Chapter Text
It started out innocent. As all happy, young couples do.
A brush of hands as documents are exchanged. A quick fix of the jacket before a meeting and a small smile of confidence. Holding on to each other’s waists just a little longer than required while walking home buzzed by the alcohol from an evening of drinking with butt-kissing officials.
Ayato revelled in those small touches. He couldn’t get enough of them. Couldn’t get enough of Thoma. And if you asked Thoma, he would bashfully shake his head with a polite smile and respond with “My Lord is kind and considerate of a servant like me.”
As days pass by, their love seems to grow like an abundant spring. Water runs clear and invigoratingly cold rushes through their veins and fiery shields protect them from any signs of frost. Or so they thought.
While their love may seem untouchable from the outside, all eyes are on the High Commissioner of the Kamisato Clan. Many are vying for a chance to be the one he graces his loving gaze upon and continue the family line. But they don’t know that his heart has already been swept away and kept tidy behind green eyes and blond hair.
~~
There are so many marriage proposals in this morning's pile of mail. Ayato doesn’t even need to see the letters to know, he can smell them from across the room with their cloying sweet perfumes sprayed by the senders. He allows himself the luxury to sigh in the quiet of his office. What I would give to not have my personal decisions and life affect the clan.
Ayato shakes his head, it does no good to fantasize about unrealistic ideas. He’s proud to be the leader of the Kamisato Clan, it’s been his duty, pride and joy to serve and protect his family. But recently, the prospect of marriage and creating good alliances has become an increasingly persistent headache. If he were more simple, he would choose a wife who loved him, cared for his family, was interested in the political and simple affairs of the estate… had wavy blond hair held back by a black headband and stunning green eyes…
A knock on the door pulls him out of his reverie, he’s been staring at a blank paper for 10 minutes trying to think of a polite decline to some of these marriage proposals. Well, no use in trying to force it.
“Come in” he says evenly.
As if summoned by Ayato’s thoughts, Thoma walks in, a tray with a pot of tea and a small plate of tri-coloured dango skewers. Ayato can’t help the smile that comes when he sees there are two cups on the tray as well, thoughts of the proposals all slip away when Thoma smiles back.
“My Lord, I made some dango today for Lady Ayaka and had a few extra. Please enjoy.”
As Thoma sets down the tray on the side of the desk, he stands up slowly and is about to turn around when Ayato reaches out and catches his wrist.
“Please join me for tea Thoma, I need a break and would love the company.” He puts a small emphasis on the word, following along with Thoma’s intent on him staying. Ayato means it truly, he loves Thoma’s company.
Thoma’s smile grows slightly wider, reaching his eyes, and takes Ayato’s hand in his as he sits beside him, sliding the tray over between them.
“It would be a pleasure, my Lord.” Thoma replies easily, smile more apparent now.
As he sits down, he looks at all the letters scattered. The smile dims a little. Thoma knows he shouldn’t be so bothered by them, they’ve been arriving at the estate since Ayato took over the commission. But these letters have recently been forming like a large electro Mitachurl in the room and it’s all a matter of time before it attacks and destroys everything. They are two grown men, but the prospect of facing this part of reality together feels monumentally large. Thoma’s not sure if they will make it out the other side together. A bleak and sad train of thought, but he’s just being realistic.
Ayato has been watching Thoma since he walked in, and the forlorn glance at the letters doesn’t escape his notice. With a deep sigh, Ayato pushes them off the low table and they scatter on the ground unceremoniously. At that, Thoma’s eyes flash to Ayato’s with slight annoyance. “My Lord, I could have easily moved those out of the way, it is unnecessary to create such a mess.” Ayato gives him a small smirk in response, feeling like he should poke fun to ease the tension. “With the look you were giving them, I felt they were personally offending you. I am simply doing my duty as a good partner and getting rid of it” With that, he pulls Thoma’s hip closer to himself, tucking his chin onto his lover's shoulder.
Thoma’s body easily follows along with Ayato’s arrangement of the two fo them. Thoma puts his hand on Ayato’s thigh and smirks back. “As much as I appreciate the sentiment, those are technically official correspondence, one day someone might look back at them and wonder how they got crease marks.” At that, Ayato gives a soundless laugh in response “Don’t worry my love, if anything they will be disposed of with the rest of the trash.”
~~
Spring easily flows into a warm and comforting summer. Despite stifling humidity and the occasional typhoon, it was a summer filled with nights of bodies coming together again and again. Waking up to sunlight in the air and in Ayato’s arms, the growing pile of ignored marriage proposals. Dinners at home were comfortable with strange hot pot ingredients and the occasional cold and sweet dango milk.
