#Now Rin thinks she made two new friends who give her feelings of warmth but they both also reminded her of something old she thinks

[equill]

Reuniting with a distorted past.

Extra:(New personality tested gone wrong)

wanted to play with rin living in the aftermath aus aswell and had these drawings laying around to share so yay

Panel 1: Was buried alive.

Comic 1: Who are you supposed to be?

new friends

Comic 2: Misguided protection.

obito still sensing the warning signs of rin losing her temper. anyways they proceeded to be dragged into the ocean by rin like some sea monster

Comic 3: Finding out (Now what will you do?)

obito is harshly brought back from his delusions because now its not just kushina but rin too who he needs to ripped out the tail beast from

[angsty-omi]

you get jealous of their manager

suna rintarou; sakusa kiyoomi

angst to fluff, hurt/comfort.

suna rintarou

when rin told you about the new manager, you didn’t expect her to be blonde, curvy, and absolutely gorgeous. honestly, just looking at her made you insecure. the way all the boys gawked at her everytime she walked by. you didn’t care about the boys though, you only cared about a boy, your boyfriend rin. she’s with him longer than he’s with you. practices take up most of his day, so you only saw him once he got to your shared apartment where he was too tired to do anything that exterted energy. to be fair, you were fine just staying in, but imagining him with her during practices made you uncomfortable.

it was even worse when he’d go out to dinner with the team and her. you couldn’t remember the last time he’d even ask you on a date. you hated the way he stopped trying once you started dating. starting to reach the AMs when you called him.

“y/n?” his slurred tone showed that he was drunk.

“suna? where are you? it’s almost 12 am.” you scolded. how could you not? he’s drunk and with a girl that you were very envious of.

“first of all, can you chill? i literally told you that i’d be out with the boys, i don’t understand why you’re getting so upset,”

“upset? you’re literally out with a girl who’s very attarctive” you frustrated.

“oh i see what this is now, you’re jealous and you don’t trust me.”

“it’s not a matter of trust, it’s just i fe-feel uncomfortable and i oh i don’t know wanted to talk about it?” you started to raise your voice. the attempt to set a boundary has failed, and rather was replaced with you being the enemy.

“she’s my friend y/n, get over it because you’ll be seeing a lot more of her,” rin hissed.

“i’m not telling you who you can be friends with or not, but you have to understand where i’m coming from” you murmured.

“just leave me alone, i can be friends with whoever i want, and the last thing i’m going to do is let a bitch dictate that.” suna argued loudly.

it was followed up by silence, with a girl voice cutting in, “rin-rin let’s do this song together!” in a high pitch squeal caught the mic.

“oh so you’re rin rin now huh? i can’t be surprised considering how much time you spend with her!”

“well maybe i like hanging out with her. did you ever think of that y/n? it’s nice to have someone who wouldn’t nag or bitch about me, she doesn’t pry for me to open up,” he attempted to justify his actions.

“okay fine then, if she’s soooo perfect than just date her” words just started spilling out of your brain, and it was too late to take it back.

“maybe i will!” he roared. after he sunk in what he was saying, he followed up with “w-wait i didn’t mea-” trying to save his relationship.

“do whatever you want suna, whether you’re with her or not it’s not my problem anymore, i’m done.” you ended the call, tears freely flowing down your face.

you couldn’t sleep that night. pathetically, you’d hope that suna would at least give you a call back, or any sign that he still cared for you. but he didn’t, and you assumed that was your answer. you would reevaluate the relationship after a good nights sleep on the couch. you couldn’t sleep on the bed due to suna’s lingering scent.

when 4am rolled around, the door opened as quietly as possible. suna assumed that you were asleep in bed, and was prepared to join you. when he walked in the bedroom and saw the bed still made, he panicked. did you really leave? were you actually done with the relationship? he checked everywhere, the bathroom, kitchen, the basement, and not the most obvious place ever. he dialed your phone, and heard loud ringing from the living room. he slapped his forehead in stupidity and made his way over to you. his heart broke at the sight. the way you tried to fit your body with the throw blanket, unaware that you were shivering at the cold. your face was also pale, with dried tears on them. you looked so broken and so drained. immediately, suna carried you off the couch bridal style, and tucked you into the soft king sized bed. he then, moved onto his side and slid under the sheets. it’s only when he grabs your waist is when he feels safe enough to sleep.

five hours later, you awake with dried tears still in your eyes. you wiped them with your arm, and felt weight around your waist. once your eyes were cleared, it was suna. you let yourself comfort in his warmth for just a bit more, knowing that there’s a huge argument to come.

“suna we can’t just not talk about this,” you whispered into his ear, knowing he was awake. he hid in the crook of your neck, “i’m sorry. i’m so so sorry, please take me back.”

“i can’t just accept your apology blindly, we have to set boundaries or else we’ll never move forward.” you sighed while tracing circles on his bare chest.

“i’ll never even look at her again,” his face deadpanned. your laugh vibrated against his chest, “that’s not needed, it’s not really her fault anyways. how about, we spend more time on dates and devote days for each other?”

“anything, princess.”

sakusa kiyoomi

sakusa hated physical touch, the spread of germs with a single handshake grossed him out. that’s why he built a cold exterior to prevent many from getting close. however, when he met you, you happened to be the exception and you took pride in the fact that he was only comfortable with you. he’ll never admit it to you though, and claims he only ‘endures’ your hugs. although, you knew your limit, you would never show affection in front of people. if there’s one thing sakusa hates, it’s PDA.

so you couldn’t really blame the new cute manager for flirting with him, because it seemed like he was single. listen, you trusted sakusa with your whole heart, but you just wanted to see how he would react with a girl flirting with him.

you hid behind the door, eavesdropping behind the door.

“sakusa-senpai, can you please help me up?” the cute manger whined.

“can you not get up yourself?” sakusa groaned.

“no i think i twisted something,” as a girl, you knew exactly what she was doing and her execution was poor. you rolled your eyes, assuming sakusa too would know what she was doing.

but he didn’t.

“thank you, sakusa-senpai!” she squealed, and then what you can assume, she hugged him. because then it caught him by suprise, and they both fell together, with her on top of him. you didn’t hear him scolding her, rather he was laughing. he was happy with her presence when he wouldn’t even physically show it with you. you decided to just walk in and stop this.

amidst of their laughter, both heads looked up at you. “sakusa, don’t you have to get home soon?” with an eyebrow raised.

“uh actually sakusa-senpai it’s getting dark, mind if you could walk me home?” she babbled.

“fine, y/n you can walk yourself right?” he said casually, while packing up his things.

“y-yeah i guess” you stammered.

on your walk home, you were reevaluating what just happened. no longer did you feel special anymore. your brain started to overthink itself, why did they look better as a couple? and why was he so relaxed around her? was i just not the right person? has he found his true love? all these scenarios made you start to tear up. you were in love with the germaphobic man, for god sakes.

when you got the shared apartment, you immediately took a shower, knowing that sakusa was going to nag you anyways when you got home.

then, you started on dinner and chopping up some vegetables when you heard the door open. he nodded at you, acknowledging your presence and was waiting for the hug you gave him everytime he came home. but you didn’t, and he awkwardly just stood there for good minute or two. to your suprise, he was the first one to make the move. he wrapped his arms behind you and resting his head on your neck. immediately, you shrugged him off.

he furrowed his eyebrows, “is there something wrong?”

“i don’t know, is there something wrong?” you repeated his question.

“i wouldn’t know, that’s why i asked.” he bellowed.

you put the knife down and faced him, “you know i love the double standard of how i have to shower before i get to touch you, but that whore gets to touch you whenever,” you ranted.

“our new manager? you can’t be serious. we fell, it was an accident.”

“maybe you thought it was, but i know what she was doing because i, too am a girl. if you guys just ‘fell’ why did it take so long for you to get back up? why’d you let her touch you for so long?” you questioned.

“i wasn’t thinking about it, not everything i do in life is rotated around germs-”

“except when it’s with me” your voice cracked. “right? it’s when it’s with me, that must be it. that’s why you never show any affection, but it’s okay for you because you’ve gotten tons from me and her!” you raved.

he tried to wrap his around you, but you moved out the way.

“don’t touch me with that whore’s filth,” you muttered, turning off the burner and stomped to your shared bedroom, slamming the door. your insecurities were roaring on the inside. sakusa chose to sleep on the couch, thinking you needed space. but, that was the least thing you wanted. you wanted him to beg, or to at least apologize.

over the following days, you didn’t wait for him outside of practice. in fact, the only time he saw you was in the morning before classes and at night when you left leftovers for him in the kitchen. after the argument, he pushed everyone away, especially with the new manager. he only wanted one person’s touch, yours. and to achieve that, he had to put in some effort. that night when he got home, he went straight to the shower. you assumed it was just a normal silent treatment day, so you went to bed scrolling.

you felt the weight on the other side of the bed. knowing who it was, you continued to aimlessly scroll on tiktok. sakusa abruptly grabbed your waist and coddled you, drowning you in pecks all around your face.

