jack_in_the_box | [Closed]

[Rei's laugh is met with a true equal, and Rin cards his fingers through his boyfriend's messy, messy bed hair, brushes a few droplets of sweat off his forehead. The remaining hints of their shared passion.]

Then don't let me go.

[Said in all simplicity, raspy breath against Rei's lips, all intimate affections. It's pointless to try and resist the overwhelming need to feel him again, so he surrenders to yet another kiss, a chorus repeated throughout their entire dance and song. One that he hopes they get to encore for a long time to come.]

I mean, I guess we'll have to get up and get started on dinner and stuff, but until then... [He finishes his train of thought by example rather than rhetoric, muscular arms pressing Rei up closer to him. Realistically, they still needed to clean themselves up, then the living room and then do some cooking, but that's all for later. His immediate concern is more along the lines of how much longer his refractory period would last, to be perfectly frank.]

I really like it here, you know? [It's a silly confession, and he nuzzles Rei's neck as an excuse to hide his own face, just a tiny bit self-conscious.] Your room. The way everything smells like you...

[~~They're both around eighteen so they only have fifteen minutes to wait.~~

Rei doesn't want to think realistically, because then he'll have to go back to being the rational, prim and proper worrywart that he doesn't want to be right this second. Normal Rei can wait a little bit longer. Lovestruck Rei is still having his fun.

So he disregards anything said about dinner and focuses on the next part. As far as he's concerned right now, they have forever, and will never hunger.]

Really? [He smiles.] I can't really say the same of your room, but I believe that's because it's half Sousuke-san's.

[Not to mention inhabited by other boys in the past, who Rei does not care to imagine because the only person he cares about for the immediate future doesn't need to be imagined. He tilts his head so he can kiss Rin's shoulder, the most convenient part of him while his face is nuzzled in Rei's neck.]

It holds a lot of good memories, though...

[He begins methodically placing kisses along Rin's shoulder and at the base of his neck, as though trying to tally them all.]

[Rin laughs into his neck, just the slightest bit ticklish; it's mostly the loose sort of joy that just comes naturally to anyone in such a state of pure bliss, happy and carefree, and so terribly in love.]

Yeah, well, mine is a dorm room. [He pulls away a bit, nuzzling replaced by fingers gently brushing Rei's cheek, tracing the contours of his beautiful, beautiful features. Rin could stare at him forever, made all the more gorgeous in the afterglow.] It wasn't even mine last year, and it's all standard furniture and stuff, anyway. Even if I didn't share it with roommates, it wouldn't be all that personal.

[He shifts in bed a little so his face is more comfortably pressed up against his half of the pillow, close enough for a whiff of Rei's scent, intoxicating and ever present in every inch of fabric. Would it be too weird if he stole some of these covers and pillows and snuck them inside his dorm? It probably would.]

Come to think of it, I don't really have anywhere of my own that's quite like this. Even my own room back home hasn't been used much since I first left to Australia. [And he's going to yet another place in Australia this time around, but he's not going to mention that part.] So I guess this is another reason why I like it here so much. It's all undoubtedly you.

[Some day in the future, he hopes to have a place that he can truly call his own. Somewhere that smells like the both of them.]

[Rei closes his eyes to the feel of Rin's fingers, enjoying the attention.]

It fits you, though. I mean... with your dreams and your passion, how could you stay in one place forever?

[One thing he learned from the others' stories of Rin, even before he knew Rin himself, is that he's sort of transient. Not in his affections, of course, but in his location. He was always moving, from Sano to Iwatobi to Australia and back. Wherever he thought he needed to go to improve his swimming.

One day he would settle down, and in his moment of weakness Rei could let go of his practicality and hope Rin would settle down with him, but for now his life would be training centers and hotel rooms and airports and buses, and it just seemed like the way it should be.

He just had to remember, this time, that he has somewhere to come home to.]

But you know, as long as I'm still living here, you can consider this room yours, too.

[He opens his eyes again, then blushes a bit, looking away.]

Or... was that too cheesy to say?

[Taken off guard for all of a second, Rin has to make an effort not to downright laugh at the suggestion, lips pressed into a thin line. It's not that the idea is ridiculous, and he's honestly touched that he's so openly been given a second home, but between that and Rei's Very Formal love confession from earlier, it really did seem like he was pushing for marriage. But Rin knows it's wishful thinking.]

