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[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

[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.]

[behisstrength]

[It's an interesting drying technique -- one that Motochika definitely appreciates. He leans back slightly, and reaches back with his dried arm to touch Mitsuhide's hair in a blind caress.]

What else have you noticed about me?

[NSFW] this earns it I think!

[wavesoakedlegs]

[In normal circumstances, Mitsuhide would not have risen to that mild provocation... at least not so quickly. But today he feels calmer and more at peace than he has done in a lifetime, even with the moments of deep embarrassment, and it lends him a certain amount of daring.]

[Before he replies, Mitsuhide finishes drying Motochika's chest and then draws his arms back.]

You have some scars that are more sensitive than others.

[As he says this, Mitsuhide raises the towel to Motochika's neck and dries it as best he can before speaking up again.]

And when your hair gets to a certain length, it begins to curl at the tips. Not to the same extremes of your younger days but notable nonetheless.

[And now the towel is raises to Motochika's hair, but Mitsuhide does not attempt to try it, instead dropping the item there, laughing quietly and stepping back. He can feel himself getting flustured now, but so be it.]

There are many things that you enjoy in intimate moments, but one in particular is sound. You take pleasure in having a vocal lover and do all you can to encourage more gasps and moans and utterances of your name.

[A pause, and then Mitsuhide turns around and walks a few more paces away. Now he is definitely embarrassed again; such words! How on earth has he gained the confidence to do this? Maybe there's something in the water...]

And you like to leave marks with your mouth, proving that you really are a possessive man.

[behisstrength]

[Motochika hums, a soft, deep noise that reverberates in his throat. Mitsuhide's intimate words are enchanting, demanding his full attention; he absorbs them eagerly.

Raising his hands to the towel left on his head, he scrubs his wet hair until it's only slightly damp, before dragging the towel free. Task done, he turns to face Mitsuhide.]

Well observed.

[Heat pools in Motochika's eyes.]

Every vocalisation that flows from your exquisite mouth is a fresh tide of bliss for my ears. Your pale, delicate skin is the perfect canvas for my indulgent visual echoes of my claim upon your heart.

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide looks over his shoulder and smiles awkwardly; he is clearly flushed now. It would be impossible not to get a little embarrassed in the face of such a speech; the water has had its effect, but it cannot change a man's personality.]

When it comes to matters of the heart, you are far more poet than I.

[He turns a little, so he is not fully but almost facing Motochika.]

Bold, intimate words pass from your lips without shame or hesitation. To have you as a lover is to invite flushes into my skin on a daily basis.

[behisstrength]

And how attractively they wash over you.

[Motochika slides his thumbs under the edges of his fundoshi, pushes them down his hips and thighs and steps out of them. He wraps the towel around his hips, slung lower than perhaps Mitsuhide would have done it. After, he tucks his damp fundoshi under the edge of the towel.

He walks over to Mitsuhide, closing the distance between them again.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide doesn't look over at Motochika directly until the towel is around the other man's waist; he can see what he's doing out of the corner of his eye, however.]

[It's okay to look a little, right? They are lovers, after all, and have been intimate several times now. Truthfully, Mitsuhide knows it's ridiculous to be so awkward about this at this stage, but it's in his nature.]

Is that why you tease me so? [He says, soft and warm.] To see those flushes?

[behisstrength]

[Motochika's mouth shifts into a private smile, meant for Mitsuhide's eyes alone. What Mitsuhide proposes is only one part of his motive.]

To see the impact I have upon you. To feel the strength of our bond resonate in your responsiveness.

[He declares, vast love in his voice.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide could not fail to be touched by those words, especially alongside that expression. He finally faces Motochika in full, almost marvelling at the intense warmth of this moment.]

You love without hesitation, Lord Motochika. I feel as though I could...

[One of Mitsuhide's hands drifts to the puch at his side as he talks, and without thinking, he draws one of the candy hearts out. It's just a few inches from his mouth when he realises what he's doing. Gaze dropping, he stares at and bites his lip.]

[Unfortunately, his last sentence is left unfinished.]

Good heavens, these things are so frustrating...

[behisstrength]

Hm?

[The interruption is poorly timed, but Motochika is willing to turn the tide on the offending sweet. He leans in close and takes the candy heart from Mitsuhide's fingers with his mouth, brushing his lips against Mitsuhide's fingertips.

He chews and then swallows without a care for the consequences.]

As though you could what, Mitsuhide?

[He drawls, sliding his hands over Mitsuhide's hips and beyond, his touch descending. He cups Mitsuhide's rear with both palms and curls his fingers against the taut curve of muscle in a bold caress before squeezing firmly.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Mitsuhide would have given Motochika a proper response had his behind not been squeezed before he could. Instead he makes a loud and somewhat indignant sound, before biting his lip lightly.]

You have driven the thought quite out of my mind.

[A pause, and then he adds:]

...I am uncertain if it was the sweet that bid you do that, or if you chose to do it entirely by yourself.

[behisstrength]

[Motochika laughs fondly at that, his eyes smouldering. It was the sweet's influence, though he certainly won't complain. Nor does he remove his hands. Instead he rubs his fingertips against the fabric covering his lover's appealing form.]

I shall leave the mystery of the truth to lap at your thoughts. Though a hint may yet linger inside of my mouth, should you feel bold enough to explore.

[Truly incorrigible.]

[wavesoakedlegs]

[Tempting as it is, Mitsuhide doesn't give in and offer the kiss that Motochika is clearly trying for. That would make this game a little too easy, wouldn't it?]

You, Lord Motochika? [He says, with no small amount of warmth.] Are ridiculous.

[After a beat he laughs quietly, reaches back into the pouch and pulls out the three remaining sweets. Raising the hand, he offers them over to his lover.]

Perhaps these are best left with you. You don't fear their power at all, do you?