[rp log]
Characters: Atobe Keigo and Kabaji Munehiro
Location: On the beach and in Atobe's cave.
Time: At the time of Atobe's messed up post: the last day of the countdown.
Rating: PG for a kiss
Summary: Atobe is ill and wandering around the beach. Kabaji helps, and gets more than he bargained for.
Worry gnawed at Kabaji as he watched Atobe walk along the edge of the water. He almost surged forward several times to make sure his friend didn't fall, and breathed a sigh of relief again when the heir regained his balance.
When Atobe, in his comment, gave Kabaji permission to help, he came out from his hiding place and made himself known to the former Hyoutei player by standing directly in front of him.
"Ah, there you are." The nonchalance in Atobe's response to the sudden wall of a person who loomed ahead of him was positively overwhelming. He merely tottered barefoot (a sure signal that something wasn't quite right) in a loose semi-circle only to continue sleuthing. He'd half convinced himself that this was merely a stunt pulled by his (soon to be out of work) management team. Regardless of their mistakes, the media attention towards his shocking disappearance was bound to be good for business. He'd rolled up the legs of his designer jeans, and stolen one of Kabaji's t-shirts since most of his own were ruined by the weather, "No clues so far, but I have encountered several turtles...."
Kabaji couldn't help but wonder if those turtles were real or imaginary. Considering Atobe's current state, it could well be either. As nice as his own shirt looked on Atobe, he couldn't help but worry his former captain might trip over it on his uneasy feet.
"Perhaps it will help you to see further down the beach," Kabaji said. "Ride on my shoulders and you can direct me."
The scoff which passed Atobe's lips skittered across the rippling waves beside them, "You're not a horse." His toes kept sinking into the damp sand beneath them. It would have been an unwelcome sensation if he was in full control of his faculties, but as it was the feeling reminded him of some kind of luxury spa treatment. He took five more steps, loaded with curiosity and not a whisper of co-ordination. Then with all the grace of a falling tree trunk he faceplanted into the surf.
Moving quickly, Kabaji immediately plucked Atobe from the water and held him easily in his arms. To Kabaji, Atobe barely weighed anything.
"Are you all right, Atobe-sama?" he asked, chocolate brown eyes full of worry as he looked down at his friend.
Contrary to Kabaji's expectations, Atobe was having trouble keeping his amusement under control. His shoulders trembled, and he pressed the back of one sand speckled hand over his mouth to contain the laughter which threatened to burst out from behind it. The front of his jeans and the comically over-sized t-shirt were damp. They clung to the definition his body had gained since before he left the high school circuit in search of grander things. Beneath Kabaji's hands his bare skin radiated sickly heat, "....that was...*hah*....that...it was...very clumsy of me...*hah*...how unbecoming."
The laughter was perhaps more worrying than anything else.
Holding Atobe tightly to his body, he wondered if perhaps Atobe was not well enough to sit on his shoulders. For now, Atobe would have to be content to let Kabaji carry him like this.
"Not clumsy at all," Kabaji said in his deep, slow voice. "What if you had found a clue?"
"I was going to share it with you....and then the turtles." The smile Atobe greeted him with was free from its usual gloss of professionalism. He appeared to have gone beyond the pain suffusing his arm (which was bound with a fresh splint, but hung limp against his chest in a sling.) - spirited away by the heat burning through the rest of his body. Instead of sneering at the soft-heartedness of Kabaji's actions he accepted them for once.
"That is very kind of you," Kabaji said. Shifting Atobe slightly, so that he held him up with one, thick arm, he reached around to grab his canteen. "In return, I will share my water with you."
Atobe looked dehydrated. And slightly deranged when he mentioned the questionable turtles. He would rather Atobe sneer than see a smile caused by sickness and pain.
The canteen was taken as opposed to being snatched out of his hands. Atobe drank deeply; a thin trickle of water followed the line of his jaw, only to pool and slowly dissolve when it reached his collar bone. When he'd had his fill, he pushed it back into Kabaji's hand, "I'm not going to stand around doing nothing." This, at least sounded a bit more like the usual stubborn side of their resident king. The illusion was somewhat dented when he dug his toes into the wet sand and added, "Do you think giant squids are real?"
