Split
The first thing Goku notices upon waking is the sun hitting his eyes and that a fan striking his head is not being used as his usual wake-up call. He blinks sleepily, vision a little hazy as he looks up and sees in his most direct line of sight a very cozy looking couple snuggled up on the couch a few feet from him. Goku remembers where he is in an instant. So it isn't a dream. He is still here, in this strange world, and his other self is curled up in Koryuu's sweet embrace.
Goku bites back a growl of jealousy. No, he will not be jealous. They are happy and they deserve to be. Getting jealous won't accomplish anything. No, if he wants anything to happen he is going to have to make things happen. And damn it all if he is going to let Sanzo ruin that.
Thoughts on the monk send Goku's eyes drifting behind him to the chair Sanzo had at one point been sleeping in. Being empty now, Goku finds he is pulled towards the seat and half-crawls his way over until resting on his knees in front of it. He doesn't have to get any closer than he is; he can still smell it. The tell-tale traces, leaving no visible residue but a scent that is more than enough for the boy's demon senses.
A little part of his brain, most likely the part still half asleep, wants to pitch forward and bury his nose in the cushions, but being as tired as he is even he can recognizes how weird that would be. His reasoning for wanting such a thing does not only pertain to Sanzo's act during the night, however, but to the remnants of the monk's scent itself. Not the smell of…that. Just of Sanzo. The Sanzo-smell Goku knows better than he knows his own. He would love to bury his nose in that, preferably by burying his whole face in the crook of the blonde's neck and breathing deep. That thought hedoubts even Gojyo would tease him for.
Goku frowns, suddenly much more awake than he had been. He whips around, cursing his recently drooping eyes and distracted attention for not having realized until now.
Gojyo and Hakkai are not where they should be.
But…the pair had been sleeping only a few feet from him all night, hadn't they? They had been right there, Goku thinks, looking to the spot his friends should have been. He nervously darts his eyes around the room, at least what parts he can see, but his friends do not appear to be...anywhere.
A surge of panic shocks the boy's system into action and he is on his feet. "Gojyo…Hakkai…" he calls, softly at first, as if afraid of the answer he knows will not come. "Gojyo." he says a little louder. "Hakkai." He waits in vain as the room remains silent. His fingers start to twitch at his sides and before he can reel his panic in and at least try to think calmly, he has run around to the other side of the couch, thinking perhaps they might be there.
Nothing.
He runs to the bathroom, through the kitchen, in the laundry room he had barely noticed existed until he only now finds reason to inspect it. But Gojyo and Hakkai are not in the house. Not anywhere.
Goku's eyes hit the front door and his feet are moving him forward again before even a thought of doing so has been formed. He looks over the little half-porch, smaller than Gonou and Gojyo's, but his friends are not outside. He thinks perhaps they are around the other side of the house, but when he tries to step off the porch he is knocked back. He strikes the air, meeting some impossible shield like the one he remembers Sanzo hitting the day before.
Goku's eyes widen, and if he had the power to do so he would have hit himself with the fan.
Sanzo.
Goku is back inside the house, running for the bedroom. He has the knob in his hand and the door open before his rapid pulse has managed to catch up. And then his pulse stops--surely his heart has stopped completely--because there, sleeping against the window of the small bedroom…is the sun himself, lit by the most brilliant radiance as the sun outside shines in and lights up golden blonde hair.
Goku's breath catches and his heart begins to beat again, but the panic he had felt is still with him, and before he can stop his feet, seeing as how they really have grown a mind of their own this morning, he is bounding across the carpet and has a firm hold on his keeper's waist, digging his head into a sun-warmed chest and yes…breathing in.
Sanzo.
The boy's relief is not given much time to enjoy itself, however, for the second strong arms gripped the monk's waist Sanzo started to wake, and as those arms squeeze tighter than they should, Sanzo is soon blinking past the remaining call of sleep, wondering why the damn sun has to be so bright and why the hell his ribs are hurting.
