Frigid Moon Ch. 5
Chapter Five – Fractured Oath
October 2032 (FALL)
Violet eyes fluttered open to the golden beams of the morning sun.
It's light flooded in through the windows of their temporary apartment. It was in rough shape and was also rather small, but at least it was abandoned. It also served them with a queen sized bed, however old. Their backpacks sat on the floor at the rim of the bed frame, leaning against one another.
Saryuu stirred against the bedsheets, rolling onto his side so that he could peer over at the greenette next to him. The morning light caressed his form, his porcelain skin glowing in it's wake and his hair highlighted with it's golden touch.
Saryuu shuffled closer to him, his hand running along Fey's arm as his lips met the surface of the greenette's bare back. He trailed light kisses against his shoulder blade, until finally running his mouth along Fey's throat.
“Fey,” he hummed into the boy's ear, pressing more kisses against his throat as he paused, “It's time to wake up, Fey.”
“Mmmm,” Fey's eyelids began to quiver as he came to, inhaling through his nose deeply as he craned his neck around in response to Saryuu's voice. A smile automatically flickered across his tired lips at the tender touches that alerted him of his partner's closeness. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” the snowy haired boy smirked against Fey's earlobe as he nuzzled into it before pulling back enough to peer down into Fey's face, “And Happy Birthday.”
Fey's smile broadened as he sat up, wrapping an arm around Saryuu's exposed shoulder. His fingertips caressed the nape of Saryuu's neck as well as the edges of his snow white hair before leaning in to press his lips gently against the side of Saryuu's mouth.
His heart swelled at the fact that Saryuu had even remembered. He'd mentioned it once or twice, but for some reason, he'd never considered that Saryuu would take note of it. Birthdays were only a reminder that your death date was all the nearer. Or so, that was how some survivors looked at it. Survival was always the priority, and special days were non-existent. A birthday wouldn't make you immune to the Infected. Or Hunters. Or Bandits. It should be treated like any other day.
Or so, Fey had bitterly thought to himself since leaving the Fireflies.
But he couldn't bring himself to push that mindset upon Saryuu. He didn't want to. Just those simple words – the fact that Saryuu had even remembered – was overwhelming. He felt like he was glowing. He hadn't felt such delight towards his birthday since the last time he'd been able to celebrate it with his papa.
His papa would always do little things for him – like give him a knick knack he'd stumbled upon on one of his missions ; give him extra food during meals. He'd also be sure to collect various foods that he knew Fey liked, and form a meal using each of them.
The smallest gestures were what made it special.
“Saru...” Fey's green-blue eyes were warm, conveying the gratitude that he felt. He searched Saryuu's face fondly before continuing. “Really? How did you remember it after all this time? When did I tell you? March?” He added, traces of sheepishness in his tone as he lowered his eyes. “Thanks though... It means a lot to me.”
“Ooh, don't go thanking me just yet.” Saryuu smirked as he traced a finger across Fey's jaw and then withdrew, climbing his way from the covers that were so warm through the heat produced by the both of their bare frames. “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”
Fey blinked up at him.
Honestly, Saryuu had expected something more teasing, not the genuine sense of astonishment that crossed his facial features.
“Uh, yeah, sure,” he nodded hesitantly, eyeing Saryuu as he got dressed before making his own way out of bed. He hugged the bedsheets around him, dragging them from the mattress. Their excess trailed behind him as he collected his various pieces of clothing, which had been strewn blindly on the floor the other night.
He squeezed at their fabric, feeling even more fuzzy then before. The Happy Birthday had been enough to make his entire day, but Saryuu had even gone so far as to make plans? He didn't know how much more he'd be able to take before his heart was rendered to nothing but goo.
The blanket dropped once Fey had collected his clothes, and he leaned over slightly as he drew his legs through his underwear, pulling it up and then working on his dark coloured jeans. He could feel it as Saryuu ogled.
Once in his white t-shirt, Fey finished with his long sleeved, teal and black coloured plaid shirt. He left it open, working at rolling it's sleeves up to about his forearm.
Saryuu's own open, red and black flannel coat, with it's complimenting black shirt underneath, was a nice contrast to him.
“Be excited,” Saryuu sat upon the bed's rim once he snatched his black and purple bag from the floor, rummaging through it as Fey finished adjusting his shirt, “Trust me, you'll love it.”
Again, Fey found himself mostly speechless. He wasn't used to expressing his appreciation considering he wasn't exactly used to receiving such treatment in the first place. No one ever went out of the way for anybody – not in their post pandemic world. The only one to do that for him was his papa... and Saryuu: both when he'd saved him, and when he'd taken the time to teach him how to swim.
He felt lame for being unable to express the excitement that Saryuu desired from him. He hoped he didn't seem ungrateful or rude. Because really, he felt more touched then he ever had.
“This... um, surprise:” Fey smiled shyly, “We're going out?”
They always went out – whether it was for switching locations (which they often did), or for supplies. But Saryuu knew exactly what Fey meant by the question.
He seemed to have found whatever it was he'd been looking for from his bag, taking it into his hands before twisting his head around to meet Fey with another smirk. “Yes, but until then, I have a little something for you.”
The snowy haired boy stood from the bed, approaching Fey, who had both curiosity and surprise flashing within his minty coloured orbs. He looked Saryuu up and down as he stopped in front of him, the white haired boy's hands hidden behind his back and excitement dancing in his eyes. Before Fey could say anything, however, Saryuu extended his arms out, offering his hands to Fey as well as the gift that he grasped between them.
Fey merely blinked down at it, tentatively reaching a hand out to touch the soft fur of the plush monkey's head once he processed that it was a gift – that Saryuu was giving it to him. It'd felt like far too long since the last time he'd owned a stuffed toy...
Carefully, Fey took the little monkey from Saryuu's hands, bringing it up to his face so that he could peer at it thoughtfully. It had glittering violet eyes, almost like Saryuu's, though a shade lighter. It's fur was so incredibly soft and squishy beneath his fingertips, it's plush surface the colour of milk coffee. Lastly, a flattering ribbon the shade of a lilac was tied around it's cute little neck. It helped to bring out the darker tone of it's eyes.
“Do you like it?” Saryuu asked, scratching at his cheek with his index finger, “I would've thought you didn't care for such things, but I've noticed you as you look at things like this. I saw this one in- particular when we were searching those abandoned shops in the city over. I cleaned it up as best as I could and then stashed it away for your birthday.”
“Saru...” Fey lifted his head from the plush to direct his tender gaze at the boy before him, “Thank you. I... I loveplushies.” He sounded breathless as he beamed, as if he couldn't believe that Saryuu had given him a plush of all things. “I owned one before,” he began to explain. He'd never shared this with Saryuu before, and especially now, he felt compelled to. “But I lost it back at the Firefly base, and didn't have time to look for it before running away. I...” he looked back down at the little monkey again, clouded with nostalgia. “I'd been so sad, so it's nice to have one again.”
Saryuu admired the look upon his partner's face before leaning in to press a kiss to his unknowing cheek. Fey's gaze flickered to him from the plush at that, and he timidly realized that he'd become absorbed in the sentimentality that the plush brought upon him.
It wasn't often that he spoke of his past with the Fireflies: only vague comments and little things about his papa. But this was probably one of the more personal memories that he'd ever really shared with Saryuu.
“I'm pleased to stir a pleasant memory,” Saryuu smiled softly before pulling away from the boy, returning to his bag and throwing it over his shoulder, “Now come on. You have places to be, birthday boy. We can always keep an eye out for supplies along the way, but I'd like to take you someplace special to celebrate.”
“For this apparent surprise of yours?” Fey raised his eyebrows teasingly, grabbing his own bag and gently placing his monkey plush within. “I don't know – you made it difficult for anything to beat the monkey, by this point.”
He then followed Saryuu out the door and into the apartment building's hallway, watching as Saryuu disarmed the traps he'd set for the night. They wouldn't be around for the next several hours, so it'd be a shame if something so useful went to waste while they were out.
Saryuu laughed, a crisp sound filled with a playfulness of his own. “That's more like it. You hadn't said one mocking comment towards me yet, and I was beginning to become concerned.”
