Chapter Text
Toshiro was recalling just about everything that happened in dungeon, he still can't belive Laios is a new king of this land, and that it just emarged from underground. However maybe it's not all that bad, there's a chance he'll meet him again, through politics of course.
Falin turned down his proposal but he didn't mind for some strange unknown to him reason. He anticipated he would be devistated after everything that happened and after all that trouble he went through for her but no... He felt strangely at ease. Perhaps it's due the fact he was silently preparing for rejection.
Toshiro listened and watched his friends in port, while he was fidgeting with feather from Griffin. After he told Laios the reason why he came to the island, blond man gave him all kinds of intressting things, from Griffin feathers to a small comb of hair from winged lion, which Toshiro rather not question how Laios got hold of it.
Him and his party were getting ready to depart soon. His friends were at wodden part of port, they all wanted to say goodbye to their friend... yeah, they were his friends now, no longer just collages from work that he won't remember in week. They were his friends and it brought soft smile on his face.
"Hey! Shuro, we're going for drinks! You wonna' come!?"
Toshiro was suprised at Laios sudden invitation, after all he was about to depart back to his home country. Literally everything was almost set, it only lacked him on ship but... that nickname, no longer a disregard for his real name, no, now it was fun nickname. Perhaps that will be his sign he trusts someone, shareing his nickname.
The others tried to stop Laios from digging bigger grave for himself, so Toshiro could leave in peace. They stopped when they saw smiling Toshiro fast-walking to them.
"Sure but let's be quick, I must depart soon"
Toshiro didn't bother with listening to Maizuru yalling at him from ship. He was already heading for some bar with his friends. He deserves to have what little of time he has with his friends before returning to his previous life.
They were all in their casual clothes, including Laios who will for sure get scolding from Kuro that he's a king now and shouldn't be dressing like that anymore. Toshiro would join but weirdly that last few weeks changed him like 90° when it comes to blond man.
Soft smile couldn't leave his face, he was takeing break from his never ending duty after all. Because if Laios had tought him anything, is that hard work is good, but so is dinner after it.
They all sat at bigger table as drinks were passed around, some were suprised includeing Laios and Toshiro himself when asian man sat down next to blond man that he claimed to be irritated by all the time. It got forgotten quickly as drinks were passed around, big ones with good kind of alcohol in them. Toshiro already knew he'll bearly finish two, which he'll 100% get teased by Nimari but he already decided that today, he'll have some of that "distance" to himself.
He took a sip and enjoyed golden rich flavour of bevrage entering his body.
Toshiro suddenly felt weird, he couldn't feel the usual pressure on his chest right now, his hands don't seem to be ready to hit anything, his ears don't pick every noise around him. Is this... what being relaxed is like? It feels nice, it has been too long since he had been at peace. He took yet another sip of alcohol before him, it was his first time drinking this kind, he did drank before obviously but alkochol from here must be something he didn't bother trying up untill this point.
Either way, it must be some strong stuff cuz not even halfway through big class and he already felt his mind go a bit hazy. His cheeks red just like along side of few others' people there.
He should head back to his ship through as sun is soon setting down but he was sandwiched between Laios and Senshi, so... maybe he can stay a little longer, just 10 or 15 minutes longer
It has been 6 damn hours that how "little" longer was. But none seem to grow tired, even Marcile and Falin are still here.
Now everyone were signing, except of Toshiro and Senshi, but even they were humming tune of the song.
Then an idea for game was born, simple enough. Someone makes statment like "Never have I ever smoked tabaco" and then everyone that agree drink a shot. That's at least what Toshiro understood from Namari's drunk bluberring.
So the game had started, first stops were pretty simple, like got embarrassed by succubus, few stupid takes, untill it was Toshiro's turn, he fell silent as he wondered what he should say.
Toshiro seems to be in very good drunk mood, or rather way to hazzy, it seems almost completely different type of Alkochol has his mind turned inside out.
"Hmmm... never have I ever... had sex"
Toshiro said confidently, ready to take a shot but Namari's words sobered him pretty quick.
"Hey! Come on, we're trying to get drunk here Shuro!"
