Nightmare Game

Nightmare Game


A D.Gray-Man Fanfiction


By SisterWicked


Chapter 9 - Black Vision

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Well, here we go again..

Disclaimer of Dis-temperment: This fic contains sex. And cursing. And masturbation. It may make you dizzy, nauseous, hungry or prone to hand cramps. If you notice blurred vision, difficulty breathing or prolonged bouts of euphoria, go wash yourself and take a nap. Please, for the love of all that's holy, use soap and don't forget your nails. Thanks.


Previous A/N applies to FFN's archive only. Thank you, and my apologies for the misunderstanding XD


Now, on with this.. thing. Enjoy.


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The next several days were unseasonably warm, and Tyki decided that being indoors was a less than desirable passtime in light of the utterly splendid weather.

After almost a week of afternoon visits to his small 'responsibility', he found himself astonished to realize that the cheerful boy at his side had been with him for nearly a month. Though there had been no more mention of the redhead's somewhat troubled sleep, the older man could see that the Exorcist clearly needed more rest than he was getting, and the faint darkness beneath his eye had continued to deepen as the days wore on.

Unwilling to break the almost blissful peace between them, he had resorted to the simplest remedy he knew for insomnia.

The boy's enthusiasm was unwavering, and several times he had awakened the older man with the shocking sensation of hands and lips on skin, his bright hair tickling the junction of the brunette's thighs as he moved purposefully beneath whatever sheet or blanket covered them.

One such night left the man acutely aware of just how much remedy had been used, the faint smudges of bright red on the tips of his fingers leaving him shaken with horrified disgust at himself.

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"Dammit, its just a scratch, Tyki! You're acting like I'll die!"

The Exorcist clenched his hands tightly, shivering with denied arousal. "Just cut your nails in the morning, it isn't that big a deal!"

The brunette met his gaze squarely, shaking his head. "It is when you're bleeding from just a touch, Lovely! There was blood on some of the towels too, is that also 'not a big deal'?"

The Exorcist's eye widened briefly, then narrowed. "You go through my laundry, Tyki? Jesus fucking Christ, what next? Gonna start checking my pockets too?" He reached blindly over the edge of the bed, locating a shirt by touch. Yanking it over his head, he stood, glaring back at the other man. "I think I'll go to bed now, so you won't have to worry about sleeping with someone you don't trust."

He ignored the quick stab of anxiety at the thought of sleeping alone in a strange bed, but the flicker of panic rose again when the older man nodded shortly.

"If you think that's best, Lavi.. There's only one other room to use, but it hasn't been touched since the first night." Eyeing the redhead speculatively, Tyki frowned. "You could have told me, Lovely. I wouldn't have been angry with you, and you would have healed in a day or two.. From here, it looks more like you don't trust me."

Gritting his teeth, the Exorcist very nearly hissed in annoyance. "I let you fuck me, don't I? Every damned night, sometimes twice! You could tear out any part of me you wanted, and there are about a million reasons that you should! If I didn't trust you, why would I do it?" He shook his head, laughing flatly. "If you were watching me that hard, you could have asked, Tyki.. But you didn't say a single word, did you? You were just fine with getting what you could, until it was enough."

Snorting at the man's suddenly wide eyes, he strode to the door, jerking it open. "Don't worry, though. You know exactly where I'm going, and when your appetite comes back, you know I'll still let you do anything you want. Goodnight."

He slammed the door behind him, walking down the short hall toward the room he'd awakened in so many nights ago, his footfalls quick and sharp on the floorboards. Pushing the door open, he slammed that one behind him as well, glaring at the unlockable knob. Scowling, he remembered that a lock would hardly do more than assuage his wrath, in light of the older man's still-present abilities.

Growling loudly, he stomped to the bed, flinging himself facedown on the slightly musty pillow. "Fuck!"

'He won't last long.. Not after having us at his beck and call..'

He stiffened at the soft voice, then relaxed. "I don't care about that.. I just.. Something about it just made me so damn mad." He rolled over, covering his face with his forearm. "I didn't mean to make it sound like it was his fault, either.. I really can't do anything right."

'You could.. All you ever need is a little help.'

Sighing, he shook his head. "I want to be better than this, we were doing great until today.. But what would make it that way again? He doesn't trust me.."

The voice was still gentle, but the volume seemed to grow as it responded. 'We fixed things before, didn't we? This is the same, just give him something to want and none of the rest will matter. You want him to forget today, don't you? Be someone he can't ignore.'

Pushing himself up to sit, the Exorcist nodded. "It sounds right, but.. I don't know how. Could you..?"

'No, I can't.. But you have someone who can. Remember Italy..? That you..He was as close to unforgettable as he could be. No one looked away when you were him, did they? Every person you spoke to, they wanted you..'

He flushed at the memory of that mission, biting his lip. "Well, we were living next to an army brothel! If I hadn't have acted.. Flirty, nobody would have given me a second look.. Besides, Gramps had to follow me around all the time to make sure I didn't get jumped!"

'But it worked, didn't it..? Those people would have done anything to get a little bit of what you had, wouldn't they? You didn't want them, but him.. You know its not like that where he's concerned..'

Closing his eye, he shivered, suddenly aware of his enduring lust for the man. "God.. I still can't believe he left me like this.." Sighing, he pushed down the thought of their activities just before their disagreement, straightening. "Let's do it, then. Maybe he won't like being left hanging any more than I do."

Concentrating, he drew on his flawless memories of the person he sought, relaxing faintly at the easier-than-expected feel of the act. This time, there was almost no discomfort at the change, only a slight sense of disorientation that left him breathing heavily when he reopened his eye.

Blinking, he gasped at the clear edge of his thoughts, shivering anew as he recalled just how much he'd been anticipating the older man's touch.

'Yes.. And that's exactly what we want him to feel like, isn't it? Let him have his day or two, if he can stand it.. Our memory is very good, so he doesn't always have to be here, does he?'

Smiling faintly, he shook his head. "I wonder if he's thinking about me.. I'll bet he is, after what I was doing." He hummed quietly, noticing for the first time that it was the brunette's shirt he'd taken. Working the buttons free, he shrugged it off, gathering the material to his face with a sigh. "Mm.. He always smells so fucking good.. Tastes good, too."

Sliding further onto the bed, he closed his eye with a soft laugh. "I'll have to pay attention, he might want details.."

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Drying his hands carefully, Tyki sighed.

Despite his firsthand knowledge of the redhead's volatile temper, he hadn't expected so strong a reaction, and he certainly hadn't thought the Exorcist would leave the room in order to avoid discussing the issue. Turning off the bathroom light, he paused at the doorway, frowning at the empty room beyond it.

Remembering the boy's angry retort, he winced, walking slowly to sit in the chair by his desk. Though he knew that the Exorcist had only spoken out of anger, he felt the truth of the statement most keenly, mentally berating himself for his failure to confront the boy sooner.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he reached for his glasses, rummaging briefly through the desk until he located a few misplaced letters that needed tending to. Glancing at the nearly spotless ashtray by his elbow, he sighed, wondering if nicotine would ease his mood.

The Exorcist had never directly expressed displeasure with his habit, but there was always a faint sniff at the first curl of smoke, and he seemed unduly pleased when the man crushed a cigarette out before finishing it. Reminding himself that the boy could hardly smell the tobacco from his erstwhile retreat, he retrieved the half-empty pack from a drawer, pulling one out and striking a match to light the end of it.

Inhaling deeply, he slumped in his chair, ignoring the papers in front of him. He wondered if the redhead's ire would last 'til morning, considering that he had yet to miss accompanying the older man on his daily hospital visits. The thought was disconcerting, and Tyki found himself thinking of their visit that morning.

Though he still seemed anxious at the girl's tiny size, the Exorcist had become decidedly fond of her, his manner speaking volumes on his affectionate state of mind when his turn came to hold or feed her. While she still demanded equal attention from the two, Michaela definitely shared his enthusiasm, her excited squeals making it impossible to doubt her pleasure at the younger boy's presence.

Tyki had noticed that his own hesitance was diminishing, and when he held the slumbering infant that afternoon, he hadn't been surprised at the rush of disappointment when he realized that their usual time to leave had come.

Flicking his ashes carefully, he sighed again at the silence of the room. How long had the boy been hiding his injuries? How could he not have seen it?

Lifting the cigarette for another drag, he closed his eyes in self-loathing. Had there really been no sign of the redhead's condition, nothing that would have shown that he was in pain? Tyki shuddered at the memory of how eager the boy had been, when he had surely known that the older man's touch would lead to-

He very nearly burnt himself at the faint sound of a whimper, muffled and hushed through two closed doors. Stubbing out his half finished cigarette, he shoved his chair backward, half rising in alarmed concern as the sound continued. Had the redhead been hurt that badly, enough to cry..?

He took only a handful of strides toward the door when the sound changed, becoming something he was extremely familiar with.

