jikan_rpg | [closed] I'll make your heart smile

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[closed] I'll make your heart smile

⌛ Who: Kazuha and Scaramouche Fandango
⌛ What: Confrontation of Mou's past bloody revenge and on a more fruity topic it's their 6-mo anni
⌛ When: mid-July
⌛ Where: Kaedehara home, Wakayama
⌛ Warnings: Will contain spoilers for Kazuha's story quest and parts of Summertime Odyssey. There might be smut??

[A few days ago Kazuha awoke with a start, his heart thundering in his chest and his hand clutched around the hilt of an Isshin sword. Where it had come from he hadn't been certain of yet; the memories that had been so abstract in his dreams were steadily pouring into his mind with more clarity now, but left him somewhat disoriented. The blinding light of the Musuo no Hitotachi nearly blots out every other thought— everything except a pervasive feeling of anxiety that he knows something terrible about Kunikuzushi.

Looking at him reminds him he loves him, and the anxiety slowly fades to background noise in his head.

Kazuha is an expert at withdrawing himself, meeting his boyfriend's concern with gentle assurances. Nothing to worry about, only a little bit of a bad dream. A little time to myself to meditate on my thoughts and I'll be right back. Please, Kuni, if you get worried you know you can find me, and most importantly—

I love you.

For a while after he left he just walked, his thoughts scattered and his heart heavy with memories, as free and isolated as a lonely wanderer once again. It's easy to fall back into his old routine, running from his past (once future), until the night of his second day of camp he found himself having to face down the conflict in his heart. Now that he knows the truth Kunikuzushi held from him, what does he do with it?

Six months marks the date of his confession soon and it seems destiny that he remembers everything now. It marks something important, a small milestone for something in his life both in Nippon and Teyvat, and the fates must have thought him ready to face it all. Kazuha doesn't return for three days, arriving in the early afternoon.

The samurai has no fish with him when he steps into the house, no solid evidence of fruition of his vague explanation of what he might have been doing for the past few days, but his arms are full of a bouquet of wildflowers and his hair is an untamed mess akin to his ronin self those months ago when the immortal met him. His geta are toed off at the genkan as he listens, the house mostly quiet except for the the occasional low hum of electro produced by the onikabuto.]

Kuni? Are you home? [He raises his voice to call for him, knowing that the immortal is unlikely to have used the kitchen since he's been gone despite that being his first destination. As he makes his way there, he pushes sliding panels to let more light and a cool summer breeze in. The sound of birds chirping pleasantly becomes background noise to the sound of his feet through the home.]

I have something for you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Getting this dirt off will be a welcome change.

[Kunikuzushi casts pointed stare back towards the samurai before he refocuses on his work, pulling aside some grass and getting the yard ready for whatever plans Kazuha had for it. Were he human the dirt the other man had gotten him covered in would be far more unbearable in the heat, he can imagine it itching as it clings worse from sweat. Thankfully his origins mean he isn't quite as bothered by the weather, a hot day far more durable to him though it did mean his boyfriend had chosen to endure it for longer simply to both speak with him and enact his punishment.

A trait that sets him further apart from humans, for better or worse.

Kazuha having no plans for the garden doesn't surprise him much, given how the samurai was from day to day, simply doing as he pleased. An act that suited him, but made helping significantly more difficult for him once the ground was fully finished. He can clear the weeds and grass, but once that's done past the planting of the tree, he'd simply be waiting around for whatever requests Kazuha had. Though sitting back and watching the mortal work isn't exactly a downside.]

A place filled with treasure? Careful, you might entice some of the kids into our yard and we'll never know peace.

[As though he himself didn't reinforce that behaviour when they would occasionally come around and he would entertain them.]

Do you at least know where the forge is going?

Not yet. I have to consider an ideal location... Even the arrangement of the workshop can affect the energy during smithing.

[It's not like Kazuha doesn't realize that just following his whims can often times make it difficult for the people he cares about; he tries to form plans at times due to this awareness. Reflecting on it though, he realizes that going with a plan might not work in his favor anyway. The tree is the centerpiece, and while they can gently guide its growth, trees are living things and at times can be unpredictable.

