[ the world… this world and the one he’s longing to reach– everything he’s ever known seems to narrow down to this moment. in the gesture of hideyoshi kneeling to meet him in this quiet, modest home– impossibly strong, noble hideyoshi, breaking down the barriers for affection that they had so diligently upheld– the great conqueror king hideyoshi, breaking down status as though there was really, truly no other thing that mattered in their lives right now. in this heavy moment, hanbei doesn’t find himself protesting. not like he would if they were in their castle, with their army. he might think he were living in a different time, in a different place, one separate from home, one separate from here, where all they had was each other, and not a passing thought about life-long goals or ambitions. no waiting dream for him to imagine and never see.
no castle. no army. away from attentive eyes. away from the notion that there was no time or space for moments like these.
everything that exists, it exists right here.
aside from the low rumble of hideyoshi’s voice, and the brief sniff from himself, it is silent. the bustling of the residency outside the window has died down along with the sun, the environment nothing but an orange haze now that perfectly outlines hideyoshi’s comforting figure.
it’s just them here. it really, truly is… they have nothing. nothing but each other. for a brief instant, he wonders if he’s dreaming.
a fleeting thought. all of it, a fleeting thought.
he doesn’t react until hideyoshi is done speaking, and once he is, hanbei eases his hands from underneath that single, encompassing grip. every word, every tone resonates in him as he closes his eyes, and leans into the touch of hideyoshi’s hand against his face… silent tears fall through his small smile. a summation of their time together. ] Hideyoshi.
Thank you. [ the slow, quiet way he emits the words… feels like his second confession of the day. it’s all he says to solidify his feelings, apologies no longer accompanying thoughts.
“thank you” for being in his life. “thank you” for giving him his life purpose. “thank you” for forgiving his weakness, and “thank you” for seeing his journey out to the end.
he lowers hideyoshi’s hand from his cheek and rests it atop his lap, hand encasing his thumb in a gentle hold. it’s all the strength he’ll ever need, he thinks before wiping his tears and beginning again. ] Then… please listen to my requests, Hideyoshi.
The likelihood of me returning home with you… is slim. [ it’s something he has to talk himself through, and only finds the will to continue with a brief squeeze of their hands. ] But my guidance doesn’t need to end after my death.
[ his expression delves into something more thoughtful, now entirely wanting to focus on moving forward. ] I only need to prepare adequately enough… [ he grips the cloth at his front, emotion threatening to rise again. ] I may not be able to see it through for myself… but I can’t leave you with nothing… All I have are my words, now, and I only hope it will be enough.
Hideyoshi, I entrust them to you. Please… ensure that they are followed through. [ he holds himself back from cursing the fact that it’s really all he can do; how cruel fate is. he has to believe in hideyoshi above all else… ] I mean to write a few letters.
no subject
no castle. no army. away from attentive eyes. away from the notion that there was no time or space for moments like these.
everything that exists, it exists right here.
aside from the low rumble of hideyoshi’s voice, and the brief sniff from himself, it is silent. the bustling of the residency outside the window has died down along with the sun, the environment nothing but an orange haze now that perfectly outlines hideyoshi’s comforting figure.
it’s just them here. it really, truly is… they have nothing. nothing but each other. for a brief instant, he wonders if he’s dreaming.
a fleeting thought. all of it, a fleeting thought.
he doesn’t react until hideyoshi is done speaking, and once he is, hanbei eases his hands from underneath that single, encompassing grip. every word, every tone resonates in him as he closes his eyes, and leans into the touch of hideyoshi’s hand against his face… silent tears fall through his small smile. a summation of their time together. ] Hideyoshi.
Thank you. [ the slow, quiet way he emits the words… feels like his second confession of the day. it’s all he says to solidify his feelings, apologies no longer accompanying thoughts.
“thank you” for being in his life. “thank you” for giving him his life purpose. “thank you” for forgiving his weakness, and “thank you” for seeing his journey out to the end.
he lowers hideyoshi’s hand from his cheek and rests it atop his lap, hand encasing his thumb in a gentle hold. it’s all the strength he’ll ever need, he thinks before wiping his tears and beginning again. ] Then… please listen to my requests, Hideyoshi.
The likelihood of me returning home with you… is slim. [ it’s something he has to talk himself through, and only finds the will to continue with a brief squeeze of their hands. ] But my guidance doesn’t need to end after my death.
[ his expression delves into something more thoughtful, now entirely wanting to focus on moving forward. ] I only need to prepare adequately enough… [ he grips the cloth at his front, emotion threatening to rise again. ] I may not be able to see it through for myself… but I can’t leave you with nothing… All I have are my words, now, and I only hope it will be enough.
Hideyoshi, I entrust them to you. Please… ensure that they are followed through. [ he holds himself back from cursing the fact that it’s really all he can do; how cruel fate is. he has to believe in hideyoshi above all else… ] I mean to write a few letters.