Thanks once again to the reviewers: Scarred Sword Heart, Mizuki1988, Jasmine blossom625, SRAS9, donhisiewen, Althea M, Syolen, caseyedith, SeaSaltChocolate, and Emi Violet.
A note on language: the san-san-kudo is the Japanese tradition of drinking three times from three sake cups, and is part of the marriage ceremony.
I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Subaudition
-noun
An act or instance of understanding or mentally supplying something not expressed.
-An excerpt from the diary of Yukishiro Tomoe.
He is very quiet. Except for asking me to stay at the bridge, he has not spoken a word. The san-san-kudo at the shrine was done in complete silence, just a few words from the priest to bless our marriage.
Some would think it cold, the way he does not speak; but the language of eyes and hands tells another story.
He is always careful to help me over rough places in the path, eschewing the traditional practice of walking steps ahead of his wife—he is always nearby if I should stumble, a gentle palm on my elbow, fingertips on my forearm. His eyes are warm every time he looks at me.
As we sat under a magnolia tree to eat our simple lunch he gives me a shy smile, surprising and heartwarming as the first touch of dawn along the horizon of endless night.