(you can pm me here or on plurk if you'd like to beforehand, but also if you'd just like to drop something at my doorstep with no preamble please do!!)
[ As Takuto parks himself by the table Akira will follow from his seat, leaning towards him like a sunflower and resting his head against wherever it can land. ]
I've been working with an oceanographer for a while now to document the effects of umibozu changing seas, both on the youkai themselves and the surrounding environment. A large group of them migrated to the island this past summer without warning, so it's really lit a fire under getting something to present.
[ Despite himself, he allows his eyes to close for just a moment, nestling closer to his spot on Takuto and mumbling, ] Mm, you're still warm...
[ Maruki shuffles through another few papers; ocean tide maps and tables full of numbers he hardly understands. Then he moves closer to Akira, lets him nuzzle up against his side and curls an arm around his shoulders, a hand coming up to scratch fondly at his hair. ]
That does sound important, but– you haven't slept at all, have you? Did you even eat?
You've been totally zoned in on this, haven't you...
[ It's said with the resignation of a man who would do the exact same thing – and has, in fact, many times. But it's been long years since he had someone around to do something about it.
He can finally pay it forward now with Akira.
Maruki turns toward him, takes his face in both hands and tilts it up to look at him, thumb smoothing over the darkened hollow beneath one eye. ]
There's only a little more left to do, it's fiiiiiiine...
[ Which might be a more convincing argument if it wasn't painfully obvious he's using every last ounce of energy to keep his eyes open with Takuto holding his face. He might very well pass out just like this.
And Maruki isn't above using Akira's weaknesses against him.
He leans all the way down, presses a soft kiss right between those tired eyes, then another light over his lips before pulling away just enough to see him again. ]
You work harder than anyone I've ever known, myself included. It's time to take a break. How about... just for ten minutes?
[ If he can wrench Akira away, he knows it'll last longer than ten minutes, but that's still a huge if. ]
[ Hook, line, and sinker. He's putty in Takuto's hands with such soft, affectionate gestures, the adoration sleepily beaming out of his eyes once they're able to look at each other again saying he'd probably do anything he's asked right in this moment. ]
Okay. Okay, ten minutes.
[ His own hands find their way up to rest on Takuto's wrists, thumbs gently brushing against still warm skin. ]
Of course. Even if I trusted you to actually rest on your own, I still would.
[ It's a tease, yes, but an entirely affectionate one. Maruki looks down at him for a moment longer, expression warm, before dragging his hands down to Akira's shoulders and then up underneath his arms to begin to get him up. ]
I'd carry you to bed myself, but only one of us has the strength of an oni... Can you manage?
[ He knows exactly how painful it is to try to move again after an eight to twelve hour Lock In Session, so... ]
[ Oh come on, he couldn't have locked in for that lo--OOF.
OOF, yeah, maybe he's a little stiff. Nothing if not determined, though, so he can get onto his feet and move his legs just fine, (there may have been a pop or two in there) but keeping steady while he's upright... ]
[ Get propped up, idiot. Maruki wastes no time wrapping a firm arm around his waist to help him shuffle toward that comfortable nest of a bed. He'll take as much of Akira's weight as he can manage without both of them toppling over. ]
You're going to put me in an early grave worrying about you, you know.
[ Team effort, team effort. A nice, soft bed with the promise of Takuto sharing it with him is more than enough motivation to keep moving as steadily as he can. ]
Nope. I'm going to take excellent care of you and you're going to live a long, healthy life.
[ Maruki huffs a laugh at that, reaches over with his free hand to tweak his nose. Dork.
Thank god it's a small apartment; they don't have far to go before he can help ease Akira down onto the edge of his bed, slow and gentle.
Maruki doesn't join him right away, though. He crouches down in front of this lovely, infuriating man and deftly begins to undo the knot of his tie, the buttons of his shirt, the zipper of his trousers. There's no heat to these movements whatsoever, only a caring efficiency. He wants Akira to be comfortable, and that means not being in the same clothes he already worked a full day in. ]
It's only fair that you let me take excellent care of you as well, then, isn't it?
[ There's no heat to that either, only the same fondness behind the goo-goo eyes and smile he's been hopelessly aiming at Takuto for...well. A while now. But if he intended to follow up on any cheeky implications he'd be more deliberate about it, instead of contentedly helping Takuto's hands along.
Aaand maybe try to take them in his own once there's a long enough pause, fingertips gently brushing over joints. He has to have examined every inch of these hands a hundred times now, but it's still the first place he goes when he's craving some kind of connection. ]
Mm...neither of us are used to being taken care of, are we?
[ Maruki allows his hands to be taken– of course he does, there's not a bit of affection that he ever turns away. At first it was embarrassing, how clearly he could tell his body was telegraphing that needy, lonely touch starvation, but Akira has never done anything but indulge it. It's second nature now.
He smiles up at Akira then, draws their joined hands up to press kiss after kiss. His words are murmured into Akira's skin, tired but warmed through. ]
No, but I think we're doing pretty well at making up for it. Now, lay down.
[ A contented hum turns into a giggle with Takuto's lips at his hands, like they're both still teenagers and this is all new and exciting, though that's. Honestly just how he always is, the affectionate creature.
It's no less schmaltzy than when he does finally lay back, albeit without letting go of Takuto's hands. ]
Come here, come here~
[ Too tired to sound all that demanding, but the intent is there. Here. Beside him.
