The Morose Mononokean Oneshots (Mainly Abeshiya)-Warning

Trust Me

    Bending down to meet Ashiya's eye level, he watched coughs ruthlessly tear at his throat as he shook violently, barely able to gasp enough air in between his raspy breaths. He could hear his lungs straining for air as he stumbled over his own feet, now barely able to stand on his own.
    "Are you alright?" he asked. Surely Ashiya would get the message and tell him what was going on. Right?
    Abeno could only rub his boyfriend's back in soothing circles, hoping that it would do something to soften the harsh coughs. It had been weeks, and Ashiya's health had progressively declined, showing little to no signs of improvement. He was beyond worried, now considering that these coughs were strong enough to knock Ashiya off his feet. Carefully, he tugged Ashiya upwards until he was facing him with a pitiful look in his eyes.
    "I'm-"
    He coughed right into Abeno's chest, feeling more bubbles of agony force him to unleash the last bit of strength he could muster before collapsing in his arms, in hopes for finding solace.
    "Ashiya!"
    Ashiya was out cold. He just leaned against his chest as if he were weighed down by a mysterious weight. Ashiya's breath was harsh and raspy, and you could hear his lungs straining even as the coughs had temporarily dissipated. With a sigh, he lifted Ashiya off his feet and into his arms, with his head dangling on his shoulder.
    He slowly made his way into the living room, which mainly consisted of a small couch, television, table and four chairs. He set his boyfriend down as carefully as he could, placing a blanket on top of him.
    Abeno kissed his forehead softly.
    "Goodnight."
    Ashiya would be of no use to his jobs, and would most likely make it significantly more difficult, contrary to what he currently believes.
The day started off with a young yokai requesting for its lost item to be returned. A special, light taro colored box decorated with small beads that imitated pearls from the Mundane World. The yokai had asked for it back, since she now wanted to give it to her friend, who had recently gotten injured. It was simple, and Abeno had finished that in less time than he imagined.
    When he arrived back at his apartment, Ashiya was no longer asleep, but was coughing once again. This time was different though, as he overcame it and sat up, long enough to get his coughs controlled.
    "Abeno-san?"
    It was dry, as if he hadn't drank anything that day.
    He sat down and pulled Ashiya closer to him, wrapping him tightly in his arms.
    "What is it?"
    Ashiya seemed to hesitate as Abeno slowly threaded his fingers through his hair. Silky and smooth, yet soft and fluffy.
    "Have you ever wondered what would happen if I disappeared?"
    This time Abeno paused, considering the question in extra detail.
    "Disappeared?"
    "If I had to leave all of a sudden... Leave everything behind... "Ashiya paused," leave you behind."
    He only tightened his grip around his boyfriend, pressing him closer to his chest. He didn't want to think about it.
    "Can you take me to the Sea of Trees?"
    He jumped sharply at that question, before turning to stare at Ashiya's blank expression. His eyes burned with some emotion, some answer, some sort of answer he wanted.
    "Why?"
    Ashiya shuffled closer to him, and gently curled up in his chest, slowly readying himself to give his response.
    "No one can save me. I cannot be cured."
    Abeno froze. His heart stopped. His mind raced. He couldn't move. He couldn't speak. He was frozen, locked into place, feeling his world fall apart right in front of his eyes.
    "You're..." his mouth opened, but no words came out. "You're cursed by the parasite shrub?"
    He was shaking violently. He could only feel his now pounding heart. He could now only feel on Ashiya's gentle grip, holding him steady. Ashiya only giggled sadly, burying himself into Abeno's arms.
    "Can you take me to the Sea ofTrees?"
    He hesitated. He could hear his own voice quiver. Yet, he knew why.
    "As you wish."

    "Mononokean, we'll be in the underworld for a while, so if anything happens, let me know."
    The bells chimed softly.
    They walked through the grand doors of the Underworld, and through the town, immediately going to the only place that could potentially shed light on the situation. He couldn't imagine it. He didn't want to. It was overwhelming, tiring, and beyond stressful. He didn't want that.
    "Koura, Shizuku."
    The two pharmaceutics stepped out, greeting the two with a pleasant smile. However, Koura, with her elegant dark forest green hair quickly reverted her attention to the employee, who weakly smiled in return. With a wave of her hand, she allowed them inside, sending her young employee off, knowing very well what awaited ahead of her.
    "Koura, I-"
    She smiled, before turning around once again, staring sadly at the two young men in front of her.
    "I don't need an explanation Itsuki. I already know," her voice was neither calming or soothing, but held a strange tone. It was one he could not define nor recognize. However, he felt the last strands of faith he had remaining dissipate as she locked her gaze onto his employee. "He's been infected by the parasite shrub. Hasn't he?"
    Abeno only stared back at his boyfriend, who had a gaze he could never understand. Unsteady yet so still. Calm and faithful, yet ready to release an amount of emotions no one could comprehend.
"Is it alright to give him the medicine?"
    He could hear his own voice start to crackle and break, afraid for the new knowledge that would now be bestowed upon him.
    "Let me examine him, and I'm assuming you've only learned of this recently?"
    He nodded, his gaze watching his boyfriend being led to smaller room down in the back. He knew the information that would come his way. And he'd have to face it.
    Moments later, they returned, with Koura delivering nothing but a small bag in her hands.
    "I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do."
    She bowed, and he could only feel his own heart sink into the depths of his stomach. Why did it have to be this way?
    Handing a small amount of money, he and his sickly employee bowed before walking out of the Kiyakudo, each of them silent as could be.
    Ashiya gently reached for Abeno's hand.
    "Will you take me to the Sea of Trees?" he asked, softly.
    His gaze softened as he stared at the blue ocean that stared back at him. Pulling him, Abeno walked further out of the town, feeling tears bubble in the corners of his eyes. It wasn't fair. Why did he have to suffer? Then again, when was life ever fair?
    As they trudged through the forest of roots, he felt Ashiya rest his head on him. It was warm and cozy, just like it always was. Oh how much he hated how this would turn out.
    They walked over stumps, larger roots, helping each other along the way. Ashiya coughed once again, and he could now see flower petals gently fall to the ground. The cough persisted, and Ashiya leaned on him, seeking some way of remaining upright.
    He needed moments where he could drink in every moment with his boyfriend. He needed moments that he could cherish and keep. He needed moments that would remain with him until the day he died.
    "You said the medicine was less effective in the Mundane World last time we were here, didn't you?" Ashiya reminisced, still pressed against his chest.
    He wish he didn't.
    "It's not medicine... You know what it's used for."
    He felt Ashiya pull away slowly before they continued their walk through the trees, staring at the roots that violently broke the surface of the ground.
    "This looks nice."
    Abeno turned around, looking at where his employee stood. A slightly brightened area, with little to no roots shrouding the ground. The roots had become a canopy above them, filtering the light of the Underworld.
    He smiled softly. If Ashiya wanted it, what was his choice?
    "Will you be alright here?" he held Ashiya's hands tightly within his own.
    A gentle giggle later, and they were sitting in the roots of the trees, staring at the sky above them, their hands intertwined.