Honshu had some of the loveliest hot springs - drawing native and tourist alike to the mineral-rich, piping hot water.
It took them two trains and a bus ride to get there just as the sun was rising. Luckily for them, it was the weekend, so they had a great opportunity to spend the night travelling.
Collecting the towels from the bath matron and seeing the dawning sun after spending a few hours negotiating the neon light-ridden streets and metro was a surreal experience. Yawning, Yugi stumbled up the worn stone steps to their chosen pool.
Although it wasn't exactly forbidden, per se, food was rather frowned upon at the springs. Not that either of them really cared. The day was young, and they were hungry. The mochi and onigiri that both of them had stowed away in their packs was purchased at the combini shortly after they got off the bus, and was welcomed.
It took little effort to strip themselves of their clothes and slip into the steaming water with a satisfied sigh. Yami had tugged his other into his lap, lips tracing his shoulder as he nibbled on a piece of mochi, pausing as he was offered a bite.
For a few long moments, neither of them moved. Dappled sunlight filtered through the trees around them, the early morning fog creating a pleasant haze that hid the steam of the pool, a few rays of light fracturing into miniature rainbows.
Yugi leaned back. Licking his fingers clean, he finally dipped his arm below the steaming water, joining the other hand that had been absently massaging Yami's thighs. His dark made a quiet sound, pleased.
Though the water became no colder, they eventually moved many minutes later, waving at the habitual elderly that always made it to the springs first. Relishing in the heat that had seeped into their bodies, the couple shared a smile. The springs here were famous for softening skin - something plenty of women took advantage of - but with a chuckle, Yami shook his hair free of water, moving closer to press a chaste kiss on the other man's plush lips.
Both knew neither really needed it, something their friends always managed to find time to tease them over, but getting out of town for a little vacation - even if they were going to be back by noon - was relished.
Hand in hand, hair damp, they traversed the now much-busier steps out of the baths and back down to the bus stop.