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After all was said and done, going home was always a blessing.
It was typically a blessing for the Hunting Dogs to even rest at their own homes rather than the barracks at headquarters, but tonight's reason for their temporary leave was worth no praise, in their minds at least.
The Hunting Dogs as a team had suffered a great loss with their leader’s betrayal, and were currently “on break,” as someone of less importance had stated, to rest after all that had happened, and for the government to figure out how to handle the outcome of everything.
Jouno was simply happy that he and Tachihara were finally allowed to leave the hospital, having recovered from their injuries enough to walk, at least. Although, their current recovery was much slower than previous ones, as they’re still unsure of how healing from the vampire virus affected the body. “Precautions,” they said.
Jouno was still sore, he hated how weak his body felt – though compared to a normal person, he would still be unnaturally strong.
The first day home was relieving, if not quiet. Tecchou was not one to talk a lot unless necessary, but today he had been exceptionally silent, his heart sounding with guilt every time he looked at Jouno, even with Jouno’s constant assurance.
Even with the pain medication dulling Jouno’s senses just enough to be slightly uncomfortable, he could still hear his husband’s heartbeat loud and clear.
Finally, they were once again able to sleep in the same bed, their rings set on the dresser and their bodies close.
Jouno had woken up some time in the middle of the night, with his back pressed against Tecchou’s chest, his husband’s arms wrapped tight around him.
Perhaps too tight, probably the reason he was awoken in the first place. Tecchou was stiff, his hands shook ever so slightly, his breaths were uneven and ever so heavier in Jouno’s hair, and his heart ever so more rapid in his ears.
“Tecchou,” Jouno whispered, trying to break out of the hold enough to turn around, but Tecchou’s arms just locked on tighter, not allowing him to move.
It was clear at this point he was still asleep, because the pressure on his chest was causing the previous wound to ache, and he knew that Tecchou wouldn’t be so rough with him if he were awake, even if it was annoying to be treated with the delicacy of a flower when bullets couldn’t penetrate his skin a majority of the time.
Jouno tapped on his arm to try and get his attention, “Tecchou, loosen your arms a little.”
Tecchou stayed asleep, not budging a single centimeter. If Jouno could, he would be rolling his eyes, his husband had always been stubborn.
Jouno rarely used his Ability off the battleground, there was almost never a need to, that is, unless he wanted to scare some innocent civilian getting a little too annoying for his taste. But occasionally, moments like this occured, where he could put his gift into good use.
He slowly let his body turn to dust, planning to go just enough to turn around, but the moment he became intangible Tecchou’s hands passed right through him.
Tecchou’s heartbeat increased rapidly, in a panic his hands reached out to grab at his husband. Instantly, Jouno was back in a physical form, facing Tecchou as planned, and putting a gentle hand on his face to reassure him.
“Tecchou, Tecchou, hey, I’m right here–”
Tecchou wrapped his arms around Jouno in an instant, pulling him close against his chest once again, desperate hands gripping his form.
That familiar pain shot through his chest, enough for him to let out a soft cry.
You almost didn’t need Jouno’s enhanced hearing to know how much guilt instantly flooded Tecchou’s heart. “I… Saigiku, I’m so sorry.” His grip loosened, but he continued to cradle Jouno in his arms.
Jouno placed a hand on his own chest, the ache already dying down, “Don’t apologize, you brute. You’ve been off all day, tell me what’s wrong?”
His free hand went to cradle his husband’s cheek once again, and this time Tecchou’s hand went to rest on top of it.
Tecchou didn’t say anything for a moment, he simply held his husband like that thumb rubbing the back of his hand. Jouno could feel his eyes on him, so perhaps the moonlight was enough to illuminate the room.
“You’re not avoiding the question, are you?” Jouno asked, his typically teasing tone lacked any bite, simply the rare concern coming from the Hunting Dog.
Tecchou shook his head, “I hurt you.” The words were quiet, his voice almost strained.
“I’ll live,” Jouno sighed, “You wouldn’t wake up and let me go, so I used my Ability. Nightmare?”
