Your Soul On My Lips

Your soul on my lips

It was supposed to be an easy mission. No deaths, just Darkwick's insistance that there might be an anomaly involved. Yet, as usual, nothing was as easy as the academy wanted. It was supposed to be easy. So easy that two people were enough for the field work. Of course, that meant that Rui was the first to propose a case solving date with his precious inspector.

Which he already regretted. As you were walking next to him, oh so close but still far away, smiling at his flirting he thought this might be the best day of his life. But nothing ever was so easy for him. And especially so since he got cursed. With the night falling around the two of you he let himself believe he might see you like this, smiling at him fondly, for the rest of his life. If someone asked him, he would give the smoothest lines about what your existence meant to him. But he knew, even if he tried to write it into poems he still wouldn’t be close to the truth. You were like the moon, shining light in his night. The stars, unattainable but guiding his way. The star, so warm but untouchable. What wouldn’t he have given to be able to take your hand in that moment. But he was afraid. A sliver of touch and he would never see you again. He was willing to suffer next to you, basking in your warmth and affection he was surer by the day you felt towards him, yet never getting too close, hiding in the dark if you got within reaching distance.

By the time you've arrived at the docks, where the report wanted you two to head, the moon lit up your way.

It made Rui's hair shine golden, reminding you of the days you saw him in the garden, tending to the plants with such care. Soft eyes looking up at you as you walked closer but never close enough to touch, you knew better. It hurt you to see him so touchstarved, keeping up his bravado by flirting, hiding the way his life was made miserable. You never could look away from him since then, wanting to reach out to him but fearing you might hurt him even more.

Even while working on the case, one sweet line was all it took to take your mind away from your surrondings. And what a grave mistake was that. In devoting your attention to him, you inavertedly will deprive him of his light in this world.

The mission so easily turned to tragedy. The anomaly previously thought to be docile proved to be an ambusher type. There was only one reason there were no deaths recorded. It failed so far. But not on this night. One second of inattention. Only one was all it took. You looked down, feeling the pain immediately, seeing the horror on Rui's face as he too umderstood. Even as his hands grabbed it, even as it shrieked before dying. Even so... The harm was done.

He could do nothing as you fell to the ground. Couldn't try to break your fall lest he damage you more. He couldn't fathom the idea that maybe it wouldn’t have mattered, that it was naught either way.

As you looked up at him, bloody and straying farther from the living by the seconds, he panicked. You could see it in his eyes, as he looked around you both for an answer to materialize. You heard him mutter to himself about hospotals, ambulances, the time, the academy. But you didn't care for any of those.

You remembered your first meeting. Running away from Darkwick just in time to meet your curse-twin as he called himself. Or your soulmate as you also started referring to him the longer you spent together. The precious days that you helped out in his bar, even if his idea of helping was closer to being a pampered proncess. The day you saved the schoolgirl together. The countless joke dates he proposed. All of which you made sure to keep in your heart, be they jokes or not. You, at least, hoped that he was serious at those times.

As he slowly sank down next to you, you knew he realised. You were too far away from any help to arrive in time, normal hospitals wouldn’t even be able to help you anyways.

You could do nothing and neither could he. He could only beg you to stay awake, stay there with him. Amd he did. But you knew. It was a plea you were unable to heed. As time flew, the farther away everything seemed, the more tears were fllowing down his face.

You didn't want to leave him like this. You didn't want to leave him at all. But especially like this. In front of him, unable to do anything. But that wasn't true. Anything would have been better than dying in agony. And maybe, he could do something for you in the end. It would also fulfill one of your greatest wishes nowadays. But, that would be cruel to him, wouldn't it? Did it matter though? It might have mattered more had you years to spend together not the seconds, minutes you had left in your weakening body.

Thus, you mustered every miniscule strength left in your mauled body to call out for him.

"Rui... can you... do something... for me?" The words were weak, testament to the loss of blood.

"Anything. Anything for you," came the reply, nearly as weak as yours with his tears in the way. You could only imagine the feelings going through his heart. Perhaps you really were cruel.

"Could you... kiss me?"