Wide-eyed, he froze in disbelief as the Exorcist's voice scaled up into a choked moan, the noise leaving him acutely aware of the other's closeness.

After several seconds of flat astonishment, Tyki backed away from the door, stumbling over one of the boy's cast off boots as he went. The object only served to remind him that he himself had removed it from the redhead's foot not a half hour ago, intent on causing exactly the same tremulous note in his voice as he'd backed him toward the bed..

He growled shortly, shaking his head. Did that little fool really think he couldn't be heard, with only a few dozen feet between their rooms..?

Clenching his hands tightly, he forced down the thought of what the boy was surely doing, believing himself to be inaudible to the older man. Sinking onto the rumpled blankets, Tyki sighed wretchedly, hoping that the Exorcist would realize that he could plainly hear-

His name.

His name.

The word was still faint with distance, but completely and totally unmistakable to the man who now wished that he could simply reject soundwaves.

Less than fifty yards away, the boy was pleasuring himself while crying out to the person he'd left to sleep alone, the urgent note in his voice driving a spike of pure need through the brunette as he felt his nails break the skin of his palms.

This could not be real.

Despite his growing desperation, he attempted to calm himself by repeating a silent mantra. 'He-doesn't-know-He-doesn't-know-'

His concentration was hopelessly shattered when the Exorcist began to plead, his lover's name coupled with near-unintelligible cries of impending release.

Clamping his hands to his ears, the man rose from his seat, shoving his feet awkwardly into his shoes with a shaken growl. Foregoing a coat, he almost flung himself from the house, hoping against hope that there would be a bar close to wherever he materialized.

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Collapsing breathlessly against the sweat-dampened blanket, the redhead laughed giddily, the abrupt bang of displaced air making him smile contentedly. "Serves you right.." He muttered, panting for air. "See how you like it, mister if-you-think-thats-best."

Closing his eye, he stretched lazily, humming at the still-present smolder of desire he felt. "Mmm.. Might have to do something about that in a minute.."

Sitting up, he made his way to the small washroom, wetting a cloth with cool water. Wiping gingerly at his sensitized skin, he allowed his mind to stray back to the incredibly satisfying feel of his hands, wrapped in the memory of someone else..

He gasped as his arousal switched instantly from ember to inferno, gripping the edge of the sink with a strangled moan. "Oh..God.."

His knees shook, nearly spilling him to the tile before he could catch himself, sitting heavily on the cool floor as he shuddered. Closing his eye, he pressed a trembling hand to himself, jumping at the intense pleasure of the light touch.

He repeated the movement almost hesitantly, his breath hitching painfully in his chest. He hadn't felt like this since-

The field. In the dark, under the Noah's tree..

Whimpering quietly, he remembered how completely undone the brunette had seemed there, as if he really would have given anything in the world..

He cried out almost silently at that memory, the line between then and now blurring into nothing as he arched under the teasing stroke of phantom hands and lips.

~This time, I want you to need it..~

His hands fell to either side of his body, holding him upright when he would have tumbled backwards, his palms almost too slick to find purchase as he moaned raggedly. "I..I do, I need-"

~Tell me what you want!~

His elbows buckled, the back of his head meeting the floor with a dull sound. "You! I promised..!"

~Mine. You gave yourself..~

There was no sound other than the man's remembered voice, the rush of his heartbeat in his ears leaving room for nothing else. His eye widened, the sting of helpless tears making the room's low light shift into a kaleidoscoped tangle of color and brightness.

~For you, Lovely.. Because this feels..~

"Real..! Please, God..!"

His muscles spasmed in nearly agonizing pleasure, his shortened nails screeching thinly as his hands clenched against the stone beneath him. In that instant, he felt the desperate surge of the brunette's hips between his bare thighs, tasted the exotic saltiness of his skin..

He screamed breathlessly, half in ecstasy and half in terror, the sound amplified by the small confines of the room until it was deafening.

As suddenly as it began, it was over, his pulse still racing as he whimpered brokenly up at the high ceiling. He blinked rapidly, shuddering at the slide of wetness against his cheek. "God.."

Ridiculously, he felt the urge to laugh, a faint hiccuping jerk of breath escaping before he could contain it. Struggling with his weakened body, he forced himself upright again, leaning tiredly against the counter. Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to sink into bed, the warm press of someone's chest against his back as darkness took him in.

He bit his lip at the thought, knowing that he had made such a thing impossible.

"This is fucking pathetic.." He whispered, clenching his hands. Shoving himself to his feet, he wobbled dangerously for a moment, catching the side of the sink to brace himself until he felt steady enough to walk. Swiping at his skin with the still damp washcloth, he rinsed it well before setting it aside, leaving the room.

Crossing to the bed, he winced at the sight of the brunette's shirt beside the pillow, reminded that the older man had gone to God-knows-where. Sitting down, he smiled faintly at the thought of the other wearing his shirt, seeing as how he'd absconded with this one. Reaching for it, he once again gathered the soft cloth in his hands, sliding back into the middle of the bed.

Lying back on the pillow, he sighed, keeping the shirt close him as he turned onto his side. Closing his eye, he shivered at the cool air of the room, ignoring the low lights as he willed himself to sleep despite his unnamed dread.

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Some hours later, a very inebriated and unsteady brunette stood before the boy's closed door, wondering if his reflexes would be sufficient to preserve his dignity should the room's occupant decide to take exception to his presence. Shaking his head at himself, he risked a fleeting look through the door, blinking at the still figure on the bed.

Stepping the rest of the way inside, he eyed the redhead's unclothed body with almost reluctant hunger, hands closing into fists as he recalled his reason for flight. Moving closer, he paused abruptly as the boy shivered, murmuring something unintelligible as his arms drew back against his chest. Leaning down, the man inhaled sharply as he realized that the Exorcist held a familiar object in his hands.

Glancing down at what he knew to be the boy's hastily removed shirt, he looked back at what surely must be his own, clutched tight against the redhead's bare chest as he repeated his uneasy sleeptalking.

His lingering annoyance faded to nothing at the sight, his thoughts jumbled with the withering combination of exhaustion and alcohol as he stepped backward. Sighing tiredly, he strode to the small dresser nearby, rummaging through it until he found a light blanket that was only a little musty with disuse. Returning to the bedside, he shook it out noiselessly, spreading it carefully over the sleeping Exorcist.

Turning off the light with a brief thought, he sank into a crouch by the boy's pillow, lifting a hand to stroke the other's hair away from his face. Pressing a barely-there kiss to his exposed temple, he sighed. "Sleep well, Lovely.. But not so well as you do with me."

Rising gracelessly to his feet, he spared a final look at the Exorcist, resisting the urge to curl snugly behind him with great effort. Laughing soundlessly at his foolishness, he left the room, hoping that both their heads would be clearer, come morning.

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Unfortunately, Tyki seemed to have underestimated the boy's anger, as he failed to reappear when the usual time came.

Mustering his courage, Tyki knocked carefully on the other's door, waiting patiently as a series of muffled noises carried through the thick wood to signify the redhead's approach. When the door began to swing open, he found that all his carefully prepared words had flown completely out of his head, his eyes widening at the Exorcist's utterly ferocious expression.

"What? Looking for a oneoff before you leave?"

Stunned at the open disdain in the boy's tone, he stepped backward, taking in the other's nakedness with astonishment. "No, I- Are we.. Would you like to.." For the first time in almost a decade, he felt his face warming uncomfortably at his awkwardness, and he took a breath to regain his shaken composure. "I wondered if you'd be coming with me, but you seem a bit.." He tapered off at the redhead's quiet snort.

"No, I don't think so. Besides, aren't you afraid I might do something to your little bundle of atonement? I'm untrustworthy, remember? If that's all you wanted, just run along and play, Tyki. I need to get the pants I was wearing out of your room and I'd rather you weren't there."

Slamming the door in the stunned brunette's face, he turned, slumping back against the wood with a shaky sigh. "Are.. Are you sure that was right..? He was trying to-"

'Win you over. Without giving in. You did exactly right'

Biting his lip, he shivered. "He looked.. Hurt. Disappointed. I don't want to make him feel like that, I just wanted.."

'He shouldn't take your good nature for granted.. After everything that's happened, you would be within your rights to be murderously angry.'

Nodding, he leaned his head against his raised knees, steeling himself to the sound of soft footsteps retreating from whence they came. "How long..? Until he really appreciates it? I don't like being this way.."

The voice lowered soothingly, the sensation of it faintly ticklish behind his closed eye. 'You're too easy.. If you aren't strong, you'll lose this.. Him, everything.. Do you want to make him happy? Be stronger, more important. You can't save him from himself if you're this weak.'

Lavi stiffened, shaking his head rapidly. "I want to be better! He'd be happy without.. love.. if I were good enough.." He flinched at the faint sound of the older man's departure, sighing. "I'll miss her.. He's always so happy when we go there, I think they're good for each other."

'Will it still be good if she replaces you..? You say he was trying, but he traipsed off without a second thought..'

