Chapter Text
The sun was lowering in the sky as they made their way towards the place Kuina and Usagi had agreed to meet. Arisu honestly hadn't expected it to be so late in the day; he must have spent even longer curled up in bed with Chishiya than he'd thought, although it still hadn't felt like long enough. Still, leaving when they had had meant they'd found Kuina and Usagi again and he couldn't regret it with that in mind. They'd have plenty of time to cuddle later, when they returned to their normal lives.
Kuina led the way, striding down the street. "There's a museum a couple of streets over. We're supposed to be meeting there. Obviously we can't tell exactly what the time is but we said we'd aim for about sunset."
"What if one of you was stuck in a game?" Chishiya asked. He was walking close beside Arisu but not touching him, hands back in their usual position in his pockets.
"Then we'd wait," Kuina said, like it was obvious. "If they still hadn't turned up by nightfall or if the King of Spades showed up, we'd try again the next day. It's worked for us so far." She glanced back at him. "I'm sure you would have waited too if you and Arisu were separated."
Arisu grinned. "Actually, the last time I went to play a game without him, Shiya ran after me."
Chishiya groaned but a gleeful smile spread across Kuina's face.
"Wait, you're telling me Chi actually ran to you? He didn't even run when he was being shot at." Her smile widened. "He must be falling hard."
"Kuina, please," Chishiya muttered, a dusting of pink spreading across his cheeks to the tips of his ears.
"Aw, Chi. You don't need to be embarassed. It's sweet." She paused. "You know, you don't have to act different just because I'm here," she added, looking back at the two of them once more. "Like, feel free to carry on as you were. I don't mind."
Chishiya raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you think we've been doing for the last week, Kuina? Skipping around the Borderlands hand in hand?"
She shrugged, a mischievous grin on her face. "Maybe. If that was what you wanted to do, I certainly wouldn't stop you."
"It most certainly is not."
She turned away again, cutting down a side street. "Whatever. Your loss, I guess."
"I'm sure I'll live."
At the end of the cut through Kuina stopped walking.
"Okay, so the museum is just round this corner."
"So why have we stopped?" Chishiya asked.
"Because, dumbass, we can't surprise Usagi if you two come walking round the corner with me, can we?"
"Surprise her?" Arisu echoed.
Kuina rolled her eyes. "Yeah. I mean, when was the last time you had something actually nice happen to you here?" She paused, eyes flicking between the two of them. "Okay, you're a bad example, but for most of us life hasn't been great for the last few weeks. So, you two stay here until I signal for you to come out."
Arisu nodded. "What's the signal?"
She thought for a second. "I'll think of something. It'll be obvious, don't worry." She poked her head back round the corner. "I'd better go and wait for her. See you in a minute." She went to leave but paused, looking back at the two of them. "Try not to get too distracted making out or something and miss it."
"Kuina!" Chishiya hissed, eyes narrowed.
She winked and disappeared into the street. When she was gone Chishiya sighed, slumping back to lean against the wall.
"I'm sorry about her."
Arisu frowned, moving closer. "Why?"
"She doesn't seem to understand the concept of privacy."
"She's just excited for you. I don't mind."
Chishiya groaned, his head falling back against the wall as his eyes slipped closed. "It's unbearable."
"Come on, Shiya. It's not that bad and I saw how happy you were back in the convenience store when you found her."
He shrugged. "I guess."
Arisu laughed, leaning next to him on the wall. "Look at you. Who would have guessed you'd be such a softie when I first saw you in the Five of Spades?"
"It's your fault," Chishiya grumbled. "You ruined me."
"No, I like this version of you," Arisu said thoughtfully, glancing across at his companion. "You're still you. Just... mellower."
Chishiya snorted, a small smile on his lips. "Mellower?"
"Yeah."
"You've changed too, you know."
Arisu frowned. "I have?:
Chishiya nodded. "Not how I thought you would though. When I first saw you trying to save everyone in that Spades game, I assumed this place would drive that out of you but it hasn't. You're still..."
He trailed off, unable to find the words to express what he wanted to say. Arisu leaned a little closer, brushing their shoulders together.
"How am I different then?"
"You're more sure of yourself. More assertive, more focussed. Take this morning, for example. You'd never have challenged me like that back at the Beach but you left me no choice but to face what I really wanted."
