ââŚ. what are you thanking me forâŚ?â The vice-commanderâs voice came out hoarse, which made him chuckle and cogh a bit, all due to the air he was still catching back up, after all they did.
Unlike moments ago, the room now went so quiet it was possible to hear the wind maing the tree leaves fly with it. Hijikataâs shoulder trembled and his body felt tired, listless but still extremely pleased- as the smile on his lips showed as well. That was, probably, the most intimate moment he had ever shared with someone until now. And not because the vice-commander never had sex before - he did. A lot. But the thing is that with almost all of the women and men Hijikata had slept with, it was just this: a night of sex, perhaps some drinks before, and in the morning it was just the vice-commander dressing up and going away. This when he wouldnât go back home right after doing whatever he and his partner wanted to do.
Still, with Izumi, it was different. Izumi wasnât just a someone in a corner from Shimabara. Kanesada belonged to him. He was literaly made for him, following everything Hijikata asked for and believed to be perfect for a sword. Now he knew that all of those things made Izuminokami also perfect, in his eyes, as a human being as well. And that was why his chest felt so warm, that wa why he smiled so much, contrary to what happened during most of the time.
Slowly, while pulling out of Izumiâs body and still moaning a bit, for the sensation was good, he kissed the younger manâs lips again. This time not the hurried hungry kiss, but a calm and sweet one. Still deep, still intense, but more with caring than the sexual hunger than before. He embraced Izumi tightly, cuddled the sword on him as if never wanting to let him go. And, well, he really didnât. âAre you okayâŚ?â He asked when their lips finally parted, their bodies beggind for some air, since they were still  bit breathless from all the lovemaking. âI really hope I didnât hurt you.â He said in a kind way, smilling at Izumi and placing a bit of the others hair behind the ear. Hijikataâs own hair as all messed, glued on his face due to the sweat, and he ran one had over it to take he hair away from his eyes, his hand going a bit further in an automatic gesture that just now remembered he didnât have long hair anymore. Still, just reminding how Izumi so eagerly grabbed on his now hort hair made him have chills again, kissing Izumiâs lips once again, allowing their tongues to dance together.
âGive me a moment. I canât let you - us - like this.â The vice-commander chuckled, standing up and having no problems whatsoever in walking around naked in front of Izumi- not only he did that tons of times before but he was in his bedroom and, well, they just had sex. Hijikata then kneeled in front of a wardrobe he had, pulliing two clean futon from there and also a clean, white piece of cloth. He came back to Izumi and took his hand, reaching then for a bottle of water he used to leave in his bedroom for when he felt thirsty. Making the white cloth wet with said water, Toshizou then cleaned his own and Izumiâs body from the result of their pleasure, all the time kissing the otherâs lips, jaw and neck- mainly when he started cleaning Izumiâs hole.
As he was done, the vice-commander then dressed himself up agin with his nemaki and gave Izumi his, helping him to get dressed. Hijikata then exchanged the futon they were laying down and covering their bodies with for a set of new cleaner ones, rolling all the stained futon, the white cloth and leaving it aside in a corner of his bedroom- heâd get it clean by the morning. Now, all he truly wanted to do was rest. He was still sick after all, and after the adrenaline of what they did started to wash away, Hiikata started to feel his body geting heavier. Bringing Izumi to lay down on the clean futon after taking his hand again, the vice-commander held him tight, embraced her and sank face on Izumiâs neck, kissing him there before staring the other. âYouâre everything to me, Izumi. So never thank me. For anything. Do you understand?â He asked, kissing him again. âWe should rest now. Tomorrow weâll have a really long dayâŚâ
âI am thanking you for this... For the amazing experience you shared with me. What you taught me now and how good you made me feel. Iâm thanking you for being the best master I could possibly wish for.â Izumi said and he watched Hijikata with a smile on his lips. He was honestly grateful... And he just wanted to express that... After he spoke out those words he was pulled into Hijikataâs soft, gentle kiss. A kiss so different from the ones they shared before, this one made him feel soft, loved and cherished.Â
The sword couldnât help but feel a bit uncomfortable as Hijikata started to clean his body for him. âI can do that myself you know...â Izumi said gingerly, his cheeks still colored rosy red. He moved to the side when Hijikata started to switch the futons and dressed in the nemaki his master gave him. Once back under the covers and safely in the embrace of his master he could truly relax again. He wouldnât have minded to sleep naked with his master. But now he wouldnât complain. He gladly kissed back before replying to his masters words. âBut I wanted to thank you... Because you mean the world to me as well. And I want you to know that I appreciate the time I get to spend with you. The time you spend on me, to teach me these kind of things, to share these precious and intense moments with me.â Izumi spoke softly and pressed a gentle kiss against his masters lips, just a fleeting touch. He knew his master was tired and he wanted him to rest well. He was still not feeling all that well, Izumi could tell that much at least.
âLet us rest now indeed... Otherwise you wonât be feeling well enough to travel tomorrow, I donât want you to feel worse in the morning because of me.â Hijikata really did mean the world to him, he had no idea how he would fill his days without being by his side. Because that was all he had done in the past few years. The man he knew best, but who could still surprise him, like he had done this evening. His heart felt like it could burst, they had crossed a boundary. And not a bad one at that at all... It felt good, their bond was even stronger now. Gently Izumi ran his fingers through Hijikataâs hair, resting his hand against his neck. He could feel that strong pulse in his masterâs neck. It reassured him...