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That garden…
It's quite the challenge, really, to find the right words to describe it, even if one is of a more eloquent variety. Dark Cacao isn't known to have a way with words. He's not one to sway others with a sweetly whispered lie, and he has little experience in the art of gently speaking truths that inspire happiness. His strength is in his blade, and in his unwavering devotion. He is made of the highest quality steel, which can both cut down enemies and defend allies, and steel does not speak.
It must be said, though, that the garden was not nearly as enigmatic and beautiful (in Dark Cacao's opinion) as the man who tended to it. Peach Blossom made Dark Cacao's time in the garden feel like a dream. Maybe it was a dream; after all, he felt rested after leaving the garden in the same way one would feel rested after a good night's sleep.
Admittedly, what had happened there was rather strange. One bite of that fruit made Dark Cacao feel like he was falling in love. He didn't recognize it at first; the sweetness was so different from the bitter memories he had of love. Then, there was the way Peach Blossom touched him…
“You need to rest,” the gardener said.
His voice was beautiful and gentle. So much so, in fact, that it was nearly irresistible. Anyone else would have given in immediately, but—
“I cannot. I must protect my kingdom,” Dark Cacao insisted.
“It will be much easier if you aren't so tired,” Peach Blossom pointed out.
Dark Cacao couldn't remember how Peach Blossom had convinced him to agree to this. He was sitting under a blooming peach tree, allowing the beautiful gardener to hand feed him. Seriously, how did he end up in this situation? It was almost humiliating. Almost. It would have been, and it certainly should have been, but every time those soft fingers made even the slightest contact with his lips, Dark Cacao felt…
No. He wouldn't dare to admit it. But maybe someone else would.
“You seem to be enjoying this,” Peach Blossom whispered.
After Dark Cacao took the last bite of one of those seductively—no, sickeningly—sweet fruits, Peach Blossom didn't reach for another. He had much worse plans. (Or better, if Dark Cacao would simply be honest with himself.)
The delicate hand that had, a moment earlier, gently held Dark Cacao's face suddenly rested over his heart. He looked down, and realized that at some point, he must have removed his armor. He didn't remember doing such a thing, though. Peach Blossom seemed to sense Dark Cacao's confusion, and softly whispered in his ear:
“Relax. Allow me to take care of you.”
His voice, like a gentle breeze, carried something relaxing that Dark Cacao was unfamiliar with. It was warm and peaceful.
“Do you like this?” Peach Blossom asked.
Dark Cacao hesitated. Somewhere inside him, a tender feeling was starting to bloom. He couldn't describe it. It touched him, softer than even Peach Blossom’s hands, in a way he had no idea how to respond to. On the battlefield, such a feeling would be fatal. A second of hesitation could mean death.
Then… why, Dark Cacao wondered, was he allowing himself to feel this way? Why was this fatal softness so rejuvenating all of a sudden?
“I… have no objection to this,” Dark Cacao said.
It was as close to a confession as he would get. Peach Blossom understood.
“Good. Then, may I continue?”
Dark Cacao simply nodded. Peach Blossom's free hand drifted down, almost like a falling petal, to Dark Cacao's inner thigh. Before touching Dark Cacao more intimately, Peach Blossom looked at the other man's face. He was blushing. That shade of pink looked good on him, Peach Blossom thought.
Dark Cacao turned away once he realized that Peach Blossom was staring. Peach Blossom laughed.
“You aren't used to being touched like this, are you? Don't worry. I'll take care of you,” he said softly.
“There is no need for that. I am not a child,” Dark Cacao said.
“I know, but I want to help you. Please, stay with me just a little longer. I promise you'll feel better.”
After saying that, Peach Blossom leaned in to kiss Dark Cacao's neck. He could feel the warrior's pulse beneath his lips, and the way Dark Cacao's heartbeat sped up didn't go unnoticed. Peach Blossom found it adorable. He absolutely loved the contrast between Dark Cacao's strength and the way he was acting so shy in response to a few kisses and gentle touches. Meanwhile, Peach Blossom’s hand moved further up Dark Cacao's thigh.
He stopped, though, when he felt a firm, but not painful, grip on his wrist. Despite how desperately he wanted this to continue, Dark Cacao couldn't bring himself to truly relax. He never could. Especially not now, when his kingdom was in danger. He needed to put his armor back on, and find Mystic Flour. He didn't need this. He would deny that he even wanted it.
“I mustn't allow myself to indulge in such intimacy,” Dark Cacao said. His voice was quieter than before.
He slowly released Peach Blossom's wrist. The gardener removed his hand, and leaned back to give Dark Cacao some space.
“I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. I'm terribly sorry,” Peach Blossom said. As he spoke, he slowly stood up.
He held out his hand in case Dark Cacao needed any help getting up. Though he didn't take it, he stood on his own.
“You are forgiven,” he said in that same quiet, slightly unsure tone.
“Thank you. I'm sure you're deeply loved by your kingdom. If you need to stay here longer, you are welcome to do so. Gather your strength, and do what must be done.”
Dark Cacao stared at Peach Blossom for a minute. Then, he said:
“There is one more thing I'd like to do.”
Peach Blossom smiled, almost like he knew what Dark Cacao wanted. Dark Cacao recognized it as Peach Blossom giving him permission, so he carefully pulled Peach Blossom closer, and kissed him.
He was as sweet as the fruits that grew in his garden.
“There will be times when you miss its sweet taste,” Dark Cacao remembered Peach Blossom saying before they parted.
He was right. Sometimes, late at night, Dark Cacao longed to find Peach Blossom's garden again. (Not that he would ever admit that, of course.)
It wasn't the fruits he missed, though.