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If there was anything to be grateful about today, it was that Goemon finally got the sushi he'd been starving himself for nearly all day. But getting to dine with Jigen was a close second.
As soon as they met up with Fujiko on the cruise ship, Lupin stuck to her like a magnet and the two of them paired off together. And thankfully this is how the other two preferred it. They had already been on a wild goose chase with Lupin all day (for a dog no less); if Fujiko was going to get him out of their hair for a few hours then so be it.
"It's no sushi restaurant, but it sure is classy," Jigen said as a waiter refilled his wine glass. He tipped his hat to them as they left.
Goemon hummed, closing his eyes. "It's not exactly what I had in mind...but I suppose it will do."
"It must be pretty decent then, if you're willing to eat it."
"I'm so hungry at this point, I don't have much of a choice," Goemon huffed, plucking another piece with his chopsticks. That being said, it really wasn't that bad. It was definitely too showy, and not enough attention was paid to the taste rather than the appearance, but the fish was fresh and delicious. The rice could use some work.
"You should've had some grapes when I offered earlier, they were pretty good. They're Italian after all."
"Maybe you can buy some for me when we get back," Goemon smiled.
"Oh, can I try a piece?"
"Sure." Goemon placed his chopsticks on the plate, ready to slide it over to Jigen, but the gunman had simply opened his mouth. After a moment of hesitation, he quickly placed a piece in his mouth. Jigen looked up at him, the eye contact a little too intense at this distance. Goemon felt his cheeks start to warm.
The moment was broken by Fujiko two tables down, squealing in delight as Lupin promised to steal some kind of gemstone for her. Jigen shook his head.
"Poor bastard. It looks like he ended up without a holiday, and no work either for that matter."
Goemon hummed in agreement, closing his eyes. "Just a case of unrequited love."
Ironically enough, it seemed that Goemon himself was also left in this predicament. Although, Fujiko and Lupin were always on and off, and he had yet to make any kind of move on Jigen. Lupin was constantly crying over losing Fujiko, but at least she had been his to begin with. What he wouldn't give to go on a real date with Jigen, just the two of them, like they were now. Maybe they'd even spend the night together. Goemon let his mind wander further.
"This is delicious!" Jigen exclaimed, breaking his concentration. "When in Italy, you gotta have the pizza!"
Goemon felt his face heating up. Was he really allowing himself to think such impure thoughts in front of his friend? He looked down at his sushi.
"Hey, you alright man?" Jigen said through a mouthful of pizza.
"Yes, just a little worn out from today."
"Well let's get an early night then. I guess we'll be staying aboard for the night, Lupin said the ship isn't supposed to dock until tomorrow."
After they finished the meal, they said bye to Lupin and Fujiko, and made their way to the lobby.
"Is this even enough for a room?" Goemon questioned, as they pooled their money together.
"It better be. Lupin took some of mine for the stupid gas, we should at least be able to sleep comfortably. He can sleep in the car, or whatever." Goemon nodded.
"This will be enough for a single room," the woman at the counter told them.
"Sure, we'll take that."
~~~~~
Upon arriving, they unlocked the room and tossed their stuff onto the floor in a heap. "Good riddance," Jigen sighed, but his smile gave away his false annoyance. "What a day huh? I'm so freaking tired." He fell backwards onto the bed, crossing his legs and resting his hands on his stomach.
Goemon nodded, sitting down gently on the other side. "I feel you. I wish to not run around like this for quite some time."
"Still, it was fun." Goemon noticed Jigen looking at him, and he turned to meet his gaze. The eye contact made his heart race. And yet, looking at Jigen seemed to relax him too. What deep eyes he had...they were so soft in the light of the sunset. Soft...his hair looked so soft. Ah, he had taken off his hat. That's why he looked so different. He rarely takes it off. What a vulnerable side of him to be showing.
"Hey, if you keep looking at me like that I'm gonna blush," Jigen laughed softly.
