Dis Aliter Visum - Chapter 101 - 2,354 words
Note: this was supposed to be an angsty chapter and it turned to total fluff on me!! wtf. this is the fastest i've been able to churn out a chapter since my burnout. hopefully this means better times ahead!
Beta-reader: unbeta'ed, unedited.
Chapter summary: A place called home.
Chapter 101
Kuroro held the door open for his companion and chucked his keys onto the kitchen counter, taking a few steps inside to leave the blond room to come in. Kurapica walked in after him, looking pale and withdrawn, dark shadows in his unnatural black eyes. The Spider Head leaned against the table and watched as Kurapica removed his shoes and placed them neatly to the side. Kurapica straightened up and glanced at him as he took off his hoodie and folded it over his arm.
“I'm tired,” he murmured softly, his voice oddly rough, as if he'd been screaming all night. “I just want to go to bed.”
Kuroro nodded and motioned for the blond to follow him. He led him through the open kitchen and living room, and opened the door to his comfortably large bedroom, with pale walls and dark furniture.
“I can help distract you,” he offered, sitting on the bed to undo his boots and pull them off. “I know today's been rough on you.”
He looked up, throwing his socks carelessly towards the hamper, not checking to see if he got them in. Extending a hand, he tilted his head to the side in a clear invitation. Kurapica visibly hesitated.
“I don't know,” he said, his discomfort obvious on his face. “Let me just remove my contacts and brush my teeth.”
He turned from Kuroro and headed to the bathroom where he locked himself in. Kuroro figured the boy had a point, as it was late enough that they should probably go to bed regardless. As he brushed his teeth at the kitchen sink, his thoughts went to the meeting of his current Spiders. It had gone about as well as it could have, all things considered. Nobunaga had raised serious fuss, but the samurai still remembered Kuroro's quiet comments from the year before and had soon settled for glaring at Kurapica as the discussion moved on to other people. Most didn't seem to mind Kurapica, no matter their feelings for Ubo-san and Paku. It was as it should be. The members weren't as important as the Spider itself.
Kurapica, on the other hand....
Kuroro finished cleaning himself up for bed and changed into cotton pants and a thin, dark grey T-shirt, then sat in bed, propped on his pillows with a decent book as he waited for the blond. It was the better part of an hour before Kurapica finally emerged from the bathroom, already changed into his sleepwear, sweatpants with a long-sleeve tee. He crawled onto the bed and eyed Kuroro uncertainly.
The Spider Head set his book aside and reached for him. He moved slowly, making sure that Kurapica could move away if he didn't want this. Their eyes met, and he liked that he could finally gaze into sky blues instead of black. Kurapica straddled his thighs and settled down. They stared at each other for a moment.
“We'll be leaving again tomorrow,” Kuroro said. “I get the feeling you would like to get to Lukso as soon as possible.”
“Yes,” Kurapica confirmed. “Thank you.”
There was silence for a few minutes, then Kuroro slid a hand up to the side of Kurapica's neck, his thumb resting on his jawline, fingers in his hair.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked softly.
The blond nodded and leaned in. Kuroro closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against Kurapica's in a chaste kiss. He nibbled at his mouth for a moment, then slid his tongue forward, sliding it over Kurapica's lips, seeking entrance. The younger man hummed softly and let him in. His hands settled onto the Spider Head's shoulders and gripped him tight. They were content to let this go for some time, and though Kuroro felt warm, it wasn't the smouldering passion of their usual encounters, but something more subtle, yet more confusing.
One of Kurapica's hands slid into his hair and tightened, just hard enough to be felt. Kuroro let his teeth graze over Kurapica's lower lip as he pulled back. They breathed the same air and Kurapica's eyes darkened, getting a slight reddish tint. Kuroro slipped a hand under his shirt, pressed flat over his stomach. The blond sucked in a sharp breath and leaned in, initiating another kiss.
Kuroro slid his hand higher, fingertips teasing at one of Kurapica's nipples, before slipping to the side to press down the length of his side from chest to hip.
