synflux | [ closed ] simmer for seven days

[ ... ]

...Were we not supposed to be heading to Brimstone to see Ishmael?

[ It's been a few minutes, huh. ]

Redemption.

[ Gently. Fondly. ]

This is gonna be one hell of a week.

[ Also fondly. But with a side of doomed. Kaito gently turns them around and starts the journey anew.

At least there aren't any more hiccups before the Correct colors start to show up around them. ]

Room number?

First one.

[ And thankfully, she knows that much, so she can get the door open and get them both inside.

It is... pretty much what you would expect from March. She's added a new bedspread, one that's a soft mix of pink and purple, like the sky right after a sunset. There's little lights glowing softly on the walls, hanging from their strings. There's a growing collection of Cute Things on her desk and a photo wall that appears to consist mostly of everyone she's met here.

Welcome!! ]

[ Oooh.

Kaito takes his time after the door closes behind him to look around. Her room's Cute™. It's got Things™. He pays particular attention to the photo wall, cracking a smile as he sees faces familiar and not. ]

It looks a lot more lived in here compared to my room, heh. I like the everything.

[ He sticks his tongue out. ]

Now I kinda want to buy a physical camera...

You should! If you haven't already, you could join our photography club!

[ And then he can see two of his favorite girls even more (March automatically shoving herself in that role). ]

First dance classes, now photography...

If I'm not careful, I'll be bound by the hip to both of you.

[ A beat. He glances up, smiling. ]

Not the worst fate, I suppose.

It's a pretty great fate, if you ask me.

[ Don't ask her. ]

Um, but anyway... make yourself comfortable? I know we still need to test out this healing thing.

[ She does know it works, because Yuji had saved her a ton of time on healing a broken arm simply by holding her hand, but that's one thing and it's quite another to see how it works when these two have just barely acquired the ability. ]

If, [ he clarifies, sticking his tongue out.

...It's quickly followed by a quiet nod. Kaito shuffles his way over to March's bed, plopping down with little fanfare. ]

They said it might take a few tries to get the healing going properly... I hope you don't have any other plans for tonight.

[ A beat. Kaito offers his hand, scarred and callused and rough. ]

[ March makes a face at him in response, but settles down beside him and reaches out to grasp his hand with very little fanfare of her own. While there's hints of roughness around her fingertips, her hand isn't anywhere near as full of stories as his is. And even though she's seen his hands before, it's still weirdly fascinating now to hold it. ]

No, I don't think I'm going anywhere else tonight. Probably for the best, right?

[ Meanwhile, it's a brand new journey for Kaito. He's never paid March's hands too much attention before she has grabbed his face, even when showing her the basics of biking. He appreciates the coolness—he's always associated cold hands with comfort and familiarity. March lucked out a bit there earlier.

Maybe he'll tell her about Yukito. ]

Definitely. We'd probably be found wandering the halls, begging for painkillers... Heheh.

[ He chuckles, but his brows furrow after a few seconds of, well, inactivity. Kaito glances down at their hands. Squeezes. As soon as he starts staring, a faint green light begins to illuminate his limb, and that warm sensation from earlier starts to slink its way up March's arm. ]

Mmm... I hope it isn't always this slow.

It wasn't when Yuji did it.

[ And she squeezes his hand in return, almost musing. And there it goes, that same sensation winding into him through her palm. March exhales softly, carefully. ]

Don't worry, I wouldn't keep you here all night.

[ Kaito jolts a bit as that energy soothes its way into his system. It's a little tingly. Not uncomfortable. He squeezes just a little more firmly. ]

No, it's okay, really. [ Golds flit to meet her gaze as he smiles. ] I wouldn't mind spending more time with you.

[ —Oop. A much stronger pulse of restorative energy begins to flow in, warm and tingly. Kaito's brows lift. ]

I... see...

[ That's almost a little embarrassing. The tips of his ears brighten. ]

[ March jolts a little, equally surprised, but it's only a few minutes before understanding kicks in. Oh, so it works better with... earnestness? Affection? Is that how it goes?

But poor Kaito's ears are beginning to turn red and it's easier to start giggling now that the pain's beginning to ease. ]

Well, the feeling's mutual, but we're not doing a sleepover. [ Because Kaito is a friend and Malkuth? Likes him? Maybe?

Well, she also apparently likes Ishmael's boss, and you know, she's still trying to understand all of that, but all the same, anything that's going to lead to a clear misunderstanding isn't going to be a good idea. ]

I'll just have to borrow you for a little while, then.