"You think so?"
"It's not a bad thing." Chishiya leaned a little closer, practically whispering in Arisu's ear. "It's also very attractive."
Arisu grinned. "Stop that. Didn't Kuina just specifically request that we don't start making out while we wait?"
Chishiya smirked. "Technically, she only specified that we shouldn't get distracted and miss the signal, so it's still on the table as long as we pay attention."
Arisu was about to reply when he caught a fragment of conversation from round the corner. He edged a little closer to the end of the alley, listening closely to hear her voice.
Usagi.
He grinned, glancing back excitedly at Chishiya who gave him a small smile in return.
"I also picked up some supplies," Kuina was saying. "Not all that much left in the store I went to, but I did find something that might interest you..."
That must be it. Arisu took his cue, stepping out of the alley and into the street. He opened his mouth to speak but somehow nothing came out.
Usagi was there. She was right there, just a few metres away from him and she was fine, her eyes wide with surprise as she saw him.
He took a step towards her and another before he broke into a run at the exact same time she did, meeting in a hug that almost sent them tumbling to the floor. Relief washed over him as he held onto her. It had been one thing to be told she was okay but it was quite another to see it for himself.
"You're alright," Usagi murmured as she released him from the hug.
"I'm fine," he said, unable to keep the wide smile from his face.
"I'm so sorry," Usagi said. "I didn't want to leave you behind but we didn't have a choice. I've been trying to find you. I couldn't just leave you out there on your own."
"Who says he was on his own?"
Usagi blinked, startled, and took a step back to peer around Arisu to where Chishiya was strolling leisurely up the street behind him.
"You?"
"Are you really that surprised I'm still alive? I'm hurt."
Usagi's eyes narrowed. "No, I'm not surprised that you're still alive. I'm more shocked that you've managed to work with someone without turning on them for more than a day."
"Oh, don't worry about that," Kuina said, walking over to stand beside Chishiya. "From what I've heard, they've been working very well together."
Usagi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Kuina grinned, winking in Chishiya's direction. "Just that it's been a very close partnership."
"Kuina," Chishiya muttered in warning as Usagi's frown deepened. She turned back to Arisu.
"Arisu? What is she talking about?"
Arisu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Usagi... Chishiya and I... We've spent a lot of time together over the last week and-"
"So what? You trust him? Even after everything he did to us?"
"He saved my life, Usagi. He's really not-"
"So you're friends now? Just like that?"
Arisu hesitated, seeing Usagi's hard, mistrustful gaze. "Not exactly. We, um..."
He glanced over his shoulder, desperately appealing for some kind of support.
"What Arisu is trying to say," Kuina said, the bright, teasing tone of a few moments earlier dropped in favour of a softer, gentler voice as she sensed the mounting tension in the conversation. "Is that he and Chishiya are actually a little more than friends."
Usagi froze, gaze flicking between the two of them. "What?" She turned back to Arisu, eyes wide and concerned. "Arisu, please tell me she's joking."
Arisu shook his head. "Usagi..."
Usagi shot a look at Kuina. "I need to talk to Arisu for a minute. Would you mind..."
"Okay," Kuina said hesitantly. "Come on, Chi. Let's go check the store over there for anything useful."
Chishiya looked like he wanted to argue but Kuina grabbed his arm before he could. As she dragged him towards the shop he shot a Arisu a look he couldn't quite read.
Usagi waited until they had disappeared inside before she spoke.
"Arisu, I don't know what he's said to you but you cannot trust that man."
Arisu blinked, taken aback by the direct statement. "He's not like you think, Usagi. He's changed and he's not-"
"He betrayed you, Arisu! He left you to die and now, two weeks later, he's in love with you? I'm sorry but people don't change that much." She took a breath as she stepped towards him, eyes imploring. "Please, Arisu. I know you want to see the best in people and you want to believe him but please think about this."
"Why would he lie?"
"It's Chishiya, Arisu." Her voice was contemptuous, the words harsh. "That's what he does. He doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about anyone except himself."
