6 ❀ Summer Citadel

[konnosuke]

Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out. Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?! Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix... Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside. Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.

 

Comments

[morewarriorlike]

[ Listen here old man..! ]

I... well...

[ He didn't actually think this far in his thoughts. He didn't even know what he wanted to know. He just knew he was frustrated at always being so... puzzled when he was around Mikazuki. }

[tsukijiji]

[he will accept that hand up, groaning like an old man.]

Alright, alright, if you insist, hahahahaha!

[There are surely quite a few swords who would astonished to see Tsurumaru behave this way, to be honest.]

What should I change into, though? My other clothes are also quite warm.

[oncealifetime]

[Cue the look of abject horror on Ichigo’s face! What have you done, Mikazuki? How many people have you traumatised? How many people is he going to have to go apologise to on your behalf? (Because he’s such a responsible person that he feels absolutely compelled to do so!) Why is this his life now?? (You chose it, Ichigo...)]

... for f-fun...? Who-Who exactly have you written these to? [At least, they aren’t as explicit as these ones, right? Right? Since you said the ‘serious ones’ are for him. Also, please, please tell him you’re joking...]

[oncealifetime]

Yes, and I’m very honoured to have you as a friend, Mitsutada!

[Just going to reach out to lightly touch Mitsutada’s hand. It’s just a friendly gesture. Don’t read too much into it. You should know by now that he’s rather affectionate!]

[toranogohiki]

[The tigers are thankfully personable enough they will allow themselves to be dried by someone other than Gokotai... but the problem is that there are five of them and they are rambunctious, so trying to make sure they don't lick each other while drying them off when you only have two hands is a challenge... and soon sightly pandemonium again.]

Aaaah, n-no, don't!

[toranogohiki]

[Gokotai finds Yagen sleeping when he comes back... so he puts the drinks down to the side, and then goes to fill a basin with some cool water and gets a cloth so he can put it on Yagen's forehead. This is what Yagen and Ichi-nii always do when one of them is sick, so it should be okay, right?

It's rare to see Yagen be this vulnerable, though. Until Ichi-nii arrived, he was doing his best as the oldest, so it must have been hard on him.]

[myswords]

Why wouldn't he be? Do you know how long he's been around? Do you know who his masters were?

... And sorry to say, but I think out of the two of you, Hori got all of Hijikata's smooth.

[And you were left with most of the hot-headedness, although she'd be the first to say Hori can be pretty impulsive too.]

I guess that's normal though. He's the oldest out of all of you.

[myswords]

[Your life is suffering, Ichigo.]

Just make sure you separate your laundry, that's all. Just in case.

[oncealifetime]

[... hasn’t he suffered enough already...?]

... yes-yes, of course. [Can he please go home and find a place to hide now? His heart can’t take it anymore... He needs a hug and to be cuddled...]

[sutureself]

[ Quit making him feel guilty about setting you up for a prank here, dammit! ]

I’m not sure you can be quiet enough…

[sutureself]

[ It’s definitely been hard on him, though so long as their brothers don’t notice that, he’ll consider it a win. In fact, he might very well be dreaming of his brothers at this very moment—his brothers and tigers skipping fences in some sugary wonderland—

He starts when he feels the cold shock of the cloth on his forehead, snorting a little as his eyes crack wide open in surprise. ]

You’ll get splinters—oh, Gokotai. You’re back already?

[tsukijiji]

.... Hmmmm?

[He can wait. He has tea. Ha has aaaaaaall night, Izuminokami.

Whenever your brain unscrambles.]

[tsukijiji]

[He was only just starting.... and suddenly, there's some pushing, and protests and ... oh.

Well, Ichigo is right, this is not something the children should stumble on... but that is sort of killing the mood too, and Mikazuki sits back, looking up with a sigh and a weak laugh.]

... You're right. My apologies.

[tsukijiji]

Hahahahahahaha! Well, I have written a lot, and to many people. I can't be expected to remember everyone. It's been years and years.

[Sorry Ichigo, were you operating under the illusion that he did this only here at the Citadel? Unfortunately not.]

It's just a bit of fun that was taking in kind by the recipients.

[Once they understood he was trolling of course.]

There is no need to get worked up about it.

[myswords]

[Here, you get an arm flung around your shoulders, Ichi!]

Come on, there's no need to be embarrassed, Ichi. We're all adults here. I know what sex is and how it happens between people, okay?

[toranogohiki]

Hm.

[Gokotai uses the cool, wet cloth to wipe Yangen's face before putting it back on his forehead.]

I-I don't remember if it's best for you to be covered or not for a fever, Yagen.

[oncealifetime]

[Welcome to having lots of young children, Mikazuki!]

... it-it’s all right. I did tell you to show me...

[Ichigo hastily puts his clothes back on and in doing so realises that Mikazuki must have seen the scarring on his body yet... not minded it at all? Mikazuki does not mind his horrible scars! An immense wave of relief washes over him and he feels such a great rush of love and affection for his husband. And those kisses just now... They felt so good. He wants more... Much more! He doesn’t want this simple matter of being in the wrong location stop that...!

Ichigo gets up resolutely and quickly gathers the clothes Mikazuki had taken off earlier in his arms. (Can’t leave that here for his brothers to find!) Then he holds his hand out to help Mikazuki up.]

Let’s go to your room. [His confidence then falters just the slightest bit, for this is still quite embarrassing.] You-You aren’t getting out of showing me that easily!

[oncealifetime]

[He’s just going to cover his face with his hands in slight despair!]

... that many? [A pause.] Are you absolutely sure they knew you were just joking though?

[If not, he might feel... quite jealous and he doesn’t want to feel that... He also wants assurance that he is the one Mikazuki loves most, yet he doesn’t want to appear needy. Instead, he looks over at him with the saddest puppy dog eyes. Please comfort him.]

[oncealifetime]

[He briefly wonders this is appropriate then he just... doesn’t care anymore. He’s too mentally exhausted for now and just doesn’t have the energy to care anymore, for now anyway. He sighs.]

.... okay.

[And they are back at the citadel.]

May I take the rest of the day off, Aruji-sama?

[candlestickslayer]

[ He has to mentally tell himself a few times that Ichigo was just being friendly otherwise he'd misinterpret again and that was the last thing he wanted to do. ]

No no, I am certain the honor is all mine.

[ He even gives him a cheesy bow in return. ]

[candlestickslayer]

A lot more than he'll let me do in return. One day I hope to really spoil him, but I might need a really big surprise for something like that.

[sutureself]

It’s fine.

[ And he can’t deny that it does feel nice. It’s rare for him to get so spoiled, especially compared to his siblings, and the thought of it alone gets him to crack a little smile. ]

Heh, I’m so used to looking after everyone else that…well, it feels nice to be the one getting looked after for a change.

[morewarriorlike]

Yes well...

[ He... couldn't really argue with her on that point. Even he knows he could occasionally be a bit of a hothead when it came to some matters and Horikawa was much better at keeping cool in some situations. He was better at chores and getting that perfect spot when ones back was sore... ]

He didn't just braid your hair...

[morewarriorlike]

[ Ouch, Yagen..! Don't dig into his pride too deeply there! ]

I can be plenty quiet when the situation calls for it!

[morewarriorlike]

Is there a limit of questions I can ask? I don't want to waste any on anything simple if you only want to answer a few....