Log: Complete

[senbon-shinobi.livejournal.com]

When; The day after 'coma day' [BACKDATED]
Rating; PG-13
Characters; Hayate [hayate] and Genma [senbon_shinobi].
Summary; Genma wakes up after his nightmare-filled day and is comforted by Hayate. Blah blah, fluff, blah blah. ;D
Log;


Dead. Hayate was dead. Again and again and again, Genma relived the moment he first heard the news, the choking sound his throat made as his breath caught, that instant his heart seemed to stop. Over and over, that horrible feeling of dread, that realization that he would never see the one person he cared most about in the world alive again washed over him in waves.

It wasn’t fair. They had been happy. And life had ripped that away. The memories of Hayate’s death replayed in Genma’s head throughout the day. Strong hands gripped the sheets beneath him and blonde hair tangled this way and that as his unconscious mind battled with the turmoil of losing his lover a hundred times over.

And then. It stopped. The tense muscles in Genma’s body instantly relaxed. Facial features smoothed out and were peaceful again. And a moment later, blue eyes opened. “Hayate,” he murmured almost inaudibly, staring at the ceiling. Where was he again?

From the moment that Genma's odd tossing and turning had awakened him from slumber, Hayate spent the entire day at Genma's side, trying in vain to rouse him from whatever dreams were tormenting him. The times when he was forced to get up from his vigil were few and far between, and he immediately ran back to see if Genma had woken up in the two minutes that he had been away. Worry and lack of sleep made Hayate's eyes red-rimmed to go along with the shadows lurking beneath them.

After a day that seemed like a small eternity, Hayate watched Genma's features change as he awakened, eyes still clouded with confusion and sleep. He squeezed Genma's hand, which he had been holding the entire time, speaking softly, voice hoarse. "I'm here, Genma. I'm right here." Just what had the other man seen in his dreams? What images had fluttered behind his eyelids while he slept to make him react as he did?

Jumping slightly in surprise, Genma turned his head sharply towards the sound of that familiar voice. Another dream? Was Hayate really there, right beside him, his hand laced in his, looking worn out and weary and relieved? All at once, everything rushed back to him. They were stuck in that city. Hayate was there with him. Technically alive or not, he was still there and that’s all he cared about at the moment.

Bolting up, Genma threw his arms around the smaller man and hugged him tightly, burying his face in his neck to hide the hot tears that had filled his eyes. “Hayate, you’re here,” he choked out, one hand moving up to thread his fingers through dark hair. “Don’t leave. Don’t leave again,” he pleaded quietly. Genma prided himself on being a man’s man. He was tough and didn’t let too many things really get to him. But going through the death of his lover had been bad enough the first time. Reliving that event over and over was enough to shake anyone up.

And at the moment, he couldn’t care less about his manly pride. All he wanted was Hayate.

Caught off-guard by Genma's sudden movement, it took Hayate a moment to react, finally lifting his arms to encircle his lover, noting the slight tremble to his frame. Whatever he had seen in his enforced dreams had to have been terrible to have spurred such a reaction in Genma. Hayate could hear the tears in his voice, even if none were shed, and that was enough for him to know.

Rubbing Genma's back comfortingly, he murmured words of reassurance over and over again, trying to calm the other man down. "It's okay, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. I promise you, and you know how much I hate breaking promises." It was surreal, sitting here like this with Genma, comforting him in such a way. On more than one occasion their roles had been reversed, especially early on in Hayate's 'return to life', so to speak, when his nightmares rarely allowed him any rest. But even after a particularly harrowing mission, he had never seen Genma so affected before. It made Hayate feel helpless, not knowing what to do to help his lover get past whatever it was he had seen in his sleep. It wouldn't stop him from trying, though.

Forcing himself to listen to Hayate’s words and calm himself down, Genma didn’t say anything for a few moments, focusing on the warm hand on his back and the soothing voice in his ear. One hand moved up to scrub at his eyes as he pulled back a little and simply looked at his lover, taking in the sight of him again as if he hadn’t seen him in years. Genma then moved to gently cup Hayate’s face with both hands and he leaned in to kiss him hungrily, needily. Once they were both out of breath, he finally backed off, resting his forehead against the other’s, eyes closed.