He thinks it's rather beautiful.

The samurai mills about in the yard for a moment, putting his shovel nearby but out of the way as he goes to gather the seeds. He'd already obtained them prior to his few day 'escape', having hid the small sachet beneath a garden rock near the stairs inside. He rolls it off, briefly opening to check the condition, and as he returns to his boyfriend he reaches for his hand again.]

My idea of treasure might not line up with what the kittens think. Doing this with you is already more precious to me than any sum of mora. Do you want to hold the seed?

Shouldn't you decide on that before we plant a tree?

[A tree could get in the way of things as it grew, and for something like a forge where the samurai would be working having the thing not getting in the way would be far more preferable to having to attempt to work around the tree or constantly need to hack off branches. Not to mention potential large roots growing a bit too close to where they wanted. That Kazuha mentions that the arrangement of the forge matters is even more of a reason to decide on its location at least before the tree become too large to relocate.

Magic was of course an option should anything need to change in future, but Kunikuzushi would rather not rely on it to solve problems. Especially problems that could be avoided entirely. It was another matter entirely if the tree chose to grow wildly and the garden would need alterations later on, but planning for the best outcome first seems more ideal simply because of the forge. Were it just a garden or were the mortal not someone he cared for, watching things grow out of control would be fun.

Rather than the heat colouring his face it's one again the other Inazuman that causes red to rush to his cheeks. To imply that spending time with him, that doing something as menial as working a garden was precious, a treasure to the other man isn't unlike Kazuha, but still manages to catch him off guard. Between the 'I love you's and other words of affection he should be used to it by now, but the immortal isn't sure if he'll ever be. They're still strange to him, years of nothing even remotely close to hearing them daily is a change that will take time to fully adjust to.

If he ever adjusts to it.]

Spending time with me means that much to you.

[Kunikuzushi offers out his hand the moment Kazuha moves to reach for it. He feels warm, though it's hardly the weather responsible. He isn't sure what planting a tree together means, what kind of symbolism it holds to the samurai, but Kazuha is terribly sentimental and wouldn't ask for such a thing if it meant absolutely nothing. He wants to do this anniversary right, given his past had already thrown it somewhat askew.]

Did you want me to hold it?

Haha, don't worry so much. I won't be putting it in the same area as this garden.

[It wasn't exactly like he feared a fire would happen, although very possible in his work, and more a consideration of the smoke from the coals burning. He doubts that placing his workshop in the same space as his garden would spell a healthy life for any of the plants he might want to nurture. He could simply resolve that by expressing his feelings with stone, though it didn't change the tree was to be the centerpiece.

Smiling at the doll, instead cups his hand around the back of his, holding his palm up and open. He can't help but swipe a bandaged thumb over his soft skin, a tiny affectionate gesture, but he stills it right below Kunikuzushi's fingers.]

You're a big part of my life.

[If he spends forty years or more with the immortal, he'll be with him more of his life than he's been without him. Kazuha isn't certain that Kunikuzushi understands this or has the capacity to— mortal lives must be no more than flickers to him. Trying to explain this might just sour the other man's mood again though, so he just lets those words carry his love instead.

He doesn't really answer the other question, choosing instead to shake the seed from the sachel onto the immortal's palm. It's an interesting shape; a large seed, almost like a pit, but three long 'tails' reminiscent of an over achieving maple seed.]

Do you want to make a wish before we plant it?

Just trying to save myself the future headache.

[It's good to hear the samurai say it, that the forge would be out of the way of whatever the garden could throw at it. No potential for needing to move things in the future or attempt to find ways around the ever growing tree - not that he expects a simple maple to give them much trouble.

The immortal smiles as Kazuha cups his hands, blush still present on his face. The light gentle touches are simple to read at this point in their relationship, meant to be soothing, to show the samurai's affections towards him from what he's been able to work out. He's always treated with such care, something so foreign before his arrival in Nippon.]

Am I?

[Words not entirely expected, though they make sense given what the mortal says about him, that he lives with him and wishes to spend years together. It feels good to hear them, as many of Kazuha's affections do. Soothes some of his own doubts that he finds difficult to shake at times. Kunikuzushi thinks he's right in saying that the samurai makes him happy.

