Chapter Text
It started as a casual thing…
Jin might be a samurai, but there was no denying he was skillful, courageous… and handsome too… They had established some sort of rapport, they teased each other and the banter back and forth was fun. He wouldn't say he was smitten or anything but he could see himself getting there pretty easily. Jin was… unexpected.
Still, Tenzo wasn't aiming for anything serious when he leaned in and kissed him in front of the fire they had built to keep them warm for the night after a scouting trip near Gonoura cape. He prided himself on being able to read people well and he was pretty sure something was happening between them. Jin was surprised, of course, but not unresponsive, he had kissed back with passion worthy of a warrior, deepening their exchange and pulling him closer.
If you were to ask him, Tenzo isn't sure why he did it in the first place… It wasn't the first one-night stand he had since his wife passed, but it wasn't your ordinary dalliance either. The samurai wasn't one of them, he was nothing but a temporary ally, and yet… There was something about him, about his conviction and drive to kick the Mongols out of their island, he made it so easy to believe it was possible. He made him have hope again, that they could not only survive but fight back and actually win.
Maybe he just wanted to keep that feeling, he wanted Jin to know it meant something, it meant everything… But like a beautiful night bloom, he knew it was temporary. A bond that would only tie them while the fighting lasted, then Jin would be off back home to his samurai business.
Only, one passionate night became two, then became stolen kisses in their base camp, warm smiles and gentle teasing… Jin wormed himself into his heart without even trying.
He got warning looks from Fune, he knew he should have put an end to it, but Jin gave so willingly it was impossible not to want more and more… It was as if the other man was starving for affection, soaking it up like sunlight. It made him wonder, what kind of life he was living back home. Was he so lonely he was willing to get so close to his enemy? Not that they were that anymore but… their bond wasn't as sturdy, it could come down with one strong breeze.
And it came in the way of one prisoner from the Eagle tribe… He didn't want to believe him. Jin Sakai? The son of that man… that butcher? No, it couldn't be… But he knew, in his heart, he knew it felt true.
The funny thing was, Tenzo wasn't angry at Jin, well a little because it placed him in one hell of a position with Fune, but he understood the need for lying, there was no way he would have brought him in if he knew who he was before. But he was angrier at himself, at the cruelty of fate, because it was him who had killed the father of the man that he'd grown so close to for the past weeks. And Jin was kind enough to look the other way on many things, but not this… if he found out, and he definitely would because it was something he couldn't keep hidden, he would never forgive him, he would kill him and Tenzo, to his credit, wouldn't fight him.
He didn't regret killing the samurai, but he knew that kind of thing… it can only be paid back with blood. He would embrace his fate with his head high. By Jin's hand, it almost wouldn't be as bad…
He cuts down the Mongol, silencing him before Jin walks around the corner. There was a smile on his face. Tenzo watches it fade as Jin takes in his expression, he tries to commit it to memory, it is perhaps the last one he'll get.
"Going to keep me waiting, Jin?" he asks, trying to avoid the unavoidable question before it comes.
"Next time you shouldn't be so quick to kill your enemy. He might have known something useful," Jin says, looking down at the fallen Mongol.
"He spilled plenty…" he says bitterly.
"You called him a liar. What did he tell you?"
Ah, there it is… He doesn't want to go into this now. Not before a fight, they need a clear head. And after he says those words… it will all be over. Selfishly he doesn't want to lose this, he doesn't want Jin to see him any other way than how he does now.
"Nothing that can't wait…" he says, crossing his arms in front of him. "The ship should dock soon."
Jin looks at him, concerned but he doesn't press him on it.
"Once it does, tell your men we'll take it quietly. If we cause too much damage the Eagle's warship will see through our disguise before we get close enough to attack."
Tenzo rolls his eyes at him, "Don't worry, Jin from Yarikawa," he says, the name feeling like ash on his mouth now. "We'll take that supply ship without a scratch. Now get some rest, the ship will be here soon."
Jin looks at him, eyebrows furrowed, "Come sit with me?" he says to him, gesturing to a fallen tree near the cliffside.
He considers coming up with some excuse, there's plenty to be done, after all, he could easily run away from those warm eyes that seem far too wise for his age. He goes to him instead, sitting on the grass, shoulder to shoulder.
"What's the matter, Tenzo? Are you afraid the plan won't work? Worried about your men?
"I'm worried about losing you, Jin," he says before he can stop himself. It's a half-truth, he's not afraid of losing him in battle, but he dreads the moment he finds out the truth, the moment he won't be Tenzo anymore, but his father's killer.
Jin has become so much in such a small amount of time… it aches to think of what it will feel like when he's left behind again. He's sadly acquainted with loss, he doesn't want to go through it again, but he finds that he's already grieving something that's not even gone.
