[Koujurou/Masamune] let me count the ways

[getyourgunson]

BECAUSE PORN MUST BE HAD. Still set in canon, a few more days after these string of events.

It all started with a realisation.

If anything, Date was going to blame that he had little else to do other than lounging around his futon and room because he was still recuperating from his wounds and injuries and by now he definitely knew better than to

Comments

GOOD AND AWESOME.

[getyourgunson]

Feeling much better right now, Date figured it wouldn't be that all bad if he actually got out of his room for some well-needed fresh air. He had been pretty much stuck in his room for... well, for a good long while already. Now that he was a lot better than last time, talking a walk to stretch his muscles wasn't that all bad. And this time, Koujurou didn't have a reason to chastise him for it.

While the incident two days ago hadn't really left his mind, the warlord did well to try and forget it as he washed up and changed into something more suitable for the outdoors. Once that was all done, Date started to make his way around, returning the hearty cheers of his men and his people along the way - just as he was glad to be better, so were they. More than ever now, Date awaited for the day when he could get back in action.

Eventually he wandered on over to where the fields were, mostly out of curiosity - the fields were a place he didn't visit that all often. Unlike his retainer, Date himself didn't have that much of an interest in agriculture and the like. But he understood the importance of it, and Koujurou seemed to like doing it anyway...

...speaking of which, wasn't he supposed to be around here at this time? The younger man stopped in his tracks, glancing around curiously in order to spot the figure of the older man. He should be around here nearby, if he wasn't wrong...

[forbearanced]

And he was, in fact, half a field away, working with a pick. Another swing or two, and he was straightening up, wiping the sweat off of his brow and catching his breath. The bandanna kept the hair out of his eyes, at least...

There were times when farming was harder work than killing people. That was the truth.

[getyourgunson]

Koujurou didn't take that all long hard to find, especially considering that his build made him stick out like a sore thumb amongst the other villagers. Date instantly noticed him when the elder man straightened up, and the warlord quickly started to move towards where he was without thinking twice.

"Yo, Koujurou," he started, once he was close enough to be heard. "Working hard at those plants, aren't you?"

[forbearanced]

Think or speak of the devil...

"Masamune-sama."

Kojurou swung the pick over his shoulder and immediately approached, to meet the younger samurai halfway.

"This, too, is part of my duties."

[getyourgunson]

...talk about unexpected. Date blinked the moment he could see Koujurou properly, taken aback by the figure that the retainer was cutting now. This wasn't the first time he had seen the elder like this, but somehow now... those rugged looks suddenly started to seem all the more appealing for some reason.

Right. Not going there.

Discreetly pulling himself away from those thoughts, Date blinked a few more times before he did reply. "How are they looking, so far?" Sure he didn't have an interest in agriculture, but that didn't mean he couldn't ask - at least out of an interest of his lands, if not for anything else.

[forbearanced]

Something was off about Masamune yet again, although Kojurou couldn't quite put his finger on what. Nevertheless, the retainer replied as expected.

...Mostly.

"All is well. You rarely ask me about such matters, my lord," he added, light and teasing. "I had thought they did not interest you."

[getyourgunson]

Tch. Trust Koujurou to be so perceptive at all the wrong times. Date cast a mildly unamused look towards his retainer, trying to school his response into something that wasn't sulking.

"I can always ask for the sake of my lands," he replied. "These will eventually be food for the people here, after all."

[forbearanced]

"Of course."

His master's discomfort only amused Kojurou. Times like that were a reminder of just how bullheaded his lord could be. Exasperating and charming, really, right in the same breathe.

"You are well, I hope?"

This was the first time he had seen Masamune that far outside since his battle against Hideyoshi.

[getyourgunson]

The younger man snorted back in response to the question. "I wouldn't be out here if I wasn't." For one the retainer wouldn't take it all that well if he had, and for another Date personally didn't want anything like the other night happening again. Once was already bad enough - the last thing he needed was for it to happen twice.

"Just a day or two more and I think I should have all of my strength back," Date added on, and then he broke into a grin that was directed straight towards Koujurou. "After that I'm going to have to brush myself back up, and then we can return to the campaign again." And then everyone would know that he was wholly and fully back to conquer this land.

[forbearanced]

"We should spar, then, once you are fully healed."

If Masamune couldn't beat him then, there was no way he was letting the younger samurai go gallivanting across the country again.

[getyourgunson]

"That goes without saying," Date replied back in turn, sounding very much like his confident self and also still grinning. "Make sure you prepare yourself for it. I'm not going to accept any complaints when I beat you to the ground."

[forbearanced]

"If you manage to."

It appeared as though they were falling back into their usual routine: the banter, the warmth, the silent understanding. To think that he could have lost such a thing was unbearable.

[getyourgunson]

Another derisive snort. "Of course I can, don't take me lightly just because I've been stuck in bed. If you go easy on me, I won't forgive you." There was that old light in Date's eyes now - that look that came whenever the warlord found himself coming head to head with a challenge. It was always a thrill and joy, to pit himself against people stronger than him; threading on that thin line between victory and defeat always brought a strange excitement and adrenaline rushing through his veins.

And now that he was better, it was without a doubt that Date was out for that great thrill - his life had been far too boring without it.

[forbearanced]

"Apparently, you have forgotten the last time I took you seriously."

A light jab, but true nonetheless. Kojurou was well aware of Masamune's every thought and movement on the battlefield just as much as he was when they were off of it, and took generous advantage of it.

[getyourgunson]

"Then you'd better take me more seriously, coz' I ain't gonna hold back when the time comes," Date went back in return, sounding much more confident now. It was nice and warm and familiar and good, being able to talk to Koujurou like this - something he had missed the most in the days when his retainer had avoided him and he was forced to be alone, all by himself in his room. That had been the days of his life which the younger samurai didn't wish to live through again.

[forbearanced]

Kojurou only laughed. It was hard to resist the urge to ruffle the younger man's hair. It had been years since he had done that to his master, years since they had acted less like retainer and lord, and more like brothers.

"As long as you are not pushing yourself," he said, in a quieter, more serious voice, "I am willing to do whatever you require of me, young master."