Chapter 4

[Watching Over You]

"What would you like to order, sirs?" A waiter asked after taking them to their table.

"Takano tofu, please."

"I'll just have sake."

"Got it, I'll be right back." He hopped off to send the order to the kitchen.

"So, why are we here?"

Saito's posture was formal as always, his back straight and hands in his lap. Okita, on the other hand, supported his head lazily on a palm with his elbow on the table.

"To eat?" he said.

"You're not even eating."

"To watch you eat, then."

"I do not understand your logic." Saito sighed.

"Hmm~"

They were silent for a moment, Okita's eyes dancing all over Saito, while the latter simply stared straight at him like a statue.

"You should eat something." He broke the silence suddenly.

"What?"

"Having an imbalanced diet is unhealthy."

"Is that so…" Okita placed an index finger on his lower lip in thought. "Alright. I'll eat, if you feed me."

"..." What a ridiculous request, Saito thought. What feeding does an able bodied, grown man need? He'd understand if Okita was sick and unable to get up, but this…

"Take responsibility for your own health."

Because Okita didn't, Saito had to worry about his diet all the time. In fact, not just his diet, Saito had to worry about almost everything he did.

"I don't have to worry, as long as Hajime-kun is with me, right?" He grinned cheekily, earning a glare from Saito.

"Ah." Okita's eyes and mouth widened, looking like he suddenly remembered something important.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot to bring my wallet out."

"It's fine, I'll pay."

"Nope. I was the one who brought you here after all."

Okita grabbed his wrist, made a short nod and quick eye contact with Saito, then ran out of the shop.

"Wha-?" Saito was more than just a little surprised, being pulled outside all of a sudden.

"Takano tofu and sake!" They could hear the waiter say as he walked out of the kitchen towards their table. "Eh?"

Okita almost laughed out loud when he saw the confused look on his face.

"Souji! The food!" Saito was a little flustered, obviously not willing to just run off so irresponsibly.

"Let's escape before he catches us." Okita whispers and gave him a wink.

"But, the takano tofu!" And Saito was dragged away from the shop, away from his precious takano tofu.

They sprinted down the streets, hand in hand, even though the shopkeeper wasn't chasing after them anymore. Their hands were getting unpleasantly clammy from perspiration, but they still held on tight, afraid to lose the other in the crowd, until they stopped after a few streets to catch their breaths.

"That was unnecessary, Souji. I could have just paid for the food." Saito reprimanded.

"But I don't wanna~" Okita pouted again, which made Saito droop his head in exasperation.

"What's done is done." There was little he could do about the headache Okita was giving him, anyway.

Nevertheless, Okita returned to his cheery self almost immediately, and they carried on with their journey.

/

Saito followed a few steps behind Okita through the busy streets, and off the road, over a bridge, and along the streams, into the quiet paths within the forests. The both of them were quiet throughout the walk. Saito had considered asking the other man where he intended to bring them, but the only reply he'd get would be a "Where, I wonder?" or a "I'll tell you if you give me a kiss".

Saito started wondering if Okita actually knew where he was going. He probably didn't, now that he thought about it. Regardless of that, he had given his word to accompany him wherever he wanted to go for today, and since Saito did not have any other plans, so there was no harm following it through.

After trudging through uneven paths, they got out of the woods and into an open area. Saito gaped at the sight in front of them. There were irises in full bloom, and the entire field was covered in them. The smell of the lovely blue flowers filled his senses, and he inhaled deeply.

Flowers in summer harbour their own unique beauty.

The both of them lay down beside each other comfortably on the soft green grass among the irises, under the shade of the trees.

"How did you know of this place?" Saito asked the person who had brought him here. He had never come across this scene during the time they were still at Shieikan.

"I don't know~?"

"So you were walking aimlessly after all."

Okita laughed, but didn't answer.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Hajime-kun."

"What do you mean?"

"You're smiling."

"Ah." Saito hasn't realised it himself. He gently brushed his fingers across the side of his mouth, feeling the curve of his lips that was still on his face.

"Fulfilling my duties is the utmost priority. But I do not deny the pleasantness of vacations, as long as it's not too often."

"Huu~ Hajime-kun likes going on vacations with me?" He chuckled to himself.

They lay there in silence, enjoying nature to its fullest. Okita slowly inched his hand towards Saito's, till their pinkies touched. When he felt no noticeable reaction from Saito, Okita boldly inserted his hand beneath Saito's and intertwined their fingers.

"Hajime-kun?"

There was no reply. He turned his head sideways, and saw Saito resting with his eyes closed.

"How could you sleep so soundly out in the open just 'cuz you're with me?" Okita sighed, but there was an unmistakable smile on his face.

He didn't mind it. He'd stay by Saito's side, watching over him till he woke up. Okita squeezed Saito's hand, and leaned his head against Saito's shoulder.

/

Saito slowly lifted his eyelids, the colors of the setting sun coming into view. The realisation that he had fallen asleep hit him and he turned to look for Okita, only to find his another head resting on his shoulder.

"Souji, are you awake?" He whispered, without moving, half afraid to wake him up.

When he realised their hands were nestled together, his face turned a deep hue of red, but did not retract his hand for the fear of waking up his companion.

Okita's eyes were closed, and his lips were slightly apart, seeming to be still asleep. However, in response to Saito's voice, his free arm stretched over Saito's chest to hug him like a pillow.

"Souji...?" Saito blushed even more, seeing Okita's sleeping face coming more clearly into view as he shifted in his sleep.

"Hajime-kun…" his voice was barely audible.

Sleeptalking? Saito thought.

Saito bit his lower lip as his mind fought the vicious dilemma of whether to wake him up or not. He panicked when Okita's face got closer to his, and his eyes widened indefinitely when Okita started licking him.

Saito swallowed hard, trying to suppress the ticklish feeling.

"Hmm~ You'll let me do anything just 'cuz I'm asleep?" He heard a whisper in his ear. That was definitely not the voice of an unconscious man.

"You were awake the whole time?" Saito mumbled, slapping himself mentally for falling for Okita's act.

"How could I fall asleep with you like that?"

Right. Carelessly falling asleep out in the open wasn't something Saito had expected himself to do. If someone had attacked them, he would not have been able to react promptly. But the cool wind and sweet scents of the flowers - and the warmth of Okita - had put his mind as ease. Ashamed for his irresponsible actions, he swore to never commit the same mistake again, and apologised to Okita.

It seems Okita was the one who took care of Saito today.

"You're still holding onto my hand real tight."

Saito hadn't realised he had been clutching Okita's hand during the sleeptalking-Okita incident earlier, and immediately released his grip when Okita mentioned it.

"Sorry."

"C'mere." Okita stood up and held out his hand towards Saito.

Saito blinked, stared for a moment, then hesitantly took the hand again and pulled himself up.

"We should head back soon." Saito suggested, softly, as he was pulled into Okita's embrace.

Before Okita could answer, though, his stomach growled. Loudy. Very loudy.

"Damn...this is such a mood killer." Okita slouched and leaned his weight against Saito.

"We haven't eaten for the entire day, after all." Saito sighed and shook his head, comfortingly patting the other's back.