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Every other dozen steps he took, Takumi'd make sure that Eito wasn't falling behind. He wasn't exactly worried, as Eito's smile that blossomed in his face any time Takumi looked back confirmed that he was doing well, but still- it was basic consideration.
They had been exploring a good 30 minutes now, and with his recent loss of vision, it surely couldn't be an easy feat. And yet Eito said nothing, never complained, and just followed Takumi as he gathered whatever materials he wanted that day.
It was the third consecutive day they repeated that. Wasn't he tired? Or bored? He definitely didn't seem so. He followed Takumi with eagerness resembling that of a puppy following its mom.
Still, Takumi was considerate. He had debated back and forth whether he should offer his hand to Eito, but Eito seemed to want to do things by himself whenever possible. Last time he had offered his help when he was cooking, he said he was grateful, but had to get used to it or he'd always rely on Takumi.
Well, he didn't dislike being relied on, but— it was probably better that way. He'd be like that for the rest of his life, after all.
And maybe Takumi's consideration was laced with guilt, but he avoided the thought and leaned down to grab the next material on the list.
They move onto the next one in slow but steady steps, with no small talk needed. Most of the time, they were in complete silence, which accentuated Takumi's wonders of their outings being enjoyable at all to Eito. But he knew that, the following day, he'd be waiting for Takumi in the entrance to go out exploring together again.
He was such a perplexing person, even more so lately.
''Takumi-kun.'' Eito finally spoke up, looking around with a slight frown on his face. ''I sense invaders nearby. Be careful.''
''You sense them…?''
''It's my intuition, or maybe their smell… But you'd do well to follow it. My other senses have been getting better lately, in exchange for losing my eyes. It's a relief, since I'll be able to be useful for the team…''
Eito's speech was cut short as Takumi gripped his sword tightly, the invaders finally showing themselves. Even though they were all weak, the numbers slowly increased the more they fought together, and even if he was still impressed by Eito's dexterity, Takumi knew they'd have trouble killing them all by themselves.
Or rather, there was no way they'd win, exhausted as they were.
''Aotsuki, run!'' Takumi grabbed Eito's wrist without a second thought, dashing past the swarm of invaders trying to get them.
''Wait-''
But Eito couldn't warn Takumi that he was losing his footing before he was tripping on the rocks in the way, falling face-first on the ground. Takumi turned around with his heart nearly leaping out of his chest, not because of the now acceptably distant invaders, but out of fear that Eito had hurt himself or, even worse, broken his sunglasses.
His guilt and worry heightened and he gasped for air, immediately kneeling in front of Eito.
''Aotsuki! Are you okay?!''
To his surprise, Eito sat up like nothing had happened, if anything just a little bit disoriented, despite the cracks on his glasses and dirt all over him. But at least, he hadn't seriously hurt himself. Takumi exhaled in relief and extended his hand to help Eito up, which he accepted while regaining his senses.
''Sorry, that was my fault. Are you alright? We need to find you new glasses…''
''I'm fine, they're not important at all… Rather, I wasn't expecting you to worry so much just because I tripped.''
''..............''
Takumi averted his eyes, slightly awkward. What he was pretty sure that Eito meant to say was that Takumi hadn't shown that kind of worry towards him ever since he had found out about Eito's true nature.
It wasn't easy to get used to treating him like a friend again. But he would.
''We are teammates now. I'll look after you just like I would for the others. If something happens here, we can't revive.''
''...You're so kindhearted, Leader.''
''Oh, shut it. Can you walk?''
Eito smiled at Takumi's very obvious attempt to change the subject out of embarrassment, and tried to follow after him. He soon stopped as a sharp pain shot through his leg, and stopped to move his ankle a bit.
He definitely wouldn't get far like that. ''...I think I twisted my ankle.''
Takumi sighed. ''Should we find somewhere to rest…?''
''No, it's okay. Let's keep going.''
''Huh? But you obviously can't walk.''
Eito forced himself to, dragging one foot after the other. ''I'll manage! We have to get back to the Academy before it gets dark, or everyone will get worried. I promised I wouldn't hold you back, Takumi-kun, and I intend to keep my word.''
He was still trying to prove his loyalty, Takumi could tell. It was painful to see him like that. Eito liked cleanliness more than anyone, and yet he was pushing himself in that sorry state just to keep his promise to Takumi. He couldn't simply watch that.
''Wait.''
''Hm?''