“Say my name,” murmured in the breath between mouths.
Kurapica scoffed lightly, though it wasn't a mocking sound so much when he looked like he looked now.
“Why would I do that?” he whispered back, a teasing smile hiding in the lines at the edge of his eyes.
Kuroro let out a frustrated groan and leaned his forehead against the blond's.
“Humour me,” he said, staring into Kurapica's blue-red eyes.
Kurapica gazed back with equal intensity for a moment, then he closed his eyes. His voice was barely audible when he murmured, “Kuroro.”
“Yes,” the older man replied, barely louder. “Say it again.”
“Kuroro,” Kurapica repeated, still murmuring, but stronger now.
Kuroro let his eyelids slide shut. Both of his hands found the blond's hips, then slid around him to pull him closer. He let out a sigh through his nose as he nibbled at Kurapica's lips. The blond wrapped his arms around his shoulders and replied in kind. It was soft, unhurried, comfortable. They were content to just be together, enjoy each other's light touches for now. It had been a hard day for the blond, but Kuroro liked to think that the Kuruta found comfort in the caress of his hands.
Time seemed to slow down just for them, flowing through and around them. It was the feeling of slightly chapped lips, callused fingers up the back of his neck, and a lithe, but strong body leaning into him. It was his own hands sliding up, then one down, the other tangling in too-long blond hair. It was in the exhale that he breathed from Kurapica's mouth, a nose nuzzling at his cheek, and the soft murmur of his name by his ear.
Kurapica was unravelling him from the inside out, like he knew all of the keys that fit every security locks Kuroro had put up to keep everything under his control. But Kurapica was walking through every gate, burying deep inside of his soul, and Kuroro finally understood the danger he was in. His own trap was snapping shut and he couldn't stop it from locking him in.
With a desperation that surprised him, he held Kurapica close and rolled them over, so that the blond was on the mattress, looking up at him. The kiss Kuroro pressed on his mouth was harsher, more insistent. The blond made a soft sound of surprise, then one of pleasure, and Kuroro knew that this would be the one to undo him. He couldn't let it happen, he couldn't, and yet he kissed a path down Kurapica's jawline and neck. The blond arched into him, making soft sounds of need that made Kuroro feel too warm. The older man pulled back to find Kurapica watching with blood-red eyes that shone in the darkened bedroom. His hair was mussed and his shirt askew, and Kuroro wanted more, wanted all of it, everything that Kurapica would give him.
He rolled his hips into him and the boy let out a moan that made Kuroro tighten a hand in his golden hair. It had to pull a bit, but Kurapica sucked in a breath, and Kuroro could feel him harden. Kurapica placed a hand to his shoulder and squeezed, watching him with his breathtaking ruby eyes. Kuroro didn't want to look away, but he let go of his hair to squeeze Kurapica's hand. He brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss to his fingers.
The boy gasped softly, his eyes widening, lips parting as he watched Kuroro press a series of kisses up the back of his hand, then turn his hand over so that he could press his lips on the palm. Kuroro looked up, meeting his eyes as he pressed another kiss, lower in his hand. His fingers slid down the blond's forearm, pushing his sleeve as he went. The next time his lips touched Kurapica's skin, they were right at the end of his lifeline, near the base of his hand. The Kuruta sucked in a sharp breath, red eyes widening. Kuroro looked down and saw the Spider tattoo on his wrist. He gave it a kiss, feeling something strong and sharp inside at the sight.
That was a mistake.
Kurapica suddenly pulled his hand free, holding it to his chest, quickly pulling his sleeve to cover the tattoo. He pulled into himself, and looked at Kuroro with defiant eyes.
“No,” he said, “I can't - I can't do this.”
Kuroro regarded him in silence for a moment, not used to Kurapica refusing him anymore. He'd protested in the past, giving in after a while, but he'd never been so categorical. This, Kuroro knew, was total rejection. He knew better than to let it rattle him. This wasn't about him, so much as what he represented for the younger man. Besides, it didn't mean that Kurapica was refusing him completely. It meant that tonight, this wasn't happening.