Very. [Said in response to Rei's question, but whatever negative connotations that may have are hopefully washed away by the gentle press of Rin's lips to his, one that speaks of love much better than his words ever could.] But very sweet, too. I definitely appreciate it.

[Rubbing the tip of their noses in an all too affectionate gesture, Rin resumes his idle petting and pampering, hand running down the length of Rei's arms until his hand is within reach, fingers intertwined. Cheesy or not, Rin knows the offer is genuine, honest and open-hearted like Rei himself-- and all the more meaningful, knowing how hard it must have been for him to overcome his inhibitions and say that. A precious gift among the early Christmas parade this day has been.]

I mean, I know I'm flighty and all, and that's okay. It's what I have to do to keep improving, and I think it's fun to try and adapt to so many new places and people, anyway.

[He pauses for a chuckle, bringing Rei's hand to his mouth. He doesn't kiss him, but just holds him there instead, letting his lips brush against knuckles as he speaks.]

But it's good to have a home, too. So thank you for that.

[Thank you for being my home.]

[Rei blushes more and hides his face in the crook of Rin's neck. He knows Rin isn't making fun of him or anything, he just feels a little silly now. That's not even a literal promise (his parents like Rin, but wouldn't be in favor of him moving in permanently), just another instance of his words getting away from his sense.]

You're welcome.

[He takes a slow breath, brings his face away again.]

Maybe you should talk for awhile. Before I say something really sappy.

[He's still not thinking marriage like Rin is, but he's sure he can come up with something else embarrassing.]

Not that I don't mean it, I mean. Of course I mean it. I'm just not used to this yet, this is the first time I've... been in love.

[At least he hasn't said anything about theories yet.]

Yeah, well. That's one place where we're evenly matched, then.

[It's a reference to their levels of skill in swimming, a minor taunt said in jest, just to add spice to an otherwise tender moment. He wants to help Rei along with his newly found inclination for sap, yes, but also to make that truth perfectly clear; romantic though he may be, and regardless of how many silly crushes and odd attachments he has nurtured in the past, this is, without a shadow of doubt, the first time Rin has felt so deeply for someone, utter and completely smitten.]

Besides, I don't really mind it if you say sappy things. [He figures this is not so much an issue of how much that would please Rin, but rather how much it would embarrass Rei; still, a little bit of encouragement doesn't hurt, and it's encouragement he gives in the shape of nose kisses and hair petting, too.] C'mon, you're really cute like that! And it's not like I have the moral high ground to talk about it, anyway.

[He sighs, and it's quickly followed by a giggle. A memory has come to mind.]

Hah, if you'd been there to see some of the stuff I'd say when I was younger... I was a weird kid.

[Rin is being too kind on himself; this is not something he's left in the past.]

[The encouragement does help him, and he smiles despite his embarrassment. Reaching a hand up, he cards a hand through Rin's hair, encouragement of his own - mostly encouragement to keep touching him. He likes it, okay?]

That's when you came up with the idea to swim in a pool full of cherry blossoms, isn't it?

[He grins fondly, thinking of the day they'd filled their own pool full of cherry blossoms - even if they hadn't gotten to swim in it, it was still a wonderful moment.]

I've heard some of the stories. [He kisses Rin, more encouragement.] Maybe you could tell me more.

If you really must know, the pool of cherry blossoms wasn't the worst of it... [He trails off, a weak chuckle denouncing his own embarrassment. Back in the day, he was a lot more open about his idealism and his romantic notions, and even then there were things the world wasn't ready for; things he kept in his journals only.

As much as he loves Rei, he's not sure it's time to be sharing that much just yet. It might be too much of a shock, Rei might just walk out on him.

The encouragement, however, works like a charm, and if Rin is left to his own devices, he's going to press little dots on Rei's face with his index finger, affectionate and playful. A little mischievous, too, if his smirk is any indication.]

But, if you want to hear stories, I'll make you a deal. [He leans in closer, steals a quick kiss as an incentive.] I'll tell you all about it, if I get to see you act all cute and cheesy more often, in return.

[Embarrassment for embarrassment; sounds like a fair trade.]

But acting that way isn't beautiful! And it's not exactly something I do on purpose.

[It's a whine, but he sighs in resignation. If he wants to hear about Rin's childhood, he has to give something back. It's a fair trade, indeed.

Besides, it's not like they're going to go out in public and talk like this. They're home, alone, naked, and safe. They can be a little silly.]

But... alright, I agree.

