Of Rain and Fresh Air

[owned_by_a_cat]

I love it when characters come and introduce themselves, even when I'm almost cross-eyed with tiredness. And since yesterday's weather was of the most foul, it's easy to understand why I was fixating on rain.

Title: Of Rain and Fresh Air
Rating: R
Fandom: Brave 10
Pairing: Saizo / Kamanosuke
Warnings: Not canon. Just my head.  A bit of suggestion.  Oh yes, Yuri's a boy - in case there was still confusion about that point.

Saizō hated rain. The sound reminded him of nights without shelter and travels without companions.  Of wet boots and sodden blankets.  Of pain and loss and misery and despair.  Every time it rained, he drew into himself a little more.  He guarded his heart, set snares for his thoughts and schooled his face into a mask.

"Don't pull that face, Saizō.  The wind might change," a sleep-slurred, plaintive voice disturbed the dark thoughts.  "And don't hog the blankets.  I'm cold."

Emerald eyes peeked up at Saizō from a tangle of vermillion hair.  They looked surprisingly wide-awake when Saizō had thought himself alone with the rain and the darkness. Had the redhead watched him all this time? 

Kamanosuke slid closer and wound himself around Saizō, seeking warmth and offering comfort in one. "You're thinking so much, you're making my head hurt," he murmured as he buried his face in Saizō's shoulder.  His fingers started tracing random patterns over Saizō's skin.  "Want to go fight in the rain? Distract yourself?"

The image of a wet redhead suddenly played havoc with Saizō's mood.  The black tunic clinging to taut abs, red hair plastered to his temples, the braid slowly coming undone and dripping.  And green eyes full of heat and challenge.  Saizō pictured Kamanosuke pulling on the unravelling plait, hand sliding down slowly... and a shiver raced through him.

"Only you would think of getting wet and bloody in the middle of the night," Saizō chuckled, slid deeper into the blankets and hugged the redhead close; grateful beyond measure for the boon he'd been granted.  Kamanosuke truly was a breath of fresh air.  Unafraid of blowing cobwebs from dark corners.  And strong enough to drive away dark clouds and rain.