She laughed, Toshiro sobered for a second. He watched who took a shot, it was mearly just Marcile, Falin and Senshi, which made sanse for every one of them to be honest. Marcile was still pretty young for an elf, Senshi lived in dungeon since like his teenage years, and Falin? She doesn't seem like kind of girl who would be intressted in this stuff.
However Toshiro felt out of place when he realized he's the only one with acually not so good excuse. He was tought from his young years that he has to stay pure for his future spouse. Ah yet another cultural difference, that Toshiro couldn't fathom. Why did westerns always so quick to things? They were doing things so carelessly up front, the whole concept of hook-ups was bizare to him, or being intimate with someone you aren't bindined in any way.
He took shot to bring his mind back to oblivion Alkochol provided. Not thinking if new statment had been made.
As night progressed he only got drunkier, but he blamed it on alkochol difference rather then his weak tolarance.
Suddenly Laios felt weight on his arm, he looked and saw no other then Toshiro who was absolutely wasted by his standars. Laios looked around the room, a wage memoery of how he was thought some "social signs" by Toshiro, since he still wanted to be his friend without annoying him. Toshiro remotely agreed to teach Laios some of his cultural rules, since then Laios made great progress of not getting on Toshiro's nerves every time he opens his mouth. Toshiro found it quite ilogical to teach someone at that age that you can't ask about their whole life journey the moment you met them.
Laios gently tugged Toshiro's clothes to get his attention.
"Hey, you're alright?"
"Hehehe warm..."
Laios was ready to pick asian man up and run to nearby doctor. Toshiro was clinging to him and being all red and smileing. He never quite seen Toshiro fully drunk, maybe a bit tippsy after really bad day but never beyond anything light moodiness.
Laios was a bit tippsy himself from all the alkochol he had, so he just stayed like that, enjoying the atmosphare of party.
Senshi was one to notice how drunk Toshiro was and acually do something about it. He certainly couldn't let youngling go on boat like that. That was certain that Toshiro can't be on ship drunk, all that throwing around won't be good for his stomach.
Senshi got Laios's attention, Laios bent down to dwarf's ear as he was montioned to do so.
"We can't let him go on boat like that, he'll vomit for sure, he needs rest"
Laios looked confused, he let out confused "what and who?"
Senshi just gave him stare of are you serious, which got Laios's brain working.
"Ah you mean Toshiro"
"Yes, we gatta' do something about it"
"Hmmm..."
Laios thought where could he leave his friend without getting scolding after. Booking room all of the sudden could be an option but someone would have to stay with him till morning, and paying for it was a strain on everyone's pocket considering how much their drinking already cost them. Bringing him back to ship to his family was also stupid option since Maizuru would 100% murder him on the spot if she were to see what state Toshiro is in.
"Well... I can take him home"
"The castle? I don't think anyone came back for it to be liveble yet"
"No like, my place, I didn't moved to castle so I can take him back to mine and Falin's place"
"You sure? Wouldn't Kuro worry if you won't be there?"
"I'll just tell him, it'll be fine"
With that Laios straighten and throw one of Toshiro's arms over his shoulder to help him walk.
"Come on, we're getting you to bed"
Toshiro only mumbled some things under his breath but let Laios do what he wanted.
Liaos quickly informed Kuro of his next actions, which dark skinned man didn't mind once he saw how wasted Toshiro looked over blond man's shoulder.
Toshiro walked with Liaos as his support for a while untill sleepness slowly came over him. Laios picked him up bridal style when helping him walk has turned into dragging him along. Toshiro didn't mind since he was already claimed by deep drunk sleep.
Laios carried him all the way to his place, he placed Toshiro down to wake him up gently, since he needs to make sure Toshiro won't suddenly vomit in middle of night.
When Toshiro slowly began to open his eyes and come slightly to the reality, Laios pulled out his keys and opened the door. He wondered if he could let his friend sleep in Falin's bed but knowing her, she'll probably return later with Marcile to have yet another sleepover. So that was out of the question, guess they have to sleep in one bed.
Toshiro looked at Laios's focused face as he slowly came back to reality. He looked so handsome when focused, like serious king he is now.
They walked in and Laios settled black haired man on his bed for him to rest for a second.
While Toshiro began registering what was happening by takeing off his shoes, Laios went to fetch some water to help him clear his head.
