IC Contact [ryslig]

[catphishing]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, OLIVER. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 142.58.303.67 *** oliver has joined 142.58.303.67 <oliver> So this is my private channel. <oliver> Talk to me?

Current Usernames

<trashpanda>
<mothman>
<oliver>
<deBricassart> (anon)

Former Usernames

<creepypasta>

Throwaways

<zx01r3z>
<tfk>

Changeling Throwaways

Comments

action, just after dawn

[crowedthedead]

[By the time he gets home, shifts, and crawls into their nest of bedding, he seems even more wrung-out than usual, his movements heavy and somehow downtrodden. It was sort of a spur of the moment decision he made, earlier in the night, but this just isn't sustainable. Not by himself.

He cuddles up against Oliver, nosing at his shoulder and scenting him tiredly; even his cooler naga body is a comfort right now, and the temperature of the room doesn't seem to deter him from wrapping around his husband.]

I'm home. [He murmurs, voice barely a whisper in the quiet, the rest of what he wants to say hanging in the air.]

[catphishing]

[Oliver stirs sleepily, cracking open an eye as Soeki comes into the room. Normally, he might just wait for him to come to bed before falling back asleep if he has no reason to be awake.

Today is different. Soeki's unusual mood is tangible, so when he crawls under their sheets he's already awake enough to wrap his arms around him, manoeuvring his tail so he can envelope him properly.]

What's wrong?

[crowedthedead]

[He breathes out a little sound of relief, melting into his embrace. This is good, at least, this is familiar and comforting. Golden eyes slip shut and he just lays there for a few heartbeats, breathing in the familiar mingled scent of home.]

Nothing, just... I closed the doors on Uchiha and Romanoff tonight.

[catphishing]

Oh.

[Oh.

Well, he's awake now. He pulls away from him just enough he can look at him, sitting up a little.]

Why didn't you tell me you were thinking about it? I could have helped you.

[crowedthedead]

There wasn't much to help with. I'm keeping the building and the files and everything, I just... had to get a few things from Natasha's office and lock up. [He rolls over onto his back with a heavy sigh.]

I thought about leasing the office, but I just- I can't do that. That was our space. Mine and Natasha's and Itachi's. I can't let go that much.

[catphishing]

It's still a big deal.

[He moves with him, rubbing at his arms soothingly.]

Are you sure this is what you want to do?

[crowedthedead]

I know. I should have called you. I didn't really plan on doing this tonight, but- [He blows out a breath and shifts to tuck his face against Oliver.] I couldn't keep putting it off. Had to rip off the band-aid, I guess.

I haven't heard from Sasuke in weeks. I don't think he's even still here. I can't sustain the business by myself and every time I think about hiring a new staff, I just hate myself a little bit more.

[catphishing]

Oh, Soeki.

[He holds him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.]

We'll look after it. There's nothing else there you need to wrap up first?

[crowedthedead]

[He shakes his head, content to press close. This is why he loves this man; Oliver has always been here when he needed him, has learned to see past his facades.] No. I got the personal stuff off my desk and out of Natasha's office and put sheets over the furniture. I... don't want to fully dismantle it. In case they ever come back.

And I hadn't been taking many cases in the last few months, anyway. No real business to wrap up.

[catphishing]

Okay.

[He strokes his side gently, still worried, but it's early and Soeki's only just transformed. They can talk more when he wakes up and see then if this is really what Soeki wants, and sort out any final decisions to make sure the business will still be safe and there if he needs it.]

Get some sleep. When you wake up I'm going to make you the best breakfast.

[crowedthedead]

[Exhaustion is setting in, physical from the shift and emotional, and his eyelids droop as he cuddles close to Oliver and mouths a kiss to the curve of his neck.]

Mm, you don't have to fuss. [He murmurs fondly.] I'm okay with this decision. As okay as I ever will be. I just want to cuddle for a little while...

[catphishing]

Yeah, I do. That's kind of my job.

[He noses at his hair, allowing his eyes to slip shut.]

[crowedthedead]

[Soeki smiles softly, face pressed against him, impossibly fond.] What would I do without you? [At this point, he can't imagine what life here would be like if he didn't have Oliver's steady, comforting presence to ground him and keep him stable. But it's a fleeting thought before he falls asleep, arm slung over Oliver's waist, for several hours.]