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A restless Kiryu stands at a baggage claim. He’s anxious, and the concept of the Dragon of Dojima being nervous makes him all the more fidgety. He takes a deep breath in through his nose and out his mouth, trying to make himself calm down.
He keeps repeating to himself that this was his own idea, but it doesn’t help make matters much better. Given his history with the man, this could go sour, but Kiryu reassures himself that the only reason he proposed the visit was because the visitor had changed. But he was a little worried about his kids…
No- even then, after what he’s done for Haruka, that’s just not like him.
Kiryu grows frustrated with himself. Why is he running himself in circles like this? He had already been over all this, even long before he extended the invitation to come visit him and the kids in Okinawa.
Kiryu checks his watch. The flight landed a good while ago, so where is his guest? Every new crowd of people that gather in the baggage claim makes Kiryu stand at full attention.
Then finally, the other dragon showed himself. He towers over everybody else, and his blonde hair makes him easy to spot. As he approaches, Kiryu can see he’s still wearing that same old suit. He wonders if his guest is hot.
What Kiryu doesn’t know is that Ryuji is just as apprehensive as he is. He trusts that everything will be fine, but despite being the larger of the two, Kiryu remains the superior dragon. It's possible things could wind up poorly, but Ryuji doesn’t foresee violence happening in front of the kids…
Ryuji then spots Kiryu among the crowd. Once their eyes lock, adrenaline fills their bodies… but there’s nowhere for it to go. They both try to bury the feeling.
Despite their last encounter going better than either of them expected, they are both tense now. When they were reintroduced a month or so ago, Kamurocho was rotting. Ryuji was cleaning up a mess he felt responsible for, and Kiryu needed to save his daughter. Their goals happened to align to some extent, so they worked together to get that done.
Now, there isn’t a clear goal for either of them. They are both staring each other down, not entirely sure what to do or say next.
“Good morning, Kiryu-san.” Ryuji breaks the ice with a slight bow.
“Good morning,” Kiryu echoes softly. “How was your flight?”
“It was fine,” Ryuji replies as they both start to walk toward the train station. “I am tired though.”
“I suppose it still is a little early. Couldn’t sleep on the flight?”
“Nah.”
“Do you need to stop and get coffee or anything?”
“Should be okay. Thanks though.”
They fell quiet again as they reached the train station and waited for the next ride. A few minutes pass in silence.
“Aren’t you hot in that suit?” Kiryu finally asks.
“Ahh, yeah. At least I left the coat at home, heheh.”
Kiryu cracks a smile. “I’m not sure it’ll fit you, but I might have some clothes for you when we get to the orphanage.”
“I won’t turn ya down on that.”
After a few more moments of silence, a train comes into vision down the track, its shape distorted from the heat. It gets less wavy as it draws near.
Kiryu and Ryuji step in together when the train arrives. They stand next to each other and hang on as the train lurches back down the track. They watch houses, beaches, and trees roll by.
“I’m not sure how the kids will act once we get back,” Kiryu says softly.
Ryuji turns to the other dragon. “Why’s that?”
“I told them you’re big and kinda scary, but you’re a nice person.”
“Mmmm,” Ryuji groans, returning his gaze back out the window. Ryuji is well aware of the intimidating body he’s stuck with. Reminders don’t make him feel any better.
“Sorry,” Kiryu interjects. “I probably should have kept that to myself.”
“Nah, ‘sfine. I kinda appreciate the warning.”
“...”
“How were they this morning?” Ryuji asks.
“Either sleeping or just waking up, so I’m not sure what the mood is at the moment. They didn’t seem too phased when I told them about you, though.”
“Guess we’ll see then.”
“Yeah.”
Another awkward silence fills the train as it rocks them back and forth along the track. Kiryu says nothing. Ryuji says nothing. The tension is thick and palpable and can be cut with a knife.
“Izzit usually this hot?” Ryuji asks.
“Hmmm, I guess it’s a little warmer than it has been the past few weeks,” Kiryu ponders. “But it’s not too out of the ordinary.”
“Damn,” Ryuji growls. He sets down his duffel bag and shimmies out of his suit coat. He puts it on the bag, then tosses the bag with his coat back on his shoulder.