Arisu considered, trying and failing to reconcile what she was saying with the man he had come to know over the last week or so, who he had held as he fell to pieces after the King of Diamonds and who had kissed him so desperately in bed afterwards. "I don't think that's true." She opened her mouth but he got there before she could. "Look, I understand what you're saying, I do. But please, give him a chance. If not for him, then for me." He looked at her earnestly. "I really like him, Usagi. Please, at least talk to him."
She didn't look happy, her expression conflicted, but eventually, reluctantly, she nodded. "I'll try. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise." He reached out, pulling her into another hug. "I really did miss you."
Usagi sighed. "I missed you too."
Arisu tried to relax again as Chishiya and Kuina emerged out on to the street once again and they set off to find somewhere to spend the night but anxiety pricked at the edge of his mind. He knew he could trust Chishiya. He did trust him, with his life.
He just wished he could make Usagi see it too.
***
In the end, they had returned to the furniture store where Arisu and Chishiya had spent the last few days. It had been Chishiya's suggestion; it was somewhere they knew had enough beds for the entire group to sleep comfortably, plus some of their supplies were already there. It was a good idea that not even Usagi could take issue with. Arisu was pretty happy to be headed back there. Ridiculous as it was, the little shop felt as close to the safety of a home as he'd found in the Borderlands, although that was more due to Chishiya's presence than the building itself.
He had hoped that the relaxed domesticity that the two of them had found would continue with the new additions of Kuina and Usagi, particularly after his conversation with Usagi before they had departed. As they sat down for dinner though, he found he couldn't be more wrong. The atmosphere in the little group was thick enough it could be cut with a knife. Arisu poked at his noodles, appetite near non-existent as he watched the two people he cared most for in this place glare at one another from across the room. Every so often, he or Kuina attempted to start a conversation, only for their efforts to wither and die within minutes.
Next to him, Chishiya moved his food around without actually eating much of it. Arisu nudged him gently, giving him a pointed look. Chishiya sighed but obediently ate a mouthful of his meal while Usagi watched the two of them with concerned eyes.
Kuina cleared her throat. "So, I suppose we ought to think about what we're going to do about the rest of the games."
Arisu nodded, grateful for the distraction. "So far, we cleared the King and Jack of Hearts together and Shiya beat the King of Diamonds."
Kuina nodded. "We did the King of Clubs, Jack of Spades and Jack of Clubs, and other players have taken out the Queen of Diamonds. That leaves five games to go."
"The King of Spades, Jack of Diamonds and Queens of Hearts, Spades and Clubs," Chishiya listed, apparently deciding that this conversation was significant enough for him to finally join the discussion.
"Right." Kuina paused for a moment, thinking. "Usagi and I were thinking of trying for the Queen of Spades next."
"I'd been thinking something similar," Arisu said. "And Shiya was looking at the Jack of Diamonds."
"That makes sense. I don't know if any of the rest of us would stand much of a chance against a Diamonds game at face card level. I know I wouldn't want to try."
"So what do we do, do you think?" Arisu asked. "Split up?"
Kuina shrugged. "We could cover more ground that way. It's what Usagi and I have been doing already."
"I'll take the Queen of Spades," Usagi offered. "We should try to play to our strengths."
"If you're doing Spades, then I can take Clubs," Kuina added. "And Chi would obviously be on Diamonds. Which leaves Arisu... Hearts?"
Arisu opened his mouth to speak but Chishiya got there first.
"No."
Kuina sighed. "Chi..."
"It's a bad idea," he replied, jaw set.
"Arisu is clearly good at Hearts games," Kuina pointed out. "You two have beaten the other two face cards already and he solved the Ten of Hearts back at the Beach. We said we should play to our strengths. This is his strength."
"I know," Chishiya said, a touch defensively. "I never said he wasn't good at them. He just shouldn't go to play this one on his own."
"Arisu can make up his own mind," Usagi said, voice hard as she looked at Chishiya. "You don't get to decide for him."
Chishiya inhaled sharply. "I never said that I did. I'm merely pointing out that, strategically, it is a bad move. In both Hearts games we've played in this stage, we only survived because the other was there. These Hearts games are about trusting and helping one another. Knowing that, it would be stupid to enter one alone."
Arisu jumped in before Usagi could respond. "Shiya's right, Usagi. We'd both be dead if we hadn't had each other in those games."
Something flickered across Usagi's face, too quick for him to read. "Okay then. So what will you play?"
