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Evil Eye was confused.
He wanted to kill all humans. He did. The thought of humans made his skin itch with heat that wasn't there.
These humans were odd though. They didn’t feel the flames when they thought about his vessel or the humans it associated with. He did in the beginning but in the weeks since the strong one proved to be stronger than him, different feelings grew.
He hated them all. A vessel that disobeyed him. Three rival Yokai that helped the humans. And four humans that kept thwarting his plans.
The first time they noticed the feeling change was a night after his vessel had a dream. One where he didn't get to his parents in time. That wasn’t a dream for them. It was the reality they lived. Their chest ached.
When his vessel’s parents came in their first instinct was to take over the body. The humans would make it worse. Humans always made it worse. They had to protect Jiji from these humans.
Their thoughts stuttered to a stop when the humans wrapped their arms around Jiji, pulling him close and whispering words to him.
A weird sense blanketed their thoughts. Gone were the thoughts of playing, of killing. The heat of flames receded into cool water. They wanted to relish in the feeling. It had been so long since they felt like this.
They wanted to crawl into Jiji’s skin and feel the sensation that his parents brought. He wanted to burrow into their chests to feel the beating of their hearts and breath in their lungs.
He couldn’t do that. He had a mission. His vessel’s parents would be dead one day along with the rest of the humans.
—
The stupid feeling didn’t go away. Instead it spread like an infection to the other humans and Yokai.
When the strong one played with him the annoyed feeling they got when he lost shifted. Now they found themselves disappointed that their game had ended. They wanted to continue. They wanted to tear into his back and embed themselves into his spine. They wanted Okarun to huff and try to claw them out only to give up and resign himself to be their means of transportation for the rest of the day.
He couldn’t do that. Oka- The strong one would soon be dead, because he stood in the way of his mission to kill all humans.
M- the psychic was odd. He’d hurt her yet she was patient with him. She taught him things. Like how to hold chopsticks. She celebrated with him once he got the hang of it. She’d protect him too, against the teachers who disliked him. Oh, how he wished they could curl up along the bones and nerves of her hands. To feel their power wash through his mind.
They couldn’t do that. Humans were more delicate than yokai. They didn’t want to hurt her again. And she’d soon be dead, because they were going to kill all humans.
Aira. No. The dancer was kinder than he thought she'd be. For all her talk of wanting him gone she put up with him the most. When the strong one and the psychic went off on their own he and Jiji would be left with her. She also taught him things. Like how to read and write. He wanted to wriggle in between her skull and hair. To nuzzle and sleep amongst the roots.
They couldn’t do that. She still had a lot to teach them after all. Maybe they could spare these yokia and humans?
—
Evil Eye didn’t like dreaming at the best of times. It reminded them of things they wish had been forgotten. It was rare he had a dream that wasn’t a memory. But he hated those the most.
He was small and the flames were big. He might be in the old cell. He’s not sure because long white hair blocks most of his vision. He needs to get out.
His hands and feet are tied. The flames are everywhere. The heat of them dance across his skin. He needs to get out.
Where’s Jiji? His parents? They wouldn't leave him, would they? Jiji had fought so hard to keep him. He needs to get out.
He can’t move. He’s tied to a pole. The flames lick up the wood and across his back. He squeezes his eyes shut. He can’t get out.
“Help. Please.” His voice is lost to the roar of the flames. No one comes. No one ever comes.
“Evil Eye!” A voice. Jiji’s? Rose above the flames.
He was there. Jiji was there, tearing at the burning ropes.
The second he was freed, Evil Eye leaps into Jiji’s chest, and wraps his arms and legs around him. Tears stream down his face, as he burrows his head on Jiji’s shoulder.
Jiji holds him. One hand runs through his hair, the other rubs gentle circles on his back. The flames are gone. They’re in his room. The cool feeling washes over him again. He wants to. No, he needs to. He brings his hands to rest on Jiji’s chest, takes a breath, and digs.
Jiji doesn’t scream like he would have expected from a human. He does nothing but hold him tighter and whisper in his ear.
“It’s okay. I got you.” Like a chant. Evil Eye likes this one over the chant of that cursed family’s.
He keeps digging. His longer nails help him tear through skin and flesh. It’s way too easy to crack into Jiji’s ribcage. Humans were so fragile.
