Does that make this a fifth wall?

[expiration]

[It's chilly here, wherever here is. It seems to be some kind of Angel village from the looks of it. Probably another hotel room. It's a relief to wade through the throng of winged people find a familiar face. He plucks a feather out of Tsuzuki's wings to get his attention.]

I don't know what this is about, and I don't really want to know. Just take your pants off so we can get out of here, okay?

Comments

[expiration]

[If he notices the reaction, he doesn't comment on it. He still doesn't have a lot of use for casual physical contact. Hand-holding is stupid. They've both got legs for walking, and Hisoka fully intends on properly following Tsuzuki's lead over whatever paths might happen to be around.]

Oh, so the accommodations are all there? That makes sense. [He'd been hoping this wasn't one of those "on the floor of some tundra cave" places.] But more importantly, you understand alternate realities, right? Otherwise, I'll have to start there.

[idealism]

Of course!

[He stretches a wing out over Hisoka's head, as if to shield him from snow. Luckily the walk isn't long, otherwise he'd begin to worry about them getting frostbites.]

Byakko and Suzaku come from one of those. Why?

[expiration]

Because I've been staying in one of those for the last few years. I think. It's hard to keep time there. Either way, it's basically a sentient love hotel that feeds off sexual energy. It snatches people out of their realities to create food for itself, and...

[He reaches up to poke at that strange little wing.] And I think you need to tell me about what's going on here.

[idealism]

That doesn't sound good. How did you escape?

[The understatement of the year. Tsuzuki is creeped out and feeling protective jsut hearing about it. It's horrible to know that Hisoka's been there at all.]

[The poking makes his wing jerk, unused as he is to them being touched. He decides to pretend it didn't happen, instead ushering Hisoka in through the doorway. The warmth washes over them as they enter.]

Nothing in particular. These are a way for the Malnosso to track us.

Maybe they feed on us too, I don't know.

[expiration]

I didn't.

[And then it's warm and wonderful away from that harsh outdoor weather. It's also fairly huge inside, with much more space than the average hotel room decides to muster up. Hisoka immediately busies himself with poking through the cabinets and drawers, looking for a decent tube of lubricant.]

What's a Malnosso? Are you being hunted here?

[idealism]

They're the ones in charge here. They're a little too fond of experiments, if you ask me.

[Mistakenly thinking that Hisoka's hungry, he sneaks up behind him. He's tall enough that he doesn't have to strain to look into the cupboards. It's just cozy enough inside that Tsuzuki regains some of his puppy-like cheer.]

Are there any cookies left?

[expiration]

Oh, sorry. Did you need some drugs to get started? I didn't realize you'd be so new at this.

1/2

[idealism]

[Recordscatch.]

[idealism]

New at cookies? What do they have to do with drugs?

[expiration]

They're laced with aphrodisiacs, aren't they? [What is this concept of unpoisoned food. :|]

[idealism]

No, they're perfectly fine! [He grins, mischievously and picks the cookie jar up.] It's not like we're sharing a house with Watari, Hisoka.

[expiration]

[He looks at Tsuzuki as though he'd just been speaking a foreign language.]

You mean.. None of the food here is drugged? What about the air?

[idealism]

The food's safe. Don't think the air's bad, either.

[He picks a cookie and eats it, then poses as if he just did a magic trick.]

See? You can have one too, if you want.

[expiration]

[He snatches a cookie, carefully nibbling around the edges of it.]

...Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had pure food?

[idealism]

Far too long, I take it.

[Smiling shyly, because Hisoka ate a cookie, aww he turns his back to Hisoka and begins to rummage in the cupboards. His wings shiver and relax, the white feathers a little ruffled.]

I'm sure we have some real food in here somewhere....

[expiration]

[He sets the remnants on the countertop.] Don't boother wasting your time. I won't be here long enough to enjoy it.

[He casually unbuttons his shirt and lets it slide down over his shoulders.]

[idealism]

[His mind simply doesn't comprehend why Hisoka is undressing. It lasts for a second, before he snaps into action, facing away so that Hisoka doesn't have to embarrassed. He can make some noodles for them, since that won't take long.]

So, uh. Why? Do you have to be somewhere?

[expiration]

[He doesn't bother removing his pants yet, instead curling up against Tsuzuki's back and reaching around to rub his palms along his partner's inner thighs.]

I have to be with my Tsuzuki. If I'm not with him, then he's alone out there. It's not the kind of place where anyone should have to be alone.

[idealism]

[He breathes in sharply as he straightens up in alarm, unaccustomed to Hisoka being quite so physical. Even if he doesn't want to, his body responds favorably to the proximity.]

[He doesn't have the heart to attempt to push Hisoka away. Not even though he realizes he should. Tsuzuki lifts one of his hands away from his thigh, clutching it comfortingly.]

I... I guess I can try to help you get back. But I'm not sure it's possible.

What was it like there?

[expiration]

Of course it is. I'll only be trapped here until we've both come. [...Duh. Isn't that how all these things work?]

It's like... The sort of community that springs up when sex is currency. People try to break it before it can break them.

[idealism]

You just came. I don't think it works like that here. [He looks over his shoulder, his wings moving uneasily. It would be easier to have this conversation, so Tsuzuki tries to turn around in the embrace.]

[Not looking at Hisoka is harder than he thought. It's horrifying to think about what he's gone through.]

You have to trade sex for food? Or clothes?

[expiration]

It works like that everywhere else I've been. I'm probably just passing through. [He lets Tsuzuki turn, and dutifully starts working to undo his tie.]

Sometimes. The hotel's pretty good at feeding us whatever we want, as long as we don't mind the poison. It's pretty safe as long as you're with someone trustworthy, who won't take advantage. But then there are plenty of people just looking to screw anything that can't defend itself and it gets more complicated.

[idealism]

[Tsuzuki looks into Hisoka's eyes with concern, unsure if his dear partner's drugged or brainwashed. This is so desperately wrong.]

How do you hide from those people? You can still lock your door at night, right?

[He's not stopping him from undoing his tie, because even if he has reservations he still adores Hisoka. Tsuzuki would let him do anything if it kept him happy. His hands encircle his smaller shoulders. Tsuzuki feels daring for even trying this much.]

[expiration]

Not that easy. [He slides Tsuzuki's tie off, giving him a meaningful stare as his small hands work their way down Tsuzuki's front, undoing buttons as he goes.] The Hotel punishes the ones who don't feed it. Sometimes a person can fall asleep one place and wake up as someone else. If you don't give it sex, then it'll place you where someone takes sex from you.

I was with Sargatanas when my Tsuzuki rescued me. We've looked out for each other ever since.

[idealism]

That's horrible!

[Tsuzuki flinches, his wings stretching out behind him. He hasn't heard that name in a long while.]

But - we killed him. He's dead.

[He looks down at Hisoka, and feels suddenly very aware that he's being undressed by a half-naked partner. Oh god. He sucks in a breath as the cold air touches his skin. This is not the kind of situation he ought to enjoy, and he's aware of that. Still, he can't help but wanting more.]