Instead of answering, Tecchou leaned in closer, pressing his forehead against Jouno’s and whispering more apologies.
Jouno sighed in frustration once more. His hand moved from Tecchou’s cheek to grip at his face. “I don’t want your apologies, I want to know what’s got you so anxious. It’s about what happened with Fukuchi, isn’t it?”
Jouno released Tecchou’s face as he felt the other shrug, “Somewhat.”
Jouno waited for him to continue.
“You nearly died, Saigiku. Tachihara, too.”
Of course that’s what’s bothering him, he should have realized that sooner.
“We nearly die every day, Tecchou,” Jouno patted him on the arm, doing his best to act reassuringly, but being caring was never a department he was strong in. “It’s part of the job.”
“I know, I just,” Tecchou paused to find his words. “If I had been there, I–”
“Stop,” Jouno put his finger to Tecchou’s lips. “None of that. Not even I realized what Fukuchi was plotting until he outright told me. Try your best not to blame yourself, dear.” Jouno rarely called Tecchou anything other than his name or whatever insult came to mind, but right now he felt it was almost necessary. Perhaps the endearment would calm him down.
“How can I not blame myself?” Tecchou whispered. “If I had been any more observant I would have realized the bullshit Fukuchi was spouting.” His words were laced with a certain amount of spite that felt almost wrong coming from Tecchou’s mouth.
“Tecchou–”
“I don’t want to have to wait days for you to wake up ever again, Saigiku. I don’t want to have to fight against my own husband after he’s been turned into a mindless husk again, or–”
“Tecchou, shut up about this already,” the words came out harsh, not uncommon from someone like Jouno, but it certainly startled Tecchou. His next words came out softer, “Don’t remind me about all of that, I don’t want to think about it any more than you do. We’re all alive, that’s enough.”
Tecchou seemed lost for words, though at the same time he wanted to argue more. Jouno cuddled closer, placing himself under Tecchou’s chin and wrapping his arms around his husband’s back, stopping the conversation as a whole.
Tecchou held him once again, more mindful of his strength this time. He muttered into Jouno’s hair, “I could never live with myself if I lost you.”
Jouno huffed, “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Tecchou’s hand moves up to brush through Jouno’s hair.
“Saigiku?”
“Hm?”
“If there is a next time, I’ll be there when you need me.”
Jouno made himself more comfortable, shifting in Tecchou’s arms. “Oh, my knight in shining armor,” the comment was laced in sarcasm. “There won’t be a next time, Tecchou. The entire team will be more cautious after this. I’m imagining no more solo missions.” His fingers raked across Tecchou’s back.
Tecchou was quiet, Jouno figured he was ready to go to sleep again.
“Saigiku? I love you.”
Jouno laughed a little, “I’m aware. Didn’t you nearly kill that Agency farm boy trying to find me?”
Jouno could feel Tecchou’s face heat up with embracement, with a pinch of guilt in his heart that Jouno quickly started to hate.
“I apologized profusely,” Tecchou muttered. Jouno remembered the kid accepting the apology quickly, even after Tecchou expressed how much he didn’t even want it to be accepted, the boy so innocently took it at face value and even complimented the Hunting Dog’s strength. “He’s a good kid.”
“Yes, yes,” Jouno tapped Tecchou on the back a couple times. “Next time don’t go on a rampage when I leave your sight for an hour, aren’t you meant to be the impulse control between the two of us?”
“I shouldn’t be surprised at your self-awareness,” Tecchou commented. “You can be a menace.”
“Hey!” Jouno tilted his head up to face Tecchou, only for his husband to meet him with a quick kiss. A surprise, but not an unpleasant one.
When they pulled away again, Tecchou pulled him close once more, tucking him under his chin and his hand returning to Jouno’s hair. “I won’t lose you again.”
Jouno’s head was pressed against Tecchou’s chest once again, his heartbeat loud in his ear, much calmer, to Jouno’s relief.
He laughed a little, “You overprotective puppy.” Jouno buried his face further into his husband’s chest. “Tecchou?”
“Yes?”
“I love you, too.”
They held each other close as they dozed off once again.