Evil Eye finally settles as he curls around Jiji’s still beating heart.
Safe. They were all safe.
***
Jiji awoke with a strange pressure in his chest. It didn’t hurt, if anything it felt nice.
Evil Eye isn’t in his head anymore. Well, he is but it’s different somehow. He rubs where the pressure is. His ribs and skin are all intact, thank goodness for that.
“You good, bud?” He speaks in a whisper.
The pressure twitches, before a small vibration, like a hum, makes its way through his chest. A feeling of content washes through his mind. A smile makes its way across his face. Sure, he was scared both for Evil Eye and himself. A bit more for himself after the flames subsided. But this wasn’t bad… Was it?
Maybe he should ask the others just to be sure.
—
Lucky him, it was the weekend which meant group lunch at Momo’s! Unlucky him, cause that meant he had to tell everyone at the same time.
He held his hands up trying to placate both Momo and Aira as they yelled at him.
“You let Evil Eye do what?!”
“What were you thinking!?”
Okay, so maybe letting a baby yokia bury himself into his chest wasn’t the best thing to do. But he couldn’t exactly say no after that dream. And he didn’t feel any malice coming off the kid, just the need to be comforted.
“It’s really not that bad, he’s actually being pretty quiet right now!” Maybe that was the wrong thing to say because both girls glared daggers at him.
Okarun just looked concerned, and pale. Should someone make sure he wasn’t going to faint? Auntie Seiko was looking him up and down like he was a puzzle that needed solving. And Turbo Granny almost looked amused? Concerned? It was kinda hard to tell.
A few moments of silence passed before Turbo Granny scoffed and made her way over to stand in front of him.
“Didn’t think it was true.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Momo and Auntie said together.
Turbo Granny made a show of turning around to look at them.
“That Yokia could bond with the living.”
And the room was in chaos again. Voices overlapping into a cacophony of noise.
The pressure in his chest shifted. It wasn’t painful but it wasn’t comfortable either. Then it started moving.
Jiji gasped, trying not to double over. Everything was too bright and loud. He shut his eyes. There was a ringing in his ears drowning out whatever everyone else was saying.
It wasn’t just a pressure anymore. He could feel the tendrils helping it move through his body. There were four of them. Two pushing against his ribs, one wrapped around his collarbone and one snaking its way up through his neck. The process was slow, or maybe it was just his perception of time? Soon enough the pressure sat on his lower jaw, just in front of the joint.
Jiji hadn’t realized he’d been unable to breathe until he gasped for air. He peaked one eye open and tried to smile as his breathing evened out.
Momo and Okarun were on either side of him holding him up.
“I’m good,” he chuckled.
His friends looked at him in horror. Even Auntie looked off put. Evil Eye sent what felt like an apology through his mind.
“Get used to that brat.” Turbo Granny crossed her arms “You bonded with a baby yokia, it's not going to stay still for long unless it’s asleep.”
Auntie turned to glare at her.
“Do you mind explaining?” Her voice was too calm.
“That’s what I was trying to do you ungrateful turds!” she stomped her foot. “One day you’ll listen to me.”
“Turbo Granny.” Okarun’s voice was more of a growl.
Looking over, Jiji caught a glimpse of black and red shadow flickering at the edge of his friend’s shirt. Despite the glint of his glasses, he was sure Okarun’s eyes were bright red. In fact all his friends looked pissed. Momo’s spectral hands glowed in a bright teal outline of her physical ones. Aira’s hair was darkening and her eyes glowed pink.
Turbo Granny scoffed and rolled her eyes before sitting down. She glanced at Auntie.
“You mediums call it fusing. When two or multiple yokai become one.”
“But they’re not one person. Jiji and Evil Eye’s auras are still separated.” Momo cut in.
“Did I say one person? Shut up and listen you brats.” Turbo Granny paused, waiting for another interruption.
“Bonding isn't about becoming one entity. It’s about.” She paused. “Sharing, for lack of a better term. You’ll share everything. Mind, body, sometimes even aura, and power.”
“So it’s a symbiotic relationship?” Okarun’s hand twitched against Jiji’s arm. He was probably itching to write this down. “Or maybe colonial living? Like ants.”
“Beats me.” Turbo Granny shrugged.
She turned her attention to Jiji. “How’s it felt since you and Evil Eye bonded?”
