There is a history in all men's lives, Nagano Perfecture, Japan | ag.lr.88
There was a noticeable absence of people on the street, and Hatsuo thought his geta sandals sounded much louder than normal. He was returning from sending his father off to sea. The sun was up, but the sky was still grey. The sharp chill in the night air was holding out until late morning now, and it was undeniable that winter was on its way. It had rained over night too. Hatsuo suspected everyone was still in bed, huddled in their warm futons. Once Hatsuo was awake he wanted to be out of bed at once. There were things to do. Fish to catch. A house to run. He’d inherited it from his father.
Hatsuo turned the corner onto a narrower alley and slowed. He planted his feet firmly so the geta echo’ed between the wooden houses huddled over the cobblestones. His ears perked up at the sound of a wooden door sliding.
“Hatsuo-san, ohayo gozaimasu.”
Hatsuo felt his heart speed up. “Ohayo gozaimasu, Ryo.” For such a beautiful man, Ryo was such a mess in the morning. His hair was barely combed, and barely contained in a messy dark knot. Eyelids were still heavy and his slim face had an impression of the fabric on one side.
“It’s chilly this morning. Please come try this tea that’s freshly roasted.” Ryo yawned.
Hatsuo tried not to blush. Ryo had such a sultry voice and it gave him goosebumps. “I’d like tea, thank you.”
Ryo pushed the sliding bamboo door open and Hatsuo went inside. Ryo’s family ran this tea house and he lived in the small apartment on top of it. The rest of his family lived closer to their warehouse down near their port. Hatsuo removed his wooden shoes.
Hatsuo sat at a table of the closed restaurant and waited for Ryo to bring out two cups and the teapot. They sipped bancha together and talked about the winter, about the tea crop this year, about the currents that brought fish, and reports of snow further north already. The tea worked its way down Hatsuo’s limbs, flushing out the cold.
When the pot was empty, Hatsuo set his cup down. “Thank you very much.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Ryo bowed his head but made no motion to clear the table. Instead he looked at Hatsuo and rubbed the back of his neck. They were both listening. Someone was sweeping in the distance. But everyone was staying in bed a little longer today.
“Hatsuo-san?”
“Hm?” Hatsuo replied.
“Do you have a little extra time this morning?”
“I do.” Hatsou tucked a stray piece of hair behind his ear.
Ryo looked please. He stood up and held open the curtain that lead to the staircase to the upper apartment. “After you.”
Hatsuo bit his lip to try and his smile. He bowed his head. “Thank you.” He left the restaurant and went up the steep stairs. Ryo’s heavy footsteps were right behind his.
Ryo reached for the sash holding Hatsuo’s yukata robe in place before they were at the top. Once Hatsuo reached the landing, he turned and helped him undo it. The yukata fell to the floor. Ryo cupped Hatsuo’s cheek and kissed warm lips. Ryo made a soft noise of longing. “You’re the only reason to get out of bed this morning….”
Hatsuo wiggled his hands into Ryo’s robe and stole another kiss. “You mean, get back into bed?”
Ryo chuckled. “That’s more accurate to say isn’t it?” He sat on the futon and pulled Hatuso on top of him.
Hatsuo helped Ryo out of his clothes. It was suddenly too warm to wear them.
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Captions are fictional.