damned_institute | Nightshift 34: M11

He did feel a wash of relief when Homura smiled back, glad to see that he was at least managing to keep himself together even with all of this crap going on. And it served to ease his temper a little which was definitely a good thing at the moment.

The god turned and nodded curtly to the kid, managing to feing politeness even if he wasn't at all feeling it right now. Securing rooms? "Not unless you want to barricade yourself inside the room," he said. The doors just wouldn't lock again after they'd been opened.

Homura had had no answer for Shito's question, but Kenren's summed it up well. He could still read the god's anger, however, and was beginning to wonder how it could be quelled. Kenren had been the one to find him last night, and again at lunch, and Homura felt a desire to repay that based on more than just something like honor or gratitude.

In a way, he wanted Kenren to be more like the rumors suggested, if only because that version of him seemed happy, somehow.

Homura motioned to the furniture on his side of the room, focusing on Kenren now that the question had been answered. "We don't know if we'll be waiting long, right? You can have a seat if you want." Everything Homura wanted to say he wouldn't yet, but hopefully soon.

Shito nodded again at Kenren's summation, not at all surprised. "About what I thought. Well, then I'm out of here." He grabbed the pillowcase off his bed on his way, in case they did find anything useful in the doctor's offices and needed something to carry it in.

He hoped that this Javert person knew where the doctor's offices were, though, since maps hadn't been provided this time and the one Shito had from last night didn't show any offices on it. Well, the up side of that was that the doctor's offices had to be on the first floor, then, and shouldn't be too hard to find even if Javert didn't know exactly where they were.

As for his hand... well. He'd figure that out when the time came. Shito didn't feel comfortable lingering in the room to wrap his hand up, or ask questions about maps. He wanted to get moving, and maybe get something done for the first time since he arrived in this dump.

[nap time, so I'm not actually moving him anywhere yet, but for the purposes of this thread he is gone!]

Kenren gave Shito another nod, quite glad that he was leaving because he wouldn't have to hold onto his temper so completely. At least with Homura he could relax a little, not having to worry about other patients getting in the way of their discussion. He waited until the door closed behind Shito and then smiled weakly at Homura, following his advice and going to sit on the bed, stretching his legs out in front of himself and sighing tiredly.

"Thanks. I appreciate it," he said, giving him a more genuine smile this time. "I think Kunzite and Itachi should be delivering a load of metal for trading, but other than that, we have the night free to... well, do whatever." He hadn't really thought it over too thoroughly beyond getting Homura more acquainted with the place.

Shito left, and it seemed that Kenren had been just as eager for it. It was nothing against the boy, merely the circumstances they were in, and the sense of frustration that seemed never to slacken.

"Of course." That bit of hospitality was nothing, yet at the same time Kenren's smile again drew one from the demi-god. Homura considered what the other had said, then let out a slow breath. "Let's just wait for now. Today has been rather...long." Something that went without saying, really. After another minute or two of silence, Homura glanced down at his clothes.

"Would it bother you if I changed?" Homura was comfortable enough with it, never having privacy when he was in Heaven's prison. But for a god such as Kenren, the idea of a heresy naked before him could be a foul one, and he had little desire to make the other god uncomfortable.

Kenren laughed softly at that, looking up at the other man with amusement clear on his face. "That's an understatement and a half," he said dryly, setting his katana down on the bed next to him so it wouldn't get in the way. "And I can't even remember what I did for most of it," he added. He'd had a shower, but apart from fighting with Sanzo, most of it had been something of a blur.

Kenren gave him a slightly surprised look when he asked, still not quite used to this new Homura who actually worried about that kind of thing. He shook his head, utterly unconcerned. "No. Go ahead. I don't mind at all," he replied. "I'm kinda' jealous that you have your clothes while I'm stuck in this stuff." He liked his uniform.

Homura was thankful for the consent, Kenren's ease with it almost making him feel embarassed to have asked at all. He let out a light laugh, nodding before he turned away from Kenren and pulled his shirt over his head.

