Tristan laid on the bed, clean and well fed, and holding a Sherlock Holmes book in his hands. His voice casually meandered through the lines, whilst Hibiki laid on his shoulder and held him tightly, arms and legs wrapped around him.

It was pleasant, to have a moment without worries – or rather letting himself be unconcerned. He was in an amazing place, with good food and soft beds, while reading a wonderful book, and embraced by the person he held dearest.

With a smile he emphasised some of the lines, making sure Hibiki would get their full weight. He seemed engrossed in the story, responding to the scenario with surprise and then a frown. Tristan watched as Hibiki puffed up his cheeks, and glanced up at him as if telling him to make it better.

"Well I didn't write the novel, Grumpy." Tristan said with a smile as he took the book in one hand and used the other to caress Hibiki's cheek. It caused him to deflate a little, letting out a soft groan and then pointing at the page whilst glancing up expectantly, to tell him to keep reading.

"As you wish." With a wide smile he planted a firm kiss on Hibiki's forehead, and then settled in for another stretch of reading.

As Tristan read the final line of the chapter, Hibiki's fingers found their way onto the spine of the book. Although he knew what was going on, the fact that Hibiki actually did made him a bit flustered. While Hibiki smiled and pulled the book away, he blushed and let the pages slip from his hands. In the same motion, Hibiki moved over him onto his knees. His weight rested on his waist, and he felt the temperature of his cheeks rise even further.

Yet he didn't dislike it, and didn't want any of it to stop. As Hibiki leant forward and softly kissed him, he answered immediately and willingly. With one hand he grasped his back, his fingers clinging to the fabric of Hibiki's shirt. The kiss deepened and he parted his lips to let him in.

After a few long moments, Hibiki pulled away. He let out a soft sigh and smiled, his eyes still closed as he enjoyed how loved he felt. A thumb caressed his cheek, firm and confident, and he leant in for it. His response seemed to satisfy Hibiki, as he felt him shift to reach over towards the nightstand. Anticipating what was happening, he opened his eyes and watched as Hibiki laid the book aside and slid the drawer open. A large box of condoms was pulled out, causing Tristan to let out a sputtering chuckle in disbelief.

"That's a tad optimistic." He said, trying to joke away his nerves. Hibiki simply smirked in response and gave him a few small pats on the head as if he was completely confident in what he was doing. A bit flustered he averted his gaze, while Hibiki nonchalantly took off his own shirt and tossed it aside, before setting to plucking the plastic off of the box.

"At least it should last us a while." Tristan said softly, trying to abridge the awkwardness. Hibiki glanced up and smiled, nodding as his fingernails found purchase and tore the clear plastic open.

"How many are even in there?" He continued as Hibiki read the back of the box for the instructions. While reading he gestured a five and a zero.

"You,- you really want to use all of them, don't you?" He asked softly, not sure whether he liked that or not. Hibiki nodded and leant in to leave a firm kiss on his forehead, as he opened the box and took out a strip of five square packages. He tore off two and put the rest back in.

Although he'd agreed, the sheer anticipation of having to get the condoms out and put them on somehow seemed worse. Tristan averted his eyes, and bit his lip as he just let Hibiki do his thing. The latter seemed to realise he wasn't comfortable – which wasn't hard to deduce from his burning cheeks. He glanced up and saw Hibiki put the condoms away on the nightstand, before putting the big box in the drawer and closing it.

His nerves settled a little, and Hibiki leant in to caress his cheek and continue kissing him. It was soft, and calm. The pace eased him, and he felt himself relax more.

"I'm not sure this was a good idea." He admitted quietly, embarrassed since Hibiki had gone through all the effort to accommodate his nerves, only for him to be anxious anyway. It surprised him to see Hibiki smile, gentle and not at all disappointed or angry like he'd expected. Instead he picked up his phone and tapped a few words.

'You just have to get used to it'

"I don't know, what if I don't?" What if I stay scared forever. He looked up at Hibiki for help, in the hope that he would have an answer. Hibiki slowly ran his fingers through his hair, and smiled sympathetically. It calmed him, at least enough to wait so he could write.

