lucetilogs | (no subject)

[8[ Flopping bodily on top of you, Ted. And mussing at your hair with both hands.] Shut up, you!

Not the hair! [He whines, struggling this time, though still with an impish smile on his face. He just couldn't help it, okay?]

[MERCILESS RUFFLING.] You asked for it!

[Swaaaatting.] Nuh-uh!

[One last ruffle! Then Naoki rolls off of him, settling next to him.] You did. Cheater.

[FREEDOM! He grins at him despite his hair completely messed up.] You were taking the game way too seriously.

[Pout. And snickering a bit at the state of his hair.] Was not.

You were. [He reaches up in order to comb it to something a little more manageable, before deciding against it and reaching over to Naoki instead, arms wrapping around him and pulling him close.]

Nuh-uh. [Naoki pauses, blinking as he's pulled.]

[Ted buries his face against Naoki's chest, closing his eyes and staying quiet for now. A little odd because it was all skin and not clothes, but then it was something he can easily put aside.]

[Another blink before Naoki wraps arms around him slowly in return, falling silent.]

[He doesn't say anything for now, content with just that. Content with just memorizing the feeling he had right now. Content, happiness, something he was willing to forget once more, but somehow couldn't. Because he knew what it was like to lose someone he cared about too much too often. Because he understood this place did not choose, only takes, and the consequences of these actions can either help or devastate a person. Because Naoki's grief earlier reminded him that he can't promise to be here forever, and he just pulls him closer and tries not to think of the fear of losing him, or the other way around. He wants to cherish the moment like this, to know that he can wake up again the next day, to know he can bring a smile to someone with his existence.

But he can't keep promises anymore, he's been breaking them more than he could try keeping them. He wondered just how he can be Naoki's shield if he can't even promise that tomorrow, he'll still be here. Like Nami. Like Usopp. Naoki had a world he did not want to return to. Ted had nothing to go back to. Before, when he went home, he still had a life he needed to lead, to help Tir, to make sure he can protect him until his last breath. He didn't have that now, if he went back, and he wasn't sure he wanted to pass on already. Like he was supposed to. He was certain the rune wasn't pleased with the delay.

It's been a while since he wanted to continue living, to continue laughing, breathing, hugging, smiling, crying--- it was so easy with Tir, before Windy came along. He was---is-- his best friend, and always will be. He didn't care about dying because it kept his friend's life, and even if it brought about severe loneliness, it was a small price to pay in exchange for a chance to live. A chance to grow, a chance to become a great person, like Ted wants Tir to be. He wanted him to be happy, to have a better chance at happiness even with such a cruel fate, even if it meant he had to sacrifice himself. It's so easy with Naoki now, too easy, but he didn't need a reason to die. He had a reason to live, and he didn't want to leave.

But he doesn't let any of this show, just holding him in content, because he didn't need to worry him. He didn't need to let his thoughts show. Because as long as he can keep smiling like this, it was fine. All was fine.]

[Naoki, despite what Ted might want, is worried right now, puzzled by his suddenly being held close. Not that he minds, of course. It's Ted, so he certainly doesn't--there's little he does mind when it has to do with him. He tightens his arms unconsciously and lowers his chin until his cheek brushes against hair. A low exhale.

Then, quietly,] What are you thinking about?

[Ted doesn't answer immediately, and he was staying still long enough that it was almost possible that he had fallen asleep. A minute, two minutes, three minutes pass before he does say something again, softly.] I was just thinking how warm you are.

[He finally says, and there was a hint in his tone that he didn't just mean the physical warmth, or maybe he did, but was tired, sleepy. Warm like the sun, whether it was his personality or his smile, or the way he just makes Ted feel like he can have a family here as well, start over, but he never pushes, never lets them pull him in, because the warmth would be too much. Because he doesn't know if he can let go if the time comes that he should.]

[He sighs, the sound one halfway into a chuckle, but didn't quite make it there. Somehow he doesn't want to disrupt the sudden quiet. And there's a rush of the expected affection, the affection he carries for all of his friends, but a rare few of whom get the same type that Ted does. Isamu, somewhat. Richard, in a different way.

Naoki lets his eyes shut, content. No, he's not drawing away anytime soon. He's too fond of the closeness for that.] Is that so...

[He makes a noise of confirmation, nodding a bit, bumping his nose against skin by accident, but barely minds. It was not a painful bump anyway. He yawns though, tired, not entirely that he'll fall asleep, just a light fuzzy feeling, but tired nonetheless.] Like the sun. After a long night, y'know. [A small slur caused by the fuzzy feeling, but he keeps his thoughts coherent anyway.] Coming out, just making 'nother day brighter. [And he never opens his eyes, not sure he wanted to see the expression on his face this time. It wasn't that he thought it was bad, it was quite the opposite. He didn't want to break the moment by smiling back, quipping something, teasing again and just playing Jenga and freaking Naoki out once more. Maybe later, not now.]

[Naoki's kind of glad Ted's not looking right now, because he'd be embarrassed--seeing as a faint flush is rising to his face at the words. He half-hides his face in hair, keeping him from going and looking up. His voice is low when he does speak--] Yours included? [He's easily pleased--all he wants is to make those close to him happy.]

[He makes a small sound of confirmation then falls back to silence, just giving into the nice, fuzzy content feeling he had.]

[Naoki makes a hum of contentment, closing his eyes completely now. Content and warm and in no hurry to say anything to disrupt the moment.]

[Good, because Ted isn't gonna say anything either, even if it's too early to actually sleep. He'll get over it soon enough, he just wants to savor it right now.]

[This quiet is lulling Naoki a bit. He won't drift off yet, but he's not that far from it.]

[He slowly lets go after a while, realizing this must have looked awkward. Well, not like he's expecting Aldo or Richard or someone to just come running in, but still.]

[Naoki's very reluctant to draw his arms away, even mumbling a drowsy protest. He swallows a yawn and rubs at his eyes.]

[That earns a small chuckle from Ted. The laziness from not moving around is getting to them, if it hasn't already caught them after all.]

[Oh, it's definitely caught them. Naoki reaches to grab a handful of blanket, tugging it over himself.]