unleashedpet | IC Inbox

That's not a bad idea. Vegas felt like Kinn really needed them to be around at the moment. He could understand why. If Pete weren't here to keep him grounded, he'd probably want familiar people around him, too. some part of him keenly understood and felt sorry for the loneliness he knew Kinn was feeling -- not that he'd ever admit that out loud. Feeling kinship with Kinn was weird and a little uncomfortable. Seeing him as a person and not just a two-dimensional rival was weird.

"Home is wherever you are," Vegas mused. "Even if it's a five-star shack."

"Oh so now you like my five-star shack idea, huh?"

But he just grinned and cuddled in closer. Resting his hand on the one over his waist, he let himself enjoy the feeling of fingers making patterns with no meaning on his skin. It was something that Vegas always did and it was soothing. Just endless little doodles with those fingertips. Made all the better because he knew it was because his husband needed contact with him too.

"You're my home too."

There was something about Pete that always seemed to invite touch. Vegas needed that. And that Pete accepted it so readily, long before they were intimate... That was something that stuck with Vegas. Even in the safehouse, Pete never shrank from his touch (and that wince after being belted didn't count!). It's the collection of small and big things that made Vegas fall for him. Though, if he told the story, Pete ripped his still-beating heart from his chest and ran off with it. Sometimes it felt like that was true.

But he wouldn't want anyone else handling that most vital organ. No one else could handle it with the right balance of care and toughness. There would never be anyone else for Vegas. It was Pete or nothing.

Just listening to Pete's voice, the simple cadence of those few words made him shiver from the sheer intensity of what he felt. He tightened his fingers twined with Pete's and pressed a soft kiss to his hair.

"I love you, Pete."

He felt so cared for in this moment. Loved and adored. No one had ever felt for him the way that Vegas had. Maybe because no one had ever wanted to look past the silly smiles. They didn't want to know what was under it all. How much pain and darkness existed there. It was like that saying that comedy was born from a place of pain. People didn't want to think about that and just wanted to laugh.

Vegas wanted all of him though. The worst and best of him. Just like he wanted the worst and best of Vegas. The complete package. He wouldn't fear this man. He hadn't before and he didn't now.

His eyes closed at the kiss to his hair. The warmth and gratitude in it was so potent he could feel it even without the words for it.

"I love you too, Vegas."

He probably said that too much. It was going to lose its impact if he kept doing that. And yet, every time he uttered those words, they came from his very soul. They were everything and nothing. There were no better words to express how much he needed Pete. How much he wanted him, adored him, worshiped him.

Vegas ran his hand up Pete's torso to lay over his chest, just above his heart. Feeling that steady rhythm set him at ease when his mind began to race, which was frequently since he'd been laid up until recently. Yes, the bath was nice, but sharing it with Pete was better. Everything was better with Pete. Vegas exhaled slowly and nuzzled his cheek against Pete's hair.

"Still can't believe we got married," he murmured, the awe evident in his voice. But so was the smile. Vegas truly expected to wake up at any time and realize it was all a dream. But he could feel the ring on Pete's finger that matched his own. How could it not be real?

His hand moved to where he knew that bracelet was. Lightly, he traced the edges of the cuff, feeling the line of diamonds as it rested on the man's wrist. A cuff that so perfectly matched the collar around his neck. A sign of how they belonged to each other and always would. He smiled some more as he nodded to agree.

He couldn't believe it either. But the way they'd done it just felt so right. So perfect.

"When the hell in the Western Kingdom is over lets make sure that we throw a party. People will want to celebrate us. And Tay wasn't able to be here for what happened too. And I know he's really been wanting all of us to go out together." He laughed a bit. "Maybe we could have him plan it. I bet he'd love that."

"I told Kinn he should throw us a party and he basically told me to kiss his ass." He had just loaned Vegas 1.5 million yen so... he might be justified. Though Vegas did nod at the suggestion of letting Tay plan a celebration. He's definitely a good choice for that.

"It can be a combo: celebrating us and the end of whatever the hell is going on in the Western Kingdom." Maybe Kinn will have found a place by then and they could celebrate that, too. "It'll be nice to have some fun." Which isn't to say he hasn't been having fun with Pete, but Vegas was still a bit of a social creature. A night of music and dancing and drinks with the people closest to him sounds like a nice way to feel normal again.

"Promise to wear something sexy for me."

"You think everything I have is sexy because you're a fucking pervert."

But he would definitely go out of his way to find something that looked really nice and showed some skin. Just for Vegas. And also because he wanted to have a collar low enough that he got to show off the new collar that he had. He was really proud of it and wanted to show everyone that it, like the rings, meant that he belonged to Vegas and only him.

"Wrong!" Vegas quipped. "I think you are sexy. What you wear just enhances that." Maybe other people didn't see Pete that way, but Vegas couldn't see him any other way. And that was perfectly fine by him. Vegas didn't necessarily want other people to be attracted to Pete. He might have to hurt them.

His hand lifted higher, fingers brushing over the collar around Pete's throat. Then he traced them down over his chest in a sort of v-shape. "Something cut low." Or just barely buttoned up. He wanted to show off their new jewelry, as well. Not just because it marked them as belonging to each other, but because he was proud to have Pete as his lover, his husband, his partner. And he was honored to be Pete's.

"You're still a fucking pervert." But he was his fucking pervert and that was what mattered here. Smiling, he tilted his head back to feel the fingers trace along his skin, grinning when he realized they were marking the path of what he'd had in mind to begin with. It was perfect that their minds had come together so perfectly.

