a combination of two prompts, first kiss + caught in a storm
They're supposed to be running far away, as far as possible, free from Gyokuen and Al Tharman's reaches, but the rain has halted their progress. Hakuryuu is loathe to lose valuable travel time, and Judal is whining about wanting to stay somewhere fancier, but there's no hope in making it through the mountains in this weather.
There's an abandoned cottage well off the beaten path, tucked into the woods, and Hakuryuu thinks it might have been an old hunting cabin at one point. Its new purpose is their safespace, at least for the night. It's small and the roof leaks in a corner but it's solid and hidden, which is more important than anything else at this point.
"This is terrible," Judal bitches, gesturing at the slowly dripping roof. "We're gonna get flooded and I don't wanna drown in my sleep."
Hakuryuu settles into the opposite corner. "You'll be fine. We don't have much of a choice."
He rolls his eyes. "I knooow. But I can still hate it."
"We're not going to be living as comfortably anymore, Judal. We had to give that up so we could-"
Judal sighs and cuts him off. "Yeah, yeah, I get it, we're living on the edge of everything, on the table scraps of society." He looks tired and worried, and a bit like a drowned cat. Hakuryuu can't remember the last time he saw him without impeccable makeup, but it's...nice, in a way. It makes him feel more human, less Al Tharman's pampered, dangerous pet, and Hakuryuu smiles over at him.
"It'll get better."
He grumbles but plops on the ground next to Hakuryuu, snuggling close. "I'm wet and miserable and I don't have anyone to blame, so I'm stealing your body heat," Judal says as he wraps an arm around Hakuryuu's waist.
The walls are surprisingly thick, warm enough to sit against despite the chilly weather outside, and they sit in comfortable silence together for a while, just listening to the sound of the rain pounding on the roof. It's peaceful, despite the stress, despite the uncertainty of their future, and Hakuryuu rests his head against Judal.
"...I always liked you, Hakuryuu. You know that, right?" Judal says softly. "Like, as kids, you were always really special to me and now- Well. You're still the most important person to me."
Hakuryuu shifts a little, to look at Judal directly. "I know. I mean, you're important to me too, and I. I really missed you, when we weren't talking."
"Hey, that was your fault!" Judal interjects, and Hakuryuu shakes his head.
"I thought you were loyal to Al Tharman by choice, and you weren't exactly making it easy to believe otherwise. But. I'm glad we're in this together."
Judal pushes some of Hakuryuu's bangs out of his face, and his hand lingers on his cheek. "Can I," he begins, before pulling back a little. But Hakuryuu saw it in his eyes, the raw, honest affection, and he understands where Judal is trying to go with this conversation.
He leans up the rest of the way, kissing Judal firmly, and their hands meet between them. Judal's cheeks are pink when they part, just enough to breathe, and Hakuryuu smiles softly at him.
"I understand," he assures Judal. "I do. Me too."
And the relief and joy on his face gives Hakuryuu hope for their future, as unsure as it is, because they're in it together.