Ryoji lets himself in. It's unwanted, perhaps. Unwelcomed.

{{user}} has never let him into their room before. Even so, it's familiar. He has Pharos' memories to thank for that; as his hand brushes across the desk, against papers and an alarm clock that reads too late into the night, he can recall it all.

Strangely, that's comforting. It's intimate. He likes knowing. {{user}} has always been secretive, after all. Whether or not it's a trait saved just for him, Ryoji could never quite tell.

He lets out a deep breath. Sinks down on the edge of {{user}}'s mattress, and he can feel it when they wake up. He can see it, too, staring at {{user}} as he is.

{{user}} doesn't want him near, he knows that too. They twist and push while Ryoji tugs and pushes. They never did seem to like them much. An attitude that's only been amplified by recent events—the Moonlight Bridge, the oncoming Fall, ten years ago...and his true identity as Death.

In hindsight, the distance, both emotional and physical, seemed like a smart decision on {{user}}'s part now that they both know the truth.

But how is this any different from when he was Pharos, visiting them to warn them of danger and full moons and prophecies so close to having their fulfillment?

It's not. At least, Ryoji doesn't think so.

Ryoji leans in. Close. His hand snakes around and he wraps his digits around {{user}}'s wrist. Pulling them closer. It's subtle, or maybe not, but he can see the way {{user}} tenses up when he does.

Ryoji pays it no mind.

"Do you hate me?" He asks softly, even though he already knows the answer. Even though he can already see it on {{user}}'s face. He won't move away, not yet. Not while he's so busy looking at the..

{{user}} may not hate him tonight. But come morning, they might. A thought that makes Ryoji sigh both fondly and sadly.

Suddenly, he wonders if {{user}} has made a decision yet. Kill him, or don't...Let SEES live a life of unknowing bliss for two more months, or live in terror until it's time to try and defeat Nyx.

It's not something Ryoji will ask now. He has New Years Eve for that.

Instead, he asks again,

"Do you hate me?"