nakemen | (no subject)

[This is too much for him.]

Shit. I mean, he's my partner. [That's as close as he gets to saying "yes, he is important to me."]

Edited 2019-06-26 10:12 (UTC)

Ah because he's your partner. Does that mean it's simply a matter of loyalty?

No! I mean, part of it? Maybe? It isn't like I'm forced to or anything or I feel like I am. I mean. Why wouldn't I have some loyalty to the guy? He does a lot for me and I was kind of made for him? Except shit now that sounds real forced but it isn't! We're just...we're partners? [How many times will he keep saying that?]

Ugh. Listen. It's hard to explain, okay?

[Strange as it seems, he thinks he might be starting to understand. But Izuminokami isn't getting off that easily.]

We could try a different angle. What would you say you get out of it?

What the...? Hey, you make this sound like some sort of business deal! It isn't like that.

[He feels just a little defensive that this is how his relationship with Horikawa is coming off. As if that's what the point of their relationship is. That they both have to get something from it.

But then, when he thinks about it...] But I guess a relationship of any kind is about give and take. You gotta share that...for it to be healthy. Huh...

Yeah. You gotta share that stuff! [There goes his habit of thinking out loud.]

[That's... actually pretty helpful. Huh. Though it seems he's struck a chord he wasn't actually aiming for.]

Forgive me. It's really rather a novel topic for most of us. That's why it's of such interest. How does it work then, this give and take?

Uh, it's like...

Well, we go really well together on the battlefield. We kind of make up where the other lacks and so on and all that. I guess it kind of works like that in the day to day crap? Like Kunihiro's good at all that stuff and I don't know. I guess I don't do a lot of it except when that bastard tricks me!

You know, one time the asshole got me to clean the whole stables and he just watched me? Oh yeah, Master said this and Master said that. Well, I say kiss my ass! I did all of it! I don't make him do everything! Eh, he kind of does everything a lot...

But he likes it? He's a helpful kind of guy and I don't know, I try to...keep him grounded? He's a real busybody. Nosey jerk. I just kind of know what he needs during the day and I do it for him?

[Does this make sense? Why does he feel like he's rambling.

Probably because he is.]

This is embarrassing...

[He just lets Kanesada talk. Getting it all out. Though it isn't all completely clear, he can tell the younger sword isn't trying to hold back now. Maybe it is just that complicated. A feeling that can't be defined by by something as imperfect as human words. But Mikazuki appreciates him all the more for trying]

It's nothing of the sort. [He could say how it's sweet. How he's lucky to have someone like that in his life. Someone he can trust. How he can be so certain and secure in the knowledge that they'll always be there for one another.

He knows Kanesada doesn't want to hear those things said aloud. So Mikazuki simply repeats his own words back to him. The ones he seems to take so much comfort in.]

You're partners.

[He doesn't quite laugh but maybe Kanesada can tell how he's smiling.] Thank you, Izuminokami.

Edited 2019-06-29 14:45 (UTC)

So...hey. What was this for?

[He kind of has an idea but even if he didn't, Mikazuki always has his reasons. His plotting.]

I told you didn't I?

[Looks like he's sticking with that story. They're just good friends like that.]

You told me a bullshit excuse and I'm not buying it.

[He has an idea what this is about but he'll wait to see what Mikazuki says to this. ]

[Okay maybe he owes it to him, after he was so kind as to drag him this far out of his comfort zone.]

If you're going to insist on making such demands, I will have to insist that we not make this so impersonal.

[Meaning he's not doing this over the phone.]

Where are you?

In my room.

[He wasn't expecting it to be this easy. Now he's kind of terrified. ]

[Perhaps he should be. Just because Mikazuki has resolved to tell him, doesn't mean it will be on Kanesada's terms.

He doesn't reply to the message, nor does he come to find him right away. Kanesada is left to wait some minutes, no more than a half hour, regardless of any plans he might have had. Fortunately, Mikazuki also knows this to be the time that his friend reserves for reading comics or otherwise getting up to absolutely nothing of consequence.