[ Kaito huffs, but it's clear from those upturned lips that he's pleased at the results he's seeing and feeling. He scoots a little closer. ]

That's fine. Guys and sleepovers don't exactly match up. [ A beat. He thinks of Malkuth, and the Domain, and Rumba. ] ...Most times, anyway.

Luckily for you, there's a seasonal special going on all rental Kaitos: free ninety-nine, with no tax. Ha—ough.

[ The joke is dumb, as per usual, but his laugh is interrupted by a slight pang in the chest. Slow down, noodle man. ]

[ There's a short pause, as though March is debating whether this is a good idea, but it's prolonged contact, right?

And the only real helpful thing she can do in this very moment is try to ease the pain as quickly as she can, so she gently releases his hand--

And then leans in to carefully wrap both arms around Kaito instead, head plunking against his chest. ]

"Most times", huh? Speaking from experience?

[ Kaito quirks a brow, unsure as to where March's deliberation is leading—and then he suddenly has a Cool Amnesiac hugging him. A wave of relief brought on by the nanobots washes over his chest.

...Geez. Smiling warmly, Kaito tugs himself just a short ways away so he can swing his legs up on the bed. Opting to settle them on either side of her rather than yoink her into his lap, Kaito finally returns the hug, planting one hand over the back of her head (specifically, over that first incision) while the other splays out along her back.

There. Now it feels a bit more even. A little warmer than he'd anticipated, but even. ]

Maybe. My little brother and I had sleepovers all the time. He was such a a scaredy cat when we were kids.

[ Guess Yukito's coming into the conversation after all. ]

[ Appreciated for the lack of lap yoinking, what would our invisible audience think--

There's a little sigh of relief beyond the initial flinch, the tenderness of the incision fading after a few seconds. Yeah, healing really does go a long way here, and March lets some of that earlier tension drain out of her. Maybe she's missed this kind of contact--not this, specifically, but the ease that came with a friendship that allowed you this sort of thing without doubts. She's really only been able to do that with Malkuth and Yuji. ]

Your little brother... that's the one that's also got something to do with ice, right?

[ The fic writers are disappointed, but the rest of us will survive.

A side of Kaito he isn't too comfortable with acknowledging appreciates this contact, too. The side that misses being confident enough to share his hurts and burdens with his friends, rather than shoulder them all alone.

A little shifting allows him to rest his cheek atop March's head. Up close, his heartbeat is actually quite slow compared to a regular person, despite how warm he is. Contradictions. ]

Yeah. Yukito. A Yuki-onna's son. A race of ice creatures. They're often conflated with ice demons.

He's basically a walking ice cube with a hot temper and absolutely no courage when it comes to spooky stuff. We grew up attached to each other's hips.

It feels like I've run into a few people with siblings here. I'm a little envious.

[ It's said lightly, though. She doesn't want to dwell too hard on whether or not she has a family, especially when the Astral Express crew pretty much qualified unequivocally for the role. ]

So does that mean you've got, uh... ice in your blood, too? You didn't feel all that cool to me, though.

[ Which doesn't mean everyone is like her, but if Yukito's a walking ice cube... ]

Trust me, the grass is always greener on the other side. But he's over there while I'm stuck here, so I've gotta make the most out of a potential found family as I can. [ He sticks his tongue out. Is that a suggestion? Hm. ]

We're half-brothers. He's an ice cube and I'm a pool noodle. [ Okay, now he's speaking in code. ]

I think you'd like him. He enjoys photography, too. I'm more of a drawer.

Pool noodle...?

[ What. ]

It does sound like we'd get along, though. Since you're apparently adopting me.

[ Was that a suggestion? ]

I haven't started the paperwork for it, so don't get too excited. I also need to make sure it isn't a faux pas for found siblings to get together.

[ Kaito shuts his eyes, snickering. ] Y'know, in case he falls for you and actually has a chance.

—Pool noodle is my silly way of saying sea dragon, by the by.

[ THAT'S the afterthought? ]

And how old is this brother, exactly...? [ Rolling her eyes, though even if he can't see it, it's evident from her tone. ]

--Also what? Sea dragon?

[ Why does she know so many dragons actually-- ]

Heheheh. He should be twenty this year. Maybe twenty-one. Single and ready to mingle, too!

[ From her emotions, too. Which seems to spark joy. ]

I haven't told anyone else, and Malkuth is the only one who's seen, so you've gotta keep it a semi-secret, okay?

My mother's a dragon, so her side of the family has dragon blood.

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