Laios's and Falin's place was completely different from what Toshiro was used to back in Wa. It was weirdly warm, but it did represented both siblings very well. There was a bunch of all kinds of crinkets on shelfs, books, armor, some clothes laying around, their room was L shaped so wooden closet was enough to give each sibling some privacy.
Toshiro felt better after his little nap so he decided to look around, there was a table in corner with some dishes on top, luckly clean. He didn't like to say it but he did liked rooms like that, it always gave a person owning said space to express themselves, something Toshiro rearly could.
He let out a sigh as he still didn't found something interesting enough to give to his father and secure his inheridance. Sure he got few artifacts from dungeon and other stuff he found along his journey away from home but nothing screamed that it's the most intriguing and impressive thing in the world. Knowing his father even the story of how Laios deafeted the demon wouldn't be enough, since he would have dismiss it as lies.
Then Laios came in holding a cup with water, Toshiro gladly accepted and drank the whole thing. He felt comfortable here which was odd since he doesn't really like idea of those things called "sleepovers" but with Laios right now it felt weirdly nice, almost like it was supposed to be like that from the very beginning.
"Do you want some clothes to sleep?"
Toshiro thought about the offer for a second, it'll be better to sleep in someone's pajamas then in just underwear, plus he was too drunk to care in who's clothes he slept in.
"Yea, sure"
He watched as Laios pulls out two night shirts.
"You're feeling better now?"
"... yes, but I still feel fuzzy"
Toshiro's cheeks were still red from how warm he felt because of alkochol. Laios gave him his shirt and went to Falin's side of the room to change. He watched as other man disappears behind wall.
Toshiro began takeing off his own clothes, not really thinking much about situation he's in. Right now, all he cares about is getting into warm bed. After changeing fully he settled his clothes aside, untied his hair and waited for Laios to emarged from corner.
Once it happened there wasn't much words said. Laios was suprised at how pretty Toshiro looked with his hair down. He never quite got to fully see it in dungeon, since Toshiro was often the one to take first and last watching shifts so he either was already up and ready or didn't go to bed at the same time as Laios.
To be honest Laios did took his time admiring the man in moonlight, he looked more beautiful then the mermaid they seen on fourth floor in dungeon.
"So pretty..."
Laios murmured under his breath, a small blush entering his cheeks. He snapped out of it once Toshiro's attention was on him again.
"E-ehm! Do you want me to give you more water?"
"No thanks, I had enough for now"
Toshiro liked how Laios can be quite cute when he shuts up and is being thoughtful. Toshiro looked more around the room, till he spotted one of vases on Laios's shelfs, it looked similar to one of smaller monsters in Wa.
"Hm... that reminds me of one of the monsters back home..."
Laios showed up like summoned after hearing about monsters, he immediately lighten up at the idea of finding out about new monsters.
"Really what is it like? What patterns does it have?"
"Well it's like a big bug, it really similar to a Atlas moth, it's a bug from where I'm from"
Laios looked curious at name of creature, he sat down with Toshiro on bed.
"Really, where does it usually apear? From which family of species it is?"
"Well ehm..."
Toshiro didn't knew if he should go and info dump, he really wanted to since he rearly had anyone intressted but he also knew it is impolite to do so, unlike Laios.
"Atlas moth, is a large saturniid moth endemic to the forests of Wa"
Toshiro decided to be wage, enough to put down ones curiosity and show he was knowledgeable on the topic.
"Saturniid? What trank does this come from? And what does it look like?"
Toshiro was a little suprised at follow-up question, or maybe he should have expected that, it was Laios he was talking to after all.
"Ehm... do you have some paper and pen?"
And soon enough a lecture about moths then to betles and besicly every bug had began. So much they didn't noticed in what position they ended up. Toshiro was half-laying-sitting as he was leaning on Laios's arm that was wrapped around his waist, who was resting his head on his shoulder, watching as Toshiro was drawing and explaing.
Toshiro had throught about shutting up multipletimes, alkohol made him begin it but his strong sense of duty was screaming to shut up. Then few follow up questions from Laios after each bug, or some comment on how some monster has similar build and concept of going quiet ent out the window.
