Forest of Horrors

There's Fear in Letting Go

Synopsis: While trying to digest everything he had come back to after getting out of Helheim, a certain someone decides to approach Takatora

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There was so much on Takatora's mind. Too much. Not only was the world heading toward the brink on destruction, but his little brother was part of it. He had to deal with that after narrowly escaping death. He couldn't catch a break at all.

There was another matter on his mind as well. There was one person he had yet to see. Sid was dead and Yoko had joined the good side, if that was the right way to put it. However, no one seemed to have any idea where the catalyst of this all was at.

Part of Takatora didn't want to run into Ryouma again. It wanted to leave him behind and never think of him again. Try to forget how he had been so deeply betrayed by the person he thought he could trust with everything. To forget the person who kept him going when things felt hopeless... the person who he had fallen for.

There was the part of him that did want to see Ryouma again. Why? He wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it was to question him. Maybe he wanted to attack Ryouma for what had happened. Or maybe he desperately wanted to believe that there was a good reason for what he had done. Takatora knew that was foolish but he couldn't get over the fact his closest friend had done such a horrible thing.

As it stood, Takatora was wandering around the town where it was safe. He wanted to be alone to ponder everything. He didn't want to have to consider what he had to do about Mitsuzane. He was trying to distract himself for a bit.

He paused as he heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Was someone following him? It had to be a human. The sound was nothing like that of the inves. For some reason though, Takatora really didn't feel like he wanted to turn around and see who it was.

"Not going to even look at me?" A voice that Takatora wished he could forget spoke up.

"Ryouma." Takatora said in a cold voice. "You have some guts showing up around here."

"Can't I talk to my boyfriend?"

Takatora felt a chill at that word. "You lost that status the moment you tried to kill me. Don't call me that."

Ryouma laughed. "Aww... am I getting under your skin still? Honestly I gotta say, I am impressed you lived. Can I know how or are you going to give me the cold shoulder?"

"An overlord saved me. That's all you're getting." Takatora finally turned around.

Ryouma seemed a bit startled at what he said. Good. Takatora was glad to throw him off his rhythm. He didn't want to see that smug look on his face.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter." Ryouma shrugged. "Besides, you've lost all control. Your little brother has gone mad and you can't do anything about it."

"I'll put an end to his behavior." Takatora glared. "What the hell do you even want? Haven't you done enough yet?"

"I told you." Ryouma started walking closer. "I just wanted to talk to my boyfriend."

Takatora shoved him back. "I told you to stop saying that!"

Ryouma chuckled. "So defensive. How cute. What are you gonna do about it, love?"

Takatora stepped up to Ryouma and then he punched him. Ryouma staggered backwards, holding a hand to his cheek. He looked at Takatora. There was amusement in his eyes.

"That's all you got?" Ryouma taunted.

Takatora knew that Ryouma was just trying to get to him. To make him lose it. But he couldn't just ignore him. So, he attacked him again. This time, Ryouma dodged and started fighting back. He seemed to be enjoying this. Takatora so desperately wanted to wipe that look off of his face.