Confession ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 9: Rest

Breathe in, breathe out.

The air is cool and crisp, a certain chill riding on the breeze. The sky is black and starless. Streetlamps tower, their light pooling on the pavement.

I exhale, leaning against the railing. It feels cool against my skin but welcomed. It took a lot of convincing, but I had to step out of the room. I know Rui's safe, though. There is a TSC officer guarding her door and Mrs. Warner is in her room with her, watching over her as she sleeps.

Even with knowing Mrs. Warner is a ghoul, I feel safe and comfortable leaving my child with her, and if Rui was to wake to only see Mrs. Warner, I know she'd be okay. She knows Mrs. Warner. She trusts Mrs. Warner. If anyone could calm Rui in my absence, it'd be her.

Inhale, exhale.

"I'm surprised to see you out here."

I turn. Juuzou is walking toward me. His hands are stuffed into the pockets of his pants. He takes long strides, his hair whisking in the breeze. The streetlamp's luminance cast over him, illuminating his ivory skin.

He stops in front of me. "I'm surprised to see you," he repeats. "What are you doing out here?"

"I needed some air," I say. "The hospital air...it's too much for me."

He comes to stand at my side, draping his arms over the railing. "What about Rui?"

"She's asleep, and Mrs. Warner is with her."

"You really trust her, huh?"

I nod, "I do. She's watched Rui whenever I needed her since the day I moved into the complex. I never once doubted her or worried."

"Even though she's a ghoul?"

I fidget with my fingers. "I didn't know that back then."

"But now."

But now...well, now...

"I still trust her," I say confidently. I look at him as he looks at me, eye to eye. "I still trust her. If she had wanted to hurt Rui, she could have done it anytime before. But she didn't. She watched her. She took care of her. She loves her. So, ghoul or not, I trust her."

He observes me, ruby eyes diving into mine. It's almost as if I can feel him swimming through my mind – my thoughts, then my blood. Shivers run the length of my spine.

A small smile twitches his lips. "That's good. I used to work with a ghoul once. Well, a half-ghoul."

This catches my attention. "Wait, what? You did? I didn't know that."

He nods, "Yeah. It was back when the TSC was still a part of the CCG. His name was Haise Sasaki." He looks out over the city. The lights reflect in his eyes. "I liked him. He always brought my candy and was nice. And he cared about his squad. He was a good person."

His word choice. Person. He was a good person. Not just a good ghoul, but a good person. So, does his choice of words mean that Juuzou saw this Haise as an equal? Not as an enemy? To me, it sounds like that, and the contentment on his face confirms that.

I ask, "What happened to him? Are you still close?"

He continues to look out at the city. "It's...not easy to explain. Yes and no." He looks at me. "To keep it simple, he went on to live a different life. He's married and has a kid, but that's all I really know."

"I see."

There's nothing wrong with this. People grow apart all the time. Life happens. But to believe, he worked alongside a ghoul. Well, half-ghoul. But a ghoul nonetheless in my eyes. And he liked him, and I assume he trusted him.

But this Haise...he was still a ghoul. And a ghoul who worked alongside humans to hunt down other ghouls. And what Mrs. Warner just did...

"What'll happen to her? To Mrs. Warner, I mean," I ask. "I mean, she's a ghoul."

He side-glances. "Nothing. She's not a hostile ghoul actively hunting humans. Under H/P's laws, she's just a citizen. And as far as any past crimes she may have committed –" my heart sinks, remembering the things she had told me earlier "– I won't ask. There's no need to know. Whatever she may have done then is being repaid for now. She's done a lot for this investigation."

A deep exhale. He's turning a blind eye, though I doubt that's hardly legal. On moral ground, Mrs. Warner – who said it herself – had done things she wasn't proud of when she was younger. Things in the name of survival, but still criminal. And yet, Juuzou is choosing to overlook her transgressions. He is choosing to honor her for the help she gave during this investigation. Does that erase what Mrs. Warner did when she was younger? No, of course not. People still died at her hands, but because of her, four children have been rescued and so have any future victims. And I find that to be pretty admirable.

Another breeze blows. He yawns and stretches. I watch. His posture is more slouched than usual. His clothes hang awkwardly from him. And the circles are still there, under each eye.

"You must be tired," I say, still looking at him. He does. He does look tired. "Why don't you head back to your hotel or wherever you're staying to get some sleep?"

He's quiet for a moment, then: "Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am a bit tired."

"Where's Abara? Maybe you two could head that way."

"Hanbee is currently on his way up to (insert random city name – Key's place of residence)."

This catches my attention. "He's on his way to (random city)?"

"Yeah. I'll be following him up there in a few days."

I want to ask. I want to ask why they'll be up there, but deep down I already know why. Clay. That's where his main place of residence is. And as far as I know, he's still on the run. Still out there somewhere.

But as I look at Juuzou, I can't imagine him doing much of anything when he looks like he might tip over at any moment. He can try to act as brightly as he wants, but I can see through that.

"Well, you need to get some rest." But I don't feel comfortable with him walking alone. "Is there anyoner that –"

"Lee's shift is up in twenty minutes," he says. "I can just wait here until then."

I don't know who Lee is, but I don't care. If it's someone he knows, then that works. It's something, and something is better than nothing.

"Okay. I'll...I'll wait with you." I can at least do that. Rui is fine. She is safe. Mrs. Warner is with her. And this is the least I can do. After everything he's done for me and Rui...this is the least I can do.

"Mmmkay," he says with a yawn. He leans down, resting his chin on his arms, the breeze still whisking his hair. His eyes glimmer in the light.

We stand for several moments, looking out at the city. Listening to the city noises: cars, far-off trains, just noise. I stand and bask in that atmosphere. Then I feel it. A brush of weight leaning on my arm.

Startled, I glimpse down, only to melt. At my side, Juuzou's head is tilted against me, his eyelids draped shut as soft snores roll through his lips. He looks so peaceful. So at ease. So content. And I dare not disrupt that.

So I stand, and I let him rest.

**Hello, lovelies! So this chapter came across as cute in my head but typing it didn't feel as cute. Could just be me though. Still, Juuzou drifted off and ended up leaning against Y/N. That's kinda cute. I tried lol. Honestly, I'm not in the right headspace. I'm from the States and recently a lot is happening and it just...it's not a happy or joyful time. Not right now. So, with that said. Remember to remain kind to each other and to stay humble. Y'all are lovely human beings. Wuv yous. <3**

-Noel Ross