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rent-day-blues · 6 years ago

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I don't know if you're still doing prompts, but if are... Injured John? Maybe he gets clipped by a car or something on his way to a shift and has to call it in and his brother(s) arrive to help him? Thanks!

now! I know you haven’t asked for a rewrite of S1E08 in the RDB verse, but i’m afraid that’s precisely what you’re getting.

“

“My brother knows how to jump out a window. From at least a couple storeys up, or so he says, anyway. I remember telling you that story. I’ve never seen him do it, I’ve only heard about it afterward. Apparently he didn’t do it right; sprained his ankle. Gordon gave him hell.”

John informs the cat at the far end of the branch of this fact, nonchalant, as though the pair of them aren’t about fourteen feet in the air, which is further than John would like to jump, even if he had the first idea of how to stick the landing. Falling is the easy part.

The dispatch office backs up onto the river that cuts through town, though not one of the nicer parts of the river. There’s still a little scrubby bit of embankment behind the complex, a few haphazard picnic tables on the top of the bank, and a handful of trees trailing down the slope, doing their best and failing, as evidenced by their scraggling grey limbs—which hadn’t looked that hard to climb. And hadn’t been, to be fair. As he and Eos have mutually discovered, it’s not the climbing that’s the tricky part. It’s all getting rather philosophical up here.

“When people call me about cats up trees, I send the fire department to prevent them from going up any trees after any cats. That’s a secret about my job. It’s easier to get cats out of trees than people. You know, if you have a fire truck. Or even just a ladder. Or have climbed a tree more recently than like fifteen years ago and can still remember how to get down.” John pauses, rueful, and then adds, “I always wondered what sort of moron goes up a tree after a cat. That’s the other secret—about 90% of the time, you get your own damn selves back down.”

Of course, the most sensible thing to do, even if one has already blown the chance to do what was formerly the most sensible thing to do, and climbed a tree in pursuit of a cat, would be to call the appropriate authorities in order to safely get back down. And even if he’ll never hear the end of it from whatever coworker he calls or whichever branch of the emergency service is summoned to his rescue, John still absolutely would call 911—if his phone hadn’t fallen out of his pocket in the process of climbing the stupid tree, in pursuit of the stupid cat.

The screen’s cracked (that’s not new) and turned off, and staring forlornly up at him from where it’s nestled amidst the gnarly roots of the stubborn old tree. Even if he can’t tell the time for sure, he knows it’s past the beginning of his shift. He hopes they start to wonder where he is, and sooner rather than later, though they’ll probably call before they come looking. And even if they came looking, no one’s likely to look around the back of the building. He’s been up here for nearly fifteen minutes by this point. His had been the earliest shift, and so it’s right around dawn. By the lightness creeping into the sky, he can tell that morning’s nearer than he’d prefer, and sighs to himself.

“I’m late for work now. When I don’t check in, they’ll know something’s wrong,” he informs Eos, because of course it’s Eos. There are plenty of alley cats around the office, but the stupid black shorthair with the white smudges on her face and paws is the only one he’d climb a stupid tree for. She’s the only one around to hear it when he laments, “I only stopped to feed you. I only meant to look for a couple minutes when I couldn’t find you. I didn’t think you’d have gone up a tree of all places. What’s with that? You’re an alley cat. This is not your area. I’m very disappointed.”

Usually he sees her on his way into the communications center. Today he hadn’t, and that wouldn’t normally have been that far out of the normal. Normally John would’ve let her be and looked for her on his lunchbreak, but he’d had a can of tuna in his bag that he’d wanted to put on offer, especially since he’d had a few days off, and thus it had been a few days since he’d seen her last. He’s watched her grow from tiny kitten to smallish cat, and despite his equal measure of certainty that she can take care of herself, since he’s at least partly responsible for her continued existence, he feels it’s his duty to look out for her. As much as he can, at least.

“I’m never gonna hear the end of this,” he tells her aloud, conversationally. She hasn’t even done him the credit of coming any closer from where she perches towards the skinnier end of the branch he’s perched upon, trying to coax her closer. He’d been about to climb back down, about to head inside and call someone better suited to de-treeing a cat—when he’d discovered that, no, actually, that wasn’t quite possible. Actually it’s quite a lot further down than it had looked from the ground, and with the way the embankment falls away and drops steeply towards the river, failing to keep his feet after even a good(unlikely) landing, would probably send him tumbling down the riverbank.

But he can’t just stay up a tree all day. He’s running out of options and is uncomfortably aware of the fact.

“You wouldn’t get spooked and fall if I started yelling, right?” he asks, though it’s been lurking in his mind as possibility, and it’s the reason he hasn’t, yet. “You’re tough. You’re a mean old—well, okay, young—and I mean, not even that mean actually—but you’re an alley cat, anyway. You’re tough. You wouldn’t get startled and fall out of the tree if I yelled for help. And even if you did, probably you’d land on your feet anyway. With better odds than me. I’ve read the statistics for accidental high falls. I’ll be honest, I don’t like my chances.”

As though seeking her permission, John reaches slowly, cautiously towards her, and is rewarded with a flattening of her ears and a bristling of her tail, and the sort of warning, moaning growl that immediately precedes a hiss of pure loathing. When he pauses for a moment, and then doesn’t give up on reaching for her, she goes so far as to take a swipe at him, though the movement destabilizes her already precarious perch, such that she clings with every available claw to the bark of the tree, and his reflexive retreat makes the branch tremor slightly, enough that he freezes and tightens his grip around the trunk. He feels the spike of his heartrate as his pulse pounds in his ears, and the scare is enough to change his mind about the risk of shouting.

“Wow! You’re kind of a brat. And if I didn’t like you so much, I’d—”

In the aftermath, he’ll never be sure if the sharp crack that lingers in his memory belonged to the branch, breaking; or the back of his skull, hitting the ground. The whole incident is a muddle of disconnected sensations that he’ll only recall piecemeal, and won’t be able to connect together. The swoop of vertigo as he’d lost his balance and toppled backward, too startled even to shout about his shock at falling. The way his knee had caught for a moment where it had been hooked around the branch, arresting his fall for only a fragment of a second, before gravity won the way it was always going to. The blur of black and a pair of green eyes staring down at him, from even higher up the tree than he’d found himself. And trying to push himself up from the ground. And then then sudden sharp shock of agony from some badly broken something being enough to plunge the sky above him into inky blackness.

John’s luckier than Virgil was, when Virgil had jumped out of a window, because he gets Scott, not Gordon. Although all Gordon had offered was his usual blistering sarcasm, and coming groggily back to consciousness to find Scott looking grim and mildly terrified, kneeling at his side makes John wonder if maybe Virgil got off easy The fear lurking in his big brother’s expression might be worse than anything Gordon could’ve said.

“Don’t move,” Scott orders immediately, with the sort of authority that must make criminals quake in their ill-gotten boots, and the hand he’s got braced against John’s shoulder is enough to prevent any attempt, though John doesn’t even begin to make one. “Ambulance is on the way.”

John blinks up at him, confused and still in pursuit of context for what he’s doing, staring “…Am I under arrest?” he asks, dazed and dizzy and damned if he can remember what the hell’s just happened.

“If I could figure out how to arrest you for being a stupid fucking idiot, you absolutely fucking would be. What the hell were you doing up a goddamn tree?”

Scott’s mad, which is a good sign. John still doesn’t move, but he has to think for a minute to answer the question, which makes his head ache horribly. Almost worse than the rest of them. “Cat,” he supplies eventually, and hopes this is helpful, because it’s the only detail his brain offers. Scott’s a cop. Could probably make detective if he wanted. John’s pretty sure he can figure it out.

“Cat? What…why—you’re not a cat!” Scott’s outrage at this explanation, admittedly rather light on the details, seems to run contrary to John’s assumption that his brother could make detective, if he just put the effort in. John blinks at him, bemused that he’s gotten it so wrong.

“…does one of us have a concussion?”

Scott just glares. “One of us absolutely has a fucking concussion.”

“…me?” If he doesn’t try to think too hard, his head doesn’t actually seem so bad. John’s back hurts, and he winces slightly, not moving, but wondering aloud, “…I think I’m lying on my phone.”

If John were working this call, he would be reassured by the fact that the victim was conversant, and alert enough to notice details like that. Scott just seems exasperated. “If you’re lying on your phone, it’s because you landed on your phone, which you emphatically haven’t used to call anybody about this.”

“…did somebody call about me?”

Scott’s glare becomes a glower. “Well, we didn’t get a call about a stupid idiot lying unconcious at the foot of a tree, we got a call—from your office—about a cat screaming behind the building like it was being skinned alive. Non-emergency, even! Dispatch only threw it my way because I was in the area and I owe Animal Control a favour. I said we’d make sure it wasn’t a false alarm.”

“I hate false alarms,” John agrees, and closes his eyes. Just for a moment. The sky’s getting properly bright overhead, and the dawn for which he’d named a friend starts to spread properly across the sky. It makes his head hurt, even if it reminds him of her. And despite everything, somehow he isn’t mad. “I like cats, though.”

Scott’s only mad because he’s frightened. John probably hasn’t helped, but somehow his last statement seems to be enough to get his brother to crack a grin, weary and worried though it is. “Well. Hope this one was worth it.”

“Yeah.” John smiles to himself and closes his eyes again, as he hears the distant sound of an approaching siren. Usually he hears it from the other end of a phoneline. He wonders if it’s scared Eos. Then he wonders if she’s nearby, watching, and feels certain that probably she is, actually. After all—

“She’s my friend.”

#prompt #john tracy #preludeinz #eos #Anonymous #this will go up on ao3 once i finish my lil gordon/penny thing

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jf3co · 6 years ago

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Down In Mexico

Article appears in the Summer 2019 issue of The Palisades Magazine & Issuu:

Mexico City. How do you cover one of the world’s largest cities in just 4 days? Take a deep breath, be prepared to walk… and let’s go!

Day 1 - The Travel Day is to wonder or worry, depending on your predispositions. I am slightly apprehensive before any foreign trip. And noting Mexico in the news a tiny bit recently, I plan to exercise good street smarts. I do not plan to (just a whimsical example) don a child’s costume bulletproof vest to fit a narrative of “scary place”. One shouldn’t look for trouble, but the same applies in any American city. I’ve been down in Mexico three times in as many years and have found a wonderful vacation destination each time.

You arrive at the Mexico City airport after flying over a sprawling metropolis. The mind boggles that this is only the 25th largest city in the world with a population of 8.8 million. It seems much larger. By contrast, Los Angeles has about 4 million. Clearing customs was simple. As was locating our hotel-provided driver. After a jaunt through traffic we arrive at our hotel, the Nima Local House in the Roma Norte Neighborhood. Again, simple.

