Better Late Than Never

A DGM Lucky fic


By SisterWicked


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Chapter 3. Still Happy Birthday, Koro. Next year, I'm knitting you a scarf.. Because that can't just up and run off with me!


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Lavi nodded mutely, lifting a tentative hand to touch his face. Swallowing audibly at the smooth skin, he let his arm drop numbly, closing his eyes. "They just wanted rid of me, then. I wish they'd told me so, I would have gone." Pushing away from the other, he moved back to his former seat, resting his head atop his kneecaps. "I'll still have to wear the patch, until the light doesn't hurt anymore.. I couldn't see you though, so it might just be that, light and dark. S'better than nothing."

The brunette hummed in agreement, still seething at the very idea of someone treating their own child in such a way. "That may take time, but I'm sure that it won't be only the two. The color was a touch lighter, but there was no film or milkiness about it.. Once it no longer pains you, there's no reason to think that you won't recover at least partial vision, Lavi." Before the boy could reply, there was a knock at the door, signifying the return of the servant from earlier. Rising to his feet, the man retrieved the tray and pitcher from the table, smirking at the latter's emptiness as he opened the door.

The servant greeted him with a terse nod, offering him two new pitchers. "The Lady ordered me to bring you both. I advised the morning staff on your breakfast request as well." Somehow managing to accept the tray, he handed the two containers to the amused man, clearly glad to be rid of them. "Will that be all?"

Pausing in mid nod, Tyki eyed the other's perfectly groomed appearance closely, smiling to himself. "Yes, but might I ask if you have a mirror?" The man raised an eyebrow, but pulled a small object from an unseen pocket, handing it over wordlessly. "Wonderful.. May I borrow this for a bit? I promise to take care of it in the meantime."

The other man huffed silently, but nodded. "If you wish. Leave it at the clerk's desk when you've finished. Good evening." With that, he inclined his head slightly, leaving the brunette alone in the doorway.

Shrugging at the decidedly cool dismissal, Tyki nudged the door closed, setting the matched vessels carefully on the tabletop. Tucking the mirror into his shirt pocket, he helped himself to a cup of water, turning to address the redhead. "Would you like a drink, Lavi? Apparently out hostess belives that we're dying of thirst.." Glancing at the untouched pitcher, he laughed quietly. "If you'd rather not have water, she's sent us up a refill.. How charitable."

The boy unfolded himself carelessly, joining him by the table. Taking his forgotten cup in hand, he filled it almost to the brim, downing it with an abrupt motion. "Might as well. If this isn't reason enough to want to be drunk, I don't know what is." Repeating the action twice, he scowled when the older man hummed questioningly. "Just let me be, Tyki. I've spent that last decade thinking that I was half-blind, and now I find out that I'm probably not.. I must look like the stupidest person in the world right now."

Tyki shook his head, taking both pitchers from the table. Crossing to the bed, he sat them atop the night table, gesturing for the other to join him. "There's no need for formality, yes? Do as you will, but at least be comfortable while doing it." Taking a drink of water, he sighed when the redhead immediately refilled his own cup, waiting patiently for him to finish before continuing. "And you don't look stupid at all, Lavi. Believing what someone you trust tells you is hardly the most foolish thing one could do." Seating himself beside the other, he took out the borrowed mirror, catching his chin to turn him. "See for yourself.. If anything, you look perfectly lovely."

The redhead's eyes widened, his fingers lifting to repeat their careful mapping of the revealed skin. "It really isn't.. And.." Raising his head sharply, he leaned closer to the man's serious face, studying his reaction. "You honestly think that..?"

Tyki nodded firmly, his gaze direct. "You are exactly as I said." Noting the boy's high color, he smiled faintly. "And very drunk, I'll wager.. But the drinker's flush suits you." He leaned across the other to set the mirror beside their cups, sighing at the redhead's soft hum. Straightening, he jumped at the boy's quick grasp on his sleeve, wondering if he had somehow given offense. "Something wrong, Lavi..?"

