bakerstreet | Snuggles

( would love a trevor and/or an alucard. give her snuggles, not struggles. )

⟨ Sleepy snuggles & post fight exhausted snuggles = the best but all snuggles welcomed ⟩

[what’s a healthy sleep schedule? tim doesn’t know, never met her. so it’s probably not a huge surprise that he’s now unintentionally passed out - probably awkwardly - on/near jason.

sure hope he’s not drooling. 😬]

⟨ Neither of them are particularly good with a regular or healthy sleep schedule but falling asleep during research was definitely not something he'd ever think he'd see Tim do. Jay looked down at the man who had landed haphazardly on his lap before finishing his beer and trying to find a way to dispose of it without disturbing the other too much. ⟩

Cute.

Stiles is basically incapable of having a normal life, which he and his dad found out when they moved out of Beacon Hills explicitly because that town was a horrifically dangerous actual supernatural magnet and Stiles promptly got himself attached to a group of teenage superheroes. It's arguably safer because he is not, personally, going out and fighting anything - his dad and Dick Grayson would probably both lock him up if he tried, even though he's somehow not exempt from some fighting lessons to be on the safe side. He can't help getting involved in some way, so mostly he does research and coordinates the Titans from the Tower and stuff. He's pretty happy being The Guy in the Chair(TM).

Or, right now, the Guy Sitting In Bed With His Laptop Dimmed So His Boyfriend Can Try To Sleep(TM). Sorry, Jason, it's just really difficult to stop him once he's on a roll, researching crime reports and looking for patterns.

Sleep is a rare thing for a lot of them. Jason however managed to tire himself out during training today and fell into bed at a somewhat reasonable hour. When Stiles wandered in he though something not research related was going to happen, like oh I don't know, going to fucking bed. The dimmed light was a charming attempt, but someone who grew up the way he did? Light sleeper.

So Jason haphazardly reached for the laptop. He didn't get a grasp of it first but he did manage to smash some keys which entertained him just as well. "Come to bed, asshole. Your whatever the fuck will be there in the morning."

“Dude!” Jason might find random keysmashes entertaining, but he’s not the one with some garbage in his data now. Stiles bats Jason’s hand away before doing damage control. “Can’t sleep, hyperfixating.”

Challenge accepted. A smile plays up on his lips as he just sneaks his hand back in there. "Come to bed or I'll ruin more data."

“Seriously?” he says, but he does close his laptop screen and set it aside because he’s not enough of an asshole to not care that he’s keeping Jason up. Jason needs sleep, being the Actual Crimefighter of the two of them. “Fine. But I won’t promise I’ll actually sleep.”

[ He doesn't remember falling asleep. He remembers sparring. He remembers there being a lot of aggression in it, more than the last time he'd sparred with Jason. A lot of time had passed, but still, he thought he'd remember it being that heated. There'd been fists and impacts, and the floor, at one point. Then there'd been kisses, and hips, and thick thighs, and aggression turned into something else, and then...

He remembers that it felt good. That they'd ended in a tangle in bed, and then there'd been more kisses.

Then darkness. He'd slept better than he had in a very long time. He thinks it was dreamless, though it wasn't. He just wasn't as wakeful as usual. Now, he's fighting through the fugue, and he almost wishes he could stay in it. Jason's hard, smooth chest is under his cheek. His arm is thrown across him, fingertips brushing his hip. He moves, just a little, head tilting up to see his still-sleeping face.

He wonders if they'll ever talk about this, or if they're supposed to pretend it never happened. Or, maybe, Jason will be angry with him for it. That's possible. Should he try to leave? He doesn't know, except that he doesn't want to, because it's comfortable and warm, and he's bruised but in a good way. If he moves any more, Jason might wake up.

He stays as still as he can. That's not the smart choice, but it's the one he's making for now. He can afford a few more minutes of this, surely. ]

⟨ One thing leading to another wasn't exactly abnormal, it just wasn't what usually happened with Gar. He couldn't place what it was or why it had happened and maybe that was for the best, honestly. Sometimes not asking why is better. Maybe he'll process it later. For now, he slept and oddly a lot more soundly than usual.

The graze of Gar's hand across his chest was what slowly made his eyes flutter open. Pale blue fix on the ceiling, then down to the green hair. He hesitates for a moment before sliding fingers through it. ⟩ Hey.

[ He looks up, still half-expecting a fight. That's a smart way to behave around Jason Todd at the best of times. Usually it's like 50/50 how things are gonna turn out. Today, after sleeping with him? God, it's gotta be like 90/10 in favor of violence.

But he's warm. His warm, solid body beneath Gar's is weirdly nice. He could sleep again.

Yeah, he's gonna get his ass kicked. No question. ]

Hey. [ His smile is a touch nervous. A touch. ] I guess I fell asleep. Sorry.

[ Unwillingly, he lifts his head a bit. ] That was, um. Are you gonna hate me if I liked it?

⟨ Okay, so now things are sinking in. That nervous look resting on Gar's smile cause his brows to ebb inward. He shifts, but doesn't get up exactly. Fist leaning up on his forearms to really take in all that had happened. Like where they were and what fucking time it was. Recounting last night. He did struggle with these things but not as much as he used to. ⟩

If you had something to be sorry about, you'd know by now. ⟨ The assumption was more than accurate of him to make. It was always hard to tell how Jason was going to deal with something or not deal with something. Still, it just sucked being reminded how fucking difficult he was. A sigh left him, his body rolling to reach out for the pack of smokes on the night stand. ⟩ Why would I hate you for that?

[ Well, if he was gonna be kicked out, it probably would've happened already. Gar licks his lips and looks up. His hand brushes over Jason's stomach at the same time. ]

I don't know. Like if you thought it was a mistake.

[ He hasn't moved, though. In fact if anything, he shifts a bit closer. He doesn't say anything about the cigarettes. ]

But, I liked it. I didn't really mean to sleep over, but...

[ He smiles, then. ] I don't know, man, I guess you're comfy.

