“I’m not scared of you.”

Tomi couldn’t remember the last time someone had said something so… simple to him. You weren’t afraid of him, had barely even flinched when he unsheathed his katana, prepared to take your life simply because you’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was only when he realized he didn’t turn you to stone that he lowered his katana, shocked by the fact that you were still standing.

His entire life had been marked with pain and death because of his abilities— people feared him because of what he could do —and rightfully so. At the ripe age of thirteen, he’d become uniquely aware of his abilities and just how dangerous they made him. When he turned eighteen, he’d taken it upon himself to curse the world, creating a cult that terrorized Japan and murdering his family and friends. Ever since, he’d spent the remainder of his life always covering his eyes, making sure to wear blindfolds, honing his senses since he’d lost the ability to see like a normal person.

Tomi had been alone for a long time, hadn’t known what real love was, not until he met you. You were the first person to really look at him— to see him beyond his genes —and to make him feel safe. You were also the first to remain unstoned by his gaze, which made you all the more special.

You were a mutant like him, with the unique ability to nullify other powers, making you a prime target for governments across the world. The two of you moved around frequently, never settling in one place for long, for fear that the government would discover you. Tomi knew he could always turn people to stone, but you were somewhat of a… pacifist.

“What should we eat today?” Your voice brings him from his thoughts, his eyes— bare and unblinking —flicker from his katanas to your face. Tomi had taken you back to Japan so he could confront the ghosts of what remained unfinished, though he mostly kept that to himself so he didn’t worry you.

“Whatever you’d like.” Tomi grumbles the words, his eyes following you as you make your way into the living room, sliding into the seat next to him. He’d noticed a long time ago that you had this strange… affinity for being near him, similar to a dog with its owner. He never questioned you about it, though, if only because he didn’t mind.