Sharing Food - Souza/Fudou
Souza looks at the little plate in his hands, fretting about what to do with it. It holds two small monaka cakes, filled with red beans and ice-cream, made in celebration of the first truly warm day of spring. If it had been just one, he wouldn’t have been worrying. He could eat just one on his own. Two, however, would be too much. He would only have taken one, had it been his choice, but Azuki Nagamitsu had smiled at him and handed him a plate of his newest creations, and Souza hadn’t noticed until he’d left the kitchen that he’d been given two.
Hence, his dilemma.
Had Kousetsu been here, that would have solved his situation. Kousetsu doesn’t have the biggest sweet-tooth, but he won’t say no to sharing something with Souza. But he’s on a mission at the moment, and won’t be back until dark. Likewise, Sayo and Taikou have gone into the woods around the Citadel, to help forage for mushrooms or to play in the shade of the trees. And with the warmth of the day, the ice-cream in the cakes won’t last. Perhaps he should simply return them, thank Azuki Nagamitsu for his generosity, and insist they go to someone more deserving.
He’s still muddling over this dilemma when he hears the clink of porcelain and the whisper of wind. He finds himself on the porch, and looks out to a garden just beginning to bloom.
“Oh!” a voice says from below him. “Hey, Souza. What’s up?”
Souza looks down. Fudou is perched on the edge of the veranda, his socked feet dangling in the air above the awakening pond. He has a cup of tea in his hand, a pot and another, unused cup on a tray by his side.
Souza realises that his problem has resolved itself, and he smiles at his old friend.
“I was looking for someone to share these cakes with,” he says. “Do you mind if I join you?”
“Go ahead!” Fudou says, patting the veranda as an invite. “I’ll get you some tea.”
Souza settles down, placing the monaka between them as Fudou pours him a cup. Souza holds the cup in his hands. It’s warm, but no longer hot enough to burn. He breathes in the scent, finding it a pleasant mix of green tea and roasted rice.
Fudou looks down at the monaka, tilting his head.
“Take one,” Souza says. “I was given them to share.”
“Sure, but… wouldn’t you rather share them with your brothers?”
“What do you mean?” Souza asks, lifting his cup to hide his smile. “Aren’t you my brother, too?”
Fudou’s face turns bright red.
“I - I guess so,” he says. “Uhm, thanks, Souza.”
He takes one of the monaka, and bites into it. The crunch of the fried mochi wafer is enticing, and Souza decides to follow the tantou’s lead.
The monaka is delicious, of course. He expects nothing less from their Citadel’s cooks. When he takes a sip of tea, he finds it perfect, too.
Fudou finishes his, but says nothing to break the spring silence. He cradles his cup to his chest, and leans against Souza’s arm.
Souza takes another sip of tea, and leans his cheek against Fudou’s hair. He’ll need to move eventually, if only to take another sip of tea, but for now, he is happy to sit like this - the cup warm in his hand, Fudou pressed against him, and the sounds of spring all around.