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.
It is alright to tell me what it is you find in it...?
[He has a feeling maybe it's something Mikazuki does not really want to talk about but... he does want to understand him more. Perhaps through understanding him more, he might remember more about his own past.]
... upset me? ... more force?
[That sounds very ominous... he tries to imagine what tools these might be but is, of course, unable to imagine any as he has lived such a sheltered life since his reawakening, with everyone around him treating him so delicately. He does appreciate their concern but he feels he's able to handle a little more than they think he's ready for.]
Perhaps... you could show me the less upsetting ones first?
[He might not mind seeing the whip or riding crop, though he'll not be interested in having it used on himself. On other people, maybe? And he'll mostly be interested in whether the whip can be used as a weapon... for it'll go pretty well with his uniform!]
[He doesn't want to delve too deep into it. but he can summarize it in one simple way.]
... They need me.
[And just that is enough. He's not alone in a box, in the dark, waiting for an elusive exhibition day, too precious to be left out for the world to see. Instead, he is wanted and sought after.]
I keep everything in the same chest. Over here.
[It is nondescript, the same as some of the kimono chest except for one little detail. It has a lock on it. And he will open it, but let Ichigo lift the lid if he wants to.
Everything inside it is neatly arranged. There's the medical kit. Silk ropes of different colors. silk ties and ribbons as well. blindfolds, also in different materials and colors. And then shackles. Handcuffs. Leather collars and manacles. Several riding crops. A whip. A small knife, it's blade even shorter than a tantou's.]
[Hearing that just breaks his heart. Even though Mikazuki has told him several times before that he hasn’t felt lonely, it appears now that that isn’t quite true at all.
He embraces him tightly.]
... you’re not alone anymore and I also need you. A lot.
[And it is true, for Mikazuki’s presence helps him keep his demons at bay.
Ichigo hesitates for a brief moment, bracing himself for whatever might be inside this Pandora’s Box. Yet once he peers inside, he realises it’s not really that bad?
Some of the items, like the colourful silk ropes, ties and ribbons are even quite beautiful. He runs his fingers over them, liking how they feel. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind being tied down with all this soft silk...
He frowns a bit at the shackles and manacles, wondering why something so heavy duty is needed. Aren’t the ropes and ties enough? Then he picks up one the collars and riding crops, a little intrigued by them. That is when he sees the whip. He is immediately drawn to it. He takes it out, liking how it looks, feels and weighs. He’s definitely most interested in it, though in an entirely different way from what Mikazuki uses it for. He sets the whip down beside himself for a closer look later, as he goes over the rest of the chest’s contents.
Upon seeing the medical kit, he thinks it’s just for first aid which is innocent enough, but it also causes him a little worry. Then the sight of the little knife puzzles him. He takes it out and turns to Mikazuki with an expression of concern and worry.]
Why do you need a knife? And do you get injured easily from these... activities? Is that why you need a medical kit?
[The hug feels good, and he holds back just as tightly.]
Thank you.
[maybe it's not that bad because Ichigo hasn't seen the things in the chest in action. And unless he asks for it himself, he never will. Mikazukis' sessions with other swords are private unless they themselves request it otherwise.
It's a little surprising seeing Ichigo zero in on the whip... and it doesn't look like he's entirely aware of what it's used for and on whom, he likes it for a more innocent reason, and that's... cute in a way.
But then, more questions come and he has to be delicate, but still truthful, in his answers.]
The knife is for cutting through fabric, mostly. And I don't usually get injured myself, but some of these things... can cause some damage to the person requesting them and it needs to be taken care of immediately afterwards.
[Come on, Ichigo, there is a whip here... And it's not a small thing, it's a horsewhip.]
[Perhaps it's best that Ichigo never knows what most of the things in the chest are for...
He examines the little knife a little more as Mikazuki explains.]
For cutting fabric...?
[Well, that makes sense and checks out, he supposes. There is a lot of fabric in the box after all and maybe sometimes people want to get out of their binds faster than they can be untied...? In any case, he decides that's what it's for and puts the knife back in carefully.
He cares way more about whether or not these... activities injure Mikazuki than about what happens to the swords who seek him out for them. He furrows his brows lightly, once again unable to comprehend in the slightest how anyone could find being intentionally injured... therapeutic or pleasurable. However, he tries hard not to judge.]
... I see. Please try not to get injured yourself.
[He takes one more look at the contents of the chest, before taking out a blindfold. His cheeks are a little pink as he asks his next question...]