The fact that he'd rendered Fey so speechless only satisfied him, however. The genuine appreciation on his partner's face had been heartwarming. He loved knowing that he had the power to bring fourth that sort of reaction, as well as stimulate such emotion within him.
They began to descend the apartment's stairwell, Saryuu walking slightly ahead of him as Fey replied. He attempted to keep a straight face though failed quite miserably when his lips betrayed him and quirked up into a wobbly smile, “Who says I'm joking? Never question the birthday boy, Saru.”
“If that's the case,” Saryuu winked, halting on the steps so that he could look back at the other, “why don't we turn back when we still can? Who needs a surprise when you have a plush monkey.”
“You can't be mean to the birthday boy, either.”
Saryuu merely chuckled at that, only speaking again once they'd found their way out into the crisp autumn air. The vegetation, having not been tended to for many years, grew wild – though it was beginning to die as the winter approached. Leaves were all fading from a lush green to various shades of reds, yellows and oranges. Some swirled in the wind around them.
“The monkey: are you going to give it a name?” Saryuu asked as Fey began to follow him through the streets. They climbed over a line of cars that blocked their path, Saryuu offering a hand to the greenette as he spoke.
Fey locked his hand around Saryuu's and pulled himself up before replying. “Hmmm... You're good with name meanings. Help me come up with one that means 'arrogant.'”
Saryuu frowned, “Oh? And why's this? Is he a naughty monkey?”
“I just thought it was rather smug of you to choose a monkey. You know – considering your nickname means monkey,” Fey arched an eyebrow at him flirtatiously, “Thought there was no way I'd be able to dislike it if it reminded me of you, huh?”
“What is there to dislike?” Saryuu smirked as he allowed for hooded, mint tinged eyes to flicker over him seductively, as if searching for the answer to that statement.
It wasn't much further down the city road until Saryuu wandered to it's edge towards an overgrowth of plants. The snowy haired boy stepped into it, Fey continuing to follow behind him. It seemed to be some sort of small forest that lay in the center of the city, maybe. Fey figured that there was probably a park nearby.
“You seem to know exactly where you're going,” Fey noted as they ducked tree branches, nearing the rim of a swamp. Wetland plants protruded from it's water's surface, surrounding the wooden board walk that led across. “How long have you had all of this planned?”
He could feel it as his heart warmed up all over again.
Saryuu peered back at him, gesturing him forward as he stepped onto the wooden path. It creaked underneath his boots, but though the wood was rotting, he'd used this route before and it'd been fine. “Perhaps for a while,” Saryuu tilted his head at him before directing his eyes forward yet again,“But that's none of your business.”
“Fair enough,” Fey smiled softly, gripping both hands around his bag straps as he peered down at the calm, murky water. “But... thanks, Saru. For going out of your way for me and stuff...”
Sometimes, after growing more familiar with their current location's surroundings, they would split up in order to search for necessities at a wider scale. Fey figured that Saryuu had discovered whatever it was he wanted to surprise him with on one of those occasions. It was sweet of him to keep him in mind like that, even when occupied with what benefited their survival.
Saryuu, who had been fidgeting with the goggles that rested on his head, crossed his arms over his chest. “I told you not to thank me,” he added rather smugly, seeming to nuzzle his arms further into his frame, “Not yet.”
Fey giggled a little bit, his curiosity growing. Either way, he knew that he'd like it and that Saryuu deserved his thanks. He could take him anywhere. Just the fact that he'd bothered with all of this... Hell, just acknowledging that it was his birthday at all was good enough.
Until they made it across the winding path across the swamp, the two admired the sounds of wildlife around them, and the way the sun filtered in through the trees and lit random patches in gold – silhouettes of dying leaves dancing in the shadows.
What awaited them after the swamp was another small patch of forest before they emerged into an open park. Wild flowers and towering trees were scattered around the large space, as well as rickety benches and paths that had become overwhelmed by the untamed grass. A few trees had collapsed to the ground at some point in time considering every now and again, the two would pass a fallen tree. Some were also cracked, looking as if they might split apart at any given moment.
After passing through the park's expanse, Saryuu guided them back out onto the streets – where they headed towards the entrance to an underpass considering the entire road was blocked by a swarm of vehicles that'd been there since the city's evacuation at the outbreak nineteen years ago.
It's entrance was eerie, and despite Saryuu being there previously, he was careful to watch out for spores before descending. He and Fey clicked on their flashlights, illuminating the enclosed space around them. It was long and narrow, and seemed to be free of any threats.
Graffiti covered the walls, mostly Firefly markings and their infamous motto.
“Eerie,” Fey commented, taking the time to flash the beam of his flashlight in various directions before following after his snowy haired partner.
Saryuu laughed his melodic laugh before adding in his usual crisp tone, “I know, right? It feels all too perfect for a Clicker to settle itself within.”
Clickers tended to search out enclosed areas when they sensed that they were dying. That way, their corpse would spread their infectious spores, as they couldn't do such in open air.
“I'm a bit insulted that you didn't tell them that it's my birthday though,” Fey poked at his partner's cheek, “Clicker surprise party~”
“I think we've had our fair share of those, thanks,” Saryuu's violet orbs flickered over to him for only a moment at the action, his eyebrows drawn together in what almost looked like irritation. Though it was only because he hadn't expected the sudden touch. Fey was the only person who could ever startle him. Anyone else's advances, he would sense in a heartbeat.
He swatted Fey's hand away, “Careful what you wish for. We're not quite there yet.”
Saryuu was lighthearted. But Fey knew that he wasn't always fond of such humour – not the kind that implied danger to their lives. Or at least, Fey had identified despite Saryuu's coverups. Depending, he always tried to hide any sort of insecurities or sensitivity that he had. He was stubborn like that. So all joking aside, Fey extended his hand back out towards him – gently taking a hold of Saryuu's own before pressing his fingers between his and intertwining them. “Even if there are Infected, we'll be fine so long as we're together.”
Saryuu took it as a sort of apology, squeezing back at the greenette's hand. “When did you get so naive?” Regardless of the statement, the softened look in his eyes gave him away.
“Since I made a promise.” He took his hand back, rubbing it along Saryuu's arm before withdrawing completely and letting it fall back to his side.
Saryuu merely smiled genuinely, wishing that he could retake Fey's hand and press a kiss to his knuckles. But he never did, continuing forward as he concluded that physical intimacy was still something that they weren't completely open to. They didn't hold hands all too often. And only kissed every now and then. Mostly after they'd slept together, really.
There was always little touches though. There always had been, and those were nice.
Sunlight marked the end of the tunnel, marking the short set of stairs that they were to ascend. They clicked their flashlights off as they climbed, glad to be back out into the fresh air. It'd been rather dingy down in the tunnel's depths.
“How much further?” Fey asked, gaping as his head swivelled this way and that. There just seemed to be more and more skyscrapers – each coated in greenery.
A mischievous smile found it's way to the survivor's lips as he hummed pleasantly, “Impatient, aren't you? It satisfies me to see you so eager, though.”
He knew that Fey would love what he had in store for him, so to see the greenette's curiosity so evident on his face was pleasing. Especially since becoming more involved with him, he felt as if he had so much power over him. He felt it to be amazing to be capable of causing Fey happiness with the smallest of gestures ; to be able to make Fey look at him with such affectionate eyes, like the way he did now ; to be able to comfort him with his very presence ; to kiss his sadness away ; and to be able to pleasure him when they made love. He really did feel that he was the only one capable of such things.
And what made it all the better was that Saryuu was more then knowing of Fey's ability to do the same for him.
Fey gave him a sheepish look, “I just feel as if you've put a lot of thought into my birthday, and...” He trailed off, unknowing of which words would properly express how it was he felt. Either way, he knew he'd sound lame. He felt lame.
“Come on,” Saryuu spoke gently, jerking his head in the direction they were to be headed once he figured that Fey wasn't going to pick up from where he'd left off. “Stop thinking about it so much. Just be happy, okay?”
The greenette swallowed thickly, a light, rose coloured blush dusting his cheeks. “I-I am happy!” he choked out, pressing his lips together afterwards. He felt even more lame now that he hadn't even been able to properly convey such. “I'm really happy, Saru!”
How could he not be?
