Aiba balanced his chin against the back of his left hand, while the right clung to Ohno’s other shoulder. He rested his weight on the slighter man, careful not to stress his own wound. “If you stand I can’t reach you, you see,” Aiba reasoned, his breath tickling Ohno’s ear.
Ohno nodded, the warmth from Aiba’s body and the heaviness of his being anchoring Ohno to the world that was a little brighter than the one he had set foot in just minutes before. They sat there for awhile, before Aiba spoke once more.
“Show them, Oh-chan,” Aiba hummed, rocking Ohno from side to side. “Show them what you’re here for. Tell them how much you’re worth. Show them.”