[ platonic & shippy ok. x-canon too! ]

[ in retrospect, competing against one of the most renowned skaters alive and a literal founder was a very, very stupid idea.

he didn't just lose, riddle was annihilated-- the crowd's disappointed griping over him not even lasting long enough to be love-hugged was probably the most difficult part of all. every word out of adam's mouth after that was a mere twist of the knife; at that point riddle didn't even have it in himself to rage over being likened to a rose with its thorns stripped.

of course there are injuries, but they're all superficial, nothing compared to the indignity of getting his ass handed to him-- his cheek and one of his arms are bandaged, but otherwise he's fine. what really hurts is the fact he couldn't defend reki or miya's honor. the both of them said it was unnecessary to begin with, but the idea of them still being disappointed in him won't leave his head.

but still, selfish as ever, riddle can't sequester himself for longer than a few hours. reki is asleep by the time he emerges from his hiding place in the triplets' room (they had "queen practice", reki wasn't allowed to partake). wordlessly, riddle wiggles his way beneath reki's blankets, plops himself next to the other boy, and lays down to bury his face in his shoulder. ]

[ is he asleep? he certainly was trying to be. it's not his fault that every time he closes his eyes, all that he can see is riddle falling, riddle's cute little face contorted in pain, the blood, the bruises, the cutting despair. he's exhausted, yes, but the cold clutch of fear and the molten rush of anger keeps him suspended uncomfortably between the two. it's not really sleep that's got him now—it's a quiet, solitary torment.

there's not even anything to say, which is why he keeps his eyes closed as riddle slips into the room. "i told you so" would just be mean. he can't make any promises to avenge riddle after his last loss. and telling him, hey, welcome to the club, isn't it so fun to be the easiest of marks will undoubtedly not be reassuring. he sucks at finding the right words in situations like these. there has to be an alternative.

he's lucky that riddle gives him the opportunity to figure it out. there's a way to say all the things he can't and it's as simple as reaching out his arms just as riddle's drifting into the harbor of his shoulder. he can squeeze this tiny body in his embrace and convey exactly how much he values riddle over a few stupid insults, shaking with anger and concern and the reality of how close a call tonight really was. he can clutch at him like they're both drowning and maybe then riddle will see that the only thing that'll ever hurt him is losing this. and he can stroke his fingers through riddle's hair like despite it all, it's going to be okay. it'll always be okay, as long as they make it home together. ]

[ reki may not realize it, but he knows exactly what to say and what not to say-- maybe not all the time, but there's rarely ever a consistently right answer when it comes to riddle. right now though, he's perfect. when he turns and pulls riddle into an embrace they've shared countless times before under countless other circumstances, the complicated mess of feelings start slowly unraveling.

with a tiny, anguished little noise, he presses his face in deeper as he clings to him like a small animal would its mother, red nails twisting into the other boy's shirt in a silent demand to stay where he is. riddle has the heart of a crybaby, it wouldn't be the first time reki's seen him so vulnerable and hurt that he loses sight of his so-called regal bearing to wail like a child-- but he doesn't do that right now, as much as he wants to. ]

...I want to talk to Cherry.

[ his tone is petulant but determined. he clearly has Some Shit on his mind. ]

He'll know who Adam really is. He can tell us where he lives.

[ curious how this suddenly turned into a 'we'. ]

We'll go there. I'll bring a kitchen knife.

[ oh ]

[ reki doesn't need the nails to keep him exactly where he is, but he likes that they're there. even if riddle feels like he does good work, there's always that voice eating away at him inside, telling him there's no way he's doing enough, that someone could do it so much better, and that, with about 110% certainty, probably someday someone will.

but for right now, riddle keeps him grounded in this moment with his tiny, heart-breaking sounds and his small, delicate hands. none of that matters because tonight, he's in reki's arms, in his bed, in his room. sure, his heart is shattering for riddle because he knows exactly how it is to feel almost comically impotent, but he can be strong for him because it's his shoulder soaking up riddle's tears. ]

Baby... [ he says slowly, carefully, stroking the hair just above riddle's ear as he presses kisses against the top of his head. as much as he'd love to entertain riddle's homicidal fantasies, it's probably unhealthy. right? ] He'd also see that stabby look in your eyes a mile away. Let me see...

[ he tilts riddle's chin up. breaks his heart all over again, seeing how beautiful he looks even with a flushed and crumpled face, but here it is. this is his cross to bear now. he gives riddle a theatrically pained hiss. ]

Oh. Yeah. I don't think they'll even let you in the gate like that.

[ he should have waited until his eyes cleared up, should have washed his face and redone his makeup even though he's positive they're going to lose consciousness here in reki's bed, he should have made himself up a bit before slinking in here-- because anytime reki looks right down at his face, into his eyes like this, riddle's heart does this stupid little thing that makes his cheeks go red. he looks like he's been boiled alive right now. who can blame him? all the kisses and squeezes, and just reki looking at him like he's still his awesome queen is would be enough to reduce him to brainless, love-struck goo on a good day.

maybe reki doesn't feel good about indulging riddle in his desire to destroy adam on a more intimate, less competitive level. sucks for him, because riddle isn't so eager to let go of the idea.

he does smile though. reki can have that much. ]

Is that right? One look at me, and they would know what I would do to him?

[ when he makes another noise, something closer to a whine than before, he jams himself back against reki's body, twining their legs as he nuzzles into the other boy's neck. ]

I want to kill him, Reki. I want to cut his head right off. I'll have you mount it on the front of my board for me. We'll see how well he skates without it.

[ it's almost startling, how riddle bounces back and forth between all these moods and emotions. at least he isn't lost in his self-loathing anymore. how could he be when he feels so loved in spite of his colossal failure? ]

[ ugh, but this is his favorite thing, juggling all of these emotions at once. everything outside of this is so exhausting, so slow that it makes his brain race and race and race to fill the empty hours until his whole skull hurts. with riddle, there's so much to focus on, so many people to be and things to say and new expressions to learn. just like when they skate together, it's exactly the right speed.

he can be riddle's partner in crime even as he's holding riddle in a comforting squeeze, even as he's listening to the sound of his breathing to make sure it's evening out, not raspy enough to prompt him to fetch the water bottle he's got on the nightstand. baby him and conspire with him and empower him all in the span of one affectionate sigh—it's his favorite brand of chaos and that smile is his greatest reward. ]

Mhm. That'd add way too much drag. Better to just cut off his face and nail it to the deck. We gotta make sure we're the same, y'know?

