It was a misty morning, the subtle scent of flowers permeating the damp air. The silence settled comfortably and for once, Kankei felt safe. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this way. He could hardly even believe that this was his reality, after all the blood, torture and horrors that clawed after him in troves back in the ghoul world.
Tsukiyama Shuu woke to a cold bed and the aroma of coffee. It was the first night that he had been relinquished from the hold of haunting night terrors, and the first restful, uninterrupted sleep he had in years. For once, he awoke with mental claity, body free from the ache of deep set fatigue. Tsukiyama smiled, contentment strumming at his core.
Tsukiyama walks to the living room, where Kaneki is busying himself in the kitchen, humming an idle tune. Tsukiyama watches him for a minute, enjoying the early morning air, listening to the chit chatter from the streets down below, enjoying the hummingbird song that danced overhead as the small birds perched themselves on his balcony. Tsukiyama takes in a deep breath, and makes for the kitchen.
Kaneki is smiling as he works the frying pan, oil popping and sizzling. The sweet aroma of meat makes Tsukiyama salivate. He steps behind Kaneki and wraps both arms around his waist, resting his chin on Kanekiâs shoulder and giving him soft kisses along his jaw, love pouring from his being. Kankei laughs.
âGood morning, Shuu-san. Did you sleep well?â
âYes,â Tsukiyama smiles into Kanekiâs neck. âBetter than ever, mon chĂŠri.â
âMmmâŚthatâs good.â Kaneki turns his head slightly, and Tsukiyama leans in to kiss him gently.
Tsukiyama felt peaceful, serene. He felt it deep in his core, a small, quiet happiness blooming from within. His heart felt warm, and there was love. So much love, for the boy who had come back to save him, for the man who he held tenderly, for the ghoul that loved him back so. This, Tsukiyama thinks, this is what real happiness looks like. It was not the taste of juicy, delicately prepared flesh, or the sweet scent of human blood from his favourite cocktail. Neither was it the rush of exhilaration in a fight, danger pulsing through his veins and muscles constricting tight. Nor was it the overwhelming satisfaction of triumph, watching his foes cower underfoot or mangled in a bloody heap beneath him. No, true happiness was Kaneki Ken. It was going to bed with his heat pressed against Tsukiyamaâs chest, snoring softly, and waking up to the glow of Kanekiâs snowy white skin, painted orange as the hues of dawn suffused them. It was listening to Kaneki ramble about the book he was reading, eyes bright and shining, excitement rolling off him in waves without really being expressed. It was walking down the cobblestone paths of Paris hand in hand, watching the people pass them, taking in the vibrant scenery, smiling softly at each other and sharing a cup of coffee. It was feeling Kanekiâs body, soft and pliant around him, with quietly voicing his heartâs desires into Tsukiyamaâs ear.
Happiness was Kaneki Ken.
And Tsukiyama didnât know what to do with all the raw joy that burst forth from his being.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works Joseph Joestar is just an average college student who wants to pass his classes. Caesar Zeppeli is a known flirt, and also secretly an incubus. And he's looking for prey. or The one where Caesar doesn't really know how the incubus thing really works, wreaks havoc with unkown powers, and Jojo has to help him deal with his shit.
Leo woke up with a sharp throbbing in his head. His eyes felt like they were ready to pop out of his head and his mouth felt like a scorpion had laid nest on his tongue over the night. Speaking of which, when did he even fall asleep? Rather, what even happened last night? He remembered charging into battle alongside Niles and Odin, thinning the ranks of the unknown invading army one by one, thenâŚâŚ
Leo started to heave his body out of bed, but a sharp pain in his thighs shot up his spine, making him topple to the ground, cheek striking the ground.
âWhat the-â
'Lord Leo! Youâre awake!â
Ah, Odin.
Leo felt relieved to know his trusted retainer was nearby.
The wooden floorboards shook as the footsteps grew louder. Wait. Wooden floorboards? Castle Krakenburg had no such furnishing. Wooden floorboards were for peasants and Hoshidans. Where was he, anyway? Leoâs brain felt like mush and the pain from his left leg was so great he could barely feel anything else.
'You shouldnât move around like that.â The deep baritone of an all too familiar voice instantly cleared his head.
A pair of arms picked him up from the floor like a rag doll and laid his weight on the bed again.
'Takumi!â Leo grinned up at the boy.
They hadnât seen much of each other since the war, both having to attending to Royal matters in their own countries. Takumi himself was in charge of overseeing the reconstruction of the western half of Hoshido. Leo, despite not having seen the other very much, found himself growing father find of the Hoshidan prince. He was brutish, yet effeminate, and infinitely fun to tease.
'Gods, how did you even get yourself in this state? Three broken ribs, and a completely crushed leg. Iâm surprised they even managed to heal that. I thought theyâd have to amputate it for sure. You were bleeding all over too. Youâre lucky you didnât get a concussion. Sakura and Elise sure are skilful.â
'A-amputate? What?â
'Milord! Donât just ignore us!â Niles whined.
