sugarcube | psl || like a ripple that chases the slightest caress of the breeze

[help

he does as requested and the selfie probably catches the look of surprised amusement on his face when itsuki kisses his cheek? he laughs even as he turns his face to give him another quick kiss on the lips like he’s assuming that’s what he wants

but]

What, are you going to send that photo too? That’s not the Citadel…

[imagine trying to kill the president of the united states and u get a gay itsuki and buzen selfie, but no Itsuki just laughs]

This one's mine.

[smooches back... buzen has to go and REPORT to his ARUJI and yet Itsuki wants to make things gay i can't]

I can take pictures of the Citadel later, like when I see Yasu-kun and Shuu-kun.

[ARE THEY EVEN AROUND]

[itsuki is really just out here like it's time to just kiss my boyfriend even tho i technically have forever with him

but buzen just looks amused]

They only went ahead of us by a little, right? They're probably just getting settled again. Let's go look.

[THEY'VE HAD MULTIPLE MONTHS AND PERHAPS YEARS TO GET SETTLED i think buzen is furthest along in the timeline so this won't be too big of a deal at least. their memories are fixed....]

[""""technically"""" huh....

this is so funny the way anmitsu will punch itsuki again for finally showing up. they're off to finally tell them that they're back... imagine i forced u to rp all the swords dana but maybe they're on a mission or something. in the meantime, Itsuki's preoccupied with looking everywhere as they walk through the citadel]

Is it just you and your Aruji who lives here?

[you meaning all the ikemen swords]

[STOP buzen will just head further into the citadel to show itsuki around. it's big. he's probably taking itsuki through the front gate and headed through the entryway, aiming to get to the living quarters.]

Yeah! There's a lot of us here... maybe around forty or so now...? And then Aruji, who sends us on our missions. We really normally don't interact with humans much...

[if he's being honest. but he'll interlace his fingers with itsuki anyway as he guides him along, almost like it'll keep him from wandering off]

[no it's itsuki's turn to wander off now....

except he'll very obediently stay with Buzen, hands linked together]

That's because you're time-travelers, right? [SO THEY PROBABLY CAN'T KNOW...] And also, because you're idols...?

[and they must maintain an air of Mystique]

[nodding along,]

More about the first point than the second point. [a beat, thoughtfully] We'll have to check in with Aruji about it but... it's why there's some people I don't think I'd get to see again - or I wouldn't want to.

Ryu-san's from a time too close to Kiyo-san and Yasu-san's original era... so if I were to see him again, it'd mean that he or the people close to him are in danger. So it'd be for the best, if we don't meet again.

I worry the same thing about Chi, or Kumo-san or Kazu-san... It'd be nice to go see their plays, but I don't know how realistic that is when they might know too much about us.

[their normies... feel too far away too buzen now, despite technically being the closest]

[ah...

he'd been thinking of 'humans' as complete strangers, since Buzen and the others wouldn't have come to know them anyway, but... hearing Buzen mention Ryunosuke and Chinatsu, and their Summer Troupe...

...]

Will they still be in danger if I go see them? ...I could tell them that you and the others are doing well, maybe pass along any messages you have...

[or would that also count as interfering...? itsuki who doesn't know the history of the Japan Buzen is from, but that doesn't mean his actions wouldn't have consequences...

honestly, he's thinking less of the fate of the world, and more about the chances of Buzen getting to see them again,]

... we'll have to figure it out.

[he'll bring itsuki's hand up to his lips, aiming to be reassuring. the truth of the matter is that he doesn't want to keep itsuki from doing anything, from seeing who he wants to see. the swords are fairly prepared in their duty to make sacrifices but... buzen would like it if itsuki didn't have to.]

It's a little complicated. It's for the best if they don't truly know what we're up to...

But I don't want you to feel like you've lost anything, by choosing to be here.

[at that, the worried furrow of his brow relaxes, and he smiles]

How can I feel that way, when I've gained so much?

[the kiss feels ticklish and warm, itsuki's hand moves, cradling the side of Buzen's face]

I'd just like it if you could know how they're doing, even if you can't talk to them yourself. And I still need to thank them both -- Chi-chan and Ryu-kun -- for looking after you.