While their relationship remains within the confines of the bedroom and Ayato’s personal office, they allowed themselves one night out with Ayaka to enjoy a festival on Amakane Island.Thoma trails after Ayato and Ayaka while they browse through the various food stalls and wares for sale. Ayaka politely greets those who are brave enough to say hello, otherwise they are given a wide berth to stroll along the path. Out of the corner of Ayato’s eye, he sees a stall selling trinkets and jewelry made of pearls. He veers towards the stall while Ayaka continues walking. Thoma gives a heads up to Lady Ayaka then makes his way quietly back to Ayato’s side. Thoma notices what the stall is selling and gives a small smile to the vendor.
Despite now being in a relationship of sorts with Ayato, he doesn’t always understand his motives for doing things. This is one of those times.
The vendor, an older woman with rosy cheeks and greying hair pulled back in a bun greets them warmly. “Hello Lord Kamisato and young man, we have various wares made with Sango Pearls of Watatsumi Island that I and other local women have dived for. Please take your time and let me know if you have any specific requests, we also make custom pieces.” Ayato eyes the one piece of jewelry that brought him here in the first place. A ring made of pure Sango pearl shines iridescent in the torchlight. He picks it up and watches the colours ripple from periwinkle to lilac to a light baby pink. It feels cool in his palm, its weight is lighter than other rings he’s seen made of pure stone but just as, if not more, stunning than any diamond ring he’s seen on women around the city. He looks back to the vendor with a smile “I will take this one and if you have, a silver chain, please.” He takes out the required payment, while the woman nods and packs the ring in a box and thin silver chain into a small pouch. She gives it to Ayato with both hands “I appreciate doing business with you Lord Kamisato, thank you.” Ayato gives the woman a nod then turns to walk back to Ayaka.
Thoma, lost for words at that whole purchase, follows Ayato. Ayato is not a man who wears jewelry often. It’s been a long time since the Yashiro Commission has held an event since the start of the Vision Hunt Decree and even then, Ayato prefers to wear his usual business appropriate attire. Perhaps it’s a gift, maybe it’s for Lady Ayaka. Yes, Thoma thinks, that makes perfect sense. Ayaka was distracted by the Traveler and Paimon so he took it as an opportunity to buy a gift for his sister. They don’t often have the opportunity to go out and relax like tonight so, a small keepsake of this peaceful night is a logical conclusion for this purchase.
As they return to the estate, all feeling lighter after a successful night out, they return to their personal chambers for the night. Before Thoma even thinks about turning into the servants quarters, Ayato is tugging on his arm into his own bedroom. It is well into the night, and no one sees the two come into a sweet embrace before the door is even closed.
Ayato pulls his lover over to the bathroom and slowly removes his clothes for a sleeping yukata. Thoma, who has been sleeping in this room more than his own quarters lately. He changes slowly into his own yukata, ever the consistent housekeeper, puts away their dirty clothes and picks out their outfits for tomorrow. Ayato watches with lazy interest as his lover moves about the chambers with efficiency. But it still feels like he’s taking too long, the next time Thoma walks by Ayato pulls him in by the waist and tucks his face into the crook of his neck. Thoma’s arms wrap around Ayato’s middle and pulls them together ever closer. They stay in each others embrace for a while, just soaking in each others presence and savouring the closeness they can not show while outside. Ayato is the first to pull back and lead them to sit on the bed. Thoma sits back onto Ayato’s front between his legs and lets out a small sigh. Ayato gives a small chuckle in response “Comfortable?” Thoma lets out a small breathy “yes” and closes his eyes. He often doesn’t get the chance to relax like this since becoming a housekeeper, and before the festival the household has been busy with other events and preparations. He feels Ayato’s arms shift around him, then something is being placed in his hands.
“Thoma, I have a gift for you.”
Thoma opens his eyes to the pouch he saw Ayato buy earlier that evening. Confused, he opens the pouch and not only does the silver chain fall out, but the ring is strung onto it. Thoma turns in Ayato’s arms, “Ayato, what is this? I thought you bought this for Lady Ayaka?” Ayato give him a questioning look then shakes his head. “A reasonable line of thought since you were there while I bought it. But no, I bought it with the intention of giving it to you. Its colours were so magnificent and I hope one day we can go to Watatsumi Island together to see them in their natural habitat. I bought the chain so you can keep it close to your heart, where I hope I am also.”
He lifts Thoma’s hand and places a kiss on his ring finger. Like an apology he can not put it on his finger for all to see.
Thoma is not one to cry easily, but his heart is moved by this gift. He almost forgets about how many hoops they must go through to even have this. At this moment, Thoma thinks, it’s worth every aching moment. Thoma clutches the ring in his palm before opening it and offering it to Ayato.
“Please, put it on me?”
The smile now meeting Ayato’s eyes, he takes the chain and brings it over Thoma’s head. With the chain securely around his neck, the ring falls low into the folds of his yukata. Thoma turns back around and kisses Ayato fiercely. Ayato responds in kind, with as much reverence and passion. They end the night in low lamplight and bodies entangled for so long they don’t know where one starts and the other ends.
A perfect summer night.
But as sure as the sun rises the next day, the seasons start changing once again.