Chapter Text
The sounds of the wind and sakura petals flying, soft footsteps on a patch slowly getting covered with roots and grass ring across the old hill. Birds with feathers of all colors known to man chirped songs in the forest nearby, and the subtle sound of running water in the river added more depth to this peaceful spring day.
Upon the top of the hill rested an old cottage covered in vines, with flowers budding here and there. All the flowers are different, but are somehow budding from the same vine. Gerberas, Lilies, Anemones, Dandelions, Violets, Jasmines—the list just kept going on and on. Most curious of them all however, is the Sakura tree that resided beside the cottage, clearly out of place. Yet somehow they all fit together like puzzle pieces.
The thud, thud, thud, of leather boots got louder the closer they climbed to the top and ended as they stood on a mat with a weird devil caricature sewn on which was definitely not there before. The green-haired man raised a brow, but ignored it in favor of delivering a curt knock on the cottage door. A bit of dust flew and a sneeze threatened to break the silence, but he repressed it. With a now itchy nose, the man sighed as he waited for an answer from the suspiciously silent house.
After waiting an eternity, there was still no answer. Part of him wondered if the one who lived there was out shopping in town, and another part of him worried if something might've happened. But that's highly unlikely, this place was ways away from society, and known to a select few. Well, there was also the other possibility which was-
"Boo!"
The man turned around to see a blond hanging upside down in the air. He looked absolutely ridiculous with his hair up—technically down in this case. The blond huffed and pouted after he realized he failed in his attempt to startle the other. He slowly rotated back upright, clutching his head as the blood rushed back down.
Suppressing a chuckle, the man said, "What a warm welcome."
The blond clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. "What gave it away?"
"Your cloak didn't match the sound the wind was making."
The other shook his head as he moved to open the door to their home. Once both got inside, the familiar smell of spices made its presence known.
The blond beckoned his husband to the dining room for lunch, and as they both sat down he said, "Welcome home, Chikage."
With a warm smile, he replied, "I'm home, Itaru."