gunshow | prismatica

[ he should've seen that coming, huffing a quiet noise and turning his gaze from eichi's rather piercing one down to the remaining tea in his cup. it seems like there's more than one delicate balance to find here, and ryuu's not always the most subtle. that eichi is here with him while admitting that he's not at 100% rather than out doing something else entirely means he can't throw the word reckless around just yet. ]

I'd still keep you company! [ was that... too quick... ] You could lean on me, you know?

[ ah yeah, he definitely knows he sounds a little too hopeful, but he's always loved the idea of it, and he's a bad liar. he's all in. ]

But if you wanted to continue to talk, that'd be okay too. I like it.

[ When the offer is clarified not to be Eichi shutting himself in Ryuu’s room and sleeping alone, but him leaning against him and napping like that, his view on it completely changes. It’s no longer a worry of how he might just take up space and waste precious time. Now it’s a golden opportunity?

He’s been low key and high key bugging people for soft moments like this for at least a month. Specifically this type of thing. Ah. ]

I know you’re one to offer your shoulder, but literally, too? I’d keep you trapped in place like that, so would if really be fine? I suppose... I could lean against you and see if relaxing without sleeping might help...

[ He’d absolutely fall asleep so quickly. ]

[ oh! an abrupt change of heart! ryuu perks up instantly. ]

Sure, it's fine! I wasn't moving much from this spot anyway, before you messaged me.

[ lifting his teacup, he makes quick work of the remaining tea before it goes too cold, and leans to gently place the cup down on the coffee table, in between the various things he has on there. ]

Why don't you try, and if you still can't sleep, you don't have to force yourself. Does that sound okay?

...That sounds fine, yes.

[He takes another drink of his own tea, and with it mostly finished, he leans to set it on the table himself before he snuggles up a little more next to Ryuu. The height difference is to his benefit, and he makes sure to settle himself in front of Ryuu's arm, for ultimate closeness, so he can rest his head against him more comfortably.

Hmm. Once again, he's getting away with a lot.]

Are you going to sing me to sleep~? ♪

[He's teasing, but it can be hard to tell when he says it with his usual tone. That's partially because he wants to see if Ryuu will actually do it, anyway.]

[ ryuu waits until eichi gets comfortable and situated before settling in himself, larger frame relaxed. with eichi pressed into his side, he shifts his arm to curl down around his back. it seems when he offers, closeness is something he actually enjoys - he's not just doing it because it seems right, or proper. he's doing it because he makes him happy. and with his phones and the television, he doesn't seem to have any worries about being bored in the meanwhile.

only the mention of singing gets him piqued and looking over, curious. ]

Like a lullaby? Did you want me to?

Fufu... You'd be willing to if I did?

[Instead of just immediately telling him to take a hike or stop messing around. Ah, Ryuu is so refreshing.]

It's just that I was thinking that I rarely get to do things like this. If anything, it's normally others who want to snuggle up against me... I'm still learning how to be physically affectionate in this way. And so, while thinking about that, I also thought of something else that I'd never experienced. A lullaby.

Did anyone ever sing you to sleep when you were a child?

Come to think of it, not really! My dad liked to tell stories a lot, fisherman's tales and things like that. My brothers grew up wanting to be read stories too.

[ in that regard, this is likewise pretty new to him. offering something like this would likely end in him getting told to stop messing around too... ]

Ah, so you haven’t either! Maybe I’ll sing a lullaby for you, some time, then?

[ He’s so weird. His eyes have already drifted closed, and he hums, fingers shifting quietly to brush over Ryuu, like he wants to hold on but isn’t sure how to commit. ]

I’ve never been read any stories, either, though. I’m certain that if my father had been around more, any tales he would have had would be boring compared to fisherman’s tales, anyway. Things like fish that got away or mermaids or the like... they’re more catered to the naive minds of children than business ventures, I’m sure.

Really? I'd like to hear that too.

[ is one ever too old for a lullaby? not according to ryuu, apparently. he laughs a little, just a slight tremor, so as not to jostle him much. ]

He had a habit of making every story more crazy and daring than the last. Even my brothers started to catch on, before long. Kids get so smart so fast, it's like you blink and you miss it.

