Aaahh! Thank you for your kind reviews! I actually got this chapter together :D
Cassie: Ahaha, nope! To tell the truth, IeMitsu is one of my blacklisted pairing XD I'm actually into Motochika/Ieyasu, ironically...
"Get your hands off me!" Mori complained, doing his best to make his bodyguard release his tight-ass grip although he knew he wouldn't be able to. Firstly, he was too persistent to be pushed away. Second, he was far more powerful than him and it wasn't actually an option. "Pirate, I mean it!"
"No! I wanna settle this matter once and for all. I'm taking you to my confrontation with Ieyasu to make sure no one's lying to me. You're not gonna change my mind!" Motochika exclaimed, tired of how Mori tried to struggle. "Come on. Let's finish this stupid matter once and for all."
The brunette groaned in displeasure of being forced into something he knew was a waste of time. Instead of doing that, that stupid pirate should have more faith in him. But again, trusting him was a gravely wrong mistake to make, so he really couldn't blame anyone in this case… In the end, Mori was quiet and allowed his bodyguard to drag him into the car and drove away into somewhere he didn't know. No use continuing an unfavourable fight.
Motochika controlled the expensive car throughout the journey, focusing on the road so that he wouldn't miss a roundabout or something important like that. He also paid full attention on the speed limit and restrictions. When a good few minutes were spent, he broke the silence. "Not that I don't trust you or anything. Mori, I also want you to see me talking to him to repair our broken relationship. If you ever change your mind about your view to the world… you might want to copy a few things, I s'pose."
Mori sneered at Motochika's lame remark and continued looking at the blurred road instead.
"I want you to see how you can mend things even if they are utterly broken. I want you to see you can reverse things although it seems impossible. Mori, I want you to open your eyes. You can't depend on yourself forever. Sooner or later, you'll need people to help you. You wouldn't expect a straight road like a trip on the park. There would always be a complication to your story, and you have to solve it whether you like it or not." He sighed. In his years of career experience, it was the first time he had to say such 'wise' things like that. He wasn't the type to boss around in people's life but… Mori… he felt sorry for him. He wanted him to open his eyes and see the world from an entirely different point of view.
The raven car skidded on top of the gravels when Motochika realised he almost went past his stop, which was the office where Ieyasu works at. He went on reverse for a few seconds before proceeding to drive into the parking area, smiling at the guard who knew him well.
The silver-haired male got out of the car, slamming the front door roughly, then he walked and opened the door to reveal an unamused Mori who had his arms crossed, looking away from his bodyguard. "'S go!" He exclaimed, pulling his master firmly by the hand and dragged him along to the receptionist on the front desk. "'Sup! Can I see Ieyasu? Urgent."
The female receptionist obviously knew who Motochika was, and without any complaints, she dialled Ieyasu right away. "Sir, Chosokabe is here to see you."
Ieyasu almost dropped his phone in surprise. Not even an hour ago he thought of Motochika, and here he was, ready to face him. Was he ready for this? He wasn't sure. Sucking on his lips in uncertainty, he sighed in defeat. "Sure. I'm free right now." After a word of confirmation from the female on the other line, he hung up and leaned back on his chair. Luckily he had a high enough position in that office to have his own room. It wouldn't be as awkward as talking in an open room with a lot of people in it.
What should he say once Motochika stepped in? Would he casually say hi? Would he stay there until Motochika says something first? How would he carry on with the conversation? Would it be awkward?
So many thoughts scrambled on his head at once that he decided not to worry about it, and just go with the flow. The knocks on the door snapped him back to reality, and he hesitantly told the one who knocked the door to come in.
"Hey," Motochika greeted without a smile on his lips. Standing next to him was Mori with an annoyed look on his face; their hands linked to each other. Then, Motochika realised he hadn't planned anything to say. As soon as he looked at Ieyasu, everything seemed to disappear with a click of a finger. "Um, what was I about to say…"
"Clarification," Mori whispered. He had no intention to get mixed up in the confrontation, but he just wanted to get it done and over with.
"Right!" He raised his voice. "So, this brat over here, he's got nothing to do with your decision, right? I'm just… really curious. Y'know…?"
Ieyasu's expression stiffened and he swallowed hard. "No, of course not. It was my own choice. Besides, it wouldn't be such a good idea to let people influence you. I hope you haven't done anything reckless to him, if you did misunderstand my option."
"Eh, that…" He scratched his head.
"I knew it." Ieyasu sighed and turned to Mori. "Please forgive him, okay? He can be really harsh when his temper goes off. He hurts people unintentionally. But really, he doesn't mean it. Please pay him no attention." He smiled. "He's just stupid."
