Ryuji woke up, his eyes feeling heavy, and his right arm hurting from the late night before The motel's air was filled with this suffocating moisture, his body feeling disgusted with each breath. He forced himself to push him out of bed recalling the checklist that he reluctantly made from the night before. With each pain of his body he reminded himself of his driving force by telling himself over and over that the work he puts forth will never be enough as long as he gives into his human needs.
While he was getting better at taking care of himself his progress took a hit even if it was a small one. The time the maintenance was taking took a toll on him so he has been simply trying to ignore it. Staying still with each alarm that was meant to represent what he used to consider small oasis's in this desert of art but if you take a break at every opportunity then you won't get there. Not as far as those who can ignore their needs. Food, water, sleep, rest even, all were considered pleasant vices to him until the time comes where it leaves him nearing unconscious but even then he shouldn't indulge with the time he gave himself to rest.
The goal as he stood had been to get up and drink the motel's complimentary coffee, that tasted like rotting rubber, but before he could get even a step from the bed, his hand got caught by the softest thing in this room; The one that made slumber so terribly enticing, knowing that he could always go back to her made it so hard to convince himself to stay out and work.
Tsuna who seemed to be just fading into consciousness. The moment he saw her form he was captivated by every small detail of her body. Her yellow hair that had been lying across her stiff pillow, the cherry smell of her shampoo still lingering, every little detail seemed to take away the noisy sensations of the world around them, replacing them with just her. Seemingly without another thought, his body forced him back into bed so he could wrap himself back into her angelic embrace to take in the sensation of her body cuddling into his. He stayed paused there, untensing slowly as any ideas of getting up slipped away, he might have fallen asleep again if he hadn't felt a finger boop his nose.
"Just what do you think you're doing big bro? You really think I'm just going to forgive you for trying to leave before I woke up? Where were you even going?"
Ryuji stiffened at her words, before letting a small chuckle as he leaned away but he was swiftly caught by Tsuna rolling to wrap her limbs around him for the attempt.
"Nope, I caught you, so you're not going to leave me today."
He half-heartedly fought against the hold even as he felt a smile crossing his face as she simply tightened her hold. Then he looked up to saying something but she saw her cocky smirk looking down on him making embarrassment wash over him. He put his head back down before whispering in a not-quite-convinced tone,
"But I need to get some work done my love…If I don't then people won't have a chapter to read…"
Tsuna's arms shifted up his body to grab his face while her legs tightened around his waist, pinching his cheeks while responding coyly,
"Here I thought the people and your editor were pretty well aware that you were meant to be on vacation. Unless, of course, you're just trying to justify doing the exact thing you're not supposed to be doing, do I have that right my angel?"
Ryuji's lips puckered in disapproval. Tsuna broke into a snicker letting go of her legs grip. Getting up from the bed and pressing him against the closet door. Giving him a peck on the lips. After she looked longingly in his eyes pushing off of the closet into a twirl before falling onto the bed, patting the bed side next to her saying,
"Now, if you want more than that you are going to have to come and earn it."
Tsuna looked bashful, averting her gaze as her toes curled inside her socks. Her face becoming flushed as she spoke under her breath,
"I mean cuddles, not….more for now. But of course only if, that's fine with you of course big bro. I am yours after all."
Ryuji's hard exterior melted in an instant. Seeing her so vulnerable, a sight only he was trusted with, how could he ever leave her like this? This was his responsibility, his life's work, his love; the world itself was secondary even if she had just felt a little lonely that morning, he would drop it all for her. Leaning forward falling into her embrace, her legs coiling around him. Burying himself in her neck his voice sounding muffled by her skin,
"Of course my darling, you are mine the same as I am yours."
Her hands ran through his wavy hair before settling on a strand and twirling it softly as she whispered into his forehead,
"You know I really love your long hair, big brother. No matter where we are, I can always pick you out of a crowd, though I am sure you would be easy to pick out anyway. You're the only dummy who wears a tie everywhere."
Ryuji looked away for a second, holding her tighter.
