[ don't do that.. don't look at him like that...!? It's too cute, he can't handle it— so his face just rolls into the pillow again. Weakly, he responds: ]
[He tips his head upwards, practically yelling at the ceiling as he gets up.]
I'll happily take the blame.
I'm a real bad man, don'tcha know? A liar! A con! But I ain't lyin-
[Sakamoto can't help but look terribly smug, even when washing his hands and after rinsing his mouth out in the sink. Wetting one of the many towels from the bathroom, he returns and plops down on the bed, nudging Zura with his knee.]
[ Katsura feels himself practically suffocating in the pillow at this point, fingers clenching into them— he almost forgets that he isn't even really breathing at this point as Sakamoto runs the sink and talks.
Sakamoto's weight on the bed makes him shift, but what actually makes him look up at Sakamoto is the compliment that he gives him. He's extraordinary? On any day, Katsura would look at himself and feel prideful and confident of who he is, but without validation, there was doubt in his heart maybe he wasn't that great of a person.
But here, Tatsuma is making it very clear of what he thinks.
His expression softens as he complies, turning over and lifting his hands to cover up part of his face— possibly to hide a smile that is trying to tug on his usually tight lips. He doesn't give Tatsuma his catch phrase, though he thinks about it for a moment before deciding to not. His voice is very soft, almost a whisper. ]
...—Thank you. [ A pause. ] So are you.. I feel .. [ relaxed, warm, happy ] wonderful.
Sakamoto's eyes soften only slightly, and although Zura's very subtle acknowledgement of the merchant's own capabilities are a relief, he takes a moment to smile at Zura's words.
This is the thing that makes Sakamoto truly happy- The happiness of others.]
Aah aah aah~!
[He takes hold of one of the hands covering Zura's face.]
Somethin' got in yer eye, didn't it? Let me get it for ya.
[that's right he's gonna gently dab ur eye with a cloth. what a gentleman
[ Katsura pulls his hands away and shuts his eyes, though his fingers fumble around until they find Sakamoto's arm and wrist, wanting to hold him steady right here as he offers his blushing face to him, even leaning in a little closer to his partner. At this point, he really cannot contain the smile anymore and decides to let it show, the very edges of his eyes creasing. He keeps his lips together, though, not showing his teeth but obviously appearing very happy.
When his face is all cleaned up, his eyes open, but they look like they're misty. Huh. He opts for just flinging his arms around Sakamoto and clinging onto him, nuzzling into his neck.
sorry he can't wait to be cleaned up he wants to hug. ]
[In a matter of seconds, however, it's as though every bit of air in his lungs leaves his body. Breathing becomes hard for a moment or two, and he gasps once or twice, as if he's about to cry.
There's something warm and vaguely unfamiliar about the way Zura clings to him, and he feels joy but sadness too, because it's something he's never felt before and for the first time he finds himself wondering if he's been missing out.
Love. What did Sakamoto Tatsuma know of love? Sure, if you'd have asked him before, he would have admitted to being happy! Clueless. Spouting silly things about how he had more love than he probably deserved.
If that was the case, is this too much? Is this being selfish?
Sakamoto's free arm curves around the other man, firm in hold, but desperate.]
[ Katsura doesn't stop there— it might surprise Sakamoto how affectionate he can be for somebody who seems strict and serious all the time (he doesn't even realize when he's being too serious it was actually funny), but it's really always there within Katsura.. he just tries his hardest to appear strong and independent when he really isn't. Not at all.
He pulls back slightly, just enough to cup Sakamoto's cheek with one hand and kiss his other cheek with his lips. His arms slide more around Sakamoto's neck, allowing his forehead to rest against Sakamoto's without a word.
In the midst of this silence, he even tips his chin up and allows their noses to touch, giving him a little eskimo kiss.
Had he also been missing out on something? ]
.. Does anybody ever tell you that you're handsome? [ He is complimenting, too, but the sound in his voice sounds more inquisitive than anything else. Though, it's probably a question coming from Katsura because it's something he likes to hear. So, he figures Sakamoto might like it too. ]
—On the outside and on the inside. If not, that is alright.. maybe it just takes them awhile to really see it.
