08 // Dream

[sole_choice]

Dream effect: Exhilaration of performing and some dokidoki action and confused feelings following. (The only effect from the moon cycle though is the glitter and his adrenaline/physical state of the dream transferring to his waking self)

Notes/Warnings: Attempted filters from all of the Vongola and from Byakuran, but they were haphazardly put up by a rather frantic Shouichi, so if you wish, they can have failed! It's more fun that way >D Also, blame Byakuran for this one, totally and utterly. (Dream inspired continuation of this one.)



******

Shouichi squinted behind his glasses against the bright spotlights as his heart began to pound. The small bar was fairly crowded which was an exhilarating thing to see and hear as Byakuran called out to them and they yelled back.

His fingers strummed the first bar of the music with an ease that only came with practice, setting up the melody for Byakuran's vocals. Neither of them were at a professional level or anything, Shouichi knew that, but he couldn't help feeling like a real rock star up there.

By the end of their set, he was sweating and his stomach was doing back-flips from the nerves, but he was grinning back at the Cheshire cat smile Byakuran was throwing him as they headed back stage again. Every part of him seemed to be thrumming with the music and the applause and adrenaline. When Byakuran threw his arms around him, laughing breathlessly, Shouichi moved before his usually over-active brain could catch up and pressed his lips to the other man's. Lavender eyes flew open wide and a moment later, green ones did too as he realized what he was doing and he jerked away, face on fire. Wh-What was he doing?! THAT WAS HIS BEST FRIEND! And he'd just...! Why had he just done that?! He didn't feel th-that way! Did he? No, no, he didn't (he was fairly sure)!

The sound of the crowd as they began to call for an encore seemed to fade into the background as he stumbled over words of apology and an explanation that he was caught up in the moment. But he was silenced by a pale finger to his lips and a wink, the surprise gone from the other's face. "Let's give them what they want, Shou-chan, and afterward, we'll see what we can do about you, mm~?"

The world spun a bit with the heat that flooded to Shouichi's face anew and Byakuran had to grab him around the wrist and tug him back onstage to a roar of approval. Everything felt like it was a blur as he was prompted for a baseline and his fingers somehow still moved.

As they played out their last song of the encore, he was finally regaining his senses and risked a glance up from his fingers as they played to catch Byakuran's gaze. The look he received back as the man continued to sing along made his face turn crimson again, right there on stage. Hooded eyes, a hand outstretched toward him, a sly smile curling on his lips.......

****



*And Shouichi actually flailed himself out of his bed upon waking, hitting the ground with a loud and painful thud. The Dreamberry remained up on his nightstand, broadcasting the ceiling and the sound of his breathing hard from the ground and out of sight*

Wh-What the... what was that brain?! Nnng....ugh.

*Then there was a sharp gasp of surprise as he suddenly realized about the phone and he scrambled up onto his knees to grab at it and the video swung wildly before focusing on him as he stared into it wide-eyed and without his glasses, t-shirt clinging to him a little with sweat and was he? -- it almost looked like he was covered in glitter as well. He then reached out blindly for his glasses and slipped them on crookedly just to inspect the phone and upon seeing it was on and broadcasting, there was a strangled distraught noise before he shut the feed off hastily. He then began desperately attempting to put some filters in place from of course Byakuran and even more so the Vongola. He didn't want them to get the wrong idea! It was just a stupid dream! This was all Byakuran's fault. ALL OF IT.*

Comments

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Shou-chan... *He frowned and got up, following him. Managing to snatch him around the waist from behind and pull him close just as he got to the bathroom door, he sighed and rested his chin on his shoulder.*

Do you really despise me, so...?

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi went rigid as the arms wrapped around him, but he didn't really struggle either when he heard that sigh*

It... Byakuran-san, it isn't that. I just... I don't despise you. If I despised you, I wouldn't think of you as my best friend, would I? Or be living here with you.

*The dream was still fresh in his mind and even if you ignored the weird thing in the middle, the feeling of being up there on stage with Byakuran, just both loving what they were doing and doing it together was something he really missed...*

Byakuran-san, listen. Even.... Even if we don't agree on something, I won't ever despise the co-creator of Choice.

*I just wish that I could believe you were still that person underneath it all...*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Mm...