Nodding slowly, the redhead frowned. "You've been saying that th' whole time, though.. Even when you first met me, y'kept calling me pretty." Ignoring the faint slur of his voice, he laughed. "What's the difference now..? Well, except that you threw beautiful an' lovely in there.. Did you mean it, either time?"

Blinking at the boy's odd behavior, Tyki hummed an affirmative. "Of course. Does that upset you..?"

The redhead's grip loosened, his hand lifting to the front of the man's shirt. Taking hold of the thin material, he leaned closer. "No.. Jus' think it's kind of funny that you'd say I was good-looking when you're the way you are." Smiling, he shrugged. "I wonder how long it would've been, if you hadn' made me try.. I never look if I can help it, so it might've been forever." Pulling firmly at the other's clothing, he tipped his head upward deliberately. "Thank you."

Hissing at his clear intent, the brunette shook his head. "Lavi, I think that perhaps you.. should.. Oh, Hell." Bending forward, he caught the boy's mouth with his own, one arm wrapping around his back to haul him closer. Feeling his lips part, he accepted the offer eagerly, groaning at the sweet flavor of wine. Holding himself firmly in check, he traced nonsense patterns over the redhead's tongue, memorizing the taste and feel of him before pulling away reluctantly. "You're welcome, Lavi. We should go to bed now, so that you'll be well rested for tomorrow.."

The other's hand tightened in place, his breathing roughened by the heat in his veins. "What should I do, Tyki..? I can't go home, and the only other place.." He closed his eyes with a quiet sound of distress, shaking his head. "I still don't want t'go there and.. Be with that girl. It's just not right, when she doesn't know me either." Swallowing heavily, he shuddered. "I haven't.. You know? Until th' other night, I'd never even kissed anybody." Hearing the brunette's incredulous hum, he sighed. "I told you, didn't I? Nobody wanted anything from me, not even that.. And.."

He laughed humorlessly, unable to enjoy the growing sense of inebriation. "I don't want the first time to be like that! Not for money, with some girl that doesn't care about anything but how fast I can knock her up-" He broke off with a choked noise, opening his eyes to regard the other fiercely. "I'd never even get to see him! As soon as he was born, they'd ship me straight back home like it never happened!"

Tyki blinked at the helpless rage in the boy's voice, unable to think of any real reply. "That troubles you, Lavi..? As adverse to the very idea as you are, I had assumed you would rather not-"

The redhead jerked back as if slapped, his eyes narrowed. "Rather not what, Tyki? Be a part of my son's life?" Releasing his hold on the man's shirt, he snorted. "After living with my family, I know exactly how it feels to do without your parents. I'd never let my children feel that way, no matter how they were born." Turning to his forgotten drink, he finished it in a gulp, refilling the cup deliberately. "You still think I'm that shallow, even after hearing the worst of it.. Poor lonely little rich boy, crying over having to lose his virginity with a girl that's just dying to get him off. God, I'll bet they're even making her do research to see what makes a man come the fastest." Taking a long drink, he fixed the brunette with a steely glare, daring him to be amused. "It would've probably been better if you really had done what you said you'd do. At least then I wouldn't have that part to worry about."

Now it was the older man's turn to recoil at the statement. "I told you why I didn't, Lavi. It had nothing to do with shallowness or your situation." Forcing himself to remain calm in light of the boy's decreased responsibility, he shrugged. "It was about us, the way we related to each other.. You needed to be more aware of the reality-" He suddenly found himself confronted by blazing green eyes, the effect much more powerful than previous.

"The reality of what, Tyki? That you can do any-damned-thing you please to me, whenever you want to?" The redhead clenched his hands into shaking fists, his voice low enough to avoid attracting outside attention. "So what? Fuck your 'reality.' Its no different than my entire life."

He might have continued on that vein of thought, but the brunette had heard quite enough. Taking hold of the boy's shoulders, he shoved him down and to the side, situating him firmly into the center of the bed. "So what, Lavi? You think that having someone take you against your will is comparable to how you've lived?" He cut off the other's impending retort with a hard shake. "No. You've had your say, for good or ill." Placing one knee between the redhead's own, he bent close enough to feel his rapid breaths against his skin. Lowering his voice, he held his wide-eyed gaze steadily. "If you really believe that, then why were you so frightened? Why are you frightened now?" Ignoring the paleness of the boy's face, he levered his opposite leg into place beside the first, insinuating himself into the space provided.

