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Akaza felt an arm slips behind his back, lifting him up from the dirty ground of the alley with foreign gentleness. He can barely open his eyes, sleepiness slowly claiming his consciousness. He saw a bright silhouette, shifting in front of him, he can see the stranger with an attractive skin tone, and he felt the hands which belonged to the stranger caressing him.
A thumb ran across his chapped lips, he heard the deep, concerned voice muttering, a sound of a pop followed, and the mouth of a water bottle was pressed softly against his lips. The cool liquid flowed into his mouth, he wasn't aware of his dry throat until now, his thirst causing him to crack his mouth open, more than willing to swallow the tasteless water down his throat.
The stranger was so careful, it felt kind of irritating to Akaza. His Adam's apple bobbed as soon as the water hit his tongue, he laid limp against the stranger's arm.
Warmly, tenderly, his skin burns, and he wanted more.
Akaza was vulnerable, half-conscious, and clinging to someone who happened to be so kind to aid him.
He gasped for breath right after the mouth of the bottle was pulled away from him, he coughed away the acidic taste at the back of his throat, groaning at the pain from his cuts and bruises.
He felt the stranger wiping away a drop of water that trickled down his chin, his skin was warm, his hair blonde and reddish, Akaza was being carried into a pair of strong arms, wrapped around his injured body, and he felt the thumping of the someone's heart against him.
And it was black.
The ground felt soft when he woke up.
It wasn't the ground, it was a bed, one that he hadn't slept on since forever.
Akaza looked around the room, it was illuminated dimly, with curtains over the windows, and a desk light stayed lit on the other side of the room.
He ran his fingers over the hem of the blanket that covered him, his shirt was different, the neck felt slightly loose as it exposed his collarbone. The blanket was comfortable, the fan hummed quietly as it spun, the room wasn't cold, and it wasn't scary either.
His arms were already patched up and cleaned as he inspected it, he felt the bandages around his cuts, and the lingering coolness of ointment on his skin. Dust and dirt were mostly wiped away, even his head didn't felt sticky with sweat like usual.
He felt refreshed.
He raised his hand to touch his face, it felt smooth, whoever brought him here must've cleaned him.
Pulling the blanket off himself, he saw his legs which were treated and cleaned, and his torn pants were replaced with shorts.
He attempted to get off the bed, feeling his toes against the cold floor before he stood up and inspected the room.
He walked towards the window, pulling it slightly apart to view the darkening sky. He was in an apartment, he looked through the window which has drowned out the noises. He turned around, eyeing the furniture before moving towards the desk. The table was clean and tidy, stationeries stuffed in a pencil holder, the desk light glowed quietly, light reflected off the books that were stacked tidily against each other, then there was a huge shelf of even more books.
He raised a brow and inspected the book names.
Most books were historical and philosophical, even cookbooks and a thick storybook were in the collection.
He rubbed his palm against the shorts, which was smooth and not ripped like his old pants.
He wonders what does this person wants with him.
He doesn't seem so much like a threat to him for now.
Breathing in, he let out a long exhale, shaking off the exhaustion and a weird sense of security.
Akaza's hand met the doorknob, turning it slowly to avoid making as much noise as possible.
He could hear someone working in the kitchen, utensils clinking against each other and casual muttering of the familiar voice.
"We'll see, Senjuro. Maybe he'll leave after a few days. Don't worry, aniki will protect you."
He sounded so kind, it made Akaza's heart strain.
Relief, happiness, and safety.
He hadn't felt those for a long time.
Hearing such a gentle voice made Akaza wanted to cry.
He reached the end of the corridor, poking his head out cautiously to spot two blondes standing at the kitchen counter, their backs facing him.
He saw two blonds standing at the kitchen counter, one standing in front of the sink and rinsing utensils while another shorter male was wiping the plates dry. Considering the tone that the male used and their similar features, he presumed they were siblings.
The shorter blond turned his head, wide golden eyes with furrowing brows met Akaza's own.
He had a worried expression, but Akaza couldn't process the rest of his features when he yelped.
"A-Aniki!"
"Hm?" The taller male hummed and turned, he was drying his hands with a clean cloth, his smile faded into surprise when he saw Akaza in the corridor.
The two looked like twins, the taller male looked young in his early twenties, while the shorter looked like he was still around 15.
