nakemen | (no subject)

[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.]

[He's just gonna let his friend thoroughly embarrass himself like this. Get through the whole spiel before correcting him. Though really it's only embarrassing because Kanesada feels the need to make it so.]

That I understand. What was he like when you mentioned I was here?

Oh. [That is a little embarrassing but the show must go on.]

It wasn't a big deal or anything. I just said you were here and he went quiet for a bit. He's not exactly a shy guy so it stood out to me.

[Mikazuki seems to ponder that for a bit, finishing off his first cup of tea while he does. He looks to Kanesada to refill it.]

Well that's no help at all.

I'm real sorry I don't go around and record people's actions in my head. [He grumbles and sips his tea.] He acted weird, okay? It's all I got.

[For a response, Mikazuki simply hums and then lets them fall to the sort of uncomfortable silence that he knows will get under Kanesada's skin. Besides, the young sword isn't doing his duty and there's the matter of his empty tea cup to deal with.]

[Of course it gets under his skin. How could it not? He finishes his tea and goes to pour himself more until he realizes Mikazuki's cup is empty as well so with a grumble he fills the other sword's cup.

And finally loses it.] Is that it? Is that all you came here for? Not even gonna say anything about the rest of the stuff I brought up?

[Well at least he has the decency to nod his thanks once it's full again even if it's going to be served with a side of squawking.]

What's there to say? You're absolutely right.

Oh. [He thought this would be harder for Mikazuki to admit but okay.]

I am. Yeah. So what are you going to do about it? Just not say anything or what?

[If Kanesada is particularly perceptive he'll notice how Mikazuki's shoulders fall slightly as he lowers his cup, cradling it in both hands.]

Is that what you recommend?

[He does notice but he prefers to keep Mikazuki being oddly open (or more so than he usually is) so he keeps up the current mood.]

Oh yeah, that's definitely what I recommend. [The sarcasm is thick.] I can't deal with you sometimes I swear.

[When he laughs it's warm and full of a rare kind of affection. He had to admit, Kanesada had become a terribly good friend.]

Only sometimes?

[If somebody had told Izuminokami that Mikazuki Munechika would become one of his best friends then he may have never believed them. But here they were.]

I'm trying to be nice.

Then perhaps I can return the favor.

[And for once, it doesn't sound like he's teasing or leading him on.]

Speak freely. You have much more experience than I do here. I'd like to hear it.

Hey, I wouldn't say I have that much! I mean, I just have Kunihiro and I mean...[He trails off because okay, that is more experience than Mikazuki has but it's embarrassing to say so or to agree.]

I don't know his feelings on the matter and I only saw what I saw but he's pretty into you and we know how easy it is for things to get messed up so...you know. Just. Go ahead and try to enjoy yourself. You might as well if someone cares about you.

[It's taking all of his willpower to not freak out and go red.]

[Mikazuki falls silent again. The only sound comes from the rustle of fabric brushing against fresh tatami mats and the way the old building creaks around them, like it's been listening this whole time, pressing in with unsolicited opinions of its own.

What other moments like this has it been witness to? It may be strange to them, as swords, but really it's a feeling that's completely natural, one of the most familiar to humans. And even this trepidation, this uncertainly, that too stems from the hearts of mortals where all choices must be weighted carefully so as not to waste their exhaustible supply of seconds ever waning with their continued existence.

And here is Kanesada, sparing some for him. Mikazuki smiles at him.]

I can see he's not the only one. It's no wonder Horikawa thinks so highly of you.

[As much as he complains that Mikazuki plays too many games, he doesn't think he can handle how honest he was just now because he knows that Mikazuki wasn't teasing him.

But it was embarrassing nonetheless.

So with a faint blush, he just sips his tea.]

Yeah, well, I'm a pretty great guy. What can I say?

[But it lacks its usual bravado, his words.]