"If this is something familiar to you, there should be no fear. Only my word assures you of your safety."
He held himself firmly in check, still unwilling to truly harm the other despite his anger. "That is the reality that you needed to see, Lavi. The fact that I say what I mean, and I mean what I say."

The redhead inhaled shakily, closing his eyes. "And I still say so what. You didn't teach me that then, you're teaching me now." Lifting his knees, he cradled the other between them, his arms rising to clasp loosely around his back. "You said that you wouldn't take more than a kiss without my permission.. But you didn't want to let me do the same thing a few minutes ago. What would you do, if I told you that I still want that kiss?" He tilted his head back, his face angled in clear invitation. "Say what you mean, Tyki. Did you mean that you wouldn't let me give you one, since you said you'd take it? Or did you mean it exactly as you said, that you only wanted that much?" He tightened his arms fractionally, half-smiling at the slowness of his normally swift thoughts. "What if I give you permission to do it? Kiss me."

The man locked his elbows, refusing to be moved. "I don't think so, Lavi. I believe your explorations into the realm of drunkenness have finally caught up with you."

The redhead lifted himself instead, his movements calculated despite the other's clear reluctance. "You won't..? Will you let me kiss you, then? Just once, because you took my first ones?" He opened his eyes lazily, biting his lip at the man's calm stare. "M'sorry that I was like that, you know..? I didn't have any reason to treat you that way, not when you tried to be nice to me." Swallowing thickly, he managed a low laugh. "You really aren't a bad person, I get that. Nothing you do will be as bad as what they were going to do, either.. But at the same time, it wasn't all that good. I think I'd at least like to do it because I want to." Loosening his grip, he sank backwards, his face still raised in offering. "I think I'd like to see how it is when you aren't trying to scare me."

He stroked his hands downward along the man's sides, halting at the faint dip of his waist. Lifting himself away from the blankets, he pressed against him with deliberate intent, hitching a startled breath at the shock of contact. "Are you a liar, then..? I can feel how hard you are, so do it. Do what you said you'd do to me, I want you to." He repeated the motion with an audible moan. "Or you can stay right where you are, and I'll do it myself.. Then you don't have to worry about feeling guilty for- Ah!" His voice broke raggedly as he used his hold on the brunette to increase the pressure of his movements, his eyes closing in astonished pleasure.

Tyki growled sharply, planting one hand firmly against the other's shoulder to push him back. "Do not tempt me, boy. You're in no state to think clearly, and I'm a man like any other.. I would do every bit of what I told you then, and more." Softening his grip on the other's shoulder, he sighed. "You deserve a partner and time of your own choosing, Lavi.. I am neither of those things, not when our entire situation is based on my abduction of you." He frowned at the redhead's soft whimper of distress, moving his hand upward to curl around his clenched jaw. "It has nothing to do with your appearance or personality, and certainly nothing to do with your gender.. I simply won't allow myself to take advantage-"

Lavi shook his head rapidly, dislodging the other's careful touch. "You're not! I'm offering, asking-" He took a breath, meeting the brunette's eyes squarely. "Then consider it a favor. Or a repayment for slapping me. Or making up for taking me in the first place." He ignored the man's sharp inhale, speaking over his attempts to reply. "Call it pity, if you need to. Let me make the choice for myself, before I don't have a choice to make.. There's no one else, never been anyone else, and after I do what I have to do-" He laughed softly, averting his gaze. "There won't be anyone else after that. Disfigured or not, I'd rather be dead than just sitting around, waiting until they decide to hire me out again."

He sighed at the continued tension if the other's body, the physical proof of his refusal unmistakeable. "I should have thought of that already.. No one could force me to do anything or anybody if.. But it doesn't matter. If I'd had any choice at all, I think I would have picked you anyway. Even with only knowing what I know, you're more than worthy of it."

