Chapter Text
A quiet, almost nonexistent sound of door sliding open and then closing broke the stillness in the night. Ichimokuren’s bare feet left no sound nor imprint as he stepped on tatami mats, making his way to a lone figure occupied the room and sat down gracefully. His single visible eye had no problem seeing what in front of him despite the lack of light.
Abe no Seimei looked peaceful in his slumber.
The spirit hesitated what to do next. He had hurriedly left his shrine to come here when the news of Seimei being injured while doing cleansing ritual reached his ears. The protection talismans spread across the onmyoji’s residence had allowed him to enter, sensing no danger and recognizing him as shikigami tied to the master of estate. He raked his gaze over man, trying to see if he could spot any injury but found none. It seemed someone had healed him and did a very good job on it.
“… Ren?”
Ichimokuren snapped his attention to Seimei, finding a pair of grey orbs blinking sleepily at him. Without much thinking, he wrapped the onmyoji’s hand with his own and cradled it gently.
“Seimei-sama,” he whispered softly, worry coating every words spilled from his mouth. “I heard you're injured.”
Those stunning eyes sharpened into focus and a pair of eyebrows rose, but then Seimei's lips curved into a gentle smile. Ichimokuren felt the onmyoji squeezed his hand gently.
“It was nothing serious. Hana had patched me up and all I need is some rest now,” Seimei said, voice slightly rough from sleep.
“I— oh…” the relief from hearing that answer quickly dissipate as the spirit remember that it was, in fact, past midnight. Ichimokuren ducked his head, suddenly feeling abashed. He had been too agitated and worried that he failed to realize how late it was.
“I’m sorry, Seimei-sama, I should’ve waited until tomorrow to see you and not disturbing your sleep.”
A chuckle escaped from the human’s throat. Then Ichimokuren felt a short, soft caress on his hair and a hand sliding to cup his cheek, lifting his head gently. Seimei’s eyes were warm and kind.
“I don’t mind. You can come here whenever you want to, Ren.”
Warmth spreading across his cheeks. Unconsciously, he nuzzled the palm cradling his cheek, inhaling faint scent of ink and something fresh and pleasant that he knew so well in the past few months. After a few seconds of hesitation, he spoke again, “Can I stay here, Seimei-sama? Until you fall asleep?”
“Of course.” The hand on his cheek, regrettably, moved away but he blinked in surprise when Seimei tightened the grip on his other hand when he tried to release his hold. The onmyoji trapped him with his warm gaze once again and smiled tenderly. “Goodnight, Ren.”
“Sleep well, Seimei-sama.” The red on his cheeks deepened, and the spirit had an unexplained urge to lean down and kiss the human but he hold back, desperately, silently chiding himself that he should not have such scandalous thought about the onmyoji.
And yet, he could not help but wonder how it would feel to capture those pink lips with his own.