*Byakuran went silent for a moment. That wasn't the reaction he'd expected. This felt a lot nicer than he'd expected, too. Gently, he caressed Shouichi's sides before pulling away. For once he could find words. Turning slowly, he left, going back toward his own room.

He wasn't sure how to respond to that. Taunt him? Just laugh at him? Or answer him seriously? Which was more fun..? He wasn't sure. It made his head hurt, there was too much going on in there for him to focus. So going to sit in Shouichi's bed was apparently the best thing to do for now.*

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*The touches that slid along his sides sent a shiver down the shorter man's spine and again, he just remained very still, not encouraging or discouraging. But then he felt the other man step away and Shouichi watched Byakuran walk off quietly, surprised that he hadn't said anything teasing or otherwise at all... He'd meant what he said and if everything went according to plan, maybe Byakuran could be that person again in some other time. That's what he hoped for. That he could still set things right.

He sighed heavily and leaned against the bathroom doorframe, sagging against it as he ran a shaky hand through his hair.

But now they were in this place and the plans were thrown all askew (along with the timelines of the various people from their world and that just gave him an even bigger headache). So... what did he do here and now? He just didn't.... know... what he should.......... do....

And with so many things swirling about in that brain of his and with the adrenaline ebbing away, he started to doze off again, right there in the doorway*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

*Byakuran stayed right where he was for a little while, but he soon decided that he didn't want to be there when Shouichi got back, so he got up and headed out... and he saw his friend there in the bathroom doorway, dozing.

He shook his head and made his way over, reaching out to run his fingers briefly through Shouichi's hair then cup his cheek. Quietly, he spoke, though he knew Shouichi probably wouldn't be able to hear him.*

Let's see what we can do about you, mm?

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi ever so slightly stirred at the feel of Byakuran's fingers against his cheek and his lips parted slightly and he sighed at the soft voice, but he didn't wake...*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

*Ever so slowly, he leaned in, noses nearly touching. He'd stay right there for a few moments before his lips ghosted over his, just barely touching. Since Shouichi already knew what it was like thanks to his dream, he wanted to see for himself.*

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi sighed again against Byakuran's lips and slept through the brushing of lips, though his brow drew together just slightly and he shifted against the doorframe a little before settling again*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

*Byakuran stayed silent, stroking his cheek. It was so strange and familiar... like old times. Before the mafia, before all of that business with the tres ni sette. It made his head hurt, it was just weird. He didn't know quite how to process it.

Carefully, he slid his arm around Shouichi's waist, pulling his arm over his shoulders for support while he tried to lead him to his bedroom.*

Come on... fieldtrip time, my sparkly little Shou-chan.

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*This shifting around stirred Shouichi again, and he murmured groggily without fully waking, but his feet attempted to walk as he was pulled along a little*

Nnn, b-but you lost the last game... penalty... mm... is yours...

*Apparently he was already dreaming again though just on the verge of waking*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

*Laughing quietly, he went into Shouichi's room and got him into bed as carefully as he could, trying his best not to wake him. Geez. He really was so sparkly.. he tried to dust at least a little bit of it off.*

You should have taken that shower.. *He sat on the edge of the bed, just watching Shouichi for now, leaning in a bit closer.* Maybe we can play tomorrow, hm?

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*The moment Shouichi was comfortably in a bed, head on a pillow, he settled down into the spot, sprawling out and nuzzling into the blankets. In the morning, he'd get to deal with the glitter that was all over him, his bed and the path from his room to the bathroom, but for now, he was blissfully devoid of the concern and of really any concerns as deeper sleep came swiftly this time, the excitement from his dream leaving him even more drained than the young man was to start with*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

*Byakuran stayed there for a little while, just watching him sleep. Occassionally he'd sift his fingers through his hair and brush a little more glitter off. Not that it mattered since he was just rolling around in it anyway.

Finally deciding he was too tired to keep his eyes open any longer, he got up and left the room with one last glance over his shoulder at Shouichi when he hit the doorway. Sighing, he rubbed his face and returned to his room, falling over into bed. He needed to make a plan before things got out of hand... for now though, sleep! He needed it. It wouldn't be long before he drifted off.*

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi woke the next morning slowly and sat up, rubbing at his eyes groggily. Which was a terrible idea because he got last night's dream-glitter in his eye and had to stumble off to the bathroom to rinse it out.

