doggone

[repeatedprayer]

[In the time following his departure from Tabito and Manabu's company, the alias "Grey" has wound up sticking.

Not that everyone calls him that, he's used a few other aliases since then, but it's what he's wound up thinking of himself as. If Grey had taken the time to think about it a bit more he might have picked something with a little less connection to Rezo's name, but it's still leagues better than thinking of himself as "Rez- wait, no, just a copy." And maybe that's why he's felt significantly calmer since he left Sairaag.

By his own standards, Grey has been laudably well-behaved; sure, he's been mostly doing under-the-table psychic work, often on behalf of criminals, but! He's been trying to keep a low profile so it's usually things like clairvoyant spying rather than anything violent, and he's been making a point of not doing anything that directly impacts the galaxy railways.

It would be extremely awkward if Manabu Yuuki had to try and arrest him, after all.

He's found himself frequently thinking about Manabu, much to his annoyance. He has no serious expectations of ever seeing Manabu again, so it's simply a waste of mental bandwidth to find himself wondering what Manabu is doing right now or where he is, or to reminisince over their incredibly brief acquaintanceship. Grey can only suppose that because Manabu was the first reasonably normal person he got to know after leaving Sairaag that Manabu is going to stick out in his mind for a while.

And it's probably because of the real estate that Manabu is hogging in Grey's mind that he's been very aware of every mention of the SDF that crosses his path. He hasn't exactly been tracking the SDF's activities deliberately, but he does pay attention to the news and the SDF frequently winds up in there, even if Manabu's name in particular isn't normally dropped.

Until the day it does.

SDF Officer Taken Hostage By Pirates]

* * *

[It's taken several weeks of investigating, but Grey has been able to track down The Huntress's client, a Dr. Parish and associates. It must be a small galaxy, because Dr. Parish is someone Grey knows. Sort of.

Rather, Dr. Parish was a colleague of Rezo's who collaborated with the man on chimera research (and other unsavory things) in the past. Not only that, the man was an ardent admirer of Rezo's superior psychic prowess, and desperate to improve his own meager abilities.

He'd had quite a shock when Grey approached him in town, but after the initial surprise it had been sickeningly easy to convince Dr. Parish that he was the real Rezo. Grey can only surmise that the man wants to believe too badly to let himself be properly suspicious. It had only taken a day for Grey to be invited to tour Parish's laboratory.

The lab's located on the grounds of a former Marquess's estate, a ways out of town and secluded by trees, a high wall, and a long drive. Grey's done a little recon before, but actually being here is different, especially since he has to navigate by cane at the moment. Grey is doing his best to politely nod and smile as Parish guides him from room to room, explaining their work and occasionally handing him things to examine himself.

But evidently Parish realizes that "Rezo" isn't entirely interested, because he stops partway through an explanation of some stem cell experiments he and a few others have been working on to say "Of course, the really interesting specimens are kept in the basement floor."

Grey already knows this. He hopes his expression seems the right sort of eager.]

Interesting?

["Something along the lines of what we did in the past. Would you like to see them?"]

Nothing would please me more.

[Grey can practically hear Parish's delighted grin. To soothe the surge of irritation, Grey reminds himself that he's going to kill this man before the end of the day and allows Parish to guide him out into the hall and to the basement entrance at the back of the building.]

Comments

[repeatedprayer]

Hm? [With Manabu's words being murmured, it takes a beat for Grey to work out what he said. When he does, Grey lets his own thoughts momentarily slip.]

I think I should be the one saying that.

[His face heats up at the admission. Praying that Manabu doesn't read too much into his words, Grey adjusts his own position so that he's switched the hand he has pressed to Manabu's back and is gently, but firmly encouraging Manabu to draw closer.]

Tell me about your dreams. Are they about the lab?

[siriusly]

[what is that supposed to mean? Manabu chews on that while scooting in closer, ducking his head and tucking his arms up against his chest. was the weight of Grey's arm around him always comfortable? he remembers this and that about their first night together, but he can only assume he's just projecting feelings about it after-the-fact.]

Mn. [...] Closing my eyes...and opening them up back there. Stuck. Not knowing...what day it is. Where I am. Alone and tired. [and scared. but this is pathetic enough, isn't it?]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey wants to sigh, feeling Manabu burrowing bit by bit into his arms. He resumes rubbing Manabu's back, but he wants to do more as well. He wants to pet Manabu's hair, rub his scalp and ears, press kisses to his forehead. It's a peculiar feeling- Grey's not aroused right now, but he still has this sense of need, the feeling that he has to touch Manabu. As if the nightmares have left this unpleasant patina upon Manabu that Grey has to clean off with his own hands.