Arisu considered. "I can't take on the King of Spades on my own so I guess I could come with you. It might be easier with two of us."
Usagi visibly relaxed. "You're sure?"
"Yeah. It's the best option. I-"
"No."
Usagi glared at Chishiya. "And what's wrong this time?"
"Arisu is injured. Playing a Spades game at this level-"
Arisu reached out, placing a gentle hand on Chishiya's leg. "Shiya, my ankle is fine."
Chishiya frowned. "Arisu, you-"
"It's fine, honestly." He sighed, shuffling a little closer to him. "What would you have me do instead? Sit here and wait while the rest of you go out and play?"
Chishiya looked away, arms folded.
"I'll be okay, Shiya. I'm not useless and I'll have Usagi with me. I have to do something."
He squeezed his leg in a way that he hoped was reassuring but Chishiya pulled away from his touch, standing abruptly. "I'm going to bed."
Kuina stood and took a step towards him. "Chi, sit down. It's not-"
"I'm tired," Chishiya said coolly. "I'm just going to bed. See you tomorrow."
With that he turned away, stalking off in the direction of the bedding department. Arisu felt an uneasy twist in his gut at the sight of his retreating back.
"Maybe I should-"
Usagi shook her head. "Leave him, Arisu. Something seems off to me anyway. Why was he so insistent that you do what he wanted?"
"Because he's worried and wants to protect me!"
"And you're sure about that?"
"Yes!" Arisu exclaimed, frustration lacing his tone despite himself. He took a deep breath, calming himself before he spoke again. "Usagi, look, I get it. You don't trust him but if you just got to know him better, I'm sure you would-"
"I don't trust him because he betrayed us, Arisu! You would have died and it would have been his fault!"
"We talked about this. You said you'd give him a chance."
Usagi sighed, looking down at the ground. She looked defeated, deflated. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet. "I just don't want to see you hurt again."
Arisu softened, crouching by her side and placing a hand on hers. "I know. I won't be." He squeezed her hand and she looked up, meeting his gaze. "If you won't trust Shiya, trust me. Please."
She hesitated but, finally, nodded. "Okay."
He smiled and squeezed her hand again before he straightened. "I'm going to check on him. I'll see you both in the morning."
"Okay. Night, Arisu." Kuina waved as he headed towards the bedding department.
"Goodnight," Usagi said softly. He could feel her worried gaze on him until he left her line of sight.
As soon as he was out of sight Arisu sighed, running a hand across the back of his neck. He really should have known that this would happen but he'd somehow managed to push it from his mind until it hit him in the face. He shook it off. Sooner or later, Usagi would see that he was right about Chishiya. He just had to give it time and the problem would resolve itself. He was sure of it. Right now, he needed to focus on whatever was up with Chishiya.
He found him in their usual bed. Arisu moved quietly, not wanting to disturb Chishiya if he was already asleep. He was lying with his back to him, curled up on his side under the blankets with his face hidden. Carefully, Arisu lifted the covers and slid in behind him, pressing up close against his back and sliding an arm over his waist. He felt him tense a little at the contact but he made no move to pull away- perhaps just pretending to be asleep then.
"Hey Shiya," he murmured. Chishiya didn't respond. Arisu sighed, his thumb tracing soothing circles on Chishiya's stomach where he held him. "Are you okay?"
At first he thought Chishiya would continue to ignore him, but finally he muttered a single word. "Fine."
Arisu leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to the side of his neck where it joined his shoulder and pleased to feel him instinctively relax a little at the action. "Talk to me, Shiya. What's going on?"
"Nothing. I just want to sleep."
"You can tell me," he said softly. "We're a team, remember? We look after each other." He paused. "I don't like it either, you know. I don't want to split up and the last thing I want is for you to enter another game on your own, especially after the King of Diamonds, but it's the best plan we have to get home."
Finally Chishiya rolled over, meeting Arisu's gaze. "I know." He swallowed. "I'm just not used to it."
Arisu frowned, reaching out to lightly caress Chishiya's cheek. His eyes slipped closed as Arisu's fingers made contact, leaning into the touch.
"Not used to what?"
Chishiya exhaled shakily. "Having something I don't want to lose."
