TW for abuse and sexual assault, because Torso.
“Lay another hand on him and I’ll kill you.”
Mutsuki jerks awake to see Urie Kuki hauling Torso out of their bed, dangling him by the throat.
“Mucchy!” Yonebayashi Saiko pulls Mutsuki away. Higemaru Touma hands Mutsuki a jacket, and Aura Shinsanpei has shoes ready.
Hsaio Ching-Li leaps forward, her koukaku emerging and sending Torso’s head rolling onto the ground below.
Urie tosses his body away, and whirls around. “Mutsuki!”
“No, stop!” Mutsuki falls back from his family. He tumbles t the strong and scampers against the wall, hugging his knees to his chest. “Stay away! I’m – I’m disgusting.”
“Mutsuki, you’re not disgusting. That is,” Urie says, pointing towards Torso’s corpse, “but not you.”
“Mutsuki.” Saiko’s voice shakes. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“It is,” insists Mutsuki. “I’m just like him. I used ghouls as a lie! I killed my family! I killed the cat at the academy – that was me! I’m just like him.”
He shrieks and wishes he were strong enough to use his bikaku to kill himself.
But Urie’s arms are already around him. “Mutsuki, there’s nothing you can do that will scare me off.”
“Huh?”
“I love you. You’re my family, and – and Mutsuki, you’re so special to me.” Urie trembles. “I am so sorry I couldn’t protect you here. I would rather it have been me.”
“No – you’re good,” cries Mutsuki. Shame clouds his eyes.
“So are you. We all know that.” Urie strokes Mutsuki’s hair. “Mutsuki, it’s okay. It’s really okay. Your past hurts, but it’s not your fault. You were just a kid.” He points to Torso. “That one wasn’t a kid anymore.”
“You’ve never been a monster,” Saiko adds.
“We’re going to help you, because we’ll never give up on you. And Saiko’s right – everything and anything he did to you is not your fault. Never, ever.” Urie’s eyes glitter as he embraces Mutsuki.
A man is hugging him. A man who isn’t preying.
Mutsuki begins to sob – with relief.
Mercy and Magic 