#*laruaim

"Just now." Lauriam replied and Even heard the familiar sound of his Keyblade vanishing. It had taken time to get used to. The various degrees of murderer that clung to the man before him. To his husband. He knew Lauriam still struggled at times with feeling like he deserved him. Typically at the dead of night when the nightmares crept in.

Even would never wrap his mind around how someone so beautiful wanted him. Especially as he grew older. Of course Lauriam aged as well, but he did it gracefully. Even felt like he had always looked old.

"What do you want for dinner?" Lauriam inquired as he set the papers down on their coffee table.

"Are you on the menu?" Even teased because he knew Lauriam liked it. "Whatever you decide on will be fine."

"Perhaps later." Lauriam hummed back. "It's a special day. You decide."

Even squinted at him a little and then turned his head to squint past him at the calender on their living room wall. The one Lauriam filled with birthdays and anniversaries and appointments. 4/4. "Ahh. Let me help you make dinner?"

"You have gotten better." Lauriam nodded. "There is a recipe Dilan gave me recently I'd like to try."

"Do we have everything we need?"

"Do you want to go out?" Even questioned and looked over Lauriam's clothes. "How was work?"

"As long as there is light there is dark. I miss having set goals. Made knowing when to come home much easier." Lauriam complained lightly. "A trip to the market would be pleasant. Don't ever think work could tire me out."

"I've seen you tired." Even replied as he stood.

"I work with a bunch of children who have no real training. No real guidance. It's tiring." Lauriam explained and took Even's hands in his. "An exhaustion that you wipe away. Come along. I promise to keep the vegetables to a minimum."

"Mm, are they doing okay?"

"As okay as can be expected. Enough about them. It's your day. How was it?"

"Well, it always goes downhill once you leave." Even teased gently and squeezed his hands. "So better now."

"Sap."

"Mhm. I vacuumed. Finished that book Ienzo gave me a while back. Thank you for the lunch instructions. You know the microwave hates me."

"It still confuses me at times too." Lauriam admitted. "You weren't supposed to work."

"You know I get restless. Being idle is challenging."

"I know, but it's good for you."

"Since when do I do what's good for me?" Even laughed. "Do you plan on changing?"

"Is that your way of asking to undress me? Don't try to change the topic Mr. Subtle."

"Always. It was just a little vacuuming. I didn't even move the couch."

Lauriam sighed and tugged on his hands. "Fine, fine, come help me into different pants."

/He's going to fuck you/ his brain has been repeating ever since Lauriam closed the bedroom door.

/He's going to make love to you/ His brain corrects, softer.

Lauriam removed his shoes and set them by Even's door. "What is on your mind?" He asked as if he visited for any reason besides Even's bed.

"You." Even knew better than to lie. "How was your trip?" They do not need conversation but Lauriam had the oddest sense of foreplay. Even blamed it on Marluxia. On the fear that he would come across too much like him and Even would panic. Even has not found it in himself to remind Lauriam that he loved Marluxia and that that was not were the trauma lied.

"Dreadful." Lauriam admitted. "That World had the most horrid weather. And naturally the Heartless were adapted to the scenery so they were fine but I hate humid weather."

"You went to a jungle, correct?" Even asked as if his phone was not full of forwarded photos. Lauriam was still on edge about the concept of a selfie but the rest of his team were far from.

"Correct." Lauriam nodded. "I still can feel it under my skin. That hum of nature." He flexed his fingers. "So alive. So wild. I'll have to take you sometime."

"I thought you hated it."

"Oh, I did, and you would be a miserable mess, but I haven't felt that powerful in a while. I'd have to take you with so I have a reason to be sweating."

Even flushed. "Y-yes, of course you would."

"I would." Lauriam smiled and unbuttoned his vest and shirt. "Did you miss me?"

Even swallowed and gave a small nod.

"How much?" Lauriam asked as he slid off fabric and folded it to set on Even's desk.

Even tried to get his mouth to form words but his tongue felt like cotton. How much? His body ached for the man in front of him. That was the worst part; Lauriam had trained his body to respond to him with ease. He had not known loneliness to the extent he did when Lauriam was away. He was so rarely fully alone and yet even with Ienzo or Ansem beside him he still felt lonely. When had he become so pathetic?

