“I-I don’t know,” Rigel mumbled, barely even able to support his own weight and having to lean on Kohaku. But he managed to take a step with Kohaku’s help, and then another.
Kohaku helped Rigel make their way back to Naoki's house. They got several stares, but she ignored them.
They took their time, and when they got back, it was quite late.
Mamoru was in the foyer, pacing about. He glanced up and was all too happy to see them. "Kohaku! Rigel!"
Naoki came downstairs, his hands folded. "We were certainly worried about the both of you…"
Rigel’s face was grey by the time he got there, and he could barely hold himself up. The only reason he was alive was because of Kohaku’s warmth keeping him steady.
Mamoru had a good glimpse at Rigel. "What ob earth happened? You look like a dog that got left in the rain…."
"I'll let you have my master bedroom tonight," Naoki smiled. "I'm sure you would like to lay under the kotatsu I have up there…."
Kohaku bowed in thanks and carefully led Rigel up the staircase. "Just hang in there…" She whispered. "We're almost there…."
Rigel could barely form a response, but he managed to say, “Th… Thank…… you…” He leaned heavily on Kohaku for support, forcing his legs to move for her. He needed rest, he needed warmth, he needed his broken body to recover. It felt like it took too long to get up stairs, but when he saw the heated-bed-thing he stumbled down, needing to lay down.
(Heated bed thing… Imma crying.)
Kohaku gasped when he collapsed. "Rigel, are you okay? Take it easy…. Please…" She wandered over to get him a nice, large pillow to sleep on. "Here… I'm sure you want this…" She managed to get it under his body. "And… If you want, I can stay here with you…" She knelt down by him. I don't want you to go….
“St…… Stay…” Rigel mumbled, but unconsciousness swept him up in it’s web just as he was reaching to hold Kohaku’s hand. He wanted to protect her, even as he was so weak.
Kohaku was about to get under the kotatsu with Rigel when Naoki came to the doorway. "I'm sure he needs to be out of those soaked clothes…."
She glanced at him lovingly. "But I don't want to wake him…"
The elk came inside and lifted the blanket to at least remove the soaked jacket from Rigel's nearly frozen body. "Remind him that it's in the bathroom drying off, alright? I'll see you in the morning otherwise."
When Naoki shut the door, Kohaku slid under the kotatsu and next to Rigel. She allowed herself to provide him extra warmth, even though she didn't have much to begin with. My sweet Rigel… You're safe…..
(Timeskip to morning?)
(Yes :3)
Rigel woke up slowly, rejuvenated with the warmth. He curled his arms around the heat source (Kohaku, not the bed thing) without opening his eyes. It all felt so, so nice…
Kohaku shifted a little, feeling Rigel wrap around her. She warmed him up a little more, making sure he was well-heated. After what happened the other night, she didn’t want him to confess that he was cold ever again….
(Aww! So romantic)
“Mmmmmmmmm…” Rigel hummed, opening his eyes to find Kohaku. He curled around her more without thinking it over, murmuring softly, “I love you…”
Kohaku felt her heart jump a little, but she savored him every second she got. "Oh…. I… Love you too…." She rolled onto her other side to face him. Those wonderful eyes…. Were the eyes of someone who deeply cared.
“What happened…?” Rigel murmured tiredly, the moments leading up to this we’re very hazy. He had been at the hospital… then he had escaped, somehow…… He couldn’t sort through the terrors of his memories.
She brushed her hand through his dried hair. "I found you on the river bank, all soaked and wet…." She said quietly. "But I managed to get you on your feet and back here to warm you up…" I don't understand how he got out so easily, though… Despite her thoughts, Kohaku grinned softly.
“Thank you… Kohaku, thank you so much…” Rigel murmured softly, gazing into her eyes lovingly.
"Well… You've helped me so many times since we first met…" She touched her nose to his. "I'm sure you don't mind me returning the favor." Kohaku curled her tail over their thighs, feeling a loving warmth between them.
(I don’t really know what to do now………)
(Ok…. Have him get up and outta the kotatsu and take a shower. And then eat breakfast…? Ish?)
(But then what should happen in the plot tho? So they aren’t just doing housework and stuff like that for the rest of the story)
(Imma make a new character soon…. I suppose….)
Rigel forced himself to pull away, although it was reluctant, “I smell pretty bad, don’t I?” He let out a little laugh, “I should go shower or something…” He muttered, although he didn’t want to leave Kohaku.
“Well, that’s fine….” She crawled out from under the kotatsu, stretching up to her feet. “I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve had a proper clean….” She walked him to the doorway then said, “We’ll meet you in the dinning hall when you’re ready….”
Rigel went and took his shower and cleaned himself up. His body was littered with scars and a consistent ache wouldn’t go away. He got dressed in clean clothes and went to the dining room.
Kohaku arrived, and there was a dark cloaked figure with their hood up sitting at the table. Naoki was there, and Mamoru was there as well, rubbing the guy's back.
As she stepped into the room, they all glanced at her.
The man did as well, and there was a horrifying scar that slashed through his amber eye. "Kohaku…. It's been too long…."
It was Akira.
(I don't remember if I made a template for Akira yet….)
(I don’t think you did)
Rigel came in just after Kohaku, but he stayed behind her- almost like he was hiding. He didn’t want to talk to anyone else, he wanted to just stay with Kohaku. She was the only one who could understand.
(I’ll just kinda put this here….)
Name: Akira
Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Straight
Occupation (if they have one): I don’t know really…..
Appearance: Black panther with an umber colored robe
Personality: Somber; over protective, strict against human presence because of something else I’ll introduce later
Flaws: Dunno yet…
Powers?: He be one feiry boi
Other: Name means “bright”; He’s the first child of fire
Kohaku approached where the three were situated.
“They’re coming….” Akira rasped. “I’m so glad you’re all still… alive…. after what went on not too far away….”
She was confused on what he was talking about. “Where have you been for the past year…..?”
But he went on regardless. “I’ve struggled to find a safe haven for Doku Ningen… but humans… no matter where we go, they can always get us within an arms’ reach…” He slumped over, exhausted.
….What will he think of Rigel? Kohaku writhed her hands, her tail twitching nervously. He’ll have to know….
(Quick question, does Akira see Rigel?)
(Well, he doesn't, but Mamoru already told Akira about him, so he won't be alarmed by Rigel.)