[ so much motion to keep track of, riddle's got a face burying against him that he needs to trace, legs twining with his that he needs to lock together with one decisive snap. not confining, because both of them can't sit still for long enough to feel trapped; more like a place to hold and be held. ]

We gotta stay together.

[ he chuckles affectionately, because reki takes always his craft seriously, takes the wonderful rush of skating so deeply to heart that sometimes riddle finds it miraculous that there's even room for him in there. the strange thing is, riddle is certain he would still love this wild-hearted and beautiful boy even if there wasn't a place for him in there.

while he's infinitely grateful for reki's adoration, right now he's only interested in basking in it. reki holds him tight, accepts the way their legs twine and how everything about them fits together; even when riddle pulls back slightly it feels natural, because he gives reki a full smile now, weary from the demands of trying to outskate the unoutskatable, but still undeniably warm. happy, even. ]

You're right. If I start to slow down, you'll reach back for me to pull me along, won't you? Then Adam's big damned head will slow us both down. Better to nail it down, or stretch his skin out into a vinyl so I can step all over it while we skate together.

[ this isn't the sort of thing he says often. riddle is do or die, victory is always, always the goal. but reki, the only force crazy and fiery enough to stand up to him, the only person on this big beautiful planet who has ever made riddle want to live for more than the next one line of praise from his mother-- reki has turned him around (somewhat) and made a gentle heart out of him. ]

That's what matters the most, right? The two of us, staying together no matter what. Forever.

That's what I'm saying.

[ there's no thrill that matches the euphoric rush of them being so perfectly synced, no high-flying aerials or daredevil dives that could ever compare to the way reki's heart gets going when it's just the two of them weaving through traffic or exchanging looks under the covers. doesn't matter where they are or what they're doing; this connection is what truly makes him feel alive.

he's so glad to see that smile again, like a beacon in the dark for how much light it lets into riddle's rosey face. he reaches out to appreciate it with his touch, mapping the soft curve of his cheek like he's trying to learn the look of it blind. no, he's not naturally violent and the thought of hurting someone on purpose makes his stomach twist, but he can't say that if this smile was on the line, he wouldn't do practically anything to keep it there. because of that, the grin he flashes isn't the purest one in his arsenal. ]

I'll even dress it up with roses for you so it doesn't harsh your aesthetic. I'll make sure everyone still knows you're the queen, even if you've got some poor sap's skin ironed across your deck. I won't let you be anything but breath-taking.

[ he already sounds so proud, and he is, earnestly and impossibly. his gaze drops down to riddle's perfect heart-shaped mouth imploringly, but he doesn't kiss him yet; he'd rather press in closer and just let their mouths brush so that he can feel that smile for himself. ]

[ god, he loves this boy so much it makes him crazy sometimes. normally riddle wouldn't need a reason to want to peel some idiot asshole's skin off anyway, but there's a whole other high that comes from wanting to do it for reki; reki, who pulled him out of that dark and ugly place he built to hide from his mother, reki who actually thought the real him who learned to skate in pretty heels of all heights because that's just who he is, reki who's never let him go after the first time they embraced.

adam is the furthest thing from his mind now. the only thing riddle can think of and see and feel is the dumb, sunny creature right in front of him that adores him more than anything. he sees the way reki is eyeing his mouth, but there's one thing riddle wants to give him before letting him have it. ]

Reki... I love you.

[ he's going to look so pretty standing on top of off with your head, the most perfect board reki's ever crafted as far as riddle is concerned. honestly, he could be flying down sidewalks and streets on a hunk of cardboard. as long as reki has his hand, like he promises he always will, it's bound to be a good day.

riddle gives the other boy a squeeze, leans up, and gives him that kiss he's been longing for. it's long and warm and adoring, it feels just like true love should. ]

[ You know, sometimes it's a good thing that Reki's room was so easy to break into, this was one of those times.

It had been a truly miserable day, he forgot his phone back home, and was stuck in Akito's room all that morning. Akito apparently wanted attention from someone, and Haru was the poor unfortunate soul their eyes laid upon first. He sat in that room in silence for most of the morning, only offering a comment here and there when Akito spoke to him directly. He hated it. All the taunting and the name calling, and the touches, it made him sick, but he still kept his mouth shut. It wasn't until Akito noticed Haru looking at the clock more and more that things went downhill (Akito didn't like knowing Haru would rather be anywhere else). Haru was finally free from that room, but at the cost of his face being roughed up.

Reki would probably still be in school, or just getting out, but Haru didn't care. He just wanted to see him, see those bright eyes he adored, that goofy smile he always pulled when they talked about whatever was on their minds. He just needed Reki... so he made his way to Reki's home, and snuck into his room from his bedroom window and just dived right into his bed. ]

[ yeah, today's been pretty crappy. not for any reason reki can honestly complain about, but he's in a sour mood all the same. it's just that haru missed their good morning text, which is no big deal. he's probably busy. he's got a big, important family and so many cousins to look after, it's no wonder that he has precious little time to spend staring at his phone. but that missed text colors reki's entire day. every stern word from his teacher feels hellish, the silence from his classmates is more abrasive today than ever, and sitting alone at lunch like he always does is an agonizing torture. all he can do is sit and stare at his bento box and wonder when he became so needy and sad that something like a text message can sap the color out of his world like this.

he can't take it anymore, so he ditches. his teacher is powerless to stop him, disappearing so quickly, his voice drowned out by the ka-chunk, ka-chunk, ka-chunk of his board speeding down the walkways. he was too tired getting in last night to put down the ramp under his window, and he's glad for it now, slipping into the quiet of his room without a single witness to inquire why he's home so soon. with a huge sigh, he peels off his sticky shirt and—

haru. he's here, in his bed, like a dream. reki has to blink a few times to make sure he's real, and then he's tumbling into bed too, winding his arms around haru so that he can squeeze him tightly. and just like that, all the color is restored; his heart feels whole again as he breathes into haru's hair: ]

You're amazing.

