teahoused | general texting meme

[That smile of hers, as tiny and delicate as a flower just starting to sprout from the soil, broke his heart. At this point in her tenure, he had hoped that she would have blossomed fully, that her once desolate garden would be starting to flower beautifully. But it seemed like the soil he had left her in carelessly was far too rocky and treacherous for such things, and her roots had felt every bit of gravel, if she was this grateful for just a pittance from him.

It made it difficult for him to sit still, to not grip her hands in his to promise with conviction that it would get better, despite the fact he couldn't promise such reckless things. He'd grown arrogant in his godhood, clearly.]

I'll say it as many times as you need to hear it then, Oka-chan.

[Because she was right, he couldn't interfere as loathe as he was to admit it. Not even being able to lash out in a tiny petty way was deeply irritating to him, but if Okakou could grit her teeth and bear it, he wouldn't invalidate her efforts.

He tipped his gaze up back to hers, firm and kind.]

You'll always have my good opinion, and my ear! I want you to feel comfortable telling me these things and to remember you're not alone in this. You have allies.

[He was doing his best.

He always did, in various ways, and it always made her chest go tight and hot with affection. Admiration. Other words that begin with 'a' and usually went unspoken between them—at least from her end of the equation, anyways. She swallows her tea and sets the cup down with a soft, crisp clack. The heat crawled from her chest to her throat, clogging her words.

Worse still, it spread and pricked at her eyes. She passed a hand over them, and worked to compose herself.]

...th-thank you. I shall... I shall e-endeavor to keep that in mind.

[...Had he made her cry? For a moment, Sukuna stilled, not quite sure how to address this situation or what to do. If it was Eri-chan, he would have immediately handed over a handkerchief and a cup of sake because most likely it was something Muchi related. If it was Setsura, he would have enveloped her in his arms as quickly as possible. But Oka-chan-

He tried to do a bit of both, handing over his handkerchief and grabbing at her wrist like some crazed person, eyes wide.]

Oka-chan you shouldn't cry over compliments! I'm going to have to talk to your retainers if you're this surprised by getting them!

[He paused, belatedly realizing he had knocked over his tea cup in his haste to try to produce his handkerchief, and quickly he retracted his hands to start mopping at the mess with another napkin.]

You should be getting complimented every day! Do I have to write it into my schedule?

They do, they certainly do, I just—I—

[How to put this? How to take all these conflicting, fizzling feelings and make them into something concrete and comprehensible?

She tries her best.]

I try... very hard not to burden anyone. I am not a small, fading rural idol anymore. I know I can do more—do... better. And I... I wish to do my very best, for you. F-For all of you, that is.

[It was heartening, that even after all of this, Oka-chan hadn't lost hope or her spirit. Sukuna breathed a little easier, mopping up the last of the tea he had spilled before replenishing his drink, expression once again calm and pleased.]

Oka-chan the last thing you are is a burden. You've been put in a very difficult position and anyone with lesser conviction or strength wouldn't have lasted. Even if it might not seem like that now, your best is definitely more than enough.

[He paused, smiling at her over the rim of his teacup.]

But I'm sorry to have you come here all this way for no reason! How can I make it up to you?

...bend forward.

[She wasn't quite settled, with her cheeks still red and the remnants of tears dotting her lashes.

But there was something like resolve crystalizing in her gaze, beyond that.]

[At least she didn't say bend over because he probably would have had a heart attack. Still, the request made him pause, eyes widening slightly as if he wasn't sure if he had heard her right. He gaped at her for a few moments, head slowly tilting to the side, unsure.]

What?

[Look he's a bit worried now that he was about to be punished very harshly and creatively.]

[She pursed her lips and gave him a patient stare.]

Bend. Forward. Do you require assistance, or do you not wish to 'make it up to me' after all?

[What was going on? A bit dumbfounded, Sukuna leaned forward halfway towards Okakou, bent halfway over the table. His expression was openly curious, one eyebrow arched, hands braced against the edges of the table as if he expected to need a hasty retreat. He couldn't read Okakou's expression precisely, and it was making his heart rate pick up anxiously in anticipation.]

Of course I do. What next?

[Was she going to make him do something embarrassing or something worse?]

