Leashed | • • • | Blue Exorcist

Wounded Soldiers

Here's a chapter for you guys, sorry I haven't been been posting — I'm now unemployed and 2025 has been a dumpster fire for 2 months.

Yukio's POV:

I gasped, my body jolting upright in bed. My hands shot up to my eyes, shielding myself from the horror before me. Unfortunately, in my state, I failed to realize that the horror was inside my head, and no amount of coverage from any body part could save me from it. Swallowing past the dry knot in my throat, I let my fingers drop to the linen above my thighs, my clammy palms wiping against the fabric. I moved my blurry vision across the room.

Rin.

Shifting on the mattress, I plucked my glasses from the nightstand and pulled the covers off my body. I placed the familiar frames on my face and inched closer to my twin's bedside, his body much clearer now.

I watched his sleeping form for a few moments before sighing. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe I believed his arms would be massacred just like my nightmares, or maybe I was wondering if he was being dragged down by his own. Either way, he was sleeping soundly underneath the covers, his face toward the wall and his blankets wrapped around his shoulders. He looked comfortable, without even the slightest tremble or whimper.

My lips turned downward at my thoughts. Was I... upset about that? Upset that my own brother isn't being tormented in his sleep when the waking world must feel like a nightmare? Upset that I have these nightmares, and not him? Upset that he caused them, yet can sleep so peacefully?

I clenched my jaw, grinding my teeth in the process. Was I truly that apathetic?

Rin shifted slightly, rotating to lay on his back. He nestled into his spot before letting out a deep sigh. Huh, he must really be content. I suppose, after sleeping in a hospital for the last month or so, he'd sleep like a baby back here at the dorm.

Again, why does that piss me off?

I pursed my lips, and my nose scrunched as I contemplated my agitated emotions. There was no way I was this heartless. If anything, I should be elated. I finally got my brother back, and after everything he has been through, he is at least able to sleep peacefully. I should be overjoyed. Fuck, I got what I wanted, why am I mad? And another thing, I thought these damn nightmares would drop after Rin came back. Yet, the first night he's here, there's not a single change.

I grunted softly, pivoting in my spot and walking out of the room. I glanced around the hallway before treading quietly toward the stairs. I wasn't sure what room Shura had claimed, but I knew she'd stick close to ours. I didn't want to risk waking her, not with my current agenda.

I snuck down the stairs and into the kitchen. I paused before I reached the cabinets, listening carefully for even the slightest inclination that the building was awake. After several seconds, I let out the breath I was holding and clasped the cool metal handle of the cupboard. I squinted in the dim light of the room, trying to make out the shapes of the bottles. Previously, I'd emptied two of these bottles. Unfortunately, I'd hunted them down while living alone in this dorm so I was used to reading labels. Fortunately, however, I'd opened this cupboard enough times to remember the placement and shapes of them, as well. Reaching up, I grabbed the neck of one and pulled it to my chest before closing the door softly. Judging its weight and by the intricate indentations by the cap, I had assumed correctly on my drink of choice.

I sat the glass on the counter and unscrewed the top. Without any hesitation, I brought the tip to my lips and tilted my head back. My liquid escape was warm and inviting. I gulped down a few mouthfuls before placing the butt of the bottle on the counter with a small thud. I'd have to limit myself if I wanted to be sly about this. I was on antidepressants now, and while I'd only turned to alcohol once since starting them, I learned the hard way that the drugs made the effects of alcohol seemingly stronger. I huffed humorously as I recalled how I had stumbled up the stairs mere hours before I had to be up for academy. I was truly a lightweight before the medication, and I was thankful for the drug interactions. Less was truly more, which meant I could skate under the radar far smoother if I needed to.