"Maybe I could wear one of the yukata but have it loose. Or maybe some slacks with a patterned shirt but leave some buttons open." He ran his fingers over the edge of the cuff Vegas wore again.

"You should have sleeves rolled up."

"Alright." It wasn't like he wasn't going to be shoving that cuff in everyone's face. He already sent pictures to Tay and made sure Kinn saw it. What's the point of having it if people don't see? Even if people didn't get the full meaning, it was important that it be seen. At least, it was important to Vegas that people should see it. Even better if people noticed that the cuff on Vegas' wrist matched the collar around Pete's neck.

Okay, maybe he's a little vain and he wants people to notice.

"I wouldn't want to cover it up, anyway," he added with an audible smile.

Pete could hear that smile. It made him smile more too and he turned his head to nuzzle it against his husband's. The fact that this man wanted to show the world that he was taken by him meant everything. Just like Vegas wanting to claim him for himself. They belonged to each other and they both wanted the world to know that.

"It's going to be so good telling everyone you're my husband now instead of my boyfriend."

Vegas nodded and his grin only broadened. "I love the way that sounds. 'My husband.'" He practically sighed the words. His arm tightened to pull Pete close and he craned his neck a little to press a soft kiss to Pete's temple. "You should have seen the look on Kinn's face. I shoulda snapped a picture."

Wiggling down a little so he could slump against Vegas better, he let go of his hand finally so he could instead play with his fingers. Not for any other reason than he wanted to honestly. "You could always describe it to me. And tell me about Tay's reaction."

Because he knew Vegas had to have told Tay already.

"Literal fish out of water, mouth gaping open face. He looked just like one of Khun's carps!" And he's so amused by that. Kinn was so shocked, it was a delight! There's always something satisfying about throwing him off. Maybe that's just their old rivalry lingering on.

"Tay said drinks are on him when all that shit's over."

He laughed softly, able to picture Kinn's face easily. It was too bad that he missed it but he was delighted to hear about it now. That must have been quite the conversation. Especially since he was sure that Vegas just sort of dropped the bomb of it without mercy for extra impact. Pete loved this insanely sadistic man.

"I'm going to hold Tay to that. Knowing him the drinks will be amazing too."

"If anyone can find a good place to party, it's Tay." Was that a compliment? Well, everyone had their own skills, no sense in denying facts.

Vegas shifted slightly to lean his chin on Pete's shoulder and he breathed out slowly. "What do you want to do here, Pete?"

What did he want to do here? It was a good question to ask. They didn't know how long they'd be here and the fact was that it could be awhile. Pete thought about it a bit as he watched the steam move around them. Tilting his head, he leaned it against Vegas' then let out a breath.

"I want to live. I want to show you there's good in the world while holding your hand. We've both walked through hell and come out with scars from it." Gently, he nuzzled his husband's head.

"I want us to live and see what it's like to not walk though the worst of it for awhile. Together."

That caused Vegas' heart to miss a beat. Not because he believed in some kind of inherent goodness in the world or even either of them, but because Pete wanted to share something less awful with him. Was it even possible? Vegas had his doubts. He was the worst of it, as far as he was concerned. There was no changing that.

But, at least for now, the idea of choosing differently, choosing to just be together without the trappings of the world they're used to... it was a nice idea.

"Okay," he agreed quietly. He'd give it a try. How horrible could it be as long as Pete was with him? "We'll do that."

Sore though he was, he found the strength and energy to get turned around. Straddling his husband, he cupped his face so that way he could press a kiss to his lips. He smiled at him, a lazy happiness all over his features. Because Vegas wanted to try and that was all he'd ever ask for with this.

"Now that you're better we can keep exploring. Maybe we'll find the perfect place for the bar along the way. Somewhere with a bar and a private space above it just for us. A place to getaway when we want to be alone together."

Vegas let him turn without hindrance, then lifts his hands to caress Pete's cheeks. He pressed their foreheads together and let his eyes fall closed. Was it so bad how they were living now? Vegas didn't like being cooped up, but now that he's better and has the freedom to move around and explore... Searching for the perfect place alongside Pete sounded like a great way to spend his time.

"Don't I always wanna be alone with you?"

"You do. So we better find the perfect spot for that, right?"

Because he knew they'd go to live with Kinn. They both cared about Kinn too much not to. He knew that even with the history those two shared it was still the truth of the matter. So he smiled as he pressed a kiss to his lips again as he thought about what they could do with a place of their own at the same time. Right at the top of the bar they would run together.

"Then we'll make it perfect for just us."

"Wherever you are is perfect."

Oof. That sounded cheesy, even to him. And yet, it was absolutely true.

Vegas grinned and tilted his head to steal yet another kiss. The idea of having their own little getaway wasn't a bad one. It would give them a break. It would give Kinn a break. they could even stay there if they were just too tired after working the bar to head anywhere else.

Pete laughed at that cheesy line. "If anyone knew how corny you actually are your reputation would be ruined."

But he wasn't about to tell anyone. This was all for him. Every cheesy line, every truly soft moment. All his. Vegas wasn't going to be sharing this with anyone else and Pete knew that for a fact. He loved it too because it made all of this that much more special.

That was true, too. All the soft parts of Vegas, good and bad, were for Pete and only Pete. He didn't have to hide any of that from Pete. He probably should, but he wouldn't. He knew Pete would accept all of him regardless.

"If you tell anyone, I'll have to kill them."

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