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thatsmzbitchtoyou · 1 day ago

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Ransom Chapter 3

The "Ransom" oneshot turned into a series. Hope you like it!

Warnings: over-possessiveness, controlling behavior, eventual smut, language

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He rang the doorbell of her apartment at exactly 6:00 p.m. There was a clamber of noise beyond the door of women’s voices and something falling, and he chuckled to himself. Then the door swung open to reveal Wanda. “Hello Bucky,” she said with a polite smile. “She’s almost ready if you’d like to come in and wait.”

“Of course, thank you,” Bucky said, stepping inside.

It was a moderately upscale apartment, and for such a hasty move-in it already looked homey and comfortable. A gasp caught his attention and he looked over to Lorelai sitting on the sofa with her hands clasped over her mouth in excitement. “You’re so handsome!” she said. Bucky smiled widely at her and walked over to her, kneeling down in front of her and taking her hands in his.

“Thank you Miss Lorelai,” he said, bringing her hands up to his lips and kissing her knuckles. She blushed and giggled. “Do you think she’ll like it?” he asked quietly, looking down at himself then smirking at her.

“Definitely,” Lorelai nodded, reaching out and straightening out his tie.

“Maybe you should go on the date with him then, Mom.” Bucky turned to find Y/N subtly glaring at him. He slowly stood and looked her over.

“You are stunning, Y/N,” he said. “A vision in red.”

She gave him a tight smile and walked forward, sitting next to Lorelai and focusing on her. “I’ll be back later tonight.”

“Oh take your time, dearest,” Lorelai said, then leaned in towards her and said in a loud whisper, “It’s okay if we don’t see you until tomorrow.”

Y/N stiffened as Wanda snorted in laughter, and Bucky’s smirk deepened. “Mom!” Y/N shushed her.

Lorelai just shrugged and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Have fun,” she said, then focused on Bucky. “Take care of my dear girl.”

“Yes ma’am,” he said, nodding to her, then held his hand out to Y/N. “Shall we?”

Y/N sighed quietly then took his hand and stood. “Yes,” she said curtly.

Bucky led her out of the apartment to the elevator, keeping her hand in his the entire way down, even when she tried to pull away. He pulled her to an awaiting car and opened the door for her, then slid in behind her before the car took off down the street. In the car they sat in silence as early aughts pop music played on the radio that the driver was listening to, Bucky keeping hold of Y/N’s hand in his lap as his hands traced her hand and fingers absentmindedly. She didn’t try to pull away again, but was stiff sitting next to him. She sighed impatiently.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked after a few silent minutes.

“You’ll see,” Bucky said teasingly.

He could almost hear the eye roll. “I don’t like surprises,” she mumbled.

“You’ll learn to,” he replied.

That seemed to snap her patience. “What is this game, huh? Some sick cat and mouse but the cat plays with its food instead of just eating it?”

Bucky chuckled and turned to look at her. “You are no mouse,” he said. “And you started this game, don’t act surprised when the outcome isn’t what you expected.”

She analyzed his face, her eyes narrowing. “So what’s the endgame then?” she asked. “You want your money back? You want me to tell you how I kidnapped you? What?”

Bucky smirked at her. “No, I don’t want the money back. Yes, I’d love to know how you did it because I haven’t been able to figure it out. And I already told you what I wanted earlier. Was I not clear?” Her frown deepened, and he smiled wider before looking her over again. “You are incredible in this,” he said, his eyes focusing on her lips. “Red is your color.”

She blushed and quickly looked away. “Thank you,” she said, her voice coming out softer than before.

He took her to a high end restaurant, telling her to order whatever she wanted, and she in retaliation did so, eating small pieces of the most expensive dishes and drinking from a bottle worth thousands of dollars. Bucky smirked at her, knowing what she was trying to do but not letting it bother him as she arched an eyebrow at him before taking a swig of the champagne then grimacing and spitting it back out into the glass. “For something so expensive it tastes like shit.”

