audience: tsurumaru

[cyclists]

Comments

[unsaid]

[ . . . . hmmm. there's just a soft hum at that before mikazuki offers up a small smile in exchange]

I would find that rather pleasing.

[preowned]

[ sometimes you're dating someone for several weeks before you say that maybe you'll attempt to not kick your feelings under the bed. ]

... okay.

[ that is as far as he is offering ]

[unsaid]

[yea they're doing great at this dating thing

but regardless mikazuki will just incline his head closer to tsurumaru's so that they're bowed closer together, their gazes locked]

... I must have worried you, for you to allow yourself to be pushed this far.

[preowned]

Admittedly, some of it was because of the young one. He's very worried about you.

[ and it's hard not to be affected by that. ]

It made me realize I can't let you get away with everything, Mikazuki.

[unsaid]

Ah... If he's worried, I must not be doing a very good job.

[troubling......

but regardless he'll just rest his face against tsurumaru's]

... children ought to be allowed to be children, even children who are given responsibilities such as this. He has done well in growing, and has only grown into himself in his time here.

He needn't know all that we must concern ourselves with.

[preowned]

I know. It's why I told him to let me talk to you.

[ he didn't want roxas to try to deal with that, considering how much of an effort it was just to get mikazuki to say anything to tsuru. ]

But he's smart, and even if you try to hide it, he'll still notice things.

[unsaid]

Of course, of course. I suppose that if anything, it means that he is also growing up....

[he

really manages to sound forlorn about it]

[preowned]

Ah... you sound like an actual grandparent.

[ he pats jiji's head like he's comforting a child, despite what he just said ]

[unsaid]

I rather enjoy the human concept of 'family'.

[he's taking the headpat

thanks]

[preowned]

You do seem like you'd be into that sort of thing.

[ he'll kiss his nose. ]

[unsaid]

[thanks, he's going to actually tilt his head so tsuru catches his lips instead

like a cheater]

It is rather sweet... even if it is one of those things that might also cause great pain. Troubled brothers are inked throughout history, after all.

[preowned]

A bond that you're born with instead of one that's forged...

[ unfortunately he does not complain about the kiss ]

Would you say that Roxas is like a brother to you then?

[unsaid]

Hm...

No, I do not believe we are wholeheartedly alike...

Perhaps I am his grandfather.

[preowned]

Because you're an old man?

[ he says, as if he hadn't just called him a grandparent like a minute ago ]

[unsaid]

It would feel rather fitting, wouldn't it?

Perhaps you are also his grandfather.

[preowned]

Well, I am also an old man.

[ he only ever says this when he's with mikazuki ]

[unsaid]

Oh my, oh my.

What are two old men to do when surrounded by such plucky youthful spirits?

[preowned]

We can try to remember our youth?

[ whatever

that means ]

[unsaid]

Oh? When our paths crossed as blades?

[IS THAT WHEN SWORDS WERE BABEY?]

[preowned]

That could be it.

[ he kisses him again. ]

Can you remember that far back?

[unsaid]

I have been sent to revisit that era at least a few times before...

[but he will accept the kiss, thank you

it's hard to forget, when you are constantly sent back to the times that you already existed]

[preowned]

I was concerned.

I heard your memory goes as you grow older.

[ old man ]

[unsaid]

[there is a gentle raise of his brow at that

almost amused]

.... did you think that I would forget you?

[did he think that mikazuki would ever be able to?]

[preowned]

You wouldn't be the first.

[ minato 😒

but it's said with a slight laugh. it doesn't seem like he's that upset bout it. ]

[unsaid]

[ . . . there is a pause at that - and mikazuki is tempted to allow the moment to pass. in a way, he still does, because he doesn't know the words to express what it is that he's feeling. something that is almost nostalgia, that is very close to longing, but does not manage to be either.]

... we are meant to live rather long lives - for as long as we are needed, and have a duty to complete. Until the day that we break, we will possess these bodies, hearts, and minds.

[and he lets his hand trace along the curve of tsurumaru's face again, watching his expression idly]

There are some that we will meet for the sake of our mission, again and again, and they will not recall our faces, no matter the bonds of friendship that we may foster.

Even the people here... it is hard to say if we will meet - in these incarnations, as we are - ever again.

Yet... I will hold everyone in my heart for as long as I take breath.

Especially you, Tsurumaru Kuninaga.