They eventually fell asleep together, notebook now full of bug skeches resting on Toshiro's lap but soon it fell down onto floor as Toshiro moved to snuggle into warmth Laios provided.
Meanwhile Laios slept like a rock, the whole day exhausted him, even most energetic ones need to refill their battery.
They slept nice and cozy snuggled together under warm blanket. Toshiro's hair was getting into Laios's face which got few groans out of him but didn't stop him from cuddleing the owner of said hair.
What little of night there was left was slept through by the two but even when first strands of sunlight appeared, Toshiro just moved to different position to hide from it and snuggle with Laios more.
Laios was the one to wake up first probably due how his body is already use to big amounts of akochol. That is thanks to Namari and his disability to say no to gang out but still mostly Namari who likes to drink, especially with friends. They would often invite Toshiro but he never drank all that much until now.
Laios stayed for a little while for Toshiro as he was besicly holding him hostage with his arms, which did drew a blush out of Laios. Once Shuro changed to more open position Laios slowly got out of bed and went to make some breakfast, despise it being afternoon already.
Laios didn't saw Falin in bed so that means she's probably at Marcile's place or already got up but that's unlikely for her. He streached, put on some pants, not really careing about exposed skin from overstreched shirt he calls pajamas. He headed to bathroom to get his usual business done then headed for kitchen.
Laios wondered what he should make, he wanted Toshiro to enjoy it but Laios couldn't think of single dish of local cusine that Shuro would particularly like. He settled for classic omelet with some leftover rice he had from yesterday.
Toshiro was awoken by wonderful smell, he gently shifted in bed before opening his eyes. He sat down and stretched his body, he was immediately hit by hangover, which drew groan out of him. He looked around to see where he was to recall events of yesterday.
Well there was a feast, conversation with Falin after she was resorected, then him and his family began getting ready for departure, then Laios asked me to go to bar with them then... ugh... I drank too much and... Laios took me home and !
Toshiro in all honesty didn't remember what happened after he fell unconscious on their way to Laios's place, but he decided to fill in blanks with worst case senario for him. Nevermind lack of any signs that they slept together, that is what Toshiro made up and he's going to stick with it.
He should do something about the headache first tho'. Toshiro stood up as he got drawn in by smell, before he could notice he was besides Laios smelling food prepareing on pan.
"Good morning Shuro"
Toshiro jumped up and away at sudden voice, from none other then Laios. Blush unawearly creaping onto his face as he composed himself, he isn't going to mention his rude lack of acknowledgement of his entrance to room. He clear his throat before speaking.
"Morning... So ehm... what's in the omelet?"
"Oh! Just some eggs, salt, peper, rice"
Toshiro looked down at Laios's skilled hand, which was a bit supriseing considering Laios wasn't exactly talented chef before on their adventures to dungeon, not that they were bad just not as good.
"How come you're so skilled in cooking all of the sudden?"
"Well as you know we were eating monsters the whole way down to save Falin, and thanks to Senshi we had wonderful dishes all the way. As time went on I began helping him more and more, beyond just pealing potatos and such..."
Of course it was from that dwarf, what else were you thinking Toshiro?
"...I guess after all that time I kinda picked up on his skills, especially when we were cooking for all those people"
Toshiro watched as Laios puts omelet on plate, he sat down to the table and was presented with dish before him. He let out tired sigh as he was prepared to be told that the omelet was made with some monster eggs.
"Ugh... alright... what egges did you use?"
"Huh? Normal ones from chicken"
Toshiro let out sigh of relif at information that it was normal eggs and nothing more. He touched around his clothes realizeing he doesn't have any chopsticks on him.
"Ugh... Laios do you perhaps have some Chopsticks?"
"Chop-what?"
Toshiro let out a groan, trying to think of way to tell Laios what he wants in a way the men would understand.
"Two sticks I always eat with?"
"Oh! Ehm... No, sorry..."
Laios rubbed back of his head, embarrassed at not haveing cultery familar to his friend.
"It's alright I guess a spoon will do just fine then..."
Toshiro extended his hand, and Laios soon enough pulled out one of the spoons from drawer then placed it in Toshiro's hand.
Toshiro let out soft thanks and digged into food, his eyes widden at how shockingly good the food was. It was far from what he's used to back in Wa, plus it was made by Laios, so he was hesitant in trying but it was plesant suprise.