"I'm glad to have them. Do you know what I did to get them? There's a we could get yours." Homura considered offering the other set of clothes he'd seen in the closet, but those were hardly a uniform of Heaven, and they were obviously worn besides. Thinking better of it, he tossed the shirt aside with no more care than one would show a rag, then moved to the bed where Kenren was laying, leaning down with a small grin.

"You're laying on my clothes."

Kenren couldn't really deny that he did look, just for a moment before turning his head away to stare at the wall while Homura took his shirt off. No-one had ever accused him of being a man to deny himself pleasures, few though those were here. But he didn't want to make Homura feel embarrassed or anything so he was being good. Really.

He shrugged in response to the question. "Not a clue. Seems like they just turned up for some people a while ago. Just appeared in their closets for no reason. Maybe I'm doing something wrong," he said with a soft laugh. He didn't mind a whole lot really. As long as he could get stuff done. He wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth though, if it came along.

He looked up, eyes running over Homura's chest and a lazy smile on his face. "Guess I'd better move then," he said, pushing himself to his feet and stepping aside.

Homura laughed as well, picking his clothes off from the mattress when Kenren moved. The outfit wasn't notable, except for what it lacked: Homura had left the cloak in the closet. He had discarded it when the gods had freed him from his literal prison, and he had no desire to put it on again. "I'll admit it's comforting to have something else to wear. I have to wonder though, considering everything else this place has done."

A gift horse, but something about it still seemed wrong to Homura.

He stood there for a moment, considering it, before he started considering something else. The way Kenren was looking at him was unusual, particularly for someone like Homura. He thought he recognized it, but every part of his mind denied it even as the thought formed. Gods didn't feel that way about heresies. The act was forbidden, and the idea so strong that it was a basic tenant of Homura's life.

But Kenren wasn't entirely known for following the rules, was he? Just as Rinrei hadn't followed them.

"Is there something on your mind, Kenren?" Homura tried to phrase the question neutrally, in case he was wrong. He didn't want to insult the other god, and if his words were innocent, it would be easy to wave them off. Still, something in Homura couldn't help but be curious about it, even attracted to the idea of someone so willing to defy the oppressive laws that had made Homura's life little more than a whitewashed prison.

Kenren nodded in agreement, his expression turning more serious. That was a good point. "Definitely. It's difficult to believe that this place would give anything away for free. You have to wonder if there's some hidden cost that we don't know about." Like that healing fountain up in the chapel. He hadn't heard anything, but it was still a concern.

Kenren looked up and met Homura's eyes squarely, that smile still on his lips. He wasn't ashamed of who he was, of what he liked. He'd never cared about the rumours about himself which circulated in the Heavens. If they were too cowardly to confront him face to face, then why should he care what they said?

"Just appreciating the view," he said honestly, smile widening. "Some things that they said about me were at least partly true," he added with amusement. He enjoyed sex. He didn't think it was such a crime. And Homura was very attractive.

Homura didn't find that thought entirely pleasant, to such a degree that he hesitated, looking down at the shirt in his hands. After a moment he thought it rather silly, however, and let out a quiet laugh. "I guess if there is, I'll have to pay it for when my future self wore the clothes, won't I?"

But thoughts of getting dressed were skewed off course when Kenren met his gaze. Staring right into Homura's mismatched eyes, the undeniable proof of what he was, Kenren still made such assertions? Homura didn't know how exactly to react to that, merely staring back in stunned silence at first. Rinrei had just kissed him in the end, and looking back, it seemed so much easier to respond to. Much more instinctive.

"Oh." Homura looked away, then let out another low chuckle. It hadn't been the wittiest response, but he hadn't made a fool out of himself either. At least, he thought not. "Thank you, then."

