Journey into Recovery ((Sock, RP, Kusuriyuri, Yukimura, Kuronue))

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

What god-modding there is has been approved. Topic and action likely to wander to NSFW areas and possibly triggery.

It had taken him longer to recover than he expected, but Kusuriyuri had finally convinced Kurama that he was well enough to return to his office for the day. He had almost had to threaten his lover with wards to make Kurama go to the greenhouses. He was just finishing preparing to leave when there was a soft knock at the door. Frowning at the wards that thought about identifying the presence as Kuronue but wouldn't commit, Kusuriyuri opened the door, not surprised the knocker was Yukimura, though he was surprised to see the samurai.

"I am sorry to bother you so early," Yukimura said, bowing. "As well as at your home, but I have something I wish to speak with you about in private."

Kusuriyuri tilted his head and looked at Yukimura. A contented exhaustion overlayed a deeper sense of concern. He returned the bow and stepped back. "Please, come in. Good morning." He wondered how long Yukimura had been waiting to be sure Kurama had left for the day.

Yukimura smiled as he walked past the peddler, stepping out of his shoes easily before entering the main portion of the house. "Good morning and thank you for your indulgence."

Kusuriyuri led Yukimura to the living room and gestured for him to take a seat. He watched while the samurai knelt between the couch and the table. Kusuriyuri knelt opposite him and waited.

Boukensha crawled into Kusuriyuri's lap and Belophoebe sniffed at Yukimura before hopping up on the couch behind his head, turning to deliberately ignore him except for her tail that draped over his shoulder.

Yukimura reached up and brushed her tail, causing ti to twitch and then settle again on his shoulder. "First, I want to thank you for everything you have done for us, Kuronue and myself. Words only are not enough."

"You have done much for us, as well," Kusuriyuri murmured. He knew that Yukimura's relationship with Kurama and Kuronue helped the fox in many ways.

A smile crossed Yukimura's lips. "I also know that we are far more in your debt." He reached up and caressed Bel's tail, amusement in his features as her tail flicked around his neck, lingering, before settling on his shoulder again. His expression sobered as his hand settled in his lap. "And I am here to place myself more in your debt."

While it was expected, Kusuriyuri's eyebrow went up. "This one does not consider you in his debt," he said formally. "As to your request, this one is a medicine peddler."

"True, but as to whether what I ask is within your trade..." Yukimura protested, his hand coming up to caress Bel's tail again.

"Ease your mind, then, and make your request," Kusuriyuri suggested after watching Yukimura pet the cat's tail a long moment.

Sighing, Yukimura said, "It is a difficult thing, but Kuronue did agree to this." He looked at Kusuriyuri. "Kuronue is still having nightmares. He doesn't always recognize me when I try to soothe or wake him. While he has only snarled at me in his sleep, this is a newer development and I would not care to see it become worse."

Kusuriyuri bowed to Yukimura. "This is a difficult thing," he murmured.

Nodding, Yukimura continued, "And, neither of us is used to asking for help. But, I do not wish to have you obliged, either. I remember that thing Apos threw at you."

"Once this one's body accepted it, it has ceased to be a problem." Nor would it be one in the future with Apos trapped in the sinning tree.

"That is good to hear. I would not want you to come to permanent harm." There was genuine relief in the samurai's voice.

"What is it that you would ask of this one?" Kusuriyuri asked. "What you have said does sound as though it would be within the scope of a medicine peddler."

"It is more complex than that," Yukimura said carefully. "To allow himself to be open enough, he needs more than I am able to give him."

Kusuriyuri frowned slightly. "More?"

"Yes," Yukimura nodded. "Violence and sex are very closely tied in his mind. I tend to be more gentle unless he provokes me, and even then, I am not as harsh as he desires sometimes. But, when he receives such treatment, his mind is more open."

"Is that so?" Kusuriyuri murmured. "That may be why Akabane affected him so deeply."

A wry expression crossed Yukimura's face, his eyes hardening. "Perhaps, but we both would like him to reach a level of peace rather than just burying his heart again. I would rather he healed."

