When Ikkaku was asleep, Yumichika made his way out into the quiet of the mountain, the only sound present was the flow of the river. The spirits were nowhere in sight ever since Ikkaku showed up. Yumichika walked the brief distance to where Hekma was; they needed to talk, now.
"Hekma— Hekma we need to talk." Yumichika called out.
"I'm here," Hekma reassured the fidgeting man before her. "What is it?"
Yumichika didn't know if he was being paranoid or not, but he told Hekma everything Ikkaku had told him and more. —"What if he's after the Qurban?" Yumichika asked, "What if I lead him right to it?" this time Yumichika whispered the question harshly in panic. The Qurban— the reason Yumichika was on this mountain, is the offering all gods desire, whoever takes control of the Qurban, takes control of any god of their choosing. Yumichika was its keeper, chosen to protect it and keep it hidden until the next keeper appears.
Hekma could see how troubled the man was, Yumichika wasn't usually like this— this was the last couple of days' stress and overwhelm.
"Did he ask you about the Qurban?" Hekma asked, "Does he even know of its existence?" Hekma's words were more of reassurances than questions, her tone ever so calm and serene.
Yumichika just stood quiet for a few seconds and then tilted his face up towards the sky, so the only thing he saw was the starry night sky, his hands on the back of his neck pressing on his spine, and then took a long inhale which he only exhaled when he looked back down to the ground— no, Ikkaku probably didn't. Most people thought the Qurban was a myth, so even if the man had heard of it he surely would've thought it was a myth.
"You were given this task for a reason Yumichika. You are here to preform a duty non other than you were chosen to preform, be it fate or cause." Hekma reminded the, now, calmer young man.
It was the closest anyone has ever came to the Qurban— the first in a hundred years and it had everyone alarmed, it was a natural reaction. And Yumichika chose to accept that over him simply being unreasonable.
The next morning, Ikkaku was able to sit up on his own but with much difficulty. Finding a bowl of rice, a couple of mildly cooked eggs, some blueberries along with a diced orange, and a pot of green tea over a teapot warmer. Ikkaku could all but stare at it; this was— nice. He wasn't used to such luxuries; usually on the road a loaf of bread would suffice. But he wasn't on the road now was he.
His host had a habit of not being there when he woke up it seems, which would be okay with Ikkaku if he wasn't feeling so bored and helpless. But he knew from experience; rushing healing injuries was not a very good idea.
When Yumichika came back home, he dragged his cart inside to place it in his workstation after he checked on his guest.
Ikkaku had his head leaning on the wall behind him, his eyes closed as if he were asleep. Yumichika took a glance at the man and decided to leave him be, until the man spoke, "What's in there?"
Ikkaku still had his eyes closed when Yumichika turned to his direction, indicating the man had only taken a glance when Yumichika turned to leave. "Work." Yumichika simply answered. Turns out, the man was in a state similar to meditation, although Yumichika wasn't sure.
Ikkaku opened his eyes this time, right when he was leaving again. Not much of a talker Ikkaku concluded, much like himself. It was going to be uncomfortable if this went on much longer.
Dinnertime came a little early today. Yumichika was eating quietly while Ikkaku was scanning his eyes over him. "You're a good cook." Ikkaku said, "How did ya learn to cook like that?" it was a good attempt in small talk Ikkaku thought, something not too serious or too lame like 'the weather'. Yumichika smiled a small smile at the compliment; he loved being complimented be it on his looks or skills— he loved it a tad bit more an average person would. "Too much time on my hands." Yumichika answered before adding, "You're the first person to ever have the pleasure."
Ikkaku raised an eyebrow at that, "So it's true. It's only you on this mountain and no one else huh." Yumichika gave a slight nod, proceeding to eat.
When it was time for bed again and Ikkaku's bandages have already been changed, Yumichika went to leave the cabin again, much like the night before and the night before that. "Oi! Yumichika," Ikkaku called and gestured for the man to come back inside. It was the first time the man had used his name and it had Yumichika's attention in an instant.
Yumichika frowned at the man; he didn't know how much longer he wanted to tolerate his rudeness. "What?" Yumichika wondered at this point if the man wanted a bedtime story.
