[ He says that with so much joy, blinking his eyes open as much as he can. His irregular heartbeat makes for difficult recovery times, but itβs not unpleasant at all. Heβs only focused on the good. ]
For a short period of time, I think so. Ah, or if you were to help support me? [ He tilts his head up just slightly, already leaning on a hand on the edge of the tub. ] You donβt want me to sit in your lap~?
[ Heβs mostly joking... And itβs entirely not helpful to cleaning up. ]
[ He's definitely back to last names now. He still can't believe he even said his first name before and he's a little nervous that Eichi is going to lord it over him. ]
Your bath is too small for someone of my height no matter where you end up.
[ He'll let him lean against him though. He starts warming up the water. ]
[ He's not leaving Kuroko after he just almost died. Not more than a few seconds to fetch what he needs, anyway. Midorima stays standing to change his own clothing. They're in the lockers at least, and it's better than out in the open before and certainly better than Midorima's own suit malfunctioning while Kuroko was too exhausted to properly do anything about it in return.
Once he's changed back into his normal clothing, he folds the LIFE suit and puts it with Kuroko's. ]
You're going home after this.
[ Or at least to.. wherever Kuroko is staying. Not really home. ]
[ Cordis moon in particular makes Midorima's metabolism and energy both thrown off. For someone who until very recently had all but refused to purposefully generate chroma, the drain on it made him even more tired than normal. Though he still woke and slept according to his schedule, that deep sleeping was something that he really leaned into.
This has never been tried against a hot mouth slicking his underwear with saliva or tentacles rubbing his thighs before. The rush of chroma this is already starting to generate is certainly helping to provide a boost of energy too and Midorima finds himself coming to but not quite piecing together what's happening yet.
He's hot. Way hotter than he should be for sleeping, and it feels like there's something heavy over his legs. His cock is hard, and not in the normal morning wood sort of way-- it feels like there's a lot going on..? He's too groggy to even think about it so while he woke up with a low gasp, he's still staring at the ceiling for a moment or two before he reaches over to put on his glasses then looks down and notices the distinctive... lump beneath his covers. Sleepily, he lifts the covers up to see what the hell is going on.
...And sees Tsumugi with tentacles at his legs hovering over his underwear. He's still sleeping isn't he? This is a dream he's woken up into at while he stares at Tsumugi for a few seconds he lets his head plop back onto the pillow and sets the blanket back down. He's not awake enough to figure out.. any of what's happening, and whatever it is it feels good and this is clearly just a dream. He'll probably start questioning what's happening in a bit, but for now he's apparently decided that this is something that he's not objecting to. ]
[ That's an answer is a little surprising, and Midorima will be able to tell that Akashi's taken aback by such a response. He supposes just as much as how he knows Midorima works, the other also knows how he does.
So, he closes his eyes as he takes a sip of his tea. Once he feels warm, he sets the cup back down on its saucer. ]
We all still make a good team. Kagami and Kuroko are to thank for that.
[ Midorima may not be as good at reading Akashi as Akashi is at him, but even if he hasn't been able to beat him, he's always been able to keep up well enough that Akashi needs to take him seriously. It's not something he can do without being able to observe and understand him, even if Midorima isn't as good at it.
He won't argue about Kagami and Kuroko's role, though he won't outright thank them for it. ...Kuroko maybe. His rivalry with Kagami makes it hard for him to speak a kind word at all, though. ]
I'll find out when it comes to pass for me. I'm aware this place was able to take from other worlds, but not other timelines. However we've arrived here, it's not something to be taken lightly.
No, definitely not. I hope you'll guide me accordingly.
[ Regarding this place, he means. While Akashi may have experience in travelling to another world, Midorima's been here longer, hasn't he? ]
By the way, since you have no recollection of being in Empatheias. . . there's something I'd like to tell you. One that I wasn't able to say to you yet, even during the months I spent living with you in another world.
[So it's back to last names, huh. He doesn't think he minds it... And he notices that at least he said his last name right, this time. But it's worth noting.]
No bath is made for someone of your height. You're practically a giraffe. [Just, for the record.]
I think the image of you with your legs all bunched up in a tub is something fun, though. βͺ [For someone so tired, he sure is giving him lip.] No matter, though. I'll do my best to stand, so will you catch me if I fall, Midorima-kun? I'm counting on you~.