His mind jumps to realization and Sanzo looks down…looks down to see the brown head tight to his chest as short but long-enough arms encircle his waist, touching…hugging…holding him in affectionate desperation.
He puts his hands on the boy's shoulders and pushes as hard as he can. "What the hell are you doing! Get off me!" But Goku's grip is tight and he is barely moved, apparently uncaring to the fact that Sanzo is now very much awake and not happy with their current positions. "I said, let go, monkey! I can't fucking breathe!"
Goku loosens his grip but does not let go. "Please, Sanzo…please don't make me…"
Sanzo cannot see Goku's face, but he does not have to; Goku is either crying already or very near it, and his voice quakes in a way even Sanzo finds pitying.
"P-Please…don't…I…I was so…scared…"
Sanzo doesn't answer. He doesn't know what to say to that, he just wants those arms, this body, everything, to be away from him. He grunts and pushes on the boy's shoulders again, softer this time, but hinting that he is still unhappy with those arms wrapped so tightly around him. "Scared of what, idiot. I thought you didn't want to be a damn kid anymore. Don't act like a brat if you don't want to be seen as one. Now let go of me."
Goku still does not listen, but his grip loosens the smallest bit again as he lifts his head and raises shimmering gold to stare up into flustered violet. "I'm…sorry, Sanzo…but…when I woke up, and…no one was there…I…Hakkai and Gojyo are gone, and…I thought you would be, too…"
Violet blinks, trying hard not to look shocked or upset. "What do you mean…gone?"
"Hakkai…and Gojyo…they're…they're not here. I looked everywhere, Sanzo."
Damn. If those two were lucky enough to get out… "Stop sniveling like that." Sanzo says gruffly, pushing again at resisting shoulders while those eyes keep looking at him, seeking something he refuses to give. "Who cares if they're gone. Either they got out and they're trying to get us out too, or they're off with their look-alikes again. I couldn't be so lucky to be rid of them this easy, any more than being rid of you. Now, get your hands off or I'm kicking your ass out of the jeep the second we're back in it."
Finally, this time Goku nods, albeit weakly, and he pulls his arms back, though he at first remains as close to Sanzo as he can, as if he might at any moment fall forward again and latch on tightly.
A mighty push at the boy's chest takes care of that and Sanzo gets up from the window-seat, shifting his shoulders to get rid of the crick…he realizes is already fading. At least this place is good for some things, he muses. But when he looks to the side, where Goku has come up right next to him and is still staring up with that damn needy expression, Sanzo wishes he had something to hit. What he wouldn't give to have his fan right now. But who would he hit? With Goku acting like this, it would only make the monkey lunge for another hug, and if Sanzo decided to go for the kappa…
He doesn't want to think about Gojyo right now, or about Hakkai, and is silently thankful the two of them are gone.
"Come on, monkey. And stop looking at me like that. It's annoying."
There, that had sounded the way Sanzo should, and he nearly smirks to himself at his success. Nothing has to change. Things can just go back to the way they were before all this. He just has to get through the rest of these scenes until they stop. And if they never stop…
No, not an option. This place will not be the end of Genjyo Sanzo.
"Sanzo…?"
Sanzo grits his teeth, taking up his old place leaning against the wall now that they have left the bedroom. It is all he can do to not look down at the eyes looking up at him.
"Sanzo…it's kinda…weird, huh? I don't even feel gross or anything."
The sheer absurdity of this statement has Sanzo's gaze turning downwards. What is the monkey going on about?
Goku seems to recognize he isn't making much sense. "I mean…it's like someone pressed the reset button. I'm still not hungry, don't have to use the bathroom, and I don't need a bath either. It's just…weird, ya know?"
And nice, since the scent of Sanzo's midnight activity is only on the chair and no longer attached to the man. Goku is happy for that, because if Sanzo still smelled of it…he might not be responsible for his actions, especially after that embrace he was allowed. And Goku has to think of it as something allowed, because really, if Sanzo had wanted Goku away that badly, he could have just gotten up from the seat right away. Right?
