Watching Over Us
Just a few quick looks at how an OT4 might come into being. I've been in love with Nekojishi since I played it last year, and I'm so happy I finally managed to cobble together a fic for the gang, even if it is a little rough.
Warnings: non-explicit nudity and discussions of sex, mention of death
"Would you accompany me to the roof for a minute?" His words were the first he'd spoken since Likulau had returned the apartment from his trip home -- it was an awkward interruption, and Liao and Shu-Chi couldn't hide their confusion, but Likulau matched him stoic gaze for stoic gaze.
"...Ok." Without another word, they floated up through the ceiling together before the others could object or ask what the hell was going on. Likulau didn't seem interested in interrogation either, just staring and waiting patiently for whatever he'd been stolen away for.
"This is sudden, but putting it off further..." Lin Hu cleared his throat as if he actually needed to. "It has been a long time, and I have never apologized."
"No," Likulau quickly shook his head. "No. I try use Liao. I cheat for Liao. I try hurt Liao. I do bad things. You stop me. No apology."
"Regardless. I told myself I was acting in his best interests and didn't have the dignity to see through such a poor lie. I was afraid you'd take him away from me. That you and your pure desire would win over his heart. So I jumped on any chance to try and drive you away, no matter how needlessly cruel it was. What if I'd succeeded? I can scarcely bear how downcast he seems when you're gone for a day or two. Imagining his sorrow at your permanent absence... You've earned better than my feigned forgetfulness. Every moment I go without apologizing is another mistake." Likulau finally broke eye contact with him, his sight drifting aside to nothing in particular. "Did you understand? I can speak more clearly, if--"
"No. I understand. Just think." He took a long moment before looking back up with a little smile that Lin Hu had never seen directed at him before. "Then, I forgive. You mean, make me leave. It ok. Not anymore. I want you... help me. I help you, too. We better. For Liao... and us." He couldn't help but return the favour.
"...Thank you. Truly. I will become worthy of your forgiveness. No more shouting and sniping. I will show you the respect you deserve, and if I falter, do not hesitate to set me straight."
"Same for me... one more thing."
"Yes?"
"I call you Lin Hu?"
"O-of course! It is my name... one I'm rather proud of. Er... Likulau is fine for now, isn't it?" He found himself scratching the back of his neck. "I don't see any need to be as informal as those other two."
"Yes. Likulau. Thank you, Lin Hu." With that, he floated his way back down through the building. Lin Hu remained where he stood; it must have been what humans were talking about when they said they needed some air.
"I'm gonna go shower, ok?"
"Alright... What's with that look?"
"Usually I have to lock the door behind me if I don't want you trying to hop in with me."
"Maybe I've learned my lesson?" Liao's eyebrow went sky high, and Shu-Chi laughed. "Or you just really wore me out. Go on, have a nice shower all to yourself. I'll take my turn." Shu-Chi waved him off, and Liao eventually shed his apprehensions, giving Shu-Chi a nice view to enjoy as he walked naked to the bathroom. And for a few moments, he did just sit there in his afterglow, but once the sound of the water started, he sighed. "Alright, you two. You can come out."
"Shu-Chi not want get dressed first?" Likulau asked as he rose the top half of his body from inside the desk.
"I'm trying to make a point! It's not like it's anything you haven't seen before."
"Then make it, kitten." Lin Hu was a bit more elegant, materialzing in the chair, legs crossed.
"I'm making my point so hard I'm not even telling you not to call me that, ok? So... this whole situation is messed up. It's not fair that I have the only physical body, so I always get the bed, and you two can easily give us sorta privacy. But you were both just watching that, and now you're all riled up. It sucks."
"We're not paying that much attention. It's fine, really." Likulau nodded in agreement.
"Then uncross your legs. And you come the rest of the way out of that desk." Lin Hu and Likulau looked at each other in embarrassed hesitation. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
"Sorry. Liao loud. Shu-Chi louder. Even if can't see, hear. Think about... making Liao happy." Lin Hu had no words, only grumbles.
"Look, don't be sorry. I'm saying it sucks. You're his boyfriends too, you shouldn't have to always be noting down our schedules trying to find a shred of time to be close to him... Don't look at me like that! I can be considerate! I'm serious about this, ok?"
"Very well. So, you're serious. What do you intend to do?"
"Um... Well... I've already done it. I ordered Liao a bigger bed. Should be here in a few days, and it's barely gonna fit in the door." Met with silence, he nervously kneaded his thigh. "Er... So we can all fit on it at once. Not that we'd need to all be on a bed for anything like that, but--"
"This point you've been building up to is that you want us all to sleep together?"
"Bleh! You make me sound so sleazy, it's not like that. It's probably just me who's noticed, but even when he's really into it, he can't help but glance at your statue and your desk. I just... think it'd be better this way. Liao can have all of us, like he deserves. It doesn't have to be about us at all. Maybe we could just sleep on it sometimes too! Doesn't that sound more like a bunch of people in a relationship living together than forcing you two into inanimate objects all the time?"
"...Shu-Chi. I don't want." Likulau's glare was deathly serious.
"Alright. We can have a mature discussion about this. Why not?"
"If we do, I want make Shu-Chi happy too."