Perhaps he felt a bit bad that Saryuu had gone out of his way for him, but that didn't mean that he wasn't happy. He was overly flattered, astonished and, of course, thrilled by all of this. To have somebody in his life who cared for him as much as his papa had... He never felt lonely anymore. How could he not be happy about that?
He didn't even need all of this birthday attention to be happy. But it was definitely an overwhelming bonus.
“Good,” Saryuu's eyebrows rose as he turned to look at him with a smirk. He then made his way down the street.
A bit further down, a truck that had swerved onto it's side blocked the entire road, and Fey and Saryuu had to climb over it. Hopping from it's surface and onto the other side, they turned down the next block.
Fey took notice of a suspension bridge ahead, which was cluttered with cars. But it wasn't anything that they couldn't climb or squeeze through. It seemed they needed to cross too, considering Saryuu continued to guide them forward.
Once on the bridge, the ex-Firefly tugged at his rolled up sleeves. The air felt a whole lot cooler when he stood above the wide river. Hugging his arms to his chest to warm up, he wandered closer to the bridge's edge so that he could glance down at the rolling waters. It was incredibly sunny out, and there wasn't even a single cloud in the bright blue sky. But the winds were fairly strong – strong enough to cause audible motion in the water. It was somewhat soothing when paired with the hollering of the seagulls that hovered around the bridge they made their way across. It reminded him of the ocean.
With vehicles serving as obstacles, it took them a good fifteen or so minutes to make it across to the other side. A large dome-shaped structure loomed before them – all that separated them more road and a vast, empty parking lot.
“We're almost there,” Saryuu reassured him as he readjusted the way his bag sat on his shoulders. “For real this time.”
Now that they were apparently so close, Fey couldn't keep from thinking about what sort of place it may be. Having been reminded of the ocean, he wondered if maybe it was a sort of beach. Maybe a lake? Maybe Saryuu had found a nice spot by the river? Or maybe he'd found a good spot for stargazing?
It seemed Saryuu was taking him in the circular shaped building's direction, however.
They walked across it's cracked parking lot, only stopping once they had reached the building's entrance. Shards of glass covered the cement floor, having cracked off the glass panels above that had covered the majority of the structure's front. A few had remained intact, but the majority had suffered over the years and vegetation had wound it's way inside through them.
“This is the place,” Saryuu gestured at the building before looking back towards his partner. “Let's go inside.”
Saryuu stepped inside, his flashlight unneeded considering the broken glass panels above allowed for the bright sunlight to seep inside and illuminate the majority of the building's interior. It was thin, and seemed to circle the entire building. A few worn out signs hung on the walls, labelling things like the bathrooms, a desk marked 'tickets,' etc. He couldn't see how to get there, but Fey realized that there was also a second floor.
He was still trying to figure out where they were. Based on their surroundings, there weren't any clues. Just something about 'tickets.'
There'd been a desk labelled 'ticket stand' at the cinema. Was this another cinema? A larger one with a more unique design? It's architecture was far more impressive.
Blue-green eyes continued to inspect the area, flickering this way and that before realizing that Saryuu had already wandered over to an opening in the wall – an entrance of sorts that led to another room that resided within the building's center, it appeared.
Fey left the spot where he had planted himself, chasing after the snowy haired boy. He opened his mouth to fake upset that he hadn't waited for him, though his lips were sealed when his breath was caught in his chest and he took in the sight before him with bright, wide eyes.
Their glowing depths flashed to Saryuu in disbelief before searching the boundless space ahead of him. He didn't even know where to look first. But he'd realized what it was instantly. It may not have looked entirely the same, but he'd admired the view in enough magazines to know what the terraces and stands encircled. And to recognize the rusted soccer nets that resided on either side of the untamed field.
“S-Saru-!” he clasped his hands to his mouth as he became overwhelmed with emotion. His heart sped up in his chest and he could feel it as his stomach fluttered at the intensity of what he was feeling, and as his eyes burned with tears that threatened to fall through his sheer happiness. A grin automatically lit him up, hiding behind his hands as he spoke breathlessly into his palms. “W-what!? Really!? Really, Saru!? H-how did you even-”
Saryuu latched onto the boy's wrists, prying his hands away from his face – thus disrupting the speech of the excited boy. He tugged at him, guiding him down the rows of seats that made up the stadium's stands. “Stop gaping and check it all out, silly. You can thank me later.”
“You have no idea how much this means to me,” Fey swallowed thickly, blinking away tears as he managed to recollect himself. He trembled with excitement, beaming more then Saryuu had ever seen.
“Of course I do.” Saryuu halted where he stood on the steps about halfway through the stands, his tone smug, though fading away after the first bit. “Why do you think I planned this? I know that soccer fascinates you, Fey. I know that it's a dream of yours to experience it. It helps you cling to the hope that things can get better. The moment I found this place, I knew how special it would be for you.”
He released Fey's arm from his hold, cupping the side of Fey's face with the same hand. Delicately, he brushed a green piece of hair behind the boy's ear. “Happy Birthday, Fey.” He leaned in, a bit uncertain, and then placed a sort of awkward kiss on Fey's porcelain cheek. “Now go on ahead. I can tell you're extremely eager to check everything out.”
Their eyes locked, and Fey held that gaze before reckoning that obeying him was his best way of conveying his gratitude. The depths of those minty tinged orbs displayed everything as they'd swam with all the overwhelming emotions that had been surging through him at that moment. Really, they'd never gone away. They'd gradually begun to build up since Saryuu's mere 'Happy Birthday' that morning.
Saryuu watched with a warm gaze as Fey ran down the remainder of the steps, leaping down onto the field. He immediately went over to one of the goalkeeping nets, seeming to inspect it thoroughly. Hesitantly, he reached out to place a hand over it's corroded surface. Saryuu caught up with him just as he murmured, “I wish papa could see this...”
“He's the one who taught you about it, correct?” Saryuu didn't often appease him with responses towards such comments. The past was something they hadn't yet discussed, and it was probably best that way. But so long as they didn't involve themselves too deeply, then Saryuu could manage every so often.
Fey nodded, seeming slightly uncertain. Probably because Saryuu never asked questions that revolved around his papa.
“Then I'm sure that he knew how much it means to you,” Saryuu removed his bag, kneeling down as he dove into it's depths, retrieving something from it. He didn't know whether Fey's papa was still alive or not, so he felt cautious and only spoke in past-tense considering the man clearly, for one reason or another, wasn't around. “He'd be happy for you. I bet it would make him especially happy for you to play soccer, too.”
Fey's lips parted as he prepared to explain that what Saryuu had already done for him was more then enough, but he was instantly silenced when Saryuu's hands emerged from his bag, a beat-up soccer ball clasped between his palms.
The greenette took an automatic step closer, leaning slightly so that he could gape down at it, amazement dancing in his blue-green depths. He couldn't believe what he was seeing! A soccer ball! A real freak'n soccer ball! Too excited to ask Saryuu for consent, he poked the ball's surface with his index finger, testing out it's texture underneath his fingertip. His eyes only sparkled even more so. “W-whoa! Saru, how did you get this...!?” he held his breath as he awaited an answer, looking from the soccer ball to Saryuu's face curiously. Until only a second later, he broke out into a goofy smile, giggling. The excitement was too much. Details didn't matter right then. “You know what? It doesn't matter! Let's just kick it around!”
It was more then obvious to him that the boy was just barely keeping himself from jumping up and down, which Saryuu couldn't help but automatically smile at.
Saryuu dropped the ball, catching it with the edge of his foot. It sprang into the air before it fell back towards the ground and he repeated the action, juggling the ball steadily. Fey could only watch with wide eyes, fixated. It seemed he was too dumbfounded to question how exactly Saryuu possessed any sort of skill in the activity at all.
“I figured to make things more interesting, that I'd at least do you the favour of trying this whole soccer thing out before your birthday,” Saryuu smirked as he continued the same action before passing the ball. It drifted over to Fey, stopping at his feet. “It seems I'm a natural. Though you're the one who knows more about it, so I didn't want to fall behind. But enough about that - go ahead. Try it.”
Fey sucked in a breath, leaning down to pick up the ball. He did such with delicate fingers, almost as if he hadn't yet processed that it was real. He still couldn't grasp that fact. It was too good to be true. He didn't think he'd ever get the chance to see one in real life. It was like some sort of distant dream. Or a fairytale.
