middaeg | [closed] Of monsters and men

Entry tags:

[closed] Of monsters and men

Who: Yuki and Momo
When: 7/30ish
Where: Who knows
What: Bond time for the lovebirds
Warnings: None, unless you hate awkward sap. Will update if needed.

[So this is it. Momo's been... well, insistent at least that they Bond sooner rather than later. Yuki's run the full range of emotions from elated that he's going to be closer to Momo to nervous about the closeness, and even had a healthy dose of "it's not that serious and Momo already has another Bond so he knows what to do". But that aside, Yuki is Yuki, and he takes it on with a seriousness and gravity that maybe the less involved or attached would not.

In the weeks between their initial discussion of Bonding and now, Yuki has spent countless hours in the house, or any quiet, secluded place he finds comfortable, to write. The vows are like lyrics to him, words that have to communicate what he can't without feeling the pressure of his soul being bared. Music is and long will be the safe place to do it. Even just this morning, he was still making revisions to one sentence in particular, trying to make the melody Momo puts in his heart into something he won't trip over saying. To Yuki, it's important. Frankly, he wouldn't want anyone else to feel what he feels, or to be so intimately attached. Whether a Bond has a romantic component or not, it's still something that requires trust and understanding, and showing vulnerability that may be utterly frightening.

How does he tell Momo what that means to him? It's plagued him through rewrite after rewrite from the first brainstorming notes. How does he tell his partner, his favorite person, that he trusts him completely, that he's not going to let some basic fear of the unknown stop him? Whatever they must weather, they will, because they have for five plus years now, and because Yuki believes in Momo. And Yuki believes in Re:vale, too.

Vows written and done, practiced in solitude, Yuki had begged Momo for one last bit of privacy for a final test. They're meeting with the presiding witch in mere minutes. He's done all he can do, memorized every word, practiced on everything from cute animals to ripening fruit, and now he has to face the real thing.

It's not like he'll let himself be late, so he's the first one to arrive at the lovely little spot Momo chose. His fingers worry at a slightly worn piece of paper as his eyes scan the text again line by line.]

...this is fine. This is good enough.

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[While Momo had suggested a Bond with Yuki about the minute he thought Yuki was adequately settled in to bring it up (which hadn't even been a week, honestly), he hadn't been too hard on the timing in the initial few weeks. But with another month looming, another full moon that has considerably more of a risk of putting Yuki in danger if he remains without a Bond, Momo finally sets a deadline for the end of the month. He's never seen a full moon earlier than the 5th since he got here, but he's not willing to risk it with Yuki, and so in the end he doesn't want to push that little bit over into the next month if there's even a chance that decision would backfire.

He knows Yuki takes his time with writing, and he trusts the process, but vows for him are difficult as well because Momo has always been more of a physical person. He may have started writing lyrics recently, and he's done Bonding ceremonies before, but Bonding to familiars isn't exactly as big of a deal and the Bond with Lio had been somewhat on the fly considering he other man hadn't had much faith in his ability to write a Bond vow either. But this is a case of writing something to the most important person in his life and someone who he doesn't consider his way with words to hold a candle to, fledgling lyricist as he is, so he takes his own time. Not to practice, because he wants to be able to say whatever it is he says candidly, but to consider what words he's had to say in the past that Yuki seemed to feel the most.

There's an envelope hidden in his pocket when he shows up not long after Yuki, to one of the magical gardens that appears and disappears fleetingly in the Coven grounds. He knows how quickly they pass and thus waited until late the previous day to pick an exact spot, but the presiding Witch seemed understanding enough. This one is a particularly lush example, bursting with an eclectic variety of flowers ranging from oddly-coloured sunflowers to the smaller zinnia crowded around them, peonies and the magical flowers Momo accidentally caused in the forest once upon a time, that resemble peach blossoms but grow at ground level. What draws his eyes more when he approaches is Yuki, though, because he can pick a stressed Yuki at 20 paces by this point even without those words he catches, and his feet move almost silently through the grass as he gets nearer to Yuki's turned back.

Withdrawing his hands from his pockets, he slips them around Yuki's waist once he gets within arm's length of him, giving him a reassuring squeeze against himself.]

You know I love anything you write, darling. Don't worry so much. [He resists the urge to sneak a peek at the vows over Yuki's shoulder, because that's probably bad luck or something.]

