foulplayed | INBOX

[Us hits him harder than any blow he'd taken the whole night before — and in a good way, the kind of way that makes his heart skip a beat. What a thing to hear fall from Yuri's lips at a time like this. What a gift to be given, to have rendered him so vulnerable, so uneasy, and yet to discover that even then, Yuri's still thinking of them as an us.

He could try to make Yuri look at him again, he knows, and he'd probably get away with it if he did. Probably what would happen is the game would settle over them again like a blanket, and Yuri would find his rhythm, made comfortable by the presence of a script to follow and a role to hide in. The trick is just deciding if that's really what he wants — for Yuri to look at him, sure, but at the cost of this raw, genuine insight he's being given.]

It's okay if you get it wrong sometimes, Yuri. Don't recall that I ever asked you to be perfect.

[Some last, residual suds are sliding down the side of his face, close to his ear, from where the water has washed them free from his hair; it's only natural to reach for them and brush them aside, taking the chance to stroke Yuri's cheek while he's at it.]

Closest you ever came to breaking my heart was when you let me think there wasn't an "us" anymore. That's all I need you to do, all right? M'not sayin' don't go where I can't follow. Just...leave a note when you do, so I know where you're going.

[His fingers shift, catching Yuri beneath his chin. He doesn't make him look back, doesn't guide his gaze anywhere. He just lets him feel that he could.]

But the rest of it? You show me what you can. In your time. I got all the time in the world, when it's for you.

( Yuri lets himself lean into Balthus's hand when it strokes down the curve of his cheek, appreciating that small point of contact for the gentle reassurance that it is. There'll always be that part of him that doesn't believe he deserves it — not after the things he's done, and certainly not after coming close to breaking Balthus's heart — but.

Yeah.

He's trying. )

... Alright. Equal footing, yeah? No more secrets that could get any of us killed.

( He says softly, following the suggestion of his touch to look up at him again. It's strange to realise he doesn't feel the need to question the veracity of Balthus's claim: if he says he has time for him — that he'll wait for him — then Yuri believes that he will. Yuri trusts that he will — something that's been hard-earned, to be sure, and yet it now feels as vital and real as the flow of Synchrony between them. )

You gonna let me stand up again, my lord?

( A light chuckle follows, but it's more to cover up the fact that this conversation (heck, this whole scene) has left him feeling incredibly tender. )

My lips ... they're still kinda sore.

Yeah. Equal footing.

[He smiles a little, the sleepiness mingling with satisfaction as a lightness starts to settle into his chest, and he turns his hand just slightly to run the pad of his thumb along Yuri's lower lip.

They've changed the rules again, and for the better. Reshuffled the deck. The prospect of playing this little game of king and servant doesn't seem so fragile anymore, because they've checked in. Made sure they understand each other on the one and only point that really matters. Anything else, any mistakes, any mishaps — they might happen. Probably they will happen. And maybe they'll make a mess for the two of them to sort out, but it'll be the two of them sorting it out.

Us. This is an us. Together or apart, unbalanced or steady, rowdy or gentle or cutthroat or scheming, they're both agreed that this isn't going to be every man for himself.

And so, sensing that desire in Yuri to return to the security of their roles for the time being, he leans into it again, letting his smile tug at just one corner of his mouth.]

Oh, I think you'll stay down there as long as I want you to, won't you?

[Thus speaks the king, tender even in his cockiness.]

...Yeah. C'mon back up here. Let's take care of those poor lips of yours.

( Balthus's smile prompts one of Yuri's own; a warm, curling thing that hints towards his usual mischief. It's like rising to the surface after exploring the deep well of emotion tucked inside him — only this time it was Balthus who'd led the way, guided him through it, and kissed breath into his lungs when he'd thought that he might drown. )

I would, if that's what you wanted.

( Yuri might not have agreed to it before today — before this very shower, even — but whatever it is that's shifted between them means it feels ... okay. Safe. Relieving, even, to know that in Balthus's hands he can trust himself to give up some an inch or two of control.