Leo and Niles leaned over Leo , hands pressing the mattress down. Their eyes reflected their their worry, and Leo felt a sudden pang of guilt.
'Sorry. I didnât mean to worry you. Thank you,â Leo smiled up at his retainers.
'Lord Leo!â
'Milord!â
Leo was suddenly crushed by the weight of his to friends, who had pulled him into a tight embrace.
'H-hey! Let go! I c-canât breathe!â
Leo struggled to peel his retainers off him, limbs flailing hopelessly. Odin and Niles only seemed to cling on tighter.
Takumi laughed. 'You have good retainers. Strong, loyal, and entertaining too.â
'Hah, youâre one to speak,â Leo shoots back. 'How about you and that Spear Master? Last I saw, she was pining after you. You guys getting together anytime soon?â
Leo had never seen the smile drop off someoneâs face so fast.
'Iâm sorry I didnât mean to-â
'She didnât handle rejection well.â
Takumi looked away, hands thumbing at his sleeves.
Leo frowns, but does not question further.
'Well then, Odin and I must make our way back. Weâll handle the rest of your duties. Take the time to rest well, Milord,â Niles takes a step back, bows with a flourish, and disappears out the room.
'Weâll see you back at the castle, Lord Leo!â Odin hurries after Niles.
'Wait-â
Too late. Leo reached out for the two but they had disappeared just as quickly as they came.
'Donât worry. Youâre in good hands here. Sakura and Elise should be coming by to check on you soon. They stopped work to come down for your sake, you know.â
Leo turns to look at Takumi, whose gaze was still trained on the ground.
'What happened to me? My memory isâŚhazy.â
'Odin tells me the enemy had colossal golems that launched rocks the size of houses at the Nohrian ranks. You got crushed by one of them, somehow.â
Leo cringed. 'That sounds painful.â
'Hey, youâre the one who got injured. Youâd know if it was painful or not. Why the hell are you talking like it happened to someone else?â Takumi turns to glare at Leo, indignance clear on his face.
'Sorry, I justâŚthis all seems very surreal and I barely feel anything, like my nerves have been so overloaded with the sensations that Iâve grown accustomed to the painâŚor something. Where am I, anyway?â
'One of the villages on the outskirts of Hoshido. It was the nearest place Odin you teleport you to.â
'Wait, Odin can teleport?â
'I guess so? I mean, he sent you here didnât he, with magic and everything. Shouldnât you know? Youâre a mage. The best in Nohr, I hear.â
'Well, itâs not like it isnât possible butâŚI didnât know Odin could do that.â
Takumi shrugs. 'Well, anyway, youâll be staying here until youâre completely healed. Sakura and Elise will have to leave to attend to their own royal matters soon, so Iâm afraid they wonât be able to get you back in action anytime soon.â
The atmosphere between the two remained dour, and the room was filled with a pregnant silence until Sakura and Elise entered the room, and Takumi leaving to oversee the rest of the rebuilding efforts.
-
Leo leaned against the headboard, guilt and fatigue slowly settling in. He shouldnât be here. He needed to fight, to lead his soldiers into battle against the unkown forces, suppress the multitude of rebellions that had tried to bring down the royal family after the war had left them in shambles. What good was Leo as the commander, if he was stuck here, resting in bed?
My men could be dying, Leo thought, bitterly. Theyâre sacrificing themselves to protect our kingdom and yet, here I am, uselessly laying in bed. I should be out there with them. What kind of leader am I, to leave my duties to my two retainers?
Leoâs fingers clenched into fists, nails digging into palms. Leo could see Takumi outside, issuing orders and helping his men carry wood and stone to the construction sites. Sakura and Elise had left after their visit the previous day, and everyone in the village was occupied with the reconstruction. Only Leo was left recuperating alone in the shanty wooden cabin.
Emotion welled in his gut.
Takumi is a good leader, he thought.
And how about you? A voice resounded in his head. Youâve done nothing to help anyone, only burden them with worry and hinder their efforts.
Thatâs right, I havenât done anything. I should be out there. I should be fighting the enemy, or, at the very least, training. It was my own incompetence that landed me in this pathetic position after all.
'The village didnât have much, but I managed to get some ingredients from â hey, are you alright?â
Takumi set the tray of food on the bedside table and perched himself on the edge of the bed.
'Whatâs wrong?â he asked, leaning in and clasping Leoâs hand.
'No itâs nothing.â Leo smiles at Takumi, but he knows itâs unconvincing at best. Leo was someone who was used to wearing his heart on his sleeve, but the war had forced change, and Leo had never really gotten used to lying.
Takumi looked uncertain. He picks up the bowl and presses a spoon against Leoâs lips.
'I made you soup,â he says, simply.
The broth warms Leo and helps him to calm his emotions. His anger dissolves into the liquid and his worry ebbs away slowly. The guilt of burdening his retainers with yet more work, however, gnaws away at his mind.