"Heh. Never thought I'd wish I was hungry." Goku muses, leaning back against the wall next to Sanzo, though keeping a little distance should the monk choose to act out in any way. Goku moves just a little closer then. Hey, if he's going to push, he has to be consistent. And…he really wants as much closeness as he can get since that feeling of loneliness has only recently been banished, even if he does feel a little foolish for panicking the way he had.
Sanzo notices how close the boy is, a few inches away only, but with the kitchen counter on his other side, it's either stay put or lean against something less comfortable, and damn it if he is going to let Goku get the better of him. "Would you just shut up. And stop hovering. Does personal space mean nothing to you?" He pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. This whole day is already looking to be just as 'promising' as the day before. Oh joy, Sanzo thinks with a scowl.
"Do you have a headache, Sanzo?" the monkey asks, the tilt of his head actually bringing him that much closer to Sanzo despite the blonde's insistence the boy move away.
No, Sanzo does not have a headache, something he usually has at least once a day with two idiots in constant quarrel behind him in the jeep. But that doesn't mean he wants to give the monkey a reason to keep talking. "Yes." he lies, pinching his nose again. "So shut up and stop making it worse."
For a few moments, Sanzo almost thinks his charge is going to listen to him for once. "Sanzo…?" But then comes the voice again. And something in that voice this time has Sanzo instantly realizing that whatever is about to follow is not something he wants to hear.
He looks down into gold again and is instantly trapped. Shit. Why the hell did he look? He should know better by now. And Goku's eyes are shimmering again. How does the boy do that? How can he so easily shift from being some stranger who acts more adult than Sanzo wants to admit, to suddenly being…the same little boy Sanzo found in that cave.
"Sanzo…"
Oh gods, no. Don't let him say it, please…
"Sanzo…about last night…"
-----
The first thing Gojyo notices upon waking is that someone is shaking his shoulders. The second…is the wide green eyes looking rather startled since he has jolted upright into a sitting position and those eyes are suddenly much closer than they had been. He can smell the pine, and mint, and freshness, and warmth that is his good friend, since that friend is suddenly close enough to bump noses…or even…
"Shit." Gojyo curses aloud, pulling back to screw his vision and remember that yes, other colors do exist in the world besides green, though for a second, that emerald was all he could see. "Sorry, man. Guess you spooked me a little."
And true to his nature, Hakkai merely straightens himself, crouched down beside Gojyo, and offers a smile. "Not at all." he says, despite the strain in that smile and the strange flush of color to his usually pale cheeks. He stands quickly, but still has the good nature to offer his friend a hand. "I was already awake when it happened, and I thought you might want to know."
Gojyo accepts that hand, hoisted to his feet, and tries not to linger in his friend's touch too long before pulling his hand free again. He would ask what Hakkai means by 'it' but a quick look at his surroundings makes that clear on its own. "Back with our own doubles, huh?" he says, recognizing that they are once again in Gonou and Gojyo's living room instead of Koryuu and Goku's. "Kind 'a nice doin' that in my sleep. Don't even remember being nauseous."
A courteous laugh. "I envy you that, my friend, but I suppose I am getting used to it by now." Hakkai says, and when Gojyo turns to him with a sheepish expression, as if to apologize for how Hakkai had felt that nausea, the brunette laughs again. "It's quite all right. Better than both of us waking in strange surroundings, though I suppose we should be used to that by now, too. Sanzo and Goku do not appear to have shifted with us, by the way. Strange…" he adds, taking survey over the room as if the monk and monkey might suddenly appear after all.
Gojyo shrugs the news off, figuring the pair must be okay, and not minding that they are missing since he really doesn't want to have to see that damn monk any time soon. "The freaks that have us here probably want us to see separate things today." he says, nodding at his own assessment. "Gotta say, I was kinda hoping we'd wake up back home. In Hakuryuu, or even in the dirt, for all I care, just so long as we're not here. I don't mind the show, but I don't like not knowing what's going on, ya know?"
Hakkai nods his agreement, but quirks an eyebrow at some of his friend's words. "You…do not mind the things we have seen, Gojyo?" he asks.