"But! You will die!" He instantly retorted, then fell silent. He knew that was inevitable at this point. He had a choice to make here. None of the options were kind. Could he just sit there and watch you bleed out? Or should he choose to do as you ask? Rob you of the last minutes of your life? For what? His own selfish need to at least steal a kiss he shall never have otherwise?

But, if you asked for it. Surely, it meant sonething for you too. He knew you were kind. You wouldn't ask for something you didn't also want. Perhaps both of you can be selfish one last time in your life. If this is all that fate allowed you two to have. He wouldn't dare to reject it. He couldn't live with the regret of letting you die in pain. As much as he will never forgive himself for this whole scenario. Or the way he will live on with your energy fuelling him after. How he will steal away the last seconds of your life. Being your killer might still be better than just watching you suffer, right?

He steeled himself, you could see his resolve. Seeing it was like a tide, washing away all your concerns. All that remained was a painful happiness. Even if it is just like this, he shall claim you as his.

"Please don't hate me," he whispered as he leaned in. Breaths away from touching you.

"I would never... I love you.... Be happy enough for the both of us," you mustered all your strength to say so. Hoping to alleviate some of his pain going forward, as you know he would, were he the one in peril. You were the one to close the gap between your lips.

As his lips finally touched yours, claiming your soul with the shinigami's curse. As his tears ran down your cheeks. Your last thought was not about regrets, of all the things you couldn't do in the end. It was of him. Your cursed lover. Your soulmate, who would have to live on with nothing left of you but memories. Of a last first kiss which could never become more. Your soul ached for him.

Maybe if you wished hard enough with your dying breath, the shinigami will let your soul linger. Linger around him in the ways the breeze combs through his hair. In the sunlight that blinds him for a second as he looks into it. In the water as it touches his lips. Maybe you can touch him so now, without reservation and fear. Maybe god shall let you become one with his cursed soul, elevating some of his hardships.

Just maybe... But neither of you would ever know even if it worked. The dead can tell nothing. And so the living have to go on. Rui has to go on, with the heavy burden on his heart, with the regret. With the pictures of an imaginary future which can never be true now. With the conviction that he destroyed which was most precious to him.

Love Languages: How They Show Their Affection

Hey everyone! I'm back with another headcanon post, this time diving into how our favorite characters express their love and affection. Whether it's through subtle gestures, grand displays, or tender moments, each one has their own unique way of showing how much you mean to them. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Jin • Jin is not a man of many words. That’s why it’s important to understand the language of his gestures in order to feel his affection. • He shows his affection in various situations where you can count on being the only person who gets to experience it. For instance, he often lets you decide what you’ll have for dinner. Believe it or not, you won’t even notice if you pick something he has no appetite for. • When he craves closeness, he’ll send you a message, regardless of the time, calling you to his room. It’s more of a command than a request. But if you comply, you’ll find yourself wrapped in his arms on the couch or bed, simply enjoying his presence. That moment belongs to just the two of you. • Whenever you even think about wanting something special, it will appear in your room the next day. He also likes to surprise you with things you hadn’t even thought of. He catches every little detail from your stories about your dreams and passions, and when the opportunity arises, he brings them to life through small gifts.

Tohma • Both of you have strict schedules, so showing affection is key in this relationship if you want to make the most of the time you have together. Tohma knows this well. • When you see each other amidst the hustle and bustle of the academy, he gives you, and only you, his warmest smile. • He’s not a fan of showing physical affection in public, but when he crosses your path, he’ll always pass close enough for your hands to “accidentally” brush. His hand closes slightly, as if trying to hold yours. • If time and circumstances allow, he’ll quickly and wordlessly pull you into an empty room or hallway when you pass by him. He gives you a brief but passionate kiss, brushes a strand of hair from your face, and looks deeply into your eyes before you both go on your way, as if nothing happened.

Luca • Luca is initially reserved about showing his feelings for two reasons. First, he knows his best friend Kaito has feelings for you and doesn’t want to rub it in his face that you didn’t choose him. Second, Luca is a true gentleman who would never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. • But he never tires of showering you with compliments, all of which he means sincerely. You can see it in his eyes—no man could look at you with more love. • When you’re alone, and you’re facing away from him, he loves to hug you from behind. You both linger in that position, enjoying each other’s warmth. • When you sleep together, he holds you tightly, as if afraid you could be taken from him at any moment.

