Prompt: Odanna thinks about Aoi. Aoi thinks about the master.

Rated: K+

NOTE: I sometimes post "spoilers" on any of my accounts (mainly either WeHeartIt or Instagram) about upcoming chapters (like the one about "Thinking of Him/Her" if you've seen it :)

Thinking of Him/Her

She was bowing down to the guests she escorted outside Moonflower, thanking them sincerely for their patronage and wishing them a good night as they walked back to Tenjin'ya.

He noticed the strands of hair falling from her bun, framing her face and partly falling into her eyes as she brushed them away absently, rubbing the sweat from her forehead.

It had been a tiring and particularly busy day at Moonflower, at one point, Aoi's guests even had to dine at the chief chef's dining hall and outside, where Ginji and Akatsuki had prepared sets of stools and desks in a rush.

She had been thinking of extending the eating accommodations to outside as well, setting up garden chairs and long tables to fit several people on it, since most who came to the eatery were increasingly families or larger groups of friends. It was also the perfect season for it, the upcoming harvest festival was drawing nigh, another reason why so many people practically flooded both the inn and the eatery.

The lines around her eyes were drawn tight in concentration and strain, her kimono was slightly disheveled from labor, the small cloth tucked into the waistband of the kimono looked well used and suffered bits and specks of food.

Despite her exhausted state, she still looked as radiant as ever, the determination in her eyes not faltering once as she turned and headed back inside.

Odanna smiled, staring at Moonflower's front entrance for a bit longer before his gaze turned toward the sky.

He too was tired from today, he had nearly caused Akatsuki a heart attack when he disguised himself as one of their many kitchen staff and tried sneaking into Moonflower to help Aoi.

Needless to say his attempts had been stopped six times.

Four times by Akatsuki, twice by Oryo, who had nearly sunk into Tenjin'ya's very floorboards upon discovering the kitchen staff she had called over for a cup of tea had been her very own master dressed in a black kimono and a white cloth covering his head to keep his hair back.

The ogre god sighed, his gaze returning once again to Moonflower.

We'd worked well together in the southern lands… We actually made a good team.

A grin made its way onto the master's face, stretching it from the warm, buzzing feeling in his chest.

I was so happy when she asked me to help her, I've waited so long until I finally could.

I'll try it tomorrow again, Aoi won't turn me down that's for sure.

That is, if he wouldn't get too distracted by her during cooking. He'd managed well when they'd prepared the meals for Hatori and Matsuba, but time had been of essence and while he had no doubt that it would get hectic in Moonflower, he'd get too much time teasing her and looking at her from the corner of his eye.

He could already imagine it, him entering Moonflower, announcing his wish to help out in the kitchen, Aoi either teasingly remarking how he had too much time or beaming at his offer to help.

Odanna chuckled at the thought, maybe she would comply much faster if he made an offering beforehand, an ingredient she desperately needed, a recipe idea, that would pull her to his side.

He caught his heartbeat quickening at the thought of making her happy and wishing to be in her presence and the ayakashi had to shake his head and smile at Moonflower's dim lights, indicating the eatery was finally for today.

His gaze softened.

After cleaning up Moonflower from today's hectic schedule, Aoi sluggishly made her way towards her room, her feet dragging behind her like lead as she tried keeping her eyes open until she changed and made her bed.

She never would have anticipated today to be one of the busiest days to come, the harvest festival being so close was one of the reasons why so many people came flooding Moonflower.

She had also heard the inn was more than filled today, more patrons coming than leaving. It was good for business of course, but she felt pity toward all the staff working so much.

She had even inconvenienced the chief chef for having her own customers eat at his dining hall, something she swore wouldn't happen again. She should make him a bento as thanks.

She should also set tables and chairs outside, the weather was pleasant, perfect for people to sit outside, enjoy the beautiful scenery while they ate, a wondrous combination to enjoy together.

Despite her fatigue, Aoi smiled. Today had been a good day.

When she opened the door to her room, she hadn't expected Chibi to still be awake, as it was late.

She also hadn't expected her bed already made, a small plate covered with cloth beside her pillow and her fresh, neatly folded night kimono.

Aoi rose an eyebrow, catching sight of Chibi soundly sleeping in his small bed as she slowly kneeled down on the floor.

She carefully grabbed the plate and uncovered the item, setting the beautiful cloth adorned with a rich dark blue color and red camellia's aside.

It was a small but tasty looking cinnamon roll, the sweet smell immediately washing over her and granting her a sense of peace and Aoi felt a bit of her energy coming back.

She grinned happily, "Ohh! I can't believe this! I hadn't had one of these in ages!" she mentally cheered in her head, being mindful of not waking up Chibi.

Aoi noticed a small slip of paper peeking forth from the cloth and she grabbed the edge of it to pull it out.

Setting down the treat, she read the short text written on it.

Rest well, you deserve it.

A treat is supposed to be enjoyed sweetly, I hope you like it.

Despite the card not being signed, she knew who wrote this without having to guess.

Touching her slightly warm cheek, Aoi felt her whole body suddenly rushing with nervous energy, the feelings of fatigue and tiredness completely vanishing.

"I can't believe it…the master... he…he made this for me?" picking up the cinnamon roll, Aoi took a bite, immediately humming happily at how delicious it tasted, "And so delicious too!"

