hugtopia_logs | happy birthday to u

Entry tags:

happy birthday to u

♥ Who: sad rawna kids, maybe less sad other people
♥ Where: rawna’s house
♥ When: 7/4-7/8
♥ What: canon update party
♥ Rating: prolly pg for intense worry

This was not how the afternoon was supposed to go.

It was really just supposed to be a little lounge in the afternoon. Kai had taken Bug out for a little romp in the sunshine, let the little guy stretch its… uh… rind? Get its roll on. Enjoy that one patch of grass for a while, a fruitbug needed some quality time outside sometimes, probably. Kai did at least. Playing with the orange eventually devolved into just sitting around for a bit as it rolled around, and that eventually led to laying back to watch the clouds roll by. Had there been any plans for dinner? Was the kind of idle thought that passed by. Maybe when all three of them were home, they could try making oyakodon or something together. That seemed like a good time.

When idle thoughts and lazy clouds became a nap, he didn’t know.

He didn’t wake up when Rawna’s priests came and picked him up. He didn’t wake up when Bug squeaked at them either, so he missed all the erratic circles it rolled around them as they went off to the temple.

It rolled all the way there, and all the way back, rolling around in obvious circles in the yard until someone it knew came home. Was it you? Yes? Well, better follow that fruit cuz there it went down the road to Rawna’s house.

The priests were kind of expecting them. Even with the mishaps that had happened, Rawna’s priests were familiar enough with this group to know that there was one pertinent reason Shinji or Kyoko would have shown up right now…. Even if they didn’t yet. Yes, their friend was this way. Yes, they could visit with him.

He didn’t wake up then, either.

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Shinji reaching for her hand again, even now, here in the safety of their own home after the scary things were all over, made Kyoko pause and blink. He... still wanted this? Enough to go back for more when it would make perfect sense to let it end naturally here?

Or maybe he just thought she needed assistance. A fair assessment, she had to admit as she stepped inside and felt herself sway a little. Well, all right then. Maybe she shouldn't think too hard about it at this point.

But almost as soon as she'd slipped her hand back into Shinji's, Kaito was chiming in with a truly wild idea. "Huh?? Making you do chores when you just woke up? That's too much!"

Incredible, having the energy to overthink such a small gesture. Not Shinji, he's definitely just going on what feels the most right to be doing without examining why.

Any overthinking should be devoted to making sure that Kai's not pushing himself, anyway. It doesn't entirely feel like they'd be making him do anything particularly big and involved if he wanted to whip up some kind of meal, but it still seems kind of. Hm.

"You were just asleep for nearly four days," he reminds Kai. Even if he remembers being up at all kinds of things, his body was still just hanging out doing nothing for that long! "You should be taking it easy, Kai."

"It's not a chore, geez," was Kai's first protest as he led them through the house. Notably and without much surprise, they were not going to the kitchen.

"And both of you were apparently awake for nearly four days," he pushed back. No one was actually in a position to be doing much of anything! He at least had a backup option. "If it's too much I can always just pop the omurice button, don't worry about it."

There was no convenient nap button though. There was only bed. This bed.

Correct, they were not going to the kitchen. Kyoko didn't even break away to go to her own proper bed, at least not yet. She wasn't getting into this one either though, just nudging the boys towards it.

"We were not!" Not that whole time! There were definitely An Amount of naps, between the two of them. "I was sleeping even when you woke up!" How long she'd been asleep before that was a mystery nobody needed to solve.

"We'll have omurice for sure, but you have to at least sit down and recover from the walk first!"

Surely, a brief sit-down with them is a doable compromise. Shinji's not about to argue the opportunity to finally get some kind of meaningful rest, which means that even as he has yet to let go of Kyoko's hand, he's trying to give Kai in closer to the bed as well.

"Even just for a little while," he insists.

It was all going according to impromptu plan, so there wasn't any resistance on Kai's part on getting shuffled towards bed. He'd even take a seat! Just not before turning to take each of their hands to make sure they were coming to the same destination.

"I'll take it real easy. Won't go anywhere 'til you both get some rest, ok?" He gave their hands a squeeze. "Please."

Kaito was sitting down now. Good. Mission accomplished. Excellent work, everyone.

Kaito was also, surely coincidentally, still holding her hand, as was Shinji. Unsure of how to proceed from this point, Kyoko was left standing awkwardly in this hand-holding circle, glancing uncertainly between her roommates. Probably she should leave now, and give them some privacy! But yanking her hands away while they were still holding them would feel kinda mean. If she just sort of loosened her grip, would they naturally remember to let go of her? That was what she was trying for now.

"G-good." Here was a meaningful look at Shinji. "You won't let him push himself, right?"

Is there some kind of particular plan here, with Kai keeping a hold on both of their hands? Shinji's a bit lost, personally, and while he does let Kyoko's hand finally go as she loosens her hold, he gives a vaguely bewildered look to Kai's hand still holding on to hers.