The painful knot that had been building in Arisu's gut all evening twisted sharply and he pulled Chishiya towards him, wrapping him in his arms and holding him close.
"You're not going to lose me, Shiya," he whispered, fingers combing through the ends of Chishiya's hair as he buried his face in his chest. "I promise. I'll have Usagi with me and I'm not totally useless at Spades."
"I know you're not useless," Chishiya mumbled against him. "You're brilliant. It's one of the things I like about you."
Arisu cupped his cheek, gently tilting his head up to meet his gaze. "And so are you. You'll beat your game and we'll beat ours and we'll be back together again by tomorrow evening, safe and sound."
Chishiya reached up, pulling him down into a kiss. When he pulled away he stayed close, his head resting on Arisu's shoulder. "I knew we shouldn't have left our bed earlier."
Arisu laughed, hugging him tight. "It's not so bad. We found Usagi and Kuina again."
Chishiya's lips twitched up into a small smile. "Yeah."
"You missed her. Kuina, I mean."
He nodded.
Arisu grinned. "She certainly seems excited about us."
Chishiya shuddered. "Don't. She's going to be unbearable for weeks, maybe forever."
"I don't mind really. It's nice that she's so happy to see you happy."
"I suppose it balances out with how Usagi seems to feel about it."
Arisu's face clouded over slightly. "She'll come round, Shiya. She's just..." He trailed off, unsure what to say without insulting Chishiya.
"It's okay," Chishiya said. "It's not unexpected or unreasonable. It's how I thought you would see me too, to be honest."
"I don't," Arisu said quickly, checking Chishiya's expression for any hint of worry but finding it as unreadable as usual. "She just needs to get to know you like I do."
"I think she's pretty sure she knows enough."
"Then prove her wrong." Arisu gave him a soft smile. "I know you're not what she thinks, so show her."
Chishiya sighed, his fingers tracing mindless patterns across Arisu's chest. "I don't deserve you. Anyone else would have run a mile."
"Then anyone else would be missing out." He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Chishiya's head, feeling him relax against him. "You haven't been like this this evening."
Chishiya frowned. "Like what?"
"This. Relaxed. Cuddl-"
"Do not say cuddly."
Arisu laughed. "What's wrong with cuddly?"
"I'm just not."
"Then what's this?"
"This is me allowing you to cuddle because you want to."
A playful grin spread on Arisu's lips. "Well, if you don't like it, we can stop."
He started to pull away but was immediately pinned down with a surprisingly strong grip.
"I didn't say that," Chishiya grumbled.
Arisu pulled him closer, burying his fingers in his hair and earning a happy little sigh in return. "You're not entirely wrong though. I do love this."
Chishiya hummed in agreement as Arisi continued lightly scratching at his scalp. "We probably shouldn't tonight though."
Arisu frowned. "Why? I mean, if you really don't want to that obviously fine but..."
Chishiya scowled, his nose scrunching in a way Arisu could only describe as adorable. "Kuina and Usagi will be up here soon."
"So? They won't mind. It's not like we're..." He cleared his throat, trying to think of how to put it delicately. "Doing anything else."
Chishiya snorted in amusem*nt. "So innocent."
"I am not," Arisu insisted. "Anyway, my point still stands. They won't... Well, Kuina won't care and Usagi won't care specifically about that more than she does anything else."
Chishiya shrugged. "Still..." He rolled off Arisu with a sigh, curling up a short distance away from him instead.
Arisu immediately felt the loss, instantly missing the comforting warmth of Chishiya next to him; it was amazing how used to it he had become in just a couple of days but it just felt right. Still, if this was what Chishiya wanted he wouldn't complain. From what he had said, this sort of affection was all pretty new to him. Maybe he just didn't feel comfortable with it when other people were around.
"Arisu?"
"Shiya?"
Chishiya yawned, burrowing deeper into his pillow as he looked at Arisu with sleepy, half-lidded eyes. "Tell me about yourself."
"There isn't much to tell-" Arisu began but Chishiya shook his head.
"Tell me anything. What you like to do, your favourite foods, your family, what you want to do when we go back... I want to hear all of it." Arisu still hesitated so Chishiya smiled reassuringly. "It won't be boring to me. I promise."
