Night As Should Be
Moonlight defies the dark
Seeping over the world leaving its mark
As you lay your head to sleep
Nightmares and demons make you weep
Silent cries fall to deaf ears
As you battle against the tears
On the outside strong with pride
But he can see you on the inside
Not looking through but looking in
Chasing away evils deadly sin
Blue oceans sweep away the past
So you can rest at night at last
Night has become what it was meant to be
Where being able to sleep safe is a guarantee
The shadows can't rip you away
In this world your soul shall stay
Those things at the dead of night
Have lost the battle, lost the fight
As long as you know where you belong
The nights bliss will do you no wrong
Serenity seals each soul tight
Safe and sound hidden where there's no light
No light to let us see the pains of day
No tormenting visions to lead you astray
Darkness wraps around you with a cool embrace
Building you up for another day you must face
The stars will guide you when you become lost
For this kind of security there is no cost
These things are a test of our mortality
Now slumber with the rest of humanity
Lie down and let night work its wonders
Before daybreak can toss its work a sunders
Ren sleeping in Horos room became a nightly thing, as common as Anna barking orders or Yoh falling asleep standing while training. For a full week now Ren went into Horos room and slept with him knowing no harm would come of this arrangement. Horo got something out of it too much to Rens embarrassment as he had to give Horo a good-night kiss before going to sleep or the Ainu wouldn't allow Ren to fall asleep but cuddle, sing softly children's nursery rhymes and occasionally tickle Ren till he gave up. Ren still tried to get out of his nightly kiss being stubborn even though he liked giving that kiss every night. It was nothing more than a peck each time but Horo was happy with what he got. Ren lay down with Horo who snuggled in with his arms around Rens waist and chest against chest. Tonight was like the other nights with a few exceptions. Ren closed his eyes to try ignore when Horo asked for his goodnight kiss but when he didn't hear it he looked up at Horo who had his eyes closed with a faint hint of a smile on his face. Ren looked puzzled before sleepily asking what was up
"You're not going to nag about a goodnight kiss tonight then?" Ren asked trying to sound bored and uninterested
"Nope… unless you want to give me a kiss" Horo asked edging his face down inches away from Rens face as Ren blushed at the feel of his hot breathe tickling his cool skin. Ren just put his head back into Horos chest closing his eyes and trying to ignore Horo again. Horo stroked Rens hair thinking of the past week and a few memories he had hid from Ren not wanting to intrude or step in it like he was prone to doing especially in matters concerning Ren. Tonight though Horo felt like pushing it a little he noticed Ren warming up greatly so today was as good a time as any to pull the skeletons out the closet.
"Ren?" Horo asked hesitantly still playing with Rens hair.
"Hmm" Was the only response he got as a sign Ren was still awake but not entirely.
"I've been meaning to ask you about what happens to you at night" As Horo said that Ren tensed up looking up at Horo to glare maliciously baring his teeth as they grated together but more disturbingly the look of resentment to the question asked. Ren turned over facing the other way edging out of Horo arms and to an empty space on the bed. Horo sighed thinking something like this would happen but the damage was done now might as well carry on. Horo put his arm over Ren who lay on his side facing the other way still trying to avoid the subject. Horo cuddled into Rens back getting little resistance from the inflexible Tao. Horo tried again in his quest for answers.
Moonlight defies the dark
Seeping over the world leaving its mark
As you lay your head to sleep
Nightmares and demons make you weep
"Ren, I've heard you at night… What happens to you?" Horo said quietly
"Nothing!" Ren spat through gritted teeth curling up further
"It can't be nothing or you wouldn't try so hard not to scream" Horo stated plainly trying to make it sound like no big deal trying to make Ren feel its nothing to concern about
"What would you know?" Ren barked unkindly
"I don't that's why your going to tell me so I do" Horo tightened his grip on Ren who tried to shrug him off
"Get off me Horo, mind you own dam business" Ren fought a little harder to get Horos arm off him but didn't struggle too much or would of ended up falling out the bed. While Ren struggled Horo tired of this little spat and pulled Ren onto his back and climbed over him pining Ren to the bed using his weight resting on Rens lower half. Ren just froze in surprise as Horo mounted him. He had to blush at the position and the fact Horo leaned down close looking so calm as he gleamed in the white light from the midnight sky.
"Come on Ren you can tell me, I promise I won't tell" Horo said with a characteristic smile that gleamed as his face bathed in moonlight. Ren looked away crossing his arms sulking like a child, night time did things to Ren he never seemed the same during the darkest hours of day. Horo brought one hand under Rens chin turning Rens face gently to look back at him.
