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The early morning sun broke through the horizon, painting the lake in shades of gold and amber. Atsuya Kusakabe stood by his car, loading his fishing gear into the back while making sure everything was in perfect order. Rods, tackle box, a cooler for the catch—every item meticulously chosen for utility. His precision extended beyond his skills as a swordsman; it was part of who he was. Fishing, after all, was an art form, but also a way to forget the world for a while and unwind.
When he heard the crunch of approaching footsteps on the gravel, he glanced up and saw you, your curious expression mingled with the soft fog of morning air. He had invited you along for this trip on a whim—or so he told himself. You had mentioned once that you’d never been fishing, and Kusakabe had offered, more casually than he felt, to show you how it was done.
“Morning,” you greeted, your voice warm but still tired as you tried to stifle a yawn. “I hope I’m not late.”
Kusakabe adjusted the strap of his fishing bag, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re on time. Barely.”
“Barely?” You raised an eyebrow. “It’s not even 6 a.m.”
He didn’t reply immediately, instead motioning to the passenger seat of his car. “Get in. I’ll explain the plan on the way.”
The drive to the lake was quiet at first, the sound of tires humming against the pavement filling the silence. Kusakabe, ever the reserved man, didn’t force conversation. Instead, he let the calmness of the drive set the tone. You watched him out of the corner of your eye—his steady hands on the wheel, the sharpness in his profile softened by the pale morning light. There was something comforting about him, like he had everything under control. He explained the plan for this trip, explaining just a few things before he got quiet again.
“So,” you finally broke the silence, “why’d you get into fishing, anyway?”
Kusakabe’s smirk returned, almost imperceptibly. “It’s a good way to unwind. It’s quiet, relaxing and a good way to get away from people.” He glanced at her. “And it’s also about patience and skill. Thought you might appreciate it.”
You tilted her head, a playful challenge in your tone. “Are you implying I’m impatient?”
He chuckled low in his throat, the sound surprising even himself. “You said it, not me.”
The rest of the car ride was silent, albeit the soft music in the background but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Eventually, they pulled into the location where Kusakabe frequented when he went fishing.
The lake was picturesque, its waters reflecting the dense trees lining its shores. Kusakabe parked near a secluded spot he knew well, unloading the gear with practiced ease. Followed right behind him, your shoes crunching on the pebbles.
“You’ll start with this.” He handed you a fishing rod, his fingers brushing yours briefly. The touch was accidental, but it lingered in your mind. “I’ll show you how to cast properly. Don’t get overconfident and tangle the line.”
“I feel like you’re expecting me to mess this up.” You narrowed your eyes at him, but there was a teasing note in your voice.
Kusakabe stepped closer, standing just behind you. “Relax your grip,” he instructed, his voice low and steady. He placed his hands over yours, guiding you through the motion. “Now, flick your wrist and let the line go at its peak.”
The rod bent slightly as the line soared, the lure landing gracefully in the water. You turned your head slightly, meeting his gaze. “Not bad for my first try, right?”
“Beginner’s luck,” he muttered, but there was a softness in his tone that belied his teasing.
It’s been a few hours or so that passed as the two of you fished side by side, the quiet broken only by the occasional splash of water or the hum of cicadas. Kusakabe showed you how to bait the hook, how to feel for a bite, and how to reel in the line. Each small triumph brought laughter, and with each laugh, the distance between you both seemed to close.
At one point, as you reeled in your first catch—a modest perch—he couldn’t help but smile at your unrestrained excitement. “You act like you caught a trophy fish,” he said, taking the perch to unhook it for you.
“To me, it is a trophy,” you retorted, grinning as you crouched beside him. Your closeness didn’t go unnoticed, and Kusakabe found himself slowing down, taking his time as he returned the fish to the cooler.
As the afternoon sun dipped lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the two of you sat on the edge of the dock. You dipped your hand in the water, your reflection rippling as you spoke. “You know, I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I have.”
Kusakabe leaned back on his elbows, his expression unreadable but his voice warm. “Told you. Patience and skill—it’s good for the soul.”
You glanced at him, your eyes lingering a moment longer than usual. “Thanks for inviting me.”
For the first time, Kusakabe let the quiet stretch between them, the unspoken understanding of the moment heavier than words. It was in these quiet spaces, he thought, that connections were made.
The day’s haul wasn’t extravagant, but Kusakabe assured you it was more than enough for a good meal. Back at the camp, he set up a small cooking station with the same precision he brought to every task. You watched him for a moment, noting how effortlessly he moved through the steps of cleaning and prepping the fish.
