Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

[faileas]

Event Log: February, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part II



CW: This plot has a general content warning for kidnapping, torture, experimentation, violence, drug use (incl. aphro), infection/disease and potential death. This is entirely opt-in.

Spirited Away, Part 2 i. Hypothesis One moment, you were free. The next, you wake up in a cold, dark room with eyes on you and the cloying smell of decay all around you. Characters who have been kidnapped are being kept in the lower floor of Alder's estate, which is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors. Without exception, the way out is always either locked or heavily guarded. All kidnapped characters have been infected with the Cwyld (sometimes by proximity to botanical materials, sometimes by being directly exposed to the violent Shades they already have imprisoned) and are being used to further the Evergreen Circle's research into the nature of the plague. The details of these tests is expanded on in the plotting post and, needless to say, their capturers have very little interest in their wellbeing. They're needlessly cruel, often pitting victims against each other and forcing them to infect newer arrivals as they turn up. Subjects are allowed a few hours of sleep at a time and a small meal- assuming that they're not being purposefully deprived of either- and are locked together in cramped cells. ii. Alternative Theory Some characters, however, escape this particular cruelty in favour of something else just as dehumanising. If a member of the inner circle has taken a liking to someone, they'll take them out of the pool of tests subjects and move them into their households. Servitude is ensured by a strong enchantment that scrambles memories and replaces them with the false knowledge that they've been working there all along. These brainwashed servants might also be forced to participate in the torture and testing of the others.

Initiation The night of the initiation party is here. If you've managed to ingratiate yourself with the cult- or at least a member of rank- you'll have already received an elegant envelope with an invitation and all the details. Or maybe you stole one or put together a convincing forgery. Alder's estate is handsome, with a small courtyard lit up with strings of lights and servants at the double doors to greet guests. Inside is just as grand. The hall and ballroom are impressive spaces with vaulted ceilings painted with elaborate star maps and broken up with marble columns that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. Drinks tables are lined up against the walls and there are several smaller drawing rooms off to the side, all of which are full of guests. Throughout the first hour or so, Alder himself flits from person to person, congratulating them and making smalltalk, but he seems different somehow. Excitable. Eager. Of course, there are other ways one might get in; while the front entrance is closely monitored, the side one leading through the kitchens isn’t. In the hustle and bustle, you might slip through unnoticed. i. Cavorting and Cruelty It isn't long before things take a turn. Alder takes to the head of the room and, with his signature voice amplifying enchantment, addresses his audience. He greets everyone and gives a fairly standard speech thanking guests and welcoming initiates to the Evergreen Circle proper- and then it happens. Servants begin to wheel in cages and tanks, all containing individuals infected with the Cwyld at various stages. Some look to have been drugged, others are wide awake, but the regulars seem delighted by their presence. They whisper and titter and applaud. Some of the more docile victims are even taken out to be showed off like animals at a fayre. "Tonight, let us enjoy the fruits of our labour! Witness the progress we've made and share our blessings among yourselves! Fear will only blind you to taking the next step. Indulge, open your minds and take the first step towards your salvation!" What he means by this quickly becomes apparent. While they're not discussing or mocking the imprisoned witches and monsters, the other guests are partaking of vice the party has to offer. The drinks flow freely and there's a manic energy in the air. Those with sharp senses might recognise that some of it has been artificially crafted by enchantments. Furthermore, if you're looking for missing loved ones, you'll no doubt spot them among the "test subjects" or servants. Good luck trying to snap the latter back to reality, though: their memories have been tightly sealed and it might take some work. One of the drawing rooms has been half curtained off and a woman at the door skittishly offers the curious an aphrodisiac-laden draught, though some might have accidentally had some already. Within, guests are draped over every surface in varying states of undress, though there are partitions up to allow for more privacy. What better way is there to spread the Cwyld and strengthen bonds than intimacy? ii. Midnight Show Things reach a fever pitch around midnight. Once more, Alder calls for everyone's attention. "There's one more thing. I know all of you are loyal, true believers- but everyone must be tested," he says, gesturing to several larger bodyguards, "and we have to protect ourselves. There are those who don't understand us and seek to undo our work. Therefore, we need to tie up loose ends." One by one, the least aggressive Cwyld-infected subjects are dragged from their cages and any remaining individuals are brought out, all restrained. One of the bodyguards is carrying a large ceremonial dagger, which he presses to the vampire at the front’s throat. "Rest assured, their deaths with not be in vain: we have learned much and they will make for the perfect offering to the beings who gave us the Cwyld's blessing!" The knife flashes, ready to cut already decaying flesh- - a blood-curdling scream echoes through the room and glass shatters as a Shade breaks free from its prison. It ploughs into the guests, howling with rage as it tears into anyone and everyone that stands in its way, and others soon follow. At some point during the chaos, Alder appears to realise that he’s been caught. He, along with his inner circle, set to work trying to cover up their actions, setting the basement floor alight and using magic to bring down supports to block doorways completely. If you want to gather evidence, it has to be now, else you can focus your efforts on a rescue mission or chasing the cult leader himself down.

