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

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Rolling over onto his side when he could, Kusuriyuri draped his hand over Kuronue's hip. "Did you not enjoy yourself?" he asked. "Or are you surprised that I won again?" he continued, his voice becoming solemn.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue blinked. "I'm surprised that you have that kind of..." He paused and made a face. "I don't know, I guess I thought you were more of the conservative type. Your...ah, 'techniques' surprised me. Old man you may be, but unskilled you are not."

Kuronue flashed a smirk and shifted a little closer to Kusuriyuri, nosing his way under his chin and breathing in deep. He smelt faintly of Kurama and the cats, various herbs, perspiration... Kuronue closed his eyes and chuckled. "Not surprised that you won. I'm loud anyway. So my neighbours tell me."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuiyuri let his arm slip down around Kuronue's back as he moved closer. "Consider, would Kurama have remained had this one not had something to offer?" he asked, his tone solemn. "And, this one would think you'd read what you'd stolen from him. Did you think he had not?" He was sure, though, that Kuronue had not only enjoyed what had occurred, but also not lost himself as it had been told he had.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

So the snuglin was certainly helping with the not losing himself bit. That and it was Kusuriyuri. It was something that he felt he didn't need anymore. It didn't stop him wanting it but he certainly didn't need it.

"Well..." Kusuriyuri had a point there. "Huh. Yeah."

They probably had some good sex, though he didn't think that Kurama would treat Kusuriyuri as...well roughly. Maybe. Who knew?

He smiled and wrapped and arm around Kusuriyuri, giving him a hug.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri smiled a little. "Then, when this one is less tired, if it is desired, more can be done," He lifted his head to look around and pulled a pillow off the couch with the hand that wasn't holding Kuronue and adjusted it so that they both could lay on it. "Remain, if you desire," he said, relaxing into the pillow.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Amusing that Kusuriyuri would still speak so politely after what they had just done.

The prospect of just...lying here with Kusuriyuri was new. he was still getting used to being so comfortable in doing so with Yukimura. Doing so with Kusuriyuri was double the oddness. But it was a good oddness and so he found it quite bearable. He let his eyes close, gave a faint hum in response. Kusuriyuri was warm and comfortable. He was content for the moment.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

It was good, in Kusuriyuri's mind, that Kuronue decided to linger, to nap with him. Before, he was sure, Kuronue would have left as soon as his body cooperated with him, but the willingness to linger seemed to lend the weight of proof to his words that he had desired what had happened, that it was not just something he had been conditioned to. He let himself drift off with a sigh, still holding Kuronue lightly around his waist.

When he woke, Boukensha was half on his head, licking his paw A wry expression crossed his lips. He could feel Belophebe behind his knees as well, though he was sure she was just sleeping.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue was already awake, watching the cat on Kusuriyuri's head. At least they weren't bothering him. Apparently they learned.

He smiled at Kusuriyuri. "Hey," he said, moving his head back along the pillow so he could look at Kusuriyuri properly.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri returned the smile. "Good afternoon," he replied. "You feel well?" he asked. He considered for a moment reaching up and pushing Boukensha off his shoulder but the kitten-cat was then likely to think they were playing a game, so he left his arm around Kuronue's waist.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"Uh, yeah." Kuronue's eyes left Boukensha and instead went to Kusuriyuri. "I don't know if you noticed, but there's a cat on your head," he said blandly.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Is that so?" Kusuriyuri asked solemnly. "Would you suggest I let go of you to move him?" he asked, feeling Boukensha settled onto his paws. "Know that if I move him, it will be required to play with him and then to feed the both of them."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Giving the peddler a flat look, Kuronue was suddenly glad Miyako was so independent. "Then why do you have cats?" he asked.

He shifted, reaching up to poke at one of Boukensha's ears.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Boukensha just flicked his ear away from Kuronue. He wasn't a feeder, so it didn't matter what he did, just yet.

Kusuriyuri considered the question. "That one," he said, flicking his eyes up, "crawled into this one's collar in the pet store and did not wish to be removed. That one," his eyes moved to Bel, "claimed Kurama and has not left. She is more feral than the other."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue just raised an eyebrow at Kusuriyuri and after a moment rolled half onto his back. He scooped Boukensha up off Kusuriyuri's head and set him on his chest, cradling him a little with one hand so he didn't slide--and dig his claws in.

"He must like something about you to keep you around. Other than what he would have me believe is weak-willedness..." He frowned, pretty sure he just created a word.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Boukensha startled at being picked up but settled onto Kuronue's chest easily, though he kept his head up, staring at him.

"Cats are very sensitive creatures. When mistreated, they can become most difficult mononoke," Kusuriyuri said, reaching over to caress Boukensha's back, then letting his hand rest on Kuronue's stomach. "They seek what they desire and strive to keep it without seeming to."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue turned his head, looked over at Kusuriyuri. "Oh. Well, that makes more sense. With the mononoke thing."

He looked back at Boukensha, staring. Eventually he had to blink before the cat. Its gaze was a hell of a lot steadier than Miyako's. "Stop staring," he said, cupping his hand and covering Boukensha's head gently.

One of Kuronue's legs shifted, moving to slide against Kusuriyuri's for no other reason than to feel his skin against his own.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Boukensha brought his paw up over Kuronue's hand, pushing it down to his chest and then resting his chin on it, looking smug.

Kusuriyuri couldn't keep the trace of a smile off his lips. "It would seem you are becoming more fond of them," he observed. He let his leg drape over Kuronue's, a natural easy gesture, one he was used to with Kurama. While he could not say he loved Kuronue, he did enjoy his presence and had no objections to lingering.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue looked unconvinced. "I don't know. Smug little bastard."

Kuronue pulled his hand out from beneath Boukensha and petted him, running his hand down his back. "Just because it's the first time I've held one doesn't mean I like them."

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Kusuriyuri said, his tone utterly solemn. Boukensha, for his part, looked very pleased, his eyes squeezing shut, a purr beginning to be heard. He relaxed next to Kuronue, just watching, his hand remaining on Kuronue's stomach. This, the lingering together after sex, was something he enjoyed very much. He almost laughed when Bel shifted to lay over his leg rather than just behind it.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

One thing about Kusuriyuri, he realised, that may have made him uncomfortable before was there different ways of expressing humour. Kusuriyuri's was there, just hidden behind layers and layers. He also didn't react like most would to things he said.

After a while he scooped Boukensha up and set him down by Kusuriyuri. He rolled over a little and pressed his lips to Kusuriyuri's shoulder, hand covering that of the peddler's that was on his stomach.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

"This is good, to be restful," Kusuriyuri sighed even as Boukensha protested and started to climb back on Kuronue then changed to climbing on Kusuriyuri's waist when Kuronue started to turn. "This one is honoured to see this side of you," he said, his tone gentle, his fingers caressing Kuronue's stomach.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"Honoured? Ha." Kuronue laughed a little. The choice of words amused him.

He pressed gentle kisses up to Kusuriyuri's neck, cheek and then he let his head fall back to the pillow.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri shifted and tapped Kuronue's nose. "This one chooses his words with care," he said, his tone playfully sharp before shifting a little to rest on Kuronue's shoulder.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Again with the tapping of the nose. He squinted a little. "Sorry."

He tilted his head after a moment. "So you said you'd show me more after we rested," Kuronue said conversationally.

[edomedpeddler.livejournal.com]

Kusuriyuri lifted his head to look at Kuronue. "Would you eat first? This one will need to feed the cats before anything may be done. Or just tea?"