Kiryu looks at his roasting guest. He’s still as muscular as he was when they first met. Kiryu thought it was curious that Ryuji didn’t roll up his sleeves until he noticed the leather gloves. That’s right, Ryuji has that prosthetic arm. He’s probably trying to not draw more attention to himself than he already does.
Wait.
“Ryuji, that arm’s not going to go off in front of the kids, is it?” Kiryu whispers.
Ryuji’s heart skips a beat, but then he roars into a fit of laughter. Hushing his tone again, he says, “It’s got a safety yanno, just like any other gun.”
“Oh, okay.” Kiryu feels a little silly for asking, but Ryuji’s laughter does help to lighten the mood a little.
Finally, their destination rolls into view. As they step off the train, Ryuji’s face is assaulted by the hot, humid air. The sun bears down on his black shirt. Kiryu chuckles at Ryuji’s expression.
“Heh. Okay, maybe it is a bit hotter than I thought.”
Ryuji makes a small groan in response.
“Well, the walk isn’t too long now,” Kiryu assures him.
“Breeze is nice at least.”
“Yeah.”
And the breeze is refreshing. The dragons look out onto the surf as their feet crunch along the dirt road. The sounds of the waves and wind through the trees are calming. Ryuji smiles into the deep blue sky and its sparse, fluffy clouds. He was a little jealous of Kiryu... how did he manage to score such a paradise?
The sound of children playing starts to meet their ears. One sound, in particular, stands out to Ryuji: a barking dog.
“Hey, we’re home!” Kiryu calls out to the group.
All the kids stop and stare. They grow quiet. Kiryu was right, Ryuji is big and intimidating. Ryuji feels the tension when all the little eyes become glued to him.
Standing at the entrance of the orphanage yard, Ryuji bows.
“Nice to meetcha’.”
The barking resumes. A shiba inu approaches Ryuji with adorable ferocity.
“Kiryu!” Ryuji shouts. “Ya didn’t tell me ya had a dog!”
“Ah, that’s Mame. He’s Izumi’s dog.”
Ryuji’s bag falls to the ground, and Ryuji collapses to his knees, instantly patting his massive thighs.
“C’mere pooch! Hey buddy!” Ryuji makes kissing noises at the dog.
Some of the kids can’t help but laugh at the sight of this tough-looking man acting so silly over a dog. Kiryu smiles, glad that things are off to a pretty good start. Ryuji is grateful the tension is easing between all of them.
Mame comes over, and Ryuji scratches behind the dog’s soft ears.
“Who’s a good boy? You, that’s who! Mame’s a good boy!”
“I had no idea you were so into dogs, Ryuji,” Kiryu laughs.
“Yeah, I love ‘em!” Ryuji beams while scratching Mame’s fluffy neck.
Kiryu walks further into the yard while Ryuji continues to pet the dog. He finds that sweet spot under Mame’s collar that makes him start to kick with that blissful expression on his face.
Izumi gets closer and laughs. “How are you getting Mame to do that, mister?”
“You gotta scratch him really hard under his collar, right here,” Ryuji points.
Izumi takes over, trying to get Mame to make that funny face again. Ryuji gets up and grabs his bag, then follows Kiryu inside his home. Their feet pad through the hall, and Kiryu shows Ryuji his room.
“I’m thinking you can stay here, is that okay?” Kiryu asks.
Ryuji shrugs. “Fine by me.”
“Did you want me to find you a more comfortable shirt?”
“Yes, please,” Ryuji nods.
“Wait right here then,” Kiryu says as he turns back into the hall and into a neighboring room.
After a few minutes of distant shuffling and moving doors, Kiryu returns in hand with a dark blue aloha shirt. It’s printed with hibiscus flowers and lush leaves in a lighter hue.
“This one’s a little big on me, but I never bothered to get rid of it,” Kiryu explains. “What do you think?”
“Sounds good, I’ll give it a try,” Ryuji replies as the shirt exchanges hands.
“I’ll leave it to you then. I’ll be outside with the kids.”
