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Getting a call from the leader of the SSS of all people sure wasn't what Crow expected when he was ready to call it a day, waiting for his partner with some of the delicious Eastern dishes the inn had to offer. For a couple reasons, he had found himself in Crossbell City with Rean for a change. To make good on their workload, they quickly decided to split up -- easy peasy, he could have done those tasks in his sleep.
Originally, they had planned to meet back up here in the evening.
Color him surprised when Rean wasn't around yet. Instead he received that weird call a little later.
Bannings didn't sound overly serious or anything, at most he was amused when he asked him to come over to the SSS building and fetch a certain someone who wasn't in any state of walking around on his own. At first Crow had been worried. Why would Rean need help?
He was a damn Divine Blade! He was capable of cutting down several foes in the blink of an eye.
As soon as he stepped foot into the entrance lobby of the SSS headquarters, all his questions got answered at once. There was Rean. Lying on one of the sofas, one arm covering his eyes, one leg hanging off the furniture. It was a hilarious sight! He could even hear him whine under his breath; face flushed a deep pink.
An abandoned glass sat on the table next to him. Half empty, the brownish liquid shimmering almost golden in the light of the ceiling lamp.
Crow snorted unabashedly.
His dear precious partner -- the love of his goddessdamn life -- was fucking wasted.
"Damn, why didn't ya call me if you guys were havin' a good time?" He feigned disappointment, red eyes spotting a bunch of discarded playing cards on the dining table a little further into the spacious room. "Cards, booze, neat company, what else does a guy need?"
"Told you we should have called him over sooner," Randolph snickered, clearly amused. He was sitting on the other sofa, posture relaxed and glass of the very same liquid in hand.
"Nah, it's cool. Probably for the best considering the state he's in." Crow shrugged lightly, already approaching his lover. Rean's response was belated, a short twitch and a huff. The trickster didn't let it bother him as he shot Bannings and Randolph a look. "So, what happened?"
The brunette awkwardly scratched his cheek. Dusted a gentle little pink, proof that he wasn't quite sober anymore either -- but it was nothing compared to Rean. "Sorry, that's our fault. We spotted him in town by chance and Randy invited him along for a drink."
Which quickly turned into a heated battle of silly card games, one drink at a time.
"I didn't know Rean's such a light weight..." The detective sounded guilty, brows pulled downwards into a frown. "After a few glasses his mood kinda... switched."
Yeah, about what Crow expected. It wasn't his first time and it certainly wasn't the last time that he got the doubtful pleasure of seeing Rean tipsy or flat out drunk. Whatever Randolph's been pouring into those glasses, it was strong enough to reduce his partner into this miserable mess on the sofa.
"Ugh... the room's spinning..."
Right on cue.
"Sheesh, Rean. Whatcha doin' without me?" he softly shook his head and crouched down next to the sofa, one hand reaching out for the raven. "C'mon, let's hit the road before you get worse."
"C- Crow...?"
Finally noticed him for real, yeah? Ah, Rean was so cute. Guard down, arm slipping off his eyes. So beautifully lilac in color, yet unfocused and slightly disoriented. "I'm... I'm sorry for being a burden..." His voice was just a whisper, trembling with tears. His sweet, sweet partner was completely vulnerable in his drunken stupor, wasn't he?
"Nonsense. Now take my hand, yeah?" Patiently waiting for Rean to clumsily grasp his outstretched hand, he gently helped him up into an upright position; legs weakly sliding off the sofa. With the younger man sitting, he had a first row view on his flushed face and the glimpses of tears clinging to his lashes. Ah, Rean was such a spoiled brat, wasn't he? Knowing fully well that he couldn't hold his liquor, letting himself get sucked into some social drinking -- and now they had the mess. A very cute mess because every side of Rean was really darn cute, but a mess nonetheless. "There, good job! How do you feel? Think you can walk?"
"D- duh, of course!"
Pouty.
Of course Rean had to get pouty.
Promptly, Crow backed away and gave him some space to orientate himself, while he turned to the other duo. "Dunno what Rean said before you called me, but don't hold it against him, 'kay?"
"Like we ever could." Lloyd gently shook his head in reassurance. "Will you be fine? I can drive you to your hotel!"
"What, now the cop's promoting drunk drivin'? No way in heck. Rean would kick us both into next week."
"Y'know, the man got a point~!"
