Utaren angst.

Utaren is life, Utaren is love, Utaren is angst.

“I can’t let you throw your life away.” Uta crosses the tunnel to Yomo’s bleeding, weakened body.

“I choose to,” Yomo mutters.

Uta looks at the dozens of slowly-healing knife wounds in his friend. “I’m…” 

He can’t say he’s sorry. He has no business feeling bad. He chose this. He knew the consequences.

“Then let me help you.”

“Hmm?” 

Uta pins Yomo to the ground and pulls aside his shirt. “My shoulder.”

Yomo blinks. “Uta…”

“You need flesh,” Uta says quietly. “Do you not?”

Yomo sinks his teeth into Uta, and Uta recalls the times they did this together as fun, first as a dare, then as part of lovemaking.

But that was a long time ago.

Yomo pulls back, Uta’s blood around his lips. “Why?”

“I never know why with you.” Uta smiles. “Now, go on and save your niece.”

What feels like an earthquake rattles the tunnel. Yomo growls.

“The dragon is unleashed,” Uta says. 

Yomo narrows his eyes. “You were keeping me here.”

“I was.”

“Why, Uta?” Yomo shakes his head. “Why?”

“I didn’t want to lose you.” Uta hangs his head.

“But I can lose Touka and Hinami? Touka can lose her child?” Yomo stands, his eyes flashing. “I need you to be real with me, for just a minute, Uta.”

“You won’t like the answer.”

“That’s never stopped me before, has it?” 

Uta laughs with his friend for a moment. “No, I suppose it hasn’t.” 

“Accompany me to the dragon.” Yomo strides down the tunnel, and with a curse, Uta hurries after him.