Kiryu left the room, closing the door behind him. Since the mechanisms of his prosthetic arm will be exposed, he tosses his gloves onto his bag. Ryuji struggles to unbutton his shirt, peeling it off his massive form and tosses the black, silken cloth on top of those. He slips his thick arms into the aloha shirt given to him, its fibers much more breathable than before. He finds that it fits him nicely… if only he could button the damn thing. It’s a difficult task with a metal right hand, but after some time and effort, he’s able to get himself situated.
When Ryuji returns outside, Kiryu is sitting with the rest of the kids, munching on some chilled fruits. Haruka is out there too, and she’s the first to notice Ryuji come back outside.
“Ryuji-san! Hi!” she cheers with boundless enthusiasm.
Her joy makes Ryuji smile. It’s nice to see her familiar face.
“Nice to see ya again Haruka-chan,” he says softly. “How are ya doin’?”
“I’m doing well, thank you!”
Kiryu swallows a bite of watermelon. “Looks like that shirt worked out for you?”
“Yeah.”
The kids are looking at their unfamiliar guest again, but now because that arm was showing.
“Hey,” Kiryu scolds, picking up another treat from the bowl. “What did I tell you about staring?”
Some of the kids apologize but they all avert their eyes. Ryuji laughs lightly at the sight. The flock of children moving and acting in unison is cute and funny.
“It’s fine, Kiryu-san,” Ryuji says as he approaches the others at the table. “This ain’t really a normal prosthetic anyway," as if to demonstrate, he uses his right hand to reach over some of the kids’ heads and grab a bit of melon for himself, then takes a bite.
“Izumi, did you have a question for Ryuji-san?” Kiryu asks, turning to his youngest with a smile.
“R- Ryuji-sama,” she stammers, “would you help me teach Mame how to fetch?” She holds up a red rubber ball that looks very clean and unloved.
“Ooooo, sure!” Ryuji exclaims. “Do you have any treats for the little guy?”
“Right here!” She grabs a bag from her pocket and shows it to her new friend, towering over her. The familiar sound and smell of the treats are enough for Mame to perk up from his resting place by the dog house.
The three of them cross the street over to the beach, guided by Izumi. Ryuji takes the ball from her and tries to toss it a short distance. Mame's head turns, but he stays at his position in the sand. Izumi tries lobbing it, but Mame is not interested and starts to walk away. Ryuji and Izumi call back out to the dog, begging him to come back, and he only does so at the sound of rustling treats. Upon his return, Ryuji tries presenting the ball to Mame. He sniffs it, barely licks it, then turns to Izumi trying to get a snack.
“Oy, does Mame even like this ball?” Ryuji finally asks.
“Ummm…” says Izumi.
“Have you seen him play with it?”
“Not really…”
“Is there a toy he does like?”
“He's got a little rope we play tug-of-war with, and he likes chewing on it too!”
“Let's try that instead of the ball.”
“Okay!”
Izumi runs back toward the house and Ryuji plops his butt down in the sand. Mame looks at him for a moment, and Ryuji beckons him, but Izumi has the treats, so Mame turns his curled tail and trots after her. While she's gone, some of the older boys come across the street to play baseball, gear in hand. They get set up on the other side of the beach.
Izumi returns into view, squealing with laughter. She's running with the aforementioned blue rope in hand, held high, and Mame is jumping and chomping at it excitedly.
“Hey, that's pretty good!” Ryuji calls out. “We might be able to work with that!”
Mame latches onto the rope as Izumi gives it to Ryuji. Mame yanks on it repeatedly, trying to reclaim it from Ryuji’s powerful hands.
“Mame! Drop it!” Izumi yells. “Let go!”
The dog stops moving. He looks to Izumi with his eyes only, not moving his head an inch. He watches her as he pulls once more.
“Stop!”
Mame relents, and lets go of the rope.
“Good boy!”
“Give him a treat for that!” Ryuji says.
Izumi follows his instruction and hands the dog a delicious snack, and he scarfs it down.
“Alright, let’s try this again.” Ryuji gets up on his knees and gives the rope a little toss.
This time, Mame goes after the rope, but he lays down with it and chews on it right where it fell. Izumi and Ryuji praise the pooch, then start encouraging him to come back… Mame doesn’t listen.
“How’s it going?” Kiryu is approaching them with the last group of kids in tow. They all look like they’re ready for a swim.