“mh.. sakus.. sa.. mh..” continuously getting cut off with his cute pecks on your lips. you decided to let go of the whole manager situation, and let yourself to just be happy. you wrapped your arms around his neck and put him even closer to you. he then pulled away and you dramatically groaned.

putting his face close to yours, “i love you y/n l/n.” before continuing.

a/n: if you like this series please request some characters you’d like to see!

[yunhoez]

Swell

♄ pairings: suna x reader (in their 20s)

♄ genre: romance, angst, bestfriends to lovers (if u keep one eye open)

♄ warnings: cussing, smoking, suna & atsumu aren't volleyball players okay (don't yell at me), sfw for now

♄ wc: 2.4k

♄ a/n: okay so this is based on a script I wrote (it’s gonna be a film soon hehe), but considering I have to keep it short I wanted to continue it on as a fic! thank you to @chifuyuzu, @arumiee, @psmugglerr, and Mal♡ for encouraging me to do this and reading it <3 I hope y’all enjoy!

♄ songs - Swell by Lunar Vacation, I Don't Know You by The Marias

_______________________________________________

The low humming of the car and soft music coming from the radio sends you into a trance as you look out at the familiar streets of your hometown. Your head pressed against the seat feels heavy with the thought of being back in the place you ran away from. Your gaze trails to the two in the front seat, the streetlights hitting them enough for you to make out their features you’ve seemed to forget. Ava hums to the song on the radio lightly, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. Atsumu’s eyes are fixed on the road before he turns toward Ava and rubs her back slightly. She shoots him a small smile before returning her gaze to the road. The aching feeling in your heart swells, making your stomach churn.

“It’s weird.” You say, breaking the peaceful silence that once graced the car.

“Hm?” Ava hums, looking at you through the rearview mirror.

“Nothing ever seems to change here.” You state, staring back out at the window with a blank expression, catching a glimpse of the houses you’d pass on the way to school.

Ava shakes her head, although you tried to mask your emotions, she could tell that you were irritated. Atsumu laughs looking out of the passenger seat window, noticing the park he used to practice volleyball at.

“It really hasn’t been that long since we’ve been here, Y/N.”

“I know, but you’d think things would at least feel different.” You throw your head back in frustration, letting out a loud sigh. Ava laughs, turning her blinker on before she begins to turn into yet another familiar street.

“I don’t know, I like that things are the same here. It feels like home, ya know? Knowing that there will always be a place that feels familiar is kinda comforting.”

Your gaze settles onto Ava with a mischievous grin. You scoot into the middle seat, leaning in between your two friends. Atsumu looks over at you and giggles, looking up at Ava to stare at her with you. Ava takes her eyes off the road for a second to see you two, she rolls her eyes.

“What?” She deadpans.

“That was the cheesiest shit I’ve ever heard you say.” Your laugh fills the car, making Atsumu join in and eliciting a small huff from Ava.

“Shut up! Is it so bad I actually like my hometown?”

“Yes.” Both you and Atsumu state at the same time, further irritating Ava as she swerves slightly making the both of you slide in your seats.

“Crazy how I can just drop you two off on the side of the road and leave.”

“Not like we don’t know the way around here.” Atsumu says, poking at Ava’s cheek.

“Looks like you’re walking to the studio then.” Ava stops the car in the middle of the road, Atsumu looks at her with a puzzled look. She leans over to open his car door, you stare at the two in amusement waiting to see what happens.

“Babe, it’s another 10 miles!” Atsumu exclaims, shutting the door.

“Atsumu, just shut up or walk before these cars come.” You state, looking behind you and see the car lights coming from a small distance.

“Why do I have to shut up when this one started it?”

“Huh?! What did I do?”

Ava rolls her eyes, picking at her nail polish as the two of you bicker over nothing. She puts the car in drive and slams on the breaks causing the two of you to fall over.

“What the hell, Ava?” You ask from the middle of the driver and passenger seat. “I could’ve died?” Ava stifles a laugh before putting the car in park. She looks at Atsumu pouting in his seat, rubbing his forehead and refusing to make eye contact with her. Ava lets out a loud laugh, wiping at the corner of her eyes. You giggle to yourself as you lift yourself up, moving towards the right side of the car to take your seat. You notice Ava placing a kiss on Atsumu’s forehead and the fond touches the two share. A small smile appears on your face seeing them interact, their love radiating off of them like the sun on a hot day. It felt so nice to be around them, but the heat in your heart was beginning to sting. Was it jealousy? No. Anger? No. Longing… Maybe.

“Geez, ya nearly gave me a concussion!”

“Serves you right.”

Ava puts the car in drive, cruising along the dimly lighted streets. Atsumu continues to mutter to himself about how his head hurts.

“I felt my brain rattle.”

“Crazy because there’s nothing in there.”

They continue talking as you look out the window, blocking out their conversation with your own thoughts. Why did I come back here? Surely, I could’ve made up some excuse and made it up to them another time. I don’t think I’m ready to see-

“Anyways, Y/N, do ya really hate it here that much?” Atsumu breaks your train of thought.

“S’not that I hate it.” You mutter, head resting on your hand. “It’s just a weird feeling coming back to a place that doesn’t change. Like everything’s frozen in time… it freaks me out.” Scarlett peaks at you through the rearview mirror, once again, observing your facial expression. Always the mysterious one, aren’t ya? She thought.

“If you ask me, I think it’s nice having a place that doesn’t change. Somewhere you know you can be comfortable and find some sort of peace.” You stare at her for a second, before returning your gaze to the window.

“I guess you’re right.”

“Wow, you’re actually agreeing with me for once?”

“I mean I’m not opposed to the idea of it, I just don’t like getting too comfortable…”

“Fair enough.” Ava sighs, glancing over at Atsumu who nods knowingly at her as he puts his window down. Your window begins to roll down causing you to look at Ava in confusion. “Fresh air will do ya good.”

You rest your arms on the car window, slightly leaning your head onto them as you peek out of the window. The cool autumn breeze tickles your face, as you soak in the darkness of the night. It was a new moon, the only light coming from the sky was the twinkling stars and planets. You look up to the sky and catch a glimpse of a shooting star. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of those. You thought. I wonder if he still does this.

“Nice being able to see the stars, ain’t it?” Atsumu says, half way out of the car window.

“Yeah…” You smile, a giggle leaving your mouth as he sways in the wind dramatically. “One break from Ava and you’ll fly out!”

“Oi, don’t give her any ideas!”

Ava laughs, turning into the corner store you all used to visit everyday. Atsumu sits back into his seat, handing Ava a wad of cash from his wallet.

“Any requests?”

“Starbursts, make sure ya get the one with all the reds!”

“Alright, Y/N?”

“Oh! And one of those fancy lookin’ waters! Ya know, with the cool designs and shit?” Atsumu interrupts. Ava sends him a teasing glare and he smirks. She turns towards you, your attention fixed on the store that seemed to remain the same. The beige building had the same lettering and advertisements as it did when you were in high school. The railings had a fresh coat of paint on them, but still looked scuffed from all the times you and your friends would sit on them. It was just how you left it. How annoying.

“Oi, Y/N! Getcha’ head out of the clouds, Ava’s askin’ ya something”

“Sorry, what’s up?”

“You want anything?”

“I’m okay, thanks.”

“Twizzlers? Got it.”

Ava exits the car and runs into the shop. Atsumu lifts off his seat slightly, digging into his pockets and pulling out a pack of Seven Stars cigarettes. He plucks one out and lights it, puffing the smoke out of the window. The scent envelops her, giving her a sense of both warmth and pain from the memories it holds.

“Thought you quit.”

“I did. This is for nostalgic reasons.” He smiles, inhaling the smoke and releasing it out of the window in a swift movement.

“Right, you and Rin…” You trail off mid sentence. Atsumu looks up at you through the rearview mirror, just as Ava did, and takes another drag.

“Mhm, this was our go to place for a while.” His eyes flicker from you to the inside of the store. He relaxes back into his seat, looking over at Ava with the biggest grin on his face. She’s looking intensely at two bottles of water and making small talk with the cashier. You smile to yourself, pulling your knees to your chest as you remember the times you all used to meet up here and spend hours talking about nothing.

“When was the last time you two spoke?”

“I can’t remember.”