[Yes, Yuki's had plenty of time to think this over and prepare. The only thing that'd really been holding him up was finding the right words to say. But it's the day, and the time, and he's hurriedly holding the paper against his chest so Momo can't see the words as soon as he's wrapped up in those familiar arms. These days, there's always this moment for Yuki when they're close. It's like being wrapped up in a warm blanket, but it touches every bit of Yuki, the direct opposite of a shiver. He can't help how comfortable he is around his partner. It's just how things were meant to be, he supposes.

Though he's still fumbling with some of the finer points of affection, he at least manages to put a hand on Momo's arm, stroking with idle fingers.]

You know how I am. I'll want to scrub the memory out of my head if it's less than what I really mean. [He glances back over his shoulder.] You know you deserve that, right? The best.

[Momo holds onto him for the moment, because it's nice to just be able to do this outside and Yuki seems to like it, something of a show of his gentle strength where his arms wrap around. Though he puffs out his cheeks a bit at the idea of Yuki scrubbing the Bonding out of his head, blowing out the breath so it teases at his partner's bangs.]

I know you wouldn't give me anything less than that. [It's...well, it's not an actual yes to the question, but even if Yuki says that kind of thing, Momo's still working through the process of believing he deserves that. He's barely over the line of believing he deserves what he had already back home.] Even if my Yuki has trouble saying things directly, anything you've had time to write is something I trust to be the best.

[He nuzzles his cheek against Yuki's for good measure, because what better time is there than this to drown him in affection. Momo might be too forgiving of anything Yuki puts out sometimes, but he knows Yuki has a way of getting his feelings out there if he's given enough time to craft something with them.]

[It's Yuki's job, his privileged duty, to remind Momo at every opportunity that he is worth everything and deserving of what he has. Of course, Yuki's not great at that sometimes, but he tries, and he's a little more conscious of it now, now that he's analyzing every movement and gesture bit by bit rather than forcing down vaguely lovestruck reactions. Momo is, in some way, his, and that's both still really weird and really wonderful. They sleep in the same bed. He gets to hold Momo in his arms and be held in Momo's impressive embrace too, just like he is now. If there's anyone who isn't worthy of it, Yuki's aware that it's himself and not Momo in the least.

A little huff and a restrained chuckle answers Momo's initial reaction, but Yuki leans into the nuzzling and turns a bit more to steal a glancing kiss to the corner of his partner's lips. "Easy" affection still isn't easy for Yuki, but when they're in such a beautiful place, surrounded by things that remind him of their bond, of flower stands before concerts, of birthdays and wrap parties and the wishes of the whole world, it's almost automatic. What will it be like when he really learns to be affectionate? When that dam breaks, Momo's in trouble.]

I still think it's crap. I need more time, but somebody was insistent we do this before the end of the month...

[Momo makes a playful sort of nip towards that little kiss, resisting the temptation to chase him down for a proper one by turning it into a tease instead. He knows it's going to be small steps for Yuki for a while showing this kind of affection in public, so he's happy for whatever he gets right now. As if he's not always happy with whatever he gets when it comes to Yuki. Yuki has a way of making him feel like the luckiest person in the world, and all the more so since the worst of his insecurities have been calmed and he's no longer sinking into those fits of jealousy and bitterness in-between those euphoric highs.

The quip about insistence gets an apologetic laugh from Momo that isn't actually that apologetic.] I'm sorry, I just didn't want to risk another full moon beating us. We got lucky with that first one being an eclipse, but I want to make sure you're protected before the next one.

[His grip tightens for a moment so he can lift Yuki off the ground, a cheerful little bounce that wraps in his protective intent with that strength. Even if Yuki also wants to protect him, he's never not going to do whatever he can to make sure Yuki is safe from harm.]

[Yuki gets it, but that doesn't mean he has to like it. He is anti-turning into an octopus man, and he thought, you know, maybe if he ignored it a little bit it might delay. Or something. No such luck, and he's fortunate to have Momo here to keep him on track. He doesn't even want to think about Momo not being around. But his face still turns a little pink when Momo initiates or reciprocates, and he's still a little oddly stiff for the first few seconds in an embrace. He's learning, figuring out what he actually likes, what makes him feel good, what he wants from Momo in a physical sense.

Maybe he's thinking about it too much?

It takes him a moment to answer, caught up in the lift and the embrace and the quiet, all-encompassing joy he feels when he's this close to his partner.]

It's kind of amazing that you can protect me just by doing this. I mean, not that I wouldn't trust you to protect me if somebody pulled a knife or something, but... This is different. I mean, turning into an octopus is completely different from potential stabbing.

[That made more sense in his head.]

I'm going to protect you, too... Assuming you ever get into trouble in a body of water.

