[007] - [Text]

[wavesoakedlegs]

More familiar names belonging to unfamiliar people, from worlds both extremely close and very far in nature from the one I know. I do not think it is something one could ever get completely used to.

Sometimes I wonder if-

[And at that point Mitsuhide trails off, leaving little dots of ink after his last words, because without really thinking about it he has pulled a certain sweet from the bowl that has appeared in the Koumyou's island camp. Distraction makes the magical urge to do so very hard to resist; it makes the urge to obey the heart-shaped sweet's message even harder to ignore.]

[So a few moments later, Mitsuhide adds, in a slightly less neat kind of script:]

Lord Motochika, I love you.

[...yeah, he's just going to leave it there. Whatever he was going to say beforehand has been unsurprisingly washed from his mind by sheer embarrassment.]

Comments

action;

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide should not have been able to flush any harder, but somehow, he manages it right now. The timing of Motochika's arrival, and his current state of dress, really isn't helping with Mitsuhide's current state of embarrassment.]

[For goodness sake, the other samurai is barely dressed! Only the smallest amount of fabric hides his modesty at all, and to top it all of, Motochika is also dripping wet? That's hardly fair; it's not like he needs the extra shine to draw attention to his abs. Is the one responsible for these curses trying to make things as awkward as possible for everyone? Mitsuhide has to close his eyes and take some deep, steadying breaths before trying to speak.]

It's... oh, oh goodness...

[Well, that wasn't much of a success.]

[It's clear that Motochika has not seen the journals yet, but that's no comfort, because he will soon enough. Mitsuhide doesn't even notice his lover reaching out to grab the item in question; it's hardly the focus of his attention at this very moment.]

A curse, it has... it bade me speak of something private.

[He opens his eyes and bites his lip. Maybe that would do.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika seizes the opportunity and takes Mitsuhide's journal. Another curse, hmm?]

Deeply private, was it? The vibrant shade of your cheeks is telling.

[He touches his thumb to Mitsuhide's bitten mouth before he drops both his hand and his gaze to concentrate on the journal. He turns the journal around and proceeds to read the open page, raising his eyebrows. his lips part. For all that he knows how Mitsuhide feels for him, it's not what he expected to read, and he reads it over again intently, greedily. A moment passes before he raises his eyes back to Mitsuhide's face.]

How unexpected.

[Motochika breathes, holding Mitsuhide's gaze for as long as his lover allows it.]

A public declaration of your love.

[He could say so much more -- instead Motochika waits, giving Mitsuhide the room to speak his mind first.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide holds Motochika's gaze for a short while, but eventually glances to one side... though it's notable that his gaze shifts to his lover's lips before settling on the grass.]

Yes.

[That's exactly what it is, after all. Mitsuhide had eaten the sweet and the desire to mention what was in his heart had become overwhelming, pushing aside all embarrassment until after the words were written.]

That bowl of sweets with the messages on... I ate one without thinking and was overcome with the urge to, ah... speak of my feelings.

[behisstrength]

Hmm.

[Motochika hums thoughtfully, his eyes momentarily flicking to the nearby bowl of sweets. He shuts Mitsuhide's journal and then sets it aside, before placing his palms on top of Mitsuhide's knees. He affectionately smoothes his hands up Mitsuhide's thighs.]

Look at me, Mitsuhide.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[It takes a few moments, but Mitsuhide eventually does as asked and raises his gaze to meet Motochika's again. He says nothing, however, and wait.]

[Mitsuhide knows it's ridiculous to react in this way, but despite his talent with wordplay, the younger samurai has never been much good at vocalising his feelings. Those feelings tend to show anyway because of his emotional nature and the heart he wears on his sleeve, but that's not the point.]

[Motochika speaks words of love without hesitation or shame constantly, and it's really not fair that he doesn't get to hear them back just because of Mitsuhide's prudish nature.]

[behisstrength]

Let them see.

[Motochika leans in to capture Mitsuhide's lips with his own, wordlessly expressing his own love.

He treasures what Mitsuhide feels for him.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide's instinct is to glance around to see if anyone else is present in the camp; his eyes close soon enough however, and at first he keeps the kiss light. It's sincere, however, because he knows what this means to Motochika. Knows what it means for himself, too.]

[Because Mitsuhide really does love this man.]

[After a short while, however, the samurai encourages a deeper kiss and seems to gradually relax in his lover's arms. This is most definitely in part due to the effects of the enchanted water found all over the island; Motochika has been swimming in it, after all, and the older man's lips are still damp.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika is more than happy to deepen their kiss; keenly aware of Mitsuhide, he feels his lover's tension seep away, and draws out their embrace. He splays his fingers where they rest.

When they eventually part for air, Motochika smiles widely, deeply pleased.]

I want to keep your words for myself... not merely the echo in my own journal. Tear out your original writing, would you?

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide bows his head and smiles softly. Such a request should not be a surprise, really.]

As you wish.

[The journal is placed in such a manner that Mitsuhide has to reach around Motochika in order to grasp it; no doubt his clothing will get a little damp from doing so, but so be it. When it's in his hands he draws back, opens it up and neatly tears the page in question out of the book.]

[Mitsuhide does not immediately hand it over to his lover, however. He looks down at it, back at Motochika, and then laughs softly.]

I cannot give it to you yet, however. Your touch would surely make the ink run, wet as you are.

[behisstrength]

[Motochika enjoys Mitsuhide's proximity as Mitsuhide reaches for the journal; he smirks in response to Mitsuhide's laugh.]

You are right.

[His gaze is intent.]

Help me dry off.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide folds the little slip of paper and places it to one side; the day is so still that there is no chance of a stray puff of wind it blowing away.]