“All right,” he said, inclining his head. “Not tonight.”
Kurapica looked surprised. He hesitated for a moment, eyebrows flicking down, then raising again before it was a proper frown. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“Don't look at me like that,” Kuroro gently chided him. “If you're not in the mood, there is no point. Come on.”
He moved back, then to the side, leaving Kurapica plenty of room in case he didn't want the Spider Head to touch him at all, and lied down on his side, facing the blond. Kurapica watched him move, looking halfway between surprised and amazed, which kind of bothered Kuroro, but he'd analyze his thoughts on the matter later, for now, what mattered was that Kurapica stayed.
Kuroro tugged the blankets from under him and pulled them over his body, then tilted his head to the side and lifted an arm in a clear invitation. Kurapica's tongue darted forward to wet his lips, then he worked his way under the bed cover. He faced the older man, blue eyes searching. Kuroro lowered his hand and gently touched the younger man's shoulder. He let it slide down his arm, then back up, and Kurapica sighed, closing his eyes and shifting closer.
Kuroro wrapped his arm around the blond, who finally let go of some of the tensions in his small but strong body. Kurapica turned so he had his back to the Spider Head and shuffled closer, until he was leaning into him. Kuroro's hand stroked soothingly up and down his stomach for a moment, then moved to the bedside lamp, turning it off, before returning to Kurapica's front again.
Kuroro, strangely enough, felt content.
He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.
Morning came too soon, and he woke with a start, Kurapica gone from his bed, and the smell of coffee strong in the air. Frowning to himself, he sat up and rolled his shoulders a bit before getting out from under the covers. He padded softly to the kitchen, where he found Kurapica cooking, the coffee pot happily gurgling already.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
Kurapica startled and turned towards him. He hesitated a moment, his tongue pushing forward to wet his lips, and a small, slightly embarrassed smile pulled at the sides of his mouth.
“Good morning,” he replied, then motioned vaguely towards the stove. “I was trying to make pancakes. I'm not sure I managed.”
Kuroro's eyebrows arched in surprise.
“Pancakes?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Kurapica said, then shrugged lightly. “I figured we might as well have one decent meal before we get on the road.”
Kuroro couldn't help a smile in return.
“I didn't know you could cook,” he commented.
Kurapica's expression turned even more embarrassed.
“I used your computer,” he explained, motioning to the machine set up in the corner of the living room. “I had to look up a recipe. Lucky for me, guest login let me access the internet.”
“Lucky for me,” Kuroro corrected.
Kurapica laughed softly.
“I guess,” he edged.
Kuroro made his way to the cupboard and he took out two mugs. He fixed their coffee while Kurapica finished the pancakes. They ate breakfast at the table, mostly quiet, occasionally chatting, and it was such a comfortable feeling, despite the darkness that appeared in Kurapica's blue eyes whenever he glanced at the wristband he now wore over his tattoo, that Kuroro dared hope this would work. Maybe Kurapica would get over his hatred.
Kuroro had been certain that he could make a Spider out of him, he simply hadn't been sure just how cooperative the blond would turn out to be. But maybe, just maybe, this journey, as long as it had been, would turn out to have worked. He could have had his troupe get all of the Eyes much faster, but he'd seen the trip as necessary, if only to get Kurapica to see him as a human being, not a monster. To make him see that the Spiders weren't the demons he'd seen them as. Now, as he looked at Kurapica, as he saw the smile that bloomed on the blond's face, he felt like he'd made the right choice.
They cleaned the kitchen up and packed what little possessions they were taking with them, along with all of the Scarlet Eyes, into the Fun Fun cloth, and they walked out of Kuroro's apartment, and he locked the door behind them, feeling rather certain that they would be back shortly. As they walked outside of the building, he put his hand to the back of Kurapica's waist, and the blond looked up at him and smiled.