Clenching his hands, the Exorcist growled. "I won't be jealous of a child! She deserves to have people come to see her, she doesn't have anyone else!" As if sensing his iron resolve on that particular matter, there was no further mention of Michaela.

'But you still want him to have need of you? Do you even know what he needs, has there been any sign?'

The fight drained out of him like water, leaving him slightly nauseous. "I.. He doesn't really talk about things like that. He says he wants the past to stay in the past.." He laughed ruefully, leaning his head against the door. "I've been too busy with his body to worry about his mind. After this long, we should at least be friends, but.. I'm fucking that up too, aren't I?"

'Then that's what we'll do next.. Give him some time now, and perhaps he'll be more.. forthcoming when you reconcile.'

Lavi nodded faintly, rising to his feet. "It isn't that I don't want to know, I just don't want to pry. He never asks me about things like that either, probably because he still feels guilty about bringing me here.. Like he doesn't want to make me remember what I had." He walked over to flop onto the bed, sighing. "I don't even miss it all that much.. He doesn't treat me like a tool, or a burden."

Thinking of how the older man did treat him sent a shiver up his spine, his eye widening at the familiar sensation of heat.

'Yes.. He's very good to you, sometimes.. But it won't last, not until he can't do without you.' The voice was almost wheedling, but the memory of the brunette's stricken face dampened his unease. 'We'll fix it, fix everything, for him.. But for now, think of all the things you want to keep.. His happiness..'

He hummed softly, recalling the older man's brilliant smile on their daily excursions, the slight upward curve of his mouth when he found something amusing.. Even the curious lift of his narrow eyebrows was stored carefully away within the Exorcist's memories, as if waiting for the boy to seek it out in this way.

'It hasn't been so very bad. You've done that for him, you know.. That and more. Doesn't he enjoy the things you do together?'

Biting his lip, he thought of the things they did, gasping at the first stirrings of memory-induced arousal. "He isn't the only one that likes it.. He always makes me so-" Unable to name the feelings brought on by the other, he chuckled breathlessly. "I really couldn't imagine it, before. But now.."

'He's better than anything you imagined, isn't he? His mouth, hands.. Even how he feels on your skin, its all so much more than you thought..'

The redhead sighed, rolling onto his back. "Yeah. Definitely more." Stretching, he sat up. "Well, I can't just sit here naked all day.. I need to go get a few things if we're gonna be here for a while." Walking to the door, he opened it, following the hallway to it's opposite end. Entering the older man's room, he frowned at the slight disarray, shaking his head. "Wow.. He doesn't need a friend, he needs a maid.." Picking up a shirt draped over the back of the man's desk chair, he dropped it into the hamper, wrinkling his nose at the almost-full ashtray.

"Great, now all the clothes will smell like smoke.." Spotting the pants he'd come for, he retrieved them with a sigh, seeing the man's pillow on the floor nearby. "Must have been a rough night.." He winced guiltily, setting aside his pants to reach for the pillow. Dusting it off, he bit his lip before crushing it to his chest, inhaling the scent of the older man on the soft material. Shivering, he forced himself to return it to it's proper place on the bed, lying down atop the carelessly flung back blankets with only an instant of hesitation.

Burying his face into the now-smooth pillowcase, he was stunned by a particularly strong tactile memory, the feeling of the cloth against his forehead, the faint taste of the cotton when he'd licked his lips..

He gasped breathlessly at the thoughts, his eye closing with a short whine as he felt the familiar blurring of what was real and what had been.

~Raise your hips, Lovely..~

He curled inward, eye closed tightly at the sharp spike of desperate longing. "No.. Not again, not here.."

~Right there..? It's so good..~

Pressing a hand to the junction of his thighs, he shuddered, shaking his head in silent denial.

~Lavi..! Oh Gods, Lavi..~

Moaning in distress, he shoved himself awkwardly to his feet, nearly forgetting his clothes in his haste to be gone. Snatching his pants from the bedside, he riffled through the low chest that the older man had filled with things he claimed to have no need for, taking several clean shirts and one more pair of dark-colored pants, adding another and two pairs of undershorts as an afterthought before slamming the drawer closed and all but fleeing the room.

Bolting down the hallway, he nearly skidded past the door, catching himself on the frame. Closing the door behind him, he panted rapidly, staggering to drop his clothes on the bed. He shook his head briskly, fighting to clear his thoughts with little success. Turning toward the bathroom, he managed only three clumsy steps before his legs buckled abruptly, the thick carpet leaving a stinging burn on the skin as he collapsed.

Bracing himself on his hands and knees, he hissed at the faint pain, pushing back to sit with a shaky laugh. "I must be going crazy.."

~You make me lose my mind, Lovely..~

He growled softly, remembering the shaken tone of that statement. Cupping his palm around the aching hardness between his legs, he ignored the urge to simply fall back into the memory, his eye closing as he squeezed gently. "Oh.."

The jolt of arousal was far stronger this time, but nowhere near the level of the first, and he moaned at the thought of the brunette's long fingers taking the place of his own, stroking the sensitive skin as his teeth left tiny marks along the side of his throat..

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The man in question was completely unprepared for the scene that awaited him at the hospital.

Upon entering the main lobby, he was struck by the harried appearance of unexpectedly large crowd, wondering if now were perhaps not the best time for his visit. Spotting a familiar face, he edged in the direction of the nurse's station, ignoring the random snippets of hushed conversation as he passed. Clearing his throat, he forced a smile as the woman turned toward him.

"Is this not a good time, Miss Porter..? You all seem rather.." He gestured to the throng behind him. "Should I try again later, or tomorrow?"

She frowned, nodding. "I'm so sorry, there was an accident uptown this morning, a fire.. We've close to thirty patients that need seeing to, everyone available was brought in to help with them." Biting her lip, she sighed. "We've called in a few sisters from the church to watch over the nursery, but they really don't want anyone visiting casually just now.. Could you come tomorrow, instead?"

He nodded, waving a hand. "It's no trouble, I understand completely. Tomorrow afternoon, then?"

She smiled gratefully, reaching for a pile of papers scattered over the normally clean desk. "Of course. I really am sorry, Mr. Michaels." Turning to one of the whitecoated doctors nearby, she handed him several forms, waiting patiently as he looked over them. Flicking an apologetic glance at the brunette, she shrugged.

Nodding, he navigated his way back to the door, pausing just outside it to allow yet another group of nurses to pass through. Letting the door close carefully behind them, he sighed. Without Lavi, there was really nothing to do but return home.

Making his way to the sidestreet he most often used for 'travelling', he looked for any sign of passerby before willing himself back to the house, the twinge of teleportation making him wince as the familiar room appeared around him.

He immediately noticed the small changes since he'd left, blinking at the signs of the boy's presence. Noting that his clothes were now tucked away inside the small laundry hamper, he smiled faintly, glancing over the rest of the room. Seeing his pillow in its usual place, he moved to stand by the bed, sitting down heavily as he toed off his shoes.

"Perhaps he isn't so annoyed after all.." He murmured, lying back on the mussed sheets. Taking a long breath, he frowned at the faint scent of the absent Exorcist, turning his face with a curious sniff. The scent seemed to linger around the pillow beneath his head, and he pressed it to his face with a sigh. 'He was here.. But why? Why would he have-'

The thought was cut short by a soft noise, no more than a whisper really, but it was enough to capture the man's attention as he recognized the faint murmur of his lover's voice. Rising quickly, he strode to the door, opening it with a determined movement. Walking quickly down the narrow hall, he halted before the other's room, lifting a hand to knock.

The sound came again, this time as a wordless keening that shocked him into instant stillness, his closed hand only inches from the dark-colored wood as he gasped. At that distance, in the echoing confines of the corridor, it seemed as if the redhead were directly in front of him, doing things that made the older man shudder in reluctant arousal to imagine. Lowering his arm, he shook his head in disbelief as the Exorcist continued to verbally express his pleasure, interspacing his quiet moans with half-formed words that almost broke the other's already stilted control.

Gritting his teeth, he leaned his forehead against the cool surface of the door, eyes closed as he struggled to ignore the coiling heat in his veins at the sound of his name in that pleading tone of voice. There was a muffled thump from within, and he growled as the boy's breathless moans rose in volume as if to mock him.

"Tyki.. Tyki.! Please, I want..!"

He bolted upright with a sharp gasp, backing away as the redhead's words broke off into ragged cries that made him acutely aware of his painfully tight slacks. Whirling on his heel, he stalked back to his own room, the others in the back of his mind demanding that he simply act on his want and ravage the boy until his urgency abated.

Closing the door behind himself, he stood just beyond it, hands clenched tightly as he struggled for control. The Exorcist's voice pierced him like a knife, the thought of exactly what it would feel like to have the boy wrapped around him, making those noises..

