Souichi had woken the next morning to find his lower half all but inoperable. After a few failed attempts to stand, he finally admitted defeat, collapsing back onto the covers. Turning his head from where he was laying on his stomach to glare at Morinaga, he mumbled angrily.
"I'm not going anywhere today. But tomorrow, I'm getting out of this box. Do you hear me, Morinaga? I've earned at least a full day outside." Morinaga was suddenly very close to his face, a sly smile playing at his lips.
"Oh, yes you did." Lips were pushing against his own before Souichi could yell the string of curses he had chosen for his response; his mind going completely blank at the touch. After a few minutes he felt something around his wrist and he broke the kiss, looking down at his arm to find the cuff returned.
"…Bastard." He mumbled, glaring up at Morinaga's somber expression.
"I hope there will come a time when I don't need them."
"You're going to be hoping for quite a while." This received a sad smile.
"I know."
Morinaga then helped Souichi into a fresh pair of boxers, slipping into his pants from the day before himself. The rest of that day was spent either watching the exhausted boy beside him sleep or talking to him softly the few times he regained consciousness. Many times he tried to bring up the topic of their actions the night before, but each time he received only a silent glare. 'I'm pretty sure he ended up enjoying it, but I can't tell for certain…' The lazy day passed slowly for Morinaga and he showered and changed clothes to pass the time as his pet slept. Going back to Souichi's room to wait, Morinaga was more than happy when he woke from a nap to find that it was the next morning. Looking over at the sleeping body next to him, Morinaga was slightly surprised at the tossing head and murmured words of Souichi's unconscious form. 'Looks like he's having a nightmare…' Morinaga thought with a frown as he watched Souichi's brow furrow in what looked like pain, a cold sweat forming on his face.
"Nnh…no…stop…Mori…" Morinaga's eyes widened at the mumbled words. 'The nightmare is about me?' A deep sadness blanketed his mind as he watched Souichi toss and turn at the bad dream. 'I guess he didn't enjoy it…I better wake him up.' Shaking the slender shoulder gently, Morinaga attempted to rouse his pet.
"NO!" Souichi shot forward into a sitting position, his eyes wide as saucers and hands balled into fists. In an attempt to calm him, Morinaga said soothingly; sitting up himself.
"It's okay. It's okay. It was just a nightmare, you're fine. No one's hurting you." Souichi's head snapped to the side; delirious, hazel locking with eyes filled with worry. His entire body shaking uncontrollably, Souichi did something Morinaga had definitely not expected. Raising one trembling hand – his expression transforming from horror to shaky relief – Souichi touched Morinaga's face softly, as if he did not expect his dark-haired owner to be real.
"Morinaga…" Dark eyes widened even further as tears gathered in Souichi's. Although he did look completely terrified, Morinaga did not sense any of the fear directed at him. Souichi's adorably vulnerable expression sent shivers down Morinaga's spine and he could not help diving forward. Arms encircling the trembling frame, Morinaga pulled Souichi forward into a reassuring embrace. To the other boy's complete and utter shock, Souichi returned the hug, clinging to Morinaga as if his life depended on it. 'Holy shit! What did he dream about to become like this?'
"Souichi…do you remember the nightmare? I promise, I would never do whatever I did in the dream-" He was cut off by Souichi's voice, sounding calmer than a few moments ago.
"No, it wasn't anything you did.'
"But I heard you say my name in your sleep."
"It wasn't what you were doing…It was what was happening to you…"
"…What happened to me?" The arms around Morinaga tightened.
"Your father…he…you tried…tried to stop him…" Souichi trailed away as the shivers returned. 'Oh. The thing that terrified was Dad…' Morinaga could not help the wave of relief that washed over him at the realization.
"What did he do?" As if realizing for the first time what he was doing, Souichi pushed Morinaga forcefully away, his expression falling back into the usual hard glare once again.
"I don't want to talk about it." Even at the harsh reply, Morinaga could not hide his smile, the new information clicking into place. 'He was upset because something bad happened to the dream-me. And of course he harbors fear for my father after what he went through, even if he would never admit it…' Noticing Morinaga staring at him with that goofy smile plastered on his face, Souichi raised an eyebrow, his expression confused and irritated.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like a dumbass." Morinaga laughed lightly at the rude words, getting up from the bed to stand in front of Souichi.