Kaito • Kaito knows you love it when he makes you something, so he spoils you with plenty of sweets whenever he has time to bake for you. Missing desserts from your homeland? He’ll surprise you with them as soon as he finds a good recipe. • He’ll take many photos of you and the two of you together. While part of him loves to show off, it’s mostly because he still can’t quite believe you and he are real. Your relationship is still beyond his imagination, so he treasures every photo when you’re not with him. • He remembers every detail about you and is always looking for ways to surprise you. Love ice cream? Prepare to visit every renowned ice cream parlor in Tokyo—he’ll take you to all of them. • And of course, you won’t be able to escape his constant messages. He always wants to know what you’re doing and how you’re feeling, not out of worry or jealousy, but because he genuinely cares (though he’s no stranger to those feelings either).

Alan • Do I even need to mention how often he’ll pat your head? • He always checks how you’re doing and makes sure you have everything you need. He’ll also always offer to let you sleep in his T-shirts when you stay over. He just loves seeing you in his oversized clothes, and though he’d never say it out loud, the smile on his face when he sees you in his sleepwear says it all. • His sweetest way of showing affection is his almost casual request for you to join him in nearly everything he does. He loves having you around. Even if you’re not into physical activities like he is, he doesn’t mind—he just wants to be near you. • Wherever you are, Alan will seek your physical closeness. Sometimes, you’re not even sure if he’s doing it consciously or if his feelings just naturally draw him to you. Whether it’s an arm around your waist, moving closer on the couch, or casually holding your hand, he always seeks contact.

Sho • For Sho, love truly comes through food. So rest assured, you’ll never go hungry if this man is yours. Lucky you. • Though Leo is his best friend, he will never allow anyone, not even him, to badmouth you. Never, ever. No one—absolutely no one—touches his sweet girlfriend. • Sho will often give you small gifts in the form of jewelry. Nothing overly expensive, but always something unique. Seeing you wear it makes him incredibly happy, so you’d better wear it, because it’s also his way of marking you as his own. • Though he’d never admit it, Sho actually enjoys public displays of affection. He’s proud to have you by his side, and when you reach for his hand, he’ll pretend he’s only letting it happen for your sake, to make you more comfortable. In reality, his heart is always racing when you do.

Leo

Leo could only accept a partner who is on equal footing with him. That's why he can actually be very sweet in a relationship when he wants to.

Naturally, the maximum amount of physical affection in public will be displayed, as long as you allow it. After all, the world needs to see what a great relationship you two have. It’s a wonder you haven’t yet shared a French kiss on campus. He definitely enjoys making your admirers jealous.

But of course, he’s only doing this for the show and for the clicks when he films you both. It has nothing to do with the fact that he maximally enjoys your closeness and can’t get enough of you. Never. How could you come up with such silly ideas?

He will shower you with gifts that he "just happened to buy somewhere." Does this have anything to do with the fact that he actually listens to you and explicitly searches for things you like and that he hopes will make you happy? Such nonsense.

Haru

Despite his strict schedule, Haru will never miss the chance to show you how much you mean to him.

Every now and then, you'll get messages from him asking where you are, only for him to show up shortly after with all kinds of stuff. Surely, you've forgotten to drink enough today, right? Don’t worry, he’ll take care of you.

You’ll also receive sweet messages from him every day. At first, he’s a bit overwhelmed with flirting properly, but eventually, he gets the hang of it and showers you with subtle love declarations.

Speaking of love declarations: when he sees you on campus, he won’t miss the chance to greet you with a hug and a kiss on the forehead. He doesn't care if others see you.

Towa

Towa is a true romantic. He understands the language of flowers like no other. So, be prepared to receive numerous flowers from him. He takes the effort to present you with a special one every day, just to emphasize how unique you are to him.

He doesn't care what people around you think. He will hug and kiss you in public whenever the mood strikes.

Towa is a good listener, and even though he's not necessarily good with words, he always knows how you feel and what you need at that moment. If it's peace, he'll leave you alone; if it’s closeness, he'll whisk you away to a quiet spot and hold you in his arms until time forces you back to reality.

Wherever you go together, he'll want to hold your hand. It’s important to him to have you by his side at all times.