"Why don't you want to tell me?" Horo pleaded in a very soft cute tone you'd have to be crazy not to fall for. Ren just glared trying not to loose his cool because if he did it would only prove something was the matter but it was hard not to. Horo saw the Tao bubbling and he knew he was in the danger zone but still carried on naturally knowing it would be pointless going back now.
"I'll let you on, on a little secret" Horo leaned down whispering in Rens ears for affect "I listen to you every night through the walls. I hear you scurry around pacing and I know sometimes you don't go to sleep but what I don't know is why?" Horo hit a soft spot and an instant reaction was given. Ren batted him away wriggling trying to release himself from under Horo who stayed firm trying to hold down the arms that lashed at the covers trying to pull to get away. Horo managed to pin Rens arms to his chest. When he looked at Rens eyes again they were glossy with wet tears as he remembered all the helpless nights and how Horo had heard each time. It was like he had been unknowingly exposed to the enemy and now the enemy was going to infiltrate him taking over. Horo felt a little guilty now he didn't realise how bad it was. He thought sure a few nightmares but this is something far worse. Ren held onto the tears for dear life squinting his eyes to try make them look threatening and focused on glaring at the Ainu with furious outrage. Horo gave an apologetic look before lying down next to Ren releasing his grip on Rens arms wrapping around Ren shoulders instead. He pulled up close resting his head on Rens shoulder looking at Ren with a ghost of a smile.
Silent cries fall to deaf ears
As you battle against the tears
On the outside strong with pride
But he can see you on the inside
"I can't make you talk about it but I promise you'll feel like a million bucks when you do" Horo said in a more lively way than his other requests. Ren turned to face the ceiling again thinking deeply about it wondering how to tell someone you see things that aren't there, how you hear things that aren't real and smell things too repulsive to be believed. On occasion you could taste things that lingered for days no matter what you ate or what you drank this horrid taste would linger on the senses as if tainting everything you consume. How could you tell someone you hallucinated about things and had nightmares of a past you couldn't bare? Ren tried to keep cold and silent but he let off signs of being upset in his breathing as he found it harder to inhale and exhale steadily shaking slightly as each breath went in and out.
Horo shushed him like he did that night when he slept in Rens room holding Ren close becoming that guard over Ren once more. Horo felt bad he had made Ren shake with anger and shame.
Not looking through but looking in
Chasing away evils deadly sin
Blue oceans sweep away the past
So you can rest at night at last
"Ren its alright, I'm here if you need me" Horo tightened his grip as Ren began to grit his teeth loudly… "I'm sorry Ren… I didn't mean to… I just thought…" Horo was cut off by a quiet voice that shook
"I see things" Ren said not wanting to go into detail
"You… see things?" Horo didn't quite understand where this was leading
"Yes I see things!" Ren raising his voice "When I lay to sleep I see and hear things that aren't real, things that grab me and torment me and I cant move to stop them" Ren turned away feeling ashamed to be admitting he's helpless to a none existent foe
"Are you sure there isn't a spiteful spirit behind it?" Horo asked not knowing of how Ren has tried time and time again to pin this on some ghostly haunting
"Don't you think I thought of that? There are no spirits I've looked… Its all in my head, like a nightmare while your awake" Ren closed his eyes and again turned away from Horo before finishing "I'm crazy aren't I?"
"Yes but not because you see things" Horo said with a slight laugh before getting and elbow in his side stopping his little giggle in its tracks. Horo rubbed his side then cuddled into the back of Ren restfully
"Your crazy for thinking you couldn't tell me" Horo finished with a bit more seriousness in his tone "you can tell me anything" Horo said putting Rens shoulder to the bed so Ren looked up at him he could see he understood and didn't think any differently of him. Ren looked up into cleansing azure eyes that were warming especially in the white light the sky beamed down as the moon set high in the black abyss.
Night has become what it was meant to be
Where being able to sleep safe is a guarantee
The shadows can't rip you away
In this world your soul shall stay
Horo kept up his gentle smile to reassure Ren in his own way. He leaned down and gave a peck on Rens lips as a good night with every intention of just leaving Ren to sleep and forget. Ren on the other hand had a different agenda once he felt the warm touch he wrapped his arms around the Ainus neck kissing back softly experiencing a new sensation he didn't really feel before. Horo griped the bed sheets with one hand and the other hugged Ren tightly as they kissed. Ren broke away with Horo still an inch away looking dazed but a happy kind of dazed.
"Sooooo… How does it feel having a double life?" Horo asked with a broad smile.