[ ooc: More information about the event can be found on the plotting post along with comments for questions, and an IC vote concerning Alder's fate! ]

Comments

[gekijou]

[He focuses his attention on the points where his hand meets Momo's scalp, on the warmth of his hair, the softness. He focuses on anything but his own feelings, because wrestling with them isn't productive in his opinion, and isn't he just as selfish as he's been long accused of being if he doesn't acknowledge that Momo probably went through much worse than just a "little" fight?]

Since you didn't mean any of it, I'll believe you, that's that. I don't need anything else.

[His spots shift to a bluish-green hue as Momo showers him with affection he's sure he doesn't deserve.]

Really, it's... not about you hurting me. Even though I was scared, and it did hurt, and I did everything I could. It's about me not being enough. What did you see, and feel, and go through that I couldn't protect you from? And why do I not deserve your trust?

[He takes Momo's hand in his and holds it firmly.]

Back home, it was bad enough when you went off on your own. Here, you still fight me about it, but here you could die, or worse. If I lost you, you know...

[He chokes up, then clears his throat.]

Well. You know what I'd think. How am I supposed to protect you? I can't lose you. Momo, I can't. I know it's selfish of me, but I don't know what else to do. And I know you want to help everyone you can, because that's who you are. I can't keep you from doing what you think is the right thing, even if it hurts me. Doesn't mean I don't want to.

[yesdoubt]

[Momo seems to become smaller, almost, as Yuki talks about how he felt in the moments of being hurt by him, shrinking away slightly as if still thinking it's not something that can be justified even by his state of mind being brainwashed. Those questions hammer home one after the other, though, and though he doesn't want to get into yet another argument with Yuki about this, least of all now, he can't just slip away from it and leave it to another day either.

Yuki's emotion, the desperation in his words minus the anger that usually comes up when they have these discussions, is something he can't help but respond to. He turns his head away slightly, expression subtly conflicted - he's never really wanted to talk about this subject, and thus putting it into words is difficult.]

It's not you, Yuki, you're not undeserving of anything. [He has to trot that out first, firmly despite the fact that he's visibly trying to figure out how the hell to phrase the rest of it even as he clasps his other hand around Yuki's. Some amount of the mental conflict is probably perceptible through their Bond, a tumult of things he's trying to work through as he says it, less readily than he can usually admit to things.]

I...don't want to fail the people relying on me again. I don't want them to have to be burdened with weight I should be able to take on my own. I want to protect them, make them happy - I never wanted anyone to see me fracture again, or have to worry about taking the load off me because I can't take it. That's why I...I don't know how to say it in a way that makes sense to you. I trust you, and our juniors and the people who've closely supported us, but I can't put any more weight on people who already have so much of their own to carry. It's not about trust, I just...you've all gone through so much. You've gone through so much. It feels like the least I can do for you is not trouble you any more than I have to, but I'm starting to feel like I don't know how to do that. I just don't want you to be hurt anymore.

[To him, burdening Yuki with his troubles is too much. But Yuki is clearly bothered by the idea of not being burdened with his troubles. He realises there's an impasse here considering this isn't the first time they've discussed it, but he has no idea what the medium would be, and if he'd even be capable of compromising without having to adjust and grow into it. Despite having realised he's worthy of being Yuki's partner, the fact that he inadvertently caused a lot of that gossip shitshow back home before they arrived here means not being troublesome or putting further burdens on Yuki is still very much on his mind, because he knows that hurt Yuki and it's still a raw wound they'll have to return to one of these days.]