Ren

Ren is more the type for subtle expressions of love. So, a keen sense of perception is needed if you don't want to starve from lack of affection in a relationship with him.

The most noticeable thing for an attentive observer is Ren's smile when he's around you. He always seems much more relaxed when you’re there, and you're probably the only person who’s ever made him laugh.

In public, he wouldn’t dare show any affection, but when you're alone, he craves your touch. Even though he'll always claim you're the one who wants it and he’s simply complying with your wishes.

He also loves playing with your hair during your evening movie nights. Not having to ask for head massages definitely has its perks.

Romeo

Usually, it's Romeo who receives affection, but even he sometimes gets overwhelmed by longing, and everyone around can see how much you mean to him — and that no one should mess with you because of that.

Romeo is possessive. It’s no different with his partner. You belong to him alone, and everyone who even thinks about getting too close to you should know that. That’s why you're probably the only person on the planet who’s allowed to touch him in public without getting punched.

He lets you sit on his lap in his office when you're talking, and he makes no effort to let you go when one of his lackeys enters the room. After all, everyone knows you belong to him.

You also don’t need to worry about not being stylish enough for Romeo. He'll make sure your wardrobe is perfectly aligned with his. Expect a complete makeover. You won't recognize yourself — in a good way.

Taiga

Regardless of his moods, Taiga is definitely a physical type. This means that he loves to show his affection through hugs and kisses of all kinds, as long as you let him. His lap is your second home.

He may not be greedy or superficial, but he has taken a liking to showering you with gifts. Though, in most cases, you’d better not know where they came from.

Depending on whether you’re okay with it, he’ll either nibble on your ear and cover your neck with kisses when you two are alone. He just loves it.

He practically lets you move into his room because, as his good luck charm, he always wants to have you near.

Ritsu

The first thing anyone who knows Ritsu even a little would notice is the fact that he doesn’t talk to you like a potential client, but actually like his girlfriend. Even though he would never, ever talk to you in a childish manner or give you pet names in public. That’s simply not his style, love or no love.

Ritsu has good manners and knows from several sources that it’s proper to take a lady out to dinner. So, he regularly dresses up and takes you to the finest restaurants Tokyo has to offer.

Since he wants to be taken seriously as a lawyer, he refrains from physical contact in public. But since he still wants people to recognize you as his love, it’s acceptable to link arms with him.

Though he seems rather stiff, he does enjoy hugging and kissing you. It should just happen in private.

Haku

Haku is an incorrigible charmer and will shower you with compliments anytime, although you often have to read between the lines of his jokes to find them. However, the longer you're together, the more serious he becomes with his compliments.

Physical closeness is something Haku finds very comforting, so he loves holding hands or walking with his arm around you.

He also won’t hesitate to kiss you passionately in public. Of course, he’ll refrain from doing so if it makes you uncomfortable.

Additionally, he regularly invites you on dates, making an effort to keep them as varied as possible. By the way, long walks are not considered actual dates for him but rather a standard activity.

Subaru

Due to his stigma and his rather reserved nature, Subaru will initially refrain from showing affection through physical closeness. Instead, he expresses his feelings in a more subtle way through many small gestures.

Even though he values having enough personal space for both of you, he places great importance on seeing or at least hearing from you every day. If you couldn’t meet during the day, he will call you at night to wish you goodnight.

Another way he shows his affection is by sharing his memories and feelings with you. Normally, he doesn't like talking about himself, but with you, it feels so natural to share his deepest thoughts that he doesn't mind at all.

Whenever there's an event he thinks you might enjoy, he’ll make sure to arrange everything so you can attend together. After all, he wants to make sure you're happy and that you experience lots of things together, helping you grow closer.

Zenji

Zenji is a master of words and will primarily express his affection verbally, especially when there are no other alternatives. This might be in the form of poems or songs that he has written exclusively for you, meant only for your ears.

He’ll also always keep you company whenever you need it. He loves staying up with you late into the night, talking about everything under the sun until you fall asleep. Seeing you so peacefully and safely in bed is the greatest gift for him.

You'll often find little hidden notes from him, wishing you a good day, asking for a smile, reciting a short poem, or revealing his feelings. You usually discover them much later because he hides them so well.

