capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

WHO: Tom and Ggio
WHERE: Their apartment
WHEN: Early in the month
WARNINGS: none
SUMMARY: Doing repairs after their fight
FORMAT: action

[Tom was, thankfully, feeling more like himself again, but the damages of his little tirade still showed around their apartment. Broken items and bloody paw prints all reminded him of how close he'd come to losing control, to losing everything.

And he was tired of looking at it and being reminded of how fragile he'd been that time. He didn't have a chance to fix it sooner because of all the tentacle monsters, but now he finally could, and after stealing some tools from the maintenance guy, since there was no way he was paying for repairs again, he set to work fixing the door. He had the toolbelt hanging low on his waist, shirt off, and setting a new pane of glass into the door.]

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[Ggio didn't mind the blood so much; he had no idea how to clean it from the floor and didn't really care to, truth be told. Most everything else had been cleaned up, and the repairs probably would have been done already if Tom had let the arrancar pay for them.

He insisted he fix everything, and while Ggio didn't understand, he wasn't going to stop him. There was apparently some lingering guilt over the whole incident; why couldn't Tom just accept what he was and move on? He'd surely be less frustrated, and it could all happen again if he kept it up.

That could be talked about some other time. The tool belt was making Tom's pants hang low, quite the amusing sight, and Ggio wondered if Tom was aware of how he looked. He certainly wasn't going to comment on it any time soon, but his subconscious purring gave away his thoughts anyway, as he lounged on the couch and watched.]

Edited 2011-11-24 15:08 (UTC)

[It might have been a little bit of guilt that kept him from using Ggio's money to fix things, but it wasn't that he was guilty for the fight anymore. The damage was his fault, though, and he had the money to fix it, so there was no reason for the arrancar to pay for what was the werepanther's fault. He didn't want Ggio to pay for every time he broke something, because he's pretty sure that'd get old fast.

Besides, Tom actually didn't mind fixing it himself that much. He wouldn't have considered himself a handyman or anything, but he'd only lived with his mom back home, and then on his own, so there weren't many male figures around to take care of these kinds of things. So, Tom had a little understanding of how to fix things. Nothing too major, but he could at least take care of a few broken windows, counters, and holes in the wall.

He had taken to clearing out the broken shards of glass that were still stuck in the door when he heard Ggio purring behind him, turning to give him an amused smile.]

Sounds like you're in a good mood today. What's on your mind?

Mm?

[A blink, and the arrancar's expression turned quizzical; he wasn't aware that he'd been smiling to himself. Why would he have to be thinking about anything? He was just admiring the view. Ggio shook his head.]

Nothing. [But there was something after all, and his head tilted after a beat.] You're hot?

[And at that, Tom's expression becomes even more playful.]

Why, yes I am. Thanks for noticing.

[He turns back to finish cleaning out the glass in the door, not at all minding the arrancar's eyes on him, or that the toolbelt made his jeans hang off his hip. It only takes him a minute or two to finish knocking out any remaining shards of glass, and then he gets back up, looking at the hole in the door, to the new windowpane, then over to Ggio.]

You should come give me a hand for a moment, since you're so entertained by this.

[Ah, the language barrier. Ggio meant to ask if Tom was literally hot, because why else would his shirt be off? Though it wasn't like Ggio was complaining. He grinned, and rose with a languid stretch, going to Tom's side.]

And do what?

[Tom might have known that was what Ggio intended to ask, but it didn't mean he wasn't going to take advantage of the opening that the arrancar provided, especially when the werepanther knew the other's eyes had been following him, and that grin on Ggio's face wasn't just because he was happy about a new window.

Tom lifted the rather heavy pane of glass and set it into it's frame in the door, then tilted his head to Ggio a little.]

I need an extra pair of hands. Will you hold this in place while I seal it?

Edited 2011-11-27 08:01 (UTC)

Okay.

[It was a simple enough thing to do, although Ggio didn't understand why Tom didn't have someone else do it. Honestly, he was in a position of power, he should take advantage of it!

But again, were that the case there would just be a stranger in his territory and no shirtless Tom, so fine, Ggio would lend a hand or two.

Naturally, his attention is not on the windowpane.]

[It was less expensive if Tom did the work himself, and besides that, he couldn't trust Ggio not to be hostile with a repairman in their home, and right now he didn't want to deal with additional stress. He'd had enough of that for a good long time from his control issues and the tentacle monsters.