Well, now I can just pull my own knife... [Not that he actually pulls his knife on people very often, and generally when he does it's not with the intent to use it on them, but still. The tone he says it in is something of a deliberate innocence, such that it's kind of a joke in itself.

At the mention of trouble in water, Momo squeezes Yuki's waist reassuringly. He considers himself pretty safe in water most of the time, and doesn't tend to go into it much here anyway, but there have been occasional incidents on the harbour, so he guesses it's not entirely out of the question. Besides that, most of it is outside the city walls.] Aren't you supposed to be the one getting me in trouble, though? Luring me into the water with your singing voice like a siren...I almost fell into a river because of a siren before I arrived here, so imagine how vulnerable I'd be to you...

[That initially kind of serious-sounding remark just evolves as he keeps going into blatantly faux-"blushing maiden" tones, because clearly this is what Yuki living up to his Monster tendencies involves and Momo can't argue with that. Also this is a bad romance movie shoot now, apparently.]

[Ah, well, reminder that Yuki better get used to the sharp objects sooner rather than later. There's a flash of a frown, but the squeeze at his waist is reassuring, and he's vaguely embarrassed by how much he just wants to melt back into Momo. Maybe he can talk him into skipping Bonding and just go home and snuggle? Something.]

Mmm... It'd be better if you could go in the water with me. Since you're fine with the tentacles and all. [Not that Yuki is totally okay with them, but whatever.] Maybe I could pull you close with them. [A small sideways grin.] It's fine if you're vulnerable to me. I'll take care of you.

You know I can swim fine, it's the breathing that's the problem... [He doesn't know whether Merrows have a solution to that, since a lot of his Monster knowledge is piecemeal-y and he tends to have to find more significant things out from the Monsters themselves rather than reading.

Still, he lets out an exaggerated sort of huff and nuzzles against Yuki's neck.] Darling, you're so handsome! Who knows, maybe having tentacles will be the edge you need against me.

[He pokes his tongue out teasingly, but also almost in a challenging kind of way. He's not sure where Merrow fall on the monster strength chart either, but that might be one thing Yuki could consider an advantage.]

Breathing, hmmm... Maybe there's a spell?

[Seems like the easiest route? He's not well versed in Merrows either, so just wait until he finds out This One Simple Trick. Although... He kinda knows Momo is stronger than him and doesn't mind much, not when it means there's less effort he strictly must put forth to get things done. At the same time, he wants to help, to give back to Momo as good as he gets. There's a delicate balance they have to find again here.]

The edge I need?

[Poking Momo's cheek near his lips.]

Are we fighting now?

Edited 2020-08-14 18:47 (UTC)

I bet there is, but it's probably a type of magic I haven't studied...I don't want to have to give myself gills...

[He drapes himself dramatically over one of Yuki's shoulders, then the other as he says that. He has a sneaking suspicion magic like that would come under Enchantment, which he had to start doing actual study on this month so he can eventually learn Cwyld healing, so for now he's not even focused on specific spells so much as just getting good enough at it to be able to do something that delicate.

Yuki's poking his cheek just makes him snap playfully at it with his teeth before grinning.] You can't just expect me to make myself vulnerable for you without any effort, Yuki! You couldn't even literally sweep me off my feet back home, but maybe you'll be able to now. The number of limbs you're trying to lift me with has to count for something, right?

[Now he's just teasing Yuki for being a noodle.]

I wouldn't dream of making you deal with gills.

[He says that in his best effortless cool-and-sexy voice, glancing at him with a ready wink. This ease is something he wouldn't trade. Yuki doesn't hate what life has thrown at him only because Momo is here, and they can share the struggles and joys. They may be... weird situations, but Yuki will find it in his heart to not mind.

Every time Momo does a spell, he'll marvel at how capable his partner is. Every time Momo comforts him when he hates his changes, he'll feel that odd numb lightness he associates with belonging only Momo can bring. Right now, the man is radiant sunshine, and Yuki wants to stretch out in his sunbeams like a pampered cat, soaking it all up.]

The second I have all those arms again, I'm carrying you off to the nearest pond and making you swim with me. I'll even let you sit on my arms; they're strong enough like that, thanks.

[Oho! Sounds like someone else has already gotten the tentacle-chair treatment!]

[Momo clutches his cheek as if about to swoon.] Yuki, so handsome even in these strange times...