"Ieyasu!"
Mori looked aside, pretending not to listen to the brunette.
"I also want to apologise if I have hurt your feelings in any way. It was unlike me to speak up like that." Ieyasu continued, still looking at Mori although he refused to look at him. "If you remember that day…? I assume you do." He paused. "It's up to you whether to ignore me or anything. But I just want you to know I am so sorry. And so is Motochika."
"Sorry," The silver-haired male mumbled.
"Are you done?" Mori answered sharply. "This place is making me sick." Ieyasu was clearly taken aback by his frank response, but didn't say anything. Mori looked at his bodyguard, waiting for a verification to go home.
Motochika shook his head lightly, silently saying that he wasn't done yet. "Also… um, I was pretty flustered the other day. Y'know…"
Ieyasu smiled and then laughed. "That's fine! I know you. I was like you too, all flustered. I thought I was going to fail at conveying my real message, so I just had to do that. I wasn't thinking. So we're in the same situation, more or less." He chuckled.
"So, guess it's settled, then…?" Motochika scratched his head, avoiding eye contact considering how awkward he felt.
"I suppose so." The brunette kept his smile, approaching Motochika and went to hug him. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I don't want to lose you."
Both of them looked at each other. "Platonically," They said altogether, then laughed.
Motochika threw the car key to the well-polished wooden desk before he dumped himself onto the comfortable couch in the living room. Everything's done now. Although… when he looked at Mori, he doubted his earlier statement. How would he ever manage to soften him up again? Somehow he thought that he was the type to learn from his 'mistakes'.
He looked at his fingers and rubbed his index finger against his thumb, unsure of what to do next. Going into his master's room is out of the option. He had nothing better to say until he accepted his apology anyway.
"I'm hungry," A voice said from behind.
Motochika looked back to meet his master's cold gaze, and wow. His jaw almost stretched down to the floor. "Are you?" He grinned, trying to cover his surprise. "You want anything special? We can have some delivery; if you want me to cook… I'll get Haruhisa and Hirotsuna to help me. Or maybe you can come and cook with me."
"Anything," He scoffed and walked away, hair swishing as he did so. "Chinese takeaway would be good." He said softly before disappearing in the corner.
"Sure!" Motochika exclaimed, giving a thumb up although Mori couldn't see it. "Chinese… Chinese…" He jumped off the sofa and took the gigantic Yellow Page, smashing it onto the coffee table. "Hm…" He wondered which one he should choose… there are a few… maybe the closest one would be the best.
He grabbed the phone near the desk and pressed the button to dial the designated restaurant. It beeped a few times before someone picked his call. Motochika asked what the specials were before putting his order. He knew Mori doesn't eat a lot of meat, so he ordered vegetables with some beef on top of it. He thanked the man on the other line before hanging up. When the silver-haired male looked aside, Mori was standing right next to him with his wallet on his hands.
"Here," He said shortly, handing some notes which add up to give ¥4,000. "Good choice," He continued, not looking at his bodyguard in the eye. His face was red, and then he scuttled away.
Motochika grinned at his master's typical behaviour. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to recover their broken relationship, after all. He might seem to be pissed off, which was just natural considering he had been hurt mentally, but hey. Maybe his train of apologises made up for it that he didn't look to be that mad anymore.
After a good fifteen minutes spent waiting for the delivery to came, Mori and Motochika had dinner together in an utter silence. Motochika thought it would be a smart move to allow some moments before he proceeds to shoot his mouth like usual. Some quiet time certainly would be nice for his master's contemplation.
Mori didn't seem a bit bothered by it. He was thankful that his bodyguard said no word. He really needed the time to figure out what he had to do next. He had no intention to forgive him of his insolence. But his heart told him otherwise. He didn't do it intentionally. He just bottled up his emotions and decided to explode on him. He deserved it. He hadn't done anything nice to him, and all he ever done was take, take and take.
Mori's cutleries clattered on the glass plate when he finished eating, and he pushed the seat, standing up. His hazel eyes made a contact with Motochika's sapphire one before he turned his back and walked off, leaving him alone.
Still restricting himself from saying anything, Motochika watched his master's back going further and further away from him. How long should he wait to strike another conversation…? If he waits for too long, it might be too late to act then. He stuffed another spoonful into his mouth, being unusually quiet.
