Passion

I Swear I'll Never Lose to Passion

Over a large feast in the castle's ball room, the men shared the stories of their recent plights. They learned that King Kataoka had originally been captured for execution but they left the hardest part to a greenhorn and he fought his way out, in the end. He hid within the capital by moving from house to house. The King said he'd never been more grateful for his people.

Yuuki told the rest of the squadron about his life in Meijin and even broke the news to the King that he was getting married soon. Needless to say, the King was very happy to hear such news. It truly was a wonderful evening as each person around the table replaced bad memories with hopeful ones. Sawamura didn't even freak out this time after he talked to the King, saying something like "What can I say? I talk to Queens and Kings on the regular" all nonchalantly like it really was commonplace for him. Miyuki had already become quite fond of Sawamura's humorous personality.

Yuuki was the first person to retire that evening, mentioning that he had a princess to get back to the next day. Soon, the rest of the Meijin group followed suit leaving the King and the original two travelers left in the hall. Sawamura hadn't drank nearly enough as Miyuki, but he was somehow way more out of it than the General. He thought to himself that, as a soldier, Miyuki must drink often.

When the dining amenities had been cleaned up and removed, the King excused himself as well. It was now just the General and one drunk stable-hand left.

"You knoww, I think you're super coool. You were like 'bam!' and then 'whoosh' and then- hey have I told you that you're super cool??" 

He was slurring his words and waving his arms around haphazardly. Oh how he can't wait to tell Sawamura about this in the morning. Miyuki could already see his red face in his mind's eye.

"Yes, you have, my love. And I think you're super cool, too. Come, let's get you to bed." Miyuki tried to pick him up but was caught off guard when he burst into tears.

"You think I'M cool? ME?" He was pointing both thumbs at his chest, tears rolling off his face in streams. "This is the best day of my life." 

If the sobbing had been any indication, Sawamura was definitely a drunk crier. Miyuki found it absolutely hilarious, but did his best to stifle his laughter, lest he accidentally hurt Sawamura while he's in such a sensitive state. He picked him up and carried him back to their guest bedroom, laying him gently on the bed while he ran a bath.

"Miyuki, Miyuki Kazuyaa," he called out from the bedroom. After checking the water, the General stepped out of the adjacent bathroom to answer his lover's call.

"Com'ere," he beckoned.

When he got closer to Sawamura to see what was wrong, the stable hand startled him.

"I want you to make love to me." 

Miyuki was not ready for such a blunt statement. It was clear that Sawamura was drunk-- his face was all red, he was slurring his words, and he was saying some silly stuff. But right then, he had a clear voice and he visibly passed as a sober man. Still, he was not sober and Miyuki would not do anything until he was.

"I think you've had a little too much to drink. Say that to me again when you aren't drunk, okay?"

"Hmph, fine," he pouted and crossed his arms.

Miyuki got him into the bath and washed his skin with a soft rag. Sawamura had almost fallen asleep twice, but managed to make it through the bath relatively well. Next time, Miyuki vowed to make sure he never got this drunk again.

The stable hand had instantly fallen asleep the moment his head touched the pillow, leaving Miyuki awake by himself. Not that he didn't mind. Like this, he was able to look at his lover without a care in the world. Freckles adorned his tanned skin like constellations in the night sky. His silky brown hair had started to grow, bangs falling on his face like curtains. Miyuki tucked some of his tresses behind his ear and ran his thumb along Sawamura's cheek. He looked as though he was having a pleasant dream. A pink glow emanated from his face and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned. Miyuki felt he could look at his lover for eternity.