#:d!!))

"what do you want," kyojuro demanded, his jaw clenching.

though they had barely met recently, akaza could tell that the utter fury was something reserved just for akaza. it was unnatural for kyojuro, and it showed. but he did his best to express it. it was adorable.

pretending to think, akaza glanced down at senjuro. the round, owl-like eyes were so much like kyojuro's. except they glinted with tears, his breathing shuddering with fear. akaza didn't care to suppress the smirk that spread across his face.

he put out his previous offer. as a friendly invite. "why don't you become a demon, kyojuro?" akaza hummed. the way kyojuro instantly tensed was riveting. he pressed on. "if you do, i'll let otōto go, hm? he's adorable, don't you think? it'd be a shame if he was... crushed to an unrecognizable state."

senjuro's body jerked involuntarily at that, the threat causing him to inhale sharply. tears ran freely down his face, yet he mustered a squeaky, "no- aniue-"

akaza smiled. "why, aren't you a brave one," he said, patting senjuro's hair. it was uncannily like kyojuro's, actually. he wondered whether, if senjuro grew up, would he look exactly like current kyojuro? or would he hold those boyish features and the evident innocence in the way he trembled?

"i will not become a demon." kyojuro was annoyingly set on his decision. "if you hand me senjuro back, we can fight. but leave him out of this."

"ah... tempting. but i can't say i'll do it," akaza said, frowning slightly. "i pity you. trying to negotiate your way out. it would be much easier as a demon."

"i will not become a demon!" kyojuro repeated. he was determined, akaza could give him that. admirable, but futile.

akaza clicked his tongue in disappointment. "awh, don't be like that," he chided. then, slowly, he let his hold on senjuro's neck tighten. the boy choked immediately, evidently quite sensitive. akaza kept his gaze on kyojuro, admiring the way the man clearly itched to lunge forward. "would you like to say goodbye to aniue?"