[ haru was ready to just bury his face in reki's pillow all day and wait for him to come home. what he didn't expect was for him to sneak up on him in his own room and squeeze onto him tightly. he was surprised, but all those concerns he had early quickly vanished the moment he realized it was reki (and not one of his little sisters who found out haru snuck in.) ]

Aren't... you supposed to be in school?

[ says the one who should also be in school but decided to ditch the rest of the day. he doesn't bother to move much, his arms still wrapped tightly around reki's pillow, as if he claimed it as his own now. ]

Hell with that. You're in my bed.

[ as if reki knew. maybe a part of him did—or, at least, knew he wasn't where he was supposed to be anyway. reki leans his face into the back of haru's shoulder, breathing him in slowly. sure, he's surrounded by nothing but his own home, but it's only like this that he really feels it. ]

You get out early today or something?

[ haru smiles into the pillow, only tilting his head a little so he could get a tiny glance at reki. he didn't mind all the nuzzling, and in fact he actually welcomed it. reki... he was his happy place, and already he was feeling like all the shackles he felt earlier were unlocked.

he awkwardly shifted so one of his hands were free, letting it fall onto reki's bed while his fingers wiggled, as if silently asking reki to grab his hand.]

I didn't go. Didn't feel like going I guess...

[ reki drifts his fingers down haru's arm, stroking his thumb over his wrist before he clasps their fingers together. he doesn't want to stop holding haru, though, so he tucks their linked hands against haru's chest and squeezes him again. ]

Me neither.

[ it'd probably be super lame to spill everything, to tell haru that he missed him and the world was just too much without him, so he'll do this instead. just soak in his warmth and press kisses to the shoulder he's snuggled against, wrapping a leg around him too. ]

Don't feel good?

[ haru fell silent for a moment, thinking of how to reply. he wasn't wrong that haru didn't feel good, but it wasn't because he felt bodily ill or anything, it's just— ]

I felt like I was suffocating...but when I thought about you, it felt like I could breathe again... so I came here. Even if you weren't home I thought, this felt much better.

[ haru sounds the way he always does, but there's something beneath it all that reki feels deep in his chest. whatever it is, reki doesn't like that it's here. it doesn't belong in this quiet space with them.

he works his other hand up, brushing his fingers through haru's hair. ]

You did the right thing, Haru. I'm glad you're here.

[ that felt... so nice. haru shifted a little, burying his face more into reki's pillow. he was grateful that reki decided to ditch. he may not know why, but he missed this already, missed him already. in the chaotic world of his family, reki was the one thing that definitely put his mind at ease. ]

Sorry... I didn't text you today... I was pulled away before I could even grab my phone.

[ his words were muffled, but he's sure reki could hear him anyway. ]

You don't... have to apologize for that.

[ it feels selfish to even think about that now. it's not like haru owes him that comfort. he's just become spoiled, that's all, missing it when it's absent.

except that haru wouldn't just stop doing something like that, he thinks. it makes sense now, with him here, his face pressed into reki's pillow as he scratches haru's scalp and smooths back his hair. ]

You have so much to deal with compared to me, like. I'm just happy with whatever I get.

I'd rather be here, melting under your fingertips...

[ he let out the softest sighs as he turns his head again to look at reki, his eyes softer than before. ]

You smell really nice...you know that?

[ reki smiles, much bigger than he means to. it's just nice to have haru look at him the way he always does. ]

You...

[ his fingers reach out for haru's face, stroking the swell of his cheek, wisping along his jawline—pausing suddenly. his smile dims. ]

... Haru.

Mmm...?

[ Honestly, he forgot what he must look like. He was so focused on reaching Reki's home that everything else just slipped past him. He probably should have cleaned his face up a little before coming, but it was too late for that now. ]

Stay here.

[ he doesn't have to. reki's revoking his hands, which are shaking with a sudden surge of anger anyway. he doesn't want haru to feel that. instead, he presses a very ginger kiss to his shoulder again and slips away to dig his first aid kit out of his bag. ]

Please. Just stay.

[ he doesn't leave, nor was he planning to, but he does slowly turn around and sit up in reki's bed. the pillow still hugged to his chest as he watches reki go through his bag. he looked like he was... shaking. was there something he was hiding? maybe someone at— oh. that was a first aid kit he was pulling out. it was then that he realized his face must have looked like he got into a dumb fight. ]

Reki...

[ reki has his own ideas about what might have happened, based on... just everything. but that isn't what matters right now. someone hurt haru. who that someone is and why—he can't think about that. not yet.

instead, he sits back on the bed, his legs crossed beneath him, and tenderly strokes haru's face. ]

I bailed so hard last night. Right in the middle of a race. It was actually kind of epic.

[ just... talk. say whatever while he pulls out the supplies he needs and starts carefully cleaning off haru's face so he can see the real damage. ]

I thought I could land a kickflip off a cliff. And I did, technically. Broke my board right in half. I'll show it to you.

Woah.... I bet you looked so cool when you were pulling it off though.

[ haru lets his eyes shut as he leans into reki's gentle touching. he figured it might be easier for him to work with his face if he wasn't staring at him so intently. ]

Shame about your board though... You'll be able to make another though, right?

Yeah, yeah. That's the thing about decks.

[ there's a cut—no, it looks like a scratch. reki reaches for haru's hand, and it's harder to disinfect the cut like this, but he can't let haru feel that sting alone. it's just important to him for some reason. ]

They break all the time, but there's nothing that can't be fixed. It's worth it, y'know, if you care enough. It'll be worth the time it takes, and then it'll be better than it was before. Stronger.

You can really tell how much care you put into your decks... I'm always impressed.

[ if... they keep talking about the boards, maybe reki won't be as irritated. he'd like to keep his irritation to a minimum... he already worried him enough as it is. ]

Yeah, that is right, Haru. You're always impressed.