“You don’t waste time, do you?” you said, stepping closer.
“Efficiency is key,” he replied, glancing at you. “But I’ll let you take over, since you’re so eager.” He handed you a fillet knife, his hand brushing against yours again.
“You think I can’t handle this?”
Kusakabe smirked, crouching beside you. “I think you’ve never done it before. Try not to cut yourself.”
You huffed but followed his instructions as he guided your hands. His presence at your side was steadying, his voice calm and sure. “Angle the blade here,” he said, his fingers briefly settling over yours. “Not too much pressure—let the knife do the work.”
For a man who usually held people at a distance, his closeness now felt deliberate. When you glanced up, his face was closer than you expected, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink around the both of you.
“Like this?” you asked, your voice softer than before.
“Yeah,” he murmured, his gaze flicking to yours before he looked away. “You’re getting the hang of it.”
By the time the fish were cleaned and seasoned, the sun had nearly set, leaving the sky a tapestry of deep purples and reds. Kusakabe built a small fire with practiced ease, skewering the fish and setting them to cook over the flames.
You sat beside him, close enough to feel the warmth of the fire—and his presence. “You’re full of surprises,” you said, leaning back on your hands.
He raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“This whole outdoorsman routine,” you replied with a grin. “It’s not exactly what I pictured for a guy like you.”
He gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You don’t know me as well as you think.”
“Maybe not,” you admitted, tilting your head to study him. “But I’d like to.”
The statement hung in the air between you both, heavy with meaning. Kusakabe shifted slightly, his usual stoic demeanor faltering under the weight of your gaze. “Careful what you wish for,” he said quietly, though there was no real edge to his words.
You smiled, leaning a little closer. “I think I can handle it.”
The fish turned out perfectly—crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. As they ate, the conversation flowed more freely, the earlier tension giving way to a comfortable intimacy.
“I’ll admit it,” you said, breaking off a piece of fish. “You’re pretty good at this.”
“‘Pretty good,’ huh?” he teased.
“Fine,” you relented, laughing. “You’re annoyingly good.”
Kusakabe shook his head, but his eyes softened as he watched you. “You did well for your first time. And maybe next time, you’ll be the one teaching me something.”
“Next time?” you repeated, raising an eyebrow.
He shrugged, his tone casual but his gaze intent. “If you’re up for it.”
The fire crackled between the two of you, the glow casting flickering shadows over your faces. For a man who lived in the practical, Kusakabe found himself lingering in the moment, wondering what it would take to close the distance between you both entirely.
The fire had burned down to glowing embers, casting a soft light over the campsite. The air was cool now, and the faint sounds of crickets filled the night. You sat cross-legged on the ground, staring into the flames with a quiet smile.
Kusakabe leaned back against a log, arms crossed, his usual composed expression betraying nothing of the pull he felt toward you. You’d been teasing him all day, testing his patience with your playful quips and challenges. But it wasn’t just your wit—it was the way you’d thrown yourself into the day, your determination to learn something new, and the way you’d laughed, completely unguarded.
“It’s peaceful here,” you said, your voice breaking the silence. You glanced over at him, your expression soft. “Thanks for bringing me.”
“Don’t mention it,” he replied, his voice low and steady. He hesitated, then added, “You did better than I thought you would.”
“Wow,” you teased, smirking. “High praise coming from you.”
He shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Once again, there was a long silence between you both. Not that it bothered you completely. You leaned back, propping yourself up on your elbows as you looked up at the stars. “You don’t talk much, do you?”
“I talk when I have something to say,” he replied, his gaze lingering on you longer than he intended.
You turned your head to look at him, catching his eyes. “And what about now? Do you have something to say?”
The question hung between the two of you, the weight of it undeniable. Kusakabe held your gaze, his jaw tightening as he considered his next move. He wasn’t a man who acted impulsively, but there was something about the way you looked at him, like you were daring him to step out of his careful shell, that made the moment feel different.
Without breaking eye contact, he shifted, leaning forward slightly. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his voice slightly rougher around the edges.
“What is it?” you asked, your breath catching as the space between you both grew smaller.
Kusakabe hesitated for only a second before he closed the distance, his hand moving to lightly cradle your jaw as his lips met yours. It wasn’t hesitant or tentative—it was firm, deliberate, and entirely Kusakabe.
When the two of you finally broke apart, the world seemed impossibly still. You blinked up at him, your cheeks flushed, and your voice barely above a whisper. “That was unexpected.”
“Was it?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
You laughed softly, shaking your head. “Maybe not.”