After that he was sufficiently awake to realize several odd things. 1) He'd woken up in his own bed. 2) He'd woken up entirely alone and 3) He could hear sounds of attempted cooking and a slightly burned smell wafting down the hallway from the kitchen. Well, the cooking was obviously Byakuran, but he was a little surprised with what he could remember of last night that after he'd dozed off (he couldn't even tell what the last thing he could remember doing was), he'd been put to bed and then left be as well.

He took a second to collect himself (and brush himself off futily) and then padded out to the kitchen to see if the other man needed help. He clearly owed him that much for getting him into bed at least*

Byakuran-san, are you making breakfast?

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Ah! Shou-chan~!

*Byakuran turned around with a huge grin on his face, waving a spatula, clad in white jammie pants and a tank top with a... very frilly pink apron over the top. On the stove were the attempts at scrambled eggs and sausage but the eggs were more brown than yolk-yellow and the sausage was somehow very undercooked.*

Yes, it's almost done! This is my second attempts but.. mm. I think I need to try again.

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi couldn't help the crooked half smile at the sight of the stove and the man's attempts* I... I think you need to too. How about this, let me help make breakfast. Not because I don't think you can do it on your own, but I want to help.

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Thaaaank you~

*Byakuran laughed and make his way over, arms winding gently around Shouichi's shoulders, tipping his head down to kiss his forehead.*

I wanted to let you have a day where you didn't have to worry about it, but it didn't work out, hah. I promise I'll get better.

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi startled and would have backed away if he could have gotten his legs to move faster.* W-w-What are you doing?

*He willed himself not to blush, but he was pretty sure given how hot his ears were that it wasn't working. That dream was still pretty vivid in his mind and why was he going around kissing him?! Even for Byakuan, that was pretty touchy and affectionate*

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

What do you mean?

*Smiling still, he released Shouichi and made his way back over to the stove, turning everything off and grabbing the pans one at a time to scrape the ruined food off and into the garbage.*

We still have some eggs left but that was the last of the sausage. We might have some ham though, if you want to check?

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*The man tried to collect himself again, but it took a few tries* I-I... n-nothing.

*Shouichi shook his limbs out a bit and hurried over to the fridge and poked his head in to search (plus the cooled air was good on his flushed face)* There is some, want to use that this time?

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Yes, please!

*Chirped happily, cleaning out the pans he used so they were usable again. He set them down on the burners and untied his apron. When Shouichi stood up again he pulled his apron off and put it on his darling red-haired friend, pressing into him gently as he reached behind him to tie it.*

There you go...

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*Shouichi straightened up, taking the ham out of the fridge and closing it only to find Byakuran right there in front of him. And reaching around him as closely and awkwardly as possible to tie the apron on him. W-Why was he doing things like that?! Shouichi felt all the blood rush to his face again and he frowned*

I... I don't need to wear this, where did you even find something this girly? *He waved his hands at him, hoping that his indignation would explain the blushing enough and looked to the counter, trying to focus on the task at hand and NOT the white-haired man at all* A-Are the other eggs still out?

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Hey! I like it, it's very nice... don't make fun of my apron.

*Laughing, he ruffled Shouichi's hair and slid his other arm around his waist, giving him a tight squeeze.*

Mm. Though I suppose that I should let you poke fun at my apron all you want since you're saving breakfast. Shouldn't I? *Smiled faintly down at him, tipping his head down to touch foreheads.*

Hmm?

[sole-choice.livejournal.com]

*That was dangerously close to the last straw Shouichi could take in this state. He pulled away very deliberately, taking an audible swallow as he set his jaw.* That's right, I'm helping with breakfast in thanks for your help last night. Are you going to let me do that or not, Byakuran-san?

*He did his best to keep his tone no-nonsense and all business, trying not to let on to all the confused hesitation going on inside. This was not the normal levels of personal space invasion. Not at all. For some reason Byakuran was treating him... like what? Like a girlfriend? He didn't even know what to call it!*

Now, where are those eggs? A-And you're going to help me, so you should have kept this ridiculous thing on anyway.

[1000marshmellos.livejournal.com]

Ridiculous?

*A pout as he fetched the egg carton from the countertop, holding it out for Shouichi to take.*

I'm going to observe. I don't know what I did wrong so I think that if I watch you do it correctly, I'll be able to figure it out. I hope, at least! I'm still really sleepy, I didn't get very much rest last night.