『バウンド』 Bound

A New Promise

This time, Tatsumi could not blame anyone for his being waking up early in the morning once again. He sat up while carefully trying not to disturb Lubbock's peaceful slumber beside him. They had fallen asleep in Lubbock's bed after much comforting had taken place last night. The reason why he is slipping out of the bed and heading out the back toward the hot spring is because he had a rather eventful dream. It was not exactly something he is proud of his mind for making up.

Eventually, he made it at the edge of the spring and sat on the ground while stripping. This forcibly reminded him of the dream he had about him and Lubbock doing erotic things. It was vivid and clear as daylight to him. The moaning, the sexual noises; Tatsumi could have sworn he knew how to restrain himself from these thoughts. It scared him because he has never had such a dream. Waking up with an awkward feeling in his pants did not help matters. He could only think of bathing as his only option to cleanse his thoughts. The signs may all point to puberty being the prime suspect. He did not feel like going into detail however.

Tatsumi carefully got into the water and leaned against the layering of rock. That's right. Today is the final day to rest up before the big war tomorrow. A large weight sunk deep into his shoulders and his stomach gave unpleasant churns. Every battle he has been in never ended completely in his favor. Since it is a large-scale war against the Capitol, Imperial Army, Jeagers, and Esdeath, no doubt will his and his friends lives be betted into tomorrow.

He is still trying to get used to the red eye and fangs he had seemingly permanently developed. The scales had only came once and Tatsumi knew it was bound to happen again. This time, he was not sure if he could fight the spirit eating away at his concious. What worried him the most is the future result of him reuniting with the Incursio teigu.

Tatsumi finished up washing and placed a towel over his waist as he got out of the spring. He had a double-take at his reflection from the wavering water and beared his teeth with distaste when he found a strange, black daggered line running down the right side of his face; where the scales had been previously yesterday. Tatsumi nearly believed he is going to turn out into a freak show by the time Incursio decided to stop playing games with him.

"How could Lubbock tell me to chill out when half of my face can transform into a dragon's any moment..." Tatsumi muttered as he gathered his belongings. They are a day away from war and he has yet to get a grasp on his new traits that randomly showed up. Instead of being taken seriously by his enemies, they would roll around and die of laughter. Win-win if that is the case.

...

"There you are, Tatsumi! Come look!" When he had finished changing and took one step out his door, Lubbock had grabbed and dragged Tatsumi into the study room.

"Wh-what is it?" He asked and Lubbock held up two items. They were black gloves with red holders for the threads of CrossTail. "Woah. Looks like you're up to date." Tatsumi said while examining the material. Lubbock was practically vibrating with delight.

"It'll be just like old times! And I read some more new cool tricks with thread after finishing up. Here, you go stand over there and I'll make an axe-!"

"A-Ah actually!" Tatsumi interrupted for his own safety, "It sounds wonderful, I'm really proud of you. How about you save the demonstrations for the enemy tomorrow?" He suggested.

"Oh yeah, makes sense." Tatsumi laughed and poked Lubbock's cheek.

"You're really cute sometimes, you know that?" He commented humerously. Lubbock moved his hand away with an embarrassed frown.

"Che. I just lost my posture for a moment."

"Haha, sure." Tatsumi said and cocked his head when Lubbock was staring rather closely. "What?"

"Is your face cracked or something?" Lubbock asked, referring to the jagged line and Tatsumi sighed heavily.

"At this point, I wish. It's just a weird mark I found earlier in the morning." He answered. Lubbock hummed and glanced at their shoulders before gaping. Tatsumi noticed this action.

"Now what?"

"You... You're... Gah!" Lubbock was rubbing his own head frantically with a defeated look. "You're taller than me!"

"Eh!? Really!?" Tatsumi exclaimed in excitement. He stepped up and grinned widely when he found their shoulders to be an inch apart. "I didn't even notice! When did this even happen?"

"I'm the older one! This isn't fair..." Lubbock complained. Tatsumi laughed.

"Oh come on, you make me sound like some kind of kid."

"You are a kid!" He's only 16. He considered himself a young adult in his own perspective.

"Time really did go by!" Tatsumi said as he placed his hands behind his head. Lubbock was observing him with a small blush after having his minor melt down.

"I guess I have to admit, it did. You're taller, your voice got a little more deeper, your eyes are more narrow, probably from all that frowning." Lubbock listed, "And your jawline is definitely... hot."

Tatsumi blinked multiple times with a hot blush. He never considered his jawline to create an attraction.

"Hah, no wonder they're upset you're taken." Lubbock said with a knowing smile. "You're a real ladykiller after all."

"Huh? Who?" Tatsumi asked curiously and soft lips pecked his.

"No one important. By the way, I'm getting more than used to your fangs." Lubbock added while leaning back in with a smirk. Tatsumi swore steam was leaving his burning face when a tongue glided over his long canines.

"L-Lubba..."

"Don't worry, I know it's impossible." Lubbock said and Tatsumi knew he was referring to going further in their relationship. They left the study room hand in hand and when they reached the living room, Tatsumi stood in front of Lubbock while lacing their fingers together.

"I want to promise you something." He said Lubbock glanced out the corner of his eyes.

"What is it?"

"I promise once we get back from defeating the Capitol, I will make love to you." He swore with a determined look. He jerked back in surprise when Lubbock yelled in embarrassment.

"Aagh! You dumbass!" He screamed while covering his bright red face. Tatsumi was about to ask what made him a dumbass for making a rather serious comment, until he looked up and realized the whole group of Night Raid were watching with wide eyes.

"O-Oh..."