After dinner the car pulled up to an artsy-looking building and Bucky quickly got out and then opened her door again, helping her step out of the car and then linking her arm with his as he guided her inside. Y/N softly gasped when they walked inside and she recognized it as a theatre, then she stopped when she saw the banner for the musical that was playing. “Is this The Phantom of the Opera?” she asked in shock.

“Yes,” Bucky smiled. “Through my research I may have found an old picture of you in a musical in high school. So I took a gamble and thought, surely, the musical of all musicals would be a safe bet for our first date.” Y/N stared up at the banner until she looked at him. He could see the war in her eyes with the need to be independent and staunch in her anger towards him, while also being grateful and flattered at the thoughtful gesture. “We’re in box five, too,” he said with a wink. “Do you think the Phantom will strangle me for it?”

She let out a scoff that almost sounded like a giggle, and he revelled in seeing a real smile aimed his way. “Hopefully he at least waits until it’s over,” she joked back. “I don’t want any interruptions.”

Bucky smiled proudly and pulled her towards the hallway they needed to go down. “Good girl,” he said. They got settled in their seats in the box reserved for just the two of them, and Bucky pointed out different parts of the theatre and talked about the history of it before the show started. He refused to let go of her hand, and she seemed willing to at least let him have that for the night. During the show she even squeezed his hand multiple times, especially during what he could only guess were her favorite parts as she leaned forward and mouthed along with the words. He loved seeing her like this, enjoying herself. And it was all because of him.

He surprised her again when it was over by leading her down into the backstage area, where she met the actors and got a tour of the theatre and all the behind the scenes parts. She was astonished and engaged with the actors and technicians, asking in depth questions and looking around at everyone and everything in awe. When the tour was over he led her back to the car and they drove around the city for a while until they pulled up to an upscale bar. Bucky helped her out of the car again and led her inside the building and to a private back room that opened up to a wall of windows that had a view of the Dambovita River that was lit up by the lights on the walkways on either side of it. A waiter came in and asked for their drink orders, and this time Y/N asked for a simple cocktail instead of something expensive.

They sat next to each other on a loveseat as they waited for the drinks, with Bucky’s metal arm around her shoulders and his flesh hand holding her right hand in his lap again, his thumb running along her knuckles gently. It was quiet until she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry about earlier,” Y/N said quietly.

Bucky looked at her. “For what?”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes, looking down at their hands. “For being…obnoxious, during dinner,” she breathed.

Bucky chuckled and squeezed her hand. “It’s alright,” he said lightly. “I found it amusing. You’re a little spitfire and I like it.”

Y/N snorted in laughter as the waiter came in and set down their drinks before quickly leaving. “Spitfire?” she asked.

He nodded as he leaned forward and grabbed their drinks, and handed the cocktail to her. “Cheers,” he said, and clinked his glass against hers. She said it back and took a drink, humming lightly and licking her lips. He stared at her mouth for a moment before taking another drink. “Did you like the show?” he asked.

Y/N perked up and set down her drink before facing him more. “Yes! It was amazing,” she said excitedly. “The actress playing Christine did a riff that I wasn’t expecting during ‘Think of Me’ that was extraordinary. Such a great play on the scale that is usually done at that part. And the Phantom was spectacular,” she gushed, smiling widely as she talked a mile a minute. Bucky listened intently, a soft smile on his face as he got to see her relax with him a little bit, the tension from earlier in the day shifting from her begrudging acquiescence to sincere joy. She rambled on for a few more minutes until she suddenly clammed up and laughed at herself. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling,” she said, looking away and taking another sip of her drink.

He quickly shook his head. “No, please go on,” he said. “It’s nice seeing you talk so passionately about something you obviously love.”

Y/N blushed and bit back a smile as she looked at him. “Well what about you?” she asked.

“What about me?” he frowned.

“What are you passionate about?” she clarified. “And you can’t say the business, or stalking me.”