Did you watch Roma? No? Go watch Roma. It was a happy coincidence this is the neighborhood featured in the movie. The streets are reminiscent of those in our older cities; Rittenhouse Square, Brooklyn Heights, Russian Hills (sans hills), Dupont Circle. And the streets are wide, grand tree-lined promenades crossed with a gridded layout. I fell in love with the walkability as we strolled to find some cocktails, eventually ducking into Licorería Limantour, a hipster hot spot.

Do you know Spanish? No? Mexico is our closest non-English-speaking country, and hey it doesn’t hurt to be neighborly... but if you do not, everyone speaks English. After a couple of "Margarita al Pastors” followed by a some “Mezcal Stalks”, proper cocktails at times served tongue-in-cheek in ridiculous vessels, though due to the drink itself I don’t remember them, I picked my head up off the bar to check out the locals; think fashionable. This is an old, cosmopolitan city full of art and culture; whereas I just got back from a business trip to Las Vegas and noted that the current fashion trend for US tourists is “freshly dumped out of a canoe”. One should bring their casual “A” game to Mexico City; men: button-down shirt (button one less than usual), nice jeans or pants, stylish shoes; women: think NYC in Spring, keeping in mind you will be walking a lot. Speaking of walking, we are going to be late to our dinner reservation. “La cuenta, por favor!” This will be your first double-take, a ‘twenty dollars in LA’ cocktail is only three bucks. Score one for the exchange rate.

Do you like when I start every paragraph with a question? No? I’ll stop. Dinner that evening was at Maycoll Calderón's Huset, a self-described “country kitchen” with a rustic indoor/outdoor space. Preceded by more craft mezcal cocktails, the entire meal was superb, having the gnocchi, grilled beef, chicken-ginger rice, and roasted vegetables. But I must note, regarding the steak, that the local interpretation of “medium rare” requires one to chase their dinner around the room a bit first; hot travel tip: order “medium” or above. We skipped dessert, as it was not a possibility given prior intake, and meandered the few blocks back to the hotel where we sat on the roof terrace enjoying the warm night air… that is until a screeching steam whistle announcing Death Incarnate punctuated the stillness, creeping ever closer; what the hell is it? I was not going to find out. Time to retreat to bed.

Day 2 - Zero Sleep. I am going to die. Did I magically catch the flu? Is the pollution really that bad? Apparently I am allergic to lilies. I did not quite know this until I spent the whole first night coughing and sneezing. And the room was charmingly decorated with them. But, once removed, all was well again. I did sleep late though, and this altered our plans so we missed out on the large art museums and grand parks; but this will only justify a future trip. We ended up taking an Uber to the Zócalo, the main square, and visited a street vendor for some Tlayudas Oaxaca, a masterpiece of grilled meat, veggies, and cheese on a large toasted flatbread. Then ambled over to the Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Mexicas in the city of Tenochtitlan; some fun facts: it was once referred to as "island of the dogs” because the elevation provided a safe haven for strays during flooding. It is also considered by the Aztecs to be the center of the known universe - sorry cat lovers.

You will now be thirsty from standing under the hot sun on the exposed square. You will go to the La Frapp rooftop for drinks. You will order a Model Negra with Orange Juice and Tequila. You will send me a thank you note later.

After the beverage constitutional, another Uber to the La Condensa neighborhood, full of Art Deco apartments and a large park. The Parque España (formally Parque General San Martín) will subtly remind that you are in a warm, jungle environment with it’s lush greenery and hanging mosses. We wandered and admired and then found ourselves at Milos for a mezcal break. While in CDMX, drink mezcal, drink tequila… they are health drinks. Don’t believe me? Google it.

After some miles we made it back to our neighborhood for dinner at Taqueria Orinoco. This is no frills. But it’s TACOS! East as many as you possibly can. Order the tres proteínas for a combination of trompo (al pastor), res (steak), and chicharrón (pork belly). Wash them down with a few Superior Cervezas. Then request someone roll you over to Churrería El Moro for a paquetes combination of Mexican hot chocolate and churros. We sat idly on a park bench along Avenue Álvaro Obregón, swinging our legs, enjoying the passersby and warm night air.

Time for bed… one again the Locomotive of Death slowly approaches. I dream fitfully of stone and stairs and feathered warriors as I stand at the nexus of the earth, the sky, and... the underworld.

Day 3 - More Annoying Uses for Plastics, and The Aztecs versus the Oxfords. We awake to a quick breakfast in the atrium of our hotel - making a commitment to reverse engineer their roasted pepper salsa recipe. Then hop in an Uber to head to the Aztec pyramids. We are in a hurry. It’s the free day for locals and we want to beat the crowd.

The pyramids are sublime. Works of permanence and precision laid out with obsessive specificity seldom rivaled the world over. The crude plastic jaguar and hawk noisemakers that every third person is selling to bored children by the thousand are not. The location is jarring with annoying noise. This is probably the reason there are no more actual jaguars or hawks in the area. Scared away. There’s too many people here. Too much plastic. Too many failed attempts at trumpeting a catcall or hawks’ screech. I was struck by the juxtaposition of laborious achievement against cheap novelty, just as I was by the fact that Oxford University is older than the founding of Tenochtitlán by the Mexica; humans seem to have both a sliding scale of antiquity alongside the inability to contemplate the longevity of their particular contributions.

We return to CDMX and hit the Juárez neighborhood to eat at Contramar, an airy, popular lunch spot. We ordered tuna tostados, a Serrano ham omelet made with French fries and cheese, and shrimp & octopus tacos; get the tostado, devour the omelet (and make it at home during every single meal for the rest of your life), skip the tacos. Afterward, we decided to visit one of the many parklet traffic circles to idly watch the world revolve and sip a few beers at La Zaranda Miravalle.

Cabrera 7 was our dinner. The decor is garden party and pop art. The view is of Plaza Luis Cabrera with it’s large fountain in across the street. Food was good. Portions were great. But we were simply not in the mood. Too much walking. Too much overindulging. It would be a disservice to describe anything further - we simply didn’t eat. Go there only when you are hungry.

At this point we plod the streets back to our hotel. Stuffed like Piñata. Catatonic. Directionless. We feel a distinct pull toward life and vitality; Gravity beckons us toward Plaza Rio De Janeiro where there is a gala Oscar viewing party. Alfonso Cuarón is up for Roma, the semi-autobiographical tale of life in this neighborhood during the early 70’s “Dirty War” period. Roma ended up winning 3 Oscars and the place absolutely exploded with jubilation each time; Best Director, Foreign Language Film, Best Cinematography. Congrats to Cuarón. Congrats to Roma Norte. Congrats to Mexico. We celebrated in our own way back at the hotel with a wine from Valle De Guadalupe (Mexico has a wine country. It is fantastic. You can drive there from LA) and a viewing of Roma. En route we accidentally identified Whistling Death, himself - not the soul-stealer of lore, but the Camotes Cart man slinging a confections of sweet potato and plantains. We ran smack into his cart on our way back to the hotel. I am told the whistle is the sound of childhood to a lot of locals, and not a harbinger of corporeal impermanence. I don’t see it.

Day 4 - Goodbye to Roma Norte… We awake on our last day and head to Toscano Roma for breakfast. Notable was the beet, orange, raspberry smoothie - I now put beets in smoothies at home. One last idle stroll. And off to the airport. See you next time, Mexico City. There’s so much to see. So much I missed. I will definitely be back. If only to dress well, admire the architecture, sample the haute cuisine, and practice my Spanish, in a grand city chock full of life, vitality, art and culture.

Links:

Nima Local House - http://nimalocalhousehotel.com/

Roma Norte - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_Roma#Roma_Norte_I

Licoria Limantour - https://www.yelp.com/biz/limantour-m%C3%A9xico-5

Huset - http://www.huset.mx/

Zocalo - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%B3calo

La Frapp - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Coffee-Shop/La-Frapp-356500598031678/

Parque Espana - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_Espa%C3%B1a

Milos - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d2297923-Reviews-Milo_s_Bistro-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

Taqueria Orinoco - http://www.taqueriaorinoco.com/

El Moro - http://elmoro.mx/

Teotihuacan aka “The Pyramids” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan

Contramar - http://www.contramar.com.mx/

La Zaranda Miravalle -

Cabrera 7 -

Plaza Rio De Janeiro - https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_R%C3%ADo_de_Janeiro

Cafe Toscano Roma - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150800-d3251109-Reviews-Cafe_Toscano-Mexico_City_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

Down in Mexico, The Coasters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebl5Sx4zqYw

#Article #Magazine #Travel #Writing #Mexico City #Mexico #CDMX #Pacific Palisades #Stuff

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kondo-hijikata · 6 years ago

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Pairings: Established Kondo/Hijikata Rating: M Summary: It’s simple. Peddle medicine and find purpose. But after Hijikata is caught in a downpour that leads him right into Kondo’s arms, he realizes things are a little more complicated than he’d like to believe. [AO3]

This chapter features Kat-chan being a great adoptive dad to Souji, as well as a pretty damn good boyfriend to Toshi.

<< Chapter 2

.*After the Rain*. Chapter 3

Over the breakfast Kondo brought into his room for them both that morning, Hijikata had gone quiet in a most concerning way. It’d been the same pensive silence as the prior afternoon, which incited the heart-to-heart conversation that Kondo, without doubt, believed had massaged all offending ripples and creases back into smoothness once more.

They’d been together long enough and Kondo knew Hijikata well enough to know that cornering him into spilling what was on his mind would be more detrimental than helpful; therefore, he settled upon a simple inquiry regarding his companion’s well-being, while dark eyes stared into untouched miso soup.

“Toshi…” Kondo licked his lips when Hijikata’s chin lifted and his eyes tentatively found his. There was something in them—something he couldn’t rightly place, but it was clear that Hijikata had just been lost in the throes of contemplation. What it was that occupied his musing remained a mystery though, and the first step into solving it had to be a careful one. The venture forward reflected such caution as Kondo nonchalantly asked, “You all right? Still tired?”

A shrug of the shoulders preceded the reply. “Yeah.” Hijikata sat up a little taller immediately after. His lips closed and then parted again as if he’d say more, but all he eventually came out with was, “I mean...yeah. Still tired.” The hint of a rigid smile pulled at the corners of his lips and he turned back to poking at his meal.

…And that was the end of that. Discretion and prudence would yield neither insight nor reward now, apparently.

