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Rain dripped down the windows like dew on a newly sheathed sword, pattering down gently in an even rainfall. At last, the peace only came with a price, and like everything in this world, would not last for eternity.
Gentle tapping turned to harsh pattering as it began to rush down from the darkened clouds above. No matter if the Shogun were to settle the storm, for a night like this was not one of subtle tranquillity.
A swirling quill etched fine patterns, coiling itself around the base until it suddenly stopped at the metallic tip coated in midnight ink. Such a golden hue contrasted against the puddled royal blue of which came in a reminder of the wide and open waters far below the Kamisato residence.
The tip tapped against the paper in frustration, the ink spilling down as it settled in splatters across the surface. Elegant fingers wrapped around the quill, seeming to grow tenser by the moment.
It was only but an average evening for the clan head, nothing more but a dim room by a desk with numerous assorted documents. If it hadn't been for his absences, it would usually have been cleaned to utmost perfection.
Dark circles loomed under his eyes, a far different shade from the paler frame of his face. Such a sight was only noticeable from the effects of sleep deprivation, something Ayato had merely accepted and coped with.
His frustration only grew by the moment, eyes pinned down as he concentrated on his work. In the flickering of the lamp beside him, his eyes would linger shut as if pleading for a few moments to rest.
At last, Kamisato Ayato was pulled to his senses as a gentle knock sounded at his door. The sudden noise being quite the startle, as his quill loudly clattered against the desk from where it once sat in between his fingers. He cleared his throat, hastily moving it to rest in the inkpot. "You may come in." He spoke gently above the rain.
The door gave a small click, indicating it had opened as someone entered inside, quietly closing the door. "Apologies for the startle, young master." They spoke, giving a small bow. Ayato shook his head, stray strands of hair gracefully falling over his shoulders as he moved himself to turn to the guest. "There's no need to be so formal, Thoma." A soft smile gradually formed upon his lips as he pondered his words. "May I inquire as to why you're here?"Thoma looked up to meet his eyes, his feet shuffling below him before he stood still. "The estate is getting worried about you."
The smile that had formed soon faded away into a neutral frown, slowly moving a fan to rest under his lips in silence. His eyes blinked slowly as the lamp flickered in the moment of silence that brushed through the air.
"Kamisato-sama, please rest," Thoma spoke simply, his tone pleading. If it hadn't been for his footsteps as he stepped closer, silence would have fallen over the atmosphere once again.
Ayato subtly shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not doable at the current moment." His voice was smooth and calm throughout, something that the clan head had most surely practised. "Rest assured, I'll sleep at a later time."
As he stepped closer, the chief retainer didn't seem to take his words for a valid answer or reason. What wasn't of an expected reaction was for him to kneel with his head to the wooden floorboards.
"Kamisato-sama.. please," Thoma begged. "Get some rest, even for just a small while."The clan head froze where he was as if the cryo vision held dangling at his hip had most simply betrayed him and urged him to go still. If it had certainly been any other day, perhaps he would have succumbed to the worried and uneasy pleas of the residence. Perchance he would rest another day. "Thoma," Ayato spoke. "I request you go back to your duties."
"This is my duty, young master." Thoma spoke, his tone one of utmost honesty- something that seemed far out of reach by any normal Inazuman citizen's standards or abilities. "I only have your best interest in mind.. and I believe taking a break would do you much better." So there Ayato sat, listening to the harsh rain sounding from outside. His inner emotions crumbled and twirled around himself like a frail thread, perplexed. His soft lips parted for a moment in time before he began to draw his fan open over his eyes, glancing away in silence. Thoma frowned, looking at his figure with a pleading gaze, seeming desperate that he gives in to his suggestion. "Kamisato-sama... please. For all of us."
Ayato soon dropped his fan from his face, closing it before he placed it to the side of his cluttered desk with a sufficient hum. His fingers gracefully dropped to fold in his lap as he gazed at Thoma, a bold, but delicate hold.
"It seems this argument is truly fruitless." He shook his head, keeping his gaze on the other. "I have no other choice but to give in to your wishes, so it seems."Thoma looked at him, sighing utmost glee and relief.
