Thank you drabbles.
Ken and Francescu are still spooned together, the way they fell asleep last night, but Ken can tell by his breathing that Francescu's awake. He feels kind of shallow for thinking it, but when Francescu leans over and strokes his thigh, he can't help but being glad about the disappearance of the no-sex rule.
"Ken," Francescu murmurs, and it's his serious tone, but Ken cuddles further back into his arms anyway, wiggling his ass a little. "Ken...I have something to ask."
So much for sex. Ken turns over and looks into Francescu's eyes, which are worried, and loving, and hopeful, and wonders what the hell's up. "What?"
"It's been long enough that...it might be wisest to consider the future," Francescu's voice was low and very serious. "Our future here."
"Oh." Ken tries not to let fear get the better of him, but his heart feels cold anyway.
I'm afraid...this may sound mad," Francescu says. "But I assure you, I am not making this suggestion lightly, and I have put a good deal of thought into what I am about to propose."
Ken reaches over and touches Francescu's face. He needs to shave; the rough stubble on his cheek is almost too harsh. "So propose it."
"I had a dream, two weeks ago." Francescu is no longer meeting his eyes. "As you know, some dreams are mere fancies, and others portend the future. I was sure this dream was but a fancy, but...I thought it might hold the future as well."
Francescu lifts his hand from Ken's thigh to his hair, and Ken waits while he pushes stray strand away from his cheek. "Ken...have you ever considered having a child?"
Ken blinked. "But we're-- but--"
"I believe I have a way." Francescu's fingers wind deeper into Ken's hair. "One that will be safe and healthy for any child that might...." Francescu's still talking, but none of it registers. A child. Their child.
Ken hears himself saying "I always figured I'd adopt."
"Not many people leave now," Francescu says, "and--"
"No," Ken says, and his body finally catches up to his still-stunned brain and grabs Francescu tight. "I mean, yes. Yes. God...."
"Ken," Francescu muffles into his hair, "I am-- difficulty-- breathing--"
Ken lets him go. "Sorry."
Francescu smiles. "So...yes?" he repeats.
Ken realizes they are both crying now. "Yes," he says, and pulls Francescu back into his arms.
Sometimes, Rin can see what Haru saw in Omi. It's not very often or for very long, and she usually tries to pretend it never happened, but sometimes he'll smile just right, or say something that makes her....
Well.
It doesn't really matter.
She is fine now, she and Haru back together again, and as she walks along the path by the lake she can just see the tentacle monster surfacing, one filmy eye gleaming in the sunlight.
"You're really something," Akito's voice says behind her, and she freezes. "Did you really think you'd be safe here?"
She wants to say something, but no sound issues from her throat. Akito grabs her arm so tightly she can feel the skin bruise, jerks her roughly toward the lake--
and then she is falling--
it was so fast--
"Isuzu-san!" Someone is callling her name.
Rin opens her eyes. Omi is just leaning over the bed, his body language concerned but hesitant. "I heard--" he says, nervously. "Are you--"
For a moment, their eyes meet, and she sees it, as he must see her. Too much anger and sadness and too many memories--
He averts his eyes. "I'll get Haru-kun," he says.
"Yes," she says, pulling her knees up to her chest.
She's grateful when he's gone.
Mostly.