Wherever you go, he will watch over you. Even though he may no longer be able to protect you himself, he’ll make sure you’re safe.

Rui

Rui’s days of physical affection are unfortunately behind him, so he has had to find new ways to express his feelings. His first idea was to gift you a small teddy bear, which you can cuddle whenever you feel the urge to hold Rui instead.

If you’ve managed to convince him to enter a relationship, he will generally want you to have something that shows you're taken. So, he'll gift you some sort of special piece of jewelry — most likely a ring. Although Rui's the one constantly surrounded by admirers, he's the one who is deeply afraid of losing you because he believes you're too good for him.

Rui is incredibly attentive and can literally read your wishes from your eyes. If it's within his power, he’ll fulfill them. This also means he always knows how you’re feeling, as he can read you like a book. So be careful what you're thinking!

When you're out together, he gives his full attention to you alone. Even though he may use his usual charm when approached by others, especially women, he never gives you any reason to worry.

Ed

Usually, Ed is the type who craves attention and affection, but he’s also capable of expressing his own feelings.

Social conventions matter little to him, as he doesn’t see himself as part of society. So, you can expect him to show affection at any time or place — whether through hugs, kisses, or his hands wandering elsewhere on your body. That is, if you allow it.

You’re never quite sure if he actually wants to bite you, but he loves passionately kissing along your neck. The fact that he rarely breathes during this makes the situation just as eerie as it is arousing.

He regularly texts you about how much he misses you and what a cruel person you are for leaving an old man alone. After all, he always wants you by his side, no matter what you’re doing together. It’s more than clear that he finds you far more interesting than he would ever admit.

Lyca

Lyca is known for having no experience with women, let alone relationships. Therefore, he reacts quite shyly to anything you do involving physical contact, making it difficult for him to initiate gestures himself.

If you do anything that even remotely puts you in danger, he’ll call you an "idiot." He worries about you practically every second, so don’t hold it against him.

He’s trying his best to live among humans, so he observes people a lot. On campus, he watches couples and tries to pick up certain behaviors from them. Depending on the couple, this can be more or less awkward. Shy attempts to hold your hand, sharing lunch, or stroking your hair — he’s really doing his best to make things work between you.

Most of all, he shows his affection by wanting you to accompany him everywhere, especially when he’s discovering something new. You’re meant to be part of his journey toward humanity.

If you enjoy his drawings, he’ll be more than happy to paint anything you ask him to.

Yuri

Yuri is a very passionate man when it comes to his work and research. However, when it comes to dealing with women, he lacks much experience. Still, his innate enthusiasm for you is definitely in your favor.

He will gradually involve you more in his work, asking you to help him in the lab whenever possible so you can extend your already-too-short time together. He’ll even send Jiro away more often just so you two can be alone.

Whenever Yuri makes a significant discovery or feels proud of an accomplishment, he becomes filled with energy that he needs to release. He'll pick you up, spin you around, and then give you a passionate kiss before turning back to his work. Only after a few moments does he realize what just happened, as you can see from his blushing cheeks — always an adorable sight.

Despite his tight schedule, he’ll try to regularly take a night off to have dinner with you. He understands that variety is key to keeping a relationship alive.

Jiro

Jiro initially struggles to identify his feelings for you, so you'll need to be patient if you want to feel his affection.

He’s not a man of many words, so you're more likely to experience physical affection from him. Once he’s had a taste of you, he’ll want more of that sweet feeling. Why does his heart beat so fast when you touch him? Why can’t he think clearly when your hands brush his cheek? Why do his knees go weak when he feels your skin touching his own? These are all things he needs to thoroughly experiment with to understand the obvious cause.

The most beautiful thing for him is your smile. He’ll do anything to bring it out — whether through jokes, gestures, or giving you flowers. He quickly learns how to behave in ways that get the desired reaction from you.

He’ll also ask you to do ordinary things with him, such as eating or cleaning or activities that foster a deeper relationship. Very soon into your relationship, he’ll realize that everything is better with you by his side.

Colored sketch of Rui 🩵🩷

Im still never recovering from haku's flirty line, that line is stuck in my head everytime i think about him

exploding cat gif

Ed and I bond over ogling Rui. That's our contribution.

till death do us part - aka Mizuki Rui the tragic malewife