...I think he probably knows how you feel.

[chuuya isn't aware that higekiri has told his brother he loves him, but-- he thinks these things come through. that even if there aren't words for it, there must be some awareness- right?

or maybe it's something he's blind to, but then chuuya has a hard time picturing them both as being out of touch with each other.

when higekiri doesn't reject his touch, and especially at that trembling word, the way he cuts off... chuuya steps in closer, exhaling a heavy breath as he lets that arm slide around him and lets his fingers comb through higekiri's hair in a familiar gesture. the surprise on his face isn't too-- well, surprising, given the whole sword thing, and so:]

Just... let it out. The feeling, I mean. Things like that-- they eat at you if you don't.

[granted, he always tries to choke it down himself, but that doesn't feel like the kind of lesson to give him right now. he's going to have to know how it feels to let a dam break to know how to successfully stop it up, probably.

it sounds correct, anyway? he knows he's not exactly the best judge of these things.]