Peacekeeper

桃路果子

Source ♥

        Alright, Mikoto wasn’t very good at this whole romance thing. It didn’t really compare to the things that Tatara could do for him. The gentle clansmen that captured his heart was so good at thinking of little things he could do that would make Mikoto’s heart soar, though he never truly admitted it out loud. Reasons that would remind him again and again why he had chosen this person for his soulmate. There were times that Mikoto wished that he could do those things, think and be creative and fulfill all of Tatara’s wants and fantasies (that weren’t of the sexual natural, of course) but he was awful at it. 

        This time, however, it was time for him to step it up a bit. Tatara honestly…deserved that much. The thoughtfulness of a physical item that showed that Mikoto thought of him just as much as the other thought of his King.

        Like the uncreative asshole he was, he researched a few things he could do that weren’t overboard and seemed….more like him. In all honesty, he was feeling spontaneous and wanted to surprise Tatara. To see the look on his cute face….Shit. Yeah that was a needed sight. So with a few suggestions from the good ole internet, Mikoto decided what he wanted to do for the other. Hopefully he’d like it. It took him a few days to find everything, cut everything, write everything out, put it all together, and hide from the other. It was actually…a bit fun. Ugh, gross. 

        On Tatara’s side of the bed, which he would easily see when he was out of his shower since it was near their bathroom door, was a small bag with his name on it. Mikoto’s awful scrabble of handwriting was on it, simply saying to whom it was addressed to. Inside was an assortment of things that Tatara could take advantage of as he saw fit for the next couple of days. An assortment of “kisses” that he could have. Ranging from a kiss on the cheek, a thigh kiss, lips, forehead, Eskimo, butterfly, and more…tantalizing ones as well. On the back of the small red bag laid a tag for the other and it said:

        “To you. You can only do one at a time, for however long you want, at random. No cheating. Happy vday.” 

        It wasn’t anything extravagant but Tatara and Mikoto weren’t extravagant people. No huge thousand dollar diamond or fancy dinner at a fancy restaurant. Of course if Tatara had plans, Mikoto would go along with them as well. It was just a small thing he wanted to do for the other. All the sorts of kisses he could remember doing to the other, slipping them in a bag for the other to enjoy for the entirety of the day. Honestly…he was kind of proud of himself. It wasn’t just traditional flowers, chocolates, food and sex. It was a bit different and simple. Just like Mikoto.

        Today however, Tatara stepped out of the shower, towel around his waist as he made his way back into the room where he and Mikoto slept. He had expected Mikoto to still be in bed, as he normally was. Usually it took a lot of coaxing to get the Red King out of bed. (Though Tatara certainly didn’t mind some days where they stayed in bed all day long…”enjoying” each other) However, the Red King was no where to be seen.

        “King?!” he called out, looking around for him. He wondered if Kusanagi had forced him downstairs, either way, he assumed the man probably hadn’t gone very fair. Shaking his hair off, he walked over towards the bed, noticing the small bag with his name on it in King’s messy scrawl.

        “What’s this…” he whispered, grabbing the bag and flopping down on the bed, ignoring the fact that his wet towel still tied around his waist. He opened the small bag and began to read the note. Only one at a time? But for however long he wanted…Giggling, Tatara immediately fell back against the bed already thrilled by the idea of having an array of kisses from Mikoto. He could imagine it now…sexy kisses in bed…kisses in the shower…kisses in public…kisses in front of people Mikoto would die to be kissed in front of! These thoughts alone thrilled him.

        In fact…

        He wanted to cash in on one right now! Jumping up, he grabbed his shirt and pants, stepping into them as fast as he could and he messily buttoned up the white shirt as he rubbed his hair down with his towel fast. Grabbing the small bag, he ran downstairs, seeing Mikoto sitting on the usual couch. “King~” he hummed happily, smiling wide as he ran and sat down next to him, leaning his head against his shoulder.

        “I found this,” he chuckled, dangling the small present in front of his face, “next to my side of the bed. I’m so proud of you for remembering Valentine’s and my birthday…” he said, nuzzling his shoulder. “And what a great present this is,” he said. “Aren’t I lucky?!” he chuckled. “In fact…I was thinking of cashing one in now.” He dipped his hand into the bag and pulled out a small piece of paper. “One steamy kiss with a lil bit of tongue,” he read out loud, placing the tiny piece of paper down next to him.

       Was it cruel to leave behind the other’s because of his own selfishness? Yes. But simply put, he couldn’t take the weight of being a King anymore. Not without this person next to him. The Red King had lost all sense of control and there was just no stopping it. Anna, Kusanagi, Yata, and the others, were meant for great things in the world of the living. They would mourn and move on. He was certain of that. 

        “I guess I’ll let King slide for now.” It really was a term of endearment from Tatara, so Mikoto couldn’t really say no to that. It was….cute. Not that he’d admit it. If he’d ever really truthfully admit such a thing out loud, he’d be dea- Nevermind, that rule didn’t apply anymore. 

        “Well, I don’t really want to give up food so yes, let’s still continue to eat together. You know me, I can’t give up meat and alcohol. I got eternity to learn how to not burn a piece of bread. Teach me?” Because honestly, Mikoto’s cooking could use a few pointers….Or a million pointers. Of course he was probably still going to be his usual lazy self, would take time to watch out for Anna and the others, but he also wanted to take time for himself to just live a normal peaceful afterlife. If it was such a sin, he’d be in hell, so it couldn’t really be the wrong thing to do, right?