He huffed a laugh and downed the rest of his drink. “That’s a good question,” he said. “I’ve been so busy or focused on business for so long that I don’t even remember what my passions are.”

“Oh come on,” Y/N probed, nudging his side. “What do you do to relax or let off some steam?” Bucky’s frown deepened and he looked off toward the river. What did he do to relax? What did he do for fun? He genuinely couldn’t remember the last time he had a chance to actually just…be. “Wow, that’s sad,” Y/N said in a teasing tone.

“It is sad,” Bucky agreed, dragging his lower lip through his teeth. “I was always being taught and trained on how to do the business since I was a kid, and took it over after my father died when I was 22. So…I don’t think I’ve ever really had time to relax or have fun.” His voice grew quiet and he looked at her. She looked sad, her gaze flickering over his face. He gave her a reassuring smile and shook his head. “Maybe I’ll need to take a real vacation one of these days.”

“You should,” she said quietly. “Take a break and learn what makes you happy.”

His smile widened and he leaned toward her more. “You can come with me,” he said.

Y/N scoffed lightly at his suggestion. “Oh really?” she laughed. “And where would you take me?”

“Wherever you want to go,” he said, leaning in and nuzzling her nose like he did earlier that day.

Her eyelids fluttered at his close proximity. “Is that what you want from me?” she whispered. “For me to be your mob wife? The little sugar baby you can flaunt on your arm?”

Bucky smirked. “Partially,” he said.

She tried to pull away but his metal arm held her still. “You want to marry me?” she asked.

He chuckled. “Don’t sound so surprised,” he chastised her, continuing to nuzzle his cheek along her cheek and drag his lips along her skin. “Eventually I want to marry you, to have kids with you, to spoil you rotten and take care of you.”

“Buck–”

“And to be my business partner,” he said without missing a beat. That made her freeze and push against his chest to look at his face, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. “You’re smart, Y/N. You have a knack for this business, and the savvy to handle all that comes with it. I know you only did it to help your mom, but you’re one of the best I’ve ever seen. You’re a natural, spitfire.”

A split second of pride graced her expression before she masked it with a frown and shook her head. “What if I don’t want that?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. Something in her expression, something deep in her eyes, liked what he was saying, but she was afraid to admit it. She was trying to hide it from herself, but she couldn’t hide it from him. “I think you do,” he breathed. She shook her head again but less enthusiastically. “I think you like being the boss, but you also want to be taken care of instead of taking care of everything and everybody else like you always have.” She swallowed harshly, and he smiled triumphantly as he tilted his head and pulled her close to him again. “I can give you both, spitfire. I can give you everything. Wouldn’t it be nice for someone to take care of you for a change?”

Y/N let out a heavy sigh. “Yes, but–”

“I can wait,” Bucky interrupted. “Your priority is your mother, I know that. So for now…” He kissed the side of her mouth, leaving his lips hovering near her lips. “Let’s get to know each other, like regular people do.”

She scoffed again, squeezing his fingers still lazily holding her hand in his lap. “You are far from regular,” she teased.

Bucky smiled. “Damn right,” he teased back.

Y/N moved her face so her lips brushed against his, her gaze flickering to his lips, and he took the invitation and kissed her. She let out a small hum as she kissed him back, and that’s when he knew he won the first battle. He knew that all of this was new and crazy for her so he tried to keep the kiss chaste, but she angled her head and deepened the kiss with him so he reciprocated eagerly. His fingers let go of her hand and reached up to her neck, his palm cupping the underside of her jaw as his fingers held her by the back of the head and his thumb caressed her jawline while his metal arm around her shoulders pulled her impossibly close into his embrace. Her hands planted flat on his chest, then gripped the lapels of his suit jacket tightly as she leaned into him as much as she could.