“Not great,” Ryuji laughs. “He’s pretty stubb-”
“WATCH OUT!” yells a voice from the other side of the beach.
Mitsuo knocked the ball out of the park, and it’s now hurtling towards everyone on the other side of the beach. Much to everyone’s surprise, Mame gets up and leaps into the air, catching the ball flawlessly between his jaws. He sprints back over to the baseball game. Ryuji buries his hands in his palms and laughs.
“Guess it’s all on Mame’s terms, huh?” he comments.
“He’s always been a great outfielder,” Kiryu sighs with a smile. “Anyway, we were all about to go for a swim. Want to join us?”
“Yeah, that sounds like fun. What do you think, Izumi-chan?”
“Yeah, let’s go!”
The two of them march back up to the house so they can get ready. Ryuji returns to his room and gets dressed, opting to leave his shirt on but open. That way, he can take it off easily but still hide his dragon until the last minute. With a forceful twist and uncomfortable grunt, he also detaches his arm and leaves it on his things.
When he’s ready he returns to the house’s entrance where Izumi is waiting in her swimming suit and is holding towels for them both. She jumps at the sight of Ryuji.
“Ryuji-sama, where is your arm!?” she exclaims, pointing.
“I took it off,” the large man explains. “Saltwater is bad for it, so I just left it in my room.”
“Oh…” her eyes are stuck on his vacant sleeve.
Ryuji crouches next to her. “Hey, remember what yer Uncle Kaz said about starin’?”
“Ah! I’m sorry!”
“S’okay. I don’t mind it as much cuz I already stand out like a sore thumb, heheh. It can make some people uncomfortable though. But, we all get used to it eventually.” Ryuji stands back up. “Anyway, ya ready?”
“Yeah!”
Izumi springs up and runs across the street. Ryuji jogs after her. Once on the beach she effortlessly kicks off her flip-flops as she throws the towels aside into the sand. She continues sprinting directly into the waves. Once deep enough, the inertia makes her topple into the water with a good splash.
“Uh-oh, are you okay there, Izumi?” Kiryu asks, coming over to her.
Her response is laughter. She’s fine.
On the beach, Ryuji shimmies out of his shirt, as if to let it fall behind him. He catches the sleeve with his left hand, then rests it by the towels. He strides into the ocean and feels its icy embrace on his feet.
“I can’t believe those kids can just jump in there,” he says as he approaches Kiryu who is standing above the others, supervising.
“They are an energetic bunch,” he says with a smile. “Cold water won’t slow them down. You do get used to it after a while, and you come to expect it.”
Izumi calls out to Ryuji. “Come gimme a ride!” she shouts, raising her arms.
Ryuji sighs and hangs his head a little. The girl has already worn him out so much… He just wants a minute to rest, but he obliges and walks over to her all the same. He crouches into the ocean and Izumi climbs onto his back, kicking rapidly into the water to get the rest of the way. Once she’s latched around Ryuji’s neck, she commands him to go deeper into the water.
His feet slowly walk further into the deep, standing fast against the tides coming and going. Izumi loves feeling the waves rush against her body, but it’s not enough to pull her off Ryuji. Even if she lets go, he has a strong grip on her.
"Ryuji-sama," Izumi says, "you have a dragon on your back just like uncle Kaz!"
"That I do," he replies with melancholy. She doesn't fully understand what it means, and he's certainly not going to bring it up.
"He's so scary!" she remarks, looking into the beast's snarling face.
Ryuji isn't quite sure what to say. He only agrees with her.
For better or worse, Kiryu beckons Ryuji back to shallower waters. Ryuji heeds the call and returns with Izumi in tow.
"I'm going to start making dinner," Kiryu says. "Is it okay if I leave you to look over the kids while they swim?"
"Should be fine," Ryuji responds.
"Thank you. You guys listen to Ryuji-San and Haruka, okay? And don't go too deep into the water!"
The school of swimming kids all give Kiryu the affirmative. As he begins trudging towards the orphanage, the youngest boy, alone amongst all the girls, asks if he could have a ride too…
Kiryu is a little surprised at all the ruckus outside when he begins to set the table. He now understands why Taichi, Koji, and Mitsuo dashed in and out of their rooms in a flurry: Ryuji is tossing them all into the water like sacks of potatoes. They are all gathered around him cheering in excitement as the child being tossed yells or screams at the thrill of it.
