𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧 ☼ 𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚

VIII

     the boys had come to the mutual decision that they should start cutting down visits to the graveyard. despite tobio's persistence of letting shōyō see his sister, it was eventually chosen to benefit them both. shōyō promised tobio that neither of them would ever move on if they kept going so often, so they're going one last time before they wait it out for the future.

     "i always liked the way the grass stays dewy, even when it's blistering outside."

     "this little boneyard is endearing, isn't it?" shōyō giggled, hugging tobio's arm and walking towards nastu's small stone.

     the grass was neon with summer heat, and the sky was yet again a clear and cloudy sight. tobio only wished his mother had stuck around longer to see such a beautiful summer. maybe she would have met shōyō. a lot could have happened, tobio tells himself, but he ignores it. there's no changing what's done.

     "hi, natsu. i brought tobio with me. i won't be coming back for a little while. i bet you're tired, so i want you to get your rest. don't worry, i'll come back. in the mean time, tobio will take care of me and you just remember... remember what i did for you. i'll come back when you've gotten some rest..."

     tobio felt the gradual pressure building beneath the palms of shōyō's hands as they cling to his arm, but he stood there and took it. he was going to be strong for shōyō every day here on out.

     "i love you natsu. i'll be back soon. get some rest."

     tobio saw little droplets of glass begin to trickle down shōyō's ever so freckled face, so he pulled him closer and wiped them away.

     "remember what you said? we can't move on if we keep them tied to us here. she's moving on now. she would want you to do the same."

     smaller hands grabbed at the shirt on tobio's shoulders, asking for a hug but too tired to pull themselves up. tobio obliged, because he fails to resist him every time.

     "you're so strong, shō. so, so strong."

     "i want to go home." he whimpered.

     "home home or my home?"

     "the better one."

     "my home it is," tobio chuckled, "c'mon."

     "wait, we didn't-"

     "i'll come back later, love. c'mon, let's go." three squeezes to the shoulder and they were walking out the gates.

     tobio walked with shōyō under his arm, reminding himself to come back when he has a few minutes to himself. he still has something he needs to do before he says goodbye.