“I dreamt of you dying again. Over and over. It wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t do anything,” he explained quietly. “I can’t lose you like that again, Hayate. I can’t,” Genma shook his head, finally opening his eyes again. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he added, blue eyes roving over Hayate’s face, re-memorizing every feature and line and shadow. “I need you. It sounds sappy, but I do,” he let out a long, weary sigh, sitting back a little further, still not allowing the two of them to break physical contact. He needed that reassurance right now after so many hours of fitful dreaming.

While he was surprised before, he wasn't surprised at the kiss; in fact, he had been expecting it, and he returned it just as fervently, another way to prove that he was there and that he was real and wasn't going anywhere. Even after the kiss broke, he stayed as close as possible, eyes closing as well, their breath mingling with each exhalation as their breathing fell into a like rhythm while he just listened to Genma speak, taking in each halting, emotion-filled word.

"I'm not leaving you. I did it once, and it was my one regret. It's not going to happen again. I'm not going anywhere," he whispered the last words. An unsaid 'I can't' hung between them, something the both of them knew but were loathe to acknowledge. Feeling eyes on him, Hayate opened his as well, looking back at Genma, brown eyes solemn. "I know I didn't want you stuck in this city as well, but...I'm glad we're both here. Together. Again." It was something he still felt guilty about to this day, to be so happy that Genma was trapped in this Godforsaken city, but he couldn't bring himself to be truly upset if it meant a few more stolen moments for them to be together. Hayate chuckled, Genma's last admission making the corners of his lips quirk up slightly. "Sappy, huh? I suppose I can forgive you for that. At least this once."

Seeing Hayate’s small smile coupled with the gentle words he spoke relaxed Genma even further and he couldn’t help but return it with a smile of his own. “Thanks for that. And don’t tell anyone I cried, either,” he chuckled hoarsely, rubbing at one eye again in annoyance. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried on purpose. There were times when Hayate was gone that he would wake up with dried tears on his cheeks, but they had always been shed while he slept. His conscious mind usually wouldn’t allow such strong emotion to be shown, because crying made him feel weak.

In this case, however, he was mostly only joking. Any tears were well deserved after that experience. Cocking his head to the side, Genma studied his boyfriend yet again. “You look tired. How long was I out for? What was that, anyway?” he shook his head in bewilderment. His tone of voice had returned to normal, even and steady, but his hands refused to let go of Hayate, still searching for that added reassurance. “I feel like I’ve been sleeping for days, and at the same time, I’m exhausted,” he muttered, slightly annoyed at the tiredness of his muscles and body.

Ah, there was a surefire sign that his Genma was back, he was quite defensive over his masculinity. If it had been under any other circumstances, Kakashi especially would have given him hell over crying - if it was over some sappy movie for instance. But all things considered, such a moment of supposed weakness could be forgiven and forgotten, overlooked like it never happened, except between the two of them, where such things would still linger, along with all the other things that they so seldomly voiced. "It'll be our little secret."

Running his fingers through already messy hair, Hayate tried to downplay his own exhaustion. "I'm fine, I'm fine, don't you worry about me, okay?" He had woken up the moment Genma started acting restless, and had stayed awake the entire time, speaking softly to the other man while he slept, trying to wake him up or at the very least give him comfort while he slept. A quick glance at the clock told him it had been a full day since Genma had fallen into such a deep sleep, typical for the city's tricks, but this one may have been the worst yet. Maggots he could deal with, but this? "It's been a full day since you fell asleep, though it wasn't at all restful, which explains how tired you are. I assume it was another of the city's little presents to us, as I hear you weren't the only one affected."

“A day? Felt like an eternity,” Genma crinkled up his face, rubbing at his temples while enjoying the soothing touch of Hayate’s fingers in his hair. “Mm I always worry about you, brat,” he muttered, cracking another smile at his boyfriend and leaning in for a sweet kiss on the lips. God, just to be able to do something so simple was amazing. Genma had already been working hard at not taking any of his time with Hayate for granted anymore, but now? The younger man would be lucky to ever be allowed out of Genma’s sight again. Not that they really had separated for long since they had arrived in the city.

