wingedtiger | OPEN RP POST

--Right you are! About that. The flavor.

[ Pardon him. Watching Sasuke lick the syrup from his lips had him a little preoccupied.

Yukimura hurriedly grabs a random dango, which happens to be Dango #12. ]

Another ordinary dango?

[ He's a little nervous now. This luck is too good! Suspiciously good! ]

[ It was just Sasuke's luck that he got the messiest one, but when he notices Yukimura staring, he flushes a little. However, he... doesn't... mind the attention.... The blush is still apparent as Sasuke picks his next dango. ]

I'm going to need to catch up if I have any chance of winning.

[ Sasuke doesn't needs to show the insides of Dango #16 for Yukimura to guess what it contains. His face and lips pucker from the sour taste. Does he even want to finish this one? ]

So much for you trying to best the umeboshi; I got it.

[ Oh no! Sasuke caught him staring! (Because he was very obvious about it...)

But double oh no! Sasuke got the umeboshi dango! Yukimura should be relieved that he didn't get to it first, but that sour flavor was entirely Yukimura's idea! ]

I'll not forget your sacrifice, Sasuke!!

[ Yukimura, just what do you think this is?

He picks up Dango #7 and his lucky streak is finally broken. ]

So salty!! This is... miso!!

[ Sasuke shudders a little as he eats the other half of the umeboshi dango. He doesn't want to waste the food, and he doesn't want to subject Yukimura or Mr. Tori (who is probably sleeping in a tree anyways) to it. A kagemusha must be prepared to sacrifice himself to foods poisoned by... very sour umeboshi.

But he tries not to laugh when Yukimura is shocked by the small ball of miso inside of his choice. ]

Finally, your luck runs out, and I might have a chance.

[ It's a relief when he picks Dango #15. It closes the gap and helps him recover from his previous pick. ]

Just the usual dango.

The stakes are rising!!

[ Yukimura takes a bite out of Dango #3, and frowns in confusion. It's not bad, but it's not really good, either... And are these petals?? ]

Is this... flower filling?

[ How curious! He's sure it's safe to eat, so he finishes the dango. ]

What kind of flower was that?

Edited 2020-03-09 01:36 (UTC)

They're plum blossoms. Some of them are starting to bloom.

[ Sasuke might have been inspired by their talk of the plum blossom festivals coming. Dango #1 is chestnut, and why is Sasuke getting the messier ones which make him lick his lips? Does ~~RNG~~ some god really have it out for him? Or is trying to "help" somehow by distracting Yukimura? It's not that kind of game. ]

I know this is a game, and the winner is whoever found the most regular dango. But, did we ever decide on a prize for the winner?

[ Maybe the reward is just eating dango or bragging rights, but if Yukimura would like to up those stakes a bit more, they could come up with something. ]

[ A timely type of flower! Yukimura decides that, even if the taste is not to his taste, Sasuke picked well.

He picked well with the chestnut dango, too. Yukimura doesn't want to look like he's staring, or even show that he's noticed that the filling is on the messy side, but the way he keeps glancing to and from from Sasuke says it all. ]

Um...

[ Did they? He doesn't think they did, but he's kind of... distracted. ]

I think we... did not! Though a competition deserves a prize, so we ought to come up with one! Such as... such as...

[ He can't think. Help. ]

W-well, the victor can decide!!

[ Yukimura then picks a dango at random and stuffs it into his mouth. It's Dango #8, and it's normal. ]

Howsh dat shound??

[ He's talking with his mouth full... ]

Edited 2020-03-09 05:02 (UTC)

The victor can decide.

[ If they were playing a strategy game, Sasuke would have a tactical advantage. Dango #11 is sweet potato, and the mashed filling is slightly sticky, slightly crumbly. He licks the remains off his lips and a little off his fingers too. ~~Might as well go all in if RNG wants to distract Yukimura. I see you thirsty RNG.~~

However, Sasuke's not even trying to be tempting or alluring right now. His brows are furrowed as he leans over the tray and calculates the odds. Yukimura might be treated to glimpses of skin he's only seen with blurry vision. Enjoy the view while Sasuke is distracted in his own way.

There are only 3 normal dango left. Yukimura has eaten 4 while he's had 2. Should Yukimura even get 1 more regular dango, the game goes to him. Oh. Damn. That last one Yukimura had really put things in his favor. ]

[ This... this is madness! How does Sasuke keep getting dango like these?! He's far from unappreciative, he's just getting increasingly flustered. And those flashes of bare chest Sasuke's accidentally revealing are only making matters worse. Or... better. Depending.