[The follow-up throws him a bit of a rollercoaster, though, because while Momo is absolutely looking swoonier at the idea Yuki might dramatically sweep him off into the full moon...well. Let's just say he catches the implication that Yuki already knows his arms are that strong, and he drops his hand from his cheek in a comically abrupt manner.]

You already know? Was all that hiding in Maiuril because you were cheating on me!? You're so cruel! Lying to me to hide your sordid affairs!!

[Clearly this is grounds for divorce, or it would be if Momo wasn't just taking a prime opportunity to chew the scenery.]

Less cheating, more being sat on without much of an introduction. It's my old ways coming back, and I definitely didn't shove anyone off.

[He looks up and away, innocent and not at all messing with Momo, nope, never, why would you think that? With mock thoughtfulness, he taps his chin.]

Ahh, maybe if you sit on me I'll never be able to let you go. Maybe I'll always want Momo's solid body held in my arms once I experience that.

[Stroking Momo's cheek now to soothe that scandalized look, and reaching for his hand to pull Momo in close...]

I guess you'll have to make me forget that anyone else got even a little piece of me. [Wink.]

[Momo peers at him suspiciously through that first excuse, clearly not ready to be calmed from his faux dramatics that quickly. Though unsurprisingly, the flattering part hits much better, and Momo makes a reluctant, petulant sort of whine as Yuki pulls him in.]

You're so sneaky, using your sexy wiles to get forgiveness out of me... [His free hand slides all too casually into Yuki's hair, as he finally lets his exaggerated pouty looks go in favour of an easy, daring grin that shows one of his sharp canines.] If Yuki wants me to make him forget everything, then who am I to refuse? Since you must know what you're getting yourself into.

[Okay, so Yuki didn't say everything, but the kind of making him forget Momo is talking about isn't exactly very finely-tuned, even if he also has the advantage of not actually having to act on anything since they're in public and he can just hold it over Yuki's head. Also, there's a touch of teasing to that last remark, because even Momo couldn't honestly say Yuki has never made a reckless decision in his life.]

[Wow. Momo almost gets him with that one, but Yuki recovers quickly. He turns his head to press lips to Momo's palm, looking at him with quite the come hither gaze just after.]

I like what I'm getting myself into. Imagine being a guy like me and getting an offer like that... [His fingers lace with Momo's.] You have to know what you're waking up, saying you'll make me forget "everything".

[Walking Momo backwards slowly... just right up against a nice solid tree...]

Are you ready to see that side of me?

[Momo manages to hold out on the kiss of his hand, but the look and the words are what get him in tandem and make him give enough ground that he lets Yuki back him into the tree. He presses back against it, overwhelmed expression starting to slip into something else a bit riskier.]

Yuki...if you're saying you're going to get even sexier, then how am I supposed to resist that? [His fingers grip tighter against Yuki's, he shifts his weight, fangs bared...

...and an energetic Witch woman in a cape about twice as long as she is and long white hair that reflects like some rainbow unicorn special effect pops out from between the flowerbeds. She's actually taller than both of them, she apparently just really wanted that dramatic cape energy despite being tall.

"Momo, dear, there you are! And this is your gent, right? What a handsome pair you make, you should bring him along if you come back to my classes sometime!"

Momo hastily squeezes out from against the tree and waves enthusiastically to the woman. She only looks maybe forty at oldest, but she also looks kind of like she might pinch Momo's cheeks like a grandma if she gets close enough.]

Mira-san! Maybe I'll come back one day, it depends where the winds take me... [He cradles his chest dramatically before turning to Yuki.]

This is Mirage-san, the first Coven teacher I had when I got here. She does illusion stuff, and also transmutation but I haven't done much of that...anyway, I thought she'd have a good energy for Bonding us!

[At that, Mirage waves with a hand that looks vaguely like she transformed her nails into claws and then made them reflective as well, because why not.]

[Yuki's forehead contacts the tree for the briefest of moments after Momo slips away. He might've been just playing around, but it was nice, and he'd managed to shove off the thoughts of Bonding for a few minutes there. It still feels too much like accepting that he's going to turn into an octopus person or whatever on occasion... and while he's making peace with that, it's weird. If either of them ought to be a powerful Witch, though, maybe Yuki thinks Momo's the better, braver choice.

He turns around on heel and offers a cool, somehow welcoming smile to the Witch who's joined them.]

I'm Yuki. It's nice to meet you. [And perhaps surprisingly, he bows formally, like a man meeting a well-respected industry senpai.] Thank you for looking after Momo.

[He straightens, then pushes his hair back over his shoulders. A hand goes to one pocket, Yuki idly running fingers over the written vows he knows by heart. Then he thinks better of fishing them back out, and smooths his hands over his thighs before following Momo.]