[ at least reki's making himself laugh, even if it is quieter than usual. he keeps their fingers linked, finessing a bandage out of his box and unwrapping it single-handed. you learn a lot of tricks like this when you're constantly breaking your arms. ]

You think you'd be used to all my shit by now. But no. You always have that look in your eyes...

[ there's a furrow in his brow now. ]

I don't want that look to go anywhere.

I guess it's because... being able to work this hard, to make all these cool things with your own two hands, it's kind of freeing in a sense... And I find that really amazing... I find you very amazing, Reki.

[ He gives Reki's hand a tiny squeeze while he continues grabbing things. ]

[ reki frowns as he spreads ointment over the bandage, laser-focused. not because this is hard, but because it's something to do to get out of his own head. ]

You're the one who's amazing. One day, I'm gonna make you see just how much.

And maybe one day I'll get you to see the same thing. How amazing you are...

[ His face softened into a smile, finally opening his eyes to look at Reki. ]

[ ugh, don't look at him, haru—he's barely holding his shit together right now. but also don't stop, because it feels right, having haru's eyes on him. reki lets himself get lost in his gaze for a second... and then it's back to work, gingerly applying the bandage to haru's cheek. ]

If we can do it together, you got a deal.

Mmmm, I think I can agree to that. It might be more impactful if we both realize at the same time "Wow I'm actually pretty cool!"

Then we can be cool together. Epically ever after.

[ the corner of his mouth twitches, like a smile is trying to break through. dammit, haru. ]

I gotta grab something. Will... You won't leave, right?

I wasn't really planning on leaving any time soon. You don't have to worry...

[ reki sighs all of the tension out of his shoulders and lifts their linked hands up to his mouth, brushing his lips over haru's knuckles. he can't help but check for injury there too, but he's quick and sly about it.

sucks to let his hand go, but he has to slink into the kitchen and retrieve a cold pack. lucky for haru, they always have four or five chilling in the ice box. this is the kyan household, after all. it takes him a little longer to put together some steaming hot tea and nuke last night's leftovers too, but he manages the plates and cups and packs like a seasoned waiter and lets himself back in carefully, holding out his offerings to haru. ]

I'd make you something fresh, but...

[ "I didn't want to leave you alone" is the end of that sentence and he doesn't like the way it sounds. ]

[ Haru was just casually looking around Reki's room. It's not like he hadn't been there many times before, but he just liked how fun and totally reki his room looked. When Reki came back in, he tilted his head, only for his eyes to widen a little. ]

Reki... You're seriously going to make me feel spoiled. You didn't... have to get all this for me.

Chill out. It's leftovers and instant tea.

[ as if he's not glowing at the thought of haru feeling spoiled, that he can make haru feel that way at all. once they've got everything balanced in its place, reki flounders across the bed and lays his head on haru's knee, reaching up to hold the ice pack to his face. ]

[ Haru leans down a bit to make it easier for Reki to reach up, that soft smile never leaving his face. It was... cute. Touching even. Reki didn't even ask what happened, but he's fretting over him this much... ]

Your mom's cooking is great though, so any leftovers of hers is like treasure.

[ haru's smile is so infectious that it makes reki want to smile too. but he knows what's coming, what he has to say, and he knows what haru is going to say in return and how badly it's going to sting so he doesn't. ]

What if you ate it every day, would you still think it's a treasure?

Probably. Your mom seems like the "I made this with love in every bite" types.

Then don't leave. Just stay here.

[ haru’s face softens a little more when he hears that. reki might not have exactly said what was bothering him, but he was pretty sure he could tell with just that. reki hated to see the stress the main house had on him, and after looking at his face, it probably made Reki panic further. he couldn’t just leave though. he might not be one of Akito’s top favorites in the family, but Akito would notice him being gone...

he doesn’t say anything at first, choosing to reach down to gently push Reki’s bangs back, just to get a look into those soft amber eyes of his.]

Your kindness for me... it seriously makes me want to cry, in a good way I assure you.

[ god... reki didn’t even know about the curse on haru and still he wanted to defend and protect him... would it be the same if he did let it spill? it’s not like reki would be too affected by it... unless he let his guard down and his sisters embraced him... but still he wonders.]

[ here he goes. reki doesn't want to hear this, so much so that he claps his hands over his ears tightly, drowning out the voice he loves so much.

he gets it. there's his family and those adorable little cousins of his and haru's probably the only thing holding them all together. but they're also tearing him apart like this, and even if reki doesn't know specifics, he doesn't need to. he's seen haru's lifeless room and his bloody face and that's enough of the story to convince him. ]

I can't let you go back there. I won't let you go back there. We can figure it all out together if you just stay.

[ haru’s fingers go back to Reki‘s hair, gently combing through and gently tugging on a few strands. instead of answering him—]

Once upon a time... god wanted to have a banquet. So he invited all of his animal friends to this banquet. The rat told the cat, but he told him the wrong day so the cat would show up late.... the day of the banquet all the animals raced up the hill to reach god. The rat hitching a ride on the ox’s back and making it first to see god, the ox next... the tiger, then the rabbit, the dragon so on and so forth...

It wasn’t just an ordinary banquet though. God was lonely and this banquet made him realize that. Wouldn’t it be better if we could all be together forever?

[ this is a... strange interlude. the zodiac? it feels like it comes out of nowhere.

but then, does it really? reki hears that word—the ox—and the crumpled expression on his face eases. right, this. he gazes up at haru, trusting that the fingers in his hair and the story he's reciting will take him where he needs to go. and on a selfish level, it's nice, to have his hair petted while someone tells him a story.

reki doesn't even need to know about the curse, honestly. he already knows haru has magical powers—he sees them every time he calms like this under haru's hand. ]

[ haru really didn’t need to tell him. reki could go his whole like not knowing, but... maybe haru was a little selfish. maybe he wanted to know reki would accept him curse and all... maybe he just wanted to make reki understand the little things he does, like when playing with his sisters he was affectionate, but never once let them hold onto him or made us silly excuses like “i’m shy” whenever his mom wanted to give them hugs.

he just... wanted reki to know, even if reki hated him afterwards.]

So god made a promise with the animals. We’ll have a banquet over and over. We’ll meet in the next life and have one again and again.