Besides, Tom was still in a position of power right now, and he intended to take advantage of it.]

Just hold it still while I finish this.

[Tom started to set the glass into it's place and making sure that it would stay that way. First, standing right behind Ggio, chest pressed against the other's back as he sealed the top portion, then moving between the boy's arms, getting down on his knees and sealing the bottom.]

There, you can let go now, I think.

[The purring had started up again when Tom was behind Ggio, and once he finished setting the panel in front of him, Ggio dropped down to drape his arms over Tom's shoulder, pressed against his back.]

All done?

[Tom can't help the smile that comes when Ggio purrs again, the feeling of the other's chest rumbling gently against his back was simply relaxing, and he just knelt there for a minute longer. Finally though, he stood back up, taking Ggio with him, his hands reaching back under the arrancar to hold him up as he stood.]

With the door, but I think I deserve a break now, don't you?

[He walks back over to the couch.] Thanks for helping me.

Yeah.

[He had been nuzzling Tom's ear, more to invade his personal space and assert his place than out of affection, but when Tom stood, Ggio inhaled his hair instead. To fix whatever had been amiss since that fight neither had discussed.

Ggio lightly nipped Tom's ear at the thanks, though.]

Are you done now?

[Tom had been getting better at knowing how Ggio thought, and even if it wasn't affection, there werepanther still couldn't help but flush a little at the contact. It was intimate whether the arrancar intended it or not, and, really, after the fight, he was glad there weren't any lingering hostilities.

He drops Ggio onto the couch and sits down next to him, stretching out a little.]

Yeah, I'm done for now. [He pulls off the toolbelt and sets it aside.] So, you never told me why you're in such a good mood right now.

I need a reason?

[Being questioned, however innocently, makes Ggio frown a little. He would never understand this very human need to explain actions or feelings with words.

But he isn't truly angry, and sighs gently as he sits sideways to face Tom, pressing right against him. Clearly, Ggio had to fit into the space right next to Tom rather than occupy the rest of the couch.]

Things are okay, I guess. [Said carefully, still wary and unsure about talking about these kinds of things, even if it had gotten easier.]

[Tom sighed softly, wrapping an arm around Ggio's shoulder and pulling him close and resting his cheek against the skull mask.]

No, of course you don't...

[And he couldn't help but feel... off. They'd been together for so long, but he still did things that made the other uncomfortable. He kept forgetting that Ggio wasn't human, and that he couldn't always to treated as or be be expected to behave as such.]

I'm just relieved that things are starting to feel normal again. Can finally forget about that whole instinct problem.

No. Not forget.

[Yeah, he's not letting that go. His tone is all business, yet he doesn't sound angry. Ggio still wants to make a point, and it looks like he has to use words. His palms rests against Tom's chest.]

Do you understand?

[Tom just sighs again, louder and more dramatic than the last one. He was going to need a cigarette after this, he just knew it, but he was trying not to think about that too much. He was considering quitting, since Ggio hated the smell so much.]

Yeah, if I forget, then it's just bound to happen again, so I should let my feral side out more and be more dominant, right?

[He grinned a little.]

That doesn't mean that I have to like it.

Right.

[Despite not knowing if Tom was serious or not, Ggio grinned, unknowingly in return. It was good that Tom wasn't avoiding the issue.]

You'll like it. You don't have to fight, always.

Yeah, you keep saying that, but I'm not entirely sure that I believe it.

[He's still absolutely terrified that he might kill somebody if he lets it out more, but like all his other problems, he'd bury it and drink it away later... Because he was a healthy, well-adjusted individual.

Instead, he smiled and rubbed the back of Ggio's neck.]

I'll make a deal with you, Ggio. If you keep me from losing control and hurting somebody, I'll let that part of me out more often.

Ah...?

[What's the harm in hurting someone a little? Ggio sighs in exasperation, but arches his neck under Tom's hand anyway.]

Fine, but don't ask. Just do it.

[By "hurt", he really means "kill". He's more or less okay with hurting people as long as they deserve it.

At Ggio's words, Tom's hand squeezes a little harder, his nails lightly biting at the flesh. He leans in a little, eyes flecked with amber as he stares into Ggio's dangerously.]