His reaction seemed to compliment the easing of the storm outside the closed panes.
"That is, on one condition." The clan head spoke softly, gracefully rising from his seated spot. He peered at the retainer, a humoured smile rising as he watched his reaction. "I wish for you to accompany me if you do not mind."
Thoma's lips parted in astonishment, seeming taken aback by such an offer. He choked on his breath, similar to that of the rumbling thunder outside the estate. "Pa-pardon..?"
"I want you to accompany me while I rest." Ayato repeated, his tone staying calm as his steps traced closer to his bed. He carefully peeked open pale blue silk curtains that rested around, sitting down on the edge. "Will you?"
The chief retainer stood still beside the desk, just looking at him. His lip trembled before he gave a polite nod. "Of course, if you wish Kamisato-sama."
Ayato gave a delicate smile, his fingers gently tapping the vacant spot right beside him, humming softly as the man drew closer until he was beside him. Had it not been for the movement of the sheets as he sat, their legs would most surely be touching in the following moment.
Thoma's hands rose from his lap, fumbling as he drew them closer. This roused a confused look from the clan head until his index finger tapped the metal hairpin in his hair. "I doubt it would be wise for you to sleep with it in." He spoke, gently pulling it out.
Ayato's hair immediately fell from where it had been held up by the pin, the long and delicate strands falling over his shoulders like fine and soft silk.
A small chuckle echoed throughout the room, before giving Ayato a sincere and caring smile, standing up with a quick movement to place the hairpin to the side.
Cobalt orbs glanced at him in the echoing silence as the rain pattered down from leaden clouds onto the panes once more, accompanied swiftly by the crackling thunder.
Ayato's expression grew playful, taking a delicate hold of Thoma's wrist before pulling him down onto the bed, causing the man to give an unexpected gasp. He quickly moved to look at the clan head, his emerald eyes wide. "...Kamisato-sama?"
A silence followed once more as he closed his eyes, his hand staying placed upon his wrist. Succumbing to the emotions in his head, his thumb traced over the rough surface of his glove. "Kamisato-sama."
Ayato's eyes reopened, looking at him. A gentle look stayed in his eyes as he looked at him. "Rest yourself down. You have my permission."
Thoma's eyes stayed wide, appearing like that of a fearful deer. With a hesitant nod, he opened the covers, insisting that Ayato too, got under.
The clan head's expression seemed almost playful as he obeyed, his head resting down against his pillow. "When we're alone... I'd certainly appreciate it if you were to call me by my name."Thoma tilted his head, almost seeming confused by his request. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced by a soft hush. "Call me Ayato."
"Kam-kamisat-" Thoma was once again silenced, a hand moving to cover his mouth.
"I understand. However, I wish for you to speak my name." The storm billowed on throughout, a sharp flash lighting up the room without warning.
Thoma's lip trembled once more, keeping his shaky eyes on him. "A-ayato.." The name left his mouth gently, done so like the sound of a morning lyre.
Kamisato Ayato's gaze softened, a smile coming over his face once more as he heard his voice. "Beautiful, truly." He whispered, his fingers trailing up Thoma's face until his hand lay resting on his cheek.
"I'm afraid I must admit, I've taken quite the liking to you," Ayato admitted, his words trailing out. "I understand why my younger sister speaks so highly of you."
Thoma's face quickly became flustered, his cheeks turning a gentle hue of crimson as he stared at him. His eyes spoke all the silent words that he held sealed inside of him. Confusion, shock, denial. Such emotions embedded deep in his eyes as he shook his head, breaking the gaze. Questions roused around his head as he didn't utter a sound.
Ayato gazed at him, his cobalt hue not faltering. "I ask nothing of you here. Nothing other than an answer." He whispered gently. "I love you."
Honey strands fell messily over his face, just looking at him as he contemplated his actions. The blush expressed over his face grew redder in colour, a clear similarity to that of red wine. Ayato had always been a calm individual, more so than his younger sister, Kamisato Ayaka. In contrast to her, he was more of one to stay in desolation as his sister stayed in the light as the Shirasagi Himegime.
