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

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"No, it's fine," he said, laying down next to Kusuriyuri.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri placed his hands over Kuronue's chest and head, closing his eyes. He gave Kuronue a moment to become used to his energy before going in.

He was honestly a bit surprised at how things looked. Not only had the main channels he'd worked on remained open, but the minor channels off of them were opening as well. He looked around a moment, pleased to see the debris was also lessening.

He selected a main branch that led toward Kuronue's legs and worked on straightening that.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He was getting better at getting used to that energy. It was palpable and...quite nice, to be honest. Still uncomfortable when Kusuriyuri worked at straightening thing--oh shit, he forgot to ask him about his wings aching.

Later, maybe. He wasn't sure if he should mess with Kusuriyuri's concentration while he was tinkering with his youki.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri continued, working on the other main branch to Kuronue's legs and then on the one to his arms. While they resisted some, they did go into place easier than the first set had, as if his body was almost anticipating what should be. Kusuriyuri drew out. The smaller branches could wait until later, working them as needed. For now, he rested his hands on his lap, his energy low again, but nothing he couldn't recover from, watching Kuronue.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

When Kusuriyuri finished, Kuronue remained on the floor. he opened his eyes, looking up at him. Taking a deep breath, he sighed it out, felt the oddity--the newness--of his youki paths. He'd have to get used to it, keep it there.

"Thanks," he said, quiet. He made no effort to move.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri bowed a little, acknowledging the comment. "If you consider your motive first, you may be with others beyond Yukimura now. It is unwise, for now, to be with those with whom you are merely running from yourself, but those you truly desire, you may be with," he said softly. "Understand?"

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He nodded. That meant...well, his list of people he could fuck had just expanded to four people. Others...well, there were none he truly felt for enough to trust himself in being with them until he was sure he had his shit together.

Tilting his head a little to look at Kusuriyuri, Kuronue frowned. "My wings have been...aching, lately."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri tilted his head slightly. "It may just be they are getting more youki than before, but if you will allow this one to see them, he can tell you for sure."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue pushed himself up and moved a little closer to Kusuriyuri, biting his lip a little as he did. He worried, after all. He couldn't not worry. Didn't dare voice what he was suspecting the cause was.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri noticed the tenseness through Kuronue's shoulders. For the moment, he said nothing about it, turning his attention to the base of one wing, visually examining it, then the other, to where the scar had been. Frowning, he tilted his head and drew his finger around the edge of the scar. "It is smaller," he said. He then looked at Kuronue's wing as a whole again. "Perhaps."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue turned his head, looked at what he could see of Kusuriyuri. "The scar?"

"So...it's them healing, do you think?" He frowned. "They don't hurt all the time just...sometimes they ache..."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri drew a finger across Kuronue's wing, as though measuring from base to tip, frowning slightly as he did. "Perhaps. It may be..." He trailed off. "You did say they were small, yes, for your kind? It may be growth?"

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Ah. Yes, that was what he'd been avoiding saying. "They are but..." If he had a heart, he was sure it would have been racing. As it was his fingers hands shaking. "Is that possible?"

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri considered, examining the other wing the same way. "It may be," he murmured. "If they were small because your energy could not reach them and you are young yet," he said, his voice carrying the thought that it was possible he was wrong, though he doubted it. "If it would ease your mind, we could measure now and when you come again, to be sure."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"I spent most of my first century in a cage," he said, turning to face forward. "I always figured it was because of that."

He blinked though, nearly jumping at the suggestion. "Yes, measure them, please."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri rose, moving to the closet where Kurama kept a lot of of his smaller tools and removed a tape measure. He'd seen Kurama use it enough to know how to use it. He knelt next to Kuronue. "Please, if you would, extend your wing. And, if you could, hold this at the base." He wasn't quite sure his arms would extend long enough to reach both ends and he wanted the measurement to be as accurate as possible.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He did as asked, extending one at a time, reaching behind himself to hold the metal-tipped end of the tape to the base of his wing. To be sure that there weren't any miscalculations, his wing shook a little in his effort to extend it as far as possible.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri read off the measurements as he took them, measuring to the very tip of Kuronue's wing. "It can be written, if desired," he said. Boukensha found his way into the room and hopped up onto Kusuriyuri's shoulder, curling into a ball and yawning, completely ignoring Kuronue for now. "If it becomes worse, come see me as soon as possible. Otherwise, another three days. If progress continues within as quickly as it has been, it may be that we will then be able to reduce this to once every two weeks."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue turned around and looked at Kusuriyuri. "As long as you remember, I think we'll be fine."

Shifting closer to Kusuriyuri, he placed a hand either side of his face and kissed him. He didn't pull away, just stayed there with his lips pressed to his. Kuronue didn't want to move, wanted to...show his appreciation. A kiss, a hug, it didn't matter. He was just so very grateful.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri covered Kuronue's hands with his own before one hand moved to Kuronue's cheek. He still wasn't quite used to anyone other than Kurama kissing him in any way, though he did find this kiss pleasant. Boukensha made a disgusted noise and hopped down.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue had to open an eye and give Boukensha a disgusted look of his own. "Little sh--brat," he murmured, before turning back to Kusuriyuri and pressing his lips to the corner of his mouth, gentle.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"He is of the opinion that he is a prince," Kusuriyuri replied dryly. He returned Kuronue's kiss, as gentle. "But, it is better he leaves. He can get in the way otherwise and has been thrown out enough to know better." His fingers traced Kuronue's jaw. "Even if nothing more than this is desired."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Smiling, Kuronue leaned back in towards Kusuriyuri and pressed his lips to his, shifted closer so he could work at Kusuriyuri's bandanna. He wanted to work his hands through his hair.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuiri's hands moved to Kuronue's waist, over his vest, holding him there gently, encouraging him to continue by tilting his head and leaning into their kiss. He wasn't quite sure why Kuronue wanted him so much, nor just how far Kuronue wanted to go, but in the context of their discussion, he felt honoured that Kuronue did want him.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

A small, happy sound escaped Kuronue and he moved closer to Kusuriyuri, so that he was almost in his lap. Then he decided just give in and crawled completely into Kusuriyuri's lap, pulling the purple cloth from Kusuriyuri's head and working his hair free. It was nice. He liked running his fingertips and nails along a partner's scalp, liked kissing them while he did so.

He wasn't sure if it was rude to compare Kusuriyuri to Yukimura, but he did note the differences. As always, Kusuriyuri seemed polite, and Kuronue could tell he wasn't used to his method of, well, directness. But it was nice, like this. He wanted to ask if Kusuriyuri preferred to be on top or bottom, he wanted to explore, he wanted to get to know Kusuriyuri's body as well as mind just as well as he knew Kurama's.