I should start now, then.

[Now this was interesting. A dark brow lifts, then Ggio's eyes narrow in challenge, excitement and amusement.]

You want to fight, Tom?

[Tom couldn't do a partial transformation, but he knew the moves for their kind, he knew how to move and act to display his feral side. He turns a little more to face Ggio, not breaking eye contact, mirroring the challenge he sees in the other.]

Not exactly.

[A growl bubbles up from low in Ggio's throat, mostly in play, and he lightly snaps teeth inches from Tom's face.]

Be serious. You gotta mean it.

[Even with the playful warning from Ggio, Tom's gaze doesn't waver. He knows Ggio well enough, and just gives a low hum in response, almost like a purr.]

I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

[Ggio's grin falls the smallest bit, and his brows creases in confusion. Suddenly he's not so sure what Tom is playing at.

It was probably a good sign... probably.]

I mean it. Or else... [His face draws close enough for their noses to touch.] I'll eat you alive.

[That low, almost purr doesn't cease, even though he's still clearly human save for his eyes, and when their noses touch, he closes the distance for just a moment, kissing the arrancar slowly before resting his forehead against Ggio's.]

Maybe that's what I want.

[Through it all, Ggio stays quiet, but receptive. He's not positive Tom understood the implications of what he just said, what that means to a Hollow... but either way, Ggio gets the feeling he doesn't care. Tom seems willing to let Ggio do anything - well, almost anything.

Which was opposite of what Ggio wants him to understand, but still satisfying in its own way. The arrancar closes his eyes, gives a short laugh.]

You make no sense.

[The thing is, Tom does understand. Maybe not to the specific degree, but he's lived with Ggio long enough, watched him long enough to know that what he said wasn't exactly... safe. That it was something that could cost him his soul if he wasn't careful.

However, Tom didn't really care. His soul wasn't really his concern, and he was, for the first time in a long time, happy. And it was because of Ggio.]

Does that bother you? [He brushes Ggio's hair some, gently cradling his neck as he kisses him again.] You're still a mystery too you know. You wanted me to follow my instinct more, though, and that's what I'm doing now.

Then you know I can hurt you.

[Though again, while receptive, Ggio's look is serious when Tom pulls away. It was something he has often wondered about, especially since Tom attacked him in adulterated rage.]

Most don't want to die, Tom, or let someone kill them. That is not instinct.

Edited 2011-12-10 04:26 (UTC)

[And that makes Tom pull back, and finally looks at Ggio seriously, though his expression is curious and questioning.]

I guess I do... I've always known that, since the first day we met.

[And Tom wasn't sure he liked what this meant.] Are you saying that I have some kind of death wish?

Do you?

[His eyes stay locked with Tom's for a few heartbeats, and then they lower, as Ggio idly toys with the hemp of Tom's pants, since he's currently shirtless. He thinks of how to word this, without going to fetch a communicator for translation.]

Death is... not the same for arrancar. We do not live, no really, so... If we let someone eat us, then we belong to them. It more than just being a fraccion.

[His eyes raise again.]

You know?

[Tom had never thought about that until now, and... maybe he kind of did. He was the least skilled fighter back home, in his opinion, yet he was usually always the first one to jump into the fray against impossibly strong enemies. Hell, even here, he's challenged Ggio twice and fought with every fiber of his being to hurt the arrancar when even on an instinctual level, he knew Ggio could crush him without breaking a sweat. Even Ggio's presence, when unrestrained, was enough to make Tom lower his head in submission...

He really didn't know how to answer that, and the best he do was hope to deflect it.]

We're not talking about eating in the sexy way anymore, are we? [He finds that he can't make eye contact with Ggio at all. He speaks in barely above a whisper.] I'd be okay with that.

[For a few moments, Ggio doesn't move, doesn't seem to breathe.

He abruptly pulls away from Tom, stands, starts to pace. His fingers run through his hair; agitated, and more.]

You don't know what you are saying.

[Tom growls faintly, reaching into the couch for one of his cigarettes. If Ggio was suddenly going to be agitated like this, then he might as well smoke, since he'd been needing it for a while, and now especially if the conversation was going to go like this.]

Did you even think for a second that maybe I do know what I'm saying? I might be a mess when it comes to my instincts, but I'm not stupid, Ggio.

And I meant what I said.

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