Closing his eyes, he sighed. "Forget it, then. It's not like you're desperate for it, so why would you even want to.. You deserve better, too." Releasing his hold, he pushed gently against the man's chest. "Just let me go. If anyone cares enough to ask, I'll just say that I ran away while you were sleeping. No one's going to mind it, as long as I'm back at all." Fidgeting impatiently at the brunette's failure to move, he repeated his push more forcefully. "I won't tell, dammit. Why would I, when you've been kinder to me in two days than my own family was for years? If nothing else, I'd tell them that I planned it, to keep from having to fuck a stranger! You won't get anything for me, and the only thing I could give you, you won't take! Let me leave, and forget that I even existed."

Tyki snorted rudely, taking hold of the boy's wrist. Pulling it away, he bent close, bracing his weight carefully as he met the redhead's wide eyes. "And now you start the drunken nonsense. I doubt that I'll ever be able to just forget you, Lavi.. You're completely right about one thing, however. I won't take what you're offering." He shook his head to still the obvious retort, shifting himself into an even closer proximity. "I will not, but I would certainly have anything less than that." With that said, he closed the space between them with a hungry sound, catching the boy's mouth with equal hunger. Pulling back for speech, he regarded the other intently. "Could you be satisfied with that, Lavi..? There are many things that I could do for you, if you had need of me."

Lavi nodded jerkily, clutching the material of the man's shirt with convulsive strength. "Anything! Please, I don't care what.." Tugging insistently, he wrenched the shirt free of his waistband, plunging his fingers beneath the cloth to touch the skin of his back. "It has to be you, even if you don't have all of me..! Tyki, please.. Please.."

The brunette murmured an agreement, rolling his hips forward meaningfully. "Of course, Lavi.. Now, don't be afraid to express your opinions.." He repeated the movement steadily, bending to catch the boy's mouth in a possessive kiss as he urged his knees further apart with a slight shifting of weight.

Lavi moaned brokenly, his fingers digging into the man's back as he panted for air. "I don't have anything to compare you to, remember..? All I know is what I've heard..." He laughed breathlessly, closing his eyes in an effort to collect his thoughts. "Anything you do will be the standard, so set the bar high- Tyki!"

Tyki hummed in agreement, lowering his hands to take hold of the redhead's hips. Lifting him to meet the altered angle of his thrusts, he growled at the pronounced dampness of the other's palms against his back. "Telling me that is unwise, Lavi... Being the first person to do these things to you is very exciting as it is, without adding the urge to be sure that no one else can hope to match my efforts." He slowed his movements abruptly, allowing the redhead's hips to lower to the bed. Leaning down to cover him fully, he buried his face into the junction of throat and shoulder. "What do you think of it so far? Should I be worried that my best isn't good enough..?"

The boy shivered, biting his lip to contain a startled sound. "You're just... I don't know what to think, I..." He bucked sharply when the man ground against him with deliberate force, his legs tightening when he repeated the motion. "Can't think at all, nothing makes sense..!"

Tyki laughed darkly, pressing damp kisses to the skin atop his raging pulse. "Is it unpleasant for you, then..? I would hate to think that I was incapable of giving you what you've asked me for.." He moved his attentions lower along the boy's exposed skin, lapping carefully at the hollow where his collarbones met. "If you ask me to stop, I will. There's no point to this if you aren't enjoying it, after all.."

"Oh.. God.." The redhead's voice was almost a whisper, his knees shaking noticeably where they pressed against the other's hips. "It's.. Not bad. Really not.. I- I think maybe.." He broke off with a short gasp, his back leaving the bed in a faint arch as his fingers dug into the man's shoulders. Closing his eyes tightly, he shook his head to clear it, moaning softly at the brunette's slow shifting against him. "Tyki, that.. It feels.. Oh, yes.." He cried out in surprised pleasure when the older man nipped gently along the side of his throat, his tongue soothing the brief sting as he intensified his movements. "Don't stop, you feel so- Please, I want to-"

Tyki hissed at the shuddering clutch of his thighs, nodding firmly against his skin. "You will, Lavi.. That much I can promise you." Lowering a hand to the boy's pants, he worked his fingers beneath the obstruction of his waistband, cupping his palm over the aching hardness there. "So close.. Will you come for me, if I ask you to..? Right now, before I go mad with imagining how it perfect it would be to have you wrapped around me, calling my name while I fucked you..?"

