Mirrors ◇ Joji x Reader

IX. The Decision

TRIGGER WARNING: BLOOD
Sunday, November 27

I woke up early today. 4 AM to be exact. Joji was still asleep. I kissed his forehead and got up.

I was going to see him today.

I took a shower, got dressed, and hid a little something in my pocket: a switchblade. I only used it when I felt threatened and Joji knows about it. I wonder if other me had one too...

I stood at the mirror, tilting my head. I sighed.

Only he can open the portal... how am I supposed to sneak in?

After a few moments of standing, I saw Joji 1 on the other side.

"Waiting for me?" He asked.

Or at least, that what I read from his lips. I can see the other side, but I can't hear it. Strange... didn't I hear it before?

I nodded, mouthing,"How did you know?"

"Your thoughts woke me up."

"Since when could you read lips?"

"I can't. But you're thinking while you speak," he smirked.

He then mumbled the spell and pulled me in.

The path between the portals was the clearest it had ever been. I saw the universe. Galaxies and planets, stars of many colors and sizes. Comets, supernovas, the whole shebang. It was gorgeous. I could see the opposite world rushing toward me, and I braced for impact.

When I finally reached my destination, I was dazed by the beauty I saw just before.

"I'm guessing you finally saw the transportation process at work?" Joji said, grinning at my facial expression.

I nodded smiling,"So you guys see that every time you do that?"

"Well yeah... we could, but if we don't focus on getting to the other side, we'll be trapped forever."

"So then, you can't."

"Right," Joji stared blankly into space for a moment. Then he spoke.

"So you decided to give me a chance?"

"I want to understand you... why are you like this?"

Joji looked down, making a face as if he's trying to process the question, or rather, how to answer it.

"I'm... Not. Or, I wasn't originally."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... him and I-

Before he could finish, his eyes began to gush with blood.

"I-I'VE SAID TOO MUCH!"

"Joji!"

I rushed to his side, trying to comfort him as he screamed in pain.

"L-long s-s-story sh.... ort. The un.... iv.... erse hate.... h... ates me," he managed to choke out.

He began to seize up due to the stress of the pain.

"Joji... focus on me, okay? Breathe," I said as I held his head firmly.

His breathing was shaky as his eyes dripped black.

"I.... tai...," he whimpered.

"It... what?" I asked.

He continued to whimper in Japanese. I couldn't understand, so I just consoled him.

"Should I take you to bed?" I asked.

He responded in Japanese, nodding his head. It seems he's in too much pain to speak English. I lead him to bed and tucked him in.

"Is that better? Do you have a fever?"

He shuddered a little as he responded in his native tongue. I assumed that meant he was cold. I headed to the bathroom and returned with a warm, wet cloth, placing it on his forehead.

"Is that warm enough?"

He sighed, pulling me by the arm as he whined to me.

"Joj, I can't understand you, baby..." I said, caressing his cheek.

"(Y/N)..." He whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I love you..."

I smiled. "I love you too."

"I need... your blood..."

With that I yanked my arm out of his grip.

"We're not doing this again." I said, turning around.

"Wait... you don't understand..."

"No, I think I do. You're just using me aren't you? You don't want to spend time with me."

"(Y/N), please... it's not like that-

"Stop lying to me! I'm tired of you deceiving me! I'm going to stop listening to you."

"But you didn't even let me explain..."

"What is there to explain? Why would you need my blood? To summon one of your demon friends? To make a sacrifice? Or... to bring the other me back?"

With that, he was silent.

"You don't want me for me, you want me because you don't have the other one! I'm just something temporary to you, aren't I? Until you can get your hands on my blood! Is that right?"

"It's not..."

"Why were you quiet earlier?"

"Because I'm sensitive about that subject. Can we not..."

"Bullshit! I want answers! Real answers!"

He was silent for a moment. "You won't believe me if I give you an answer."

"Because you're crazy!"

"Then why are you still here? Portal's open," he said before turning away from me.

I scoffed at him, turning around and heading to the mirror. When I touched it, nothing happened. I turned around to find him standing behind me, hands resting on the mirror while both arms surrounded me.

"You didn't think I'd let you off that easy... did you?" He smirked.

Um... actually, I did...