“Good.” He didn’t hesitate. “Like, really good! I can tell he’s happy, and I am too.”
He felt Evil Eye hum in content and curl closer to his jawbone.
“It still feels weird though.”
“It’s going to take some getting used to, you have a yokai crawling around your body, idiot.”
“Wait.” Okarun adjusted his glasses. “Does that mean we can bond with each other?"
“Don’t see why not. As long as everyone gives consent.”
“How do we do it?”
“Figure it out.”
***
Aira had conflicting feelings. On one hand, she’d never consent to do something so demonic. Giving up her mind and body to be in some freaky hive mind screamed demonic trap. Unlucky for them, she was the chosen one and would not fall for any of their schemes. And to think it was Takakura who suggested it. Though since it was him and not Ayase then maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. She was pretty and strong, so she knew she could hold her own against these demons if they tried anything.
On the other hand, she wanted it. Some part of her must have fallen for the trick because it sounded nice. It sounded amazing. To be able to run up and down her friend’s tendons. To share their thoughts and emotions as if they were one. No. What was she thinking? They weren’t her friends they were temporary allies. Yes, that’s all they were.
—
Aira didn’t tend to dream. And if she did they were forgotten once she woke up. This didn’t feel like a dream though.
She was at school, joking with her friends about some nerd she’s bumped into. That wasn’t right. It hadn’t been some nerd, it had been-
“Okarun!” Momo Ayase rushed past her to grab onto his arm. Her voice was loud as she complimented him. Aira couldn’t see his face but she could imagine his blush as they walked away from her. That wasn’t how it happened.
She’s in class. Her classmates are complimenting her. Her friends aren’t looking at her. Takakura, Ayase, and Enjoji walk past her class. None of them look at her.
How dare they? She was their leader. They were her frie- subordinates. They couldn’t leave her behind.
The compliments grow louder. No one’s looking at her. She covers her ears, trying to block out the sound. It grows louder. It feels like she’s drowning. She is. She’s above her class suspended in water. None of them see her.
Her lungs scream. She kicks trying to reach the air or to get someone’s attention. Water rushes past her lips and into her lungs. She stops moving. They don’t look at her. They don’t see her. Why can’t they just see her?
Arms wrap around her abdomen, and she’s hauled up out of the water. She’s placed on her side as she coughs up dark liquid.
Someone is talking to her. Her ears feel like they’re filled with cotton and her vision is foggy, but she can make out two silhouettes next to her. Her vision and hearing cleared as her breathing slows back to normal.
Enjoji is hovering over her, her head resting in his lap. There’s a small child holding onto her hand. They both look at her with worry.
“Did you think that Heaven’s Chosen would be killed off so easily?” She smiled at them, voice coming out stronger than she felt.
“Of course not! No way someone as cute and amazing as you could be taken down!” Enjoji beamed and helped her sit up.
The child sat by her side, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
“That’s Evil Eye!” Enjoji threw his arms around both of them, pulling them to his chest.
Evil Eye was a child. She knew that. She’d been told by both Ayase and Turbo Granny but she hadn’t expected him to be. This. Against her better judgment she pulled the kid closer to her side.
He seemed to take it as permission. His fingers clawed into her abdomen. It didn’t hurt. She should stop him. This was how Enjoji got himself possessed. She didn’t move.
Maybe it was some demon hypnosis or something. It. It had to be. No, she knew deep down that the reason she made no effort to stop Evil Eye was because it felt right.
Aira gripped onto Enjoji as Evil Eye made his way under her skin. It was strange. Like she could feel the happiness radiating through his mind as he tore into her.
“It’s weird, right?” Jiji spoke into her hair, still holding onto her.
She nodded against him. Something brushed against her mind. She wasn’t certain as to what it was but it felt nice. She let it in.
Jiji’s emotions filled her, concern mixed with elation. He hugged her ever closer, sending a greeting through the bond that now tethered their minds. She huffed a laugh and sent one back.
***
Ken’s dreams came in flashes. Some he would remember after he awoke, most were forgotten.
It had started out normal. A group of faceless students surrounding him. Running down a tunnel bathed in red. His limbs tearing through his cloths as they grew. A dark maw crushing down on his head. School.