It was firm enough outside not to fall apart and to put on the spoon but it was absolutely melting in mouth once in. Not to mention it had perfect amount of salt and pepper, plus some other spice Toshiro doesn't recognize.
Toshiro's eyes light up as he ate it all up, of course he kapt his calm composure. He can't get so exited over a damn omelet, no matter how good it is.
Laios sat down across Toshiro, he immediately noticed how Laios didn't made anything for himself.
"And you're not eating?"
"Oh no, Marcile invited me to go try out her favorite seafood restaurant wuth Falin"
"It's still rude to watch people eat"
"Oh, well ehm... you want some tea?"
Toshiro wasn't amazed by Laios's attempts to get away from topic, but he nodded either way.
Laios stood up, poured some water into cattle, then placed it on stove and waited for it to boil. Laios didn't want to mess up in any way, he didn't want to be annoying to Shuro again after all.
Meanwhile Toshiro just enjoyed the food he was given. He wondered if they really did it last night but now with clearer head, it seem unlikely. Perhaps he can ask Laios what happened, it seemed best to just ask.
Toshiro cleared his throat, before putting spoon down. It was more to embrace what possible answer h's about to get then getting Laios attention.
"Laios?"
Blond men turned around, putting his attention on his friend.
"Yes?"
"I must ask... what happened after time hit midnight?"
"Well, Senshi noticed you weren't really there or paying attention so he got worried, we debited what we should do, eventually it landed on me proposeing to just takeing you home. You fallen asleep on me so I carried you to my place, I woke you up when we finally got there. I swear I thought you've kill me with the look you gave me..."
Toshiro was still calm but he was preparing to for the worst. Why does Laios feel the need to explain everything in detail?
"... I gave you some water and some of my clothes to sleep in, they you mentioned about how one of things in my room reminds you of a creature from home. We then had a long conversations about monsters and you told me all about bugs and all, even drew some skeches, then we fell asleep. That's about it"
Toshiro felt like a rock has been lifted off his heart. He hasn't hooked up with Laios thanks to good lord.
"Thank you for telling me..."
"No problem, we were worried and didn't want to put you on such hard journey while on hangover"
"... I appreciate that"
Laios took out two cups and some tea leafs, he dropped a handfull spoon and thrown it into a cup. He did the same with second one, turned to Shuro and asked.
"You like it strong?"
"I prefer light"
"Okey"
At that Laios put half of leafs out of the cup. Soon enough the water was ready and Laios poured hot water into the cups.
"Do you want some lemon, honey or juice? How many spoons do you want?"
"Just one spoon of sugar and some honey"
Laios nodded and added that to one of the cups, he then handed it to Toshiro.
"Thank you"
Toshiro set it aside for it to cool down. Laios then made himself one, some juice, sugar and honey, nice. With that Laios sat down in front of Toshiro, takeing sip of his own tea. Toshiro ate his food in silence,
Laios must have a hangover too if he's not talking.
Toshiro thought to himself. He did enjoy the fact his mind can rest after alkochol disturbance, but it did felt weird not haveing Laios talking his ear off.
☆☆☆
After finished breakfast, two man went to dock since Laios insisted on walking Toshiro off to the ship. Toshiro said his goodbyes yesterday so it wasn't a problem the rest of his friends weren't there to see him sail off.
Laios hugged Toshiro tight before letting him on the ship.
"Promise you'll write often"
"I'm sure you'll bombard me with letters before I'll get home"
Toshiro joked, he patted Laios shoulder. He felt different now that he thinks about it, perhaps Toshiro did grew found of this island and of the blond men.
As Toshiro step his foot on ship, he could already sense the worry and overprotectivness from Maizuru. He didn't want to deal with that right now tho', he gave the sign they can depart.
The ropes were untied, the wood to walk dragged onto the ship, and the anchor was lifted. Toshiro turned to look at his friend one more time, Laios was waveing at him.
"Goodbye Shuro!"
Toshiro smiled and waved back.
"Goodbye Laios!"
With that, the ship sailed off to waters. Toshiro watched as island was disappearing from his view, but he knew, this won't be the last time he sees it, he knows that he'll visit.