❝ Any day I think I’m gonna break now. ❞
He knew not how to reply. Speaking to Takumi was akin to handling broken glass, needless to say, it left one with various cuts and bruises, unable to discern which edges would slice nor where the pieces fit. There was a time where they had spoken easier to one another, where expectations in their positions did not bind them to a rotten leash of legacy.
Perhaps that was why Ryouma was puzzled by the honesty, scrambling to pick up the broken pieces of Takumi even if the cuts upon his hand stung and his nerves cried out in protest. Perhaps that was why there clung an almost desperation to his internal mannerism, unable to recollect the last time they had spoken honesty of their feelings. There had been times, where they as children, could speak freely and with clear hearts. A time where Ryouma could help Takumi rise from scraped knees and tease him about coordination.
Those times were memories of ash, slipping through Ryouma’s fingers the more he attempted to clutch them. Perhaps he too had been insensitive upon his own part. He spoke so dearly of legacy, legacy, legacy. They’d carved laws into his bones, the mark of a ruler, a crown ready to drop upon his head at any moment. There had grown a difference, a cool indifference of leadership upon Ryouma’s part that perhaps separated them more.
How was he supposed to talk to him now?
Ryouma grabbed his hand. It was like touching glass again, as if he were inviting the shards to dig into his palms and bleed him dry. He brought Takumi towards his chest. His little brother. So small. He’d always thought that--had always thought about how small Takumi was and had added him to a list of things he’d wish to protect. A list of things to preserve in a future empire--more valuable than gold.
He embraced him and it was like clutching fire, even though it sputtered and was on the brink of being extinguished. Takumi needed to know that Ryouma was there for him, yet they hadn’t spoken--not so honestly, not like this. They had been brothers once, and they had drifted. They were still brothers, tied by blood, and yet...
❝ I’ll do my best to stop it, and if you break anyways then... I’ll be there to help put you back together. ❞Ryouma closed his eyes. ❝ That’s what family is for. ❞
I need you at my side, brother.
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