caughtinanetwork | 018 ♫ (voice)

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018 ♫ (voice)

There is a curse upon us. I saw my mark glow last night, and Mitsuhide experienced the same. Yet the nature of this curse currently eludes us. Has anyone experienced its effects?

Speaking of time, there are a mere two weeks left until the New Year arrives. The passage of a year... [Motochika trails off, an edge of private mirth to his tone.] It shall be a significant day indeed.

I hope to see a repeat of last year's celebrations.

[Private to Household]

Gracia, Japan. Mitsuhide and I are going out. We won't return tonight. You shall have to fend for yourselves this evening.

[/message]

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[Mitsuhide's smile does not leave his face, though he shakes his head.]

Not spoiled enough.

[How much has Motochika sacrificed, how much is Motochika prepared to sacrifice, for Mitsuhide's sake? The younger samurai is fully aware of what it means for his lover to refuse to return home without Mitsuhide. The loss of Shikoku is just the start of it, and Motochika loves his island.]

Not if I am fully honest, my Lord.

[He tilts his head so he can lean it against Motochika's shoulder, and closes his eyes for a few moments.]

[Motochika admires the fan of Mitsuhide's eyelashes, dark against his pale skin, before looking out to sea and breathing in deeply, tasting the sea air.]

I have you, heart and soul.

[He is content like this.]

There is no greater gift.

[Mitsuhide could argue with that; he certainly doesn't believe he has such worth. But Motochika does, and right now he is not in the mood to start such a debate. Instead he remains silent for a while, peacefully so, and opens his eyes to watch the sky and sea for a while.]

[This is... home, wherever his lover is. And where his lover should be is under a blue sky and close to the ocean. It's Motochika's natural place. Just the smell of salt water is enough to make Mitsuhide think of the other man, and it has pretty much always been so.]

[After a while he raises his head again, because there are things to do before they can really settle in.]

Well.

[Mitsuhide looks at Motochika with a soft smile.]

I should set everything up before sunset, my Lord.

[Motochika's gaze is drawn back to Mitsuhide as soon as his lover speaks. Mitsuhide usually has his full attention.]

We will do it together.

[He answers. Reluctantly, Motochika removes his arm from around Mitsuhide's waist. He turns and heads back towards their bags.]

[Mitsuhide follows on, tucking his hair behind his ears as he does so.]

Very well.

[The most obvious place to start is with their sleeping arrangements. When he gets to their bags. Mitsuhide draws out their futon, sheets and pillows from the one Motochika had been carrying, and starts to set it up.]

[And then he says, out of the blue:]

You know, I have never thought to examine the patterns the stars make in the sky here. They must be different to the ones back in Japan.

[For quite some time, it had been enough to just be able to see a sky again.]

[As Mitsuhide sorts out their bed, Motochika unpacks the lanterns and their food, setting each just in reach for when they wish to utilise them.

He pauses at Mitsuhide's words and blinks. It had not occured to him -- though perhaps it should have.]

A keen observation.

[He remarks, thoughtful.]

You have the means to record them.

Edited 2012-01-19 23:17 (UTC)

[Mitsuhide does not stop, placing the pillows down as he talks.]

That would take a while.

[To put it mildly. Even with the means, he did not have the necessary skills. Acquiring them would take long enough. Still, he was definitely not opposed to doing so. It was a useful thing to know, surely?]

A proper star chart... I would have to chronicle the changes in the sky as the year passed.

[Mitsuhide hums thoughtfully, and spreads the sheets out. Bed complete, he lays down on it for a moment, face up.]

Another year...

[Motochika comes over and sits down upon the futon, facing Mitsuhide. He rests one hand upon Mitsuhide's stomach as his eyes roam over his lover. He loves to watch.]

Regular stargazing sounds very pleasant to me.

[Mitsuhide under the moonlight, most certainly.]

Quiet nights filled with nothing but staring at the stars and recording them on scrolls.

[Mitsuhide shifts his gaze to look at Motochika.]

This would please you?

Would it not please you?

[He returns, tilting his head.]

The sounds of the ocean shall soothe us as we work in peaceful companionship. On colder nights I'll wrap us both in thick furs and rub warmth back into your hands when they chill.

Of course it would. I was simply surprised that doing such a thing so often would be something you'd enjoy.