When he does arrive, the door to Kanesada's room slides open without annoucement. He guides the wooden door with the toe of his foot, closing it again with his heel, for his hands are occupied with a lacquer tray just large enough to hold everything necessary for tea for two.

Claiming one cushion among the few that are strewn about the floor, he sinks to his knees and sets the tray between them.

He doesn't answer the question.]

There. That's much better I think.

[Honestly, Izuminokami wouldn't have been surprised if Mikazuki had not shown up. Or maybe he would tomorrow with some laugh and said he thought they were talking about a later date. Anything is possible with this sword.

He had been waiting for ten minutes before he decided he wasn't going to waste time and lounged around, reading some comics he had found around this place. When Mikazuki shows up, with the tea because of course he would fucking do that, Izuminokami looks up and sighs before going to sit with him.]

Could have at least helped with that if that's what you were doing.

[It's best not to immediately jump into the conversation. That'll make Mikazuki avoid it all the more.]

Edited 2019-07-06 16:42 (UTC)

[It just goes to show just how grateful Mikazuki is, that he didn't bail on him. That and his word does mean something to him. Just how long it takes him to make good on it is another matter entirely.]

Oh? I wasn't aware you were familiar with the particulars of properly serving tea. Tell me what is your preferred blend for a late summer afternoon?

[Is he being patronizing? Maybe. Is there a right answer to his question? Absolutely.

The answer is in the cup he pours out and places in front of Izuminokami with all the grace and hospitality of a master.]

[He knows when Mikazuki is being a jerk and this is one of those times.] Oi, listen. I don't know that kind of stuff but I could have helped you carry everything, at least. That's what I meant, asshole.

[It was strange to think about how when he first got here, the idea of calling Mikazuki Munechika an asshole would have seemed like a terrible thing but now? Well, he knows the other well enough.

But as he looks down at the tea being poured out, he lifts it up.] It's this tea, right? The answer to your question or whatever?

[Mikazuki just smiles at the mild abuse hurled his way. It's honestly one of the things he appreciates most about Izuminokami. That they can have this kind of relationship that doesn't have anything to do with how special he supposedly is or isn't. It's also means he doesn't have to feel bad when he teases him in turn.

And what makes him think maybe it's fine if he shares a little more with the young sword than he normally would were he anyone else.]

So do you know what it is? [Said while sipping at his tea.]

Afternoon...tea? [He takes a drink and frowns.] Um, green. Green afternoon tea...?

Listen, I don't know! It doesn't matter! [He puts his tea down and points to Mikazuki.] You're not doing this today. You can't play this game. What do you want to know by asking me about Kunihiro?

[He remains still, unwavering as he enjoys his tea in the face of the accusations.]

Izuminokami-dono. I was getting right to the heart of it. I asked you what you know about that.

Edited 2019-07-11 00:17 (UTC)

Don't you 'dono' me! I know what it means when you call someone that. [Mikazuki is, after all, a real asshole.]

And you asked me about tea. [But maybe that had been code for something...?] I...think. Ugh, it's always this bullshit with you.

[Siiiiiiiiiiiip.]

You asked me what this was for. [Way back when.] First, I want to hear what you think.

You know what I think? I'll tell you what I think. [He looks at him pointedly, leaning on his arm.]

I think you and Daihannya got something going on. You got some kind of history because when he first came here, he got all weird about hearing you were here and you two clearly got a thing because when you two were fucking me it was weird. All that eye contact and you two didn't do a thing with each other? But god, it was like being a third freakin' wheel when I was the one with all the dick in me!

[He takes his tea and sips it loudly, eyes staying on Mikazuki to see how he reacts.]

[Mikazuki listens to all this quietly, without refute, and he doesn't even have the decency to look abashed when Kanesada is finished. No, there's only one detail in all of it that he latches on to now.]

Weird? How exactly do you mean that?

What do you mean? It's weird! Like you two were having a thing and I was some, I don't know, prop! It...it was weird!

[Sipping that tea loudly again, looking away because now he feels like he should have just stayed quiet. It's just like Mikazuki to do this.]