"You should sit on my shoulders, and report back what you see," Kabaji offered the suggestion. He stood very close to Atobe, so he could put out an arm to catch him if the heir fell again. "Usu...but I do not think they can write, Atobe-sama."
Kabaji resisted the temptation to catch that droplet of water on one of his fingers.
Kabaji's intriguing estimation of the intelligence level of said gigantic creatures caused Atobe's brow to knit, but then he burst out laughing again. It was such an unexpectedly happy sound, unlike the haughty amusement he used upon the court or during one of those interminable dinner parties work coerced him into attending. As his mirth died down, Atobe held out both hands to Kabaji, relinquishing control of himself to his old friend. His trust for the other had never been as obvious as it was in this moment, "I feel like I could see anything from up there."
Kabaji's lips twitched up at the sound of Atobe's laugh. Despite his friend's illness, he couldn't help but enjoy the innocent sound.
"Just stand with your legs far apart," Kabaji advised, and when Atobe did so, Kabaji knelt between them and took hold of Atobe's thighs. "Hold my head with your good arm," Kabaji warned, before he stood carefully, making sure Atobe did not fall.
Atobe could have done the splits without giving it a second thought, but he stopped short of losing the plot entirely and did as he was told for once. His grasp was questionable at best. Within seconds of being hoisted skyward, he was already pointing out a myriad of interesting sights which lined the beach. Not the least of which was a large turtle ambling towards them at a rate of one step an hour, "I told you there were turtles."
When Atobe seemed to find a reliable balance, Kabaji began his slow walk. He would, perhaps, meet with the turtle in a half hour if they both continued their pace.
"Atobe-sama is becoming fond of tutles?"
At least Atobe's fever wasn't such that he was hallucinated. That was a relief.
"They taste pretty good." Since leaving school, Atobe had become even more of a jet-setter than ever. There wasn't much he wouldn't try as long as it was presented elegantly enough. Along with some good company and fine wine. His stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, and from the perch atop Kabaji's shoulders he pointed towards the tumble of the ocean, "Catch a shark for me."
"Usu," Kabaji said, "I will."
But for now, perhaps he ought to direct their walk to the caves so he could made Atobe a sandwich. "But shark will take some time to prepare. Would you like a sandwich while you wait?"
With a head filled with images of delicate shark sushi, shark fillet, and even the coveted shark BBQ Atobe nodded his consent. The journey back was uneventful beyond Atobe's feverish ramblings about the countdown, and the various wildlife which passed them by as Kabaji worked not to lose the burden placed upon his broad shoulders. When he was finally set down Atobe's legs buckled, but he didn't even blink. There was no doubt in his mind that Kabaji would be there to catch him, "Everything's spinning again...I don't like this."
Catching Atobe in his arms, Kabaji carried him over to the makeshift bed. "Close your eyes," he advised, tone low and gentle. "You're probably still dehydrated."
A moment later, he was at Atobe's side, offering him a spoonful of water. "Open your mouth, Atobe-sama."
Strands of silvery grey hair were dyed a darker shade where they'd adhered themselves to Atobe's skin. He was pallid again save for a flush of color streaked like paint across his cheeks. With his eyes closed and lips parted he swallowed down the chill of the water. A faint exclamation of relief, almost a moan shivered into being between them. The heat was such that he clawed at the hem of his t-shirt without strength, and yanked it up to the elegant dip of his collar bone.
"Atobe-sama..." Kabaji said, worried as Atobe pried at the big shirt. "Let me help you out of that." He assisted Atobe in removing the shirt, so he would not damage his arm.
However, Atobe did need to stay warm.
It didn't take much to pillow Atobe's back against his chest. Staying in a sitting up position would also assist Atobe in not choking on the next spoonful of water. "Drink a little bit more, and I'll bring you a washcloth."
