My second Saiyuki ficlet. Takes place post-journey, no spoilers whatsoever. A quick piece of 58 fluff. Hakkai ponders his relationship with Gojyo.
Disclaimer: ... is this really necessary?
Revelations
It was the third night on their way back to the East when Hakkai realized it. He prided himself on being quite observant and was somewhat miffed that it had taken so long for him to see what had, in hindsight, been so obvious.
Then again, when he thought back over the last few months, he supposed it wasn't really all that obvious of a change. It was more like a bunch of little, insignificant changes between them that had lead to their current position.
At first it had been an accident. It was raining. Gojyo was somewhat drunk while Hakkai was, as always, perfectly sober. In the face of his depression, however, he wished it was otherwise. It had been convenient. Gojyo got laid and Hakkai was able to forget about the blood and pain that followed Kanan's memory.
Nothing changed between them after that. Except sometimes they would leave Sanzo to room with Goku (not that the monk made any more than a token protest) and take the second room for themselves. That was how it started. Stress relief and a satisfying of needs, but it had stopped being "just sex" long ago. Hakkai was now trying to pin point when it had went from "friends with benefits" to "making love."
Hakkai shifted a little in the narrow hotel bed and pushed away the thin sheet that covered him. With Gojyo spooned against his back, it was somewhat warmer than was comfortable for sleeping. He turned in Gojyo's arms to stare at the red headed kappa's narrow face, slack in slumber and peaceful.
It was a face he knew well and it had changed little since he had first seen it several years ago. The hair that framed it was still crimson like ripe apples and spilled blood. The three narrow scars still graced his left cheek and his eyes were still as red as the sunset. No, it was not the face that had changed, but rather Hakkai's perception of it.
When he first met Gojyo there had been no significance in his appearance save for the red that reminded him of penance and murder. It was no longer the face of his unwanted savior nor simply that of his friend and roommate. It was a face he had come to love. It was a shocking revelation for him. To realize that he not only loved another person, but that person had absolutely nothing in common with Kanan.
He had expected to care for a woman with Kanan's gentle disposition and kindness (but she had to be indestructible, of course). He had thought maybe Yaone-san, but she would only ever have eyes for Kougaiji, he had realized that quickly enough. Now he had come to find out that it was rash, lecherous, headstrong Gojyo that had captured his heart.
Hakkai reached up to brush a few sleep-mussed strands of hair behind Gojyo's ear.
"You're thinking again," Gojyo mumbled without opening his eyes.
"Aah, I suppose I am," Hakkai replied.
" 'bout what?"
"Oh, I've just realized that I love you."
Gojyo's eyes popped open at that and he tensed. He studied Hakkai's calm face carefully before snorting. "Took ya' long enough," he grumbled, closing his eyes again and settling back under the covers. His arm tightened around Hakkai's waist.
"Mm, I suppose," Hakkai agreed, shifting closer to Gojyo and shutting his eyes, hoping for a few more hours sleep before they had to leave.
"I…me too, ya' know?"
Hakkai smiled to himself. "I know."
