gunshow | prismatica

[ 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. ]

[ The way Ryuu nuzzles even into his hair is what really gets Eichi, somehow. His chest feels tight, but the rest of him feels light, and he forgets to breathe for a few seconds because of it. It really doesn’t feel dark at all. He doesn’t care what time it is, or what else he’d been thinking of doing today. It was nothing important. He can keep time for this.

He hums in quiet agreement, focusing on steadying his breathing and calming his heart. Like that, he begins to drift off again, but thoughts keep stirring him back up. One makes it to his lips in a sleepy mumble. ]

Say, is it fine if I call you Ryuu-kun?

[ His thoughts had been all over before reaching that. A nickname. He’d already been assuming so much to be calling him Ryuunosuke-kun anyway, but... it feels better to ask. Even if he’s falling back and forth between sleep and some sort of embarrassed and affectionate excitement. ]

[ a chuckle, pressed into that same spot his nose draws against. ryuu smiles. ]

I don't mind. Were you thinking about something like that?

[ ryuu can wear propriety well enough when he has to, and he's far from mannerless, but sometimes, the strict things don't suit him. maybe that's just the country boy in him, the person who favors warmth and simplicity. it helps now, when his heart's going and going, and he doesn't want to open his eyes either, but letting eichi's body break its restlessness on him seems better.

it's part of his duality - knowing what effect he has without truly knowing. ]

Mm.

[He had been thinking about it. It and many other things. His fingers curl more into the back of Ryuu's shirt, and he takes a slow breath, warmth blooming in his chest. His face still feels faintly warm, Ryuu's chuckle only working to make it last. There's been so much else that he's getting to enjoy after never having done it before. He wants to give a nickname, instead of taking so long that it's too late... Instead of anything too serious.]

I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's cute, isn't it? Ryuu-kun. I thought I wanted it to feel like we're close... you know?

[ it's so warm. every brush and shift and pull closer makes him feel it that much more, and he's glad it's eichi - that all the chill is being chased out. ]

It is cute! I think I prefer feeling familiar like that, actually.

[ ryuu takes better to unfamiliar waters than most, but something like this, even in its stunning newness is enough to give him strength and keep his sensitive heart afloat. he's relaxing into the embrace, a smile written into every one of his angles. ]

I like it... thank you.

Hehe... [More giggle than anything else, and still pressed into Ryuu, he's... happy. So happy he doesn't know what to do about it.]

Thank you.

[Like this, it's easy to drift off again even with the pounding in his chest. He really was tired. Exhausted... He knew he had needed to stop like this, but it felt impossible to find the time, and even when he did, lonely thoughts threatened to swallow him up. But here, it's like an escape.

At least until he's rested more than enough, and the excitement of being in this position wakes him again. He doesn't want to give it up, though, so he barely moves at all, just lifting his head the slightest bit to try and peek at Ryuu's face and see if he's awake.]

[ he might not sleep as soundly as eichi does, but ryuu is content to lay next to him and let his thoughts fade in and out. it's such a peaceful rhythm that it's fine, whether he's quietly awake or pulled back into dozing. he's used to such precise, busy days that this feels indulgent, letting time pass as it does without a care. maybe it won't happen like this everyday, but just this once is enough to make it feel special.

fondness tugs his thoughts this way and that, like calm waves in a harbor, until he feels the shift up beneath his chin. ryuu moves his hold, knuckles drawing across eichi's back. ]

Good morning.

[ a huff. it must be well into the day, by now. he lifts his chin and untucks his face from eichi's hair, laying it back down lower so he can look him in the eye. ]

How was your nap?

[ see, he has good ideas. ]

[ H... he’s awake!! He really just stayed like that for him while he napped... Eichi’s face goes faintly pink, and feeling like he has nowhere to hide it, he doesn’t know what to do. ]

It was nice... [ A pause, and he moves the hand that’s between them to his own head. Good lord, he thought he could adjust to Ryuu being so charming, but he’s really struggling. Is this normal?? ]

I’m feeling a bit lightheaded, though. [ For reasons. He’s going to die. ] I hope it wasn’t uncomfortable for you?