“You didn’t sleep the entire time, did you?” Genma quirked an eyebrow at him curiously, noting the red tint to his lover’s eyes and the even more pronounced dark circles beneath them. Although he had been in bed for a good twenty four hours, Genma reached over and pulled Hayate closer, and then down with him, lying them both on the bed to rest against the pillows. “It’s your turn to sleep now,” he smiled affectionately, pushing a few stray strands of dark hair from weary eyes. “You’ve done enough for me, from the sounds of it. I want you to rest,” he coaxed, arms wrapped firmly around Hayate, never wanting to let him go again. Genma, although completely exhausted, was truthfully a little afraid to sleep again. Sleep might bring more nightmares, and another second of those would most assuredly break him.

It had felt like an eternity to Hayate too, and he definitely had the easier end of the bargain. To have had to live through such nightmares, with no respite...he couldn't comprehend it. Moving his fingers to massage at Genma's scalp, Hayate hummed tunelessly, more to make a sound, cementing the fact that he was there, than anything else. "Yes, yes, I'm a brat. I'm allowed, though, I'm not even twenty-five yet. Therefore I get a green card for brattiness...or something." It was a bit silly for him to say such things, but Hayate was ready to take advantage of any and every reason to bring Genma's mind off his nightmares, no matter what.

"...I slept." It wasn't quite a lie, as he had dozed off a time or two, a minute here or there, before jerking himself awake, berating himself for falling asleep. But when he was drawn down onto the bed within the circle of Genma's arms, he only protested marginally, as he could still lie there like this, ensconced in his lover's embrace, and stay awake. He didn't want to sleep, not just yet, not after the day they both had been through. "Don't want to sleep, I'm fine, I told you that already." The exhaustion that lined his voice belied his words, but Hayate hoped that Genma would listen, at least for now. He would sleep eventually, but it was more important to just lie here with him right now.

“Stubborn, too,” Genma grumbled half-heartedly as Hayate protested against sleeping, but the gentle fingers massaging him were distracting enough for the moment for him to let the topic drop for now. Even if the tone of Hayate’s voice was clearly one of exhaustion. They were both tired, and he supposed just laying together for a little while wouldn’t hurt anything. They were bound to fall asleep anyways at some point. “Fine, fine. Then you’re going to have to listen to me talk for awhile, I guess,” he teased, pressing a kiss to Hayate’s jaw.

“Man, sleeping all day should’ve been better than that. Nice dreams and all,” he sighed, reaching down to pull the blankets back up and over them. “I’m not amused,” he added with a dry chuckle that wasn’t filled with as much lightheartedness as he had hoped. “And… I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through all day,” Genma looked up and met Hayate’s eyes again. “I was moving around a lot, huh? My arms and legs are kind of sore. From being tense, I guess, too,” he muttered, running the palm of his hand up and down Hayate’s back in a reassuring gesture for the both of them. “Sorry I put you through something like that.” It wasn’t his fault, of course, but somehow he felt like he should apologize anyways. From the way Hayate looked, it had been a long and very unpleasant day for him as well.

"Mmm, I'm good like that, what can I say?" The words were said in such a way and in such a tone that one would be more used to hearing them coming from Genma's lips rather than Hayate's. It was something he played at from time to time, putting on Genma's speech patterns and mannerisms, seeing how they fit, before placing them to the side for his own, more comfortable, safer ones. It was like playing dress up; it was fun, but it wasn't quite right. "Ah, I'm used to that by now. I'll just tune it out," he teased right back, leaning in slightly to brush his nose against Genma's affectionately to belie his words.

Hands slipping from where they massaged at Genma's scalp, they then picked it up along his biceps and down his arms, trying to rub away tenseness and lingering soreness. "You were...a bit restless, but understandably so." On more than one occasion when his nightmares were the worst, Hayate had given Genma some pretty decent bruises before waking up, so the other's movements were nothing in comparison. Frowning, Hayate reached up and flicked Genma's nose with his index finger. "There's nothing to apologize for, don't be silly." And there wasn't, as Genma would have done the same thing were their situations reversed.

