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[ He wouldn't be Akira if he wasn't stubborn, and Haruaki wouldn't be Haruaki if it didn't roll right off his back like a duck in the rain. ]
You can be upset with me, as long as you give our deal a fair chance!
[ One more pat, and then he pulls back, stretching his arms high overhead with an enormous yawn before settling back down and grinning wide. ]
And I'll be awake to make sure you do. So I'll see you for bedtime tonight!
You can be upset with me, as long as you give our deal a fair chance!
[ One more pat, and then he pulls back, stretching his arms high overhead with an enormous yawn before settling back down and grinning wide. ]
And I'll be awake to make sure you do. So I'll see you for bedtime tonight!
[ Determination melts away into appreciation. Akira really is going to give it a shot. Maybe it'll fail, and (what he considers to be) falling behind on his work will stress him out too much for a regular bedtime to be a sustainable thing, but at least he'll try. ]
That's true, you always do.
[ Haruaki holds out his hand to shake. ]
Then it's settled.
That's true, you always do.
[ Haruaki holds out his hand to shake. ]
Then it's settled.
[ Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, Haruaki could not make it to midnight.
He couldn't even make it to 10:15.
But! He did set no less than twenty alarms on his phone to ensure that at midnight, he's staggering out of his room to find Akira, even if he's half-asleep to do it. ]
Akira-kun... Bedtime, orโ [ BIG YAWN. ] Or else...
He couldn't even make it to 10:15.
But! He did set no less than twenty alarms on his phone to ensure that at midnight, he's staggering out of his room to find Akira, even if he's half-asleep to do it. ]
Akira-kun... Bedtime, orโ [ BIG YAWN. ] Or else...
Edited 2025-07-05 08:38 (UTC)
[ As much as he really does intend to honor his word, by 10 Akira's already back into the normal routine of keeping quiet with his work in his bedroom/study. He always gets so drawn into what he's doing that the hours fly by, and before he knows it...
Ah, right. Bedtime.
He can't keep a fond smile off his face when he peeks his head out the door, Haruaki consistently adorable when he's all sleepy in his jammies. It feels almost like a treat to motivate him further. ]
I hear you, I hear you. I'll wrap everything up, so get yourself back to bed, alright?
Ah, right. Bedtime.
He can't keep a fond smile off his face when he peeks his head out the door, Haruaki consistently adorable when he's all sleepy in his jammies. It feels almost like a treat to motivate him further. ]
I hear you, I hear you. I'll wrap everything up, so get yourself back to bed, alright?
[ He is dead on his feet! And only getting deader! Which is why he slumps against the doorframe to watch Akira tidy up, making himself as comfortable as he can be without being horizontal, and then...
His eyes feel so heavy...
Is his chin drooping down toward his chest as he nods off? Maybe so. ]
His eyes feel so heavy...
Is his chin drooping down toward his chest as he nods off? Maybe so. ]
You're right about that. Come on, it's bedtime for you too.
[ Gently, without Haruaki needing to shift his weight too much, Akira will start nudging them both out of the doorway towards the other's bedroom. He can take a minute to tuck his dear oniisan in before he keeps his promise. ]
[ Gently, without Haruaki needing to shift his weight too much, Akira will start nudging them both out of the doorway towards the other's bedroom. He can take a minute to tuck his dear oniisan in before he keeps his promise. ]
[ How is he doing that while so very eepy tired....................
Well, no way around it. Akira will spin and scoot as gently as he can towards his bed instead, having to step backwards until his legs hit the edge and he can take a seat on the mattress to look up at Haruaki. ]
More like this?
Well, no way around it. Akira will spin and scoot as gently as he can towards his bed instead, having to step backwards until his legs hit the edge and he can take a seat on the mattress to look up at Haruaki. ]
More like this?
[ Better!
Unfortunately, that brief burst of energy needed to see his plan through served its purpose, and now it's fading fast. Haruaki scrubs at his eyes as he nods down at Akira. ]
Yes. I really will stand here 'til you fall asleep!
[ It is a genuine threat, but it's probably hard to take seriously when he's swaying where he stands. ]
Unfortunately, that brief burst of energy needed to see his plan through served its purpose, and now it's fading fast. Haruaki scrubs at his eyes as he nods down at Akira. ]
Yes. I really will stand here 'til you fall asleep!
[ It is a genuine threat, but it's probably hard to take seriously when he's swaying where he stands. ]
You will not. [ Said with a quiet laugh. Haruaki may try, but at best will end up sleeping on Akira's floor and at worst hit his head on something on the way down.