That's. Fine. Probably. He won't question it.

"Of course, I'll make sure he rests for at least a little while."

Okay. Well. He supposed he'd need to be blatant about it. Here's another tug to bring them closer.

"I'll rest. You two are taking a nap. If you're both in the same spot I won't need to wobble around to check on you and make sure you're not trying to bake a cake instead of sleeping or whatever."

That little tug did bring her stumbling closer, but not without an alarmed little "uwoh!" What! Really?! He wanted that kind of arrangement??

"I--I won't bake anything until later! I promise!" You don't have to watch her, jeez! "Have a little confidence in me!"

The wheels in Shinji's head are definitely chugging now, and when he puts the pieces of what Kai's implying together, his eyes light up in understanding. Ah, so that's the angle he's going for.

He gives Kyoko a sidelong glance, and while he does want to take her promise at face value, he can't deny.... having her right there would make it much easier to make sure she does let herself rest. He doesn't feel right pushing her too hard about it, but if he doesn't make too big a fuss, maybe she'll be more okay with the idea...?

"I mean, if it'll make it easier for you, Kai."

Think of his condition! It will ease his worries! This is not a bad idea, awkward as it may be.

Shinji's hand got an extra squeeze, a wordless little thank you for not being too upset with the idea. He really was just trying to think of what would put the most minds at ease at once, and this seemed like it was it for multiple reasons. There was just the fluster to contend with, but that was worth it.

"Mhmm." There was a flicker of a warm smile there. "You looked after me for so long, at least let me get a few hours to return the favor before I lean on you again."

And here was Kyoko's extra little squeeze too. "You already know he's a good nap partner, right? You'll get well rested in no time."

Wow, Shinji, just joining right in on the murder, huh.

Kyoko would not have thought she'd have the energy for much fluster, but here she was burning up all the same. What the heck. What should she do? Why were they both acting like this was okay? Weirdos!!

"I really don't get you," she went ahead and said, though it came out as a mumble as she gingerly sat down on the edge of the bed, beside Kaito. "Both of you."

Sorry for being a weirdo and also a murderer, but, like, You Know.

If it makes her feel any better, the comment about being a good nap partner is enough to drag a bit of fluster out of Shinji as well, his cheeks coloring a slight pink as he joins the both of them on the bed, on the other side of Kai. And, ahh, even just sinking in to the soft cushioning of the mattress this much melts so much of his stress away. Hello, extra comfy bed, he missed you.

"Just for a while," he assures her, unable to stop himself from letting out a yawn as that tension seeps right on out of him, letting that fatigue make itself truly known.

Was it really that much of a surprise that he'd want them all together on a bed when she'd already guessed he would have liked that? Gosh.

He smiled a bit more though, at least having the decency to look a little sheepish about it. This was pushing things, he knew, and he was grateful she was being a good sport about it too. "Sorry for being weird," he said out loud with a light chuckle, and then he echoed, "Just for a while, yeah."

That was quite the yawn though. Kai finally let go of their hands, but it was just so he could give them each a pat on their knee and then give Shinji a soft hair ruffle. "C'mon, scoot on back and get comfy. I'm... I'll be right here. Not goin' anywhere else."

She wasn't serious when she thought that! It wasn't a suggestion! Jeez Kaito!

But if this was really what he wanted, right now, and Shinji wasn't against it... if this was the only way to get Kaito to take it easy and not push himself... wouldn't she be kinda unreasonable to make a big fuss and refuse? She'd be causing trouble for poor, tired Shinji, too.

"Just... for a while," Kyoko mumbled. Just one nap. She'd been in this bed before.

That scandalous--even though it was innocent! and she knew it!--pat to her knee almost made her give it all up and bolt, though. Face a full-on tomato, Kyoko clenched her hands into fists on her lap, and steeled herself. "Um--let me take the far side, then. You can be closer to him that way, Shinji."

Thank you for being such a trooper about this, Kyoko. Both of them truly appreciate it.

Her poor dignity, though. Shinji will do his best to spare her any more embarrassment and make this as easy of a situation to swallow as possible. "All right," he murmurs softly, that's entirely fine with him. He scoots back at Kai's prompting, getting himself situated more fully on the bed and giving Kyoko plenty of space to squeeze herself on over to that far side of the bed.

"Let me know if there's anything you need me to do." To help her be more comfortable with this. With any luck, though, exhaustion will catch up to her quickly as it has with him, and she can doze off quickly.

Aha. The Shinji buffer was back in full swing. It was at least expected at this point, and if it got her to feel comfortable with taking a nap here then good.

He'd scoot over, giving her all the space she'd need to make her move to the spot Shinji had made for her. The only toll was one (1) gentle pat to her noggin. Then he was going to take up residence up by Shinji, as was intended.

