Everything Crow says seems to unravel a little knot of tension in Rean, though, and he looks significantly calmer by the time he's done.]
...Thanks, Crow. I really needed to hear that.
[He leans his head against Crow's shoulder a little, waiting for him to finish swallowing before he makes good on the promise of another kiss. He can still feel the hint of Crow's almost-stubble against his lips, if he concentrates.]
And just... mm. Thanks for talking through all of this with me in general. I still feel a little bad for shoving all this onto you, after everything, but...
[He puts that last bite of egg into his mouth, setting the plate down on the coffee table as if to announce to Pachinko that no, there is no more food left. That cat, seeing this as a fool's mission, starts to move off of Rean's lap so that he can curl up by his side.
Crow's arm curls around Rean's shoulder, pulling him in next to him as he situates himself on the couch.]
C'mon, don't go feeling guilty cause you ran to your BOYFRIEND to talk about your issues. Better than you keeping it bottled up and internalizing everything.
That's how you get Raina's problem in the first place.
I know it...! That's why I'm talking to you, it's just... mmmrgh.
[He buries his head in where it rests, sighing as he tries to sort out his thoughts.]
There's a reason I said we both need to be honest. It's gonna take some getting used to from me, too.
[He's so used to brushing everything off with a smile, insisting everything is fine. Actually just... talking about the things that bother him is strange, almost strange enough that he wants to flinch away from it. But no, he knows at least a little better. So, apologizing will have to do for now, until he gets used to it.
Without anything else to really say on the matter, Rean just lets himself relax in Crow's half-embrace, laying an arm across Crow's middle to loosely wrap around him in turn.
[His voice trails off playfully. He's sure he'll get used to these kinds of gestures someday, but for now, he's never gonna get tired of soaking in the moment.]
You're gonna sit here and suffer, is what you're gonna do. Mwa ha ha.
[Oh, he's so evil. There's definitely so much effort behind that gloating and everything.
He lets his eyes slip closed, melting into Crow's warmth and touch. It's like he never knew what he'd been missing until he had it...
He's quiet for a long time, just enjoying the moment and enjoying Crow's company. Eventually, though, he speaks again, cracking his eyes open just a little.]
Three words that would have sent Crow running for the hills were it any other person. But when Rean said them, there's a rush of emotion in his veins. Relief? Joy? Elation? Maybe a mix of all three. He really can't explain what it feels like...
It's like trying to tell someone what the color blue is.
But he knows one thing for sure: he has never wanted to hear something like that so desperately, and it shows in his face when he meets Rean's gaze. Those red eyes of his are surprised, but warm.
His breath hitches lightly, suddenly at a loss for words as he closes his eyes to compose himself.
Well, not a COMPLETE loss for words. The answer was obvious, wasn't it?]
You really, do, huh...
[Those eyes open again, smiling.]
Then that makes this simple.
I love you too, Rean.
[There's an awkward, nervous chuckle, like those words practically tingle his lips.]
Never thought I'd say that to anyone...but here I am. Head over heels for the guy I tricked into buying me a coffee.
[Rean's not sure what to expect after those words leave his tongue, but any nerves are quickly assuaged by the warmth in Crow's expression.
That surprise, the little catch in his breath... Rean's paying acute attention, and none of that slips by him. But when coupled with that gentleness, that smile... Rean knows full well the words that follow won't hurt him.
His own heart floods with emotion when he hears his feelings returned. His own breath catches in his throat, and if Crow looks now, he'll see that emotion reflected in Rean's soft lavender eyes, practically dancing. Trying to explain colors to the blind, indeed... all Rean knows is that he's never felt this light in his life. Never before has he felt so much like he belongs exactly where he is.
Crow's laughter earns some in return, Rean cuddling back into his previous position and nuzzling Crow's shoulder a little. He can't help it, he's just so happy...]
Ahaha... can't say I saw it coming either. Stole my money and my heart...
The moment he sees Rean's face, the way his eyes seem a shade lighter, like the soft purple edges of a flame, he knows he's made the right choice. If just a few simple words could make him this happy, he'd say them as many times as he could.
Rean really deserved that, after all.
Crow's other arm reaches over to hold Rean up against him, both of their laughs now in harmony as he tries to keep his smile from hurting his face.
He's failing miserably.]
I borrowed that money, and I'll be in debt for as long as I live.
[The arm that's been draped across Crow all this time embraces Crow more tightly to match.
This is the feeling he'd been chasing when he saw that smile in the old photograph. This feeling of being truly happy, of being loved, of being complete.]
Your endless "borrowing" spree finally caught up to you, that's all!
[Another nuzzle.]
It's all right. I don't think I'll ever be wanting it back. And it looks like I got yours, so I'd say we made an even trade in the end.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Everything Crow says seems to unravel a little knot of tension in Rean, though, and he looks significantly calmer by the time he's done.]
...Thanks, Crow. I really needed to hear that.