So this is what he's been yearning when he finds himself in bed with another beautiful stranger, after his pesky feet have dragged him all across town. He closes his eyes all too quickly when Zura comes close, when he feels the other hit a sensitive spot on his neck, and there's something innocent about it. Like he's been deprived of something important, that this is all new to him.
How sad.
Sakamoto has fallen prey to those kinds of compliments before, and not because he didn't know any better- He knew exactly how false those words were, even if he very badly wanted them to be true just once. After throwing both hands around Zura, it's now Sakamoto's turn to hide his face.]
[ There's a hitch in his breath, followed by a soft sound like laughter when he feels Sakamoto reciprocate his hug. In this moment, he realizes they both understand and share the same kind of yearning. That makes it easier to give him what he needs.
His hand cups the back of Sakamoto's head, fingertips hiding beneath chocolate-like curls. ]
At least you have me to tell you that.
[ He pulls back, trying to get a good gander at his partner. ]
[ Katsura, on the other hand, had every opportunity to be sad, and took it when it became too much for him to hide it behind his warrior kind of demeanor. He understands what it is like to be ashamed to be sad— when he, too, had to be an example for his followers and friends.
His hands slip to his cheeks so he can look directly into his eyes. What was he going to say..? ]
You are. [ .... oh. His mouth meshes warmly against Sakamoto's, giving him a nice, wet kiss before leaning back, releasing him, and easing himself back onto his back on the bed. His arms stretch above his head and his back arches slightly, almost as if he is trying to show off his body some more.
You're extraordinary, he said. That little compliment is doing wonders for his ego. ]
[He welcomes that wet kiss by opening his mouth wide, allowing Zura's wet tongue to wash over his, and his lips are still parted when the other pulls back.
Bending over and arching his back as well, Sakamoto starts to rub away at the sticky residue on his friend's body in gentle, circular motions. Zura will notice, especially compared to their first encounter, that Sakamoto's abdominal muscles are tighter are more defined, as someone has been working harder in those training sessions with Mutsu and the other members of the Kaientai. He's stopped waxing and trimming the hair on his body as well, and this is mostly because Sakamoto suspects that Zura's tastes favors more masculine silhouettes, and he wants to do everything to get the other to touch him more.]
[ Surprisingly enough, Katsura doesn't mind telling Sakamoto again. His tummy tucks from being touched by something that feels more cold than warm now, but his eyes close, hands lifting to his face again because embarrassing, which is the usual reason why he does this, if Sakamoto hasn't notice yet. ]
—Because you are kind to me. I always have known you care for me, but you have shown me you care for me. For that reason, you are precious to me. It makes me happy.
[ His head lulls to the side so he isn't looking at him. ]
If it weren't for your care, I would also be dead. Instead, I am alive. [ More alive then before, but he feels too embarrassed to say something like that just yet. ]
[Sakamoto isn't sure why he feels surprised. Perhaps it's because usually, whenever he receives a bout of sweetness from the noble samurai, it's gone in an instant, concealed by some persnickety remark.
He lifts the towel, checking to see if anything is left on Zura's body, then using his own fingers to quietly inspect the other's stomach for any sticky residue. When he's finished, he finally takes his place in bed next to the other and kisses Katsura on the side of his face that's exposed.]
Ah, thinkin' about what could have been...
What's the point? You're happy right now! That's what's important.
[Sakamoto haphazardly tosses the towel over the side of the bed into an empty bin, and takes this time to unbutton his pants and slide out of them.
[ Being kissed on the face certainly gets his attention and he turns to face Sakamoto. Once his partner settles, he might be surprised to find how quickly Katsura has attached himself to Sakamoto, both arms snaking around his waist and head cuddling up to his shoulder. He looks up at him, admiration filling into his eyes. ]
It just further reminds me how much you have made me happy.. and how unhappy I would have been without you. [ he suddenly clears his throat, burying his face into his shoulder to hide it from embarrassment. ]
Ambition is a cruel thing, because for all it gives it takes away, enough to knock a man right off his feet. In a way, Sakamoto and Zura's goals were not all that different: Both impossible, supposedly. Although the merchant from Tosa is often mistaken for a fool, he is far from foolish when it comes to these matters- He is an idealist, but a realistic one.