"When was the last time ya slept?" Yumichika was taken aback by Ikkaku's question. "I aint trying to pry on what you got to do for a livin', but give your self a break." That's right; Yumichika hadn't slept in two or more days. Too worried, too wary and unsure. And Yumichika would've been touched by the man's concern had he not just implied he was a sex worker.
"You," Yumichika started slowly, narrowing his eyes at Ikkaku, "you think I'm a night worker?" Yumichika was offended now, not because he thought it was shameful but because he thought it was ugly; He could barely tolerate speaking with the slobs let alone have them touch him.
Ikkaku just rolled his eyes at this, "I never said that-" Ikkaku barely said before Yumichika interrupted him, "What were you implying then?" Ikkaku only sighed at that, "it doesn't matter," Ikkaku started calmly, and then noticed Yumichika was going to try to interrupt him again so he spoke a little louder before Yumichika had the chance, "it doesn't matter what I think."
Yumichika just went silent after this, frowning at the slouched back man. And when Ikkaku was met with nothing he continued. "I don't want ya getting sick or overworked on my account just get some sleep before ya pass-out dammit." Ikkaku absolutely hated feeling responsible over someone, he was his own person; never dragging anyone down with him or got dragged down by anyone.
"And if you're worried about me then don't. I can't even walk yet ya aint got nothing to worry about." Ikkaku gestured to his bandaged midsection, which had a firework of bruises underneath, deep and dark.
Yumichika was slowly realising how stupid he was acting. Between Ikkaku and Hekma, Yumichika knew he was being ridiculous now, he still had that pang of doubt but until then— he would listen to someone other than himself.
"Ikkaku where is my comb!" Yumichika yelled from the bathroom. Ikkaku had kept him up late the night before because he wasn't tired yet and wanted to play Oicho-Kabu a little while longer. Which resulted in him waking up late and yelling at the man sitting on the kitchen table peacefully eating some bread with olive oil and black vinegar.
"What are ya asking me for? I aint got no hair!" Ikkaku yelled back. His statement emitting tiny giggles from the spirits joining him on the kitchen table. "Shut up." Ikkaku chastised before taking another bite of his bread.
Yumichika stumbled into the kitchen and checked the time; it was 8 in the morning. He was two hours late now, great. Yumichika then left the kitchen, making a quick work of assembling his cart which he should've done the night before but didn't.
"You're always misplacing stuff, bald or not." Yumichika said as he reappeared in the kitchen, snatching a piece of bread and dipping it in black vinegar before heading to the door to leave.
Ikkaku all but rolled his eyes at being called bald. "Don't forget the booze, we're out." Ikkaku yelled after Yumichika before he left, not really sure if he heard him or not.
It took Yumichika 15 minutes to make it to the market where it usually took him 20 to 25 minutes. He never got the chance to finish his breakfast, which was a bit of an exaggeration given his breakfast was a piece of bread. Yumichika didn't have time to be making breakfast this morning and Ikkaku has been surviving on raw foods most of his afterlife existence that he never really learned to cook, or maybe he tried and failed, either way, the man was useless when it came to that matter— thus, the brown bread and black vinegar. Which had Yumichika flinching as soon as it hit his taste buds.
People were looking at him funny now; his hair was disarrayed and unkempt, he was disheveled in putting up his booth and flinching at a piece of bread. The stares were irritating, Yumichika wanted to yell at them. He wasn't irritated by the stared per se, but because now some of them probably noticed a change in his private life.
Ikkaku had been staying with him for three weeks now and is getting better by the day. He could move on his own now, grab food on his own, have a short walk outside and go to the bathroom without any help. Not that the man had allowed Yumichika to help him with such a humiliating matter— in fact, he would rather die than be humiliated. Yumichika knew that now, and knowing that about the man amplified Yumichika's respect for him in some way. The spirits warmed up to Ikkaku as well, it took a while, but they did. And that had Yumichika relieved.
Yumichika was just finished with his afternoon job, now standing in the same liquor store he's been to since Ikkaku was his guest. Yumichika hated alcohol; not only was it bad for the skin but it resulted in utterly ugly and disgusting behaviours and outcomes. But Ikkaku was stubborn man, a stubborn man with a great love for alcohol, which in itself was an addicting thing.