“Whoa, someone’s been practicing being cocky. I like it, it’s hot,” Genma laughed quietly. It felt good to laugh, like something heavy was being lifted off of his shoulders. He had no problem admitting that Hayate was doing a very good job of taking care of him. He had managed to distract him with his cute teasing and warm, familiar smile, gentle touches and soothing massage. He truly knew everything about Genma, and he was eternally grateful for it. “Oi, that’s not something you’re supposed to say to your poor boyfriend, you,” he grinned, rubbing noses with him for a moment before watching Hayate back away slightly again.

When his lover told him not to apologize, Genma sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I know. But it just bothers me that you had to suffer all day too. Stupid city. I hate it. And love it at the same time,” he muttered, glancing in the direction of the nearest window that looked out on the city. Pulling Hayate even closer, if that was possible, he sighed again, but this time in contentment. “Mmm. You smell good. And feel good too. Just like my Hayate,” he grinned, knowing how silly he sounded but not caring at all. It was true, anyways.

He really should have expected that reaction. Really. Even so, Hayate rolled his eyes at Genma, though a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You would think that, you pervert." Despite his words, he was happy to see Genma finally relaxing, putting at least some of effects of the dreams behind him, at least for the moment. He'd gladly look and sound like an idiot, as long as it got that odd, haunted look out of the back of Genma's eyes. "Oh? I guess I didn't learn that in my 'how to be a good boyfriend' classes. I guess that's why I barely scraped by, hmm?"

Hayate shook his head, disagreeing with Genma's words. "I wasn--okay, maybe I was, a little bit. But only because I was worried about you. You...there was so much pain in your voice," he said, the words awkward and hesitant, as if each was pulled unwillingly from his throat. He nuzzled closer to Genma, resting his nose in the hollow of Genma's collarbone, tangling their legs together, his words muffled against bare skin. "Mmm, I'd hope I feel like me. It'd raise all sorts of awkward questions if you said I felt like someone else, wouldn't it?" It was good that his face was hidden against Genma, as he was currently sporting a goofy grin, one that matched the one Genma was wearing quite well.

“Hayate, we’ve been over this before. Yes, I’m a pervert, and you like it,” Genma laughed. “And benefit from it, I might add. That, and my oral fixation,” he grinned mischievously. If he wasn’t so tired, he would’ve started trying to fool around with Hayate, but everything was sore and his mind was still a little funny. For once, it was no time for sex for Genma. Those moments were rare ones. Right now was snuggle time, and “I’m so damn grateful for Hayate” time. “Oh really now? From what I’ve seen, you must’ve passed that class with flying colors,” he laughed again, affection obvious in his voice.

Nodding slowly, Genma’s expression became a bit more suffering as Hayate explained the day to him a little more, wincing a little as he thought about all of the things he possibly said during his fitful hours of sleep. He was distracted again, however, but Hayate nuzzling into his neck and chest and he reached up to begin running his fingers through the other’s hair. A grin lit up his face again and he would’ve poked his boyfriend had his hands not been too preoccupied. “It’d be a bit disconcerting, yes,” he chuckled. “So stay smelling and feeling like Hayate, okay?” he teased.

Flushing, Hayate bit down on his lower lip and blatantly ignored what Genma said, neither confirming or denying it, though the blush in and of itself was a confirmation that he didn't mind benefitting from his boyfriend's pervertedness one bit. "Hn. I suppose that's something that can only be judged by the boyfriend. They would know best how effective the classes were, wouldn't they?" Genma's laughter was like a balm to Hayate's soul, after seeing him so distressed for so long without respite, and he wanted to hear more of it.

Feeling fingers running through his hair, Hayate melted bonelessly against Genma, sighing softly in contentment at the relaxing caress. He would gladly stay like that forever, if pesky things like hunger and hygiene wouldn't get in the way, but he would certainly try his hardest to stay like that as long as possible. It felt far too good to break away from too quickly. "I'll do my best to stay that way. You better keep checking to make sure that I stay that way, though. Who knows, without you making sure, I might start smelling and feeling like Raidou or Kakashi or someone. And wouldn't that be horrible?"