Haha, is it hot in here or is it just him? Yukimura tries to focus especially hard on the dango he's picking out so it doesn't look like he's checking out Sasuke.

Except he kind of totally is.

Yukimura bites into Dango #14: toasted rice. A few grains of rice stick to the sides of his mouth, unnoticed by him. ]

I've not often eaten toasted rice... The versatility of rice knows no bounds!

[ Just focus on the dango and everything will be fine. The horny will resolve itself. ]

[ Yukimura didn't get a normal dango! There's hope! And then the hope dissipates when dango #10 turns out to be red bean filling. By this point, Sasuke is just licking his lips to be sure he's gotten it all because his past few have been on the messy side.

Did Yukimura think the horny will resolve itself? How about getting worse? ]

Ah, Gen--Yukimura, you have a piece of rice... Let me...

[ He leans over further to pluck a piece of rice from the corner of Yukimura's mouth, turning slightly pink in the cheeks as he does so. Sasuke can sense a change in the air around Yukimura... and his heart thumps in his chest anxiously. There's a game within a game here. ]

[ The horny is not diminishing! It's getting stronger!! Sasuke's still licking his lips all... all accidentally lewd-like and he actually went and picked some food off of Yukimura's face! They're eating dango, but Yukimura's turning tomato red. ]

Ghh... Thank you, Sasuke.

[ His thanks comes out noticeably strained.

Deep breaths. Play the dango game. This time he picks Dango #4: green tea. This kind is on the sweeter side, which Yukimura appreciates.

It reminds him that they do have tea to drink, and his mouth is feeling kind of dry. He means to grab a teacup, but distracted as he is, he picks up the wrong cup and takes a big gulp... ]

This tea tastes like... sake?!

[ Whoops. ]

[ Oh. Oh no. Sasuke looks at Yukimura's flushed skin, looking like he's about to overheat. Was that the green tea or the wasabi dango? Would it have affected him that much it if had been wasabi? After confirming that dango #20 is one of the normal kind (There's still hope!), Sasuke finishes it in a few bites and moves on his knees to sit beside Yukimura instead of across. Just in case Yukimura does overheat and pass out. ]

That's because it is sake? Here, let me pour you some tea.

[ Yukimura likes sake, so Sasuke thought that he'd like it with his dango too.... Well, Yukimura isn't like Sasuke with his horrible alcohol tolerance. He's not going to get drunk off of one glup, right? (Who knows with how the night is progressing thus far.) Sasuke twists to serve the tea, and some bit of past training kicks in. He properly sweeps his sleeve out of the way and pours in a way that is poised and practiced. (A young, pretty boy can make a young, pretty tea shop girl to listen for information.)

Although, his earlier movements had left the bottom hem of his kimono bunched up to reveal an ankle. ~~How shameless!~~ It happens to be the ankle which has his bear trap scar. Although unlike the yokai from the book and many other stories, it's not hidden by a strap of fabric. ]

[ NOT HELPING, SASUKE!!

Close physical proximity can only make the horny worse! Doubly so when he's acting so proper and elegant as he pours that tea! Xavi have mercy. ]

That's... er... appreciated.

[ Only dango can save him now. He grabs Dango #17. He's got too much of a sweet tooth for vegetables to be his favorite dango filling, but it could be worse.

He glances down at Sasuke's bared ankle and does a double take. He's got a scar there, and an awfully painful-looking one at that. What on earth could have caused it? Should he say something? Sasuke probably wouldn't want him to see it...

Yukimura continues eating his dango, try and failing not to look disconcerted. ]

[ Since there are so few choices on the plate, Sasuke picks whichever is nearest and takes a bite. Then he shakes his head. Dango #6 has a small piece of cooked meat inside. Of the remaining ones, two are normal. One has wasabi. Either way, Sasuke can't win now.

He's about to admit his defeat when he catches Yukimura looking towards the floor? What has gotten into Yukimura? Did he do something? Then he sees what Yukimura does. Sasuke gives a sheepish smile, color on his cheeks. He's about to tug the hem back over his ankle when his hand freezes in mid-air. He puts his hand in his lap again. Well, that's what he gets for wearing a kimono. He's left unguarded in a multitude of ways.

