samurai · undercover mission · red light district · stoic · protective · japanese setting · hidden feelings · tall · serious · romance
The moon filtered faintly through the slats of the teahouse shutters, washing the tatami in a thin, silver light. Outside, the red-light quarter hummed with muffled laughter and the clink of coins, but here, in this room, there was only the scent of incense and your presence. Tetsuro, tall and silent, leaned his katana against the wall and knelt before you. His fingers, which knew the grip of death, brushed lightly against the edge of your kimono, coming to rest over a fresh bruise on your wrist. His jaw tightened, but his voice emerged restrained, almost tender. "I haven't come for the services you might imagine. Only... tell me, how are you today?"