Does one's senses really become heightened when one is blindfolded?
Well, since it's all consensual and you're helping the others get over their problems and you enjoy doing so... there's really nothing much I can say against you doing all this.
[Surely it would be wrong of him to forbid him from helping the others... Still, a small grain of fear and insecurity nags at him and he has to ask.]
... but what are these people to you? Are they just clients? Do you love them?
[Do you love me way more than them? Am I the most important to you? He doesn't want to appear needy, but... he does require and crave reassurance from time to time, for deep inside he believes that he is no longer as beautiful as or as worthy of love as his past self.]
I see...
[He gazes down at that harmless looking bit of cloth in his hands. To him, it is the least intimidating of the items in the chest. And he knows Mikazuki will look after him and stop if anything makes him uneasy, so he nods and comes back over to hand him the blindfold.]
They are fellow Touken Danshi. And people I call friends.
[So in a way, yes, he loves them... but not how he loves you, Ichigo. But it's still cute to see you beg for reassurance. Cute enough that he doesn't mind at all giving it to you right away.]
But in my eyes, there has never been anyone like you, Goshuujin-sama.
[At the request, he takes the blindfold from Ichigo's fingers and gently folds it to put it over his eyes.]
Just tell me if it's too much and you want to take it off.
[Just friends. Ichigo will try to keep reminding himself of that. Then any bit of jealousy or unease he’s been feeling instantly melts away the moment Mikazuki says that. A rush of happiness surges through him and he smiles brightly with such simple and pure joy, his cheeks tinted a soft pink.]
Really? [And he’s come to love being called ‘Goshuujin-sama’, as surely Mikazuki only calls him that.] ... could you please say that again? I want to hear it again.
[Ichigo turns around so that Mikazuki can secure the blindfold over his eyes.]
Okay.
[After the blindfold is on, Ichigo is silent for a moment. This isn’t so bad. Though he does reach out to touch Mikazuki, just to make sure he’s there.]
[He is starting to feel just a bit disappointed when Mikazuki stays silent then his heart flutters wildly when he finally calls him that again so softly and intimately! He could die of happiness right now.
And he can’t hold back anymore. He just must hug you now and cover your face with soft kisses!
He keeps his hand on Mikazuki’s sleeve.]
Oh... What do people usually ask you to do when they’re blindfolded then? Can I have a taste of that?
[Mikazuki thinks back about th last people he blindfolded and....]
... No, I really do no think you want that.
[You're absolutely not ready for complete sensory deprivation - something he would never do to Ichigo given the possible trauma of it -, or flogging, or whipping. And tying him up is... probably not a great idea either.]
I don't think it is a good idea to do too much right now anyway. These things require prior communication. Things must be talked about beforehand. It's very important to make sure nothing happens that you would not want, to set clear limits...
And there is still a lot you don't remember. I would hate for something that I do to bring back bad memories.
[... just what have you been up to before he got here, Mikazuki??
Ichigo tips his head, quite confused. He’d thought this blindfold was the least... well, kinky of all the things he could have chosen to try, but apparently, unbeknownst to him, he is completely wrong...]
Oh...
[Now he’s a bit disappointed. He’d wanted to try something new and he’d liked the whipped cream thing they did the other day. That was really nice and fun, even a little ticklish. And there are parts of him that are quite ticklish and sensitive! He’d thought this could be something like that. Something romantically sweet, gentle and loving.
He thinks about it for a while.]
Kiss me then? Kiss me anywhere you want. Surprise me? I want to know how it feels to be kissed when I can’t see or expect where I‘ll be kissed.
[Listen, there are a lot of sad broken birds in this Citadel, and he's been doing his best, okay?
Kissing though? Kissing is fine.]
Alright. I can do that.
[But even as he does move to do it, he keeps a soft hold on Ichigo's fingers, just so he'll know Mikazuki is still right there. For someone else, he might have let go entirely, but this is Ichigo's first time.
First he goes for a peck on the cheek. Then one on his hand. Then a nibble on his earlobe. All without words or warning, but always softly.]
[He’d rather not know any of the sordid details... Ignorance is bliss. Let him remind untainted in his pure world for as long as possible.
He greatly appreciates being able to keep a light hold on Mikazuki’s hand as he stands there in darkness. Perhaps one day he’ll be able to stand being alone in the dark again, but today isn’t that day.