After paying that bed crossing toll with no more protest than a quiet blush, Kyoko quickly scooted herself over to her designated spot. "No," she told Shinji gently, as she laid herself down--on her side, back to the boys, so as to give them at least some tiny semblance of privacy. "You're--you're fine. Sorry for the intrusion."

But wow, gosh, it sure was nice to actually lay down again. Kyoko hadn't thought she'd be able to relax at all, but a fresh wave of drowsiness hit as soon as her head was nestled on that pillow.

Isn't it nice? To have such a comfortable surface to be horizontal on? It's still a bit of a cozy squeeze with all three of them up here, so hopefully Kyoko doesn't mind too much when Shinji sticks pretty close to her. He can't bring himself to think about it too deeply, what with that feeling of relieved tiredness washing over him.

Ah, finally, everything should be okay now.

"You're fine, too." No need to apologize, especially when they were the ones who pushed the issue. He reaches out, grabbing Kai's hand as he gets himself settled in. "Sleep well, Kyoko."

There we go. Everyone let snoozetown envelop them. This had definitely been the best first step, seeing how quickly they were both sinking into the mattress. They'd put up such a strong fight just for his sake. Geez.

Kai threaded his fingers with Shinji's, lifting their hands so he could gingerly press his lips to the other boy's knuckles. He was here. He wasn't going anywhere. He was sorry for all the worry.

"Sleep well," he echoed softly, loud enough so they could each hear. "... I'm glad you were both there."

He was glad they were both there, Kaito said. He'd wrapped his arms around both of them on the way home. He wanted both of them right here where he could watch over them.

"Sleep well," Kyoko mumbled back as she closed her eyes, glad nobody could see her face.

That's right, both of them.

"Hmm," he hums a soft agreement, to Kai, to Kyoko. A soft sigh escapes him, worries about whether or not the people around him would still be within reach when he wakes up fading away, and belated birthday thoughts being the only ones daring to wander through his head before sleep finally, swiftly swallows everything up.

Rest now, and the both of them can sort everything out later.

Much later, hopefully. A good few hours, at least. Kai would be willing to let them get up to their sneaky business later.

For now, Kai just laid there quietly, resting like a good boy ought to. He was extremely content with the arrangement, his hand still gently clasping Shinji's as he watched over the other boy's face as it grew soft with sleep. Finally. Kai hated knowing he'd been the source of all that haggard weariness they'd both been carrying. He also kind of hated how unspeakably touched he was for it. It was a conflict that he could only soothe knowing that he was here now. He could appreciate all they had done for him and each other.

He just loved them so much. Both of them.

A while later, after Kai had rested his own weary limbs for a bit and he was certain they were both soundly sleep, he very gingerly eased himself up. Here was one very gentle kiss upon Shinji's sleepy noggin. Sleep well. Kai hesitated after that, his gaze traveling over to Kyoko's resting form. Much as he wanted to press another smooch there too, he had the time to be rational and know that wasn't... good. To do. He pressed a small kiss to his fingertips instead, very lightly brushing them over her hair. A final compromise, before those feelings were left to wander aimlessly and unreturned. With that, he very, very carefully extracted himself from the bed and slowly shuffled out of the room. Pausing at the door, he looked over at the sight of them tucked up against each other and smiled. That was good.

The food plans weren't too complex. Just a few little things he knew would hold up for a while until everyone was ready for them. A very simple tofu miso soup they would only have to heat up. Some sweet tamagoyaki. A moment for him to crouch down in front of the sink and cry as everything finally caught up to him. A few apple bunnies. Once those were squared away, he snuck back to the bedroom with a vague sense of urgency.

It was pressing that he curl right back up beside them at the soonest opportunity. (See: Now.) Just as carefully as he'd departed, Kai snuck right back in. This time it was with his arm wrapped warmly over Shinji, reaching over to carefully drape his hand over Kyoko's side too. A warm, sleepy sandwich full of care. There he was, ready to return the favor of being there whenever they woke up.

Though Kyoko had not expected to sleep especially soundly in this arrangement, that wave of drowsiness that had hit her when she laid down turned out to be a big one. It knocked her flat and dragged her far out to sea, where she wouldn't notice herself nestling closely back against the boy next to her, and where she wouldn't stir when fingertips whispered over her hair. Restful sleep had seemed impossible for so many days, now that she had both peace of mind and a warm bed to ease the way, it was too easy to resist. Behind her eyelids, only the image of Kaito opening his seemed to play, over and over again.

Probably she could have slept soundly, just like that, until morning. But there was one thing, at least, that could shake her from a slumber even this deep.

"Hnhnhh..." She whined, as a very similar noise issued simultaneously from her belly. "Tamago...yaki..."

Her mumbling trailed off as she opened her eyes to... a dark room? "Huh? Ah??" Where???

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