#ashsaku

Between the two of them Indra was the one with a poker face, but after so many years, Sakura could read him just as well as his brother who was an open book to anyone who cared to look. 

“Quit pouting, both of you,” she said, keeping her lashes low.

“I’m not pouting,” Indra calmly replied, lifting his chin and staring straight ahead. 

Sakura snuck a glance and saw the way his ears turned red while lines stood out in his neck for how he clenched his jaw. There were such insignificant details, but Sakura knew them all intimately. 

Meanwhile on her opposite side Ashura stared down at his lap with a protruding bottom lip and inflated cheeks that looked more suitable for a child than a man of nearly thirty. His eyes looked glassy and were red around the edges.

“Please,” Sakura sighed, feeling her shoulders drop. “It’s just for one day. Please just put up with it and let it be.”

“Why. What’s so-what’s wrong with us. You…you never had a problem with it before.” Ashura sniffed and swallowed. “It’s just a little…” 

“We’re hardly exhibitionists,” Indra grumbled. “We’re indoors and it’s not even public.”

“My family’s home is far more dangerous than any public venue so for the remainder of this trip you will keep your hands to yourself and a modest distance. You both agreed to this.”

“I thought it wouldn’t be this long,” Ashura whined. “We’ve been here for days. When are they going to let you go?”

“When business is finished.”

“This is the worst.”

“Your whining only makes it more unbearable,” Indra grumbled. “Have some self respect.”

“I don’t want self respect I want to kiss my girlfriend.”

The veins in Indra’s neck shifted but his jaw stayed stiff. “Deal with it. If I have to, you do too. Sakura wants this. Having her family’s support matters to her so it’s going to matter to us.”

 Ashura flinched but the pouting subsided. He exhaled and rolled back his shoulders, adapting the role Sakura needed.

“Sorry,” Ashura whispered. “I’ll do better.” 

In spite of herself Sakura bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling. “Don’t think this isn’t hard for me. I promise to make it up to you once we’re back home.”

Indra’s lashes fluttered and Ashura’s face brightened. “A favor?” he asked.

Sakura nodded, feeling the heat on the back of her neck.

“Each?” Indra added.

Sakura nodded again, keeping her eyes down. 

Indra chuckled darkly. “I will look forward to it.”

Ashura’s laughter was a bit lighter. “I can’t wait until we’re home.”

To hide the slight shiver in her hands Sakura stuffed them both deep into the pockets of her slacks and leaned back in her seat, crossing one ankle behind the other. Deep at the bottom of her pockets she felt the cold metal bands brush up against each other. After their favors the brothers would be in a good enough mood and if her grandmother approved everything would finally fall into place.  

Biting her lip did no good so she let the smile spread across her face. “Me too. I can’t wait.”