[gekijou]

Momo...

[It's hard to hear Momo's hangups and insecurities when Yuki is mired in his own. He rests too easily on how much fun they have together, how beautiful their music is and how they fit just right in each other's arms. How holding his hands right now feels like the only thing that's good in the worst world. He forgets they're both human, both deeply flawed. Believing Momo is brave and strong and capable, and believing he himself is just as adept in life, is sometimes a terribly fallacy.

Still. His life almost ended when Banri disappeared. And his life almost ended when Momo disappeared a few days ago, too. He'll never tell Momo how he panicked, cried, mourned, feared the worst. Admitting to that is impossible.]

What've I gone through that I won't go through again if I lose you? And a hundred, maybe even a thousand times worse!

[He never told Banri how he felt the way he's told Momo. He was younger and more foolish, more self-assured. He was invincible. And today's Yuki knows better than ever that he's weak, and vulnerable. He hates it. He couldn't protect Momo here, nor from Ryou. He couldn't protect Banri from Kujo. He couldn't protect their kouhai, either. Who else will he fail? It was by sheer grace that he made it through the times shortly before he came here.

Knowing his limits is one thing, but having them driven home cruelly by twists of fate has worn on Yuki. He's still, in so many ways, a little too sure of himself at just the wrong times. He knows that's stupid. If he could break every bad habit so he'd be able to protect Momo, he would. He'd give almost anything to keep Momo safe. Hell, even if Momo didn't love him, he'd still feel that way.]

Carrying any of your weight is nothing for me. It's light as a feather. It's nothing compared to the way I feel when I see you smile, when you... [Emotions are the actual worst.] ...when you're next to me at night, or when you say you love me. I could carry a hundred thousand so-called burdens if it meant I'd see all of that more.

[Maybe he can change tack a little. He grips Momo's hands between his like he's folding his own in prayer around them, and he looks into those unforgettable eyes with all the determination he has left.]

You're not alone. I'm here. For good, if you'll let me be.

[yesdoubt]

[Momo squeezes his eyes shut in the moments after Yuki asks that question, because he's not wrong and over the last year at home and extra months here, Momo has slowly been dragged kicking and screaming closer to the acceptance that he's not wrong in saying that. That Momo is valued and important, and not just a shield or a throwaway. As much as he's gotten over thinking the very last of those by this point, now that he's decided to face the future with Yuki, the others are still sticking points that he's working on. It makes it something hard to hear and harder to believe, to a mind that's convinced itself for so many years it's no better than a spare, untalented and raised only by the blessing of Yuki's offered hand.

But this kind of direct honesty is rare from Yuki, and though inwardly Momo knows it's been gouged out by the trauma of what just happened, that selfish part of him that wanted to be praised and valued in straightforward words practically feeds on it. His fingers clench a little against him as he bites his lip, trying to prevent the inevitable stream of tears that always comes with Momo being highly emotional in any shape. But those last few works crack it, that determination and focus, in much the same way he'd cracked in the realisation back then that all those times he'd wondered what Yuki had been thinking about, it had been him.

He draws Yuki's hands closer, against his chest, tears already beginning to flow freely.]

If I'll let you? [He sounds almost incredulous saying that, though it's in an affectionate sort of way.] It's amazing how I can finally feel like I can stand alongside you proudly, but still not feel like I deserve you...still, I'm selfish, you know? I already decided that I'm the one who'll stand next to you, so I never want to let you go. It hurt enough waiting here, never knowing when I'd go back to you or you'd come to me.

[He hasn't mentioned that much before, actively tried to cover it up on Yuki's initial arrival, but that had been a difficult six months. Considering how frequently he and Yuki have been together practically since they met, it was a cutting loose that he'd never wanted to feel.]

I want to help you too, Yuki, so much I can't stop myself. I promised myself back then that no matter how much I was tainted, you'd be the one person that left our industry unscathed...and then I failed that in so many ways too. Your secret getting out to the public, not being able to protect you from that guy's thugs, and now this - how am I supposed to make up for it, if I can't even spare you from my burdens? Even if you say that they're so light, it doesn't feel that way to me. I can't let them pass on to you so easily. That's why it keeps turning out like this, even though I want you next to me forever.