Her lips parted and her tongue snuck out to taste along his lower lip, and he obliged her by opening his mouth and tasting her back. She tasted like the cocktail she was drinking as well as something sweet and…minty? Either way, Bucky couldn’t get enough of it and quietly moaned into her mouth. The kissing ebbed and flowed from heavy, insistent and passionate to soft, gentle pecks before he moved his mouth down to her neck as his hands felt over her body, but stayed away from her most private or sensitive areas. As much as he would have loved to get right to fucking her, he wanted to make it clear that that wasn’t all she was to him, and that this new beginning between them was intentional.

As he sucked deep bruises into her skin she sighed and gripped his shoulders, the softest little mewls falling from her lips that had him gripping her tight. Her left hand cradled the back of his head to keep him at her neck and her nails scratched his scalp, making him shiver. “Mmh, careful spitfire,” he murmured against her throat, nipping at her collarbone. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

Y/N giggled, playfully tugging his hair. “Barely,” she teased.

He chuckled against her neck, then slowly pulled away to look at her. They stared at each other for a moment before they both broke out into wide smiles and giggles. Bucky kissed her lips again before leaning back against the loveseat more comfortably, keeping her tucked against his side. “Can I take you and your family out for lunch tomorrow?” he asked.

Y/N blinked and frowned. “Me and my family?”

“Yes,” he nodded like it was the simplest thing in the world. “I want to spend as much time as possible with you, my future mother-in-law and future caretaker-in-law-Wanda.”

Y/N laughed at that, shaking her head at him incredulously. “Future caretaker-in-law,” she giggled. “She’s a friend of the family, too.”

“I know,” Bucky smirked.

“Of course you do,” Y/N scoffed and looked out at the river again.

They sat and talked for hours, interspersed with short makeout sessions, until the earliest signs of the new day started to light up the sky. Then Bucky took her home, and as he said goodbye at her door he kissed her again. “I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said, kissing all over her face. “Tell the others to dress in something light and casual.”

“Light and casual,” she repeated with a flirtatious smile. “Yes Boss.”

Bucky groaned at the moniker, making her giggle again as he rested his forehead on her shoulder and squeezed her in his arms. “Dammit, spitfire, you’re killing me,” he murmured.

“You like it,” Y/N teased, then kissed his ear.

“I do,” he admitted as he pulled away. He smiled adoringly at her and kissed her one last time before stepping away. “Goodnight, Y/N.”

“Good morning, Buck,” she winked, then opened the door and walked inside.

He made sure she shut it and locked it before heading back to the elevator. Once he made it back to the car he made a call to Sam. “Y/L/N security detail is in place, Boss,” Sam answered. “Everything is set.”

“Good,” he said and yawned at the late hour. “Get some sleep. We’ve got a family lunch to get prepared for.”

***

The next day at noon Bucky was making sure everything was in place on the small yacht when he saw the town cars pull up to the dock. He smiled and alerted everyone on the boat, and the staff and security all got into place as he climbed back onto the dock and walked down as Y/N, Lorelai and Wanda were accompanied down the boardwalk towards him with Sam pushing Lorelai’s wheelchair and chatting to her.

“Such a nice man,” Lorelai was saying, looking at Sam adoringly before she caught sight of Bucky then made a happy sound. “Oh, Bucky! So nice to see you!”

“Miss Lorelai,” he smiled widely at her, leaning down to take her hands and kiss her knuckles. “Thank you for joining me today.”

He greeted Wanda with a short handshake before stepping in front of Y/N. “Long time no see, spitfire,” he said, wrapping her in a hug and then kissing her cheek.

Y/N hummed as she hugged him back, her smile widening at the short kiss. “So long,” she teased.

Bucky led them back to the yacht and helped them get aboard. The staff led them to the table set up for lunch as the yacht took off down the river slowly. He kept the conversation going, getting to know Wanda and Lorelai as Y/N watched on with a look of amusement and intrigue. He kept holding her hand like he did the night before, keeping her close and bringing her hand up to his mouth so he could kiss her hand or sometimes leaning over to kiss her shoulder whenever Lorelai and Wanda looked away. It was a successful lunch, in his mind, getting himself emotionally closer to them all.

