ninety-nine balloons (part 4 x fem!reader)

24- Bitter in Life

Happy new year!

not editing kick my ass (but if there's something that's like a legit mistake ex: doesn't match with the story, lmk so i can fix it)

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There is danger in the salvation that has come. 

Screams come between the cracks of the foundation, the pipes to be sure, though they are refined in such a manner it plays tricks on the mind and brings you to panic swiftly. The cracks in that wooden house grow and a sickness entrenches you entirely.

Josuke and Okuyasu have already pushed past the door. There is conflict and yelling, it is too much to bear with such sensitive ears.

You tease the idea of screaming for them, letting them know that there is a secret in the house and that it is you.

But then they will find you. What then? You're something other now, and what should they think when they see your claws, the lantern glow of your eyes, when they hear you hunger for a piece of them they cannot think to give?

You debate with yourself as they quarrel, though it's impossible to hear your own thoughts over the sound of rampaging feet shooting up the stairs.

"You better tell us what it is before we find it."

It's uncharacteristically calm, a tactic for intimidation that Rohan deflects easily.

"I will say nothing because there is nothing."

"You lying piece of shit! There's always something going on when Koichi is here, so cough it up!"

"Koichi is gone, Higashikata. He left right when you came!"

"How the hell could he have done that? Did he fly out the window?"

You don't know whether to laugh at his joke or panic at the sound of his nearing voice. The footsteps in triplicate push you to the farthest reach of the room, nearly tripping you over the rabbit that'd left you minute before.

It taints you only slightly as you slip over it, the acid and flesh melted into a thick pudding of being clinging to your pants ruined and torn sleeve. You don't even have the strength to mind it as the shadow of a curious head pokes into your room.

It looks at you, and you look at it. Raven hair gelled into a heavy pomp, ocean blue eyes highlighted by the light it breaks through, his gaze is nearly as piercing as your own, though not as fearful.

"Rohan," Josuke says. "What the fuck is that?"

"There's nothing in there! Do you ever mind your business? Move, shoo!"

Your lungs are relieved of air as a feeling akin to a punch lands square in your chest. It's crushing, finally discovered and there's nothing you can do except sit in your silence and hope he means the pile of vomit on the floor.

"There is something in there, what the hell is it!" Josuke screeches, "It's fucking looking at me! What the hell is that!"

You feel your chest hitch as your eyes fill with generous despair, and a sharp whimper leaves you before you could catch it. Josuke recoils at the sound like you had hissed at him, and he shuffles away involuntarily.

"Are you growing a damn monster in there? What-- Answer me, what is that thing?!"

A second, new head looks inside, and Okuyasu's gaze connects to yours like a pair of magnets.

You don't think he had a good enough look at you before someone snatched him back by his collar, hopefully meaning he hadn't recognized you at all.

"Both of you, leave! This is none of your concern!"