minutemen | 6 ❀ Summer Citadel

6 ❀ Summer Citadel

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.

Mitsutada it is then.

[ Because if there was one thing he liked more than fighting and cooking, it was looking cool, especially in front of people he wanted to impress. ]

[Ichigo smiles at that and is silent for a moment, just enjoying the other's company.

That's when the sky starts rumbling and the first drops of rain begin to fall. Ichigo gets up with a start.]

The laundry!

[Can you imagine the colossal amount of laundry he has to do for a family of 17, consisting mainly of young children, in this hot weather? He's not about to let the rain ruin what he's spent the whole morning washing! But he does kind of forget that his feet at in a bucket of water and so, in his haste, he trips...]

Ichigo--!

[ In his panic, he scrambles to reach out, to catch him before he falls over, but with the awkward position that he moved in, he was only partially successful. He caught onto Ichigo before he fell which was good, but he lost his own footing, causing them both to fall over instead with Ichigo landing on top. ]

[Ichigo braces himself for the fall but the ground feels softer than he thought it would be...? No, wait, this doesn’t feel like- Ah, he’s lying on—!

He immediately pushes himself up and ends up kind of straddling Mitsutada, as they are rapidly soaked by the rain. He reaches out to brush the wet hair out of Mitsutada’s eye and quickly looks around for injuries.]

Mitsutada-dono!! Are you all right? Are you hurt? [It would probably help if he wasn’t actually still sitting on Mitsutada...]

[ On one hand, at least he didn't knock over one of the buckets in his attempts to catch Ichigo, but on the other hand it wouldn't really have changed anything because it was raining now and he was already feeling soaked. He opens his eye to look up at Ichigo, a small flusteted smile on his lips. While this wasn't the best position for them to be in probably... he was able to keep Ichigo from getting hurt and that's what mattered. ]

I'm fine I'm fine... You don't need to worry about me.

[ Ah... but this rain was actually starting to feel kind of nice. All the heat that was surrounding them was starting to fade away into a nice cool rain. ]

[Ichigo let out a little sigh of relief, but then he looks down at him with great concern.]

You didn’t really have to do that... What if you got hurt?

[He wouldn’t forgive himself if anything had happened to Mitsutada. He is his... good friend after all. A good friend that he really enjoys having around and is feeling more and more attracted to, but, yes, a friend! Or so he’ll keep telling himself. Yet, he can’t help noticing the way the other’s wet top is clinging to...]

[ he laughs softly, lying there and making no real effort to actually try to move Ichigo from himself. ]

You say that, but wouldn't you do the same if I were about to fall? You're just as important as I am, and I can't help wanting to keep you safe.

[Ichigo is in no hurry to move either. He’s perfectly comfortable where he is. (Someone get these idiots out of the rain! XD)

He bows his head a little shyly as he hears that and absently reaches out one hand to trace his fingers lightly over the contours of Mitsutada’s well-toned chest.]

Yes, I would have. I can’t bear the thought of ever losing you...

[ A-ah....

Mitsutada stares up at him, feeling the heat rise to his face once more. It's not like he didn't think he wasn't important to other people or anything, but hearing someone say that out loud really got his heart racing. ]

Ichigo...

[Ichigo's hand wanders up from Mitsutada's chest to tenderly caress his cheek, but there's a sadness in his eyes.]

Mitsutada...

[He is extremely fond of the other tachi but perhaps this is just a momentary sense of infatuation. He knows what he has with Mikazuki is much deeper for it has endured so long and gone through so much... Sorry, Mitsutada, but for now, he's made his decision, he can only love you as a close friend. A close friend he would give his life to protect. (It's hard to compete with a Tenka Goken...)

Ichigo lets his fingers linger over Mitsutada's cheek a moment longer before he begins to withdraw his hand and moves to get up...]

[ He took in a sharp breath when he feels the fingers moving from his chest to caress his cheek. His heart still racing, almost aching for more. He couldn't speak up, but when he looked up into Ichigo's eyes, he almost wanted to sit up and...

no. That's not something he could do to his dear friend, even if he felt this embarrassing throbbing in his chest. He could feel Ichigo finally moving, and even as he told himself no, he still wanted to grab for his arm. But he wasn't that kind of man. Ichigo... he had others far more important in his life and he couldn't...