The touching does actually seem to be helping, particularly if Manabu's admission is to be believed, but Grey's sure Manabu needs more than that.

Manabu's description of the dreams makes it sound like some of the problem is just that his body forgets he's not there, not in danger...]

Perhaps that's why proximity is helpful. If you were sleeping alone in the lab, then being able to feel my presence unconsciously grounds you in the present.

[Grey doesn't think Manabu will be eager to bunk with other people for the rest of his life, however, so he asks more questions in as gentle a tone as possible.]

Can you tell me more about the lab? What it was like?

[siriusly]

[Manabu doesn't want to talk, but he doesn't want to have an excuse to sleep and stop being present. it just means waking up and probably subjecting Grey to more embarrassment, right?

his shoulders tense and relax under the touch, gradually coaxing his breath to match the movement.]

I only saw a little bit of it. It was...mostly the room. No windows, just concrete. Bed and a nightstand. I kicked it over at someone once, before they started...tying me down.

[repeatedprayer]

[Despite the awfulness of the scenario that Manabu describes, Grey does smile a little at Manabu's admission of trying to fight the orderlies.]

Hah. That's my... That's what I'd expect from you.

[Grey admires it, a bit, but it doesn't sound like it did Manabu much good either.]

Were you always tied down?

[siriusly]

[Manabu's chest tightens a bit, missing a breath in a beat.

he swallows.]

N-not at first. No. But every time the door opened, I tried to get out, so... [he kind of did it to himself, in that sense. not that he feels like taking blame for that.]

But that's why I couldn't tell. How long.

[repeatedprayer]

[So. He was alone, restrained, in a room with no windows and barely anything in it. Grey suppresses a shudder, thinking of a different dark room with a different test subject strapped down inside it.]

That sounds confusing, to say the least.

[What conditions might help alleviate the disorientation? A clock? A window with the curtains open?]

Did the restraints hurt?

[siriusly]

Sometimes. Not always. [he shifts a little, moving an arm out from between them.]

No marks...I don't think... [like he can even tell in the dark! he didn't notice any before.] Just...from needles. [the bruises. they're still present, but then, it's only been...two? three days? he's already forgetting.

the arm lowers, fingers curling into a bit of Grey's shirt at his chest.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey wants to gently take the hand Manabu's raised and kiss his wrist, as if Manabu were a child who wants a kiss to make it better. The same goes for the mention of needles. He wants to peel off Manabu's shirt and find hunt down every last mark to override the touch of metal syringes with his own lips.

He'll settle instead for keeping a hand on Manabu's back and letting Manabu curl his own hand into Grey's chest.]

They kept you drugged most of the time too, didn't they? What were they like?

[siriusly]

Blurry. Same color coats. I don't...remember the voices. Off the cuff. [but he could probably recognize them in the wild. hopefully he can, once he can get out of here and investigate.

the sooner the better - time's ticking! the trail will get colder and colder...

...Grey is warm. he smells nice...]

Is this...okay...? [for who? Grey? him?]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey also wonders if Manabu would be able to recognize any of the scientists at all, if they manage to track any of them down. And if so, will Manabu be able to handle it?

He supposes they'll just have to cross that bridge later.]

Yes. It's okay, Manabu.

[Grey isn't really sure what Manabu means, but he speaks on instinct. He shifts his hand up and pets the back of Manabu's head.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu's heart misses another beat as he processes that. even if he didn't really have the most specific of questions, that just means he has a broader answer. this is okay. right now.

his scalp tingles where he's touched, and he's prompted to nestle his head under Grey's chin. the arm he'd freed up slips around Grey's waist, pressing closer to risk taking in more of that buzz.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's breath catches when he feels Manabu embrace him, but he doesn't shy away. In fact, he's a little afraid to move because he doesn't want Manabu to risk scaring Manabu off somehow. He wants Manabu here, securely pressed against him, his breath against Grey's collarbones, Manabu's hair tickling the underside of his chin.

My Manabu...

It's a thought he's had before, really. He half-thinks of Manabu as his already, and dearly wants Manabu to belong to him. Grey's, to protect, to hold, to bicker with, to work with... And so much else besides.