Close your eyes and—

[She reached for him suddenly, and her fingers slid, cool and soft, to cup his cheeks. She angled his head a bit with the gentlest of tugs, and then leaned in to close the last few inches herself.

Her lips pressed against his forehead, warm from the tea and then warm from so much more as a powerful blessing was bestowed, fueled by everything she could spare and sprawling across every domain to her name. His name. Theirs.

She did not release him, or move away, so when she spoke her lips moved against his forehead, mussy bangs ruffled by her soft breath.]

Forgive yourself, please. ...for me?

[Sukuna had heard mortals talk about what spirituality meant to them, what it felt like to be touched by a god and be cursed by them. They could wax poetically about the destruction of the soul, dark clouds hanging over them, the feeling of being weighed down by sins and regrets. But he had heard less about what it felt like to be blessed by a god.

Eyes closed, completely trusting, he only felt warmth spreading throughout his body at the press of Okakou's lips against his forehead, his throat tight and his face was hot, like he might be on the verge of tears. Instead of a weight, it felt like being relieved of it. Of being cleansed and clean. He drew a quick, shuddering breath, wanting to withdraw but Okakou's hands were so gentle against his face he didn't dare.

The moment felt paper thin, something fragile and beautiful that he would destroy just by opening his eyes.]

It sounds more like I'm getting out of this too easily, if this is what you would like me to do Oka-chan.

[Still, if it was what she wanted, he would at least try. He bowed his head, putting his hands over hers.]

But if it's for you, I'll do it.

[His hands were so large, compared to hers. So warm.

Yet, in spite of that, she could still feel the faint tremble in them. Her thumbs rub gentle, soft circles over the jut of his . cheekbones. Her voice remained softer and sweeter than she usually allowed it to be in public.]

I can bear anything—strife, loneliness, pain—anything at all, save for the unnecessary suffering of those dear to me.

[Hearing those words were like cold water dousing him overhead, Sukuna's eyes flying open at that, the breath he was drawing in a pained gasp. His grip tightened on her hands, his eyes searching her face.]

I don't want to hear those things from you! You're a god now, you're entitled to be selfish! You can say things like you don't want to be alone or in pain anymore! I don't want those things for you so you shouldn't want them for yourself.

[For someone who had shed his godhood as easily as a snake shed its skin, he still clung to some of his bad habits from those days. Making unreasonable requests and demands was still chief among them.]

[She squeezed his hands back weakly, as best she could with his own so desperately crushing. Her voice was firmer, but no less kind, now.]

I have always been a god, Sukuna Hikona. I have never known anything else. I was born of belief, with the will and wont to protect.

[Nowhere near his league, but divine all the same.]

My most precious treasures have always been people. My most painful moments were when I couldn't scrape together enough energy to help soothe their troubles. My point was... simply that you tormenting yourself over this is never going to make me feel any better about it.

Ah.

[Now that he heard that rebuttal, Sukuna was aware of how rude and condescending it must have sounded, how much like the old guard that he had tried to escape. A god wasn't truly a god until they had a certain amount of followers or were a certain level of powerful or had a decent number of retainers.

He let his hands fall to his sides as he leaned away from her, feeling like they had been far too close for far too long.]

You're right, I'm sorry.

[Which sounded weak to his own ears, but Okakou was always stronger and more resilient than him in more ways than one. The warmth from her well wishes and blessings felt like it was ebbing and he mostly felt tired and wrung out.]

Then in that case, please don't worry about me. I don't have any troubles that you should be concerned about.

Ah-ah.

[His hands fell away, but hers remained. She used them to gently guide his gaze back to hers. Her voice turned chiding, as if he were a child who had said something he knew was wrong.]

What was it you said not so long ago? "I don't wish for you to think you have to hide from me"? You gave your name to me. Your power. In return for accepting, you swore I would be allow to see to your safety and comfort, if you care to recall. You... have become my most precious treasure, Lord—Sukuna. If I ever stop being concerned for you, it shall be when I am dead and gone.

Oka-chan, it's cheating to use my own words against me you know!

