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

[siriusly]

Enh-? [but-- the touching--

he squeezes at himself briefly, gulping and holding a breath to come back to a bit of reality despite the relentless buzz of arousal. the movement behind him helps, and after a moment he looks around himself to figure out the best way to turn around without being too disruptive.

he manages it a bit gracelessly, bumping at Grey's knee along the way and muttering an apology as he comes to sit facing him, his face ruddy and hair matted from the steam and water.]

[repeatedprayer]

[It's difficult for Grey to be patient while Manabu gets himself situated, and Grey trembles lightly the whole time he has to suppress the urge to just grab and grope at Manabu more. Manabu's movements, graceless as they may be, do little to cool his ardor.

Once Manabu's finally in place Grey simply stares, drinking in the sight of him for a heartbeat or two. That's about all he can manage before he shifts a hand to the back of Manabu's head and yanks him forward for a desperate kiss, prodding insistently at Manabu's lips with his tongue and tightening his grip on Manabu's head and side.]

[siriusly]

[those two heartbeats are enough for Manabu to worry on what Grey's thinking, for him to start to feel over exposed and vulnerable. but before he can voice it, he's grabbed.]

Mrph-! [it's a surprised sound stifled by Grey's insistence, and for a moment Manabu is bristled and struggles a little to follow where Grey is leading. his mouth opens and gives way, groaning a little as the sensation of his tongue searching about ignites a fresh spark.

the yanking had him reach to grab onto Grey's arms to avoid slipping off the stool entirely; those fingers grip tightly as they kiss.

he's such an overwhelming force...it's scary and thrilling at the same time. the risk is just in trusting, but Manabu always trusts in earnest.]

[repeatedprayer]

[I want you. I need you. Manabu!

Grey can't properly voice any of this while he's deep in exploring Manabu's mouth, but there's numerous clues that Manabu may be able to pick up on. The moans muffled into Manabu's mouth; the needy way he grips Manabu; the tremor of his body under Manabu's touch.

Manabu's attempts to stay on the stool may prove fruitless. Without breaking the kiss, Grey moves back a bit further, still pulling Manabu forward as he goes- right now, he wants Manabu seated on his lap.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu shudders intensely when bumps up against Grey, his aching cock pressing up against Grey and eliciting an almost pained sound - it's nearly drowned out by the clatter of the stool toppling in the process. the loss of the perch means Manabu's hands scramble for purchase, arms inevitably wrapping around Grey's shoulders as his chest presses flush against his.

everything feels so much more intense and electric than the night before and Manabu can't stop himself from feeling; between breaks in kissing for breath he lets out a soft, distressed sound as his hips buck against him.

i can't stop my body from moving...! it's like Grey's puppeting him to make those lewd and desperate moves.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey barely registers the sound of the stool toppling over, when it seems like every single one of his senses is focused entirely on Manabu. Everywhere their bodies make contact buzzes with pleasure, and whenever Manabu presses against a particularly sensitive spot that buzz turns into a full on jolt.

After one of those jolts he groans Manabu's name, followed by a strangled sound when Manabu bucks his hips again.]

Manabu-!

[He can feel Manabu's cock, heavy and heated, pressing and rubbing against his own, against his stomach. Everything's slippery with water and soap, he feels as though he's burning up, nothing seems more important than the need to make both of them come.

Grey lets go of the back of Manabu's head and fumbles it between them, brushing against Manabu's stomach before he finally finds Manabu's cock. As best he can, working partly by instinct, he guides Manabu to press his cock against Grey's, thrusting his own hips so that they're both grinding against each other like a pair of obscene, mindless animals.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu whimpers and moans, grabbing at tufts of Grey's hair in an errant search to grasp and squeeze through the intensity the friction causes.

i can't stop-- he almost thinks to utter an apology, but he can't form words while desperately rocking, his tail lifting and curling tensely up behind him as the urgency of his need reaches closer to the peak.

faster. move faster. tighter. clutch tighter. Manabu's breath is hot and fast as he feverishly moves and his muscles tense. with enough pressure, enough friction, he feels the spasm of release and lets out a loud gasp and panted sounds as he comes between them, still mindlessly humping through the high.

i feel insane... and tremendously vindicated and good.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Gray gasps at the pull on his hair, though he's too addled to really register the sting as anything but another note of pleasure. Kissing is halted during these mad moments while both of them need the air for their frantic movements. Grey can't think, only pant and moan and press and thrust, keeping the sensation building and building.

Manabu's moving so fast, Grey can barely keep up. One of Grey's hands has slipped to Manabu's hip, and he can feel Manabu's body tensing as if it was his own. Grey's not fully cognizant of when Manabu comes, he just knows that he can hear Manabu gasp loud enough to echo in his ears- and then Grey finally bursts, heat rushing through him with an intensity that has him digging his nails into Manabu's hip.

It takes several long moments for Grey to come down enough to loosen his hold and slump a little. His chest rises and falls, his head is spinning, and there's a thick patch of cum slowly dripping down his stomach. One of his first semi-coherent thoughts is to wonder if it's his, or Manabu's.