Even so, it's easy to lose oneself when chasing a fantasy. It sounds as though Zura had been lost before, and to be fair, he had looked a little lost too.]
Say, Zura...
Why do ya keep hidin' yer face?
[He lets one hand idly sift through the other's dark hair.]
There's no shame in being happy.
Edited (LAST EDIT IM SO SORR YLAKSJDF) 2016-04-13 05:05 (UTC)
[ There may not be, but he feels.. shy when it comes to this matter. They all teased Sakamoto— probably too much than what he deserved— and now Katsura is saying things that are indicating his true feelings. It's not that they are negative or he regrets it.. he just never thought he would say things like this to Sakamoto.
Clearly, he's missed out.
He shifts enough to rest his forehead against Sakamoto's temple— his partner probably able to feel the warmth radiating off of his face. ]
I'm sorry I thought I had forgotten how to be happy, is all.
The words almost pour from his eyes as he feels a sudden burst of emotion, powerful in nature, although he manages to hold it in. It's not as though he has forgotten how to be happy, he's been happy for a while, but he's never had this kind of happiness.
It's never once been said in so many words, but for a great deal of time Sakamoto understood that his lifestyle was ill-suited for any sort of permanent, romantic relationship like marriage or traditional courtship. He had even convinced himself that he was not made for it, as a man who felt sick staying on one planet for more than a few weeks on end. Now he knows, for sure, that he had been missing something.
And so he readjusts his posture, angling his arms around the other man just the way one would when holding something very expensive, trying to ensure that whatever nook of his body Zura is resting on is comfortable enough to sleep on.]
[ Katsura also shifts when Sakamoto moves to get them both more comfortable, his face close to his partner's and their noses nearly touching. He's cuddled up against his shoulder, dark eyes appearing sleepy but still full of curiosity. If Sakamoto looks closely, he might even see the happiness in his eyes. He can't remember happiness. There's the passive feeling of gladness over a warm bowl of soba or the feel of little pawpads on animals— the smell of sunlight in the summer or the sight of cherry blossoms in spring. Passing gladness— they are really simple things to Katsura, but they don't last.
But the strong emotion of happiness he probably last felt so many years ago when his mentor held him by the hand. It's been that long.
There's a pause and Katsura parts his lips to kiss Sakamoto again, one hand lifting to rake some dark curls back behind his ear. It's a slow, savoring kiss, and once he is finished he speaks: ]
You already have. [ It's true. Zura is just not the best at showing it sometimes. ]
[And if Sakamoto knew (though to be fair, he has a hunch that Zura's fondest memories are of Shoyou), he'd be filled with an unquenchable thirst, an insatiable desire to ensure that his friend felt the same kind of joy when they were holding hands with each other.
He pulls the satin sheets back over their bodies, giving Zura once last glance before smiling and closing his eyes. There's that sound again, that deep rumble in his throat, like a hum and a growl, but not quite as menacing.]
Oh yeah!
I don't think...
[He has to let out a very soft laugh before continuing.]
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no subject
It's too cute, he can't handle it— so his face just rolls into the pillow again.
Weakly, he responds: ]
It's your fault it's my mess.
no subject
[He tips his head upwards, practically yelling at the ceiling as he gets up.]
I'll happily take the blame.
I'm a real bad man, don'tcha know? A liar! A con! But I ain't lyin-
[Sakamoto can't help but look terribly smug, even when washing his hands and after rinsing his mouth out in the sink. Wetting one of the many towels from the bathroom, he returns and plops down on the bed, nudging Zura with his knee.]
When I say that you're just extraordinary. ♥
Roll over! Yer filthy.
no subject
Sakamoto's weight on the bed makes him shift, but what actually makes him look up at Sakamoto is the compliment that he gives him. He's extraordinary?
On any day, Katsura would look at himself and feel prideful and confident of who he is, but without validation, there was doubt in his heart maybe he wasn't that great of a person.
But here, Tatsuma is making it very clear of what he thinks.
His expression softens as he complies, turning over and lifting his hands to cover up part of his face— possibly to hide a smile that is trying to tug on his usually tight lips. He doesn't give Tatsuma his catch phrase, though he thinks about it for a moment before deciding to not.