Atsumu nods, knowing the answer. He flicks the bud of the cigarette out of the window, turning slightly to see you staring at the ground. He flicks your forehead softly, earning a yelp from you. He laughs.

“He’s still here, ya know?”

You look up from the ground, but stay silent for a few moments before he speaks up again.

“He never wanted to leave.”

“Sounds like him.” You let go of your legs, opening the car door and stepping out. You stretch a bit before shutting the door behind you. “You think he’ll be at the show?”

“I don’t think he’d miss getting the chance to see you again.”

You let out an annoyed sigh, walking up to the door and exchanging a couple words with Ava before she exits. The cashier greets you just how he did when you were sixteen and the layout of the store is the same as it was 4 years ago. Nothing’s changed here… so why do I feel so out of place?

“What did you do?” Ava sighs, rummaging through the bag of snacks she just bought.

“Huh? I didn’t do anything!” Atsumu exclaims, hands held up in surrender as if he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.

“Sure, you didn’t. I’m assuming you mentioned Rintarou.”

“Hm? Rintarou? I don’t even know who that is.”

Ava scoffs, throwing the bag of Starbursts at him. He turns to her in shock, dramatically falling into his seat and gripping at the spot the candy hit him. She giggles, taking a bite out of a twizzler and lifting her leg onto her seat.

“What is she getting anyways?” Atsumu mutters, obnoxiously chewing on his candy.

“Lollipops.” Ava shrugs.

_____________________________________________

The smell of cinnamon and the bright lights of the studio overwhelm your senses in the most pleasant way possible. People you’ve never seen before walk past you, admiring the works of art your best friend, Rei, has displayed. Quiet chatter is heard over the music playing from a record player in the corner, occasionally Atsumu’s loud voice is heard saying “Yeah! Rei’s my best friend, she did all of this, ya know? I was her inspiration for most.” You giggle to yourself, hearing a small “Ow” when Ava elbows him in the rib. You observe the people around you, keeping an eye out for a certain brown haired boy. He’s not here. Your thought is interrupted by Rei’s sweet voice and a small shot glass held in front of your face.

“You look like you need this.” Rei giggles. You laugh lightly, grabbing the glass and clinking it with Rei’s before downing it with her.

“Strawberry?”

“Just like old times.” She smiles. You give her an annoyed look, causing her to roll her eyes and sling her arm over your shoulders. “Shut up, you know it’s our tradition.”

They part for a second then hook their arms together as they walk around the studio, Rei pointing out her favorite pieces and explaining them to you as you admire how ecstatic she is. The two of you stop at the last few pieces of her exhibit, the wall filled with pictures she’s taken over the years.

“I’m so proud of you.” You state, leaning your head onto her shoulder.

“Being vulnerable counts for something, doesn’t it?” She smiles, patting your head lightly.

Rei looks over at the entrance of the studio and waves to a couple people. You lift your head up and let go of her arm, as she smiles at you.

“I’ll be back!” She exclaims, running over and greeting them as she takes them on a tour of her art studio.

You debate whether to roam around the studio or stick to this exhibit, when something catches your eye. You stand closer to the photos, noticing how they date back to 2015. A couple photos in the timeline up to the present catch your eye. Ava, Atsumu, Rei, You, and Suna were in nearly every single one of them. You feel tears prick your eyes at how simple those times were, annoyed at the feeling of nostalgia seeping into your mind.

“Well this fucking sucks.” You whisper to yourself.

“I know, I look terrible in that picture.” A familiar voice states. A tall, lanky man stands beside you. His messy brown hair framing his face perfectly, as he gazes at the photos. You glance at him slightly, realizing who it is and avert your gaze back to the photos. “Seriously, who let me wear that?” He asks, looking over towards you and stifling a laugh at your reaction.

You turn your face to the other side, hoping he hasn’t recognized you. How could he? It’s been what? 3 years? I’ve changed my hair since then, there’s no possible way he’ll know it’s me. Suna lets out a laugh, making your heart ache. You turn to where he was standing and he wasn’t there. You furrow your brows and sigh with relief, but a hint of disappointment. You return your attention to the photos, only to be met with Suna’s chest. You hold your breath and remain still, as he bends down to meet your gaze. His golden eyes peering at you with a mischievous grin on his face, one that you remember all too well.

“Long time no see, angel.”

[mythicamagic]

As usual... I can never just choose one... soo here are my top choices you choose one. Lol

1. Are you flirting with me?” “You finally noticed?

2. The worst thing is, that even after all of that, I’m still in love with you.

3.that ship has sailed. i’ve had my one great love already

4. we’re just…friends.” “friends don’t do this type of shit!

5. Did you just slap my ass?” / “Actually, I firmly grasped it.” 

Why did I decide 2 of the hurt/sad/angst.. idk.. i suppose im glutton for punishment. Dont hurt me too bad if you choose to do one of them myth.

Decided to do a part two for - this ask. 

I chose;  The worst thing is, that even after all of that, I’m still in love with you.

---

The air felt crisp and clean, biting at Kagome's cheeks as she wound her scarf tighter around her neck. Winter markets were so much fun. The vast array of cute little items on display made warmth light up her chest, even as the candy and children's toys reminded her of a certain fox she'd left behind in the past.

Kagome smiled at Ayumi as she prattled on about something or other.

She shouldn't feel guilty. Shippo had barely visited the village in the last year she'd been there. Everyone had moved on. Including herself, somewhat. She'd been so wrapped up in her whirlwind romance with a certain Daiyoukai- the feudal era had been irreparably damaged as a home for her the second they'd broken up.

But she missed her friends. Dearly.

She shook herself. It was too late to go back on her choice now. The well had sealed shut for good.

Ayumi stopped to grab some hot chocolate from a street vendor, allowing Kagome a moment to warm her hands, rubbing them together.

Snowflakes gently danced about like powdered sugar, kissing Kagome's face as she turned- almost bumping face-first into a muscular chest. Fresh scents of wild forests and thunderstorms filled her nose, and she stiffened.

He smells the same.

Kagome bit the inside of her cheek, blue eyes narrowing. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing."

"Haven't the faintest idea of what you mean," he arranged his features into mild innocence, which was near impossible due to his smiling eyes.

"Riiight," she muttered, wishing Ayumi would hurry up.

Sesshoumaru gazed down at her, a pink gift bag in hand. Kagome grit her teeth, hating that she wondered who it was meant for.

"I did not intend to run into you here, before you accuse me of anything," his silky voice caressed her hearing once more. It sounded so lulling, designed to draw her back in. "Did you take my gift home with you or did you throw it away?" he asked, deceptively casually.

"Home. But don't think that means anything- it's not the plant's fault you're trying to worm your way back into my life."

The Daiyouki smiled to himself, obviously absurdly pleased. He began pursuing the street vendor's items right beside her, gazing at children's toys with a touch of gentleness in his steady gaze. Kagome was prepared to ignore him- until he leaned down, breath fanning 'accidentally' over her cheek as he picked up a doll and straightened.

"Do you remember Rin? And the other children-"

"Don't," Kagome said, unable to move away. She hated the thrumming of her skin so much. The way it cried out. Hated him.

Her skin flared alive, body humming with hunger. Like a shot of adrenalin to the heart, Kagome dipped her chin into her scarf to try and mask her escalating breathing due to his proximity. When they'd had sex- so many years ago- it hadn't been like human lovemaking.

He'd wired new pathways within her system via his youki. Sometimes she felt like it still lived inside her, having made a home for itself. They hadn't mated, but she felt irreversibly changed by it.

Kagome made a faint noise, squeezing her eyes shut.

Resist him-

"Kagome?"

Oh thank God.

"Ayumi, let's go," she said abruptly, facing her friend with an urgent look in her eyes.

Ayumi tilted her head slightly, eyeing Sesshoumaru curiously. "A-alright?"

"You do not need to leave," he turned, exuding a magnanimous air. "I am the one who intruded on your time, please continue," he gestured to the market, ensnaring Kagome's gaze with his own. Unblinking, unable to hide his more animalistic habits even after so many years.

"I hope to see you some other time when my presence does not disturb you," he said softly, walking away.

---

When entering work that Saturday, Kagome could already sense the buzz in the air. Someone had generously donated some priceless artefacts to their museum. The previously undiscovered finds that shaken everyone due to their rarity and mint condition. No one could stop talking about it.

Kagome's blood ran cold the second the items in question were described to her. Pushing through the crowd that had gathered, she stared in horror at the display case.

Itching for a fight, she immediately stormed to his office downtown, opening the door to reception and letting herself in. "Is Sesshoumaru here?" she burst, stopping in front of the secretary's desk.