As for Manabu... Grey blinks a few times. Then stares.

Manabu's red-faced, wide-eyed, his hair is a damp mess, his lips are swollen and his shoulder and neck are littered with love bites. And he's the most beautiful thing Grey has ever seen.]

[siriusly]

[dazed and tingling, Manabu mirrors the wondering and wandering stare. his grip on Grey's hair has gone slack, leaving his hand to curl weak fingers on the back of his neck and a shoulder; his ears are full of the sound of water and heavy breathing, nose full of the scents of soap and semen, mouth still wet from Grey's tongue...

the darker shade of hair makes Grey's skin tone pop even more and show off the flushed state of it more plainly - his face moreso than the broad shoulders Manabu's arms are resting on. while sitting in his lap, they're properly eye level, and Manabu can properly appreciate the eyes appraising him without feeling stricken with shame for staring. they're really unique, aren't they...one is almost like an animal's... there's really no one like him, is there? even that mirrored face in the false ID doesn't have the same energy at all.

before a more lucid thought can form (probably something about, say, getting off the floor and actually cleaning up), Manabu tilts his head and leans into press a soft, sincere kiss to Grey's lips, soaking up a bit more of that moment without the beat of desperation that brought them there.]

[repeatedprayer]

[There's a split-second of surprise when Manabu's lips press against his, then Grey's eyes shut and he returns the kiss, just as softly. The kiss feels incredible- it's a gentle glow compared to the inferno of their coupling only moments ago, but somehow it's equally stirring. Grey relaxes further, and wraps his arms around Manabu in a careful embrace.

Grey is quiet for a bit after the kiss, still holding onto Manabu while he tries to collect his thoughts. Now that he's coming down from the high properly, he's more self-conscious. Manabu's just given him amazing pleasure, the likes of which he has little else to compare to; surely Grey should come up with something appropriate to say. But "thanks" seems a little gauche...]

You, ah... Did you enjoy that?

[Grey's pretty damn sure Manabu did considering how desperately he has humping Grey, but it seems polite to at least inquire into Manabu's mental state now that he's done ravishing the man.]

[siriusly]

[his mouth twitches a little, almost laughing; he ducks his head a little.]

Y-yeah, that... [what to even say? his head shakes just slightly.] When you...get at me like that, I, I guess I can't help myself. [he wonders if he should apologize, or feel more ashamed about it. gravity hasn't pulled him entirely out of orbit yet, but there is that tugging sense of shame and "ought to."]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey doesn't laugh or smile, though neither does he look displeased. Instead, he's contemplative. His gaze is intent in a way similar to his earlier, awestruck staring, but there's more lucidity behind it, thoughts to accompany the sense of wonder.]

I'm honored.

[Grey says it with a touch of the sardonic and yet... It's true. Manabu's pretty much already said that he doesn't normally do this sort of thing (and even if it hadn't, it isn't hard to figure out just from Manabu's workaholic personality) so Grey seems to be an exception. Why, he's not entirely sure, but he can't help but be grateful for it.

He finally starts smiling, though it's more than a bit rueful.]

I assure you that my intentions were pure when I went to find you, but it seems that I have trouble keeping my hands to myself where you're concerned.

[So if it's of any reassurance to Manabu: He's not the only one who can't help himself.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu's tail has drooped out of its ecstasy arc, laying limp in the water on the floor. the damn shower's still on, and he's getting more and more aware of that, of their place in the world right now...

but Grey's words pull his focus, prompt him to look back up. his ears perk...then twitch a little with his bristle, his hands on Grey slipping a bit to just his shoulders.]

Oh, I--I never assumed! I mean, I thought I annoyed the hell out of you until--er, you didn't even...think we could be friends, so even that much...

[woof. they...leaped over a few relational steps up the ladder, didn't they. what's the consequence to that? is there consequence to that?]

[repeatedprayer]

[I never assumed! It's so strange how easily and often Manabu puts his trust in Grey. Despite being an SDF officer, the man plainly doesn't have a suspicious bone in his body.

Acquaintances, allies, friends; Grey's not entirely sure how to label their relationship, and now that sex is added into the mix that only complicates it. "Friends with benefits" doesn't feel right, far too casual for what his emotions are, and yet he mentally recoils at any term that might denote some sort of... deeper commitment. It doesn't feel appropriate.

Especially when their relationship, whatever it is, has an expiry date.

It's perhaps this awkwardness over his own emotions that fuels his next remark. Teasing Manabu is easier than baring his heart.]

You do still annoy me sometimes.

[What with his insistence on not murdering people and not wanting Grey to endanger himself and all that. Very annoying.]

But I've discovered that these things are not mutually exclusive.

[siriusly]

[Manabu's face reddens at the prodding, more easily bothered when he's naked, apparently. the flutter of arousal is getting swapped out for self-consciousness - a more familiar fit, but not great.]

Y-yeah, well...I annoy a lot of my friends and coworkers, so...so that's not strange, I guess. [what's strange is fucking one of them madly like he just did.

gosh.

he withdraws his arms entirely, getting a glimpse of the mess between them (mostly on Grey, holy crap), looking around himself.]