And he hasn't done the necessary inventory for everything he'd need for impromptu brain surgery, so...
A flash of inspiration, and a very rare moment in his life of hesitation.
It's the road of least resistance, really, and it doesn't have to be anything more than that. If it's really so awful, so unwanted, they can make plans to avoid it come tomorrow morning and there won't be any hard feelings. Only rested minds with a newfound sense of determination to make this whole arrangement work.
So. That's that.
He hasn't any oni strength anymore, but he does have the strength of a healthy, fit man. All of which goes into yoinking Haruaki forward and onto the bed with him. ]
And he hasn't done the necessary inventory for everything he'd need for impromptu brain surgery, so...
A flash of inspiration, and a very rare moment in his life of hesitation.
It's the road of least resistance, really, and it doesn't have to be anything more than that. If it's really so awful, so unwanted, they can make plans to avoid it come tomorrow morning and there won't be any hard feelings. Only rested minds with a newfound sense of determination to make this whole arrangement work.
So. That's that.
He hasn't any oni strength anymore, but he does have the strength of a healthy, fit man. All of which goes into yoinking Haruaki forward and onto the bed with him. ]
[ It's hardly difficult: Haruaki is tall and willowy, and he goes down easily when he's taken off guard. And the very last thing he's expecting is for Akira to pull him down onto his bed, butโ
That's where he ends up.
It takes a few moments of dazed, groggy blinking before his mind fully registers what just happened to his body, and then he looks over at Akira, wide-eyed. ]
Of course... [ It's like the world's dimmest lightbulb just flickered to life behind his eyes. ] Of course! Why didn't I think of that! The best way to make sure you get some sleep is to have a sleepover!
[ Well, don't mind him flopping down onto the bed and immediately making himself cozy, then. ]
You're a genius, Akira-kun.
That's where he ends up.
It takes a few moments of dazed, groggy blinking before his mind fully registers what just happened to his body, and then he looks over at Akira, wide-eyed. ]
Of course... [ It's like the world's dimmest lightbulb just flickered to life behind his eyes. ] Of course! Why didn't I think of that! The best way to make sure you get some sleep is to have a sleepover!
[ Well, don't mind him flopping down onto the bed and immediately making himself cozy, then. ]
You're a genius, Akira-kun.
[ Huh. That was easier than he thought it'd be. ]
You really think so?
[ There's still a chance for things to go wrong come morning, but...
No need to look a gift horse in the mouth while he's in danger of losing his covers. He probably won't fall asleep for some time, but putting in the effort of trying is half the battle so he'll make himself just as comfy cozy sliding into bed proper. ]
Just to warn you, I'm a cuddler~
You really think so?
[ There's still a chance for things to go wrong come morning, but...
No need to look a gift horse in the mouth while he's in danger of losing his covers. He probably won't fall asleep for some time, but putting in the effort of trying is half the battle so he'll make himself just as comfy cozy sliding into bed proper. ]
Just to warn you, I'm a cuddler~
Huh? You are?
[ His head is on a soft pillow, and his body is covered by warm blankets. It takes a valiant effort for Haruaki to keep his eyes just barely half-open, the heaviness of sleep already sinking into his voice. ]
I've never slept in bed with someone before, but I cuddle Marshmallow sometimes, so... I guess I'm used to it!
[ His head is on a soft pillow, and his body is covered by warm blankets. It takes a valiant effort for Haruaki to keep his eyes just barely half-open, the heaviness of sleep already sinking into his voice. ]
I've never slept in bed with someone before, but I cuddle Marshmallow sometimes, so... I guess I'm used to it!
Are you so sure about that~?
[ Maybe he is just a little tired, not having slept since their morning talk, or maybe it's the mischief in his blood looking for a way to get out. Whichever excuse he decides to stick with in the end, it doesn't change what he does next.
Which is, turning to wrap his arms around Haruaki, pulling him close like a stuffed animal. ]
[ Maybe he is just a little tired, not having slept since their morning talk, or maybe it's the mischief in his blood looking for a way to get out. Whichever excuse he decides to stick with in the end, it doesn't change what he does next.
Which is, turning to wrap his arms around Haruaki, pulling him close like a stuffed animal. ]
[ He squeaks like a chew toy as he's pulled in. For a long moment, he only lets himself be held tight, arms trapped at his sides and face squished into the crook of Akira's shoulder.