His voice is very soft, almost a whisper. ]
...—Thank you.
[ A pause. ]
So are you..
I feel .. [ relaxed, warm, happy ] wonderful.
no subject
Sakamoto's eyes soften only slightly, and although Zura's very subtle acknowledgement of the merchant's own capabilities are a relief, he takes a moment to smile at Zura's words.
This is the thing that makes Sakamoto truly happy- The happiness of others.]
Aah aah aah~!
[He takes hold of one of the hands covering Zura's face.]
Somethin' got in yer eye, didn't it? Let me get it for ya.
[that's right he's gonna gently dab ur eye with a cloth. what a gentleman
suck his dick]
no subject
When his face is all cleaned up, his eyes open, but they look like they're misty.
Huh.
He opts for just flinging his arms around Sakamoto and clinging onto him, nuzzling into his neck.
sorry he can't wait to be cleaned up he wants to hug. ]
1/2
To be fair, he's never received it.]
Zura?
no subject
There's something warm and vaguely unfamiliar about the way Zura clings to him, and he feels joy but sadness too, because it's something he's never felt before and for the first time he finds himself wondering if he's been missing out.
Love. What did Sakamoto Tatsuma know of love? Sure, if you'd have asked him before, he would have admitted to being happy! Clueless. Spouting silly things about how he had more love than he probably deserved.
If that was the case, is this too much? Is this being selfish?
Sakamoto's free arm curves around the other man, firm in hold, but desperate.]
no subject
He pulls back slightly, just enough to cup Sakamoto's cheek with one hand and kiss his other cheek with his lips. His arms slide more around Sakamoto's neck, allowing his forehead to rest against Sakamoto's without a word.
In the midst of this silence, he even tips his chin up and allows their noses to touch, giving him a little eskimo kiss.
Had he also been missing out on something? ]
.. Does anybody ever tell you that you're handsome?
[ He is complimenting, too, but the sound in his voice sounds more inquisitive than anything else. Though, it's probably a question coming from Katsura because it's something he likes to hear.
So, he figures Sakamoto might like it too. ]
—On the outside and on the inside. If not, that is alright.. maybe it just takes them awhile to really see it.
no subject
So this is what he's been yearning when he finds himself in bed with another beautiful stranger, after his pesky feet have dragged him all across town. He closes his eyes all too quickly when Zura comes close, when he feels the other hit a sensitive spot on his neck, and there's something innocent about it. Like he's been deprived of something important, that this is all new to him.
How sad.
Sakamoto has fallen prey to those kinds of compliments before, and not because he didn't know any better- He knew exactly how false those words were, even if he very badly wanted them to be true just once. After throwing both hands around Zura, it's now Sakamoto's turn to hide his face.]
no subject
In this moment, he realizes they both understand and share the same kind of yearning. That makes it easier to give him what he needs.
His hand cups the back of Sakamoto's head, fingertips hiding beneath chocolate-like curls. ]
At least you have me to tell you that.
[ He pulls back, trying to get a good gander at his partner. ]
Ha?
[ Right? ]
no subject
It's as though, all his life, Sakamoto has never really been allowed to feel sad.
He continues to smile through it, like he always has.]
Yeah.
I'm really lucky.
1.2
His hands slip to his cheeks so he can look directly into his eyes. What was he going to say..? ]
You are.
[ .... oh.
His mouth meshes warmly against Sakamoto's, giving him a nice, wet kiss before leaning back, releasing him, and easing himself back onto his back on the bed. His arms stretch above his head and his back arches slightly, almost as if he is trying to show off his body some more.
You're extraordinary, he said.
That little compliment is doing wonders for his ego. ]
2.2
I am, too, though.
no subject
Bending over and arching his back as well, Sakamoto starts to rub away at the sticky residue on his friend's body in gentle, circular motions. Zura will notice, especially compared to their first encounter, that Sakamoto's abdominal muscles are tighter are more defined, as someone has been working harder in those training sessions with Mutsu and the other members of the Kaientai. He's stopped waxing and trimming the hair on his body as well, and this is mostly because Sakamoto suspects that Zura's tastes favors more masculine silhouettes, and he wants to do everything to get the other to touch him more.]