He took a breath, forcing himself to relax despite the hunger he felt. "He needs more time.." He muttered, shaking his head. "I don't trust myself to be with him, even without-" The redhead's half-muffled cry of release left him speechless, his eyes closed as he shivered. Sighing, he walked to the bathroom, eyeing the empty bathtub. Reaching to close off the drain, he turned on the water, testing it briefly before gathering a few bathing supplies. Setting them by the tub's edge, he disrobed slowly, tugging the tie from his hair with a wince.

Bracing himself, he stepped into the shallow water, hissing at the near-arctic temperature. Growling a decidedly ungentlemanly word, he sat down, closing his eyes at the immediate rise of gooseflesh that covered his exposed skin. Gritting his teeth, he laughed humorlessly at his own foolishness, shaking his head. "How the mighty have fallen.."

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The effects of an icy dip in the tub lasted until perhaps 3AM, when the man awoke with a jerk, eyes wide in the darkness as he sought the cause of his interrupted sleep. All too soon he heard a familiar low-pitched noise, the boy's breathy moan making him shudder even as his hands clenched tightly atop the blankets.

'Is he really in so desperate need..?'

He shook his head to clear it, taking a deep breath. "Too soon. He needs.." His quiet murmur faded into nothing at the wavering note that entered the Exorcist's voice, the sound almost tearful. Pushing himself to a sitting position, the brunette frowned. Why would Lavi be troubled by his.. actions? Admittedly, there were things that he could never hope to emulate, but-

The knowledge of exactly what things the redhead could not provide for himself gave the man pause, his breath hitching painfully. Forcing down the thought, Tyki wondered if he were mistaken after all. The Exorcist fell abruptly silent, leaving the brunette as curious as he was aroused.

Just as he began to settle himself back into the bed, there was a rapid succession of noises, several low thumps and then the jarring sound of something breaking, and then something that brought him to full alertness, his feet hitting the floor almost before he'd thrown back his blankets.

The boy was screaming, his terrified cries mixed with jumbled bits of words that failed to translate into anything coherent in light of their sheer volume.

Moving swiftly to the door, Tyki jerked it open, striding down the hall with a muttered curse. In the time they'd spent together, he'd only once heard the redhead make such a sound, on the night he'd been forced to restrain and awaken him from a dream that he had yet to remember.

Now, the Exorcist was alone with whatever horror his sleeping mind had conjured, his closed door ignored by the increasingly panicked brunette as he simply phased through the wood in an effort to reach the still-thrashing body in the bed. Calling out to the other, he took hold of his flailing arms with as much care as restraining him allowed, repeating the boy's name despite the deafening level of his continued shrieks.

"Lavi! Wake up, it's only a dream! Lavi!"

"I didn't mean to! Stop it, I didn't mean to kill you! Let me go!"

He flinched as one of the redhead's arms pulled loose, his fingers scratching across his cheek dangerously near his eye. Ignoring the sharp sting, he seized the other's hand tightly, avoiding the point of a knee as Lavi bucked upward. Gritting his teeth, he freed the opposite arm, striking the Exorcist lightly across the face with his palm. The faint blow had no real effect, and he steeled himself before delivering a second, more forceful one. "LAVI!"

The boy's eye opened almost painfully wide, his gaze momentarily sightless as he sucked in a startled breath. Sighing in relief, Tyki eased his hold on the redhead's hand, frowning at the shattered lamp on the floor. "Lovely..? Are you all right, now?"

The Exorcist blinked rapidly, his head turning in the direction of the older man's voice blindly. "Can't.. I can't see you, what..?"

Bending closer, the brunette took advantage of his extremely sharp night-vision, lifting a hand to stroke the confused boy's hair. "You were dreaming, Lovely.. The lamp fell off of the table and broke." He kept his voice low, frowning at the other's faint shivers. "I'm sorry that I struck you, but you wouldn't wake up.. What was it, Lavi? Who did you see?"

The redhead took a breath, his brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know." He muttered finally, shaking his head. "I don't remember anything.." Sitting up, he dislodged the man's hand. "I'm sorry I woke you up, you can go back to bed."

Tyki hummed a negative. "I don't care about that. You said things this time, Lavi.. That you didn't mean to kill someone. Do you really have no memory of it?" He resumed his light petting, mildly annoyed with himself for allowing the boy to be alone. "Surely, you would-"

The Exorcist swatted his hand away angrily, glaring at him despite the darkness. "I said I don't fucking know! Is that what you came in here for, to wake me up and call me a liar again?"

Surprised by his sudden ire, the man blinked. "No, Lavi! I didn't mean it like that, I just don't see how something could frighten you so badly without-"

Lavi cut him off with a growl, shoving clumsily at his side. "What the hell do you care? God, am I not allowed to have dreams unless I explain them to you? Just get the fuck out of here and leave me alone!"

Shaking his head, the brunette attempted to catch his hand to no avail. "The last time this happened, you were upset to the point of tears, Lovely.. You don't seem much better now. Did.. Was it me, Lavi? Did I cause this?"

The Exorcist laughed sharply, avoiding his touch. "Jesus H. Christ, your ego is unbelievable! I'll bet you're having a sadist's field day with this, huh? Poor little Lovely, off having horrible, scary old dreams about you.." He shook his head, jerking back as the man reached forward. "Get out. Having you here is a thousand times worse than any stupid nightmare.. At least I don't remember that."

Rising to his feet, Tyki winced. "I didn't mean to make you think that, Lavi.. Believe me, I take no pleasure in your suffering." Backing away, he sighed. "I'll go, if you wish, but.. Don't do this alone, Lovely. Call for me, or come and wake me if you need to-"

Waving scornfully, the boy nodded. "Yeah, I know.. If I feel like being 'comforted', I know exactly where you are, Tyki. Until then, I think I can take care of myself." He fluffed his pillow roughly, pulling up the rumpled blanket. "Go on, then. Maybe I'll feel like letting you do me if I have another one.. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Good night, Tyki."

Sighing, the older man left the room in the same manner as his entrance, pausing to look back at the boy's closed door as if it would miraculously provide him with a solution to his problems. Shaking his head, he returned to his own room, sliding under the hastily rearranged bedding. Staring up at the high ceiling, he listened carefully for any indication that the redhead might indeed have fallen back into his troubled dreams, but there was only silence.

Closing his eyes, he shifted onto his side, his outstretched hand grazing the unused pillow. Frowning, he closed his fingers on the soft material, pulling it down against his chest. Inhaling the almost-gone scent of the other, he allowed himself to slip into an uneasy rest, vague worries following him through his own nightly wanderings.

'Tomorrow,' He thought fleetingly, 'I'll make him understand, somehow..'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After carefully selecting foods that he knew the Exorcist preferred, Tyki carried a small tray to the boy's room, balancing it awkwardly as he knocked on the door. Hoping that the redhead's temper had cooled since the previous night, he waited patiently until faint footsteps signaled the other's slow approach.

Keeping his manner relaxed, he smiled as the door swung open, the expression faltering somewhat at the boy's flat stare. "I brought you something, since you hadn't.."

Lavi glanced at the tray briefly, raising an eyebrow at the man's statement. "I wasn't hungry. Come on in, unless you want me to eat standing up." Crossing to the bed, he sat near the headboard, nodding for the brunette to place his burden there as well. Taking a careful sip from the tall glass of water, he scowled. "Well? Sit down or leave, Tyki."

Setting his napkin across his lap, he eyed the older man sharply. "Did you have anything yet?" He frowned at the other's slight discomfort, shaking his head. "Stupid.. You should take care of yourself." Looking over the various items on the tray, he lifted a segment of orange, glaring at the brunette. "Open your mouth."

Blinking, Tyki stared at him dumbly for a moment, then complied. Leaning forward carefully, the redhead offered him the fruit with a steady hand, his stern look relaxing as the man gingerly accepted, minding the boy's fingers as he bit down.

Chewing thoughtfully, he watched the Exorcist closely, swallowing quickly when the redhead took a second piece from his plate. "I appreciate your concern, Lavi, but it's you that needs-"

Taking advantage of the man's comment, Lavi pushed the orange section firmly into his mouth, effectively cutting off his protest. "I've gone a lot longer than this without eating, Tyki. At least this way, I know you aren't starving yourself."

Reaching for a slice of apple, he took a bite, still watching the other stubbornly. Washing it down with a sip of water, he sighed. "Why are you doing this anyway? I wasn't on a hunger strike or anything, I'd have told you if there was something I needed, mad or not."

The brunette nodded, thinking carefully about his choice of words. "I didn't think you were, but with only the two of us here, I didn't want to force you to come to me until you were ready, Lavi. Even if I don't really understand why you're so angry with me, you deserve a chance to work it out in your own time." He allowed the boy to feed him a piece of apple, surprised at his forgotten appetite. Swallowing, he risked a smile. "Should I try feeding you, Lovely? It is your breakfast, after all.. There aren't any gossipmongers here, so it shouldn't be embarrassing.."

Raising an eyebrow, the redhead shrugged. "If you think you need to. Be careful, though.. I'm still kinda mad, I might decide to bite the hand that feeds me."

