Chapter Text
Kojiro and Kaoru both knew they wouldn't be allowed to stay at the College for long, not unless they were able to be given a job. That's what they learned from the headmaster, a frail old man who could barely move from his chair. They both explained their past to him, what they were skilled in teaching. If they'd be allowed to teach at all. Kojiro offered to cook, anything, so they may stay.
And thankfully, they were allowed. They got to stay in the comfort of their room, near their garden, everything was different around them but they'd be allowed to stay. Kojiro was allowed to work in the gardens, alongside Hiromi, to teach the students more about botany and just honing their abilities. Kaoru was asked to work as a librarian and tutor until a more permanent position could open up. In reality, Kojiro spent most of his day repairing the garden. He occasionally taught small classes, tutoring and showing students how to truly care for plants. Kaoru secretly put a ward around the garden, again. This time, making it so Reki and Langa, as well as Oka and Hiromi may enter it.
Considering it was what he spent most of his time doing, Kojiro toiled away in his garden. Starting from the outmost edges. His hands seemed to become green-tinged as he worked, red magic coursed through the dead hedges. There seemed to be an explosion of sound and color as they came back to life. Carla even decided to join him, napping in the warmth of the sun. Listening to the hedges grow and shift, how they seemed to stitch back together. In the evenings, Kaoru would come out to retrieve him. Bringing something for him to eat and drink.
"How much progress did you and Hiromi make today?" Kojiro ate and drank greedily, tired from his hard work. The exterior was all restored rather quickly, some parts inside were starting to heal as well.
"A lot! He's doing the back half, I'm doing the front. He's just helping me restore the border first, the interior I can do." Kojiro took another gulp of water, satisfied for now. "I did touch up the area near our gazebo though, so you can at least sit out there when you get free time."
"Thank you, my love," Kaoru gave him a kiss on the cheek, "I think I may just go sit out there now. Do you have time for a short break?" Kaoru still continued to wear his many jewels, but opted for more muted robes now. Not nearly as much fabric made him blend in more with the other members of the College's staff. Kojiro still wore no shirt, at least when he was outside of the building. Some of the older female students had been caught by Kaoru whispering about how handsome he was. So Kaoru made sure, next time he was around Kojiro, to give him a kiss. That shut up any and all murmurs.
"I'll make time for you." Kojiro and Kaoru walked into the garden. Kaoru was sad to see all the years of work Kojiro had put into this place, how quickly his magic had destroyed it. If he could snap his fingers, make it as beautiful as it was before, he would. The walk was quiet, life was slowly starting to return, but it would take a few months before it was full of it again. The gazebo, and the area surrounding it, was the only spot that Kojiro had made sure to get back to normal as soon as possible. The hedges were just as tall, the flowers the same, the ferns and vines on the gazebo were a vibrant green. The two chairs were cleaned up, as was the table. Kojiro pulled a chair out for Kaoru, letting him sit down first. Joining him at the table once Kaoru was comfortable.
"It looks beautiful, Kojiro."
"You know more people are going to be interested in it than before, right?"
"Yes."
"Are you willing to share?"
"Never." Kaoru let out a petulant sigh. "But if it means that you get it fixed sooner, I will share. On the condition," Kojiro rolled his eyes, "that when it's done, I only have to share a couple days a week."
"Kaoru!"
"This is our garden, Kojiro, one that used to be only special to the two of us. Not some new shiny thing for all these children to enjoy. I don't want them destroying it."
"But you seemed to like that one kid you're tutoring."
"Miya is different. He is a brilliant mind, like myself."
"Oh stop."
"He is, plus Carla took a liking to him and I think by now I should trust her instincts when it comes to people." Kaoru leaned over and kissed Kojiro's cheek. "Right?"
"Right." They talked and talked. Letting the time pass them by. There was no rush. After all, what rush do old men have to be in?
"Kaoru," Kojiro whispered when the sun started going down. Beautiful colors painted across a tired sky. He looked over at Kaoru, who's eyes were shut. "Kaoru, it's time to go inside."