[He kisses Rin again, because he likes this constant kissing thing, they should keep it going.]

Just for you.

Oh, I should hope it's just for me. [Rin leans in closer, all breathy whispers, flashing his trademark sharp grin that has just taken on a bit of a menacing shade.] I would hate to share.

[Whether it's an actual warning or another game of teasing (spoilers: it's a little of both, but more the latter than the former) Rin closes in that gap with another kiss, a longer one this time, firmer, vaguely possessive. Not angry in the least, but more passionate than before, his own brand of pepper and salt.

(They need to add some spice sometimes, and Rin is fairly sure this weekend together is just going to make it a hundred times harder to keep up edgy, bickering appearances in public. But he'll worry about that when it's time to worry about that.)]

Now, let's see, a good story... [He pulls Rei closer to him again, nestles his head between his neck and chest, and hopefully like this he can hear the rhythm of Rin's heart-- steady, peaceful. Like Rei inspires him to be.]

You know I transferred to Iwatobi because I wanted to build a relay team there, right? [It's more of a rhetorical question by now, but he takes a quick glance down at Rei for confirmation, anyway.] So, one day during class, I was trying to talk Haru into joining, but that guy kept being all-- well, you know, Haru. [Rei knows Haru, this is a perfectly good explanation, as far as Rin is concerned.] Only swim free, and all that. 'Course at the time I had no idea what that meant, so I figured he was talking about strokes and told him he could do freestyle, no problem. But then he kept saying it like a parrot, and I was kinda losing my temper, so at one point I just--

[Sigh. This is a truly embarrassing memory, give him a minute to gather himself here.]

I... jerked up from my desk and just yelled: "I've told you, you can swim free!" Y'know. In the middle of class. In front of everybody else.

[That's not even the cheesy part, but it should give Rei a general idea of the kind of passion Rin had in him since childhood.]

[A little possessiveness is alright, even if Rin has no reason to worry. Besides the fact that Rei is only interested in Rin romantically, he'd never let himself get caught dead acting like this around anyone else. He gives back as good as he gets during the kiss, then lets himself get comfortable against Rin's chest.

He giggles at Rin's description of Haru, because that really is the only way to describe him sometimes. He still doesn't really understand what "swimming free" really means, but thanks to Rin he has a way to swim.

He laughs again at Rin's climax. That sounds just like something he would do even now, though maybe not as emphatically.]

That's what you get for talking in class.

[He says it from his place nestled against Rin, his voice vibrating into his chest. He's comfy where he is.]

So how did everyone react? Did Haruka-senpai agree to join?

[He knows he does eventually, of course. But he doesn't know when or why. Might as well prompt Rin along.]

[Rin's knee connects to Rei's at his smarmy comment, a light-hearted warning; if anything, he's fairly sure his boyfriend shouldn't be acting so self righteous over anyone talking in class, if Nagisa's reports are to be taken seriously. And as far as Rin is concerned, nodding off in the middle of class and jumping in his desk like he'd do in a pool is a lot more embarrassing, anyway.]

Hah, as if. Haru gave me a run for my money, all right-- he was the last one to agree to join the relay team. A real pain...

[It's always a coin toss, whether Rin's annoyance at Haru's particular brand of weird is genuine or not; judging from his scoff with a just a hint of fondness, though, Rei should be able to tell he doesn't really mean it. Not today.]

Anyway, I had to save face somehow, and I was lucky we were all gathered up discussing ideas for graduation, at the time. [He giggles at the memory like someone who can't finish his own joke, fingers playing with the rat nest that is Rei's hair as a means to shift his focus back to present.] We were planting a flowerbed around the big cherry tree near the pool, so I told everyone that what I meant by free was that we should write messages on the bricks around the garden and create memories our own way. Y'know, freely.

[Yes, that sounds like a recipe for failure, he realizes. But he had the charm to pull it off.]

[Nagisa said he wouldn't tell anyone about that he has betrayed the bond of best friendship.

From everything he knows about Rin, now and from stories about him in his childhood, he can imagine that he was just charming and compelling enough that everyone went along with it, even if it was a poor attempt to cover up his faux pas. Actually, he knows for a fact they did, but he doesn't want to interrupt the momentum of Rin's story by revealing he already knows the resolution.]

That's a terrible save. [His fingers start to knead gently at the muscles of Rin's back. From his position and the angles of his hands he can't really massage Rin, but the touch is affectionate if not effective.] But it's a cute idea. Did they go along with it?