Glancing down at the seed now in his hands reveals an interesting sight, it doesn't quite look like a maple seed to him, at least none he's seen before. A strange thing, but he trusts that Kazuha knows what he's chosen. Wishing on it is an even stranger thing, perhaps something humans or simply children did with maple seeds? It seems silly, knowing that wishing on a seed before it's planted won't do anything, but much like planting a tree it's something the other Inazuman wants and he knows nothing of what doing so means to him.]

A wish... Is that what you're supposed to do when you plant a tree?

[If it had come to some layout issues, Kazuha can’t imagine himself bothering his boyfriend with it. He can’t help but think that Kunikuzushi probably knows this already and was only seeking something to criticize at the moment. It’s one of the immortal’s less endearing traits, and he’s glad to end the discussion for now. He might change the garden later and never hear the end of it, but that was just part of the creative process.

He slips his arm around Kunikushi's waist, lightly holding him at his side. It wasn't a trapping hold like earlier, just a gesture of closeness. Kazuha's always been physically affectionate with his boyfriend, even if at time he was personally distant; the immortal often is treated to poetry, listening to his feelings through a veil of flowery words.]

On the day that I asked you to be with me I said so once before. You're even more so now than you were then.

[He saw the former Fatuus very frequently then, but now he goes to rest with the doll's face curled against his chest and wakes with his limbs tangled in his. He's always cherished his time with people, but since the death of his friend he never wants to live with regrets at the things he didn't do. Of course... he has his own nerves to steel, and he considers this as he rubs a circle on the doll's hip. Okay, maybe he was still a bit anxious.]

Hehe, I don't think so normally. Maybe some do. [The samurai pauses, thinking.] But since it's ours, I thought a little bit of ceremony would be appropriate.

You flatter me.

[To hear that he matters to such an extent is more than he could have asked for since he'd gotten close to the samurai. It settles his worries, soothes him as much as the other man's actions do. Lashes cast down over his eyes as Kunikuzushi's gaze falls, a gentle smile spread across his lips. It's foolish of him to hope for anything, for his boyfriend's words and wishes to accurately portray how their lives will turn out, foolish but he still finds himself hopeful.

The seed he supposes is rather like their relationship, something new and still growing with the potential to last for years. It could become something beautiful given the correct care or it could end as quickly as it began if mistreated. The immortal wonders if that was the reason Kazuha had chosen to plant a tree of all things. He wouldn't put it past him.]

Since it's ours...

[Kunikuzushi expects things of this matter are all done with a reason on the mortal's part - choosing a tree, wanting to celebrate planting it together on their anniversary, asking him to make a wish before doing so. Simple and childish as wishing on anything is he can't deny the mortal's desires, whatever meaning was meant to be behind them. There are a few things he wants that he could easily wish for.]

Wishing is rather odd for ceremony, but if that is what you've decided I couldn't possibly say no. Am I meant to tell you what I wish for?

[Kunikuzushi doesn’t give himself enough credit for his progress in learning to understand the way that Kazuha thinks about and approaches things. His assumptions are not too far off from the thought that the samurai put into this particular ritual he had prepared for the day, though the doll embellishes it with some of his own symbolism. Kazuha would be proud of him.

It’s not like he’s only trying to flatter the immortal when he tells him how much he means to him and that he loves him. His adoration is far deeper than physical or the love a person has for a deity— he’s raised his sword to his own god, but he has doubted his ability to do so to her son. Not that he feels inclined to confess that part to his boyfriend.

He only responds by leaning into the immortal and placing a soft kiss against his cheek.]

If you want to. If it's meant to be granted it won't matter one way or another if you do or not.

[Kazuha liked these sort of whimsical things, and by now Kunikuzushi is likely used to his belief in fate. It's just one of the ways the samurai comes to accept things that happen and be at peace with them. In this case he just thinks that it's a harmless little thing— perhaps forming a thought on a wish would help manifest it in reality, if just to solidify a new ambition to strive towards.

He thinks he knows what he wants.]

Do you have an idea of what you want to wish for?

