Chapter Text
DAY TWENTY-THREE: “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku
Pairing: Ieyasu x Yukimura
Ieyasu thought Nobunaga's order to scope out neutral territory for possible allies would be a normal one like any other.
The village of Tsubakihara was a relatively small one. The mountain beside itgave some level of defense, but its size betrayed little much in terms of manpower. And since Nobunaga meant protection, Ieyasu didn't think this trip would last too long.
But of course it would.
Not trying to appear too obtrusive, Ieyasu elected to walk to the village as opposed to horseback. It gave Ieyasu time to check up on other regions and pick up medicinal herbs that were on the way. It was nice, actually; having time to himself. He wasn’t in any particular rush--all was well in his own fief-- so he took it upon himself to wander through the marketplace. Being out in public in a place where no one would bother him knew him meant a more relaxed travel.
Yukimura narrowed his eyes at the fluffy haired figure several stalls away. He knew that person, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“Sir?”
The stall owner in front of him called his attention.
“Were you going to purchase that?”
Yukimura glanced down at the hair clip in his hand. Shingen had insisted he “study the feminine wares” so in order to “learn how to better sell such delicate art pieces”, but Yukimura was definitely sure Shingen just wanted to force him to talk to the sellers--who all, of course, were women. Yukimura wrinkled his nose down at the piece and put it back on the display. As much as Yukimura appreciated Shingen’s concern, women were the last thing on his mind.
“Oh, you have such wonderful hair for a man. Do tell what you do to keep it so luscious?” The seller from the stall over said.
Yukimura turned with a frown to see that the woman wasn’t addressing him, but someone else. Someone--who was close enough for Yukimura to see the features of his face--that he definitely recognized now.
“It’s just naturally like this, sorry,” Ieyasu said gruffly. There was a hint of irritation there.
Before the woman could respond, Yukimura cut in, “It sounds like you get that a lot.”
When their eyes met, Ieyasu’s eyes flashed with recognition. “I do,” he said slowly.
“Oh, how envious I am,” the seller said, totally ignorant of the staring match happening before her.
Not taking his eyes of Yukimura, Ieyasu said, “Try using lavender oil. It works for a lot of women.”
“Oh, thank you so much!”
“Of course.”
Eyes still trained on each other. Ieyasu and Yukimura walked out of the way of the crowds, off near a grove of trees. Once there, any sense of friendly pretense was lost.
“Tokugawa.”
“Sanada.”
They scowled at each other. Yukimura’s hand twitched toward his sword. Ieyasu did not miss the movement. Being in neutral territory wasn’t an outright offense towards either’s lord, but that didn’t mean they had to be friends.
“Interesting place for a vacation,” Ieyasu said.
“Yeah, well, I’m not here for that,” Yukimura said.
“I suppose you’re here for the same reason I am.”
“Yeah, and that means one of us has to go,” Yukimura said. He brandished his sword. “Stand down. This’ll be easier if we don’t fight.”
Ieyasu snorted. “You aren’t used to negotiations are you? They don’t normally start with threats of violence.” He drew his sword. “If you think you can beat me, you’re an idiot.”
“Suit yourself.”
Their swords clashed.
A drop of rain hit Ieyasu’s cheek, and then, rain poured down. Great.
Ieyasu tossed his head to clear his now drooping hair out of his eyes.
Yukimura took this second as an opening. Ieyasu parried at the last moment and pushed Yukimura back. He growled, backing into a stance. This needed to end quickly.
A scream drew both of their attention. Two figures were waving and screaming on the mountainside. The sudden thundering rain was causing the mud to slide. Ieyasu and Yukimura shared a look.
“Only for now,” Ieyasu said.
“I’m not stupid .”
The two dashed for the mountain. A small circle of people were at the base, shouting advice that melted into the roaring of the rain.
“Get to shelter,” Ieyasu called. “You’re in danger standing there.”
“My son is up there,” a woman wailed.
