[Saiyuki Gaiden] Kenren/Tenpou double-drabble for rachelmanija

[thuviaptarth]

"Ah!"

The Marshal is smiling—no, grinning, as delighted as a child presented with balloons, a water hose, and a lack of parental supervision. He runs his hands over a leather-bound book like—well, it's indecent, that's what. Wasting fingers like that on dead skin.

"I gave it to Kanzeon Bosatsu," Tenpou explains. "I thought I'd never see it again."

Kenren hitches a hip on Tenpou's desk and has to lean in close for balance. "The Merciful Goddess hoards books worse than you do?"

"The Merciful Goddess is fond of yellow hi-lighter and arguing with authors in the margins." Tenpou traces a slow, suggestive line down the clean page. The grin is softer now, dreamy. He may even be slightly flushed.

It's usually flowers, but Kenren can adapt. He tries to make out the title upside-down. Tenpou claps the book shut and Kenren jerks his attention off the man's hands just in time to catch the book before it slams into his solar plexus.

"The top shelf, if you please, General," the Marshal says, nodding towards a bookcase.

Kenren gives the room a skeptical glance. "You have a system?"

"Oh, no," Tenpou says pleasantly. "I just like watching you stretch."