[There's a pause, and a bitter smile that shows his sharp teeth. "I'll only pester you about the future", huh.] I guess I still have something to prove to myself. That maybe one time I can protect what I love most.

[Right now, to him, it feels like there's a string of failures behind him, and with Yuki essentially asking him to stop protecting him, there's never going to be a chance to make up for that. He still has trouble believing just his presence and partnership is enough.]

[gekijou]

[Yuki is perilously close to fully wrung-out, so words are getting harder to pull from his head. He works through emotions in bursts, never considering them at a nice, leisurely pace, ignoring them until forced to face them. The last week or so has been nonstop emotional bullshit, and he is so utterly done with it that if he could end this conversation productively here, he would. But all he can think about is pushing through the difficulty and exhaustion and mental strain, because he feels like for the first time he and Momo are standing honestly side by side. There's always been this element of them ignoring this and that when they have conflict, and it's led to Yuki having to admit to more insecurity and fear than he ever wanted Momo to acknowledge.

A hand rises, tracing the corner of that smile like somehow he can morph it into Momo's brilliant grin, a tooth-baring laugh, like he can mold this situation with physical effort.]

Momo. You saved my life. You saved me a long time ago. I'm still trying to make that up to you, too. [He smiles faintly himself.] We're going in circles. Even though I'm bad at this, you're listening to me and being honest with me, and that's... [There's a shimmering hope that's been building in the Bond between them, and Yuki looks earnestly at Momo's tear-stained face.] ...it's the best. You're the best. I've got my own problems, and you've got yours, but if I could wish for one thing, it'd be that you'd let us face them together. Back to back, hand in hand. I can't think of anything I want more, forever.

[He slumps a bit, bowing his head and shaking it.]

You're all the things I'm not. Seriously, just being with you makes me feel stronger, and safe. Like I could write a symphony or win every award. I know that no matter what happens, we'll come out okay. We're going to go through shit, because we're both stubborn and we always think we're right, and we don't know how to stay out of trouble. [Looking up again, he presses his palms to Momo's chest. There's warmth, real or imagined, flowing from his fingertips.] I don't have it in me to save the world like you keep trying to do, but I'm going to do everything I can to make it easier for you. Everything I do is for you now. Not just because I love you, but because I believe in you, and you're worth it all. The pain, the hardships, every last damn thing is worth it because I'm doing it with you. You're my partner.

[yesdoubt]

[Even if it doesn't quite meet his usual brilliance, Momo's smile softens a little as he leans into Yuki's hand. That simple touch is grounding for him, a reminder that despite everything, despite all that he feels he's done wrong, and despite how often they misunderstand each other and come to odds, Yuki is still here. Yuki still wants him here, by his side, and has made that clear in no uncertain terms so many times by this point that it's almost overwhelming to think back on it. A year or two ago, he would've been begging for that level of acknowledgement amidst the pain his heart was in, and now even though it might not be said in words so often, it's said in touches and holds and the softening of his expression when they come together again at the end of a day and can just be with each other.

The tears don't stop, but the bitterness fades, leaving a small, unbelievably soft smile. He finds it hard to be totally honest, so he can understand the difficulty Yuki must be having with it as well, but it's...nice. For once, it's nice to be on the same page, instead of assuming their ability to read each other will be enough when it's so often not quite there. His hands move to clasp Yuki's hands against his chest gently, just as warm and welcoming, and then, finally, he seems to let something he was holding out against cave in and reaches out. The hug he draws Yuki into is somehow both firm and gentle, protective and vulnerable, clinging and supportive. It's warm and encompassing, like coming back home.]

You saved me too, Yuki. Your music. I feel blessed to have been able to be alongside you, and do anything to help you. We might be polar opposites, but that just means we fill in each other's gaps, right? I'm proud of being able to be that for you.

[Proud. Not a word he uses often, but after their last events before being dragged here, after t(w)o..., he's resolved himself to allow that much, about that one thing. Being proud that he can stand next to Yuki, and maybe being able to be proud of the other things will start to fall into place from there.

There is a bit of a soft, watery laugh at something, though.] But if everything you do is for me now, doesn't that mean I have to return the favour so someone's still doing things for you? So I guess we have to make sure we look after each other. I'm...happy. Really happy that you can say things like this now. It might still feel selfish of me to want to be praised, but if it's Yuki praising me then I'll keep being selfish. And make sure you get all the praise you deserve too.