He rises with Balthus's permission, his arms coming to circle the tight cinch of the other man's waist as they ease in close again. His heart, he realises somewhat belatedly, is hammering against the cage of his ribs, but he ignores the frantic beat in favour of pressing in close and tilting his face up towards him. )

But you did say something kind of adorable about taking care of me too.

( Yuri teases, his smile as as subtly wolfish as always — but this time a little softer around the corners. )

And then I'll finish up with your hair?

Got a little secret for you, gorgeous. I'd do what you wanted, too.

[Before he can think better of it — or indeed, to dwell too long on that admission — he bends and presses a kiss to Yuri's damp forehead before continuing down further to find his waiting lips. It's funny how something as simple as that can make all the tension seep away, tempting him to lose himself in the feeling of being close to Yuri in every way he can manage. It really hasn't been that long since they've started allowing themselves this, and yet it feels so right that he almost can't remember why they'd ever tried to keep themselves apart to begin with.

It was probably a damn stupid reason, all things considered. They're better off without it.]

Mm. You need me to move, or have you got it okay, handling my hair?

( Yuri's lips curve into a smile against Balthus's mouth before he straightens up to speak again, at which point the tail-end of an eyebrow bumps up towards his hairline. )

You've taken one too many blows to the head if you think I'm gonna be able to reach up there without help.

( Ah — but they're still playing their roles, aren't they, and so instead of building on that smart-mouthed comment as he usually would Yuri simply lets it go. He briefly wonders whether that's something they'll have to talk about in future: what he expects to get away with, and how they should talk to one another while they they—

Yuri catches himself, his hand stilling around the shampoo. Best not to get too far ahead of himself while they're still figuring out what this all means, hm? )

... We should hurry, before this water gives out and gets all cold on us.

[He laughs, unsurprisingly — soft laughter, to be sure, but breathy and rich just the same. Yuri's got a point, as usual; even the wonder that is heated indoor plumbing is neither infinite nor infallible, and they've been luxuriating in the heat of the spray for a fair amount of time already.]

All right, all right. I'd lift you up myself, but that's a recipe for disaster, I think. So here, I'll let you get to it.

[This time, it's his turn to sink down onto one knee, but he's pretty sure that the game they're playing isn't supposed to involve a hand-off of control, so even as he lowers himself down, he keeps taking liberties — dropping kisses against Yuri's shoulder and side as he descends, lapping away stray trails of spillover water with his tongue just for the sake of something to do.

It's still his birthday, after all. At least enough of it to count.]

Go on, darlin'. I'm telling you to.

( Yuri's lashes slide closed for a moment as Balthus kisses and licks his way down his body. It stirs something deep within him to be enjoyed in this way: a confection for Balthus to pamper with lips as tongue as he sees fit. For all it ends with the other man on one knee Yuri still feels the guidance in his touch — it grounds him in the moment, loosens him that bit further, and pulls a smile onto his lips. )

... Yes, my lord.

( Damp fingertips stroke the line of Balthus's jaw for half a heartbeat before setting to the task at hand.

With his hair already wet it doesn't take long to massage up a lather: Yuri cleans his hair carefully, raking through dark locks and rubbing his fingers into his scalp, and lets healing magic flow through his fingertips and into Balthus's neck and shoulders.

When he deems his hair clean enough, he tilts Balthus's head back into the spray to begin rinsing away the suds with careful strokes: )

Better?

[He's never really been one for pampering, historically — a lack of opportunity had quickly evolved into a lack of interest in general, and so he's simply never much entertained the thought of it overall. But Yuri's recent insistence on treating him, making him lie back and accept attention...well, it's certainly going a long way toward changing his opinions on the whole idea.

Yuri's got thief's hands — quick with a lock, quicker when it comes to lightening a man of his coin or his weapons or both. They're deliciously nimble now as they work through his sweat-heavy hair, easing away the remnants of a night's workout in favor of sweet smells and a soothing massage — and magic, he notes with a surprised, pleased sigh. It's not as though his scrapes and bruises aren't superficial enough to be left alone with some soap and time to heal, but Yuri's going out of his way to loosen him up, restore him to rights, leave him feeling good instead of just surviving what he's endured.