The younger boy ran behind the male, a plate clinked against the counter as he hastily put them down before gripping at his brother's shirt.
"Hi, how are you feeling?" The blond said, staring back at Akaza with a faint smile as he put the cloth back onto the counter, "I'm Rengoku Kyoujuro, this is my little brother, Senjuro." Kyoujuro said as he stroked his little brother's scalp.
"Akaza," he said, almost timidly, "I can see the resemblance."
Kyoujuro smiled, and Akaza felt a wave of warmth and relief washing over him.
"I hope you're feeling better, we made food, so feel free to join us for dinner."
Senjuro was still staring at him, probably intimidated. Though Kyoujuro didn't falter at all.
Akaza noticed the toned biceps under Kyoujuro's rolled-up sleeves.
Kyoujuro had a confident smile, thick brows arched around his eyes, Akaza would admit it, that the man standing in front of him was quite good-looking, and probably tough too.
He nodded, stepping out to the living room, he felt the wind from the spinning fan sending a chill down his body. He swallowed, his throat was dry, his stomach was growling.
He felt something cold touching his ankle, he flinched, drawing attention from the Rengoku siblings.
He saw a brown toy poodle at his feet and wagging its short tail at him before turning away and running towards Senjuro.
"Oh, sorry. Otomi gave you a scare, huh?" Kyoujuro chuckled.
His laugh was soothing, Akaza felt his own face heat up from embarrassment, simply waiting for Kyoujuro to continue.
"She was adopted, Senjuro really wanted a pet, but we never had one until we moved here," Kyoujuro stopped at there and reached for the rice cooker. The moment he smelt rice, Akaza felt his saliva pool at his mouth. his gaze trailed over to the table with different side dishes on it, his stomach growled again, then he inched forward to the eating table.
Senjuro thanked his brother when Kyoujuro handed him a bowl of rice, then the elder had his gaze on Akaza.
"Would you like rice or porridge?"
Steady, loud, yet he didn't sound as threatening as all the people he had met out there.
"Rice."
Akaza said after a moment of thinking, Kyoujuro spooned rice into another bowl before resting it on the table in front of Akaza, his thumb leaving the pair of chopsticks it was pressing down on.
"Here you go."
Akaza stared in disbelief, free, warm food was being put in front of him.
"Thank you."
Kyoujuro looked up at Akaza's face, his smile grew a little wider.
"You're welcome."
He muttered and got himself his share of food.
They sat down at the table, eating quietly in the middle of the city, rumbling of cars in the distance with a dark sky which stars were drowned out by lights. Senjuro is quietly eating while occasionally glancing at Akaza, Akaza kept his eyes down, sweating silently and savoring each taste of the food.
-
Senjuro was in his room, leaving the two of them in the living room.
He had no idea how he ended up like this.
Even when Kyoujuro mentioned that Akaza should rest up, but then Akaza was next to him, their arms pressing against each other, with the lights turned off, they are sitting on the couch together.
It was near midnight, they were sharing their stories with each other.
Akaza's family died in a fire, he started living on his own, meaning, he sleeps in the streets.
He was in a brutal fight, not even his worse, but his old injuries recurred again.
Then Kyoujuro found him.
They were very different, one thing that they have in common though, is that they both feel pretty lonely.
The loneliness that only certain people can heal. The desire to be cherished and loved by another.
And then it was the middle of the night, after a long talk, only quietness and the hum of the fan was left.
Akaza could hear Kyoujuro's breathing against him, his own breathing was irregular, his face burning and his heart falling out of rhythm.
Kyoujuro took his hand into his.
Akaza blinked.
One breath, two breathes, three...
Eventually, he calmed down and relaxed against the couch, his head resting on Kyoujuro's.
It was the best night of his life.
Safe and relaxed next to someone you trust.
He hoped he will never lose this.
Lose this peace.
Or lose Kyoujuro.
-
Senjuro poked his head out of his bedroom, he had woken up at a random time, noticing the working fan in the living room, he suspects that his brother and Akaza were probably still out on the couch.
With a blanket in his hands, he walked down the corridor.
He saw Akaza's head on the armrest of the couch, he got closer and saw his brother laying on top of Akaza, his head against his chest, sleeping soundly in Akaza's arms.
He laid the blanket over them carefully, he gestured to Otomi who was resting next to the couch to follow him into his room together.