Chapter Four: Summer Triangle
It wasn't difficult to see through the emerging twilight. Penguin had pinpointed the flicker of red in the distance and with a grin rushed toward it.
Kirā had set up a small fire with large blocks of wood and stones beneath. The blonde was sitting about a metre away. He looked up to Penguin and nodded.
"Where did you get the stuff to make a campfire?" Penguin asked with surprise,
"I traded for some in the village, I found the rocks in the quarry just outside the main path to your house" Kirā explained.
"Thanks for doing it...I brought the blanket" he proudly announced, lifting up his own basket with the rug folded up on the top. Kirā chuckled.
"Did you clean it?"
"M-Maybe, just thought it would be nice for you to have a fresh one" Penguin shrugged, handing it over.
"Then we'll use another one of my spares today, I don't want to ruin this one with the soot". Kirā stood up, walking to his bag.
Weirdly enough Penguin and Kirā didn't often stand up at the same time as each other. As odd as that may sound. The first time Penguin had left Kirā sitting there, the next time he'd stayed sitting to watch Kirā walk down back away from the gardens, fearful for his injured condition. And so forth, so it wasn't really until now that Penguin realised just how much taller the traveller was. He easily exceeded even his uncles remarkable height.
Kirā's jawline would have met Penguin's forehead were they standing closer together, it was the first time Penguin felt the need to tilt his head to see the other. He watched as Kirā laid out the other blanket, another patchwork but instead of the greys and greens and blues, this one was more shades of red. It was also smaller so when they sat back down, they were brushing arms.
The heat from the fire was enough despite the small distance between them and it, yet Penguin was thankful he'd worn his coat. It was a sleek charcoal grey trench coat with white trim. Kirā had also found something extra to wear. A shorter black coat that appeared more as a jacket than anything else. It also had an unusual symbol at the front pocket on his left, a flaming skull with blunt eyes and a dagger through his head. Penguin was going to ask about it when Kirā turned to the side into his usual basket and tugged out some…
"What are those?"
"Ah, I wondered if you might know what they are or not...they're skewers"
Penguin blinked down at the skewer he was handed.
Kirā watched him for a few moments, amused before deciding to enlighten the situation to the young master.
"You've got red pepper, onion and chicken cooked in spices. Usually they'd be more impressive with more ingredients but I couldn't find many today" he shrugged. Though really he felt bad for not giving the young master something better when Penguin's food was always so lovely.
But Penguin seemed utterly enchanted and beamed at the other. Dimples visible by the shadow of the fire-light.
"This is great! I've never had anything like it before, thank you so much!"
He held the skewer by the two tips and inspected it with glee, like a child peering at the intricate designs of a snowflake in their hand.
"Dip it into the fire for a bit to heat it up, also gives it an extra smoky flavour" Kirā suggested and Penguin followed as told. Shuffling forward to hold it against the higher flames until a warm crackling sound emerged.
Moving it away, he blew at the darkened pieces of food and continued to grin. Biting into one of the pieces of chicken, peppered with amber colourings, Penguin was silent as he munched away.
Kirā tried to hide his eagerness for the opinion of the other and instead leant back with an air of nonchalance, his facial coverage hiding the fact he was watching the young master.
"It's delicious! The spice isn't too hot, which is good because I'm super weak with spicy things, and the smoky flavour makes it even better! Did you make this yourself?"
Kirā inhaled slowly, relieved. He smiled.
"Yeah, it's nothing much"
"I can imagine what you'd be like with a big kitchen and lots of food, this is so nice Kirā!" the young master couldn't help but keep exclaiming praise. Suddenly he quietened and even the darkened lighting, Kirā could see him blush. "I didn't mean to say your kitchen and food is bad or anything, I was just saying-"
Kirā interrupted him with laughter, he shook his head and
placed a hand on the shoulder of the younger man.
"I know what you meant, don't worry I'm not offended"
Penguin titled his head with a smile and in doing so, his chin brushed against Kirā's knuckles. From the angle of them both, the blondes hand was in direct with Penguin's face.