Gojyo's shoulders tense; shit, did he say too much?
"Not even…the more hurtful things?"
And then his shoulders relax; ah, he understands what Hakkai is getting at now. "I'll admit, seeing a full youkai me…when it's something…as a kid…I used to just dream about…" He stops himself, eyebrows knitting tightly, and casts Hakkai a guilty look. "I shouldn't say that. I mean, you…you never wanted to be…what you are, and here I am saying how I wished for it. I mean, it's not like I'd wish for it now with all the youkai goin' psycho on us. But…I shouldn't--"
"Gojyo."
Something in those two syllables is enough to make Gojyo forget about feeling guilty. Another quick look at his friend and he sees that Hakkai is smiling at him, not in any form of sympathy, but almost…in amusement. It's amazing how a single word, a single uttering of his name from those lips can make Gojyo's world pause. Has he really lived with this man for three years and not noticed?
"There is no reason to feel ashamed for wishing for something. I know your reasons and I would never look poorly upon you for wanting something that anyone in your position would most likely want as well." Suddenly, Hakkai's face washes over with the same look of guilt Gojyo just had. "Goodness. That sounded awful. Same position as you? I didn't mean it that way at all, as if what you are is anything to be--"
"Hey, hey, calm down." Gojyo breaks in, rescuing his friend from the foot currently lodged down his throat, at least as far as Hakkai is concerned. Gojyo, however, does not see it that way at all. The part of him that lives off touch, whether it be through play-fighting with the monkey or seeking out pleasurable company, suddenly has him throwing an arm over Hakkai's shoulders. "Don't you start acting guilty now. I know what you meant. And it's not like you're wrong. Can't imagine anyone would wish to be a half and half piece 'a soiled goods like me."
"Gojyo." This time the syllables carry a warning, but the message in it just makes Gojyo love the sound of it more.
"Hey, I can call myself that if I want." the redhead says in response. He tugs the slightly shorter man just the smallest bit closer against him since his arm still has hold of those shoulders. "Besides…I thought we were happy being soiled goods." He flashes a quick smile and winks, knowing that his friend will remember just as he does the day Hakkai told Sanzo…
'What, didn't you know? The two of us are soiled goods together.'
Hakkai does indeed remember, but recent events make those words come back to haunt him with very different meaning hidden beneath their original depth, and he finds himself growing flushed again.
He swallows thickly, wondering at the look in Gojyo's eyes and the arm draped over his shoulders. "Aa…indeed." he says with a smile he knows to be weak, especially considering the strange look Gojyo gives him now as he frees himself of the taller man's hold and begins to walk away. "Perhaps…we should look for…our other selves. Just to be sure we aren't missing anything that might help us find our way free of this place." His voice is strained as he says this, heading for the bedroom now, where he assumes their counterparts to be sleeping.
Gojyo could kick himself. Way to go, he thinks, let's spook the poor guy before you've even figured out your own messed up feelings over this. The hanyou nearly growls and has to fight down his response quickly, just in case Hakkai turns back and catches him looking so put out.
Not that Hakkai looks as if he has any intention of looking back at Gojyo for awhile. The brunette is making straight for the bedroom door, already reaching to slide it open.
"Ahhh…'Kai…you think that's a good idea?" Gojyo calls out, all else forgotten for a moment as he jumps into action and moves over the floor quickly in case there is need to stay Hakkai's possibly dooming hand.
"It is mid-morning, Gojyo. I am sure they are only sleeping or not in the room at all."
"But…ya know…the way they go at each other sometimes…"
"Gojyo…" This time those syllables make Gojyo think he can actually hear his friend's blush.
He sees that he has caused Hakkai to hesitate, but then that thin, graceful hand is moving for the door again before Gojyo can think of anything else to stop it. He would close his eyes if he wasn't morbidly curious.
Damn the monkey for being right.
"There, you see? Harmless." Hakkai says, but Gojyo can still hear the blush in the other man's tone, because despite Gonou and the other Gojyo being blissfully asleep and not engaged in anything too unseemly, the way they are curled together beneath the covers of their shared bed does more than just suggest at what might have gone on the night before. It looks fitting.