"Mn."
"Alright Princess, come on. You need to eat dinner." Kaoru's eyes opened up, flicking over to the sky.
"After we watch the sunset."
"Alright honeysuckle, but after that, dinner time."
They stayed and watched the sunset. Their nightly routine so long as it wasn't raining, or too cold.
*******
One day, they eventually left the College. When the garden was restored and their friends long gone too. That was their last fragment there, and without them all, they saw no point in staying. Together with Carla they moved to a cottage, creating a big garden around it. Full of little places for wildlife, even adopting more cats. Living out their lives together, two lovers in a brand new garden. One that never needed to be shared again, not as long as they were there. No gazebo was built, instead, a porch with a swing. Where they spent most of their time. It was perfect, a new oasis.
The flowers were still mostly pink, ferns still a beautiful green. Kojiro filled it with all his and Kaoru's favorites: Astor, Chamomile, Coral Roses, Daffodils, Edelweiss, Fennel, Fern, Geranium, Goldenrod, Honeysuckle, Iris, Purple Columbine, Red Salvia, Red Tulips, Violets, White Roses, Yarrow and Zinnias. Blooms of every color, a representation of their love, each spelling out something precious to them in some way.
Kaoru plodded along quietly, the three cats in tow. They were heading back inside after being sent out to grab a few herbs from one of Kojiro's gardens. He kept vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees near the house; some berry bushes were a little further away but still plenty of them. His hair was pulled up into a massive bun, while his spectacles hung off his nose it seemed. He had a basket in his hand, full of the items Kojiro had asked for. He'd even taken the liberty to put little name plates of each herb in the herb garden, to make it easier for Kaoru.
"Alright my loves, keep up." He called behind him, seeing their large male cat slow down out of nowhere. "Benjiro, come on!" Carla and Kuromai stopped too. He got a couple more steps before he finally turned around to see what had gotten their attention. Kaoru wandered over to the cats, scooting them away as politely as possible. Kuromai, their newest cat, was a black female cat. She looked like Carla's polar opposite. Benjiro was a fat, fluffy cat, who frequently laid out in the sun to 'help' Kojiro while he worked outside. Kaoru knelt down to see, and found a kitten. Lost from it's family, he assumed, but it needed a place nonetheless. Making sure it was truly alone, he scooped the mewling thing up. It wriggled in his hands, amber eyes staring up at him.
"Well," Kaoru shuffled the basket around so he could prioritize the baby in his arms, "guess we've got a new member to the family then, hmm?" He asked the three near his feet. "Let's go show papa." The three walked ahead of him, while Kaoru began thinking of names. The kitten was orange, sticking out drastically in color from the other three. Being white, black and shades of grey respectively. Kaoru opened the door to the house, letting the cats inside. "Kojiiiroooo!" He called inside, hearing singing from the kitchen. The cats all followed the sound, and Kaoru followed them.
"Hey babies," Kojiro's song stopped, instead he chuckled at the cats pooled at his feet. "Princess, it took you long eno- another one?!"
"Blame Benjiro, he found it." Kaoru set the basket down on the counter, cradling the kitten now. "It's just one more, besides, three beggars wasn't enough."
"Don't call them beggars, they're too snobby for that. I blame you." Kojiro rolled his eyes and picked up the kitten from Kaoru's arms. "An orange one, eh? Just, in the garden, little 'Jiro?" He looked down at Benjiro, who let out a deep meow in response. "Good man. Well, how about Daichi then? Since he seems to have just sprouted from the ground."
"I think that's a good name, yes."
"Go wash him up a bit, I'll get dinner finished then I'll feed them." He gave Kaoru a kiss on the forehead. They enjoyed their little routines. After dinner, they did as they always would. Walked out to the porch, sitting on the swing, to watch the sunset. The cats all played in the garden, save little Daichi, who was snuggled in Kaoru's lap. Lovers in the garden, enjoying the peace they had found.