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“I’m fine, everyone.”
Bullshit.
“You guys go on ahead. Don’t worry about me.”
Yosuke knew Yu was lying through his teeth. He knew him better than anyone else in the team. He saw the way Yu’s lips quivered, how his body trembled. Yosuke had to do something…but what was there to do? Unlike his usually cool and collected best friend, he wasn’t as skilled when it came to comforting those who are hurting. What could he do when the usually unflappable Yu Narukami was on the verge of a breakdown right in front of Yosuke? He truly felt weak, powerless, all the adjectives he never wanted to be associated with.
Yosuke was deep into his thoughts, thinking about what had just transpired in Namatame’s hospital room. Yu was terrified of Yosuke at that moment. He was dead set on killing a man, ruin his own life for the sake of the Investigation Team. This was the first time the entire team had fought. It was rough. A lot of yelling, crying, and screaming came from all corners of the room. However, Yu’s strong resolve would not let Yosuke kill someone. The team disbanded for the day, feeling dejected.
“Di…Did I make the right call…?” A familiar, wavering voice broke Yosuke from his mind. He turned to Yu, who looked paler than ever, his eyes screwed shut. Yosuke didn’t respond. He just inched closer to his partner, hoping to provide at least some comfort. The snow continued to mix with the thick fog, creating an unusual mixture that no one could’ve imagined before. “Tell me, Yosuke. S-Should we have…?” Yu opened his eyes, glossy and on the verge of tears. Before Yosuke could respond, Yu was already choking out pained sobs. His despairing cries were mixed with wails of “I’m sorry”, though Yosuke didn’t know exactly who he was apologizing to. Yosuke lifted up his arm, wrapping it over Yu’s back patting it comfortingly. He practically threw himself into Yosuke’s body once he did that, finally succumbing to his emotional distress.
“He-hey…” Yosuke mumbled. Just moments before, he was determined. Yu was ready to do what it took to finally catch the perpetrator. But now, that same guy was clinging onto Yosuke’s jacket like a lifeline, his fearless hero facade cracking and crumbling like a broken window pane. They stood like that in the bitter winter cold for what felt like hours. Yosuke’s hand found its way into Yu’s soft hair, running his fingers through it softly.
“Hey man, it’s gonna be okay..” Though he said that to his crying friend, was it really? Was he just telling sweet white lies to him?
“We’ll get through this together. Right, partner?” Were the words that Yosuke whispered into Yu’s ear. The tender way in which he spoke it only made him bury his head farther into Yosuke’s shoulder, sniffling and whimpering. “Come on, I’ll walk you home. Does that sound okay?” In response, Yu nodded weakly into Yosuke’s shoulder. “Th-thank you…” He lifted his head, his cheeks stained with tears. “It’s no problem. I got ya”.
Wrapping a warm hand around Yu’s shoulders, they started their walk home in amicable silence. Any sort of small talk was shut down. Upon arriving to the Dojima household, Yu took in a deep breath as he fumbled around in his pocket for the keys. After opening the door and throwing his shoes off, Yu felt a chill down his spine.
The house was practically untouched since the incident. It felt as if Nanako would come running from her room, still in her pajamas, asking why her big brother had came home so late. He was so enveloped in these feelings, he didn’t pay any attention to Yosuke making himself at home at first.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m staying the night, obviously. I can’t leave you alone right now.” He said, as if it was matter of fact.
“Hey...” Yu was surprised at his sudden confidence. “You don’t- You really don’t have to… ” Though he insisted, he couldn’t thank his friend enough for going out of his way to take care of him during a terrible time. Instead of responding, Yosuke made his way up the stairs to his friends room. “I’m getting you some clean clothes. Go run yourself a nice bath, okay?” That was all he said. Yu was too tired and upset to argue against his kindness, so he obeyed, walking into the bathroom.
The steamy and warm bath helped clear up his mind, he soaked for about an hour before he heard Yosuke call for him. After drying off and putting on the pajamas that his friend so graciously put out for him, he saw Yosuke making a small meal in the kitchen for the both of them.
“Yo-Yosuke…you…”
“I knew you’d be hungry! I found cup ramen in the cabinets. It’s not much but-“
“No…I-It’s fine…” Yu felt his eyes start to water once again. Yosuke should hate him. They missed what was potentially their only chance to get the killer. Why is he being so caring? “Nghh…why are you doing so much for me…?” He couldn’t hold back anymore. Hearing the distressed tone in his voice, Yosuke swiftly put down the food he was preparing and pulled Yu into a hug once more. “Because we’re partners. It’s as simple as that. You’ve always been there for me, let me do the same for you”. Yu could practically hear the smile in Yosuke’s voice as he said that. He returned the hug, letting his hands weakly grasp the back of Yosuke’s shirt. “I’m…so lucky…to have you as my partner, Yosuke. Thank you”. The others face heated up immediately, pulling away with an embarrassed expression. “Sh-shut up, man! Just…go eat, okay?!” Though Yosuke said this with an annoyed tone, he was obviously happy hearing such words of praise from him. Even during Yu’s darkest moments, Yosuke was the brightest ray of sunshine and warmth in his life.
Almost immediately after the two ate, they passed out on the couch, far too comfortable to move upstairs. They lazily wrapped a blanket around themselves on the couch. If this was any other day, this sort of physical contact between the two would’ve been unheard of. But, this was a special instance, they needed each other. They loved each other. Though those words were never spoken that night, they lingered through the empty house. Those loving sentiments wafted around the Inaba air, up until Yu had to leave.
They are partners, after all.