Ken was at school. Right. He was supposed to meet someone. Friends maybe? The bell rang. He’s out in the courtyard. Other students surrounded him, smiling as they pushed him between them. He recognized three people in the crowd. Shouldn’t they help him? They had said they were his friends. The three turned and walked away.
No. Help. They had said- He had thought. It was getting harder to breathe.
His vision blurred causing the students to bleed together. Their faces turned into sneers as they closed in on him, laughing.
He covered his ears as the laughter grew louder echoing around him. What was he thinking? Who’d want him as a friend? He didn’t belong anywhere. How could he have forgotten that?
Ken squeezed his eyes shut as his legs gave under him. Time seemed to slow as he fell. The laughing grew manic until it sounded like a crying scream. Blood dripped from between his fingers. When had he started bleeding?
Arms caught him just as he hit the ground. He was pulled against someone, another pair of hands grabbed onto his upper arm.
“Okarun.” the one holding him whispers against his temple.
He let out a whine and pushed his head further against the person. Okarun. He knew that name didn’t he? It had been someone’s name? Nickname? Where did he know it from?
“It’s okay, Okarun, we’re here.” There were two voices now. That wasn’t right, there should be three.
Ken wanted to pull away this had to be some fucked up- Ken? Yes, Ken was his name. Then why didn’t it feel right? What was his- Oh. He was Okarun. He drew in a sharp breath at the realization.
The world tilted back into focus. Okarun was kneeling on the ground wrapped in Jiji’s arms. Jiji had his face pressed against the side of his head, whispering into his ear. Aira sat next to them, one hand on his arm the other stroking through his hair. There was a kid with white hair wedged between them. Strange. Okarun dropped his hand from his ears, and wrapped his arms around them.
“Hey, buddy.” Jiji said, tightening his hold a little. “It’s okay. We’re here.”
Okarun hummed in acknowledgment. Aira dropped her head onto his shoulder.
“We’re here.” She repeated.
As much as he wanted to just stay like that, there was someone missing. He pulled back from them.
“Where’s Miss Ayase?”
Aira made a whining noise.
“She’s not a part of the bond yet.” Jiji groaned. “But I’m sure she’ll join us in no time!”
The kid huffed in annoyance. Okarun looked down at him, he seemed familiar almost.
“Oh! This is Evil Eye!” Jiji grinned.
That. Explained a lot. A small smile formed on his face.
“Hi Evil Eye.”
In response Evil Eye scowled, crossed his arms and stuck his tongue out at him. A surprised laugh escaped him.
Evil Eye wriggled himself onto Okarun’s lap, and placed a hand onto his lower stomach. He looked to Jiji first then back at him. They tilted their heads in unison, studying each other. Before Okarun could stop him, Evil Eye dug his nails into him.
That wasn’t right. It should hurt. He should be in agonizing pain. It shouldn’t have felt this nice to be split open.
Something pushed against his mind. Two something’s. If he didn’t know any better Okarun would have thought he was about to get a migraine. But it wasn’t that type of pressure, it was strange but pleasant.
He pushed back against them. Jiji’s emotions filled him first. Overwhelming joy. Aira’s followed. Concern and happiness. He felt his own curiosity slip into the bond, much to the amusement of the others. He asked them questions as Evil Eye worked his way inside.
—
The next day he and Miss Ayase walked into school together. He told her about how he joined the bond. She’d seemed happy as they talked about theories as to how it worked. Until he brought up his dream.
“We won’t leave you.” She had spun him around so they faced each other, her hands rested on his shoulders. Her brow was furrowed, eyes intense. She looked like when they were in a battle. Serious and not ready to go down without a fight.
“I know.” He gave her smile. He wanted to say more. To thank her for giving him this chance, but she’d pulled him into a hug. It left him stunned, his mouth hung open as he struggled for words.
She pulled away, glanced at him and brought a hand to cover her mouth, a snort escaped her.
“I’m sorry!” she giggled behind her hand. “Your face!”
She grabbed his hand and dragged him along up the stairs. He smiled at her. She’s so cute. The thought bubbled up in his head.
Jiji sighed, agreeing with him.
Wait.
Oh no.
Evil Eye laughed as Okarun stopped dead, mortified. His hand slipped from hers.
“What’s wrong?” Miss Ayase turned around to him.
