Growing Old
Inky black mask as black as the inky threads that come out of the stitches lining his body. Grey hood covering his head secured down with the standard issued headband signifying his defection from his home village and nation. A sigh leaves his covered lips as he throws the black and red cloak over his toned, muscled large body. Aches and pains were getting to him with his old age.
Did he look his age? No. Did the years catch up to him with the battles he had fought, the scars that had formed to be stitched and unstitched, the moments where he would detach a limb here and there to play the upper hand causing him to win fights that he shouldn't? Yes they did.
“You good old man?”
The younger questions as he watches his lover and partner prepare for the day and their latest mission. Watching the small details, the way his favorite person moved with caution this morning.
“I'm fine Hidan.”
“You don’t look it. Something wrong?”
“Just the weather. Stop worrying.”
“Can’t tell someone what to fucking do kuzu.”
“You mean think. Can’t tell someone what to think Hidan.”
“Whatever old man you know what I meant.”
The two bicker back and forth for a moment. But despite the bickering, the younger one still worried deep down. Kakuzu was getting on in years. Age was doing nothing to his appearance. He still looked as young as he did when he willingly took on the kinjutsu that forever changed his life in so many ways. But the aches and pains that came with being 90 something, up there in age, reminded him about how long his life has been.
Kakuzu pauses before he speaks again. Unsure of how to tell the younger how he felt, how he has been feeling, what has been going on with him.
“I'm getting old Hidan.”
“No your not fucker. You're as young as the day I met your ass.”
“I'm in my early 90s. You know that.”
“And?”
“I'm getting old like I said. My body hurts when I wake up. It's not easy for me to get around like I used to. I brush it off but it's fine Hidan. Stop worrying about me.”
The younger gets up and walks over and wraps his arms around the tallers neck. He kisses him on the cheek through the inky black mask that his lover wears to cover the scars that line from the corners of his mouth.
“You can tell me this shit kuzu. I'm your man, your bitch. I may be a jackass but I fucking love you and Im here for you.”
The older one rolls his eyes at the response. But underneath the mask a blush forms across his tan skin. A small smile appears and a bit of warmth radiates in his eyes despite his normal attempt to be stoic.
“You irritate me boy.”
“Whatever old man.”