synflux | ( open & closed ) all of my enemies started out friends

How is that different from normal? [Congrats on receiving the Raidou Joke of the Week!

A kiss like this is enough to get lost in, and Raidou doesn't notice at first how he's leaning back, making more space for Yuji against him, hand absently moving down from his neck to his chest...

When it finally breaks is when it all hits him, his face considerably flushed. As much as he's enjoying this, as nice as it would be to stay here all day-- well.]

We... ah. We should get out, yeah?

Rude…

[ He’s still smiling though. It’s small, and soft, but it’s real and it’s there.

The truth is that Yuji doesn’t really want to get out, he doesn’t want to stop kissing, or being this close, but he’s aware it’s a bad idea to stay where they are. It’ll get them into some kind of trouble, and he’s already caused Raidou enough problems today by baring his soul.

Leaning in for another quick kiss, his own cheeks red as he shifts away. He’s not going anywhere and neither is his Johei. They have time to figure out what they want to do. There’s time for them to… Maybe.

He’s embarrassed to think about it. ]

Um, do - do you want to go first again?

[Well, he certainly doesn't seem like he's in a rush, and Raidou hesitates a moment before letting out a content sigh with a nod. That's fine. Once he moves aside to do so, he playfully covers up Yuji's eyes with the palm of his hand for a moment. Then he'll get out, grab his towel, and head back to the changing room, sparing a glance over his shoulder.]

[ Yuji can’t help but splutter a little laugh, letting Raidou tease him - he wouldn’t peek, really - and giving him a moment to get out and get covered before he’s going to do the same. His arm definitely feels a little more relaxed now and he huffs a pleased sigh, stretching both above his head with a pleased hum.

Then he gets his towel and heads in to change, tugging on his clothes and practically stumbling back out into the main room. ]

Lunch now, right?

[The spring water is exactly what Raidou's muscles needed, so much tension finally released. He didn't realize how bad it had been until he got out of the water.

Raidou slips back on his hat and his robe, and slides and arm around one of Yuji's as they head back to their room. The can let the proprietors know they're out and ready to eat.]

Mm. I'm starving.

[The owners are ready shortly with food, always glad to have customers around to feed. Won't they be surprised next week when the whole base practically shows up over two days.]

[ Yuji can't help the way he leans into Raidou, sneaks into his personal space, wants to take and take, almost possessive with it despite not really having a jealous bone in his body. It just makes him... Feel good, to be near Raidou, to know he's safe, that... They're okay, together.

When they're sat, he moves his place mat as close to Raidou's as he can get, as it he'd sit in his lap to eat. ]

This was a really good idea.

[Only Yuji could get into his personal space like this, and he's more than welcome. It's nice to get to be this close to someone, to have the feeling be mutual as well. A summoner's life is a lonely one, and back home Raidou was grateful to have the few friends and allies he had. Here, he had so many friends. He had Yuji.

He nods in agreement, that light, warm smile never wavering.]

We really needed it. After all that.

[Not just physically, but everything the mission put them through. Speaking of, there was one part of that Raidou wanted to bring up, even if he really wasn't too keen on talking about that battle as a whole yet.]

Ah... I do owe your brother quite a bit. I don't think I mentioned that during this mission, we tried something. We formed a pact, as like a summoner with a demon. I wasn't sure it would work, but it did.

[Quite well, too.]

[ Yuji is happy to settle down, to shuffle close to Raidou as he prepares their plates, happily putting food on both and passing them over. There are a couple of things on there that are on Raidou's plate and not his - clearly, he's been paying attention to preferences.

When Raidou keeps talking, though... He hesitates for a moment, lowering his chopsticks and tilting his head. ]

A... Pact?

[ Is that... A title surge of jealousy? Is he jealous over Raidou, or of Choso? He can't figure out which one it is, and instead he tilts his head, letting his thoughts settle around in. A pact, between a summoner and a demon... Is a curse like a demon?

Is Yuji more curse than person, or more object than person?

The thoughts twirl around in his mind briefly before he breathes out. ]

What... Does the pact mean? What does it do?

[He nods. It's such a normal thing to Raidou, that to him, it doesn't seem like a big deal. Only in that it's the first one he's made while here, something he thought might not have been possible.]

We work together. I lend them my mag-- ah, my energy, essentially. In exchange for helping me, they get more energy to use their skills, more strength to fight. Some demons can heal, or can see things I can't, or are good at finding things I can't. Choso is an incredibly powerful fighter, so using my energy to power his blood abilities. And he backed me up.

[And it was the most Raidou felt like himself since he arrived in Neo Tokyo, fighting along a contracted ally, boosting one another to fight even better than before.

Choso had sensed the energy in Raidou, and had asked.]

... It was his idea, really. I figured we had nothing to lose in trying. And it worked.

[ He shifts a little, considering. It's normal to Raidou, but to Yuji it feels as if it's something special - a level that he can't reach, despite all the strength that he has inside of him. Are Raidou and Choso bonded now, able to feel and sense one another? If Choso can use Raidou's energy to fight...