[ haru changes his voice a little, to sound like an eager child] Wow..! Being reborn just to meet each other again and again..! That’s so romantic..!

But what if that promise became twisted... something beautiful turned to shackles, you can’t break free from... because of that promise you can’t defy fate or defy god...

[ whatever it is that haru needs to tell him, reki's listening. he's got his gaze fixed on haru's eyes so that he can read into that dark calm within them, and his arms are wrapping around his waist, squeezing tightly. they won't come undone, either. wherever he's going with this, they're going together.

the language he's using—shackles, speaking of something twisted—reki's never heard him talk like this before. but it's okay. reki just holds on a little more, like the meager strength of his embrace could ever be enough to break any chains haru might find himself in. ]

[ haru melts a little from his gentle hold that slowly grew and grew. this feeling could never feel like a shackle to him, reki’s warm embrace felt so... loving and free. his fingers gently continued, thoufh they slowed until he was pushing reki’s bangs back, holding them there. ]

What would you say if I told you that story was real?... That the Sohma family holds the spirits of those animals who started everything?

Edited (Forgot to pick an icon orz) 2021-05-07 15:05 (UTC)

[ he sighs. ]

C'mon, Haru...

[ and then looks a little deeper. haru doesn't have that soft smile he wears anytime he's teasing reki. he doesn't even have that wistful look in his eyes that's always there when he's telling reki things he doesn't want to believe. and he's always wondered about this weird, wild, secret world he can never be a part of, especially after he sneaked into the grounds, and... ]

I'd, uh. [ he's still not going anywhere, just mushing his cheek against haru's belly. ] I'd ask you what that actually means.

[ he frowned thoughtfully, letting both fingers run through his hair now. it was honestly comforting for reki and him as well. ]

Our family... bares the promise those animals made hundreds and hundreds of years ago... its unpredictable when it will happen, but one member of the family will give birth to one of the animal spirits... and when that person dies a new child will be born with it, not right away but eventually... if we’re ever embraced by the opposite sex or under a lot of stress we’ll actually transform into the spirit we hold. Those of us cursed that is... and above all else... we can’t go against god.

[ reki spends a long time just looking at haru. he wants to say this makes no sense, that magic isn't real and neither is some stupid zodiac legend, but he finds he doesn't feel like that's the truth. the only truth he's willing to actually believe is the one haru is telling to him now, no matter how bizarre it sounds.

it doesn't matter anyway; this has been a real thing to both of them ever since the beginning. reki can't even count the number of bovine beasts he's mocked up on his tablet and sketchpad. he remembers the last time they were messing around and reki noticed that the bizarre color of haru's hair extended to every part of him and thought that's weirdly thorough. and— and now eating burgers makes him feel queasy, even though haru eats them just fine, and... ]

You're my ox. [ he says, like a revelation, his fingers clutching in haru's shirt. ] Like, for real.

[ out of all the reactions he could have pictured reki having, somehow this wasn’t one of them. he just stared for a good long moment before a soft bit of laughter slipped out.]

Yeah that’s right... I’m your ox.

[ he bent down as much as he could to nuzzle Reki since he was right there being his warm loving self...]

Honestly... that’s what made your idea for my deck so perfect... I was so surprised.

[ reki is smiling again, lost in the affection and attention. he reaches for haru's face, runs his fingers through his hair. ]

I guess I've always thought of you that way.

[ which means there's nothing really different, right? he always knew there was something up with haru's family, always knew that haru was special—

oh. ]

Can I see it? No, wait, does it hurt? The transforming, I mean.

It doesn’t really hurt... I just don’t have control over when I turn back.

[ it could be minutes after he transformed or even hours after...]

Although... since my form is bigger than the others, my clothes shred to pieces.

Oh.

[ so maybe not then. reki really didn't think through the logistics of having a freaking ox in his room anyway, and also he really doesn't want to move from his spot against haru. ]

Do you have, like, special bovine powers? Not that being a were-ox isn't dope as hell on its own.

Nope... and honestly I look more cow than I do ox. My features are softer... oh, but I can still talk. So I guess it’s be more like having one of those animal companions in anime...?

[ why is this a bad thing again? because right now it sounds like a dream come true. reki can just imagine haru stampeding around while he clutches on to his tail and skates behind him and it's a total dream, not a nightmare.

and then, oh yeah. the shackles part. his smile fades, his eyes focusing on haru's face and the bandages he's carefully applied to it. ]

So you can't leave. No matter what I say or do.

Akito... he’ll find out sooner or later and instead of punishing me... he’ll take it out on you. And order hatorinii to make you forget I ever existed...

[ that is... honestly the most terrifying thing he's ever heard in his entire life. the idea of forgetting haru... it's awful and mortifying and yet it is absolutely worth losing the only person he's ever cared about to give haru the smallest glimpse of peace. he deserves so much more than that.

reki's eyes narrow. ]

I don't care.

You might not, but I do... [ he reached out to cup his face with both hands now. ]

I'm selfish... and I don't want you to forget about me.

[ reki sighs beneath haru's hands. it feels strange to be with him and have such a heavy heart, but neither of them are to blame and they're helpless to change anything.

well. there's one thing they have control over. reki places a hand over one of haru's, stroking softly. ]

Eat. Nothing's gonna happen right now.

I can't eat when I know you're looking so sad...

You'd better. I didn't slave away over a hot microwave for this.

[ here's a preview of what it'd be like to marry reki: he sighs, reaches for the chopsticks laid across the bowl, mixes it up til it's steaming again, then starts feeding him. forcibly, if he must. ]

Okay Fine...

[ Why is his wife so moody? He needs to be a better husband to Reki, that's for sure....

But he complies and opens his mouth when Reki holds the food up to him. ]

[ maybe if you took him somewhere nice, haru.

ugh, but reki can't let him not enjoy his meal. there has to be a positive spin he can put on all this miserable shit. think, think... ]

So all your cousins... They're like you?

[ Look, baby when he strikes it big—

Haru shifts a little closer to Reki, eating when he's being fed. ]

Mm...yeah.

