The art of gold (COWT10, week 6, m2)
Mar. 20th, 2020 10:03 pmFandom: touken ranbu
Prompt: Kintsukuroi (m2)
Nickname ldf/lettera di partenza: sakurai
Parole: 1025
Warnings: //
So hot, it’s the thought that crosses Namazuo’s mind for a brief instant. As his eyes can only see the ceiling and the presence next to him becomes less and less noticeable, that is the stronger feeling he has. The sound of flames eating centimeter after centimeter of the room in the castle crawls under his skin, gets closer and closer; it’s frightening and, at the same time, it’s reassuring: if they can still feel the higher temperature, doesn’t it mean they are still alive somehow?
A small movement next to him makes him turn enough to look at his brother next to him: Honebami is paler than before, but the color of the flames seems to--
«Brother» he murmurs, his voice so low that Namazuo is not even sure he heard him right. His body feels so heavy that the simple thought of moving even an inch is unbearable, yet Namazuo does it, only to reach out to his brother’s fingers. They barely touch, but it looks like it’s more than enough for Honebami - he can totally get it. Knowing that they are together is the only way to not fear the death as much as he would normally do.
«Don’t worry, brother» he says while looking at Honebami; it’s hard to comfort someone when you are both about to cease your existence, but he has to. What kind of brother doesn’t do it? «I’m here.»
Honebami smiles lightly or, at least, Namazuo is sure that’s the shadow of a bright smile «I know.» he replies.
Flames burn, and burn, and burn all around them.
*
The master of the citadel is a very kind person. Since they have woken up, both Namazuo and Honebami have been greeted by him, put at ease with tfew, meaningful words: you can take your time, just focus on heal your wounds for now, they told them. At first Namazuo didn’t understand but once Honebami showed obvious signs of amnesia, he got it.
«Brother» Honebami calls and Namazuo looks at him, a curious expression because his brother never talks just to chit chat so there must be something important he wants to say; yet, unexpectedly Honebami seems focused on some random part of Namazuo’s body when he gets close to him «today master told me of an ancient technique.»
That Honebami spent time with the master alone is already something, since his brother has avoided it at first. Not that Namazuo isn’t more than happy to know they are getting along better than before - he adores their new master and truly hopes Honebami will be able to feel the same and let master spoil him a little bit.
Nonetheless, for them to have a conversation about something…
«Which one? Tell me, tell me!»
A small smile curves Honebami’s lips as he takes Namazuo’s hand and only then he notices that, in Honebami’s free hand, there’s a small package: «They taught me about kintsukuroi.» he explains «They told me it’s an ancient way to heal the wounds of some damaged objects. People also think that it helps with the wounds of the soul.»
Namazou freezes for a few seconds. It’s obvious Honebami thought the same as him right now; that their master gave him teachings about something so serious and personal and that they managed to do it without hurting Honebami more, it’s incredible. Namazuo would never be able to touch such a sensitive topic without offending the other part. Maybe there is a very tiny part of him who is unable to think about the past and not feel hurt by it, so of course imagine how to talk about others’ experiences in a way that wouldn’t make them feel awful about them is so hard.
Yet master did it so easily…
«Do you think we need to heal wounds of the body or wounds of the soul?»
The moment he realises the words that escaped his lips, he feels like he should apologise and change the topic - it’s not because he and his brother keep secrets from each other, but because they are probably do their very best to protect each other and talking about the Great Fire is not the right way to do it. It’s the same as having someone you know so well in front of you and not finding the right words anyway.
Frustrating and painful, feelings he doesn’t want between him and Honebami but...
«I think we need something that will made us think we can still do it and be useful despite… how these bodies are now.»
There is so much more than what Honebami is saying, Namazuo doesn’t have to ask to be sure. So he nods, because he knows and he understands. Honebami finally breathes out and lets go of his hand, only to open the package carefully; in the complete silence of their room, Namazuo observes his brother as he puts all the tools on the tatami and then takes care of all the preparations.
They don’t talk for the whole time, but they take care of each other wounds - the visible ones, scars as cracks in the porcelain, and the invisible ones, as deep as the human despair can be.
Is it to match those feelings that their master gave them human bodies?
In the end all the golden parts are faint if not under the right light, but here they are, small veining on their new skin. After applying that method to each other, Namazuo observes Honebami as he puts all the tools away, back in the package their master gave his brother. When he finishes, they stay still for a few seconds before sharing a look, quietly. More than checking if they did everything in the right way, it’s almost like they are making sure they still look like themselves.
They do. Bruised, partly broken, more human for sure but undeniably stronger.
«Brother» Honebami whispers, his eyes on the big garden they can see from the window in their room «do you think I will remember, one day?»
Namazuo holds his breath: can the art of gold really heal every wound?