𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐢𝐧 X Reader (Dark/Angst)

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 ✶ 𝟎𝟗

It feels like the sound echoes through your very bones, reverberating in your chest as if the ground itself has been torn apart. Ritsu hits the bushes below, crumpling like a broken doll. The boys above are still shouting, jeering, their sick laughter ringing in your ears like the cruel cawing of crows.

You're moving before you even realize it, running to Ritsu's side, your breath coming in ragged gasps. He's lying there, motionless, his body twisted in ways that make your stomach churn. His eyes are closed, and for a horrifying moment, you think he might be dead.

But then, miraculously, he stirs. Slowly, achingly, Ritsu's eyes flutter open. There's a glassy, faraway look in them that sends a shiver down your spine. His fingers twitch, weakly, and he makes a soft, broken sound as if he's trying to speak but can't quite manage it.

"Ritsu...," you choke out, kneeling beside him, your hands trembling as they hover over his form, unsure where to touch, unsure if you should.

He groans softly, trying to push himself up. Instinctively, you place your hands on his shoulders to steady him. He's shaking like a leaf in the wind, his strength barely enough to hold himself upright. Yet somehow, he manages to sit up, though he looks dazed, his body swaying unsteadily.

"You're okay...," you murmur, more to reassure yourself than him. "You're okay. It's okay, Ritsu."

But even as the words leave your mouth, you know how hollow they sound. He's not okay. None of this is okay.

Above you, the boys' voices are fading as they realize what they've done. You hear one of them shout something about coming down to 'finish the job,' and a wave of fury surges through you. Your blood turns to fire, every muscle in your body coiled tight with rage.

You glare up at the window, locking eyes with one of the boys as he leans out to check on the damage. The moment he sees your face—sees the cold, murderous rage burning in your eyes—he pales. With a yelp, he ducks back inside, and you hear the pounding of footsteps as they flee.

If you could, you would hunt every one of them down. Drag them by their hair into the dark corners of the city and make them pay for what they've done. You'd tear them apart, piece by piece, until they're begging for mercy.

But you can't. Not now. Not while Ritsu is still here, trembling against you, too shocked to even cry.

You inhale sharply, trying to push the anger down, trying to focus on what matters. Ritsu. He's alive. He's alive, and that's all that matters right now.

"Alright," you say softly, though your voice shakes. "We need to get you up. Can you stand, Ritsu? Lean on me. I've got you."

Ritsu gives a small nod, and you help him to his feet, wrapping an arm around him to steady his trembling form. His legs are like jelly, barely supporting his weight, but he clings to you as if you're the only thing keeping him from collapsing entirely.

Once he's up, you pull him into a tight embrace, the tension in your body finally breaking as you hold him close. "I'm sorry," you whisper, your voice thick with guilt. "I should've been here sooner. I—"

But Ritsu interrupts you with a whimper, his arms wrapping around you with surprising strength. And then, the dam breaks.

He sobs against your chest, his body wracked with uncontrollable tremors. The sound is raw, filled with a despair that cuts deep, and it rips through you like shards of glass. His tears soak into your shirt as his fingers dig into your back, clutching you like a lifeline.

For a moment, all you can do is stand there, holding him as tightly as he holds you, feeling the full weight of his fear and agony press into you. His cries are muffled against your chest, but you can hear every broken sob, feel every shuddering breath. It's like he's unraveling in your arms, and all you can do is hold him together as best you can.