He tried to mimic what Saryuu had done, dropping the ball from where he held it in the open air once gaining a feel for it. But it didn't bounce – not like what Saryuu had done. Instead, it ricocheted clumsily off the side of his boot, flying off towards the side.
“That's okay,” Saryuu chuckled as Fey chased after it, “I did worse my first few attempts myself.”
But the final thing the boy could ever feel at this moment was dismay. Only fascination.
He gave the ball back to Saryuu. “Pass it to me!” he exclaimed, “With your foot! They mentioned dribbling and passing in the magazines. Try and pass it to me! You just have to kick it towards me.”
That, and Tenma had described the magic of passing – how passing was a sort of way to convey emotions between players. He wanted to experience it for himself.
Saryuu obeyed, tapping it forward.
Fey, despite having never used a soccer ball until now, trapped it underneath his foot with ease. He seemed to be tingling as he said, his lips twisting into a grin as he peered down at the ball and then kicked it back, “Try doing it harder!”
“Don't hurt yourself now,” Saryuu laughed – a charming yet somehow sarcastic sound. He then obeyed, sending Fey the ball with more force then his previous pass.
“Ha-ha,” he mocked a laugh, receiving Saryuu's pass.
They continued to do so a few more times before Fey attempted at dribbling.
He was slightly clumsy to begin, but the senses that had been honed over years of harsh survival were more then helpful to him. His body awareness, coordination and endurance were perfectly suited for the sport, and he was more then quick to adapt.
Saryuu joined in, and the two found themselves dribbling and passing up the field, completely absorbed in the game.
“What are the rules for this game again?” Saryuu finally asked, feeling rather confident that he could maybe play with the game's purpose intact.
“Oh, right,” Fey stopped running, freezing in front of one of the nets on the field and drawing his leg back before slamming it into the ball. It whirled through the air and into the goal's opening. “You have to shoot the ball into your opponent's net, like what I did just now.”
“Interesting...” Saryuu hummed, “And people really used to do this all day?”
“Apparently some of them did,” Fey nodded, turning to face the snowy haired boy. He looked him up and down, beginning to admire his partner's form as beads of sweat rolled down his neck and dampened his strands of hair. They'd been running for hours, after all. “Papa said that they were even rewarded for it with money. Back then, money was what they used to earn all of their necessities and stuff. So by having fun, I guess their money gave them food for life and all that.”
Saryuu raised an eyebrow, “That's just odd.” He liked the part about living without the fear of being savagely murdered at every turn, but there were some things that he preferred currently. He couldn't imagine having to 'earn' necessities through money or whatever. It was so much easier to simply take what he needed. Then again, resources had been easier to get a hold of back then... As stupid as earning it through paper sounded, perhaps it was a better method then having to search, or take from the dead. As puzzling a concept as it was, anything was better then being cursed a god of death...
If the reaper could be avoided, he'd become accustomed to whatever he needed to...
It was too bad they didn't have much of a choice to begin with.
Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Saryuu added, “Fey, you're beginning to look famished. We can carry on once we've had a little bite to eat, no?” Violet eyes mimicked what Fey's gaze had been doing only moments ago, their depths flickering over the greenette's body and looking him up and down.
Fey noticed, giving the boy a knowing smile before turning away and retrieving the soccer ball from where it rested in a mound of grass within the net. He took hold of it, holding it to his chest as he re-approached Saryuu. “Saru...” he blushed lightly, unknowing of how to thank him for everything he'd done, “I... I just wanted to thank you for all of this... It... it means everything to me... Y-you... you mean everything to me... Ummm, I...” he trailed off as he could feel his face heating up more dramatically, and he laughed nervously.
Saryuu could feel it as his own face flushed. He only hoped it wasn't all too noticeable.
His eyes fierce, Saryuu wrapped a hand around Fey's wrist. Fey's hand slipped from the soccer ball and it bounced at his feet before settling there quietly. Saryuu wasn't always comfortable with situations when they became overly sentimental, but it was Fey's birthday, and he had planned all of this with the intention of making him extremely happy. It was going how he wanted it to, so he at least wanted to try and be a bit affectionate himself.
“You're very welcome, Fey,” Saryuu smiled warmly. There was a whole lot more that he wished to say – something along the lines of what Fey was trying to say. That Fey was his everything. Fey had saved him: had given him hope. He'd only spent a few months with the greenette, but he'd felt more alive in those few months then he ever had. Insecurities remained, and Saryuu couldn't keep from fearing death on a daily basis. After losing Meia, Giris and everybody else he'd ever cared for, losing Fey had become his greatest fear. Those around him always died.
But he would never let it be Fey's turn, even if he sacrificed himself in the process.
Fey had given him the strength to fight his curse.
But he found himself feeling too flustered to express any of that, instead tugging at Fey's wrist and stating, “You deserve all of it.”
He coaxed the ex-Firefly over to the stands, the each of them sitting next to one another as Saryuu unzipped his bag and worked at retrieving some food.
From where he sat, Fey eyed the soccer ball that remained on the grass of the field before he found himself staring towards Saryuu's bag curiously at the sound of the tanned boy rummaging through it.
When Saryuu pulled out a box, Fey looked it over before quickly deciphering exactly what it was they were going to eat. It was clear to him that it was a cereal box, but he couldn't tell if it was the one he was thinking or not. It couldn't be... He'd mentioned it so long ago.
“If that's cinnamon flavoured, Saru, I swear...” he broke out into a smile as Saryuu's index finger teasingly underlined the title on the box 'Cinnamon Toast Crunch.' “What the heck, Saru! Really? Soccer and now this?” How had he even remembered? He could vaguely recall telling Saryuu about the cereal that his papa had once stumbled upon when he was little, but how the hell had Saryuu managed to remember, details and all?
Never had anybody worked so hard to please him. It really was all of the small details that made the day special...
“You're perfect,” Fey couldn't keep from blurting out as Saryuu opened the box up and tore at the plastic bag within. The scent of cinnamon filled the air around them. “And not because you're spoiling me, but because...” His orbs drifted off to the side and he pressed his lips together in thought as he struggled with the proper way to put what was on his mind. “...It's not what you do, but why you do it. It's because-”
“Shut up!” Saryuu suddenly hissed urgently, silencing the greenette in the process.
Fey scowled, upset at Saryuu's unexpected and harsh command. But it melted away instantly when the ex-Firefly's instincts kicked in. This was typically Saryuu's way of acknowledging a threat, and it didn't take long before Fey heard the echoing wails of the Infected.
The white coloured box of cereal crashed to the floor, it's cinnamon flavoured contents spilling from it as Saryuu leaped from his seat. He yanked Fey up along with him, a steel grip around the boy's forearm.
Fey stumbled as Saryuu released him, snatching his shotgun before throwing his bag onto his back. “Fuck!” Saryuu's tone was sharp as he swiftly checked his gun over, ensuring that it was ready for battle.
“It sounds like there's probably a lot of them,” Fey bit the inside of his mouth, feeling it as a bead of sweat broke out against his forehead. “What should we do? Should we run?”
Saryuu growled, retaking Fey by the wrist and jerking him forward. “Anymore noise will only attract more of them! Come on!”
His mind racing with thoughts that sourly blamed him for not having searched the area more thoroughly, Saryuu tugged his partner about halfway up through the stands. He tried to concentrate – to listen for where the Infected must have been coming from.
The white haired boy found himself panicked, wild eyes flying between the many entrances. He could take Fey through the entrance at the top of the stands. Or they could jump back down onto the field and go through the opening down there...
“Saru!” Fey squirmed his way from Saryuu's grasp, snapping not through irritation, but desperation, “I can handle myself! Now come on! What are we doing?!”
Saryuu felt uneasy at that, worried that the greenette would behave recklessly if he wasn't protecting him right by his side. But he shoved his greatest fears to the back of his mind, reminding himself that if he didn't take action that he'd be the one to get them both killed. He couldn't let even his strong feelings for Fey distract him.
They were both more then capable of taking care of themselves.
“Stay close,” Saryuu spoke firmly, shotgun nuzzled in his hands as he ran for the top of the stands.