Ichigo chuckles lightly at the little kisses on his cheek and hand. He likes those. Then he gasps and shudders at the unexpected soft nibbling on his earlobe. He can’t help gripping Mikazuki’s hand a bit as his ears are wonderfully sensitive.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
[He has a feeling maybe it's something Mikazuki does not really want to talk about but... he does want to understand him more. Perhaps through understanding him more, he might remember more about his own past.]
... upset me? ... more force?
[That sounds very ominous... he tries to imagine what tools these might be but is, of course, unable to imagine any as he has lived such a sheltered life since his reawakening, with everyone around him treating him so delicately. He does appreciate their concern but he feels he's able to handle a little more than they think he's ready for.]
Perhaps... you could show me the less upsetting ones first?
[He might not mind seeing the whip or riding crop, though he'll not be interested in having it used on himself. On other people, maybe? And he'll mostly be interested in whether the whip can be used as a weapon... for it'll go pretty well with his uniform!]
no subject
... They need me.
[And just that is enough. He's not alone in a box, in the dark, waiting for an elusive exhibition day, too precious to be left out for the world to see. Instead, he is wanted and sought after.]
I keep everything in the same chest. Over here.
[It is nondescript, the same as some of the kimono chest except for one little detail. It has a lock on it. And he will open it, but let Ichigo lift the lid if he wants to.
Everything inside it is neatly arranged. There's the medical kit. Silk ropes of different colors. silk ties and ribbons as well. blindfolds, also in different materials and colors. And then shackles. Handcuffs. Leather collars and manacles. Several riding crops. A whip. A small knife, it's blade even shorter than a tantou's.]
no subject
[Hearing that just breaks his heart. Even though Mikazuki has told him several times before that he hasn’t felt lonely, it appears now that that isn’t quite true at all.
He embraces him tightly.]
... you’re not alone anymore and I also need you. A lot.
[And it is true, for Mikazuki’s presence helps him keep his demons at bay.
Ichigo hesitates for a brief moment, bracing himself for whatever might be inside this Pandora’s Box. Yet once he peers inside, he realises it’s not really that bad?
Some of the items, like the colourful silk ropes, ties and ribbons are even quite beautiful. He runs his fingers over them, liking how they feel. Perhaps he wouldn’t mind being tied down with all this soft silk...
He frowns a bit at the shackles and manacles, wondering why something so heavy duty is needed. Aren’t the ropes and ties enough? Then he picks up one the collars and riding crops, a little intrigued by them. That is when he sees the whip. He is immediately drawn to it. He takes it out, liking how it looks, feels and weighs. He’s definitely most interested in it, though in an entirely different way from what Mikazuki uses it for. He sets the whip down beside himself for a closer look later, as he goes over the rest of the chest’s contents.
Upon seeing the medical kit, he thinks it’s just for first aid which is innocent enough, but it also causes him a little worry. Then the sight of the little knife puzzles him. He takes it out and turns to Mikazuki with an expression of concern and worry.]
Why do you need a knife? And do you get injured easily from these... activities? Is that why you need a medical kit?
no subject
Thank you.
[maybe it's not that bad because Ichigo hasn't seen the things in the chest in action. And unless he asks for it himself, he never will. Mikazukis' sessions with other swords are private unless they themselves request it otherwise.
It's a little surprising seeing Ichigo zero in on the whip... and it doesn't look like he's entirely aware of what it's used for and on whom, he likes it for a more innocent reason, and that's... cute in a way.
But then, more questions come and he has to be delicate, but still truthful, in his answers.]
The knife is for cutting through fabric, mostly. And I don't usually get injured myself, but some of these things... can cause some damage to the person requesting them and it needs to be taken care of immediately afterwards.
[Come on, Ichigo, there is a whip here... And it's not a small thing, it's a horsewhip.]
no subject
He examines the little knife a little more as Mikazuki explains.]
For cutting fabric...?
[Well, that makes sense and checks out, he supposes. There is a lot of fabric in the box after all and maybe sometimes people want to get out of their binds faster than they can be untied...? In any case, he decides that's what it's for and puts the knife back in carefully.
He cares way more about whether or not these... activities injure Mikazuki than about what happens to the swords who seek him out for them. He furrows his brows lightly, once again unable to comprehend in the slightest how anyone could find being intentionally injured... therapeutic or pleasurable. However, he tries hard not to judge.]
... I see. Please try not to get injured yourself.
[He takes one more look at the contents of the chest, before taking out a blindfold. His cheeks are a little pink as he asks his next question...]
Does one's senses really become heightened when one is blindfolded?
