keepingshop: ([ and bring others with us)
THE SHOPKEEPER ([personal profile] keepingshop) wrote2030-04-01 06:26 pm
Entry tags:

I N E V I T A B L E








MAKE  A WISH.
( IF YOU CAN PAY THE PRICE ... )



piercesshadows: tokyovisual @ lj (mm-hmm.)

[that AU thread]

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Classes were over, and as the last of his students exited the classroom, Doumeki finished wiping off the chalk from his fingers with a handkerchief. The board was clear, lecture notes and pen were already back in his file on the desk, and a cursory look around revealed that none of the students left anything behind this time.

There was one thing left for this post-class ritual, and Doumeki returned his stack of notes in the leather bag he'd tucked in his seat.

Kimihiro should be back soon, and they could begin their commute home.]
piercesshadows: symphonicon @ lj (listening)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Mm.

[He glanced at Kimihiro, tension uncurling in his chest. Uninjured, and still very present.

No matter how many years passed, the fear that his partner would disappear like smoke under the moon never went away.

The clasp of the bag shut with a click. Crossing the gap between desk and door took only a few, steady strides, his free hand automatically reaching out to clasp Kimihiro's as he shut off the lights.]


You?

[They'd still have to pass by his office to pick up his jacket and their bento. At the department, he'd exchange customary goodbyes, his colleagues having already accepted he usually kept to himself after work, and didn't drink out often.

That suited Doumeki just fine.]
piercesshadows: feintedgraphics @ lj (evenings)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
No.

[The answer was the same, whether Kimihiro was referring to their hand holding or his supposed reclusiveness, and he gently squeezed his partner's hand for good measure. As far as Doumeki was concerned, the latter was but an extension of turning down invitations in favor of archery practice, or being involved with Kimihiro's errands for the Shop.

He would go when he wanted to, and not a day before.

As for the former -

Privately, he thought that being able to hold Kimihiro's hand in public without anyone batting an eyelash had its benefits. No doubt he'd be called shameless if Kimihiro caught wind of it, but Doumeki was beyond caring, using it to his advantage even for ordinary things like shielding Kimihiro from other people on the train.]
piercesshadows: tokyovisual @ lj (mm-hmm.)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Disappointment, he could deal with. He didn't talk much anyway even when he had to attend the obligatory department celebrations: inviting Kimihiro along meant he was similarly occupied.

The time for tallying debts was long past, and Doumeki was content to leave it at that. Accounting for his relationship Kimihiro like a transaction ledger was distasteful. Indeed, he sometimes worried if Kimihiro's role as the shopkeeper would begin to erode the other's sense of how relationships worked.

Then Kimihiro would be downcast after granting particularly painful wishes, and Doumeki would regret ever wondering.

Kindness had its price, beyond the Shop's barter.]


Tentamadon. And miso.

[This he murmured on Kimihiro's temple, barely moving even with the rocking of the train. Someone's bag dug into his side, and he ignored it. Once they got to their stop, it'd be over, and they'd be able to stretch their legs properly between the station and the apartment.]
piercesshadows: feintedgraphics @ lj (evenings)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 05:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Automatically, he wound an arm around Kimihiro's waist to keep him steady, and steered him away from the influx of people.]

Hn.

[They might have adjusted to dealing with others trying to fill what they saw as empty space, but that didn't mean Doumeki approved of the pushing.

He held Kimihiro close like that for the rest of the walk home because he was a shameless man who preferred having his partner in his arms, though he'd reserve kissing the top of Kimihiro's head for the moment they stepped inside their house.

In many ways, serving as one of Kimihiro's anchors in this world was something that crept up on him with every errand. Every wish. Every sacrifice exchanged, running deep beyond words and silence. Doumeki would do it all over again for reasons that went beyond duty and diligence, and he could only hope it was enough for them to carry on like this.

(It wasn't ideal. Kimihiro was a social creature, he knew, and there ought to be a way for him to interact with others who didn't come seeking wishes... though part of him dreaded the cost.)]
piercesshadows: symphonicon @ lj (listening)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Doumeki snorted. There was only the two of them, and he couldn't see below his chin. Still, he dutifully let himself be fussed over, because that was the sort of detail Kimihiro focused on.

He might not see the point, but that didn't mean he disliked the attention.]


I'll change out of it later.

[A simple reminder. The same went for Kimihiro's attire, which he'd relish divesting him of later, if they were in the mood, and he dipped his head, giving a kiss in thanks once the fabric was straightened out.]

Dinner?

[It went without saying he'd follow Kimihiro to the kitchen, though he'd settle down at their dining table to grade a few papers while Kimihiro cooked.]
piercesshadows: (tnx 4 fud)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-16 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cute.

Making Kimihiro blush like that always counted as a personal achievement. He smirked, his good mood lingering when it came time to clear his work off the table. Just as Kimihiro took great care in preparing their meals, Doumeki made sure he'd properly appreciate each dish by not being distracted by objects unrelated to dining.]


Mamemaki.

[The essays were still at arm's reach if Kimihiro wanted to read.]

We're covering Setsubun and other festivals.
Edited 2020-05-16 19:28 (UTC)
piercesshadows: tokyovisual @ lj (mm-hmm.)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[His students would've liked Kimihiro, that much he was sure of. Outside of dealing with customers who fielded in terrible karmic consequences, his partner was warm and supportive in ways Doumeki himself had difficulties expressing.