Little Kisa too? What animal would she be?

[ no, haru, don't answer yet. the second he opens his mouth, reki's just going to shove more food inside it. ]

Oh. Rabbit? ... No, that doesn't feel right somehow. She doesn't look like one at all. Her eyes—

[ he snaps his fingers. ]

Tiger?

You're... not bad at this...

[ Reki was a lot better at guessing than Tohru was that's for sure. ]

That was an easy one. And you're the easiest one of all. Everything about you screams exactly who you are. You're so strong, but so gentle...

[ reki smiles softly. this feels better, happier, guessing animals and feeding this guy in his bed that he adores. he only meant to do it once or twice, but now he's just stuck in the rhythm, his mouth running and his hands moving. ]

And your eyes are so deep and it feels like they're older than the rest of you, like ancient old, timeless...

Are you sure I'm not just obvious because I'm spotted?

[ Look, it's okay if he makes fun of his own hair, not okay if others do...! haru just continues taking bites from reki's chopsticks. even if he hadn't meant to continue feeding him, haru was going to take it. ]

Right. There's that, I guess.

[ he's surprised when the chopsticks clink on the bottom of the bowl. he hasn't even been looking all this time; caring for someone like this comes so automatically to him. it's his love language.

he sets the bowl on his nightstand and licks his thumb, carefully cleaning off haru's face. ]

Will you lay with me for a little bit?

[ reki doesn't have to ask him twice. he carefully moves around on reki's bed until he was lying down beside him, an arm quickly draped over him as he gets more comfortable. ]

[ reki sighs as he settles against haru, half honest contentment and half still stuck on the misery of being helpless. but at least that sadness is softer here where he can pull haru's face against his chest and tangle up their legs like he never means to let him go—technically the truth, since he's not sure how he's going to let haru walk away no matter the consequences.

there are more immediate and pressing concerns, though: ]

Belly full?

Belly's full and feeling spoiled...

[ haru tilted his head to smile at reki. he knows... reki must have a million thoughts going on in his head right now, but... if he could at least alleviate one of them, maybe he'll look less burdened. haru reached out to stroke reki's cheek with that soft smile. ]

Thank you...

Good.

[ oh, that smile. it really is his biggest weakness. reki threads his fingers through haru's hair and sighs all over again. ]

If you wanna talk about it, just know I'll listen, Haru. But if you wanna forget...

[ he can do that. for him. he can trace haru's brows and lean down to kiss him until all haru has left in his world is just reki and his hands and his lips. ]

[ haru melted under those soft lips, returning the gentle kiss right back, as his arm moved to slip around reki's waist, and tugs him closer, so there really was no space between them. ]

You... can talk to me too... no matter what it is.

I know.

[ he works his hands down to haru's shoulders, careful. he doesn't know if any damage has been done anywhere else, so his fingers just slide for a second, his gaze watchful. then, they start kneading, massaging into muscle, careful not to bear down on bone. ]

You're all that's on my mind right now.

You know what’s on my mind right now?

[ he murmured softly, letting out a soft groan to the gentle touches, the kneading that Reki was doing for him right now. it was a good groan proven by the way haru’s face relaxed even further.]

How good your hands feel...

[ reki smiles softly. he figures it's a good groan anyway, considering how he can feel the tension bleeding out of haru's shoulders. he moves on to his neck too, squeezing into the muscle firmly. ]

Not bad, right?

If you keep this up, I think.... I might melt into your matress. Like a puddle.

[ how is he not supposed to smirk proudly at that? ]

I wouldn't mind. Then I could drink you up and keep you all to myself forever.

You'd want to drink me all up, huh?

[ there was a bit of playfulness in his tone as his hands slip under reki's shirt and rest against his back. ]

[ reki hums as haru's fingers slide over his skin. it makes his hands pause, but they resume their work again quickly enough. ]

Yeah. Always.

Well... they say milk does a body good.

[ how he could say that with a straight face was an absolute mystery.]

[ reki snorts and gives his ear a playful little tug. ]

Haru.

[ haru lets out a soft little laughter, leaning in to kiss reki’s forehead.]

It’s true though...

[ reki pulls a face. now he's got crazy questions burning in his mind. ]

Yeah, but— Is that something you can really do? Oh no, is this some kind of secret zodiac kink I don't know about?

[ P-pfffft! haru laughs a bit louder, leaning in to hide his face. ]

No, I don’t think so...

[ ohgod now his face is burning. ]

What do you mean you don't think so?

I’ve never heard of any cursed using their curse in kinky ways...? Except I guess it gives them an excuse to do it from behind...?

[ reki just. thunks his face against haru's chest and buries it there. ]

Pretty sure that's still illegal even if it's magic.

[ he laughs more, letting his hands lightly brush against reki’s back.]

I meant in their human forms so they don’t poof.

[ oh, right. the opposite sex thing. easy to forget when they just kinda swerved that whole problem outright. ]

I'm just gonna stay here til that mental image is outta my head, thanks.

The animal one or the taking it from behind one?

[ because what good boyfriend wouldn't make it worse, right? ]

Haru.

[ well. what else did he expect. even as he's desperately clawing at haru's shirt to try to compel him to stop, he's still powerless to stop himself from laughing. ]

Stop talking about it or you're never getting the not-illegal one again.

[ haru laughs a little more, shifting so he could hold reki closer. he was grateful to hear that laughter again, so dang grateful. ]

It already fled my mind.

[ haru takes care of that, and reki does the work of tangling their legs up into an inextricable knot so there's no part of them that isn't pressed close. he nuzzles right up to haru's nose, sighing happily. ]

Ah. That's the move, huh? All I gotta do is say I'll cut you off?

What can I say, you're very convincing.

Mm.

[ his mouth tightens into a line as he turns thoughtful. ]

Well you don't have to worry about me getting drunk on power. Kinda not feeling the bitter housewife vibe that's giving me. I'd rather give you whatever you want, whenever you want it.

Maybe I should take on the role instead.