"Okay." Arisu began uncertainly, talking about his father and brother and his idea that he might try to return to university. His confidence grew as he carried on and the expression on Chishiya's face didn't waver, his gaze soft and warm as he watched Arisu speak.
It was only when he was starting to describe the most recent game he had been playing in the real world when he finally stopped, looking back to Chishiya to find that his eyes had drifted closed. He smiled, watching as his features relaxed into sleep, his face peaceful and lips ever so slightly parted. As he began to snore softly Arisu leaned over, placing a light kiss on his cheek.
"Goodnight Shiya," he whispered and relaxed back into his pillow.
He closed his own eyes, willing sleep to take him. Alone with his thoughts, however, it was far harder to keep his own worries about the coming games at bay. He had only just gotten Usagi and Kuina back; he couldn't lose them again so soon. And as for Chishiya... Memories flashed through his mind, one after the other before repeating again.
Chishiya, pale and almost lifeless in his arms in the King of Hearts.
The feeling of utter hopelessness as he had waited outside the King of Diamonds, unable to help and not even knowing if he was okay.
The empty look in Chishiya's catlike eyes afterwards.
Something brushed against his shoulder and he startled, eyes snapping open again as he jolted out of his thoughts. When he turned his head, though, he smiled as he instinctively relaxed.
Still fast asleep, Chishiya had rolled closer to him, his outstretched hand on Arisu's upper chest. As he watched, he shuffled nearer still, pressing against him with his head assuming its usual place on his chest and an arm slung across him as Chishiya cuddled close in his sleep.
Arisu wrapped his own arm around Chishiya, holding him tight and burying his face in his hair. He could feel his chest rising and falling evenly as he slept on, the constant reminder that he was here and alive soothing his worries away, at least for the time being. Chishiya nuzzled against him, mumbling something incoherent to himself in his sleep, and Arisu couldn't help but smile.
They were going to be fine, he told himself as his eyes closed again. It was like he had told Chishiya earlier- by tomorrow evening, they would all be together once more.
It would be fine.
***
Usagi had fallen into a pretty set routine in the Borderlands.
She'd always been a creature of habit. As an athlete, she'd had to be. You didn't get to be good at any physical activity without some sense of discipline and that had carried over here too. Every morning she warmed up and took herself out for a run, followed by an intense series of stretches. She knew that Spades and Clubs games were what suited her best and going in as physically ready as she could would only help her chances.
Of course, the fact that she had pushed herself extra hard this morning had little to do with preparedness for the games and far more to do with her desperate need for distraction after the events of the previous evening.
She was utterly delighted and beyond relieved to have been reunited with Arisu. Whilst she was obviously glad to have had Kuina with her, she had missed him terribly over the last week, his wellbeing a source of constant worry for her. In theory, having him back with her should have significantly reduced her constant state of stress.
If only he hadn't brought Chishiya along with him.
She already hadn't been happy at the beginning of the second stage when he'd tagged along with them, not after what he'd done to them at the Beach, but he'd apparently come as a package deal with Kuina and she could at least keep him at arms length. She certainly couldn't say that she'd been unhappy when they'd lost him when the King of Spades had attacked.
Now though, not only was he back, not only had he somehow convinced Arisu that he was trustworthy, but apparently they were together and nothing she said seemed to give Arisu even the slightest sliver of doubt. She'd seem them when she'd gone up to bed last night, curled up together as they slept, cosy and domestic as if Arisu hadn't literally almost died because of Chishiya barely two weeks earlier. She didn't know what he had said to manipulate Arisu like that, she didn't know what he was planning, but she couldn't let him hurt her or Arisu again.
If only she had the first clue what she could do about it.
Frustrated, she exhaled harshly as she sank into a deep lunge, pushing her aching muscles lower than was probably sensible but she didn't particularly care. Perhaps she'd get lucky and he'd simply ditch them after he played the Jack of Diamonds. She wouldn't put it past him to simply vanish if he had no more use for-
"He sprained his left ankle."
Usagi's head snapped up. Chishiya was stood a short distance away, leaning against a wall with his arms folded. His expression was blank, almost bored. She frowned, trying to figure out what he wanted.
"I'm sorry?"