"Don't you dare move." Atobe's reply held its usual degree of demand, only this time it was interspersed with faint. laboured inhalations. His back was damp and incandescent with heat against Kabaji's bulk. A second spoonful was eagerly imbibed, followed by the remaining contents of the cup. A sigh of relief escaped into the still air surrounding them. And soon enough Atobe's head was tilted back, resting itself upon Kabaji's shoulder. His eyes were still closed against the twist and turn of the room beyond them, "....kabaji."
"Usu," Kabaji promised. Fortunately, one of his other clean shirts was within an arm's reach. After Atobe finished the water, Kabaji took advantage of the quiet to dry some of the sweat from his friend's body. He was paler than usual, and it took resistance on his part to refrain from wrapping his arms around the lithe body against him.
"Usu?" he kept perfectly still at Atobe's query.
".......why are you so kind to me?" There was a smile in Atobe's reply, but it only bloomed at the very corners of his lips. He took solace in the treatment, even covering Kabaji's large paw with his own smaller fingers more than once.
What kind of question was that?
"Because Atobe-sama is my best friend," Kabaji said easily. He resumed movement of his hand slowly, not to dissuade Atobe's touch, as he moved the cool, dry shirt over Atobe's damp chest.
The shift was clumsy at best, but all of a sudden Kabaji would find himself with an armful of Atobe as his former captain turned only to sink against his chest. The arm which wasn't tethered by a sling slid over the curve of his broad shoulder. What it lacked in strength it made up for with intent. Atobe's breath was warm and rapid against his neck, "....don't you ever forget that."
".....Usu," Kabaji promised, shifting to help Atobe be as comfortable as possible in this new position. However, the gray-haired man made it very difficult for him to do anything but focus on the hot breath spreading goosebumps down his neck. He could berate himself later, for taking a bit of pleasure in this embrace, but for now, Atobe needed Kabaji to be calm.
He pulled up his knees so Atobe could be more comfortably seated in his lap, and patted the t-shirt down his spine to dry off his friend.
For the time being all thoughts of the scandal their current position might cause were it to be reported in the papers or splashed across the evening news took a back seat. The great Atobe Keigo, cuddled up in the arms of his formidably loyal best friend - the media would've crucified him, and hung his untouchable aura of allure out to dry. Instead of wasting his energy upon caring, Atobe let his head lull and the curve of his lips brushed against Kabaji's skin, ".....it doesn't hurt any more."
When there was no sweat to be mopped up by the shirt, Kabaji's hands caressed Atobe's back, moving gently up and down the heir's spine. "Sleep, Atobe-sama," Kabaji rumbled, breathing with slow deliberation to calm his slack armful. "I will not let you hurt anymore."
If only he had taken better care of Atobe, none of this would have happened.
The restful pace with which Kabaji's chest surged and receeded against his own lured Atobe towards compliance. Dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks, but he forced his eyes to open and raised his head so that he could address Kabaji. The room had come to a wavering halt, and there wasn't a turtle in sight, "I know." The trust of their youth hadn't dimmed, and simple illness wasn't enough to come between it. Just as time couldn't either, ".......you always worry too much....don't."
There were orders that he could follow, and orders that he could not; this fell in the latter category.
"...." Kabaji's dark eyes met Atobe's sick, cloudy ones. He knew Atobe trusted him completely, so he could not bring himself to lie. "I will always worry about Atobe-sama."
His fingers moved on their own to caress the flushed skin over high cheekbones.
Even in the midst of his sickness, Atobe's brow quirked when Kabaji dared to touch him with such gentleness. It seemed, to outsiders at least, that someone as sturdy and fearsome looking as Kabaji couldn't be capable of such careful treatment. Atobe knew better than most that this was far from the case. It all seemed like such a fair trade when he was at his lowest ebb. Without thinking (or caring if someone should stray into the cave and notice the two of them), he broached the distance between himself and Kabaji to press his lips against the very corner of Kabaji's own. When he sat back his expression was dawdling somewhere between expectancy and over-heating.