I won't see it, so just hold onto me so I don't have to deal with it.
[ He's taking his glasses off at that point and sets them on the counter. He can't shower with them on, after all. ]
In all seriousness, I have no intention of our massage sessions turning into this every time so we'll cease doing those during Cordis and Iris moons.
[ He puts his hand out to test the water's temperature, then gets in once he's ready, moving farther from the shower head so Eichi can get in on that side first. He's shorter, so he should rinse first and use Midorima's body to block the water while he shampoos. ]
[He says it playfully, as well, and it's probably clear by now that Eichi's mood is considerably better, right now, than it had been before all of this. He stands carefully, putting his hand on Midorima for warning, and then for support. He'll shower as he talks, it's easy enough.
But even if he's meant to be holding onto Midorima for support, and he is, his hands linger and touch more gently than he would have bothered with otherwise.]
I don't mind that arrangement, but... does that mean we'll be able to meet up more casually sometimes, too?
It's better to keep professional things professional.
[ Not that Midorima is a professional by any means, he's just got good hands and intentions. But it's the concept that counts.
Despite being in the heat of the water, the way Eichi touches him sends a slight shiver through his body. Not one of cold or fear, the good variety. It's weird to suddenly feel vulnerable still for an entirely different reason now, this time because he can't see Eichi's face- and therefore can't see what his intention with such delicate touches are. ]
We already agreed to practice. [ So that's a yes. ] Provided you give me notice. I can't simply drop everything because you want me.
[ But he'll probably send him his work and basketball schedule and say he misfired, just so he knows what times can't be interfered with if he wants to ask. ]
[Eichi is quiet for a moment as he shampoos his hair, then he trails a soapy finger over Midorima's hip as he moves enough to rinse himself. humming.]
I don't want to "schedule practice" with you. Something like this is meant to be spontaneous, you know? An exciting thing that gives you chills... that has you wondering what each touch might mean. [Still holding onto him so he won't fall, he traces a little star on his chest next.]
Otherwise, it's not personal at all. I don't want to give you notice... but I also wouldn't expect you to drop everything, you know?
[ He takes a deep breath as if he's trying not to let the little finger traces get to him. This is ridiculous. Cordis's instinctual want for more of everything is already making him want to indulge again and he's trying not to let it show. ]
I believe when you schedule it, it's called a date, but if you have no intention of that then you'll have to wait until I'm in the mood.
[ Eichi is tired and weak, which is why he can't let himself get into the mood again now. Even if he can't really see what he's doing to stop him, and admitting that it's doing anything would mean admitting that he isn't satiated yet. He wonders just how much experience Eichi has with Cordis-blessed and if he's doing this on purpose or not. ]
[On purpose or not? He's a horny bunny, tired or not. It's a little bit on purpose, to see where it goes. He laughs lightly at that, though.]
That's your definition of a date? Wahh, you're so serious, it's unbelievable. I'd like to go on dates, but don't call it scheduling practice or I'll think you're using me, you know?
[He won't, because he feels like he already knows Midorima better than that, but. Still. He takes a little bit more to make sure he's clean enough to switch spots, and then he slides his hand from Midorima's chest around to his back, kind of like a sensual slow almost-hug. He's still definitely using him for support.]
Okay, I'm ready. Do you want me to wash your hair, Midorima-kun? I can reach, you know?
[ He doesn't make jokes. That's why when he's being ridiculous it's even more funny somehow.
His breath is a little sharper as he feels Eichi moving to the other side. To cover it up, he steps forward to dunk his head under the water. He holds out his hand to the side, back still facing him. ]
[But he'd wanted to do it himself. Ah, well... He can't push this too much, can he? Or like a magnet facing the wrong way, Midorima might fly away. He sighs against Midorima's skin and then reaches to pass him the shampoo carefully. Even there, his fingers brush wherever they can. He stays close, even if he knows he'll have to not be in the way of Midorima washing himself.
But he's feeling so affectionate... This moon is pushing him to feel this way so much, and even without it he's the lonely sort. It's just that it's giving him an excuse to be more physical with it.]
[ Midorima is the prideful type, so he's less tolerant of that sort of behavior from people who he thinks will make fun of him for it. Eichi might take a while to get to the point of getting to take care of him.
