There’s a lot of ways to say ‘I love you’. It doesn’t have to be expressed in those three particular words - it’s in actions, gazes exchanged across a crowded room, in small touches and long conversations… Love isn’t just about ‘I love you.’

• He’s using her head as a pillow again, on the terrace of the tenshu, already half-asleep after a long day of planning the next campaign. Suddenly, something cool and hard brushes against his closed lips. He flicks it with the tip of his tongue, sweet and sugary flavour caressing his taste buds. His carnelian eyes snap open to see the smile he loves so much and a triumphant glint in her wide eyes as she holds up a jar of konpeito, stolen right from under Hideyoshi’s nose. With a smirk, he let her slip the candy into his mouth, allowing himself to lick the aftertaste from her fingers.
• She hasn’t come back yet, although the night grew late. Worried, he goes to the seamstresses’ workshop to find her slumped over one of the tables, a piece of fabric sprawled under her cheek. There’s no hesitation in his movements when he picks her up gently in a bridal carry, a fond look on his face as he crosses the corridors back to the tenshu. She doesn’t even stir when he lays her down on the futon. He can’t help but press a single, tender kiss to her forehead before taking his place next to her.
• A familiar board is sitting between them, even though there’s no more territory for him to conquer on her. Earlier, she caught him looking at the stones in the bowl, something alike to a nostalgic light flickering in carnelian eyes. She knew he wouldn’t say anything, not after how she had just told him how tired she was today. But as she was reaching for the board on her own accord, she caught a trace of a smile on his lips.

• He has no time to as much as catch a breath today. After running errands in the castle town, he’s focusing on replying to numerous letters in Nobunaga’s name. She comes into the room quietly, not wanting to disturb him, and places a tray with a pot of freshly brewed tea and some sweet buns she has baked earlier with Masamune. Still uttering no word, she only kisses his brow and leaves him to do his work. He notices how rapidly the energy is back in his body after that.
• “What are you doing?” ; “I’m sorry, does it bother you…?” ; “No. It feels nice,” his voice is so soft when he speaks as she traces the pad of her finger across the whitened part of his skin, the scar after the arrow he had taken all that time ago. He notices her eyes wavering ever-so-slightly. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” ; “I know. But I wish it never had to hurt you in the first place.” He catches the tear that’s hanging from her eyelashes and brings the thumb to his lips to kiss the drop she wept for him.
• She sees him in the castle town, a small circle of adoring women surrounding him. As if drawn by an invisible force, his head darts up and their eyes meet across the market. He doesn’t think twice before excusing himself politely and striding over to her, greeting his beloved with a peck on the cheek.

• “Here, open up, kitten.” ; “You don’t have to feed me.” ; “But I like that look of fluster on your face,” he grins at her and she accepts the portion of rice he is holding to her lips. He jokes around, yet he can’t chase the worry away as the fever is eating her up third day in a row. The least he can do is cook for her and make her feel as comfortable as possible. He also knows she would not touch a bite should he leave it to her while she’s in such a state. “Come on, kitten. Just a little bit. And then you will be a good lass, let me tuck you in and you will go to sleep.”
• He sits down in the appointed spot with a grumble. Her low chuckle boosts his mood a bit, yet not enough to crack a smile. “You’re pouting.” ; “I’m not.” ; “You are! You should see the look on your face when you realised Ieyasu tricked you and you fell into the lake.” ; “You’re walking on a thin ice, kitten,” he murmurs as he reaches to her sides, tickling her until she laughs so much she can’t breathe. “Aa… I’m sorry! I surrender! Come one, sit still and let me dry your hair for you.” He’s relaxed as soon as the towel touches his head and her fingers gently massage his head.
• “Kitten, wake up,” the whisper is followed by a soft kiss placed upon her lips. She stirs, eyelids fluttering open. “Good morning,” he nuzzles her neck before pulling away and helping her sit up. “What’s that?” ; “Something to get you by today. I know you have that big sewing commission to finish, you need the strength.” ; “You’ve made me a breakfast to bed?” ; “Nothing bad will happen if you eat like this from time to time,” he grins, handing her a bowl. A sleepy, half-conscious smile is the best reward that he can get in that moment and he can’t help but lean down to kiss it.

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[ x ] | himete22 | Permission Please do not reupload elsewhere. Reblog only. Support the artist by liking/bookmarking their work on Instagram.

[ x ] | himete22 | Permission Please do not reupload elsewhere. Reblog only. Support the artist by liking/bookmarking their work on Instagram.