For a moment, Kabaji fretted that he had crossed a boundary.
And then Atobe's face got closer to his. And closer. And then pink, chapped lips touched his.
His mind went completely blank, and he stared at Atobe...and couldn't help but zoom in on those lips that had just touched his. Kabaji needed to regain his head so he could take care of Atobe, but he could only replay that moment over...and over...and over...
His face turned bright red, and he raised a hand to touch his own lips. If anyone had a right to his first kiss, it was Atobe.
Maybe I will start seeing turtles now...
"...consider it your reward." That faint air of a smile was touching the edges of Atobe's mouth, and for all his touseled lack of refinement, for all the sand smeared across the soles of his feet, and sprinkled through his silver hair he looked more at ease than he had in years. Kabaji could blame himself for that if he wanted to. The strength eventually left the slighter young man, and he sank once more against the sturdy support Kabaji's chest offered, ".....say something."
If the kiss had been the first arrowshot to the heart, that expression was the second.
Not that there weren't a million reasons before this to feel the way he did. Kabaji had simply never dared to hope...
Never dared to hope about so many things, but particularly...this...
Kabaji enveloped Atobe in his arms and, even with the gray haired man's order, it was awhile before he could speak. ".....Usu..." he managed to whisper.
A flicker of laughter tickled at Kabaji's neck. For once Atobe spared him a wicked retort, and gradually his breathing slowed to the even crawl of someone without consciousness. There wasn't even a hint of the pride he carried himself with in public. In its place was a bone deep kind of relaxation Atobe only ever seemed to allow himself to indulge in when Kabaji was his sole companion. It was the type of ease which would hasten his recovery along with Kabaji's sincere efforts.
Kabaji hid his irrepresible smile in Atobe's hair.
He couldn't know what he felt, besides happiness, and a little niggling that everything would be okay. Even when Atobe was so sick, he still had the power to make him feel so happy.
And when he found words again, he could thank him. For now, Kabaji just held Atobe close to his heart.
Location: On the beach and in Atobe's cave.
Time: At the time of Atobe's messed up post: the last day of the countdown.
Rating: PG for a kiss
Summary: Atobe is ill and wandering around the beach. Kabaji helps, and gets more than he bargained for.
Worry gnawed at Kabaji as he watched Atobe walk along the edge of the water. He almost surged forward several times to make sure his friend didn't fall, and breathed a sigh of relief again when the heir regained his balance.
When Atobe, in his comment, gave Kabaji permission to help, he came out from his hiding place and made himself known to the former Hyoutei player by standing directly in front of him.
"Ah, there you are." The nonchalance in Atobe's response to the sudden wall of a person who loomed ahead of him was positively overwhelming. He merely tottered barefoot (a sure signal that something wasn't quite right) in a loose semi-circle only to continue sleuthing. He'd half convinced himself that this was merely a stunt pulled by his (soon to be out of work) management team. Regardless of their mistakes, the media attention towards his shocking disappearance was bound to be good for business. He'd rolled up the legs of his designer jeans, and stolen one of Kabaji's t-shirts since most of his own were ruined by the weather, "No clues so far, but I have encountered several turtles...."
Kabaji couldn't help but wonder if those turtles were real or imaginary. Considering Atobe's current state, it could well be either. As nice as his own shirt looked on Atobe, he couldn't help but worry his former captain might trip over it on his uneasy feet.
"Perhaps it will help you to see further down the beach," Kabaji said. "Ride on my shoulders and you can direct me."
The scoff which passed Atobe's lips skittered across the rippling waves beside them, "You're not a horse." His toes kept sinking into the damp sand beneath them. It would have been an unwelcome sensation if he was in full control of his faculties, but as it was the feeling reminded him of some kind of luxury spa treatment. He took five more steps, loaded with curiosity and not a whisper of co-ordination. Then with all the grace of a falling tree trunk he faceplanted into the surf.
