[Amber: 002]

[hakanai]

[A few conversations he's had lately have inspired this amber 'post' from Yoshitsugu. He's currently laying down on his bed in the room he shares with a myriad of interesting souls, face-up and holding the amber piece above his head so it can show his face (well, what little of it that is visible).]

The wish to return to your homes is normal, but it is frankly stupid to reject the opportunities for growth you can find here. Accepting them might not hinder you efforts, it might indeed help them, and the personal experiences may prove fruitful and useful for your future... whatever that future might hold.

[As is typical for him, however, he can't help but add something of a dark tease at the end; nothing about his tone suggests it is anything but serious. It probably doesn't take much thought to work out Yoshitsugu's attempt at humour unless you're exceptionally naive, though.]

Of course, it may be unwise to listen to the words of a ghost. Who knows how he might lead you astray?

Comments

[hakanai]

A bold claim to make, when I've already infiltrated different parts of the keep.

[Yoshitsugu is slipping back into a softer tone of voice, his whole aura shifting to match. Takatora's reactions have both amused him and touched him, and in this comfortable and relaxed position they've taken up it's easier to let the latter feelings wash through his body.]

[This is warm, and very, very pleasant.]

Or do you deny this is the truth?

[handtowels]

[Takatora doesn't deny that is true; he knows the enormity of his feelings for Yoshitsugu.]

Are you waiting for me to surrender?

[hakanai]

It would be rather cruel to force it upon you.

[Yoshitsugu's fingers idly begin to trace circles on the back of his friend's hand.]

The choices to be made here are yours, Takatora.

[Which is no exaggeration at all, and they both surely know this.]

[handtowels]

[The choice is his? Takatora exhales, closing his eyes momentarily and concentrating on nothing but the idle tracing of Yoshitsugu's fingers and the sound of their shared breathing.

He never expected to have this. Two years ago it had been buried for good. Those years and these past months have changed his perspective. There is nothing but duty when all that you love is dead. He has done his duty; there is no duty here. Only...

Bracing his weight on his free arm, Takatora pushes himself up, suspending himself over Yoshitsugu. He dips his head, leaving mere inches between their faces. His heart pounds in his chest as his gaze seeks something in Yoshitsugu's expression, in Yoshitsugu's clever, lively eyes.]

[hakanai]

[Still, after everything just said, Takatora needs to look at Yoshitsugu in that searching way? Yoshitsugu's smile is softer now, expression obvious fond, but the corners of his mouth lift a little in amusement as he looks back at his friend in the same way he always has.]

[This is Takatora's choice through and through because he still has a life, back in Japan, still can return and feel the pain of loss once more (potentially amplified if they further their relationship). Yoshitsugu can offer plenty of commentry if needed but ultimately leaves it all in Takatora's hands. After all, all he has ever truly desired for the two he cares for most is that that follow their dreams... even if those dreams are not without cost.]

Are you ready to make your choice? Or are you just going to stare at me for the next few hours?

[Of course, a little encouragement to get on with making the choice Yoshitsugu is almost certain Takatora is going to make can't hurt... nor can the tease he's thrown in.]

I won't be held responsible for any deepening of the curse that happens because of your staring.

[handtowels]

[Though it embarrasses him to be teased for his staring, Yoshitsugu's words also relax him. Indeed, the tension he feels is not nervous tension at all.]

Ha. You're the real curse. But what does that say about me?

[After all, he is the one choosing Yoshitsugu. It feels as instinctive and neccessary as breathing to close the small distance between them and kiss Yoshitsugu.]

[hakanai]

[The expected path, one that can potentially bring Takatora both pain and happiness in the future. Yoshitsugu is content to melt into his friend's choice, that soft press of lips against his own that he's thought about often before, while knowing and accepting this.]

[Really, for all that Yoshitsugu is quick to throw the term Takatora's way, they're both hopeless idiots.]

[Afterwards he hums softly and touches Takatora's bottom lip with a finger of his free hand, obviously quite happy to do so and without hesitating to think about it. Shyness is not something Yoshitsugu has ever known, but that's fine; Takatora possesses enough for the both of them.]

It means you have terrible taste. [He says, quietly happy.] And a lot less sense in your head than I thought.

[handtowels]

[Takatora is happier than he can remember ever being -- rather than think about the consequences of this, he simply embraces the moment.]

We're both guilty of being dreamers.

[He murmurs, a little husky and undeniably content.]

[hakanai]

[Ah, that's definitely a tone of voice Yoshitsugu hasn't heard before; how many other new things will he hear from his companion in the days to come? A very interesting thought. He traces his finger along the curve of Takatora's lip before shifting his hand to rest in Takatora's hair.]

Are you trying to insult me? [Yoshitsugu doesn't try to be dramatic with the mock offense, this time.] A poor effort.

['Rest,' perhaps, isn't the right word for what he starts to do. It seems Yoshitsugu is beginning the very slow process of trying to mess up Takatora's hair, judging from the constant movement of that wandering hand.]

[handtowels]

[Only Yoshitsugu could want to be insulted in the breath after their first kiss. Takatora grins as he rolls his eyes, before he tries to shake off Yoshitsugu's hand. His poor hair.]

Idiot. Stop that!

[And since he can, Takatora stalls any further commentary by kissing Yoshitsugu again, this time for longer than the first.]

[hakanai]

[As if Yoshitsugu would stop simply because he was told to; even as his eyes close, even as he presses into that kiss, his free hand pushes back into Takatora's hair and ruffles it rather vigorously.]

[Truthfully it's an indulgence. The aspect that makes it a game is very much secondary to learning new, tender things about his friend; if anybody had been looking in on this without knowing both of them very well they would probably have doubted the use of the word 'tender,' but it was accurate.]

[They just did things their own way, and so it was with this.]

[handtowels]

[Takatora huffs at Yoshitsugu in between kisses, as he catches his breath, but it seems that he doesn't care enough about the mess his hair had been made into to give up this. The feel of Yoshitsugu's lips under his own is addictive; the closest thing to revenge he'll get is leaving Yoshitsugu's mouth kiss-swollen.]

[hakanai]

[It's a good job that Takatora doesn't care; his hair certainly isn't going to be very spiky after this. Yoshitsugu's hand only stills once every part has been mussed in some way, and when that moment comes he cups the back of Takatora's head instead.]

[There is quiet laughter in response to that huff, though it is more likely to be felt in the slight shake of his body than heard.]

[Yoshitsugu has not, in fact, kissed anyone before this day. How could he when there was always the condition that the facecloth remain on? But it's safe to guess that gripping on makes deeper kisses that little bit easier, and besides, the learning part is sure to be interesting all on its own.]