Or on top of him. He's not really in a state to care. ]
[ He barely has to ask at all. As soon as Maruki stands up again, he lets himself flop forward, sprawling out across the bed and Akira as ungainly as a newly born lamb. Their hands disentangle only so Maruki can gather him up, both arms wrapping tight around Akira to hug him close like a sentient body pillow.
He rolls onto his back, tugging Akira along so he can lay that tired head down against his chest. One hand drifts up to scratch soothingly at his nape for a moment. ]
Get comfortable. If you only rest for ten minutes, I want it to be the best ten minutes possible.
[ But then, as if to put the final nail in the coffin of any possibility that Akira might be getting up again any time soon, the scritching stops and the massage begins. Maruki presses his thumb firm into the tense, exhausted muscle at the join of Akira's neck and shoulder, begins rubbing a slow circle. ]
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no subject
I've been working with an oceanographer for a while now to document the effects of umibozu changing seas, both on the youkai themselves and the surrounding environment. A large group of them migrated to the island this past summer without warning, so it's really lit a fire under getting something to present.
[ Despite himself, he allows his eyes to close for just a moment, nestling closer to his spot on Takuto and mumbling, ] Mm, you're still warm...
no subject
That does sound important, but– you haven't slept at all, have you? Did you even eat?
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I had...dinner? Sometime before I left.
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[ It's said with the resignation of a man who would do the exact same thing – and has, in fact, many times. But it's been long years since he had someone around to do something about it.
He can finally pay it forward now with Akira.
Maruki turns toward him, takes his face in both hands and tilts it up to look at him, thumb smoothing over the darkened hollow beneath one eye. ]
You're exhausted. Why don't you come rest?
no subject
[ Which might be a more convincing argument if it wasn't painfully obvious he's using every last ounce of energy to keep his eyes open with Takuto holding his face. He might very well pass out just like this.
Might. The possibility is low.
But not zero. ]
no subject
And Maruki isn't above using Akira's weaknesses against him.
He leans all the way down, presses a soft kiss right between those tired eyes, then another light over his lips before pulling away just enough to see him again. ]
You work harder than anyone I've ever known, myself included. It's time to take a break. How about... just for ten minutes?
[ If he can wrench Akira away, he knows it'll last longer than ten minutes, but that's still a huge if. ]
no subject
Okay. Okay, ten minutes.
[ His own hands find their way up to rest on Takuto's wrists, thumbs gently brushing against still warm skin. ]
Rest with me...?
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Of course. Even if I trusted you to actually rest on your own, I still would.
[ It's a tease, yes, but an entirely affectionate one. Maruki looks down at him for a moment longer, expression warm, before dragging his hands down to Akira's shoulders and then up underneath his arms to begin to get him up. ]
I'd carry you to bed myself, but only one of us has the strength of an oni... Can you manage?
[ He knows exactly how painful it is to try to move again after an eight to twelve hour Lock In Session, so... ]
no subject
OOF, yeah, maybe he's a little stiff. Nothing if not determined, though, so he can get onto his feet and move his legs just fine, (there may have been a pop or two in there) but keeping steady while he's upright... ]
I...might need some help. May I lean on you?
no subject
[ Get propped up, idiot. Maruki wastes no time wrapping a firm arm around his waist to help him shuffle toward that comfortable nest of a bed. He'll take as much of Akira's weight as he can manage without both of them toppling over. ]
You're going to put me in an early grave worrying about you, you know.
no subject
Nope. I'm going to take excellent care of you and you're going to live a long, healthy life.
no subject
Thank god it's a small apartment; they don't have far to go before he can help ease Akira down onto the edge of his bed, slow and gentle.
Maruki doesn't join him right away, though. He crouches down in front of this lovely, infuriating man and deftly begins to undo the knot of his tie, the buttons of his shirt, the zipper of his trousers. There's no heat to these movements whatsoever, only a caring efficiency. He wants Akira to be comfortable, and that means not being in the same clothes he already worked a full day in. ]
It's only fair that you let me take excellent care of you as well, then, isn't it?
no subject
[ There's no heat to that either, only the same fondness behind the goo-goo eyes and smile he's been hopelessly aiming at Takuto for...well. A while now. But if he intended to follow up on any cheeky implications he'd be more deliberate about it, instead of contentedly helping Takuto's hands along.
Aaand maybe try to take them in his own once there's a long enough pause, fingertips gently brushing over joints. He has to have examined every inch of these hands a hundred times now, but it's still the first place he goes when he's craving some kind of connection. ]
Mm...neither of us are used to being taken care of, are we?
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He smiles up at Akira then, draws their joined hands up to press kiss after kiss. His words are murmured into Akira's skin, tired but warmed through. ]
No, but I think we're doing pretty well at making up for it. Now, lay down.
no subject
It's no less schmaltzy than when he does finally lay back, albeit without letting go of Takuto's hands. ]
Come here, come here~
[ Too tired to sound all that demanding, but the intent is there. Here. Beside him.
Or on top of him. He's not really in a state to care. ]
no subject
He rolls onto his back, tugging Akira along so he can lay that tired head down against his chest. One hand drifts up to scratch soothingly at his nape for a moment. ]
Get comfortable. If you only rest for ten minutes, I want it to be the best ten minutes possible.
[ But then, as if to put the final nail in the coffin of any possibility that Akira might be getting up again any time soon, the scritching stops and the massage begins. Maruki presses his thumb firm into the tense, exhausted muscle at the join of Akira's neck and shoulder, begins rubbing a slow circle. ]