Feigning chagrin, the older man sighed. "Oh, yes. You do have rather fearsome tendencies.. But surely you wouldn't take it that far, not when I need my hands for-"

The Exorcist cut him off with a snort, shaking his head. "Finish that and I really will bite you. It's too early for depravity, at least wait 'til the afternoon."

Blinking innocently, Tyki hummed. "I was going to say 'nearly everything'.. But I could wait until lunchtime, and say something ridiculously suggestive then, if you'd like."

Snickering, Lavi waved a dismissive hand. "Forget it, Tyki. You'd explode if you had to wait that long." Nodding at the tray between them, he tipped his head. "So, are you feeling lucky?"

The older man laughed quietly in reply, reaching for a piece of orange. "I could never resist a game of chance, Lovely.. But my luck has always been surprisingly good." Holding the fruit out to the smirking redhead, he kept his hand still as the boy closed his teeth a mere hairsbreadth from his fingertips. Allowing him to take the segment from his grip, he made to pull away, but the Exorcist's hand clamped firmly around his wrist.

Pulling the man forward, Lavi pressed his mouth to the hollow of his palm, licking upward to the tip of his finger. Smiling at the brunette's shaken gasp, he released his hold. "Oh.. Did you want the juice to run up your sleeve, Tyki?"

Glancing from his still-extended hand to the boy's smirking face, the Noah closed his eyes briefly, fighting the urge to test his luck even further. Hearing the Exorcist's quiet laugh, he frowned. "Thank you." He said, keeping his voice carefully neutral. "Do you want more?"

The redhead nodded, his amused expression turning mildly lecherous. "Most definitely. You?"

Tyki took a deep breath, shaking his head. "No, I think I've had quite enough.. Besides that, do you want to come to the hospital with me today? There was something of a situation there yesterday, so I had to postpone my visit." Offering the boy a slice of apple, he flinched slightly at the careless brush of the redhead's lips as he accepted it.

Lavi chewed silently, swallowing before he nodded. "Of course I'll come with you.. Are you in a rush?" He smiled at the man's negative, pushing the almost-empty tray far to the side. "Good. There's something I need to do before we go anyway."

The brunette had less than a second's warning before the Exorcist slid closer, his hands closing firmly on the older man's shirtfront as he pressed their mouths together with a hungry growl. Taking advantage of the other's surprise, the boy licked along the seam of his lips, urging the man to respond with a soft hum.

Shaking his head faintly, Tyki leaned back, his protest forgotten at the sight of the Exorcist's stricken expression. Tugging carefully at the redhead's hands, he wound their fingers together loosely. "Lavi, we can't-"

The boy closed his eye, averting his face sharply. "Not even that..?" Nodding, he pulled at their joined hands, blinking rapidly. "All right, then. You go ahead and take the stuff back, I'll get ready and meet you in a minute." Frowning, he attempted to shake free of the other's hold. "Look, I get it, ok? Just let-"

"No, Lovely." Tyki squeezed the Exorcist's hand carefully, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You never let me finish talking, do you..? I meant to say that we can't do those kinds of things until we've talked. Can you wait just a bit longer, please?" He sighed at the redhead's almost painfully eager nod, releasing his grip on one of the boy's hands. Brushing a stray lock of hair away from the Exorcist's face, he cupped his cheek gently. "Even then, we don't have to do anything, Lavi.. I was never angry with you, so don't do anything for my sake."

Leaning forward, he smiled. "We can just call that a thank you, if you don't mind.. And on the same note-" He tipped his head to one side, returning the boy's kiss with only a hint of passion in the soft contact. "You're most definitely welcome."

Retrieving the tray, he stood. "I'll put this away.. Was there anything else you needed, Lovely?" The Exorcist shook his head dazedly, also standing.

"Just my boots.. But you go ahead, I'll be right there." He watched the brunette make his way to the door, forcing himself to keep still until it swung shut behind him. Sinking heavily onto the bed, he shivered. "It's been long enough, right..? I.. I don't want to be mad anymore, I just want to-"

'It's fine, now.. You see? All he needed was a little time to think..'

The Exorcist sighed in relief, nodding. "He said he wanted to talk before.. Anything else. That's a good thing, isn't it?"

'Good enough for now. Let him talk, if he wants to.. But don't let it end there. See how far his trust goes, after.'

"How far..? But we'll talk about that, too. I'll just tell him that it made me mad when he thought I lied-"

'No, no. You shouldn't need to repeat yourself that way, after this. If he really believes what you say, he'll let us have him if you swear you've recovered..'

"We.. You aren't going to leave? The last one just took off when he was done.."

The other laughed, the sound unnerving in his head. 'I won't. I'll stay right here until he doesn't need me, I promise. Now, let's get this over with, so you can have that little talk you've been wanting so much.'

He smiled faintly, his face heating. "Not just me.. I bet he's been waiting for it too, after you made me-" He broke off with a shiver, laughing quietly. "I really thought he was going to walk right in, that last time.. But he just stood there listening. He must care about something besides that, if he really wants to talk things out first."

The other was silent, but there was a sense of agreement there. He quickly retrieved his boots, fastening them just as the familiar sound of the older man's footsteps sounded in the hallway outside. Rising to his feet, he walked to the door, opening it before the brunette could knock. "Ah, sorry about that.. Took a little longer than I thought. You ready?"

Tyki nodded, reaching for the boy's waist. "Quite. Shall we, Lovely?"

Stepping forward, the redhead pressed close against the other's chest, smiling innocently at the man's quick exhale. "Mmhm.. Let's."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When they arrived at the hospital, Tyki was relieved to find the waiting area much less crowded than the morning previous, only a few unfamiliar nurses lingering about the desk as they approached. Seeing the redhead's questioning look, he smiled. "There was a serious fire in town yesterday, and the staff here was far too busy taking care of the victims to worry with my usual visit."

Lavi nodded, glancing around the quiet room. "They still look busier than I've ever seen them.. Do you think they'll send us home?"

Something in his tone made the brunette turn to look at him fully. "Do you want to leave, Lo- Lavi..? You didn't have to come with me if you'd rather not have."

The boy fidgeted guiltily, shaking his head. "I wanted to, really. I mean, I'd like to go eventually, but.. I missed seeing her, too. More than I thought I would."

Tyki laughed quietly, nodding. "I understand that, at least. I was rather.. Disappointed myself." Turning back toward the nurse's station, he smiled at the few curious women gathered there, focusing on the girl seated at the desk. "Sorry to bother you, is Miss Porter about..?"

She blinked at him dumbly for a moment, her eyes wide as she stammered. "She's.. I think-" Clearing her throat, she flushed at the quiet laugh from one of the other women. "I don't think she's come in yet, was there something I could help you with..?"

Lavi narrowed his eye slightly, edging closer to the older man. "We're here to visit one of the children in the Nursery.. The little redheaded one, Michaela." Frowning at her cursory glance, his look sharpened into a glare. "Could you take us back, or should we wait for a professional?" He snorted at her soft gasp, shaking his head. "Then again, we could always stand here until you finish eyeballing my lover.."

Tyki stared down at him in speechless astonishment, aware that he was not alone in his scrutiny of the boy. After several seconds of decidedly uncomfortable silence, the girl rose from her chair, motioning toward the hall.

"This way, please."

The walk back to the Nursery waiting area was equally silent, the flustered girl gesturing them to the seats before disappearing through the door to retrieve the child in question. Waiting until she was well out of earshot, Tyki turned to the still annoyed redhead, at a loss to explain his sudden hostility.

"Lavi, that was completely-"

The boy sent him a long sideways stare, his voice low. "If she'd been ogling me, you would have done the exact same thing. If it had been me eyeing up someone else, you would have said something to me." He cut off the older man's protest with a wave. "Was I not supposed to tell, Tyki? You shouldn't be screwing someone if you're going to be ashamed of it."

Slumping in his chair he sighed. "At least I didn't say 'Excuse me, could you please do your job so we can go home and have sex?'." Hearing the girl's footsteps nearing the door, he sat up, shaking his head. "Unless you want her to hear a whole lot of things that would.. embarrass you, I think we should probably add that to the list of things to talk about later."

Raising an eyebrow at the Exorcist's curt statement, Tyki bit off an angry retort, turning his attention to the approaching nurse. The squirming bundle in her arms was definitely Michaela, the bright shock of her auburn hair clashing almost humorously with the candy-pink of the nursery blanket. Smiling gratefully at the girl, he held out his hands, gathering the child against his chest. "Thank you, has she eaten yet? We usually give her a bottle before we leave, but we could forego the custom if its too much trouble.."

She shook her head, clearly nonplussed. "Its no trouble at all, I'll get one for you.. Is there anything else you need? I'm due to go offshift soon, I could-"

Lavi appraised her coolly, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Go home. I'm sure you've had a long day."