“The sexy blush right there only proves me right, you know,” Genma laughed brightly, leaning away a little to get a better look at his flushed boyfriend, running the pad of his thumb across his pink cheek. Not that he didn’t know that all already, but it was always something fun to tease Hayate about. Genma was much more open about things like that than Hayate ever was. He had to drag it out of him, usually. But that only made it all the more rewarding. “Exactly,” he nodded in response. “I give you a 110%,” he grinned. “Extra credit for putting up with naked dances,” he smirked.

The feeling of Hayate relaxing in his arms like that was wonderful and only helped Genma relax even more. It was comfortable and right where he needed to be. Not too long before, that bed had been one of turmoil and fear, but now that was gone, and in it’s place, comfort and security and love. He would never, ever be able to find this with anyone else now. Hayate belonged in his arms, and that was that. “Gah, no. We definitely cannot be having that,” Genma shuddered a bit, especially over the idea of snuggling Kakashi like that. So very creepy. Regardless of the merciless teasing the Copy Ninja did, Genma was very fond of him. But never like that. Ever.

His blushes always gave him away, but it didn't stop Hayate from at least trying to deny the truth of it. "So you say. Seems more like wishful interpretation than anything else, if you ask me." Even despite his protestations, he leaned into the brief caress of Genma's thumb across his cheek, reveling in the touch after watching his lover so tormented in his sleep for a full day. "Thank goodness for extra credit, huh?"

While he relaxed into their embrace, so too did Genma, thankfully. Despite his attempts otherwise, Hayate could feel the tensness that was in his entire frame, which was only now just starting to leave him. He would just have to do his best to continue distracting Genma until the nightmares were put far behind him. "This is very true. If such a thing were to happen, you'd probably have a certain scarred sensei out for your blood. It wouldn't be pretty," he quipped, eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Are you trying to give me more nightmares, Hayate?” Genma teased, scowling playfully at his boyfriend. “Cuddling with Kakashi and then having Iruka chase me down like a dog… very scary,” he grimaced, for real this time, shaking his head. “Chuunin level, my ass. He could become a jounin in a heartbeat if he always fought while pissed off at someone,” he joked. Genma was fond of Iruka, but he was well aware of the younger man’s temper and had experienced glimpses of it many a time when turning in late or sloppily written mission reports. After a few instances of that, he was more careful and took his time, thank you very much.

“Anyway. I happen to like my boyfriends shorter, with dark hair and soulful, dark eyes,” Genma crooned, making a sappy, overexaggerated face at Hayate. “And you’re more graceful than Kakashi. And much, much sexier. And kind. And I can keep going with the endless compliments, if you’d like,” he grinned cheekily, obviously amused with himself.

Pulling away enough to waggle his fingers in a pseudo-creepy manner in front of Genma's face, Hayate quirked a grin and shrugged. "Maybe? That is a kinda scary thought, after all. Iruka'd eat you for breakfast and have room for seconds." The only reason why he got away with saying such things - and he did quite often, to Iruka's face even - was because the two of them had been friends for so long. It gave Hayate a blessed reprieve from Iruka's famous temper for the most part. That did not, however, extend to Genma, though Hayate thought Iruka did it on purpose sometimes. Genma's reactions were pretty funny, after all.

"Mmm, good answer," he murmured, content to nuzzle back against Genma once more, resting his head above Genma's heart, listening to the even meter of his lifeblood flowing through his body. He did this often, usually when Genma was asleep and didn't know any better, just listening to him breathe, to his heartbeat; things that Hayate no longer needed, though he would still consciously take breaths just for the familiarity of it all. "Oh? Could you now? I'd tell you to keep going, but there wouldn't be enough room for the both of us in bed here if my ego got as big as yours."

“Just because you can say whatever you want about Iruka without any threats to your life doesn’t mean I can,” Genma raised a brow at Hayate’s spooky fingers and chuckled softly. “How come I don’t get protection benefits against Iruka’s Scary Temper by being your boyfriend, eh?” he teased. “Though I bet if even you went after his Copy Ninja, he’d come after you with a handful of kunai,” Genma snickered.