Then as Y/N walked with Lorelai over to Sam for a moment, Wanda turned to Bucky with a hard look. “I know who you are,” she said quietly.

Bucky met her gaze and blinked, the smile on his face falling slowly. “Do you?”

“Yes,” she said, facing him fully. “I knew something was going on, especially with this crazy move across the world for Lorelai.” She sighed and checked that Y/N was still preoccupied before looking at him again. “Look, I don’t know what Y/N did to get caught up with the likes of a notorious, dangerous mob boss. I’m just here to help take care of Lorelai and then I’m out. I want no part of whatever this is.”

Bucky sighed as well, his jaw ticking in annoyance. “I’m just a man trying to win a woman’s heart,” he said lowly, glancing at Y/N.

“Yeah yeah, very romantic,” Wanda rolled her eyes. “Lorelai doesn’t have long.” His eyes snapped back to Wanda and he frowned. “The clinical trials aren’t touching her cancer,” she explained. “She’s too far advanced. Y/N knew that, but she was desperate to try anything. Desperate enough to roll around with people like you, it seems.” His frown deepened at the insult. “The doctors said she has anywhere from 6-12 months left.” She stood and brushed her hands down her dress, glancing at the others again and lowering her voice. “I love them dearly. But I won’t get involved in the shit you call business.”

Bucky glared at her for a moment before his expression softened and he smiled up at her. “Understood,” he smirked.

Wanda looked unsure about his response, but nodded and walked over to Lorelai. Bucky stayed where he was and processed the information he just learned. All that planning and preparation Y/N had gone through, putting herself in danger and harm’s way in kidnapping him to get enough money to run away and find new treatment, was all for not. Lorelai wasn’t getting better. She never would. His heart hurt for Y/N and the pain she would soon be enduring in losing her last living parent. He knew the feeling all too well. He mourned over the thought that Lorelai was going to be leaving soon, already missing her spunky nature that he only just became acquainted with. And even though Wanda was a thorn in his side, she wasn’t an obstacle. He made the decision right then and there to be there for this little family until the very end. He would do whatever it took to make sure they all got whatever they wanted or needed.

Y/N walked over to him and he quickly smiled at her. “Hey you,” she said, sitting next to him. She took his metal hand in hers, and he felt a deep satisfaction at her initiating contact with him.

“Hey,” he said, watching the wind blow through her hair. “I think Lorelai is trying to hook up with Sam.”

Y/N snickered, covering her mouth with her free hand so the others wouldn’t hear. “I think you’re right,” she said quietly. “Do you think he’ll go for it?”

Bucky snorted and squeezed her fingers. She watched Lorelai giggle at Sam, her face softening and looking serene in the shade. He pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it and her knuckles, then twisted her hand and kissed her fingertips and her palm reverently. She looked at him and smiled sweetly. “You Y/L/N women,” he smirked. “Just too beautiful for your own good.”

@buckysgirl27 @vicmc624 @greatenthusiasttidalwave @angywritesstuff @quickreadz @the-fantasy-loving-angel @s-a-v-a-n-a-34 @princesschyanne @ilovetaquitosmmmm @lostinspace33 @levisungjingwoo2099

#marvel #bucky barnes #smut #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfic #series fanfic #chapter 3 #mobster!bucky barnes #mob boss

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neuroticpeach · 2 days ago

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Curses' Break 3

Rui Mizuki x Reader

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Chapter 3: Embrace

GN!Reader will use they/them and (Y/N).

CWs for this chapter:

Rui has an anxiety again but it's ok

domesticity

date time!

help they're so cute

oh hey, another familiar character

huh. this chapter ended up longer than anticipated

anomalous creatures

author accidentally learned some things while researching

cheesy, fluffy lines (you know you secretly love them)

Click HERE to start at Chapter 1

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Chapter 3: Embrace

You didn't expect to wake up to a panicked yell, twisting and flying blankets, and the loud thump of a body hitting the floor, but maybe you should have.

“(Y/N)! Are you okay ohmygod–!”