Chishiya sighed, like she was somehow greatly inconveniencing him by not immediately following what he had said. "Arisu. He sprained his left ankle. It seems to be healed now but it might still be weaker than usual and prone to further injury. He also has a graze from a bullet on his side. It's bandaged up and healing well but still worth you knowing about."
Usagi stood, eyes narrowed as she regarded him. "Why are you telling me this?"
Chishiya shrugged. "You're going to be playing with Arisu. I thought you should know in case he doesn't tell you. He tends not to want to burden people with his problems. It might not affect anything, but just in case..."
Her frown deepened. "Just in case of what? I need something to use against him?"
He looked directly at her, dark eyes hard. "Is that really what you think I want?"
She hesitated, biting back her initial instinct to dismiss him and actually considering the question.
"I don't know," she said eventually.
Chishiya raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"
"I don't know," she repeated, taking a step towards him. "I don't understand you." He staying quiet, waiting for her to elaborate. "At the Beach, you betrayed us. You left Arisu for dead, but now he says you saved his life? And that's without even considering everything else." She paused, shaking her head. "I don't get it, Chishiya. The Beach wasn't that long ago. What am I supposed to believe? That in just a couple of weeks you've gone from not caring in the slightest about Arisu to what? Being in a relationship with him? Or is it more likely that you have some other reason for what you're doing?"
"Some other reason?"
She nodded, conviction growing. "Maybe you just needed to regain his trust so you can use him again. Think about it. You've managed to make yourself one of the people he cares most about here and we both know that he'll go out of his way to protect other people, especially those he cares for. Maybe you just wanted someone you can use like that if you need to in games."
He tilted his head, gaze fixed on hers. "Who says I didn't care about Arisu at the Beach?"
Usagi gave him a contemptuous look. "You left him to die , Chishiya. What about that suggests that you cared about him?"
Chishiya sighed. "I doubt you would believe me even if I told you."
She folded her arms. "Try me."
He regarded her for a moment before he spoke. "I thought if I hurt him he would stay away from me and whatever it was that I was feeling wouldn't become a problem."
She wasn't sure exactly what she had been expecting, but it hadn't been that. She frowned. "What?"
"I thought that I had to. I thought that if I wanted to survive-"
"So you were happy for Arisu to die so you could live?" Her voice was harsh, anger flickering deep in her stomach. Her nails dug into the palms of her hands as she clenched her fists, trying to keep herself composed.
Chishiya looked away, breaking eye contact. "I didn't say I was happy about it." When he spoke again, his voice didn't contain his usual confidence that bordered on arrogance; it was raw and honest, almost vulnerable. "Honestly... I was scared, and so I made a mistake." He pushed himself away from the wall, moving a little closer to her. "I don't expect you to believe me and I'm not asking that of you. It's not an excuse. I don't need you to like me or to trust me."
"Then what do you want?"
"For you to keep Arisu alive. He's brilliant, obviously, I know that, but he has a tendency to look out for others regardless of the possible cost to himself. I need to know that someone is there to remind him that he matters too and to stop him doing anything foolish."
Usagi blinked, searching his face for any hint of a lie, any sign of a hidden agenda but finding nothing. Of course, she already knew that he was a very good liar but still... "And that's it?"
He nodded. "That's it." He paused. "I don't know if we will ever be friends, Usagi, and that's my fault. I accept that. But, at the end of the day, do we not both want the same thing? We both care about Arisu."
"I suppose so."
"So? You'll look after him?"
She glared. "Of course I will. I didn't need you to ask me."
"Thank you."
"I'm not doing it for you."
Chishiya shrugged, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "I know. Thank you anyway."
She watched as he walked away, disappearing back into the store once more. Her instincts screamed that she shouldn't believe a single word that came out of his mouth and yet she could have sworn the look in his eye when he had asked for her help had been genuine...
She sighed, returning to her stretches. For now, she decided, his intentions didn't matter. She would keep her guard up and keep Arisu safe but not because Chishiya had asked her to and certainly not because she trusted him.
She wasn't going to let her friend get hurt again.
***
They left the store at what appeared to be about midday, judging by the position of the sun. Chishiya blinked as they emerged into the light. It was funny, the furniture store really had become their own little pocket of normality, separate from the rest of the world in every way. It was so easy to forget that anything else even existed when they were wrapped up in their bubble of safety.