From there, an almost suffocating tension overwhelmed the atmosphere of the room, as heavy as the early humidity that settled in with the breaking of dawn. It was uncomfortable, to say the least and the obvious; the situation reeked of the strange and seemingly unfounded afflictions of yesterday. If that were true—if the same anxieties remained to plague Hijikata even now—Kondo needed to get to the bottom of them once and for all. Even if it meant repeating himself or saying aloud things so embarrassingly sincere they nearly made him blush just thinking of them, he would do it...albeit with the good graces of gentle insistence to start him on his way.

Buying himself time as he considered his next move, Kondo lifted his teacup and took a sip. He swallowed, cleared his throat. Game plan set? Nope. Ready? Not at all. Still, when he lowered it back to rest beside the rectangular plate of steamed white fish, he braced his hands against his thighs. Kondo opened his mouth and he drew a breath. “Toshi—”

...just to be derailed by the sudden rapid succession of footsteps pounding the porch boards as they closed in proximity. Like clockwork, Souji flung himself at the open doorway and held tight, rasping, “Kondo-san!”

“S—Souji! What’s wrong?!”

Looking over his shoulder and pursing his lips as if he’d been chased, Souji then stepped across the threshold and stumbled over as Kondo pushed his tray to begin rising. Before he could, however, Souji crashed to his knees at his side and groaned while leaning unto him.

“They’re telling me stupid dad jokes again.”

With his brows pulling inward, Kondo placed his hand on Souji’s head and gently pushed him off. “What?!”

“Sensei and Gen-san! They’re telling me stupid dad jokes and they’re so dumb and annoying!”

“Oh wow, it’s the end of the world,” Hijikata interjected quietly, but since Souji either chose to pay no attention to the jab or simply didn’t hear it, Kondo considered himself fortunate and let it go. The absolute last thing he needed now was these two going to war on top of everything else.

Relaxing his posture, Kondo huffed. “You really know how to worry a guy, Souji!” He gave a pat to the top of his head and allowed himself a soft smile. “I thought there was something seriously wrong with how you came running in here like that.”

“There was, though! There really, really was!” Souji insisted, balling his hands into fists and bringing them level with his jaw. “Sensei literally said ‘you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish’ and expected me to laugh.”

Picking up his chopsticks again, Kondo cocked his head and chuckled. “Well…”

Souji’s eyelids fell halfway closed and he murmured, “Of course, you’d find that funny, Kondo-san...”

Glancing to Hijikata, Kondo felt a sliver of relief to see him eating without hesitation and assuming an infinitely more laid-back disposition. The volatile moment between them had been lost for better or worse and with nothing to do about it in the present, he supposed the sight of returning normalcy was better than nothing. Following the trend, Kondo plucked a bite of shredded daikon. “Please just humor him, would you? My father’s an old man and he wants to feel relevant.”

Souji shrugged and looked off to the side, quietly saying, “I already humor your humor, Kondo-san.”

Kondo’s chopsticks stopped midway to his mouth and lowered. “...What?” His lips closed and opened again, then repeated the same action, while blinking rapidly. Finally, he asked in a woeful tone, “You…you don’t actually think my jokes are funny? You’re just—?”

From his left, Kondo heard a soft laugh and his focus pulled to Hijikata. “Hey! Hey, Toshi, you stay out of this! This is really distressing!” With a half-pout, Kondo turned back to Souji. “...Really?”

Souji chortled and then took hold of Kondo’s hakamashita sleeve. “Ne, ne! Are we gonna go to the starlight festival this year?”

“So let me get this straight.” Letting his lashes fall for a moment, Kondo righted himself. “You insult me and then ask if I’m taking you to a festival?” Naturally, he was playing along, although there was a small part of him that felt the slightest inkling of disappointment at failing to be an adept comic.

“Aw, you know I was just kidding!” Souji pulled on his hakamashita again. “You’re plenty funny, Kondo-san!” His eyes fell closed as a huge grin overtook his face. “Sometimes even when you’re not trying to be.”

Kondo lifted his chin quickly and quirked a brow. “Now what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Besides!” Souji’s expression dampened a little as he nodded toward Hijikata, his voice suddenly less enthused when he added, “…isn’t he gonna come with us too anyway?”

“Ah…well, first of all, let’s not talk about Toshi like he isn’t here with us, yeah?” Whoops, guilty as charged. “And second of all—”

“I’ll go.”

Kondo blinked at Souji’s green eyes narrowing and then turned again to find the comfort of Hijikata’s gaze upon him. Interestingly, there was no longer any stiffness or apprehension present, almost as though Souji’s suggestion lifted all the weight that had seemed to be exerting itself upon his person.

“I’ll go,” Hijikata repeated. “And actually, I can make time for the whole day, so if you want to go fishing that morning, too…”

“Fishing?!” Souji exclaimed and clapped his hands once. “All right! I mean…if, if that’s okay with you, Kondo-san?”

“Um…” Kondo searched Hijikata for as long as he could without things becoming awkward or indicative, before looking back to Souji. The corners of his mouth eased into a smile. “Of course it’s okay. We’ll make a day of it, then.”

Over the subsequent sound of Souji cheering, Kondo looked Hijikata over once more—saw fondness in those eyes as they regarded him and the jubilant boy at his side. “You’re really all right with that?”

“Yep!” Hijikata declared in a light and nearly dismissive tone, the kind of soft voice so specific to him, and went back to finishing the little that remained of his breakfast.

And it was that moment when Kondo realized that it was he, himself, who had eaten the least at this point: a stroke of clarity which made him evaluate the situation once more.

Perhaps he’d read too deeply, or had reached a bit too far earlier. Perhaps...he was being a little too overprotective, and a bit too paranoid. They were attributes he couldn’t fault himself for however, because when it came to Hijikata’s happiness, attentions, and affections, they were things he would protect for as long as he was bestowed the honor.

Whatever the case, whether he’d made mountains out of molehills or not, there was a plan set for three days from now and plenty to look forward to. Therefore, Kondo released the worries prodding at him, and swallowed them all as he did his soup.

Oftentimes, when Souji showed up at random, it was more of an annoyance to Hijikata than anything. He was an obstinate child, rife with so much mischief and audacity that it might have been impressive if not so infuriating.

That particular morning, however, it was Souji’s appearance at the most perfect moment which triggered a wave of gratitude to sweep clear across Hijikata. His face in that open doorway had been nothing short of a saving grace and badly needed distraction—because Hijikata had been but one solitary, dangerous breath away from pushing himself over an edge he hadn’t even been certain of how to rightly approach. Hell, he hadn’t known if he’d been ready to, and yet there he’d been.

It occurred to him while studying his miso soup that guilt was a terrible first course for a meal, and that all the turmoil involved with coming to his decision had been the easy part. The most arduous and painful trials lay ahead, and the most pressing question now was…

Hijikata had ventured a glance to Kondo at that point.

How do you go about hurting the one person you want to protect most of all? How do you injure him when you love him with all of yourself, and still stomach the sight of your own reflection?

Samurai lived boldly. Even Kondo appeared to be ready to voice some of his own peace, something which offered the shove Hijikata had needed. Upon hearing his name, he opened his mouth at the same time.

But like the universe had seen the need for intervention, that had been the very moment Souji’s presence saved Hijikata from himself and offered an escape he hadn’t even known he needed until the aftermath. Putting this heavy conversation off for a few days would allow him the time necessary to think about what needed to be said, and most importantly, how. It might have been delaying the inevitable and prolonging his own inner turmoil, but if that meant something better for Kondo in the long run and a gentler let down, then it was worth it.

It was for that reason that Hijikata agreed to accompany them to the festival and why he’d suggested spending that whole day together. He’d give not just Kondo but himself one last memorable day with nothing but happiness, and soon after, there would only be good feelings when they’d sit down to talk the ugly matters.

A plan was a plan, half-baked as it might have been.

Therefore, when Kondo walked him to the halfway point at the lake, Hijikata could smile when they turned to each other—a soft and almost shy twitch of the lips.

“Go home safely, okay?” Kondo asked, reaching across the space separating them and brushing warm fingertips across Hijikata’s cheek as he pushed hair away from his face.

“No worries.” Hijikata offered a nod. “See you in three days.”

“I’ll...” Kondo averted his gaze and peered over his shoulder. His lower eyelids raised a touch and then he quietly finished his thought. “...I’ll miss you.”

Hijikata softly scoffed, but any rebuke he might have made was obliterated by Kondo’s mouth quickly pressing to his own: a brief kiss stolen amid the cover of nature.

“Bye,” Kondo whispered then, stepping off and waving over his shoulder.

“Bye...” Hijikata said after him so softly that he was positive that he hadn’t been heard. Only after Kondo had disappeared over the hill was when he added, “...I’ll miss you, too.”

3 Days Later

A patterned handball bounced to the cadence of words sang by Souji, decorating the Shieikan front entrance with circular prints in dry dirt. The lyrics faded to an eventual hum and he closed his eyes while beginning to contentedly rock his head and shoulders, finding enjoyment in the warmth of late morning sunlight. The ball got away as consequence of his shift in attention; it slipped from his fingers and rolled toward the porch—right past where Kondo busied himself drawing circles with a long stick.

Little sandals skipped against the ground, but instead of going after the wayward trinket, Souji hopped up to sit at Kondo’s side. His legs dangled over the edge as he scooted over to lean a cheek against his arm, watching with intent while so-called art unfolded before his eyes.

“Ne, Kondo-san…”

“Mm?”

Souji pursed his lips and kicked his feet a few times. “Fude-san’s gonna yell at you for drawin’ skulls in her front yard again…”

A laugh broke out at that. “No worries. I’ll erase them before she sees.”

“Whatever you say,” Souji intoned and lifted his hand to cling gently to the sleeve of Kondo’s hakamashita, continuing his observation of the wandering stick leaving curves in its wake. “I’m glad she’s not my mom. That lady’s mean.”

“Shh, no more of that. You wanna learn how to draw one?” Kondo asked without turning away from his handiwork, his lips pulled into a complacent smile. A tiny inarticulate noise left Souji’s throat, prompting another chuckle. “Suit yourself, kid.”

“Kondo-san, no offense but…” Souji paused and then lowered his voice to a whisper. “It’s kinda weird.”

With his grin widening even further and his own words going just as soft to playfully imitate Souji’s, Kondo asked, “What is?”

“I mean, of all things, why draw skulls? Why not draw…well, I dunno…swords? Flowers? …Kanko?”