The silly laughter faded however, when Hayate rested his ear against Genma’s chest. It was obvious the younger man was listening to his heartbeat and he didn’t move, letting him. It was moments like these that made Genma a closet sap, when dumb, cheesy thoughts started filling his mind. It was also moments like this when he knew he had never been closer to anyone in the whole world than he was with Hayate at that very instant. Genma hadn’t been good at letting people in before. He kept people at an arm’s distance away. No one really needed to know his every secret. It made him mysterious and cool and detached. But then came Hayate, and he had changed all of that. He was the one person that Genma had let in and had no intentions of letting go of now. Shaken from his thoughts, he smirked again and rolled his eyes. “Shut up, you. My ego is not that big. It only takes up a small corner at the foot of the bed,” he grinned.

Hayate shrugged, forcing his features to remain blank. "Probably because he doesn't like you. Something about a stray senbon?" Which of course, was a lie - or at least it mostly was. Iruka counted Genma as a good friend, but it didn't stop him from getting royally annoyed at the other man from time to time. And yes, there was an incident with a stray senbon, but most people had forgotten that already. "That's why I'm not dumb enough to go after Kakashi-senpai. I like being in one piece, and not carved into little pieces by Iruka."

Allowing himself to listen for another moment longer, Hayate then lifted his head almost reluctantly, and peered up Genma's chest at his face, looking utterly unconvinced. "Small corner? It practically kicks me out of bed while I'm asleep, it's that overpowering. And to think I was glad when I found out you didn't summon anything like dogs. I think I'd rather share the bed with some dogs than with your ego. At least the dogs would be cute." Actually, the real reason for his relief at such a thing was the little-known fact that Hayate had a dog allergy - nothing too severe, but when around a lot of dogs or dog dander for a prolonged period of time...it wasn't fun. Not at all. Though he supposed that he didn't have to worry about that anymore. One of the conveniences of already being dead, he supposed.

“Uh. Stray senbon? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Genma raised his gaze to the ceiling, trying to look as innocent as possible. “Anyway, Iruka likes me. Well enough, anyways,” he muttered. He was pretty sure the chuunin liked him, anyways. They had had a nice time when he had come to stay with him and Hayate a few weeks before. And unless Genma was goofing off too much or slacking on his mission reports, they got along just fine. “Good thing you’re not going after Kakashi. Iruka wouldn’t be the only pissed off shinobi,” Genma chuckled. He really was a smidge too possessive of the younger man, but he couldn’t help himself. And after that horrible nightmare-filled day, he was certain that it would probably only get worse.

“OI. My ego doesn’t try to kick you out of the bed, nor is it overpowering. You should be glad that I can’t summon dogs because you’d be sneezing and stuff,” Genma reminded him. Yes, he knew about Hayate’s allergy. He knew lots of things about his boyfriend, after all. The mock glare faded from his face as he looked down at Hayate, and he smiled again, reaching out to run his fingers through his hair once more. “You should kick my ego out and just snuggle with me, then,” he advised wisely.

Hayate chuckled at Genma's attempted defense against the stray senbon story. Fortunately, he had already heard aaaaaaaallllllll about it from Iruka, so he needn't get the story from Genma. It was a funny story, though, and he would like to hear Genma's side of it, as it was bound to be quite different from Iruka's. "He does, actually. For some reason, he counts you as a good friend. Don't ask me why," Hayate said with a tiny smile tugging on his lips. He was amused at Genma's possessiveness. Some people would mind such a thing, as a mark of distrust, but he merely found it amusing, and somewhat endearing. He himself got the same way at times, though he fought hard against it, and he found it somewhat sweet when Genma got all overprotective and possessive like that. "Oh really? Good thing I don't have a thing for odd, genius, porn-addicted shinobi, huh?"

"Ha. That's what you think," Hayate joked. The reason why he liked teasing Genma about his ego so much was that it was something familiar, something that hadn't changed since his death, something that would always stay the same, and so he clung to it, perhaps a bit too desperately, but he would stop it, were it something that truly bothered Genma. "And yes, a very good thing. That'd just make things complicated. I'd hate to lose my boyfriend over something as silly as an allergy." He hummed softly in contentment, eyes closing as gentle fingers ran over his scalp in a relaxing gesture. "I try, but it's much easier said than done, you know."