Fey followed his lead, taking his lead pipe from where it was strapped onto the side of his bag. His fingers squeezed around it tightly.
And just as they neared the top row of chairs, that was when a swarm of Runners flooded from the opening on the field. It appeared a few Clickers had followed also, as they were mixed into the crowd – filling the air with the horror of their echolocation. They may have been blind, but the wild groans and cries of the Runners alerted them to Fey and Saryuu's presence.
“Crap!” Fey gasped, urgency coursing through him as the Infected began to clumsily climb over the field wall and onto the stands. Their bone chilling cries turned his blood to ice, and both he and Saryuu rushed their way through the top entrance and emerged out into the hallway. The exit wasn't too far – they just needed to wind their way around the hall and into the lobby.
But they were driven to a halt before they could reach said lobby.
A second group poured in through the front entrance, blocking their way and forcing them to turn back the way they came. Saryuu fired a few shots, striking a Clicker where it stood, as well as two or three Runners, which sent them to the tiled floor below, before the pair continued down the hallway. He wasn't sure of where it would take them, but they had nowhere else to go.
As he ran, Saryuu fumbled to click on his flashlight. They grew further and further away from the lobby, which had sunlight shining in through it's broken glass panels. Their surroundings were only becoming darker as they continued down the hall.
Through the fuzz of his flashlight, the white haired survivor caught sight of stairs that would take him to both the second floor, as well as the stadium's terraces. He passed it at first, figuring that it wouldn't do him any good to only distance himself from the building's entrance even more so. But that was when more Infected sprang up in front of them, their grotesque forms illuminated by the beams of their flashlights.
“Saru!” Fey cried as one of the three Runners that had appeared before them charged at him. He grasped his pipe between both hands, steadying himself before drawing his arms back and swinging the pipe into the side of the approaching Runner's head. There was a loud groan, though Fey brought the pipe upon it several more times, sending it's blood into the air around them. “The stairs! We need to go up the stairs!”
“I'm not trapping myself in this damned place!” Saryuu shook his head as he fired his shotgun, only to have more Infected take the places of the ones he had just killed. On top of that, the eerie cries from behind them were only drawing closer.
In less then a minute, they would be completely overwhelmed.
“We don't have a choice!” Fey's voice cracked as he beat down another Infected and then headed for the stairs. He stopped partway up their steps, turning to ensure that Saryuu was following him. “We at least need to shake them, and then we'll fight our way through them when they're clueless!”
Even in the dimness of the artificial light, Saryuu read the desperation swimming within those spearmint tinged depths. He gave in once shoving a Runner with the butt of his shotgun, following Fey to the second floor.
From the banister, they caught sight of the Infected swarm. With such a view, Saryuu tried to make an instant estimate of just how many Infected they were dealing with. But it was a difficult call to make when shrouded in darkness and overcome with fear.
He felt cold, yet his heart hammered madly in his chest and a freezing sweat had broken out across his skin.
Now standing at the top of the set of stairs, Saryuu turned around to face it and fired into the blackness.
Bloodcurdling screams and deafening gunshots rung throughout the building, which only made the cries of the other Infected all the rowdier.
Satisfied, he turned from his spot and ran for it.
He didn't know where they were headed, as he didn't even know the building's layout. But when they ran down the hall, a screeching Clicker ran out in front of them, swinging it's arms manically before approaching with gnashing teeth. It plunged right into Fey, who'd been running slightly ahead of his partner and hadn't even expected the blow as it came to him from the side so suddenly.
“Fey!!” Saryuu aimed his shotgun. He clenched his jaw, the pressure of the approaching Infected and the fear of accidentally hitting the thrashing boy underneath of the Clicker's frame threatening to break him. But he was confident in his shot. His aim was precise.
Fey held his pipe out between both himself and the Clicker, his arms trembling underneath the Clicker's brute strength. They were stronger then other Infected, and he was more then certain that the Clicker would break past his feeble attempt to distance himself from it's mouth in only a matter of seconds. It would devour him, tearing his throat out. At least he wouldn't have to live with a bite, aware that his mind would gradually fall into a pit of insanity...
But just when he was about to be overpowered, Saryuu took the shot and the Clicker's strength faded from it's body and it sagged to the floor.
Saryuu quickly dropped to Fey's side and firmly took hold of his shoulders, insisting that he stand up. “Are you okay!? Come on, you need to get up! More are coming! Fey!”
He'd have to check the greenette for bites later. Right now, they needed to run! Saryuu could hear them making their way to the top of the stairs. They were so close!
Fey whimpered, his voice thick as he panicked, “Saru, go ahead of me! I think I might've twisted my ankle... Please go! I'll be fine!”
“Shut up!” Saryuu dragged him to his feet, hissing, “I'm not going anywhere, idiot!”
Fey could stand. Fighting through the pain was nothing – especially with adrenaline on his side. But he knew, pain or not, that the injury would physically slow him down. He wouldn't put Saryuu at risk. Not for him. He'd promised to stay alive, and he wouldn't break that promise. But he wouldn't put Saryuu in danger, whether it was for his promise to him or not.
“Go!” Fey cried, a wild look in his mint coloured irises. When Saryuu remained adamant, he clenched his jaw and threw off his bag. Frantically, he grabbed what he needed from it's insides and then put it back on before crafting what Saryuu believed to be a molotov cocktail.
Just before they were to be swooped on by the Infected, he threw the molotov into the crowd.
He lost track of Fey as an all out frenzy erupted from the chaotic flames.
It exploded, an untamed blaze dancing in the darkness and engulfing those around it in it's flames. Infected were consumed, writhing madly before the flames took their lives. The charred had spread the flames through their panic, and Saryuu was swallowed by the crowd of crazed Infected – shooting any who got too close. He watched his back, overwhelmed by the ugly faces that would suddenly fill his vision, as well as the dancing flames that continued to spread throughout the mob before gradually dying. The smell of smoke burned at his nose, and unsettling cries and screams seemed to engulf everything.
It was horrifying.
He still couldn't catch a glimpse of his partner, and dread coursed through him as he came to the conclusion that he needed to retreat. He could hear shots from Fey's rifle, which at least told the white haired boy that he was still alive. There was no way that he could leave him behind.
But did he have a choice? He couldn't protect Fey if he was dead. Or worse: bitten.
And at this rate, he'd be lucky if he wasn't torn apart.
With the fire having faded, the distraction was gone and the Infected were beginning to overwhelm him. He was lucky when a Clicker went for his throat, and he just barely avoided it. All instinct, he spun around and then blew it's head off, just to be grabbed and almost bitten by a howling Runner.
Managing to shake it off by jabbing his shotgun into it's revolting face, Saryuu had no choice but to run for it and then hopefully duck for cover somewhere – to at least shake them. In order to do so, he distracted the mindless monstrosities by snatching an item from his bag and tossing it to the floor in the opposing direction.
The Runners weren't fooled, but half of the blind Clickers screeched before hurrying over to the source of the sound.
It killed him to leave Fey behind... possibly for dead. But he was confident that Fey had done the same. He wasn't stupid. He could manage. Or so Saryuu repeatedly reassured himself. If he wasn't so focused on the threat before him, he felt that he would have broken down at the dread. It surged powerfully in the back of his mind. He wished that there was some way to turn the pain off. He was normally more then capable of controlling his emotions, no matter how powerful the fear. But his feelings had grown stronger for the greenette... He'd begun to notice over the past few dangerous encounters that they were sometimes so overwhelming that he couldn't keep as cool a head as he usually managed.
Saryuu ran down the hall, ducking into a room – one of the terraces that loomed over the stadium, apparently. He hid behind the row of chairs furthest from the entrance.
His hands shook as he worked at reloading his shotgun, working to ready a shiv thereafter.
By the time a few Runners and a single Clicker stumbled into the room confusedly, Saryuu had managed to take a hold of himself and his swelling emotions.
Using the rows of seats as cover, he crept closer and closer towards the Clicker. Being more dangerous, it would act as his first target. It would be difficult to do so without gaining the attention of the Runners who accompanied it, but maybe he could kill them all off with his shotgun before the others were alerted by the thunderous gunshots. He could make his escape from the room before they reached it, taking cover someplace else as the others all hurried to the current terrace. From there, he would block the entrance...
