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]

[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?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey has a lil' flashback to when they were arguing on the train to Tabito and afterwards, Manabu had offered Grey the remnants of a rice ball he'd picked up somewhere, despite otherwise not having eaten all day.

Subsequently, he shakes his head.]

You're still in recovery, remember? You need to eat more.

[Let's not linger on the possible hypocrisy of scolding Manabu on still being in recovery after Grey already jumped him in the shower.]

[siriusly]

[he looks ready to insist, but after a twitch of an ear, relents and just shovels the remains into his mouth, punctuated with a loud gulp and guh as it goes down.]

Th...there... [nothing wasted.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's mouth twitches, amused by Manabu's attitude. He feels like he just made a kid finish off their broccoli.]

Well done.

[With that done, Grey returns to sitting on the bed and picks up the hairbrush he'd set aside, before patting the mattress beside him invitingly.]

Come here.

[It Is Time.]

[siriusly]

[his tail swishes, expression obstinate.]

Wouldn't exercising be more useful than brushing my stupid tail?

[repeatedprayer]

[Really now. Grey gives Manabu a Look.]

We have to do it eventually. Why put it off and give it an opportunity to get worse?

[siriusly]

[man... he scowls, huffs, and then trudges over, hesitating as his pace demands he not drag his feet like a petulant child. so stupid!

he plops onto the mattress with a huff, folding his arms, his tail twitching.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's mouth twitches again, torn between the urge to laugh and to roll his eyes.]

I don't know why you're being so stubborn about this. It'll be over quicker if you cooperate.

[And now the moment Manabu has probably been dreading: Since it's going to be hard to brush Manabu's tail while it's twitching around everywhere, Grey has to curl a hand around it before he starts brushing.

To his credit, it's a loose grip- he is aware that Manabu's tail is sensitive as hell, so Grey's being as gentle as he can, starting by combing the very bottom of Manabu's fur and only gradually moving his way up once the brush can glide through Manabu's fur without hitting any snags.]

[siriusly]

I just think it's-! [he blushes, tensing up. it's only a little pressure, but it still tingles in such a way.] Stupid... [he gulps, turning his head and looking in the direction opposite.] It's just gonna get messy again anyway...

[wow unexpected logic from the guy with eternal cowlicks, who'd have guessed.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey glances briefly at Manabu's shoulder, still brushing away at his tail.]

It won't if you start brushing it regularly. You'll just have to make it part of your regular routine, like showering and shaving.

[It was a nice attempt at logic, but Grey remains unimpressed. The brushy brushy will continue.]

[siriusly]

[the tail twitches in the loose grip, tip wiggling. Manabu's shoulders draw up against the tickling feeling going up his spine. it has no business feeling nice...

but it does feel really nice. dammit. freakshow tail...]

There's...really no way to get rid of it, is there... [it's just...part of his regular routine now. normal.

it's not normal at all!!]