[He nuzzles gently into Yuki's hair. In the absence of the people who know them, and know enough about Yuki to know that he's not just antisocial and blunt and everything he tends to come off as on first meeting, he wants to make sure he can create a world where Yuki can feel loved and appreciated again. And if that means encompassing that love and appreciation until Yuki finds his own feet a bit more, then he'll happily take on that role.]

[gekijou]

[Yuki wants to be by Momo's side in every way. If he has to keep wrenching these words out of himself like he's pulling teeth, he will. Whatever it takes to not repeat his past mistakes. He couldn't protect Momo from scandal and ruin back home, not as well as he wanted to, and working together was all that saw them through. It's gotta be the same here. They're unstoppable when they join hands.

That softness pierces Yuki's heart, and he sighs faintly as he watches Momo's evolving mood. But then he's drawn into a hug, and he returns it with slowly enveloping arms, his head buried against Momo's neck. It feels like his own tears will come back at any moment.]

If we look after each other, we'll always be even. You won't have to feel like you owe me a thing, and I'll try to do the same. No promises, I know, just... we'll try.

[His face breaks into a rare, full smile as he turns his head to press a kiss to Momo's temple. Then a laugh escapes too, nervous and fluttering like a butterfly's wings.]

And you can be selfish all you want. I'm Re:vale's Yuki. If you need me to say something cool and sexy enough to make you swoon, I'll do it. Always. Just...

[Sigh. A light touch of misery creeps into his tone.]

Please don't let me have long, emotional discussions more than once a month. I feel like a worn-out dishrag right now. My spots are probably doing something weird, too.

[They're fuchsia now. Momo-colored. Like they tend to be when Yuki's heart is in the right, settled place. It's such a call-out from this place that he'd like to promptly hide under a rock.]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's hug only gets tighter when Yuki reciprocates, because Momo likes his hugs squishy and the longer this goes on, the more he's allowing himself to feel at home, like he doesn't have to go hide away for what he did. The understanding they're managing to extend to each other in this conversation, even with the trauma it took to get here, is doing a lot to put his heart at ease even if he still feels terrible about what happened. Once he manages to piece his recent memories together properly, he might feel terrible again, but for now ignorance is bliss and he just wants to listen to Yuki's voice until the next time he slips into unconsciousness.

But of course, he knows these conversations tire out Yuki, and he gives a heartening sort of laugh, reaching one hand up to pet the back of his head.]

You're doing really well, though! After all that, I couldn't expect you to hold up to this kind of talk for too long, anyway... [That sure is something his spots are doing, though, and while Momo doesn't initially point it out verbally, he does lean back slightly and duck his head down under one of Yuki's arms, so the spots on Yuki's wrists and Momo's eyes are close enough to make the similarity stand out.]

I might be sad if you say your spots are doing something weird instead of something cute, though... [Trying to lighten the mood when he's still a little teary is not ideal, but he'll be damned if he's not going to make the attempt.]

[gekijou]

[It's hard for poor Yuki, who really doesn't Do emotions in any real way, who avoids these sorts of things until they're an absolutely crushing feeling that he can't escape or ignore. Ignorance is so often bliss, but... Even talking just this much he feels like he understands Momo better than ever. They'll survive this.

He manages a teary little laugh at Momo's assertion that the spots are doing something cute. He turns the hand by Momo's face to thread into his hair affectionately, practically petting him.]

Maybe this place is a Re:vale fan. That's not my fault.

[The smile on his face is watery and weak, but he looks straight at Momo, fond and affectionate. There's so much he could say, so much in his heart that hasn't found its way out, praise and promise that he packs into music and lyrics as he writes their story. There's so much more he has to tell him.

But it distills down into something terribly basic.]

I'm glad I know you, Momo.

[yesdoubt]

[As ever, and just like the source of his animal nickname, Momo responds well to petting, and he nuzzles his head up into Yuki's hand as if encouraging the motion. Because if Yuki's feeling at home with him, then he's more than happy to let him touch and pet and do as much as he wants to settle his mood again.]

