(Untitled)

[vibes_r_us]

Ric climbs the stairs like he is a dying man in a desert and there is water at the top. Like he is an exhausted, dying man in a desert, which is more or less what he feels like. Exhausted. Half-dead. Not for the first time during the past month, he is incredibly grateful to how much of an ass Cable was throughout his teen years. Otherwise, he

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[gav_7]

The single thump against the door has Star upright, sword in hand and ready to fight.

Nothing follows for a moment. He pads over, peering through the spyhole.

Messy dark brown curls - growing back nicely from being hacked off short - and a familiar slump.

The sword is thumped into the ground and the door opened hurriedly. "Julio?" His arms are already open.

[vibes_r_us]

Ric looks up into a bare chest, slightly dusted with red hair. That looks familiar. Oh. Right. 'Star.

"Hi," he says, and then, now missing the support of the door, completes his fall.

[gav_7]

Star catches Ric, dragging him in against his chest and holding him tight. And upright. "What is wrong, Julio? Are you injured?"

He holds Ric at arm's length, running a critical eye over him. He can't see any injuries.

"I have missed you, love."

[vibes_r_us]

Ric nods. Then shakes his head. "Tired. Not injured. Tired. I hate Cable, you know? Fucking bastard. But a right bastard. Always right. Fucker." He throws his arms over 'Star's shoulders. "Fuck, I've missed you. Missed you. Missed you. Lots." He buries his face in 'Star's neck.

[gav_7]

Ric gets picked up, swung up into Star's arms and out fo the doorway so Star can kick the door shut and carry him somewhere more comfortable.

"You are here now, and I have you. Couch or bed?"

[vibes_r_us]

"Bed. You. Bed." He has both fists in 'Star's hair, now, and his face in the junction of neck and shoulder, and doesn't look like he's inclined to give the position up.

[gav_7]

Star presses a kiss to Ric's temple and carries him through to their bedroom. The bed is made; Star sits down on the edge, Ric still safely wrapped in his arms.

"How is your hand? It has finished healing?"

[vibes_r_us]

Ric would have blinked with surprise had he the energy to move his eyelids. He'd forgotten about that. "Yup. Healed. We good. You good. Don't move."

[gav_7]

"We are good." He honestly smiles at the tired mumbles he's getting from Ric. Gives in to the impulse to kiss Ric's temple again. "I am not going anywhere. I will stay here holding you as long as you want."

[vibes_r_us]

Ric nods. His world is fading, spiraling down to the smell of 'Star all around him and the feel of his skin on his lips. That's all he needs. It's how he knows he's home.

He starts snoring, slightly.

[gav_7]

Star taps Ric's shoulder and gets only a small snort in reply.

Well, that answers that.

He shuffles backwards until he's propped up on pillows and the wall and rests his cheek on Ric's head. He won't let go until Ric asks him to. Even if that's all night and the next day.

He dozes, awake enough to react to the slightest stirring.

[vibes_r_us]

Eventually Ric surfaces, to find himself held warm and close. He stays still for a while, drinking in 'Star's scent, the feel of his heartbeat. Through all the excitement, the fights, the long, boring periods of waiting, the unending, incalculatable desire to bash Monet's beautiful face in, he had very carefully stopped himself from missing this. Now all that was over, and he was merely very, very glad.

[gav_7]

The change in breathing, the slight tensing of muscles and Star is fully awake, peering down at his lover.

He says nothing, simply presses a kiss to Ric's head and tightens his grip slightly.

[vibes_r_us]

Ric eventually stirs and raises his head to look up at 'Star. "Hey," he says.

[gav_7]

"Good morning. You slept solid." Star shifts slightly, draw Ric slightly closer. "How do you feel?"

[vibes_r_us]

Ric smiles. "Better. Human. Alive." He leans forward, kisses 'Star. "Better now I'm with you."