[He remembers the fury and desperation Ken had felt, throwing himself at their enemies as Chikusa's blood stained the floor. He remembers the shock of their memories' return, the ache that had thrown him right back to his own first love and first great loss.

He meets Chikusa's narrow-eyed gaze for a long moment before bending to slip off his own shoes.]

There was never anything else for me, either. Even if you only have one important thing in the world, it can still be lost.

[He straightens up, rubbing a hand over his chest, where Chikusa's tension and anger leave an ache sharper than his elbow had left on Hakkai's ribs.]

Just-- [His laugh is shaky.] I'm not saying, worry more. I'm just saying, don't trust that nothing can ever happen.