[He tilts his head to the side in response to Motochika's request and chuckles quietly. Really?]

Right here?

[Even through the mild effects of the water he feels a little shy about that. Won't it look a little intimate?]

[behisstrength]

Why not?

[Now he's provoking Mitsuhide's shyness, undeterred.]

We are alone, Mitsuhide. Or we can take this elsewhere, if propriety demands it.

[wavesoakedlegs]

Anyone could return at any moment, Lord Motochika.

[Aiichiro was around not so long ago, after all. Who was to say he or anyone else wouldn't pop up at any moment? Mitsuhide picks up the small piece of paper on the floor and slips it within his kimono, before standing up.]

We shall have to take this elsewhere. [He says softly.] Fetch a towel and we'll find... somewhere more secluded.

[There has to be one place nearby that would work.]

[behisstrength]

So be it.

[Motochika answers decisively, likewise rising to his feet. With that attractive, softly spoken promise in his mind, he turns away from Mitsuhide. It does not take him long to find one; he bends at the waist to pick it up before rejoining Mitsuhide.

He tenderly runs his fingers along the inside of Mitsuhide's wrist.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide finds his gaze drawn to the sweets in the bowl while Motochika goes to search for a towel; the enchanted draw of the hearts fights with his sense and will for a few moments before he settles on a compromise. Scooping a few sweets up, the samurai places them in one of the pouches he carries for examination later.]

[When Motochika returns, Mitsuhide offers him a smile before taking the hint and grasping the damp man's hand.]

Come on. Before the cold seeps into your body.

[He tugs, and begins to lead them towards the nearest group of trees. Surely there's a spot there where he can get his lover dried off properly.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika allows Mitsuhide to determine their course, basking in the simple pleasure of taking a stroll together, their hands clasped and their surroundings picturesque. He hums a melody as they walk, every so often brushing against Mitsuhide's side.

Until he comes to a stop in a secluded spot, where the sunlight filters through the leaves overhead in an exact way that strikes his fancy.]

Mitsuhide. Will here do?

[Motochika asks, using the joined hands to halt Mitsuhide's step too. It's more of a suggestion than a request.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Stopping as Motochika bids, Mitsuhide looks around for a moment before nodding and letting go of his lover's hand.]

Yes. This works fine.

[He turns around to regard Motochika for a moment before gently tugging the towel out of Mitsuhide's hands. Better to get right to the task, before his ridiculous companion catches a chill.]

Hold still. [Mitsuhide says with no small amount of affection, before moving around to Motochika's back and raising the towel to his shoulders. The pace he starts with as he gets to his task is slow; best to be thorough, after all.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika smiles at his treatment, warmed by Mitsuhide's clear ringing affection -- and shortly after, the towel. He laughs softly, remaining still as bid.]

I shall, for your attentive care.

[There's no mistaking the undercurrent of flirtation in his voice.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[No way to mistake it, indeed. Mitsuhide is a naive man who tends to take things literally, but it would have made him truly foolish had he not expected to be flirted with.]

[He flushes, thankful Motochika cannot see him right now.]

Is this a day for a minor miracle, my Lord?

[It's a quiet bit of humour, fitting the warm, peaceful atmosphere they are currently enjoying. Mitsuhide moves from Motochika's right shoulder to work at his right arm as he talks, encouraging his lover to raise it with little touches.]

[behisstrength]

[Motochika does so slowly, basking in more of Mitsuhide's little touches. Every press of Mitsuhide's skin against his is enjoyed, however small or fleeting.]

We will see, my love.

[He replies, with similarly gentle playfulness.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Finishing the one arm off, Mitsuhide moves to the other. Only when he has dried Motochika's arm right down to hiss elbow does Mitsuhide speak again.]

So you don't intend to hold still?

[It's hard not to admire the lines of Motochika's body when doing something like this. The Hero of Tosa has a suitably impressive build; firm and toned, but not overly so. The result of being both a skilled warrior and masterful swimmer? It's certainly a far cry from Motochika's younger days, when his build was slim and elegant. Mitsuhide can remember the surprise he'd felt when, as a young man, Motochika had come to visit Minou and was no longer the 'Little Princess.']

[Humming appreciatively under his breath without really realising it, Mitsuhide dries off Motochika's arm completely and moves to finishing off his back. It may or may not be noticeable to his lover that Mitsuhide first moves along the sweeping lines of the tattooes inked there.]

You always have to be difficult, don't you?

[behisstrength]

[Motochika shivers pleasantly at the brush of the towel to his back tattoo. He slides his eyes shut, savouring the sensation and the sound of Mitsuhide's voice.]

How could I kiss you otherwise, when you stand at my back?

[He spares a moment to actually consider how he might do so -- now is a good time to test it.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[That makes Mitsuhide laugh, though he shakes his head as he does so.]

You could be patient and wait until I am done, perhaps?

[He moves across Motochika's back and then down to his hips. There's no way he's going any lower yet, despite how soaked his lover's underwear is. It would only encourage Motochika.]

It will not harm you to behave, for once.

[behisstrength]

[Such lovely laughter is a treat for his ears. Motochika could be patient, and he will be, but that won't stop the flow of his words.]

I behave.

[He drawls, the spirit of the smirk that his mouth curves into no doubt audible in his tone.]

As I please.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide huffs a little, though it's a good natured sound. When he finishes Motochika's back he pauses, smiles to himself, and rather than moving to his lover's front he stands closer to his back and reaches around with the towel.]

I have noticed.

[Awkward as it is like this, Mitsuhide begins to dry off Motochika's chest.]