agoge | > @minimalcat

[There's a picture, direct to you from Yoshitsugu's eyes, of his own little gachapon; tanuki in... some kinds of interesting outfit.]

Isn't it interesting that they talk to me in what sounds like the voice of Tokugawa Ieyasu? The man who is, was and will be shōgun of Japan, depending on when and where you come from, speaking delightfully nonsense prophecies in a poor attempt at an ominous voice. My dear partner is going to be rather upset about this.

But I can't fault their feel for the flow, even if their subject matter is not as useful as one might hope from an oracle. Just yesterday I was warned I would trip over and hit the pointed edge of a table and it happened only an hour later. Apparently a coughing fit would ruin a touching moment and it did. Most recently I have been informed that a friend will ruin the last piece of mochi I have. Which one of you will be the culprit?

Still, if you can defy the prophecy, I wouldn't mind a friend having a good treat before we leave for this troubling mission. If you have not experienced war before you would be wise to come to those of us who have if you find yourself struggling whilst we are on duty; being stubborn about carrying the burden yourself will do you and nobody else any good.

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[Yoshitsugu retrieves his entire collection of tanuki before Takatora can settle down, arranging them all into a line against the wall that runs across the far side of his bed. Isn't it a shame there's no shelf to display them on?]

Isn't it? [He says, still keeping up the totally fake hurt.] I'm sure that's what you implied.

[Fun game, this. ♥ With multiple benefits.]

[Takatora drapes an arm over Yoshitsugu's waist and tucks his chin over Yoshitsugu's shoulder. He thinks of throwing a handtowel over the offending tanuki. He could probably manage from here.]

My smile is just for you.

[Those insults shouldn't be involved in any capacity.]

[Isn't this cozy? Comfortable and intimate, something they were always close to at one point of their life... only one small step beyond, really. Yoshitsugu remembers sleeping back to back with Takatora when they were young men after joining the Azai, depending on one another and nobody else until they'd ascended the ranks and grew close to their Lord and Lady.]

[The flow has carried them a long way from that time, not bothered by the attempts of any to fight it along the way.]

So I have to choose between your smile or the tanuki?

[He reaches out and touches one of those tanuki just briefly... and it's enough to earn another prediction, apparently. The 'ominous' sound of Tokugawa Ieyasu speaking can be heard suggesting that sometime soon, one of them will experience a cramped foot.]

[Yoshitsugu can't help himself; he laughs, quiet but genuine.]

[Before Takatora can respond to that teasing comment, the tanuki speaks, and Takatora flinches. Despite Yoshitsugu's description of them, actually hearing it shocks him. A startled breath escapes him, and he grips the fabric of Yoshitsugu's clothes... and there's a small rip as a seam in Yoshitsugu's sleeve is torn a centimetre.]

Gah! ...It really does sound exactly like Lord Ieyasu.

[Yoshitsugu raises his hand when he feels that rip, observing it with great interest. What an interesting world they've entered! The universe is full of unimaginable possibilities... including the silly, the ridiculous and the outright pointless. Which is a good thing.]

[Right, Takatora?]

And 'his' predictions are accurate.

[He tilts his head back.]

Do you doubt it now?

[Takatora's eyes remain a little wide as Yoshitsugu tips his head back, though Takatora soon blinks the surprise away.]

They're still insults. Creepy ones at that.

[He frowns as he says that, but after a beat his frown softens into a wry but fond half-smile. What truly matters here is Yoshitsugu's delight, so he supposes he'll have to let this insult pass. At least his lord will never know.]

No wonder they bring you such amusement.

The flow brought them into my room to entertain me.

[A pause, and Yoshitsugu rolls over so he's facing Takatora instead. His facecloth still hides his almost challenging smile but his eyes, half-lidded with amusement, might communicate it well enough on their own.]

Have you come to my room to entertain me too?

[There's no specific demand. He just really wants to see what Takatora will do with that freedom to choose, especially considering the tanuki still lurking behind Yoshitsugu's back.]

[This may not be quite so new anymore but it still makes Takatora's heart beat faster and warmth curl low in his belly. Truthfully, he's known for a long time that he'll never not feel that flutter faced with Yoshitsugu's inviting eyes. The difference now is in the satisfaction that follows.]

I'll do better.

[If smashing those tanuki isn't an option, then he'll just provide far superior entertainment.

Raising his hand, Takatora tugs Yoshitsugu's facecloth down and captures that revealed mouth with his. He slides a leg between Yoshitsugu's and drops his hand to Yoshitsugu's waist, ready to pull their bodies even closer still.

With luck, those damn figurines will keep quiet. This may be one of the last times he can have Yoshitsugu to himself for some months, especially untroubled and in good health. Their next mission seems as though it will be much less forgiving than Paris. Merely training to use the machine gun is proof.

They must take their happiness where they can.]

[It's hardly a surprising outcome, but still, isn't it nice that Takatora is getting more confident in this way? Grasping at the moments of happiness this strange flow brings with it, while they wrestle against a huge and intimidating foe. One day this will all end, after all. If they survive the war against the Regency then Yoshitsugu will return to his final year of life, which is merely paused right now, and Takatora will return to his service under the Tokugawa.]

[Best not to waste the scattering of good moments... especially if they also ensure his tanuki are left intact.]

[Without bothering to wait for that tug that will draw them closer, Yoshitsugu instead pushes himself into the gap that remains between them, half laughing into their kiss as he does so. Why wait? Though when they part he pokes the side of Takatora's head and says:]

This is how your foot will get cramped. [He smiles, warm and amused.] My surprise gifts are truly miraculous.

[So maybe that's another little tease, but Yoshitsugu cannot help but be himself. Provoking reactions out of the people he cares for most has always been his favourite 'hobby.']

> @minimalcat | @all; voice

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