"Mr Taisho?" the woman blinked, obviously thrown by the petite, angry miko currently glaring at her and using his name so informally. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No. Just tell him Kagome is here."

She was let into his office soon enough, trying to keep a lid on her crackling reiki. Sesshoumaru glanced up from his computer. "Miko? What a pleasant surprise."

Kagome slammed an article atop his desk. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped.

He raised a brow, briefly flicking his attention to the contents. A photo of red and white silks, coupled with polished spiked armour sat in a display unit. "Something wrong? It was just a donation, given in good faith."

"Donated to my workplace!" Kagome seethed, groaning and burying her face in her hands. "Don't you realise I'm going to have to see your things now every day? I've worn those clothes! I've slept in them as pyjamas! Are you trying to mess with me because you want me back?"

"That's a little dramatic, dear one, I'm not trying to 'mess with you.' It was just a donation," he rose from his seat, face inches from hers. "And if I wanted to romance you, I'd go about it much differently."

"Don't 'dear one' me," she snapped. "You could've donated that stuff years ago- or to a different museum. But no, you had to give it to mine."

"My gift was not meant to distress you, but," he rounded the table slowly, fingers dragging over the wood. "It does make me worry, seeing you so worn thin. Is something else going on? Separate from...us?"

Kagome stiffened, avoiding eye contact. Things with her boyfriend had been strained as of late, and the Daiyoukai's sudden appearance back into her life wasn't helping matters.

"There is no 'us.' I'm frustrated and exhausted, that's all. Don't make things even more complicated by asking about that stuff."

Sesshoumaru lingered close, and Kagome didn't shy away. The one person she couldn't bear to be near was also the only being who could offer some semblance of comfort to her due to his familiarity.

"This one meant to give you something," reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a business card, handing it over. Kagome immediately froze, staring at the name. "You miss him," Sesshoumaru murmured. "The kit lives in Kyoto now with his wife and children. Call him."

Tears pricked her eyes, and Kagome bowed her head. Full lips crumpled into a wobbly line.

"If there is something I regret more than our parting, it is that you felt compelled to leave. The fault lies with me."

Shaking her head, a saddened laugh bubbled up her throat. "It was my decision to break up, and it was my decision to leave the Feudal Era. Don't...blame yourself for that part."

"You did not do anything wrong," a long-fingered hand reached out, blunt nails losing their glamour. Sharp claws stroked dark curling hair back from her neck. Kagome's breathing hitched. "When we were together- you did not do anything wrong. We were both so young. It was foolish of me to act as I did, but I think it is now... that we are in the right place for something more."

Kagome shivered, body warming to him. Intuitively, the brush of fingers on her neck made her foolishly anticipate a kiss- sorely disappointed when it didn't come. "I'm not," she forced herself to say. Seeing the disappointment darken his brown eyes, she sighed. "I miss you," Kagome admitted quietly, turning away to escape from his touch. "I miss how... we were. I'm terrified of that, though. I was...under the impression we'd be together. Permanently. Then you had to go and tell me you needed 'pure' heirs to continue the family bloodline."

She laughed bitterly, loosely holding her arms. "The worst thing is, that even after all of that, I'm still in love with you."

"You are frightened that I will hurt you again."

Kagome nodded mutely. She then forced a giggle, giving a weak smile. "Besides, you may not like me as I am now. I'm more jaded than before."

"I like what I see very much," moving closer once more as though experiencing a gravitational pull, he stopped inches away. "I have missed you too," he muttered quietly, genuinely. She could feel him inhale her scent through her hair. "Very much."

Her mouth suddenly became dry. "I'm with Natsuki-"

"Leave him," a rush of passion entered his voice as Sesshoumaru swept closer, backing her into the desk. The wood dug into her thighs, their hips meeting. "This one is not interested in being 'the other man' in an affair. Nor am I interested in watching you remain with someone less than ideal," he snorted, resting his hand over her wrist and grazing his thumb over it.

"Y-you don't know anything about it!"

"I could smell your scent. It was not bright and cheerful even before I re-entered your life the other day. His feels...murky on you. Unhappy."

Kagome swallowed thickly, glancing away. "Observant as ever," she admitted softly.

"Or perhaps you did a poor job of hiding it," backing off a little- he rested his hip next to hers beside the desk, remaining near but barely touching. And yet everything felt so close. "You've changed. But you're still the same at your core, miko," hot breath fanned over her neck, teeth ghosting over the shell of her ear. "If you permitted me, I would not be reckless with your heart again, as I was in my youth."

Her palms traitorously slid up, sliding over firm muscles- running across his chest. He felt warm. His heart was beating fast. Was he nervous? Such a thing sounded impossible.

She bit her lip, secretly longing for the sensation of silks under her hands again instead of the modern cotton of his shirt.

"I don't know that I believe you," Kagome met his gaze, rewarded with the golden glow of his eyes instead of human brown.

"I've gotta go," she said reluctantly, forcing herself to pull away. "I need to be at work."

"Very well," he hummed, unmoving. "But if you...need something. You know where to find me."

He sounded almost desperate for an excuse to talk with her. Giving a curt nod, she let herself out of his office with a long breath, shaking her head. Sesshoumaru's static youki haunted her steps for the remainder of the day.

[spirits-n-giggles]

Fluffy SessRin for you. 🥰

One of the wonderful things about the connection with Rin and Sesshomaru is the ever popular slooooow buuuurn. A slow burn romance is a romance between a couple that takes a looooooooong time to build and they usually stay as friends for a long period of time while growing through changes in the stages of their relationship before something leaps their romance forward. This is a very popular form of storytelling inside of fanfiction and even more popular in the sessrin fandom. Slow burns take their time like the slow burning wick of dynamite; it takes its time as it keeps its audience in anticipation, with a little hint here and a little nudge there, right before getting to the big BOOM! that puts everything in place.

At least that is what I think happened with Sesshomaru and Rin. I don't think romantic intent was on any of their minds for a long time, and I personally don't think that they ever would have done so much as brush one's hand against another unless Rin made the first move.

Can you imagine Sesshomaru actually willing to touch ANYONE?

This is why I am convinced that if (and when) romance starts to take place, Rin is the one to initiate it, be it the way she gently glides her fingers against his claws as she accepts one of his many gifts, or the way her hair teases his watchful gaze in the wind as he is barely able feel the silk-like tresses before allowing them to slip from his touch as she takes off in a field of flowers at running speed.

Rin would be in her own perfect little world when Sesshomaru would visit her. He would see her at the end of each crescent moon cycle (because fanfiction), and there would always be a gift in his hand. Rin appreciates everything that he gives her, but the best gift he could ever give her was his time.

They would usually spend an afternoon together as they go on long and secluded walks. By the age of ten, she would go on and on about the responsibilities that she had been given, or share the new songs that Kagome would teach her. There would be one song in particular that would get stuck in her head, and it was a little tune about raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens. He would always listen. He would remain the silent one through the years before one day Rin would ask to hear about the adventures that he had been on since their departure. He would confess that things are quite dull in those days, since he didn't usually venture any longer than a day's travel from her. Even though that was way farther than a human would be able would be able to travel, he would have no idea how this unknowing confession would cause Rin's heart would grow even that much more fonder for him.

Something... something was just a little different after that, but neither of them could really put a finger on it.

Throughout time, their talks would evolve from childish singing to divulging into her education. As she would enter her pre-teen years, she would speak of her extensive human knowledge, as well as her desire to explore other cultures as she hears more of Kagome's culture home from another time. Sesshomaru would have grown more of a voice by this point, mentioning a time or two where he explored and found unique secrets of the known world. Rin's eyes would sparkle at the images that she dreams up in her mind on what it would be like to explore the world with Sesshomaru. He would continue to toss the idea of distant travel around while mentioning to bring back the most unique thing he could find for her. She would smile for him, appreciating the thought, but the idea of him going without her would send an uncomfortable feeling through her. He dangles the idea of travel above her like a fisherman would with bait on a hook, and she would itch to take it. The very idea would cause some aching deep within her. Sure, she always loved the things that he would bring her, but he would still struggle to understand that the one thing that she would ever want from him is his time.

In his entire lifetime, Sesshomaru never cared for any type of affection, let alone touch. He never even considered the idea of yearning for something so trivial and unnecessary. Why would he? Who would dare? He is not so weak to care for such a sentiment. He just never understood...

...until he understood.

He would not understand the warmth of a loving hand until the day of the spring solstice, in her thirteenth year, when she was lazily playing with a large bouquet of wildflowers she had picked. The day would be warm and the skies would be clear. Humming an old tune, she would be in her own little world as she would leisurely put a flower behind Sesshomaru's ear. Though it is the first time she had ever gotten this close to his face, she would do so as if it were something she had done her entire life.