Yeah? Why dont'cha tell me again!
How lucky you are. ♥
no subject
His tummy tucks from being touched by something that feels more cold than warm now, but his eyes close, hands lifting to his face again because embarrassing, which is the usual reason why he does this, if Sakamoto hasn't notice yet. ]
—Because you are kind to me. I always have known you care for me, but you have shown me you care for me. For that reason, you are precious to me. It makes me happy.
[ His head lulls to the side so he isn't looking at him. ]
If it weren't for your care, I would also be dead. Instead, I am alive.
[ More alive then before, but he feels too embarrassed to say something like that just yet. ]
That is why I am lucky.
no subject
He lifts the towel, checking to see if anything is left on Zura's body, then using his own fingers to quietly inspect the other's stomach for any sticky residue. When he's finished, he finally takes his place in bed next to the other and kisses Katsura on the side of his face that's exposed.]
Ah, thinkin' about what could have been...
What's the point? You're happy right now! That's what's important.
[Sakamoto haphazardly tosses the towel over the side of the bed into an empty bin, and takes this time to unbutton his pants and slide out of them.
He doesn't really care if the sheets are dirty.]
no subject
Once his partner settles, he might be surprised to find how quickly Katsura has attached himself to Sakamoto, both arms snaking around his waist and head cuddling up to his shoulder. He looks up at him, admiration filling into his eyes. ]
It just further reminds me how much you have made me happy.. and how unhappy I would have been without you.
[ he suddenly clears his throat, burying his face into his shoulder to hide it from embarrassment. ]
no subject
Ambition is a cruel thing, because for all it gives it takes away, enough to knock a man right off his feet. In a way, Sakamoto and Zura's goals were not all that different: Both impossible, supposedly. Although the merchant from Tosa is often mistaken for a fool, he is far from foolish when it comes to these matters- He is an idealist, but a realistic one.
Even so, it's easy to lose oneself when chasing a fantasy. It sounds as though Zura had been lost before, and to be fair, he had looked a little lost too.]
Say, Zura...
Why do ya keep hidin' yer face?
[He lets one hand idly sift through the other's dark hair.]
There's no shame in being happy.
no subject
Clearly, he's missed out.
He shifts enough to rest his forehead against Sakamoto's temple— his partner probably able to feel the warmth radiating off of his face. ]
I'm sorry
I thought I had forgotten how to be happy, is all.
no subject
The words almost pour from his eyes as he feels a sudden burst of emotion, powerful in nature, although he manages to hold it in. It's not as though he has forgotten how to be happy, he's been happy for a while, but he's never had this kind of happiness.
It's never once been said in so many words, but for a great deal of time Sakamoto understood that his lifestyle was ill-suited for any sort of permanent, romantic relationship like marriage or traditional courtship. He had even convinced himself that he was not made for it, as a man who felt sick staying on one planet for more than a few weeks on end. Now he knows, for sure, that he had been missing something.
And so he readjusts his posture, angling his arms around the other man just the way one would when holding something very expensive, trying to ensure that whatever nook of his body Zura is resting on is comfortable enough to sleep on.]
I'm gonna make you very happy.
[He sounds so sure of himself.]
no subject
He can't remember happiness. There's the passive feeling of gladness over a warm bowl of soba or the feel of little pawpads on animals— the smell of sunlight in the summer or the sight of cherry blossoms in spring. Passing gladness— they are really simple things to Katsura, but they don't last.
But the strong emotion of happiness he probably last felt so many years ago when his mentor held him by the hand.
It's been that long.
There's a pause and Katsura parts his lips to kiss Sakamoto again, one hand lifting to rake some dark curls back behind his ear. It's a slow, savoring kiss, and once he is finished he speaks: ]
You already have.
[ It's true. Zura is just not the best at showing it sometimes. ]
no subject
He pulls the satin sheets back over their bodies, giving Zura once last glance before smiling and closing his eyes. There's that sound again, that deep rumble in his throat, like a hum and a growl, but not quite as menacing.]
Oh yeah!
I don't think...
[He has to let out a very soft laugh before continuing.]
I've ever seen ya so damn happy.