Randy's amused snort didn't help at all, but at the very least it convinced the detective to stay put. Crow used that moment to gently pull Rean up onto his feet. Briefly, the raven seemed to stagger, unable to regain his sense of balance -- hence why he slumped against the trickster with a small sigh. "S- sorry... the room's all... all wavy! It's mean."
"Yep, so mean for bullyin' ya like this." No point in arguing with Rean about this. His precious partner was even worse off than he had expected if he was giving off reasonings like that. Without any hesitation, he wrapped an arm around his back and held him securely before shamelessly sweeping him off his feet. Rean squeaked in surprise, reflexes fortunately still good enough that he immediately held on to him. "There we go!"
"C- Crow! L- let me down!"
"Nope, can't do ☆"
Rean was embarrassed, visibly so as he promptly proceeded to hide his face in the crook of his neck, an uncharacteristically meek whine falling from his lips.
Ugh, he was so cute.
"Alright, pals. Mind openin' the door for us?" The silver-haired man turned to the members of the SSS, cheekily grinning at them. Randy snorted promptly and followed his request. Aside from a small glow on his features, he still looked the most sober from the drunken trio. Somehow, that didn't surprise Crow in the slightest. The door quietly creaked under the strain of getting opened. Immediately, Crow was hit by a breeze of the air, crisp enough to send a shiver down his spine. "See ya around! And don't worry about Rean here, I'll take care of him."
"Thanks, and um, sorry for letting things escalate like this," Bannings sheepishly scratched his cheek and sighed out. "Take care out there!"
With that, Crow stepped out of the building and into the night.
-- -- - -- --
Rean shifted in his arms, though he no longer demanded to be put back on his feet. His warm breath tickled against the side of his face, however Crow chose to ignore the sensation in favor of keeping an eye on the younger man. "What's up, princess?"
"Can," he licked his lips and watched the town's square with a frown. There wasn't anyone around, yet Rean looked concerned. "Can we take a walk?"
"A walk?"
This wasn't the request he had expected, no. Maybe he needed some fresh air to sober up?
"N- nevermind, I'm... I'm already causing you enough trouble..." Rean sounded meek, his cheeks flushing even worse as he tried his best to hide his face in his collar. It was ridiculously cute, but it certainly didn't keep Crow from quirking a brow! His partner mumbled under his breath, yet it was too quiet for him to hear.
Sheesh.
Talk about a spoiled brat here!
"What trouble?" he laughed softly and deliberately held him closer. "If you're talkin' about this, eh, that ain't trouble in my books. More like a rare luxury, normally you're the one fussing over everyone after all ♡"
In his humble opinion, it was the truth! Rean worried way too much about others and what they might be thinking about him -- there was no need for it. Their friends and collaborators were all old enough to look out for themselves; some had plenty of support from their own group and allies as well. Just look at the SSS, they were a tight group of good-doers. They didn't need Rean to linger on that badly hidden sense of guilt he still carried around.
But alas, alcohol loved to lure out the truth in people. Rean was no exception.
"Y'know, I think I'm in the mood for a walk. Wanna hit up the harbor?" The trickster hummed, lightly nuzzling into the top of Rean's head. His messy black hair was tickling his nose, but he suppressed the urge to sneeze in favor of taking the lead, shamelessly carrying his beloved through the city square.
Rean only made a choked up noise from the back of his throat and remained silent.
Like this, they walked for several long minutes. It was a peaceful silence; Crow could feel the tension leave Rean's body for good as he sank into a slight doze. Right here in his arms. The immense amount of trust on display here... he swore to himself that he would never take it for granted. Rean deserved so much. The world and more. But especially some peace of mind.
The Great Twilight was over. For the time being, there was no threat lurking around the corner. Only political nonsense that others were figuring out while they were busy cleaning up the lingering mess the Great War had created.
As soon as the harbor came into sight, the night breeze changed -- wetter, more dense. Like a phantom touch on your cheeks. It was nothing to the salty sea breeze in Jurai or Ordis, but Crow had to admit that the night view on Lake Elm wasn't so bad, especially with the lights of Mishelam in the distance.
Suddenly Rean stirred. Exhaling softly, he was far from sober, but catching a glimpse of his face, he was slightly more in control of himself again.
"...wanna sit on one of the benches?" Crow softly asked, already steering down the steps leading into the open park space smacked into the middle of the district. No one was around, even the noodle stall owner had already closed up shop for the day. Peaceful and quiet. Once at the bench, he gently lowered Rean down, helping him sit down comfortably before doing the same. "Now this ain't so bad! Right?"
