Bright morning light fell in through the balcony windows. It cascaded onto Tristan's exposed upper back, which faintly rose and fell with every breath. He stirred: one of his hands shifted to run through Hibiki's hair, who had buried his head firmly against his chest. With a soft groan and a bit of a stretch he pulled the blanket up higher to block out the sun.

Safe from the light that tried to creep in on their sleep, he planted a kiss on Hibiki's forehead. Perhaps too firmly, as he felt two hands cling to his shoulders and heard a muffled groan.

"Morning Grumpy." He smiled as he ran his hand through Hibiki's hair. There was a soft huff, and Hibiki pushed his head against his shoulder, as if he could hide from being awake.

"Did you sleep well?" He continued unfazed by the response – if anything it endeared him. He ran a couple of fingers up and down along the centre of his back.

Hibiki begrudgingly nodded, and despite the morning attitude still gave him a soft kiss on his neck. He felt two firm pokes against his chest, and then a question mark.

"I did." He said, responding with a quick kiss on Hibiki's cheek. "You helped with that."

Hibiki pulled away slightly, looking up at him with an excited smile.

There was still a part of him that felt he should be ashamed for their sexual acts, but it no longer overtook everything. Instead he blushed and simultaneously smiled a little sheepishly, knowing that he had felt really good. Hibiki's smile turned into a grin, and then a soft kiss.

"Of course that's what wakes you up." He said as he flopped onto his back. Not even fazed by the accusation, Hibiki smirked and nodded, before leaning in over him to steal another kiss.

"It feels good." He admitted softly, as he laid an arm around Hibiki's shoulders. "I think I am getting more comfortable."

Hibiki's fingers drew a small heart on his cheek, before pulling his chin up so he had no choice but to look. He was met with a confident yet genuinely caring smile. It made him smile too.

"I'm sure you heard..." He muttered, remembering exactly what it was he'd done. Hibiki grinned, and firmly traced his jaw with his fingers as if he was proud of him. With a bright blush he averted his gaze.

Hibiki didn't allow him to get too embarrassed however, kissing him firmly and fully. A smile played around his lips as he answered, his anxiety doused by warm, fuzzy love.

"Maybe we can go somewhere today?" He asked as he pulled away from the kiss. Both his hands held on tight to Hibiki's shoulders, wanting him to stay close.

Hibiki nodded, and blindly fished underneath a nearby pillow for his phone.

'Drive to a city?'

"Walk around a bit, have some food." He suggested with a wide smile.

'Museum and dinner.'

Hibiki responded with an enthusiastic kiss.

"That sounds lovely." He pulled Hibiki in by the waist for a tight hug. The latter immediately flopped down on him, and his weight made for a warm, comfortable embrace.

He ran his fingers through Hibiki's black hair, getting tangled up in the longer locks that fell down the shaved sides. As his fingers moved further, the sensation of the shorter hair made him chuckle.

"You really are a punk. A cheeky imp." He jested, as he lifted his head up to look at Hibiki. The latter grinned at him, before firmly laying his head down on his chest without a smidge of regret. He laid back against the pillow and looked up at the ceiling, continuing his caresses as he thought out loud.

"There's probably a lot of reasons that I don't know... I suppose some I do, but,- I don't get why so few people gave you a chance." He placed his hand on the side of Hibiki's head, holding him tightly against his chest. A slight squeeze and a soft, displeased huff told him that wasn't the best thing to say.

"I'm sorry,- I just meant that you have so much personality, there's so much fire and courage in you. And I like everything about it. So I don't understand..." He glanced down, and saw Hibiki stare straight ahead pensively.

Guilt struck him, and for a moment he was afraid he'd upset him. But then Hibiki sighed and smiled.

A hopeful gaze was cast up at him, and Hibiki laid his hand on his chest where his heart was. He nodded while running his hand through Hibiki's hair again.

"Of course, you're my rebel." He grinned knowing well enough how cheesy he sounded, and even Hibiki let out a chuckle. Only for their eyes to meet, and something more serious to break through. For a second he fell quiet, as the realisation that it was true washed over him.