"E-excuse me?!" Shu-Chi nearly choked on his own tongue. Likulau's expression didn't change a bit.
"And Lin Hu."
"Are... are you hearing this?" Shu-Chi turned to Lin Hu, clearly desperate for support.
"Well, Liao is always happy when we get along." He shrugged.
"You suck! How come you made me feel like a pervert for suggesting we all make love to our boyfriend in harmony when you were already gunning for a sweaty fuckpile?"
"I'm teasing, kitten," Lin Hu broke into a smile. "Don't mewl so loudly, or he'll hear you over the shower." Shu-Chi glanced at the bathroom; he probably was going to get a bit of an interrogation when Liao emerged. "I am... more than a little surprised at Likulau's insistence, myself."
"Don't understand. Was good, having Liao for me. Sometimes, still. But... for Liao, happy is everyone. Want that happy too. Want to understand. Have to try lots of way."
"Jeez. You could take me out to dinner or something first, you know. I guess it's my fault though, huh?"
"Yes. Thanks for bed. Better than desk."
"You're welcome. Old man, you're seriously ok with this fiendish sex plot? You don't really seem like the type."
"It's certainly strange. But I can't disagree with Likulau's intent. I'll trust his plan for now."
"Guh... since when do you call him that, anyway? Use my name too, Lin Hu!"
"Perhaps when your bed arrives I will whisper it into your ear from above you."
"Fine, you old creep, I'm never saying your name again!"
"Aren't you? I can make Liao say it, I'm sure it'll work on you too."
When Liao left the bathroom, it was to the sight of a still-naked Shu-Chi pounding his fists on Lin Hu's chest, calling him all sorts of names, while Likulau watched peacefully. So much for having worn him out. He flopped back down on his bed and pulled the sheets around himself. "Your turn, Shu-Chi." He got in a few more insults before he spun and walked away pouting. Liao looked at Lin Hu and Likulau, who just gave him little smiles before retreating into their homes. Some things just never changed.
"You... you kissed me."
"I did."
"You haven't kissed me since..." Shu-Chi went silent at the memory. Lin Hu let out a deep, yet uncharacteristically nervous sigh.
"Was it different?"
"Yes."
"I'm relieved. My experience is limited. I wasn't sure if my intent would come across." Both of them smiled at one another.
"I never thought I could be so happy to have you feel like that. Or to return it. All you used to be was in my way."
"And you in mine. We've both changed, haven't we... Shu-Chi?"
"Haha. That's my one, isn't it? I bet you won't even admit to it if I tell the others you said it."
"Oh, you never know, kitten. It's fun to surprise you."
"Surprise this!" With that, Shu-Chi launched himself towards Lin Hu, pinning him to the wall. "Let's get you some more kissing experience, Lin Hu." Lin Hu just grinned as Shu-Chi closed the gap between them.
"I had so many ways of starting this conversation in my head, really..."
"Take your time. Just tell me when you're ready for me to answer." Liao was patient and caring, as always, and that just made it harder. Still, Shu-Chi tried his best to comply, pausing and taking deep breaths to allow his thoughts to calm and coalesce.
"Um... you must have noticed that things have gotten pretty serious lately, right? Between me, Lin Hu, and Kulau. It sort of started with us just getting along for your sake, and trying not to be such jerks, then it was a sex thing, and I know you were into that, but... it's way past that now. I love them. I don't want to talk for them, but I think they love me... and each other. We all love you. You know that hasn't changed, right? We'll always love you. You can answer that."
"Yeah. You didn't need to tell me."
"Good. So... how do you feel about it? It's ok if it's not easy."
"I mean... it'd be pretty messed up if I wanted to date all three of you but you weren't allowed to have feelings for each other too. Not that it would have been bad if it hadn't worked out like this, but I'm happy. You're all amazing, and all of us being able to share with each other like this... it's kind of a fairytale ending, right?"
"Yeah. It does feel that way... I'm not sure if I've done anything to earn it."
"Don't make me tickle you."
"Sorry. But I'll do my best with it!"
"Besides... it's comforting. To know that you'll all have each other. Forever."
"Don't make me tickle you." Shu-Chi was far more stern in his admonishment, and Liao raised his hands in defense.
"I know, I know, I'm just saying. You're all gonna keep me happy and healthy for ages. It's a long way off. But I'm not gonna pretend it's never crossed my mind. It makes the thought a little easier. Isn't that ok?"
"Yeah... it's fine. Just think about now instead of then next time."
"Then why don't you give me something to think about right now?"
"Haha. Anytime." He slipped his arms around Liao and leaned in close. Just the two of them was fine too.
His three big cats spooning. Once Liao might have thought the sight some kind of fevered hallucination that would shatter if he so much as looked at it the wrong way. But not anymore. He could watch as Lin Hu stroked Likulau's arms, as Likulau nuzzled Shu-Chi's ear. This peaceful affection was real. It was hard to imagine a better feeling... except for one, that he didn't really have to imagine.
"Room for one more?"
"Of course. Kitten, give Liao your spot."
"What? You're kicking me out?"
"No. Shu-Chi smallest."
"Eh? You don't have to be big to be the big spoon! I'll show you all! Come on, Liao!" He smiled as he complied. Definitely nothing better than this.