Moving quickly, Kabaji immediately plucked Atobe from the water and held him easily in his arms. To Kabaji, Atobe barely weighed anything.
"Are you all right, Atobe-sama?" he asked, chocolate brown eyes full of worry as he looked down at his friend.
Contrary to Kabaji's expectations, Atobe was having trouble keeping his amusement under control. His shoulders trembled, and he pressed the back of one sand speckled hand over his mouth to contain the laughter which threatened to burst out from behind it. The front of his jeans and the comically over-sized t-shirt were damp. They clung to the definition his body had gained since before he left the high school circuit in search of grander things. Beneath Kabaji's hands his bare skin radiated sickly heat, "....that was...*hah*....that...it was...very clumsy of me...*hah*...how unbecoming."
The laughter was perhaps more worrying than anything else.
Holding Atobe tightly to his body, he wondered if perhaps Atobe was not well enough to sit on his shoulders. For now, Atobe would have to be content to let Kabaji carry him like this.
"Not clumsy at all," Kabaji said in his deep, slow voice. "What if you had found a clue?"
"I was going to share it with you....and then the turtles." The smile Atobe greeted him with was free from its usual gloss of professionalism. He appeared to have gone beyond the pain suffusing his arm (which was bound with a fresh splint, but hung limp against his chest in a sling.) - spirited away by the heat burning through the rest of his body. Instead of sneering at the soft-heartedness of Kabaji's actions he accepted them for once.
"That is very kind of you," Kabaji said. Shifting Atobe slightly, so that he held him up with one, thick arm, he reached around to grab his canteen. "In return, I will share my water with you."
Atobe looked dehydrated. And slightly deranged when he mentioned the questionable turtles. He would rather Atobe sneer than see a smile caused by sickness and pain.
The canteen was taken as opposed to being snatched out of his hands. Atobe drank deeply; a thin trickle of water followed the line of his jaw, only to pool and slowly dissolve when it reached his collar bone. When he'd had his fill, he pushed it back into Kabaji's hand, "I'm not going to stand around doing nothing." This, at least sounded a bit more like the usual stubborn side of their resident king. The illusion was somewhat dented when he dug his toes into the wet sand and added, "Do you think giant squids are real?"
"You should sit on my shoulders, and report back what you see," Kabaji offered the suggestion. He stood very close to Atobe, so he could put out an arm to catch him if the heir fell again. "Usu...but I do not think they can write, Atobe-sama."
Kabaji resisted the temptation to catch that droplet of water on one of his fingers.
Kabaji's intriguing estimation of the intelligence level of said gigantic creatures caused Atobe's brow to knit, but then he burst out laughing again. It was such an unexpectedly happy sound, unlike the haughty amusement he used upon the court or during one of those interminable dinner parties work coerced him into attending. As his mirth died down, Atobe held out both hands to Kabaji, relinquishing control of himself to his old friend. His trust for the other had never been as obvious as it was in this moment, "I feel like I could see anything from up there."
Kabaji's lips twitched up at the sound of Atobe's laugh. Despite his friend's illness, he couldn't help but enjoy the innocent sound.
"Just stand with your legs far apart," Kabaji advised, and when Atobe did so, Kabaji knelt between them and took hold of Atobe's thighs. "Hold my head with your good arm," Kabaji warned, before he stood carefully, making sure Atobe did not fall.
Atobe could have done the splits without giving it a second thought, but he stopped short of losing the plot entirely and did as he was told for once. His grasp was questionable at best. Within seconds of being hoisted skyward, he was already pointing out a myriad of interesting sights which lined the beach. Not the least of which was a large turtle ambling towards them at a rate of one step an hour, "I told you there were turtles."
When Atobe seemed to find a reliable balance, Kabaji began his slow walk. He would, perhaps, meet with the turtle in a half hour if they both continued their pace.
"Atobe-sama is becoming fond of tutles?"
At least Atobe's fever wasn't such that he was hallucinated. That was a relief.