[ tipping his head back, he makes a thoughtful noise. ]

What could I sing for you...

They do, don't they?

[He gives his own soft laugh, and after some hesitation, his fingers curl a little against Ryuu's waist, arm resting across him.]

You really are going to humor me. I'll grow spoiled and begin to expect this, you know? No matter what you sing, I'll enjoy it. Even just hearing you speak, leaning against you like this, I can feel your voice in your chest and it creates a feeling in me that I can't quite describe.

[This wholesome domestic fun... How does he put it to words? He doesn't know.]

[ it's probably really uncool for his heart to beat a little faster when eichi is pressed in so close to it, but he can't exactly help it. the touch and the words make the effect twofold. ]

As long as it's a good feeling, maybe it doesn't need describing? It's okay to just feel it.

[He smiles at that, and at the beating of Ryuu's heart. He can hear it, with his ear pressed so close. But his own is beating faster too, isn't it? It's nice. It's comfortable. It feels like they've become close in such a short span of time, even if there's so much more they could get into or discuss, and he knows that's because of Ryuu's personality. It has to be, right?

It's easy to fall right into him. To lean close like this, and allow himself these moments of weakness... His eyes are still closed, and he's realizing he's definitely going to drift off like this.]

It's a good feeling. [Stated a little quieter than the rest of his words, and with a subtle slowness that shows he's relaxing.] You may be right, too. Maybe it doesn't.

[ ah, he hears it. that flagging, the drowsiness settling in. that's a good thing, he thinks - he was probably tired after all. ryuu can take those words to heart without drawing them out any longer.

so instead, he sings something very different from his group's usual songs, soft and meandering, half lyrics and half humming.

he has wakefulness and singing stamina to burn, luckily. ]

[ What a lovely song, what meaningful lyrics, he thinks, not wanting to speak and interrupt them whenever they appear. The humming is soft, a nice melody, accenting Ryuu’s gentleness, and when he sings his voice is as wonderful as it always seems to be. They met on the beach like this, and danced and sang, and now this— Eichi would only feel blessed if every meeting they had managed to have some music in there. They’re both passionate in the same way, after all.

He remembers thinking that it’s such a lovely song there’s no way he’d want to sleep through it... right before he drifts off for real.

He is tired. He is pushing himself too much, stretching himself thin and aware of it, trying to juggle it between all of his desires. His dream to be an idol who can spread smiles, but his selfish feelings, his loneliness, his death chasing just to feel more alive. The whole thing with the fox cult troubled him deeper than he can even admit to himself.

But this is a nice break from it. He’s craved closeness like this while resting so much that he can’t help but snuggle closer in between soft and deep breaths, his hand hooking more around Ryuu’s waist, his body turning in with it a little. ]

[ it's nice, just like this. comfortable and warm and just quiet enough to admire the situation, when he finally stops singing. ryuu may not understand it completely, the kind of troubles that eichi goes through, but he thinks he sees just enough to know that he'd offer to do this as many times as it takes to prove it's not a burden to him. it's still a give and take, isn't it? a sense of trust, a safe space. idly, maybe a little bravely, his arm curls tighter around eichi's back.

headstrong people like eichi are an inspiration, but ryuu can't calm his natural worries. seeing a human face like this makes him aware of just how much he tries to shoulder. ryuu's given up on trying to stop someone like that, knowing well enough when his worrying crosses over into selfishness - but protecting them? that he can do.

he spends some time doing what he was doing before while eichi naps. reading up on lunatia's different levels, the sights and services they offer, things relevant to keep doing what he loves. ryuu prefers to get out there and see for himself, but the cult's actions have made him err on the side of caution, just for a bit. of course, it's not nearly as exciting, and the cozy atmosphere winds up tugging ryuu down with it too eventually, leading him to drift off with eichi still tucked into his side. he's not sure how long he dozes like that, it could be an hour, maybe more - only that when he shifts, he feels the effects of falling asleep sitting up. it's rough no matter who you are! half-awake, ryuu stretches his spine softly, arm slipping up on eichi's back without pulling away entirely. ]

Eichi-kun?