... well, we can probably text them.

[buzen was pretty ready for that to be the main form of contact he was going to have with them - with most people, actually. but he's always ready to let go of most humans.

though as he leans into itsuki's touch, he thinks it's nice to have some exceptions]

[he draws him close, leaning in to kiss him softly]

...Yeah. Speaking of texts...

[he trails off for a moment, thinking about the box tucked away in his bag, the one Crow had saved from the apartment at his request, and he smiles]

I've got something to show you once I'm settled in.

[ . . . ? buzen tilts his head at that but - he supposes that that means that it's all the more important to get itsuki settled in then?]

... mm, okay. Then let's start.

[which is when they turn the corner in the citadel, probably running into yasusada and kashuu!! I'M HANDWAVING THIS PART BECAUSE I CAN'T WRITE EVERY SWORD just imagine they have their dumb sweet reunion where the swords realize they're from different canonpoints i'm shaking.

buzen will leave them to give itsuki the tour while he goes to actually report about the mission, and also get permission for itsuki to stay! aruji allows this because can you imagine the drama if he wouldn't, wow. LMFAO

itsuki is probably shown the way to a formerly unoccupied room that's now his! there's always extra space in the citadel because who knows when the next time that they will be suddenly summoning another ikemen. like now! itsuki is their surprise ikemen. though buzen will knock on the door anyway...]

Buzen Gou, requesting permission to enter!

[familiar.........]

[the next surprise ikemen is absolutely gonna be mineo, can you imagine itsuki and mineo being kept ikemen of the citadel im losing my mind

Itsuki immediately smiles at that very familiar announcement, and the smile is still on his face as he slides open the door.]

Hey.

[softly, as he lingers at the door for a moment, just taking Buzen in. the expression on his face filled with something that almost seems like wonder,

then he steps back and to the side to let Buzen in, laughing]

You don't have to ask permission. This place is as much yours as it is mine.

[their shared!! domestic room for banging and.... OTHER MORE WHOLESOME ACTIVITIES... true to his word, Itsuki has 'settled in', in that he's already put some of the spare clothes and other possessions from Chroma away. His sister's hairpin is on the writing desk, along with the box.]

[STOP WHO WOULD BRING MINEO BACK HERE HE WOULD LOVE IT TOO MUCH HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT

but the wonder on itsuki's face manages to pull some amount of curiosity and fondness from buzen in turn? he'll wander into this SHARED DOMESTIC ROOM FOR BANGING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES and slide the door shut behind him.]

Even if they're shared, it feels a little strange to think I'd get two rooms in the Citadel... though I guess you will, too. [the gous totally just set up an extra futon in their room for itsuki so it's his room too

buzen will wander in automatically - and he can't help it. he gets a little sense of wonder too, like it's still a pleasant surprise that they made it this far. itsuki really managed to make it back to the citadel with him, against all odds.]

... how do you feel?

[(spins wheel) mikagramps

Itsuki follows after, noticing how everything looks so much brighter and clearer with Buzen here. It's a nice room, he likes this one as much as he'll like the one the Gous share. It feels more familiar than the loud decor of Heliotrope, and it's cozier than the house that was made for him, and it's nothing like his shared room on the ship.

But it's still a new place, and a part of him is afraid that it'll be just as temporary. so maybe that's why the words slip out, hesitant and sheepish.]

...Like I'm dreaming.

[that he's really here with Buzen, at the place dearest to Buzen's heart. that Kashuu and Yasusada are only a few rooms away, and that tomorrow Itsuki won't have to face yet another grueling week,]

[STOP

. . . ah. buzen will glance over at itsuki then, distracted from his brief peering around. after so long with itsuki, he thinks that he knows what that means. dreams are so important to him, because of the way that his power works, aren't they? but they're also things that he manipulates and crafts for people, to make them so happy that they might not ever want to leave -

even though in the end, they're nothing real.

he crosses the space between himself and itsuki at that, but he'll also wordlessly open his arms for him.]

... come here, Suki.

[ ...