"Was that a cruel question?" Lauriam whispered once he stood before Even.

Even reached up for him. "You ruined me."

Lauriam took his hands and set them on his cheeks. "I know. I am sorry for that. When I inevitably die before you do try to move on."

"I cannot promise that."

"It's not that late." Even replied before actually looking at the time. "I'm sorry. I got really into this part and-"

"I know, honey." Lauriam smiled at him. "Did you lose it?"

"Mm, I should rest." Even sighed. "I've probably been writing rubbish for the last hour."

"Rubbish, he says." Lauriam laughed. "Can I read it after breakfast?"

"I've changed book again, but sure." Even shrugged a little and stood. "Tonight, I promise."

"I understand inspiration, Even. Go rest. I'll clean up in here."

"Thank you." Even sighed and bent down to kiss eager lips. "Help me make up some words later."

"Yes, yes, one of these days you have to publish something, my science fiction nerd"

"One of these days I have to finish something." Even replied. "Wake me in a few hours, okay?"

"You'll wake when you wake."

"Lauriam."

"I mean it, Even. You don't exactly have the best health."

"...true. I'll see you later."

"Good night, my love."

But Even’s lips were on his before he had thought such refinement through. Even’s hands were on his hips, his thighs, his ass, guiding him to sit on the table. He’d put this off for so long. Even had been asking him out on dates practically since they met. And Lauriam had gently turned them down because he was busy. Because he was still sorting out his life. 

Because Even had fallen back into his own life so easily and Lauriam had to remake his. Lauriam’s previous life was destroyed. And Even was so willing to allow Lauriam’s new life to include him that it frightened him at times. He knew Even was scarred. Knew that because he had unbuttoned his shirt with a ferocious need.

Knew that Even forgave him on principle and because Lauriam would never forgive himself. That death had brought him back together. 

But right then. Right then all that mattered was getting his hands on Even. Was being close. Was giving into what he had put off for months because he did not want to drag Even too deeply into his life. The last time he had trusted the man with that he had him killed. But if Even wanted to make the mistake Lauriam did not have the fight left in him to deny it longer. 

Even’s had a hand on his cheek and the other on his thigh and drew away to stare at Lauriam. “I- I have a bed.” He had meant to say something intelligent, but Lauriam had always had a way of melting his brain. 

Lauriam, thankfully, was red and breathy, but still a brat that needed to seem calm. Like he was still in control. His brows rose and his lips quirked, “Oh, okay.”

Even knew he is teasing him, or perhaps this was as far as Lauriam planned on going. It was their first date. He was being presumptuous thinking the man would... put out. But he was also hopeful. Or maybe just stupid. Lauriam often made him lean more towards the latter. “Well... then maybe we can... we can go there...” It was difficult to stay composed with those blue eyes staring at him and his body radiating heat. It was tempting, so tempting, to push Lauriam back on his table. To see just how disheveled he could make the man. 

Lauriam looked around for a moment before he looped his arms a little tighter around Even’s waist. “What about the mess?” 

Even looked at the knocked over glass with enough red wine left in it to start a stain in his pedantically white and ironed tablecloth. The knocked over tall white candles that he had the foresight of blowing out before dessert. The slender vase and it’s singular yellow rose that he perhaps should tend to. But he had a worry that if he let up even a little he would lose his nerve. “I will clean it up tomorrow.” 

Lauriam frowned for a moment before he released Even. “Are you positive?” 

“Yes.” Even bent down to kiss him swiftly. “Stop thinking about it.” 

“You hate mess.” Lauriam responded sharply. “I shouldn’t have-” 

“I plan on making a mess of you.” Even stated and blushed further. That was purely Lauriam’s closeness getting to him. 

Lauriam snorted and placed his hands on Even’s chest to push him away. “I really do turn you on. I’ll hold you to that. Will you be able to keep up with me?” 

“You do, yes.” There was no denying it, even when he did step back. He might have thoughtless ground against him. “It’s only fifteen years.” 

“Only.” Lauriam laughed a little. “Take me to this bed of yours, Even. I’ve made you wait long enough.” 

Even held out a hand for him.

Lauriam slipped off his table and took it with a smirk. “I plan on making a mess of you as well.”