It was too bad he didn't have any molotovs, as he would have preferred to toss one on the terrace once each of the Infected were lured out onto it.
For now, he did all he could by sneaking up behind the unknowing Clicker. He took one of his many shivs and used it to tear into the Clicker's throat. It gurgled before falling to the floor in a heap. Having revealed himself, the Runners lunged at him, their screeches abruptly silenced as he reclaimed his shotgun, aimed and fired – earning himself a headshot for each Runner who'd dared to approach him.
He heard the distant screams of the other Infected from down the hall, each of them signalled by the intense sound caused by his firearm's bullets and reacting just as Saryuu had predicted.
The snowy haired survivor fled from the room where all hell was about to break loose, taking cover in the hallway as he watched the thoughtless monsters pile out onto the terrace. A Clicker of their group was the only one not to join them, and that was when Saryuu wandered through the shadows towards it, knocking it to the floor while digging his second shiv into it's throat, slitting it before quickly jumping up to slam the door to the terrace.
It clicked shut, though he wasn't sure if it would hold them for long. The Infected within madly pounded against it's surface, loudly crying out.
From there, Saryuu made his way back down the hall to where he had last seen Fey.
The Infected had dispersed, making it oh so much easier for him to rid of them. They were less dangerous while they were not in hordes, though it was a fragile process considering loud noises would attract the others to him all over again. It didn't seem he'd warned any with his previous actions, however. He couldn't hear their terrifying shrieks that told him so...
“Fey...!” he called the boy's name in an urgent whisper once he'd returned to where he'd last seen him. Blood stained the floor and it was marred black by Fey's previous molotov cocktail. Bodies of the Infected lay all around him, and he also spotted Fey's rifle laying on the floor, but Fey was not among them. He slung the rifle over his shoulder. “Fey...!?”
There wasn't a single trace of the greenette, so Saryuu crept into the nearest room – the one where the Clicker who had twisted the ex-Firefly's ankle had sprung from. He could hear the discomforting sound of a Clicker's echolocation from within, and so entered as quietly as he possibly could.
His flashlight illuminated the small room, washing over the desk, couple of chairs, small shelf, and closet door within, along with the daunting forms of four Clickers.
They limped around the room aimlessly, having not noticed him – filling it's space with their terrifying sounds.
It was a good thing that Fey was nowhere to be seen within such a room, but that didn't stop the despair from seeping into his bloodstream, urging him that Fey's fate couldn't be good: Especially considering he was without his rifle. Even if he were still clinging to life somehow, how would he protect himself without it? Against Clickers, a lead pipe would only get him so far...
That fear driving him to make haste, Saryuu just decided to take them out via Fey's rifle. He'd always desired to test out Fey's rifle, just not like this. But if those clicking bastards had done anything to harm the greenette, it seemed like the right way to take them out.
Once each of the Clickers was dead, Saryuu rushed into the room – his heart heavy with the thoughts of checking it for Fey's body. He needed to at least ensure that he hadn't been concealed from view by the room's desk.
“Fey!?” another hushed call of the greenette's name left his lips, the urgency in his tone increasing.
His only response was a faint whimper, which he leaped at as hope was re-lit within him.
He swivelled around the room, until his eyes met the closet door. It looked to be a small opening in the wall, meant for nothing more then hanging up coats. The room contained a window, and orange light from the setting sun glowed against it's door's surface – almost as if guiding him there.
“Fey!” Saryuu hurried to it, yanking the closest door open. Purple irises took in the greenette who was huddled within it's crammed space.
Fey's teeth chattered, tears trailing down his face as he peered up from where he'd buried himself into his kneecaps. His arms hugged his legs to his chest tightly, a position that made him appear all the more frightened.
A portion of his cheek was smudged with blood, and Saryuu's heart sank in his chest at the sight. His blood turned to ice as he asked with wide, purple irises – dread and hopelessness coursing through him. “Oh god... No...” he barely breathed, unable to move to even kneel down next to the greenette in his usual attempt at comfort, “Fey, you weren't bitten... were you?”
The pit of his stomach felt cold, and his mind tried to reject the possibility. What would he do? He couldn't lose Fey... A life without Fey just felt... impossible. He couldn't picture it. He couldn't even process it.
W-would he have to... kill him?
Fey merely gazed up at him with wide, disbelieving eyes before he crawled from the closet's interior and stood. There was a noticeable limp, though Saryuu's attention was taken from it when Fey wrapped his arms around him.
He buried his face into the snowy haired boy's shoulder, hoping to hide his weakness from him as tears of relief spilled down his face. He spoke thickly against him, his arms shifting against his neck into a position that secured his hold on him. “Saru... I thought you were dead.” He sniffled, though stubbornly tried to hide it. “I'm fine... I think. I just... I thought we were going to die in this place... I thought you'd already been...” He couldn't complete his sentence. “I knew it was only a matter of time before they found me...”
A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of how he would die – of what the Clickers would have done to him.
He'd never expected that Saryuu would be the one to find him.
Saryuu still felt numb, unknowing of how to feel. He merely stood motionless, unable to draw his own arms around Fey in return. So... he was okay? He hadn't been bitten?
The white haired boy pushed Fey away from him, grasping him by the shoulder with one hand as his other inspected the blood on the greenette's face. His thumb caressed it's surface, and he realized that it was but a cut that marked the boy's cheek. There was no bite. Though before he allowed himself to feel relief, he looked Fey up and down for anymore traces of blood or bites. When he concluded that he was okay, minus his sprained ankle, Saryuu handed him his rifle.
“Don't ever lose this again,” his voice was cold, his mind still boggled. Seeing Fey before him like this was comforting, but the dread hadn't simply faded away. He felt sick.
Fey took it, slinging it over his shoulder before he roughly began to wipe at his tear stricken face. He didn't want Saryuu to think that he was weak. Though he felt such... Saryuu had saved him yet again as he'd cowered within a closet, having lost his weapon and believed that his partner was lost to him.
What he didn't expect was when Saryuu suddenly grabbed onto his hand, squeezing at it desperately as he stubbornly admitted without looking at him. “Fey... I'm so glad that you're okay.”
Before he was given the opportunity to respond, Saryuu tugged him forward, the affection leaving his tone as he said gravely, “Let's get the hell out of here.”
Fey nodded, and then the pair hurried out into the hallway.
Fey ran as quickly as his injury would allow him, biting his lip as they made their way down the steps of stairs and to the lower floor. Hand-in-hand, Saryuu tried to match his pace, unwilling to run ahead of him. There was no way that he'd risk losing him again.
They wound around the hallway towards the entrance, which was brightly lit with the light from the setting sun. It also washed over the forms of a small group of Infected that staggered across the lobby.
The two briefly released one another's hands, just until they used their firearms to finish off the Infected that stood between them and their exit. They could hear the far-off shrieks of others who must have inhabited the facility, though chose to run for it.
Once outside, they didn't stop.
They made their way to the bridge, hurrying over the cars.
Still hand-in-hand, they then ran through the eerie underpass ; and then made their way through the park and across the swamp. They didn't stop to catch their breath until about half-way across the wooden boardwalk, certain that they were free of any pursuers.
It was dark by that point, and the moon shone down through the trees, highlighting the murky waters. It was incredibly peaceful, despite the utmost chaos they'd faced only moments ago.
They made their way back to their apartment in silence, comforted by the warmth radiating from their shared hands.
They returned to their room, which was bathed in the serene, silver tinged moonlight that filtered in through the window. It reminded Saryuu of just how precious Fey was to him... His beacon in the darkness. He looked so lovely in the moonlight. So alive.
He was alive...
Relief flooded him and that was when he broke.
Their hands still joined, he tugged Fey into him. His entire body trembled, and his violet orbs stung with tears that threatened to fall from them. He clasped onto the greenette desperately, resting a hand against the back of the ex-Firefly's head so that he could pull his head down into his shoulder.
Saryuu voice shook when he managed to speak, his lips quivering, “Fey... I'm so glad you're okay... I was so scared.”
The ex-Firefly was stiff in Saryuu's hold to begin, having not expected it. But he soon relaxed into his frame, drawing his own hands around the Survivor's neck as he hushed him, promising that everything was okay before whispering sweet nothings into his ear.