Kiryu smiles at the sight. Ryuji is certainly more careful with the younger children, but he struggles with some of the bigger ones. Regardless, Kiryu is impressed with what Ryuji can do with one good arm. He's putting his all into this, driving forward with his legs, using all the muscles in his torso to support the one, still muscular arm flinging Kiryu's loved ones into the sea. Ryuji lurches forward with each toss, catching himself when he puts one foot forward. And Kiryu gets a kick out of the way Ryuji rolls his Rs when he roars with each throw.
Shiro's turn. Ryuji scoops her up and starts to bend his legs.
"Three, two, one! ORRRRRAAAAAH!"
"EEEEEEEEEE!"
SPLASH!
Taichi is next. Ryuji struggles to pick up the oldest boy with his one arm, and Taichi's feet still touch the water's surface.
"Three, one!"
"What?!"
"RRRRRAAAGH!"
"AAAAAAAH!"
SPLASH!
Everyone is laughing and having lots of fun. Kiryu is happy they all warmed up to his guest.
And at that moment, Kiryu feels like he's been hit by a bullet train. Having spent a good while watching this scene, stuck in the doorway, he realizes that Ryuji is special. This isn't the same kind of special that sets the two dragons apart from the underworld… no. This is-
"God damn it," Kiryu grumbles to himself. He buries his emotions deep, then continues setting the table.
"Everyone! Time to eat!" he calls out once he's finished.
Little by little the kids tell each other that dinner is ready, and the excitement subsides as they start to walk back up the beach. In an orderly fashion they all distribute towels to each other, Ryuji included in that group. Ayako helps Ryuji slip back into his Aloha shirt, hiding away the golden dragon once more.
In an uncommon but predictable turn of events, this dinner is one of the quietest meals at Morning Glory in a long time. But, it's a good silence. It's not a silence of grief, but one of pure exhaustion and hunger, signs of a successful day of play. Ryuji had done a number on the kids that day, and for that, Kiryu is grateful. Getting them to bed will be a piece of cake later.
The sun had set beneath the horizon long ago. Ryuji sits on the beach, a can of beer resting between his fingers as he watches the waves roll in and dance in the moonlight. His shirt has since been buttoned up, and his prosthetic arm popped back into place.
Kiryu is still inside the orphanage, tucking in the last of the kids that decided to be extra difficult. All is dark and still in the building. Perhaps Kiryu had fallen asleep with the kids himself?
As soon as Ryuji thinks this, Kiryu emerges from the darkness of his home, more beer in hand. Kiryu's feet crunch across the unpaved road and onto the beach. He plops down next to Ryuji with a sigh.
"You'll never guess who was giving me trouble in there," Kiryu says as he opens his own beer can with that addictive crack and pop.
"Izumi?" Ryuji asks.
Kiryu laughs. "Yeah. She was asking for her uncle Ryuji."
Ryuji huffs a smile and hangs his head, looking at the sand between his legs. "I'm already at uncle status, huh?"
"Guess so. I'm surprised at how quickly she took a shine to you," Kiryu remarks, looking at the other dragon.
"You can thank Mame for that, I s'pose," Ryuji comments. He takes a sip of his beer, eyes still gazing at the ocean. "I'm surprised too, that must have taken a lot of courage. Either way, I'm glad I was able ta connect with the kids today."
"Likewise. Thanks for playing with them today. It must be refreshing to play with someone who's not their old uncle Kaz for once."
"Maybe. They love ya though. Ya gotta great goupa' kids."
"Yeah."
"..."
"So, uuh, how have you been doing, Ryuji? I mean, since the whole zombie thing in Kamurocho, and the last time we met, I thought you were…"
"Mmm. I've been survivin' I guess. Civilian life is harder than it seems. I'm workin' my ass off yet I feel like I'm broke all the time."
"I feel you. Then try having nine kids to feed, and a dog."
"Eh, ya got me there."
"..."
"I still get nightmares 'bout all the zombie shit."
Kiryu says nothing but looks to the larger, yet more vulnerable man.
