"Favorite story?"

"Must've had something to do with food."

"Of course..."

He fell silent and hesitated, opening his mouth to say something that didn't want toe out. Finally, he forced it to, as much as it made him feel like the greatest fool in the universe. Hell, maybe he was.

"Two favors Goku. Can you do that for me?" Tenpou asked hopefully.

"Sure. What's the first?" Wide eyes regarded him quizzically and Tenpou swallowed hard. Fuck it, I'm pitiful.

"Repeat after me."

"Okay."

"Ten-" Like teaching the alphabet...

"Ten-" Goku repeated.

"-chan."

"-chan. Ten-chan? Ten-chan. Ten-chan!" God, it felt good to hear that voice say that name. It hasn't even been that long, but still...it put his heart more at ease. He bid his eyes closed and pictured a smaller boy with longer hair. Clanking chains with that same diadem. "Who's that? Someone you know, Hakkai?" Goku then went to the bandages, wrapping it around Tenpou's hand once. Twice.

He choked. "Not really. He hides himself in a library all the time. I never did have the time to get to know him well."

"It's not good to lock yourself up all the time. Not healthy. I tell Sanzo that. Tell him that too."

/Dammit Tenpou, don't you know it ain't good for you to stay cooped up in here all the time? Look, the kid's just begging for attention...

Ten-chan! Let's go on a picnic, kay? You, me, Ken-niichan and Konzen. Okay Ten-chan? It's nice outside and the books can't make jokes and laugh and talk to you.

He's got a point, Tenpou./

"It's as good as told, Goku. Thank you." Tenpou examined his newly bandaged hand. At least he didn't have to look at that dreadfully short lifeline half as much anymore.

"Second?"