I'm sorry for the long hiatus on these. I was overwhelmed by exam stress and the like. I'll finish this series for real this time.
Eskimo Kiss
In an Eskimo kiss, two people rub their noses back and forth against each other. It's based on real kisses that people in Eskimo cultures give their friends. Just like with lip kisses, Eskimo kisses are best executed with your eyes closed.
It's a calm night in Nihon when Kurogane finally thinks about his parents' deaths on his journey with the princess. Such thoughts he tends to avoid; he sees no use in dwelling on the past. Those that are dead are simply dead. They're gone. There's no point in focusing on things you can't change. He has lived his whole life this way and doesn't intend to change anytime soon. But at times, the memories trickle in through cracks in the wall. He lets them come, as he recognizes there is no point in fighting.
He sits silently, a small cup of sake in his left hand while his right rests on the coarse tiles of the roof of Tomoyo's home. The slight breeze blows his hair and feels warm on the nape of his neck. He's dressed in thin clothes, but the temperature is still a bit uncomfortable. His head is turned toward the sky and face illuminated by the light of the moon, and his eyes are closed.
"What are you doing, Kuro-tan?" Fai asks quietly, appearing behind him. The mage takes a seat next to Kurogane. Even someone like Fai can recognize when to keep silent, and they sit in companionable silence for many minutes. Kurogane sets the bottle of sake between them, and Fai drinks steadily. "Are you alright?" he ventures to ask at last, alcohol encouraging him.
Kurogane opens his eyes and looks at Fai, and the light of the moon makes his red eyes too bright. "I'm fine," he responds gruffly, turning to gaze at the sky again.
Fai moves the bottle, scoots a bit closer, and sets his hand gently on Kurogane's shoulder. "What are you thinking about?" he prods.
"My parents." He doesn't say any more.
Fai makes a small sound of concern and turns Kurogane to face him, and the ninja obliges with a raised brow. Fai places his forehead against the other man's, and both close their eyes. "I thought you didn't think of the past," Fai breathes.
"I don't," Kurogane scoffs. "Not really, in any case. But they were my family," he adds softly.
"I know. But you aren't alone, you know. You have Princess Tomoyo, and Syaoran, and Princess Sakura, and Mokona, and more."
Kurogane laughs in spite of himself. "I should be telling you that, stupid mage. You're the one that always mopes about being lonely," he taunts. Fai grins and rubs his nose against Kurogane's, and the other man does the same for a few seconds before finally pushing him off with a smirk. "Cut it out. Come on. Let's go inside before you get drunk and fall off the roof." He takes Fai's hand in his to guide him down. This is my family now.