At first the young master didn't even move, perhaps out of surprise or perhaps because he hadn't realised, Kirā couldn't figure it out. Either way, he didn't move his own hand away. Maybe because it'd been a while since he'd touched anyone else. In any way other than his business. The slightest brush of a hand was all that would entail. Never did he take time to actually experience the warmth and shape of another beneath him.
He'd been so distracted, he'd completely ignored the continued look of perplexion in the small part of the young master's mouth and Kirā moved his hand away casually. Now interested in the way his lips seemed so plush around the little 'o' of surprise.
Deciding right now it would be best to draw his attention away from the other completely for fear of not knowing what he'd do next. Kirā looked to the fire. The flickering no matter how mesmerising, still couldn't get the young master off his mind. Sure he was sitting right next to him, some of his attention would be divided toward the younger man. But he kept thinking about the fact the young master smelt kind of sweet, like warm baking, sugary. Which was, you know, really cute and really alluring.
"Do you have one for yourself?" Penguin questioned. Before the blonde could even answer, the young master held the skewer up to him. Kirā blinked before chuckling.
"Don't worry, I've got one myself"
"Oh thank god, not to be rude but I really wanted this to myself" the young master laughed, taking a bite into the crispy edged pepper, shoulders raising with glee as he did so.
Kirā laughed at that, flattered more than anything and collected his own skewer from the basket, simmering it over the flames.
After they'd finished eating, Kirā also fetched out more of the naturally cool juice from the first day they met and if it was even possible, Penguin lit up even more.
"I brought something too...I...actually made it myself so it's not very good because I don't really cook. The chef helped me mostly but you know, the thought that counts?" he tried, his words becoming soft mutters of coyness. As he spoke, the young master retrieved the carefully wrapped peach flan from its basket and presented it to the traveller.
Kirā looked over the circular dessert. It wasn't that big, just enough for both of them really. The shortbread base was fluffy yet crisp in its fluted pan form. Kirā smiled as he figured Penguin had done the peaches on-top. The sizes were too varied and some gaps showed the custardy layer. It was perfect.
"Trying to get one up on me already?" Kirā challenged and Penguin chuckled.
"Hardly, I'd say it's fair trade". He lowered it to the blanket and pulled out a knife, two plates and two spoons. The young master was nothing but prepared. Kirā gratefully took his piece and cutlery from the younger man. He deliberately paused whilst the young master busied himself with his own dessert.
When Penguin looked to Kirā for some kind of opinion or response, his shoulders fell in shock along with his mouth. Kirā had removed his scarf. Or rather loosened and lowered it beneath his jawline so from his nose downwards was visible.
His skin there was paler than his arms if only for the sake of the constant shade. He had a squarely lined jaw, clean shaven. Thick lips with a single scar running from the lower section of his left cheek, through his lips to the right side of his chin. Penguin briefly wondered if that was the reason the blonde hid his face.
Kirā was aware the other was staring but didn't turn and embarrass him. Instead he scooped up some of the soft pudding and placed it in his mouth. Savouring the sweetness. This gave the young master enough time to cough awkwardly and look to his own plate. Kirā was obviously feeling comfortable enough to remove his scarf and Penguin couldn't ruin it with his shameless staring.
"Do you like it?" he asked instead, pleased with the way his voice didn't reflect the wobble in his nerves. He looked to the blonde, deciding not to go for the "I'm-now-not-going-to-look-at-you-at-all" treatment and he felt his nerves decline with the gentle and very visible smile from Kirā.
"It's lovely, I can tell you put effort into making it"
"I did so too, thank you!" Penguin agreed cheekily, biting into his own slice. They finished in comfortable silence, the type in which you knew both were enjoying their dishes. Penguin took the empty plates and cutlery and put it away.
Then he pushed the basket to one side and lay down on the blanket, his head closer to the fire than his feet. Kirā remained sitting but leant back on his arms, relaxed.
"I got a letter from my uncle today. He's only just started working on his research which means he won't be back for a while. But in the future he might take me up to the lab he works with up North" Penguin spoke up.
"You looking forward to it?"
"Kind of...I mean it's been a while since I went north and I suppose I'm just anxious about the lifestyle change"
"It's not for a while, you can think more into it" Kirā suggested and Penguin nodded.
"Yeah, at the moment I want to help out the local town"
"I think that's pretty admirable. I guess your cousins are still onto you about politics?"