I guess it's time to get started.

[Mirage grins at Yuki, though there's something measuring about her look, probably unsurprising for an experienced enough Witch academic to be running classes here.

"It's no problem, he always made it so easy! Picks new things up a treat, not that I imagine he admits it to you any more than he did to me."

Momo, as is typical of him when anything remotely flattering of his skills comes up, cuts in smoothly and waves his hands as if trying to move the conversation along.]

Come on, now that we're all here we should definitely get started quickly like Yuki said, right? We're both ready.

[Mirage arches a brow knowingly at Yuki, but claps her hands together, forming a few reflexive shapes with them to bring her magic to the surface. "If you insist, sweethearts! I'll just need a moment to draw up the circle and then we can begin."

Momo tugs at Yuki's arm to draw him a little further away from the tree, just enough that there's space for Mirage to draw a magic circle without getting it tangled up in the roots. Once they find a good position, she pulls out a lengthy cane with some kind of magical creature carved in the top and starts to walk it around them, establishing the area of the circle before she starts adding the magical bells and whistles. The cane leaves a bright trail through the grass where it goes, lines and runes following on from the circle itself.

Letting out a bracing sort of breath, Momo moves to take one of Yuki's hands again.] You know, it's been years since I got stage fright for this small of an audience, but I think this is doing it. Trying to put everything into a vow is hard, isn't it?

[He grins a little self-consciously, as if mostly worried he hasn't said enough or hasn't said the right things in his planned vow. He doesn't want to keep them here for a ridiculously long time, but being concise was a bit of a struggle in its own way.]

[Yuki knows how capable Momo is, and he appreciates it more than anyone can know. Even his partner doesn't know the depths of his acknowledgement and care. Maybe he should change that. Or... well... try to. He's Yuki, and feelings are hard. This whole thing is weird, and he doesn't really want the tentacles portion of the deal, but as long as he's here, as long as Momo's not somewhere that he can't reach, he'll cope.

Watching carefully as Mirage does the work of creating their magic circle, Yuki tries to swallow down the nerves that are coming back up. They threaten to tongue tie him, to make him freeze up instead of delivering what he needs and wants to. Telling people how he feels is damnably difficult, but it's kind of what this ceremony seems to require, in their case. Maybe it's not such a serious commitment, this Bond, maybe it's something you can do with just anyone... But the truth of the matter is Yuki wouldn't dream of letting anyone else experience that much of his life. It's Momo or nothing.

He realizes his hand is in Momo's rather belatedly, and he catches only the tail end of the statement.]

You're the one who said Bonds aren't that big of a deal.

[Maybe turning that on Momo will help them both. Yuki tries a faint, knowing smile, the kind he offers when they communicate without words.]

Just act like you're doing it on TV in front of a million people. You'd never mess that up. [Shrug. But oh, the hypocrisy, because Yuki is rapidly forgetting half of what he wrote for Momo. Maybe Momo did say that Bonds were a commonplace thing, and not so serious, but to Yuki this is significant. He's letting Momo in deeper than he's ever been before, and that raw vulnerability isn't something Yuki really loves. But for Momo, with Momo, he can do anything.]

Who's going first?

[Momo puffs his cheeks a touch petulantly when Yuki flips his logic back on him.] If I was talking about my deep feelings about Yuki in front of that many people, I'd definitely mess it up! My darling makes my heart flutter too easily for me to get something like that right on a live stage!

[It would probably be cute, but it would also be a disaster. Mirage laughs almost knowingly at the banter as she finishes the circle, very visible on the ground around them.

"I'll need you holding hands before we start, dears."

Momo nods and clasps Yuki's other hand - it's obvious enough he's done this before, though he still adjusts his position a bit like he's not quite sure he's in the circle right. Mostly so he doesn't have to answer that question so quickly, because he's already looking very red at the immediate prospect of having to say vows to Yuki. It feels a bit more embarrassing when there's the romantic element to it.]

I hadn't really thought about that...you're older, so you should get seniority, right? [Ignoring that if Yuki goes first, Momo might die before he gets to say his bit. He's definitely making an excuse to prolong his inevitable flustering a bit.]

Even if you just say something like "Yuki, you're so dreamy!" it'd be enough.

[Yuki's hand reaches out to Momo's almost automatically, reading his movements here like he might have to on stage. It's not that he wants this to be just a performance for the Witch's benefit, though. There are butterflies filling him up more than he's ever felt in his life. He swears they're going to escape at any moment.