"They taste pretty good." Since leaving school, Atobe had become even more of a jet-setter than ever. There wasn't much he wouldn't try as long as it was presented elegantly enough. Along with some good company and fine wine. His stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, and from the perch atop Kabaji's shoulders he pointed towards the tumble of the ocean, "Catch a shark for me."
"Usu," Kabaji said, "I will."
But for now, perhaps he ought to direct their walk to the caves so he could made Atobe a sandwich. "But shark will take some time to prepare. Would you like a sandwich while you wait?"
With a head filled with images of delicate shark sushi, shark fillet, and even the coveted shark BBQ Atobe nodded his consent. The journey back was uneventful beyond Atobe's feverish ramblings about the countdown, and the various wildlife which passed them by as Kabaji worked not to lose the burden placed upon his broad shoulders. When he was finally set down Atobe's legs buckled, but he didn't even blink. There was no doubt in his mind that Kabaji would be there to catch him, "Everything's spinning again...I don't like this."
Catching Atobe in his arms, Kabaji carried him over to the makeshift bed. "Close your eyes," he advised, tone low and gentle. "You're probably still dehydrated."
A moment later, he was at Atobe's side, offering him a spoonful of water. "Open your mouth, Atobe-sama."
Strands of silvery grey hair were dyed a darker shade where they'd adhered themselves to Atobe's skin. He was pallid again save for a flush of color streaked like paint across his cheeks. With his eyes closed and lips parted he swallowed down the chill of the water. A faint exclamation of relief, almost a moan shivered into being between them. The heat was such that he clawed at the hem of his t-shirt without strength, and yanked it up to the elegant dip of his collar bone.
"Atobe-sama..." Kabaji said, worried as Atobe pried at the big shirt. "Let me help you out of that." He assisted Atobe in removing the shirt, so he would not damage his arm.
However, Atobe did need to stay warm.
It didn't take much to pillow Atobe's back against his chest. Staying in a sitting up position would also assist Atobe in not choking on the next spoonful of water. "Drink a little bit more, and I'll bring you a washcloth."
"Don't you dare move." Atobe's reply held its usual degree of demand, only this time it was interspersed with faint. laboured inhalations. His back was damp and incandescent with heat against Kabaji's bulk. A second spoonful was eagerly imbibed, followed by the remaining contents of the cup. A sigh of relief escaped into the still air surrounding them. And soon enough Atobe's head was tilted back, resting itself upon Kabaji's shoulder. His eyes were still closed against the twist and turn of the room beyond them, "....kabaji."
"Usu," Kabaji promised. Fortunately, one of his other clean shirts was within an arm's reach. After Atobe finished the water, Kabaji took advantage of the quiet to dry some of the sweat from his friend's body. He was paler than usual, and it took resistance on his part to refrain from wrapping his arms around the lithe body against him.
"Usu?" he kept perfectly still at Atobe's query.
".......why are you so kind to me?" There was a smile in Atobe's reply, but it only bloomed at the very corners of his lips. He took solace in the treatment, even covering Kabaji's large paw with his own smaller fingers more than once.
What kind of question was that?
"Because Atobe-sama is my best friend," Kabaji said easily. He resumed movement of his hand slowly, not to dissuade Atobe's touch, as he moved the cool, dry shirt over Atobe's damp chest.
The shift was clumsy at best, but all of a sudden Kabaji would find himself with an armful of Atobe as his former captain turned only to sink against his chest. The arm which wasn't tethered by a sling slid over the curve of his broad shoulder. What it lacked in strength it made up for with intent. Atobe's breath was warm and rapid against his neck, "....don't you ever forget that."
".....Usu," Kabaji promised, shifting to help Atobe be as comfortable as possible in this new position. However, the gray-haired man made it very difficult for him to do anything but focus on the hot breath spreading goosebumps down his neck. He could berate himself later, for taking a bit of pleasure in this embrace, but for now, Atobe needed Kabaji to be calm.
He pulled up his knees so Atobe could be more comfortably seated in his lap, and patted the t-shirt down his spine to dry off his friend.