Kuroro smiled back, glad that this adventure was coming to an end, and hopefully, a positive one.
Beta-reader: unbeta'ed, unedited.
Chapter summary: A place called home.
Chapter 101
Kuroro held the door open for his companion and chucked his keys onto the kitchen counter, taking a few steps inside to leave the blond room to come in. Kurapica walked in after him, looking pale and withdrawn, dark shadows in his unnatural black eyes. The Spider Head leaned against the table and watched as Kurapica removed his shoes and placed them neatly to the side. Kurapica straightened up and glanced at him as he took off his hoodie and folded it over his arm.
“I'm tired,” he murmured softly, his voice oddly rough, as if he'd been screaming all night. “I just want to go to bed.”
Kuroro nodded and motioned for the blond to follow him. He led him through the open kitchen and living room, and opened the door to his comfortably large bedroom, with pale walls and dark furniture.
“I can help distract you,” he offered, sitting on the bed to undo his boots and pull them off. “I know today's been rough on you.”
He looked up, throwing his socks carelessly towards the hamper, not checking to see if he got them in. Extending a hand, he tilted his head to the side in a clear invitation. Kurapica visibly hesitated.
“I don't know,” he said, his discomfort obvious on his face. “Let me just remove my contacts and brush my teeth.”
He turned from Kuroro and headed to the bathroom where he locked himself in. Kuroro figured the boy had a point, as it was late enough that they should probably go to bed regardless. As he brushed his teeth at the kitchen sink, his thoughts went to the meeting of his current Spiders. It had gone about as well as it could have, all things considered. Nobunaga had raised serious fuss, but the samurai still remembered Kuroro's quiet comments from the year before and had soon settled for glaring at Kurapica as the discussion moved on to other people. Most didn't seem to mind Kurapica, no matter their feelings for Ubo-san and Paku. It was as it should be. The members weren't as important as the Spider itself.
Kurapica, on the other hand....
Kuroro finished cleaning himself up for bed and changed into cotton pants and a thin, dark grey T-shirt, then sat in bed, propped on his pillows with a decent book as he waited for the blond. It was the better part of an hour before Kurapica finally emerged from the bathroom, already changed into his sleepwear, sweatpants with a long-sleeve tee. He crawled onto the bed and eyed Kuroro uncertainly.
The Spider Head set his book aside and reached for him. He moved slowly, making sure that Kurapica could move away if he didn't want this. Their eyes met, and he liked that he could finally gaze into sky blues instead of black. Kurapica straddled his thighs and settled down. They stared at each other for a moment.
“We'll be leaving again tomorrow,” Kuroro said. “I get the feeling you would like to get to Lukso as soon as possible.”
“Yes,” Kurapica confirmed. “Thank you.”
There was silence for a few minutes, then Kuroro slid a hand up to the side of Kurapica's neck, his thumb resting on his jawline, fingers in his hair.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked softly.
The blond nodded and leaned in. Kuroro closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against Kurapica's in a chaste kiss. He nibbled at his mouth for a moment, then slid his tongue forward, sliding it over Kurapica's lips, seeking entrance. The younger man hummed softly and let him in. His hands settled onto the Spider Head's shoulders and gripped him tight. They were content to let this go for some time, and though Kuroro felt warm, it wasn't the smouldering passion of their usual encounters, but something more subtle, yet more confusing.
One of Kurapica's hands slid into his hair and tightened, just hard enough to be felt. Kuroro let his teeth graze over Kurapica's lower lip as he pulled back. They breathed the same air and Kurapica's eyes darkened, getting a slight reddish tint. Kuroro slipped a hand under his shirt, pressed flat over his stomach. The blond sucked in a sharp breath and leaned in, initiating another kiss.
Kuroro slid his hand higher, fingertips teasing at one of Kurapica's nipples, before slipping to the side to press down the length of his side from chest to hip.
“Say my name,” murmured in the breath between mouths.