At last, Kondo righted himself and faced his young counterpart, the gentle expression he wore remaining even in the presence of criticism from a ten year-old. “Oh, it’s simple, really.” He closed his eyes, cleared his throat, and pounded a fist twice against his ribcage. In strong baritone, Kondo proudly announced with a nod, “It’s a declaration of what’s deep in here.”

Souji’s brows pulled inward and his eyes drifted off to the side. “You have a skull in your chest?” His gaze wandered back. “…Are you okay?”

Kondo snorted. “Resolve, Souji. I’m talking about resolve.” He pulled his arm free and mussed his hair. “This shape symbolizes death, yeah? So drawing it shows that I know my role in the world. A true samurai is ready to honorably give his life at any time.”

The confounded look persisted across Souji’s features and further furrowing of his brow had Kondo laughing heartily once more. “You’ll understand when you’re older, I promise.” He placed the stick into a smaller hand. “Here. You draw something now.”

“Like what?”

“Like…whatever you want. Something that makes you happy?”

There was but a moment of consideration before Souji’s lips twitched and with an immediate change of demeanor, he vaulted to his feet. His knees bent with a crouch and he pressed the point into the dirt, beginning with the formation of an oval. Inside of it, he placed two elongated dots for eyes, scowling eyebrows, and a large open mouth.

“Souji…” Kondo started, his tone faltering somewhere between amusement and warning, but failing to effectively become one or the other.

Long bangs and a ponytail were added next, and afterward, two horns at the top. With a precursory snicker, Souji finished his masterpiece by titling it: Hijikata-san.

“Souji!”

The stick fell to the dirt as Souji tossed his head back, laughter rising up from deep within his belly. His palms slapped to his abdomen and through the heaves, he managed to choke out, “It looks—it looks just like him, Kondo-san!”

Kondo was off the porch in an instant, his fingers jabbing at Souji’s sides in a relentless tickle attack which caused him to thrash and howl. “When’d you get to be so rude, huh?!”

Upon managing to flail himself to freedom, Souji stumbled about while wiping tears from his eyes. “Well, it’s true! That’s how he looks!”

“It is not!” Kondo stressed, despite obviously trying to suppress his own mirth, and then returned to the place where he’d been previously sitting. He patted the space next to him. “C’mere, you troublemaker. It’s hot in the sun.”

Souji accepted the invitation without protest, quickly climbing back up to Kondo’s side. However, by the time he posed his next question, the hilarity had all but disappeared and been replaced with a hint of annoyance. “Where is he anyway? He was supposed to be here early this morning!”

“Probably got caught up with something. It happens.”

Pressing his cheek unto Kondo’s bicep once more, Souji glowered. “But he promised. It was his idea to go fishing in the first place! And it’s not fair to make us wait around all day.”

“Gosh, you’re so hard on him. Cut a little slack, will you?” Kondo gave a gentle shove. “Toshi’s got a lot on his plate right now. Business is going really well and that’s a good thing.”

“Well, he still promised,” Souji grumbled beneath his breath. “And besides! You’re more important than selling some stupid medicine, Kondo-san. I would never keep you waiting like that.”

With a lopsided smile pulling into his cheek, Kondo exhaled through his nose. “It’s nice of you to say so, but that stupid medicine is his main source of income right now.” He looked toward the large fluffy clouds passing just over the edge of the porch roof. “It’s all right. He’ll get here when he gets here. I don’t mind waiting.”

“I do!” A dramatic sigh preceded Souji pushing off and flopping on his opposite side. There were a few seconds of quiet before he droned, “Kondo-san will forgive anything.”

“Aw, come on. That’s not true.”

“When it comes to Hijikata-san, it is.”

“That’s not it at all!” Kondo contended, but his voice lost its fire once he attempted to elaborate. “It’s just, well. You know…Toshi is…” He kept his chin raised and drummed his fingers upon his thighs, thinking hard about the correct way to phrase it. “Toshi is—” Whatever he’d intended to say next had been lost however, as a man in courier attire appeared at the front gate to knock the whole world off balance yet again.

He stood in the middle of the entrance with his hands pressed tightly to his sides, announcing himself with a bow. “Pardon my intrusion!”

Kondo jumped to his feet with Souji following suit, and together they approached their visitor, who’d begun procuring an article of correspondence.

“I apologize for the interruption. Is Kondo Isami-sama present?”

“That’s me.” Kondo offered a sturdy nod as Souji took hold of his hakama, studying the man with curious eyes. As they waited, Kondo’s large palm came to rest on the top of his head, and he leaned further into it.

“Ah. I come bearing a message for you. It’s been marked urgent.” When Kondo’s hand left him to receive the folded letter, Souji caught glimpse of its address and his eyes narrowed in perplexity at the sender’s name. With another courteous bow, the courier excused himself and disappeared as quickly as he’d come.

Kondo’s brow creased with concern and while he immediately began to unfold the message, Souji craned his neck and rocked on his tiptoes to not miss any detail. “Sato Nobu-san¹? Isn’t that…isn’t that Hijikata-san’s sister?”

“Aa.” The letter was pulled open and as worried golden eyes fell on the words written in beautiful calligraphy, Kondo affirmed, “It is.”

“They’re telling me stupid dad jokes again.”

With his brows pulling inward, Kondo placed his hand on Souji’s head and gently pushed him off. “What?!”

“Kondo-sensei and Gen-san! They’re telling me stupid dad jokes and they’re so dumb and annoying!”

“There was, though! There really, really was!” Souji insisted, balling his hands into fists and bringing them level with his jaw. “Kondo-sensei literally said ‘you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish’ and expected me to laugh.”

Picking up his chopsticks again, Kondo cocked his head and chuckled. “Well…”

Souji’s eyelids fell halfway closed and he murmured, “Of course, you’d find that funny, Kondo-san...”

Souji shrugged and looked off to the side, quietly saying, “I already humor your humor, Kondo-san.”

Souji chortled and then took hold of Kondo’s hakamashita sleeve. “Ne, ne! Are we gonna go to the starlight festival this year?”

Kondo lifted his chin quickly and quirked a brow. “Now what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Besides!” Souji’s expression dampened a little as he nodded toward Hijikata, his voice suddenly less enthused when he added, “…isn’t he gonna come with us too anyway?”

“Ah…well, first of all, let’s not talk about Toshi like he isn’t here with us, yeah?” Whoops, guilty as charged. “And second of all—”

“I’ll go.”

“I’ll go,” Hijikata repeated. “And actually, I can make time for the whole day, so if you want to go fishing that morning, too…”

“Fishing?!” Souji exclaimed and clapped his hands once. “All right! I mean…if, if that’s okay with you, Kondo-san?”

“Yep!” Hijikata declared in a light and nearly dismissive tone, the kind of soft voice so specific to him, and went back to finishing the little that remained of his breakfast.

And it was that moment when Kondo realized that it was he, himself, who had eaten the least at this point: a stroke of clarity which made him evaluate the situation once more.

Hijikata had ventured a glance to Kondo at that point.

How do you go about hurting the one person you want to protect most of all? How do you injure the person you love and still stomach the sight of your own reflection?

But like clockwork, that had been the very moment Souji’s interjection saved Hijikata from himself and offered an escape he hadn’t even known he needed until the aftermath. Putting this heavy conversation off for a few days would allow him the time necessary to think about what needed to be said, and most importantly, how. It might have been delaying the inevitable and prolonging his own inner turmoil, but if that meant something better for Kondo in the long run and a gentler let down, then it was worth it.

A plan was a plan, half-baked as it might have been.

Therefore, when Kondo walked him to the halfway point at the lake, Hijikata could smile when they turned to each other—a soft and almost shy twitch of the lips.

“Go home safely, okay?” Kondo asked, reaching across the space separating them and brushing warm fingertips across Hijikata’s cheek as he pushed hair away from his face.

“No worries.” Hijikata offered a nod. “See you in three days.”

“I’ll...” Kondo averted his gaze and peered over his shoulder. His lower eyelids raised a touch and then he quietly finished his thought. “...I’ll miss you.”

Hijikata softly scoffed, but any rebuke he might have made was obliterated by Kondo’s mouth quickly pressing to his own: a brief kiss stolen amid the cover of nature.

“Bye,” Kondo whispered then, stepping off and waving over his shoulder.

“Bye...” Hijikata said after him so softly that he was positive that he hadn’t been heard. Only after Kondo had disappeared over the hill was when he added, “...I’ll miss you, too.”

3 Days Later

“Ne, Kondo-san…”

“Mm?”

Souji pursed his lips and kicked his feet a few times. “Fude-san’s gonna yell at you for drawin’ skulls in her front yard again…”

A laugh broke out at that. “No worries. I’ll erase them before she sees.”

“Kondo-san, no offense but…” Souji paused and then lowered his voice to a whisper. “It’s kinda weird.”

With his grin widening even further and his own words going just as soft to playfully imitate Souji’s, Kondo asked, “What is?”

“I mean, of all things, why draw skulls? Why not draw…well, I dunno…swords? Flowers? …Kanko?”

Souji’s brows pulled inward and his eyes drifted off to the side. “You have a skull in your chest?” His gaze wandered back. “…Are you okay?”

“Like what?”

“Like…whatever you want. Something that makes you happy?”

“Souji…” Kondo started, his tone faltering somewhere between amusement and warning, but failing to effectively become one or the other.

Long bangs and a ponytail were added next, and afterward, two horns at the top. With a precursory snicker, Souji finished his masterpiece by titling it: Hijikata-san.

“Souji!”

Kondo was off the porch in an instant, his fingers jabbing at Souji’s sides in a relentless tickle attack which caused him to thrash and howl. “When’d you get to be so rude, huh?!”

Upon managing to flail himself to freedom, Souji stumbled about while wiping tears from his eyes. “Well, it’s true! That’s how he looks!”

“Probably got caught up with something. It happens.”

Pressing his cheek unto Kondo’s bicep once more, Souji glowered. “But he promised. It was his idea to go fishing in the first place! And it’s not fair to make us wait around all day.”

“Well, he still promised,” Souji grumbled beneath his breath. “And besides! You’re more important than selling some stupid medicine, Kondo-san. I would never keep you waiting like that.”

“I do!” A dramatic sigh preceded Souji pushing off and flopping on his opposite side. There were a few seconds of quiet before he droned, “Kondo-san will forgive anything.”

“Aw, come on. That’s not true.”

“When it comes to Hijikata-san, it is.”

He stood in the middle of the entrance with his hands pressed tightly to his sides, announcing himself with a bow. “Pardon my intrusion!”