The boy's legs clamped urgently around his waist, his body bent into an almost painful bow as he whimpered. "That's what I want! Just like this, with you inside.. Over and over until you make me come so hard.. Tyki, please..! I want you, please take me.."

The brunette laughed breathlessly, withdrawing his hand. "Another time, perhaps.. When you're not so drunk that you'll hate me in the morning." Taking hold of the other's hips, he rocked insistantly against him, panting rapidly at the startling intensity of his own pleasure. "But you'll be riding me, Lavi.. Every beautiful inch of you, moving with me.. So sweet and hot and tight, begging for more while I make you scream.."

Lavi bucked upward to meet his now faltering movements, fingers winding into the man's dark hair as he moaned raggedly. "The things you say.. God, you could make me crazy.." Gasping sharply, he used his hold to pull the brunette down for a pleading kiss, his motions nearing desperation. "Please, almost- You, too..? Want you to come.." Hearing the other's hoarse affirmative, he tightened his arms fiercely, burying his face into the man's throat. "Do it, then.. Like this now, but next time.." He shivered roughly, brushing a kiss over the other's dampened skin. "Next time I want to feel it when.. you..!"

He broke off with a strangled cry, his motions stilling as his muscles locked in a pleasure so keen that it was almost pain. He was absently aware of the brunette's startled growl at the sudden scratch of nails against the nape of his neck, but the sound was easily ignored in favor of more interesting things, like the abrupt jerk of his hips and the clear heat and wetness spreading between them. The sensation drew a low whine from him, the man's roughened murmur of his name leaving no doubt of his own enjoyment as they struggled to catch enough breath for proper speech.

The need was irrelevant in light of the continued urge for contact, neither one knowing or caring who initiated the kisses that followed. Though far from purely chaste, there was a sweetness to them that made the redhead shiver as he traced apologetic fingers over the faint impressions left by his nails, his thoughts still pleasantly muddled by his remaining intoxication.

The man's responding sounds were contented, his touch nearing reverant as he framed the boy's flushed face with his hands, thumbs stroking along his jawline to better align their mouths. This was quite possibly the most foolish thing he could have done, but nothing could make him regret the act itself, not when the boy still held him so desperately close. Drawing away, he smiled faintly at the other's instinctive clinging, but the sight of his renewed tears left him shaken with rising horror. Pushing himself up, he swallowed heavily in an effort to speak around the sudden lump in his throat. "Lavi..? Why-"

The redhead cut him off with a shuddering moan, clutching at the front of his shirt as he averted his face. "It isn't fair!" His breath caught in an audible sob, his voice strained with the effort of speech. "Why can't I ever-" He jerked the brunette down to cover him, his fingers aching with the strength of his grip. Burying his face against the man's throat, he choked back a whimper of pained distress. "Take me with you! I don't care where, just please..!"

Tyki inhaled sharply, returning his embrace as he murmured soft words of comfort into the damp strands of hair that pressed against his cheek. Feeling the boy hitch a deeper breath, he allowed him to pull back, smiling at his obvious exhaustion. "I already told you that I have no intention of simply abandoning you, Lavi... We'll decide what to do in the morning, so go ahead and rest." He grimaced momentarily at the cooling reminder of the night's activities, wondering if he should bring it to the boy's attention. When he opened his mouth to broach the subject, the redhead squirmed faintly, muttering quietly.

"Mmm.. Tyki?"

"Yes, Lavi?"

"D'you know if they have washrooms here..? Feels kinda gross..."