“Maybe it’s because I’m a cool guy,” Genma poked Hayate in the side, feigning offense. Their rounds of teasing were somewhat routine and obviously never malicious or purposely hurtful. Usually it was Genma who was the target, but with his ego, he could handle it. Besides, it greatly entertained Hayate, and Genma figured he could take a few pot shots if it meant seeing Hayate smile or hearing him laugh. He got a bit more genuinely defensive when Kakashi started bothering him, but Hayate had free reign over making fun of Genma. Not that Genma didn’t take his own opportunities to tease Hayate. His teasing always seemed different, though, as Hayate didn’t really have anything near a fault in Genma’s eyes. Usually it was in the form of over complimenting his boyfriend, teasing him about his blush or how much he liked Genma and his “oral fixation.”

“Well, I guess that just means that we’re perfect for each other,” he smirked playfully again. Hayate was allergic to dogs and it just so happened that Genma didn’t summon them. Good thing the younger special jounin wasn’t allergic to senbons or something strange like that. Continuing his gentle ministrations with Hayate’s hair, Genma merely studied his boyfriend yet again, simply content to watch his relaxed face.

"Hmmm...naaaaah." Sometimes Hayate wondered if Genma thought his teasing was genuine, but then Hayate pushed it from his mind again. Genma had to know that he wasn't being serious, right? He cared about the other man too much to ever say something that was truly hurtful. It was just so much fun to tease him, something that Hayate would never do with anyone else. He was far too properly brought up to ever tease anyone else like that, especially someone older or of a higher rank than him. It just showed how very comfortable he was with Genma for him to be able to act like that around him.

"Mmmm, maybe you're right," he said, voice slightly more serious than he had intended. He couldn't help it, though. Genma was so close, and Hayate was so content, so relaxed in his embrace, feeling like he could stay just like that forever. Just so long as Genma kept moving his fingers in such a way through his hair and against his scalp, relaxing Hayate completely. "I love you," he murmured softly, voice barely even audible to Genma, who was so close to him they were practically inside one another.

“No, Hayate,” Genma let out a theatrical, exaggerated sigh, as if he was trying to explain a difficult concept to a small child who just wasn’t getting it. “You’re supposed to say, ‘Yes, Genma. You’re right. You are a cool guy. The awesomest shinobi in Konoha, in fact.” Genma finished that line with a burst of laughter. His ego even amused himself sometimes, even though he was entirely kidding about the whole thing, and Hayate’s actual reaction had been exactly what he expected.

Silly moments aside, Genma gazed down at his lover who was resting comfortably in his arms, where he belonged, of course. The whispered “I love you” was barely audible, but he managed to catch it, bringing a soft, affectionate smile back to his face once again. It felt good to hear those words. It always did, really, but after the day’s experience, it was even more appreciated. “I love you too, Hayate. More than you know,” he replied warmly, tightening his grip around his boyfriend as if he was afraid something would come along and rip him out of his arms again.

After that load of bull that Genma just tried to feed him, Hayate merely stared at the older man blankly for a long moment, before the corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly. From one moment to the next, it was like a complete transformation came over him. Soulful brown eyes suddenly became limpid, with stars in them, eyelashes seemed longer as he fluttered them in a poor attempt at flirtatiousness, lips parting to complete the look of vapid adoration. "Oh, Genma-sama, you're so amazing! I've never met anyone as good as you! Will you tell me the story where you took on four missing-nin all by yourself and won again?"

Sadly, he could only pull off such a look for a short period of time, without feeling completely nauseated. Hayate's expression immediately shifted into one of normalcy, and he raised a hand to rub at his face, as if to erase the memory of it as well. The moment was then summarily forgotten, exchanged for a warm embrace, and warmer words as he tried his hardest to get close enough to Genma to crawl inside him. "Can we just stay like this for now?"

It was Genma’s turn to stare now, and stare he did, watching Hayate’s face completely change into something he very rarely saw, all lashes and smiles and brightness. It was ridiculous and after only a moment or two, Genma broke down and started cracking up hysterically. “Alright, alright, I deserved that,” he managed to get about between bouts of laughter and gasps for air. “Are you trying to rub that cheerfulness out of your face now?” he added, laughing even harder and very willingly pulling the younger jounin closer.