Kondo jumped to his feet with Souji following suit, and together they approached their visitor, who’d begun procuring an article of correspondence.

“I apologize for the interruption. Is Kondo Isami-sama present?”

“Aa.” The letter was pulled open and as worried golden eyes fell on the words written in beautiful calligraphy, Kondo affirmed, “It is.”

¹ Nobu: I ultimately chose to use the name Nobu for the sister who raised Toshi after the death of their parents. I did a lot of research in both English and Japanese to find more information on his family and came up with two names for her: Toku and Nobu. It seems that Toku was used to refer to her in Hakuouki, but I’m going with Nobu because that’s the name used on her Japanese Wikipedia page. Irritatingly, Toku is the name used on the page for her husband, Hikogoro. In any case, I love the name Nobu, so that's what I went with.

Chapter 4 >>

#uss enterplaid #toshisami #t1 #hakuouki #writing on plaid paper #long post #btw i had to shove 2 pics of the reimei ending together so i could have this pic without credits #you can tell #lmao #there's a seami tried to cover it up but alas #i know nothing about graphics lol

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askformerwarblerhunter-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Para || Changing Tides

WHO: Hunter & Sebastian WHEN: 4/1/2017 WHERE: Plane home from Greece WHAT: Hunter and Sebastian have a conversation about what’s going to happen post-Greece on the plane ride home in the private jet, then they flash forward to getting tested that evening. WARNINGS: NSFW talk? But nothing NSFW. EDIT: SCRATCH THAT IT GOT NSFW OOPS. BUT FADES TO BLACK BEFORE IT’S TOO BAD.

Sebastian made sure the jet and pilot was all ready to go before settling in a seat beside Hunter. He hated leaving Greece, but he also missed Jett and Gus (and maybe a couple of his friends). The whole trip with Hunter had been an unbelievable getaway that he couldn't quite wrap his head around yet. He knew they both had become increasingly affectionate and he wasn't sure if he was worried it would continue in Ohio or more that it wouldn't continue and it was only a while on vacation kind of thing. As they took off, Sebastian rest his head against Hunter's shoulder, sipping coffee they had gotten before getting to the airport. "Do you want to eat our breakfast now or later?"

Hunter laid his head on top of Sebastian's as he stared out the window, dreading the moment that they pulled up in the air and left the island. Maybe it was weird, to be so attached to a place he'd only been in for a week, but he'd seen so much and done so much - not to mention the strange new connection with Sebastian that felt a little more.... nailed down now - but it was still strange to be so sentimental. "Later. Coffee first. Need at least two more cups," Hunter joked, pulling the blanket he'd packed up around their legs and getting comfortable. For some reason he always ended up absolutely freezing when flying. "One last chance to stay here." It was another joke, but he couldn't resist saying it.

Sebastian had grown so comfortable being in Greece with Hunter. He wasn't sure which he'd miss more; the country, the sun, or sleeping with Hunter every night. It had started to go beyond just sex for him. He liked the post-sex cuddling that he never thought that he would want. He liked holding hands while walking around the streets. And he liked that he woke up and Hunter was still there in the morning. What he didn't realize was how much that he liked that it was Hunter he was doing everything with. He wasn't sure what to make of it and he didn't want to think about what it all was. "I'm so exhausted," he laughed, smiling. "I wish we could," he nodded. "But we have cats and a dog to go back to."

Hunter buckled himself in properly when the plane started to take-off but didn't detach himself from Sebastian to do so, watching out the window initially but turning his attention back when the movement got to be too much and brushing a hand down over his shoulder. "So am I. The kind of exhausted that comes after a good work out, or relaxing so much you can't keep your eyes open after." He offered the edges of the blanket to Sebastian in case he wanted to get himself bundled up with it too. It was so soft, so comfortable. "At least they've had the best pet sitters this side of the Mason-Dixie line. How much do you want to bet the cats give us the silent treatment for at least the next three days?"

Sebastian made sure he was buckled before taking the edge of the blanket to pull it over himself. It was warm and soft, and well, it was everything that he wanted. He felt like he could be safe and relaxed and not have to worry about anything else. "Yes, the best kind of exhaustion. The relaxing kind," he grinned, kissing his cheek. It was their last leg of their trip, but he was still going to make the most of the things they had. "They have had the best pet sitters. Jett's been getting to be outside and play everyday. He's going to just as mad as Gus," he laughed. "But I have a feeling Puss will be Mr. Grumpy Puss."

Hunter took the kiss on his cheek and turned it into a proper kiss, hand cupping his cheek and drawing him into it. It didn't last long but it held a lot in it and when he pulled away he tried to keep it easy, "Apparently they've all gotten to lounge on the bed while we were gone, and they made friends with Pumpkin. Even Mr. Puss looked like he was enjoying himself." He stretched his legs out in front of him and nonchalantly looked over at Hunter. Instead of letting himself overthink things he talked without trying to filter anything out. "So, you going to crash at my place tonight or do you need to go unpack after we pick up the furballs?"

Sebastian smiled as his lips touched Hunter's, keeping it gentle. Over the course of their trip, Sebastian felt as though he had learned all about what different kisses meant for him and Hunter. There were the soft ones that felt like they were just in the mood to be close. There were the passionate ones that they both knew would lead to so much more. And he loved them both. "Jeff and Blaine spoiled them rotten. We have a lot to live up too," he chuckled, humming softly. "Hmmmm, I can crash at yours. As long as I have the furballs, I can go anywhere, really."

Hunter eyed the pilot's area up front when they broke away. Not that he thought anyone hired by the Smythe's would be spying on them but he was still concerned about wanting their more private moments to remain private. "We can pick up some of those gourmet pet treats on the way home. Bribe our way back into their good graces." He squeezed Sebastian's hand as the relief flowed through. Not that he thought he'd say no but... actually, yes, part of him had thought maybe Sebastian would say no. "Good. We've got that massive cat bed we bought in Greece. They can all pile up on that. Or on the bed with us."

Sebastian knew that they would be okay and that the pilot wouldn't be paying attention to them. At least Sebastian hoped that flying a plane would take precedent over eavesdropping on what he and Hunter were saying. "Oh that's a smart idea. We need to bride them for their love again," he chuckled. Sebastian smiled at Hunter, winking playfully. "I'm way too used to sharing a bed with you," he admitted, trying to make it sound less serious than he felt it was. "Okay but that massive cat bed was amazing. How could we not have gotten it?" he grinned, nodding. "Maybe cuddles will help them love us again."

Hunter could imagine all too well Mr. Puss going cold shoulder on him. It'd happened before, several times, and the longer he was gone the longer the cold shoulder lasted. "Trust me the way to their hearts is definitely through their stomach. They can't resist a little tuna all dolled up." The words made Hunter's stomach clench up but he wasn't too keen on examining what that meant. "So am I. You're welcome over whenever you want, you know that." Did that sound nonchalant? He really, really hoped so. "Let them recreate what they had with their awesome petsitters and maybe they'll be less bitter. Or... we can let them be angry at us and enjoy the fact that it means we can have uninterrupted sex before the jet lag kicks in."

Sebastian felt a little bad for leaving Gus so soon after getting him, but he hoped that the kitten would understand or not even realize what happened. It was doubtful, but he could hope. "The only way to win them back is to spoil them more than Jeff and Blaine did," he agreed. Sebastian let out a small sigh of relief when Hunter returned the worry of not being able to sleep alone anymore. He would have felt weird had Hunter not been worried about it at all and he already felt weird over the fact he had gotten used to the feeling of sleeping next to Hunter in such a short amount of time. "You're welcome to my place any time too, but your bed's a lot more comfortable," he smiled. "Hmmm, last round of sex before jet lag and then win them back?"

Hunter shook his head at just how much work they were going to have to do. At least Mr. Puss knew he'd never let him stay with someone that didn't take proper care of him - from what he'd heard Blaine had done exactly that. "My bed's got every amenity possible," he said with a massive grin, and maybe it was a little smug. He'd spent enough time in his bed to need it to be perfect, and it was even better now that maybe that bed would be a little less empty than it had been since he'd come back from deployment. "Lock them out while they eat and get comfortable, let them back in when we're sated? We can behave for a night after that, I'm betting."

Sebastian felt bad about having to leave the pets back with Jeff and Blaine, but he was also pretty sure that they were being much more spoiled than normal. He trusted Jeff to take care of Gus and Jett, hoping that he'd be able to win back their affections. "A bed shouldn't be allowed to be that comfortable," Sebastian told him, shaking his head. He was enjoying spending time in Hunter's bed more than his own now. "They can get nice and fed and readjusted to being back with us. And we can have one last round of uninterrupted hot sex before we crash from jet lag and want nothing more than to cuddle and be with our babies."

Hunter leaned over for another kiss, the movement so easy between them now that he no longer thought twice about doing it even when they weren't leading into sex. A week seemed like such a short amount of time but being in somewhere so exotic was like being in another world, and it'd changed so much. "You do know how to make something sound insanely appealing. I'll even cook for us again beforehand if I can find the stuff for tacos. The maid should've gone shopping, but if not we can just order pizza if she didn't."

Sebastian kissed Hunter back with ease. He was desperately hoping that the simple kisses between them didn't have to end once they were back. He was finding that he looked forward to them all too much. "Well I am a lawyer. I'm supposed to make things sounds different than they really are," he chuckled. "That reminds me, Jeff wanted me to let him know a date that I'd be kicking ass in court. If you want, I can let you know too," he shrugged. "Tacos? That sounds delicious. Pizza also sounds good too though."

Hunter 's eyebrows rose, leaning back in the seat as much as it would allow before patting Sebastian's side to join him. They weren't going to be napping anytime soon, he didn't think, but comfortable was the name of the game. "I'd definitely enjoy that. Be pretty hot to watch you get someone the justice they deserve. We can definitely incorporate those mid-break blowjobs." His stomach growled a little but he knew he wasn't hungry just yet, it was just thinking about it. "Anything else in mind for today? Any other plans?"

Sebastian smiled and curled into Hunter's side gently, resting his head on Hunter's chest as he pulled the blanket up around them closer. "That's what I was hoping you'd say," he admitted. "And I'm extremely hot when I'm kicking ass," he grinned, kissing Hunter again simply because he could. "Oh yes. Those mid-break blowjobs are the best," he nodded. Sebastian hummed softly before looking at Hunter. 'I.. okay. Are you planning on sleeping with anyone else or can we go get tested once we're back because fuck condoms. I want to feel you."