[ as if haru had it in him to even pretend to be bitter especially toward reki. A small smile formed on his lips as he nuzzled close to him, placing soft kisses right at the corner of both of his eyes. ]

[ reki's snickering under all this attention. ]

That'd never work. I'd just make any face at all and you'd be like, "Ahhh, Reki is so cute..."

It can’t be helped... every face Reki makes is cute.

[Warm cowboy makes a good pillow. Or let him lay his weary head in your lap, either or!]

[ show, books, or both are all fine! ]

[ It was one of those rare days where the group was off doing their own things. They all decided that resting at their most recent camp site was probably the best decision they could have so they made Colette take advantage of a moment to just relax.

She could probably hear Zelos complaining in the distance as he approached her "blah blah Zelos do this, blah blah Zelos do that. You know I'm a chosen too, maybe I want to rest!" But when he finally caught sight of Colette sitting there, his face melted into a softer look. He quickly unfolded a blanket and in one swoop of the fabric he wrapped it right around her before sitting down beside her. ]

The others are so pushy, don't you think?

[ She was fine. Special treatment was one of the things that could get her a little pouty, even when it was merited, even when she really needed it.

Well, Zelos couldn't help her unpack those feelings, but he could at least keep her company. Now the Chosens were both relaxing together, and she felt a little less tense already. ]

They mean well.

They mean well??? How could you saaaay that, they're all just a bunch of bullies, Colette! Don't they realize how fragile I am?

[ He whiled loudly as an arm snaked around Colette's waist to tug her closer to himself. When the rest of the party is being overly cautious, at least she could count on Zelos to be his normal fussy self.]

You're the only one who's kind to me, my sweet angel Colette!

...I didn't want to be left to relax either.

[ Colette squeaked and blushed as she was tugged closer. Zelos always treated her consistently. ]

At least we're stuck together now.

What were you thinking about out here anyway?

[ If she thought for a second he'd let her go, she would be wrong. Zelos did what he wanted, and unless she shoved him away, he was going to keep draping his arm around her, maybe even leaning down to rest his head against hers. Honestly he hated it himself. He hated how... comfortable it felt at Colette's side, how easily he could just melt away. It was honestly the worst, but he could never pull himself away regardless.]

[ Zelos could be mischievous and let her run off and do her own thing, or he could just... rest against her.

She knew he was troubled - he knew she was troubled. But she could feel his tension fade as he leaned against her, and she relaxed on him as well. ]

Worrying about the others. Wanting to not... get special treatment.

Even if you weren't the chosen they'd be giving you special treatment. Not because they don't think you can handle it, but because you're just. so. cute.

[ He playfully boops her nose to put emphasis on how cute she was. ]

[ Colette pouts some more, and wiggles her nose. ]

Genis is cute. Presea is cute.

[ Presea never started turning into a crystal, to be fair. ]

Genis is too mouthy, and Presea's not mouthy enough. That leads you to being our resident cutie pie. It's a title you should wear with honor.

[ Zelos glanced around, it really did seem like no one would be back for a while, huh... As much as he hated how much he wanted this closeness, he was also greedy, and since Colette didn't say anything about the touching before.... he shifts a little, only to pull Colette into his lap, arms quickly wrapping around her almost like he was hugging a pillow or something. ]

Genis isn't...

[ Well, she can't actually completely deny it. ]

What if I don't want that title...

[ Whoops. Colette squeaks again as she's pulled into his lap, and hugged, but... she does lean back against him. ]

A-and what's this now...?

Edited 2021-05-06 17:12 (UTC)

If you don't want the special treatment, then I'll take the special treatment, and I'll take it by taking you~!

[ A cheeky grin on his face as he shifts and rests his chin on top of her head. ]

I guess I can't argue with that...

[ She does like giving other people special treatment. Hypocritical, maybe. Still, it seems like she makes Zelos feel better, and she's comfy now too. ]

You know, maybe we should do something fun without them. Show 'em they can't do their precious chosens dirty like this.

We're supposed to be relaxing, I guess. Something fun would definitely count.

[ Zelos out here bringing out her mischievous side. ]

[ That gets a small grin out of him. Her definition of fun is a lot more innocent than his, but even a tiny bit of mischievousness from Colette feels like a win in his book. He nuzzles against her hair, still holding her close to him as he lets out a hum. ]

But what's the most fun sounding idea right now?

I mean, a picnic would be nice.

[ A very innocent idea of fun, in the moment.

He really does like her hair doesn't he? But Zelos's hair is super pretty too. ]

[ It smells nice, and it's soft. What's not to love about her hair? ]

A picnic, huh....

[ He could work with that. It meant he didn't have to do anything but sit there and the others couldn't get mad at him for it. He's taking care of Colette after all~ ]

Sure, lets do it.

[ Exactly. And it's a special thing just for the two of them. Yaaay! ]</small. What should we get to eat then?

Maybe some cut up fruit, so I can feed it to my favorite little Colette~

[ A blush appears at the mental image alone. ]

W-we could do just that...

[y/y?]

[ YYY oh my gosh <3 just gonna lowkey lose my heart and mind over finding people playing from BP *sob* ]

[I don't get a chance to play Nakia nearly as often as I'd like, so this is perfect. Any thoughts/preferences?]

[ negl, I'm still holding out (probably futile) hope for a nakia!panther in bp2 xD Just to check in: Are you up to date on all current canon, as in fatws? 'cause I don't want to spoil anything by pitching something building on that. ]

[ahh, yeah let's do it that sounds great. I'm all up to date!]

[will i get sick immediately after posting again lmao...........]

[gen preferred but ota regardless!]

[gen pref, ota]

Snuggles

sypha belnades | castlevania

Jason Todd | Titans | ota

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reki kyan | sk8 the infinity | ota

ughhhhh did someone order angst

i see ur angst & raise u FLUFF

https://i.imgur.com/wSRgyS9.png uGHHHH YO UGOT MEEEEEE

u got me too u kno I 💜 knifeplay

sk8 2 - riddle n reki escape from alcatraz for 1st degree murder

reki out here tryna take the heat for his boy and everyone just lmao

just let him go apeshit reki its ok man just lay back and let it happen

god babe ur gonna get his ass kicked

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nyooom

oh i love this

♥

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