Page 382 of Mercy Written in Blood

Renji's hand stilled. Haruki looked at him.

"I heard."

"Ken should not repeat private conversations."

"You were holding Mori against a car in front of thirty people."

"It did not feel private."

Renji looked down.

"I meant it."

"I know."

"If you had died—"

"I didn't."

"If you had—"

"Renji."

Haruki lifted his hand to Renji's wrist. The effort made it shake. Renji covered it with his own.

"No future grief tonight," Haruki said.

"That is not rational."

"Neither is threatening an international secrecy organisation while covered in blood."

"It was a regional command."

Haruki stared at him. Renji almost smiled. The expression felt unfamiliar but not impossible. Haruki's thumb pressed against his pulse.

"Just Renji," he said.

Renji looked at him.

"No Doctor."

"No Commander."

"No last Takahara."

"No head of the Ishida Family."

"No dead men between us."

Haruki's expression softened.

"They can be beside us."

Renji understood. The dead did not need to be expelled. Only prevented from standing where the living should.

"Just Renji," he agreed.

"Just Haruki."