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.

 

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[oncealifetime]

[‘... what our masters shared, we shared too...’

Ichigo’s breath catches a little when he hears that and he feels this great happiness blossom in his heart filling in that void and washing away the sorrow that has been eating away at him for so long.]

Yes, it did but... [He looks up with a bright smile of great joy and relief.] ... I still remember some of it and now that I’ve found you again, I think I might remember more. Will you help me remember, Mikazuki?

Again, I am sorry, but he's not.

[tsukijiji]

[That smile is so beautiful... and very encouraging.

Mikazuki bows his head a little. He didn't want to impose before but it's different if Ichigo is asking.

He moves so he can sit in seiza properly, and then puts his hands in front of him on the ground, giving Ichigo an actual bow.]

Then I will be in your care again, Goshuujin-sama.

Stop trying to give him a heart attack!

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo just stares in shock for a moment then his heart starts beating extremely quickly and his cheeks become so very flushed.]

Mi-Mikazuki! You don’t have to-! P-Please get up!

[He tries to hurry over to help Mikazuki up but he gets up too quickly and now he feels faint...]

Hmmm, no, he does not think he shall do that. Thank you.

[tsukijiji]

[And thankfully for him, Mikazuki feels much better now that he's cooled down. Still a bit fatigued but at least he has enough reflexes to catch Ichigo before he sprawls to the ground.]

... Careful. Don't hurt yourself.

But then you’ll be widowed, Jiji... !

[oncealifetime]

... sorry...

[Ichigo is quite content to be Mikazuki’s arms, so he’s not planning to move yet. Mikazuki’s embrace also soothes and calms him and feels so familiar...

... but you really didn’t have to bow like that...

now now let's not be overdramatic

[tsukijiji]

... What if I wanted to?

[You're not heavy, Ichigo. He can keep holding you.]

It's not the first time I have done it, after all.

Cause of death: Mikazuki : \

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo takes this chance to snuggle closer then he looks up at Mikazuki with a slight tip of his head.]

... not the first time? Did... did you do this too when we first met?

[And Tenka wasn’t quite as flustered since he wasn’t as shy as Ichigo and could be quite a flirt!]

[tsukijiji]

Of course. You were my master's husband's sword, it was only proper.

[Some of the elegance in Mikazuki's movements, whether when dancing or fighting, can look almost feminine at times, and Mikazuki himself has no doubt that this is due to his time with Lady Nene. He has no shame in embracing it. Having a lady as master did not make him any less powerful, quite the contrary, in his opinion.

She was easily his favorite master, and one who left a deep impression.]

And not just when we first met.

[oncealifetime]

I see... I suppose that is proper etiquette...

[It doesn’t make him feel less bashful though... He leans back against Mikazuki’s chest, not planning on moving any time soon. His eyes do wander to the loose neckline of Mikazuki’s yukata. Part of him wants to fix it for him, but the other part... He reaches out hesitantly wanting to touch all that delicious exposed skin, but then he stops himself. No, he shouldn’t! But... but he’s allowed to now, isn’t he? This is his Mikazuki after all. All this feels so new yet familiar at the same time though, so he’s not sure what he can and cannot do...

He looks up again for a moment.]

What other times have you bowed like that to me?

[tsukijiji]

Too many times to count.

[He is, after all, an awful tease, as you might have noticed even if you don't necessarily remember.]

When your master came to visit my lady, and when you departed... in the morning as a greeting... To congratulate you on a successful battle... There were so many occasions.

[oncealifetime]

T-That many times..??

[That certainly shocks him. How did his other self handle that...? But he supposes that if it happened that often, his other self probably got used to it...? Will he himself be able to get used to it? More importantly...]

Are you... going to do the same from now on?

[It will probably be fine if Mikazuki does it in private but, but what if Mikazuki bowed like that to him in front of the entire citadel whenever he returned from battle?? Part of him is horrified by the thought, yet... deep inside, he kind of wants to see that happen... deep inside, he feels a possessive urge rising within in. His Mikazuki...]