Drowsily, you rubbed the sleep from your eyes and looked up towards the culprit of your unconventional alarm. Rui's face was shocked-pale, sweat breaking out on his brow. You noted the lines the fabric of the pillow had left on his cheek–he must've slept without moving much–and the way the clothes he had worn the day before crumpled off-center on his form; it was quite a difference for someone who usually looked so well-kempt.

He was kneeling on the floor on the opposite side of the bed, legs tangled in a blanket he had taken with him in the abrupt fall, eyes wildly darting over where you lay.

“It's okay, Rui! It's okay!” you quickly consoled him as you sat up. “I'm okay!” He stilled a bit as he took in your words, his breath slowing. “I'm okay. It's okay.”

Seeming to gain a better idea of where he was, of what had happened in the still so fresh interim, he finally regained a more composed look. “...Shit,” he swore quietly, momentarily resting his forehead on the bed before looking back up to you apologetically. “Sorry. Sorry. I thought…”

You nodded. “Yeah. I understand.” You offered a small, sleepy smile. “It's… new for you.”

He wiped a hand across his face, pushing back blond bangs. “You're not kidding,” he muttered, then sheepishly grinned in your direction. “Sorry for the rude awakening.”

You shifted in the bed, bringing your knees to your chest and wrapping your arms around them. “I didn't have the heart to wake you,” you confessed. “And I could only get a sheet over you without touching you. Don't worry, though, I made sure the pillow wall was secure.” You rested your chin atop your knees. “I know you haven't slept in… a while.”

Color slowly returned to Rui's cheeks as he uncoiled himself from the sheet and slowly rose to his feet. “Yeah. You might say that.” He twisted around a bit, stretching in the wrinkled, day-old outfit, but seemed to be regaining some of his usual demeanor. He winked in your direction. “Better look out! If I get too much beauty sleep, I'll just be irresistible~”

You giggled. “I don't want to resist, though,” you quipped back, stretching some as well. “Plans for the day?”

The (former?) Reaper effortlessly started to pick up blankets and sheets, moving into a tidying mode with practiced ease, fluffing pillows and even straightening the bedskirt. “Well, I thought I'd check on the rats and let them have some play time while I took a shower,” he explained. “Jiro was saying that as long as the room doesn't have a lot of wires or like… dangerous things for them, they should free roam for at least an hour a day. And there's a small study just off one of the bathrooms that could work well for that.”

“Mm-hmm.” You watched him happily as he moved around the room. He probably didn't even realize he had gone into chore mode, but watching him brought a calm to your thoughts. The word domestic came to mind, and not unpleasantly.

With a flourish, he spun back around towards you, leaning over and planting his palms on the bedspread as he looked levelly into your eyes. “Oh. And don't think I forgot about our date,” he added, beaming. “That'll be lunchtime for us.”

You tilted your head to the side curiously. “You still haven't told me what we're doing. Only to dress in something ‘water resistant, comfortable to walk in, and not a swimsuit.’”

He winked at you. “And I'm still not telling. Don't want to ruin the surprise. But I think you'll like it.”

“Even if I can't hold your hand yet?” You trailed your fingertips in circles around where Rui's rested on the bed, and he sighed, longingly watching your hands as he stood back upright.

He crossed his arms, less for a defensive posture over his chest than to keep himself from reaching for you. “Yeah,” he smiled back, but you could see the sadness simmer in his eyes. “I hadn't expected to be cured just yet when setting everything up.” The corner of his smile perks up just a little more. “Not that I'm not super grateful.”

Tossing another wink your way with a blown kiss that you caught from the air and returned in kind, he started for the door. “Love you, (Y/N),” he called softly, his cheeks and even ears dusting pink as he did so. “Thank you for loving me back. And for always…” His hand paused a moment on the door frame. “...waiting for me.”

“‘Love is patient,’” you quoted cheesily, drawing a laugh from him.

He sighed dreamily. “You must love me a lot, then.”

