What am I doing on this planet ????

Popping a dumpling into your mouth, you hum blissfully, savouring the flavour. The sweet tang of the sauce, and the-

The men on the other side of the table staring at you, biting back smiles. Shingen clears his throat, tapping his cheek.

"My angel, you have something on your face. Allow me-"

Before his hand is even a hair's breadth near your cheek, a hand to your left and another two your right shoot out with deadly efficiency, to intercept his touch. The temperature of the room seems to drop into the negatives, Kanetsugu and Kenshin both frozen in a defensive posture to clean your cheek, with terrifying intensity. The room falls into an awkward silence, your cheeks warming as both men slowly and reluctantly pull their hands away from you. Shingen sits back with a knowing smile, an eyebrow raised as his steel grey eyes flit between the two men who right now resemble cobras, coiled in tension and ready to strike.

"Do not touch her, Shingen, or you will lose both hands before they make it back to that disgusting excuse for a meal." Kenshin threatens through gritted teeth, earning a fond chuckle from Shingen who easily reaches his threatened hand back down to a sticky red bean dumpling perched on the edge of his plate, unaffected by the chilling glares. Kenshin's eyes briefly flick past you to Kanetsugu, his expression almost a mirror image of his own. It causes an uncomfortable feeling to claw its way up through his chest, jealousy. That glimmer of covetousness doesn't go unnoticed by the man on other end of the table.

"Agreed, Lord Shingen. Y/N is grubby enough without your paws on her. Respectfully." Kanetsugu adds, envy subtly rearing it's ugly head, Yukimura scoffs in agreement, trying to hide his grin, unsuccessfully of course.

"Excuse me? Rude! I am not grubby! And will the two of you cool it?! No violence while we're eating!" In an attempt to defend yourself, you seem to bring the temperature back up to a comfortable degree, the pleasant atmosphere returns. Kanetsugu shakes his head with a strictly subdued smile as Kenshin returns to his eye watering plums, covertly stealing glances at you to make sure Shingen isn't trying anything. You swipe the sauce off of your cheek and return to enjoying your meal, Shingen speaks up again.

"Can you blame these lovesick brutes, my princess? Even in the midst of this tantalising spread, you are by far the most delectable thing in the room." He coos, never lost for flowery flattery when it comes to you.

"Lord Shingen, I'm not going to stop these two when they decide to cut your head off. You deserve it for being such a shameless flirt, and over a boar woman no less-"

"If one more person calls me a boar, or grubby, or anything but pleasant company, I'm leaving! You guys can eat on your own!" You interrupt Yukimura with your declaration, giving everyone pause. Of course, for all their teasing, no one wants you to leave. Moments like these are precious, few and far between as war looms overhead, casting a shadow over Echigo.

Days go by like petals in the breeze, the tension has mostly been forgotten, save for envious glances and suppressed jealous comments that threaten to jump out from both Kantesugu and Kenshin. One crisp morning, you're on tenterhooks waiting at the castle gates. Soldiers stand around immersed in excited chatter but you find it hard to be so lighthearted, waiting for your friends to depart to face battle. Kantesugu takes his places beside you without a word, coolly surveying the scene. His demeanor gives nothing away except for the fact he's seemingly not worried at all.

"You may as well write 'terrified fool' on your forehead. It will save you the trouble of frowning so much and sighing yourself into a stupor." The words are teasing, but there's a hint of a soft smile on his face as he regards you. In his own way, he seems to be trying to comfort you.

"I'm allowed to be a terrified fool. I'll always worry about you guys, especially when you're about to go off to war." You look up at him, surprised to see such a gentle look in his eye, a rarity that makes something bloom in your chest. Something new but undeniable.

"Do you trust Lord Kenshin? And do you trust me?" He asks, his voice losing it's mocking tone and softening imperceptibly as he turns to face you.

"Of course I do. I don't know anyone stronger or braver than the two of you."

"Good. So you do have some brains in here somewhere." Smiling uncharacteristically sweetly, Kanetsugu taps your temple with two fingers. Half-heartedly smiling, your attempt to look away is intercepted by his steady hands cupping your face, his usually stern expression giving way to something more comforting.

"I swear on my honour, Lord Kenshin and I will return to your side. All you have to do is be patient. Can you manage it?" He knows the answer, you're a good girl to your core, good to a fault, it's what he loves-

He shouldn't say love, it burns him up inside, the words he wants to say die on his tongue. He shouldn't say love, not when he sees the way Kenshin softens for you. He knows because he softens the same way, weak from you and strong for you.

A throat being cleared agitatedly nearby snaps you both out of the haze, cool hands withdrawing achingly from your soft face. Kenshin stands nearby, something violently itching inside of him, something unnamed and ugly. It threatens to claw its way out before he puts a lid on it, addressing Kantesugu.

"Mount your horse. We march soon. And you, woman-" He lowers his tone for you, mismatched eyes locking onto you with frightening devotion as Kantesugu reluctantly releases you to find his steed, steadfast in his loyalty.

"If you keep looking at me like a frightened rabbit...I'll lock you in the dungeons. No one can see that look but me. Do you understand? Smile, and we will bring you victory." A large hand ruffles your hair as your heart pounds almost painfully, Kenshin turns his back on you without another word, and you're left to question which one of them has left you reeling more. You can only watch as they stride toward battle, comrades on the field and rivals in love. Each man painfully aware of the feelings starting to blossom in his chest, and more