"Dreams like, I got bit by a zombie on my prosthetic, but somehow I still lose myself. I wake up feelin' it in my arm."
"Sorry."
"Nah, it's fine. S' just hard out there."
"Mhm."
"Can I ask how Hauka's doin'?"
"She's definitely more unsettled this time, but she always does better than I think she is. She's a strong girl."
"Was just thinkin' the same thing."
Kiryu smiles. His face is full of pride and love for his daughter.
"And you?" Ryuji asks. "How're you doin', Kiryu-san?"
"You know, I've been worse." He sighs.
"That's not sayin' much."
They both huff a small laugh. As depressing as it is, Ryuji's not wrong. They both have been through much, much worse.
Kiryu's mind races. Does he tell Ryuji? He said he was lonely, and so is Kiryu. As nice as the company of his children is, he needs an adult to lean on from time to time. And Ryuji proved himself to be a wonderful partner.
"That's it?" Ryuji asks, squinting his eyes a little at his silent host.
Shit. Here we go.
"You're not wrong about it being lonely as a civilian," Kiryu begins. "Even with my kids, they can be hard to relate to sometimes. I haven't really told anyone about what happened in Kamurocho… But I guess no one's bothered to ask. They know the answer is not going to be good."
"Mmm. I hear ya." Ryuji turns his eyes from Kiryu and looks back out to the shimmering waters.
"Recently I just met someone really nice though. They're kind, helpful, brave… someone I could really use around the orphanage. I like them a lot too." Kiryu confesses, heart racing. This is going to go so poorly.
"Hooo? Who's the lucky lady?" Ryuji doesn't get it yet.
"They're not a lady…"
"Oh, didn't know you were gay."
"I'm not sure how to label myself at the moment. This is a pretty recent development."
"Mm. I won't pry then," Ryuji concludes.
"... Please ask me who it is," Kiryu mumbles.
Ryuji makes a questioning sound. He looks at Kiryu again with an intense gaze.
"Ooookay," he goes, "who's the lucky individual then?"
Kiryu says something unintelligible.
"Haw?"
"It's you."
"Come again? I thought you just said-"
"It's you, Ryuji."
"..."
"..."
"I'm gunna need more fuckin' beer for this," Ryuji states, reaching for another can and cracking it open swiftly. He takes a good swig.
"Sorry," Kiryu stammers, "now really isn't appropriate and I should have thought this through more. I just-"
Ryuji plants his newly emptied can in the sand. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Eh?" Kiryu freezes. This is about what he expected, but it hurts all the same.
"After all I've done to you n' the Tojo, and after all you've done to me… ya tell me this? I don't get it, Kiryu-san. We don't exactly got good history."
"I know, it doesn't make sense to me either. I just saw you playing with the kids today and I felt good. Warm, happy. And they like you too. That means a lot to me. You've changed, Ryuji. Despite everything you've been through, you're doing your best to be better. That makes you a good man."
Ryuji pauses a moment to process what he just heard.
"Ah fuck," Ryuji hides his face in his arms.
"I think we make a good team, no matter what situation we're in."
Ryuji doesn't move, and he doesn't say anything.
"Ryuji?" Kiryu's voice is soft.
Ryuji takes a deep, wavering breath. "Never in a million years would I think the first person to say that to me would be you. It- I… Thank you, it means a lot."
Ryuji doesn't want to say anything more. His throat is too tight, and Kiryu hears it. He's surprised how fragile Ryuji's tough exterior really is, evident by how Ryuji is still hiding his face behind his massive arms. The two of them stay separate and still for a while, unmoving.
"... You okay?" Kiryu finally asks.
"You'd really forgive me? After all that?"
"Yeah, I think your actions speak for themselves."
Ryuji sniffles and dries his tears with his left hand.
Kiryu decides to take the risk. He moves the beer, scoots closer, and wraps his arm around the other man. Ryuji doesn't immediately reject it, which is a pleasant surprise to Kiryu.
Kiryu waits patiently for Ryuji to collect himself. They listen to the waves coming and going, over and over. Ryuji does his best to use its flow in his own breath while Kiryu stares into the sapphire abyss. The longer they sit there, the more Ryuji realizes how comfortable he is in Kiryu's arms. Is he that touch-starved? Or is it something more?