"You won't lose me. I won't be defeated by them. They'll fall to our blades, you'll see," Jin says with a gentle smile, pushing a strand of his hair away from his eyes, then cupping his cheek.
Tenzo leans into the touch, closes his eyes. There's no point in wasting what little time they have left, is there?
He knows Jin will reproach him this too, once he realizes he knows the truth already, but he can't stop himself, he needs this one last time…
"Come here," he says, pulling Jin onto his lap.
He comes easily, letting Tenzo manhandle him into a comfortable position and take some of his armor away. There's no time for anything more than passionate kisses and heavy petting, but they make do.
Later Jin leans his forehead against his, a pleased smile on his lips. He looks beautiful, so young… The mist has begun to roll down the mountain and Tenzo buries his face in the crook of Jin's neck with the excuse of keeping warm. Even when it was him who started this with no intention of making it a long-lived affair, he finds himself selfishly wanting to keep him.
Jin leans his chin on his shoulder, relaxed against his skin. Tenzo lets him rest for a bit, keeping an eye on the bay.
Soon enough he sees the ship approaching slowly, he shakes Jin's shoulder, waking him up. He steals one last kiss before pushing him off his lap, making Jin glare at him. He laughs and walks up to the ledge.
He sees the rowboats approach the beach, their way in hopefully. He hears Jin putting on the missing pieces of his armor and tries to remember that he needs to focus on this, not the samurai behind him. Home. He needs to save his home.
"It's time. They've brought rowboats to shore. We'll borrow them to reach the supply ship," he tells him.
Jin chuckles softly, "Borrow? Do you plan on returning them to the Eagle afterwards?"
Tenzo rolls his eyes at him, "Fine, steal them. I thought the word might offend your delicate sensibilities."
"Hmm. The fog will work in our favor," he says, still grinning. "If they see us coming, we risk scaring them off."
Ever the strategist… They're relying quite a lot on Jin's skills for battle, he only hopes they'll both keep a clear head when it matters. He wonders what this place has brought back for him, what the island means to Jin Sakai...
"Let's get moving. Is the Eagle's poison still in you?" he asks, walking back to the camp, gesturing for the men to go ahead.
"I won't lose focus, if that's what you're asking," Jin bites back, defensively.
"It's not. You said it made you see things?"
"Things I'd like to forget…" Jin says with a faraway look.
"Like getting bloodstains on your favorite silk hakama?" Tenzo teases him. He imagines little Jin Sakai, growing up in that big state, spoiled in ways men like him would never even dream of.
"A little worse than that," Jin answers, without elaborating.
Tenzo knows he should leave it alone, but this thing between them, it's like a cut he can't help but dig into.
"All right, I'll bite. What's the worst thing that happened to Jin from Yarikawa?"
Jin looks thoughtful for a moment, no doubt weighing if he wants to share this bit of information.
"Losing my father. We were in battle together."
Of course, he's responsible for Jin's worst memory… It hurts like a blade in the gut, like his hands are covered in blood all over again.
"I'm sorry…" he says, all too honest.
"Don't be. You didn't know."
Except he does… He wants to tell him, he doesn't mean it that way, and yet the words are not right either, he's sorry for having caused Jin pain, he's not sorry for killing Kazumasa Sakai. The man would have never backed down, samurai don't surrender, they die in battle like martyrs for a cause. There was no other way, and yet… if he could have spared Jin that hurt he would have, somehow... Now he's made everything worse by binding them together.
But now it's not the time to think about the damage he's done. Soon enough they're in battle together, quickly dispatching the Mongols at shore. Only by the time they make it to the boats, the fog has lifted and the ship begins firing on them. He calls for retreat, but Jin says he can go around and take out their weapons.
His men argue against it, but Tenzo knows now. This is no ordinary samurai, this is Jin Sakai. Trained by the best Tsushima had to offer, by the jito himself. If there's anyone that can do this, it's him.
"Do it, Jin. Show us what a samurai can do," he exclaims over the explosions. "Watch their fire!"
Jin grins at him and nods before rushing out to danger. Tenzo has faith in him, but the waiting still feels endless. True to his word though, Jin dispatches the Mongols quietly and effectively, cutting them down before they even have time to react. A small part of him suddenly worries that once the truth comes out, Jin might turn that effectiveness in killing towards his people, in retaliation. Once they no longer have a common enemy.
"Sure took your time silencing those cannons," Tenzo scolds him, after reuniting on the ship.
"I thought you needed a chance to catch your breath," Jin bites back, sharp eyes taking everything in.
"How thoughtful…" Tenzo says bitterly, looking away.