Damn, he's so spoiled. The little noises spilling from his lips sound extra melodic with the benefit of the shower's tiled acoustics.]

Like you said. Feels good.

[If he opens his eyes, he runs the risk of having sudsy water run into them while Yuri rinses him out, but he chances a peek for the hell of it anyway.]

Thanks. Thank you...I really mean it.

( Balthus opens his eyes, and Yuri moves a hand to make sure the water is diverted away from where it might spill over the other man's face. )

Whoa there — let's not get reckless about it, yeah?

( It'd be a shame to ruin the moment with a handful of soap to the eyes (for all the thought of Balthus whining about it it pulls an easy little smirk to Yuri's lips) but fortunately for the both of them, the water is just about running clear when he speaks up again. )

... You're welcome.

( It had been tempting to brush it off as nothing — to insist that Balthus didn't need to thank him, that he owes him this much at least, that there's no need to get sentimental over a Bash Bro — but even Yuri understands that this is about more than this precise moment. This is pulling together weeks of trying to figure out what they could be to one another, and acknowledging that whatever they've found here tonight ...

It's about a balance of power — about giving themselves to one another — and Balthus is thankful for that.

Yuri is, too.

A small hand runs through Balthus's hair one more time before wringing out the hair at the base of his neck: )

Looks like you're done. Need a hand up?

[Funny how it's always the small things that speak such volumes. Having the water get in his eyes would've been a minor inconvenience at best, sure, but Yuri just went right ahead and took care of him, and he didn't even have to ask. Like it was reflexive to do it. Like he didn't even have to think about it — it was all just action and reaction.]

Aw, not even a little reckless?

[He could be happy even like this, he thinks idly. On one knee on the wet tile, waiting out the hot water until it starts to run cold, looking up at the mirth dancing at the edges of Yuri's lips and letting himself be petted.

He starts to grin, rakish as ever, but surprises himself when parting his lips turns into an unexpected yawn.]

...Mm, I think I'll take you up on that. Be a shame to slip and break my neck now.

( Balthus's yawn triggers one in response from Yuri, who covers his mouth on a luxurious little stretch before blinking down at him somewhat dazedly. Just like that, the rest of day catches up to him in one go. Tiredness pulls at his very bones as he sways there on the spot — before managing to rally just enough to get Balthus on his feet again. )

Mm. There, and no necks broken in the process.

( He teases, before reaching behind his friend to shut off the spray of water. As the last of the steam dissipates it leaves him feeling suddenly cold: the glass and tile doesn't retain warmth like the sauna at Garreg Mach, and he finds himself unable to suppress a shiver as he pushes open the cubicle door to a burst of cold air. )

Yeah, no, I'm not hanging around in here.

( Maybe it's stepping out of the cubicle, maybe it's just the fact that he's cold, but the soft lull that had settled between them lifts as Yuri moves over to the towels to begin rubbing one through his hair. When he's satisfied he won't drip all the way to the bedroom he moves to sling it around his waist — then pulls a couple of toothbrushes from the cabinet before throwing one at Balthus with a cheeky smirk. )

My fresh spare — but I guess we can call it yours now, huh?

Edited (wOrDs) 2021-07-09 21:53 (UTC)

[The funny thing is, it's not like he's never seen Yuri melt into his "getting ready to sleep" routine before — quite the contrary, as a matter of fact. Sharing a dorm room lends itself to all sorts of curious observations, after all, and he's spent plenty of nights being roused awake by Yuri's witching-hour goings and comings. But it's a hell of a lot more domestic to observe them in this context, and it's a change that Balthus can't deny he approves of; in a way, it feels like the perfect ribbon-bow tying up their evening's activities to settle back into the comfortable routine of elbowing each other while they fight for mirror space and reflexively anticipating each other's needs as they both prepare themselves to sleep.

And in the end the towels are hung up but their discarded clothes are left to linger where they've fallen, and nobody trips on any wayward footwear as they make their way along the now-familiar route to Yuri's room, washed, brushed, and sleepy-content.

Funny. He's never really had to think about which side of the bed he's supposed to gravitate towards. That's kind of a nice feeling, too.