To distract himself momentarily, he takes a quick look at how and where Momo is standing, and adjusts to mirror it. There's a warmth in trusting Momo to guide him in this so they can do things without much interference, just someone to do the formal magic bits while Yuki blindly spills everything he's been mulling over since he arrived. He doesn't know for sure what he'll hear from Momo, because the man is delightfully unpredictable while simultaneously being the most solid and stable part of Yuki's existence. The raw energy Momo has, even in moments like this, takes Yuki's mind off on tangents.

There's a delay, a narrowing of his eyes... As Momo throws him under the emotional expression bus. The sound he makes isn't quite a grumble, but his fingers do tense around Momo's.]

What a time to decide to call me your senior.

[He manages a little laugh, though, looking down at Momo's hands in his.]

Mirage-san, I read up on this, I know you need to be here and everything to do the important parts, but... I'm begging you, from the bottom of my heart, forget everything you're about to hear.

[Glancing to the Witch, he turns on his most crowd-pleasing smile, gentle and angelic with a touch of distance. Whether she confirms or not, his gaze shifts to Momo and he looks directly into those magenta eyes. The newer specks on his neck and wrists fluctuate to a pinkish hue.]

Now or never.

I say that all the time, though!? [Momo sounds almost offended at the idea that he'd reuse a line he says so often for something like this, though it's still decidedly in the exaggerated faux offense range. As such, he's going to look decidedly unapologetic for throwing Yuki under the feelings bus all of a sudden (and almost looks like he has to stop himself poking his tongue out when Yuki almost grumbles about it). Even though it's probably going to bite him in the ass later, and by later he means in about a minute.

Mirage laughs at Yuki's request, but winks. "Trust me, dear, I've probably heard much worse. It all starts to fold together after a while."

Momo almost comes to attention when Yuki turns back to look at him. He was already fairly attentive about his posture, just because he wants to do this right and have it look good, but Yuki meeting his eyes seems to give him an extra jolt up the spine. Without the benefit of mood ring spots, Momo's cheeks turn a little pink under the attention, and his fingers grip at Yuki's a little more tightly.]

Of course it has to be now, then. I'm ready. [Despite his usual self-conscious shyness about having Yuki focus on him, he sounds determined to see the ritual through properly. And hopefully not dissolve into a mess of emotions halfway through, however bad he's always been at that.]

[Yuki's sincere smile settles in as he looks at his partner, the best thing that ever happened to him, the guy who's saved him in way too many ways. He squeezes Momo's hands, more out of trepidation than affection, and just... stands there for a moment, like he's waiting for a cue to start. When nothing really comes and he's just being looked at expectantly (confirmed with a glance to the presiding Witch), he clears his throat.]

Momo...

[The moment he starts speaking, his eyes trying not to look too deeply into Momo's while he gathers himself, a subtle warmth creeps through him. Like laying in a sunbeam. But that's how he feels looking at Momo every single time. The guy makes his heart pound and his mind fill up with music.

He doesn't quite notice the silence.

A breath, and he begins again.]

I know this is supposed to be vows. You said Bonds weren't a big deal, so I tried to come up with something that wasn't a big deal, and I'm going to be honest... [Blinking.] I've forgotten most of it. I think I rewrote them ten times. [He finally meets Momo's eyes.] So, I guess forgive the ad lib.

[A little smile forms on his lips, one that grows gradually as he speaks, the usually less than emotive Yuki pouring a little surprising passion into it.]

So, before I vow anything, I want to thank you. You've done a lot for me. I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for you. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't have you motivating me and looking at me like I'm somebody. You picked me up when I was at my lowest and you kept me standing until I could move again... With you as my partner. Everything we do together is the best thing I've ever done.

[A little squeeze to Momo's hands.]

You might not believe this, but I don't want to make music with anyone else, or dance with anybody else. I don't want to be seen by anybody else. So... I guess what I'm saying is don't look away from me. Ever. Keep your eyes on me. I've got too much left to show you. I know you have a lot left to show, too. I want to show everyone your best, even if I want to keep you all to myself, too.

[Somehow, with momentum, it gets easier. Yuki knows he's supposed to throw some kind of vow or promise in here, and he's pretty sure he had a good one written up, but his mind is a blank sheet right now, and he can't hear anything over the pounding of his heart.]