It looks right.
Gonou, lying on his back, has his head haloed by his longer hair, his body turned in towards his companion. The youkai Gojyo, half on his stomach and half on his side, is also facing in, an arm draped possessively over Gonou's waist. The covers are low enough, near to the pair's hips, that the watchers are quite certain pajamas of any sort are a negative. But still, all blush-worthiness aside, something in how easily they are lying there, how comfortable, has two very different minds thinking about the very same friend's advice.
But Goku does not understand what he is asking, Hakkai thinks, his right hand becoming a tight fist in his conviction, blind and foolish as that conviction may be.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking, Gojyo decides, trying not to let his gaze wander too much over what is exposed of Gonou's body, and definitely trying not to imagine Hakkai in a similar state of undress.
And then Gojyo has to catch himself before laughing aloud, because he just gave himself away. Wishful thinking? If he is really wishing for it…why is he pretending he isn't?
"Hey…Hakkai…?"
-----
Sanzo feels his face becoming hot, his throat closing. "What about last night?" he says, and hopes his voice didn't falter, though not as much as he is hoping that Goku does NOT bring up what he is fearing. Ask about the kappa, he thinks, for that is something he can lie about if pressed. Just…don't ask about anything else. Please…
"Well…I just wanted you to know…Gojyo's not mad or anything."
And there is air to be breathed again and his heart remembers how to beat. Sanzo feels his face already starting to cool.
"He felt more guilty I think than mad." Goku continues. "Hakkai was pissed though. You know, the way he is when he doesn't show it, and you just know he's this close to hitting something. Not that he ever would, but sometimes I think he'd be happier if he did."
Sanzo holds back from grinding his teeth.
"Did he really threaten you? He said he did."
Somehow, Sanzo's teeth find themselves grinding anyway. "Did I not tell you to shut up! Fuck, you're annoying."
The tone of the monk's voice is more than Goku can ignore now, but he huffs loudly, his arms coming up to cross over his chest which, since Sanzo is standing in the same manner, makes the smaller boy look like an almost comical parody of his keeper. "You don't have to be so mean. I was just asking."
"Well it's none of your business. I don't want to talk about…last night."
Goku huffs again. "I'll bet you don't…" he grumbles, just loud enough to be certain Sanzo has heard him. When silence follows--tense silence--Goku knows his muttering has had the desired affect. He almost grins; pushing can be so gratifying, as long as he knows when to push harder and when to back off. He figures that coming out and saying, 'I know what you did last night,' probably would be a point of pushing too far.
A quick glance at Sanzo shows that the infamous vein is throbbing.
Make that definitely a point of pushing too far. Goku decides he had better drop the issue and quick. Maybe…if he's feeling bold enough, he'll bring it up again later.
Before he can think of something else to break the silence with, however, his own voice--though from a very different source--sounds through the room in the form of groggy moans.
Suddenly, a brown head pops up from the couch, the older Goku looking strangely panicked. He looks around the room, his gaze passing rather close to Sanzo and the younger Goku against the wall but, naturally, not noticing them. Then, his attention is back on the blonde beneath him and he is soon shaking those narrow shoulders awake.
"Kory, wake up, we slept in!" he shouts, not bothering to watch his volume despite how close his companion's ears are to the source of his yelling. "We're gonna be late! Mom'll kill us!"
Koryuu looks almost in pain as he wills himself awake and looks up at the boy fully on top of his chest now. It takes a minute for the brunette's mantra to catch up to him, but once he focuses, his eyes are soon as wide as the gold ones looking down at him. "Shit!" And he is off the couch, he and Goku both rushing for the bathroom. When they reach the door at the same time the pair passed one another a look, as if debating who has the right to get ready first. Making the decision for them, Koryuu's grabs a handful of Goku's shirt. "No time. We'll just shower together."
As he is being quite willing pulled into the bathroom, the older Goku can't help grinning, even though he is still out of breath from his recent panic. "Man, now we'll really be late."