[tsukijiji]

Would you like me to?

[He's definitely teasing, but you know... he'll probably do it at least once. Just because. He isn't embarrassed about his feelings about Ichigo, about any of the things they have been through. he can be considerate, but that doesn't require hiding.]

Does this means you will be caring for me from now on again, Goshuujin-sama?

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo nods shyly, getting a little more used to the idea.]

Yes. But, you don’t have to do it all the time. Maybe once in a while...?

[A light blush rises to his cheeks once more as he reaches out to gently caress Mikazuki’s face..]

I’ll do my best.

[Then he glances down with a little laugh as he starts adjusting the loose neckline of Mikazuki’s yukata.]

Someone has to help you dress properly after all and make sure you don’t accidentally kill yourself in this heat.

[tsukijiji]

Oya.

[But... Ichigo...]

If it's hot, shouldn't you be helping me take this off rather that close it up?

[You know. he's just saying.]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo pauses at that, his breath catching a bit, his heart pounding in his ears and his face rapidly heating up again.

He tries in vain to keep his mind clear and under control. He bows his head, his fingers gripping the neckline of Mikazuki’s yukata as he whispers...]

... I... really can remove it...?

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki's words are going to mirror his earlier ones, said with a quiet, serene smile.]

Do you want to, Ichigo?

[oncealifetime]

... yes, I would love to... very very much...

[He falls silent again, before he admits...]

... this is all very new to be though... I can’t remember... and I’ve not... done this with anyone else...

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki almost wishes he could say the same, but that's not true and there is no need to burden Ichigo with that.]

It's alright. I can show you.

[He has more experience than most in many things, and that includes things of that nature.]

If you want me to.

[oncealifetime]

[And here is trying his best to remain faithful even before he’d found Mikazuki again and wasn’t sure who he was remaining faithful to... he just knew he had to save himself for someone...

Ichigo looks up, his face still very flushed and he is still trying to stay in control of his more primal urges.]

I would like that very much. Please show me, Mikazuki.

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki smiles, and gently strokes that red, warm cheek with his fingers before he goes to steal a kiss, slow and unhurried, just gentle pecks with a few teasing licks.

But as he does, his hands start moving to undo the clothes Ichigo is wearing, pulling on zippers and buttons, not in haste but with almost unnerving purpose, so he can get to skin.]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo shudders lightly at the touch. He closes his eyes at the kiss as he returns it, gentle and a little tentative, then the licks make him gasp softly and he parts his lips, inviting Mikazuki in.

Ichigo’s heartbeat quickens more when he feels Mikazuki trying to undress him with such purpose. He gives in and starts helping with the removal of his own clothes.]

[tsukijiji]

[Mikazuki knows Ichigo is self-conscious about his body after the fire. There's a few swords here with fire trauma and some of them to have scars bad enough that they can not want to show them. There's a reason why Ichigo's clothes always cover him, even when it's hot.

But Mikazuki doesn't hesitate at all and while of cours,e he'll see the scars, his eyes don't linger on them. Ichigo's outwards appearance changed a little, but no that much, and that was never the part that was the most important to him.

Gently, almost reverently, he kisses Ichigo's cheek, and then the line of his jaw, and then his neck, and then his collarbone.]

[oncealifetime]

[Ichigo is so caught up in the moment for now that he doesn’t remember his scars as he sheds his clothing, and lets them fall carelessly about them.

He reaches out to lightly grip Mikazuki’s clothes as he leans into those loving kisses, sighing softly with perfect contentment.

But then something nags at the back of his mind. Something is not quite right. Where are they? Right, his room... That’s okay- No, it isn’t! He shares his room with all his brothers. His brothers might walk into at any moment! That clears his head in an flash!!

Sorry, Mikazuki, he’s going to have to push you away a bit.]

S-Stop! Stop, Mikazuki! We can’t-We can’t do this here! My brothers. They will be back at any moment! We have to go somewhere else...!

[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.

[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!