judgementkazzy | inbox//recolle;

You don't have to apologize. This isn't your fault.

[ Kiryu would never have forced him to come clean about that. He could tell something was wrong, but he can see why even talking about it would bring the memories back. ]

I told you I'd be here for you. I knew you would tell me what was wrong when you were ready.

I'm sorry --

[ now that he's started apologizing, its like he can't stop, like all the things hes ever felt sorry for and all the guilt hes harbored fights its way out now, spurred on by the horrible memory of a man he'd called his boss cutting into his flesh, demanding the very same. it's been so hard for him, every day since he'd gotten the memory back. it wasn't like he was without guilt already, so it had just compounded everything. it's been so heavy to hold all of it, so much to keep without saying. but now that he's started talking about it, it all comes out.

he clings tight to him, shaking hard as he starts to cry. maybe in the past he was equipped for this kind of thing, but he isn't, not here. he'd never been part of a gang, he'd never been hurt like that. ]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

[ If Kiryu could punch or fight Majima's pain away, he'd beat a thousand guys to make it better. If there was anything he could do, he'd do it in a heartbeat. But he knows Majima's pain isn't something he can beat or fix, there's not really anything he can do but be there for him. He runs slow circles on Majima's back, kissing his hair and keeping him safe. ]

I don't blame you. I would never blame you.

[ Even with whatever crimes they might have committed, nothing was worth this. His eye, the pain it must have brought... nothing Majima could ever do would be so bad as to deserve that kind of pain. ]

I should've been honest with you, I ...

[ how much of his life was measure it what he could have done? what was one more regret to go with the rest ]

It's okay.

[ Kiryu shakes his head, quiet and honest. ]

You were dealing with all this on your own... Why didn't you tell me?

[ He's really not mad at all, he's just hoping the reason will make Majima feel a little better. ]

I didn't want to hurt you.

[ it's pretty clear that's the truth and not just a nice excuse. with how often their memories trigger each other's, everything is risky ]

[ Kiryu gets it. With how much their lives intersect, they've given each other memories enough times to know it could happen. ]

I don't want you to suffer alone. You don't have to.

I know. Bein' here with you... I don't know what I'd do without ya here, Kiryu.

Yeah.

[ He nods, speaking into his hair. ]

I'm here for you, Majima.

It feels good, to have told you.

I'm glad you told me.

[ Even if it's probably going to trigger bad memories for him. ]

You can tell me anything.

I know. Thank you.

[ he really means it. he shifts a little so he can kiss his neck. ]

It'll be okay.

[ Kiryu cranes his neck for Majima, giving him a little more room. ]

You're there for me, too. I know we'll be okay.

Me and my -- [ what does he even call the tiger guy ] kyoudai we talked about a lot of stuff. In that memory.

[ Kyoudai works, they can just talk in Japanese. ]

Like what?

[ majima does like speaking japanese with kiryu, it just feels normal. but he also has to differentiate him from his npc!brother ]

We talked about Daigo? I guess we liked him after all.

[ Ah, true... there's brothers and there's brothers. ]

Oh. That's good, right? I think I was kind of ready to abandon him, before I heard about... you know.

[ Daigo literally looks up to you like a father, Kiryu. ]

Mm. It sounded like we were gonna support him. Which, ah, makes sense -- I remembered that fight. The one on the roof. Ya asked me ta help him out.

Right. You had your own family... he must have needed your support.

[ The rooftop fight was a good fight. It didn't make sense out of context, but thinking back on it... yeah, things start to line up. ]

We shouldn't try ta figure this out now. Tomorrow, when we've can write it down, an'...

[ he sighs ]

Tomorrow.

Yeah. Tomorrow.

[ Majima needs the sleep, and Kiryu will probably get to remember he was tortured while he sleeps. Win-win. ]

I'm sorry for waking ya up.

[ Kiryu shakes his head. ]

I'm glad you woke me up for this.

[ he stops clinging to him so hard, but he does cuddle up to him. ]

I'm gonna try ta sleep.

[ Kiryu nods, smiling. ]

Okay, good luck. I'll be here.

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