“Just get to shelter, woman,” Yukimura snapped, and he tore up the side.
Ieyasu turned to the woman. Kindly he said, “We’re vassals under Nobunaga. Leave your son to us, alright?”
The woman looked torn, but nodded.
“Get everyone else to safety with you.” Ieyasu didn’t wait for her response before charging after Yukimura.
Ieyasu clucked his tongue. The idiot was trying to climb up the harsher side. “Wrong side, idiot,” he called. “You’re going to die like that.”
“Shut up,” Yukimura said. Then his footing slipped and Ieyasu ran to catch him.
“Oof.” Thankfully, Yukimura wasn’t wearing any armor.
“Look. If we’re going to save those kids, we have to work together,” Ieyasu said.
Yukimura rolled out of Ieyasu’s arms to his feet. He almost slipped on the ground, which was growing muddier by the second. “You are the last person--”
“This isn’t a competition!” Ieyasu wanted to tear his hair out.
“Help!” A piercing scream shot through the wall of rain.
Yukimura cursed. “So what are we doing then?”
Pushing his hair out of his face, Ieyasu eyed the mountain. The mud was sliding down much faster on the left side. There were some things to grip on the right, but it would be a struggle.
“We’ll climb up the right side,” Ieyasu nodded. “There’s ledges that aren’t too bad yet. Use your sword for handholds. You’ve got the teen, I’ll get the kid. Meet at that alcove.” He nodded toward the hole not too far below the patch of ground where the two kids stood.
“Fine.”
The two started up as planned, occasionally catching the other when one of them slipped.
“Hurry up. It’s getting worse,” Ieyasu said. He stabbed at the dirt to cross to another ledge. The rushes of mud were not only speeding faster, but spreading wider and wider.
“Oh yeah, sorry. I was really taking my time!”
The gap between them and the next ledge was too large a jump. They would have to run, jump and stab at the mountainside to keep from getting sucked down. Ieyasu flung off his outer haori. It was heavy and obstructing his range of motion. He glanced at Yukimura to see the other had already done the same.
Yukimura studied him and seemed to realize what Ieyasu was thinking. “Are you dumb?!”
“We can do it if we don’t waste more time talking!” Ieyasu barked.
“Give me your sword.”
“What?!” Ieyasu’s voice jumped an octave.
“You’re smaller than me,” Yukimura said. “Get on my back. I’ll use the swords to climb up.”
“And you think that’s a better plan?!”
Another huge rush of mud crashed into their target ledge and smashed it to pieces.
Ieyasu’s mouth soured. He glared at Yukimura and handed him his sword. “Just don’t break it.”
“Get on, you ass.”
Never in his life would Ieyasu have imagined himself wrapped his arms around Yukimura Sanada’s neck and wrapping his legs around Yukimura Sanada’s middle, but Mitsunari was somehow a warlord, so Ieyasu supposed some things in the universe were meant to be absurd.
Yukimura’s arms shook as he struggled to support both of them, and the two were getting a lot closer to the kids, but moving a lot slower than before. And unfortunately, the small column of the cliff that wasn’t affected by the mud was narrowing. Ieyasu gritted his teeth. This was not going to work out. Ieyasu drew his tanto and stabbed the mountain with Yukimura.
Yukimura heaved, and Ieyasu was pretty sure the idiot was suppressing the urge to laugh. Ieyasu would’ve kicked his side had they not been on the verge of dying. Ugh. The idea of dying while clinging to Yukimura was revolting.
Ieyasu’s small effort did end up making a difference, and the two finally reached the kids. There was no time to collapse from exhaustion and the young warlords forced their aching muscles. The two boys were in hysterics, but Ieyasu and Yukimura were able to calm them down well enough to move them to the alcove.
And it was all fine until Ieyasu slipped.
“Tokugawa!” Yukimura screamed, He lunged out and caught Ieyasu’s wrist, but the weight of the mud dragged Ieyasu down and pulled Yukimura along with him.