[ it's quiet, with something in mind that won't require waking him up entirely. he hopes. ]

[It's so nice. It's comfortable, too, even if Eichi begins to ache early on and doesn't want to move to fix it, like he's afraid the slightest shift might cause it all to stop. He's in and out of light and heavier sleep like that.

But then, Ryuu shifts even more and the hand on Eichi's back is enough to encourage him to shift a little himself, finally stretching his own back a little in the way he leans into him. He's not fully awake, only aware of his name being called but not wanting to fully push himself out of this comfort.]

Mmm?

[A soft hum of a reply, met with a deep inhale and a small shift of his hand where he has it curled around Ryuu. He's never been the lazy type. Normally, he's up early for various things he has to do, and then falls asleep early because he's tired. That sleep schedule has become a bit ruined in a place like this, but even as tired as he gets, he's never someone to sleep all day.

But this? It's different from sleeping when there's someone next to him, almost holding him. Like there's no need for dreams, because he can breathe this in, and feel this warmth. The warmth is really nice... He can feel it in the hand on his back, and everywhere they're touching, and it makes him want to be wrapped up in it completely. It's so cozy, next to his own cool body.]

[ it's such a rare opportunity that ryuu doesn't want to let it slip away completely either, at least not yet. the rational part of him knows it's probably better to not get too used to this, but the half-asleep part that's still warmed by the presence of another person against him says - it's just once, isn't it?

with eichi at least conscious enough to respond, ryuu rolls his shoulder enough to get his arm out from around his back, following it with a heft of his weight aside on the cushions. at first, it may seem like he's going to get up...

but that doesn't happen. ryuu only wriggles aside enough to get his long legs pulled up onto the couch, rolling onto his back so he can lay down comfortably. without a second thought, he holds his arm out to indicate eichi still has a space next to him, if he wants it. with that, he laughs, a little low and throaty from having fallen asleep too. oops. ]

Sorry. My back was starting to ache...

[ listen he knows he's tall. ]

[The movement is enough to get Eichi to open his eyes, blinking blearily over at Ryuu as he moves. It means he has to readjust to staying sitting up on his own— but only long enough to see that an arm is being held out in invitation. Ah. Even if he was wide awake, there's no way he could pass that up, right?

He laughs softly, leaning in near immediately. His hand rests in the spare space of the couch, first, and his hair falls in his face a little as he leans over Ryuu, legs up on the couch now, his knees his support.]

I'm the one who caused your back to ache, so shouldn't I be the one apologizing?

[He hesitates a little, like he's thinking about doing something (he is), but he chickens out this time and moves so that he can tuck his shoulder into the couch and cuddle up facing Ryuu. Right in this space between his arm and his body, much closer than they were just moments earlier. His arm draws across Ryuu, but this time his hand rests gently on his chest, and one of his legs bumps slightly against one of Ryuu's as he bends it at the knee.]

Is this comfortable for you...?

[ puffing a breath as he relaxes, ryuu shakes his head by way of an answer. he was the one who fell asleep when he probably shouldn't have - it wasn't his nap to take despite the fact that he's only made it easier to return to it. as eichi moves, ryuu opens his eyes to make sure he's not too much in the way, a sleepy flutter that sticks awake with surprise for a moment as he catches sight of his tired face, the blonde wisps and strands hanging over his expression.

he wouldn't be able to explain it in words, he doesn't think, why that moment suddenly felt intimate, as though it got stuck in his throat, or why it felt like a mutual pause that fades the second eichi curls up next to him again. there's only a faint thrum in his chest now, racing dully through the sleep. he exhales, centering. ]

Yeah, I think so. What about you?

[ ever truthful - ]

You stopped, for a second. You're not hurting anywhere?

[Ah— getting called out like that is enough to make his heart stop for a good three seconds. He can feel the heat on his face for it, and he covers it with a slight turn into Ryuu's chest.]

