[he doesn't pull away - but he is tense underneath chuuya's touch in a way that he normally isn't. normally higekiri is so relaxed that it's almost impossible to touch him, to get through to him. but now... it feels as though he's never sure when this unpleasant hum will leave his veins.

at chuuya's words, he almost smiles. almost.]

... Of course he won't.

[and he knows that just as well]

He loves me. [even if swords do not know how to love - higekiri still knows this so firmly in his own heart] He would forgive me, no matter what happens, no matter what I do. He may very nearly cry, if he only knew the extent that I went to try to protect to him.

He—

[the word trembles before he can start his next sentence, and then the rest of the phrase gets stuck in his throat

higekiri pauses, looking surprised

why does it feel as though his very heart is trying to squeeze through his throat?]