Relief flooded my body in thankful waves of pure bliss, my back resting in the soft grass. Eyes shut and mind drifting I could've fallen asleep right then and there. After a hard day's work I more than deserved it. Chopping wood for Urokodaki was no easy task...especially when he had hidden all the axes beforehand. That old man was truly something else, everything was a learning opportunity with him.
Nevertheless I didn't back down from any challenge though my body hated me for it by the end of the day. I stretched my aching body, releasing a sigh. I still had time before dinner was expected to be made so might as well get comfortable. Squirming my body I attempted to find a good spot to hopefully rest for a while. A yawn fought its way out of my system to which I was willing to surrender to its demands.
Well I was anyway till a shadow cast my face in darkness. Immediately flinching, I shot up in instinct to assess the unexpected company. Urokodaki wasn't aware of this secret haven of mine as far as I knew. My eyes adjusted to the brightness as I recognized the person. Dark locks pulled back in a low ponytail, deep blue eyes, a stiff stance and mix matched haori.
"Giyuu!" I burst excitedly. He merely stared back as I stood shakily, brushing the dirt from my pants and chest. My legs ached in protest as I made my way towards him. I bowed quickly, a wide smile adorning my face. I shot back up just as swiftly, nearly bubbling with glee.
"I didn't know you were stopping by today! It's been a couple months, I was worried!" I chirped. His eyes didn't give away any emotion but his stance seemed to relax by the tiniest bit, his hand leaving the hilt of his sword to rest by his side.
"I was going to send a message," he stated matter of factly. And I wish he did honestly. It's been a decent amount of time since he had been summoned for a mission of his own, leaving me behind to train with Urokodaki. I worried every day, anxieties of hearing news of Giyuu's demise plagued my mind constantly.
"We should go see Urokodaki! He's going to be so happy to see you again," my mind buzzed with excitement at the thought of our little "family" being whole again. I turned to lead the way back, letting out a grunt as the aches throughout my body throbbed at once. I stumbled slightly before righting myself.
"What just happened?" the deep voice declared. I flinched internally really hoping he wouldn't notice my state. It just would dampen the mood, he's back, nothing else matters. I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to play it off as nothing.
"Nothing too serious, I'm fine thank you!" I called over my shoulder. However when I took my next step my knee buckled. I caught myself just as an arm wound its way around my waist to catch me. My eyes widened in disbelief, my head turning to look at Giyuu's stoic yet mildly concerned expression. He was close, a little too close. My jaw clenched as his grip on me tightened.
"Seriously, I'm fine Giyuu. I caught myself so you didn't have to," I uttered. He blinked back blankly before pulling me closer to his side, his arm not moving. If I didn't get space from him soon I was going to curl into myself and die. There was no way our great love story was going to begin with me tripping. The "falling for you" jokes would be too strong.
"You're obviously not fine," he sighed. I rolled my eyes at him playfully. I took a step forward to get away from him but he copied the action, supporting my body. I glared at him only to be met with his stubbornness.
"If I let you walk me home I want your dessert," I demanded haughtily. Squeezing my waist harshly, I let out a yelp of surprise.
"Fine." We shuffled along through the trees and trails back to Urokodaki's house. I refused to stare at the obsidian haired, stubborn, love interest next to me. The smell of dinner wafted through the air once we neared our destination.
Right before we arrived at the front door, however, I was propped against a tree. My face flushed as Giyuu propped his hand right beside my head, seeming to lean in.
"What are you doing!" I (gay) panicked. He deadpanned at me and my flustered state. I felt the heat creeping up my neck and hoped he turned away soon so he didn't see it. His stare was intense, making me slightly tremble. Mouth opening to reply I became aware that his next words would either make or break me.
"You're heavy, I needed a break." I gasped, obviously offended, slapping his arm in protest. He merely exhaled, clearly unaffected by my assault. I crossed my arms, turning my head away and pouting. Seconds passed before his arm wrapped around my waist yet again. I grunted in displeasure at the action as our sides collided once more.
"C'mon crybaby boy," he muttered as we trudged along. I refused to comment, it would make me seem like a crybaby anyway. I glanced at Giyuu, giving in to my brain's impulses.
He looked older but not just physically. He looked mature, a new sadness seemed to be rooted behind his dark eyes. The thought disheartened me. I wonder what he's been through the past few months.
"I'm fine there's no need to stare like that," he grunted gruffly. I shot my head forward as if that would erase the fact that I had indeed been staring.
"You sure?" I questioned hesitantly. He sighed slowly as his grip squeezed my hip.
"About as fine as you were back there." I frowned at him, eyebrows furrowing in concern. I slowly wrapped my nearest arm around his shoulders, latching onto him in a, hopefully, soothing way. I was probably just making it harder on him to carry me though.
He paused, looking straight at me. I let my hand slide up the back of his neck and into his hair, slowly sliding my fingers up his jawline and finally rested on his cheek. My slow and deliberate actions were for him to stop me at any time and declare I had crossed the line but he didn't interrupt, his eyes seemed to only widen, lips slightly parted in shock.
I wasn't usually touchy with him like this, we both had boundaries that were only crossed in bursts of energy and spur of the moment decisions but nothing as intimate as this. Cradling his head gently I debated my next move. Honestly I wasn't sure he would even let me get this far.
I stayed completely still, the realization of what I was actually doing catching up with me making me freeze in panic. Could I even pull away at this point and brush off this interaction as nothing, pretend I didn't just pull him closer and rest my body against his, let my hand travel to his face and look him deep in the eyes? My mind was screaming for retreat but I didn't want to make it even more awkward.
"So, um, sorry Tomioka," I mumbled in embarrassment, slowly pulling away. His hold on me only tightened, not allowing for any escape.
"Giyuu. Let me go now." He refused, eyes now back to being unreadable and expression as apathetic as ever. I messed up, I messed up, I messed up. Something was different, did I accidentally trigger some sort of memory or experience that would make him act like this?
His grip was starting to get painful, his body seeming to slightly tremble against me and now...he leaned in closer and I realized just how wrong I had just been.
His face met mine gently and the kiss was everything I had imagined so many times before. He was soft, almost unsure of himself but I stayed where I was, letting him decide when he was done. He pulled back slightly, only to take a breath and kiss me once again. My hands clutched onto him, the loneliness of the past few months catching up to me as I refused to let go. I had been so terrified for him but I couldn't even begin to imagine what it was like for him out there and one day I would join him where I could die at any moment, at the hands of any demon.
Pulling his haori, our bodies collided even more as I felt more desperate. One of his hands glided through my hair, resting at my scalp and guiding me closer to him. My lungs screamed for oxygen but I refused to part from him. Urokodaki's breathing training I guess would come in handy.
Giyuu pulled away, leaving gentle butterfly kisses across my face before pulling completely back. I gasped and tried to plead for him to continue but he quickly tilted my chin to look at him. His stare made my mouth shut, my words dying on my tongue.
"We should go inside, it's starting to get late and dinner's ready," he stated normally. I merely nodded, not trusting myself to speak or try to form any sort of coherent sentence.
We resumed our earlier position, one hand around my waist and our sides touching as we walked to the door of the house. Glancing up at Giyuu, I wondered where our little exchange would land us or if he would pretend it had never happened. I couldn't tell which one would hurt more.
He looked my way, seemingly knowing what I was thinking as he bent forward placing one final kiss on my forehead in an uncharacteristically sweet manner. "We'll talk about this later," he promised quietly. I smiled back, taking this as a good sign.
"I'm counting on it."