"A-ah, my apologies!" Goemon stammered. "My mind was wandering. I must get some sleep."
They both turned away to undress. You've seen each other nude before. And you've both slept in the same bed too. But everything felt different now that his feelings for the gunman were developing. He turned to steal a glance from his partner.
He was pulling his shirt over his head, revealing his back and shoulders. His dark hair fell down gently as it slipped through the collar. Running along his tanned skin were faded scars from years of fighting. Goemon turned quickly, when he noticed him standing to take his slacks off. Soon they'd finished changing and the moment was over. Jigen flipped the lights and they both got into bed.
"Night, Goemon."
"Goodnight Jigen."
~~~~~
As nice as his evening had been, it was beginning to dawn on Goemon that he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. He tossed and turned, trying to ignore the warmth of Jigen's body next to his and the gentle sounds of his snoring. Being so close to him was like torture. He tried taking deep breaths to focus, but all it did was make him feel lightheaded and a little dizzy.
"Goemon?" The samurai nearly jumped out of his skin, not expecting Jigen to be awake.
"Did I wake you? I apologize."
"Nah man, you're fine. How long have you been awake for?"
Goemon paused. "I'm not sure. I can't sleep."
"Something still on your mind?"
Another pause. "I'm simply not disciplined enough. Perhaps if I meditate I will be able to sleep."
Jigen got up on one arm, turning to face Goemon. "If there's something bothering you, then you should do something about it. It doesn't help to let things brew. I know you, if it really didn't matter then you'd have forgotten about it by now."
Goemon looked uneasy, as if unsure what to say.
"You can tell me anything, Goemon, we're partners."
He contemplated this. After a moment, he sat up and began to speak. "Well, it's...not something, as much as it's…someone…which is causing my mind to haze." Goemon felt his face flush at the mere mention of possessing romantic feelings. How embarrassing. He silently cursed his obviousness. Jigen's eyes widened.
"Oh. Oh. I see." A small smile made its way to the gunman's lips. He sat up, mirroring Goemon on the other side of the bed. "Hey, I've been there before too, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. How long has this been going on?"
"Well, it feels as if it's been forever…and yet no time at all. As if I've only just realized how I've felt this whole time."
"And have you told them how you feel?"
Goemon shook his head quickly. "I could not imagine. And it is unlikely that they know."
"What if you did tell them? Wouldn't that help get it off your chest?"
Goemon shook his head again, this time raising his hands in protest. "Not now! I can't, it's…very complicated."
Jigen contemplated this. "Did I ever tell you about the time Lupin and I dated?"
Goemon perked up, yet sat quietly, tuned in to listen.
"That was about as complicated as you could get," Jigen laughed. "Then again, I don't know many people as complicated as him." Goemon leaned in as Jigen began recounting his past relationship.
"It was difficult for one because we kept it an open relationship, but among other reasons it was just a risky endeavor all around. And hell, it's no wonder, working with him at the same time was more often than not a recipe for disaster. But," he held a finger up, "it also made for some of the best times. Don't get me wrong, it didn't work out and we're both past that now, but my point is…there's reward in the risk. We're thieves, after all, that's how we roll," he ended with a toothy grin.
Goemon absorbed this new information, then continued. "What if I tell him and he doesn't reciprocate?"
Jigen paused, as if he just realized something. He smiled and placed a hand on Goemon's shoulder.
"Then it wasn't meant to be. But you'll never know unless you try."
Goemon looked down at his hands, resting limp on the sheets below him. "I don't think I'm ready yet. But," he smiled, "I will heed your advice and be mindful of it for the future."
"That's it," Jigen said softly. It made Goemon's stomach feel light and tingly. He let out a yawn.
"Feeling tired now?"
"Yes, I think I will try sleeping again."
"Good, we'd better rest up for tomorrow." Jigen laid back down, pulling the covers over his shoulder.
"Jigen?"
"Yeah?"
"...thank you."
This was not going to be easy, by any means. But maybe someday, he'd tell him how he felt that night.