The image of Ro impinged on Kusuriyuri's mind. He'd kept his distance but he had seen how very weak and injured that part of Kuronue's mind had been. "Healing cannot be forced," he said carefully.

"I know. I also am aware that things between us may change. I also know that things may become worse before they improve." Yukimura held up his hand. "I trust and respect your judgement, both in regard to whether you'll accept and what you tell Kurama. If you will not, there will be nothing more spoken of this."

Kusuriyuri was silent a long moment, stroking Boukensha as he thought. "I would speak with Kuronue alone first," he said slowly. While he understood why Yukimura approached him—things between him and Kuronue were still somewhat awkward despite the recent changes in their relationship—he needed to know this was truly what Kuronue wanted, that he was prepared.

"Of course," Yukimura said. His eyes went unfocused for a moment and he rose. "He will be here soon," he said, bowing. "Thank you."

Kusuriyuri rose before returning the bow. "It is what is done," he said as Yukimura walked to the hall.

"By some," Yukimura said, turning as he stepped into his shoes. "Those who are indeed worthy of regard," he added with a bow, stepping out of the door.

Comments

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura laughed. "I don't have the benefit of your years or of flying," he teased. He would admit, though, that training was partially to keep him occupied as much to keep his skills sharp. He was so used to being on the move, to doing, that he couldn't be idle for long, though he could and did enjoy idleness.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He smiled. "I know that," he said, chuckling quietly.

Pulling his wing around a little more from where it extended out to the side, he looked at Miyako. "Why are you stalking Yuki?"

What followed was apparently some sort of monologue.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura turned, resting on his bow, watching as Miyako and Kuornue talked, or, more aptly, while Miyako talked and Kuronue listened. "Well?" he asked, his tone amused. "Did I forget that I promised her something?"

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue gave Yukimura a rather sheepish look. Miyako started to shriek and flap her wings, which made Kuronue grunt. it wasn't exactly easy to hold her up with a single wing without her moving about like that. Once she'd finished and deflated a little, he petted her lightly. "Sorry," he said.

He looked up to Yukimura. "Erm. Abridged version is she says as a bat I have a duty to mate to life and you humans do not. She's been into London and been Not Impressed with the plebeians there. So she's...guarding our 'marriage' by keeping an eye on you to make sure you don't do something stupid."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Ah," Yukimura said, moving over to kneel next to Kuronue, though his attention was on Miyako. "I appreciate your concern, Miyako, and I will try very hard not to do something stupid. I have made a promise to Kuronue and I value my promises highly. Is there anything I can do that would reassure you?" he asked, utterly serious.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Starting at Miyako, who was staring at Yukimura, Kuronue shook his head. "Apparently not. She, despite her intelligence, is still ruled by instinct rather than thought. Reassurance isn't something that she would understand."

He reached out for Yukimura and tucked his hair behind his ear, smiling. "I dislike saying this, but she is just an animal without higher brain functions."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura reached out and brushed a finger along Miyako's head. "What would she think of my visiting Mame-chan?" he mused, leaning a little into Kuronue's touch before he turned to his lover. "I'd like to fire off a quiverful more, then would you join me for lunch?" he asked.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"Oh, she went into that," he said, actually blushing a little. "She says it's rather tragic that though we try and try we cannot produce, erm, children, and even though we go through such 'desperate' measures like consorting with other females and males, nothing quite works. However, she approves of her as a nanny." He rubbed at his forehead for a second as Miyako crawled up on his shoulder once more and used him as a launchpad to head for the tree she'd been in earlier.

"I would like to join you for lunch." Leaning forward, Kuronue kissed the corner of Yukimura's lips and smiled.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Watching Miyako return to her tree, Yukimura couldn't help but laugh. "At least she seems aware that we've consented to infidelity. I wouldn't want to have to explain reproduction to her, though."

He brushed his fingers along Kuronue's cheek before rising. "Good. I do enjoy your company," even when we're doing things clothed, he teased. "Not much longer."

