| [Nov. 9th, 2011|03:39 am] |
Only Ryouma could say I love you and follow it up with bondage.
Kakashi laughed, startled and thrilled and a little bit terrified, and barely recognized the sound as himself. Ryouma’s smile flicked like a switchblade, there and gone, sheathed by nerves. His scent was anxious-pleased, mostly uncertain, as if he’d flung himself into thin air and still expected Kakashi to turn around and say actually, wait, I changed my mind.
Given that they’d already been down this road once and it had ended in I don’t love you. Change the subject, Kakashi couldn’t really blame him.
“We can talk about anything you want,” he said, reaching out to cradle his hand around the nape of Ryouma’s neck, pulling him forward. The grip was almost familiar again; relearned. “I don’t know that I deserve anything, but I’m done trying to make you leave. Might even have some rope around here, somewhere, if that’s what you want.”
Ryouma didn’t touch the joke. “I’m serious,” he said, eyes dark and intent.
Me, too, Kakashi thought, but didn’t say, because Ryouma deserved a better answer and Kakashi damn sure owed him one. He drew a breath and let it out, releasing the odd giddiness that felt like concussion and blood loss. Like shock. He’d wanted Ryouma to say yes; he just hadn’t expected to get everything, all at once, held out with both hands and fierce courage. Here’s everything I have, take it or not, I’m not leaving.
Whatever you want.
“You once told me that you’d regret missing the chance to see me happy more than you’d regret leaving,” Kakashi said quietly, remembering the riverbank and Ryouma’s lightning-confident smile, back when his tattoos had been whole. Kakashi lifted his chin. “I want you happy. And -- and I want you.”
Whole and healthy and in one piece.
Kakashi drew another breath. “Don’t join ANBU again. Please.” |
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