[The kiss is another bit of reassurance, conveying words he imagines Kazuha cannot find or doesn't feel the need to speak to get across. It suits him well enough, having dealt with plenty of quiet moments, of the samurai simply offering silent affections. He hopes to one day be able to determine what each moment means when they occur.

The doll doesn't believe any wish he could make would be granted, said aloud or kept silent, as such the choice he makes hardly matters. It's little more than a choice to be made to please his boyfriend and to celebrate their anniversary in a way most peculiar. Something that rather suits them and their relationship.

Kunikuzushi's brows pinch in thought, a few ideas come to mind depending on how seriously he wants to take the task at hand. There's little he truly wants, things he's still confused and conflicted on, but the small pool means it's simple enough to narrow it down to two main thoughts.]

I think I do.

[There's the option of a heart, something he's devoid of, has wanted for such a long time but was unlikely to ever be. The Gnosis was meant to be it yet his time with it in Nippon has been anything but what he dreamed of. Perhaps because he wasn't in Teyvat, that this world had its own rules and it was messing everything up. It's a likely enough reason, but one he's found himself too preoccupied and perhaps a bit too scared to find out the truth. He'll have to eventually, but a wish to make it work was just as unlikely to work.

Perhaps the most outlandish wish he could make was on a topic only recently moved on from - Kazuha's mortality. The other Inazuman was human, would eventually be taken from him, but if he was going to be making a wish that would never come true perhaps wishing that the man would remain at his side, was the perfect choice. For as long as he wanted him, never losing him.

Kunikuzushi glances back up, another question on his mind.]

Are you making a wish as well?

[The look of concern and concentration wrinkling Kunikuzushi's brow brings a smile to the samurai's face, almost a silent laugh. He appreciates that the immortal is putting some thought into it instead of just immediately dismissing it as something stupid. Even if he likely still thinks that, he appreciates the attempts to indulge him; although Kunikuzushi wasn't one to express verbal affection, these small gestures speak it for him.]

I had no desire to leave you to do this alone. This is something for both of us.

[The tight, smooth skin that mars his palm rubs against the immortal's hand, his fingers lightly brushing the outside of the seed. Leading by example is something he's grown somewhat used to since his time with the Crux; though they had little interest in his own interests to begin with, he still has been happy to share them with the people around him. He looks to the seed, then tilts his head to look at Kunikuzushi's face instead.]

My only wish is for us to be more honest with each other.

[Although they had just come away from a discussion about dark secrets of the past, he's thinking about himself too and his habit of concealing how he's feeling. Hiding himself from Kunikuzushi would only continue to create distance from each other.

Kazuha knows he could wish for something more, something grander, but he usually puts his thoughts to more simple goals. A wish that could be achieved by his own means.]

And to make another wish in the spring, at our first year.

[Two wishes, where he has little belief that his own will come true, Kunikuzushi does hope that he can strive towards fulfilling Kazuha's. Being more honest with each other sounds simple enough in practice, simply speaking to the samurai when asked or if he feels there's something he should know. Sounds simple enough, but in practice the doll knows it's far from that.

Kazuha knows more about him than anyone else and even then the information he had gained hadn't been easy. Telling him of things he wishes to forget is a trial, of parts of himself he still isn't sure of, or of things that have happened that he's convinced himself of otherwise. It's something he can attempt, has been attempting, but it's a wish he can't make promises on. Not that the other Inazuman is asking him to.]

More honest with one another... What kind of things does that entail?

[Perhaps if he knew just what the samurai was looking for it would be easier to perhaps open up more. There's little he can think of to speak with him about - Kazuha knows the important things now - of his involvement with his family in the past, of his old friend, what the Fatui were doing in Inazuma. There's certainly more to tell, but as far as impacting his boyfriend, those seem to be the most pressing.

As silly as making wishes is there's something calming about knowing that in the spring they'll be making another. That after their first year together Kazuha wishes to celebrate again, that this might become a common occurrence as the years pass by. The immortal has much to plan if that's the case, but at least he'd be prepared for their year anniversary, he wouldn't allow himself to be surprised at that.]

I suppose I should start considering what to wish for from now. Is there anything else you plan to turn into a tradition? I'm not certain the yard is large enough for so many trees.

