𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓 ➛ ryusae

chpt 35 ➛ shidou

Rin and Isagi's POV:

The bathroom light buzzed softly overhead, casting a pale glow over the small, tiled space. Shidou was passed out now, slumped over the toilet, cheek pressed against the seat in a way that made Rin's stomach twist. He had never seen Shidou in such a state, and anyone would feel uneasy at the sight.

Rin stood frozen in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes fixed on him as he contemplated on what to do next.

"Is he okay?" Isagi asked beside him, voice low.

Rin didn't answer at first. He just kept staring, jaw tight, eyes sharp with something more than just worry—like guilt and helplessness had started crawling up his throat, threatening to choke him.

Isagi, sensing his boyfriends shift in demeanour, nudged his arm slightly, laying a hand gently on Rin's shoulder. "He'll be alright. He just needs to sleep it off."

Rin finally spoke, voice hoarse. "I've never seen him this bad."

"He misses him," Isagi murmured, like that much wasn't already obvious.

Rin exhaled hard through his nose and ran a hand through his hair. He looked at Shidou again, then back at Isagi. "Watch him for a sec. I need to make a call."

Isagi looked confused. "You're gonna call—?"

"Sae."

Isagi blinked. "You think he'll even answer?"

"He better," Rin muttered, already turning on his heel and making his way to the balcony.

Once he opened the sliding glass door, the night air hit him like a slap—sharp and cool against his skin. He stepped out onto the balcony, phone already in hand, fingers trembling slightly as he scrolled to the contact:
Sae

He hesitated for just a second before hitting the call button.

It rang once. Twice. Three times—

"Hey Rin—" Sae's voice was calm, tired, like he'd been expecting this call.

Rin didn't waste time, cutting him off. "What the hell is going on with you and Shidou?"

There was a pause. "Rin, I really don't think—"

"No. Don't do that." Rin leaned against the balcony railing, knuckles white. "He's passed out in our bathroom right now. Completely wasted. I've never seen him like this. What the fuck happened?"

A sigh on the other end. "I tried talking to him. I did. I told him what was going on with Madrid, and he just—he wasn't listening."

"Because you're you, Sae," Rin snapped. "You say one cryptic thing and expect people to understand the entire situation."

There was a long silence. Then, softer, Sae replied, "No. I was trying to explain. But he just—he doesn't get it, Rin. He doesn't listen."

"He does," Rin bit out. "You just don't say anything worth hearing. You shut down, act like it's his fault for wanting to understand you. Of course he's not getting it—he can't read your damn mind."

"He was being irrational. I didn't know what to say."

"Then learn," Rin snapped. "Because he's tearing himself apart thinking he's the one who fucked everything up. You don't get to just walk away and act like that doesn't matter."

Another pause. Rin could hear Sae breathing heavier now, a tell he rarely let show.

"I didn't mean to hurt him."