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"You're the one that I want to be with
Never want to be separated, oh
I'm captivated"-IV of Spades, 'Captivated'
Greetings in the mornings can be both endearing and hellish. Depends on the mood, whether it starts with remembering a bad dream and wanting to be comforted after, or whether someone’s into a steamy quickie that can help calm down what’s down there.
Whenever he feels that empty space beside him, it's a sign that he's all alone in bed. Sadly, he can't completely hate that feeling. Knowing that duties and responsibilities come first, well, at least for her.
During his bachelor days, Gintoki usually starts his day by getting more sleep. He, who has a fucked up body clock due to his addiction in drinking alcohol, getting out of the bed is his hardest mission of the day.
Just the sound of his alarm clock worsens his mood. Having that stupid thing is necessary but annoying at the same time. Not to mention, his kids will do everything just to get him out of bed.
Shinpachi usually greets him whenever he arrives at the office. While Kagura's kind of greeting involves her hunger or any matters related to Sadaharu.
Funny enough, it's the same with the people living downstairs. Otose knocks the door very hard and screams loudly whenever she tries to collect the rent payments. Catherine just does as she pleases to infuriate him more, by simply imitating the old lady she's working for. And Tama, that girl has the power to destroy his office in one blow 'cause she's, well, more like her mop is that strong.
Everyone around him sure chooses to be more eager. Only hours after the sun was out and they go loud and energetic as if the heat and sunlight is tiring enough. What did he get himself to anyway?
Well, if that's the first question of the day, it's definitely his need for warmth. The kind of warmth that the sun could never provide.
Only he can think of one person in mind.
Now that he's such a married man, he could've gotten a morning cuddle or something. Now that's something that could wake him up without getting irritated.
But just like most days, not today. This morning, he's receiving none. No morning hugs or morning sex? That's unfair. Where's the loving and all? Is married life easily swept away by all the honeymoon feelings?
To think about it, she owes him big time.
Sure, yawning would be the first thing to do. Though he just can't get himself to be awake yet, the white-haired samurai slowly opens his eyes. A glimpse of sunlight greeted him back.
Great. His laziness kicks in further. Now there's a reason to skip work for a little while.
Gintoki plans to sleep once again. But before he drifted back to his slumber, a small peck in his forehead was suddenly felt.
The peck was so tender that he already knew whose lips would give him that kind of feeling. Realizing what just happened made him smile inside.
Okay, now he doesn't want to get up at all. He can feel her breath. It actually smells so pleasant and addicting, to the point that he feels so much at home.
Last night was no different than the nights before. Tsukuyo slept early and it was just her alone in their bed. Yet, seeing her sleeping face is a mysterious force for him and that alone is enough to pull him in.
To his surprise, after Gintoki nestled in their shared blanket, the blonde started wrapping her arms around his body. For a bombshell of a woman, he can't help wondering how the hell is he now next to her, just like that.
He also wondered how he got her to say yes twice.
Underneath the blanket, their legs are tangled, almost inseparable. Their chests closer than ever, making their heartbeats go in sync. Nothing really was happening that time besides him almost going to burst. Laying there next to a strong, beautiful woman already seemed like a daydream.
And just like every other night, he placed a silent kiss on her forehead. A little kiss wouldn't hurt, before he goes back to his side of their futon.
Giving the love of his life forehead kisses became a practice he'll never avoid doing. Although it was a small gesture of expressing how much he loves her, those are moments he gladly would treasure.
Going back to the present time, he still acts like nothing happened.
Little does he know, Tsukuyo starts to face him with an intense look. Out of curiosity, she matched her lips with his forehead.
Does she want to kiss me again?
Responding to her actions, Gintoki starts putting up his fake-dreaming speech, "Oh, that's good. Give me one on the lips, Honey."
Surprised by his remarks, she didn't expect him to respond. But this could be one of his ways to get her to bed and take a morning nap. It's Monday, all more reason for his laziness to kick in.
But as the canon goes, of course, it's her we're talking about. As the leader of a law enforcement group, being alert and observant are one of her mastered skills. As someone who's been with Gintoki, she stood behind him too many times to know his behaviors and the way he thinks.
Yet, she'd rather refuse to do it. But then, maybe, she can play along a little before slapping him on his cheeks.
After all, he's the only person she can be flirtatious to. She leaned on his ear closer, making him tickle a little and said, "And if I give you one, will you get out of the bed, please?"
"Only one? Damn, I kiss you more than once every day. Are you saying that you can't keep up with me in that category?"
That remark startled her. He may have not seen but her face starts to flush.
"I-I already give you a kiss." With a pout, she evidently sounded slightly mad as she continued, "Besides, I know that you're awake so you better get up now, Gintoki." Tsukuyo can't hide her embarrassment at that point. Giving each other morning kisses is not even a competition to begin with. It's usual for couples like them to act lovey dovely.
Jeez, that's cheesy.
Besides, it's already six in the morning. And the leader of Hyakka and now, also the Yoshiwara's Courtesan of Heavens, should not be late on a Monday. She distanced herself now to her 'sleepy' husband and started to get up.
He finally opened his eyes, as he heard the sound of his wife walking away from the futon. "Honey, it's just the start of the day. You're leaving me behind here, all alone in bed?"
"I have to go early. You should know that." Tsukuyo, continuing her preparation to go to work as she starts combing her hair.
Wanting to tease her further, he continues to say a half-meant thought. Rolling in the bedsheets, his head is now leaning on his crossed arms, placed above his pillow. "I can't believe you're not interested in getting morning exercises with me."
The blonde scoffs on her husband's perverted comment. "And I can't believe I married you." There's no way I should be late, Tsukuyo thought to herself. After all, the kind of leadership she's been imposing would always be centered with discipline.