Isn't it? But if it's a fan of us, then you definitely had something to do with it! [Momo is just as much of a mess as Yuki is right now, but his smile is gentle and warming, and he really is trying to lighten things up, to make it comfortable again now that they've had that vulnerable moment. It's not something either of them deal that well with, in the end, so beyond it he's quite ready to fall back on their usual ease and comfort with each other.

As simple as the words are, that's often all it takes to make Momo soft, and often the best thing he can hear from Yuki, that kind of straightforward sentiment. Another flow of tears pours down his cheeks, but it's with a sincere smile as he rubs at them with the heel of one hand.]

I'm glad I know you too. I'm the happiest in the world because of it, and even the whole universe whenever you smile at me.

[gekijou]

[Well, he'll continue the petting, then, because it feels normal, natural. It feels right to be close to Momo, just as it had felt so wrong being pitted against him.]

You're the one going out and making a name for us here. Your fault.

[Still, he's maybe letting up on feeling like he's dying and going to cry forever now, and all his attention can honestly and earnestly focus on Momo.]

Let's do more. Together. Even if I can't always be there, I want to be there as much as I can. [Softer, like maybe he's asking for the world:] Can we do that?

[yesdoubt]

[Momo shifts a little closer as the petting goes on, apparently getting comfortable enough to be that little bit of selfish again. Despite his worries over what happened, it feels much nicer to be like this, and he reaches out to comb his fingers gently through Yuki's hair again, finding some comfort in the motion.]

You're still helping, so it's your fault too! [Even with all the work he does for Re:vale and making the connections they need to succeed, he doesn't like to minimise Yuki's contributions.

That soft voice is like a gentle grasp over Momo's heart, and he gives a big, embarrassing sniff before responding.]

Of course. I want to cherish all the time I can spend with you. [Especially since this has brought it into even sharper relief how easily it could all be torn apart in an instant.]

wow I did not get a notif, I'm sorry!

[gekijou]

[Well, when it comes to each other, they are the touchy types. It comforts Yuki to be touched by Momo, even if it's just a hand in his long hair. He'll soak it up for a moment and not worry about anything else, as best as he can.

Smiling, he closes his eyes and focuses on the points where they connect. There's a warmth back in the Bond that he'd been missing when Momo was kidnapped. A peacefulness he can't get anywhere else here. It feels to him like sitting in a sunlit window with a nice book, or sleeping in a sunbeam.]

I want to dance with you and sing with you. Write songs with you. Take over every world we're in. It feels... right. Like being with you always feels.

[Peeking one eye open to look at Momo.] Even if we have to fight sometimes to get anywhere. It's worth it.

dw still consuming notifs

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's fingers shift gently around Yuki's hair, from the side to the back, so it's almost like he's giving him a very high embrace. He wants to hold Yuki close, cradle him against his shoulder, but it's not the ideal time for it when they've got their hands everywhere like this, so he keeps the urge settled for the moment.

Momo's smile just keeps softening with how much praise is being laid on him, how much happiness is being passed on through those simple words, so when Yuki opens his eye, it's to Momo's smile having reached the point where he's showing a little fang out of biting his lip a tiny bit to try not to cry again.]

It's always been worth it. For Re:vale, and for you. There's thrones to make in whatever world we're in, for us to claim together.

[He manages to stop himself from saying I'll make thrones in whatever world we're in, because he doesn't want to derail by phrasing it like he'll do it himself again.]

I just want to be by your side forever. Anything I need to do for that, I'll do it.

i'm sick of it!

[gekijou]

[That look on Momo's face hits him in the heart, and he smiles back, honestly peaceful at last. This is his partner, his Momo, the best person he's ever been beside, the one who won't leave him no matter what. Maybe it was something like destiny that brought them together, that made sure Momo was there when Yuki was going through the worst parts of his life, failure after failure. Maybe it was fate that Momo has always been the strongest person Yuki's ever known, in every way that counts, when Yuki was nothing.

He lets his eyes slip closed, and presses the sweetest, most grateful kiss he's ever given the man right to Momo's lips. Maybe it's just because he's done with words, but he lingers there, deepening the kiss little by little, until Momo decides he's had enough.

Even if Momo is hurting, even if Momo might feel like he shouldn't be showered in Yuki's love because of the kidnapping and everything it entailed, Yuki disagrees. He can only help Momo by returning his sunshine with as much energy and devotion as he possibly can.