Kusakabe’s hand lingered against your cheek for a moment longer before he pulled away, his expression softer than you’d ever seen it. “You’re trouble…”
You grinned. “And you’re just figuring that out now?” You bit your lip slightly, a feeling building at the pit of your stomach as you eyed Kusakabe’s body and the muscles that stretched the fabric around his chest and biceps. There was a charged energy crackling between the two of you, both very aware of this need for more.
“I might’ve had an idea.” Kusakabe eyed you back, moving closer to you again, but not touching you yet. “I want to kiss you again, y/n.”
“Then kiss me.”
He leaned in, capturing your lips in another searing kiss, his tongue delving deep to taste you fully. His hands slid lower, gripping your hips and pulling you flush against him. Your bodies pressed closer to one another, perfectly molding together. Then his hands slid down to cup your ass, squeezing and kneading the supple flesh.
You pulled away for a moment, your breath slightly heavy as you caught your breath. “I think we should take this to the tent, do you think?”
“Good idea.” Kusakabe took your hand, intertwining their fingers as he pulled you towards the tent. He unzipped the flap and let you go in first before following inside right after and zipping it back up. Without wasting another second, his lips crashed against yours in a hungry kiss. His hands roamed your body, slipping under your shirt to caress the warm, soft skin beneath. He tugged at your clothes, eager to remove the barriers between you both. You helped him, your hands just as eager, just as desperate to feel his skin against yours.
Soon, you were both bare, and your naked bodies pressed together in the dim light of the tent. Kusakabe helped you lay down onto the sleeping bag, helping you get under the covers to keep you warmer. He settled some of his weight onto you, his strong body covering yours as he lowered his head to capture your lips once again. His hands touched your curves, mapping out every dip and swell of your soft skin. "You're so beautiful," he murmured against your lips.
He trailed kisses down your neck, his teeth grazing your skin and took a bite. Then he soothed the sting with his tongue, swiping it across where he bit. One of his hands slid lower, cupping your breast and teasing your nipple until it hardened beneath his touch. His hips rocked against yours, the hard length of his arousal sliding along your slickening folds. You moaned very softly, closing your eyes as your eyebrows furrowed. “Kusakabe…”
Kusakabe groaned at the sound of his name falling from your lips, the desire in your voice igniting a fire within him. His own lips moved down from your neck, to your collarbones, down between your breasts. He lavished attention on one of them, his mouth closing around the nipple as he suckled and teased the sensitive bud.
“Let me hear you.” he murmured appreciatively, his hand drifting lower between your legs. That’s when he slipped a finger inside you, groaning at the wetness and the warmth that greeted him.
“Kusa—mmmh…” Your head fell back into the pillow, arching your back slightly. And he couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the way your lips parted, the flush that spread across your cheeks, and the breathy moans that escaped.
He continued to move his finger, eventually adding in a second one and curling them to find your weak spot. At the sound of your cry, he began to move his fingers skillfully, working you until your legs were shaking. “Beautiful.”
“I can’t—I’m gonna…” You couldn’t even talk properly as you finally came on Kusakabe’s fingers.
He could feel the way your insides twitched, working you until your orgasm subsided. Eventually, he pulled his fingers out with a string of wetness stretching until it dripped down. And without hesitation, he brought his fingers to his lips, licking up the wetness with his tongue. It made your face burn as you watched him clean his fingers of your essence as if it were candy. Kusakabe moved on top of you again, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “You alright?”
“Yeah… more than alright. Sorry, I need a moment.” You chuckled, taking this short moment to recollect yourself after that intense orgasm.
“Take your time sweetheart.” He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he gazed down at you. In the dim light of the tent, your skin glowed, and your hair fanned out around you like a halo. You were the most beautiful person he had ever seen. "When you're ready, I'm here. We can take things as slow or as fast as you want. Just tell me what you need."
You nodded, turning your head to look at him. “Before that, please tell me you have condoms somewhere.”
Kusakabe cursed himself, knowing damn well he doesn’t really carry condoms around like that. “I… don’t.”
There was a moment of silence as the gears in both your heads turned, trying to figure out what to do. He looked at you, seeing the conflict in your eyes, and he knew they were both thinking the same thing. The risk was high, but the temptation was stronger.
He cupped your face in his hands, his thumbs stroking your cheeks gently. "But if you're not comfortable with it, we can stop. I don't want to pressure you into anything." He waited, his heart in his throat, for your decision. Whatever you chose, he would respect. But oh, how he hoped you would say yes.
You bit your lip, the feeling between your legs making it harder for you to want to stop this. "Think you can pull out in time?"
