"I'm not a stick in the mud," He grumbled, knowing that was exactly his go-to nature. It felt safe to remain in control of his actions and make decisions based on incisive thought and practical reasoning. Sure, that made him a bit... boring, but it wasn't without reason. He was, admittedly, terrified of making mistakes after all. Trying nothing new, or at least maintaining healthy skepticism was a practical thing.
[break][break]
It wasn't like he couldn't relax. He could. He totally could. He did loads of relaxing. At least, during the times he forced himself to relax, well... they weren't the worst. In reality, it probably would do him some good. However, there was no way he was going to say that Enzo was right. Not a chance in hell.
[break][break]
"I know I know, okay I'm relaxing. Okay?" He didn't appreciate the way his tone slipped, a notable whine at the end from being so mercilessly picked on by this sorry bastard. An onsen, he didn't even know what that meant. He had never done anything like this, thus he found himself following the other along trying and likely failing to not look completely clueless.
[break][break]
As they entered the changing room, he was becoming increasingly aware of what this onsen might be and he wasn't sure if he was entirely comfortable about it, but to mention anything might make him seem stupid. He was stupid about it, but that was besides the point. To the side, there was a bench of rolled, warm towel and the air felt warm and humid. Kosei grimanced, "So.... we..?" That wasn't a complete sentence, was it?


[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] vincenzo de luca | m: vacation time | [break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-riolu"]

"Trying? You make me sound so devious. I'm hardly the devious one here." At one time, he'd been far too forward to even attempt mischief until Enzo had admittedly trained it into him. In some things, he admitted he could be a bit dogged and a stickler for following directions. Though he'd never admit it, Kosei rather enjoyed when people were pleased with him. Even to this day, he was still looking for someone to pat him on the head and say good boy. The thought would have usually devolved into a bitter feeling, but this time he didn't allow his thoughts to conquer his mood.
[break][break]
Right then he felt submerged in warmth and softness. Admittedly, it was addictive. Sometimes, he and Enzo were like polar opposites (water and oil), but other times they fit together so perfectly that it was hard to recover in the other's absence. "Better to pull on, huh?" He said with a crooked smile, "Though, the new cut fits you, in an annoying sort of way." Aka it made him look sexy and that was just plain annoying to have to deal with.
[break][break]
His hands were seekers, slipping over skin in a way that was a bit too forward for the crack of dawn, but it felt to electric to stop. Even the thrum of his hangover seemed distant to him when they were like this.
[break][break]
And then....
[break][break]
His eyes widened at the familiarity of those thuds scampering down the hallway. Shit. He forgotten his own kid. For the second time. Wow, he was the worst dad, wasn't he? For a moment, he was poised there like a deer in headlights, seated fully on top of the other and still very exposed. The door knob shook and instinct bred something desperate in him. [break][break]
Partly, it was because he'd forgotten that past Kosei had locked the door and he expected his six-year-old daughter to come crashing in. Next thing he knew, he was plummeting to the ground with heavy thump. "Ow." He hissed, peering back up at the wail that came from being so rudely locked out. "Do something." He hated the pleading tone that was whisper-hissed at Enzo, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

[break][break]
vincenzo de luca

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

"What does that make you then?" He scoffed, eyebrow lifting with the slightest inch of a smirk on his lips. Maybe they were both half trapped in dreams, seeking it out with eager fingers and lingering mouths. Even after the excuse of the night before was well beyond the scope of reality, they were still entirely too soft on one another. Kosei relaxed a little, perhaps stupidly, as the other had yet to peel away.
[break][break]
"I wasn't feigning, I was sleepy so my eyes were closed. It's that simple. You think I was trying to trick you, with what?" He wasn't telling the whole truth. He had faked sleep to prolong the moment, not that he'd actually expected Enzo to reciprocate. That had come unbidden and he was happy at the surprise that feigning had provided him. Though, even then, he still felt himself subside and apologize as insecurity seeped into the cracks of his composure. It seemed to good, too happy.
[break][break]
He was prepared to explain himself, that he wasn't trying to be affectionate. It had been awhile, that was all. In general... not just with Enzo. That wasn't exactly a lie, considering Miu took up most of his time. It would be an embarrassing admission, but favorable to being blatantly found out for harboring feelings arbitrary to prior claims.
[break][break]
"Perfectly warranted.” Kosei tilted his head at those words, the beginnings of a smile forming. "Yeah?" Still, there was apprehension until the press of lips answered any unspoken questions. By that point, he decided to allow himself this moment, this mistake. It could end up biting him and maybe he'd hate himself for it, but he wanted the excuse to let go. One hands slipped up into Enzo's hair. "Still can't believe you cut your hair." He chuckled lightly, pressing more into the kiss this time. A little boldened by it all to take control. No concern at all for the events that followed.