Her touch would be so light and airy, as the brush of her thumb could be felt upon his flesh. It is here that it finally clicks that she is, indeed, very real, and growing at a rapid speed. He had known the pathetic fate of human kind, for it did not take long for humans to grow and die. That was never something he'd care enough to even consider, but the sudden sensation of her electrifying touch proved that simply seeing her with eyes alone was no longer enough for a demon who had always craved his own personal solitude.

And maybe.... just maybe... there would be a quench inside him for just a little more.

Just... a constant touch, be it the way their skin would almost meet as they would walk side by side, or maybe if he were lucky, he would find another blessed brush of her thumb to his cheek.

Just a touch to make sure she was still real....

To make sure she was, indeed, still living... still breathing....

Just to make sure she was okay.

But he would never voluntarily touch her.

No.

But she would.

It would be around the seventh year of her life in the village. It would be in the evening, at a time of merriment, yet in a secluded area. Sesshomaru would not be one for crowds, and Rin would know this. She would set a special place for them at a distance from the crowds, yet close enough to watch the light shows of fireworks and festival poppers. The colorful lights would shine vibrantly in the sky as they would sit beside one another beneath the sheen of the crescent moon. Without breaking her gaze from the light show ahead, she would intertwine her left arm around his right, and thread her fingers between his, locking their hands in the most gentle embrace.

Such action causes pause. Never has she been so bold as to do more than a tap to the shoulder. The warmth would be what throws him off the most, but he would not falter. He would feel her take in a deep breath and gently exhale while settling the weight of her body against his in a comfortable fashion. It is at this time that he starts to feel the soothing lull of her heartbeat through her fingertips, and it would send a brand new sensation through him. The soft rhythm would sooth him to almost a meditative state, feeling at peace through her touch with the knowledge that she is safe, right there, with him. She would lean her head against his shoulder, genly humming a familiar tune with words about packages tied up with string envelopes his eardrums while she draws lazy circles on top of his hand with her thumb. They would stay like that for the duration of the light show, and perhaps even longer. Neither of the two had ever felt so.... content until this moment. Perhaps they fell asleep like this. He would allow her touch for as long as she desired.

That would be the extent of their touch for a long while. As time would string by, she would sprinkle more of her touch, be it the gentle tug of his sleeve as she galvanted in wheat fields, or her delicate fingers as she would straighten the straggles of his hair that would get tangled in the ridges of his armor. Her touch would always be feather-like and instantaneous, but it would never be enough. There would be a twinge deep within the strong willed demon as they would grow even closer with time.

If he wasn't aware of her growth before, he definately would as her teen years would progress. It would seem as though she were very happy around her own kind. Other humans would start to notice her, especially the males. The very idea of any human male scent would be enough to irritate the demon lord for days at a time, so one could imagine the esteemed pleasure of Lord Sesshomaru observing the audacity of those disgusting human males as they pursue her.

But none of them ever seemed to matter to her.

No matter how many young men would stand around her and try for her affection, she would always happily break from the crowd when she would see Sesshomaru just beyond the horizon. There would be the the tiniest bit of pride as he would watch her run towards him with glee.

By now their talks would have dwindled to nothing more than a few comments in the entirety of their one afternoon a month, but nothing would really need to be said. They are content to just enjoy each others company and catch up on mundane life...

Until night would fall and it would be time for him to leave. This is when the goodbye's would gradually stretch with every visit. Sesshomaru would find himself not parting ways until well into the crescent moon nights. It is unknown when the farewells started to become somber and sad, but it would start to become just that much more difficult for Rin every time she would watch him take his leave. He would even bide his time as he would slowly yet surely venture onward for another month of lord knows what, and Rin would have to bear, yet another month of human life, unable to feel completely at peace.

How could she when it was never a garontee that he would return to her?

Yet somehow he always did.

Their first kiss would be in the rain (because at this point, Sesshomaru and Rin are basically the hallmark movie couple of the inuyasha fandom). They would be on their usual walk. It would be her sixteenth year as Autumn makes its way. Rin would guide Sesshomaru to their usual spot, a spot that she would only visit when he visits her. A storm would roll in, and it would be a bad one. It would be such a surprise turn in events, as it would force his visit short since it would be wise for him to beat the storm before his next stop. He would offer to escort her back with the promise of bringing her back something nice as an apology for leaving so soon...

But she would stop in her tracks as she would shake her head "no".

She wouldn't want to go back.

Kissing would never have occurred to Sesshomaru as a form of touching. Truth be told, he wouldn't have seen a whole lot of action with an absent father and a scolding tempered mother. There was no time for affection, there was always battle. Battle.

Battle.

All his father ever talked about was battle.

Sesshomaru grew up in many decades devoted to such strength and the utmost respect for battle. His father was the strongest in the land. It is only natural for a boy to desire to walk in his father's footsteps.

But then to be slaughtered.... because of a human, no less... One of the world's strongest demons to ever roam was killed because of a human.

A human woman.

And a human woman is who Sesshomaru would be looking to now, with thundering clouds rolling in as it would threaten to drench them in a downpour with the smell of moisture in the clouds.

She would not want to say goodbye. Not yet. He would only have been there a meer hour at best. It would be here that she would admit that, even though she had appreciated everything that he had ever gotten her, nothing could ever be quite as precious to her quite like his time.

His time?

Why would they have to go at the pace of his time?

He would have all the time in the world.

It would be she who would be losing time. It would be she that would age. It woud be she that would have to grow old and die incredibly young-

He wouldn't be able to think of things like that.

He would push that thought as far from his mind as it would go.

It would be she who would lose a battle with time.

A battle...

Sesshomaru understands battle.

He would ask what she would want.

It turns out that it is she that would have to make the next move against the game of chess that is time.

He would ask what she wanted.

Silence is what would come, both befuddled as to what to say. His silence is deafening for her. She can't stand it anymore.

She would show him.

She would inch closer to him; he would not falter. He watches her with such intensity as her scent grows closer and closer. Inches away from his face, she would delicately trace her gentle nails up against the sharp looking markings on his face.

He would then quickly grab her arm in shock.

Her eyes would then bulge with a gasp at his sudden grip of her wrist. Her stomach would flip in nervousness at his knee jerk reaction, but all of their nerves would fall as his hand would guide hers to.... cup his face within her hand.

Feeling her touch would instantly cause him to calm. She would watch with wide eyes as his gaze softens as he closes his eyes with a gentle inhale. She could swear that she would hear a soft rumble from deep within him as he leans his face into her touch.

The rain would come crashing down right as her lips touch his. Her eyes would flutter shut as she would gently lean into his strong stature.

The echo of his heartbeat would then suddenly thump through him. Such intensity from this new sensation would cause him to become statuesque, for this... this thing that she does to him...

This is what killed his father.

She would part from him, eyes squeezed shut, slightly afraid of what kind of reprocussion this would bring, but she opens her eyes to find a frozen demon lord.

She would have no voice.

"What was that?" He would ask.

Rin's response would be mixed with confusion and trepidation. "You've... never experienced a kiss?"

He responds fully as he would then touch his lips to hers. His speed would cause her to gasp, and the gasp would push him away. Luckily she would grab a hold of him before he could go far. "Was that not correct?" He would ask innocently.

"You- you... meant to do that?" Rin would be so perplexed.

"I thought that was what you wanted."

He would watch her blink in hurried confusion before she would her question. "Is that what... you want?" She can start to feel her clothing stick to her body as they stand in the soaking rain.

"I want...." Thats a vague question, and unfortunately, he isn't quite adept to being able to correctly express his emotions. He, too, was starting to feel the discomfort of the thunderstorm above their heads. "I want to be dry."

The surprising turn in his response would cause an even more confused chuckle to slip from her lips. "Me too," she would say in a defeated sigh and a sad smile. "Come on, I'm sure everyone is worried about us." She would finally break her gaze to walk past him to head back.

But he would have to stop her.

He would just have to.

He would grasp her swaying hand to stop her in her tracks, which would cause her whiplash. Turning around, she would have no time to react as he would swiftly pull her back close to him, this time with his claws gently tracing the shape of her cheek, just like she had done to him. She sharply inhales right before he touches his lips to hers again. He repeated her actions to the, tee, but this one would linger within the hidden meadow filled with with raindrops on roses. He would hope that this is what she wanted, and he would be lucky enough to succeed.

But such an action comes with a dire price, for he would be unlucky enough to crave her touch for all of eternity.