"Double life?" Ren obviously didn't get what Horos random question was for
"Yeah, being Tao Ren the tight-ass by day and Tao Ren the kissy face by night. Must be tiring" Horo mocked receiving a jab from Ren but still managing to laugh quietly.
The blush didn't help Rens glare it made him look like a pouting child with rosy red glowing cheeks and a stern face with bottom lip slightly puckered out. Horo managed to stop his little laugh letting out an appeased sigh when done. Horo looked down at Rens face that had lost its playful tint of pink and now just looked agitated. Horo couldn't let Ren fall asleep with a grudge now could he?
"Aw I'm sorry, here let me make it all better" Horo said kissing Rens forehead softly lying back down and getting ready to fall asleep until he felt Rens prodding his chest with his index finger. He opened his eyes to see Ren looking down at him.
"What's up?" Horo asked as Ren stared down at him from his seating position
"You cant just keep me awake then go to sleep" Ren said in a blunt way
"Why not?" Horo asked clueless
"I'm too awake to go to sleep now" Ren said in an agitated tone
"Well… what can I do about it?" asked Horo
"I don't know, something! Its your fault anyway" Ren prodded hard in Horos side making him shoot up into a seating position as well to look at Ren while rubbing his side
Those things at the dead of night
Have lost the battle, lost the fight
As long as you know where you belong
The nights bliss will do you no wrong
Horo yawned and then sat back leaning on his arms trying to think of how he could tire Ren out… the night was young the clock had only just struck 12 and a midnight stroll couldn't harm anyone. Horo climbed over Ren and walked over to the other side of the room grabbing his jacket and a spare which he flung over to Ren who caught it but didn't understand why Horo had handed him a coat.
"Why do we need jackets?" Ren asked while Horo put his on
"Its cold outside so we'll need them" Horo answered plainly grabbing Rens arm and pulling him out the bed
"Why are we going outside?" Ren questioned on
"For a walk, just around the block" Horo said with a smile looking forward to a little one-on-one time with Ren apart from when they share a bed of course but Ren is usually more interested in sleep than quality time.
"Why do you want to go for a walk?" Ren asked putting Horo spare coat on then suddenly stopping and giving Horo a funny look "And why are we still in our pyjamas?" Ren asked looking over himself and then Horo who was wearing pyjama shorts and t-shirt while we wore an over shirt and baggy pyjama bottoms.
"Not as if anyone's going to notice this time of night" Horo replied with a smile finding amusement in the look on Rens face. Ren finished putting the coat on shaking his head in disbelief that Horo was actually taking him for a walk in the middle of the night in his pyjamas… The Ainu gets stranger by the minute. The tip toed downstairs making no noise so as not to wake the others. They put on their shoes and stepped out closing the door again with Ren grabbing a key, getting locked out in their pyjamas in the latest hours of night would be hard to explain to everyone in the morning. They left the Inn walking side by side down the path in complete silence as was the rest of the place as people slumbered in bed as darkness covered all.
Serenity seals each soul tight
Safe and sound hidden where there's no light
No light to let us see the pains of day
No tormenting visions to lead you astray
They walked not too far just around the block and around the small area surrounding the Inn Horo yawned every now and then stretching and feeling tired after a while he saw a bench and decided to have a sit down but it had been raining most the day and everything still dripped from the down pour. The bench was wet when he sat down but he didn't care the night was warmer than he thought so a little water wasn't going to bother him. Ren watched as the Ainu sat down but did not sit down knowing the bench was wet. Horo looked up at him then patted the spot next to him before having to wipe his hand on his jacket to dry it. Ren just shook his head and stood nearby.
"Why don't you have a sit down?" Horo asked while putting his hands behind his head slouching down into the bench sprawling out
"The bench is soaked that why?" Ren said as a matter-of-factly
"So?" said Horo sitting up a bit more to smile at Rens up tight attitude
"I'm not getting wet" Ren said in a more stern tone getting the opposite reaction he thought as Horo chortled sitting up from his sprawled out position, Ren braced himself for the stupid comment he knew was coming
"Well you could always sit on my lap" Horo said while tapping his knee to signal where Ren could seat himself. Ren just tutted turning away and walking on leaving the Ainu sat on the bench who reluctantly followed quickening his pace to catch up to Ren who started to head back for the Inn. Horo walked beside Ren looking up at the moon set high in the sky noticing that strangely tonight there was a big bright moon but no stars. Horo stopped dead examining the skies for any sign of the glistening stars. Ren noticed and stopped turning back to see what was keeping Horo. He noticed he was staring up into space so stood next to him staring up to see what he was looking at but saw nothing but an empty sky.