It really is nothing like being piled on by mandragoras for a midday nap. Being held by another person, especially one as important to him as Akira...
Haruaki would never call himself a lonely person, not outright. But it's only within recent months that he's made the first friends of his life, and he's been without them here. It's only because of Akira that he hasn't found himself back in a familiar isolation โ friendly with many, but set apart by a distance he's never quite understood or been able to bridge. If asked before, he would have said it didn't bother him, but having what he does now, he knows he never wants to have to return to it.
Slowly, he wriggles one of his arms free so he can bring it up, rest his hand against Akira's bicep wrapped around him. Haruaki relies on him for a lot more than he thinks the man is aware. It's difficult not to feel like he's drowning in his own gratitude, suddenly.
He doesn't have the energy to give voice to all his thoughts, though. So he only shifts to rest more comfortably in Akira's arms and gives one of them a little squeeze. ]
If you try to sneak out of bed and keep working, I'll have to get even more underhanded next time.
It really is nothing like being piled on by mandragoras for a midday nap. Being held by another person, especially one as important to him as Akira...
Haruaki would never call himself a lonely person, not outright. But it's only within recent months that he's made the first friends of his life, and he's been without them here. It's only because of Akira that he hasn't found himself back in a familiar isolation โ friendly with many, but set apart by a distance he's never quite understood or been able to bridge. If asked before, he would have said it didn't bother him, but having what he does now, he knows he never wants to have to return to it.
Slowly, he wriggles one of his arms free so he can bring it up, rest his hand against Akira's bicep wrapped around him. Haruaki relies on him for a lot more than he thinks the man is aware. It's difficult not to feel like he's drowning in his own gratitude, suddenly.
He doesn't have the energy to give voice to all his thoughts, though. So he only shifts to rest more comfortably in Akira's arms and gives one of them a little squeeze. ]
If you try to sneak out of bed and keep working, I'll have to get even more underhanded next time.
[ Oh no. Oooooh no.
The satisfaction of doing something mischievous is snuffed the instant Haruaki relaxes into his hold, replaced by hyperawareness of his own very, very present heartbeat.
There are no gods here, at least he doesn't think so, and he's never been in the habit of praying to them for obvious reasons. But if anything out there is looking down on Akira favorably tonight, they won't let the thing break right through his ribcage and tattle on him as it's threatening to.
Sleep. He needs to focus on sleeping, getting a relaxed rhythm to his breathing that'll calm him down so his impulses won't pull him yet further forward.
The way his fingers lock behind Haruaki's back wouldn't help if he realized he was doing it. ]
That kind of makes me want to see what you come up with, you know.
[ Quiet, calm, casual. Everything is fine. ]
The satisfaction of doing something mischievous is snuffed the instant Haruaki relaxes into his hold, replaced by hyperawareness of his own very, very present heartbeat.
There are no gods here, at least he doesn't think so, and he's never been in the habit of praying to them for obvious reasons. But if anything out there is looking down on Akira favorably tonight, they won't let the thing break right through his ribcage and tattle on him as it's threatening to.
Sleep. He needs to focus on sleeping, getting a relaxed rhythm to his breathing that'll calm him down so his impulses won't pull him yet further forward.
The way his fingers lock behind Haruaki's back wouldn't help if he realized he was doing it. ]
That kind of makes me want to see what you come up with, you know.
[ Quiet, calm, casual. Everything is fine. ]
I know.
[ Aren't you curious about me? ]
I'm sure it'll happen eventually. So you don't need to tempt fate on purpose!
[ Frankly, he's underutilizing his scheming tactics here in this world, butโ well, one thing at a time. There will be opportunities. Haruaki's sure of that.
As he nestles down yet again to try to achieve maximum comfiness, he winds up yanking the other arm free from Akira's grip as well. It has nowhere to go, though, so he ends up draping it around Akira's back in kind, palm pressing warm against his spine. ]
The best part of sleepovers is staying up late talking, huh? But we really should sleep...
[ Aren't you curious about me? ]
I'm sure it'll happen eventually. So you don't need to tempt fate on purpose!
[ Frankly, he's underutilizing his scheming tactics here in this world, butโ well, one thing at a time. There will be opportunities. Haruaki's sure of that.
As he nestles down yet again to try to achieve maximum comfiness, he winds up yanking the other arm free from Akira's grip as well. It has nowhere to go, though, so he ends up draping it around Akira's back in kind, palm pressing warm against his spine. ]
The best part of sleepovers is staying up late talking, huh? But we really should sleep...
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