wingedtiger | OPEN RP POST

[ 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.

And I'll be with you until my dying breath. I swear it.

[ Sasuke will let himself be held as long as Yukimura lets him. ]

... Truthfully, if I had won. I would have asked for you to hold me all night...

[ That dying breath will be no time soon, if Yukimura has any say in the matter.

(And he'll make sure he has his say no matter what.) ]

I had nothing in mind when I said that the victor could decide what they wanted. I was... not thinking so far ahead.

[ He was rather distracted, after all. ]

So instead of hurriedly formulating a half-thought out reward, I will borrow your idea. I will not let you go until the sun rises.

[ Right now, neither of them have to worry about any dying breaths. Nothing is going to endanger them here.

Sasuke will give a light kiss to Yukimura's cheek before settling back down into his hold. ]

It can be a temporary reward until you think of something else. I don't mind.

[ Sasuke is just glad that Yukimura can hug him back, giving him further comfort and reaffirming that he's alive after the incident. He had wanted to curl up into Yukimura and be held. And he couldn't at the time. ]

It's funny... I'm so defenseless like this, but I don't think I've ever felt so safe like I do in your arms.

[ Yukimura sure could get used to this cuddly, affectionate side of Sasuke.

He decides he'll come up with a different kind of reward later. No reason not to.

He casts Sasuke a curious look. He's slightly missed the point. ]

But you aren't defenseless, because I am here.

[ I will not let anything happen to you.

To Yukimura, it's that simple. ]

[ Yukimura will quickly learn how touch starved his ninja is. He truly enjoys and feels comforted by Yukimura holding him, kissing him, touching him. He'll melt in his arms and shift his body so they are both comfortable and have as much contact between them as possible. Yukimura could pull Sasuke into his lap, and Sasuke wouldn't protest in the least.

Although, Sasuke has break eye contact and gaze down, feeling himself blushing all the way to the tips of his ears. ]

You're stronger than any armor I could wear.

[ He says shyly. Yukimura might have slightly missed the point, but what he gives in return makes his heart flutter. ~~He's so love-struck. Help him.~~ It's like how Yukimura will never be defenseless as long as Sasuke is there. (Which is good because his armor leaves a huge exposed area on his body.) ]

That's right. Because unlike simple armor, I possess a heart that wishes with all its might to protect you.

[ If he's going to be holding Sasuke until sunrise, then maybe they ought to get comfortable. ]

Mm... Let's lay down, Sasuke.

[ Yukimura stop. His heart can't take any more. (Never stop; he needs to hear these things until his stubbornness and trauma burn away by Yukimura's fire.) ]

Ah, that would probably be more comfortable.

[ The crimson on Sasuke's skin remains as he pulls away from Yukimura's hold, leaving a final kiss to the edge of his jaw. However, he doesn't want to lose contact with him. Sasuke takes both of Yukimura's hands in his to help pull him up to his feet and away from the remains of their dango game.

... There are still dango left. Yukimura must be really distracted to forget about the dango. Well, Sasuke is a little distracted too, and there are more important things to focus on than dango. ]

OPEN RP POST

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