"What are you looking at?" Ren asked sharply
"There aren't any stars… that's strange don't you think?"
"Stars are guides, it looks like not a soul is lost tonight" Ren said and started to walk with the Ainu tailing him
"So does that mean you found your way?" Horo questioned happily as they turned and saw the Inn that was merely steps away
"Looks that way" Ren murmured
"Then you belong with me," Horo said twirling to stand in front of Ren who had his arms crossed halting directly in front of Horo
"How so?" Ren said vaguely interested in what Horo had to say
"Well… you're here with me" Horo took a step further towards Ren "and you're where you belong" Took another step forward towards Ren stopping directly in front of him "So you belong with me" Horo said with a smile wrapping his arms around Ren who didn't move an inch while Horo made his approach.
"Afraid not Ainu-Baka… You belong with me" Ren said leaning in and kissing Horo lightly before breaking away and walking back to the Inn with Horo smiling uncontrollably the entire time as he followed.
Darkness wraps around you with a cool embrace
Building you up for another day you must face
The stars will guide you when you become lost
For this kind of security there is no cost
They stepped in and took off their shoes and tiptoed back up stairs to Horo room. They removed the jackets they were wearing and Ren climbed into bed but Horo carried on stripping off his clothes, Ren noticed this and asked what he was doing
"What are you doing?" Ren asked as Horo took his t-shirt off
"Well my pyjama bottoms got wet didn't they so I'm taking them off" Horo said while also removing his pyjama bottoms
"Then why did you take your t-shirt off?" Ren asked curiously
"Its too warm for pyjamas anyway" Horo said with a smile as he headed over to the bed stark naked getting ready to climb in when Ren stopped him
"You're not getting in like THAT" Ren said blushing like mad but thankfully it was too dark to see as clouds covered the moon
"Why not?" Horo asked with a wicked grin but Ren couldn't notice it because as I said it was too dark to see clearly at that moment
"Because I said so" Ren snapped at him
"But my Pyjamas are wet" Horo said in a more whinny voice this time
"Put on a new pair" Ren said still holding Horo away from the bed
"I don't have another pair" Horo stated plainly working Rens arms away and sitting on the bed next to Ren
"Why the hell not?" Ren barked at him crossing his arms not budging from the subject or allowing Horo to slip under the covers naked
"Never needed another pair" Horo said with a shrug
"Then what do you do when those are dirty or in the wash?" Ren asked while pointing at said garments
"I sleep naked" Horo said with a smile
"Not with me you don't" Ren said in a commanding voice
"But it's my bed" Horo lifted the covers and slid under with Ren backing away till he was against the wall. "Don't be shy Ren I don't have anything you could catch"
"I didn't think you had but thanks for putting that thought in my mind" Ren said sarcastically allowing himself to edge down into a sleeping position. Horo cuddled up like normal and Ren hesitantly did the same but kicked some covers off after a while because it was warm in that room. Horo noticed this and smirked feeling like pushing his luck even more than he already had.
"If your warm just take your pyjamas off" Horo gave a little tug at Rens over shirt to signal him to remove it
"Don't be stupid" Ren said with a shaky voice feeling embarrassed at the Ainus comment
"Come on Ren don't be shy" Horo said while lifting up Rens over shirt but Ren tried to stop him by tugging it back down and scooting away until he couldn't go any further.
"No… Ho-HORO!" Ren gaining in volume as Horo climbed over the top of him pulling his shirt over his head removing the over shirt and looking at Ren with a mischievous grin. Ren just blushed trying to grab his over shirt but Horo held it high before throwing it on the floor on the other side of the room. Ren glared at Horo but Horo ignored this still giving a playful and mischievous smirk
"Now what say we get those off" Horo said while pulling at the pyjama bottoms but he was met with a set of very unpleased eyes and stopped in his tracks.
"If you even try I'll cut your head off" Ren hissed in a serious tone making Horo stop his approach and lean down to kiss Ren softly on the lips to lighten the mood before taking his place back down laying beside Ren
"You got to learn to loosen up Ren" Horo pulled Ren to him so they were chest to chest. Ren could feel Horos bare skin against his and it felt… different but a nice kind. Ren just shook his head slightly clearing his head before burrowing down into Horos arms feeling content as per usual. He fell asleep with a grin as for once in a long while he had pleasant dreams.
These things are a test of our mortality
Now slumber with the rest of humanity
Lie down and let night work its wonder
Before daybreak can toss its work a sunders