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]

"I don't recall being hungrier when he worked with me, but then, I didn't see him as often," Yukimura murmured, finishing his lunch. "Maybe working with your energy is what makes you hungrier? But, I am glad that you are calmer." A smile curved his lips. "I like you better calmer," he teased, the undercurrent of the words that he loved Kuronue regardless, liked him regardless.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He laughed softly, done with the pork already. The udon was next. "Honestly I like myself better calmer too," he said, pausing in his eating as he revelled at that small realisation before continuing.

His foot hooked itself around Yukimura's under the table.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"You know," Yukimura said suddenly, turning to Kuronue. "After lunch, I would like to practice hand to hand combat," he said, his eyes twinkling with hidden meanings. "In the Room of Requirement."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He'd looked over to Yukimura with a look that must have originally qualified as shocked and then degraded to curious, understanding and finally mischievous. When he finally took his chopsticks from his mouth, he realised he had to chew and swallow first before talking. it resulted in him taking a big gulp that made the food burn the whole way down. He squinted with one eyes and pounded his chest with a fist. "Okay, ow," he said to himself, cursing lightly.

Clearing his throat he turned back to Yukimura with a grin. "Is that so? Any particular kind of hand to hand?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Kuronue's reaction was rather amusing, though Yukimura fought to keep his expression serious. "Have you studied much Western history? The Greeks and the Romans seemed to value wrestling highly. I've been studying some of the techniques."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Indeed, thought an eastern demon, and annoyed with the fervour of the humans resistance and lynch mobs the west seemed to attract, he had been vaguely aware of 'westling'. "Of it's a sport I haven't a clue how the scoring goes, however I do have an idea as to the general..." He rolled he hand around, the English word for 'do' escaping him, "way of wrestling."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"You do not think it will harm anything the peddler is doing, for us to explore this exercise, do you?" Yukimura asked, his voice teasing, but genuinely concerned about Kuronue's well-being. He didn't want to do anything that would harm his lover, but he did want to enjoy their time together.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Amused, Kuronue shook his head. "It shouldn't do. He didn't tell me to be careful with physical activities."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Just about more intimate activities?" he clarified. "As long as it's loving, and with me only for a while, it's okay?" His eyes became teasing. "Because, the Greeks and the Romans wrestled in the nude."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"I don't think he'd--wait. Did they?" He stared at Yukimura wide-eyed.

His mind flounced happily into the gutter. "Holy shit..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"They did, yes. If you desire, I can show you the books that said so." It was so very easy to get Kuronue wound up. Yukimura enjoyed it, but he truly didn't want to compromise anything Kusuriyuri was working with Kuronue on since his lover did seem to be making good progress.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He cleared his throat. Kuronue would be interested in this, yes of course. "I think as long as it is classified as loving he wouldn't mind, no..."

He shifted in his seat, absently reaching for his tea cup and taking a sip. "Shall we make rules? Whomever wins may...have the other?" His mind was absolutely overflowing with ideas for the moment.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"I was under the impression that was the point," Yukimura said, his voice entirely innocent. "Why else would such a close contact sport be performed naked?" he asked. "But, we must earnestly try before a winner is declared."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He leaned back, looking puzzled. "Was this a sport? Or some kind of kinky show?"

He waved a hand, acknowledging. "Yes, of course I'll try," he said, chuckling.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura took a bite of salmon and rice before answering. "It's something like sumo, but the goal is to pin your opponent to the mat rather than to move them out of the ring. The lack of clothing was to prove there were no hidden weapons and to prevent clothing from giving an advantage or another weapon."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

So sport. Kuronue was fascinated. "I may have to see these books," he said, looking back over at the food. His body still felt odd, but the almost painful hunger has lessened, all but disappeared. In another few minutes his body would realise it was full.

"I think I'm full," he said, sipping at his tea. He smirked at Yukimura over his teacup. "Shall we go, then?"

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"I'll bring them back to my room later so you may look at them," Yukimura said easily, setting his chopsticks down on the empty rice bowl. He took the last sip of tea. "Yes, let's go." He wanted to play, to enjoy Kuronue's presence while wrestling with him. It did sound like an interesting exercise. He stood and stepped over the bench, waiting for Kuronue to join him.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Competition was always good and such a close contact sport would be...most interesting, especially with the end goal of it all. Setting his cup down, Kuronue stood and curled an arm around Yukimura's waist.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

While he would usually, playfully, protest Kuronue holding him so close while they were walking through the school, being close to him now let Yukimura feel more fully just how different his lover felt and he wanted to enjoy it for a little while before his mind turned to trying to pin him and win their little game. He slid his arm around Kuronue's waist in return, for now, as they walked.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

It was nice. He liked being able to hold Yukimura while they walked, liked being able to stake his claim on Yukimura to all those around him and be loving and kind and bee accepted all at once. It was a gentility he hadn't often experienced or indulged in, if ever in Makai.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura noticed Kuronue's possessiveness, but let it pass as something they could talk about when his lover was more recovered, to know what whether he wanted to change the framework of their relationship. But, right now probably wouldn't be the best time. Kuronue needed to know himself better first.

"I fully intend to fight you with all my strength," Yukimura said archly as they walked up the stairs. "I expect the same from you."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Having caught the passing thought made him evaluate the reasons why he was holding Yukimura. But then, how to break the behaviour? Was he to not show any affection in public, at all? It didn't seem fair, and indeed just a little extreme.

Regardless, he let Yukimura slip free as they made their way up the stairs. "Ah, but you're only human, are you sure you'll manage to hold your own?" he asked, smirking over at Yukimura.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura caught Kuronue's hand. He hadn't intended to push his lover away. Let us discuss it later. For now, do what is needed for your well-being, he said softly.

"I am quite certain I can hold my own against you," he said aloud, his tone arch, challenging.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Alright, he said, holding Yukimura's hand in turn. "Oh ho, so confident," he said, amused.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"I have no reason not to be. I have defeated many, after all," Yukimura said, his voice full of playful pride. "Do you think you can truly defeat me when I know your weaknesses?"