complexing | [007] [action/voice - backdated to event end] the register's off

[007] [action/voice - backdated to event end] the register's off

[That was... interesting.]

[Touya is lying awake in his and Yuki's bed, staring straight at his former-husband-now-boyfriend-again. Sure, not much had changed between them, aside from Touya being much more open with his affection and feelings, but there was also something nagging at the back of his head.]

[If they had been married for about a year, he and Yuki... probably had done that.]

[Not that Touya didn't love Yuki and want him to have everything, but Touya just wasn't ready for that, mentally. Thank goodness the festival and the monsters had kept them busy enough to not unknowingly do something. If they had a first time (and Touya hoped they would), he wanted it to be special--and not the result of some experiment.]

[He just hopes Yuki isn't going to be upset by what had happened between them during the experiment--Touya isn't.]

[Voice]

I've never really had a great big family like that before. Looking back on that week, it was a good experience. I had fun, even if it was an experiment. I hope nobody takes that the wrong way.

Neliel-san and Valvalis-san, [Ngh, this is so awkward to write, but he wants to say something.] I wanted to thank you both for being my mothers for a few days. I hope it wasn't too embarrassing, though.

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[For the last few days Yukito had been haunted upon waking by the dreams of the night before, dreams in which his life had been similar to the one he lived but different in some significant details. This time he awakens to that reality, with the events of the previous week like a too-perfect dream, simplified to remove anything unpleasant.

But that's still part of who I am, he murmurs to Yue's silent presence in the back of his mind, only realizing now just how much he'd missed it. All of it, together. It isn't right to just pick and choose parts.

There's no response from his other self, but Yukito hadn't really expected one: when it came to Yue, nothing often meant he had heard and understood, and that was good enough. He finally gives a half-drowsy sigh and shifts a hand to rub at his eyes, then turns to see if Touya is awake as well.]

[He is awake, half sitting-up, head propped on his arm, watching Yuki. He doesn't normally do the watch-you-while-you-sleep thing, but the events of the past ten days are enough to weigh on his mind and wonder what the first thing he says should be.]

[Touya hasn't quite figured that out yet when Yuki turns over. Maybe that's alright, though. He reaches over and hands Yuki his glasses from the nightstand.]

Morning. Did you have bad dreams again?

[Yukito reaches out to take the glasses but doesn't move to put them on yet, instead lifting his free hand to catch Touya's.]

No... it was a good dream, while it lasted.

[Touya raises an eyebrow, a little surprised that Yuki is holding his hand so suddenly. Was he worried as well? Perhaps... there was always something unnerving about having things laid bare unknowingly, then waking up unable to deny the truth.]

I thought so too. [He settles back down onto Yuki's shoulder, lacing his fingers with the other's. He's quiet for a moment.] Maybe that will be us, someday.

It might just be.

[Yukito gives Touya's hand a light squeeze, for the moment comfortable and content. Perhaps it took a glimpse of something that he didn't have in order to realize how much he valued what he did, and in that the experiment had done him some good despite what the Malnosso may have intended.

And then he hesitates a moment before a slow grin dawns.]

Did you still want to go visit the hot springs?

[In that moment, Touya is content with Yuki's answer. They were young, they had a lot of time ahead of them--school, jobs, life experiences... Touya couldn't imagine spending the time ahead of him with anyone but Yuki, but that didn't mean they had to rush to make things 'official'.]

[So he smiles, happy to lay there in Yuki's space, and feel perhaps a little more connected than he had before.]

[...and then Yuki asks about the hot springs, and Touya's face goes a little red. Obviously when he had been Yuki's husband, Touya had been planning something that really didn't apply anymore. But the memory was a little hard to shake. A trip was a trip, though, and he'd make sure it was a good... chaste-ish trip.]

...would you call me a pervert if I said yes?

[There might be just a hint of an answering blush on Yukito's cheeks as well, but he just smiles and lifts Touya's hand to brush his lips against his fingertips.]

Would you think I'm one for still wanting to go?

No... [Touya cranes his neck to look up at Yuki. Gosh, how did he manage to snag such a cute boyfriend?] It'd be a good vacation-from-our-vacation. ...that sounds really lazy, doesn't it? [He laughs softly.]

Hm, maybe a little. But it still sounds like fun anyway... especially right after an experiment, when everyone kind of needs to relax.

Yeah, everyone's probably really high-strung right now. [He shifts so his chin is on Yuki's shoulder.] It's a little unnerving, now that I look back on it. I have to wonder if Neliel-san acted like my mother would have.

And if that's what it's like to have a real family. [Yukito's tone and the soft sigh that follows are both a little wistful. It was a little too close to the false memories he'd once had and also now knew to be false.]

Yeah... [That thought had crossed Touya's mind: how Yuki must feel after having another falsified family. He resettles with his forehead on Yuki's cheek, hand rubbing his shoulder comfortingly.]