Kurapica scoffed lightly, though it wasn't a mocking sound so much when he looked like he looked now.
“Why would I do that?” he whispered back, a teasing smile hiding in the lines at the edge of his eyes.
Kuroro let out a frustrated groan and leaned his forehead against the blond's.
“Humour me,” he said, staring into Kurapica's blue-red eyes.
Kurapica gazed back with equal intensity for a moment, then he closed his eyes. His voice was barely audible when he murmured, “Kuroro.”
“Yes,” the older man replied, barely louder. “Say it again.”
“Kuroro,” Kurapica repeated, still murmuring, but stronger now.
Kuroro let his eyelids slide shut. Both of his hands found the blond's hips, then slid around him to pull him closer. He let out a sigh through his nose as he nibbled at Kurapica's lips. The blond wrapped his arms around his shoulders and replied in kind. It was soft, unhurried, comfortable. They were content to just be together, enjoy each other's light touches for now. It had been a hard day for the blond, but Kuroro liked to think that the Kuruta found comfort in the caress of his hands.
Time seemed to slow down just for them, flowing through and around them. It was the feeling of slightly chapped lips, callused fingers up the back of his neck, and a lithe, but strong body leaning into him. It was his own hands sliding up, then one down, the other tangling in too-long blond hair. It was in the exhale that he breathed from Kurapica's mouth, a nose nuzzling at his cheek, and the soft murmur of his name by his ear.
Kurapica was unravelling him from the inside out, like he knew all of the keys that fit every security locks Kuroro had put up to keep everything under his control. But Kurapica was walking through every gate, burying deep inside of his soul, and Kuroro finally understood the danger he was in. His own trap was snapping shut and he couldn't stop it from locking him in.
With a desperation that surprised him, he held Kurapica close and rolled them over, so that the blond was on the mattress, looking up at him. The kiss Kuroro pressed on his mouth was harsher, more insistent. The blond made a soft sound of surprise, then one of pleasure, and Kuroro knew that this would be the one to undo him. He couldn't let it happen, he couldn't, and yet he kissed a path down Kurapica's jawline and neck. The blond arched into him, making soft sounds of need that made Kuroro feel too warm. The older man pulled back to find Kurapica watching with blood-red eyes that shone in the darkened bedroom. His hair was mussed and his shirt askew, and Kuroro wanted more, wanted all of it, everything that Kurapica would give him.
He rolled his hips into him and the boy let out a moan that made Kuroro tighten a hand in his golden hair. It had to pull a bit, but Kurapica sucked in a breath, and Kuroro could feel him harden. Kurapica placed a hand to his shoulder and squeezed, watching him with his breathtaking ruby eyes. Kuroro didn't want to look away, but he let go of his hair to squeeze Kurapica's hand. He brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss to his fingers.
The boy gasped softly, his eyes widening, lips parting as he watched Kuroro press a series of kisses up the back of his hand, then turn his hand over so that he could press his lips on the palm. Kuroro looked up, meeting his eyes as he pressed another kiss, lower in his hand. His fingers slid down the blond's forearm, pushing his sleeve as he went. The next time his lips touched Kurapica's skin, they were right at the end of his lifeline, near the base of his hand. The Kuruta sucked in a sharp breath, red eyes widening. Kuroro looked down and saw the Spider tattoo on his wrist. He gave it a kiss, feeling something strong and sharp inside at the sight.
That was a mistake.
Kurapica suddenly pulled his hand free, holding it to his chest, quickly pulling his sleeve to cover the tattoo. He pulled into himself, and looked at Kuroro with defiant eyes.
“No,” he said, “I can't - I can't do this.”
Kuroro regarded him in silence for a moment, not used to Kurapica refusing him anymore. He'd protested in the past, giving in after a while, but he'd never been so categorical. This, Kuroro knew, was total rejection. He knew better than to let it rattle him. This wasn't about him, so much as what he represented for the younger man. Besides, it didn't mean that Kurapica was refusing him completely. It meant that tonight, this wasn't happening.
