"Longjian? Are you all right? It's me, Shisui."
He set the quilt aside and spoke in an exceptionally gentle voice.
Worried that his movements might startle Longjian, who could have been awake in this silent room for who knew how long, he slowly extended a hand within his line of sight, showing that he meant no harm.
Longjian Senju stared at him. After a moment, his expression gradually returned to normal, and he reached out to clasp his hand briefly.
"...Why are you here? Did he send you?"
Shisui Uchiha felt that the hand had grown even colder. Still, hearing nothing strange in Longjian Senju's words eased his mind a little.
Good. It's still manageable. Nothing too serious...
The tremendous force transmitted through his hand interrupted his thoughts.
Shisui Uchiha could not decipher what the pale violet eyes before him were trying to convey. He simply fell into Longjian's arms with the pull and found himself held in a tight embrace.
Longjian rested his chin in the hollow of Shisui's neck, his breath so close that it stirred the fine curls there. His arms tightened, holding him fiercely.
Shisui Uchiha could feel Longjian's unnaturally cold body and racing heart. The crushing grip around his own body spoke to the immense unease of the person before him.
Oh no, isn't this a serious problem? Longjian's had a breakdown!
Thinking this, Shisui Uchiha pressed his lips together and reached around to pat his back.
Hold on a little longer. I'm looking for a way. I'll find a way to get you out. Just hold on a little longer...
Shisui Uchiha's mind raced, but he could find no way out of their predicament. His spirits slowly sank, sliding toward an abyss.
Then he felt cold fingers sweep rapidly across his back, tracing the