"Mhm..." the younger man hummed, still very much buzzed after the couple drinks he had. He slumped to the side, shoulder bumping into Crow's. "I'm-- I'm sorry, Crow."
"What for?"
"Dunno... part of me wants to say 'everything', but I know you wouldn't like that." Rean sighed out loud, glazed over eyes trying to focus on his surroundings. The cool night was doing wonders for his fuzzy state of mind. Little by little he could feel his self-restraint and composure return. Which made this clash of intoxication and clarity especially unpleasant. "Sorry for getting drunk, I guess?"
"Did you have fun?"
"Huh?"
"Did ya have fun drinkin' with Bannings?"
He didn't have to think to find an answer. "Yeah, I did. At first we were just catching up, that was nice. A- and Randy suddenly busted out some playing cards," the raven giggled and leaned more against his partner's side, happy to feel the warmth of his body and the weight of his arm around his back. Wait, when did Crow put an arm around him? Guess he was still pretty drunk. "Loser had to take a shot."
"Aidios, no..." the trickster softly groaned from the back of his throat before he ended up snorting in rising amusement. Well, that sure explained why Rean had been so out of it when he got there. "Lemme guess, Lady Fortune wasn't on your side?"
"No, she was b-bullying me!" A huff. Very indignant. Very cute in Crow's opinion. "Even Lloyd won more rounds than me!"
"Aw, that's a real bummer, dear. Want me to have a chat with her?" Was it mean to tease his partner like this? Probably a little.
Crow couldn't deny a pang in his heart when his drunk lover urgently nodded, even shifting on the bench to stubbornly wrap both arms around his middle and drop his head on the left side of his chest. "C'mon, what's wrong? Are you pouting?"
"N- no! Just... dizzy."
And definitely pouting over his pride that got wounded during those card matches. Crow immediately carded a hand through strands of black hair, humoring the younger man by letting him cling. Under normal circumstances this level of PDA would have been unthinkable! Call him a sucker, but he loved the closeness.
Rean was softly whining under his breath, evoking his partner to card some fingers through his black hair and press a brief peck to his forehead. "Crow..."
"Yeah?"
"I'm a bad person."
"Whoa, what? C'mon, Rean, that ain't tr--"
"It is true! I've caused so much grief and suffering for the people here..." Of course he had tried to tell himself that he was acting with the best intentions -- to avoid unnecessary death, unnecessary harm to the people of Crossbell and the surrounding areas. But when it came down to it, he still carried out the decisive factor that brought victory home to an Empire that was worshipping him as some false hero. It was so unpleasant to remember these days, so uncomfortable to remember the eyes of disdain whenever he crossed paths with a local. Right now he was too buzzed to filter his feelings, childishly clinging to his partner and squeezing his eyes shut. "I don't-- don't deserve their forgiveness..."
"Rean, look at me."
This wasn't a request. This was a demand. An order. It sent a shiver down his spine, a small part of him reveling in the authority of Crow's voice.
Naturally, he obeyed, meekly lifting his head and looking up.
"I swear I ain't lettin' you drink unsupervised again if that's the nonsense your brain's coming up with," the trickster huffed in exasperation, though his words lacked any bite. Instead, he was pulling him into his lap; arms securely wrapped around his frame. "Now listen up, silly. I get it. I get it, Rean. I ain't any better, remember? I was ready to blow this whole town to smithereens if it meant gettin' a direct hit on Osborne."
Ah, right. Crow was talking about the Railway Cannons.
"You helped to stop your comrades, though. In hindsight, I know you didn't want to sacrifice that many people," the raven muttered as his eyes fluttered shut. "And don't say that you were just playing pretend... we're past those pretenses."
"Brat."
No fun to get called out like this.
Rean had a point, though. His plan at the time hadn't accounted for Towa attending this stupid conference and being inside that stupid tower. His plan also hadn't accounted for the Chancellor buying the Red Constellation to slaughter G and his other subordinates.
In the end, he had worked together with Class VII to thwart his comrades and stop the cannons from being fired.
"Heh heh..." Rean giggled and nuzzled into the side of his face. "See? You aren't as bad as me."
"Are you seriously defending my terrorist gig? Geez, what happened to the righteous and naive kid from back then?"
"...died with you in my arms."
Crow flinched so violently, it nearly pushed Rean off his lap.
This... this stung.
The brutal honesty. The vulnerability. The way Rean couldn't meet his gaze anymore and slumped against his chest. It hurt. Ached right where the Vermillion Apocalypse cut his life short.