Sanzo and the younger Goku think they faintly hear a humored 'shut up' reply to that as the bathroom door closes, but since both minds suddenly have an image of the pair stripped down, naked and wet in the shower, together…
A blush rises to Goku's cheeks. He looks over at Sanzo, but if the monk is indeed thinking the same things he is right now, he is doing a much better job of hiding it. Allowing his head to loll away from the monk, Goku soon finds himself looking the opposite way, discovering all those pictures hanging on the wall next to him. He looks at the one of young Koryuu and the boy's mother, and then finds one of them much older with Goku in it with them. The brunette woman's arms are wrapped around both her 'sons' and all three look so very…happy.
"Hey Sanzo…" Goku starts. "…do you remember your mother?"
Sanzo is startled by this question, enough to pull him from whatever other thoughts had been running through his head, and he turns to look down at the boy who is still staring at all the pictures along the wall. Sanzo follows the boy's gaze and sees a picture he had not noticed before. The one of Koryuu, Goku, and his…and Koryuu's mother. Though the woman certainly resembles Sanzo, looking as if she very well could be his mother despite her more average coloring, he has no memories of such a woman.
But then…he wonders suddenly if that is true. Studying the woman's face more carefully, he almost thinks…it seems vaguely familiar. His first memory had always been of Koumyo's face, looking down at him, which the older monk told him must have been the day he found little Koryuu floating in the river. Koumyo had praised him for his sharp memory then, but…is there something he has forgotten? A face before Koumyo's? That woman's face…so kind and yet, sad…
"I don't know…" he says, not meaning to answer the monkey at all, but finding that his voice has worked against him and spoken anyway. He recovers quickly when Goku turns back to look at him. "What does it matter. She's not real, and thinking otherwise will only be giving in to whatever the assholes running this place want from us."
Goku nods, but the sadness of his expression has Sanzo thinking of the sadness he now…remembers…on that woman's face. "Okay, Sanzo…I just…wondered. It's weird, ya know? None of us have mothers or fathers. Not real, blood ones. None of us…"
Sanzo is silent. The monkey's words are very true, but in all honesty Sanzo has never thought much on it before. So Hakkai is an orphan, Gojyo only had a step-mother, he only had Koumyo, and Goku…had nothing. It's what this shit-hole planet gave them; they can't change that, even if they wanted to.
"Do you think…your master would have liked me, Sanzo?"
All gears in Sanzo's head snap to sudden attention in painful realignment. He could hit Goku…if the boy didn't look so lost and small suddenly. Just like the boy in the cave, Sanzo thinks, but he knows better. He knows better than any of them how grown up Goku really is now.
Like hell if he's going to admit that.
"Where'd that come from?" he says gruffly, turning his look into a stern glare. "Don't ask stupid questions."
Goku shifts a little, eyes downcast, but suddenly…he looks up, and violet is once again unwillingly captured by gold. "We're going to see both your mom and your master today for that brunch thingy, remember? I just…well…he talked about me like he likes me. And I just…think about that sometimes, since he meant so much to you. He's the only person you ever…" Goku doesn't finish, perhaps unable to find the right words or…perhaps…too hurt to finish it when he wants so badly to believe Koumyo isn't the only one.
A surge of anger fills Sanzo for a moment and he wishes again for his fan. Now would be the perfect time to hit the stupid monkey for saying such moronic things. Now would be the perfect time to shut him up with a few firm whacks.
Sanzo settles for a not-as-hard-as-he-damn-well-could-make-it kick to the boy's shin.