[The wish should have been fairly straight forward, but Kunikuzushi questions it anyway. The immortal is always so suspicious— Kazuha can't help the sigh that escapes his mouth, leaning to rest his chin on the other Inazuman's shoulder with a slight pout on his lips. Maybe some day these things will be easy for the doll.]

Concealing my feelings only makes the heart grow heavy.

[He's been good at expressing himself a little bit more with Kunikuzushi since they began living together, but he has much to go in ways of sharing himself. Friendliness didn't factor into it; the samurai is quite friendly with many people, but he has a habit of shutting out even the people closest to him. His sudden disappearance a few days prior was only the most recent example of it, but there's been more than a few days in which he had returned to his futon after relieving himself, staying in bed the whole day.

He doesn't like this part of himself much. Kazuha always prefers it when people speak straight and frank to him, so that there's no misunderstandings. This is something he finds difficult to do himself.]

I didn't imagine we'd be planting a tree each time. Perhaps we can simply return to this one.

You tell me plenty.

[Perhaps not as much as the mortal could be telling him, but the thought that Kazuha felt he was hiding much from him stirs up a strange feeling. Kunikuzushi almost never asks for the other Inazuman to explain himself, to tell him anything when he might have no wish to, often only asking for answers when he was confused or needed some form of clarification. Even those moments the immortal sometimes avoids doing more than attempting to figure out things for himself.

There's more he could be told, but Kunikuzushi likely would never press matters for it - wanting little to upset or possibly ruin his relationship with the other man. He's fine with things being as they are.

It's clear that Kazuha isn't, having brought up such a wish to begin with and that's where the doll feels the possible concern is coming from. Just what was the samurai hiding from him that such a wish was warranted? Was he truly over everything that had happened? Was he still mad? Kunikuzushi shakes his head, if his boyfriend wanted to wish for them to be honest to one another then he would have told him if there was anything else wrong.

Focusing on the tradition Kazuha seems to be setting up for their anniversaries takes him a moment, but it's not long before he's considering just what they could do constantly returning to wish at their tree year after year.]

We can see how much its grown.

[Kazuha only gently shakes his head at that. He does tell Kunikuzushi much, but there was still much more he could. It wouldn't hurt to try at the very least, but he isn't certain how the immortal would take confessions that might include his deepest, darkest thoughts.]

I could share more.

[The suggestion makes a wide smile spread across Kazuha's lips though, gazing at him fondly for a moment before he looks back to the seed. Yes, he thinks he likes the thought of returning together each year, examining the trunk of the tree to see how much it's grown from the year before.

Although it will be small, he's already looking forward to the first time it blooms. Fitting for their anniversary, under all the ume petals.

The samurai gently nudges the immortal's fingers more closed around the seed, his own hand cupping it from behind. It's very gentle, though Kazuha always treats Kunikuzushi rather gently; the capability to be rough only really emerges when he needs to force him to face unpleasantries.]

I think that's wonderful. We could maybe hang a token on the trunk with each year to mark it. Are you ready to make your wish and plant it with me? You just need to place the seed in the hole I dug.

If that is what you want.

[Kunikuzushi isn't about to say no to having the samurai tell him more, to making things easier on him in the future where emotions may be confusing him. Knowing more about the other Inazuman would be a benefit, regardless of if it was something he would have asked for or not. There was still plenty more to learn and this was a step in that direction.

Perhaps he would find it in himself to speak more on his own thoughts. Offer less resistance.

Fingers carefully curl around the seed as Kazuha instructs, that gentle warmth of the samurai's hands being cupped around his own. It's pleasant to hear that his attempted idea comes across as something favourable to the other man, the act sentimental enough to already have ideas on how to build off his suggestion. Hanging tokens on it each year sounds like a much better way to keep track of things, leaving behind a little reminder of moments past and promising a future full of more. He wonders how many they'll manage.]

That sounds nice.

[The immortal nods, staring at his hands carefully closed around the seed of their future tree. A reminder of their time together and possibly an indication of their very relationship. The wish Kunikuzushi finally settles on is what he wants most in the moment - the samurai to remain at his side - not wanting to worry about losing him and having to deal with the fallout. Something he's far from ready for.]