"You would be surprised at what kind of people wash up on this beach," Kiryu says out of nowhere. "Good men, bad men, both with a past they need to escape from."
"Huh?" Ryuji has no idea what Kiryu is going on about. He perks up from hiding a little.
"It's a long story. At any rate, I've helped them both get started with second chances. And I'm here for you too. If there's anything you ever need, let me know."
Ryuji gives in and puts his weight on Kiryu, resting his head on the other's shoulder. Kiryu presses his cheek into Ryuji's hair. Kiryu thumbs softly on Ryuji's bicep.
"Thanks," Ryuji rumbles. "It means so much. I can't even begin to tell ya."
Ryuji's eyes fall to Kiryu's legs. He decides to take the risk. He carefully rests his warm, organic fingers on Kiryu's inner thigh. The sensation is a little foreign to him, so a breath escapes Kiryu’s lips. The sound echoes in Ryuji's ears. He wants more, so he digs his fingers into the other man's muscle. Kiryu makes a tiny sound. Ryuji never would have guessed he could get so worked up over this so easily.
Kiryu's hand drops further down Ryuji's arm and explores the cold, foreign details of his prosthetic. His nails catch on each ridged plate and notch on his forearm. Kiryu strokes his fingers up and down.
"Holy shit…" Ryuji huffs. "I can feel that. And I know my brain ain't playin' tricks on me."
Kiryu freezes. He's not sure what to do.
"Can you feel it if someone touches your prosthetic?" he asks.
"I never knew what was goin' on there if I'm bein' honest. I think I can feel things but, half the time I dunno if that's a thing with a phantom arm or what… but I can feel ya, right now, no doubt about it."
Kiryu remains silent in both confusion and bewilderment.
"So don't stop. Please."
They turn and face each other. Ryuji lifts his head and closes his eyes as Kiryu takes the synthetic arm back into his warm palms. He lets his hands wander all over and witnesses Ryuji's fingers twitch in response.
The more he watches the scene, the more Kiryu enjoys the sight. He wants to see Ryuji reeling. He wants to drive him mad.
"Ryuji," Kiryu asks after a hard gulp. "Can I- can I kiss you?"
"I don't fuckin' care."
It isn't a very clear answer, so Kiryu approaches cautiously. Ryuji's head is still tilted upwards, so Kiryu puts his lips on Ryuji's thick neck.
"Oh fuck…" Ryuji whispers.
"You okay?" Kiryu asks, nose just skimming the golden dragon's skin.
"I can't believe this is happening…"
"Are you comfortable with this?"
"Yeah."
Kiryu reaches back in and continues licking and suckling at the tendons on Ryuji's neck. Preoccupied with mouthing there, Kiryu's hands slow to a still around Ryuji's arm. Ryuji lifts his arm out of Kiryu's palms and slips it up underneath Kiryu’s shirt. The cold, synthetic touch on his spine makes Kiryu gasp and straighten up.
Ryuji uses this opportunity to assume the position Kiryu had on him, placing his face in the azure dragon’s neck.
“Yer so warm,” Ryuji mouths onto Kiryu’s skin. “I can feel it.”
He pushes the two of them further into the sand. He’s leaning over Kiryu whose hands are behind his back, Ryuji’s left hand among them while his right continues sending frigid, metallic waves up Kiryu’s spine. Kiryu claws into the sand as Ryuji has his own turn at him.
Kiryu adjusts himself so that he can stay up on one arm and use the other to touch Ryuji. Kiryu’s hands start just beneath Ryuji’s jaw and follow down his neck, then slip under his shirt toward his shoulders. He comes back forward and feels up Ryuji’s chest, outside his shirt. His shirt collar flips back up when Kiryu’s fingertips trail down Ryuji's broad, muscular pecs. Ryuji’s familiar yet larger form always caught Kiryu’s attention, but never quite like this.
Kiryu’s hands trail lower. He presses and grabs Ryuji's hips. Heart pounding, he moves between Ryuji’s legs and brushes against his stiffening cock.
“Hey,” Ryuji mumbles, looking down with lidded eyes.