[break][break]
vincenzo de luca

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

At first, he wasn't entirely certain if Enzo was awake, even he found himself drifting in and out. Instead, he focused on the long in and out of Enzo's breathing. The faraway thrum of his heart that he could feel through the arm he'd draped over him. The breathing grew shallower and that was the only detail he caught before he felt the subtle movement of wakefulness in the other. There was a spike of tension as Kosei struggled with how to respond. Was it better to keep sleeping or to wake and pry himself away? Would Enzo slip away like a ghost, anxious to put distance between them?
[break][break]
The latter possibility might have been what was best for them. If they wanted to maintain the distant yet still messy relationship they'd had up unto that point. There was really no knowing, in the end, what was the right decision. Or even what that "right" was. It was frankly a relative reflection. Yet then he felt the distinct press of lips against his face, the warmth of breath across his skin. Then a lazy hand moved to draw across his spine. It made him shiver and exhale a breath that was far too deep to justify.
[break][break]
"Now who is being the puppy, puppy?" He said, tone dragging by sleep and the claw of his hangover. At first he was afraid to speak, to give it all up. He did it anyways, and at any moment, Enzo would likely pry away after a witty remark. Probably something about how he seemed needy to that affection or desperate even. Once again, he'd been caught wanting, and now content (an even more frightening state of mind).
[break][break]
Still, despite every warning telling him to offer space, he let himself be pressed closer, nuzzling for the warmth of his throat. He offered a little kiss to the other's pulse point before pulling back. "Sorry, that probably wasn't warranted, huh?"
[break][break]
vincenzo de luca

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

Kosei woke to a heap of warmth and to the burn of daylight slanting through the curtains directly into his eyes. Not everything came back to him immediately, save for the realization that his head hurt and his tongue felt paper dry in the hollow, arid cavity of his mouth. His vision bleared as he grumbled a protest at the potency of the sun. Then, twisting around in the too-soft sheets, he recalled how he ended up there. The press of mouths and trail of hands and actions that couldn't be repeated during the decency of the day.
[break][break]
Had this been the first occasion, it might have been a bit of a shock to find Enzo sleeping next to him, but it wasn't. Somehow, routinely, it seemed they'd always end up tangled together (usually a little less literally, however) after some kind of emotional turmoil. Maybe it wasn't healthy. No, no "maybe" about it. Considering how at ease it felt, Kosei should have felt anything else but the twist of uncertainty in his gut. However, he still wasn't that stupid kid anymore that couldn't handle rejection. He could handle rejection, totally.
[break][break]
Yet even while knowing the very real possibility of how this would turn out, that didn't mean he yet needed to abide by the rules they'd put down years ago. He was still in the unique, hungover position of pretending otherwise. Thus, as he turned in the sheets and settled against the other, his eyes drooped closed and his arm shamelessly hung across the other's waist. His head tucked into the hollow curve of the other man's neck.
[break][break]
And he ignored the fact it was morning and he was painstakingly aware of the drunkenness making way for the pain of the hangover. He even ignored that he was a total sap and Enzo was well within his right every time he teased Kosei for being an affectionate or touchy puppy. He'd apologize in a second and they'd get back to their completely separate and independent lives.
[break][break]
Just not right this second.



