Spirit Bound - A Banana Fish Soulmate AU - art by @ashconny

A Spiritual Wake Up Call - Or: Home Is Where You Belong

This is just a chapter about them waking up because I just love Ash and Eiji cuddling and sleeping on top of each other. Eiji uses his spiritual powers to wake his sleepy soulmate up😉 It's a bit mean but he warned him several times. Enjoy!

Ash woke up when something shifted on top of him. He nearly jumped, then panic rushed through him when he didn't recognize the ceiling, the walls, the furniture, or the room. He looked around, and it didn't seem familiar, which made all alarm clocks in his mind shrill, signaling immediate danger. Where the hell was he? He wanted to leave, escape at once, trying to lift himself, only to realize that something heavy was lying on his chest, making his attempts futile. He couldn't move an inch.

Something fluffy was tickling his chin, and an arm pulled him closer. He looked down and saw Eiji's dark brown hair tickling him. His head was lying on his chest, and he had his arms closely around him as if protecting him.

When he tried to move, he heard a soft complaint, a mumbling sound, and a hand grabbed his wrist, not hard but firmly. The bond was still inactive since Eiji was sleeping, and his consciousness wasn't active yet. He still felt a humming sound since Eiji's bond was in what Eiji called power-saving mode.

"Ash, stay with me," Eiji mumbled while he pulled him closer again and shifted his head on his chest. A trace of fear mixed into the bond from Eiji's side. Even if Eiji's presence was still numb because he was still sleeping, Ash had noticed the faint sentiment.

Ash slowly learned to notice more details of their bond and listen to minor details. Eiji had taught him that listening to their song or the melody in the background taught him many little details about their bond and also about Eiji's personality and feelings.

So, of course, he had noticed that Eiji didn't want him to leave. It wasn't because he had mumbled it. He had felt it through the bond and how Eiji had pulled him closer. His hands had trembled slightly, and he clung to him like a lifeline.

"Eiji?" Ash asked in surprise, feeling stupid because Eiji was still asleep. Why was Eiji lying on his chest? Why had he even stayed the night? He shouldn't be here...

He still wanted to leave, but that wasn't so easy when Eiji embraced him. Their legs were entangled, too. So, he was entrapped. Cutely, he had to admit, by his adorable and clingy soulmate who was still sleeping soundly.

When seeing him like that, resting peacefully on his chest, he remembered with a start why he had spent the night. Eiji had suffered from nightmares which had been his fault. He had accidentally shared his darkest, most terrifying, and most traumatizing memories with him. So, the least he could do was help him sleep peacefully through this night. He owed him that much...

"Don't worry, Eiji. I won't leave. I'm here." He put an arm around his back, and Eiji relaxed instantly, a half-smile on his face.

When he watched Eiji, he was relieved to see that he had succeeded in his mission. Eiji was sleeping soundly and didn't suffer from nightmares. The bond hadn't woken up yet, but he felt his spiritual presence and that he was at peace and content. He didn't need the bond for that, though. Eiji's smile on his lips confirmed that as well.

Eiji looked utterly relaxed. Some of his dark brown strands had fallen into his face, and, lying on his side, he had one arm around his back, and the other one protectively draped over him. The first rays of sunlight danced around him, giving his hair and face golden brown highlights.

Ash was on his back and lay back down again. Sleeping on his chest didn't bother Eiji, and he didn't mind, either, since Eiji wasn't heavy and barely moved. If he shifted now, Eiji would be at risk of falling and waking up, which he wanted to avoid at all costs when remembering how pale Eiji had looked last night. He didn't have the heart to do that.