They stood there like that until Saryuu scooped him up, worried about what all of the pressure of standing had done to Fey's ankle. The greenette didn't protest, instead seeming to cuddle into his chest before Saryuu took him to bed.
He laid him down, climbing over top of him so that he could kiss the greenette's cheek before withdrawing. But Fey's arms remained locked around his neck, unwilling to let him go.
An elbow kept him from laying all of his weight against the other, and also propped him up so that he could gaze down upon Fey's face. The greenette looked up at him, a look in his eyes that made Saryuu shiver.
Saryuu knew as he searched Fey's face that he was too attached.
Though their bond brought him comfort, he couldn't figure out whether he disliked that fact or not. The fact that he needed someone, and that another possessed such a dangerous amount of power over him.
It was conflicting.
But none of that mattered right then – not as Saryuu lay over top of him, feeling that he was still so very warm and so very alive underneath him. He could feel his heartbeat, even after fearing so badly that he was going to lose him and wind up all alone again.
He needed Fey's warmth more then ever.
“Fey...” he nuzzled closer, murmuring into the greenette's ear desperately, “I need to feel close to you right now... Please. I want you.”
The affectionate look in Fey's eyes told him that he needed to feel close to him right then too. He swept a hand through Saryuu's hair, everything from the tone of his voice to the way he looked at him so incredibly soothing. “I feel the same way, Saru... So yes... Reassure me. I want to feel you. All of you.”
He pushed Fey's bangs back against his head, pressing a kiss to the greenette's forehead. “I was so scared for you... I thought I was going to lose you, Fey.” His voice cracked, and he could feel it as Fey rubbed comforting circles against the side of his throat before outlining his jawline. “... I thought that you were going to break your promise to me...”
“I'm here...” Fey reassured him warmly, “I'll always be here. I promised to stay by your side forever, remember? I don't break my promises.”
Saryuu's lips quirked up into a small smile, fixated on the blue-green eyes that twinkled in the moon's light. Brushing a hand through the greenette's hair, Saryuu spoke tenderly before closing the distance between them in preparation to make love to him. “Happy Birthday... my sweet Fey.”
Saryuu then leaned down closer, slipping his hand against the nape of Fey's neck. Tanned fingers grasped the flippy, green strands as he coaxed the boy into tilting his head to a certain angle before he captured Fey's lips in a fierce kiss.
Fey moaned into the kiss, lifting his arms and wrapping them securely around Saryuu's form. He obliged when he could feel Saryuu nibble at his bottom lip, parting them and welcoming the snowy haired boy's warm tongue into his mouth in slow, passionate movements.
It had started off as a puzzle that he needed to piece together, but having explored it so many times already, Saryuu had memorized every scar, curve and contour, as well as every single sensitive spot on the ex-Firefly's beautiful body. He knew it better then he knew his own.
He pushed a hand up Fey's shirt, his fingertips drifting across the greenette's ribs. Saryuu inhaled deeply through his nose, his body burning in it's desire for more as their lips remained locked together.
He could feel Fey's hands in his hair, and he groaned into Saryuu's open mouth slightly when the white haired boy began to slowly rub at his lower belly and then trace his fingers across the rim of Fey's jeans.
It seemed he also craved for more between them.
Saryuu obliged, sinking his hand into the rim of Fey's jeans once unzipping them.
Usually, the pleasure would take time to build up, but Saryuu knew where his touches felt most good. He immediately fondled such areas, which caused the greenette to break away from their kiss, breathless. He whined at Saryuu's touch, his fingertips tightening around him before he bit down on his lip in an attempt to restrain any sounds from escaping him.
But it was extremely difficult, especially when Saryuu began to peel at Fey's pants and underwear. He pulled them down to the greenette's knees with his unoccupied hand, allowing himself more access.
“Ahh...” Fey bit down on his lip further, muffling his whines, “Ngh...”
The noises, however restrained, were like music to Saryuu's ears. He loved feedback – to know that he was the one causing Fey such pleasure. However, it was also slightly agonizing for him. He could feel the area between his legs tingle and burn in desire. He wanted to feel Fey so badly – to feel surrounded by his warm walls as they pulsated around him.
He needed Fey. To remind and reassure himself that they were together, and that they'd escaped death's clutches yet again. Fey was all that mattered anymore, and he needed to convey that to him.
“Fey,” Saryuu murmured, placing kisses against Fey's throat before nuzzling his lips against his ear. He nibbled at it briefly, his hand continuing to massage his sweet member. “Don't hold back,” his tone was like velvet, “I want to hear you, Fey.”
He brushed Fey's green bangs back against his head, dipping down to plant a soft kiss on the bare surface of Fey's forehead.
His skin was hot underneath Saryuu's lips, and a faint blush dusted his porcelain cheeks. “S-Saru,” Fey panted with half-lidded eyes before squeezing them shut. At first, Saryuu thought that he was breathlessly wording his response to him – or at least trying to through the pleasure that only grew with every quickening motion of Saryuu's hand. But it seemed Fey had merely obeyed, his arms firm around Saryuu's neck. “A-ah...! Mhmmmm...”
Fey's head shifted against his pillow, nuzzling into it. He wished that he could bury his face into the crook of Saryuu's shoulder.
Saryuu's other hand ran along Fey's hip, rubbing it firmly as Fey seemed to be growing nearer and nearer to fulfilment. His muscles began to tremble, and the calls of Saryuu's name were beginning to sound more desperate as the built up pleasure forced his lips apart and encouraged him to thrust his hips forward and pump himself into Saryuu's hand.
Saryuu could only lick his lips at the sight, swallowing thickly as the flame of desire within him only burned more fiercely. Peering down at him like this... the way his eyes fluttered ; and how porcelain skin glowed with a gorgeous pink blush ; how his eyebrows furrowed and he clenched his jaw, whimpering...
And all from Saryuu's touch.
He was so lovely...
Saryuu wouldn't be able to hold back much longer. He needed to be inside of him – to connect them.
Saryuu's hand left Fey's hip, fumbling for an unused pillow. He propped it underneath the greenette's hips, coaxing him into lifting them. At that, Saryuu was given easier access to Fey's entrance.
He knew that the boy preferred it over being flipped over onto his tummy. It was a bit more uncomfortable for him, but he liked to be able to look into Saryuu's face, and to also reach out and touch him.
“Ugh! Saru... Ngh,” fingernails dug into Saryuu's shirt as the snowy haired boy began to trace two fingers across Fey's entrance. Though he probably just barely noticed considering the other tanned hand continued to touch Fey's most sensitive area.
It was a bit awkward considering he lay over top of him, so Saryuu snuggled into Fey's side instead. The greenette seemed to prefer it, immediately nuzzling his face into the crook of Saryuu's throat. He whimpered into it's warm surface, only lifting his head to meet Saryuu's mouth in slow, passionate kisses.
Saryuu pressed two fingers into him during one such kiss, eager to prepare him. He couldn't wait much longer. Especially as Fey began to breathlessly beg.
“Ahhhh... Oh god...! Saru! Mmhmmmmm.... Please... Saru! Saru!”
Saryuu had begun to scissor the boy, adding a third finger before thrusting his fingers and hitting exactly where he knew Fey's sweet spot was. He tried, but it didn't seem to have the same effect as when he was actually having sex with him.
But it still felt nice, based on Fey's moans. And he knew that it wasn't only because of the way he touched his member either. What he pleaded for next told him so.
“Saru! Please... please, I want you. I want you...” he spoke shakily, though moments later, Saryuu's touch was too much. He couldn't hold on anymore.
Fey's pulse quickened in his chest, and his lower belly tightened at what was about to happen. His skin felt as if it was set aflame, and all he could concentrate on was the way Saryuu's fingers felt upon his burning member.
“Ugh! I- I can't! Saru, I-” he choked, “I- I'm comi-”
His voice faded into the sweetest sound Saryuu had ever heard as Fey threw his head back, reaching his climax.
He came into Saryuu's hand, laying limp on the mattress as he panted softly.
Once he'd reclaimed his breath, he reached out to touch Saryuu's face. He could still feel Saryuu's fingers within him, and though they no longer moved, they felt very nice. Warm.
He smiled tiredly, his hand lightly caressing the strands of white hair that framed Saryuu's left cheek. “Saru,” his voice was soft. “I want you.”