Itsuki thinks about all the times Buzen has run to him and held him first. So confident in his speed, and always there for him. So seeing him now, with his arms outstretched... He wants to repay the favor. There's really no distance left to cross with Buzen so close, but Itsuki crosses the last of it anyway -- not so much launching as he is landing in his arms.

one hand circles Buzen's waist, the other wraps around to Buzen's shoulder, and his chin nestles in the crook of Buzen's neck, so that his mouth is right by his ear as he murmurs softly,]

...Buzen.

[finally, someone takes him up on his offer.

just kidding -

buzen knows that itsuki has leaned on him a lot, and he feels the same way now. but it's just as satisfying to have someone who's so willing to fold themselves into his arms. buzen holds itself in another embrace, so familiar - but the context is different. this isn't assurances that are based purely on buzen's confidence and certainty. this is settled in their reality.]

Itsuki.

[a soft sigh of a sound]

It's not a dream. Just try it - see if there's something you can change, or something you want to make me do. It won't work, because this is the truth and our reality.

You're home, safe with me. And I love you.

[this is the truth.

Itsuki tries it, just like he's tried so many times that first week in Chroma, but it's already a half-hearted attempt. he's already convinced -- the moment Buzen said his name.

this is reality.

if it really was a dream, then it'd already be over. but he's still here, buzen's still here. Itsuki lets out a sigh, curling tighter against him, pressing his eyes closed.]

...I love you too.

[his heart is pounding so fast, as if this is the first time. the day Buzen told him he loved him, their bodies entwined around each other.]

You're saying everything I want to hear. ...Are you really sure this isn't a dream?

[he's clearly teasing, laughing a little next to Buzen's ear,]

[buzen only holds itsuki all the closer when he curls in, leaving no space between them. he rubs his back and squeezes him gently.]

I can pinch you a little if you're really nervous.

[but he'll tilt his head just so that he can kiss beneath itsuki's ear instead. instead of pinch, it's more likely for him to bite, really....]

I'm only telling you what you want to hear because... we worked so hard to get to this point. I don't think that we get to chalk it all up to being a dream.

Even if it'll take a little getting used to... I promise I won't let anything happen to you. And I'll be with you whenever I can. You don't have any reason to be worried or nervous... just stay with me.

...Mm. I will.

[he can see how red Itsuki's ears are, as a treat... buzen's affirmed his love so many times, but itsuki will never get tired of hearing it. he's pretty sure he'll want to hear it every day, for the rest of his life.]

I'll always pick the reality that has you, no matter what. ...I'll never leave you.

[and buzen chose him, and made that reality possible. he turns his flushed face to meet Buzen's, capturing his lips with a kiss]

[ah... buzen can't truly promise the same - and he thinks itsuki knows that. it always makes him feel guilty when he has to go ahead of itsuki, and now that they're back in this Citadel where buzen could be summoned for a mission at any time, he can promise even less that he can stay in one space. but he still turns his head to catch itsuki's mouth with his, like trying to seal it as a promise anyway.]

... blushing...?

[murmured against itsuki's mouth, teasing. even now buzen doesn't really understand what embarrasses him.

but he still presses another kiss to the corner of itsuki's mouth, adoring.]

There'll always be a place for you with me. I promise.

[Itsuki does understand -- it's something Buzen made clear, after all. he has a duty, a mission. itsuki has never had either, but he can understand it. all he can do is promise himself to Buzen. let that be the surest thing they have, even if Buzen has to leave him for long periods of time.

he'd rather have this Buzen, rather than a dream where he's always by his side.]

...You're the only person who can make me blush, you know. I don't usually fluster this easily.

[he pouts a little as he says it, because he can already sense Buzen's Disbelief, even though it's true!!! really!!! look, he is -- as always -- embarrassed by the sincerity of Buzen's words, as well as the fact that he's choosing him to say them to. he loves him dearly, and he doesn't think this floaty soft feeling will ever disappear, now or in the future.]

[ . . . ?

it's true he's very confused by this information.

he tilts his head a little, like he's trying to get a good luck at itsuki's embarrassed blushy face.... more curious than anything. buzen just nuzzles in close, pressing more kisses to itsuki's cheek and jaw afterward like admitting this deserves to be rewarded or something.]

Is that my special privilege as your lover then?

[a beat]

Well, you blushed like this around me even before we were lovers.

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