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Let's Save the Day

Word Count: 1809

Characters: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, Maito Gai, Nohara Rin

Warnings: None

Summary: It's the middle of a world-ending war, everything is going wrong, and Obito can't help but think that things might work a bit better in their favour if an old friend showed up

All eyes were on him. Everyone was expecting him to save the day. To put a stop to Madara and Sasuke’s plans and prevent the world from being put into an infinite dream. He could feel the weight of all those expectations on his shoulder, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t figure out what to do.

There was no plan forming in his mind, and brute strength wasn’t helping him win the fight. He was outmatched, even with the entire shinobi army standing behind him ready to fight by his side. After everything he had done to protect all of his friends, it was starting to feel like a lost cause.

“We can’t give up,” Gai’s hand came down on his shoulder, pulling his attention to his side where his friend was now standing by his side. “We have to keep fighting.”

“I know that,” of course he did. It was just starting to feel like a hopeless fight. Like they were doomed to loss, no matter how hard they fought. “We need a plan. Throwing punches at them without one isn’t working.”

“That is true,” Gai sighed. “If only Kakashi we’re here-”

“Well, he’s not here!” Obito snapped. For years he had wished for Kakashi to come back and fight alongside them. To prove the village wrong about him by their side, but he refused. No matter how many times Obito tried to get through to him, or how many times he told him the villagers' opinions didn’t matter. Kakashi always turned his back to him.

“Don’t give up so fast, Obito,” Throwing his signature thumbs up pose out towards Obito, Gai beamed. “Kakashi will be here, I just know it. Until then I’ll keep These two weirdos back while you recharge.”

“Rich words, coming from someone looking like you,” If he wasn’t in the middle of a battlefield, Obito might be tempted to laugh when Uchiha Madara, one of the strongest shinobi known in history, stomped his feet and yelled at Gai. “I might just have to teach you a lesson before I deal with Hashirama, you little brat!”

“Just rest,” Gai continued, completely ignoring the angry god-like shinobi yelling at him. “By the time I’m done, Kakashi will arrive.”

Obito’s eyes widened when he realized just what Gai was saying. “Gai, Wait!” But it was too late. With a calm breath, Gai suddenly burst with chakra. The sixth gate bursting open and his power multiplying exponentially.

Obito had only seen the gates in action once before when Gai opened the fourth gate during the fight against The Akatsuki in Konoha. It was nothing compared to this. So brilliant and bright, Obito found it difficult to look at his friend as the sheer power of his chakra surrounded his body.

“Gai, wait!” Rin ran past Obito, but it was too late. In a burst of incredible speed, Gai was gone. Headed directly towards Madara, determined to hold him off. “Damn it! He’s going to get himself killed!”

She wasn’t wrong. There was no way that Gai would be able to beat Madara on his own, but at the same time, they didn’t have much other hope. They had tried everything. Fought with all of their energy, and they weren’t any closer to winning.

At least Gai was trying something new.

He hadn’t given up, which was more than Obito could say for others. Just looking around the field he could see all of the hopeless, broken expressions. Looks that wrote a story of doubt and fear.

“He has to try,” he whispered, smiling up at Rin when she looked his way. “He’ll be fine. It’s Gai after all.”

Nothing could take Gai down, no matter how hard it tried.

“Well, I hope you have a plan forming in that head of yours,” Turning her attention back towards the fight, she watched as Gai threw a punch towards Madara’s head, just barely missing as the man ducked under his hand and struck a blow to his stomach. “And fast. I don’t know how long he’ll last.”

Unfortunately, he was all out of plans. No matter what he had come up with, it didn’t work. Madara and Sasuke were always one step ahead of him, and Naruto-Sensei hadn’t been able to pull himself out of his slump since finding out who was behind that ugly blue mask.

They were doomed.

“Gai!” Looking up, he watched as Gai took a kick to the chest and was sent flying off to the side at top speed. Apparently, their time was already up.

Digging his heel into the ground, he prepared to run after his friend. To at least be there by his side when he came to a stop if he couldn’t catch him. Before he could though, a burst of orange went flying past him. Brilliant and hot, he watched as it ran between everyone until finally reaching Gai.

Only then did Obito finally see who it was.

The person surrounded by such a brilliant, bright chakra.

“Kakashi…”

Watching as his old friend caught Gai mid-flight, he couldn’t help but smile. After giving up hope and setting his goals on saving the world by himself, Kakashi had finally shown up. He’d made it to the battlefield, and Obito couldn’t be happier.

Together, there was no doubt in his mind that they could beat Madara and put a stop to a war that had already taken so many lives.

“I can’t believe it,” Rin’s voice was soft when she spoke, her eyes glued on the scene in front of her just like Obito’s. Watching as Kakashi pulled Gai close to his body and dug his feet into the ground to slow down their movements until finally coming to a stop. “He actually came.”

Kicking himself for doubting his friend, Obito forgot about Madara and Sasuke for the moment and rushed towards him while Rin followed close behind. For three years he had been chasing Kakashi. Trying to get him to come back home to Konoha and find his peace with his friends once again, and finally, he was here.

He was back.

“You’re late!” Coming to a stop beside Kakashi, Obito threw a punch into his shoulder. Not hard enough to hurt him, but enough that it forced him to take a small step back. “Of all the times to be late! And to think you’d always give me a hard time about being late to training, just to pull this?”

He’s not sure what he expects. Maybe a scolding for ‘wasting time’, or a sharp reminder that it was more than just training he had been late for. What he’s not expecting, though, is to see the way Kakashi looks at him with eyes full of sadness and regret.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, fingers curling into Gai’s shoulder as he stands there. “I...Got lost on the path of life.”

For a moment Obito’s stunned. Unsure of how to respond to Kakashi’s words, but it passes quickly and laughter starts to bubble up in his chest. Slowly, he lets it spill out. Small chuckles at first, and then bright and happy laughter that fills the air around him.

“You’re so…” closing his eyes, he gave his head a shake. “Please tell me you have a plan.”

“Wait, seriously!?” Rin grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around to face her. “After everything he has done, we’re just going to trust him!?”

“He’s our teammate,” Obito reminded her with a soft smile. “Isn’t that right, Bakashi?”

Returning Obito’s enthusiasm with an unimpressed look, Kakashi sighed when the Uchiha didn’t budge an inch. “I guess,” he whispered before turning his attention back to Gai. “That was dumb of you. I expect dumb things of Obito, but you Gai?”

“H-hey!”

“Sorry,” The shocked look that had made its home on Gai’s face as soon as he saw Kakashi disappeared suddenly and was quickly replaced by that signature blinding smile of his. “But it worked. I knew you’d show up if I help him off a little longer, and here you are.”

The logic was flawed, but the results had worked. He was willing to give Gai that.

“Just don’t do something stupid like that again,” Kakashi continued to scold Gai, his hand lingering on his shoulder for a moment longer while that brilliant orange chakra slowly transferred over and started to surround Gai’s body as well. “If we’re going to beat these idiots, we’re going to need all of us.”

A plan. That meant that Kakashi had a plan!

“Before we start,” he cut Obito off before he even had a chance to ask him what his plan was, his hand reaching out towards him. “I need to make sure everyone’s safe.”

Safe.

“You mean…” looking down at the hound hovering in front of him, Obito thought about it for a moment. Kakashi wanted to share his Chakra. To make sure everyone was safe.

What had gotten through to him after all of this time? Why was he suddenly changing his mind about being here with them? Protecting them.

“We can talk about it later,” Meeting Kakashi’s eyes, Obito searched for any sign of ill intent. Something that would tell him that Kakashi wasn’t here for them. That he’d turn against them as soon as Madara and Sasuke were dealt with.

No matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t find anything.

“Alright,” grabbing his friend’s hand, he inhaled sharply as a comfortable warmth spread over him while Kakashi’s chakra engulfed him. Covering every part of his body in a protective body of chakra. “What is…”

“Kurama’s chakra will help keep you going,” Kakashi assured him. “He’ll also protect you, even when I can’t.” Once he was done sharing the chakra with Obito, he turned to Rin and held out his hand towards her. “You don’t have to trust me. You don’t even have to like me, but right now I need everyone or this plan isn’t going to work.”

Watching as Rin glared at Kakashi, Obito waited patiently to see what she would do. Out of the three of them, she had the least reason to trust Kakashi. She had been the one to give up on him first, and the one who had tried to attack him when Iwagakure put his name in the Bingo book believing that he had killed their Jinchuriki.

“I trust you,” She whispered, reaching out to grab his hand and gasping when the chakra started to surround her. “But I hope you know that If you betray us-”

“You’ll find a way to bury me six feet under the ground?” Kakashi cut her off, a playful look visible in his eyes. “I don’t doubt it. For now, though, let’s focus on saving the world from the worst plan I have ever heard of.”