[break][break]
vincenzo de luca

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

The truth was that no, he didn't know how to have a good time. Any attempt to do so had always been struck down. His childhood had been grim and austere. He'd never had a family to laugh with or a photobook of memorable images. There had only ever been the life he would eventually grow into, which had expectations. There was no time to "behave like a child" and he'd learned that the hard way, haved every innocent and playful edge of him sanded down until it was brittle and unforgiving.
[break][break]
"Yeah well... I don't need you pointing out shit." He grumbled, not exactly denying the other man's point. They both knew the truth and maybe that was why it bothered him more that Enzo so readily weaponized things that were all too familiar to the two of them. In his opinion, there was nothing crafty or clever about Enzo rubbing his face in it.
[break][break]
Decisions like these were... difficult for him. It always felt like he was standing on a fine wire, always at risk of falling with a single misstep. Making a mistake, or the threat of making one, always filled Kosei with a very real sense of dread. Right then, he could feel it thrumming in his chest, tightening his breath. Admittedly, he was thankful when Enzo took control and decided not to give him the second to feel that anxiety. It was easy then, to blame his learned helplessness on Enzo. Even if it was far from helpless in reality. He just felt lost. It was pathetic.
[break][break]
"Fine..." He grumbled, looking over his shoulder before seeming reluctant as he followed along. He closed the door behind him. In all honesty, there was an unanticipated sense of curiosity and intrigue, he'd never done anything like this. Certainly didn't go on trips for the sake of personal interest and satisfaction. Every step made him feel like he was stepping out of boundary, as if he would get in trouble.





[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] vincenzo de luca | m: vacation time | [break]
[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-riolu"]

“Yeah…?” He said, feeling a smile work its way across his face as he recognized that no, he wasn’t sober. Though, at the same time, he didn’t want the excuse that it could be belittled to drunken wants. Even if it was safer that way. There was nothing safe about this, not with the way they were looking at one another and touching one another. This felt distinctly different than before. Maybe Kosei hadn’t changed as much as he hoped, because he was still falling for the exact same thing.
[break][break]
Enzo had that kind of devious charm, that devil-may-care persona that made people either hate him or want him (or a mixture of both). Kosei had found himself in that same exact place and he didn’t handle being burned with all that much grace. Especially when in the past, he’d had so few experiences to rely upon. Now, sure, he was older and wiser and yet what was he doing again if not feeling that apple-rot sweet feeling in his chest.
[break][break]
No amount of reflection deterred him though as he crashed down on the soft surface of the bed beside him. He had every expectation then that Enzo would tell him nothing. He’d play his games and Kosei would probably fall into line because he’d be lying if he said he was any other playing piece but the pawn. Only one-step forward with no capacity to back away from approaching danger.
[break][break]
Whether or not this was all a part of a game or not, seemed to matter less to him. Even less so when the other chose to do away with what was expected. I miss you, kosei. He could feel himself go a little still, eyes searching the other’s face for the vulpine smile to return, knife-life and satirical. At any moment, it might be followed up with a cruel laugh and a ”the look on your face” and he’d have to exist knowing that his expression betrayed his thoughts and exposed his loneliness, his regret, his embarrassment.
[break][break]
Instead of cruelty, fingers softly filed loose hair behind his ears. Before he could think better or to question further, he slipped on top of the other and pressed his lips against Enzo’s. His hands vanished beneath the hem of his shirt, forcing it upwards. “I missed you too, more than you know.”



[break][break]
vincenzo de luca

[attr="class","milkcredit"] [attr="class","fas fa-cookie-bite"]

”No I don’t.” He grumbled, knowing “taking shit too seriously” was like his most prevalent flaw. It had been the thing that forced him to leave the life he’d known. The feeling that every little thing was some grave error and that he was lucky to be forgiven for those faults. That he didn’t deserve anything good unless he worked himself to the bone to get it.
[break][break]
He let his shoulder butt up against Enzo’s. Years ago, the contact would have been excessive for him, yet he had let himself relax on that at least. Maybe it was too comfortable, being around Enzo and allowing himself not to feel immediate frustration and irritation. Enzo poked him then, which he was prone to doing. Kosei grumbled, but made no attempt beyond a little push to get back at him. ”Fine, I’m chill. I am.”
[break][break]
The rain didn’t make it easy to be productive, but it did lend additional time to sleep. Kosei valued sleep, but never respected it. Waking up at the crack of dawn was normal for him, so laying there he felt lazy and useless. ”Two and a half, I think?” Honestly, he’d forgotten, mostly. Rain continued to drip against the chiseled surface of the Onix, which hadn’t seemed to mind.
[break][break]
”So guess we’re sticking to it then?” Knowing Enzo’s love of money, that was almost definite. Without a doubt at this point, he’d end up giving most of his half as retribution for his own stupidity. At some point, he felt himself drift off. It wasn’t exactly a good situation, but they weren’t dead. Maybe just a little miserable and cold.
[break][break]
Too bad Enzo made for a bony pillow.

[break][break]

+ vincenzo de luca | deserted island

[attr="class","pokeclass"]