artisticliberty | [imeeji

I saw the alert, but I have been a bit preoccupied.

[fox looks more-or-less the same as he's looked the last few days--weary, twitchy, but there's something different. a bit of spark in his eyes has returned, and his fingers have some graphite stains on them]

Would you like to come in?

[. . . they're small details, but. . . Mars is happy to see both that spark and those graphite stains. he relaxes slightly and steps past the door's threshold]

If you'll have me, of course.

Always.

[heads in and makes a quick stop at the kitchen so he can get an ice pack, and

comes back to the living room by sneaking up on mars from behind so he can touch the ice to mars' cheek without him realizing it]

[Mars is hanging out in the middle of the common area, hands in his pockets and gaze flickering across Taisho's decor (still so fancy. . .) when Fox sneaks up on him. the moment the ice touches his cheek, he yelps and whips around]

Cold--!

[ehehe. tails floof out and start wagging, pleased]

I caught you off-guard, it looks like. Here, take this.

[hands him the ice pack, properly]

[sticks out his tongue but takes the ice pack, though he doesn't apply it to his bruised cheek. he just kind of stares at it like ???]

What am I supposed to do with this?

[mars]

You put it on your face.

I know how ice packs work.

[OBVIOUSLY]

But why did you give me one? I don't need it.

You intend to just let it be? Very well.

[holds out his hand. give me the ice back]

I think it makes me look badass.

[MARS]

[hands Fox the ice pack back, though]

. . . but thanks for thinking about me.

You're easy to fuss over.

[deposits the ice pack and returns]

But I shall not let you linger in pain. Do you need me to call someone from SensitIV?

You're the type who fusses a lot.

[taking a seat on the couch, leaving enough space for Fox to sit next to him]

Nah. I don't mind the pain. It's just a bruise.

[it'll be gone in a few days, anyway]

[sits next to him, and leans in to gently kiss the bruise]

Are you perhaps keeping it because you like it?

[wh]

[blinks a little bit in surprise, his fingers ghosting over both the bruise and the spot Fox kissed]

I-- [DON'T GET DISTRACTED, MARS]

Mmmmmmaybe.

Don't judge me.

[chuckles]

I won't. I think I understand it, actually. But still, take care of yourself.

[huffs]

I am, I am. . .!

[he isn't, actually. he never really has. but that's something he has literally never had to confront before, so]

Are you? What are you going to do if those bruises ruin your beautiful face? I won't forgive you if that happens, you know.

[huffs a little and brushes his knuckles over his bruise]

A single bruise won't ruin my beautiful face, don't worry.

[and then he flops over to the side to pillow his head in Fox's lap]

[oh

fox looks a little stunned at first, not sure what to do]

[and then allllll nine tails floof into existence as he smiles, settling so mars can get comfortable, one hand carding through his hair]

You know I'm going to fuss no matter what, yes? And not just because of your good looks.

[oh. . . this is cozy. Mars finds himself relaxing a bit, eyes fluttering as he links his hands together and rests them on his stomach]

Yeah, yeah.

[another huff]

Not sure I'm really someone worth fussing over, but. . .

[the tails gently tickle his neck and shoulders while fox plays with his hair]

You are. You always are.

[Fox's fingers in his hair and the slightly ticklish brush of those tails against his neck are so soft and gentle that Mars feels himself struck with the exhaustion from his early morning exertion all at once]

[he stifles a yawn, hand pressed against his mouth, and mutters something unintelligible in return]

[oh no, he's... cute.

fox rubs mars's temple with his thumb]

What was that?

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