"You told me, right?" He said softly as he brushed the hair out of Hibiki's face, maintaining their gaze. "That, even if nobody else wanted me, you'd still do. And,- me too." In his eagerness to express the sentiment, he mangled all eloquence on the way out. "No matter what, I like being with you."

Hibiki grinned and sat up a little, the familiar confidence returning as he planted a firm kiss on his forehead. He blushed slightly, but smiled anyway, his hands drifting to his neck as he continued to hold on to him.

His body however had other plans for him, and he had no way to hide whilst naked. His cheeks turned bright red, and he bit his lip whilst averting his eyes so he wouldn't have to acknowledge that he was getting excited. He knew Hibiki could feel him, because he could feel him press against him too – which didn't help.

From the corner of his eyes he caught Hibiki smirking, and a soft, sensual caress down his cheek toyed with his feelings. He wanted him, and he knew Hibiki would have no qualms with it, but it felt like it would be too soon, and too often. So he meekly shook his head to say he couldn't.

Hibiki gave him a small kiss whilst nodding. Despite him smiling at him, he felt like he'd somehow disappointed him.

"I'm sorry..." He mumbled, ready to defend himself when Hibiki firmly placed a finger on his lips. Afraid he'd done something wrong, he remained quiet. However, Hibiki shook his head, and he knew it was to say he shouldn't apologise. A bit flustered he nodded, but he wanted to explain himself.

"I don't want you to think I don't like you." He said softly, even though he knew Hibiki wouldn't do such a thing. A gentle kiss on his lips confirmed that.

As Hibiki pulled away again, he saw him write, and despite his anxiety flaring up, he rested his hands on his chest to stay close. Best he could he tried to slowly breathe, and push it back down.

'Don't say sorry for not wanting something. I want you to tell me when you don't like it, not just this, but always'

Hibiki ran his fingers through his hair, but he shook his head adamantly.

"That's the issue though. It's all frightening no matter what. And I can't figure out what I truly like until I do it, but I'm too scared to." He sighed deeply, and buried his head against Hibiki's chest. For a little while it was quiet, and he could feel the small motions of Hibiki writing.

'Then tell me when you're nervous, and I'll be careful. And if it is because it feels like something you truly can't do, or it's wrong, then please say no.'

"Now I'm nervous I won't say no when it's wrong." He blurted out, causing Hibiki to grab his hair and tussle it, letting out a playfully frustrated noise. Despite the gesture he laughed, glad to be able to poke fun at his anxiety. Somehow it helped him define a little better what was just worry, and what was really him.

"I like everything you do, and I think some part of me would like you to do everything to me. But I can't, since I do get nervous, and I do get scared. You just have to be gentle." He smiled slightly, knowing he was repeating himself, but each time he did he felt like he was making a little progress. "I mean, a month ago I barely managed to be naked, and now I'm like this. Yesterday felt really good, and I do want to try again tonight. And, before I met you, I'd never have admitted to anyone that I'm... well... gay,- bi. One of those." He stammered a bit flustered, yet oddly proud of himself now he set out his progress. Hibiki seemed to be proud too, caressing his cheek and grinning.

"Sometimes I just get nervous." Despite admitting it, he still smiled, because it felt like he'd managed to wring another piece of his mental puzzle into place. He closed his eyes, took Hibiki's hand and nodded to himself.

"And I promise tonight I'll try not to be, so we won't have to have this conversation again."

Hibiki took his hand too and kissed his forehead, before resting against it and smiling. With a gentle, reassuring nod he told him it would be fine, and he sighed softly as he felt the last of his anxiety skitter away.

"First we have to go out though." He stated as if it was a fact of life, which prompted Hibiki to grin and pat his head. Without any consideration for modesty Hibiki tossed the blankets aside and sauntered up to the bathroom – but not without throwing a familiar heart gesture his way. He blushed, because he liked it.