Jin groans, frustrated, "What's going on with you? One moment we stand shoulder to shoulder, the next you're ready to cross blades."
No, he can't do this now...
"Not now, samurai," he says, knowing Jin will miss the use of his name. It's petty, he knows, but he's already ripping apart at the seams. "We have a job to do."
"Then let's finish it. And talk after," Jin says leaving no doubt that he's not escaping this conversation anytime soon.
They set sail to Eagle's warship, hoping they'll make it unnoticed, they'll hide and burst out once they've boarded. It's risky, but it's the only plan they have.
The fight itself is tense, more than once he finds himself back to back with Jin, who seems to want to keep an eye on him. They move well together, something he has a hard time admitting now.
The invaders stand no chance against them though, and soon enough they set fire to the black powder and watch the ship blow in pieces.
The men celebrate, exhilarated by the first real victory they had since this whole thing started.
"Today we struck a blow for Fune's Refuge!" he tells them.
"Next we take back Iki," Jin says beside him.
His men cheer, but all Tenzo can think of is what's coming. What they would think if they knew the truth of who he brought into their home, who he's grown to… no, he can think about that.
When will it end? This endless fighting… one after another, is he always meant for misfortune?
"And one day escape the endless wheel of suffering," he mutters to himself.
Jin looks at him, concerned. Tenzo shakes his head and walks away, unwilling to talk at sea where there's nowhere to run.
It's daytime by the time they make it back to Fune's Refuge. The men disembark joyfully, while he and Jin stay behind.
Jin sighs, clearly pleased to be back on dry land, "Good work, Tenzo. I think Fune is going to be pleased."
It's time, better to get it over with.
"No… She's going to skin both of us alive," he says, making Jin turn around in confusion.
"What are you talking about?"
"You tell me… Lord Sakai," he says, watching Jin's reaction, they've both been keeping secrets. "One whisper of your real name and every person in this refuge will line up to split you wide open."
"You wouldn't…"
"Wouldn't I?"
He sees the betrayal in Jin's eyes, if this hurts, he can't imagine how it'll hurt once he knows the rest. Jin squares his shoulders facing this head-on as he does everything.
"Then say my name, force me to defend myself. This is what the Eagle wants. Samurai and raider, spelling each other's blood. She knows we're a threat if we work together."
"Bullshit!" he exclaims, taking a step forward, this is not part of some big plot, no one forced them to work together. He didn't even know Jin when the Eagle took him.
"Who told you I was a Sakai?" Jin says accusingly, taking a step closer as well. "Was it the Mongol you interrogated? The Eagle wanted you to know. She wants to tear us apart… she would take you from me. Please don't let her."
Tenzo groans, looking away, Jin still believes there's a chance for this, for them. If only he knew there isn't.
"This is what I get for trusting a damn samurai… I told you before, I grew up here. Learned to swim in the shallows, helped build half of these homes. Broke my arm falling off the rock wall, trying to impress my wife."
Jin blinks in surprise at that, "You were married?"
Tenzo sighs, of course that's the one bit of information he hangs on to.
"Years ago. She didn't make it through childbirth. Fune helped me bury them," he shares. It still hurts to say those words, even after all this time. It will probably never go away and perhaps he doesn't want it to. It's part of his history, of who he is now, of what they've gone through.
"This is my home. These people are my family, he says, trying to make it clear to Jin that there's nothing as important to him as that. "If they find out I brought the Butcher of Iki's son here, they'll stake both of us down. Make us a feast for the crabs."
"I won't let that happen," Jin says, taking the last step closer, a hand carefully wrapping against his own. "This stays between us."
He sees Jin's pained expression, worried not for himself but for him! It's frustrating how open and caring he is.
"I guess we're in this together," for now at least…
He doesn't pull his hand away and Jin seems to take that as a win, he gives him some motivational words, as if he doesn't know what lies ahead.
Tenzo snorts, rolling his eyes at him, "You samurai and your speeches… I'll tell Fune your plan worked. When you're ready I'm sure she'll want to thank you in person."
Jin lets out a small laugh, looking down at their joined hands, "Somehow I doubt that. Tenzo… Are we alright? Now that you know?"
No, he wants to say, we're not alright. But he's looking at him with such hope… He hasn't lost him yet, they're still allies and that sharp katana of his still isn't heading for his neck. It will though, once it's over. Not yet though, not yet…
"We're alright, Jin from Yarikawa… We're alright," he assures him, squeezing his hand once.
"Good, good…" Jin says with a small smile, he can tell he's not entirely honest, but he lets it be, letting go. "Be careful, Tenzo. And watch what you say."
"You too…" he says, watching him go.
What a mess they're in…