Chapter Text
Rintarou didn't know. He really didn't. He knew he was late, but that was to be expected. He had been taking T for quite some time, and the stress of fleeing and hiding the girl from his ex-lover could have disrupted his already abnormal cycle. He didn't know until the third abnormal cramp tore through his body the same time there was a gush of something streaming down his pajama-clad thighs. 4 hours after the confrontation at the rooftop that he lost.
He spent too long in the bathroom that reeks of metal.
"Rintarou."
A blonde woman in her early thirties, stood in front of him in an azure peacoat befitting the coolweather. Her hair was tied up in an elegant bun, and her blue eyes sharp and cold like the artic glaciers. Mori did not have energy nor the mental resources for this, less than 48 hours after the fight. His lower belly cramped again, and he bit back the gasp. Elizabeth's eyes widened, clearly seeing the pain Mori's trying to hide. Any reproach at Mori about the whole affair concerning Yosano died on her tongue as she strode hurriedly towards him in concern. She leaned closer towards Mori, closer than personal boundaries allow, and opened her mouth to scent her old friend.
"Mori- wha-" Her eyes widened." You smell like... that drug..."
Mori felt his lips tremble at his old friend's concerned voice, that became slowly sadder as she realized what drug he had taken and what it was for.
"Rintarou..."
"I'm fine." Mori felt his voice get colder. "I'm fine. I just need some rest."
Lili placed her hands on Mori's pale and cold shoulders-goodness, it's winter, what is her beloved childhood friend doing, wearing such thin pajamas-and pressed down her wrists. She rubbed her wrists down her old friend's shoulders and along the length of his arms, feeling her friend shaking. They both know why Lili's scenting him - to comfort. Mori always thought Lili's too kind for all her intelligence.
"You have to grieve, Rintarou. It will come back up one day, and you make a mistake from anger, a rash decision from not processing this. You cannot become the boss of Port Mafia with a repressed pain. You cannot live ignoring this. You have to heal. I will help."
Lili gripped Mori's wrists gently, and pulled him to her. He didn't resist and shuffled closer. Just yesterday. It's been less than 48 hours since he found out. 4 hours after their fight for the girl ended, up on the rooftop. He wasn't feeling well, but had chalked it up all to the stress he had been for weeks trying to evade his now -- definitely-- ex-lover. Yukichi hadn't aim for his abdomen, just his arms and legs to temporarily weaken his mobility so that he can steal away the girl while Mori is helpless. He won't know what to feel, if Yukichi had landed a blow to his midsection. He didn't know what to feel even now... Loss? Sadness? Despair? Anguish?
Numbness....?
His dark reverie was interrupted by a cramp and he whined softly. His grip on his old friend's coat tightened, as he breath through it. He had taken the highest dose of pain medication already; he can't take anymore. Silence reigned in his small apartment, only his harsh breathing and Lili's gentle purring until.....
"It's his."
He hates how much his voice trembles. Lili gently guided him to his room, and climbed up the bed with him. Putting his head onto her chest, she let him curl up near her.
Lili shrugged out of her coat, and wrapped her bare arms over her poor friend. The heater is not on, but she don't feel cold easily, not even in the middle of winter.
"Physical touch helps," she said softly, "with the pains."
"Why are you here?" Mori asked, his voice barely a whisper, "You hate me now. Because of the girl."
"There's a time for rebuke. And there's a time for compassion. Plus," she added," I cannot wholly hate you for the issue with the girl. You did these... atrocities for the sake of a country, not for your personal greed. Most of the people I hurt and condemn hurt children for their own personal gain and pleasure. You don't. I cannot hate you for this." She rubbed her wrists softly over Mori's head and back. She keeps rubbing even as she felt tears soak her pants, and the sobs get louder.