[He leans his head against Crow's shoulder a little, waiting for him to finish swallowing before he makes good on the promise of another kiss. He can still feel the hint of Crow's almost-stubble against his lips, if he concentrates.]
And just... mm. Thanks for talking through all of this with me in general. I still feel a little bad for shoving all this onto you, after everything, but...
no subject
[He puts that last bite of egg into his mouth, setting the plate down on the coffee table as if to announce to Pachinko that no, there is no more food left. That cat, seeing this as a fool's mission, starts to move off of Rean's lap so that he can curl up by his side.
Crow's arm curls around Rean's shoulder, pulling him in next to him as he situates himself on the couch.]
C'mon, don't go feeling guilty cause you ran to your BOYFRIEND to talk about your issues. Better than you keeping it bottled up and internalizing everything.
That's how you get Raina's problem in the first place.
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[He buries his head in where it rests, sighing as he tries to sort out his thoughts.]
There's a reason I said we both need to be honest. It's gonna take some getting used to from me, too.
[He's so used to brushing everything off with a smile, insisting everything is fine. Actually just... talking about the things that bother him is strange, almost strange enough that he wants to flinch away from it. But no, he knows at least a little better. So, apologizing will have to do for now, until he gets used to it.
Without anything else to really say on the matter, Rean just lets himself relax in Crow's half-embrace, laying an arm across Crow's middle to loosely wrap around him in turn.
This is where he lives now.]
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[His hand reaches up to ruffle that black hair.]
But I think we both have to tell each other it's okay too. We've both got pretty thick skulls. Takes ages for us to really get things hammered in.
[It's said affectionately at least, his eyes closing slightly as he feels those arms wrap around him.]
Mmm.
Now I'm never gonna wanna get up.
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[He sighs, but quirks into a smile when Crow continues. He tightens his grip a little before relaxing once more.]
Your first mistake was assuming I was ever gonna let you up.
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[His voice trails off playfully. He's sure he'll get used to these kinds of gestures someday, but for now, he's never gonna get tired of soaking in the moment.]
Whatever will I do...~
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[Oh, he's so evil. There's definitely so much effort behind that gloating and everything.
He lets his eyes slip closed, melting into Crow's warmth and touch. It's like he never knew what he'd been missing until he had it...
He's quiet for a long time, just enjoying the moment and enjoying Crow's company. Eventually, though, he speaks again, cracking his eyes open just a little.]
...Hey, Crow?
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But when Rean speaks, that head stirs, eyes opening to train themselves onto the man.]
Mm?
Somethin' on your mind, still?
1/2
[He takes a breath to steady himself. He can still back out now...]
2/2
...I love you.
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Three words that would have sent Crow running for the hills were it any other person. But when Rean said them, there's a rush of emotion in his veins. Relief? Joy? Elation? Maybe a mix of all three. He really can't explain what it feels like...
It's like trying to tell someone what the color blue is.
But he knows one thing for sure: he has never wanted to hear something like that so desperately, and it shows in his face when he meets Rean's gaze. Those red eyes of his are surprised, but warm.
His breath hitches lightly, suddenly at a loss for words as he closes his eyes to compose himself.
Well, not a COMPLETE loss for words. The answer was obvious, wasn't it?]
You really, do, huh...
[Those eyes open again, smiling.]
Then that makes this simple.
I love you too, Rean.
[There's an awkward, nervous chuckle, like those words practically tingle his lips.]
Never thought I'd say that to anyone...but here I am. Head over heels for the guy I tricked into buying me a coffee.
no subject
That surprise, the little catch in his breath... Rean's paying acute attention, and none of that slips by him. But when coupled with that gentleness, that smile... Rean knows full well the words that follow won't hurt him.
His own heart floods with emotion when he hears his feelings returned. His own breath catches in his throat, and if Crow looks now, he'll see that emotion reflected in Rean's soft lavender eyes, practically dancing. Trying to explain colors to the blind, indeed... all Rean knows is that he's never felt this light in his life. Never before has he felt so much like he belongs exactly where he is.
Crow's laughter earns some in return, Rean cuddling back into his previous position and nuzzling Crow's shoulder a little. He can't help it, he's just so happy...]
Ahaha... can't say I saw it coming either. Stole my money and my heart...
no subject
The moment he sees Rean's face, the way his eyes seem a shade lighter, like the soft purple edges of a flame, he knows he's made the right choice. If just a few simple words could make him this happy, he'd say them as many times as he could.
Rean really deserved that, after all.
Crow's other arm reaches over to hold Rean up against him, both of their laughs now in harmony as he tries to keep his smile from hurting his face.
He's failing miserably.]
I borrowed that money, and I'll be in debt for as long as I live.
As for your heart...well. Guilty as charged.
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This is the feeling he'd been chasing when he saw that smile in the old photograph. This feeling of being truly happy, of being loved, of being complete.]
Your endless "borrowing" spree finally caught up to you, that's all!
[Another nuzzle.]
It's all right. I don't think I'll ever be wanting it back. And it looks like I got yours, so I'd say we made an even trade in the end.