Framed Cliché

II: Happiness

"Do you know what happiness is? Happiness is when I am with you."

Disclaimer

The characters in this story belong to Masami Kurumada, Toei, and Bandai.

I.

When he looked at Mu's hands, he always think of how slender his hands were— considering that he has the duty to repair all the broken armours, his hands seemed did not fit at all for those kinds of duties.

His fingers were long and thin, and combined with the pale skin of his, it gave the impression that his hands were fragile and delicate, even when Shaka compared them to his own hands, which were also relatively thin, Mu's hand looked so frail that sometimes he thought they might be broken if they were not treated carefully— but even so, Shaka knew that Mu's hands were capable more than what most people can do.

And even when they looked so delicate, he can see the scars and cicatrices all over his hands and arms. Every saint knew that in order to repair a broken armour, sometimes blood was needed— and Mu as the repairman was obligated to sacrifice his blood, and those sacrifices left him a lot of scars that were hard to disappear.

But for Shaka— those scars and cicatrices don't make Mu's hands less beautiful than they were, if not those scars only added the indescribable beauty to the slender hands of Mu. He thought that the scars were the perfect reminder of his noble sacrifices.

And as he said that Mu's hands were capable of more than what most people can do, because he knew the capabilities of his hands. Shaka can remember perfectly the reassurance and certainty that they gave him even in the darkest and bleakest place— when hope is almost nowhere to be found.

He can remember when he was in front of the Wailing Wall, he was almost in despair because he couldn't find a way to break the wall— he was clueless. And the thing that gave him the reassurance and hope was Mu's hands— not the words of the old master nor the fact that his comrade-in-arms were also there with him— but it was Mu's hands that gave him all the hope.

When he gave the rosary back to him, he touched his hands. He can remember perfectly, the warmth and reassurance that they gave him— telling him that they will be able to break the wall and save their Goddess.

Even now, every time he took his hand, and their fingers were intertwined with each other, he can always feel that warmth that Mu conveyed to him— and Shaka is more than grateful that he could hold those hands and feel Mu's warmth. He's happy that they always will be there for him.

II.

For Mu— a kiss is the most intimate act that people can do for their loved ones. Mu believes that in a kiss you can convey the deepest feeling that you have for someone.

He has this idea because his teacher used to tell him that way, and those words were last on his mind, more so when he used to see his teacher giving him a kiss on his cheeks or nose when his teacher felt too much affection for him— and not to mention that his teacher also gave a lot of kiss to his loved one.

And all the things that happened in his childhood—and they gave him a lot of beautiful memories. Now that he has his own loved one— he always gave Shaka a kiss on his cheeks or his nose whenever he felt that his feelings were too deep and complicated to convey with words.

Although sometimes Shaka was embarrassed by his actions, he never expressed his disapproval over it— instead he also kiss him back on the cheeks, forehead, or even on his lips. And when he does that— Mu felt so much happiness as his deep feelings were reciprocated.

III.

In the darkness of the night when they were asleep together, Shaka knew that sometimes Mu was crying in his sleep. He can hear him murmuring the words that he knew very well— even if Mu never said them directly to him.

Don't leave me alone— I am afraid, Master — Please, I missed you all too much—

Shaka knew that those times when Mu was forced to go to Jamir and lived alone were too hurtful for Mu. He loses many things that he had in life— his master, his friends, and even him— his childhood love.

And Shaka couldn't do much he can only embrace him and whisper the sweet words that the other needs, that he is with him, and he is not alone anymore. He must admit that he was also one of the reasons for Mu's pain back then because he also didn't believe in Mu, and it was something that he regrets the most in his life. Disbelieving his own loved one.

But right now, those times have passed and he is with Mu again, and he has made an oath to himself that he would never leave nor disbelieve in Mu anymore— he will always be at his side and be the reason for Mu's happiness.

IV.

In his life, Mu knew that he has been given so much happiness. But like any other's life— there are a lot of things that have happened, and they came one after another sometimes even they came unexpectedly— exactly like the weather. There are times when it is sunny and bright, and there are times when it's raining and gloomy— or there are times that are exactly like his favourite weather.

When the first snow falls. He loved it because it's not yet too cold to admire the mighty winter, but it is also the perfect weather to snuggle up with your beloved. For Mu— it is just perfect!

And he found that the winter is at its most beautiful time when the snow just fell down to the world. When the snowflakes fall like thousands and thousands of stardust, falling to embellish the barren winter— and for him, looking again at the first snowfalls is just one of the small happiness he felt in his life.

And now he even felt much happier every time he looked at the first snowfalls because now, he can always feel Shaka's arms around him, while the other lips seek to give a peck on his cheeks— giving him more happiness than what he already has.

V.

Happiness is simple— at least it is so for Shaka and Mu.

For them, happiness is not when they have a lot of wealth, nor when they are given a mighty power. For them, happiness is simply when they have someone that will always be with them — no matter what the circumstances are, in sorrows, hardships, and contentment.

For them, happiness is when they have someone who understands them perfectly, someone who they can always rely on— someone that will chase their fear away. Someone that will give them the necessary strength to go on.

For Shaka and Mu, happiness is when they are together, embracing and snuggling with each other, getting through every single day together hand-in-hand— facing everything that might come into their lives.

Author's Note:

This chapter is a vignette, and it was slightly inspired by my first fic, and I know that this is super cliché, hence the title of the fic, so I think everyone knew what they're getting when they read this hahaha.

I apologise for the grammar errors, spelling mistakes, and any other mistakes as I am not a native speaker of English.

Thank you for reading.