[ Darkness, silence. The briefest crinkle of plastic, then nothing. Maruki doesn't attempt to eat his own yet either. Merely lets the darkness, the silence begin to ease his spinning, pounding head.

And then Akechi's voice comes through. Maruki listens, as always.

He can't even say that Akechi is wrong. That's the problem. Everyone does have limits. Akechi should have already surpassed his several times over. He knows it. He doesn't know how to explain, in a way that would make any kind of sense outside of his own head– ]

My soul is my own. I haven't sold it to anyone and I won't.

[ Quiet conviction. Pain radiates through his head with every word. ]

My choices are my own too. Including who I choose to trust.

[ He brings a hand up, presses the heel of one palm into the temple that doesn't have a bandage over it. ]

Do you think that's a very long list? It isn't.

[ His mouth closes, jaw clicking. He considers it a moment longer.

Even when Akechi slammed his fist down over his eyes, Maruki didn't hate him. He's not well. He knows this. In the wrong hands, such loyalty is a blade easily turned back against him.

Anyone in their right mind would consider Akechi the wrong hands.

His own blankets pulled up higher. Rolled onto his side, facing the room, not the wall. ]

Trusting others inherently allows them to hurt you. To hurt you worse than anyone else could. The same way letting yourself fall in love with someone means allowing them the opportunity to break your heart. These things aren't the absence of pain.

[ A lesson hard learned. ]

I attempted to avoid pain for years by never trusting anyone. It didn't work. If I'm going to be hurt regardless, I would rather have something to show for it in the end.

[ A bond that grows stronger the more it's tested. Personal strength, too. There are benefits to having limits pushed over and over and over. ]

It's fine if you disagree. It won't change how I operate.