You are the most ridiculous thing the corner of Beethes' frown tugged at the thought as he combed his fingers through the tangled pink strands. After spending several nights up in the mountains alone, the typically boisterous nymph was now exhausted and spent. Mozart had been so weary from his wilderness shenanigans that upon his return to Otowa, he'd barely made it to the comfort of his bed before collapsing face down on the covers.
Much to the relief of the rest of the household Mozart was clearly too exhausted to be at risk of causing any more harm so they had simply abandoned him in his room following the Hamagon incident. Beethoven had volunteered to check on him intermittently despite Schuu's protests. "Beethoven-senpai, that waste-lot is not worthy of your attention! Let him wallow in the mess he's made - think of the danger he put us all in with his foolishness!" Beethoven hummed and folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head in response to Schubert's pleas. No one cared to argue any further, most retiring to their own rooms and soon enough Mozart's animal foray was practically forgotten.
Beethoven true to his word, checked on his charge regularly. Hourly he would bring a glass of water, or simply pry open the door to sneak a glance at the wild mess of sheets. Having spent most of the night thrashing in vivid dreams, Mozart finally calmed by morning and had begun to rest peacefully. Propped coolly up on one arm, Beethes had stretched out alongside Wolf's thin frame, tucking him protectively under the quilts that he had recovered from the floor - having been tossed about during the night.
He had spent most of that afternoon watching Mozart sleep with great satisfaction. He studied the composer's face as he slept, admiring his feminine lashes and gentle features. His trademark grin had fallen to a small, doleful expression as he slept. Little bits of foliage clung to the frustrating knots that Ludwig worked with his slender fingers, evidence of his recent misadventure. With great concentration, Ludwig gently pulled out each offending fragment piece by piece. Leaves, sticks, even a bits of mud had buried themselves deep within the disastrous locks. Wolf...
"Yes" He confirmed in a near grunt as Mozart began to shift and sit up, rubbing his sleep filled eyes in disbelief. "What time is it?"
"Afternoon - you've been asleep since last night."
Mozart turned to confirm the time by the small clock on the bedside table, "Have you been here the whole time?" Beethoven shrugged shyly, "Only for a little while" he lied, scrambling up into a more casual position. Mozart frowned, his face showing his obvious disappointment as he reached for his braid only to find a tangled mess. Picking absently at the ends of his hair, he glanced back at Beethoven who had shifted to sit cross legged, now more interested in the designs on the linens rather than making eye contact.
"Thanks anyway Lud-kun," Mozart slid off the bed and over to the dresser to pick up a silver brush, "I know you'd always look out for me." he forced a giggle, flashing a small smile at Ludwig's stern face as he crawled back onto the bed. Mozart sat opposite, crossing his bare legs in a similar fashion as he started to work on restoring his braid. Beethoven watched longingly as Wolf brushed and tried to free the remaining knots from his hair. Wincing at a few tough spots, Mozart let out a small yelp, "Ow!" Beethoven suppressed a grin at his efforts.
"Like you could do better!" Mozart stuck out his tongue defiantly as he continued to rip at his own hair with the brush, attacking it rather impatiently. Beethoven stuck out his hand with a flat expression and Mozart cocked his head questioningly. Dropping the brush into Beethoven's hand Mozart tossed his hair over his shoulder and turned to face the wall, backing up within the other man's reach. Beethoven felt his chest tighten as he grasped the pink mane and began working the brush in gentle, even strokes. He worked silently until the fair locks were shining and soft. Mozart dropped his head in appreciation of the attention. His scalp tingled when he felt Beethoven's fingers combing through the strands, it stirred a familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach. Mozart dropped his gaze to the floor as he felt a blush creeping across his pale cheeks. He was thankful that Beethoven would be none the wiser from his position.
"Do you want a braid?" the sudden gruffness cut through the silence, almost making Wolf jump from his thoughts. Mozart nodded silently, keeping his head low to shield the deep blush from view. He felt the familiar tug of a thick braid being woven, travelling down his back to the ends of his hair. He tried to push the wicked thoughts from his mind but the sensation of Ludwig's fingers through his hair was just too much to ignore.
"Bow?"
Mozart nodded again, sensing the ribbon being tied stiffly to secure Lud-kun's work. "Sorry Wolf, black was all I had." Mozart fumbled behind his neck, fingering the thick braid and pulling it over his shoulder to inspect the handy work. "Lud-kun!" a huge smile erupted as he spun around to face his friend, "I didn't know you were so good at braiding!" he admired the large bow that was tied neatly at the end of his hair, petting the soft velvety texture with adoration. "It was my first attempt actually." Ludwig admitted, but nevertheless, he felt satisfied at having won his praise. After some time, Ludwig's expression turned serious again
"You scared us Wolf"
Mozart's expression fell , and his bright blue eyes threatened to rain sorrowful tears remembering the events of the past few days. A lump rose in his throat as memories flashed of loneliness, the loss of his mother, and heartbreak. "I'm sorry..." he stammered, dropping his hands from his hair and letting them fall limply to his sides. Beethoven reached to catch them softly, lacing their fingers together. They sat intertwined, starring at one another. Ludwig's stomach twisted as he watched painful hot tears begin to roll down Wolf's cheeks, his chin quivered in a futile effort to hold them back. His heart ached for the tormented pink creature that was breaking in front of him and he squeezed the delicate hands in sympathy. He too had lost his mother and knew the burden all too well. Releasing Mozart's hands, he moved to cup the back of his Wolf's slender neck pressing their foreheads together. He knelt there, holding Wolf while listening to the pitiful sobs and feeling the fat droplets that fell on both of their knees as they bumped together in their closeness. Wolf squeezed his eyes shut and choked between heaves, "I'm sorry..." he whimpered, grasping Ludwig's arms for support, no longer caring that Ludwig was witnessing this pathetic meltdown. "I'm sorry..." he sputtered repeatedly and Ludwig shook his head, pulling him close and pressing him to his chest. With a sigh, he rested his chin on top of the pink mop. He rocked and cooed him in an effort to stem the flow of tears, in response Wolf clung to him tightly.
They remained wrapped up in one another for some time until the sobs turned to whimpers and the tears began to dry. Beethoven stroked Wolf's hair soothingly, leaning back against the headboard and pulling the other man with him, squeezing him protectively. Mozart curled against his chest, still shuddering and hiccuping gently. Seeing his tears had stopped, Ludwig gave a gentle tug on the braid causing Wolf to look up, cheeks still tear stained and damp. "Mozart-senpai" he smiled down at the pink creature, kissing him chastely on the top of his head. Wolf's forlorn pout lifted slowly as he blinked up at his protector in shock, allowing a small smile to break through his trouble expression. Ludwig squeezed him tightly in approval - smiling to himself and holding his master close.