He's pensive as he thinks, swallowing the odd, flustering feeling inside of him. Jealousy or envy, he can't tell which one it is. ]

That sounds like it's really useful. I know Choso-nii is strong, so it's good that you can do that to take care of each other. I'm sure he likes it, too.

[ Choso likes being useful, so...

He turns back to his meal, taking a slow bite. ]

I'd like to see it, one day.

[Raidou is hardly adept at reading the feelings of others, but it's obvious on someone like Yuji, even if he's not quite sure what it is st first.]

Of course.

[Yuji's mood shift makes Raidou blink at him for a moment, head slightly cocked knin thought. Was he upset? Why would he be? He thought Yuji would have loved this whole idea. Hmm.

After another moment, Raidou leans in to get in Yuji's space, peering at him from under his hat brim.]

... Next mission, do you want to try it?

[ Yuji, for all that he is good at hiding the depth of his loss and sadness, clearly isn't that good at hiding his jealousy or frustration, and he blinks as he turns back over to Raidou.

He's so close now... He blushes a little, trying to smile - it comes out a little awkward. ]

You - huh? Wha?

[ Was he that transparent... ]

... A pact? Me and you?

I can't guarantee it will work, but... [It did with Choso, so maybe there's a chance?]

As I said, there is no loss in trying.

[He stays close, smiling. Don't be envious, you silly boy.]

Think about it, hmm?

[ The smile gets him, the promise gets him, and something wells up inside of Yuji.

He's been alone for a while. The list of people he's lost keeps growing (Junpei, Nanamin, Kugisaki, Gojo-sensei, Higuruma-san, Megumi) but he doesn't want to stop making those connections, making those friends, die surrounded by people, don't die alone -

Reaching out, his arms wrap around Raidou as he almost falls into him, enough that if they're not careful they'll end up on the floor, something like tears prickling at his eyes as he sniffles.

Yuji thinks of himself as a monster, a cog in a machine, something to play a role in the world. Maybe this should solidify that for him, but instead... He feels special. Wanted. His face presses into Raidou, forehead against his jaw as he tries to squeeze, forgetting about his strength briefly. ]

I want to.

[ A sniffle. ]

I want to make a pact with you, Johei.

[Raidou's not expecting such a reaction, and just barely manages to catch Yuji as he falls onto him. That something so usual to Raidou could mean so much to Yuji... It was a little overwhelming to him too.

Raidou gently wraps his arms around Yuji, hand on the back of his head, comfortingly. Don't worry about squeezing him. Raidou's stronger than he looks. Yuji can hear the warmth, the smile on his voice.]

Yeah. I want to too. I just didn't want to make you a promise I wasn't sure I could keep.

[Maybe this really is the way he's meant to help here after all.]

But we're in this together. Right?

[ It's normal and usual for Raidou, but for Yuji... There's a meaning to it that he can't parse, that he can't express, flickering through him and making him feel warm inside out.

Knowing that Raidou is smiling for him, because of him, makes him blink back his tears, even if one slips out. The last week has been so fought, so deeply emotional that he can't keep himself under wraps, can't stop himself from leaning in and nuzzling into his boyfriend, tilting his head up to kiss him so, so tenderly. ]

We can try. That's good enough for me.

[ A breathless, happy little laugh follows. ]

We're together. We're going to be together.

[ He leans in for another kiss, a little harder, losing himself to it briefly; at the same time his hand seeks Raidou's, to where the ring is, linking their fingers and squeezing. ]

[Raidou has no words for him, nothing but fond looks between kisses, and wiping that tear away with a thumb across his cheek. What must it be like to have tears that come so easily?

He too is lost for a moment, forgetting where they are, what the outside world was up to; how could he think of those things when Yuji kisses him so strongly, so full of need? Who wouldn't want to get lost in such a feeling?

Raidou deepens the kiss, wanting more, leaning back and pulling Yuji closer with him. The temptation to push away from the table, down to the tatami floor is so tempting, the thought making him hold Yuji's hand tighter.]

[ It's impossible not to fall into it, to the need - the urge - to show Raidou how strangely important this moment is to him, how much it fills his heart with a happiness and a glee that floods him and makes him feel alive. The last few weeks (at home, flickered back by the whims of LILITH) had been so lonely, so isolating, burning with a sadness that's inescapable, but this...

This makes him feel better. He feels whole, and human, and cherished, and he feels the utter joy of knowing that Raidou likes him as much as he does in return.

Following where his boyfriend leads, he slides into his space, wraps around him, following the movement of their bodies as he lets himself deepen the kiss. His fingers squeeze, his other arm wrapping around him as best as he can, deepening the kiss and chasing the feeling.

Yuji wants to memorise this: the way Raidou feels against him, the sharpness of their kisses, the heat of his blush on his cheeks as he chases it. ]

[Raidou's emotions are running as hot as they probably ever have in his life, and on a day when they've gone from the lowest to the highest he's quite possibly ever experienced. Chasing this feeling is hard to stop, especially after knowing the grief and anguish deep with in Yuji - within them both. Was it so wrong to give into this, even just for a little bit?