Dammit, he let Ichigo get up and just reached up to push his hair completely back with his gloved hand.]

Hey... I'll help you bring the laundry in.

[Ichigo looks over with a perfect smile. If there is one thing he's good at, it's hiding behind a smile.]

No, it's okay- ['The laundry is all ruined now anyway' is what he wanted to say but his breath catches when he sees Mitsutada with his hair slicked back like that. He definitely is someone who looks good wet... really good...]

I... [He loses his train of thought and just wants to keep looking and to run his fingers through that wet hair.]

He gives a softer smile in return as he sits up and holds out a hand to Ichigo as if giving him a silent offer to help him up to his feet. ]

It would be no trouble at all. They're... probably soaked by now, but it shouldn't be too difficult to find someplace inside to dry them. He wants to do something for Ichigo, anything really... to erase those sad eyes he made him have moments ago. ]

[There's a slight hesitation on Ichigo's part as he's not sure if he'll be able to keep his feelings in check if they touched... But he does reach out to help him up in the end.]

That sounds like a good idea. They are over- [Then he sneezes. He is soaked to the bone and feeling rather cold. It probably doesn't help that he's not fully recovered from his last sortie. He'd gone with some of his brothers and of course he'd shielded them from harm....]

[ ichigo nooo

On second though, as Mitsutada gets pulled up to his feet, he gives him a concerned glance. Giving his hand a light squeeze he starts tugging him back inside instead. ]

On second thought, you need to get changed.

[Sorry, Mitsutada... He can be rather reckless when it concerns those he loves... :\ (and you've been ended to that list)

Ichigo is surprised by the change of plan but allows himself to be tugged. That doesn't stop him from protesting a bit though for he doesn't see anything wrong with his condition.]

But I'm fine, Mitsutada-dono...

You say that now, but then in a few days, maybe even over night, you'll have a terrible fever and won't be able to get out of bed. Not on my watch.

[ His hand tightens a little around Ichigo's own as he continues tugging him along. He'll worry about grabbing the laundry later, or even changing his own clothes later. Ichigo was already sneezing and Mitsutada just wanted to get him somewhere warm. ]

But... [He sneezes again and stops arguing, and lets Mitsutada take care of him.]

[ It takes a minute or so for him to remember where exactly Ichigo and his little brother's roomed, but when he did, he wastes no time in dragging him off there, opening the door quickly he turned to Ichigo again. ]

We need to get you out of those clothes pronto.

[Ichigo nods. As Ichigo runs a tight ship, the large room is surprisingly clean and orderly for such a large family of small children. He points to the row of wardrobes in one corner of the room where the doors are all clearly named.]

Could you help me fetch my clothes, please?

[And it seems like Mitsutada is right for he is starting to not feel so well. He'll just sit down for a moment right here on the floor...]

Yes of course...

[ As strict as he was trying to sound, he was so easily pulled out of his act when he saw how tired the other sword looked. His voice was softer now as he gives ichigo's shoulder a light squeeze before moving towards the wardrobes. ]

Just, relax and take a seat...

[ As if he wasn't already taking a seat... ]

Okay...

[His head feels so heavy all of a sudden and he feels all warm and floaty. He's just going to lie down on the floor for a moment...]

[ Ichigo.... He frowns thoughtfully and gently sets the new set of clothes down beside him before quickly rushing off. He wasn't gone for more than a couple minutes before he comes rushing back in with a couple towels to help before he is down on the floor besides him. ]

I really should have realized sooner...

[ Reaching out, he gently pushes some of his bangs to the side. ]

Ichigo... can you sit back up for me? It's okay if it's too much effort.

[It's partly Ichigo's own fault. He was supposed to rest in bed for at least one more day, but he felt absolutely fine this morning so...

He nods, tries sitting up and just barely manages to do so. He's now going to lean against Mitsutada for support.]

[ He tries to ignore the beating in his own chest when he feels Ichigo leaning in so closely to him. Masamune give him strength... ]

I'm going to help you get undressed so we can put you in drier clothes. Alright?

[ His voice was soft, almost as if he were afraid if he was too loud it'd surprise Ichigo too much. He didn't wait for a confirmation and slowly starts to peel back Ichigo's clothing. }

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