AD 2206, 6/21, 6th Hierarchical City of Yabiko – NOL Branch

Amane sighs in relief as they finish packing for the trip back to Kagutsuchi. Thanks to Kagura's surprising generosity, his boys will be well-fed and happy to do another show in Ronin-Gai.

As he tightens the lock on his compartment, Amane tilts his head back to see someone approaching. Amane smiles wide at the sight of him.

Bang flushes slightly, probably still thinking about the last time they'd seen each other. He clears his throat. "Ahem. Hello, Amane. Leaving so soon?"

Amane hums, "We've gotten quite a few letters from Ronin-Gai, asking for us to do another show. I don't suppose you'll be tagging along?"

Bang sighs, "Master Carl is only just recovering from his ordeal, but…" He trails off, looking pensively at the ground.

Amane's smile softens as he walks over, patting Bang's shoulder. "Lemme guess, he's gone distant on you?"

Bang nods. "Yes. He and Kagura are closer than ever, but I feel a distance between us now."

Amane nods. "Well, he's probably just settling into his new normal. It's a big change."

Bang hums, "You may be right. Still, I wish I knew how to better reach him."

Amane shrugs. "He'll reach out to you, remember?"

Bang pauses, then laughs, "Ha-ha! True enough, my friend."

Amane feels a slight pang at the address. He shrugs it off as best he can, but it must show.

Bang stares at him silently, oddly unreadable for a moment. Then, he sighs, "Amane… How do you do it?"

Amane blinks. "What do you mean?"

Bang gestures to the wagons. "All these boys, how do you know what to do? How can you reach them all so well?"

Amane thinks for a moment, then shrugs. "I guess it's just a gut feeling, you could say. I've always had a good eye for organization, so it just came naturally with being troupe leader." He raises a brow. "How do you always know what to say to get the kids in Ronin-Gai to trust you?"

Bang appears to think for a moment, then nods. "I suppose you could say that mine too is an instinct. After the fall of Ikaruga, someone had to take charge. I thought it natural that the duty fall to me, and it all just…" He loosely waves his hand. "…came together."

Amane nods. "Then I guess we're both just natural fathers, eh?"

Bang nods sagely. "I see. Then…" He stares into Amane's eyes. "What if you weren't…?"

Amane hesitates, then sighs, "Azuki could probably watch them, for a while, at least. But after that, I don't know." He shrugs. "It's not something I like thinking about." He peers into Bang. "What about the kids in Ronin-Gai? What would they do without you?"

Bang stills, then taps his chin. "Hmm… I suppose that my subordinates would take care of things until a new leader came. I too, do not think often of such things." He looks at Amane fondly. "Thank you, Amane. I… I feel as if I understand the situation better now."

Amane smiles fondly. "Well, that's a relief. Anyways, I should—!"

Bang grasps Amane's shoulder and rubs the back of his neck. "My subordinates still have business here, but I can't deny that a trip with you would be… welcome." He glances up nervously. "Do you… have room for one more in your wagon?"

Amane blinks, then smirks. He chuffs, "Of course, Bang. I can't leave you stranded here, after all. What kind of gentleman would I be?"

Sleeping next to Amane feels so natural now, like coming home after a long day. Amane has taken the long way back to Kagutsuchi, extending their trip by several days to, as he put it, build anticipation amongst the people of Ronin-Gai.

Regardless of the time spent on the road, Bang can't deny feeling a warmth at being so close to the other man. It's… worrying. The last times he'd felt something like this, he'd nearly broken the relationship he had with Miss Litchi, and he can't bear the thought of losing this friendship over something as fickle as a crush.

As Bang mulls this over, Amane's tired voice breaks the silence. "Augh. You're as stiff as a board, Bang." The dancer slings an arm over Bang's waste casually.

Bang's heart hammers, his face growing hot at such a blatant display of intimacy. He cranes his neck to look back at Amane nervously. "Amane, what're you…?"

Amane stares evenly up at Bang. "Bang. I think we both know what it is I'm doing. The question is…" He leans in close. "What do you want to do?"

Bang pauses, considering. Could he really risk what they have, for something so risky? He sighs, "Amane, what you're asking is…"

Amane sighs, "Is it because I'm a man?"

Bang shakes his head. "No. I've long made peace with that part of myself. It's just… I am not a subtle man. I can be… overbearing."

Amane laughs, "And I'm not?" He grins. "Bang, we're both disasters, I just know how to make it look good." He leans in ever closer. "I'm not going to rush you, but I need an a— Mph!"

Bang, running on instinct alone, closes the distance between them, twisting his body to crush Amane into a kiss.

Amane, for his part, adjusts quickly, and twines his limbs around Bang, pulling him deeper.

They spend several blissful minutes caught up in each other before breaking for air.

Amane smiles brighter than he has in years. Teasingly, he snickers, "So, is that a yes?"

Bang huffs, "I see that I was not clear enough." He brushes aside some stray purple locks. "Would you permit me a chance to try again?"

Amane grins wickedly. "My dear, I thought you'd never ask."

Neither slept that night, but both knew peace.