That question in particular gives him a flashback to exactly what he was feeling at that point, and Eichi may notice a flush reaching the back of his neck. His cock twitches just slightly too, teased by the little touches here and there and then the verbal reminder of what it could be doing. Of what his body wants him to do. His tail starts swaying back and forth. It's soaked, so it's not fluffy anymore, so it rather feels like a solid appendage rubbing back and forth Eichi's front. ]
[Ah... His ears twitch a little, water flicking off accidentally from the motion. It blends in with the rest of the shower, anyway. But he catches those reaches, and feeling that tail swaying is kind of nice... So he leans closer still, arms both wrapping more solidly around Midorima's middle like he needs the support.
He kind of does. Just the idea of excitement again makes him dizzy, but he loves that, he wants it, he can't help that he's in heat.]
Is it silly? That's just your opinion. You were so silent, I was worried you might be bored... I would have been hurt, if that was the case.
[His fingers brush carefully over Midorima's chest, a slow test as he turns his face against his back, lips and nose ghosting wet skin.] I enjoyed it, too.
[ And he's starting to think for good reason! Apparently, having sex hasn't made Midorima too much less of a prude. At least not enough to answer that straight, but the question he had before is far more obvious now. It's definitely intentional. Eichi's trying to work him up again, and it's working. He completely tenses up, his voice raising a little in volume. ]
I certainly don't have any fantasies about my-- [ he doesn't even know what Eichi is ] about you ending up in the hospital because my stamina far surpasses yours and you can barely stand.
[ Oh, he'll have guidance for Akashi alright. Basically the second that he's got knowledge that Akashi is Iris and not Sanguis like he's predicting, he'll have a slew of guidance. Mostly trying to protect his ass. Including from himself.
But Midorima doesn't quite realize just how powerful the combination of pheromones and heat at the same time is, nor has he really dealt with any Sanguises, so he has no idea what to tell Akashi in terms of "guiding" him.
But the topic changes to something Midorima can't predict and he looks at Akashi with curiosity. ]
[ He turns around then, slamming both of his hands to the shower tile on either side of Tenshouin. He leans down to close the height difference, making his mouth mere millimeter's from Eichi's. But he doesn't kiss him. Instead, his voice is firm, even if it's obvious he's visibly reacting now that he's turned around, his cock not entirely flaccid anymore. ]
I said I'm not interested in hospitalizing you. You called me over today because you weren't feeling like you could make it until Monday and I've done the opposite of help. I'm not pushing you further even if you want it.
[ He leans in, but only rests his forehead against Eichi's for a brief moment, still not kissing him. If Eichi leans in at all, or a few seconds pass, he'll stand up straight again and go to turn around. ]
I'm glad we have a chance to play basketball together again.
[ He didn't get to say it before, so he's saying it now. If Akashi could turn back time to before the Generation of Miracles started seeing each other as enemies, he would, just to fix things. He knows what's better now.
Akashi doesn't blame anybody for what happened, but he takes part of the responsibility himself. He issued a challenge to the five of them, after all. ]
More importantly, [ His hands are around the cup of tea he has, but it's empty by now. His finger lightly scratches the ceramic, a very subtle show of anxiety. ] I'm glad we're friends again.
[The turn feels so sudden, and Eichi jolts back, hands retreating as Midorima does a too-intimidating take of a kabedon. He's glad that Midorima is so blind, because he's sure his own expression flashes into something too real for a moment. Past experiences aren't as long ago as they feel.
But even when that fades away, there's a strange mixture of feelings left in his chest. He's still aroused, still dealing with heat, and the intense way Midorima can turn on him like that is incredibly attractive, somehow. But now he's worried, on top of that. Afraid? He's afraid he's stepped over some line... Maybe he did that long ago.
It's not fair to ask him to push that line. No one ever wants to, and he shouldn't expect them to, right? More than that, he's not sure why he wants to push it so far to begin with. More thinking on that has him wondering if he's more troubled by everything going on right now than he wants to admit. (Yes.)
Midorima just cares. That's what this is, he's sure... But even knowing that isn't calming the sick feeling in his heart. It's not Midorima's fault at all. Eichi just has had too much on his plate for too long, and something was bound to knock at it.]
...Right.
[So, he's quiet aside from that, and he doesn't move his hands back to touch Midorima even for support. He's not steady on his feet, but he can probably make it for the rest of this shower.]
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