Her cheeks heated fiercely, her mouth closing with an almost audible snap. Turning on her heel, she walked to the much smaller nurse's station, gathering the feeding supplies with jerky motions. Preparing the bottle with hot water from a small decanter, she checked the temperature against her wrist before returning, holding it out to the redhead as if she thought he may bite.

Smiling thinly, he took it, noting that the glass felt just shy of too hot. "Thank you. Run along now, we'll be a while." Watching her leave, he sighed. "Take your time, Tyki.. This is a little too warm right now."

The brunette shook his head, tucking the blanket well away from the girl's face. "What's wrong, Lavi? I've never known you to be so deliberately rude."

The Exorcist frowned, crossing his arms. "Sure you have. It's just been a long time since then." Placing the bottle carefully in the chair beside him, he leaned toward the man's side, smiling down at the child's wide-eyed face. "Well, hi! We missed you, did you miss us?"

Michaela gurgled in reply, swatting gleefully at his hair.

He laughed, offering her a finger. "Guess so.. Looks like they tried to cut your hair, too." He ruffled a slightly lopsided patch, wrinkling his nose. "And it looks like you didn't exactly cooperate."

Tyki chuckled at the child's likely reaction to such a thing. "I daresay she didn't.. But it'll grow out in time." Smoothing his palm over the crown of her head, he glanced at the Exorcist. "You don't need to be jealous, Lovely.. And I don't mind you 'telling' anyone about us. I had assumed that you would rather they not know."

The boy huffed quietly, carefully avoiding the other's stare. "Why not? I told you, the only thing I regret about being with you is that I lied.. I just thought, 'I can't tell the truth, because there's no way that he wants anything to do with me. '. I'm not really the brightest person, you know? I thought you were going to take what you wanted and then kill me." Shrugging, he stroked his thumb over the girl's knuckles. "I still don't know why you didn't. I said I'd try to help you, but all I've done is cause trouble.. Today's the same. Now everybody in this place will hear about us, and-"

Tyki shook his head, catching the Exorcist's chin to turn him. "Let them hear. I really couldn't care less what a few emptyheaded girls think of me." Urging the redhead closer, he leaned in purposefully, smiling at the boy's wide eye. "As far as causing 'trouble', I think I rather like it.. Perhaps it's therapeutic, Lavi." Taking advantage of the other's surprise, he pressed their lips together gently, humming contentedly at his soft noise of appreciation.

A quickly indrawn breath from the side registered faintly, and they broke apart sharply.

Standing halfway through the door, a brilliantly flushed Sarah Porter fidgeted awkwardly for something, anything to say that would make her embarrassment less prominent. After several aborted attempts, she smiled crookedly, wincing at the two's differing expressions at her presence.

The younger wore a look of absolute horror, his normally cheerful face devoid of color as he glanced from his companion to the still-silent nurse. The brunette seemed more surprised than anything else, his expression calm even as he gauged her reaction closely. Swallowing roughly, she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her carefully.

"I heard from the day nurse that you'd come, I'm sorry to have missed you before." She purposefully sidetracked from what she hadn't missed, nodding at the happily cooing child in the older man's lap. "She missed you yesterday, I think.. We had quite a time with her, she simply refused to let us handle her overmuch." Recalling the cause of the baby's anger, she smiled genuinely, digging into her pockets. "One of the other girls decided to give her a bit of a trim, but she wasn't very receptive.. We only managed to get a small part done before she went completely to pieces on us."

Pulling out a tiny object, she crossed the floor slowly, her smile faltering at the redhead's narrow gaze. "Forgive me if it's none of my business, but I thought you might want this." She offered the older man the item from her pocket, revealing it to be a small scrap of cloth.

He took it carefully, frowning thoughtfully. "Just a moment.." He turned to his companion, smiling faintly. "Could you take her for me, Lavi? I need both hands.."

The Exorcist nodded, slipping his hands beneath the girl's head and back, shifting her to rest comfortably in the bend of his arm. Tyki hummed gratefully, unfolding the material carefully. Inside lay a single copper-colored curl, one end tied off with a slender length of thread. He tipped his hand to show it to the younger boy, wincing at his troubled expression.

"Thank you, Miss Porter.. It's very thoughtful of you." He met the woman's eyes directly, wondering if he should take his cue from her avoidance. Deciding that no good would come of hesitance, he raised an eyebrow. "Does it trouble you? I'd rather not stop visiting, but we could change to a different time, if you don't want to continue our association."

Drawing herself up stiffly, Sarah shook her head. "No. I admit that it.. Surprises me, all things considering, but it's nothing to be upset about. The only thing that matters to me is her." She nodded at the quietly fussing child. "No one who cares enough to do what you've been doing could possibly be bad.. If not for the two of you, she'd have no one at all."

Frowning guiltily, Lavi retrieved the cooled bottle, giving it a few gentle shakes before offering it to the tiny girl. "He's not. I don't think he ever really was." Seeing the woman's curious look, he shook his head. "Nevermind. I'm sorry that you had to see it, but I'm not sorry that it happened. Ah, did you want to feed her, Tyki? I didn't even think-"

The brunette laughed quietly, waving a hand. "Next time, Lavi.. I doubt she minds, being that she's already dozing.." And she was, her eyes slid to halfmast as she groped about with a soft noise of discontent. Reaching to stroke her palm, he allowed her to take hold of his finger, shaking his head at her pleased wriggle. "So predictable.. But greediness of understandable at her age, yes?"

Sarah nodded quickly, rocking back on her heels in relief. "I think she simply enjoys the company. Most babies and smaller children attempt to overcompensate with pleasant things." Turning to the Exorcist, she smiled. "I usually have good intuition, Mr. Lavi. If I thought for an instant that the two of you were a bad sort, I'd never have left you alone with her." Biting her lip, she colored slightly. "Besides, who you love is your own affair.. As long as you make each other happy."

The redhead shrank back from her statement visibly, his expression guarded. "Yeah.. But it's good that someone cares for her. She deserves it." His avoidance of the woman's personal opinion made her frown, worried that perhaps she'd addressed an issue that was best left unmentioned.

"I'm sorry, for interrupting your time with her.. But there shouldn't be any more problems this week, most of the patients from the fire are doing well." She looked quickly from one to the other, her unease growing at the pair's now-tense silence. "I'll let you get back to it, then.."

Tyki shook his head, motioning to the girl's completely limp form. "There's no need, it seems we've lost our audience." He gently withdrew his fingers from her grasp, smiling. "Well done, Lovely.. You definitely have a talent for this sort of thing." Taking the empty bottle from his hand, he held it out to the faintly amused Sarah, shrugging. "We'll have to be sure that we keep to less serious topics on our next visit, I believe she found us rather boring."

The woman laughed quietly, placing the container carefully into her pocket. "She didn't sleep too well yesterday, it's no surprise that she's tired.. But I think she's far more relaxed than bored. Do you want me to take her?"

Lavi nodded, smiling faintly. "I'd rather she get her rest than stay awake for us.. She has a lot of growing to do, right?" Folding the blanket securely around the sleeping child, he lifted her to his chest, impulsively burying his face against the side of her hair with a sigh. Pressing his lips briefly to her temple, he blushed at the brunette's soft chuckle. "What? Jealous?"

The older man nodded solemnly, reaching to take the girl from his arms. "Insanely. How sad, that you kiss pretty young things right before my poor miserable eyes." He cradled her close to his body, inhaling the mildly sweet scent of soap and powder on her skin. Mimicking the Exorcist's actions, he delivered a light kiss to her sleeping face, smiling at her content expression. "Now we're even. How do you like it, Lavi?"

The redhead snickered quietly, rising to his feet. "I think I can control myself until we're away from potential witnesses. You ready? If word gets out that you're feeling touchy, we might have to go out the window."

Sarah took the child from the brunette's carefully extended arms, fighting down a smile at their banter. "I won't tell a soul.. You'll be by tomorrow afternoon, then? I'll be on, so hopefully I can play with her a bit before you get here, she may be more alert that way."

Tyki nodded, also standing. "Perhaps a bit later than today, so she can have a nap if she needs to. Thank you for this, also." He tucked her gift into a pocket, glancing at the bemused Exorcist. "Shall we go, Lavi?"

Inclining his head politely to the smiling nurse, he took the boy's elbow, guiding him toward the door. "Now, wave goodbye to the nice lady, dear." He teased, avoiding a badly placed boot. "Goodness, don't make me spill any other secrets, Lavi.."

The Exorcist snorted, waving dutifully to the confused woman as he was steered through the door. "Has anyone ever told you that you're funny, Tyki?" He asked, ignoring the looks from the desk nurses.

The brunette nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching faintly. "Once or twice.. Why do you ask?"

The redhead snickered. "They lied."

The man affected an air of injured dignity, holding open the main door to the street. "I've always thought that I was singularly amusing, Lavi.. How many times have I entertained you to the point of tears?"

Gaping at him stupidly, Lavi flushed to the roots of his hair. "Tyki!"