[He's kind of curious about that now.]
no subject
[But yes, it can be hard to wrap your head around if you are not in that mindset.]
The blindfold... yes, it really does work. On everyone I have tried it on so far. It works on me, too.
[Because he's tried it as well.]
Do you want to put it on?
no subject
[Surely it would be wrong of him to forbid him from helping the others... Still, a small grain of fear and insecurity nags at him and he has to ask.]
... but what are these people to you? Are they just clients? Do you love them?
[Do you love me way more than them? Am I the most important to you? He doesn't want to appear needy, but... he does require and crave reassurance from time to time, for deep inside he believes that he is no longer as beautiful as or as worthy of love as his past self.]
I see...
[He gazes down at that harmless looking bit of cloth in his hands. To him, it is the least intimidating of the items in the chest. And he knows Mikazuki will look after him and stop if anything makes him uneasy, so he nods and comes back over to hand him the blindfold.]
I would like to try it. Please help me put it on.
no subject
[So in a way, yes, he loves them... but not how he loves you, Ichigo. But it's still cute to see you beg for reassurance. Cute enough that he doesn't mind at all giving it to you right away.]
But in my eyes, there has never been anyone like you, Goshuujin-sama.
[At the request, he takes the blindfold from Ichigo's fingers and gently folds it to put it over his eyes.]
Just tell me if it's too much and you want to take it off.
no subject
[Just friends. Ichigo will try to keep reminding himself of that. Then any bit of jealousy or unease he’s been feeling instantly melts away the moment Mikazuki says that. A rush of happiness surges through him and he smiles brightly with such simple and pure joy, his cheeks tinted a soft pink.]
Really? [And he’s come to love being called ‘Goshuujin-sama’, as surely Mikazuki only calls him that.] ... could you please say that again? I want to hear it again.
[Ichigo turns around so that Mikazuki can secure the blindfold over his eyes.]
Okay.
[After the blindfold is on, Ichigo is silent for a moment. This isn’t so bad. Though he does reach out to touch Mikazuki, just to make sure he’s there.]
What happens now then?
no subject
Goshuujin-sama...
[Of course you're the only one he calls that.
And he makes sure to be within reach when Ichigo looks for him.]
Well.... that depends on you. That is the whole point of these things. I'm not the one in control. You are.
no subject
And he can’t hold back anymore. He just must hug you now and cover your face with soft kisses!
He keeps his hand on Mikazuki’s sleeve.]
Oh... What do people usually ask you to do when they’re blindfolded then? Can I have a taste of that?
no subject
... No, I really do no think you want that.
[You're absolutely not ready for complete sensory deprivation - something he would never do to Ichigo given the possible trauma of it -, or flogging, or whipping. And tying him up is... probably not a great idea either.]
I don't think it is a good idea to do too much right now anyway. These things require prior communication. Things must be talked about beforehand. It's very important to make sure nothing happens that you would not want, to set clear limits...
And there is still a lot you don't remember. I would hate for something that I do to bring back bad memories.
no subject
Ichigo tips his head, quite confused. He’d thought this blindfold was the least... well, kinky of all the things he could have chosen to try, but apparently, unbeknownst to him, he is completely wrong...]
Oh...
[Now he’s a bit disappointed. He’d wanted to try something new and he’d liked the whipped cream thing they did the other day. That was really nice and fun, even a little ticklish. And there are parts of him that are quite ticklish and sensitive! He’d thought this could be something like that. Something romantically sweet, gentle and loving.
He thinks about it for a while.]
Kiss me then? Kiss me anywhere you want. Surprise me? I want to know how it feels to be kissed when I can’t see or expect where I‘ll be kissed.
no subject
Kissing though? Kissing is fine.]
Alright. I can do that.
[But even as he does move to do it, he keeps a soft hold on Ichigo's fingers, just so he'll know Mikazuki is still right there. For someone else, he might have let go entirely, but this is Ichigo's first time.
First he goes for a peck on the cheek. Then one on his hand. Then a nibble on his earlobe. All without words or warning, but always softly.]
no subject
He greatly appreciates being able to keep a light hold on Mikazuki’s hand as he stands there in darkness. Perhaps one day he’ll be able to stand being alone in the dark again, but today isn’t that day.
Ichigo chuckles lightly at the little kisses on his cheek and hand. He likes those. Then he gasps and shudders at the unexpected soft nibbling on his earlobe. He can’t help gripping Mikazuki’s hand a bit as his ears are wonderfully sensitive.]