"We'll meet again this evening," Kuina said, looking around their little group. "And if anyone isn't there by nightfall, we'll try again in the morning." She glanced up at the sky, taking in the positions of the last remaining blimps. "I think we should meet at Shibuya. Assuming we all win, only the King of Spades and the Queen of Hearts will be left. The King moves, obviously, but we may as well meet close to the Queen to save time."
"We will all win," Arisu said firmly. "We'll be fine."
Kuina grinned. "Damn right we will." She gestured between the two of them. "Now, kiss each other goodbye or whatever you need to do and let's get going."
Chishiya turned to Arisu, hands in his pockets and fingers fidgeting anxiously with the lining. Something painful twisted in his chest as he looked up at his face, meeting his gaze that was so soft and caring. He itched to touch him, to throw his arms around him and bury his face in his shoulder, but he was painfully aware of Kuina and Usagi just a metre or so away.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Be careful."
Arisu nodded. "You too."
They stood silently for a moment until Kuina groaned. "Oh for God's sake."
She marched over, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him to one side. He frowned but she spoke before he could ask what she was doing.
"Two things, Chi. First, don't you dare die."
A small smile crept onto his lips. "I wouldn't dream of it." He met his best friend's gaze and felt another pang of concern. "You too. Look after yourself."
"Always." Before he could stop her, she reached for him, pulling him into a quick but fierce hug. When she released him, she kept her hands on his shoulders. "Now, stop being a dumbass and go kiss your boyfriend like you obviously want to."
"He's not-"
Kuina rolled her eyes. "I don't care what you want to call him or what label you want to use. You're both about to go play death games. This is not the time for you to be weird about showing that you care in front of other people or whatever your issue is."
Chishiya narrowed his eyes. "I hate you."
She grinned. "Love you too. Now go on." She gave him a gentle push in Arisu's direction, where he was talking quietly with Usagi. "He's waiting."
He sighed but walked over to Arisu. Usagi broke off from whatever she was saying as he drew closer, eyeing him warily, but he paid her no mind, reaching up without hesitation to wrap his arms around Arisu's neck and pull him down into a deep kiss. Arisu made a small noise of surprise but pressed back eagerly, his lips soft and gentle against Chishiya's as they moved slowly. Chishiya let his eyes fall closed as Arisu pulled him closer, an arm around his waist, letting himself forget where they were and what they were about to do, forget Kuina and Usagi, forget everything except the man holding him so lovingly and his heart pounding in his chest. When Arisu finally moved to pull away Chishiya chased him, desperately leaning in again to hold on to the moment for even a second longer.
It couldn't last forever though and when they parted he met Arisu's gaze once more.
"Be safe," he murmured, too quietly for Kuina and Usagi to hear.
Arisu leaned in to press one more chaste kiss to his lips. "I'll see you again this evening."
"Don't keep me waiting too long."
Arisu smiled. "I wouldn't dare."
Kuina cleared her throat loudly, abruptly reminding them of her presence. "Right. Well."
Chishiya stepped back, shooting her a smirk. "Please, feel free to leave. No need to wait on our account."
"And leave Usagi to third wheel on her own? I'd never." There was a pause as the atmosphere grew serious again. "So Shibuya, as close to sundown as we can."
Usagi nodded. "Good luck."
Chishiya watched as the others headed left down the street. Kuina would branch off to get to the Queen of Clubs, while Usagi and Arisu would carry on straight. He would be heading to the right to get to the Jack of Diamonds but for a moment he found himself unable to move, watching with a sense of unease as his best friend and his lover moved further and further away from him. It felt wrong. He couldn't suppress the feeling that this was a terrible idea. The logical part of his brain knew that that feeling meant nothing, that it was just his stupid emotions getting in the way now he had let himself get attached to people, but that knowledge somehow didn't make the voice at the back of his mind any quieter.
At the end of the street Arisu glanced back over his shoulder, shooting him a reassuring smile before the group disappeared from his sight. Chishiya returned it just a beat too late, the smile falling from his face immediately the second they were gone.
He didn't like this but there was nothing he could do except win his game and hope that the others did the same.
He took a deep breath and flipped his hood up, before planting his hands in his pockets and heading right down the street.