Saryuu didn't even hesitate.
He leaned in to capture Fey in a chaste kiss before crawling back over top of him. The snowy haired boy pried Fey from his t-shirt and plaid over-shirt, sucking and kissing at his sweet skin as he did so, before tugging his jeans from where they still remained around the greenette's ankles. He tossed them to the floor, leaving Fey completely exposed to his hungry eyes.
Fey sat up, Saryuu sitting over top of his legs, so that he could snake his arms around Saryuu's neck. He pressed light kisses to Saryuu's throat as his hands drifted down the white haired boy's form and aided Saryuu in shrugging out of his flannel coat before pulling off the shirt underneath.
The greenette's hands began to explore the albino's bare chest before he decided to fondle his nibble with his fingertip. Fey lowered his mouth, rolling the other against his tongue once leaving behind a trail of kisses across Saryuu's collarbone, but Saryuu interrupted him as he lifted Fey's head up by placing a finger against the edge of his chin.
It soon left his chin, his hand placing itself against the side of Fey's face. His thumb stroked his jawline, the remainder of his fingers rubbing behind Fey's ear.
Saryuu coaxed him into a desirous kiss, losing himself within it. He closed his eyes, exploring every inch of Fey's mouth as he allowed for his hands to wander the naked body before him.
Before pushing him back down onto the mattress, Saryuu eagerly undid his own jeans and kicked them to the floor.
Fey pressed his lips together, his eyes automatically flickering to Saryuu's exposed and hard manhood.
He didn't have to say anything. It was written all over his face.
He wanted Saryuu to take him right then and there.
Fey welcomed him with another kiss when the boy settled back against him. He wrapped his arms around Saryuu, desperate to feel closer to him then was possible. Saryuu made his own attempt to draw Fey closer, tilting his head in order to deepen their kiss, and grasping at the flippy strands of hair at the nape of Fey's neck as he guided those slender, porcelain legs around his waist.
Still entwined in their kiss, Saryuu assured that the pillow was repositioned underneath Fey's hips. He then sank into Fey's entrance, aching as he became submerged in Fey's warmth.
He could feel it as Fey took a sharp breath through his nose, a soft moan coming from him at finally being connected. It was physically satisfying, and also emotionally so. It was as if they could convey and receive one another's emotions through every movement. He could feel Fey's overflowing affections for him ; his need to be close to him and to make every moment count when they still could ; the respect that Fey held for him ; and how he felt secure around him and viewed him as a saviour ; the sadness of almost losing him only moments ago...
Saryuu was certain that Fey experienced such, as well.
Saryuu gently rocked his hips, despite his immediate craving to mercilessly send Fey into a writhing state of utmost pleasure. But unlike most times that they made love, Saryuu was adamant on starting off at a slower pace. He took the time to admire the way Fey flushed delicately underneath him, sweat building up against his skin and dampening his hair. He looked really nice...
“Fey...” Saryuu's voice sounded unsteady, a slight sigh escaping his lips at the sensation of having Fey surrounding him. He dove slightly deeper, knowing that if he thrust into Fey at a certain angle that the boy would see stars. He'd wait a few more moments, however. “You're so lovely... Stay with me,” he gasped, bowing his head as his hands balled around the bed blankets. “Never leave. You can never leave me.”
Fey's eyes fluttered open, their depths hazy. He responded not through words, but with his fingers as they tightened around him, as that was all Saryuu allowed for.
“Saru, I-”
His words were replaced by a pleasure stricken cry when Saryuu struck his sweet spot. The greenette's nails dug into Saryuu's skin, their hold on him desperate.
“Saru...!” Fey breathlessly called his name, his head spinning before he managed to recover. Saryuu continued to rock his hips against the greenette, though he avoided hitting his prostate for the next few thrusts. “Ah, please... faster.”
Fey wasn't used to such an agonizingly slow pace. Saryuu would normally pound into him, stealing his breath away and leaving him capable of only screaming and panting. That, or the pleasure was so intense, that his lips were forcefully pried apart, though no voice followed. He found it special to be able to trust Saryuu so much with his body, especially when he was being rough.
The snowy haired boy guided Fey's legs around him more, spreading them further apart.
When he next hit his sweet spot, Fey's legs hugged around him with incredible force and his toes curled. It was all he could do, as he wasn't able to close them.
Every muscle in Fey's body tightened as Saryuu struck his sweet spot repeatedly. His entire mind was wiped blank, and he had no choice but to squeeze his minty eyes shut at the onslaught of pleasure.
Saryuu merely quickened his pace, Fey's loud cries filling his ears as his own violet orbs fluttered at the way Fey's insides squeezed around him even more tightly. “Ngghhh,” he fought a moan, clenching his jaw in order to render it to but a whimper. “F-Fey...!”
Fey felt so incredible... Saryuu had difficulty thinking about anything else but that. His mind raced with such thoughts, seeming to race faster then before as he came closer and closer to reaching his orgasm.
The greenette experienced his first.
Saryuu knew that it was coming when Fey began to whimper and pant more heavily, the sounds growing incredibly frequent – not even seconds apart. His back arched and his entire body tensed. His eyebrows drew together more tightly and his eyelids quivered. But most of all, Saryuu could feel him growing tighter around him.
When it was finally time, Fey buried the side of his face into his pillow, crying out into it as every muscle in his body contracted, causing him to tremble. He screamed, his lips forced apart. A stream of saliva ran down the corner of his mouth, dripping from his chin as he went completely limp – his mind cloudy.
The fact that Saryuu continued to pound into him, however, sent Fey's muscles back into a spasm. His sweet spot was even more sensitive now, and Saryuu continued to plunge straight into it.
He came a second time before Saryuu was driven off the edge.
Saryuu could feel it as Fey's inner walls pulsated wildly around his swollen member, constricting around him and triggering his own release.
He came hard, gasping Fey's name as he injected the greenette with the product of their love making.
Saryuu sagged over top of the breathless ex-Firefly, automatically nuzzling against his bare chest as he attempted to catch his breath. He could hear it as Fey's heart pumped madly beneath him, and he somehow found the sound soothing.
Fey panted, his mind gradually becoming less foggy.
They stayed that way for several passing moments, comforted by the sounds of one another's heavy breaths. Saryuu would lift his head to lazily kiss the greenette's lips, and Fey would run his fingertips along the surface of Saryuu's spine – outlining it, as well as his shoulder blades.
Eventually, Fey weakly placed a hand over the nape of Saryuu's neck before whispering, “Saru... stay close to me. Could you...” he hesitated, wondering if what he was about to say sounded stupid considering he'd never asked before, “Can you hold me?”
Saryuu didn't want to let go, anyway. He was relieved of the request, unwilling to lose the warmth that he felt with Fey.
The survivor dragged himself from where he lay over top of him, pulling out of him in the process. He instead rolled the greenette onto his side before nuzzling behind him, wrapping secure arms around Fey's frame.
A sweet smile found it's way to Fey's lips at the action, and his shoulders tensed as he only cuddled into Saryuu more. “Thank you.”
The tanned hand around him drifted to the boy's hair, caressing a moonlit strand before tucking it behind the greenette's ear. Saryuu smiled against Fey's bare shoulder, kissing it's surface lightly before speaking in a thoughtful tone, “What happened back at the soccer stadium aside, did you still have a nice birthday, Fey?”
“It was the best day of my life,” Fey admitted with a small smile, hugging his fist to his chest, “It means a lot to me... that you care so much.”
Saryuu hummed, pressing more kisses against Fey's shoulder blade. “And I always will. So get used to it.” He paused before adding with another brush of Fey's green hair, “You should probably get some sleep now.”
Fey was reluctant. He wanted to stay up and talk in the moonlight. But it had been an incredibly eventful day. Sleep was probably for the best.
“Okay,” Fey took hold of the hand that had been tending to his hair, clasping it to his chest once he planted his lips against it's tanned knuckles. “But promise me that you'll still have me in your arms once I wake up?”
Saryuu nodded against him. “Naturally,” he murmured before lifting himself up temporarily so that he could lean over him and gently kiss the surface of his porcelain cheek, then his lips. “Again – Happy Birthday... and good night, my sweet Fey.”