[Sukuna tried to puff out his cheeks and pout, but despite himself, he couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure what he had done to attain Oka-chan's continued good will, especially since all he seemed to do was clumsily trample all over it, but he was grateful for it nonetheless. A small portion of him had been a bit afraid that when he had given up his position that Oka-chan would change into one of the shrewd and heartless creatures of the court, detached from their followers and anything but their own desires.

But she was still as warm and giving as she had been when Sukuna first met her, and it soothed him far better than the tea.]

But you worry too much! Between you, Muchi, and Setsura, I'm well protected and spoiled. I've even had you running out in the middle of the night just to see me.

[He paused, gently going to remove her hands from his face, giving them an affectionate squeeze as he did so.]

You should choose better possessions. No wonder some people might interpret that incorrectly. And ah- Don't talk so flippantly about being dead!

It's never any trouble, I assure you.

[Says Sukunabikona, seated before him in the nightclothes she rushed over in.

She smiled back, best she could manage, and let her hands go lax in his grip.]

You don't have to own something to treasure it, you know. Otherwise, there wouldn't be unfounded rumors or your... not-fiancées to deal with, would there?

You're too good to me, Oka-chan.

[That at least was said with 100% conviction and affection, Sukuna's expression softening until she brought up the 'not-fiances'. Immediately his nose scrunched up, and huffily, he poured them both more tea.]

When you put it that way, you're right but it feels like there should be different levels or categories for how you treasure something or someone. The existing definitions feel too narrow, don't you think?

I... suppose there are? Or maybe just...

[She struggled with shaping her thoughts into words, her hands in front of her and making vague, slightly helpless gestures.]

Maybe something like... layers? Or perhaps tree rings. It's not like some... some sort of rigid hierarchy in my opinion. Some people are just... wrapped in more layers. More and more the longer you know them.

[As Okakou found her footing with her wording, Sukuna couldn't help but nod along slightly, curious to see where she was going with this.]

Ah, like Eri-chan and her scarves?

[It was always easy to tell who Eri-chan's favorites were, as they had rooms full of scarves, all different colors and fabrics and lengths. Sukuna was lucky enough to have a few of them from her as well, and if he wore all of them at once, it'd be readily apparent how much affection she showed him.

He grinned, taking a sip from his tea cup.]

The opposite can happen too, the longer you know someone. Layers can peel away or maybe you meet someone new you like more than people you've known for a long time. Or you're compatible one way but not another.

I wouldn't know much about Her Highness's more intimate feelings.

[Or so she believes.]

...I... suppose so.

[She glanced up, the ghost of a smile on her lips.]

Are you saying I should find somebody I like more than you, Lord Predecessor?

Edited 2019-08-28 04:27 (UTC)

[Maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part, along the lines of wanting to spare Okakou having to deal with all the gossip and rumors, but he had hoped her and Eri-chan would have become fat friends. He set his teacup down to start nibbling on one of the snack crackers that had been brought, more downturned slightly.]

Eh? I would have thought the two of you would have gotten doing great.

[He pouted at her tease, putting a hand over his head as if to check for an arrow or a katana having been run through him.]

Is it possible to like anyone more than me? I thought I was your favorite for life!

[Still though, he couldn't be too selfish...]

But if you do find someone, I want to meet them right away! I want to make sure they'll take good care of you.

She has always been exceptionally kind and gracious to me, to be sure. I am simply loathe to presume too much.

[At his dramatics, she actually laughed; little more than a soft huff of amusement, perhaps, but laughter all the same.]

I cannot conceive of such a person myself, save perhaps if I do someday actually... conceive. But regardless, you have my word. If you are ever usurped, you shall be the first to know.

Eri-chan is very honest with her feelings, so if she is kind and gracious to you, you're not presuming too much.

[It was one of her best traits, really. Sukuna beamed happily at making Okakou laugh, even if it was just a little. The sound was like being bathed in warm sunshine. The thought of his apprentice as a mother made him gasp out loud, eyes widening with happiness.]

Oka-chan you would make a great mom! And if there were little Oka-chans running around... Ah... I'd have to spoil all of them.

[It was definitely a pure and cute image, and he was sure Oka-chan's children would be more adorable and far better behaved than most of Muchi's brood.]

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