Ieyasu woke up to cramped muscles, an aching head, and a heavy weight on his chest. He opened his eyes, brushing dried mud and dirt off his face. He hissed-- there was a crook in his neck. Then he shifted and groaned. Yukimura Sanada was laying on top of him, out cold. Ieyasu pushed him off and sat up.
They were in a small cave of some sort. It was dark, and the ground beneath them was muddy. The entrance of it was completely blocked off, save for a little hole where a beam of faint light fell through. And of course, their swords were nowhere in sight.
Ieyasu could still hear the rush of mud sliding down the mountainside. The rain was still pounding down. Great now they were stuck. Those boys better not have done something stupid and died. As long as they didn’t leave that alcove, the kids should be safe.
Yukimura groaned and stirred beside Ieyasu. He coughed and winced as he tried to sit up. Ieyasu pushed him back down softly.
“Lay back down.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” Yukimura tried and failed to sit up again.
“You’re obviously hurt, idiot.”
Yukimura assented with a sigh.
Ieyasu scooted closer to Yukimura. It was hard to see in the dim lighting, but Ieyasu spotted a wound on Yukimura’s right shoulder. He was probably in worse shape than Ieyasu, considering he carried the both of them.
Ieyasu reached out to the injured shoulder, but Yukimura slapped his hand away.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“ Helping you . I’m a medic. Now shut up.”
Yukimura huffed and looked away, but he didn’t protest when Ieyasu reached out again.
“I’m going to take off your inner kimono.” Ieyasu gently untied Yukimura’s obi and juban. There wasn’t too much blood, but a stake of wood was sticking out of his shoulder. Ieyasu exhaled hard. There wasn’t much he could do about that until he had probably medical equipment. Pulling it out would make Yukimura bleed to death.
“Does anything else hurt?”
“You owe me, Fluff-head,” Yukimura said.
“Answer the damn question.”
“What do you think? My entire body is dying.”
Ieyasu rolled his eyes. “Do be a child, why don’t you.”
Yukimura glared. But it was decidedly less menacing when he was on the floor and wincing in pain.
Ieyasu reached into his own juban and pulled out some of the herbs he’d collected days earlier. He grabbed a stray rock and ground a few of them into a paste.
“Bear with this,” Ieyasu said. He placed the paste around the wound. He tore his juban and wrapped Yukimura’s arm.
Yukimura grunted.
They sat in silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the endless falling rain and mud.
“How long you think we’ll be stuck here?” Yukimura said.
“Do I look like I know?”
“Helpful. You’re really helpful, Tokugawa.”
“Shall I remove your bandages and let you bleed then?”
Yukimura pushed himself up with his good hand. “Tell me, do you even have friends?”
“Not in here I don’t.”
“Tch.” Yukimura looked him over. Ieyasu looked completely debauched. His hair was ruffled and dirty. It was still damp and clung to his skin. Bruises littered his exposed chest, and his hakama was ripped. Yukimura hated to admit it, but Ieyasu didn’t get out of this scratchless.
Yukimura scowled down at his injured shoulder. “Thanks.” His face heated. “For the goop.”
“Whatever.”
Yukimura continued cautiously. “I’m guessing we’re at a truce then?”
“I don’t know.” Ieyasu turned to look at him. “Are you up for a sparring match?”
“Do you know how to talk without sarcasm?”
“Do you know how to shut your mouth?”
Yukimura’s jaw clenched. “You’re infuriating.”
Ieyasu scoffed. “You’re not exactly charming yourself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have absolutely no people skills whatsoever,” Ieyasu said. “Yelling at a woman scared of losing her son? A gentleman you are.”
“Crying wasn’t going to get anything done. Women are annoying .”
Ieyasu paused. “At least you’re right about that.”
Their eyes met, and an understanding passed between them.
Ieyasu cleared his throat. “Have you told anyone?”