Closing the door behind them, the brunette smiled brightly. "I told you I'd wait until lunchtime, didn't I?" He laughed at the boy's incredulous spluttering, walking to their usual point of departure. "Weren't you in a hurry to be home, Lovely..? I'm sure we could find something else to do, if you'd like.."

Lavi shook his head firmly, joining the man in the alleyway. "Not on your life. Let's go, before you decide that you need to do any more 'entertaining', hm?" He closed his eye against the slight disorientation of teleporting, wondering how the older man seemed so completely unaffected by the odd sensation.

Feeling the cooler air of the house around him, he blinked, glancing around the familiar scenery of the brunette's room. "Geez.. I think you were in a hurry."

Tyki smirked, shaking his head. "Not really. I just thought I should take advantage of your good mood." Toeing off his shoes, he pulled the chair from his desk toward the bed, sinking into it gratefully. "Gods, I hate those things.. But besides that, have a seat, Lovely.. We really do need to talk."

Nodding, the Exorcist slid the matching footstool over to rest across from him, sitting down with a sigh. "We do.. But I really don't want to fight with you anymore, okay? Just.. Take my word for it, when I tell you that I'm all right now."

Tyki winced, reminded of the initial problem behind their falling out. "I wish it hadn't been an issue at all, Lavi. We're both reasonably mature people, we shouldn't have a problem telling each other if we need a break."

The boy scowled, his hands closing faintly on the material of his pantslegs. "You say that now, but you treated me like a kid, Tyki. I didn't know it was like that either, but you made it sound like I'd set out to fool you! Everything after that was like a grown-up time out, I don't think I've ever been that mad in my life."

Shaking his head, the brunette frowned. "I didn't think it would make you so angry, Lavi. All we needed to do was take more time, only a few days.. Was so short a respite simply too much to bear? You should have known that I was more concerned with your comfort than anything else."

The Exorcist shrugged, his expression serious. "I was more angry that you called me a liar, Tyki. If you really felt like that, you shouldn't have me so close to you all the time, I could be lying to you about everything.. But after all that you went through, I think I can understand why you don't trust me. Just forget about it, it's not like you brought me here to be friends.."

Tyki blinked at him in surprise, then frowned. "I never claimed to distrust you, Lovely. Why would I keep you so close at hand, if all I wanted was a ready source of pleasure? I certainly wouldn't have brought you to my bed, I could simply have left you to your own devices and partaken of your services at will."

The boy shook his head slightly, waving a dismissive hand. "It doesn't really matter, now. You know I'd let you, so where would the challenge be? You said so yourself, I'm not a danger.. I couldn't hurt you when I had the chance, remember? You were asleep and I had your knife in my hand, but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do anything. You're right, there really isn't any reason for you not to trust me. I was wrong to be upset."

He rose from his seat, looking down at the other with a half smile. "Show me, then. I told you I'm fine, so if you trust me, you shouldn't have any problem with a little touching, right?"

The older man leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I just don't think its a good idea, Lavi. Its only been two days, surely one or two more wouldn't kill either of us."

The Exorcist shook his head firmly, backing away. "Its been long enough. If you want me, do something about it." He raised an eyebrow at the other's frown, stopping just shy of the bed. "You don't? That's fine too, but I don't have nearly as much willpower as you do.."

Sinking back onto the mattress, he sighed quietly, unbuttoning his shirt. Dropping it to the side carelessly, he smiled faintly. "I'll just take care of it myself then.. Unless you won't let me do that either?" He stroked his fingers down his chest, moving from collarbones to navel and back.

"Will you watch me while I do it, Tyki..? Maybe it won't be so bad, if I can see you.." He trailed his fingers over the waist of his pants, shivering at the man's wide eyed attention. "I know it won't feel as good as your hands, but.. Oh, God.." His voice caught at the press of his palm through the material, his eye closing as he moaned. "Yes.."

Shaking his head faintly, he panted. "Its not.. as good, but.. Fuck, I want it so bad.." His back arched as he slid his fingers between the garment and his skin, gasping at the urgency of his arousal. Leaning backward against the blanket, he withdrew his hand, shoving the annoying clothing down and kicking it off. Rising to his knees, he bit his lip in mild embarrassment, the silent brunette's steady gaze making him shudder as he cupped himself.

"Will you let me lick you after I'm done? You can watch me do that, too.. God, its so fucking hot to just imagine it.. The way your hands would feel on my head when you came.. The way you'd taste.." He mewled softly at the memory of the man's touch, his own movements unsteady. "Oh my God.. Tyki..!"



The older man bolted to his feet, crossing the narrow space from chair to bed in three quick strides. Burying his hand in the boy's hair, he jerked him forward roughly, catching his mouth with a growl as he planted a knee between the other's parted thighs. Leaning him back carefully, he pulled away for air. "You little tease.." He muttered, sliding his free hand beneath his hips to lift him flush against his body. "I hope for your sake that you can reach the nightstand from here, because I'm not going anywhere."

The redhead stretched his arm over his head, his fingers falling just shy of the tabletop. Smiling wickedly up at the older man, he shook his head. "Not like this, I can't.. But I could probably reach if I were on my knees."

Gripping his hips tightly, the former Noah returned his edged smile. "And what if I want you to stay just like this..?"

The Exorcist arched wantonly into his body, humming softly. "Then I'd stay here.. But I'd have to do something.. Would it be all right to just lick your fingers..?" He moaned at the obvious press of the man's arousal, lifting a leg to hook around his thighs. "You should let me get what we need though.. If we don't have that, you won't be able to fuck me as hard as I want you to.."

Pulling back, the brunette took hold of his shoulders roughly, turning him around to face the blankets with a dark laugh. "At least it's no great loss.. You're equally persuasive from this side as well, Lovely." He pressed his weight firmly against the Exorcist's backside, bracing himself with one hand on the other's hip as he tugged off his shirt. "Do see to that, unless you think my aversion to pain is enough to make me forget what you said."

Nodding eagerly, Lavi retrieved the bottle, nearly dropping it at the sensation of the man's tongue moving from the base of his spine to the bottom of his ribs. "Don't forget, because I meant it.. Here, hurry the Hell up before I stop caring who's the Seme."

Humming in confusion, the older man took the bottle from his shaky hand, allowing his pants to slip through his body. "I'm not quite sure I follow you, Lavi."

The Exorcist shifted impatiently, biting his lip. "It means you'll be topping from the bottom if you don't get a move on."

Shaking his head at the other's silence, he half-turned with a pointed glare. "That means I'm about fifteen seconds away from seeing how good you look on your back, Tyki. But like you said, it wouldn't really be a loss, huh?"

The brunette smiled thinly, removing the lid of the container and setting it aside. "You could do that if you wish, Lovely.. I certainly wouldn't complain." Coating his fingers thoroughly, he drew a line along the ridge of the Exorcist's tailbone, pausing just above his destination. "In fact.. I believe that it might be even better than this, just to sit back and watch your face while you have me."

Lavi hummed in amusement, shaking his head. "I know you wouldn't complain.. And neither would I. It always feels so good like that, should I ride you more often..?" He pressed back against the man's fingers, laughing quietly. "I love it, but it never lasts very long.. Maybe because you can't keep me from doing it the way I want to?"

He hissed at the brunette's rough grip, closing his eye at the press of his fingers. "Don't bother teasing, Tyki.. I can still handle myself if you take too long." As if to prove his point, he braced himself on one hand, cupping his arousal with the other. "Oh, fuck yes.."

The man growled at his words, the hard clench of the redhead's muscles making him wonder how much more he could stand. "No teasing, Lavi. As soon as I know that I won't hurt you, I fully intend to make up for lost time."

The Exorcist rocked his hips backwards, panting softly. "Hurt me, if you have to.. I might like it, since it feels good when you're a little rough." He shifted his weight, spreading his legs for stability. "Or a lot rough. Hell, you just feel good period. Are you ready yet? I really have been waiting.."

Removing his fingers, the brunette took hold of the other's shoulders, jerking him to his knees. "You weren't waiting, Lovely. I could hear you, did you know that? Every time you touched yourself, I knew."

Lavi pressed firmly against his body, nodding. "I meant for you to. I wanted you to know exactly what I was doing, in there by myself.." He smiled at the man's sharp inhale, his hands tracing small circles on the other's thighs. "It wasn't perfect, but just remembering how it felt to have you in me was enough to get me off.. Did you like hearing it, Tyki? I bet it got you off, too.."

He turned just far enough to meet the brunette's wide eyes, smiling. "Why don't you show me how much better the real you is?" Urging the man's hands down to his hips, he moaned. "The real me probably feels better too.. Did you do that when I wasn't here, Tyki..? I just had to, I would have gone completely crazy without you.."

Tyki swallowed roughly, his hands shaky on the boy's skin. "No, I didn't.. Are you really fine now, Lavi? I never meant to hurt you.." He bent his head, following the Exorcist's hairline with his lips. Feeling the redhead's quick nod, he forced himself to relax, breathing deeply. "Don't let that happen again, Lovely. Don't hide things from me, not when you don't need to."