“All right,” he said, inclining his head. “Not tonight.”
Kurapica looked surprised. He hesitated for a moment, eyebrows flicking down, then raising again before it was a proper frown. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
“Don't look at me like that,” Kuroro gently chided him. “If you're not in the mood, there is no point. Come on.”
He moved back, then to the side, leaving Kurapica plenty of room in case he didn't want the Spider Head to touch him at all, and lied down on his side, facing the blond. Kurapica watched him move, looking halfway between surprised and amazed, which kind of bothered Kuroro, but he'd analyze his thoughts on the matter later, for now, what mattered was that Kurapica stayed.
Kuroro tugged the blankets from under him and pulled them over his body, then tilted his head to the side and lifted an arm in a clear invitation. Kurapica's tongue darted forward to wet his lips, then he worked his way under the bed cover. He faced the older man, blue eyes searching. Kuroro lowered his hand and gently touched the younger man's shoulder. He let it slide down his arm, then back up, and Kurapica sighed, closing his eyes and shifting closer.
Kuroro wrapped his arm around the blond, who finally let go of some of the tensions in his small but strong body. Kurapica turned so he had his back to the Spider Head and shuffled closer, until he was leaning into him. Kuroro's hand stroked soothingly up and down his stomach for a moment, then moved to the bedside lamp, turning it off, before returning to Kurapica's front again.
Kuroro, strangely enough, felt content.
He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.
Morning came too soon, and he woke with a start, Kurapica gone from his bed, and the smell of coffee strong in the air. Frowning to himself, he sat up and rolled his shoulders a bit before getting out from under the covers. He padded softly to the kitchen, where he found Kurapica cooking, the coffee pot happily gurgling already.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
Kurapica startled and turned towards him. He hesitated a moment, his tongue pushing forward to wet his lips, and a small, slightly embarrassed smile pulled at the sides of his mouth.
“Good morning,” he replied, then motioned vaguely towards the stove. “I was trying to make pancakes. I'm not sure I managed.”
Kuroro's eyebrows arched in surprise.
“Pancakes?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Kurapica said, then shrugged lightly. “I figured we might as well have one decent meal before we get on the road.”
Kuroro couldn't help a smile in return.
“I didn't know you could cook,” he commented.
Kurapica's expression turned even more embarrassed.
“I used your computer,” he explained, motioning to the machine set up in the corner of the living room. “I had to look up a recipe. Lucky for me, guest login let me access the internet.”
“Lucky for me,” Kuroro corrected.
Kurapica laughed softly.
“I guess,” he edged.
Kuroro made his way to the cupboard and he took out two mugs. He fixed their coffee while Kurapica finished the pancakes. They ate breakfast at the table, mostly quiet, occasionally chatting, and it was such a comfortable feeling, despite the darkness that appeared in Kurapica's blue eyes whenever he glanced at the wristband he now wore over his tattoo, that Kuroro dared hope this would work. Maybe Kurapica would get over his hatred.
Kuroro had been certain that he could make a Spider out of him, he simply hadn't been sure just how cooperative the blond would turn out to be. But maybe, just maybe, this journey, as long as it had been, would turn out to have worked. He could have had his troupe get all of the Eyes much faster, but he'd seen the trip as necessary, if only to get Kurapica to see him as a human being, not a monster. To make him see that the Spiders weren't the demons he'd seen them as. Now, as he looked at Kurapica, as he saw the smile that bloomed on the blond's face, he felt like he'd made the right choice.
They cleaned the kitchen up and packed what little possessions they were taking with them, along with all of the Scarlet Eyes, into the Fun Fun cloth, and they walked out of Kuroro's apartment, and he locked the door behind them, feeling rather certain that they would be back shortly. As they walked outside of the building, he put his hand to the back of Kurapica's waist, and the blond looked up at him and smiled.
Kuroro smiled back, glad that this adventure was coming to an end, and hopefully, a positive one.