He returned to the range, the target still moving, and picked up three arrows, notching them on the string and firing, two more following quickly. All five landed in a tight cluster within the first ring outside the bulls eye, even though the target had moved wildly between the shots landing. A smirk curved the corner of Yukimura's mouth. "That is a quiverful," he laughed, ending the charm on the target and recalling all the arrows he'd shot. "The Great Hall or one of our rooms?" he asked, holding out a hand for Kuronue as he slung the arrow and overfull quiver over his shoulder.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"Great Hall, perhaps?" he said, taking Yukimura's hand and keeping hold of it. "We haven't eaten there in a long time."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I wonder why," Yukimura teased, squeezing Kuronue's fingers lightly. "Do you think there's any way to reassure Miyako? Or will I have another shadow?" He didn't mind, he just didn't want her to get hurt at all.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He chuckled and ran his thumb over Yukimura's hand. "We bats are curious by nature," he said, waving his free hand. "One of the reasons Kurama and I got along so well as thieves, I think. You may have to put up with her following you for a while until she's satisfied herself and determined that you're not going to breed with another."

He made a face. "Besides your wife, of course..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"I've no intention of breeding with anyone else," Yukimura promised. "And, I don't mind, it's just new," he said. He looked at Kuronue as they walked. "Does it bother you, that I am married?" he asked. "Or that I have children?"

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Clear as day he could see Kusuriyuri's face as he told him not to avoid. Lying, to himself and to Yukimura, wouldn't rid himself of the debris. He sighed. "It does, to a small extent. The thought of you going back to her, forgetting me, hurts. I worry that you'll pop before me, or I'll pop before you or..." He frowned, looking down at his feet as they walked.

"Sometimes I wonder what it's like to have a little you. Something you can bring up right..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"So, more that we cannot have children than that I'm married?" Yukimura clarified. "And, that this place doesn't allow us to promise for the rest of our lives?" While he knew his life would be shorter and, with the no-kill rule, as long as he was here, that didn't really matter, popping, returning to where they were from, without memories, was something he dreaded, as well.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He tilted his head a little. "I...no I don't think I want children, shit, Kurama as a kid was pain enough, but I...well children tie you to your wife further and...I'm jealous." He took a deep breath and looked at Yukimura.

"It's been inevitable from the start that even if we had many years here, you'd die a natural death before I. You leaving before me is certain, but it doesn't mean I'm looking forward to it. I worry about the uncertainty of perhaps not being able to meet you in the afterlife, or our next lives..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

There was no reassurance Yukimura could offer Kuronue. He wished he could, but nothing would have been more than idle words. He squeezed Kuronue's fingers. "I am glad you told me," he murmured. That much, he meant.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He sighed. "I feel better," he said, smiling at his feet. "Now that you know. rather than hiding it, denying its existence..."

He chuckled. "It's like Kusuriyuri is teaching me how to walk. Like I'm relearning how to live."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"It suits you, my love. You seem much happier, much more relaxed, even in this little time." Yukimura squeezed Kuronue's fingers, rubbing his thumb along the sides of them.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue leaned over and kissed Yukimura, then, as they were in the Great Hall, he gestured to the room. "Pick a seat, any seat..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Then," Yukimura said, taking a seat at one of the tables farther from the door. "What would you like to eat?" he asked as he stepped over the bench. "Western food or traditional?"

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue sat beside Yukimura, and thought for a moment. "Hm. Fruit would be nice. Fruit and something traditional. And tea. Would you like to choose for me?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Very well," Yukimura said, taking Kuronue's hand and resting it in his lover's lap under the table. To the house elf, he asked for a bowl of fresh fruit, some genmaicha, rice, shioyaki salmon, miso, and fried udon.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

The prospect of fried udon made his eyebrows rise. He was looking forward to it. "I haven't had fried udon in a long time," he said, watching the elf disappear into thin air.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"This one glad the selections please you," Yukimura said, teasing by making his voice sound like a geisha.