“I- I thought something and Jiji responded. To it?” Aira had started talking to them. Well scolding would be a better word. “And Aira’s telling him off.”
Something passed over Miss Ayase’s face, but was gone before he could figure out what it was.
“Aira?”
“She joined the bond a few days ago, remember?”
They started walking, again. She didn’t retake hand. Had he done something wrong?
“No, that’s not- You called her Aira.”
“Oh! I hadn’t realized-“ His voice drifted off, hand coming up to fidget with his glasses. Had he called her Aira? Well they were bonded now so it should be fine, right? Should he apologize?
Aira, he needed to learn to keep his thoughts and emotions private, sent him a reassurance that seemed rather smug. He frowned.
An undignified squeak escaped him as Miss Ayase bumped their shoulders together, with a bit more force than he was used to her using.
“So,” she sang. “What’cha thinking about that’s got them arguing?”
Heat flooded his body as he tried to look away from her grinning face. She grabbed his shoulder.
“Ah! It was. It was nothing important!”
“Nope! It was definitely something!” She ducked down trying to catch his eye. He turned away, hoping his face wasn’t as red as he feared it was.
“Oh, look! We made it to class! See you later Miss Ayase!” He twisted from her grip and waved as he entered his classroom.
—
It had been a few days. A few very awkward days. His crush on Miss Ayase got out to the whole group. It had turned out fine. He and Jiji were already in agreement that as long as the three of them stayed friends they’d be okay with whoever Miss Ayase chose.
Aira had been disappointed and hurt. She’d closed herself off from him for a few hours, which felt weird after having three people in his head. She later apologized both for cutting him off and for when she tried to force herself on him back after they met. While she was still hurt, as long as they stayed friends she’d be okay. But if Miss Ayase did anything at all to hurt him she reserved the right to kick her ass.
He and Evil Eye still played. But it was now less a fight to the death and more of an actual play fight. He could always feel how elated the kid was whenever Tuesday came. They did have to make a new rule of not going into each other's bodies or minds because that wouldn’t be fair. He won their games of course, their deal was still ongoing.
What was concerning, at least in the beginning, was how Evil Eye interacted with him outside of their fights. He still shuddered at the memory of yelping out during a test because teeth, that should not be that sharp, sank into a nerve in lower leg. The little brat had laughed at him before retreating back to Aira.
His favorite part of it all though, had to be when they just sat curled in and around each other. From the sense of calm and contentment that radiated off the others he knew they felt the same.
The worst part was how distant Miss Ayase- Aira flicked their bond. She’d been doing that more. But it only happened when he called Miss Ay- Annoyance and a sharp tug. Okarun huffed in exasperation before shoving her out of head and closing himself off. He ignored Jiji and Evil Eye’s amusement.
Momo had been growing distant from them. They had all noticed it. She talked to them less but was quicker to snap at them. He tried to talk with her, they all did. But every time something came up. Getting pulled into empty space, a yokia attack, Turbo Granny and Miss Seiko arguing.
Both Jiji and Aira reassured him that everything would be cleared up once she joined the bond. He just hoped they were right.
—
Okarun watched as Momo made her way upstairs. He couldn’t help but let his worry bleed into the bond. She’d only gotten quieter in the two weeks since he joined their bond. He’d tried reaching out but either she was ignoring him or she couldn’t feel it.
Jiji pressed against his mind, flooding it with images of jokes and gifts they could try to cheer Momo up. Aira, rolled her eyes before closing him out of their mental tether and shoving Okarun toward the stairs.
Jiji pouted at her, but followed her as she went to help Miss Seiko. He stopped once to turn and give Okarun a double thumbs up and a bright smile.
***
Momo wasn’t jealous. She wasn’t. She didn’t feel a growing pit in her stomach whenever the others didn’t have to discuss their plans out loud. There wasn’t a pain in her chest when she watched as they melted into each other. She didn’t want it. It was weird yokai stuff. Stuff that she, as a human, wasn’t supposed to want. She. Wasn’t. Jealous.
She was in her room after they got back from yet another alien attack. She should be getting changed out of her battered clothes. She should join the others downstairs for their post-battle meal.
She couldn’t. She couldn’t watch as they talked without her. Trading smiles and laughing at words she couldn’t hear. She couldn’t let the feeling of loneliness creep into her as they decided who to cuddle into. She’d watched it once. You’d think it would have been gross watching as three people joined into one. But it wasn’t, it was intimate in a way that made her chest want to burst open.
