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]

Kuronue was content too. By now, usually, faint stirrings of wanting another fuck would have begun. But this time, they hadn't. Everything was silent. He smiled at Yukimura and lifted his head to press a kiss to Yukimura's lips.

I hadn't thought that that was possible... He'd been telling himself so many lies he'd been unable to see just how things could be.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura returned the kiss. It is, he murmured. And, it's not a 'girly' thing, is it, my love? he couldn't resist teasing Kuronue gently. It was, after all, part of how he showed his love.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

No. Just the word is, he replied, smiling. He was tired, worn out from emotional exhaustion and making love. Running a hand through Yukimura's hair lazily, he let Yukimura see that he'd worn him out, that he would like to sleep.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Ah, flattery, even now, Yukimura teased, letting his head come to rest on Kuronue's shoulder again. He shifted a little, so that he was more half beside Kuronue than fully on top of him and drew up a comforter around them. Rest, my love. I will stay with you, he said, a yawn breaking through and drawing a mental laugh, and rest myself.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue shifted, moving his wings and rolling onto his side a little so he could be more comfortable holding Yukimura and enjoying the warmth the comforter provided. His eyes were already closed but he could feel Yukimura, and that pleased him, made him comfortable.

He fell asleep easily, thoughts of how much he loved Yukimura drifting through his mind.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

It was wonderful, drifting off like this, with Kuronue content and fulfilled in his arms. Yukimura watched him a little longer then let his eyes drift closed, sleeping deeper than he had in a while.

Wakefulness was slow, drawing him toward it as though he were on a slow stream, eddying and swirling back to sleep at times, edging closer to being awake at others. When he blearily opened his eyes, he watched Kuronue for a long moment before bringing his hand up to gently touch his cheek.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue twitched a little, but otherwise he wasn't in a hurry to wake with a jerk. A few moments passed before he opened his eyes a little.

He had dreamed, and it had been a confusing mix of several things, but he'd been aware Yukimura was near the whole time. He could still feel his energy in him now, faintly. Before he'd known it was there, but now he could feel as well as he could when they first mated. Hi, he greeted, stretching his legs out.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Hi, Yukimura returned, a smile curving his mouth. You look like you slept well, he murmured, the backs of his fingers brushing over Kuronue's cheek. Better than you have been, at least. His hand skimmed down Kuronue's body to rest on his waist.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"Hmmm..." Kuronue closed his eyes again and shifted, pushing at Yukimura until he could settle half on top of him, his head resting on his lover's shoulder. It was nice, like this. He could stay all day. Nice, he said sleepily.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura held Kuronue, gently caressing his back. "Sleep more, if you need to," he said. "You've had it rough for a while," he murmured. "I love you."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Humming again, Kuronue let himself fall back to sleep on Yukimura. He hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time. Again, he managed a vague thought of how much he loved Yukimura before falling back to sleep again.

He woke later when his neck was aching. This time he woke quickly, suddenly, but not rudely. Lifting his head, Kuronue looked down at Yukimura, hair falling in his face and a blank expression on his face. Though awake, his brain hadn't quite realised it.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura had dozed off while Kuronue slept. He woke when his lover moved, looked at him. "Good morning again," he said, keeping his voice soft in case Kuronue was dreaming.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He stared at Yukimura for a moment, then blinked and looked around the room. "Oh right, my room," he said after a moment, flopping down on Yukimura's chest against and groaning. He stretched his arms either side of them and then relaxed again. "Sleep well?" he asked, shifting a little to get more comfortable.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"I did, yes," Yukimura said, amusement obvious in his voice. "And you?" It amused him that he was still being used as a pillow, but there was a different feel to it now, something more than just being Kuronue's pillow.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Before he'd used Yukimura as a pillow as a claim of ownership, but now, he did it as affection, because he wanted to feel Yukimura's warmth and his heat. "Yeah," he said. "It's nice to wake up like this," he murmured, rubbing his thumb on Yukimura's arm lightly.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"It is," Yukimura agreed on a sigh. He ran his finger through Kuronue's hair. "I'd like to brush your hair," he said suddenly, the desire appearing as he spoke the words.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He lifted a hand gestured to a ornate set of draws by the futon which was within easy reach. "Hm, be my guest, there's a brush in the second last draw." The brush itself was silver, with diamonds. Clearly not his.

He let his hand flop back down, seemed to be in no rush to move.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura turned enough to follow Kuronue's pointing. "I'll move in a little bit," he sighed, his arms just a little bit shorter than Kuronue's and while he did want to brush Kuronue's hair, just holding him for now was enough. "When we decide to get up," he said, still combing his fingers through his lover's hair.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

Kuronue made a small sound of agreement, shifting again. "I like it when you help me, like that," he said, smiling. "No else ever offered to do something like that..."

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"Then, they missed out on much," Yukimura said, his voice still gentle, a sternness underlying it. "You deserve to be pampered a little, from time to time," he added, amusement replacing the sternness.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He laughed a little, then fell silent. "Do you think Kurama does that now?" he asked, shifting to lay his head on his arm and look at Yukimura. "To Kusuriyuri?"

Has he changed? Is it really love, or is it a greater plan he has in mind? The change in him...is so extreme...

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

"From what I have seen, Kurama does seem to value Kusuriyuri highly. Kusuriyuri, though, is more private than I am, so I do not know what they do within their own home," Yukimura said slowly. "Perhaps you could ask him," he suggested, following the line of worry in Kuronue's mind.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

He nodded and sat upright, pushed his hair our of his face. Looking down at Yukimura, he smiled. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss to his chest, where he could hear and feel the steady beat of his heart.

[elegantsamurai.livejournal.com]

Yukimura smiled at Kuronue gently, caressing Kuronue's cheek when he kissed him. He moved to sit behind Kuronue, reaching for the brush from the drawer. He held the ends and slowly worked his way up Kuronue's hair until he was brushing it from end to end.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"What he did, last night..." Kuronue began, hands in his lap twining together. "Has it been like that for you with anyone else?"