'Thank you,â Leo replies after a while. 'Itâs good.â
Takumiâs lips arch up ever so slightly, and he spoons more soup.
Leo just sits and lets Takumi feed him, despite his brain muttering about his complete uselessness and incapability for being unable to even feed himself. Itâs self indulgent. Leo allows himself to revel in the feeling of being taken care of just a little.
Leo doesnât know where he should look, and resorts to staring at Takumi as he fed him. He takes in the boyâs long lashes that frames a set of dusty russet eyes. Takumiâs hair is pulled back into a ponytail as usual, held in place by a simple red ribbon. The boy exudes a gentle aura that soothes Leoâs inner agitation.
Leo still couldnât keep the guilt from chewing away at his consciousness. It clawed at him, bleeding out in his idle stares and a morose expression that glazed over his countenance.
Takumi set the nearly finished bowl aside and clasps Leoâs hands in his. Leo, deep in thought, doesnât seem to notice.
'Itâs nothing. Iâm alright, but thank you for your concern.â Leo offers a small smile.
'Donât try to hide it! Donât you trust me? If thereâs something weighing you down, then let me help you.â
'Takumi, youâve more than enough on your plate With the restoration efforts going on, I doubt youâll have the time or even mental capacity to fight the wars of another nation. I can handle this myself. This isnât the first war Iâve fought, you know.â
Takumiâs features scrunch up in worry. 'LeoâŚâŚI trust in your capabilities as a leader and warrior, but thereâs only so much one can take. The resolution of the conflict between Nohr and Hoshido may have marked a new age for us, but the war has yet to end on your part. While Hoshido rebuilds, Nohr continues to face suffering and death. How long has it been since your last moment of respite? Please, forget about the war just for a day and take some time to recuperate. Trust your retainers, Leo. They really are far more capable than you may think them.â
'I do!â Leo is indignant. 'I would trust Niles and Odin with my life. But thatâs not the issue. I am a Prince of Nohr. I have a duty to lead my soldiers to battle. What general would let his army march to their deaths while he runs from the threat?â
'Youâre wrong!â Takumi cries out, looking close to tears. 'Youâre not running, Leo. We all know how much you want to return to the battlefield and fulfil your duty to your people. I know. But what can you possibly do in this condition? Why do you think you have retainers, Leo?â
'Well essesntially they act as bodyguards and protect me from danger-â
Takumi scoffs. 'Says the one whose always pushing them out of the way during battle to cover for them.â
'Niles is utter rubbish at close combat. Of course I need to make sure the idiot stays alive when push comes to shove. It wouldnât do if my bodyguard were to die on me now, would it? Who would protect me then? Besides, isnât it normal for friends to look out for each other?â
'Thatâs not the point here.â Takumi waves a hand dismissively. 'Your retainers, you aides, know how battle works more than anyone else in the army. Theyâve been through countless battles with you. As frivolous as they may seem, I do think they would make fine Generals. Those too are overqualified for the mere role of a bodyguard, if you ask me. Sure, friends look out for each other. Thatâs why you should trust in them to take your place until youâre able to return to the front lines. Have faith, Leo.â
Takumiâs voice is soft, yet commanding. His expression is one of concern, but Leo can see the burning authority behind russet lenses. It says do not push this any more. Stand down, Leo.
And Leo knows, looking at that face, that there is no way for him to refuse Takumiâs silent demands.
He lets out a small sigh and his lips twitch as he suppresses the smile that is fighting to take its place on his face.
Leo is thankful for his reliable retainers and wonderful friends. Leo is thankful to have Takumi beside him.
Takumi smiles at his victory.
'You should rest now,â he says, tucking Leo in with gentle hands. He scoops the bowl off the table and makes for the exit.
'Sweet dreams, Leo.â
Sleep pulls over Leo slowly. It sends him into a haze, as if plunged into limbo. Begrudgingly, Leo admits, he loves being pampered, especially if itâs Takumi, with his bright doe eyes and big heart.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/?
Fandom: ăă¤ă¤ăŽA | Daiya no A | Ace of Diamond
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Miyuki Kazuya/Sawamura Eijun, Miyuki Kazuya & Sawamura Eijun, Kuramochi Youichi/Sawamura Eijun
Characters: Sawamura Eijun, Miyuki Kazuya, Kuramochi Yoichi
Additional Tags: Slow Build, Alternative Universe - Hairdresser, sensual, Kuramochi is a lil shit, Eijun is a precious child, Miyuki has problems, Romance, Fluff, Freeform, Aged up characters, Angst, Tags May Change
Summary:
The first time he met him was on a cold winter's day. The first time Sawamura Eijun landed eyes on him, he thought that he was a girl. The first time their eyes made contact, Sawamura Eijun tried to chat up the pretty 'girl'.Â
 Miyuki learns that cutting your hair can be inexplicably sensual and stimulating.
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