Hunter ignored all of the rest of the conversation to fixate on that one point. He couldn't really read how Sebastian was saying it. Couldn't figure out if it was something serious, or a statement, or if it really was just a surface thing where Sebastian didn't like condoms and wanted to make sure they didn't need to use them. That'd become pretty clear on the trip, and he wasn't exactly fond of them either... "No, I don't, and if I did I'd be pretty up front with you about it. Why fuck strangers when I've got a friend I actually enjoy who just happens to be incredible in bed? We can go before we settle down tonight. If you're up for it. There's at least one private clinic open on Saturdays. Fuck that sounds hot..."

Sebastian hated condoms, but he also didn't think that he really would want to sleep with anyone else after Hunter. Why go home with someone random when he had a friend who he trusted and knew could make him feel amazing? Being with Hunter was better than everyone else he'd been with before and he wasn't going to give that up. He enjoyed his time with Hunter and well, he really wanted to stop having to use condoms. "I'd like that. I just. Condoms are okay, but fuck I want to know what it'd feel like just you, no rubber in between us."

Hunter wasn't going to overthink this. Sebastian didn't seem to be trying to make things too intense. It seemed to be about sex, and maybe he didn't want Sebastian to sleep with anyone else (even if he'd only admit it to himself) but there was still this knowing fear that jumped to the surface when he thought about it being more than that. "Trust me, I get it. We can have a few marathon rounds once the pets fall asleep for the night.... maybe test that whole 'no rubbers' thing to see just how good it is?"

Sebastian didn't want to overthink things. He didn't want to make them more serious than they had to be. Partially for Hunter's sake and partially because Sebastian himself didn't really want to think about it. He didn't know what it was, but there was also a part of him that liked knowing that Hunter was only going to be sleeping with him and vice versa. "Fuck yes. I want to test that as soon as as much as we possibly can once we're given the okay to," he nodded.

Hunter couldn't help the ridiculous grin that spread wide over his face. Ear to ear. Seeing him so excited about something made something warm and bubbly spark up in his chest and settle there. Even if it was sex it didn't change the fact that it was new. It was exciting. It was something he'd never intentionally done before, only when he was drunk and so far gone he didn't think of it, which had only happened a handful of times. "...So how much do you think the pets would mind us being a little late picking them up?"

Sebastian couldn't deny that he was more than excited about the thought of getting to be with Hunter and not having to deal with a condom in the way. He had never been with someone that he wanted to get to be intimate with exclusively. He had to admit that it was terrifying but exciting to him all at the same time. "Hmmmm, I mean.. what's a couple extra hours late..? They won't really know, will they?"

Hunter turned towards him, kind of needing to see his face right now. Just to make sure he wasn't missing something in what Sebastian was saying, or somehow reading between the lines in a way that wasn't accurate. "Of course they won't, Blaine and Jeff will get more time with him. It all works out, right?" He leaned over and kissed him again, this one less innocent, maybe more... deep. Intense. Just right.

Sebastian smiled reassuringly at Hunter, making sure that he knows that it's what he wants fully and completely with him. It was something that was special to him and scary and he didn't know what to think, but he knew the same thing must have been going through Hunter's mind as well. "I'm sure that they all won't mind a little big of extra time together," he agreed, kissing Hunter back. It was perfect and the right intensity for the situation. "You're fucking addicting."

Hunter chuckled and let the kiss run its course, sinking into it as easily as he'd learned to. Then they were landing, calling one of their drivers, and he couldn't believe nine hours had passed so quickly. Knowing they were headed to the clinic after they dropped their stuff off was almost nerve-wracking but when they finally made it there it was Hunter that tried to lead their way inside. No nerves about being seen but maybe there was a little worry that an escapade would leave him with a positive result. "You ready?" He said at the door.

Sebastian slept most of the way back, pressed against Hunter like he's gotten comfortable with doing. Once they were in the car, he double checked that the clinic would be open once they were there. Once they were there, Sebastian squeezed Hunter's hand. He knew this was a big thing for them. He had never gone to get tested with someone else before. Part of him was nervous, but he was also more than ready to go in. "Let's go in, babe," he nodded, smiling softly.

Hunter pushed the doors open and did the checking in for them - taking charge was such a natural thing for him to do and he trusted that if Sebastian was ever uncomfortable with it or wanted to be the one doing everything that he'd let him know. "So how many vials of blood do you think they'll take?" Tattoos didn't phase him, shots didn't phase him, but getting his blood drawn was always a little iffy for him. There was just so much of it and if he was any smaller it'd leave him light-headed every time.

Sebastian sat down when Hunter went to check them in. He smiled softly when he came back and shrugged. "I don't think it's too much," he said softly. "Do you.. want me to come back with you when you get yours drawn?" he asked, bitting his lip. Everything was so new to him, he didn't know what he should do or say to try and make Hunter feel better about things. "It's never been more than one vial for me," he told him, hoping that would help calm his nerves.

Hunter nodded a little, not wanting to seem like any kind of wuss about it. "Yeah, that'd be pretty cool. It does make sense for us to be there together, getting it done, since we're getting it done for the sake of.... well, each other. Right?" He squeezed his hand tight and leaned against him for a brief moment as they waited for the doctor. "I've had them draw up to three for testing for other things before. Smaller vials, just more of them. Though it might not be the same since that was testing viruses when I came down with that bronchitis-like issue."

Sebastian nodded, "It would. We might as well do it together since it's for each other," he agreed. Sebastian squeezed Hunter's hand back, letting the other stay close to him. "I don't think they'd need that much for this," he shook his head. "At least, I don't see why they would," he shrugged. Sebastian just rubbed Hunter's arm gently until their names were called to head back into the testing room. Standing up, he looked at Hunter. "Hey. It's going to be okay."

Hunter stayed by Sebastian's side and let his voice filter over him. Maybe he didn't register exactly what it said at first but when he tuned back in it was at just the right time. "Thank you, babe." He let the doctor show them a room and dealt with the questions when the nurse tried to protest them sharing an examination room. He'd been prepared to be vocal about why they needed it but didn't want to make everyone uncomfortable when the nurse backed down and let them go. "Thank fuck," he muttered, settling into one of the hard seats. "Thought she wasn't going to go for it."

Sebastian knew they would have to argue their way into the examination room, but he wasn't going to go down without a fight over the matter. When she finally let them go in, he let a small sigh of relief, squeezing Hunter's hand. "Same there, babe," he said softly, sitting down in the chair. He looked over the questions the nurse handed them and looked back over at Hunter as they waited for the next person to come in. "Is it bad I'm not sure the number how many sexual partners to put down?" He asked, looking back down at the paper uncomfortably.

Hunter nudged Sebastian's shoulder with his own at the question. "No, it's not bad. I'm not too sure myself. Somewhere in the higher double digits..." He murmured, trying to do the mental math. It'd been dry season for the most part since coming back to Ohio - minus that weekend in Vegas with a gorgeous woman and now his constant bed sharing with Sebastian - but before he left and when he was deployed the number had been pretty high. Mostly randoms, a few friends with benefits, even a few buddies who just needed to get off after a year away from their women. "I can't say I've been particularly.... monogamous in the past, minus a few women in high school."

Sebastian chuckled, glad that he wasn't the only one who didn't know how many to put down. "I think I'd be around the same then," he nodded, trying to think about it. Being in California, while he was trying to prove he was worthy enough to be at Stanford, that hadn't stopped him from still having a little (or a lot) of fun. It had slowed since coming back to Ohio, finding a few old flings at Scandals before what he started with Hunter. "I can't say I've ever been monogamous," he mumbled, suddenly worried about scaring Hunter away for no real reason.

Hunter tilted his head curiously at the way Sebastian said the words so quietly. "I'm the last person who'd shame you for that, 'Bastian. Not for everyone." For a second he debated taking it down a more serious route but at the last second decided against it, not feeling like they were anywhere close to ready to have that conversation unless Sebastian wanted to take it there. "Had to wait 'til the sex was worth it to whittle it down to just one person," he teased. "But we all know my cock's enough to keep you more than sated. Or my ass." The last part he said a little quieter, directly to Sebastian.

Sebastian looked over at Hunter and smiled softly. "Guess I'm just used to people getting on my case about it," he said. He was seriously terrified about the way he felt when he was around Hunter and part of him wondered how Hunter felt, but he also didn't think a clinic was the most ideal place to bring that kind of thing up. Not when they could be walked in on at any moment by a nurse ready to draw blood. Sebastian laughed, nodding. "Well lucky for you, my cock and ass isn't going anywhere, babe."

Hunter squeezed Sebastian's hand lightly, leaning into his side and settling down there. "Well those people are idiots. Your past, hell your present, that's nobody's business but yours and the person or people you choose to share it with." Maybe Hunter could be an ass. Maybe he could be immature at times. But he firmly believed that Sebastian didn't deserve to have to deal with such bullshit over something as simple as sex. "Thank fuck. I mean. Kind of what we're doing here, right?" He didn't really know what was going on here but he also wasn't going to make any moves to quell it. It felt... really damn good.

Sebastian rest his head against Hunter's, holding onto his hand. Despite everything they'd already done together, this was making him feel the most nervous and vulnerable. "That makes me feel so much better," he admitted. Sebastian knew that his family wasn't happy with his sleeping around, thinking it gave the family a bad name, constantly getting on his case about not settling down with someone when he was only 21. Knowing the Hunter didn't mind his past and didn't run from him because of it made Sebastian feel... safe for the first time. "It's exactly why we're here," he nodded. Knowing that there was someone who was willing to only be with well.. him.. was something that made Sebastian feel things he didn't want to think about.

Hunter relaxed against the chair again as the door opened, but he murmured a "Good, let me know what else I can do" against Sebastian's ear as the nurse came in and tried not to focus on what was about to happen. He handed his filled-out form over, one hand going down to lace their fingers together in a way he'd become accustomed to in Greece, the other tapping a little nervously on the edge of the chair. This whole thing was just so... new and at least the awkward part of the doctor's visit would be over soon and they could move on to the much, much more fun part of their evening.

Sebastian smiled softly, never expecting to like how things felt with Hunter so much. "I will," he said quietly, looking up as the nurse came in. He handed his form to her, looking over at Hunter. Squeezing his hand, Sebastian listened as the nurse explained what would happen and, nodded. "I can go first, unless you want to?" he asked Hunter, not sure if Hunter would prefer to get it done and over with sooner. He was looking forward to them both being done and out of the place.

Hunter looked up at the nurse then back down to their joined hands and sucked in a breath. "I'll go first. Want it done with, and we can keep talking through yours." As the nurse swabbed his mouth he squeezed his hand even tighter, pretty sure he was going to have to pry their hands apart as he watched her get the 2 vials ready. "Talk to me about something. Anything. Tell me something nobody knows, or how you feel about aliens, or something that's going to distract me enough I'm not tempted to look."