''Let's find a way to go back that won't kill you. I'm not gonna watch you walk like that until you collapse…''
''Do you have an idea?''
Well. There were a few ways to get Eito to the Academy safely. He had done it before, in fact, back in his first 100 days. But something about doing the same thing rubbed him the wrong way, so he'd have to find something else.
Maybe…
''Try to endure this even if you hate it, okay?''
''Takumi-kun…?''
''Lower your body a bit.''
Takumi positioned himself, but Eito was too tall, so it was only after he was nearly squatting that he was able to maneuver as he wanted. One arm under Eito's legs, the other holding his back- Takumi pulled him up and staggered a little before stabilizing.
More than successful bridal carry, considering Eito's height and muscle mass.
Eito was facing his way, and Takumi was sure that he'd be staring if he could, judging by how speechless he was.
It was embarrassing for Takumi, too. But he convinced himself that it'd be worth it, and it was just right for him to help Eito out, and started walking with a soft blush on his cheeks.
''Wow. This is a first.''
''It is for me too… Now shut up and hold on tight.''
''Of course.'' Eito's voice sounded gentler, quieter as his arms wrapped around Takumi's neck without hesitation. Even though it couldn't possibly feel anything but repulsive. ''Thank you, Takumi-kun.''
It sounded way too sincere and tugged at Takumi's heartstrings. ''You don't have to thank me… This can't be pleasant for you. Besides, you fell because I was being careless.''
''I don't mind this too much, it's pretty comfortable.''
''Huh? But you…''
''Yeah… Even if I removed my eyes and burned out my nasal mucosa, I can still feel and hear you. It's as repulsive as ever, but…'' He lightly nuzzled Takumi, way too affectionately for his taste, nevermind how his heart skipped a beat. ''It feels warm, too.''
He was just being his sappy self. That was all it was.
Takumi's brain desperately convinced him of it, repeating those words in his mind as he slowly walked in the direction of the Last Defense Academy. The slight physical struggle helped keep his thoughts in track, efforts focused only on carrying Eito, but it was hard to avoid thinking at all.
Eito's body was pressed against him, resting comfortably in Takumi's hold.
Not only was he comfortable enough to do that with a 'disgusting human', but he was clearly leaning more and more against him. He had no way of knowing for sure, but Takumi had a hunch he was nearly dozing off, if Eito's slow and relaxed breathing was anything to go off of.
And he couldn't simply ignore how warm his own chest felt, just from seeing Eito like that and being able to do that for him. Maybe it really was possible for them to form a genuine connection, without lies this time.
The thought made him way happier than he'd ever admit.
Perhaps he was getting swept by the cozy mood, but Takumi felt relieved to have Eito with him. It hadn't been easy for either of them, and a lot of things were still unresolved. He couldn't trust him blindly or act like the past had never happened. But…
Eito's hand softly pressed against Takumi's chest, cutting off his line of thought, which was probably for the best, except because what followed was even more embarrassing than Takumi's inner monologue.
''...I can feel your heart. It's beating pretty fast.''
Takumi cleared his throat by reflex out of nervousness. ''You don't have to point that out!!''
''Ah, Takumi-kun, it's just like a vile human like you to get riled up over this.''
''I'm going to make you walk if you don't stop it.''
Eito chuckled and stroked Takumi over his class armor, avoiding the hole in it. ''I wonder why it's reassuring to feel your heartbeats.''
This time, Takumi couldn't say anything back.
''I guess I can still appreciate this, even if I can't appreciate humans. I wouldn't have noticed this before, since I would have been too distracted by your smell and sight.''
Was the way back so long? It felt eternal.
''Thank you for allowing me to experience this.''
''Don't thank me for that…''
''...Let me thank you at least.''
After a few more steps, Takumi stopped walking, looking at Eito for a second, then at the Academy that was already visible from there. If he walked inside carrying Eito like that, the others were sure to make fun of him…
He slowly put Eito down, not missing the way Eito's hands caressed him for a second too long until they were apart. ''I'll help you walk from here. We're almost there.''
''Alright. I'm dying to take a shower and change these clothes… Thank you again for carrying me, Takumi-kun. I'll repay the debt if you're ever moribund.''
''I'll do my best to not let that happen…'' And for the rest of the day, Takumi would have to deal with the weird feelings that little moment had sparked.
He prayed it wouldn't make their following explorations too awkward, even though, deep down, he was already missing Eito's warmth.
No one would ever need to know that.