doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

The touch helps, and though Akira doesn't return the squeeze, he leans a little more into Akechi in return. He also wondered, if it was some kind of side-effect of the ice palace, or any of the other things they've been through here. It feels related, but maybe the town is only targeting people they care about and giving them these dreams...

Or maybe he's just more out of sorts after the ice palace than he thought.]

I know. I just had to make sure. [He gives a little shrug with his outward shoulder.] Like I said, it's silly.

[It's not even like Akechi died in the dream or anything. He just... walked.]

[ A shake of his head, gentle, but firm. ]

It's not silly at all. Even if the dream itself seems harmless, there's no telling what kind of effect it can have on a person's subconscious. At the very least, it must have felt alarming enough that you were struck with the urge to find me...

[ Akira, who's always so barely expressive, not uncaring, but not so easily driven by emotion that he would lose his cool over something meaningless. And the fact that he's been having that same dream for days now... Clearly he's been taking on more than he could handle.

Akechi falls silent for a moment longer, his thumb idly stroking the back of Akira's hand as he thinks of any way to help, both because he doesn't want Akira to be so troubled, and because of his own inexplicable sense of guilt. And once the moment is over, what he comes up with is: ]

Would you like to stay over for tonight?

[Now, Akira does look over at Akechi. It's not really out of surprise, since they've spent the night together several times now, but out of a sense of relief, and gratefulness.

He's not sure he could handle going back alone now, and Akechi offered without him having to ask.]

...Yeah. If you're okay with that.

[He knows Akechi wouldn't have offered if he wasn't, but he has to keep up at least some appearances that he can handle this himself.]

[ Akechi huffs a small laugh, relieved in his own way, as he presses his forehead to Akira's. ]

I wasn't planning on letting you go even if you had declined.

[ And though he tries to play it off as friendly teasing and even adds a wink for reinforcement, there's a hint of that aggressively protective side of his looming over his words, the side that doesn't trust Akira to make reasonable decisions, and acts out of fear he'll get in trouble. But, at least this time, they're in accordance, so hopefully they won't have to argue.

With another hand squeeze for good measure, Akechi stands up to give his bed a look over; they may have shared it before, but last time they did, there wasn't a furry menace sleeping soundly by their feet. ]

It's going to be an even tighter fit now that Prince is here, though. I hope you don't mind that.

[He notices that protective edge, and it reminds him of their arguments from the past. But he can't really disagree with it this time; he is the one who came running all the way here in the middle of the night just to make sure a nightmare wasn't true.]

It's fine. I'm used to Morgana.

[Admittedly, Morgana doesn't hate him... but he's sure they can make it work!]

He pretends he doesn't, but I know he sleeps on my chest.

[ Hey, Prince doesn't hate him, he's just not used to this stranger cat in his turf! ]

He does, huh?

[ Still, Akechi has to laugh at Akira's comment and, more importantly, his oh so naive assumption. Friendly or not, did Akira really think the cat was going to be the real issue here, or is he playing dense on purpose? If it's the latter, then-- ]

Well. I'm afraid I'm a little heavier than Morgana, though.

[ Just to make extra sure he's getting his message across. ]

[Oh. So they're talking about a different Prince.

Akira allows himself a little smile at that, kicking off his shoes before getting up off the bed as well.]

I think I can handle it.

[If Akechi wants to cuddle like that, well, he can't say he minds that at all.]

[ Exactly. The one Prince who has already warmed up to his cat rival. ]

As long as you're sure.

[ Because he doesn't intend to relent on his cuddling rights-- especially not tonight, given the circumstances and Akira's recurring nightmares. At the very least, it should help Akira, to wake up to his body so close to his, warm and real. ]

Let's make haste while Prince has settled down. If he decides to move up on the bed, it will be near impossible to make him change his mind.

[ Whipped by cat, now Akechi is really living that cat owner life. So he moves around the bed with caution, hoping not to attract Prince's attention too much, and slips under the covers; he's still kind of close to the edge of the mattress, but there should at least be enough room for Akira to join in. ]

Right.

[He understands that cat owner life, so he quickly moves along with Akechi, crawling up under the covers and settling down next to Akechi. It's nice and warm with both of them there.

He's starting to get used to this feeling.]

You've adjusted fast. [To the cat.]

[ There's a blink in mild surprise at the comment, but then he giggles it off, amused and... maybe genuinely happy, too.

Not just because of the cat, either. ]

Coming from such high authority, I find that very flattering.

[ ... well. At least, not because of the cat curling up at his feet. ]

I admit I still have quite some trouble with him, though. I understand cats can be quite demanding, but I'm afraid he might end up getting rather... spoiled, haha.

[ But he does what the cat wants so the cat will like him!! It's a delicate balance!! ]

It's probably easy to do that when they can't complain directly to you.

[Sorry, Morgana, but sometimes your complaints are annoying! When Prince does it, it's just cute.]

It's okay, though. Cats deserve a little spoiling.

[After all, he's getting some too, as he wiggles closer to Akechi.]

They do, huh...?

[ Akechi only hooks an eyebrow at that comment, a knowing smile on his lips. It seems fairly clear to him that they're not talking just about Prince anymore-- and he's actually perfectly content with playing along. ]

Very well. Then I suppose I have two cats to spoil rotten.

[ Said as he, too, wiggles closer, laying his head on Akira's chest as per his earlier implication-- and though it's not quite as soft as an actual pillow, it's somehow even more comfortable. ]

[Akira laughs, wrapping his arms around Akechi to welcome him to his chest. His weight is warm and solid - a reminder that he's here, safe with Akira. It's comforting, especially to his tired mind.

After a moment, his jocular mood starts to droop, and he squeezes a little tighter, anchoring Akechi to him.]

Don't go off without me.

[It's a whisper, but it's there.]

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