"First, it's not my mother or my master, it's the fool in the bathroom's." he says, feeling no sympathy as the boy scowls and rubs his assaulted leg. "Second, that imposter at the temple was not saying he liked you, he was saying he liked the other monkey. And third…" Sanzo pauses; does he really need a third? "…how the hell should I know if he'd like you...?" he finishes, surprised at how soft these final words are as they leave his lips, almost as if…he has often wondered about this topic himself…
Quickly looking away, Sanzo tries to banish this strange feeling building inside of him, this…curiosity he doesn't want. He doesn't want to wonder about his mother. He doesn't want to imagine Koumyo meeting Goku. He doesn't want to think about things he is never going to have…
But Goku caught that gentler turn of Sanzo's tone, and his shin doesn't hurt all that much really since Sanzo's kick was half-hearted at best. That in itself is a wonder Goku will gladly cling to, even if Sanzo had been a little angry.
So when the pair in the bathroom finally stumbles their way out and makes a quick exit that Sanzo and Goku have no choice but to echo, Goku allows the smile slipping onto his face and the feeling in his chest that tells him he might just be able to make this day turn out for the better, after all.
-----
Hakkai's attention is focused on the bed, apparently not having heard Gojyo's gentle prodding by speaking the healer's name. When Gojyo is about to speak again, his eyes trained on his good friend's face, his own voice suddenly fills the room before he can open his mouth.
"Mornin', beautiful…"
Gojyo's attention switches to the bed. He realizes quite suddenly that the pair is awake, looking at one another as they consciously and intentionally curl in just a bit closer together on the bed so that their lips can meet.
The first thought that goes through Gojyo's mind as he watches the slow ease of the kiss is just what his other self said. Beautiful. The sight, and the brunette who is a part of it.
Surely, Gojyo has always thought of Hakkai as good-looking; lady's man or not he can recognize a pretty face on anyone, prides himself on it in fact, because a man truly worth his salt knows how to spot competition. But he has never thought of Hakkai's beauty as competition since the man shows almost no interest in women. He just counted himself lucky that even when he striked out with the ladies, he still had a pretty face to go home to.
"What do we have lined up for today then?" the youkai Gojyo asks of his companion, their arms wrapped around one another now as they lie in bed.
Gonou tilts his head thoughtfully, as if seriously considering all possibilities. "I was thinking of a lazy afternoon at home. Unless you have objections."
"Well, I was thinking of a lazy day, if that counts as an objection."
"We can't do that."
"Sure we can."
"No, we can't. The poker tournament is tonight."
The youkai Gojyo's recently devious expression falls. "Damn, I forgot. Guess I can't really skip out since the bar is hosting and sponsoring."
"And since you are the host." Gonou adds with an amused grin.
Propping himself up on his elbows now, the youkai Gojyo looks over at his lover with something close to seriousness despite the lingering bit of mischief always half-present in both Gojyo's eyes. "You'll be there too, right? You're playing mediator should any damn fool try to cheat."
Gonou laughs, happily nodding his yes. "Of course. I wouldn't let you down. And considering you won't let me enter…"
"Because it wouldn't be a competition if you did. It'd be a slaughter."
"Not…necessarily…" But Gonou is grinning even wider and soon breaks into laughter again, joined only too easily by his close-quartered companion. "Breakfast?" Gonou asks then, after stealing another quick kiss.
The pair is soon tossing back the covers and scavenging for the nearest and most accessible clothing.
Watching them closely, the redheaded Gojyo and Hakkai aren't as concerned with their likenesses blatant nakedness as they are with the continuously blatant display of Gonou's bare--and very scar-free--stomach.
When the pair is finally heading out of the bedroom, preceded by Gojyo and Hakkai since they realized the pair was leaving, the youkai Gojyo's lack of shirt is one thing, but that Gonou once again has his slacks left unzipped and unbuttoned, and that the shirt over his shoulders is left open as well…
"He could at least button his shirt. Does the man have no sense of decency at all?"
Gojyo almost laughs at the indignant tone to Hakkai's voice, but the act is crushed easily when he sees the look on his friend's face. Hakkai's eyes are trained on the place a scar should be…but isn't. Following the pair into the kitchen, Gojyo looks the smooth skin over with a critical eye and decides with some finality that Gonou is just a bit too perfect for his tastes. And who wants perfect?
For a second Gojyo forgets Hakkai and Gonou, and studies his other self's smooth, unscarred face instead. Then again, he thinks--feeling perhaps the smallest bit guilty for allowing the coming thought at all--perfect…isn't so bad sometimes.
