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Kunikuzushi was obviously touch starved.
He’d been wandering with Kazuha for around eight months now. It was very enjoyable and relaxing, and Kazuha was pretty much the only person besides lesser lord kusanali (and the traveler on rare occasions) that Kunikuzushi had liked to be spend time with. Was it a crush? Maybe, It seems childish to call it that, though… maybe a feeling of affection.
Kazuha and Kunikuzushi would spend their nights stargazing on the sands of the Sumeru deserts, then peacefully fall asleep on their separate sleeping bags, their hands occasionally finding each other as they slept. It was comfortable for Kunikuzushi. Each night, he would listen to the sounds of Kazuha’s soft and gentle breathing, the soft thumps of his heartbeat… it was all a reassurance that Kazuha was alive. He was alive, he isn’t leaving anytime soon. But recently, Kunikuzushi longed for the feeling of Kazuha’s hands gently caressing his skin, or how it would feel to just cuddle together, drowning in each other’s embraces. He wouldn’t admit it, though. Not to himself, and especially not to Kazuha.
“Good night, Kuni.”
“I told you to stop calling me that, idiot.”
Another night. The sky was so beautiful today… all the stars were visible, and there were so many of them that the light shined ever so slightly on Kazuha’s beautiful face, highlighting all of his features. Oh archons, Kunikuzushi wanted to kiss him.
“Well,” Kazuha replied, “How come you can call me Kazu all the time? It’s not that I dislike the nickname, I find it quite endearing.”
Kunikuzushi sighed. He had to explain.
“The name means “harmony” or “peace.” I think that it suits you, you’re the most peaceful person I know. Kuni just means “country.” It’s boring.”
A chuckle escapes Kazuha’s mouth.
“Aww… you put that much thought into my name? That’s so sweet, Kuni… I appreciate it.”
Kazuha then suddenly put his hand on Kunikuzushi’s cheek, caressing it gently. The puppet immediately blushed slightly. It’s not as if they’ve never touched before… they’ve occasionally held hands when traveling, but… this felt different, warm and full of affection. Kunikuzushi couldn’t stop himself from leaning into Kazuha’s hand, practically melting in the affection. A slightly surprised expression grows on Kazuha’s face.
“Kuni, are you touch starved?”
Surprised, and slightly embarrassed, Kunikuzushi immediately responds.
“What? No, of course not. Devine beings like myself don’t get that way, mortal human.”
“Hm. May I try something then?” Kazuha responds in a gentle voice, so gentle that the puppet just wants to get lost in its comfort. He hesitates before he responds.
“…Okay. Just don’t be weird.”
“Mhm…”
Kazuha then slowly unzips the left side of Kunikuzushi’s sleeping bag and moves out of his sleeping bag into the puppet’s. He then hesitantly wraps his arms around Kunikuzushi’s, not breaking eye contact the entire time.
“Is this okay?”
Kunikuzushi blushes immediately. He’s panicking inside, his body tensing up, but quickly completely surrendering to Kazuha’s touch. Despite the urge to pull away and calm the red on his face and ears down, he moves his head down to Kazuha’s chest and rests his head on it, his eyes slightly closed.
“…I guess so. Don’t get used to it.”
A small hum comes out of Kazuha’s mouth, a soft smile on his gentle face.
“I’m glad you like it, my dear.”
Dear… his dear… oh, that feels good…
Kunikuzushi plants a soft kiss on Kazuha’s chest, burying his face into it.
“Goodnight, you idiot…”