[Every thought that's raced through his mind, every ghost that's lodged itself in the space between each of his ribs - all of it seizes up with his breaths.
He didn't anticipate this, even though he should've. It's a natural next step, isn't it? Maruki still has enough fear lingering that it left his hands trembling; he's also made it clear that he's worried for Akira's safety, and Akira would've been lying if he suggested he wasn't worried for the same. Hadn't he been prepared just now to say that he'd walk Maruki home, even with the knowledge he'd put himself at risk doing so? Maruki would protest it; the thought is both warm and painful, but he's almost certain of that. And Akira isn't sure if he could've brought himself to turn him away right now. But if that's the case...
There's really only one thing to do. The words feel like they cut his throat, but they still sound calm when they come out of his mouth-]
You don't have to take the couch. This is a two-bedroom unit.
[Akira can stand in it once more to get Maruki settled after they're finished speaking. Just one more time for the road.]
Wait here and I'll grab a shirt for you. Don't worry about paying me back for it, just-
[Even with his back already to Maruki, his jaw snaps shut, words miserably lodged in his throat. There's so much he wants to say, and even more that he wants to keep locked up so it never sees the light of day. He wonders how much he'll end up saying tonight.]
...I'm going to make coffee after I grab a shirt for you, so let me know if you want some. It's nice to talk over a cup.
[They're the softest words he's delivered yet.
Akira doesn't usually look at that room when he passes it in the hall that leads to the bedrooms, but tonight's the first in a while that he feels the weight of how much he's not looking at it.
Otherwise, it doesn't take long; Akira doesn't have many shirts that are too big on him, so that makes them a lot easier to find. He snatches up a blue pullover that'll still probably be just a little too small on Maruki, but it should at least be able to keep him warm.]
:guncat: ok!
He didn't anticipate this, even though he should've. It's a natural next step, isn't it? Maruki still has enough fear lingering that it left his hands trembling; he's also made it clear that he's worried for Akira's safety, and Akira would've been lying if he suggested he wasn't worried for the same. Hadn't he been prepared just now to say that he'd walk Maruki home, even with the knowledge he'd put himself at risk doing so? Maruki would protest it; the thought is both warm and painful, but he's almost certain of that. And Akira isn't sure if he could've brought himself to turn him away right now. But if that's the case...
There's really only one thing to do. The words feel like they cut his throat, but they still sound calm when they come out of his mouth-]
You don't have to take the couch. This is a two-bedroom unit.
[Akira can stand in it once more to get Maruki settled after they're finished speaking. Just one more time for the road.]
Wait here and I'll grab a shirt for you. Don't worry about paying me back for it, just-
[Even with his back already to Maruki, his jaw snaps shut, words miserably lodged in his throat. There's so much he wants to say, and even more that he wants to keep locked up so it never sees the light of day. He wonders how much he'll end up saying tonight.]
...I'm going to make coffee after I grab a shirt for you, so let me know if you want some. It's nice to talk over a cup.
[They're the softest words he's delivered yet.
Akira doesn't usually look at that room when he passes it in the hall that leads to the bedrooms, but tonight's the first in a while that he feels the weight of how much he's not looking at it.
Otherwise, it doesn't take long; Akira doesn't have many shirts that are too big on him, so that makes them a lot easier to find. He snatches up a blue pullover that'll still probably be just a little too small on Maruki, but it should at least be able to keep him warm.]