[That's a very cosy, peaceful mental image, Motochika. Mitsuhide thinks for a moment, and then replies with a question.]

What if snow somehow found its way here? What would you do then?

Dress in thick layers and return home afterward. Bring hot chocolate.

[Motochika splays his fingers and leans down, closer.]

[Mitsuhide raises a single eyebrow as Motochika draws closer, the slightest flush now visible on the younger samurai's cheeks.]

With cream, I'll assume.

[He reaches out with one hand, but not to Motochika. Instead he reaches for something he'd previously left in the bags; his camera, which he draws out in one swift movement.]

The sun is setting.

[Without giving his lover time to react, Mitsuhide raises the camera and takes a photo. The camera is an instant one, and so he takes the undeveloped photo that slides out and begins to wave it with his free hand.]

It makes for an attractive frame.

[Motochika blinks away the afterimage of the camera's flash before he catches Mitsuhide's wrist and draws the hand holding the camera safely out of the way. His smile is playful, with a gentle undercurrent of heat.]

If I am blocking your view, you need only to say.

You are not. [Mitsuhide replies, voice warm and extremely quiet.] Do not feel you have to move.

[The photo is gradually developing as they talk, the image of Motochika framed by the oranges and pinks of the sunset slowly appearing. Mitsuhide smiles as he stares up at his lover, still waving the photo slowly.]

Do as you wish.

A bold invitation.

[Motochika's fingers on Mitsuhide's draw on Mitsuhide's stomach, spelling out promises for later; he dips to brush his mouth over Mitsuhide's lips.]

You must do the same.

I already am.

[Well, not fully. There are things he wants to do, but he is holding back for the moment. Later, however, he fully intends to act on those desires. They might be outside, but this is a private spot and they are in no danger of being interrupted. The atmosphere was always bound to bring his thoughts to intimacy, his previous confessions causing his heart to swell and his body to grow warm.]

[Mitsuhide tilts his head up to kiss Motochika briefly, before glancing over at his hand the the photo within.]

Look.

[The photo is fully developed now; Mitsuhide moves it so they can both look at it.]

A wonderful image, isn't it?

[Motochika regards it, since Mitsuhide bids him to. He nods.]

Flattering.

[And that is true -- the glow of the sunset suits his warm skin tone; and its vibracy matches his captured expression. Motochika is not shy of his own attractiveness, but nor is he more than moderately vain (it would be a lie to deny any vanity) so his attention does not stay there too long.]

Your eye is immaculate.

Oh?

[Mitsuhide laughs, long and warm. After a moment he places the camera to one side, along with his photo, and then simply rests his arms on the floor.]

I merely raised it and clicked. That the image is good is pure luck, Motochika.

[He regards his lover with fond amusement.]

You should not be so quick to compliment me.

You raised it and clicked at precisely the right moment.

[He pokes Mitsuhide in the stomach -- not too hard, of course -- then takes the opportunity to throw a leg over his lover, straddling Mitsuhide.]

And I shall compliment you at whatever speed suits me. You cannot take that from me.

[It is said with a smile.]

[Mitsuhide wriggles slightly in response, but after a few moments shakes his head and pouts a little. It's not genuine, of course; the sparkle in his eyes makes that much obvious.]

I could refuse to listen you.

[He moves his hands to his ears, covering them up.]

What would you do then?

[Motochika cocks his head at the challenge, then smirks before he tickles Mitsuhide once more. Mitsuhide's hands are too far to catch his own in time to prevent it, after all.]

[Mitsuhide immediately gasps, and then laughs. He wriggles underneath Motochika, attempting to throw his lover's hands off with the momentum.]

Stop! S-Stop that!

[He keeps his hands clamped firmly over his ears, somehow, biting the right side of his lip all the while.]

[Motochika lets Mitsuhide's wiggling throw off his hands -- but only allows his lover just enough respite to recover before he begins anew, a flowing tide of tickles.]

Hmm?

[Mitsuhide immediately bursts into laughter again. He tries his utmost to resist, but after a while it's too much. In one swift motion he moves his hands from his ears to Motochika's wrists and tries to hold them still.]

Enough!

[He pants lightly, trying to catch his breath.]

I yield!

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behisstrength - 2012-02-05 19:00 (UTC) - Expand

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