You grinned, tossing a pillow his way that he easily parried. “Go shower, Rui!”

“I'm going! I'm going!”

-oOo-

You were thankful for the advice on comfortable clothes as you followed Rui along in Obscuary's forest, delving deeper than you had before. His brown leather jacket was a thick enough layer that he didn't flinch when you grabbed the back of it for balance when traipsing over a particularly knotty tree root.

“Easy there,” he chimed, standing still for a beat so you could right yourself, grinning over his shoulder. “We're almost there.”

“How can you tell?” you teased, not wanting to let go of the jacket just yet. “There's no trails or anything this way.”

The blond tapped his nose and winked, causing you to close your eyes and sniff at the air. After a moment, you looked back at him questioningly. “Water? We're near a body of water?”

“Yup, good call,” he agreed, then laughed when his stomach grumbled audibly. “Oops. Pardon me. Guess it's good I have this.” Slung on his arm was a large basket holding what you could only assume was your lunch.

Further confirming your guess, you soon could hear the telltale trickle of gentle waves at a bank. Like a magic trick, Rui grinned as his gloved hand (old habits) pushed back a large fern to reveal a picturesque scene.

The anomalous equivalent of weeping willows draped over a small pond. The water was clear enough in the dark of Obscuary's eternal night that you could see a slow fade into blackness that twinkled, creating an illusion of space completed by the moon's reflection. Vegetation flocked eagerly to the water's edge, its bioluminescent light reflected in every color of the rainbow.

“Oh, Rui,” you sighed contentedly, heat rising to your cheeks. “It's beautiful.”

The ghoul smiled back at you, clutching at his chest a moment. “Not as beautiful as my view,” he replied, eyes softening and focusing on you. Your cheeks reddened a little more, matching the blush that rose in his cheeks, too.

“Ah, Ojou-chan! Rui! I hope I'm not interrupting!”

You jumped a little at Haru's cheerful and loud voice as he came onto the scene, but Rui didn't. The blond greeted his friend with a wave. “Harurin! You're still here?” Rui looked around curiously as the redhead got to his feet, having been situated in a kneel at the water's edge, behind a large phosphorescent mushroom that had initially blocked him from view. “Everything go okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, fine!” Haru chirped back. “Just making sure the family was getting adjusted to their home, that they didn't need anything.”

“‘Family?’” You looked askance from one ghoul to the other.

Rui chuckled, giving you another knowing wink. “Part of the surprise for our date. You'll see.”

Haru squinted more (was that possible for him?) at the two of you for a beat before his own cheeks reddened in a blush. “Ah, yeah. You two lovebirds probably don't need a third wheel, haha!” he laughed. “I'll see you both later! Have a good time!” With a quick Bahnti! the redhead hurriedly disappeared.

Rui waved for a prolonged moment, then immediately set to work, gesturing to a spot that was relatively clear near the bank. He opened the basket, revealing some neat meals like you had guessed, along with a blanket and a couple cushions. “A picnic date~” his sing-song voice tilted as he spread the blanket and started unpacking some meals. “With a perfect spot for the show.”

One of those lovely fluttering and warm shivers that you were quickly growing accustomed to around this man went down your spine as you took a seat on one of the proffered cushions. “‘Show?’ ‘Family?’” You cocked an eyebrow at him. “You really went all out for me…”

“Not at all,” he smiled back, attentively setting a meal between the two of you. “I'd do even more if I could. But it's more the thought that counts, right?” Ruby eyes sparkled in your direction. “And you're always on my thoughts.”

“Keep talking like that,” you laughed, “and I will have high blood sugar at my next health check.”

Rui stumbled dramatically back, feigning shock. “It isn't already? Because you're so sweet?”

“Rui!” You squealed a little bit with laughter. and his laughter joined yours. “That's laying it on a little thick, even for you!”

“Better get used to it, cutie.” Another wink. “I can't keep myself away from you.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way.” Your voice softened as the two of you started to relax into your seats by the waterside.

