kinkfest | Lay All Your Troubles Down [Saiyuki; Nataku, Goku; G] (Reply)

Title: Lay All Your Troubles Down
Author/Artist:

inksheddings
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Word count: 566
Summary: Nataku doesn't wake up alone.
A/N: I am so very late with this. I'm sorry! I hope it's enjoyable enough to make up for my rather inexcusable tardiness. The prompt was: Saiyuki, Goku and Nataku: Friendship and memories - Nataku wakes up.

Thank you.

Lay All Your Troubles Down

Nataku was dreaming. He knew he was dreaming. The scent of cherry blossoms and the feel of warm sun on his skin and-and...laughter. If there was laughter, he was definitely dreaming.

He hadn't felt or smelled anything in a very long time. He didn't actually remember dreaming before either. He supposed that however many years of self-imposed sleep would play havoc with his mind, conscious and subconscious, so he tried not to let it bother him. He was, however, anxious. Maybe even a little afraid, because the dream was making him remember the promise of friendship; a boy so like himself and yet completely and amazingly different. Nataku didn't want to remember, it hurt to remember, and so he willed the dream to fade so he could go back to the emotionless sleep that was his only sanctuary.

But the sun was still warm, and his nose was beginning to itch. And the laughter...

"Oh, just open your eyes already. Jeez."

Natuku's eyes flashed open, and all at once every part of him ached and screamed because he hadn't been dreaming. The sun truly was on his skin and the cherry blossoms were falling all around him and-and...the heat of the day wasn't the only thing making him warm, as Goku's arms were wrapped carefully around his body as they leaned against the sakura tree.

He looked up, wide-eyes stinging and blurry from so long being closed, and saw his old friend smiling down at him. His features were more defined, more grown-up, and Natuku felt even smaller and uncertain and-

"When I was locked up in that cave for so long," Goku said, his voice deep and resonating against Nataku's body, "even though I wasn't sure that anyone but me even existed, I think I knew. I knew someone must be out there, because every now and then I'd think that maybe...maybe if just one person put an arm around me and meant it, I wouldn't be so scared anymore."

Nataku closed his eyes as Goku pulled him a little closer and began combing fingers through his hair. He breathed deeply and knew he'd now forever associate the cherry blossoms with this old–but new–friend.

"Then someone did," Goku continued softly. "Then another and another and you know what?"

Goku paused, and Nataku waited. And waited some more, until he finally realized that he wasn't the only one waiting. Nataku smiled weakly, and decided he was awake after all.

"What, Goku? Tell me," he all but whispered, so very many years of disuse making his voice sound its age.

Goku laughed again, and the infectious sound encouraged Nataku to once more open his eyes. This time it didn't sting so much, and he could see more clearly. Cherry blossoms ridiculously decorated Goku's hair and he would have laughed, he honestly would have if his throat remembered how to work that way.

Goku continued to smile. "Later. I'll tell you later."

Despite having only just woken up, Nataku felt sleepy. He closed his eyes and relaxed his head against Goku's chest, unafraid to let dreams take him over for a little while longer. After all, he was certain then when he woke up again, still encased in the embrace of his friend, he'd awaken to laughter and remember exactly how to join in.

END