Out of Character

Written for Zimus. 

            "Alright, water beetle…. I'll be nice to you just this once…" Sanzo grumbled at the miserable, red-haired lump leaning all his weight against the blond priest.  "But tomorrow you're getting a thorough beating for this…."


 "Eh, it'll be worth it," Gojyo replied, slinging his arms around the priest's neck.  Sanzo slipped his own slim arms around the whining kappa, hugging him awkwardly. 


            "Hn…you won't be saying that tomorrow…."


 "Yeah, I know.  I don't give a fuck about tomorrow right now."

            "Suit yourself," Sanzo said simply, massaging Gojyo's shoulders. 


 "Mrrr…that feels great…."


             "Hmph."  The priest pulled him closer, up against one bony shoulder.  Gojyo sagged against him, resting his head on the blonde's shoulder.  His long, crimson hair spilled down both sides of Sanzo's body, very striking against the black shirt. 


"…Sweet…."


            "Not for long," Sanzo remarked absently, brushing red strands away from the kappa's face. 


 "Right…I know…." Gojyo reached up and hooked a hand onto the priest's arm, resting it there lightly.  Sanzo, uncharacteristic of his usual bitter self, smiled.  Just a small one—the corners of his lips barely twitching upward—and he turned his head just enough so Gojyo didn't see.  He laid his own pale hand over the kappa's tanned one, twining their fingers together.  With a grunt of approval, the redhead flopped over into the priest's lap and drew his legs up onto the bed.  Sanzo twirled his hair lazily, playing with it, tangling his finger in it. 


            "Sleep, stupid kappa."


 "What if I don't, just to spite you?"


            "Then I'll knock you out," Sanzo answered simply, tracing his fingers over Gojyo's biceps. 


 "Ah, you're terrible."


            "Duh."  The priest prodded him sharply in the nose with one slender finger. 


Gojyo went cross-eyed for a moment before replying, "Haa…almost forgot."


            Sanzo touched his cheek gently, a surprising gesture for him, even when he was being kind.  "But not always…."

"Mmm…maybe…" Gojyo said with a happy sigh.  "Don't beat me too hard tomorrow…. Leave enough blood for me to get in the jeep before I pass out, hm?"

            "We'll see."  Sanzo leaned down and carefully placed a small kiss on the corner of the kappa's mouth. 

Gojyo flashed him a tired smile.  "…You beautiful thing…."

            "Hn."  The priest answered, avoiding the red eyes staring up at him.

Gojyo stretched, shifted around a bit in Sanzo's lap, and closed his eyes.  "G'night…and thanks…" he mumbled.  Curling and arm around the redhead's shoulder, Sanzo watched him sleep.  He attempted to get comfortable under Gojyo's weight, but ended up leaning against the wall at and odd angle.  With a quiet, disgruntled sigh, he fell asleep.



The End.