Yumichika's train of thought ended as he reached the liquor store. He got a good amount of bottles so it would be enough for a few days. The vendor had an amused look on his face as he watched Yumichika approach with the alcoholic beverages, "Ayasegawa~" the man tilted his head to Yumichika as if they were old friends, when in fact they weren't.
"Good afternoon Yazaki." Yumichika greeted in his polite, subdued manner. Yazaki all but snickered at the "classic Ayasegawa" response, "Didn't take you for a drinker." The man said while bagging the bottles.
Yumichika only uttered a simple 'hmn' at the comment, choosing not to elaborate when he wasn't directly asked. Yazaki eyed Yumichika after handing him the bags, "How about you come drinking with me and the others tonight? Everyone's a lot more fun when they've had a few drinks in them; you won't even notice your uh.. what was it? social anxieties." The man said snapping his fingers.
Yumichika didn't know nor did he care what his intentions were. True, the man seemed genuine and curious, but Yumichika knew better than to trust appearances. So he politely refused, he even threw in an apologetic smile for extra measure.
"Go Pabu go!" Yumichika could hear the cheering and giggling a few feet away from the cabin, forcing him to smile at the well-known cheerful noises.
He entered the cabin to find Ikkaku and Pabu arm-wrestling on the kotatsu. Pabu was standing on the kotatsu while Ikkaku had his elbow perched on its wooden surface, and from the looks of it, faking defeat to the little spirit.
"What's going on?" Yumichika asked with that stupid smile plastered on his face. This was new, Yumichika hadn't realized how long has it been since he genuinely smiled until then.
"Whom ever wins gets to pick what we're having for dinner!" his questions was answered briefly and then followed by more cheers. "It's either Oyakodon or Dangos!" another spirit exclaimed. Everyone was cheering for Pabu who had a very serious look on his fury face, sporting a frown to indicate his concentration and dedication to winning. "ya lil monsters want me to have dessert for dinner I aint having that!" Ikkaku shouted despite purposefully losing.
The scene playing before the violet-haired man had his insides feeling warm— and it was uncomfortable how warm and fuzzy it was— unfamiliar.
The sky was swayed with hazy colors, sheer curtains of pale yellow and pink covered the sky and wrapped around the barely glowing sun, pulling it down to sleep. Yumichika viewed the scene from the kitchen window as he kneaded the mochi, the sound of grass as it danced with the wind putting him in a slight haze. Yumichika's eyes then shifted to the spirits that appeared to be relaxing outside; they didn't like staying inside for too long.
It was only Ikkaku and himself inside the cabin now, with him in the kitchen and Ikkaku in the bathroom showering; he'd only recently been able to stand down a shower stream rather than wash himself with wet cloths that left him feeling not quite clean.
Yumichika's mind wandered back to when he came back home this afternoon— how he was feeling. It was strangely domestic when it wasn't supposed to be; Ikkaku's only been here for three weeks, and in those three weeks Ikkaku has grown to be one of the things Yumichika looked forward to coming home to. It was irrational and maybe too gullible on his side, but Yumichika didn't feel so alone anymore.
Sure he had the spirits and Hekma, but there was always that distinct difference— He knew exactly what to expect of them, he could guess what they were going to say next and he could predict their actions rather easily. Like a book he's read a hundred times before. Yumichika even seriously wondered if he were crazy and everything was a weave of his imagination.
It wasn't the case with Ikkaku if today was proof of anything. The man didn't seem the type to let others have their way. But then again, Yumichika only knew the guy for three weeks. He still gives Ikkaku credit though; by far Ikkaku was the only human that Yumichika could withstand for more than a few hours. Yumichika was also surprised when he found out he could tolerate the man.
Yumichika's haze was broken when he felt a creeping presence coming from behind him, and the smell of his favorite soap. Ikkaku was peering over Yumichika's shoulder, dressed in his sodenashi and a towel around his neck indicating him just getting out of the shower.
"Mochi's too flabby you're over kneading it." There was a slight annoyance in the bald man's voice that made Yumichika amused; being denied proper dinner was nothing Ikkaku could simply accept it seems. "As if you know what dough looks like." Yumichika answered, and then added, "and what did I tell you about using my soap? You have your own." At this point Yumichika stopped kneading and added more rice flour to firm up the mochi.
