it's been so long between the words we spoke {OPEN}

[shiro2hero]

Who: Shiro or Shadowmaru & YOU
Where: Various
When: During the Basculegion Swarm
Summary: Open log for Shiro and Shadowmaru's encounters with the Ghost Generating Fish
Rating: PG13 - will update if necessary


Log:

> SHIRO'S THREAD

> SHADOWMARU'S THREAD

If you'd like a custom starter, let me know! PM or redfirelight

Comments

[perfectteatime]

Ah...

[ That tells him plenty. A hostile empire coming out of the blue and turning everything upside down- sounds too familiar. ]

I imagine they were not kind to you to say the least. To do such things to a simple exploration team... I'm so sorry.

[shiro2hero]

"Not kind" is - yeah. That's one way to put it.

[There's probably a very, very good reason he doesn't remember a lot of it.]

And I think... I think those ghosts are prisoners who didn't make it out.

[perfectteatime]

You were tortured, weren't you?

[ Ah, he holds Shiro's face gently, still stroking his hair. Keep him present. ]

I know what survivor's guilt can do to a person. I'm so sorry Shiro.

[shiro2hero]

Something like that... I think.

[He tilts his head into that contact. But lifts his right hand, a little. The metal one. The missing one.]

Yeah, I - I'm sorry for rambling like that.

[perfectteatime]

Oh Shiro...

You need not apologize for telling me something I asked.

[ He smooths his hands down the man's chest so he can hold his hand. ]

Nobody deserves to go through anything like that. And you're such a gentle man. I hope I can at least help you feel some of the goodness you deserve. If that means holding you, kissing you, making you tea and delicious food, a kind word or-

Or other things. I'm here to shower you with affection.

[shiro2hero]

I -

[No, logically, he knows that. Byleth asked. Like he'd asked, back during prom, and listened. His fingers lace through Byleth's and he can't look away from him. From that face. He's a bit speechless, to be honest.]

[You know what though? Even if he can't really express how much that means, he can lean up. He can kiss Byleth. Slide his free hand into Byleth's hair and put all that wordless affection and gratitude into that kiss.]

... Can't believe you're real. [That this is real. That he let himself step forward and this is what he found.] Thank you.

[perfectteatime]

[ He returns the kiss readily, smiling softly when they part. ]

Is it really that amazing to have a decently supportive partner? Listening and offering comfort should be the bare minimum of any relationship.

All the same, I am glad to be able to give you this and more.

[ His smile turns a bit cheeky, and he lightly crawls his fingers down to tickle Shiro's stomach. ]

And this too.

[shiro2hero]

Hey, I... I meant it when I said it's been a while. So, yeah. It is...

[Not that there hadn't been support, in the past, but it's been so long. Add to that how Shiro absolutely buries things... yeah. Yeah.]

And I'm glad to have you.

[He was absolutely prepared for more sappy speech, but then Byleth does that and Shiro immediately curls up like a cooked shrimp. Wheezing.] Hey!

[perfectteatime]

Sorry! I just thought you could use a smile.

Besides- you have the most charming laugh.

[shiro2hero]

You - You're probably not wrong.

[He's still laughing. Oops.]

It takes a charming guy to bring it out...

[perfectteatime]

It's going to be okay, you know?

[shiro2hero]

[He lifts his hand to cup Byleth's face again.]

I think I can believe that, now.

[perfectteatime]

I know I can't keep you from harm, but I'm glad I can at least be here to hold your hand.

[shiro2hero]

Hey - good news is... it's really hard to get hurt around here.

[He's teasing. And smiling. Like he can't keep the expression off his face.]

I'm here for you too. You know that, right?

[perfectteatime]

Well yes but you know...

[ He briefly taps his nose in mock-admonishment. ]

I do. You have never been anything but. Shiro?

I love you.

[shiro2hero]

[He laughs a bit, quietly, but the look on his face is just plain warm.]

You keep saying those things, I'm going to get flustered...

[Or you know, kiss him again. Because that sounds great too.]

I love you.

[perfectteatime]

You're cute when you're flustered, though.

[ A huffs an amused sound. ]

Well look at that, we love each other.

[shiro2hero]

Guess it's a good thing it's easy to get me there.

[... Flustered. He means get him flustered.]

Yeah - how about that.

[perfectteatime]

[ How about that? How about more kissing. Because yeah. He's content to spend the next hour just making out. ]

[shiro2hero]

[You know what's even better than just chilling and escaping ghost producing fish?]

[Making out with your boyfriend for an hour after escaping ghost producing fish. Hell yeah.]