Work Text:
While discussing women with Douman, many bottles were consumed. Suzaku could feel Seimei's distant gaze on him.
So you're really interested in these things?
The wine bottles are finished.
"I want more," demanded Douman. Suzaku sighed. Humans sure are greedy.
Later, Suzaku carried Douman. That boy has grown too much. Do not doubt the strength of a god.
Seimei covered him with a blanket. When did he get close? That's what normal humans would ask.
Suzaku had already sensed the presence of the onmyoji. He always would. His entire life belongs to Seimei. Shikigami belong to their master.
It's suffocating and thrilling.
"Will you carry him?" Suzaku asked.
Seimei's response was a no. "Haha, it's better if you carry him!"
"Is it an order?"
A laugh escaped from the onmyoji's lips. How fake. "No, it's a favor, take care of Douman."
Here we go again.
Suzaku doesn't understand what Seimei is trying to convey with that.
Douman tightened his grip on his chest; Suzaku began to walk. If he kept walking... He felt there was a great distance between him and Seimei.
Everyone knows Seimei creates a barrier, but will he also do it with those close to him?
Selfish idiot!
"Seimei, push me away, not them." With these words, Suzaku started walking. Seimei looked at Suzaku's red wings on the ground and then raised his gaze. Oh, the darkness is beautiful. Suzaku shines in the sky.
That's why Seimei loves the darkness so much. He always summons Suzaku on night missions because Suzaku is dazzling in the darkness. The darkness already within Seimei becomes obedient to the brilliance emanating from Suzaku.
I'm going to tell you a secret!
Seimei hums to himself.
It's no secret that it hurts when Suzaku says he adores Douman.
Seimei is afraid too, but he has no right to feel that way. He could end it all, but he'd feel like he'd be robbing those people of their perfect future.
He should get used to it; even though he is the master of Suzaku, he cannot win a place in the shikigami's heart.
He is in pain. He never had emotions in childhood. Suzaku always scolded him when he saw him hurt and took care of him. "Wow, what an unusual god!" was the first thing Seimei thought with amusement.
Seimei was surprised when Suzaku entered the water, thinking Seimei would do something crazy. "KYAAA, IT'S COLD!"
Suzaku caught a cold because if he hates the cold, why did he enter the lake? Seimei doesn't understand, doesn't comprehend. The emotions of Youkai, humans, and gods are different because each one feels things.
That expression wasn't directed solely at Seimei. Seimei had a dark side; he wanted to outshine Suzaku, all for himself.
Behind that facade of a kind person, Seimei harbored a fox hidden both inside and out.
Suzaku always complained when doing difficult things but still obeyed Seimei. That was fun. Seimei liked Suzaku's personality and the pouts he made.
In the future, the emotion he feels will be called sadistic. Seimei loves tormenting Suzaku.
The next day, as usual, Seimei summons the four gods. "Seiryuu, Byakko..."
Douman expressed dissatisfaction. "Why him again!"
Upon complaints, Suzaku pounced on Douman. "Ashiya-dono, you're so cruel!"
It's too painful.
Instead of seizing the moment now, Seimei wouldn't do it.
How long has it been since Seimei last used Suzaku? IT DOESN'T MATTER; he will use him in the future.
Suzaku and Douman will bear the weight of the future Seimei desires.
"I'm sorry, but..." He won't harm Suzaku (and the others) anymore, as he will hate him later on. "I won't change my mind, Douman, Suzaku, and Genbu will help you."
I'm sorry...
If he apologizes, he better hide his feelings deep inside. The apologies will never reach them. Even though that's what Seimei wants, he wants to apologize.
The future he longs for is for others, but Seimei is content with that. He won't be there to witness it.
In the vision, Haruaki appeared walking down the hallway, entering the classroom, and teaching his beloved students. He was working for the principal, Douman, who would become the director of a prestigious academy.
Suzaku was also there, with a bold personality, asking for more money (stealing it), always by Douman's side and close to Haruaki.
Seimei quickly stopped looking. Whether it was his imagination or not, his eyes met Suzaku's. "Sei... Oh, Haruaki," Suzaku had said, smiling.
He didn't want to see that hateful look Suzaku gave him again. He didn't want Suzaku to hate him.
Although that future would soon arrive.
"Suzaku, Douman, I'm sorry..."
Without realizing it, Suzaku was flying after him.
Still with his mouth agape, Suzaku was about to ask what he meant but he stayed in the sky to watch over Seimei.
Seriously though, the distance between shikigami should be short, but their relationship is far from it.
Many years later, Seimei was no longer around to clear up the misunderstanding. That's what Haruaki would do: heal the void Seimei had left.
But even so, he observes the world's progress through Haruaki's eyes.
Abe no Seimei will soon be forgotten.
Only those who were by his side will remember him because Seimei was a very important person in their lives.