Sleepless
Author's Note: My first dip into Samurai 7 fic. Just testing the waters with a little angsty introspective drabble.
Warning: Soft yaoi.
The sky was dark and the sleeping mat on the polished floor of the quiet inn clean and comfortable. Kambei's head rested warmly in Shichiroji's lap, his scalp lavished with the casual, calm energy his companion always bestowed with what seemed such natural skill. Nothing about the lanky blonde ever jarred his nerves, whether in battle, along lonely roads, or held in his strong arms. But Kambei could not relax.
Shichi cleared his throat. "Maybe it's not rest you need but stimulation, eh?" He drew his short nails softly up the back of Kambei's neck, a gesture that always made him shiver.
Kambei half-chuckled, his voice resonant and low. "I fear I'm no more use for that than I am for a sleeping partner this night. Perhaps it would be better for us both if you get some rest and I go for a walk alone…"
Shichi felt no conviction behind the words and addressed it directly as he always did and always would with Kambei. "That did not work last night and it will not work now." His words were a soothing caress as his hands returned to smoothing Kambei's thick, brown hair back from his temples.
"Of course, you are right." Kambei sighed deeply. It seemed there was always so much to think about—past to ruminate on, present to manage, future to anticipate. And yet such was not the way. A samurai's mind must not stray to what had come before or what the days ahead would hold. He had already lived far beyond what he should, and looking to the past had never brought him any closer to truth or inner peace. "Kyuzo," he whispered.
"I know," Schichiroji replied. He tipped Kambei's face up gently until their eyes met. "You owe him a duel…and perhaps more. I regret it may be some time before you will have the chance to find out just how much more." He brought his wide, slender mouth down to kiss Kambei's full, soft lips. Kambei responded with atypical meekness, but not without warmth. "Until then," Shichi continued, "or for however long we can give each other ease, I am glad to share your world."
"As I am glad of you," Kambei replied with a small, world-weary smile.