We should--should actually wash up...properly, I mean...

[repeatedprayer]

Back to reality, is it?

[Since Manabu's let go, Grey also drops his arms so that Manabu can get up. Though not before he gives Manabu's wet hair a quick ruffle, which is a totally normal thing to do to a man you just had sex with.

Grey's satiated for the time being, so he won't mess around much more while they're there. He's a bit brisk about cleaning himself up (and Manabu, if he's still willing to let Grey help) but his mood is good- he's plainly quite pleased about fucking Manabu on the bathroom floor.

If there's a downside to fucking Manabu, it's probably that that kind of thing really burns calories; Grey's stomach starts rumbling before they're done. Hopefully Manabu will be up for making breakfast.]

[siriusly]

[what does he mean back? that was reality, too! it was just...surreal reality. but still real! even if they wash off the evidence...

he'll swat away any teasing attempts to help, but doesn't mind a hand lent to reach something out of his reach as needed.

while Grey enjoys the sense of accomplishment, Manabu is a floaty mix of alarm and shame and a curious thrill. oh yeah - and the hunger. he's starting to feel a bit lightheaded from that mix of fucking in a hot shower and doing so on an empty stomach...

sighed:] Dammit... [he picks through the freshly laid-out clothes, realizing he has to cut up another pair of boxers.

and his tail is still of yet unbrushed and damp.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's already half-dressed (the benefits of having no nonhuman appendages grafted on his body!) when he catches Manabu sighing over a pair of boxers. The issue is not hard to work out, and the glimpse of the offending tail reminds him that he's been meaning to get it brushed.

Grey gives the room a quick once-over. The only place to sit down is the bed, and he needs to strip the bed linens off of it before that. They're also both hungry but he did pick up various snack foods so Manabu doesn't necessarily need to do any cooking. But getting Manabu dressed before he catches his death of cold is probably the first priority, so Grey grabs the scissors from the kitchen drawer and hands them to Manabu.]

Here. Once you've dressed and eaten, I think we should brush your tail before the matting gets any worse.

[Remembering how Manabu reacted the last time Grey was handling his tail does give him a bit of trepidation but really. The poor thing looks sadly neglected and it's probably not healthy to leave it in that state.]

[siriusly]

Ehhh... [he sounds like the notion is as favorable as, say, a kid being told to study before being allowed to watch TV. still, he takes the scissors and puts them to the task of making underwear wearable again.

once shirted and boxer'd:] There's still meat from yesterday to heat up, right? I can do that. [anything to avoid brushing.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey levels Manabu with a stern look at the noise, and gives a firm reassurance:]

I'll be careful. I know how to untangle hair.

[Is it different when you're working with dog hair vs. human hair? Well. Hopefully not!

Since the plan is now Settled as far as Grey is concerned, he lets Manabu get on with his tailoring and boxering while Grey takes the time to start gathering up the laundry. The dirty clothes are tossed into a leftover shopping bag (Grey doesn't have a proper laundry bag) and he's in the midst of stripping the sheets from the bed when Manabu speaks up.

Grey glances up briefly.]

Whatever you think is best. If you don't feel like cooking we already have some premade items.

[Y'know, if Manabu wants to go back to cereal and granola bars.]

[siriusly]

[assuredly:] I can do it. [he can be useful!! he can cook in his underwear - he's done it before! in fact, he's gonna do it after independently walking his way over to the kitchen area, albeit carefully and with a dripping tail sticking out for balance. it's getting easier...and it may be easier still when he stops thinking too hard about it.

objective reached...time to cook up some protein.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Without looking up from the sheet he's peeling off the mattress:]

Your tail's dripping, by the way.

[Whatever Manabu chooses to do with that information is up to him. Grey finishes gathering and putting the laundry aside, digs out Manabu's hairbrush, and then sets it aside on the bare mattress while he putters around and tries to ignore the sounds and scents of food being prepared.]

[siriusly]

[irritably:] I'll wipe it up later!

[he won't. it will just dry on its own and be a slip hazard before then!!

in the meanwhile, he heats up the remaining meat from the fridge and cracks a few eggs - slightly-flavored omelettes!

musing aloud as he plops them in bowls:] Rice would be good... [and plates.] It's ready!

[repeatedprayer]

[They do have bread, at least! Bread's kinda like rice. Staple crop and all that.

Grey's already, despite his best efforts to ignore the process, well aware when Manabu's finished making the foot and is thus already on his feet by the time Manabu turns around. If Manabu's unwise enough to make motions to hand Grey's bowl over or otherwise move out of his current spot, he'll get a warning.]

Watch your step. The floor's wet.

[Teasing aside, Manabu will once again get treated to the sight of Grey wolfing down his breakfast as politely as possible.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu keeps his spot at the counters and digs into his share, hungrier than he realized. it sits a bit uneasily in his stomach, but it's better there than not at all. he does a bit of a double-take when he sees Grey's already pretty much inhaled his serving, Manabu's own only two-thirds the way.

a beat.

he holds it out.]

Want the rest?