[Rin sighs under Rei's touch, and the gesture may not be very effective as a massage, it delivers the more important message-- that Rei is there with him, encouraging and quietly loving. That's all he needs.]

Surprisingly, yeah, they did. [He is, for once, being modest about his results, both because he figured Rei already knew that much, and because it really wasn't that big of a deal, not really something to be proud about. Although he probably was more of a natural charmer, back then-- he even got a round of applause and all.] I don't know, maybe they were just trying to be nice to the transfer student. We didn't have a lot of time together, but it really was a good class...

[That brings back a different memory, the day they graduated and Rin cried louder than any of his classmates. But that's a story for another time.]

That reminds me, my message ended up next to Haru's, and Haru's, next to Makoto's. They were all in English, too, and side by side like that, they read as a different message. [He buries a muffled chuckle into Rei's hair, gives him a kiss to repay him for his affections.] I guess it was fate.

Mmm. [Rei hums his understanding into Rin's chest. The red string of fate, Amakata-sensei had said, and Rei thought that if such a thing were real, it didn't just connect Rin and Haru, but all of them together. (Especially himself and Rin, he'd like to think, but he knows he's biased.)]

Let me guess - Haruka-senpai's said "free."

[He doesn't even have to think very hard about it. He can't imagine Haru putting anything else on his block.

His fingers continue their slow traversal of his back, rubbing gently and lightly. His eyes drift close because everything is so peaceful, listening to Rin's voice and laying so still, and he really has to try not to fall asleep.]

[If Rei is biased, then Rin is twice as much. They, too, met before they got to know each other, a brief encounter in a time of need, and given the chance, he would gladly go on and on about how Rei kept coming to his rescue, even as a child. Truly his savior, from the very start.

But these are thoughts meant for his journals, only. For now, at least.]

Yeah, of course. [Said with a scoff, though not ill-intentioned.] Makoto's said "I swim" and mine was-- well, you know that one already. [Given their position, there's no need for Rin to look away, but he does, anyway, suddenly self-conscious-- not so much over his own cheesy self from the past, but rather, the circumstances in which Rei learned about his childhood motto.]

Anyway, the three of them together read as I swim free for the team. [With a sigh, he pulls Rei's head closer to him, his free hand running down along the length of his boyfriend's arm.] If you and Nagisa had graduated with us, I wonder what you guys would've added. Probably something that would fit in just as nicely with the rest...

[Ah, there he goes, having ideas again. Maybe he should stop. Maybe.]

[Rei opens his eyes again as he's pulled closer, and he tries to look up at Rin's face, a more or less impossible feat without moving from his position, which is not an appealing option at the moment. So he just looks up a bit at Rin's throat before speaking.]

I don't know. Maybe...

[He casts his mind back to elementary school. It feels like two lifetimes ago, honestly. Maybe that's the way growing up is for everyone.]

Back then, my brother was already in track in high school. He was very good, though not quite good enough for the Olympics.

[Rei's hands make their way up near the base of Rin's neck now, right between his shoulder blades.]

I thought he was the best in the world, though. I wanted to be just like him...

[Rei purses his lips in thought.] Maybe we would have gotten lucky and I'd write something like "fast."

[Rin heaves a sigh into Rei's hair, relishing his touch. If they keep this up for long, they'll both fall asleep right there, then wake up to rumbling stomachs and the smell of day-old popcorn impregnating the living room. Not that Rin would mind that too terribly.]

Hah, so that's why you were in track, before... [A new piece of information, one that Rin is glad for. They don't talk much about Rei's time in the track team-- it feels like he has left that completely behind him, never looking back-- and Rin never pressed him for details, either; he's still selfish, and would rather focus on the sport that put them on the same path. It's still a bit curious, though, how both he and Rei originally followed after the steps of a family member, a male figure they looked up to.]

I didn't know you back then, so I can't say for sure how well that would fit you or not. [He seems to realize he may be pressing Rei uncomfortably close and lets up a bit, lowering his gaze and touching foreheads instead.] But if you were to write it now, I think your message should be different. It'd be something like...

[He closes his eyes for better focus, and maybe also for effect. When red meets lavender again, he's smiling, content to have found the word he was looking for.]

"Together."

[Because Rei was the final, missing link in the group, and because he bridged the distance between Rin and his childhood friends.]

[Rei smiles back, blushing just a little.]