Forever.]

[yesdoubt]

[A soft sound of surprise comes from Momo's throat at the kiss, but after that initial moment, he just about melts into it. His head is a mess and fuzzy around the edges, he's still exhausted, and he's incredibly hungry now that he's had to sleep off the breaking of the spell, and something sweet and gradual that he can just let himself fall into is something the selfish part of him reaches out for with borderline desperation.

It takes Momo a while to have his fill, gently pressing back both with the kiss and his body, a visible and palpable desire to be near without being overbearing, as he can often be in situations like this. It's a reminder of where he belongs and what he'd somehow managed to have sealed away from him in those days, and so there's an element of something like clinging, the want to have something familiar and missed and not wanting to part with it. But finally, reluctantly, he draws back, resting his head in the curve of Yuki's neck for a moment.]

[gekijou]

[Maybe for once it's Yuki's turn to take care of Momo. He wants to cook him breakfast and let him rest, or curl up with him all day not caring about anything else. He knows they can't really escape from everything that's happened so easily, but what if he could convince Momo to go easy on himself, just this once?

The kiss energizes Yuki, soaking up all of Momo's obvious desire and need, reflecting it back at him as gently as he can so he doesn't do something rash and stupid that would make him forget, but probably not make Momo feel much better. After a whole discussion about talking about things, it's weird for him to keep something from Momo. Still, it's better than saying or doing the wrong thing when they both need so much right now.

Stroking Momo's hair, he turns his head toward him and presses another lingering kiss into the mess of black strands.]

I love you, Momo.

[And, summoning up every last bit of energy he has, he tries to sound a little brighter.]

Are you hungry? I'll make something for you.

[yesdoubt]

[It's comfortable like this, curled into each other and with Yuki drawing fingers through his hair, and while some part of Momo definitely wants to be the one to take responsibility for both of them here, it's...more difficult than he'd like. His brain is still trying to get things back in order, the jumble of fake memories tangled with his real ones and the things he did while he was out of his own control, and he's sure there are bits and pieces that haven't come back to him yet, both from the recent events and things that were blocked off and haven't resurfaced. Even trying to remember something he could feasibly make for them to eat besides toast is making his head hurt - though the kiss to his head helps with that a bit, and makes him smile.]

I love you too. [It's nice to be able to say it in a way that's clear and simple - they might've said "love" to each other plenty of times back home, but this, where they both know exactly where it's coming from, is something he appreciates. And while he could answer that question, his stomach beats him to it, letting out a low, but very audible growl that makes Momo look a bit self-conscious, but also a bit amused.]

...Well, I guess I don't really need to answer that now, do I? I can help you set things up.

[Because of course he's going to insist on at least helping, as always. Even if trying to help with the food part always stands a good chance of getting him kicked out of the kitchen.]

[gekijou]

[Hearing Momo say it always makes Yuki feel a little better. It's not like he ever forgets that they're a couple or anything, but it's nice to affirm it when things are rough. He doesn't hold any of what's happened against Momo, not really, and he'll find it in himself to forgive him for any other little things quicker than anyone else.

He can't help a little laugh at his stomach growling, though. How typical. The two of them have been a wreck for hours now, and who knows if those brutes were feeding Momo. He's an increasingly beefy guy! He needs nutrition. And Yuki always, always wants to deliver.]

I didn't get to shop much before, but I'll find something to make for us.

[Kissing Momo on the nose, because if he has to be deathly serious any more he'll turn into a damn turtle instead of an octopus.]

I'll even let you peel the carrots this time.

[yesdoubt]

[While Momo would be concerned if it was himself trying to cook from leftovers and whatever's remaining in the cupboard, with Yuki he simply gives an encouraging sort of grin.]

I trust my darling's cooking skills, I bet you could make an amazing meal with even the last dregs of our groceries. [In part because it's not as if he didn't have to do that plenty of times before when they were broke.

All these cute kisses are apparently making Momo self-conscious he's not returning them, so he takes his opportunity while Yuki is close to steal a messy kiss or two along his cheek and jawbone.]

What a big responsibility...I'll do my best to replicate Yuki's perfect vegetable-whisperer skills!