Once his breathing had returned to normal, Genma pressed a kiss to Hayate’s jaw and nodded. “As long as you want to,” he promised, settling down and getting comfortable again after his laughing fit. “I love you,” Genma added with a warm, sincere smile. Almost all traces of the trauma he had experienced for the entire previous day was gone, taken away by the remarkable man in his arms.

Looking up at Genma again, Hayate gave his face one final rub for good measure, and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe I am. That's far too much cheerfulness for any one human being. Is it even possible for people to be like that and actually be sincere?" He certainly didn't think it was; how could anyone be that sugar-coated and actually mean it? Don't people want true sincerity rather than false adoration? Either way, it's what he wanted, and what he supposed Genma wanted as well, as he recalled quite a few women who had acted that way towards the other man, and yet he was still here with Hayate.

Hayate turned his head slightly, just enough so he could nibble on Genma's lower lip for a second, a soft smile on his face. "Guess you're stuck with me, then," he said, kissing the spot he had nibbled on. He was glad to finally see that maybe Genma's dreams were forgotten - for the moment at least. Just then he yawned, and his eyes widened, surprising even himself with the action. He hadn't realized just how tired he was, staying up for a full day and then some. "Sorry," he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I didn't mean to do that."

“Doubtful. Not completely sincere, anyways,” Genma chuckled again, obviously amused. Hayate was a bigger smart ass then he was sometimes, and it always entertained him to no end. He loved seeing the more serious man lighten up a bit, even when it was only to make fun of Genma. He didn’t mind in the slightest. Hayate was only playing around, after all. None of it was meant to hurt. “You might not want to do that too often, Hayate,” he continued. “You might hurt yourself. That looked painful,” he teased.

The teasing was promptly discarded in favor of letting Hayate nibble on his lip and Genma smiled in contentment. “Oh poor me,” he murmured, and then laughed again when the other man yawned. “Don’t apologize. I’m tired too, for all the ‘sleeping’ I did today. Let’s sleep now,” he urged. “I know you’re exhausted, watching over me all day, so don’t argue,” he grinned, pressing another kiss to Hayate’s mouth and settling down again.

Trying to stifle another yawn, Hayate looked at Genma with concern, though the tiredness was evident in his eyes as well. "Are you...sure? I can stay up longer, really." He wasn't even sure if he needed to sleep or not, it could just be some psychosomatic remnant of when he was alive. Much like the breathing that he continued to do, even if he didn't need to draw breath into his lungs to exist. The last thing he wanted was for Genma's nightmares to return because he was taking care of Hayate, when it should be the other way around.

"We can stay up a bit longer, really. I'll wait until you fall asleep again. I don't wa--" Another yawn. "--nt to leave you alone again." The yawns were getting worse, and Hayate's displeasure with himself showed. You'd think he'd be able to control himself better, he'd been awake longer than this on missions. But missions were uncomfortable and stressful, and it was so nice and warm in Genma's arms that it was hard to remember that he was supposed to be staying awake.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Genma sighed softly, tilting his head just so, nuzzling Hayate’s cheek. “I’ll sleep fine now with you here. But I want you to sleep with me,” he murmured, feeling his eyelids start to get heavy. Hayate kept yawning, and it was contagious but made Genma smile at the same time, which was always rather difficult. He couldn’t really see himself having anymore nightmares when he was that comfortable and that close to Hayate. He was the one who had been at the center focus of the terrible dreams, after all.

“Not alone. You’re here,” he mumbled, starting to drift off, peacefully this time. “I feel safe with you. Just… stay with me,” he added in a volume barely above a whisper, just before his body relaxed completely and he slipped back into sleep.

Hearing Genma's breathing slow down to an even meter, Hayate smiled softly, for that was the true proof that the nightmares were behind them for now. If they weren't, Genma wouldn't have fallen asleep so easily. Hayate's own eyes drifted closed, though he tried valiantly to blink them open again a time or two, just wanting to watch over his lover's sleep, to make sure it stayed peaceful, but his own exhaustion won out in the end, joining the land of Morpheus himself.