"I guess so," Kenren replied, his smile widening in amusement. It was good to see him laugh, considering what had happened last night, even if it made him seem painfully young. "Although I think if anything were going to happen, it would have by now," he continued. "The head doctor doesn't seem to be a particularly patient man."

Well, he hadn't freaked out, which Kenren thought was a good start. And probably the apparent shyness was a really good thing because this could not end well once it started. He smiled warmly at the other god and stretched, reaching for his sword. "No need to thank me for just saying the truth," he replied. "You're damn good looking."

"No, he doesn't." Homura slid the shirt over his head, deciding that whatever the price, that touch of normality seemed well worth it. Even if only a little, the familiar feeling fabric against his skin helped Homura feel more secure. At this point, anything he could remember just might.

"You're wrong." Homura closed his eyes, unable to be so complacent about the matter as the elder god. "You know of the taboos regarding heretical beings. Most gods follow the rules to the letter and beyond." His smile turned a bit bitter then, thinking of his life up to that point. "So even a small compliment is something rare for me, and something I am thankful for."

Itachi knocked briskly on the door of M13 once he reached it. Either Kunzite was not here yet, or he was inside. With luck, Itachi could deposit these items quickly and set off on his mission early.

Shame about the shirt, Kenren thought a little mournfully and then mentally berated himself. "So yeah, I figure if they were some kind of hidden trap, someone would have known by now at least. Maybe it wasn' even him who put them here." There'd been that man on the radio at least, and now the firl and they both seemed pretty good at getting in and out.

He leaned a little closer, squeezing Homura's shoulder warmly. "Well most gods are also stuck up arseholes," he said scornfully. "I know there's plenty of people here who'd say the same thing as I would."

He was half relieved and half irritated when there was a knock on the door, interrupting his totally-not-seducing-the-leader time. Because he wasn't trying anything, he just didn't like seeing this innocent version of Homura unhappy.

He pulled open the door and looked out at someone he didn't recognise.

"Oh?" Homura had no idea who would, if not the Head Doctor--though he had seemed rather upset about the Jill person. If she was working against him, maybe she had a part in it? In the end, Homura supposed it didn't matter. He would wear the clothing regardless.

Homura nodded at the description of their peers, but was interrupted by the knocking. Kenren went to answer the door, and equally had no recognition of the person standing there. He glanced between the newcomer and Kenren, then decided someone should say something.

"Can we help you?"

Itachi didn't know the man who opened the door, but he was likely one of the new leaders. He glanced behind the man and noticed Homura, who, according to Shito, should no longer recognize him. Itachi couldn't help but be curious -- if Homura was a different person now, would he still be a person Itachi could respect? Not that he should waste time investigating that now.

"Uchiha Itachi," he introduced himself curtly. It felt strange to introduce himself to the same person twice, but he had certainly experienced stranger things. Having been within ten miles of Orochimaru guaranteed that.

"I came to drop off these." He lifted the bag to demonstrate. "Some metal, tools, assorted chemicals. I take it Kunzite has not been here yet?"

Ah, right! One of the guys delivering metal. He was actually getting to meet more of the History Club. Woohoo and all that. Kenren nodded seriously to him in response and stood aside to let him step into the room, albeit slightly grudgingly. "Kenren," he replied. "Good to meet you at last." He should really probably try to meet most of the people so he knew who the hell he was giving orders to.

He glanced at the bag, smiling slightly now. "Thanks. I appreciate it and no, haven't seen anyone else yet." Which was possibly something to be worried about.

Homura tensed at the mention of the missing person, of course recalling what he still could of his own experience the night before. If this Kunzite had been taken as he had, Homura immediately felt a measure of sympathy for him. He did not want anyone to share the effects he had, or their causes.

But beyond shaking his head to confirm the elder god's words, Homura didn't offer much in way of reply. Perhaps he was expected to, but Kenren was the leader now, and Homura would rightfully defer to him.

Itachi glanced at Homura one more time before nodding to Kenren. If this man was the leader now, he was the one whom Itachi would address.