You'll always be a part of Sakura and my family, you know. Even if we aren't married. I'm sure dad thinks of you as a second son, you're over so often.

I know. You're all the family I need.

[He means it, too, and the warm smile is audible in his voice. It's just that sometimes he can't help but wonder... especially not after the last week or so.]

[Still, he frowns at Yuki and holds him a little closer. This latest experiment landed close to some sensitive issues: Yuki's lack of family, and Touya's lack of a mother. Were things getting serious? Well, more serious than turning into cats and dogs?]

[He strokes Yuki's hair absently, closing his eyes.] These experiments. They haven't really made us think like this until now, have they?

Mm. In a way, I suppose so.

[Yukito leans into the touch almost without thinking about it, breathing a soft, contented sigh.]

Some of the experiments are just silly, or awkward, but others... maybe they deserve to be thought about more. Like why we're affected in certain ways.

I wasn't talking about the why--I'm just worried about what's going on in your head right now. I'm worried about what you're feeling. What thoughts are sticking in your head and eating at you. If any.

Me?

[Yukito blinks, then smiles, reaching up to hold Touya's hand in place long enough that he can turn and brush a light kiss against his palm.]

A little confused, certainly. And I do sometimes wonder what it would be like to have family like that. But then I have you here and I don't think I need anything else.

[Touya nods, rubbing his thumb against Yuki's hand, looking his usual stoic self. He smiled so much around Yuki, it almost felt strange to not be smiling at him.]

I want to be enough, but sometimes I wonder if I could ever be. I wonder if I could be a father and a mother and a sibling and a friend all at once.

You don't need to be.

[Though he's still smiling, a slight worried crease appears between Yukito's brows.]

There's no need to put a specific label on anything. Love is love, no matter what.

[He's quiet for a moment while he thinks, then he smiles softly and resettles his head on Yuki's shoulder.]

Don't think that's what you told Sakura when she finally said something.

[Yukito laughs softly, some relief audible in his tone.]

As dear as your sister is to me, Touya... it's not quite the same situation.

Love is love until you want to be with her brother, hm? [He wraps his arms around Yuki's middle and rolls Yuki on top of him.] Then you'd rather love her as a brother-in-law.

[The movement prompts a startled laugh from Yukito, and he just takes the opportunity to sneak a hand lightly down Touya's ribs, in search of that one spot....]

What I mean is that you don't have to try to "fill a role," you just need to be yourself.

Gagh! [Touya flails as he feels Yuki going for one of his ticklish spots. Perhaps teasing Yuki while he was on top of Touya had been a bad decision. Abort, abort--!]

[It does force Yukito to stop what he was doing, at least, as he bursts out laughing at the sudden flail and has to hold on to Touya lest he lose his balance.]

[Looks like Yuki isn't giving up on his quest to tickle Touya so easily.] No tickling, it's too early! [He tries to roll them both over back to Yuki's side of the bed.]

[Yukito would still be laughing over here, and quite easily falls back onto the mattress again.]

I didn't know there was a time limit on that kind of thing....

There is now. [He frowns, looming over Yuki.] Because I said so. How can I sleep next to you knowing you could strike at any moment?

[Yukito attempts a pout, but since he's still far too amused and also not very good at sulking to begin with, it doesn't look quite... right.]

But then how do I get you to stop making grumpy faces?

The same way I stop you from making sad faces-- [He reaches down and pulls on Yuki's cheek.]

Hey— hey, no fair!

[Yukito squirms, trying to get away while still laughing hard enough his cheeks are flushing bright pink.]

Neliel-chan is so sweet! It was kind of nice being her sister for a little while. I guess that would have made me your aunt? And we didn't even get properly introduced! I must be a terrible aunt! Please forgive me, I'm new at this! I don't even know your birthday!

[Well... he didn't exactly expect this kind of reaction, but alright then.]

It's okay, everybody was busy with that festival, we must've just missed each other all the time. I'm sure you were a great aunt, even if you don't know what my birthday is. [Technically speaking, Touya has no idea when his birthday is Luceti-wise either. Did Luceti even have leap years?]

That's so sweet of you to say so! It was really nice having a family, even if it was just pretend. I hope we can still be friends!

[He'd have to say that you're the sweet one, Orihime.] Sure we can, Inoue-san.

I'm so glad! Please call on me if you need anything, okay? I'm sure Nel-chan would say the same!

[Really enthusiastic, and they've only just met while not under the influence of an experiment.]

Sure, though I'll try not to impose on you.

It wasn't embarrassing at all. I don't really have any experience in such things, but as far as I'm concerned, you were... a very good son.

Thank you, Neliel-san. That... does mean a lot to me. [As someone who lost their mother, and then lost the ability to see her, he often wonders.]

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[007] [action/voice - backdated to event end] the register's off

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