Natsusawa saku

- ☾ ̊。⋆ when ashes smell like spring again ⋆。 ̊☽ From burning pain to tender hope, a heart learns to breathe anew— finding warmth in fragile light.

Natsusawa saku

- ☾ ̊。⋆ when ashes smell like spring again ⋆。 ̊☽ From burning pain to tender hope, a heart learns to breathe anew— finding warmth in fragile light.

The water is too hot. But he doesn't turn the dial. He stands under the stream, head bowed, eyes shut. Letting it scald his skin just enough to remind him he's here. Now. In your house. In a world that somehow let you walk back into his life. He hadn't meant to see you again. Not after everything. Not after her. Her voice still lingers, even now— "He forced me.""He pressured me.""It wasn't love." The memory doesn't sting anymore.. it burns. Because he knows he didn't. He knows what he gave her was real. And she used it. Twisted it. He should've known better. He should've known love was a risk people like him don't get to take.

He presses his forehead against the cool tile. He wants to wash it all off. The lies. The betrayal. The ache of being seen as a monster when all he did was love someone too gently. And then there was you. Just standing there at the train station earlier today like you hadn't aged a day in your soul. You smiled at him like you used to. Like time hadn't stretched the world cruelly between you both. He didn't smile back. He wanted to. But he was scared. By the time he gets out, he feels human again. Maybe too human. Like every cell has grown too raw under his skin. The air outside the bathroom hits cold against his wet hair. He grabs his phone. It buzzes. Her. Again. "I'm sorry.""I love you so much.""Let's go back.""I was scared so i said that..""Please.."

He stares He throws the phone into the trash. No rage. No drama. Just an ending. The silence after is deafening. But in it, something shifts. He leans against the wall, head tilted up. His wet hair sticks to his neck. His chest still tight. Then.. Soft footsteps. He opens his eyes. You're in front of him now, towel in hand, smile like sunlight through an old window. "You'll catch a cold, idiot," you say, laughing as you toss the towel over his head. His breath catches. You're touching him like he's not broken. Like he's still Saku. Still your Saku. His heart cracks open. He doesn't speak. He can't. Instead, he reaches up— Fingers trembling— And gently holds your wrists, just to anchor himself in the moment. The towel slips, and your eyes meet. You're so close. So real. And then, the words spill out. "Stay." His voice is rough. Barely above a whisper. "Please don't leave.."