But he's far too tired to try to figure out a problem of that magnitude right now, so instead he just makes sure he reaches the mattress first and slides up onto it — and before Yuri can make his own move either way, Balthus simply reaches out and snags him around the waist, dragging him off his feet and up onto the mattress in one chuckling yank, landing Yuri right in the snug circle of his arms where the birthday boy has decided he belongs.]

( Something slots into place deep within Yuri's chest as he tumbles onto the bed and into Balthus arms. That chuckle is infection: he huffs one of his own into the curve of his friend's neck as he arranges himself more comfortably atop him, one thigh slung over his hips and their legs tangling as they settle there against one another.

With only the silver wash of the moon for light the moment seems all the more precious — like something out of the pages of a fairy-tale — and Yuri presses a soft kiss to Balthus's pulse before propping himself up on an elbow. )

Y'know, I don't think I've actually said it to you yet ...

( Amusement touches the corners of his lips as Yuri twirls a lock of Balthus's hair around his fingertip. )

Happy birthday, Sweetness.

You said it about ninety-nine different ways. But I can't blame you for going for the perfect hundred.

[Two can play at that game — and especially so when Yuri's hair is so considerably longer than Balthus's, which makes it all the easier to sneak a hand up and find a stray loose strand to weave through the spaces between his fingers.

With the mattress beneath him and the lighting milky and low, his body still warm from the shower and still loose from the caress of its heat and Yuri's magic both, it's easy to finally let his grasp on alertness loosen. Sleep swells up like a dam filling toward spillover, and all of a sudden he doesn't want to move for anything ever again, or at least not for the next several hours.

His eyelashes flutter, his eyelids falling closed before he remembers to open them again; after two cycles of the same, he finally just surrenders and lets them stay closed. It's a shame to miss out on the view of Yuri's pretty face so close to his, but goddess knows he put a heroic effort toward trying.]

...It was, you know.

[Even his voice has taken a turn for the drowsy, smoothing out and losing some of its boisterous depth in favor of a richer, more even tone.]

Happy. You made it happy for me. Just in case you weren't sure.

( Yuri doesn't need Balthus's confirmation - not really, now that they're sprawled together and naked in the middle of his bed - but something swells deep in his chest when those warm words flutter against his skin. It was all worth it then, wasn't it? The planning, the volunteers, the money spent both hiring out Knuckle Dusters and ensuring that authorities would turn a blind eye to the night ...

Yeah. He'd do it all again if it meant that the night would end with Balthus happy. )

Wanna know a secret? Try this on for size: to see you happy tonight was all I really wanted.

( He chuckles tiredly, reaching over Balthus to rummage in his nightstand for a moment. When he settles back again he drops a sweet kiss onto the other man's lips: )

I mean, there were other benefits too ... but let's call those 'added bonuses.'

( There's the snap of a cap, followed by a few wriggles as he rearranges himself against Balthus's side, and a comfortable silence falls between them for a few moments before being broken by a soft, wet sound and a tight hitch of breath. )

Think you can stay awake a little while longer? There's something I want to try - it won't take long, I promise you.

[It's downright comical, then, the way that Balthus's expression shifts — with his eyes still closed, his brow gradually furrows like he's trying his damnedest to think hard about something but can't quite get his sleepy mind to cooperate, and then eventually he just opens his eyes a fraction to squint at Yuri with a flicker of drowsy uncertainty.

He does, after all, know that sound. Knows all of those sounds, actually, from the plastic pop to the wet slide to the way Yuri almost gasps, but not quite.]

How the hell do you still have enough energy for sex?

[His disbelief is almost comically mournful — so much so that he even starts to laugh at it himself, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back to bare his throat ~~like a good boy~~.]

If it were anyone else, I wouldn't bet on it — [He yawns, shifting his hand to run his fingertips affectionately up and down Yuri's bare arm, close to his shoulder.] — but I know better than to bet against you.

[Hell, it's starting to feel like Yuri's out to murder him with decadence, and at this point, he might as well just go all in, because what a way to go.]