Jiji had been their host that day. Okarun’s body had turned into black and red shadow. His aura has stood out both because of its blue color and the way it flickered with happiness before disappearing into Jiji’s orange. Aira’s too seemed happy when she burst into thin pink fibers. It almost seemed to hum when her pastel pink found and curled around Evil Eye’s purple. Momo had walked away after that. There was a hole growing in her, one she didn’t want the others to see.
Why couldn’t she do that? Why couldn’t she be with her friends that same way they could be with each other? She wanted to be with them. She wanted to coil around Jiji’s spine and watch Evil Eye race through him. She wanted to bite onto Aira’s shoulder blade and annoy the shit out of her. She wanted to fall asleep in Okarun’s heart as he read his magazines to her. But being with them meant they’d be stuck with her.
She’d come to a conclusion long before she met Okarun and Aira. Maybe a year or two after Jiji moved away. She was the problem in all her relationships. How could she not be?
She’s never had friends for long. Miko and Kei had stuck around the longest, but they had each other, it wasn’t like they needed her. And they were only two out of so many people. People who couldn’t stand to be around her. Not that she blamed them, she knew she could be a lot.
She knew- She hoped that the others wouldn’t leave her. Would they? That seemed to be a constant in her life. She’d shut her Granny out for years. Friends would leave after a few weeks, maybe a few months if she was lucky. Her first boyfriend was only around for maybe two months. And wasn’t it just like her to end up with someone who only wanted her body and money.
They’d all leave one day, she just hadn’t expected that day to be here now. She had gotten comfortable and now it was biting her in the ass. Jiji was only still here because he felt bad about how he treated her when they were kids. Aira was being ostracized from their peers and didn’t have anyone else to go to. Okarun-
Momo bit into the sleeve of her sweater.
Okarun didn’t have anyone else in the beginning. He had friends now, why would he want to be with her? She constantly teased him and put him in situations that must have made him uncomfortable. The others were better for him anyway.
Momo didn’t know how long she’d been stewing in her thoughts. Her back was against the side of her bed and she hugged her legs tight to her chest. She was trying very hard not to let any unshed tears fall. She shouldn’t be upset so there was no point in crying.
There was a knock on her door.
She let go of her sweater and scrubbed her face before getting up. She hesitated in front of her door. While she didn’t do it often, she’d picked up a small habit of checking the aura of whoever was outside her room.
Blue. Okarun. Just Okarun. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It had been so long since it was just them, even before the whole bond thing. But if he was keeping the others out something must be wrong.
Momo opened the door with a bit more force than she had intended. She didn’t let him say anything before she was looking him over. He didn’t look hurt, a little battered from their earlier fight but nothing that needed immediate attention.
“Miss Ayase?” His voice sent a shot of warmth through her.
“You ah,” She took a step back from him. “You didn’t have any of the others with you so- They’re not hurt are they?”
Oh, what a great friend she was, forgetting that someone other than Okarun could be hurt.
“Everyone’s okay, I promise.” Okarun held his hands up, a small smile forming on his face.
Momo let out a breath. That was good.
“Can we talk?”
This was not good. She wanted to tell him no. There wasn’t anything they needed to talk about. But the soft hopeful look he gave her sent her heart fluttering. She could never say no to him when he looked at her like that.
“Sure.”
She moved to let him in and closed the door behind them both. He spoke as soon as she turned around.
“Are you okay?”
Okay, so they weren’t beating around the bush then. Yay.
“Yeah! I’m fine. Not a scratch on me,” She smiled, shoving her hands into her sweater pockets. “Okay, maybe one or two small scratches, but none that won’t heal on their own.”
“That’s good, but I think you know what I mean.”
She couldn’t meet his eye, instead she looked just past his head.
“I said I’m fine.”
“But you’re clearly not.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve been avoiding us.”
“It‘a not like I want to avoid you.” She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Not like we can have an honest conversation to ourselves anyway.”
“They’re not listening in.” He rolled his eyes.
“If that’s what you say.”
“It is. And it’s not like you’re being honest with me right now.”
Her body went rigid, eyes drifting further from his face. He studied her, tilting his head in that cute- Stupid way he did when he was working on something.
