Well, it took me longer than I wanted to get back on this, but here I am again! For these too I just wanted to write something cute and fluffy, since I think they both have such energy. I might like to re-visit this pairing at some point, since I'm not sure I hit the full potential for this pair, but for now at least I can offer a cute moment.
"Weren't you watching this one yesterday?"
Shiodome swung on the handle he was holding with both hands, rocking from heels to toes as he tried to get a better look over Ryougoku's shoulder. It certainly looked like he was watching the same drama, even the same episode, from the day before.
Ryougoku was sitting sideways on the seat with his legs crossed, hands on the knees, with the laptop open in front of him. It didn't look like the most comfortable position, but he got so intense about his historical dramas sometimes Shiodome wondered if he even cared about comfort.
"Yeah!" Ryougoku confirmed. "You have to watch it at least twice if you want to pick up every detail."
"Oh. I thought it might be because we were distracting you before."
Yesterday had been something of a mess. The argument of what was allowed on the Miracle Train (in spite of the rules set out for the rest of the Oedo line) was normal at this point, but then Tsukishima's oil had been spilled, and Shiodome had managed to slip on it, and it had been lucky the laptop wasn't broken after he'd knocked it to the floor when he fell. No one had been happy with the result. Shiodome had ended up with a sore backside and a bruised elbow, while Ryougoku missed the rest of his program and Toucho actually won an argument against contraband for once. Shiodome had thought he should apologize for his part in the whole fiasco, but it didn't seem Ryougoku had even noticed the inconvenience.
Shiodome let go of the handle, meaning to stop hanging over Ryougoku. Unfortunately he managed to time that just as the train hit one of the sudden curves on the track, knocking him off balance.
In the time it took him to yelp, Ryougoku had seized the front of his vest, pulling him forward so that he fell against a solid chest instead of backwards onto the floor.
"I got you this time!" Ryougoku cheered.
"Ah. . . Thanks."
Shiodome smiled up at Ryougoku's face, but when he tried to stand he found Ryougoku had snaked one arm around him to hold him firmly in place. His other hand had released Shiodome's vest to slip under his knees, gathering him more firmly into the lap he was already half-sprawled across.
"Um. . . You can let me up," Shiodome said.
He squirmed, trying unsuccessfully to get back to his feet. With frustrating ease Ryougoku settled him so that they were back-to-chest. His butt was planted directly between Ryougoku's crossed legs, which had shifted to accommodate him. His legs were still draped on either side of Ryougoku's knee. Ryougoku's arm was wrapped tight around his chest now, holding him firmly in place. Sitting like that felt odd, but there was no question it a lot better than landing on the floor.
"I think you'd better stay here for a while." Ryougoku grinned down at him. "Here! I'll go back so you can watch from the beginning with me!"
Shiodome was not interested in watching the drama, but after his first surprise there wasn't much incentive to try and squirm away, either. Being held in Ryougoku's arms and his lap was surprisingly comfortable. More than comfortable enough to stay as he was, with his hands folded over Ryougoku's larger hand for as long as the older station held him.