Anchor
Written by: RinoaDestiny
#9 – Warmth
~takes place directly after #8 - Nightlife
Kyo is warm. Kyo is next to him, where they both lay together. Iori shifts and his blood burns – whether it's from the alcohol or their exertion, he doesn't know. All he knows is Kyo needs to go home, like he mentioned before, but the man is still with him. The night started young but it's getting late now and Kyo has family to return home to.
He kisses the other man on the forehead, right above his brow. Gentleness used to come easy to him but that was before the training. Before he became his clan's weapon against the Kusanagi clan. The irony isn't lost on him. "Kyo, it's late." That's all he says and it should be enough.
Kyo stirs – muscle and scars on a battle-hardened body – and sits up. The sheet falls off him and although the light's dim, Iori sees what his hands have traced tonight. His breath catches and Kyo turns to him, hearing it. There's a trace of amusement in his eyes, which Iori never finds tiresome now. "Thought you had enough."
"I did."
He's tired – can sleep the night away in the hotel – yet, the sight of Kyo always stops him for entirely different reasons now. He's unable to remove his gaze, to shift it elsewhere. For Kyo unclothed and outside the battle arena carries a different kind of beauty and Iori doesn't use that word lightly. From where he lies, Kyo towers above him, brown hair messy and a slight sheen to his skin.
Heat pools in his stomach; Iori clamps down on the urges it brings.
"Did I hurt you?"
The question is gently asked. It's a kindness.
"No."
He props himself up on his elbow and locks gazes with Kyo. Silence falls between them but it's the comforting sort and Iori doesn't mind. The taste of whiskey in the back of his throat, the bed's softness beneath him, and the quiet ambience of their hotel room settles into him. Kyo can't stay, but that's all right. He doesn't move when Kyo reaches out, fingers brushing his hair aside.
"It wasn't quite what I expected, but…"
"It never is."
Their first time together – tonight, of all nights – wasn't how Iori envisioned it; yet, he has no regrets. It wasn't comfortable despite Kyo's effort to make it so, but Iori's sure he wouldn't have done much better being new to it. He'll probably be sore tomorrow but he's been hurt worse before and with time, discomfort fades. He doesn't feel anything right now and that, to him, is for the best.
"You're staying?" Kyo asks him, voice soft. His hand falls away.
Iori blinks, hair covering his face again. "Yes." They have the room for one night – best to make use of it. He doesn't feel like going home right now anyway. The bed's soft and warm. Kyo's still here – his presence is enough. He wants to close his eyes and sleep, but doing so will remove Kyo from his gaze. Exhaustion grips him; he puts his head down on the pillow.
Kyo smiles and Iori sees why the sun's a fitting crest for his lover's clan. "I don't have to leave, you know."
It takes him by surprise. "But –"
"It feels wrong just leaving you here." The unspoken implication would've been insulting if Iori chose to feel insulted. However, Kyo continues, smoothing away any unintentional barbs. "Don't want you to wake up alone."
He's slept alone before, but he's also slept alongside his girlfriends after a busy night. Companionship for him is rare. He's never imagined Kyo with him for the whole night, both of them asleep in bed. The fact that Kyo's willing to forego going home to spend the night with him is…
Iori looks away, watching the strands of his hair red against his pillow.
"You don't mind, do you?"
As if he would. Kyo's question turns his attention back to the man, to that soft concerned expression and Iori can't refuse him anything at this point. "No. Why would I?" His voice is brusque; yet, they both know it's just who he is. Kyo's smile deepens and it does something to his eyes. Iori can't look away.
"Give me a minute. I'll let my folks know."
The other man slips out of bed, pulls on his briefs – their clothes are scattered on the floor – and disappears into the bathroom with his phone in hand. Iori closes his eyes and hears the door open and close after a brief moment. The blanket lifts and settles upon him and then Kyo's beside him, adding his warmth to the bed. Light kisses on his eyelids and strong arms encircle him.
"Sleep, Yagami. I'll be here."
He does and when the light goes off, everything's all right.