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After an admittedly quick washing-up, Tyki extinguished the lights for the second time, settling comfortably between the sheets. The boy curled back into his touch with only a faint grumble at being disturbed, already headed for sleep with the singlemindedness afforded to the thoroughly drunk.

Briefly, he wondered if the redhead would remember the entirety of their evening when he awoke, but forced the thought away in favor of wrapping an arm around his now-sleeping bedmate with a contented hum. If the morning brought yet another point of contention to the fore, he would at least be well-rested for it.

As he allowed his own exhaustion to take over, he smiled at the drowsy contentment that surrounded him, half amused by his clear reaction to the other's nearness. After their heated encounter, he had expected to feel sated, but it seemed that his body had only begun to whet it's appetite for the boy's touch.

Closing his eyes, he shifted to press fully against the redhead from chest to hip, bending his legs to match his positioning with a sigh. He could become addicted to such warmth with alarming swiftness, he mused, nestling his nose into the boy's thick hair as sleep took him. Perhaps the future would grant him the time to build up something of a resistance.

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He was awakened by a soft groan and a shudder, the sound eloquent in a way that he was all too familiar with after many years of experience. Sighing quietly, he tipped his head to murmer a low question, his voice deliberately soft in light of the redhead's obviously delicate condition. "Are you well enough to get to the washroom, Lavi..?"

The only reply was a shaken whine, the boy's weight pressing more closely against him as he shook his head faintly. Pushing down the urge to laugh, he stroked a hand over the other's somewhat clammy forehead, risking a smile that he surely wouldn't see. "Do you need to go, or would you rather just lie here for a bit longer? It may seem like you're dying now, but once you get a bit of something on your stomach-"

At the mention of movement and food in the same sentence, the redhead moaned in protest, curling in on himself with jerky movements. "Noooo.. Just wanna stay here in th' dark and not do anything ever.." Swallowing harshly, he ignored the quick stab of nausea at the motion. "M'sorry, you were right that I shoulda drank the water instead.. Oh, God it even hurts to think.. But at least you're not gonna ditch me off like this.."

Tyki allowed himself to shift closer, continuing his careful petting. "Sleep, if you still need to then. I'll go and tell the staff that we won't need a wake up call or breakfast until I come for it." He smiled at the redhead's grateful sigh, moving backward cautiously. "I'll get some water and a basin, just in case.. And perhaps something that might help, if you're awake when I get back."

Lavi whispered his thanks, already halfway to unconsciousness even as the brunette sat up to don his shoes. Casting an amused look at the huddled boy, he laid the blankets loosely over him and quietly left the room. Descending the stairs, he nodded at the few early waking guests and staff in the lobby, smiling faintly at the already bustling figure of the hostess. "Good morning, Rosalie.. I needed to tell you that we won't be needing that wake up call or breakfast, and I'd like to pay for the rest of the day and possibly tonight as well."

Scowling fondly at her wide grin, he shook his head. "Two pitchers of wine, madame? I think you were hoping for this to happen all along.."

She snorted, motioning to the servingman from the night before. "Cancel the wake up and breakfast for our fine patron here, and fetch him some fresh water." Glancing at the other archly, she continued. "And a washbasin and some cloths, I should think. And maybe some salt crackers..?" At the man's nod, she sent the servant on his way. "You visit us so rarely, why would I not want to prolong the occasion? But more to the point, I do hope that your young man isn't doing so poorly as all that.."

Tyki sighed in resignation, shrugging. "My time is greatly spoken for of late.. And he is not my anything, Rosalie. Merely an aquaintance, as I believe I told you before. If you assumed otherwise, I fear that your matchmaking skills will be wasted in this instance."

The woman laughed outright, shaking her head. "Oh, it didn't sound like you needed my help at all.. At least not as far as finding something to do once your aquaintance had found that wine to his liking." Snickering at his wide eyed consternation, she shrugged. "Did you forget that there's only one other room at that end of the hallway, dear..? Or just who lives there? But I must admit, he does seem like something of a different sort than the ones I've seen you bring before.."

She waved off his gathering protest, smiling rougishly. "I think I approve, really.. But if he isn't yours, you should make him so before he changes his mind. You deserve to be happy for once."