'Then we'll find something else that works'

For a moment he remained quiet, as he considered it. Slowly he nodded, a frail smile breaking through as he felt some of the pressure ease – even though he was still afraid of disappointing Hibiki.

"I want to." He confessed softly, and he really did. Deep inside he knew he wanted to feel good, but all the other worries made it difficult to focus on that.

Once more Hibiki leant in over him. His kisses were firmer, and stronger, taking charge. It stunned him for a moment, but then he sank into the moment and followed his lead. For a few long, intense minutes he was kissed deeply. The love chased his worries away, whilst the desire deep inside became clearer.

Slowly he nodded, running his fingertips along Hibiki's cheek and looking up at him. He was met with a soft, loving gaze, and his heart fluttered slightly from excitement.

"I'll get used to it." He nodded again, more certain of himself. "Just don't let me think about it... I think too much."

Hibiki kissed him again, and he smiled a little as he willingly chased his thoughts out. It felt better when Hibiki did all the thinking, while he just let it happen. Slowly Hibiki's hands drifted down to his underwear.

"Do it..." He demanded between kisses, letting out the frustration he felt from being afraid. It wasn't meant for Hibiki, it was meant to push himself past his fears. Hibiki nodded, responding with a full and gentle kiss, as if to say he would take good care of him. He felt him shift and move to be able to take his underwear off, and he lifted himself up to help him.

The light on the nightstand clicked off. Hibiki moved beside him, slowly running his fingers along his body. The room was a comfortable temperature, yet being naked still made his skin feel cool – and in turn that made him even more aware that he was naked. But he didn't mind so much: or rather he didn't want to mind it. Hibiki was right there, and although he felt exposed, he also knew he was safe.

He opened his eyes, and glanced up at Hibiki, smiling slightly at the sight. Even in the dark he could see there was love in his gaze. One of Hibiki's hands slowly ran up and down his chest, and he took in deep breaths in response. It felt fine, if only he let himself feel what he actually felt, rather than what he was supposed to feel.

Even being exposed wasn't so bad, when the only thing he was exposed to was love. His body began to feel warm and fuzzy, and he reached out for Hibiki beside him. He ran his fingers along his neck and jaw, and his gaze locked in with his.

An elated smile graced him, but only for a moment before intense attraction fluttered through his body. Unable to help himself, he wrapped his arms around Hibiki and pulled him in close. He pressed his lips against theirs, eager and excited, as all the desire and lust he'd repressed out of misguided piety found their way out.

Hibiki responded to him in full, one arm draped around his waist whilst his other hand held the side of his neck. He pushed his body against Hibiki's so he'd know how much he truly wanted him. A tight squeeze around his side and lower back made him smile, as deep inside he felt both his frustration and hesitance wane.

He heard the rustling of the bedsheets as Hibiki moved, and saw him reach for something but he was too focussed on the kisses to really mind. When he turned his attention back to him, something was put in his hand: a square, foil package.

He realised what it was, and knew that if he considered it for too long he'd get anxious. Instead he bit the bullet – or rather, unwrapped the condom. The foil packet tore easily, and the peculiar, mellow smell of latex drifted up. It wasn't very pleasant, but he could ignore it by being close to Hibiki and the lavender scent on his hair and skin.

Cautiously he took the round piece of latex out, fumbling with it as he remembered a distant class that had told him how to put one on – but he wasn't quite the same as a banana. It felt a bit tight.

"Er,-" He glanced up at Hibiki, and then back down. Hibiki grinned and kissed him proudly in response. It made him smile, as a part of him resonated with being told he did well. The nervousness eased with the knowledge that Hibiki wanted this from him.

He felt fingers sneak down between his legs, and he accepted by lifting his arms and laying them around Hibiki's shoulders. A gentle back and forth brought him soft pleasure, and he let out a small sigh against his lips. Wanting to feel even closer, he draped his leg over Hibiki's.