“You know I’ve been trying to connect with you?” He tried to catch her eye.
“What?” She still wouldn’t look at him.
“I’ve been trying to reach out to you, but I think the way it works is the person who’s joining the bond has to reach out and the bond responds to it. But if you’re having trouble-“
“I don’t want to be a part of your stupid bond.” Momo spat.
“Really? Cause you’re acting like you’re jealous.”
Momo snapped her head to him and put as much force as she could into a glare.
“I am not jealous. I just don’t wanna be a part of whatever freaky ass hive mind you guys got going on.”
“No. You’re jealous. I know how you are when you don’t want to do something and this isn’t it.”
Momo opened her mouth to say something but Okarun wasn’t finished.
“Why won’t you just let us in? We’re your friends.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
Momo’s mouth snapped shut with a click. She scoffed.
“Of course I do.” Her voice came out hoarse.
Okarun stayed quiet, his eyes searched hers for something.
“You’re scared.”
Everything around her tilted.
“I’m not.”
“You are though. Why?”
“Oh. Think you have it all figured out do you? Well, you’re wrong. I’m not scared.”
He took a step closer.
“You wanted to have an honest conversation. Then be honest with me.”
The air got heavy. Momo tried to suck in a breath. Okarun took a smaller step toward her.
“Just tell me why-“
“You’ll leave!”
She’s panting. Okarun stares at her mouth open. She can’t read his expression. She continues.
“You leave once you figure it out.“ Momo takes in a breath, brings her arms to wrap around herself and glares at the floor. “I’m not good to be around. I’m brash and annoying and broken. You’ll get sick of me one day and leave.”
She scrubs one hand across her face.
“You have other friends now. Ones that treat you better than I did. Ones you’re bonded with. If I join,” She lets out a humorless laugh. “I'll ruin it.”
She hadn’t realized Okarun had moved towards her. He wrapped his arms around her, but didn’t move beyond that, giving her the option back away if she wanted. She didn’t want to back away.
She let her head fall onto his shoulder and brought one hand up to grab onto his shirt. Okarun tightened his arms, pulling her flush against him. Her knees buckled. He didn’t say anything as he lowered them to the floor.
They sat like that for a while. He rested his head on top of hers.
“You do it too, you know?”
Momo jolted at his words. She opened her mouth to ask what he was on about. Okarun cut her off.
“When we met, after the spaceship, you told me that the reason I didn’t have any friends was because I assumed what others thought and pushed them away because of it.” He sighed into her hair. “You do that same thing.”
She shoved him away. Anger burned in her stomach.
“It’s different.”
“No. It’s not.” His eyes stayed glued to hers. “You assumed that we were getting sick of you. That we’d leave you. That I would leave you.”
“It’s not like you guys were exactly making room for me in all your shared thoughts and weird body sharing.” She scoffed, turning her head away from him. She could feel tears welling in her eyes again.
“I’m sorry I made you feel like that. I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you since this all started. You’re my best friend and I don’t want that to end.”
Momo drew in a breath.
“Thought that was Jiji.” She tried to joke.
“He’s a not even close second.” Okarun scoffed. Momo could hear the smile in his voice. “And before you say anything it’s not because you forced me, or because I have no other choice. You are my best friend because I lo- Like you. As utterly infuriating as you are. I like that about you. I like everything about you. Brashness and all.”
Momo was losing the battle with her tears. She’d never thought anyone would- But that wasn’t the only issue now was it?
“What if I’m never able to bond with you?”
Okarun reached up to cup her face in one of his hands, and turned it so their eyes met.
“You’re always reminding me that you’ll be my friend. No matter how anxious or depressed I get. No matter if it’s this or my yokai form, you’re always there. Please, let me be here for you. I don’t care how broken you are. Bond or not. You are my best friend and you always will be.”
Momo was crying in earnest now. She brought her free hand up to hold the one he had on her cheek. She closed her eyes and nuzzled into his hand.
“I love you.” She thought.
Okarun stiffened. She looked to see his eyes blown wide behind his glasses, mouth hanging open as his face turned red. Maybe that hadn’t been an inside thought.
She could only imagine the look of horror on her face as she pulled away from him. Apologies already forming on her tongue.
“You- you said.” His voice was so soft.