Damned brat, making me confused like this. He thought as he rubbed his forehead, sighing hugely. Motochika stood up, putting the dishes in the sink before he walked towards his room, passing his master's. He gently pushed the unlocked door to see him doing his work on the desk, didn't even realise that he was there. Smiling, he put the door back to its original state, and then he strolled into his room.
He spent the rest of the night leaning on the bedframe, watching some box office movie on his favourite TV channel. Gradually, he began to forget the problems inside his head. It came back. But he tried his best to forget about it by indulging himself to the movie. At 1 o'clock, he was fast asleep.
Mori looked at the side of his desk in the middle of his homework. The present that he wrapped yesterday was still there, and he had no idea how he would give it to that imbecilic pirate at this rate. His pride was on the line, now that he thought he was furious with him. If he actually came and give it… what would he say?
True that he wasn't as mad as before. He was convinced that it was unintentional. That pirate wouldn't go to such extent to show him that he wasn't thinking straight that day. The conversation between him and Ieyasu also helped his brain to understand what kind of misunderstanding had occurred. What was surprising was the fact that both of them actually made up after a huge argument. If they could forgive each other, why couldn't him?
No, no.
Mori shook his head. He couldn't afford to soften his heart. He was hurt, and he wasn't intending to be in a good relationship anymore with that stupid pirate. But… no matter how much that day he had told himself that, his heart just wouldn't comprehend the language he was speaking in. It was as if he accepted that it was just a huge mess of misunderstanding…
The brunette sighed and closed his book gently, no longer able to concentrate. His mind was full of jumbling disarray, and so many pieces of puzzle of himself that he couldn't begin to sort. If only that pirate hadn't come to his life, situation wouldn't be so hectic. At one point, it was true that he almost felt thankful for his lively presence. But now, he wanted him out of his brain, but he couldn't. That dumb smile would always haunt him.
Mori got up from the seat and stretched his body backwards, hands on the waist. He glanced at the clock to see it was already midnight, and a sleep was probably sensible. He got out of his room, walking slowly on top of the dark carpet. Stopping in front of his bodyguard's room, he had an immense urge to go inside, considering the light was already out. So, he, ever so gently, creaked the door open to hear light snoring noise. Mori almost tiptoed inside and flicked the side lamp on. He could see the other man's relaxed face with his mouth slightly open. His purple eyepatch was on the side, and… behind it was a scarred, closed eyelids.
Shiver ran down Mori's spine. He must've had some bad memories that he refused to talk about it. Out of curiosity, his hand hover over his bodyguard's face, and when it was about to make contact with his left eye…
Déjà vu
Motochika's hand snapped all of sudden, gripping Mori's so firmly, and both of his eyes snapped open. However, before Mori could comprehend anything, Motochika turned around and cover his scarred eye. "What are you doing here? You should be asleep." He said rather sternly. "I—I mean, um… sorry." He scratched his head. "You need anything?"
Mori shook his head in embarrassment, and he almost fainted on spot. His face was so hot. Busted. He thought. "N-no. I just thought I'd…"
"That's fine, that's fine." Motochika cut him off, didn't want to crush his pride any longer. "You should sleep. It's should be around one in the morning now. Tomorrow's Sunday, yes. That's still no reason why you should be up." He smiled, releasing his grip on Mori. "Go to bed now, brat."
"Brat?" He complained although he should be thankful that his bodyguard didn't make him to make any excuses. "Who are you calling 'brat'?"
Motochika chuckled. "Not a brat from down here, I s'pose. You look much taller." He grinned, looking up at his slender master from the bed he was lying on. "But your attitude! Sneaking into my room, being up at this time. Sleep, now!" He made a shoo-gesture with his hand.
Mori stared at his bodyguard for a period of time before he turned his back and closed the door behind him. Motochika smiled lightly after he was gone, then laughed quietly to himself. What was in his mind, sneaking in like that? Despite the fact that he hated random people seeing his exposed left eye, he was flattered because his master had the urge to sort of… know him more. Originally, only Ieyasu and Masamune knew the history about his eye, and he might tell his master, if he trusted him enough, and if he was that curious. Yes, both of his eyes still function properly. But recalling that moment when he got the scar was too overwhelmingly disturbing for him.
Instead of pondering any more, he pulled his blanket back up to cover his naked top and drove back to sleep.
What was I doing!
Mori threw himself onto his soft bed, almost lose any more of his cool and hide under the bed. Not to mention that he was blushing so hard, he was shaking too. His bodyguard slept topless, and he saw some of that broad chest…
NO!
Mori buried his head on the pillow in attempt of getting rid of the thought. "What's getting into me?" He mumbled inside the comfortable cotton pillow.