Temptation wins out. Raidou hesitantly unlinks their hands, so he can use his to grab the front of Yuji's onsen robe and pull him back with him to the floor. He refuses to let the kiss break, only finally stop long enough moments later to catch his breath, looking up at Yuji wide-eyed as he does. He can't believe he did that.

What if that was too far? He doesn't regret it, but... those 1920s sensibilities sometimes rear their ugly head.

He has no words. Why can't he ever think of what to say, even when he really wants to speak? Raidou only looks up at Yuji, breathless and heart pounding. He takes a hand to cup his cheek, thumb lightly tracing along the scar that runs down his face.]

[ Yuji lets himself sink down into the kiss immediately, no hesitation, leaning down onto the floor with Raidou. He kisses him and kisses him, letting their bodies slot together as he tilts his head, lifting his hand to touch his cheek and hold him there. It's wonderful, it's perfect, and he can't help but want more and more of it, to be utterly consumed by the simple joy of kissing someone he cares this much about.

It's hard to resist temptation, to stop himself from continuing to kiss him, because they haven't broached this, have they? They've confirmed they're boyfriends, have matching rings, but moving forward... Is this the kind of thing that merits a discussion? That he should say he's okay with? Should he be the one reaching out to say that he doesn't mind, that he wants, yearning for this connection that's wrapping around him and making him feel soft?

Raidou leans back and Yuji shifts, their faces still close, and he licks his lips. Head tilting into Raidou's touch, he smiles. ]

Hey. [ Turning his head, he presses a soft, gently kiss against his palm. ] Is... Are you okay... With this?

[ The kiss... ]

[It always happens so fast, doesn't it. It feels like Raidou needed a moment to bring his soul back to his body, and to check that Yuji was the one who was okay with this. He's not even sure, after seeing how truly happy Yuji seems in the moment, how he could have questioned it in the first place.

His other hand moves to Yuji's upper back, fingers splayed and holding him there closely.]

Yes.

[He leans in to kiss him softly on the lips, then along his jawline, nuzzling him there momentarily.]

Very.

[ Gazing at him with wide, open eyes, Yuji's happiness and affection is obvious as he watches and waits. The last thing he wants to do, after all, is push too far, to break down barriers that he shouldn't be touching, even if he yearns. He's never been this close to anyone before, but the idea of letting Raidou slip out of his fingers now is impossible.

Each soft touch feels like a gift, the most wonderful thing he's ever been given, and he sighs softly as he nudges their noses together, soft and sweet. ]

Yeah... It's the same for me. I want to kiss you all the time. Constantly.

[ It's pretty obvious, considering how often he does it without thinking, how much he reaches for Raidou, body acting on instinct before his mind catches up. ]

You're the only person I've ever kissed like this. The only person I want to...

[ Sliding close again, into the personal space that he's claiming as his own, Yuji kisses him again, one hand resting on his cheek to cup it gently, the other sinking to grab at his robe tight, as if afraid he might disappear. ]

You too...

[It was a foregone conclusion in his young life as a summoner that he'd never get to experience anything like this. That he could get dragged to this strange place and find someone like Yuji still seems so surreal to him. There will always be that background anxiety that at any moment, either of them could be gone from here. It's happened with several others Raidou knows; it even happened to Yuji, even though they managed to bring him back.

It hasn't even been that long, but he can't imagine being here without him now.]

You're the only one I want.

[Words spoken breathlessly before they're kissing again, the hand on Yuji's back gripping just as tightly as Yuji to him.]

[ Yuji could never have predicted this.

For all that Raidou was a summoner - meant to be distant, apart from things - Yuji had been scarred from loss. Broken, beaten down from the people taken from him, filling him with fear and horror that could not be forgotten, but it hasn't broken him completely. He still wants, he still yearns, and when he has Raidou in his arms he feels filled, the joy and affection bursting inside of him like fireworks.

They hold on to each other as the fear of letting go makes them ache - Yuji understands. He gets it. He knows.

Sinking into Raidou, he hums softly against his mouth. ]

Then I guess you're mine. My Johei...

[ Eyes still lidded, it's easy to go back to the kiss, to press, to deepen it as much as he's allowed, memorising the moment and holding it close to his heart. ]

[Raidou lets him press on further, the hand on his back clutching so hard, wanting this to go on, a quiet noise of want escaping him. The other hand even manages to slide down Yuji's neck, over his shoulder, robe being pushed aside-- but some footsteps walking past in the hallway remind him of where they are, that any second the door could be knocked on.

The passerby doesn't stop, but Raidou does, watching to be sure, huffing lightly in annoyance as he catches his breath again. When his eyes go back to Yuji, the annoyance is already long gone. He leans forward to whisper.]

My Yuji.

[A gentle kiss, ending it with the ever-so-slightest nip of his lower lip. A tease. A preview. He gingerly pulls Yuji's robe back up his shoulder as well.]

Let's pick this up later.

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