Chapter Text
The end of the beginning starts simply enough—in fact, it was all quite innocuous; how Ren cemented himself into Kyo's life for the long run.
It was a knock on Kyo's door that marked the end of it all.
Kyo opens the door to a sheepish Ren, fidgeting with his eyes on the ground. He must have been real distracted; usually, he's alert long before the person reaches the door. But instead, Kyo gets to watch as Ren's attention returns in waves. His ears flick up first; yanking up his head and tugging at his lips. His eyes and horns glitter like sea glass.
"Oh hey Kyo!" He chirps, perked up like a dog—tail wagging, perched up on their haunches.
Kyo leans his shoulder against the doorframe with an amused twitch of lips, savoring the mental image.
"Yo. What brings you round these parts, 'sotto?"
Ren jerks, his hand coming up to scratch at the back of his neck. A painfully wide smile grimaces its way across his face.
"O-oh! I, um, have something to give you. Meet me at my room later?"
Kyo frowns as his eyebrow raises.
"Okay—but like. Is there a reason we're saving this for later...? 'Cause you could just give it to me now and call it a day."
"No! I'm not just gonna—"
Ren stutters for a moment; looks away and tugs lightly at the collar of his shirt.
"Just—" he sighs, "look. Will you come or not?"
His cheeks bloom embarrassed red, but his eyes overcast as he mutters—grey clouds laden with rain.
Kyo's other brow quickly joins the first in incredulity before plummeting in worry.
"You okay dude? Is someone givin' you shit? Hold up, lemme see if I still have that pipe–"
Ren squawks as Kyo moves to right himself—tense and bristled—and frantically flails his arms.
"Agh! Wait, no–it's okay! No one's making trouble! I just–"
Ren's limbs halt in the air, a hair's breadth away from brushing Kyo's shoulder.
"...need to give it in private."
Kyo scrutinizes him with sharp eyes.
"You're sure you wanna wait."
Ren nods. Hands withdrawing, fingers tangling. Kyo's eyes narrow.
(Ren thrives on physical contact. Would always seek out the opportunity, no matter how respectfully of Kyo's boundaries. Except–)
"And you're sure you're okay."
The wringing pauses and, with a huff, Ren's fingers swing back to his sides. He shoots Kyo a grateful smile, and Kyo's shoulders drop with a huff.
"...sorry. Just getting stuck in my head again. Everything's fine; I'm just...overthinking."
(...except when his anxiety gets the best of him.)
Kyo huffs again at his sheepish tone and cuffs him lightly on the shoulder. Kyo lets his fist linger, and Ren leans into it with a sigh. Kyo lets out a sigh of his own before withdrawing his hand. He cracks the door open.
"Come on," Kyo jerks his head towards his room. "I ain't cuddlin' with anyone out where people will stare at me. I've got a reputation to keep."
Ren blinks at him, startled and gaping. Kyo scowls at him.
"You comin' or what? 'Cause I can just make you an appointment for next year and call it a day."
Ren shakes his head frantically, scrambling into the doorway.
"No! No. I'm coming!"
Kyo snorts before shutting the door behind him with a click. Turning around, he finds Ren sprawled across his mattress, face first into the pillow.
He would join Ren, but–
...the last time Ren tried to cuddle him, no distractions to be had, Kyo accidently punched him in the face.
It...wasn't his greatest moment.
He'd rather not do that while Ren is already feeling insecure.
So distraction it is then.
Kyo makes a quick detour, ruffling Ren's hair along the way. Unplugging his laptop from its charger, Kyo plops down next to Ren and opens the cover; balancing the device on his lap as he opens his latest project. Ren shuffles closer, curling his stomach into Kyo's back and haltingly wrapping his arms around Kyo's waist.
"Is–is this okay...?"
Kyo hums, arching his elbows in a languid stretch; one elbow lightly secures Ren's arm against his body, and the other rests itself between Ren's horns.
Ren droops into the bed, tightening his hold on Kyo's waist. His face nuzzles into Kyo's side. Kyo doesn't say a word as he returns to his project; he just squeezes Ren a little closer.
"Are you good with this? More? Less?"
Ren shakes his head against Kyo's hoodie.
"tish ish fhin," comes the muffled response.
Kyo snorts before going back to his project.
His eyes slide against the back of Ren's head. He scolds himself, locking his eyes back onto the screen with a scowl.
...after the third time it happens, Kyo just sighs.
Ah, screw it. Clearly he's not going to get anything done at this rate.
He saves the file and exits the program; flicking up an animal documentary he knows Ren likes with practiced ease. The low tones of animal cries and David Attenborough eases its way across the room.
Work finally done, Kyo lifts his elbow from Ren's head; smoothing his hand through Ren's hair before he could protest. Pinning his focus intently on the film in front of him, Kyo allows his hand to wander as it pleases; warm palm and stroking thumb, alternated with wide sweeps and the occasional scritch. His palm eventually comes to rest over the nape of Ren's neck—a solid heat shielding vulnerable skin and bone. Ren shudders, gripping Kyo even tighter; his horns dripping bonelessly against Kyo's form. Kyo wordlessly lets him.
Ren will be fine.
Kyo will make sure of that.
But for now,
there's nothing to do but wait.