Sebastian nodded, letting Hunter go first. He had never seen the other so nervous before but he almost found it nice to see that side of Hunter. He was going to say something about Hunter breaking his hand, but Sebastian thought it best to bite his tongue about it. "Something nobody knows? Well. Despite what it may look like, my coming out wasn't as nice as I make it out to be. My parents are more accepting of it now, but at first they wanted nothing to do with who I was. Only my sister and Grandma really supported me. Granted, my coming out was kind of forced when mother found me in bed with a guy."

Hunter could feel the first needle but tried to ignore it, focusing on Sebastian's words and trying to piece together that tidbit with what he already knew about Sebastian. "Was it anyone I know? Sorry. Sorry, bad timing. How did you handle it? Did you keep doing it despite what they said?" Such basic questions but he wanted to know now. There were few people he knew who'd actually had a genuinely easy time coming out to their parents and it wasn't something he ever took lightly. Not after knowing how long it took him to even tell someone.

Sebastian shook his head. "Nah, it was this guy in Paris. I was fourteen. He was seventeen and a dancer. Go figure," Sebastian laughed. "I didn't think they were going to be home, but they came home and there we were," he said. "I kept doing it. I was a little more careful about it at first, but then Grandma told me that I had to be who I was was, so I stopped trying to hide it so much and then moving to the States, I kept up my sleeping around even more. I'm pretty sure my parents still aren't happy with how many guys I've been with. They think it ruins the family image."

Hunter raised his eyebrows very briefly at the age difference, though it wasn't like he hadn't had his own fair share of being the younger guy. For a second he snorted but he was very quick to clarify why. "It just amuses me that your grandmother essentially gave you her blessing to sleep around," Hunter teased, sufficiently distracted as the second needle was insert - he'd barely even noticed more than a few twinges. "Are they more concerned with the number of guys you've been with, or the fact that they're guys in the first place and not girls? They should be grateful you can't knock anyone up, honestly."

Sebastian just shrugged. He knew there was an age difference and at the time, it was a pretty big one. He wasn't even 100% sure that he remembered how it all came to be. "I told you she's the best. She's the one who had to give me the sex talk," he grinned, chuckling softly. "I think the number more than the fact they were guys. I think. I mean, I think it tool father a little bit to warm up to it, but he's more just annoyed at the reputation it gives Smythes or whatever."

Hunter imagined a tiny old lady telling Sebastian how to be safe, how to protect himself, what sex actually was... It was just the opposite of what he'd expected from Sebastian's family and it was a perfectly amusing image. "Please tell me she gave it to you in the most frank way possible. With diagrams." When the vials were pulled out he breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes briefly. "That's so dumb. They can't prove anything more than speculation about number, and it's none of their business anyway."

Sebastian laughed, "It was more like she tried to draw diagrams herself. And there was a condom on a banana. I was mortified. She did it in the middle of her cafe with other people around. I don't know why she thought that was a good idea. It was awful," he shook his head at the memory, smiling as the nurse finished up with Hunter. "I know. I guess enough people saw me with a different guy a night and that got back to my parents," he rolled his eyes fondly. It bugged him, but he tried not to let it get the best of him the best that he could.

Hunter leaned against him as the laughter came, trying not to laugh too hard while the nurse was bandaging up the already-bruising area. "Oh god. Please tell me your cheeks turned that rosy pink color. Did she make you practice rolling the condom down over the banana?" For a second he was going to say something more, but he didn't want the response to seem flippant when it wasn't. "It's your turn. You can ask anything that you want to. Consider it your distraction even if you don't need one."

Sebastian couldn't help but laugh along with Hunter, thinking back to his Grandma trying to draw diagrams and explain everything to him in the middle of the cafe. "I was terrified of it all. And yes. I had to roll the condom onto the banana while my cheeks were bright freaking red," he nodded. Sebastian rest his arm out for the nurse to start prepping him to draw blood. "Hmmm, tell me. Did you ever think about me while we were at Dalton and how close were you to jumping me?"

Hunter could surprisingly watch Sebastian as the nurse was prepping him, though he was fiddling with his own bandage in the meantime. "Of course." The words slipped out automatically. No filter was in place and maybe that wasn't the worst thing that could happen. "You were hot as sin and praised by nearly everyone, out of the bed and in it.... If we'd have been roommates... it might have been a lot more complicated than it was, and a lot more difficult to resist. Did you ever think about asking me if it was true?"

Sebastian looked over at Hunter, letting the nurse do whatever to his arm, barely even noticing when the needle went in. "Of course I thought about it. But I also thought I made it obvious that I was into you and well, you didn't seem very interested at the time. I was a cocky bastard who didn't want to look like he was chasing after someone he couldn't have," he shrugged. "Plus you with all those different girls.. I thought I got the message pretty clear you didn't want me."

Hunter ignored the nurse's presence so he could lean in and kiss Sebastian quickly. Maybe even sweetly. Reminiscent of beaches and barely moving waves and feeling like they only existed in a single moment. "Well, I can't say I was wrong to be in the closet.... Won't try and justify my reasoning... but I was pretty damn dumb not to jump your bones back then. Might would've made my first time with a guy more appealing than a sloppy handjob in the back of someone's truck."

Sebastian kissed him back softly. He didn't know why he felt so bothered by everything that had happened. Maybe it was that Hunter hadn't tried to be with him and well, Sebastian wasn't used to that. Or maybe it was just that he knew he would have made Hunter's first time with a guy so much better. "I know people need to come out on their own time and I never want to force someone out of the closet," he shrugged. "I could have made your first time so much better than that, babe."

Hunter finally averted his eyes back to the nurse but only briefly. It was kind of nice to realize she didn't seem to be paying them or their conversation any more attention than was strictly necessary. "For the record, there were only... maybe three or four people I'd have slept with from Dalton and you were definitely top of the list. And you have definitely made any recent memories I have of sexual encounters fucking fantastic. Phenomenal. Want me to keep spouting off descriptors? Because I can."

Sebastian was barely aware of the needle in his arm and it was gone before he realized enough blood had been taken out of his arm. "Well that does help," he nodded. "And I intend to make it so that you forget about all your past encounters and I'm the only one on your mind," he mumbled, leaning over to kiss Hunter again despite the nurse trying to tell them something about waiting for results and whatnot.

Hunter let the kiss linger, hands going up to Sebastian's neck and holding him there. "You're doing a fucking fantastic job. Might not be blind, no, but I'm damn sure sated enough to have my focus trained on you." The words got a little flowery. A little rambling, but it was nice to know that Sebastian..... gave enough of a shit to want that to be different than it was. "Kind of glad that we were adults when it inevitably happened though." Hunter admitted. "More experience. More talent."

Sebastian wrapped an arm around Hunter, keeping his close. "I am very pleased to hear that," he nodded. "Well, that's why we're here, yeah? It's well.. you and me," he smiled softly. He was glad they seemed to be on the same page about things. Hunter was... different for Sebastian. Special. "Yeah? I guess we both were able to perfect a few things before it happening," he nodded. The nurse had left the room and Sebastian had barely noticed, being too fixed on looking at Hunter beside him.

Hunter chuckled a little, leaning against Sebastian in an uncharacteristic display of vulnerability. There'd been a lot of those in the last 72 hours, but it was becoming easier and easier to handle those and not let them turn into potential panic attacks. "Yeah. Yeah it is. Give me however long results take and I'll remind you just how much this is us." Maybe he couldn't resist taking that to a sexual level, but it was very clearly not just that. "Remind me to thank whoever it was that helped you perfect that thing you did with your hands last night. Damn near had me keening. Last question. Why did you seem hesitant to turn this sexual when we started talking again?"

Sebastian wrapped a protective arm around Hunter. He wasn't sure why he felt so protective over the other or if he had any business whatsoever to be so protective, but he was and it wasn't something he wanted to turn off. "Mmm I can't wait," he smirked lightly, leaning back against Hunter as they waited. "I do hope it isn't too long," he nodded, chuckling. "And remind me to thank whoever it was that taught you that things you do with your tongue. I could come from that alone," he said before looking at Hunter, suddenly a little more serious. "I.. guess I just didn't want you to think this was just sex? Like.. I'm not just using you for your body. Or something," he mumbled, unable to find the right words to say that wouldn't make things weird or uncomfortable.

Hunter tapped his foot in a show of nerves he couldn't hide, but his own hand slid behind Sebastian to return the affectionate gesture. "Shouldn't be more than 20 minutes," he murmured, stealing kiss after small kiss, just letting each one linger enough to have been felt. "We should try that some night. After we've had that talk about what we're into, because my mind went straight to tying up your wrists and edging you all night." His eyes lit up with something close to mischief, but the way Sebastian looked had him sobering up and leaning in to keep the physical contact high. "If... it's any consolation... I don't think that's what you're doing. Not what I'm doing with you either. You enjoy someone's company enough and it starts to show to the point even the oblivious can tell."

Sebastian nodded, hoping that everything would come back alright. He'd hate to have gone through everything any then find out news they weren't expecting. Sebastian was relaxing more and more with each kiss Hunter gave him, letting himself feel safe and okay with the other. "Fuck, Hunter. You don't know how hot that sounds," he mumbled, kissing him again. "I am 100% all in for that," he nodded. Sebastian felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from him and he could breathe again. Knowing that everything he was feeling wasn't one sided made him feel so much better about everything. "Thank fuck," he said, kissing Hunter a little deeper than before hoping that would say more than he was able to say with words.

Hunter nearly let the kisses get inappropriate, but not in a sexual sense as much as the kisses almost got too intense and in a public place that just wasn't alright, not when that was for them alone. "Yeah? Might could try the getting you off with just my tongue tonight, then, after you're sated and loose limbed and sensitive - and we can drag in kinks after we have that discussion." It was like they'd mastered the art of non-verbal communication, with Hunter taking everything that Sebastian was giving to him and trying to feed it back into him. Trying to let him know just enough of what he couldn't say. "Yeah, thank fuck. If it was just sex you'd have never been in my bed again after that weekend. If it was just sex I'd have never let you..." He trailed off, hoping the other man remembered as well as he did.