I'm ready.

[Pulling away slowly he crouches down to carefully place the seed into the hole. Hopefully they'll have many more moments like this.]

[As Kunikuzushi leans down to place the seed, Kazuha joins him shortly after, crouching down next to him to push a pile of dirt onto the hole to cover it, patting it down gently. It feels somewhat cathartic to him, like a rush going through him, his heart beating a little faster; he lets it overtake him, turning towards his boyfriend once finished, slipping his hands into Kunikuzushi's own as he leans in to kiss him.

He stops, right before he presses his lips against the other Inazuman's. The way he holds himself is reminiscent of a rabbit listening— frozen, his eyes slightly downcast and unfocused as a strange sound distracts him. It sounds like wood bending; he knows the sound well, the crackling and groaning of wood as it twists. The ground in front of them erupts a moment later.

Where Kunikuzushi had placed the seed, someting sprouts rapidly, the trunk thickening quicky and as it splits into dozens of bigger and smaller branches. The sapling keeps growing, red leaves unfurling like the wings of songbirds stretching in the morning. At a glance it's a maple, but it doesn't grow like a maple, it's trunk twisting as it rapidly ages in front of them.

From the samurai's slightly lip parted expression, it's not something he expected to happen.]

I didn't plan this.

[What could this mean? Kazuha reaches out, touching one of the leaves. It feels real to him, but it makes his heart and thoughts race.]

What do you think it means?

[Kazuha takes his hand as he always does, leans in to kiss him and Kunikuzushi finds his eyes fluttering shut, yet their lips never meet. Instead the ground explodes as the seed sprouts much faster than it has any right to, causing him to stumble back to avoid being fully knocked over from its sudden occupying space.]

What kind of seed was that?

[Kunikuzushi feels he was right about it looking not quite like a maple, the tree now in front of them clearly having maple attributes, but not entirely. It twists around in ways that seem uncharacteristic of the trees he'd been surrounded by when he awoke. A possible difference between the maples of Nippon and those of Teyvat, but the samurai's reaction makes him think otherwise.

This wasn't a part of Kazuha's plans, the man he trusted to have given planting the tree much thought before selecting it as what he wished to do for their anniversary. The immortal believes that the seed would have been chosen with care, as with most things the mortal does. If it were meant to spiral from the ground the moment it was planted he would know, much as he would if it wasn't the exact type of tree he wanted.]

That's not at all what I wished for. You didn't wish for this either.

[Not to mention that wishing didn't work like that, as much as he wanted his wish there was no expectation it would ever become true from simply wanting it to be so. The tree growing wasn't what he wanted regardless, an odd situation that the immortal isn't certain to the cause. It doesn't occur to him to consider kizuna playing a part in wishing, that it could backfire just as easily as the rest of the magic of the world.

So what could the seed suddenly spouting into a mature tree mean? Some more commentary of their relationship or feelings for one another, sound ridiculous. Magic in the soil causing it would be a good explanation, if only other things planted had the same reaction.

Brows knit as Kunikuzushi goes over a few possibilities in his mind, unable to settle on one that fully made sense of the situation.]

I couldn't say. Are you sure you got the right kind of seed?

[Kazuha draws his hands away from Kunikuzushi's, but only because he needs both his hands at the moment. His eyes are fixed on the tree, leaves lightly fluttering in the summer wind as if it hadn't just sprouted to mature life a mere moment before. Part of him feels unsettled by this— to the samurai's more pious nature, it has to be a sign of some sorts. His beloved offers little more insight into discovering the mystery of its sudden growth.

He stands slowly, then runs one hand over one of the twisting branches shading over his head. The bark is smooth between gnarls, the shape more reminiscent of a ume tree despite the crimson acer palmatum leaves. When he squeezes it, the bark springs back, showing him that it was well waterd despite him not having time to provide any. How deep into the earth did its roots go to draw enough water?]

It's the only one of its kind. A commission I had prepared for us. I just didn't think...

[Was its hybrid nature the cause of its rapid growth? Somehow, his gut feeling doesn't make him think so. He shakes his head, confused and a bit perplexed, but staring at it under the hot summer sun would glean him no more answers than the little he has.