He takes a breath. Sasuke's trying not to hide in front of Yukimura, but even still, he's ashamed of his scars. ]

... Hunter traps are left everywhere in the forest. I didn't turn into darkness quick enough to avoid getting caught.

[ Then he turns to brush a few locks of hair out of Yukimura's face. ]

Are you doing okay? We can stop if you're feeling unwell. Besides, you've already won.

[ He won? He hadn't been paying attention.

He doesn't want to imagine Sasuke getting caught in a hunter's trap, but the image comes to him unbidden. He struggles to dispel it.

He looks at Sasuke as he brushes the hair from Yukimura's face. ]

I am -- fine.

[ He fidgets with his sleeve. ]

...I hate to think of the pain you have endured. That is what troubles me.

[ Oh. Yes, that would do it. Sasuke pulls away and starts to adjust his kimono, pulling it tighter around him and properly tucking it beneath his legs. ]

Then... don't. These are my scars to bear. You don't need to see them.

[ Why does Sasuke feel little colder? Disappointed? Was he expecting, hoping for something else? He's not even completely sure what he wants besides... besides being close to Yukimura. ]

Please, don't concern yourself with the darkness I've been through. Don't... don't do that to yourself.

How can I not?

[ Yukimura answers immediately, and with sudden intensity. ]

When those we love suffer, it is natural that we concern ourselves with their strife! If my heart did not hurt for you, then how could I call myself your -- your anything?

[ ...What does he call himself in relation to Sasuke? It's so much more complicated than a lord and master relationship now.

Or maybe it always has been. ]

[ That impassioned outburst brings a new wave of redness to his face, and he can feel his heart beat in his chest. ]

This... this is all so complicated. It seems so much easier to understand in a book...

[Sasuke feels so foolish to admit that. How much is he going to stumble? ]

I don't want you to hurt either.

[ Complicated is an understatement, Yukimura thinks. ]

...I know.

[ He frowns, deep in thought. ]

When we share our pain with others, we are no longer carrying that burden alone. And Sasuke, you have been carrying so much for so long, all by yourself...! It hurts me to know how you have suffered, but all wounds must hurt before they can heal!!

[ Sasuke is reminded of Yukimura proclaiming that he'll burn brighter than any darkness. He doesn't fear it. ]

So it's less being disgusted by my scars and more realizing the extent of what I've been through?

[ And seeing what he tried to hide all these years. How battered and fragile he is behind the mask. ]

That's what you want, right? Even if it pains you at first?

Yes! I want to understand it, and I don't care if it hurts!

[ Yukimura flings his arms around Sasuke, pulling him as close as he can. ]

And I don't feel disgust! I never have! I never will! Why... why would I be disgusted?! What is there to recoil from?!

[ He holds him tightly. Yukimura is not going anywhere. He won't run from Sasuke's past, his scars, his pain, and nothing can pull him away. ]

[ Sasuke gasps in surprise at being pulled into that tight, warm embrace, but his arms automatically close around Yukimura's back. His body settles against Yukimura's. He tucks his head in the crook of Yukimura's neck. He doesn't think of doing so. His body just does. ]

Because... that's how I feel about them...

[ He admits. He sees his scars as ugly reminders of his failures or trauma. ]

[ Yukimura keeps on holding him. ]

But...

[ They're not disgusting. There's nothing to be ashamed of.

That's absolutely true, but he's learned by now that he can't force Sasuke to feel better about himself. He takes a deep breath and tries again. ]

I lack the power to rid you of those feelings... My words alone cannot accomplish that. But I will never shy away from your scars, and I will never think lesser of you for them. To me, they are testaments to all that you have survived. You have been through so much, and you are still here. And... and I am with you.

Your words do more than you think.

[ Especially when he's never heard such sentiments expressed about him. However, Sasuke knows he has a depth of darkness to get through, and he's trying. He really is. But he's still like that skittish animal, retreating to familiar instincts when he thinks he's done something wrong. ]

You are still here, and I am with you.

[ He repeats. ]

[ Yukimura keeps on holding him close. ]

That's right. I won't leave you, Sasuke, I swear it. There is no force in this world that could take me away.

OPEN RP POST

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lol RNG gave Sasuke umeboshi twice

poor sasuke...

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lol RNG please! Sasuke got every potentially messy one!

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