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“Wow!”
“Ah!”
“Beautiful!”
The citadel was filled with oohs and aahs as fireworks adorned the sky, blooming in full color before dissipating into a shower of sparks. The Touken Danshi gasped at each new firework shooting up and bursting into view, and each one was utterly entranced by the display.
But the saniwa was not looking at the fireworks, and instead at the attendant who stood next to her.
Nagasone was utterly transfixed by the view, smiling with each new firework that appeared. He was quieter than some of the other Touken Danshi, but even he let out a loud “AH!” at an especially large, golden firework that took up the center of the sky, laughing to himself afterwards and grinning.
Then a series of sparklers, quieter than the last big firework, spun upwards and sent rays of sparks dancing in all directions. The fireworks were more coordinated now, less a cacophony of big bangs and more a symphony of light and color.
The saniwa took her eyes off of Nagasone long enough to watch, but in the end she still returned her gaze to him. His expression had changed; he was still smiling, but it was more serene than excited. His eyes gleamed, reflecting the light of the fireworks long after they had faded. He shifted in his position a little and moved closer to her, his yukata sleeve brushing against her arm.
He looks so relaxed, the saniwa mused, watching the light of the fireworks illuminate his face. He’d helped her put the citadel’s summer festival together, and at last he was enjoying the fruits of his labor 一 something he truly deserved.
Then another thought: He’s beautiful this way.
An ache filled her where the thoughts had once been 一 she wanted to keep him this way, happy and fulfilled and serene, to bring him closer to her and never let go. Even with him standing so close to her, it wasn’t enough; it had turned into a need that had taken hold of her.
She knew it wasn’t possible. He was a Touken Danshi, she was a human. She was his master, and she would send him away to fight for her. He would fight and throw himself in danger and whatever serenity he felt here would be gone, and yet he’d say it was fine. It was in his nature.
But the saniwa felt a little selfish, and this was one night where she could wish for something, right?
“Sone-kun…”
She called to him softly. His name was nearly drowned out by the pops and whistles of the fireworks, and yet he heard her.
Nagasone turned to look at her, mouth half-open to ask her what she needed, but his expression changed when he saw her face. He softened, bending down a little to meet her gaze, and tucked a stray piece of hair away from her eyes.
The saniwa perched her hands on his shoulders, and the ache that filled her only grew stronger.
She kissed him before she could come to her senses. Just a quick peck, she told herself, nothing more. Her lips brushed against his, and it was over.
But Nagasone only leaned closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, then pulled her in for a longer kiss. She felt his stubble brush against her chin, her chest pressed against his, his warmth flooding her senses, and the last of her barriers fell. She melted into him, allowing herself to be washed over by every feeling of ache and longing and hope 一 and love, if she could call it that 一 for just that moment.
Around them, the fireworks display continued, but it might as well have stopped; their colors went unseen, their bursts unheard, as the two were completely entwined in one another.
When the kiss broke, the saniwa could not pull away just yet, and Nagasone leaned in with a few last kisses. Softer ones, fluttering pecks on the corners of her lips.
This was what she wanted, she thought, as he held her close and she pressed her forehead to his. This was what she wanted to preserve, just for one summer night.