"Thanks to you I haven't had to see them as much" Penguin grinned.
Kirā thought from the angle he was lying and the way he tilted his head upward would mean the blonde might catch a sneak-peek of his eyes. But the fire cast a shadow. Not that it was that important, Penguin had barely had a good look at the traveller himself after all.
"Thanks to you I've actually been having some nice food" Kirā reciprocated and they laughed.
Penguin could have easily replied. He could have told the other that he was thankful Kirā was the reason he slept better at night knowing there was someone else out there for him. That he wasn't worried about leaving his room every morning for fear of confrontation with his cousins. That he was feeling more confident about his aspirations. But he didn't. Instead he said,
"You should lie down, you can see a lot of stars tonight"
So Kirā did. He didn't hesitate for long and settled himself down. Penguin laughed loudly when a series of thick blonde locks got thumped in his face and he brushed them away.
"Do you know any of the constellations?" Kirā asked.
"Hm...I know some of the major ones. My uncle has a telescope in one of the upper rooms but doesn't really use it, so when I was young I tried identifying some"
"I try to keep note on which ones I know and which ones I don't on my travels, so I know quite a few" Kirā said in a way that wasn't boastful but rather compassionate.
"Can you tell me what that one is?" Penguin tried, pointing to a couple to the left.
"That's known as the summer triangle, there's Altair, Deneb and Vega" Kirā replied smoothly and Penguin was undeniably impressed.
"I don't see the triangle" he then mentioned. Cocking his head to the side as though trying to see if from another angle.
"Really? You just meet up the points…" Kirā explained, a little surprised. Maybe Penguin was confusing it with other stars around them. He went to raise his hand and point but instead lifted the young masters to his surprise and gently moulded his hand into a pointing form.
"There" he whispered, aligning Penguins limb with his eyes and the younger man saw the shape.
"Oh, I was looking at the one...over there…" he mumbled vaguely. Kirā lowered their hands but didn't let go.
His heart pulsed quite painfully and he was sure his hands were getting too warm but Penguin made no move to shift away.
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm right as rain now. The pain has almost completely subsided"
"Ah, that's good" Penguin shuffled a little closer to the blonde. He was a little bit cold but the older man practically radiated heat and didn't seem to mind Penguin leeching off him. For Kirā it only meant he could smell that sweet scent even better.
Kirā blinked. Had he fallen asleep? Oh god he had. The night sky wasn't much different in colour if maybe a little darker. But the light of the fire had died down quite a bit and he couldn't remember much from however long he'd been out. Clenching his teeth he went to turn to the young master; if he was even still there, and apologise when he realised just where the younger man was.
Curled up into him. His back against the side of his body and his arms wrapped around himself. His legs bent back a little, entwining under Kirā's own. His head however was turned upward, even a little to the side against Kirā's hair and shoulder. Penguins breathing was steady and it was clear he too had fallen into slumber. He was warm and Kirā smiled. Turning onto his side so his chest was against the back of the young master, he nuzzled his nose into the back of his neck where he finally felt some short cropped, soft hair. He couldn't see the colour for the low light and grogginess in his eyes. Penguin's head shifted so he was facing away and he gave a little sigh before settling once more.
Kirā really had to get back to his backstreet hotel room. The one where if he wasn't there soon enough, the people in the room next door would take it as invitation to extend their night-parties to his apartment due to the fact none of the rooms locked. The blonde would walk in late to find a dozen or so people strewn about. Including people in his bed. It was always quite fun kicking them out.
But he figured it wouldn't hurt to rest a little longer like this under the night sky for tonight.
A/N: Hello! Just about got this ready for the due date! I would love to hear some feedback on what people think of this story!
Also to mention, Kirā is the romanji for Killer according to his One Piece Wikia page and of course, in the Japanese dialect, sounds like the western pronounced "Killer", ahahaha.
Were Skewers around at the time? Well considering this is only 19th century-esque and fanfiction, it's ALRIGHT!
-LAW09
Sorry for the delay. I was bedridden ill for the last few days which is why there is a double whammy of chapters coming up! Thanks to my sis for keeping you updated!
CHAPTER FIVE UPDATE: Monday 8th August 2016