Grey resumes petting Manabu with slow strokes, gently burrowing his fingers into Manabu's hair to rub at the scalp.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu exhales a slower, steadier breath, able to let the tension drain out in favor of the pleasant, heartracing feeling of being held and consoled.

he drowsily murmurs something that's supposed to be either thank you or i'm sorry or both, curling his fingers into the cloth as he drifts off.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey keeps up the petting for a while, enjoying the sensation of Manabu's hair sliding between his fingers until he's simply too sleepy for even that bit of movement. But he remains in place even afterwards, holding Manabu against him with his hand pressed against the back of Manabu's head. His heart beats steadily in his chest, and at some point before he drifts off entirely he ruefully reflects that they've wound up in this position again.

Well, as emotionally fraught as the circumstances may be, there isn't anywhere else that Grey would prefer to be right now. With a strange feeling of contentment, Grey falls asleep properly, still cuddling Manabu as if they were a pair of kittens in a litter.]

[siriusly]

[even when calmed, Manabu's not a particularly peaceful sleeper, so Grey is subject to some fidgeting throughout the night, and he wakes with a little jolt to find his legs tangled with his own and his head turned in a kind of uncomfortable angle. he's going to regret moving and stretching later... but for the moment, Manabu takes stock, his head clear of the night's panic.

Grey...

it's okay, Manabu.

he gulps, chest feeling tight again, as he carefully shifts as he feels a cramp in his leg. but if he moves too fast, he might freak Grey out, right? so...grin and bear it, Yuuki.]

[repeatedprayer]

[The fidgeting affects Grey a little throughout the night, particularly with his concern for Manabu being at the forefront of his emotions. But whenever he stirs it doesn't take long for him to settle again, not with Manabu in his arms and breathing evenly.

When morning comes and Manabu awakes, Grey stirs a little at the jolt but is soon fast asleep while Manabu takes stock of the situation.

Grey doesn't freak out when Manabu finally starts shifting, but his arm does tighten around Manabu.]

Mnm...

[Grey tilts his head, nuzzling the top of Manabu's forehead, unconsciously enjoying the feeling of soft hair and Manabu's scent.]

...got you...

[I've got you.

This might be a sweet and cute moment if poor Manabu weren't suffering from a leg cramp.]

[siriusly]

Eh?

['got you,' huh?]

Ye-yeah, you do. [if he exhales too much, he's gonna get squeezed too much!

leg... he tries stretching his leg out and tilting his foot to get that cramp out. owww.]

A...aheh...

[repeatedprayer]

[Eventually, the combination of Miscellaneous Manabu Noises (non-distressed version) and fidgeting gets through to Grey's sleep brain and he begins to properly rouse. His arm shifts and his eyes open, blinking the sleep out of them.]

Ah...

[He kind of wants to keep lying here, but he can feel Manabu stretching his leg around and assumes that means Manabu's ready to start moving. So he finally slips his arm out from around Manabu and begins to sit up.]

You're awake?

[Grey scrubs at his face with one hand and peeks over at Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu braces unconsciously for some kind of freakout that doesn't come, exhaling quietly as he watches Grey sit up and come to terms with waking up. that feels time enough that he can pull his leg free and roll over, sitting up and reaching to stretch it.]

Y-yeah, hey. Morning. Sleep okay?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey watches Manabu stretch with mild interest, but no real concern. Manabu doesn't seem particularly distressed.]

Quite well, thank you. And yourself?

[Grey almost blushes at how prim he sounds. Like they're acquaintances who slept in separate hotel rooms instead of clinging to one another through a good chunk of the night.]

[siriusly]

Ye-yeah! [a bit overly chipper, but no less honest, Manabu's face grows warm as he affirms it, looking askance, bashful.] I guess it's just...better when you're close-by, eheh. I really do...ask a lot of you, huh.

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey scoffs, but the sound and expression are soft.]

You ask hardly anything. I have to drag you into accepting my help most of the time.

[siriusly]

[his face gets redder.]

Well! Well, I'll--[he clears his throat.] I'll...try to ask more.

[more being close... he can just. ask for that???]

[repeatedprayer]

[It is an extraordinary concept, Grey has to admit!]

Good. That will greatly simplify matters.

[Grey pushes the sheets off and slides out of the bed. Time to start the morning.]

Did you want to start making breakfast or take a shower first?