits Eito that Takumi is absolutely right. This is different. The torrent of feverish emotions and frantic desperation from the last time is absent, the circumstances having changed, and now, there are new feelings to be explored.

Eito breathes out a quiet, awestruck laugh, savoring the sound of the exhale that slips past Takumi's lips. Of course. ]

Impressive deduction. This is why you're our Team Leader.

[ There's no trace of sarcasm or scorn, just genuine appreciation for the honest observation Takumi made. With that, Eito moves on from Takumi's pulse so he can splay his other fingers across Takumi's neck in a slow caress, thumb gliding upward until it catches on his lower lip. ]

These are your lips, right?

[ Eito winds up cupping Takumi's jaw as he runs his thumb over his lips, marveling at the smoothness of it. ]

They're so soft, even through my glove.

[ it may not be patronizing or anything, but takumi pouts a little as eito spends another second or two feeling out his fluttering pulse. then, his glove moves onward to gently take the lower part of takumi's jaw into his palm, the thin, black material of his thumb eventually dragging over takumi's lips.

it feels... weird. but not bad. actually— ]

Mmpf.

[ that's the small noise takumi makes upon capturing eito's thumb between his teeth. it's not a harsh bite, but a nip nonetheless. he carefully observes eito's expression as he applies some pressure, gnawing at eito's soft thumb like a kitten would. ]

Uh-huh.

[ takumi agrees; these are his lips, eito. ...and his teeth. ]

Ah— Hey!

[ Eyebrows lifting, Eito gasps in surprise, clearly not having expected the little bite. Takumi has earned a truly authentic reaction. It doesn't hurt at all, but it tickles a little when he applies pressure. ]

Behave, Takumi-kun. Or else I'll... I'll stop.

[ He scolds him, but there's no actual threat of that happening, and it's clear in the way his tone wavers when he tries to sound stern. If anything, there's a slightly breathless quality to his voice. ]

[ huh. interesting. ]

No.

[ the 'o' part naturally causes the tip of his tongue to lightly flick against eito's thumb as he creates the sound. there's still a barrier between them, so it's not like his saliva can be felt. the heat, though... that's different.

takumi tilts his chin and continues biting. every few nips, he'll grind his teeth down and hold before repeating. his eyes never leave eito's face; he observes him very intently. and just when it'd be likely someone would become used to the sensation, takumi switches it up.

he envelops eito some more. ]

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they released me from my enclosure so it's time to misbehave!!!!!

hell yeah

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