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.

For now... I'll help be your strength... so lean on me as much as you want.

[ He murmured softly, letting his forehead rest against the top of Ichigo's for a moment. Ichigo does his best to be the best and not worry anyone, but that could be tiring after a while and without someone watching after him... he might just get sick like this all over again. Mitsutada couldn't let that happen, not for an old companion and a new friend...

After he dries up his upper half he awkwardly slips a simple t-shirt on him. Nothing complicated for him to wear would be best right now. It's when his gaze traveled downward that he realized what was left to change and his face began to heat up once more. Masamune give him strength..!!! ]

What would make this easiest.... perhaps if we laid you back down...

[ But he seemed so comfortable. ]

[Ichigo makes a soft humming sound that may have been a response to what Mitsutada said or maybe it is just a random sound he makes as he drifts off to sleep while leaning against the other sword, feeling safe and comfortable.

He reaches out to lightly grip Mitsutada’s clothes as he whispers to someone in his dream.]

... don’t leave me....

[ He jumped a little out of his thoughts when he felt that hand of his grip his clothes. He's sure he must be dreaming about some of the others who were important to him, but... that didn't mean he didn't want to comfort him all the same. ]

Shh... it's alright. I haven't left...

[ His forehead nuzzling into the side of Ichigo's, softly, affectionately. ]

Just let me finish drying you off, okay?

[Ichigo seems to have heard and he quiets down for a bit before nuzzling back against Mitsutada’s forehead, whispering...]

... I love you, Mi...

[But then his voice trails off...]

[ ...!

He swears Ichigo is going to give him a heartattack at this rate. Logically he was sure that... wasn't meant toward him, but that didn't stop his heart from skipping a beat. Why did Ichigo have to be so cute?

How was he supposed to focus now? He'd just have to act fast... and then Ichigo wouldn't even notice... Maybe. ]

[And Ichigo will probably have no recollection of saying that or who it was meant for when he wakes up. What a coincidence that two of his love interests have names starting with ‘Mi’!

Ichigo starts fidgeting a bit in his sleep, his dream rapidly becoming less peaceful as it darkens into a nightmare.]

[ Even when he isn't a flirt anymore, he's still a flirt in a new way... ]

Ichigo...?

[ He noticed the fidgeting and the way his face looked a little scrunched up. Frowning softly to himself he shifts a little, not to get away from him, but to essentially tug Ichigo closer to him. He used his gentle touches to pull him into his lap, and his arms move to wrap around him for a little more security. ]

[Being a flirt must be in his nature after all then and it's just matured into a subtler type of flirting that he isn't even aware he's doing... Perhaps the most dangerous type of flirting!

(Also being big flirts is apparently a requirement for being a Toyotomi spousal sword. Mun is so not stalking other threads! Ichigo apologizes for how his husband has no qualms about just stripping in front of just about anyone... These two will probably be the death of Mitsutada??)

Ichigo is able to feel the way he's gently and protectively embraced and it succeeds in chasing away his bad dreams. He quiets down and after a long while his eyes open a peek. He glances up at Mitsutada with no recognition at first. It takes him a second or two to remember and he reaches up to lightly touch the other tachi's cheek as if making sure he's real...]

... Mitsu... tada... where am I?

[ (These flirtatious swords are going to be the death of him he swears...)

With the quiet sounds of the rain in the backround, and his arms wrapped securely around Ichigo, it seemed like Mitsutada ended up dozing off a little with his forehead nuzzled into his hair. It wasn't until he heard his name that his eye blinked a few times and he was pulled out if it. ]

Ichigo...? Are you awake now?

[Ichigo nods, his hand sliding down from Mitsutada's cheek to rest lightly against his chest.]

... yes, I feel better now...

[He is still tired but at least his fever has broken. He doesn't feel like moving though for Mitsutada made a comfortable bed and made him feel safe, so he just sighs softly and cuddles a little closer.]

[ He was going to surprise Ichigo by having his laundry finished by the time he woke up, but after hearing Ichigo's words earlier in his dreams, he just didn't have it in him to leave him. And now that he was snuggling closer to him, he gave up. His heart was beating far too fast for him to think of anything else right now. ]

I'm glad... just relax as long as you need.

[And then from this day onwards, Ichigo finds that someone has been completing some of his chores for him??