Kiryu’s full palm is on Ryuji’s crotch now.
“Hey.”
Kiryu isn’t stopping. He-
“Hey, that’s enough.”
Ryuji’s metal hand grabs Kiryu by the wrist and pulls him away. The strength of his grip triggers a familiar reflex, causing Kiryu’s own muscles to tense up and pull back with a fist. A gasp hissis through his teeth as his face takes on a vicious snarl. Ryuji’s eyes narrow in response. The dragons freeze for a moment in this position: Ryuji looming over Kiryu, Kiryu’s hand pulled back to his chest, both their eyes ablaze with adrenaline.
Slowly, Ryuji lets go, and his face returns to normal. Seeing this, Kiryu relaxes as well. Ashamed, they separate and return to sitting facing the sea.
“Sorry,” Kiryu starts. “I wasn’t listening to you.”
“S’fine. I think we’re gettin’ ahead of ourselves here. I probably shoulda’ been more clear myself.”
A moment of silence.
“I guess I don’t trust you as much as I thought I did,” Kiryu laments.
“I was scared for a bit there too.”
“Sorry…”
A pause.
“...That’s not’ta say I didn’t like it though,” Ryuji says.
Kiryu’s head perks up and snaps to Ryuji. “Really?”
“Yeah. Guess I’m not sure what it means to me…” Ryuji’s words trail off and his eyes dart about, as if looking for his thoughts.
“Well, that makes two of us then,” Kiryu reassures.
They fall quiet again, both trying to process what just happened while thinking of something to say to the other. But it’s useless. Since there's nothing to say, Kiryu awkwardly fumbles for another beer, but can't find one.
"Oh, guess there was less beer in here than I thought," he says.
"Shit, I didn't have that many did I?" Ryuji's eyes widen as he looks over at what's left.
"Wait- there's one more," Kiryu manages to find the can that straggled behind.
"Oh thank god," Ryuji sighs, "I didn't want to take the last one."
"I don't mind," Kiryu smiles as he cracks open the last can and takes a sip for himself.
The next few minutes are spent in silence. The two men are anxious, excited, and comforted by each other's presence. It's a silent, invisible storm surrounding the space between them.
After a few minutes observing the sea and staring into the starry abyss, Kiryu shakes his can. The only thing left is a few drops bouncing around inside.
"Well, I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed," he says.
"I'll come with ya," Ryuji echoes.
They both gather up their garbage and begin to trudge back up to the orphanage.
"Kiryu," Ryuji says in a low voice, pausing in the front yard.
"Hm?" Kiryu turns to look at the other dragon.
"I can't thank ya enough for today. I'm real happy too, about you, the kids… I dunno. I feel good," Ryuji states, smiling. He avoids eye contact with Kiryu.
"Good. I'm glad you could come visit."
They creep into the orphanage, doing their best to tread quietly despite both of their massive bodies. Before Kiryu can say good night, Ryuji manages to press his lips against Kiryu's cheek. Kiryu returns the favor on Ryuji's lips, pulling away silently.
"Good night, Ryuji."
"G'night."
"Awwww you're leaving already!?" Taichi is shouting at Ryuji who has bags in hand again, but still adorned in a certain blue shirt. The kids are crowded around Kiryu and Ryuji, who tower over the flight of kids beneath them.
"Wish I could stay longer, Taichi-kun, but I gotta get back to Tokyo!"
"Why?" asks little Izumi.
"I live there! I gotta get back to work."
"You're not going to get hurt are you?" Ayako chimes in.
Ryuji laughs while looking at Kiryu. He knows why that's a concern. "I'll be fine, I promise."
Izumi runs up and collides into his leg with a hug. "You'll come back again right?"
"Ask yer dad."
"Uncle Kaz?! Can uncle Ryuji come visit again?"
Kiryu chuckles. "Of course. He's welcome any time."
Izumi's reaction is a face of pure excitement, so much so that Kiryu, Ryuji, and a few of the kids laugh when they see it. Ryuji will remember that expression for a long time.
"Guess I better be off then."
The kids give their unanimous farewell, the two dragons say their goodbyes, and Ryuji turns to walk up the street towards the station. He feels like he doesn't deserve to be this happy, but he can't stop smiling.