I bet this all sounds pretty selfish, but... I came all the way here to you, didn't I? Even if I'm somewhere else or someone else, I want to be with you. I want to be by your side in this life, in the next, and every one after that. If I have to make any kind of promise today... I can't really say something like "I'll protect you" or "I'll never make you cry" because I'm me. But I will promise this: I will always find my way back to you. I won't go a single day without thinking of you, even if everything conspires against us.

This Bond thing is just kind of a formality, isn't it? Even before I said it, I loved you. Even before you said it. You're Momo, my partner, the only person I want to make room for. You're everything. You have been for a while now. Whatever we do from here on out, we do together, too.

[He looks like he has more to say, but he stops there, letting silence hang for a moment.]

...That's it. I think.

[Momo does his best to keep some kind of eye contact, but he has to give at some point otherwise he's going to cry, and he doesn't want to already be a mess when he gets to his own vows. Still, as predicted, his throwing Yuki under the bus comes back to bite him in the form of his eyes already halfway threatening to spill over and not really being able to do anything about it because he has to stay holding hands.

Still, the blinking and the soft, watery laugh probably gives him away before he stabilises his voice a bit.] Yuki...ah, now I have to make it quick, otherwise Momo-chan's going to cry before we're done...

[He takes a deep breath and lets it out, trying to settle himself. Even just enough that he can say what he wants to is fine - he didn't prepare overly because he wanted to be able to speak from the heart, but that might've been an advantage looking at what happened to Yuki.

His fingertips squeeze gently at Yuki's hands, as if grounding himself one more way before he begins.]

When we met properly, I...didn't know what I was going to do with myself. Your music gave me the strength to move on, but I didn't know what it was like to pursue something as myself and not part of something bigger. So even when I threw everything away to support you, the things I did selfishly to make sure you rose above everyone else - I just wanted it for you. The only thing I wanted was to see you succeed, because I didn't feel like anything else would be enough thanks for how you saved me. You deserve so much - thanks, recognition, adoration - and I wanted to make sure you got all of it.

[With or without him. He lets out a breath.] But when you looked at me and thought of me, in those ways that felt like you loved me, I realised for the first time I could be selfish. I was afraid of what you'd think of me, about so many things that all came down to my audacity. How I could never admit that...you were the first thing I ever wanted for myself. Even when we were struggling, you were so radiant and talented, so kind to me when I felt like I didn't deserve it, made me feel like I was being smiled on by a god. How could someone as selfish as I really was let that go?

[But he smiles, a more contented, accepting thing than back when he'd bawled in the passenger seat of Yuki's car calling himself a terrible person, the first time he'd admitted to those feelings.] So if I've dared to claim you as mine, then I'm going to make sure you never regret it. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and make you happy, and make sure everyone sees how stunning you and your music are. I'm still your fan, deep down, but you let me be something more than the god's believer and the king's knight I planned to be when we teamed up, and I'll never stop being thankful for that.

[His fingers tighten.] Now that I can focus on the future, I've been able to honestly call myself your partner. And while we're here, it's just like I said back then. You can still run, and you can still sing. I won't let it end here for us. It still feels like I'm standing next to a king, or a god, but now I refuse to not be part of your legend. I won't let anyone break us apart, or take my place at your side. If I'm the person you've chosen to love, then I'll make sure you feel every little bit of how much I've ever loved you, that you never ever doubt that you're loved again. And as we keep moving forward, hand in hand like this...maybe one day, before someone writes our story, I'll be able to think of myself as your equal.

[He says those last few words with the slight air of someone saying something blasphemous, but he still says it. It's the kind of thing Yuki would've had to say for him prior to now, but he gets it out and holds himself together as Mirage rests her staff on their joined hands and murmurs an incantation.

The spell circle glows, light surging around them, and a deep energy coming from the core of their own selves is drawn forth, rushing through their connection, mingling and combining until it's impossible to tell apart. Momo remembers the feeling of having his magic signature tied to someone else's, the bizarre feeling of union that's hard for him to describe, so he keeps himself together until the immediacy of the fresh Bond and the feelings that come with it subside a bit and Mirage steps back, dispelling the circle.

And then he faceplants into Yuki's chest to hide his face, clinging to his shirt and sniffling quietly like they both don't already know he's about to turn into a waterfall and like Yuki isn't going to feel it soak through his shirt in about 0.5 seconds.]

[Yuki's eyes stay focused on Momo for the duration of what he's saying, taking it all in, wavering on wanting to comfort Momo and wanting to just let him finish. Will Momo ever realize just how much he has saved Yuki? How Yuki's life would be hollow without his partner? All Momo has to do is be himself and it will make Yuki the happiest idiot alive. And god, does he feel like an idiot right now. If he were better with things like this, maybe Momo wouldn't cry. Or maybe he'd cry more...?