[puckngrind]

What’s In a Name: 5 - J. Toews

Chapter 5

Where we left off: Jon and the Blackhawks won the 2015 Stanley Cup and he elects to celebrate with Bekah at home vs. going out on the town.

Warnings: smut, language

Word Count: 3,405  (felt way longer when I wrote it)

Series Masterlist ) Puck ‘n Grind’s masterlist

Titles.

It’s hard to title something when you just don’t know what to call it or admit to it honestly. Bekah loved watching Jon and his team regain the title of champions. It gave him this energy as they enjoyed the time they spent together. Bekah was nervous when Jon told her his family was going to come over. They decided having dinner in was better than out since the entire city was electrified after the win. With that his family came over for dinner the night after the win but everyone kept the conversation more to the week’s plans of celebrating and not Jon and Bekah’s connection. Bekah wondered if Jon asked them not to discuss it or was it just not an issue for them? She observed the Toews family more than anything.

A phone call changed all that was planned when Bekah had to leave before the city celebrations for the cup. Jon knew he couldn’t beg her to stay when her boss called needing her back early and gave her the vacation days back times two. Bekah promised to use them all on him as she kissed him hard before heading into Midway and back to Ohio. Her presence was missed as he hoisted the cup for the thousands of fans who lined the streets and packed into Soldier Field. With so many eyes on him he really only wanted hers right there next to him. Then just like that he was back home in Winnipeg and their text and phone conversations continued like normal.

By the end of the summer, Jon and Bekah were laying in bed in his Chicago home when they decided just not to label it. The months between her leaving after the cup and his training camp starting they found a few times to see each other. He made a couple trips to Columbus on the way to or from vacations and work requirements. Bekah found herself on a plane a few times for a weekend in Chicago when he was there. He mentioned his days with the cup but then dropped it after she started talking about a major project. He also wondered if the spotlight of his career was part of it. He never spoke the words to her but it was almost constantly in the back of his mind. They enjoyed the time together but their lives didn’t quite mesh once the season started and they both knew it.

What the two couldn’t deny was that the sex was amazing and the friendship they built was different than any relationship they had with anyone else. Bekah was a complete open book with Jon. He knew the completely unfiltered Bekah even more than her own family or even Brynn. Jon confided in her in ways even he was shocked by sometimes. She wasn’t caught up in the fame of his world and venting about all of it seemed easier with her. Yet, at the end of the day, being in a defined relationship just wasn’t realistic so they decided friendship was perfectly fine.

Finding time throughout the season was rough. It added to the fact that a friendship would be the only thing that would work. Bekah had a big project for Christmas and Jon had the flu during All-star break. The timing just didn’t work and the tension was felt by both once the end of the season rolled in.

Jon: are you coming to the game tonight?

The Blue Jackets were playing the Blackhawks and Bekah was already at Brynn’s waiting for her to go.

Bekah: Maybe...

Jon: are you wearing your CBJ sweater or mine?

Bekah: I said maybe, Tae.

Jon: I know you are coming. I just need to know if I need to look for that stupid thirds sweater or the far superior one you own.

Bekah pulls her lip into her teeth to contain the smile.

Jon: that’s mine. I think you know what I’m hoping to see 😉

“That’s Jon isn’t it?” Brynn emerged from her bedroom with her self-deemed lucky Blue Jackets sweatshirt on. “Are you telling him you are betraying our friendship and wearing that?” Brynn’s face contorts looking at her best friend in a Blackhawks jersey curled up on her couch.

“Rin!” Bekah huffs out.

“What? Our team....excuse me, my team needs as much cheering as possible. It’s been a rough season and today is our last game and Chicago already made the playoffs,” she gives her bestie a sly smile, “but I get it.” Brynn flutters around her home before finally getting in Bekah’s car.

Bekah’s phone buzzes as her and Brynn enter Nationwide Arena.

Jon: I’m skating during warmups but I’m a healthy scratch. Just don’t want you to worry.

Bekah cusses and Brynn looks over and mouths what?

“Well, maybe I should have worn something else?” Bekah flashes the text to Brynn as they walk.

“Greeeeaaattt. They are resting him because this game doesn’t matter. He will be in the press box then.” Brynn points up as they stand at the top of their section.

Warmups start and Bekah crosses her legs tight when Jon’s eyes meet hers. It had been months since the two saw each other in person and while she thought the desire to be under him was gone, by the look on both of their faces you could tell that just wasn’t true.

“You two are eye fucking each other with an audience.” Brynn whispers into Bekah’s ear.

“What? No. Rin. We are friends.” Bekah feels the flush coming to her cheeks.

“Friendship my ass...” Brynn says under her breath as the teams skate off.

Jon: I can see you, Beks

Bekah: what? When you were on the ice?

Jon: Now. I might be in the rafters but you are in a sea of blue with my jersey on. Still looks smokin’ hot on you.

Jon: from every angle 😉

Jon sends a picture of Bekah and Brynn from his seat. Bekah turns around and looks up. She can see the top of his head leaning out the box.

Bekah: I see you too.

Jon: Can I see you tonight please?

Bekah: I guess.

Jon: I’ll meet you in the lobby after the game.

“I’m guessing I’m riding home with Derek?” Brynn leans into Bekah at the end of the game.

“Yeah.” Bekah feels the warmth return to her cheeks.

The game ended and Bekah found herself standing in the Blackhawks team hotel’s lobby waiting for Jon. Pacing and attempting to take in the surroundings. She was glad she had a decent t-shirt on under her jersey because looking like a fan girl waiting for the team was not a look she was going for. Especially after how long it had been since she was face to face with Jon without plexiglass between them.

“Hey Beks.” Jon’s voice whispers from behind her. She jumps and turns.

“Tae! Long time, no see.” She goes to hug him and he catches her lips in his with his hands on her face. Releasing her face he slides one of his hands into hers and leads Bekah up to his room.

Jon pinned her to the door as he locked it in place. “Sorry I didn’t play tonight.” Jon sucks on the spot behind Bekah’s ear.

“Sorry your team didn’t win.” Bekah laughs as she runs her hands up the inside of his suit coat. Pulling at his shirt.

“Well it looked like your team lost from your outfit choice. Speaking of, where is it?” Jon pulls his finger along the collar of Bekah’s shirt.

“In my car. Didn’t want to seem like a fan girl waiting for you in the lobby or...what do they call the girls who just want to sleep with the players?”

“Bunnies. And damnit Beks, you are not any of those things that’s for sure.” Jon lifts Bekah up by her thighs and she whimpers.

“It’s been awhile Jon...” Bekah whispers in his ear her voice unsteady.

“I know. I’ve missed you and this.” He doesn’t let up pressing her against the door.

“I mean you are the last man I’ve slept with.” Bekah admits biting at her lip. Jon leans back to look her in the eyes. Her hazel green eyes looking for something.

“You think you aren’t the last woman I’ve been with?” Jon kisses her lips then pulls back making sure she’s hearing the words he’s saying. “Beks. I’ve only slept with you since the All-Star game in 15.”

“Seriously? But we aren’t...” Jon kisses her lips in desperation.

“Beks. Yes.” He kisses her again and she moans in his mouth. “Can we please get undressed? I’ve been fantasizing about this moment for way too long.” Jon carries Bekah to the bed and undresses her slowly. Taking time to praise her body and kiss every inch of exposed skin. Bekah does the same as he hovers above her. Loving the way that Jon’s muscles tighten under her touch. The connection between them is undeniable. Words no longer needed to find the perfect spot. The night is long and slow taking their time and enjoying each climax together.

“When does your playoff games start?” Bekah whispered as Jon spooned her.

“Uh...in a few days.” Jon kisses the shell of her ear. “Can we talk about this?” Jon’s fingers graze the left side of Bekah’s rib cage where the words Always yours were tattooed in a half cursive half print text. “This is definitely new.”

“Oh, um....yeah. I got a tattoo. Do you hate it?” Bekah’s fingers find Jon’s and interlaces hers with his as he continues to rub over the words.

“I like it. What’s it mean? If you want to share.” Jon pulls Bekah’s body further into his.

“I found an old birthday card from my grandpa around Christmas. He use to always sign my cards always yours, Gramps. That’s his handwriting.” Bekah spoke softly.

“That’s really special Beks. I’m just surprised you didn’t tell me.” Jon kisses her temple.

“You were thinking you were dying of the flu then pissed you sat out a game because of said flu. And then I wasn’t sure how to bring it up. Oh hey. If we ever have sex again I have a tat.” Bekah winces bringing back her thoughts that have plagued her brain for most of the beginning of 2016.

