Did I startle you? { Juuzou x Reader }

[Part Two] Settling In.

Video credit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOBWRn642Q8         

After Shinohara left, Juuzou grabbed my hand and sat me down on the Burgundy couch, eager to get to know me. We spent the next few hours talking about the most random topics from ghouls, to candy. As nice as the night was, you were pretty tired.

"Hey Juuzou.. I'm quite tired, do you know where my room is?"

Juuzou was pulled back to reality and looked up at me, with a small smile.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that; let me show you to your room!"

Shortly after, Juuzou took my hand and led me down the narrow hallway. We came to a halt in front of a white doorway revealing my new room. Juuzou let go of my hand and cheerfully pointed in the direction of my room.

"Here's your stop!"

Upon entering, my gaze wandered around the room. It had (f/c) walls, a fur carpet and a large (s/f/c) coloured bed, one wall was taken up by a large window that revealed the beautiful city of Tokyo below me. The sight of my room left my room widely agape. After a few seconds of taking the room in, Juuzou spoke.

"I'm just going to assume that you like your new room?"

Knowing my answer, I gave Juuzou a dumbfounded facial expression.

"Like it? I love it!"

Excitement rushed through my vines as I leaped onto my new bed; I was so excited that I didn't notice my hand stitches had come loose, and had started to bleed. From what I heard, a slight gasp escaped Juuzou's lips.

"Are you okay?"

I didn't have time to look at him as he had already began to run towards me, with a concerned expression plastering his face. As I mentioned, I wasn't aware of my stitches coming loose, so I was utterly confused.

"What do you mean? I'm completely fine."

Careful not to hurt me, Juuzou lifted my hand into my view; a sigh escaped my lips as I looked at my hand blankly. It was quite frustrating, the stitches seemed to have a mind of it's own.

"Ugh, this is getting annoying now."

I stuck my uninjured hand into a cupboard to find a ball of string. Using a needle from my clothes, I began the tedious task of stitching up my everlasting wound on my hand in a star pattern. This seemed to startle Juuzou.

"You did that yourself? Does that not hurt you?"

Juuzou curiously leaned in closer to me, probably to get a better view of my hand. It's lucky I have a high pain tolerance, otherwise self-stitching would hurt I suppose.

"Yeah, I suppose my childhood wasn't exactly normal.."

The topic of my childhood immediately made me lower my head and go quiet. It wasn't something I enjoyed. He noticed my odd behaviour and rested his hand over mine.

"You wanna talk about it?"

I was faced with two options: stay silent and make things awkward, or talk about it. I came to the conclusion that my past was going to be told to him either way; it was just a matter of who told him.

"I'd prefer not to. Sorry. All I'll say about it is that is was abusive."

Juuzou leaned in closer, with eyes like a snake, stalking it's next victim. Needlessly to say, it was startling.

But intriguing.

"How funny! I went through that too."

I was a little surprised to hear him say that so nonchalantly. At least I finally had someone I could relate to.

"Wow. Sorry if I brought up any bad memories for you."

Juuzou smiled sweetly, his emotions didn't seem affected by the conversation or his past. If anything, knowing I could relate to him lightened his mood.

"It's okay; I don't mind talking about it, hehe!"

Suddenly, his smile shrunk into a small smirk, he stood up and headed to the door, about to go his own room.

"Just saying, you can talk to me anytime!"

I have to admit, it was a sweet gesture, but honestly, I didn't need anybody to talk to. So I dismissed his comment and got into bed.

"Thanks."

Before leaving, Juuzou wrapped his arms around my small figure, only for a few seconds though. It was still enough to make my cheeks flush salmon pink.

I wasn't the only tomato here though, I looked up to see a small blush hidden in Juuzou's cheeks.

"You should get some sleep, you have your first day at work tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight."

Juuzou walked out of the room soon after, but returned just as I were about to drift off to sleep.

"Sleep well beautiful, I'm not going to let you go that easily..."