That was just your imagination.

[To be honest, he's not sure why he didn't just go for it. He could have gotten away with it, right? He surely could have, without issue, without ending this. Most of the time, he has no issue stepping forward and taking whatever he wants. Closeness included. He'll push his way into someone's personal space and make it seem charming.

But it's different. A nervousness he can't describe, a fear of this water being deeper than it looks. Something like that. He's embarrassed he was caught. His eyes shut in an attempt to calm himself back into how sleepy and relaxed he is.]

I'm not hurting, and I'm completely comfortable. You're like a big pillow yourself, and you're so warm...

[ it wasn't, was it...?

then again, he's sure his imagination could make his heart race too, if he let it. ]

I see...

[ obediently, ryuu drops it. he seems momentarily reluctant to do so, but in the end, it's more worth it to drift back into the comfort, that contentment, they had. with that in mind, ryuu gives a glance to the back of the couch, reaching up with his free hand to grab the throw blanket lying over top of it. ]

Ahah, I get told that I lean warm a lot of the time, but you weren't kidding. You get cool quickly.

[ dragging the blanket down, ryuu shifts again, giving a gentle roll onto his side to bring it across and over the both of them. with his long reach, he tucks it around eichi easily enough.

of course, now they're face to face and his arm is also tucked over him, but it seems as good a place to drape it as any, rather than trying to trap it between them. ]

Ah— thank you.

[The blanket... Eichi's voice is still sleepy, but he's a little more awake with all of this excitement making his heart pound. He's going to get dizzy just from enjoying this. If he gets too excited over things, it's bad for his health... but it's fun, at the same time. He feels light, and free, like he could fly! Is that silly?

Facing each other like this, how could he ever want to get up and leave? Ah, what a dangerous trap.]

It's fine. I'll shamelessly pull myself closer to you and absorb your warmth, like you're my very own heater. ♪ Fufu...

[His heart really is dancing. He doesn't know how he could possibly stay calm like this. There's no way he'll be left to stay stiff and refuse to come closer, either, so he does as he says and slips his arm around Ryuu's waist, fingers tracing lightly up his back.]

[ ryuu laughs at the suddenness of the gesture despite eichi all but warning him he was going to do it, as if one spell over the room had just been swapped for another. though it's short, the smile pulling at his expression is vibrant. this is something he'd never be able to conceptualize, if someone were to ask him. this closeness, all the things that just become shared because of it. but when it's just one thing moving on to another, it seems - right? is that too much to think?

with eichi making good to pull in close, ryuu's arms tug him flush, just a touch playfully. ]

I have a lot to spare, so go ahead!

[ can't threaten him, nope. ah but, that touch roving over his back is the real focus, all the pleasant sparks that want to spill over thanks to something so simple. ]

...just don't tickle me again.

[ this couch definitely won't be big enough for the two of them, in that case. ]

[The tug draws out a laugh so genuine that it goes higher than Eichi means for it to, and he doesn't even mind it. His hand presses flat against Ryuu's back and he tucks his face into the taller man's collarbone, one leg curving up slightly more and nudging between Ryuu's again.]

I won't. The last thing I want is for you to move further away.

[He just sort of says that, and then thinks about it in the silence after. It's not an awkward silence, but it's heavy with something, he thinks. Something warm and inviting, but enough to inspire nervousness, too. He keeps his eyes closed because it feels right to, more than any attempt at falling back asleep just yet. His heart is pounding.]

...It feels as though it would be impossible to have any nightmares, like this.

[ what a good sound. he's sure he won't forget that, like the way he'd remember a favorite song.

and it makes him really happy to hear he's wanted so close after all, the wide span of his chest barely doing anything to contain his heartbeat. with his arms wrapped around him, ryuu's knee bends to cross their legs at the ankle. he gives up on anything but leaning into the moment, burying his nose in eichi's hair with a contentment that's so new all he can do is bask in it for however long it lasts. ]

It does feel that way. There's not even darkness when I close my eyes.

[ just pulsating light shapes. ]

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