Endeavour -Enji

The heat of the afternoon pressed down in slow, golden waves, dulled only by the wide umbrella casting shade over the lounge chair. Enji sat back against it, one leg slightly extended, a book held firmly in his hand. Even here—on vacation, away from patrols, away from expectations—he carried himself with that same rigid composure. Keigo, however, had no such restraint. Curled into him without hesitation, sprawled across his lap with crimson wings tucked loosely at his sides, he had settled in like it was the most natural thing in the world. His head rested against Enji’s chest. Enji didn’t look down at first. “…You’re going to cramp like that,” he said flatly, eyes still scanning the page. “At least sit properly.” No response. A faint shift of weight. A softer exhale. His brow twitched“…Oi.” Nothing. That was when he finally glanced down—just briefly—and saw it. The slackness in Keigo’s posture, the way his wings had stilled completely, the subtle breathing. “…You fell asleep?” There was a longer pause. “…Unbelievable." “…Out in the open. No awareness at all.” But the page hadn’t turned. Hesitating, slowly his fingers came to rest against one of Keigo’s wings. Crimson feathers, warm from the sun. The book lowered a fraction. “…Tch.” Another pause.Then he closed it and set it aside. His hand returned to the wing. Fingers threading lightly through the feathers, smoothing them down, tracing their structure with surprising care. “…Too light,” he added under his breath. “You don’t eat enough for someone this active.” His posture eased. “…Reckless,” he said, quieter now. “Falling asleep on me like this.” He leaned down after a moment—slowly, deliberately—and pressed a brief kiss to his hair. It lingered just a fraction longer than intended. “…Don’t make a habit of it,” he murmured. “…We’re staying right here, so sleep as long as you want.” The heat, the quiet, the weight against him—it all settled in. And eventually, without another word, Enji’s eyes closed too.