The Border of Asakusa (Benimaru x Reader)

Cypress & Family Dinner

"Honey?" You called into the guardhouse.

"Hmm?" Beni sounded off from the porch. ...so did Gaku. You didn't hear him, you only followed Beni's voice, but Beni shot Gaku an unamused glance. Gaku had already looked down to avoid Beni's gaze.

You dashed across the tatami mats before your feet settled on the smooth wood outside. You put your hands behind your back and began to giddily sway your shoulders.  He tipped his head up to you, expecting a quick peck.

"What's got you so exc- mmph." You cut him off with a deep kiss in place of the peck he expected. Beni opened one eye to look at Gaku, whom you hadn't noticed was outside as well. Beni's mouth pressed harder against yours and he tugged you to bring you into his lap.

You resisted. "No, no I made something for you. I want to show you."

"Oh?" He looked past you. "Am I free to go, master?" It wasn't really a question.

"What?" You turned. "shit..." You blushed.

"Mhm. She's been dying to show you." Gaku's voice was kind, but he didn't look at either of you.

"What is it?" Beni's undivided attention returned to you.

You took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "So. While you've been busy training with Gaku, I took on a little project at our house, which is why I kept encouraging us to sleep at the guardhouse..."

Beni hadn't put that together. "I see..." He grabbed a Matoi. "Hold on." You clutched his kimono with a delighted squeal as he rushed you both to the Sowaka House in flight. You kicked off your shoes together before you led him to a new door in the back corner of the house, on the side that bordered the workshop. It smelled like cypress. "... What did you-"

You held your hands together over you heart and bounced a little. "Open it!" Beni carefully slid open the new door. "I know you love the bathhouse, but you aren't huge fan of the crowds sometimes... So I-"

"Y/n, this is-" he was speechless as he stepped onto the cool tile floor. His eyes move from the mirror, to the cypress wall panels, to the stunning hand made by you cypress tub. Big enough for two, at least. While showers were traditionally low, your installation included a rain showerhead, as well as the detachable shower head more customary to a bathhouse experience. The large glass window was left propped open to your new zen courtyard.

"... Do you like it?"

"It's incredible. How did you do all this?"

"Well first I made the pump for the water. Plumbing was new for me, but I think I figured it out." You began your rambling as he untied his kimono. "I got these tiles from a build in the 1st district. They were extras on some massive luxury renovation project, but I thought this dark black/blue/green was just so stunning-" He grabbed his shirt at the back of his neck and pulled it over his head before he dropped his pants and stepped into the shower. "Iii- um-"

He looked back to you and nodded down for you to strip. "Go on..." he held out a hand to you.

"I- made the tub! Paneled the walls-" you took his hand and he guided you over the small step into the shower. "Made the lid-" which he removed. "Considered installing a heater and then realized you had that covered..." He smiled at you as he stuck his hand into the water you'd filled before you went to steal him away from the guardhouse. His eyes glowed as he warmed it, but not too hot. It was still late summer, but the first leaves had begun to turn. You couldn't wait to spend the crisp fall and cold winter nights here with him. "I didn't want you to think I was trying to pull you away from the bathhouse-"

He pushed you towards the shower, which was going to be cold. "It's perfect." You leaned back into his warm body as the cold water hit your skin. "This way we don't have to be separated, or fight to reserve the private onsen."