(Untitled)

[behisstrength]

Characters: wavesoakedlegs & behisstrength
Location: Plaza → Lake
Time: Afternoon
Style: Third
Status: Closed

Comments

[wavesoakedlegs]

Mitsuhide had finished picking up a few items before waiting beside the coral, so he had not been idle long. Several of his friends had left Vatheon and the trip out had been intended as a distraction. It had worked a little, so when Motochika approached he was able to offer a small smile as he bowed his head.

It was best to be happy for those who had gone home, even though he had wondered frequently about what Rian had returned to. She had died in her own world for the sake of the one she loved, Zen.

"My Lord," he said. "You told me everything was alright, so I must confess to being curious about why you wish to speak to me."

He regarded Motochika with curious eyes. If it had been something minor, surely his friend would have have simply said his piece over the SFC.

[wavesoakedlegs]

Motochika had not hesitated in saying it.

Mitsuhide smiled, those words having the inevitable effect of making his cheeks flush a little red. He felt unbelievably pleased, excited... relieved too. There had always been that doubt, that possibility that he'd gotten it wrong. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, the young samurai nodded.

"I am aware now," he replied quietly, expression full of warmth. "That makes this the right moment for me to bare my heart as well, then. You saved me a wait."

He laughed then, at himself rather than anything else, before settling down once more and closing his eyes briefly.

"I love you... and I tell you this even though you likely know already, my Lord Motochika."

[behisstrength]

"I shall consider it a gift."

Motochika radiated satisfaction; knowing there were no boundaries left to the intimacy that they shared was a priceless treasure. He let go of Mitsuhide's hands with a brush of fingers, but did not pull away. He raised one hand to brush through Mitsuhide's hair, where it then twined; he brought his other hand to Mitsuhide's cheek, and reveled in the warmth beneath his fingertips, before he cupped Mitsuhide's jaw.

For a quiet moment, Motochika drank in the sight of Mitsuhide's beauty as it was then -- flushed, happy, and loving -- to preserve in his memory, a private picture. The corners of Motochika's mouth curled upwards.

"We are not even yet. Remember our first month in Vatheon."

[wavesoakedlegs]

Mitsuhide's eyes did not open again immediately; he spent a moment appreciating the touch first. It was unbelievable in so many ways. Well over six months ago he had been alone in his hut, a small place in the wilderness, mourning the loss of this man. Then Vatheon had swept him up, he'd found him alive again, and now...

"I remember," he replied, eyes opening wide.

That reference made Motochika's intentions obvious. Mitsuhide raised a hand to cover the one entwined in his hair. His smile was warm.

"You are referring to the cursed mistletoe, aren't you?"

[behisstrength]

"Yes," Motochika replied, and he leant in a fraction -- though the desire was evidently there, he was in no rush.

"I trust that this time, you will be able to meet my eyes afterwards."

[wavesoakedlegs]

Mitsuhide tilted his head almost instinctively. The flush on his cheeks had deepened now, though his expression was calm and happy.

"I can make no promises," he replied, teasing a little. "But I would hope so."

[behisstrength]

"We shall see," he said lowly; for a few more seconds, he savoured the anticipation -- the catch of his breath and the beating of his heart, the headiness of this proximity in the wake of their confessions.

Motochika closed the last stretch of distance between them, and brought their lips together in a kiss.

[wavesoakedlegs]

It is warm, soft and good; very good, and how could it be anything else? That cursed kiss, all that time ago, was nothing like the one he was experiencing now. This one was natural, and something he'd imagined often in the past few weeks.

Mental images did not compare to the real thing, of course.

Closing his eyes, Mitsuhide leaned into the kiss and curled his free hand around Motochika's shoulder.

[behisstrength]

This was a feeling to drown in, but the need to breathe soon made breaking the kiss necessary. Motochika pulled back only the tiniest amount -- then kissed Mitsuhide again, deeper than before. Once was not enough, now that it was within his reach; not after all their time together and all that they had been through.