Information might come at a cost, but the same wasn't true for feelings.

Was there any wonder why he held Kimihiro's food with such high regard, even if he rarely spoke about it? Doumeki had come to think of even the smallest grain of rice as a miracle: more proof that Kimihiro still remained with him. Chose to be here, when there was a time that the allure to stay at the Shop had been strong.

It was something he was grateful for, and he absently bumped knees with Kimihiro, even while his hands were occupied with his bowl and chopsticks.]


Not about the topic.

Hashimoto's participating in the Chichibu Festival. Arai and Fujita are going with him to take pictures and videos.
piercesshadows: feintedgraphics @ lj (evenings)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
The professor's making arrangements. Some of his students are interested.

[His senior colleague. The same one he served as assistant to, and one of the few Doumeki had actually spoken to about Kimihiro whenever old artifacts were involved.

Accompanying the man wasn't a problem.]


...it will be loud and crowded.

[That combination was his specific reason for not committing to any plans yet, and he took the bowl of rice after checking just how much Kimihiro had actually eaten (was it enough?), fingers lingering on his partner's knuckles. Doumeki had attended all sorts of festivals and celebrations over the years - with his grandfather at first, then with Kimihiro. He understood their significance, the importance of thanksgiving, of the meeting between the mountain god and the town's goddess. If he was specifically invited, it was only proper to attend and participate.

Festivities were loud affairs by nature.

He would be very tired afterwards, and it was a busy time of the year for Kimihiro.

Doumeki didn't look forward to sleeping alone after such a trying day, although this wasn't something he'd bring up. Not when Kimihiro also thrived when he interacted with spirits, and Doumeki could tuck away the fear that his partner might not return once the festival was over.]
piercesshadows: subarashiku @ lj (. . .)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
Hn.

[Beautiful, indeed.

Kimihiro would wear something elaborate for the occasion, long-limbed and elegant, graceful wrists peeking out of billowing sleeves. A vision to be appreciated, a reminder of his growing mystique.

He didn't mind waiting for Kimihiro to come home at the brink of dawn if only to assure the both of them that the reality they were in wasn't just a vision, and the lecture that followed was a welcome sign of care.

Doumeki would wait, whether it was late into the evening, or the short time it took moving between their dining table to the kitchen. Kimihiro might not have lingered, but the sensation of his lips on skin temple did, and Doumeki closed his eyes for a moment to savor the feeling.

Then, he stood up.

Helping with the dishes was only fair. Rinsing and drying was routine, and they've mapped out each other's steps with years of familiarity. The only bumping there was to be had was from Doumeki leaning close once the final bowl was dried and back on the rack, arms winding around Kimihiro's waist, gratitude and contentment rolled into one.]
piercesshadows: feintedgraphics @ lj (evenings)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Then was then, now was now. They've both learned from the past, or so Doumeki liked to think, even if they needed to remind each other of those lessons on occasion.

Perhaps today was not one of those days. Over drinks, he'd have to ask. Recounting the hours before bed was yet another ritual: there were some things not meant to be talked about on the walk home, and Doumeki was always curious to hear what - or whom - Kimihiro encountered while he was busy in the classroom.

Ah, but those words. They, too, were ones Doumeki never tired of hearing, a pleasant lilt of syllables and warmth whenever Kimihiro said them, burrowing deep.

The weight of those slender arms on his and the warmth pressed on his chest - privately, Doumeki was glad for their difference in height, when it meant he could envelope Kimihiro and lean down to meet that welcome with a kiss, enjoying the sensation of fingers carding through his scalp.

Here they could linger, by the sink in the middle of the kitchen, revelling in each other's company, a haven of simplicity they've managed to keep to themselves in spite of the complicated journey it took to get here. Home was where Kimihiro was, and Doumeki adored him for it.]
piercesshadows: symphonicon @ lj (listening)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[One kiss, to another, and another, both of them puzzle slotting into place. Kimihiro tasted of their dinner and the sweet sighs spilling from his mouth, and Doumeki smiled, relishing the feel of soft lips and needy touch.

The contradiction of Kimihiro's shyness and bold encouragement, too, were a delicacy, as was the warmth of the palm covering his neck.]


Avoiding extra laundry?

[There was a hint of heat in that tease doubling as a question when he planted another kiss on Kimihiro's jaw, hand wandering to the delicate curve of his partner's back. He could certainly go along with that bias before they freshened up for sleep, his own private worship of the being that was Watanuki Kimihiro.]
piercesshadows: (tnx 4 fud)

[personal profile] piercesshadows 2020-05-17 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[He smirked at that protest, lips trailing from jaw to the hollow beneath it: a favorite spot of his to leave marks at, on the rarest of occasions he was allowed to leave such obvious signs above the collar. His second favorite spot was two inches below Kimihiro's ear. This was where he lavished his attention on, shifting his grip to avoid the countertop, but otherwise pressing his fingers on Kimihiro's spine, an echo of how he's seen his partner settle on a chord on his shamisen.

Being reminded of his earlier words, too, made him huff in amusement. That was one leap from irritation to playfulness. When he was flustered, Kimihiro wasn't at all a smooth talker. Doumeki liked this side of him, too, this raw sincerity that he equally protected and wanted to covet.]


Hn.

[An agreement. Yet, he held off from actually unbuttoning his shirt.

Both his tone and the look he gave Kimihiro pointed to one question: what are you going to do about it?]

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