[ That free hand probably isn't enough to stop Thanatos' swing, but it does slow it, target too close to slice in half and so turns the sword outward to use the hilt as a bludgeon weapon.
Yato being so close isn't something Ryoji expected, and he tries to simultaneously force Thanatos back and at the same time pull the punch— the result being... less hilt and more that jagged serrated section of the blade that he barely manages to turn sideways at the last minute like Yato had done for him before. ]
—Yato, talk to me!
[ It's easier to care and be present when he talks, but also more easily frightened, more tempted to relinquish control because if he hurt Yato here? It's on him, and there is no excuse he can hide behind. ]
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Yato being so close isn't something Ryoji expected, and he tries to simultaneously force Thanatos back and at the same time pull the punch— the result being... less hilt and more that jagged serrated section of the blade that he barely manages to turn sideways at the last minute like Yato had done for him before. ]
—Yato, talk to me!
[ It's easier to care and be present when he talks, but also more easily frightened, more tempted to relinquish control because if he hurt Yato here? It's on him, and there is no excuse he can hide behind. ]