As you both started on your meal, you let your gaze shift out onto the sparkling water. You watched as the wind blew through the willow-like leaves that hung over the pond, sending little ripples where the trees’ stems danced ever-so-lightly across the surface.

And then you started to notice the singing.

It was almost too quiet to hear at first, and it wasn't in a language you thought you had ever heard before. Gentle, sweet, and almost melancholic, what started as white noise soon seemed to envelope the both of you. You looked back at Rui, and he grinned, held a “shhh!” finger to his lips, and then pointed back out at the water.

Your first thought was mermaids, but you had seen a real mermaid before. Your second thought was sirens, but the music, while beautiful, wasn't mesmerizing or drawing you physically in. Then you saw them:

There were three, and they were humanoid in shape but little more than two feet tall. Seemingly genderless and ageless, the creatures seemed to literally dance on the water, holding what you assumed were hands in a circle. Their pale gray skin was translucent, almost ghostly, and they seemed to generate their own glow.

“They're called Asrais,” Rui whispered, just loud enough to be heard. “They usually come from Scotland. Someone had liked them so much that they tried to take them to Japan, but they were intercepted by one of our missions. They're sort of like a lot of other animals that people try to domesticate: seem like a good idea at the time, but taking care of them is much more difficult.”

“How so?” The Asrai didn't seem to notice you, continuing their strange dance.

“Well, they need water for one thing,” he explained. “And darkness for another. If they get even a hint of sunlight, they dissolve into a mere puddle.”

The Asrai separated, sinking a little lower into the water and flitting around in a way that reminded you of synchronized swimmers; the water didn't seem to interfere with their song. “So Obscuary is perfect for them,” you surmised.

“Yup. That's why even though they originally went to Jabberwock, Harurin helped us get them shipped here.” The three twirled and twisted in the water, their song picking up speed. Rui chuckled, allowing his volume to increase a little. “Sounds like they're getting playful now.”

He was right; soon what seemed like a ballet shifted, music and dance both taking faster and more cheerful crescendos. One of the Asrai seemed to take notice of you, and it flashed you a very human-like smile before skidding excitedly across the water towards you. It veered away at the last second, sending a spray of water in the air like a car near a puddling curb.

Both of you laughed in the sudden shower, and soon the other two Asrai mimicked the first, seeming to find joy in your reactions.

“That's why you said ‘water-resistant!’” Your laughter mingled with shrieks and squeals of joy as the beat continued to pick up. The Asrai changed course continuously, in no time spreading the water spray into measured consistency, making it seem like a private rainstorm.

Rui got to his feet, giving a little bow and holding out a gloved hand. “May I have this dance?”

“Of course!”

The ghoul held one hand low and one hand high. You stepped towards him, arms moving up as though for a waltz. Both pairs of hands hovering so as to avoid actual contact, you swayed and stepped with him in circles around your soon-to-be-soaked picnic blanket. At least at first, your little dance was loose but formal.

Then, you doubled over with laughter when Rui stepped back, switching to very silly and very exaggerated more modern steps, his hair and clothes clinging to his grinning visage. The Asrai seemed enthralled with the playfulness; even the translucent creatures let out tinkling, song-like laughter.

Eventually, everyone seemed to be tiring out, including the “family,” who soon sunk away into the pond. Soaked and red-faced, you and Rui peered at one another as you caught your breath.

“So.” His grin, you thought, could not get any bigger. “Not a bad show?”

You vigorously shook your head, grinning back. “That was amazing.”

An eternity seemed to pass between the two of you, but you couldn't stop smiling, couldn't look away. Your heart hammered against your ribs, and you were certain he must hear it. Of course, his heart was beating so hard, he thought he was going to melt.

“Can I hug you?” The request fell from his lips before he could stop it, his cheeks absolutely flaming. “This jacket is thick, and I still have my gloves, so–”

You practically threw yourself into his arms.

Shaking, he let his arms wrap around you, the pressure of your embrace, the warmth he could feel even through the layers, making his heart soar.

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