The clan had always been held in higher standing, praised by the people of Inazuma. He had rarely come around to see Ayato, but whenever he did he could understand how the clan was always in perfect condition. Under his orders, nothing seemed to go out of tune.
Aside from the scrambles where Ayato would persuade him to eat things that would seem unpleasant upon being consumed, he looked up at him with an unusual fondness. It was to no surprise at all to the estate that he originally found himself falling head over heels for his sister. Ayaka on one hand was sweet and seen as a model of utmost perfection. On the other, her status left her merely as someone in need of company. Her elegance was something Thoma had come to admire. In the outcome, he soon turned to acceptance that Ayaka only saw him as a brotherly figure, letting his romantic feelings for the woman dwindle like ashes in the breeze.
What left him dead in his place was not the moment, nor the ironic twist of events. It was rather that why of all people was the Yashiro Commissioner simply outing his feelings towards him? Thoma gulped, feeling his emotions pool like a harsh boulder inside of him. Fear consumed him as he seemed to debate such an answer in utmost fear that he was being played like a pawn.
It was no wonder that Kamisato Ayato had a mischievous side, a side that Thoma had instinctively come to fear or even acknowledge as time passed. His attentiveness to his mood always left him knowing what Ayato would be planning.
Yet, in such a feeble moment, he for once felt outed and vulnerable.
"I-I don't quite understand, Kamisato-sama." The pyro user mumbled out, shaking his head out of pure nervousness and denial.
Ayato hummed gently, still tracing his thumb over Thoma's flustered cheek. "I love you, Thoma." He repeated, glancing at him.
He would be lying if the chief retainer denied the statement that Ayato was downright gorgeous. Not even a man such as Thoma could deny such a fact. Such beauty was something not so easily sowed. His hair was soft and gentle as the touch of feathers, and eyes that glittered like a painted starry canvas. Perhaps Thoma truly could be the finishing touch to the artwork. Such a thing that his heart seemed to ache and beat for.
"I'm afraid I can't give you an answer.. not now." Thoma replied, watching as the clan head's smile faded away into a frown of dismay. "I need time to think."
Kamisato Ayato gave a nod of acknowledgement. "I understand wholeheartedly." Such a smooth tone uttered past his lips. The man looked down, his hair flowing over his shoulders as he turned away. Their voices had long faded away by the pattering of rain at the window.
Thoma frowned, just lying beside him in silence. His emerald eyes stayed focused on the mark that was imprinted on the back of Ayato's kimono, signalling he was of the Kamisato clan."..Ayato." The chief retainer spoke gently, carefully moving closer. Locked close, his arms wrapped their way around the other, holding onto him. "I just need time. To think."
Ayato hummed, glancing over his shoulder, his eyes focused, yet also dreary as he yearned for sleep. Thoma gazed down, his chest gently pressed against Ayato's back like a form of a puzzle piece.
"Get some rest, young master." Thoma urged, settling his head down. "I'll be sure to notify the estate of your better condition once you awaken."
Ayato's head gently rested upon soft pillows, his fingers gently clutching onto the carefully made case adorned in royal blue and golden swirls. "I wished to offer a paramour, of sorts."
"I understand making a decision publicly would only put us in a place of discrimination." Kamisato Ayato spoke. "I do not wish to be wed to a woman by any means."
An unusual silence fell over the atmosphere, leaving the two of them in pure silence. By then, the rain had settled down to nothing but gentle pattering upon the rooftops. "Ayato... I.." Thoma stopped himself, the smallest of smiles resting over his face upon finding the clan head had fallen into a gentle slumber.
The pyro user rested down, his fingers tracing through the other's silky strands that twirled around like smooth ribbons crafted of the finest material. There was no possible way that he would be able to deny such a kind soul the offer of feeling love, even so to the head of the famed Kamisato clan.
In the conclusion of his decision, he wished to do so out of pure love. He had never been one to be greedy nor take anything around him for granted. As his cheek rested against the soft comfort of the pillow, Thoma let himself succumb to the feeling of warmth.