"I like you as you are, Gojyo."
A quick tension grips Gojyo's shoulders as he is startled from his thoughts. He looks down and sees that Hakkai has taken a seat at the kitchen table and is looking up at him in that understated but so wonderfully…loving way. Gojyo is drawn to join Hakkai and takes a seat of his own.
"Scars can be painful reminders, but…neither of us would be who we are without them, and…I rather like you just as you are." Hakkai explains, and everything about his smile is genuine, enough that Gojyo's heart gives a little jump and he wishes those green eyes weren't just looking at him that way out of friendship. "To tell you the truth," Hakkai goes on, gesturing suddenly to the red locks falling past Gojyo's shoulders. "I rather like that color too."
Gojyo's mouth twitches and he looks down at the hair long enough to brush his chest. His own smile turns a little sour. "Yeah…admonishment sure is pretty…"
He regrets saying these words as soon as they have left his lips, because he doesn't mean to hurt Hakkai or make the turned youkai feel as if he has been hurt.
He doesn't mean any of it, but that often isn't enough to stop the words from coming out.
And he can only too easily anticipate his friend's reply. "Please do not think that is what I meant, Gojyo." Hakkai says, his voice so soft, had Gojyo not been sitting right next to him at the table, he might not have heard. "Your hair and eyes no longer mean what they once did. I can now appreciate them simply as they are. Red. Not in representation of anything. Just red. Just…you. I certainly hope the minus wave is not the only thing keeping you from wishing to be something you are not, because I would not have you any other way."
Does that mean you want to have me, Gojyo thinks, the wicked side of his brain taking the reigns for a brief moment. A real smile captures his lips just thinking that, and with the softness of Hakkai's voice just now, the softness of emerald watching him, and the tender words spoken, Gojyo almost thinks he has the courage to finally say…
"Gojyo, breakfast is never going to get done if you don't keep your hands to yourself."
Emerald and crimson eyes dart to the stove where Gonou is heating up a pot of boiling water. Now, however, they see that the other Gojyo is not content merely to lend a helping hand. No, he is lending his hands to something else entirely as he reaches around his lover's waist dangerously low.
Gonou's breath hitches as insistent hands squeeze through the fabric of his undone slacks. "Gojyo…" he purrs. "Honestly…"
"What? Can't I have dessert first? You're usually the one picking inappropriate times, so I thought I'd give a little payback. I do get a lazy afternoon, right…?" The youkai Gojyo is grinning, and suddenly his teeth grip Gonou's earlobe and tug playfully, allowing his fangs to meet skin with just the right amount of pressure.
Willingly being turned around and leaving the things on the stove to fend for themselves, Gonou's gaze is already hazy and his dissension seems to have died on his lips when his lover starts to crouch down.
Gojyo and Hakkai are not looking at one another, their own conversation long forgotten as they stare in disbelief at their other selves and what is most definitely about to happen. But…it can't be happening, can it? No, they have seen quite a bit, but certainly not something like this.
"Gojyo…" Gonou gasps, hands gripping the edge of the stove behind him, and barely able to concentrate on not touching the burners.
No. Not possible. The youkai Gojyo is not dropping to his knees and pulling Gonou's already open pants down. And Gonou is not wearing nothing under those pants, revealing himself now to be already pulsing and half-hard from his companion's attentions. And with one final surge of denial, both Gojyo and Hakkai are most certain that the other Gojyo is not leaning forward with an open and eager mouth.
tbc...
A/N: I've said it before, I'll say it again...just call me Queen of Cliffhangers. :-) So I wrote a nice long Author's Note for you guys, repsonding to reviewers and all, and then...deleted it all by accident. Meaning...there is no way I am going to write all that again. So I'll just say that the quote used is from Burial, a real canon section about Gojyo and Hakkai first living together, and as a teaser, the most embarassed member of the ikkou in the next part is going to be...Hakkai. hehehehe. Love you!
Crim