"Together" is a beautiful word.

[He slips his hand down from Rin's back to place it on the mattress, using it to push himself up until he's leaned over Rin on both arms. All his weight on the hand behind Rin, he uses the other to cup Rin's cheek, tilting his head up for easier access.

Then Rei leans down to kiss him, soft and slow but still with hunger behind it. For this moment, he's sure that he wants to be with Rin and his romantic notions and wonderful stories and thoughtful, heartfelt words forever.]

Together.

[It's just a whisper.]

I like it.

[He doesn't know what got into Rei or why he's indulging in a mood that is a lot more romantic than what Rin was aiming for, but he does know better than to make any questions. Instead, he meets the gesture in full, gives it his all, like he always does. He's not the type for half-hearted affections.

And though he kept quiet about it, he can still show his appreciation through gestures, can flash him a smile and gaze deep into those beautiful eyes, open, unguarded. Like someone with nothing to hide.]

I think I know you pretty well by now. [He finally breaks the comfortable silence, thumb stroking circles on Rei's cheek. He was fine with them both lying on their side before, but he really can't say he minds being pinned under Rei's weight like this, either.]

By the way-- [He leans in closer, a whispered giggle brushing against Rei's skin.] Your pronunciation still sucks.

[It's an old joke, but Rin can't see himself letting go of that anytime soon.]

[Rei gives a little huff of irritation he doesn't really feel, punctuating its falsehood with another kiss. He lowers himself down, draped across Rin's chest like he was on the couch, head tucked contently under Rin's chin.]

I suppose you'll just have to keep teaching me.

[He really is going to fall asleep if he lays here like this, listening to Rin's heartbeat. He forces his head back up with a groan.]

Why did I make that popcorn? It's still sitting in the living room.

[He should go clean it up. After they get cleaned up. He doesn't sound excited about the idea of moving.]

[Rin isn't in any hurry to move, either, but he laughs at Rei's groan, anyway, hand dropping on the crown of his head to ruffle blue hair, fond as ever. Rei's anal-retentive nature can be a huge bother, but at times, it's just terribly endearing; Rin wonders what kind of magic he works there.]

Because you wanted to keep up pretenses? Fool yourself into thinking you were ever planning to watch the movie I oh so carefully picked for us? [With a dramatic sigh for effect, he flops back on the pillow, dramatic like he's only allowed to act around Rei.] Who knows whatever was passing through that dirty, dirty mind of yours...

[A giggle; his complaint holds a grand total of zero percent truth to it.]

But now that we're talking food, we should probably figure out what to do for dinner. I've worked quite the appetite, and you should know better than to leave me hungry for long...

[Punctuated with a little nip to the tip of Rei's nose. Affectionate, but with no subtle hint of mischief added to the mix.]

[Rei quirks an eyebrow up, smiling in amusement. Rin and his endless shark references - they might be a little cheesy sometimes, but he just wouldn't be Rin without them.]

Feeding time at the shark tank already?

[He pushes himself up, ends up straddling Rin's hips. He didn't really think the position through at first, but, well, he's here now.

He reaches out to traces the angles of Rin's face, fingertips light and gentle. He doesn't want to end this moment, but he's reassured to know there's time to have more moments before the weekend is over.]

We should get cleaned up first. We can discuss our dinner options while we shower.

[He doesn't even try to pretend he doesn't mean they should shower together.]

[In Rin's defense, it wasn't so much a shark reference as it was part of his usual biting routine, but he's glad Rei finds it amusing. Because that is just another old of their private little jokes that will never get old.]

While we shower, huh? [He flashes Rei a toothy smirk; he's loved every single second of their rendezvous, their telling silences and adoring touches, and he'll make sure they get to share more of this before their time together runs out. He'll make it a weekend to remember.

But he's not about to pretend he's not happy to see where this conversation is headed, either.]

Tell me something: is there a point in showering if we're just going to leave the bathroom feeling dirtier than we did when we got in?

[A scandalous thought reinforced by equally lewd rolls of his hips, naked flesh bucking up against his boyfriend just once, taunting, luring. Rei really should have thought this through.]

/o/

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Rin doesn't want to see Rei in his booty track shorts?

He kind of has... in that one artwork...

I don't remember which artwork... :(

the one with main 5 jogging... and Rei has fingerless gloves...

why do I not remember this I love fingerless gloves

http://www.zerochan.net/1744714#full this one! :D