“No.” Yukimura looked anywhere but Ieyasu. I can’t believe I actually answered. “Have you?”
“No. There’s no point.” Oh, but there were definitely several points as to why he shouldn’t come out as gay.
Yukimura grunted. He stole a glance at Ieyasu. His eyes roved over Ieyasu’s body differently now. Somehow the new knowledge about Ieyasu peaked a different sort of curiosity. Just curious , Yukimura fought to himself. Not anything more than that .
Unbeknownst to him, Ieyasu was also making quick glances. He heaved a breath. It was stupid. Yukimura didn’t just change in attractiveness. But then again, Ieyasu had stopped himself from gazing at men a long time ago. He shook the urge to indulge himself out of his head. That would not be at all helpful in his current predicament.
“Ever done it?”
Ieyasu almost choked on his own spit. His eyes shot to Yukimura. “Why in god’s name are you asking me that ?”
Yukimura shrugged, then winced. “I have no people skills.”
Ieyasu rolled his eyes at the wall. “No.” Was he really having this conversation? Really? Really Ieyasu? What the hell is wrong with you?
“Hey, do you...want to, uh…” Yukimura’s voice trailed off.
Ieyasu couldn’t quite tell, I could possibly have just been the shitty lighting. But he could’ve sworn Yukimura’s face was darker. “Are you propositioning me for sex?”
Yukimura sputtered. “What?! No ,” he squeaked.
Ieyasu studied Yukimura. He’d never as much as touched another man intimately before, and resigned himself to never being able to. But here he and Yukimura were, out of the gaze of society, in an impossible opportunity to explore something Ieyasu had always wanted. And Yukimura wasn’t completely unattractive.
“I am not having sex with you.”
“I wasn’t asking--”
“But,” Ieyasu said. Yukimura silenced. “I’d be willing to try this.”
Ieyasu leaned over, pausing before Yukimura’s lips. Yukimura nodded, and their lips met.
It was weird. Ieyasu wasn’t sure if it was the fact that they were enemies, or Ieyasu’s body was scattering with how dirty they both were, or that Yukimura was pressing way too hard on his lips. Whatever the reason, he was uncomfortable. And from how tense Yukimura was, Ieyasu guessed he probably felt it too.
Ieyasu pulled away with a frown. He’d kissed one or two women before--he hated it of course, but he wasn’t a bad kisser (at least he didn’t think so).
“That was ass.”
Ieyasu scowled. “Don’t blame me.”
“Well, there’s no one else here, is ther--”
Ieyasu grabbed the back of Yukimura’s head and crashed their lips together.
It was less awkward this time, especially since Ieyasu was reeling in satisfaction at shutting Yukimura up. After a while, they fell into comfort, and Ieyasu felt his body warm up from the chill of the rain. He might actually not completely hate Yukimura. Well, maybe--
“Mm! Don’t shove your tongue in my mouth, Sanada.” Ieyasu yanked him by the hair.
“What was I supposed to think you wanted? You were slobbering over me.”
“No I wasn’t!”
Their kisses turned more aggressive. Hands started roaming. Moans began filling the small space--
“What the fuck? My lip is bleeding because of you!”
“Take better care of your lips then!”
“Are you blaming me for your assault?”
“Don’t act like you didn’t start this when you pulled out your damn sword earlier.”
“Well, excuse me I guess I’ll remember to approach you like a spooked deer next time.”
They both froze at the implication. But before either could really think too hard about it, their lips were together again. And again, it was fine until--
“That’s fucking disgusting.” Ieyasu pushed Yukimura in the chest.
“Some people like that!”
“Who in god’s name would like that sort of move?”
“Shingen said--”
“Oh god, stop. I don’t need to hear anything else.” Ieyasu pulled him in again.
They paused for air, and, panting, Yukimura said, “Well I’m not doing this for the conversation.” Then he tugged Ieyasu closer, careful not to press his shoulder against the other man. “Just shut up and kiss me, dummy.”