Mitsuhide did not seem inclined to resist.

[wavesoakedlegs]

There was not a part of him that wanted to resist. Not right now; with all the advice he had been given, his fears over forming such a relationship within Vatheon had been soothed somewhat.

Should the day come where they would get a choice to return home... he would try not to think about it. If it came, he would face it then.

Mitsuhide pushed into the second kiss with a partially open mouth, and moved his hand along Motochika's shoulder until it reached his neck. There it found the fur of the other's stole and smooth hair; a comfortable place to rest.

He had to pull back then, breathing in with a muttured 'heavens.'

[behisstrength]

A rather breathless hum of amusement escaped Motochika in response; he brushed his thumb back and forth over Mitsuhide's soft skin.

Motochika had no desire to move from their current position. He was also aware that they couldn't allow themselves to become too swept up in one another. The lake was secluded, but not truly private -- and that was one way to ensure that Mitsuhide would have trouble meeting his gaze.

"Now all is fair."

He sounded considerably pleased.

[wavesoakedlegs]

Mitsuhide opened his eyes, and made a point of meeting Motochika's gaze.

"It would seem so," he replied, content. "Though I hope that future kisses don't always come about because of a desire to make things fair."

The young man laughed briefly, and raised the hand that was on Motochika's neck up a little to thead through his hair instead. It brought back memories of the time they had claimed the clearing in the forest; he'd reached out to touch Motochika's hair like this in a moment of boldness.

"Still smooth," he said quietly.

[behisstrength]

Motochika kissed Mitsuhide once more, without preamble. The echoed words invited the memory to the forefront of his mind; he'd desired his friend back then, during their picnic, faced with Mitsuhide's delicate balance of boldness and shyness, and the deep, honest affection within that gesture. As he did so, he dropped the hand cupping Mitsuhide's jaw and ran his palm down Mitsuhide's side, settling it upon Mitsuhide's waist.

A moment later, Motochika pulled back minutely and all-but-whispered his agreement against Mitsuhide's lips. "No excuses necessary."

Perhaps his dawning smirk could be felt as he added, "I will take full advantage."

[wavesoakedlegs]

"I can believe that," replied Mitsuhide, quietly. "Perhaps I ought to prepare myself for possible attacks at any time?"

He kissed Motochika again himself, though lightly; once fully on the lips, then again on the corner of his mouth. Both hands moved now to linger on the other's shoulders for a moment, and he pulled himself back just a little.

"But if that is so," he said, expression filled with both amusement and shyness, "you ought to as well."

A bold statement for Mitsuhide, and he knew it; perhaps not one he would act on often, but still, he did fully intend to act on it sometimes.

Leaning forward again, he gave into the desire to embrace Motochika properly, sliding his arms around the man's neck and resting his head on Motochika's shoulder.

"Be wary!"

[behisstrength]

Motochika slid his hand from Mitsuhide's waist round to the small of Mitsuhide's back and spread his fingers, pressing in a light hold. He gazed down to his shoulder and felt the thrill of victory encompassed by tenderness. His eyes briefly closed.

"So your challenge has been declared. I look forward to proof of your conviction."

He unthreaded the hand still twined in Mitsuhide's hair, then smoothed his fingers over his friend's crown, and continued the motion until he cradled the base of Mitsuhide's skull. But Motochika could not resist for long -- he let his hand fall a little, then began to wrap a lock of Mitsuhide's hair around his fingers. He wove the strand between them, too, enjoying the texture and length, as well as the inane artistry of the result.

[wavesoakedlegs]

Mitsuhide remained still for a moment, enjoying the touch and the intimacy. This was not the first time Motochika had touched his hair; several times in the past his hands had strayed to it. Perhaps he'd do so a lot more, now that they had entered a relationship.

A small smile on appeared the samurai's face, unseen, as a thought passed through his mind.

"You like doing that, don't you?" he said, voice soft and perfectly serious. "If is is so pleasant to touch my hair, perhaps I ought to start allowing others to do so as well."