Kusakabe's heart raced at your question, hope and desire warring within him. He knew the risks, but the thought of being inside you was far too tempting to resist. "I think so," he said, his voice low and husky. "I might be a bit of a challenge, but I'll do everything I can to make sure I pull out in time. So don’t worry… actually, you can trust me.”
His reassurance was definitely needed and you didn’t want to wait any longer. You shifted your position again, getting comfortable, grabbing Kusakabe’s arm and pulling him gently so that he can get back in between yours legs. He grabbed his erect length, letting the head of his cock brush against your slick entrance. But he paused, looking into your eyes, seeking final confirmation.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice rough with need. "We can stop at any time, no questions asked.”
“I’m very sure.”
After the final confirmation, he captured your lips in a deep, passionate kiss, his hands caressing your body with reverence. Slowly, carefully, he pushed forward, the head of his cock breaching your entrance.
You moaned softly, reaching up to grab into his upper arms as you slowly adjusted to his thick length. Inch by inch, he continued pushing until he was fully seated inside you. Then he paused, giving you time to adjust, his forehead resting against yours. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Tell me if it's too much."
"Yes-don't stop."
He began to move, slowly at first, savoring every sensation, every glide of his cock against your velvet walls. "Fuck…” he groaned, his hips slowly finding the perfect rhythm. Kusakabe squeezed his eyes shut as he kept moving in you, trying to prolong the feeling. He really made sure to savor the feeling of being inside of you.
“Mmh… Kusakabe…” Your eyes were half open, watching his expressions as he thrusted up into you, the sounds of skin-to-skin contact filling the tent.
He couldn’t tell how long it’s been, but he could feel his climax building, the tension coiling tighter and tighter in his lower belly. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold off for now. His hand slid between your bodies, finding your clit and rubbing in tight circles.
“A-ah… Kusa…”
Kusakabe opened his eyes, his gaze lowering down to your breasts and then down to where his cock was going in and out of you. The sight of it and the feeling was too much by this point. “Y/n… I am not gonna last any longer. If you come… I might…”
You wanted so badly to come with him still inside, but you didn’t want to take any risks. “Pull out.”
With a grunt, he pulled out, his cock slipping from inside of you. He lifted your legs, pressing them together and pushing his length between your soft thighs. His balls slapped against your clit, creating a wonderful friction as he thrusted.
In no time, Kusakabe came hard, his release painting your stomach and thighs, his hips jerking with the force of it. “Ngh… shit.”
As he came down, he collapsed beside you, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He turned to look at you, taking in the sight of your flushed and satisfied expression, his release glistening on the skin of your stomach.
"That was... incredible," he murmured, his voice rough with exhaustion and satisfaction.
“I…I have no words.” You chuckled.
Kusakabe smiled softly, reach out with a hand and letting his thumb tracing the curve of your cheek. "No words needed." he murmured, leaning in to press a tender kiss to your temple. He pulled back, his eyes searching yours, gauging your reaction. The intimacy of the moment, the vulnerability you both just shared, it was overwhelming in the best possible way.
"About earlier… about us I mean.” He paused. “I want to be with you. And what we just did, this changes nothing, except maybe makes it more real." He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I know we have a lot to figure out, and more to talk about. But whatever happens, I want you to know that what we just shared, it meant everything to me."
His hand slid down to intertwine with yours, a silent promise of support, of understanding. "Take all the time you need," he said softly. "To process, to think, to feel.”
“I don’t need time to think about it.” You responded without hesitation. “I already know that I want to be with you.”
Kusakabe gently brushed his thumb over your hand, listening intently, taking a moment to think. "I want to do this right," he murmured, his voice serious. "I want to date you properly, to court you, to show you how much you mean to me.”
“I’d like that.”
He pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around you and holding you tight. They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking and the promise of what was to come.
The sun rose slowly over the lake, casting a golden glow over the campsite. The fire had long since gone out, but the warmth between them lingered.
Kusakabe was already packing up the gear when you stirred, stretching and rubbing your eyes. “You’re up early,” you said, your voice groggy but light.
“Fishing trips end when the fish do,” he replied with a smirk. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
As they loaded the truck, the quiet between the two of you wasn’t awkward, but a lot more comfortable now.
Before you both left, Kusakabe paused at the edge of the lake, looking out over the calm water. You joined him, wrapping your arm around his and leaning your head against him.
“I had a good time,” you said, your tone sincere. “I hope we can do this again.”
“Yeah. We definitely can.” He looked down, giving you a wink.
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