        When the two of them approached the small little house, Mikoto had to wonder if this look was permanent. If this was heaven, couldn’t they….change it? A beach one day, a cottage home in the woods the next? Mikoto closed his eyes and sighed, imagined a thicket of trees behind their house. Large green elms quietly shimmered into view, maples dotting between them, just so much…green. Which was so unlike the urban city they lived in, a concrete and glass metropolis. Billboards and technology littered everywhere. Mikoto wanted something different. Something nice, something that could help him breath, even if he didn’t need to anymore. When liquid amber eyes peeked between thin lids, he smirked, happy to see all the greenery around their shared little home. 

        “So we can change it all. I like it. You? I feel…like I can properly breathe.” With a deep breath inward, he sighed, letting it out of his nostrils as the breeze swayed his red locks to and fro.

        This was true peace. HOMRA would live on without him, he had faith in that.

        They could go grow old together…well without actually growing old. The selfish thoughts, while they made Tatara feel a little guilty, they also made him positively giddy. King was his King once again; they never had to be apart and really…wasn’t that what Tatara had always selfishly wanted?

        “Mmmhmmm,” Tatara giggled and twirled by him. “You’re going to have to let King slide!” he said, cheerfully. “I don’t think it’s something I could give up even if I tried! You are a King to me, always. With or without your powers,” he said. With that thought, his smiled disappeared for a moment. “Do…you think you’ll miss them?” he asked softly, his fingers trailing down Mikoto’s arms. “Your powers that is…I know you fought against them so much internally,” he whispered. “But they were an important and large part of your life,” he whispered.

        Immediately though, Tatara’s smile returned and he clung to Mikoto’s arm. “I should’ve known!” he laughed loudly. “Why did I think you would ever want to give up food?!” he nuzzled his shoulder. “I forgot how much you like meat and what not,” he grinned. “Don’t worry, we can eat whatever we want and it’s really hard to mess up here! Part of the whole…paradise thing. So think of anything you want and we can try and cook it together. It’ll be so fun!” he smiled. Tatara had never been the best chef, usually it was Kusanagi saving his ass when he burned stuff in the kitchen…but here in heaven he had been getting better. He had all the time in the world to practice!

        Actually for Tatara that was one of the best things about this place. Getting to try lots of different things was like a dream come true! Somedays he tried cooking, somedays he gardened, somedays he played guitar and of course, his favorite days were the ones where he watched his beloved friends down below…especially on days when they were happy, which of course, hadn’t been many days as of late…

        “We can change it!” he smiled, squeezing Mikoto’s hand. “We can make it whatever you like…though I agree, it’s very calming here right? So different from the city. But maybe we could make it an apartment one day…a penthouse!” he chuckled. “If you ever miss the urban bustle,” he grinned.

        “Also, no recording me or I’ll burn everyone’s cellphones. And recorders,” considering Tatara’s video camera…

        “See! Now you can totally sing, no problem!” he giggled happily. Picking up both microphones, he thrust one into Mikoto’s hand and picked up the book. 

☩~♔ ᴵᶰᶳᵃᶰᵘᶳ ♔~☩

             “——I can see your outline… hear your voice.”

     A member of HOMRA who watched them, then. She looked almost forlorn as she gazed at the outline, wondering just what happened, and if this is what happened to Tatara. She shifted gently.

“Ah...is that all then?” he said, though he supposed it really was better than nothing at all. “I guess I should be thankful anyone can hear me at all!” he chuckled sadly. It was always a bit hard watching...especially when he wanted to communicate with his dear friends. 

“Anna-chan is a lovely person. She’s been through so much and she is very generous and caring. I’m not surprised she cares for you so much if you are her friend. Sounds just like her,” he said cheerfully. 

They made it through the forest, shoes snagging in the thick vines as they escaped the thick foliage. Jackie watched her feet as they exited, wary of any unwanted insects and snakes. She was also keeping a lookout for slugs – so far they were good. “You know the way here now. You can bring Anna-san here yourself.” She looked back at him, a wry grin on her face. “You can feed them when I can’t.”

Her eyes caught sight of a flash in the corner of her vision at that moment, her hand reaching out to grab him and pull just as a snake darted out of the shadows, teeth gleaming in the darkness as it bit the air where Tatara’s arm had been just moments before. It glowered at them from the rock it perched on and she shook her head, reaching down slowly for her umbrella, which she’d dropped in the shock from earlier.

It was no use – they were both drenched in seconds.

“Ah yes!” he smiled happily, as they walked back through the woods. Thankfully, they had the umbrella, keeping them dry for the time-being. Not that Tatara really minding getting wet all that much. It was actually kind of fun in a way...or so he thought. He knew others probably wouldn’t agree with him. “I’m sure Anna-chan would love to come here. She’d think they were so sweet and cute,” he sighed happily. 

Lost in his thoughts of Anna, Tatara didn’t even notice as she grabbed him and the two of them fell to the side, thankfully away from the snakes. “Wha-!!” Blinking, he stared at where they had been standing, he didn’t even notice the fact that they were completely soaked. 

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Ao3

I haven’t written a fic in a long time and I am sure it’s possible to tell, but I wanted to complete this because my last exchange didn’t go smoothly. I was nearing the end of dog grooming academy and things were hectic so it was very last minute. I am still reading over it from time to time to spot out grammatical/spelling errors. Bear with me and thanks for reading/sharing!