He's curious, but he doesn't know what questions to ask yet.

Kazuha looks back over to Kunikuzushi, offering him a small shrug and a light smile. Maybe it's an omen, a prophecy, though he is hardly Mona. Divining what it means would just be allowing the day's time to pass.]

It's a healthy tree. Perhaps this is a good sign.

[The tree was a commission? An odd thing to hear, not at all expected as a potential outcome, but that meant that the samurai knew exactly what kind of seed he had planted. A tree that wasn't quite a maple, bore similarities to his own favourite tree and it's easy enough to figure out why. A hybrid made just for them on Kazuha's request, though its growth rate was a bit high even for that. Something done by the one that created it for his boyfriend? Kunikuzushi isn't sure.]

You commissioned a tree for us? Asking for more details from your source might be in your better interests if you do this again.

[Not that the immortal expects there to be more planting hybrid trees in their future, the yard was only so big and the tree they'd just planted was big enough that he can't see Kazuha wanting more in his garden.

Kunikuzushi pushes himself to his feet, wandering over to stand next to the mortal, fully take in the sight of their new tree. It reminds him of the times they've gone out together before they'd started a relationship, looking at the large maples in the park, at the ume trees when he had realized just how close he'd allowed himself to get to the samurai. He doesn't find he regrets any of it, though he holds concerns from his own fears and past.]

It's beautiful. Though its existence was entirely unnecessary, I can't see it being an ill omen. Perhaps something more auspicious.

[He leans against the other Inazuman, hands moving to rest against his arm and leaning his head against Kazuha's shoulder.]

This was rather sweet of you. A good start to the garden, I think.

I will keep that in mind.

[There likely would not be another, though perhaps he should return and ask more questions at a later time so he doesn't outright dismiss it. The mystery wouldn't be solved at this moment, and as the immortal's hands touch his bare arm lightly, it seems that he isn't the only one who is content to just let it be for the moment and appreciate it for what it was.

New, still growing.

The light pressure of Kunikuzushi's head against his shoulder stings and he knows he's unfortunately sunburnt, but the gentle, affectionate gesture draws the priority of his attention. His cheeks, reddened from the summer heat, flush a little bit darker as he dips his head bashfully. He seems to shake out of his distraction a moment later, leaning his cheek against the top of the doll's head.]

It lifts my spirits that you think so. It'll remind me of you.

[Beautiful, with a need of gentle care to continue to grow more so. The samurai smiles, then clears his throat, looking slightly away as he tries to think of where to proceed with the day from here.]

It seems we're unexpectedly getting back on a schedule... Are you agreeable with going back inside for now?

[Kunikuzushi smiles against the samurai's shoulder, content to stay and admire their work. The tree sprouting so quickly may not have been a part of Kazuha's plans, but he's glad for it all the same. It makes for quite the focal point in the garden, despite the little amount of work they've managed the garden feels nearer to completion. He still has little idea as to what other work needs to be done, what image his boyfriend has in mind for the yard, but if it were just the tree he thinks that would be fine.]

A tree will remind you of me.

[There's amusement in the immortal's voice that a tree, of all the things they share, would be the one to hold such memories. That seeing it each day could cause any amount of reminiscing from the samurai and his sentimental tendencies. The trees uniqueness has him questioning if the same won't be true for him as well, a reminder for how Kazuha cares for him. That despite all he's done it hasn't been enough to push the man away.

A reminder and a place to share more fond memories as their relationship continued to grow.

With the tree planted and unexpectedly grown, Kunikuzushi assumes they'll return to crafting the garden, turning it to what Kazuha imagines past the hybrid of their favourite trees. A garden he isn't quite certain how to imagine or what the next step could be, however it seems as though the samurai is finished with it for the moment, having done what he'd set out to do. Their tree is in place so perhaps that meant more focus on anniversary things he has little understanding of. Back on schedule, there's some excitement to learn what else has been planned.]

If you think we're done for now then I am not opposed. Are you going to carry me to wash up? So I don't dirty the floors.

It's very beautiful.