"Sorry." His partner softly whispered against his chest, fingers loosely curling into the front of his vest. "I shouldn't have said that..."
Even if it was the truth.
When Crow died, part of him followed him to the grave.
Unable to hold back the drunken tears, the younger man pathetically gasped from the back of his throat and pressed his face to Crow's chest. He really was a mess right now, wasn't he? Buzzed from the alcohol, an emotional mess caused by fleeting memories he really had to stop lingering on... At least Crow was holding him. Despite the exasperated little sigh, his partner cradled him in his arms and briefly brushed strands of dark hair out of his face.
He was so grateful that he was putting up with him right now.
"Crow..."
"I'm here, idiot. I ain't going anywhere for now," the trickster softly whispered into his hair, slowly evoking him to relax. "Take it slow, okay? Once you're ready, we can head back to the hotel."
"Mhm..."
No, he wasn't ready yet. He really wasn't ready. Not with his world still spinning, not with his head slightly throbbing and not with--
Ah.
He could hear it.
He could actually hear it in this position. Steady and strong. A firm rhythm that easily lulled him into a fascinated daze.
Crow's heartbeat.
Alive. So very, very alive. Vivid proof of the happy end they had fought so hard for to achieve. A miracle given form. His tears slowly dripped into the fabric of Crow's vest, but Rean couldn't bring himself to feel bad about it -- he was too enraptured by the music of his heart.
A soothing melody, whispering of promises that everything was going to be okay.
They were going to be okay.
Not tonight. Not tomorrow. But at some point in the future, even he would be able to hold his head high. Rean sniffled quietly, that pesky noise the only disturbance in the night. Crow shifted around him, one of his hands slowly coming up to gently cup the side of his face and brush the tears away with a thumb. He was so gentle and sweet, eliciting the young man to lightly lean into the hand. Even if he couldn't hear the soothing sound of his heartbeat any longer, the touch was so warm and reassuring.
Crow was smiling at him when their eyes met.
He started smiling when their lips met; a fleeting touch. A reminder of the intimate bond they shared.
"Feelin' a little better again, love?" His breath was warm against his lips, followed by another brush. A brief kiss.
Rean couldn't help but laugh ever so quietly, "Your heart is beating so loudly in your chest," he whispered just as quiet and gentle before he shifted on his lover's lap, carefully bumping their foreheads together. One of his hands rested on the man's chest, right above his heart. He couldn't hear it, but this way he could feel the steady rhythm -- so soothing and comforting underneath his fingertips. "I can feel it."
"'Cause you're makin' it skip some happy beats ☆"
The man's flirty words actually made him laugh, a certain lightness returning to his core.
He wasn't able to shake off the guilt, he wasn't able to let go of those self-deprecating thoughts yet -- but he was able to accept that he wasn't necessarily a bad person. Crow wanted him. Crow cared and loved him.
The bond they shared was intimate and special, went beyond the borders of a normal relationship.
Crow's heartbeat, so steady and strong under the tips of his fingers, reminded him of their unbelievable luck. To be able to share this moment with each other -- that Crow was able to take care of his drunken mess -- this was their miracle.
"I- I think I'm ready to go back," he finally announced, voice just a soft whisper. Giving Crow no opportunity to speak, he selfishly captured his lips and wrapped an arm around his neck. His partner was humming into the kiss, a cheeky grin spreading across his features. Neither of them deepened the connection, instead the raven pulled away first and ran his fingers through smooth silver hair. "Take me back to the hotel, Crow..."
"And then? What'cha wanna do when we're back at the hotel, love?"
Love.
Whenever Crow addressed him so affectionately, Rean couldn't help but shiver in delight. It made him so happy. Crow made him so happy.
His cheeks flushed even more, allowing a deep red to reach the tips of his ears.
"Y- you know what I want..."
"Mhh, sure, I do. But it's more fun to have you say it ♡" Snickering lightly, the man shamelessly took advantage of his physical strength to lift them both off the bench. Rean instinctively held on to his partner, while Crow cradled him in his arms. Oh, this was still so embarrassing...! Carrying him like a blushing bride, the trickster looked annoyingly pleased with himself. "Fine, I'll spare you the teasin' until we're in our room. But don't complain when you're sore and hungover tomorrow, gotcha?"
"Are you mistaking me for you now? I won't complain!" The raven huffed and deliberately slumped against him; his head resting against his shoulder. If he listened closely, he could faintly take note of it.
The sound of Crow's heart. Not actually skipping those happy beats, but nonetheless proof of their bond.