"I...never realised Gene was so young..." John thought of the picture on Lin's dresser. The face in the photo barely looked any different to how Naru looked now, besides the warm eyes and bright smile. Lin stiffened a little, taking his comment as a reproach. He was reassured as John nestled closer, his sweet scent soothing him somewhat. With their mating bond, he knew and understood Lin on a deeper level than anyone ever could. He knew he'd never had nefarious intentions, and the love he held for Gene still lingered.

"Believe me, it was a concern for me too...I didn't intend for it to happen. Gene and Naru both matured quite quickly, and we just...didn't think about it. Not when we were together." Lin's eyes felt sore and heavy where he'd cried so much. It didn't help that he'd now been up half the night talking John's ear off about it. He was surprised he'd handled it so well, although it had been his idea. John had been so insecure and jealous of Gene just a few short days ago. Their mating bond had changed things more than Lin had first thought it would. It had changed things on his side, too. He felt closer to John than he had before. Complete in a way he'd never expected.

"You're exhausted..." John murmured as he watched him trying to force his reddened eyes open. Lin barely hummed in agreement, warmth flooding John's blue eyes as he pressed a kiss to his jawline. "Sleep, Koujo," he almost whispered, reaching down to gently grip his hand. Lin nodded, leaning his head down to rest their foreheads together. Feeling his omega so close was comforting. Breathing John's sweet scent was soothing, and the feelings of warmth flowing through their bond was reassuring.

John watched as his dark eyes fluttered shut, his expression slowly relaxing into something much softer and more vulnerable. His eyes were still a little puffy and red after crying, dark circles marring the soft skin beneath his eyelashes. He reached out tentatively, stroking the soft skin of Lin's cheek, still smooth from shaving earlier. He couldn't recall ever having felt stubble on his cheek before. Perhaps he doesn't grow facial hair that easily. John was in a similar position. He could go two days without needing to shave away stubble, and the hair that came through was soft and downy, barely growing at all.

He moved on to examine him even closer. It was quite rare for him to be awake as Lin slept. He brushed the longer strands away from his now peaceful face. Ebony hair contrasted with his pale skin, though it wasn't so pale as his own. His skin was mostly unmarked, but beneath his long bangs, just along the skin of his forehead, was a jagged white scar that John had never noticed before. He leaned a little closer, wondering where it could have come from. Is that why he wears his hair like this? He followed the long strip down towards his ear. It was barely noticeable. He'd only seen it now because he was looking so closely. Lin flinched awake as he felt John's fingers trace the scarred skin.

The sudden jerk made John jolt back in surprise, blue eyes wide as a rough hand gripped his wrist. His voice stuck in his throat as Lin's dark eyes snapped wide and stared at him, his expression almost unreadable. His tumbling emotions were even worse. They froze like that, the grip on his wrist almost painful. He could barely describe the dark emotions rushing through their bond. Lin was afraid, terrified, heart pounding as he hid it beneath a hold façade. He was also angry, filled with a burning rage that almost consumed him. Alongside that was a sense of horror, grief, and loss that almost rivalled what he felt for Gene. It was almost too much, making John tremble as he remained trapped in his grasp. Lin finally seemed to come to his senses, trembling a little as he loosened his grip.

"Sorry..." He quickly reached up to finger his long bangs back into place and hide the thin jagged lines from view.

"Ah-no...I-I shouldn't have touched you." John was still uneasy as Lin averted his dark gaze. Whatever it was, he didn't want to talk about it. I won't force you. John murmured inwardly, feelings of reassurance seeping through their bond. Lin relaxed almost gratefully, tugging his still fully clothed body closer. He didn't hesitate to bury his face in his golden locks and breathe in his sweet candyfloss scent. It soothed him once more, chasing away the horrors that consumed him. What was that about? John gripped Lin's shirt sleepily, content to close his eyes in his alpha's arms.

Now that he was awake, and with adrenaline coursing through his veins, Lin wasn't sure he'd fall asleep again. He pushed down the lingering horror of the past, letting out a shuddering breath as his Shiki closed in to brush against him. They brushed his cheek, caressed his arm, rolled over his hip and nudged his back in comfort as they floated around him. Thank you...He was sure they understood. They usually did when he thought such things. His Shiki weren't the only ones who were worried by his reaction.

John was still sleepy, but his hand had bunched in his shirt, fingers teasing the cotton of his shirt. John wouldn't press him for details. That silent promise was reassuring. He didn't want to talk about it. He wasn't sure he ever would. Closing his eyes, he nuzzled his face further into John's shoulder, pressing right against his mating mark to breathe in their blended scents. John let out a small hum as his lips brushed the sensitive patch, grip tightening to pull him closer. His skin was so soft and warm, and it flushed beautifully as he pressed a firmer kiss against the surface. Gentle fingers laced in his hair as he kneaded the skin with his teeth, though it was unsure whether he was trying to hold him close or push him away.

Lin took his time lazily kissing his way higher, nipping along John's jawline before finally reaching his soft lips. He moaned softly as he found him so willing. The moment their lips touched, John had already opened for him, tongue darting out to slide along his lower lip. Lin kept one arm around John's waist as the other reached up so he could caress his cheek and tilt him into a better angle. He pressed forward, slowly turning their bodies and moving to support himself on one arm as he continued to devour John's lips. He shuddered as John's arms reached up to lock around his neck, letting out a needy little purr as he pulled him closer.

He kept his weight off John's lower body. Sex wasn't what he wanted or needed in his pained state. John was right about that. He wanted comfort and closeness. John seemed to understand, perceptive as ever. His small purrs grew louder as he pulled away to butt and nuzzle his cheek and neck. Lin hummed softly as he moved to reciprocate, rubbing his temple along John's cheek and caressing his throat with his jawline. A deep purr escaped at the mutual scenting. The air was thick with the sweetness of candyfloss and the sharper spice of his own chilli chocolate. The scents blended and filled the air in a way that would likely be unpleasant for anyone else who came in. Luckily, in Lin's private living space, that was unlikely.

The nuzzling soon returned to kissing and lazy caresses. Their fingers were light, their touches innocent. They mostly stayed on the outside of their clothes, though Lin quietly hated having such a barrier between them. He always marvelled at how soft John's skin was, cherishing the way the surface rose and speckled beneath his touch, sending little shivers through John's body. He knew his own skin did something similar for John. The hair on his arms was already standing up, making his skin prickle as it rubbed against his sleeves.

"Koujo..." Lin hummed softly at the murmur of his name. He didn't think he'd ever tire of hearing it on John's lips. It warmed his insides whenever he said it, proof of how far they'd come since their early days. Looking at John now, with his blue eyes so soft and warm, hazy with lazy desire, it was almost hard to believe they'd ever been at odds. Those early days of biting words and bruising touches seemed like an unpleasant dream now. John's lips softened into a sleepy smile, as if he could hear his thoughts. "Go to sleep." Lin huffed softly, leaning down to butt foreheads.

"I will..." He'd try at least. With a satisfied smile, John nuzzled closer, burying his face in his chest. Lin wrapped him in his arms and stroked his hair with one hand, enjoying the way the fluffed strands caressed his fingers with each pass. "Sleep well." John gave a tired hum of acknowledgement, purring softly as Lin continued to stroke and tease his scalp. Pressing a final kiss to the top of his golden head, Lin joined him. The room was soon still, silent besides the gentle thrum of their purrs.