[The implication there, of course, was that he finds Kunikuzushi very beautiful too. Kazuha doesn't know if his boyfriend ever catches those nuances, but he tells the doll he looks radiant often enough when suddenly stricken by his beauty. His appearance, which mattered little before to him, at times leaves him breathless.]

I will need to think of an appropriate name.

[The question makes the samurai look at his partner, his brows knitting but a fond smile on his face. He knows he shouldn't encourage his spoiled boyfriend, but he finds himself unable to resist the subtle suggestion. Rather than answering, he turns and places a light kiss against Kunikuzushi's lips, lingering there for a moment. He needs to put the tools away but— they can wait.

Instead of answering, he bends, hooking his arm beneath his boyfriend's butt to hoist him up in his arms. Once he's lifted him, he pauses for a moment to get a comfortable hold and smile up at him, but instead of walking directly into the house he takes a few steps to sheepishly grab his discarded hat.

Honestly, he should have just left it inside for all the good it did him.]

Mm, let's get my filthy boyfriend cleaned up.

[He can't help the tease, heading back along the path into the house, only stumbling just a little as he attempts to toe off his shoes without putting Kunikuzushi down. His Vision helps, a teal wisp of wind essentially floating the two up out of the genkan and back onto Kazuha's feet.]

[The implication isn't subtle enough that the doll misses it, Kunikuzushi turning his gaze downward and feeling that all too familiar creeping blush rise to his cheeks. Kazuha comments on his appearance often enough but he doesn't think he'll ever grow tired of hearing him call him beautiful. He doesn't think he wants the comments to ever stop - more affirmations that he remains desirable to the samurai in some form when his actions turn things difficult.]

You're going to name it?

[There's a moment of thought as the immortal tries to think what kind of name Kazuha could possibly give a tree of all things, why the tree would need a name at all. It's nothing too surprising to hear, the other Inazuman is enamoured by nature writing poems he's long since lost count of, what he could possibly name a one-of-a-kind tree he's unsure of.

Any thoughts Kunikuzushi has on the matter are quickly pushed aside as the samurai lifts him, limbs wrapping around the man for both avoidance of being dropped and to keep himself close. Much like when his boyfriend returned home, being held offers a comfort to him he can't fully explain, allows him to settle as he's carefully carried back into the house.]

If I'm filthy then it's your fault.

I'll hear its name in the rustle of its leaves, and I'll simply put the sound of it to words. Every tree has a name.

[Kazuha thinks, despite the pain memories had brought him, it was worth it in the end. Perhaps the sudden growth of the tree was a sign that how he'd chosen to approach this conflict had been the right one— healthy, for the both of them.

Despite the pleasant smile the samurai often wears on his face, it's easy to tell when he's genuinely in a good mood. He's just a little bit more animated and energetic, playfully spinning them around in a circle as he steps into the main living space in the home. He hums a song, swaying the immortal in his arms between bouncing steps, and on his next twirl he finishes by dipping his head down to place a kiss on Kunikuzushi's cheek.]

You could consider it was my plan all along to get you undressed.

[He's moved from flattery to flirting, the corners of his lips upturned in a teasing smile. Kunikuzushi gets another kiss on the cheek, a little less dance in his step as he moves through the hallways, not wanting to bang his boyfriend's feet on any ornaments or the walls.]

They tell you their names.

[Months ago he would have called the samurai foolish, bizarre with the way he acts towards nature, but it's since become a trait he finds oddly endearing about his boyfriend. Curious about what kind of name Kazuha will claim the tree has told him later on. Much later on Kunikuzushi imagines as he's spun about on their way to wash up.

To see Kazuha in such high spirits is a good thing, brings a soft laugh to his lips as he leans his head against a shoulder. Despite the rocky start to their anniversary things seem to be progressing well, all fears and pain of the past forgotten as kisses are pressed to his cheek. As their celebrations push forward even though the immortal still has very little understanding for celebrations surrounding relationships.]

Someone seems exceptionally pleased with themselves.

[Feet tuck in as best as Kunikuzushi is able while still being comfortable, a small attempt to make his boyfriend's movements through the house easier. It's good to see him happy, to know he's done something right, that he's enjoyable to be around.]

You don't see me for a few days, and one of the first things you want to do is get me out of my clothes.

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