She knew he was very considerate and thoughtful, he could be so caring, but she hadn't expected this at all.

Aoi had to suppress the squeals wanting to leave her mouth from how mouthwateringly good it tasted, she had no idea how he did it, or if he used some type of magic to enhance its flavor, all she knew was she had to ask him for the recipe.

Quickly crawling over to the messaging board, Aoi quickly scribbled down on it.

Preparing his own futon, Odanna paused when the messaging device to his right suddenly blinked and beeped.

You have a new message!

You have a new message!

Raising an eyebrow curiously, mentally going through anyone he knew who possessed it, the master walked over and grabbed it, reading the words that appeared.

His eyes widened.

You have to tell me what recipe you used for the cinnamon roll! It was delicious!

Thank you very much for the treat master! Good night!

He felt heat rising to his cheeks and he smiled stupidly, he was sure he was grinning too widely but he didn't care.

He immediately produced a brush from the inside of his haori, writing quickly.

I would gladly show you tomorrow if you're up for it. I'm glad you enjoyed it, get a good night's sleep Aoi, you deserved it after the long day.

He hesitated for a split second, before finally writing the rest.

Good night, my wonderful wife.

Nervously setting down the board, Odanna sat in front of it and waited, staring at it's dark surface after his message vanished.

It wouldn't take too long to answer.

How much time had already passed?

Had it been ten minutes already? Or was it perhaps five?

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it beeped.

Odanna dived for it quickly.

Good night.

He sighed, a small smile on his lips.

His eyes widened in surprise at the new script that appeared underneath.

My talented husband.

Odanna knew, with how unnaturally warm his cheeks felt and how dizzy his head suddenly got, he wouldn't fall asleep any time soon today.

Aoi smiled, feeling refreshed and energized after the good rest she had at night.

A small blush colored her cheeks ever since she woke up and it persistently stayed no matter how hard she willed it to go away.

"Good morning, Aoi!" she turned her head at Ginji's greeting and smiled.

"Good morning, Ginji!"

The kitsune observed her, smiling happily, "I see you're ready to start the day! You look really happy, did something happen?" he tilted his head to the side in question.

Her heart hammered in her chest like a wildly fluttering bird and Aoi swallowed, nearly cutting her fingers off with the knife she used to chop the carrots, "O-oh, really? I, um," she smiled, looking back down at the carrots and continuing to cut, "I guess you could say that," she smiled, her hair partly hiding her blazing face and Ginji rose an eyebrow.

The master had been oddly giddy today too.

At Ginji's question if he had a good night's sleep, the usually composed ayakashi acted… strangely.

He had laughed, his pale face seemed a bit pink and a smile stretched his lips, "You could say that," he had left Ginji soon after and the kitsune swore there was a spring in his step when he left.

Ginji had seen his fair share of patrons entering and leaving the inn and he knew what signs to look for when a couple is happily married or in love.

Giddy behavior.

Blushing.

Subtle avoidance of answering questions directly.

A glow.

And boy was Aoi glowing, fluttering through the kitchen, humming to herself.

"Could it be…the master and…Aoi?" Ginji shook his head, "No, they would have said that much…right?" still keeping an eye out on his friend, Ginji set to work.

"Right?"

Odanna yawned, today's events having finally caught up to him and alerting his body and mind that it was time to rest.

Another extraordinary busy day for Tenjin'ya as well as for Moonflower, but for some reason, he hadn't felt exhaustion hit him until shortly before he retired for the night.

He sighed long and hard, a small smile on his face. He had a feeling he'd looked like this permanently today, which would've explained the few odd looks he'd received from Ginji and Akatsuki.

He settled a hand over his chest, feeling his wildly beating heart.

"Hm…I wonder if she's awake…" he was tired, but he had enough strength to still write on the messaging board.

Would Aoi still be awake?

Upon entering his room, which was suspiciously dimly lit, his eyes zeroed in on the floor.

Right there, were two trays of food set out, in the middle a small burning oil lamp.

One tray was filled with small bowls of what he guessed was a type of broth, the smell of it alone made his mouth water.

The other was filled with small, delicate treats.

The biggest of them all was a cinnamon roll, expertly rolled, the fine sweet cream on top made it look exquisite.

A small kettle of what he guessed to be green tea was also there.

Upon the small empty cup, was a note.

Odanna wasted no time in quickly opening it.

His throat ran dry when he read it.

I hope you like it, treats are supposed to be enjoyed sweetly, after all.

I heard one of the wife's duties to their husband was to pamper them every once and a while for doing something good.

I hope you feel pampered, master.

Odanna felt like he could die at this instant and die a happy ayakashi.

Aoi's messaging board started beeping suddenly.

You have a new message!

You have a new message!

With flaming cheeks, Aoi rushed toward it, shyly glancing at the neat script on it.

Thank you for the delicious treats, Aoi. Consider this husband to be the most pampered ayakashi in the Hidden Realms. Sweet dreams.

Aoi pressed her hands to her face, her heart quickening again as she felt sweat gathering at her hands.

With a shaky, sweaty hand, Aoi wrote her reply.

His eyes automatically zeroed in on the script that appeared on the board he had been staring at for the last five minutes.

A warm feeling spread in his chest.

Sweet dreams, master.

He smiled.

Thanks for reading! I hope it wasn't too clichee! :3