"I like yours better, it feels good on my aching muscles." Ikkaku then did a quick dramatic flex with his bicep for effect. Yumichika rolled his eyes and did a short shake with his head at Ikkaku's attempts to make Yumichika feel guilty. Yumichika could only curse himself for bragging about how his soap was infused with various skin benefitting and relaxing oils.
"It's expensive," Yumichika mumbled. "Beauty is expensive." And then started the endless stream of what Ikkaku gathered to be Yumichika's passion— beauty. Ikkaku had noticed the younger man opening up about since the past few days.
"I don't get it." The larger man said, turning away to sit at the table. If Yumichika was going to go on about beauty and vanity then it was probably a good idea to take a seat. "You can be pretty all ya want, I don't see how it can be useful." He has seen people obsessing over beauty in at least every one of his travels. Heck, for all he knew, all it was good for was trouble.
Yumichika raised an eyebrow at Ikkaku's direction. He knew some people didn't appreciate beauty but in Ikkaku's case— it seemed completely non-existent. "Your looks determine people's first impression of you. Beautiful people always have it a hundred times easier than people who aren't. How do you think I got this far on my own? Humph." It was such a basic principal he felt silly explaining it.
There was a moment of silence then— like something left unsaid. Yumichika then placed the dough bowl in the oven and sighed while tucking the escaping strand of hair behind his ear. Five more minutes till dinner— or dessert is served.
"well I wouldn't know. but I think you're tough." Ikkaku stated. Causing the smaller man to stare at him wide eyed, "tough?" Yumichika asked, getting a single nod from Ikkaku who was now grinning ear to ear. Yumichika's face softened, as he chuckled, "well don't look like you want to spar with me now. I can easily overpower you in the state you're in."
Ikkaku scoffed at that, grin still in place, "I'll humor ya pretty boy."
It was nearing midnight when Ikkaku decided he'd retire to bed. He usually went out after dinner to practice; even though Yumichika looked at him like he was crazy and told him that it would only delay his recovery. He was only recovering from an injury, not crippled.
Ikkaku entered the cabin, expecting Yumichika to be in his workstation like he usually is at this time of the evening. Instead Ikkaku was greeted with the sight of the smaller man in the kitchenette and what he would describe as the most wonderful smell of cooking he had ever had the pleasure of smelling.
Ikkaku was about to call Yumichika a cheater; eating warm, well-made meals while he had to go to bed on an empty stomach save for the sake. But his protests were cut short when the raven placed his index finger on his lips; shushing the other man before saying is a hushed voice, "sit down."
"Haaa~" Ikkaku sighed loudly as he finished the bowl of Oyakodon Yumichika made for them. Ikkaku was so pleased when he found out had secretly made a proper dinner.
"screw tailoring, ya should be selling this stuff as a street vendor. Ya'll get your taxes paid in no time."
Ikkaku was now lying on his back, staring at the ceiling while the other man was leaning back with his arms supporting his weight. "and smell like grease? I don't think so." Yumichika said.
Ikkaku shrugged, eyes focused on the ceiling as if he was trying to decipher a puzzle. In turn the smaller man was staring at Ikkaku, wondering if he had something to say.
The silence stretched long enough that the raven thought the bald man had fallen asleep with his eyes open until he finally decided to speak, "ya have a good life here." Ikkaku remarked.
It was true— better than most Yumichika would say. It was so good to the point where he was just so bored all the time; it was no better than sleep.
"yeah." Yumichika answered despite his thoughts.
"I woulda died of boredom though. I already am." Yumichika was a little taken aback by this. And he couldn't help but feel kind of.. offended?
So he just picked up their plates and got up, placing them in the sink.
Yumichika was lying on his futon, wrapping his blankets tightly around himself unable to sleep. Ikkaku was only feet away on his own futon, snoring in his sleep.
The violet-haired man didn't know what he was thinking; making Ikkaku dinner so he wouldn't go to sleep unsatisfied. And then getting nothing but ingratitude. What was he trying to do? Why was he even bothered by the bald man wanting to leave? He wanted Ikkaku to leave too… didn't he?
So why was he unconsciously trying to get Ikkaku stay?
Yumichika dismissed his thoughts; they were only giving him a headache.