Momo could feel the heat radiating off her face and neck. Why’d he have to be so cute? But, he didn’t look put off at least so maybe? She sighed. No better time to start being completely honest with him, she supposed.
She looked at the ground, and brought her hand up to run her fingers through her hair.
“I do,” Her voice came out less than a whisper. She paused to take a deep breath. Her voice was still quiet, but it came out stronger.
“I love you, Okarun.” She shook her head. That wasn’t right.
“I love you, Ken.”
She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. God, how pathetic did she look? She tried to focus on the strand of hair in her fingers instead of the suffocating silence.
After what might have been hours Okarun took her hands in his, but he stayed quiet. Great, this is when he rejects her. Of course, he admits that she’s his best friend and she ruins it. His first friendship ruined because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
“Momo.”
Her name cuts through her thoughts like a knife. She locks eyes with him. He has a bright smile and wet eyes.
“I love you too.”
A noise between a laugh and sob makes its way from her throat. A grin spreads across her face, as she throws herself into his arms. They crash to the floor, tangled in each other's embrace.
She buries her head into the crook of his neck. A wet laugh bubbles from her. He laughs too. A buzzing starts in Okarun’s throat and spreads through his body.
“Are you purring?” She says, still laughing, and pulls back a little to look at his face. She tries very hard not to think about her position on top of him.
Okarun avoids her eyes, face burning red.
“I- maybe? So, what?”
“It’s cute.” She leans in to kiss his cheek.
As she leans back, one of his hands moves to the back of her neck. His eyes are rimmed in red, aura flickering between blue and red as it dances with an emotion she hasn’t put a name to yet.
“You said you love me.” His smile turned mischievous. His purring grows until she can feel it vibrate through her bones. It was her turn to stutter.
“I- I did. You said it too!”
“Because I do! I love you!” He laughed.
Momo’s gaze drifted to his lips before flicking back up to his eyes. She couldn’t ignore their position anymore. Their legs were interlocked. He had started playing with her hair. His other hand rested on her side, a respectful distance from her waist.
She moved closer, stopping just before their lips touched. He was still purring, a beautiful background noise.
“Is this okay?” She asked, heart hammering in her chest.
Instead of saying anything, his eyes fell shut and he closed the distance.
—
That night, Momo dreamed she’s wrapped in shadow. It wasn’t just shadow though. It was a ribcage. The steady beat of a heart surrounded her. She sighs and leans forward to kiss Okarun’s spine. Shadowy hands wrap her in a hug and she leans into it.
Okarun’s aura reaches out to her. She reaches back. She gasps as their bond snaps into place in her head.
His emotions rush through her. His happiness at her joining them and his giddiness from their earlier confessions. Below it was still the thrum of anxiety. She pulled one of the hands up to kiss his wrist. She could feel as his heart beat faster, as a wave of pleasant emotions washed through his mind.
Past their bond, she could make out the others. They all knew something was up. Jiji and Evil Eye danced around each other in excitement. Aira was keeping them back from opening the tether that connected them to Okarun. Great, that meant she’d have to thank her for allowing them privacy.
Okarun chuckled. He was in front of her now. They were still in her room. He beamed at her, before kissing her temple and opening them up to the others.
Jiji responded first, by grabbing and spinning her around before pulling her into a hug. He flooded her mind with excited greetings and happiness. Her and Okarun laughed at his antics.
Aira was next, leveling her with a glare. Took you long enough was her greeting. Momo punched her shoulder. Aira returned the favor and the two began tussling much to the amusement of the boys. Momo always assumed that Aira was annoyed or just looking for a fight whenever they went at it but the only emotion in their bond was contentment.
Evil Eye approached slower. He was the same kid she saw when she connected with him during the attempted exorcism. Only now his hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and he wore one of Jiji’s larger shirts.
Momo crouched down and smiled at him. He tilted his head to the side. He looked to Jiji once before racing at her to throw his arms around her neck. It didn’t take long for him to start digging his nails into her upper back.
Okarun pulled her to his chest . One hand on her waist, the other holding her hand. She rested her head against his shoulder as Evil Eye crawled over her to get a better angle. Aira took her other hand and Jiji pressed against her side. She sighed as Evil Eye cracked through her spine and ribs. With the last bond sliding into place their mind sang with joy.