It's over before Yuki fully absorbs everything, and he hardly notices Mirage moving in. It's impossible to miss the rush and the strangeness of the Bond forming, but once it does, it feels to him like his heart and Momo's are beating together. Like their lives are intertwined unbreakably. And in that moment, Yuki feels safe. Kept. Treasured.

He throws his arms around Momo when he's clung to, ducking his head toward his partner.]

Momo... you're every bit as incredible as you think I am. You're my hero, you know.

[He smiles.]

My idol. The best.

[Momo reaches up to cling to Yuki's shoulders instead once he's embraced, bumping his head against Yuki's but still hiding his face.] Is that supposed to make me cry less...?

[He sounds happy despite his tearful, wavering tone, and Mirage gives them an affectionate, motherly sort of smile before winking.

"I think I'll leave you to it then, gents. Congratulations and all the best with it."

She murmurs something and taps her staff on the ground twice, and simply...disappears, in a shower of illusory glitter that falls upon the two of them before disappearing itself. Momo sniffles a few times, like he's trying to get hold of himself but failing miserably, and then tightens his grip on Yuki enough that his nails press into the back of his shoulders.]

You'll always be the best thing in the world to me, Yuki. My sweet, handsome gentleman. I love you.

[His voice is saying that, while his grip is pretty much just saying "mine" at this point. Yuki saying sweet things about him tends to tap into a very particular part of his brain.]

[Yuki doesn't care if Momo cries more, less, or the same. They've taken a weirdly honest step forward together. Maybe it's that Yuki's still in fight or flight mode from having to be vulnerable, or maybe it's that he's weirdly protective when Momo's like this... But all he manages for a few moments is staying upright and nodding.]

I love you, Momo.

[He smiles faintly once he finally manages words.]

...which of us is coming up with the ground rules? The dos and do nots of Bonds? [Kidding.]

[Momo nuzzles at his shoulder and his grip tightens, if possible, even more, but he finally shows his face when Yuki asks that follow-up question. His eyes are still very red and wet, but it gets a laugh out of him.]

Isn't that just the same sort of thing as the ground rules for when we live together? I already cleaned up the cottage, don't make me follow any more rules...

[Momo's house here had very much been his typical organised chaos when Yuki showed up, but like when they'd shared a house back in the day, he pulled himself in again to suit Yuki's preference for a neat house.]

[That laugh was all Yuki wanted. It's all he ever needs to feel marginally human, even here. That sweet laugh, something Momo gives freely to the world, but something Yuki equally guards jealously. It makes Yuki chuckle a bit in response.]

You being you is enough, in that case. I'll keep the rest of my requests to myself.

[He makes it sound like there's a list, but he's got his troll smirk going, so...]

Well, anyway. I do have one tiny one. Can we spend the rest of the day together? Just us. I mean... Even if we go out somewhere, you're the only thing I'll see.

[Swoon, peach boy.]

[It's hard to get his real swoon face on when he's still happy crying, but it's also very hard not to swoon a little when Yuki says something like that. So Momo makes a compromise of sorts and turns himself around, laying back against Yuki like he's pretending to faint against him and so Yuki can see his teary but dramatically romanced face when he leans it back against his shoulder.]

Yuki, you're so handsome...how could I say no to a line like that? My heart's too weak against you...

[He reaches an arm around to rub the top of Yuki's head affectionately, like he's petting him. He has minimal gentle trolling recourse right now, so he'll just take the easy option.]

[Maybe he wants Momo to stop crying, just a little bit. Even if he knows it's happy crying, it elicits a definite response from Yuki's brain. He must stop the crying and make his beloved Momo smile with his whole heart.

But, you know what? They're riding high on this, so Yuki will play along. He moves Momo so he can dip him back like they're in some saucy ballroom pose. It skillfully makes him immune to head pats, of course.]

There's more where that came from.

[Momo's getting there - he's not so much actively crying now, but he's still a little bit caught up in the moment so his eyes are still watery. The dip makes him blush a bit more visibly, though (even if he also reaches one hand down behind him in case Yuki drops him. Force of habit). The other one goes up in front of his face in an exaggerated shy look, which he's hoping might distract Yuki from his failsafe.]

Did having to talk about your feelings like that unlock a secret emotional and sexy Yuki for the day? I must be super lucky!

[His voice is considerably less watery at this point, at least.]

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[closed] Of monsters and men

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