224 || Kurokawa Izana

- 8 -

Strangely enough, Izana had become rather... touchy, lately. You're not sure why that happened, but you're assuming it started the day he broke down in front of you the first time.

It was definitely a big shocker to you.

Heck, you didn't even expect a reaction in the first place, and you honestly thought he'd reject your touch, but he didn't and instead he moved closer.

You're not entirely sure how you feel about it yet, adorable as he is.

But you can't help but admit to yourself that you enjoyed the affection he was showering you with. The little touches here and there when he'd pass by, hand touching your lower back or waist.

Or when you'd spend time together and he'd subtly link your pinkies together, almost like he was making a little promise with you every single time. You really did find the gestures adorable and truthfully, you didn't want it to stop.

"Izana, dinner's ready!" You called as you finished setting the table.

The soft thumping of his footsteps sounded in your ears as he emerged from the hallway in a loose t-shirt and pajama shorts. "I'm here," he mumbled tiredly, as if he'd just woken from a nap.

"Evening, pretty," you smiled, the two of you taking a seat across each other on your small dining table. "Rest well?"

"Mhm," he hummed, reaching his hand across the table to grab yours, the pad of his thumb running rhythmically over the back of your hand. "I'm still sleepy."

"Eat up, then you can go back to sleep," you told him, eyes fixated on your intertwined hands.

He stopped suddenly, looking at you with a somewhat worried expression. "Y/N..."

"What is it?" You asked, tilting your head slightly.

"You look tired," he mumbled, grip tightening on your hand.

You gave him a small smile, one that tried to mask the exhaustion in your eyes. "I'm okay, pretty. Don't worry about me, just a little tired from work."

"This is my fault," he frowned.

You shook your head. "It's not, I've just been working too much lately."

"You wouldn't have had to work so hard if I wasn't here."

You froze, staring at him with furrowed brows, unable to counter him and yet wondering why and how the conversation suddenly took a wrong turn.

He stared back at you blankly. "It's true, isn't it?"

"It's not—"

"Don't lie to me!" His voice rose unintentionally as you leaned back, surprised.

"Izana, calm down," you muttered, trying to give his hand a reassuring squeeze only for him to retract and pull his hand away from you.

"Don't touch me."

You felt a pang in your heart, but you didn't let it show through, pulling your hand back. "You need to calm down."

"To hell with that, I'm leaving." He stood up from the table.

"Izana!" You grabbed his hand, pulling him back. "What the hell is up with you? Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?!"

His expression looked pained as he avoided your gaze, looking away from you. "Please... stop," he whispered.

You shook your head. "I don't understand, stop what?"

"Stop looking at me as if you care!" He snapped, breaking out of your grip. "I've only been a nuisance to you but you're acting like I've done nothing wrong!"

"But I do care!" You argued. "I care about you so damn much and that's why I'm trying to take care of you but here you are trying to walk away from me!"

He kept quiet, unable to respond.

"Izana... I care about you, so please," your voice lowered into a desperate whisper. "Please don't leave... I want to help you."

He stared at you, eyes glistening with unshed tears, and you couldn't help but pull him into a hug. He buried his face in your neck, tears falling against your skin.

"I don't want to," his voice cracked. "But I'm scared Y/N... I'm scared that one day you're gonna realize just how awful I am and you're going to leave me behind."

"That's never gonna happen," you reassured him, rubbing his back and running your fingers through his hair comfortingly. "You're safe with me, I promise."

"I don't wanna lose you," he whimpered.

You smiled, hugging him closer, "You'll never lose me, that's another promise, okay?"

He nodded, tightening his arms around you, almost as if he were afraid to let you go.

"Do you still wanna eat dinner?" You asked softly.

"I don't wanna waste the food," he whispered softly.

You smiled, petting his hair affectionately. "It's okay, we can always reheat it for tomorrow, so don't worry about that. I don't want you to force yourself to eat."

"You're too good for me," he muttered, resting his chin on your shoulder.

"Nah," you giggled. "I just care a lot."

"Thank you," he mumbled, placing a gentle kiss on your shoulder. "For taking care of me."

Your eyes widened as you buried your face in his shoulder in an attempt to hide your blush. Oh how you prayed he wouldn't feel your heart thumping against his chest.

"You're dangerous," you grumbled as he laughed softly, finally cracking a smile.

"Am I really?"

"Dangerous for my heart."

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