"I thought you liked how I dressed…"
Tsuna's smile grew brighter and her eyes turned to swirls as her anxiety peaked. Unconsciously petting him just a little faster.
"Oh no please my angel, stop pouting. Come on, you know even when we have those little, dress up nights I still have you wear a suit. I think it makes you look very prepared and safe, just what I need cause you know I am a mess."
Ryuji's head jumped up, saying without any uncertainty in his voice,
"You are absolutely not! I am the mess between us."
Tsuna giggled while putting her hand to her cheek and leaning on it.
"Oh, so is this our version of the little lovers' battle of who loves each other more?"
There was a pause after that, a soft one that was broken simultaneously,
"You absolutely love me more."
Both of their eyebrows tensed as they pointed at the other trying to be polite to the other so they can speak first. Then they both huffed, retorting fast.
"You first!"
As if clockwork they sighed then played rock paper scissors. They picked the same option six times getting them nowhere till Tsuna won so she went first.
"You've kept us afloat with your novels for I don't know how many years.You stayed home and paid attention to me everytime that I felt needy. Well, even needier than what I tend to be and that's not even bringing up all of those times you got me souvenirs when you went on one of your writing trips. And just think about those late night writing times, all I could do was watch you work your heart ou-"
Ryuji pointed at her, stopping her in an instant and immediately he verbally struck,
"My turn now, it's unfair for you to use your time to demean yourself, not to mention that we know that's against the rules."
Tsuna quietly nodded before puffing her cheeks up to prevent herself from speaking for a bit. Ryuji then spoke.
"Don't think I'm going to let that slide, I'm gonna use that to help prove my point. The fact that you say that's all you can do is idiotic, but even if that is all you could do you acknowledge that you do all you can for me! And that's a running theme sis, every time I have ever been in need, you have been the first, and most of the time only, one to stand up for me. Anytime I was hungry, you would cook; anytime I was tired, you would force me to bed; anytime I was thirsty, you would brew me tea. I know you don't see all of the incredible things you do, but they are there my love, and I'm sorry I don't make that more obvious bu-"
Tsuna put her finger over his lips to which he froze, then a moment after rolled his eyes.
"Rules."
Both looked annoyed before they locked eyes, both slowly losing the thread of seriousness smiling and their giddiness slowly evolved to laughter. Ryuji, seeing his sister in such a happy state, his body instinctively closed the gap between her lips and his. His tongue piercing her lips, with the only sounds being small breathless primal groans forced its way through desperate vibrations. Her neck tensing as she pushed him off, Tsuna's face was flushed with pleasure but her gasps were telling of how unexpected that was.
The moment she regained her composure, she put her finger on his chest, running it slowly onto his windpipe. Digging her nail ever so slightly into his neck, then speaking with her breath in each word,
"Damn, you really need me don't you?"
Ryuji smiled, leaning into her finger, feeling the pain of her nail digging deeper, before saying,
"Don't lie to yourself, you need me just as much."
Tsuna felt a small dab of blood ooze onto her finger nail, and her hand jumped away in an instant as a worried look jumped into her eyes. The both looked around the room frantically worried, trying to find something to stop the bleeding and Tsuna grabbed the bed's blanket. Ryuji saying pathetically as he gripped his neck dramatically,
"No, we can't inconvenience the cleaners…"
Tsuna's face pickled before she took off her panties and pressed them against Ryuji's barely bleeding neck. The two were silent, the only thing being able to be heard in the room being their heavy breathing before Ryuji fell to his side of the bed pressing the cloth on his neck. Tsuna had no idea what to say so she broke the silence by saying something she knew Ryuji liked hearing as she giggled to herself,
"Good morning, big brother."
Another moment of silence followed, before Ryuji shifted to hold her hand as she laid back down and said,
"I really do need you Tsuna, and I think you need me too. I also think I would rather be dependent on you than be without you; You get what I mean?"
Tsuna looked to her side, moving her other hand to his hair and petting him. A smile formed across her face unconsciously before she proudly stated,
"Yeah Ryuji, I think I do get what you mean."