( Balthus's disbelieving moan gets a chuckle from Yuri, who leans in to brush a playful kiss against the bared expanse of his throat. )

Not sex, I promise. More like ... sex-adjacent, if we're gonna get technical about it.

( It's easy to let himself bask in that gentle caress as it moves up and down over his shoulder, and for a few long moments there's nothing but comfortable silence between them as Yuri softens and slicks up the clench of his hole. He's less thorough than he might be were his plans different — he isn't about to jump onto his cock and injure himself, after all — although chances are Balthus is too close to snoozing to realise it's all happening more quickly than it usually would. )

Still with me, big guy?

( He eases his fingers from his hole gently. Another beat of quiet falls between them as he searches out the lube again, a generous dollop of which he squeezes out onto his palm before reaching for Balthus's cock. It's warm and heavy — familiar now, in a way that makes his lips quirk with pleasure — and Yuri gives it a fond squeeze before beginning to help thicken him to hardness. )

Mmhmmmmm.

[...He's mostly with him. Essentially. He's doing his best.]

You're always doing stuff to me that feels good. One of these days m'gonna do stuff to you.

[And given everything that's transpired earlier, maybe it's a good thing that Balthus is mostly asleep when he says it, and not really paying attention, because it only adds credence to the earnest, good-faith nature of his interest. It's less a promise, and more just an idle whim, but either way there's a definite intent — someday, again. Someday it'll be Yuri's turn, again.

In the meantime, though, he answers Yuri's stroking with lazy rolls of his hips, floating pleasantly on exhaustion and endorphins while he's got the chance to. There's no tension, no frantic passion, and that feels nice, too. Just slow warm arousal stirred up by the clever movements of Yuri's hand.]

I believe it.

( Yuri replies, his lips curving into a tired little smirk as he lets himself just enjoy the sensation of stirring Balthus's arousal. It comes on slowly, steadily, to match the sleepy pace into which they've fallen, but it doesn't take long before Yuri deems him hard and ready enough for what he wants to do. )

Here, let me—

( He shuffles again, this time fussing around with the comforter until it's draped over them both. It isn't until he's satisfied that they won't run the risk of getting cold that Yuri turns away from Balthus, then eases back against him, until the curve of his ass is nestled up against his crotch. )

Put it in, yeah?

( One hand reaches back to touch the sleek line of Balthus's thigh, encouraging him on. )

Don't try to fuck me, just— inside. Then we can go to sleep, okay?

...?

[He cracks an eye open at that, processing the direction slowly as his mind takes each new development in its turn, like following a line of beads along a string. First they wind up beneath the comfortable weight of a blanket, which will soon get cozy-warm from their shared heat. Then Yuri snuggles up into his arms in a way that's almost unfairly cute, maneuvering until they're spooning and comfortably flush against each other. Then his attention is dragged to the promise of friction against his hardened, slicked-up cock, and then at length the term sex-adjacent starts to make a lot more sense.

Unable to help himself, he laughs under his breath.]

Well. That's one way of making sure you keep me all to yourself.

[He ducks his chin, mouthing sleepy kisses against the back of Yuri's head and the arch of his shoulder while he works his hand down between them, taking hold of Yuri's hip once they're properly lined up and pulling him slowly back and onto him.]

There you go. Mmm...there. Y'like that...?

( Tired or no, Balthus's dick is still big. Yuri turns his face to the pillow with a low grunt as his hole clenches against the blunt press — before finally giving and softening enough to let him inside. )

Mm ... s'good, B. Real good.

( Goddess, but it's deep. Yuri sighs through a luxurious groan as Balthus's fills him with his cock, his own arousal pulsing between his legs to leave him half-hard and sensitive with want. That he doesn't even think about pursuing it is testament to how tired he is: tonight, this is all Yuri needs to be satisfied.

A perfect end to a perfect night — for all it's gradually turning into morning. )

Just like that.

( He reaches for him again, this time to pull Balthus's arm over his waist to keep himself held in close against him. While he certainly doesn't expect to wake up with him balls-deep inside him it would be nice to fall asleep that way, and so he keeps himself tucked back against him as tight as he can even as he feels himself beginning to succumb to sleep. )

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