"You're welcome." He paused, remembering the night before. They'd waited too long and had barely enough time to accomplish their mission. "If you plan to do anything particular tonight, you should not wait much longer for Kunzite. Considering the way time progresses here." Itachi normally wouldn't bother giving others advice, but if cooperation was the key in this place. . . it had been a long time since Itachi had worked by way of cooperation.

With that, Itachi considered his errand finished, and went to wait outside.

Kenren nodded, his expression becoming rather grim. "Yeah. I think I have an idea of what's happened. Good luck to you in your mission tonight and thanks for your cooperation."

He waited for Itachi to leave before going to sit down on the bed again, suppressing the urge to hit his head against the wall in frustration. "Damn it. They've really got it in for History Club it seems like," he groaned, rubbing his forehead tiredly. Damn them. First the experiments on two of their number, and now taking one of them to be brainwashed. They were not having a good time of things.

Kenren's reaction was confirmation enough for what Homura had suspected. Ignoring his clothes for the present, Homura sat on the edge of the bed next to Kenren, better able to look the man in the eye.

"So he was taken." An 'as well' hung in the air after Homura's words, unspoken but just as easily registered. Perhaps the question Homura wanted to ask, but didn't, would be as well.

He watched Kenren for a moment, thinking he could understand the frustration the other man felt. To see all this happening, but be unable to stop it: the thought registered with some thought deep in Homura's mind, but the demi-god didn't focus on it. Instead, he spoke in a soft voice. "Is there something I can do? To ease your frustration." Why the compulsion to offer seemed so strong Homura didn't know. But he offered without hesitence, and hoped Kenren would give a positive answer.

Kenren met Homura's gaze seriously and nodded. "Yeah, it's looking that way," he said, weariness becoming obvious in his voice now that Itachi had left. "It isn't the same as what you and Okita went through last night. Tonight it's the Special Counselling. They take a bunch of patients and brainwash them, give them their powers back and make them pawns of the Institute for the night. They'll attack other patients, try to keep them from where they're attempting to go." For some people, that could be just as damaging as being experimented upon, he was sure.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair and then stopped dead when Homura spoke. Aw hell. What was he doing? There were plenty of things that Kenren would normally have done to ease his frustration; drinking which was impossible, fighting which was possible but annoying when he couldn't shoot it into oblivion and when he needed to take care of Homura, and fucking which... well, just wasn't exactly on the cards right now.

Damn it. He looked back up at Homura, his expression torn and uncertain. "There is. It just isn't something I can ask for," he said, giving Homura a lopsided smile. Even if he didn't think Homura would mind. He paused, then leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to the other god's lips and then leaning his forehead against Homura's. "It's just getting to me." He could feel it sometimes, eroding bits of his self.

Homura slowly nodded at Kenren's reply, his thoughts following the same line as the other god's. He'd only recently learned the value of being able to choose for himself, to freely exercise will over his own life. To have it taken away, even if only for a night, to have a mockery of their power over a patient thrown into that person's face; it was indeed a torture on par with what Homura had suffered.

Kenren's pause left him curious, though that quickly fell to the wayside when he felt the other's kiss. Gentle, testing, and restrained--or so Homura guessed. Something he wanted, but couldn't ask. Of course Homura's thoughts went immediately to the taboo, and he had to bite back a spark of anger. Kenren wasn't the same as the other gods, and Homura was sure of it. But that left the question of why.

Homura studied Kenren's eyes for a moment, then closed the distance between them with a firmer kiss, letting it linger. He wanted to know the reason, and this in its own way seemed more effective than asking. It wasn't his first kiss by far; Rinrei held that honor, and many others in Homura's heart. But it was different, exciting in its own way, and a pleasant distraction from everything that had happened that day. Something that Homura could will as he was now. No pressure from who he was supposed to become. Just his own choice.

Nightshift 34: M11 - M20 Hallway

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