She already failed in having Gintoki anyway. But not that she'll complain about it, in fact, she felt it's unbelievable to be in her current situation.
It's cute, actually. Everyone thought so, too, so maybe that works.
"You're talking nonsense. I got the husband package, you see?" Now fully awake, he groans as he tries to stretch both of his arms while the rest of his body is still completely wrapped in their blanket.
Tsukuyo couldn't help but display a smug face as she crossed her arms. "Oh? And if I didn't join you, what would you do then?"
In a split second, she found herself back in the futon. Without a word, she felt the blanket around her whole body. It felt warm and tempting.
The mastermind, aka the silver-haired man beside her displayed a small curve on his mouth. "I'll hold you like this." Not wanting to let her go just yet, Gintoki covered himself and Tsukuyo with the blanket.
"Can't we have this moment for ourselves?"
"But--"
"Don't you want to stay here too?" He immediately retorted, "You didn't even get a weekend, I'm sure they'll understand if you excuse yourself."
"I know that, it's just that I have to carry out my duty."
"Ok then, an hour. Give me an hour of your time, you'll never regret taking a short power nap."
Considering the times he's been with her, it usually takes a while before he can convince her. Gintoki, being the understanding that he is, tried to look into some ways that could get them together like this.
On the other hand, Tsukuyo realizes how important these small things are. Not because she's obligated to do wifey duties, but because she wants to do them.
Giving in, to have this chance with him, is one of those.
Loving someone like this makes life more bearable, at least. She'll let this moment pass. After quite a while, with a silent nod, she snuggles in her husband's chest, feeling the warmth they're creating.
They both knew at this point, what this morning will be. Call it lazy or unproductive, work can wait. It's calm and comforting. Breathing each other's souls, this moment is only for the two of them.
A nice, long nap, it was.
Reality can be as harsh sometimes. Moments like cuddling peacefully with your significant other never lasts long.
Why was time invented anyway? Is there any chance to make it stop for a while? How many hours are remaining before the night comes again?
Even now that they're adults, there are so many questions they can't answer. All the experiences and lessons in life looked so little, compared to the rest of the world. And before they try to get the answers, they realize that they need to go.
Maybe in some other time, they can still have a nice, long nap. But for now, it's better for them to actually go to work.
The sun was high at noon. There are clouds scattered so thankfully, it's not that bad. It took them thirty minutes to prepare. With only coffee and tea as their brunch, Gintoki and Tsukuyo changed from their sleeping yukata to their usual work clothes.
The resemblance of their clothes somehow amazes everyone. It's funny when they don't even need to have a couple shirts usually worn by those who are sickly in love.
When they tied the knot, they both started living in the same town. Kabukicho has always been the silver-haired samurai's home, since more than a decade ago. He's glad it's been peaceful as usual. After what happened in the terminal, it took some time to settle down and think things for the future.
Still, for Tsukuyo, Yoshiwara will be her very home. Gintoki knew that, and he would never go against her idea of what her home should be.
Time reminds people to where they come from and where they'll come back to.
Their scooter ride took them less than an hour. Weirdly enough to at least enter her office for the afternoon. After they arrived at the red-light district's entrance to its town proper underground, they both got out of the engine.
Assuming that there could be conflicts in their schedule, he called her out, "Say, will you overwork yourself again? 'Cause you better not or I'll get an earful from Hinowa."
"You don't say. Maybe, I'll do an overnight shift." She just finished fixing her appearance when Gintoki asked her that. In line with their works, she thought it would be another busy day since crime never sleeps.
He's hearing this now from her, as someone who gets easily jealous over something stupid, it pissed him off a little. What about their plans tonight?
"You damn woman, I'm serious."
Tsukuyo replied with a giggle, "Sorry." As she started removing her helmet, Gintoki did the same thing on his, placing both on the scooter seats afterwards.
"I'll see you later." She was ready to face her daily routine in Yoshiwara, but then, someone's hand was intertwined with hers. She would like to pull her hand off at first, until Gintoki pulled her in, with his left hand still holding her while his right hand was on her back.
Entranced, she was not prepared at all as almost tripped but then was held closer by him. This time, he initiated a forehead kiss.
"This is my revenge from this morning," The samurai looked into his wife's eyes for a second, not wanting to waste a chance of seeing her face. "I'll come back to pick you up. Call me when you're done with your work."
Gintoki managed to put back his helmet on. Without hesitation, he shouted, "There's your kiss! Don't say I never kissed you before you go!"
"I know, Gintoki."
After hearing that somewhat loud comeback, he got curious. Wondering what she's talking about, Gintoki replied, "Heh. And what do you know exactly?"
Wanting to give him a little tease before he went back to the Yorozuya office, Tsukuyo didn't hold back. There's one thing she knew from the very beginning of their marriage. If there are secrets he's been hiding for quite a while now...
"I know that you also give me kisses when I'm asleep!" She shouted at him. Immediately after, she displayed one of those grinning faces.
Wait, did she... Shocked at what he just heard, he face-palmed himself.
Goddamn, she got me there.
Removing his hands from his face, he saw a glimpse of something mesmerizing. He cannot hide himself from the glow she's holding. Those eyes, those godsent eyes speak so loud and happy when he's around. And that damn smile she possesses. These are two of a billion reasons as to why he's so captivated by her.
Now to think about it, it doesn't matter if one little secret has been exposed. Gintoki, for at that time, is helplessly embarrassed, and lowkey felt romantically excited.
Oh dear, It's going to take him over for the rest of the day.
But if forever is actually true, he'll may as well let that feeling last that long.