"Okay, you've had a day to rest. Let's see if you can stand." Rotating his legs to rest on the floor, Souichi again attempted to stand, finding much more success than with the past day's tries. Morinaga placed both hands on pale shoulders, ready to catch the unsteady body if it collapsed. Once he was sure Souichi was balanced, he said with an innocent smile.
"Good, you seem better. Now let's take a shower."
"What?!" Souichi cried out as he was pulled along behind the stronger boy, his legs stumbling and clumsy.
"I am not taking a shower with you!" He screamed as he was dragged into the bathroom. Turning towards the struggling boy, Morinaga unlocked the wrist cuff in one swift movement. Flinging it onto the bed, he closed the door, effectively shocking Souichi into silence. An arm wrapping around his waist, Souichi tilted his head to avoid contact with the chocolate brown eyes that were so close to his own. A hand cupping his cheek, Souichi fought in vain as Morinaga gently forced the angular chin back around to face him.
"That was a cruel trick I played earlier, kissing you as a distraction to tie you down. I'm sorry." Morinaga's show of kindness caused a very skeptical look to cloud the face framed in silver.
"And you think something like this will get me in that shower with you?" Morinaga's face grew even closer, his eyes soft and smile gentle.
"Please?" Souichi waited for the urge to hit him to come and was shocked to find that no such urge existed. An exasperated sigh and hardened glare preceded the answer.
"…Fine." Souichi could not help but blush at the way Morinaga's face lit up. 'You would think I gave him a million dollars or something…' With a light peck and gleaming smile, Morinaga turned to the shower, bending to activate the water. Before Souichi even had time to consider what he was doing, he was dashing for the door. He did not even know why he was trying. It was not like he would know how to get out. And he was not even halfway across the bedroom before a strong arm wrapped around his waist; dragging him thrashing body back to the tiled chamber he had almost escaped from. Souichi grunted his frustration as he squirmed in Morinaga's hold, muscular limbs pressing him firmly against the body behind him.
"Guh! Get. OFF. Of. Me!" Souichi let out a shocked cry as the hand on his stomach moved up to his chest, rubbing one nipple with a light pressure. Lips could be felt on his ear and a quiet voice could barely be heard over his protests.
"A month or so ago and you would have hit me by now." A tone of sadness entered Morinaga's voice as he added, "Is it because of what my father said to you?"
"Of course not! I'm not scared of that bastard!" An almost relieved-sounding chuckle sounded behind Souichi.
"Then why have you stopped hitting me?" The room fell into silence as Souichi sought the answer, not knowing himself why his ever-present aggression vanished around his owner. His response was truthful and shaky.
"I…I don't know…"
"Is it because you're starting to return my feelings?"
"I SAID I DON'T KNOW!" And with the screamed repetition, Souichi began struggling with a new force, desperate to escape the dark-haired boy and the confusing emotions he caused. The arm around his waist tightened, the hand at his chest traveling down to his lower back. Souichi started as the set of digits made their way under his boxers; coming horrifyingly close to his entrance.
"For someone who doesn't know, you sure do react to this a grea-" Finally having had enough, Souichi struck out, his elbow colliding with Morinaga's face and lessening his hold. Scrambling away, silver hair whipped through the air as Souichi turned to face his molester, who was clutching his cheek with both hands.
"You think I should just know what all this confusing shit is?! I should be disgusted! I should hate your guts!" 'It terrifies me that I don't…' Souichi could not control his shaking body as he fought the tears threatening to fall from his tightly closed eyes. His voice dropped to where Morinaga could barely make it out.
"…Why can't I hate you…Why do I…" Morinaga continued the wide eyed stare he had executed throughout Souichi's outburst, the information slowly clicking in his shocked brain. 'He's scared of his feelings for me…? So that would mean he does have feelings for me!' Morinaga inched forward, his hand gripping Souichi's wrist lightly. The other boy backed away a few steps – though he made no effort to push Morinaga away – and finally gave in as warm arms encompassed him, bringing the two bodies into contact. Although what was left of his pride would not allow him to willingly return the embrace, Souichi did rest his forehead on the taller boy's shoulder; mostly to hide the tears he had yet to get under control.
"It's okay to be unsure…" Morinaga whispered softly. Souichi leapt away, however, when the kind words were accompanied by another invasion of his underwear.
"Really?! It doesn't matter what the situation is, does it?! You're ALWAYS horny! You animal!" Morinaga quickly reeled in the struggling boy, removing his boxers with one swift, downward pull.
"But I still have to punish you for trying to escape, now don't I?"