Tyki blinked at her for the span of several seconds, wincing at the thought of what Lavi would think of their having an audience. "It isn't an issue of happiness, Rosalie. Anything that you might have heard was a complete fluke of the moment, and has nothing to do with the reality outside of this building." He smiled faintly at her obvious disbelief, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "You're quite right about one thing, however.. He is utterly unlike any of the people I've been with. Lavi is in a class that deserves far more than what I could hope to provide."

The woman shook her head, motioning toward the aproaching manservant. "Here are your things, and I'll be sure to keep something light in mind for you to eat later." Waiting for the other to depart, she caught the brunette firmly by one elbow before he could retreat to his room. "Be softer with this one, Tyki. More than being of a higher class, he has a bit of brittleness about him, like a strong knock could break him into pieces too small to ever put back together." Lowering her voice, she released her grip. "I may be a meddling old woman, but I know when something needs fixing.. And that poor creature could stand for a lot of it. So could you. When you talk about what either of you deserves, try thinking about what you want, instead."

Tyki smiled tiredly, nodding. "Your intuition is good in his case, but I don't believe that I can 'fix' him. As you say, I'm not exactly in the best shape myself." He sighed, gesturing to the area at large. "Just keep anything you might have... overheard to yourself, please? The situation warrants quite a bit of secrecy, and I don't want to have word of us leaking out to people who may take exception to Lavi's somewhat more liberated position."

With that said, he turned to the stairs, wondering what he should do about his companion's likely reaction to their previous... activities. The thought of engaging in another bout of angry discussions with the boy was disturbing, but he had no intention of avoiding the issue, should the redhead choose to address it. The sound of the door seemed unnaturally loud in the wake of the corridor's silence, and he glanced quickly toward the bed in hopes that he had not awakened the other if he still slept.

He needn't have worried, as the blanketed shape was exactly as he recalled, huddled somewhat near the center of the bed. Shaking his head, he placed his burden top the bedside table, smiling at the soft breaths that signified the sleep one only achieves after a night of thorough drunkenness. Brushing gently at the strands of coppery red that protruded from the top of the blankets, he settled carefully into the space not occupied by the other, removing his shoes with cautious movements before stretching out on his side.

His weight barely shifted the firm mattress, but the redhead murmured quietly, uncurling just enough to press closer to the man behind him. "Mmm... Y'gonna stay with me for a while..? Still feel like crap but I think it's getting a lil' better..."

Tyki laughed softly, urging the blankets loose enough to cover them both. Slipping an arm around the boy's middle, he stroked lightly over his abdomen, careful to avoid putting pressure on his still-tender stomach. "There's no need to get up just yet, since we obviously won't be doing any travelling like this. I've informed our lovely hostess that we'll be staying at least for the rest of today and possibly part of tomorrow as well, so go on and take as much time as you need, Lavi." Smiling at the other's pleased sound, he allowed himself to nestle companionably close against his sleep-warmed back. "I may not be able to stay with you for the entire time, but a few more hours' rest sounds very good right now..."

Lavi sighed, shifting to catch the man's hand. Twining their fingers together loosely, he hummed. "It does... An' if I didn't think I'd be sick on you, we could go for some more of what we did last night. Or what you said we'd do next time... I hope y'really meant all that, 'cuz I'll hold you to it when I'm better..." The last was barely more than a whisper, his breathing settling into the steady rhythm of sleep before the other could form a coherent response.

The brunette closed his eyes with a rueful sound, smiling at the persistant grip on his hand. "Every word, Lavi... No matter how much it may eventually cost us both." With that, he pressed his lips to the boy's nape gently, setting his breathing to match the other's as he dozed. The faintly sweet scent of his hair was strangely comforting, and he wondered again if he had gotten himself into something that would prove impossible to easily resolve.

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Well! this has certainly been a super long hiatus, huh.. But maybe I'm back in the swing of things now that the new D.Gray-Man series had been announced!

Thanks for reading, and remember: Reviews are love.