For the time being all thoughts of the scandal their current position might cause were it to be reported in the papers or splashed across the evening news took a back seat. The great Atobe Keigo, cuddled up in the arms of his formidably loyal best friend - the media would've crucified him, and hung his untouchable aura of allure out to dry. Instead of wasting his energy upon caring, Atobe let his head lull and the curve of his lips brushed against Kabaji's skin, ".....it doesn't hurt any more."
When there was no sweat to be mopped up by the shirt, Kabaji's hands caressed Atobe's back, moving gently up and down the heir's spine. "Sleep, Atobe-sama," Kabaji rumbled, breathing with slow deliberation to calm his slack armful. "I will not let you hurt anymore."
If only he had taken better care of Atobe, none of this would have happened.
The restful pace with which Kabaji's chest surged and receeded against his own lured Atobe towards compliance. Dark lashes fluttered against his cheeks, but he forced his eyes to open and raised his head so that he could address Kabaji. The room had come to a wavering halt, and there wasn't a turtle in sight, "I know." The trust of their youth hadn't dimmed, and simple illness wasn't enough to come between it. Just as time couldn't either, ".......you always worry too much....don't."
There were orders that he could follow, and orders that he could not; this fell in the latter category.
"...." Kabaji's dark eyes met Atobe's sick, cloudy ones. He knew Atobe trusted him completely, so he could not bring himself to lie. "I will always worry about Atobe-sama."
His fingers moved on their own to caress the flushed skin over high cheekbones.
Even in the midst of his sickness, Atobe's brow quirked when Kabaji dared to touch him with such gentleness. It seemed, to outsiders at least, that someone as sturdy and fearsome looking as Kabaji couldn't be capable of such careful treatment. Atobe knew better than most that this was far from the case. It all seemed like such a fair trade when he was at his lowest ebb. Without thinking (or caring if someone should stray into the cave and notice the two of them), he broached the distance between himself and Kabaji to press his lips against the very corner of Kabaji's own. When he sat back his expression was dawdling somewhere between expectancy and over-heating.
For a moment, Kabaji fretted that he had crossed a boundary.
And then Atobe's face got closer to his. And closer. And then pink, chapped lips touched his.
His mind went completely blank, and he stared at Atobe...and couldn't help but zoom in on those lips that had just touched his. Kabaji needed to regain his head so he could take care of Atobe, but he could only replay that moment over...and over...and over...
His face turned bright red, and he raised a hand to touch his own lips. If anyone had a right to his first kiss, it was Atobe.
Maybe I will start seeing turtles now...
"...consider it your reward." That faint air of a smile was touching the edges of Atobe's mouth, and for all his touseled lack of refinement, for all the sand smeared across the soles of his feet, and sprinkled through his silver hair he looked more at ease than he had in years. Kabaji could blame himself for that if he wanted to. The strength eventually left the slighter young man, and he sank once more against the sturdy support Kabaji's chest offered, ".....say something."
If the kiss had been the first arrowshot to the heart, that expression was the second.
Not that there weren't a million reasons before this to feel the way he did. Kabaji had simply never dared to hope...
Never dared to hope about so many things, but particularly...this...
Kabaji enveloped Atobe in his arms and, even with the gray haired man's order, it was awhile before he could speak. ".....Usu..." he managed to whisper.
A flicker of laughter tickled at Kabaji's neck. For once Atobe spared him a wicked retort, and gradually his breathing slowed to the even crawl of someone without consciousness. There wasn't even a hint of the pride he carried himself with in public. In its place was a bone deep kind of relaxation Atobe only ever seemed to allow himself to indulge in when Kabaji was his sole companion. It was the type of ease which would hasten his recovery along with Kabaji's sincere efforts.
Kabaji hid his irrepresible smile in Atobe's hair.
He couldn't know what he felt, besides happiness, and a little niggling that everything would be okay. Even when Atobe was so sick, he still had the power to make him feel so happy.
And when he found words again, he could thank him. For now, Kabaji just held Atobe close to his heart.