Sebastian was getting to lost in Hunter's lips. He knew that they needed to slow it down before it got out too crazy to turn back and he also knew that the nurse would be coming back at any moment and he didn't need her finding them in the middle of something. "Fuck yes," he nodded, getting excited at just the thought of getting off only by Hunter's tongue. He and Hunter had learned what the other meant and needed almost too well. They somehow got each other without having to say a word and that saved Sebastian from having to find the right words. "I wouldn't have stayed the night. Or let you get close to me.." he nodded, knowing exactly what Hunter had meant.

Hunter pulled back only when he didn't think he'd keep his control in check, palming Sebastian briefly before settling his hands back in his own lap and smirking. "Now I'm even more eager for them to come back in and tell us we're clean," he said with a smirk, fingers tapping on the edge of the chair again but this time in excitement. "Exactly. So... you know. For the record. It's more than that." He reached his hand back to squeeze Sebastian's, a stupid smile on his face even as the fear tinged the edges of it.

Sebastian had to shift uncomfortably in his seat, stifling a groan that wanted to come out of his mouth. "The nurse needs to come back soon before I take you right here," he whispered into Hunter's ear, moving his mouth to suck at Hunter's neck for a moment before pulling away. "I'm.. really glad to hear that," he said softly, squeezing his hand back with a grin on his face that he was pretty sure wouldn't go away. When the nurse came back in a little bit later, Sebastian looked up at her eagerly.

Hunter 's hips pushed up against the open air at the way Sebastian marked up his neck, the feel of sharp teeth sending a very guttural reaction to the put of his stomach. "Fuck, but that sounds like some kind of roleplay fantasy come true," he murmured, When the nurse came in he perked up too, and when she announced him clean of any kind of STDs he gave a sigh of relief and turned to Sebastian as she opened up his results, wanting to know exactly what the paper said.

Sebastian smirked softly at the reaction that Hunter had to him, loving every second of it. "Maybe we should be adding that to our sex bucket list," he said, looking at Hunter excitedly. Their list was getting longer and longer and he wasn't about to complain about that. Sebastian opened up his results, letting out a huge sigh of relief. Looking at Hunter, he grinned, "Guess who's getting laid tonight," he smirked, not caring that the nurse was in the room.

Hunter 's eyebrows raised, but he had to actively shift in his seat not to be too obvious about his reaction. "Yes. Yes, please. We're going to have a mile long list at this point. Take us years to complete." Not that he was thinking that far ahead... but enough incredible sex to last a few years? That sounded nothing but positive to him. "Us?! Tell me it's us." He wanted to grab for the results and wave them around but settled on a far less rude grin, pulling him in by the collar for a much harder kiss.

Sebastian loved being able to get Hunter to react like that. "That just means we'll have to work hard to cross things off the list," he grinned. He wasn't going to turn down a chance to have good sex with Hunter. "Oh it's us, babe," he smiled brightly, kissing Hunter harder. The nurse cleared her throat, telling them they could go. "Let's go!" He beamed, pulling Hunter got of the office.

Hunter smirk was plastered on his face by now, he was sure of it. "You have such damn good ideas. Make sure we cross off one or two of those things every week. I'd say every day... but we might never leave my room." he teased, following after Sebastian and only stopping long enough to press the other man up against a wall, stealing a rough kiss that would've only gotten more heated if they didn't have a destination already in mind. "Though maybe that doesn't sound like the worst idea...."

Sebastian chuckled, not being able to stop himself from grinning ear to ear. He was fairly certain that the grin was going to stay on his face for a very long time. "A couple a week sounds like a great plan. We also need to have the kinks talk... that could end up making the list even longer," he smirked. "We do need to your bed at some point," he teased. Sebastian groaned as his back hit the wall, kissing Hunter back deeply. He didn't know or care about whoever may be around them, he just wanted to get Hunter home and in bed.

Hunter 's hands went up to Sebastian's neck and held him there until the kiss had him panting, grabbing Sebastian's ass in both broad palms and squeezing gently. "Oh? Is that a hint that you're having an urge to be tied up and spanked that I should be taking care of?" He grinned, fiddling with the edges of his shirt. "The rest of the world will still be waiting after we've christened every room we come across..." It was clear teasing, but it was also a hint of admitting he liked what they were outside everyone else.

Sebastian groaned against Hunter' lips, making no move to stop him. "Fuck.... I wouldn't say no to that," he admitted. While he'd rarely admit it to many people, there was something about submitting completely to someone that turned him on. Of course, there was also something about being dominating that also turned him on. "Oh yeah? You like the idea of everyone knowing exactly what we're doing?" He smirked, slowly rolling his hips down against Hunter's.

Hunter drew in a sharp breath as the answer landed. It wasn't the answer he expected, but it definitely wasn't unwelcome either. "You'd really want me to? You're going to have to tell me just how deep that urge goes.... Fuck, that talk may happen sooner rather than later," he admitted, imagining Sebastian ass up in front of him while he controlled his orgasms. "Yes. I do. Want everyone in a ten mile radius to know exactly who's got you so close to screaming. Don't even care if they want to play audience, as long as they keep their hands off you."

Sebastian knew that is wasn't something that most people would expect from him, but he trusted Hunter to know all of what he liked. There were very few people that he would ever trust to know about that kink and even fewer he would ever trust to carry it out, but he was absolutely excited by the idea of being at Hunter's mercy. "I trust you, babe. I know you'd make it amazing," he nodded, kissing Hunter deeply. "Just say when," he murmured. "Damn babe, that'd be.. so hot."

Hunter bit down on his lip as he watched Sebastian carefully to gauge just how serious he was, next words murmured against his ear as he leaned in even closer. "What are your limits, sweetheart? Tell me what's not okay, tell me what you absolutely love, and we can go from there." Instead of backing away he pressed him even tighter against the wall, bracing his hands on either side of Sebastian before rolling his hips forward. "Let me know if you're ever in the mood to give someone a show. Promise we'll leave them speechless."

Sebastian never imagined that they'd be talking about everything somewhere in the hallways of a health clinic, but he couldn't find it in him to stop it. "Honestly.. you can push me pretty far.. as much as I love a good orgasm, denial is almost more fun," he admitted with a shrug. "Completely being in the hands and at the mercy of someone else," he nodded, wrapping his arms around Hunter's neck to hold him against him. "We'll be leaving them all jealous too."

Hunter shuddered at the images flooding through. "Yeah? I can promise you if we ever tried that I'd take incredible care of you. Make sure that orgasm - orgasms - is one that you can't ever forget. Get you shuddering and begging under me..." Maybe he should pull away right now before things got so heated that they got kicked out of the doctor's office, but it just... didn't seem worth it to pull away right now. "Of course. Have you seen you?"

Sebastian couldn't shake the images out of his head. They'd definitely be trying it at some point. The sooner the better, really. "Fuck, yes," he nodded. "You'd have me wrapped around your finder," he groaned softly. They should pull away. They really should. They were in the middle of an office and yet Sebastian wasn't about to push Hunter away from him. "Me? Have you seen you?"

Hunter tilted his head forward and kissed his slowly, keeping it even and easy so that the intensity died down some.... but it didn't really work. "You saying I don't already have you wrapped around my finger?" He smirked, only pulling back when a nurse came by and did the obvious dry cough at them. "Oh, plenty, but I much prefer someone with your build."

Sebastian tried to calm himself down as best as he could, but his mind was so focused on everything Hunter Clarington. "Hmmm you could try and see if I am or now," he smirked, teasing him. "And I much prefer the gymnast build," he grinned, taking Hunter's hand. "I think that's our cue to leave," he laughed, starting to pull Hunter out of the building so they could go.

Hunter grinned back, already imagining the various ways - both sexual and not so sexual - that he could prove that Sebastian was as wrapped as he was feeling like he is. "Is that you admitting that I'm your type, Sebastian Smythe?" He didn't hesitate to take his hand nor did he hesitate to follow him out, letting the door slam shut behind them. "Yes, yes it is. Now time for home sweet home."

Sebastian knew that Hunter could probably convince him to do anything. He was completely wrapped around Hunter's fingers and he liked to think that he could get Hunter to do things he wouldn't normally do too. "Did you think think I could deny that fact?" He grinned, walking out to the car. "Yes. Homes. Sex. Going to get our babies," he said, opening up the car door.

Hunter loved the sound of every word that fell from Sebastian's lips. It was like he had become an expert Hunter whisperer, knowing just what to say to make Hunter's focus remain solely on him no matter who tried to communicate with them, no matter what was going on around them. "Drive. Think you can drive with my hands on your cock or do you want me to behave right now?"

Sebastian felt as though he knew Hunter better than anyone else and he knew that Hunter knew him better than anyone ever had. Part of him wondered what they would have been like had Hunter been out in high school, but he also felt like they had the perfect amount of build up to whatever they are now. "Fuck, Hunter, I don't know. That sounds way too tempting."

Hunter 's smirk widened as he looked Sebastian up and down, gauging his reaction. "Make a quick decision, babe. Either you drive and I tease you the whole way home, or I drive and I have my pants down enough to still tease you the whole way home. Just in a... more creative manner." The ideas were so tempting... like suddenly having access to Sebastian made him want to explore everything.

Sebastian looked at Hunter, checking to see how serious he was being. "I'll drive," he said, grabbing the keys and sliding into the driver's seat and buckling before he could change his mind about things. "What's gotten into you?" he asked, smirking at the other. "I'm not complaining, but it's like a fire lit inside your pants."

Hunter flushed a little but quickly shoved it to the side, sliding the confidence back in place before any slip was evident. "It's just hot knowing how many options we have now. So much we can explore." So much I'm not thinking of you doing with someone else remained unsaid, but he very much thought it. "Why not get started on it?"

Sebastian put the keys in the ignition and started to pull out of the lot. "I suppose we do have a rather long list to get started on," he agreed, looking at Hunter quickly. "Just, if we crash, that's on you, babe," he winked. Everything felt exciting to him. He looked forward to everything ahead of them and yet, he still couldn't believe Hunter was willing to only be with him.

Hunter chuckled at the mention of the list. It'd been one of his crazier ideas but it was definitely one he wanted to explore. "We've got... what, at least 25 items on it by now?" He slid over enough to palm at Sebastian through the fabric covering him, leaning in to innocently nuzzle his neck and press a quick kiss to his cheek. "We won't crash. Wouldn't let it happen. React however you'd like baby."

Sebastian couldn't help but find it amusing that they both had taken the list a little more seriously that either of them ever expected to. "At least 25. And it's growing quickly," he laughed. Sebastian groaned softly at the hand over him and gripped the steering wheel a little bit tighter already knowing that he'd need to focus on the road to get them to Hunter's house in one piece. "God, Hunt.."

[FADE TO BLACK]

#para: changing tides #para04

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