[closed] When Lassie Goes Missing

[takenwithhim]

Who: Rin Matsuoka sharkmaid and Sousuke Yamazaki takenwithhim
What: The God of Love has heard his first prayer request. The Dog of Water has his first job.
Where: Various locations in the Near Shore
When: May 1st, throughout the day
Warnings: None to be had, save for awkward and amusing moments.


This would be day five of his new life as a shinki. Sousuke knew at some point he’d stop counting the days. They would blur into the “normal” and what he had previously been completely hostile towards would defuse into something acceptable. Odd that on his first day here he’d been completely against subjugating himself to the role of some god’s personal shinki. To willingly give someone the ability to control and change him, much less to admit to himself he needed to rely on someone else for his own success, failure, well-being even, made him feel irritated inside and scoff at the notion. While he still had that streak of rebellion and his desire for personal freedom, Sousuke couldn’t bring himself to say his partnership with the God of Love, Eros, had been a detriment.

Rin wasn’t the kind of person who wanted to control him or make use of him like a weapon or a tool. He was always fast to remind Sousuke that he was a human (even if he was, albeit, both shinki and dead), and never once tried to force him into something he didn’t want to do. Of course, it’d only been four complete days. Though Rin had already professed a desire for the two of them to be truthful and open to each other, Sousuke still wasn’t sure just how “open” he wanted to be with Rin. Embarrassingly enough, though, it was a little hard to be worried about how “open” to be with someone when that said someone had barged in on him stark naked in the shower. (Rin had a good reason at least, but Sousuke wasn’t about to let him live it down. Yet.)

Routine days they’d been. Sousuke stubbornly refused to sleep in a separate room from Rin (be that meaning he spent the nights on floors, couches, cots, or whatever else, just not in the same bed, thank you), so they ended up waking together. Morning practices, washing and talking, breakfast, and then, joy of joys, getting lost in the castle again. Rin said he knew where they were going and always had an excuse, but Sousuke professed his god didn’t have everything mapped out yet. Getting lost became “exploring” and off they went again, Rin flying ahead and Sousuke following behind. Some arguments here and there…

Beyond that, Sousuke was starting to become a little more adjusted to the idea of turning into a canine. A little more adjusted to the fact he could make some kind of strange barrier with his hand (which is definitely didn’t use to get back at Rin a few times for teasing him, of course not). A little more adjusted to the idea that Rin was a god, and not just a god, but his god.

Now, as he stood by the fountain, gazing at the water swirling within the basin, Sousuke wondered just what sort of things gods were supposed to be doing anyways. They had four nice, peaceful days here… but even he could tell the two of them were getting a little antsy. The idea and urge of getting out and doing something wouldn’t leave Sousuke alone.

Che, where was Rin now?

Comments

[sharkmaid]

Right. Walk well. Of course that was something he would say. Still, Rin simply rolled his eyes because even he knew that was the truth. Likely, Sousuke would be able to roll over and hobble along slowly into the castle by himself, maybe after stopping for a second or two to center himself before trying again... But in a situation as dire as this, Rin didn't want to take his chances with aggravating his shinki's injuries (hm, talk about déjà vu), so like it or not, that was out of the question. He never doubted Sousuke's abilities or his strength. He just wouldn't be able to forgive himself if those things happened to fail.

So after a bit of searching through his pocket, he pulled out his device and started looking through his contacts. "Makoto." He knew he could panic about little things, but out of all the people he knew, he trusted his friend to at least answer his call.

"I'll tell him to bring supplies. And if he knows anyone with healing abilities, maybe he'll be able to contact them too." I know you're proud... but please trust me.

[takenwithhim]

Sousuke saw the eye roll and glared at his god, ears flattening again in frustration and annoyance. He wanted to growl at him too, but held it back. Rin was trying to help them both, even if it bothered… them both. They could hobble and drag and whatever else to the pool, but ultimately, it’d only end up aggravating their wounds and making things worse if the pool didn’t heal them. Realizing he couldn’t talk Rin out of the idea, Sousuke quietly dropped his head to the side with a soft huff. And he was still sitting in this stupid position, half hoisted up onto Rin’s lap with his legs sticking out in front of him. Felt more than a little foolish right now.

As Rin began wandering his device, Sousuke managed to wiggle, gently, enough to roll to the side and end up flopped over Rin’s legs. Much better… in a way. Makoto? ‘He’s going to freak out.’ The shinki’s voice was wry. He didn’t know the other god too well, but considering his interactions with Makoto already, that was Sousuke’s bet. Still… he knew how much Makoto cared for people, so with a sigh, he accepted the silent plea from Rin.

‘Fine. Let’s get it over with.’ It’d kill his pride to have someone else see him like this. And for what? Trying to find a little girl's dog. The story's even embarrassing.

[sharkmaid]

Don't give him that attitude, mister. The last thing they needed right now (aside from more angry ayakashi) was an argument and if Sousuke growled then Rin would growl back and it would just be one big mess. Looking up from the grass to the branches above, Rin sighed as the sun's rays spilled through the blossoms and touched his cheeks to warm his skin. Something about this place... It was hard to stay upset here. Maybe he was tired, maybe the blood loss was finally getting to him, but either way, Rin felt oddly at peace for once and took the opportunity to stay still and silent for a while. If not for the shifting on his lap he would have stayed that way, but as Sousuke readjusted himself he looked back down and pursed his lips at the sight. Was he comfortable that way? Hn. No sense in arguing it.

Instinctively his hand went for Sousuke's head again while the other finally found Makoto's number and lifted the device up to his ear. "He will. But I trust him." After an initial freak out, he'd be able to gather his wits together to help them. He believed that much. In the meantime... back to stroking between the ears and back over his neck.

"... Just rest. You did well today."

[takenwithhim]

They’re already one big mess, but he held back his comment and any further protests. At least he was agreeing to Rin’s directions, right? Sousuke knew full well that his god would return fire if he lashed out at him; neither of them were wimps that cowed to someone else. It made them work, surprisingly, but right now, neither need the extra issues. As the petals drifted down from above and the sunlight glimmered through the sakura branches, Sousuke let himself fall silent, let his mind drift. Regardless of the outcome, they’d succeeded. Answered the girl’s prayer, got her dog back, and survived through the trial. He knew this was an experience in spades; most prayer requests would go a lot easier. Maybe the next one they did would actually turn out fun, now that they knew what they needed to work on and how well they could potentially work together.

Front legs resting over Rin’s thighs, Sousuke rested his head between them, eyes half-lidded as he watched pink petals drift about on the air in front of them. Kept his back leg from moving much and that was what was important right now. Though he was still concerned about the injury… He didn’t want to bleed out if he could help it.

Hand on his head. Sousuke sighed, sinking in a mixture of relaxation and surrender. They’d be okay, they’d make it through this, they’d be together tomorrow and probably get right back into the normal between them. His ears flattened a little instinctively as Rin’s hand rested between them. It felt good… He closed his eyes and settled in to wait. The compliment earned a light huff of amusement, and proud agreement.

‘You did well too.’