[ it's not normal.

then again, ryuu can't be blamed for not wanting to move when something so precious was taking place in his arms, can he? and not like he was really awake the whole time! ]

I've been comfortable. I think I fell back asleep for a while too...

[ his heart and breathing have certainly slowed down. ]

Ah, good.

[So he was able to get more sleep, too. A lazy afternoon for the both of them, huh? And he's fine with that? Just his company, and the silence? Eichi can't help but smile, the silence stretching out as that warmth stays like a glow. His hand moves away from his own head and to Ryuu's face, instead, brushing some of his hair away from it so he can properly admire him. It's really hard to resist, when it feels like there's a pull in the air itself. His other hand smooths lower on Ryuu's back, and for the moment, he's just quiet, lost in thought.]

[ it's amazing, how such a light touch can reach so deep. his eyes flicker shut with a sigh and he leans into it. a slight, wakeful stretch of his back beneath eichi's roaming fingers has the angle of his arm readjusting around his waist, one long leg drawing upwards slightly to rub calves, the tiniest spark of motion. he hums, low and reverberating. ]

Your hands are really warm now.

[ not that he would have pulled away even if they weren't. ]

What are you thinking about?

It's all thanks to you.

[These warm hands. This nice feeling, too, that exists between them and he's sure must be mutual. There's no way it can't be, right? Right?

Even if his heart dances nervously, there's a comfort in Ryuu's presence that always makes him relax into it moments later. Confidence returns to him, even if it's half feigned, and it's a giddy sort of feeling that makes it impossible to stop smiling. Their legs brushing, Ryuu stretching and leaning at his touch— he wants more of that. He's someone who's always growing bored and doing things to combat that, but he's sure he'd never grow bored of this.]

Hmm... [Still, he draws out a thoughtful hum at the question, eyes sparkling with something mischievous as his fingers trail down the side of Ryuu's face.]

That's a secret. ♪

[ ryuu's expression smooths in surprise first, then falls as if he wasn't expecting to be spurned. it's only partly, though - there's a playfulness still in his demeanor. he may react to things genuinely, but no one said he didn't also have a defiant streak. ]

That's not very fair!

[ his laugh is quiet, more breath than anything. a pause falls over him, a brief, wondering thing that gives way to ryuu tightening his arms, seeking that flush in the end.

eichi can probably feel it now in his face, the burn settling on his cheeks beneath his fingers. ]

Then, can I tell you what I'm thinking instead?

[ it's rare for him to feel this confident, even as private as the moment is. tilting his face aside, his lips find the delicate heel of eichi's palm, a sweet touch. ]

[He holds his breath through the moment, his whole body warming at the sweet gesture. It's what he was hoping for, of course, and what he never expected he'd get. It's laughable, and there's no way Eichi would say it aloud, but this is like a fairy tale, isn't it? These sweet, tender moments between two people from the moment they meet... he thought they were only for tall tales.]

It seems like we were thinking the same thing, after all.

[He smiles a little more, eyes dropping to Ryuu's lips while he draws his fingers back along his face again, slipping into his hair. His face moves with it, closing what little distance they have.]

Though, I think you missed?

[He breathes a laugh of his own, just before he presses their lips together sweetly.]

[ it finally tips in that moment, all the heated sincerity pooled atop his heartbeat. ryuu eases into the gesture by capturing his lips like he wants to inhale the sound of his laugh and taste his smile. already, it's different than the first or even the second time, like he'd just been... waiting, to do this again, when it seemed like it would be right. he's fallen into it so deeply and quickly, but he's never been someone for half measures, when he really wants his colors to show.

ryuu's trying to subdue his breath but it's so hard when his heart's beating so fast, through the sleep haze and the meandering words and touches that made him sure he wanted to do this again. it's enough to make his chest ache pleasantly, like it's full. that's what measures him, keeping the touch of his lips exploratory.

he's still not pulling away entirely, even to speak, instead pressing the words between shallow kisses. ]

Sorry, I won't miss again.

[ it's for certain, now. he really likes this sensation. ]

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