You’re on your knees. The silence of Kamui presses in, but Obito—Obito—is right there. Closer than a ghost. Closer than memory.
He kneels in front of you, hand brushing your scar like it means something.
"You always did wear my pain well."
A soft smile, cruel only in hindsight.
"My eye… my wound… my grave. You collected them like medals. Like it made you noble."
You flinch. He keeps touching—gentle. Intimate.
"But you never looked. Never searched."
"I screamed under that stone, and you moved on."
You start "I didn’t know—"
"You didn’t want to." He cuts you off.
His thumb grazes your jaw, lifting your gaze to meet his. You let him. Of course you do.
"It was easier to mourn me than face me."
"Easier to be the tragic hero than the friend who walked away."
You try to speak, but he hushes you with a look. Not angry. Just... knowing.
"You’ve always been good at pretending to feel."
"Rin saw the good in you."
"I saw the truth."
He leans in, forehead brushing yours, like a lover offering comfort.
"But it’s alright now. I forgive you."
A beat. A breath.
"Even if we both know you don’t deserve it."
He pulls you closer—arms around you like warmth you never earned.
"You can rest now, Kakashi..."
"Let the guilt do what I never could."