Work Text:
Bright blue sky.
Unshou's gaze follows the floating clouds. Fluffy like cotton, slowly moving across the sky, accompanied by the wind. Rustling leaves added to the ambience. A hand reaches to comb his hair back and Unshou feels utterly at peace.
He couldn't believe it at first, but now he truly has to admit it.
What Matsui Gou said 15 minutes ago was not mere empty words.
It has been a month since Unshou manifested, and their Saniwa asked him to help with compiling reports and documents without any hesitation. And thus Unshou became the helping hand Heshikiri Hasebe and Matsui Gou desperately needed.
Especially right now, at the end of the year.
Reports of resources and funds. Updating Citadel map and drafting proposal for expansion. Reports of sorties and expeditions and training of this year. Drafting invitations for training, and many more. Kuwana Gou, Fukushima Mitsutada, and Yagen Toushirou kindly helped with drafting the plan and map for crops next year so that is one less burden, and yet the three swords remained overwhelmed. Exempted from sorties and expeditions and internal affairs, yet it added to their stress as nothing else remained but to face the pile of documents in front of them.
“Are you okay?” Kotegiri Gou–who was stopping by with some well-appreciated tea and dango–asked Unshou, who looks worse for wear. After all, while Heshikiri Hasebe and Matsui Gou have been doing this for years, they always ended up so fatigued each and every year. Matsui takes a much needed (and deserved) break, munching one of the dango and sipping some of the tea. Sighing and closing his heavily bagged eyes as he felt the short moment of relaxation seeps into his fatigued bones.
“I am fine, thank you for asking,” Unshou replied with a smile. A forced one. He is pale, even more so than usual, with eyebags hanging visibly. Disheveled hair. Fingers trembling above the calculator as he tries to return his focus to counting the expense they spent on repair in August. One that he has been working for the past three hours as he keeps getting different results with each calculation. Hasebe clicked his tongue. “You're not. None of us are,” he grumbles. “We'll still do our best for Aruji, of course, but we're not fine.”
“Hasebe's right,” Matsui takes another sip and lets out a deeper sigh. “Especially since it's your first time.” Kotegiri nods in agreement. “I remember your first time helping with year-end documents, Matsui-san,” he smiles. “Kuwana-san made pickles for you everyday, saying it's good for fatigue, and Leader…”
Kotegiri paused to think. Matsui too spent seconds thinking before turning to Unshou. “That's it,” Matsui said. “I'm lending you Buzen's lap.”
Kotegiri gasps. “That's…! Matsui-san, are you sure that's a good idea? Leader's lap is…”
“I know,” Matsui grabs on Kotegiri's shoulder, dango stick and teacup abandoned to the side. “But look at him. He's tired. Fatigued. Worse for wear. Look at him right now and compare it to when he first manifested. He needs Buzen's Magical Lap.”
Hasebe chews on dango while continuing with his draft. Unshou stares at both Matsui and Kotegiri with a thousand yards stare, wondering what is it about magical lap that had them discussing like they're going to hand him some drugs. Kotegiri bites his lower lip, but nods soon after. “Understood. I'll ask Leader,” Kotegiri said. “But… what if he gets addicted?”
Addicted? Unshou gulps. Is Buzen’s Magical Lap a secret term for drugs?
Matsui smiles. “Don't worry, we'll just add him to our group. Unshou Gou doesn't sound too bad.”
Kotegiri gently pushes Matsui's hands off his shoulders. “Calm down, Matsui-san. I'll ask Leader to give you a lap pillow after Unshou-san.”
As it turned out, Buzen's Magical Lap was not an euphemism for drugs.
Unshou walked to the room. It's winter, yet the breeze feels warm. A glass-ceiling room beneath a towering magnolia tree makes it feel like it's spring–Unshou tries not to think about the cleaning and maintenance fee and whether it has been written in report or not. Buzen Gou sits cross legged on the soft pastel green carpet, grinning and waving at Unshou.
“Unshou, here!” Buzen pats his laps. Unshou sits down by Buzen’s side. He could not help but eye the Gou sword. Black hair and fair skin. A mole on his neck. A pair of ruby red eyes and a captivating smile. Unshou heard from Matsui and Kotegiri about how Gou swords are swords that can sing and dance. Idols, and Buzen is their leader. But Unshou could totally see how Buzen would fit being a flight attendant. Or even a pilot–the uniform would look especially good on him.
“I'm really sorry for this,” Unshou said as he bows down. “I'm imposing on you.”
Buzen laughs and Unshou feels strangely healed. “Don't mind it. I'm used to this,” he leans back, giving Unshou space to lie down. “They said my lap has healing power or something, but I'm pretty sure it's just a normal lap.”
No matter how aesthetically pleasing Buzen is, Unshou is also sure that there is nothing magical about Buzen's lap. If anything, won't it be awkward? Yet there they are, in the small piece of spring their Saniwa has created, Buzen willingly offering his lap pillow. Rejecting now would have made things even more awkward.
With no other option, Unshou scoots closer. “Then, please excuse me…” he said as he lay down and settled on Buzen's lap.
Much to his surprise, it is not awkward in the slightest.
The bright blue sky. The cloud floating far far above. Magnolia leaves rustling in the wind. Soft carpet and the warmth of Buzen’s lap. It should be awkward. It should end with him apologizing profusely for even attempting. It should lead to him not understanding what the hype was.
It should not lead to him wanting to stay here for as long as he could.
Buzen reaches for Unshou's forehead, gently combing his hair back. “You have been working hard,” he said. Unshou turned his glance away from the clouds to Buzen's ruby red irises. There is gentleness behind the charm and Unshou could now see how Matsui's recommendation was not mere empty words. There truly is something magical about Buzen's lap. All his worries fizzled away, works long forgotten. Only the blue sky, the clouds, and the comfort remained.
And he could see how Kotegiri's worry truly is valid.
“I'm really thankful for your help,” Unshou bows once again. His 30 minutes rest time has elapsed, and he found himself slightly unwilling to return. Yet he's also refreshed. He just knows that he will be able to finish the August repair expenses report in no time. Buzen grins and Unshou felt his heart leaping to his throat.
“Don't worry ‘bout it, glad I could help,” Buzen waves his hand. “Good luck with the reports. When you need it, I'll lend you my lap again.”
Unshou smiles–a gentle smile, soft like the floating clouds. “Then,” he said. “I'll take you up on your offer. I'll need more in the future.”
The Tachi bowed and left right as Kotegiri and Matsui walked in. “Leader, Matsui-san–” Kotegiri paused. “Leader, are you okay? Your face is bright red.”
Buzen covers his mouth with his hand, feeling how hot his cheeks are on his fingertips. Just kidding, he was going to say. After all, there is nothing magical about his lap. There is no way Unshou would need it again, yet he smiled at him. Saying he will ask Buzen for his lap pillow again.
“I'm good,” Buzen could not even hide his grin. He could not wait to have Unshou lying on his lap again. Matsui watches as sakura flutters in the air and turns to Kotegiri.
“I still think Unshou Gou is not bad.”
“Matsui-san… I think I agree.”