He lets out a little hum of acknowledgement and is about to rest a bit longer on his comfy new bed when he suddenly looks up at Mitsutada, rather alarmed and concerned.]

Ah! Have you been holding me like that all this time? Your arms and legs must be so sore! It’s okay. I’ll go lie down on my bed. You don’t need to- [He tries getting up...]

[ Unfortunately for his attempts to move, Mitsutada doesn't seem to be willing to remove his arms just yet... ]

I was surprised to find out that this seemed to be perfect napping weather.

[Unable to move away, Ichigo settles back down against Mitsutada, suddenly vey aware of how closely he’s being embraced. His heart beats a little quicker at that.

He knows it’s selfish of him to give the other hope that he’ll be able to get anything more than friendship from him, but... but it does feel very nice to be in his arms. Maybe it’s okay to just lean like that against him just a little while longer.

Yet, Mitsutada’s mention of the rainy weather being perfect for napping does remind him of a recent rainy afternoon where he’d done so much more than just napping with his beloved! The thought of it makes him blush brightly and he can’t help burying his face against Mitsutada’s neck with a soft whimper.]

Yes, it-it is the perfect napping weather...

[ Honestly, Mitsutada really had no faith in the situation anyway. While he was confident in himself, there are some things a cool personality can't beat, like a bond that's lasted throughout ages.

Still... it didn't keep him from being a little greedy. He wouldn't do anything further than this, wouldn't try to push Ichigo into anything that might hurt him. Just... holding him was enough...

He glances down a little when Ichigo buries himself into his neck so quickly, feeling his heart rate rise up again. He does his best to keep his cool... ]

And the air feels... much nicer.

[Mitsutada is very honourable person, maybe that’s why Ichigo feels so safe and comforted around him.]

It does...

[That is when his tummy lets out a little growl which makes Ichigo’s cheeks even pinker and he clutches a bit at Mitsutada’s clothes at that embarrassing sound! But it has been a while since he last ate...]

S-sorry about that...

[ . . .

That was enough to shake him from his previous thoughts as laughter spills out. Ichigo was... just far too cute. ]

Sounds like someone could go for a nice meal.

[Please don’t laugh at him... Ichigo lets out another whimper of embarrassment and buries his face against Mitsutada’s chest. After a while he looks up rather bashfully.]

.... could you make me something to eat, please? [You did say you would earlier.]

[ He was planning to once he heard that growl coming out of him, but it was even cuter when Ichigo outright asked him to. Was this a crush, or was it something else? He wasn't sure but he swears it's going to kill him... ]

I would love to, although...

[ He paused for a moment. ]

It might be a little difficult like this. Unless you'd like me to carry you to the kitchen.

[The idea of being carried by Mitsutada actually does appeal to Ichigo but... someone might see and get the wrong idea!]

Ah, you don’t have to carry me, Mitsutada-dono. I’m able to walk but... you’ll need to let go of me first...

That's the difficult part.

[ He let out a soft laugh. He was enjoying being able to hold Ichigo like this, but even he knew that wasn't going to last very long. He shouldn't keep clinging to him and making him uncomfortable like this, so finally his arms unwrap themselves from him. ]

Alright... lets get some food in you.

[He glances up a little sadly at that, and places a hand against Mitsutada’s cheek. Hearing that weakens his resolve a bit, but no, he mustn’t give into it.]

... Mitsutada...

[He lets his hand rest there for a moment longer after he is released from Mitsutada’s arms before getting up.]

Yes, let’s go.

[That’s when he notices the clothes on the floor and realises that his top has been changed and he remembers what happened before he passed out. He tenses a bit. He doesn’t really mind that Mitsutada helped him change as he knows he was trying to help... but what he minds the most is that...]

... you saw my back...?

[Those repulsive and hideous scars that he hates so much and that he is sure everyone else will find disgusting...]

I'm sure it's a side of you you wouldn't wish for me to see, but... I can't lie. I did see it...

[ He reached out for Ichigo, gently moving to grab for his hand as he slowly moved to stand up as well. ]

I didn't see anything wrong though.

[Ichigo holds out his hand for him.]

... really? You don't have to say that just to make me feel better...

[ He doesn’t let go of his hand right away, but when he heard that he did with a soft smile.]

Scars are just proof of the life we’ve lived aren’t they? Though I suppose I can’t really scold you.

[ With that he tugs his glove off half way to give Ichigo a glimpse of his own burn marks. ]

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