The boy nodded again, shifting restlessly. "I didn't really mean to, you just.. Ever since we went to.. that place.. You wanted so much, all the time! It felt good, to have you need me like that.." He shivered in recollection, humming. "That's what I stayed for, Tyki.. To give you what you needed." Tracing the line of the other's forearms, he rocked persistently backward, his movements making the brunette gasp. "Right now, you need this.. I do, too. Do it, please?"

The older man murmured in agreement, releasing his hold on the boy's hips. Bending his knees beneath himself, he turned the redhead around to face him, pulling him forward to straddle his legs. "I want to see you, Lavi.. Like this?"

Winding his arms around the brunette's shoulders, the Exorcist nodded, leaning in for a kiss. Rising to his knees, he whimpered at the sensation of the man's arousal against his entrance, his breath shortened in anticipation as he tightened his grip. "Now..?" He lowered himself slightly, gasping as the other lifted his hips in response. "Please, I want you..! Let me-"

Tyki repeated his careful movement, holding the redhead's gaze steadily. "Anything you wish, Lovely.. Take what you want."

The Exorcist panted helplessly, rocking back to sheath the man fully inside himself with a halting cry. He closed his eye tightly, his fingers digging into the brunette's skin as he began to move, the rhythm stilted until the older man took hold of his waist gently.

Urging the boy's face up, Tyki gasped at the expression there, the redhead's eye bright with something almost feverish. "Lavi..?"

Laughing harshly, the Exorcist shook his head. "Perfect.." He growled, grinding himself against the other. "I thought remembering was good enough.. What a fucking joke." His voice shook, but what struck the older man was his tone, the sound of his words heavy with honesty.

Biting his lip at the brunette's quick shiver, Lavi paced his movements to match the other's quickened breaths. "I really do love this," He whispered, leaning closer to the man's surprised face. "Its just so fucking hot to watch you.. I know you don't believe me, but.. You really are beautiful, Tyki."

Catching the older mans lips, he stroked his fingers over one angular cheekbone, whining at the slick press of his tongue. Lifting his head, he moaned, cupping a hand around the other's neck. "I want this to last, but I don't think it will.. Even if I don't watch, I know that its you. "

The brunette nodded, his hands tightening fractionally. "I want you to know who I am, Lovely.. If that excites you, so much the better." He pulled the boy down firmly, holding him in place with a low hiss. "You aren't the only one who thinks these things.. I rather enjoy being the one that makes you feel this way." He silenced the Exorcist's pleading sound with his mouth, one hand rising steadily along his spine. Leaning back for air, he kept the redhead close against him as he rocked upward, following the curve of his throat with his tongue.

"Is the real me better, Lavi..? Sometimes I thought I'd go mad listening to you, but.. I think it took longer, when you were alone. Are you so close because its me doing this?" He hummed contentedly at the boy's gasped confirmation, allowing his grip to loosen. "Don't forget, then.. Don't replace me with a memory, not when I would give you anything you asked me for." Feeling the other's back arch, he moaned. "Gods, you feel so good, Lovely.. More, please..?"

The Exorcist nodded eagerly, fingers digging into the man's back as he bucked. "You don't have to ask like that.. I'm yours, remember?" He shuddered as the brunette's hands lowered to curl around his hips, the touch at once urgent and possessive. Staying close, he wound one hand into the other's hair, tugging his head back carefully. Taking a breath, he bit his lip at the older man's steady gaze, shaking his head with a rough laugh.

"Tell me what you want, Tyki. You always leave it up to me, but it can't stay that way.. And I don't want it to. Not this time." He stroked the brunette's back heatedly, relishing his shaken growl. "I want to make you feel the same way I did, when you told me you wanted to ..try."

The older man rose eagerly to meet his movements, his fingers tightening on the redhead's skin. "How did you feel, Lavi..? You never told me.."

The Exorcist gasped at his soft question, shaking his head. "It.. I felt like.." He faltered noticeably, clinging to the other like a second skin. "I wanted more of it." He choked, intensifying his efforts. "I..I thought of that, when I.."

The brunette nodded, assisting his ragged motions. "You wanted that, Lovely..? You could have had it, all you needed to do was ask." He leaned forward quickly, allowing gravity to pull them back onto the bed. Slowing his thrusts, he kept the Exorcist close as he moaned. "It really was the best time, wasn't it? I haven't forgotten.."

The boy's hips strained upward, his hands fisting tightly into the blankets. "Oh, God yes.. You.. There! Right there!" He cried out breathlessly, back lifting in mute encouragement. "We- I want you to mean it! Please, I need you!" Wrapping his arms around the astonished man's neck, he yanked him down for a hurried kiss, leaning back only just far enough to speak.

"I'm sorry," He shook his head dizzily, his knees pressed high along the brunette's ribs. "Just take what I can give you now.. I promise we'll fix everything if you wait for me.."

The older man gasped at his fervent declaration, a hand supporting the other's weight as he forced himself to hold his pace. "I told you already, Lovely.. You need only ask for a thing to have it." He hissed at the boy's answering cry, the obvious signs of his approaching limit driving the brunette on to a more demanding rhythm. Sparing a moment of guilt for the redhead's newly-healed body, he struggled to keep himself somewhat in control despite his urgency.

As if sensing his thoughts, the Exorcist whimpered brokenly, rising to meet his movements. "Please don't stop.. Its.. Just like this is perfect, Tyki.." He wrapped his legs tightly around the man's waist, arms closing likewise behind his lowered head. "Its so damned good.. Please let me come?" The brunette's ragged moan made him shudder, his jerky nod drawing a pleading noise from the younger boy as he continued to raise his hips into the man's touch. Closing his eye, he bore down forcefully on the length within him, stunned by the sharp flare of pleasure brought on by the act.

The effect on the other was equally unexpected, the man's voice halting and rough as he quickened his pace. "Lavi..! That.. Again, please!" He buried his face against the boy's throat, his breath hot and damp on the skin as he raised the Exorcist higher. "So close.. Gods, I want-"

The Exorcist complied instantly, his fingers digging into the brunette's hair to keep him in place. "Hurry, m'closer.. than.. Tyki..! Now!" He bucked hard against the older man's shaking body, his voice near silent as he rode out the unbelievably intense rush of his climax. The brunette's weight pressed against him almost painfully, a shockingly animalistic sound torn from his throat as he sank himself inside his lover with a movement so rough as to leave nothing save his shoulders touching the rumpled blankets.

For the span of several seconds, they stayed just so, each clinging to the other as they gasped in tandem for breath, shaken by this unknowable change between them. When the older man realized the awkwardness of their positions, he eased himself backward, the wet slide of the boy's skin against his own making him shiver with a surprised laugh that was almost giddy.

"Gods, Lovely.. I want to say I'm sorry, but.." He shook his head, suppressing another undignified sound. "I can't be sorry for that." Lifting himself to his elbows, he faltered at the other's unblinking stare. "Lavi..? What is it? Did.. Did I hurt you?" He began to panic at the boy's continued silence, cupping his face with a still unsteady hand. "Please, answer me! Why-"

The Exorcist drew a breath, exhaling raggedly. "S'ok.. Just.. Lay here with me. I don't want to move, yet." Seeing the brunette's hesitance, he shook his head, drawing him down for a leisurely kiss. Pulling back, he sighed in contentment, urging the other onto his side. Curling to his chest, he draped an arm around his waist, palm flattened against the man's back as he relaxed. "Thank you, for that.. And for this."

Tyki returned his embrace, shaking his head. "Don't thank me until we see how sore you are in the morning, Lovely.. And thank you, also." He chuckled softly, lowering his face into the boy's hair. "Was that 'make-up sex', Lavi..? I've heard that's supposed to be rather.. Something."

Snickering quietly, the Exorcist sighed. "You say that like I would know.. But I think you could definitely say it was something."

The man hummed curiously, his fingers drawing a random pattern on the other's back. "Oh? Pardon, I assumed that since you evidently know everything else.."

Lavi squirmed briefly, bringing his free arm between them. "I know where you're ticklish.." He demonstrated with a light poke just below the brunette's shortest rib, grinning sleepily at his immediate attempt to draw up his legs. "Now, be nice. I don't like talking pillows."

For a while, they lay in companionable silence, the boy's deep breathing alerting the man to his seeming exhaustion. Frowning, he hooked the uppermost sheet with his foot, stretching awkwardly until he could tug it up to cover them. Extinguishing the dim light, he settled carefully beside the redhead, gathering him close with a sigh. Recalling the Exorcist's final statement, he was faintly surprised to find that he didn't mind his extremely verbose blanket in the least.

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Look, people. I thought I made myself clear, but apparently I was mistaken. If you can't be bothered to tell me what you like, or don't like, then don't trouble yourself with alert/fave adding ok? Thanks tons. And especially thanks to the ones who actually LISTENED. Your mails were greatly appreciated.