—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝓘 𝐖𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝕷𝐎𝐒𝐄 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ( @lcvinglywept )

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 . . .

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀
𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞!
⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

The sudden question seemed to snap the Swordsman out of the memory. A warning smile emerging, something only used in Xie’s presence to show that he was alright.

“ Nothing, love. Just got reminded
of something.

You look . . . Nice . . . ”

⠀

[ً @killtoned]

He glanced over at Guts who he didn't expect to see. A small smile on his lips. The butterfly flapped away toward the meadow.

"No, I'm sure it already has one." He said with a gentle hum as be stood from the ground. His arms wrapped around Guts.

"Something wrong?"

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

Guts stopped and watched for a while. Enamored . . . He’d remembered what it was like. To do such a thing. That damned flower . . .

“ Gonna give it a name, love . . . ? ”

⠀

[ً @killtoned]

He is in the field near the house. A butterfly rested upon his finger.

"Mm, where are your friends, little one?" He smiled, even though he was basically talking to himself.

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

. . .

( 💭 — Where is he . . . ? )

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

He turned his head to the ground.

“ I . . . You are . . . The
first guy I’ve laid with . . .
The first guy I’ve loved . . .

I care naught which form
you are in. But I fell for you
as you are now. ”

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

“ That . . . Isn’t true . . . ”

He commented . . . A shadow fell over Guts’ face at that. Silence drew across his lips, his skin almost growing paler. Had he . . . Truly made Xie feel that way . . . ?

+

[ً @killtoned]

He couldn't help but chuckle though. "Part of me thinks you like the female form better anyway."

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

A hand moved to caress at the back of Xie’s neck, digits massaging at the scalp hidden beneath those beautiful locks. A kiss at the forehead.

“ How are we gonna go about
doing that . . . ? ”

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

The kisses against his skin . . . He always found it embarrassing how easily Xie found it to make Gut’s melt. The simplest showings of affection; the softest peck of those lips against his cheek . . .

He felt all of his worries be taken away.

+

[ً @killtoned]

" I'm so lucky to have you. " Xie held his face to press more kisses to his lips. " My king ~ " cue him giving more cheek smooches.

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

But so full of love he could barely contain it.

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

So many thoughts ran through the Swordsman’s mind, all displayed through the shifting emotion in his features. He tried to speak, but quickly faltered. Whatever he wanted to say was quickly overtaken by a countering thought . . .

He was racing . . .

+

[ً @killtoned]

He caressed it over Guts' cheek. "I want to have a normal family life here. " Xie said as a tear traced down his cheek.

" To tie us together more. You're my soulmate... " Xie whispered as he pressed soft kisses to Guts lips.

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

But like a tidal wave, he was swept away by the softness against his lips. Fading into the comforting bliss, a hand moving to pull him closer.

After a while, he distanced apart. He didn’t say anything . . .

He simply nodded. His lips tight, nervousness in his eyes.

+

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

There was . . . Confusion in his face. It may have come off as disgust, but his lover would know the deeper complexities within him . . . There was more than that there.

Anxiety.
Surprise.
Joy.
Excitement.

Fear.

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀
And like he had been woken up by a rain of arrows to his chest, he sprung up out of the comfortable position. Resting upon his hand now, eyes agape for a moment.

“ You . . . You want to what . . . ? ”

+

[ً @killtoned]

" I want to have a family with you. " he mumbled against his lips with half-lidded eyes.

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

An eye peered open, awoken from his slumber — a hand moving to caress at the softness of his cheek. He stopped and watched him for a second. Simply taking in the sight . . .

“ Yes, love . . . ? ”

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

It was an unfortunate truth. He knew all too well how saddening it was for Xie to see the little one leave. And how saddening it was for him that he forced himself to not care.

He couldn’t bring himself to care about the kid . . . Even if he failed desperately.

+

[ً @killtoned]

In the bed, with the moonlight as an overcast, Xie laid with Guts. His eyes closed as he placed his head to the man's chest.

"Guts...?" He slowly lifted his head, hand trailing up the scarred abdomen.

[ً @killtoned]

@WrathfulSword

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

— see through. And so . . . Even amongst the drowning weight, he attempted to relax . . .

And put his faith in his love.

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

Guts found himself sinking . . . Flesh into the mattress from the added weight, his face into the muscles of his skin arm. Eyes growing heavy against the soothing application of the oils upon damaged skin . . .

He sank . . .

+

[ً @killtoned]

"I want you eating and taking care of yourself, Guts." He held him close from behind, kissing up his neck now.

"I know it's hard," he sighed, a hand reaching up to caress into Guts' hair. "But you're the strongest man I know. You can win this."

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

Or . . . Perhaps . . . Trying to stifle his breathe to stop himself from erupting. The flames burned hot, but Xie’s consolation eased it ever slowly. It would take a while for the Swordsman to get back to normal, but it was a process he could always rely on Xie to —

+

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

It seemed he simply hadn’t had the power to do any different. As if he were . . . Somewhere else, and what was left was some hollow husk that was Xie’s love.

No words yet spoken . . .

⠀

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

⠀

These moments were not unfamiliar to Guts, and over the couple of years they’d been together — it had become routine for Xie to find the Swordsman in something of an episode. He laid on his stomach for what seemed like hours, the only moments he moved —

+

[ً @killtoned]

He moved to Little Spoon Guts. Xie's arms still wrapped around him.

"Whatevers going on, it'll pass, and I'll be here. I promise you." Xie whispered, feathering kisses up his neck.

"It'll be okay..."

[—— 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐑 @WrathfulSword]

+

A single eye shifted to meet his lover — but the haze never left it. It was a gaze of a wild beast; defeated and exhausted. But still willing to bite until its last breath . . .

Though, Guts would never do such a thing to Xie.

+