❤︎ | Some tattoos commemorate a loss while others symbolize what you have gained... ╰ feat. mudano naito (tougen anki) x oni corp! reader
You watched as Kyouya carefully filled out the black outlines inked on Mudano's skin. It was his back this time. A larger surface of skin was necessary because of the tragedy that recently shocked the rest of Rasetsu. A frown formed on your face as Kyouya poked the final touches into the smooth skin.
"All done," he said, patting the spot where he last inked. You were certain that fresh tattoos aren't supposed to be touched like that, but then again, Kyouya's the doctor here.
Mudano gave a quick thanks and stood up from the chair, completely unfazed by a needle rapidly puncturing his skin for like an hour. He threw back on his white button up, ready to leave soon.
Before leaving, however, he stopped at where you were standing. His gaze flicked to you—softer, the kind of look he reserved only for you. The warmth of his palm found your shoulder, firm and grounding. "I'll catch up with you later," Mudano said softly. Then, he was gone. For Mudano, that was basically a hug and a kiss goodbye.
It was just you and Kyouya left.
"He added a lot today, huh?" Kyouya said while cleaning up his tattoo equipment.
You grunted in response, head still swimming with so many thoughts. "Sucks that he has to do that... it's like he's punishing himself." You've seen him on those nights, when he'd lay next to you and his eyes would trace the ink along his arms. He never said anything, but in your heart you knew that he was thinking about something. And you had assumed it was something akin to telling himself to do better next time. To not let anyone die on his watch.
Kyouya hummed, considering your words. "Not saying you're wrong—you probably know Danny the best. I mean, he basically says 'I love you' to you each time he looks at you without that menacing glare," he said, chuckling mostly to himself. "But I don't think he's punishing himself—although, yeah, maybe he does sometimes."
"Then what do you think is running through his head?"
Kyouya smiled. "I think it's a way of him carrying others' wishes and dreams with him. Maybe also their strength—they're lending it to Danny."
Your gaze dropped to the floor, scrutinizing the specks on the linoleum tiles of the clinic. "When you put it that way... it puts my mind at ease. I just hate seeing him like that."
He put the last of his equipment away and finally faced you. "Well, we could both be wrong. He's always thinking a step ahead from all of us."
That earned a laugh from you... then an idea—possibly a ridiculous one—popped up in your head. "Kyo? You think you have some time for another tattoo?"
"Another? But I just put away all my stuff—"
It only took one look from you. One that you probably learned from Mudano himself.
He was about to retort, but sighed in defeat. "Fine. Sit down and get comfy."
────────────
Mudano was quietly reading his book in bed while you got ready to settle in for the night. He never said anything, but you could tell he was glad that he could sleep next to you more often lately. At least, the world was a little forgiving to him these past few weeks.
You picked out a simple set of pajamas for the night. A soft thud was made when you dropped the towel to the floor, then—
"What's that?"
You were almost startled by his voice. He's normally too absorbed in his book to look at your nightly routine.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You know what I'm talking about. What's that on your back?" he asked, firmer this time.
"A tattoo," you said nervously. You were still assessing whether or not this was a neutral or a bad response. It's hard to tell sometimes. "I had Kyouya do it for me."
He finally shut his book and stood up from the bed. A chill ran up your spine as he sauntered over to where you stood near the dresser. Two large hands held you firmly as if you'd run away from him. You could practically feel his eyes burning a hole where the ink was.
"An umbrella?" he asked with the slightest lilt. That's his tell when he's surprised.
"Yeah. Kyouya said you get tattoos to remember something important... so you carry them with you no matter where you go," you explained, still facing away from him because he was busy looking at the tattoo.
"Leave it to him to say the cheesiest things, I suppose."
A small laugh left your lips. "Hey, I listened to him, you know? That's why I got this umbrella, so I can remember you. How you always have our backs. How you sacrifice yourself each day for our kind. How you'll always be mine no matter what."
Words freely left you. Perhaps it was easier to say all these things without his intense eyes looking back at you. Silence followed thereafter. Rarely would you ever find Mudano speechless.
He slowly turned you around to make you face him... then he wrapped his arms around you while you were still dripping from your shower.
You smiled, absorbing his feelings that he never dared to speak out loud. You hugged him back with all your might.
"I love you."
He didn't have to say it back, but you knew he loved you too with the way he held you the entire night until he fell asleep.
©miyukisu do not repost/reupload/translate any of my works on other platforms
╰ author's note still on my touanki brainrot because I recently caught up to the manga... expect a flood of touanki posting (sorry)