“Well I’ve been thinking the same thing about if we’d be here again honestly. Minus the new ink part of course.” Jon admitted.

Their conversation continued until both fell asleep with their bodies intertwined. The next morning Jon was sitting on the bed when Bekah woke up.

“Babe, we gotta get going. I have a bus then plane to catch.” His lips graze hers.

“Sorry. Someone kept me up all night.” She stretches out her arms and wraps them around his neck.

“Yeah, wasn’t as tired just watching the game.” Jon chuckles. “Let’s get ya to your car and I’ll see you in a few weeks?”

The Blackhawks playoff run was short lived. They lost in seven. Bekah picks up her phone at the end of game 7.

Bekah: Text when you want to talk.

A few hours later she got a response.

Jon: Thanks Beks.

She didn’t hear from him all week and she didn’t text him again trying to give him space. Brynn tried to get her to go out for drinks after work but all Bekah wanted to do was curl up and watch mindless television. Pulling into her parking spot she noticed a man in the car next to her. Not really looking she got her bag and headed towards her door.

“Beks?” Jon’s voice echoed off the wall. She slowly turned around to see Jon standing with a bag slung over his shoulder about 10 yards from her.

“Holy shit! What are you doing here?” Bekah clutched her chest realizing how startled he made her.

“Uh...I went to the airport to head home and changed my ticket.” Jon closes the distance.

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” She smacks at his chest and he captures her hand in place. “I haven’t heard from you since Monday.” Her eyes meet his and they were soft but intense.

“Sorry.” Was all he said but his face said there was more.

“Come in. If I knew you were coming I would have stocked my fridge for ya.” Bekah turns the key and they both kick off their shoes. Jon removes his bag and places it on the bench next to the entryway.

“It’s okay. We can order in or go out or whatever.”

“How long are you staying?” Bekah heads back to her room and Jon trails behind her sitting on her bed as she heads to the closet.

“Monday morning flight. I have some things to take care of at home. Plus Mom wants to celebrate my birthday.”

“Oh when is your birthday? I don’t think you’ve ever told me.” Bekah leans out of her closet pulling on one of Jon’s old shirts she kept.

“Um...today.” Jon admits.

“Jonathan Bryan Toews...TODAY is your birthday! Well we are going out for dinner. Hold on.” Bekah returns to her closest and finds a dress that is flirty but not too fancy and re-emerges.

“Damn Beks. I don’t think I’ve seen you in a dress before.” Jon stands and wraps her up in his arms.

“Well, we don’t exactly see each other with clothes on frequently.” Bekah smirks up at him.

“True. So where are you taking me?” Jon kisses her lightly.

“Hmmmm. Oh! The Guild House! It’s newer and I’ve never been. Plus I’m sure your face can get us in if there is a wait.” Bekah rubs Jon’s freshly shaved face and pats. “28 looks good on ya Tae.”

“Thanks Babe, I’m starving. Let’s go.” Jon pulls Bekah under his arm and the two make their way to the Short North.

Dinner was easy and they easily slipped back into their comfortable rhythm. Bekah got annoyed when Jon refused to let her see or pay for the bill. He just laughed it off.

“I know why you love this city.” Jon looks around as the they made their way back to his rental. “It’s a big city but feels very small town too.”

“Best of both worlds really.” Bekah smiles watching Jon explore a part of the city he’s never been. “Chicago is amazing but you know that.”

“Yeah.” Jon breathes out as they reach the car.

By the time they hit Bekah’s door their need for each other was felt. Jon presses his body against Bekah and wraps his arm around her abdomen holding her it him as she struggles to get the key in the door. His breath hot on her neck. “Tae, you are getting birthday sex just let me get the door open please!” She looked up at him as his eyes danced.

“Birthday sex eh?” He let his hand go from her stomach and backs up a little.

“Go ahead and head to my room. I need some water. Need anything?” Bekah kisses him.

“Only you.” Jon smirks and kisses her forehead as he retreats to her room. Bekah felt the blush in her cheeks as she got a glass of ice water and walked into her room. Jon was comfortably laying in his boxer briefs and carefully moved her larger colorful pillows off the bed. “Those are new yes?” He eyes the pile and back to Bekah who was placing the water on her nightstand.

“Yes. They usually take of up that side of the bed.” She points where Jon is laying. And his eyebrow shoots up but he doesn’t say anything as Bekah pulls her dress over her head and climbs in next to Jon. He kisses her with his hand holding her in place. She breaks for air. “Do you trust me?”

“With everything Beks.” He whispers and she wiggles out of his grip, toes over to her dresser and opens her top dresser drawer pulling out one of his ties. “How do you have that?” His eyebrow raises.

“It’s yours. You left it at one point.” She smirks climbing in and straddling Jon. She leans down and kisses him hard. His breath hitches. “Ready birthday boy? No touching.” He nods and she ties the tie around his eyes. Kissing down his chest she eyes her water and reaches for a piece of ice. Lightly touching it to Jon’s chest.

“Woah. Fuck. That’s cold Babe.” He jumps and she laughs.

“My hockey man doesn’t like the cold? Odd...” she moves the ice down the center of his chest and his muscles retract in it’s wake. Jon mumbles something above her head. “You good there Tae?” He nods his head and Bekah takes in his clenched jaw and hands tightly gripped on pillow. Tracing his abs with the ice she licks and kisses the trail. Jon panting and his hips jolt up. Bekah hums as she works her way to his waistband and she slowly pulls down his briefs settles her self between his legs. Placing the remaining ice in her mouth she starts kissing up his thigh then kisses his tip. Jon jolts and swears as she slides her mouth over him.

“Damn that’s so hot but also very fucking cold Beks.” Jon huffs out. “Can I touch you yet?” He’s breathless with his request.

“Is that what the birthday boy wants?” She licks up his length and takes in how unglued he has become under her.

“Yes. Very much so.” She slides up his body and loosens the tie. Jon grabs her hand and removes it while leaning up to kiss her. “My turn!” He grunts and flips Bekah onto the mattress. Removing her bra and panties with ease, Jon eyes Bekah’s glass. He pulls an ice cube from it and places the cube in his mouth. Starting at her nipples, Bekah’s body jolts with the sensation. Jon hums in the satisfying way she moves under him. He drops the ice cube between her breast and follows with his tongue as it slides down her body then keeps going down to her core. Sucking hard eliciting moans with every move he makes. Forgetting the ice on her navel, Jon moves his body back up and kisses Bekah passionately as he slides deep inside her. Finally letting go of their built up highs and praising each other as they come down from the overstimulation.

“Happy birthday Captain.” Bekah breathes out trying to catch her breath.

“Maybe I would call you Captain after that Beks.” Jon laughs as he kisses her temple.

“Funny Tae.” She buries her face in his chest. “I’m gonna need to change the sheet. You melted an ice cube on my stomach.” Bekah giggles as she feels the wet below her hip.

“Or just roll over.” Jon moves her body with ease and kisses the top of her head as she’s on his chest. “Come to Sedona with me this summer.” Jon whispers.

“What?” She says in his chest.

“We’ve both talked about how we love hiking and well...I have a trip planned before Worlds...and you should come with me.”

“Uh...Jon.” Bekah sits up and slides off him.

“Yes Beks.” His voices is soft as he brushes her hair out of her face.

“Jon, what are we?” Bekah leans further away from him to look deep into his brown eyes.

“What kind of question is that?” Jon’s nose scrunches up.

“Well we clearly are friends.” Bekah starts.

“Yes, the best of.” Jon finds her hand and intertwines his fingers wiggling them.

“And the sex is amazing...” Bekah closes her eyes with that unfinished statement.

“I fully concur.” Jon moans to verify his agreement.

“But what do you call this? What’s it’s title?” She motions between them.

“Does it need a name Babe?” Jon kisses her lips.

“I mean...We just...I don’t know Tae. I guess no.” Bekah huffs out.

“So back to my original question. Sedona....end of June? Yes?” Jon nudges her.

“Sounds doable.” Bekah laughs

“Doable huh? You know what’s doable?” Jon moves on top of her with a look that tells her she’s in for it.

“Poor choice of words I guess.” Jon laughs and dips down below the sheets. “Or not.”

[ryqoshay]

How to Handle a Nico - Reunion B&B

Primary Pairing: NicoMaki Words: ~1.4k Rating: G Time Frame: Summer break of Maki’s 2nd year of high school and Nico’s 1st year of college. Story Arc: “Beach Reunion” Sunscreen The No. 1 Masseuse in the Universe Reunion B&B

Author’s Note: Sat on this a bit too long as I had no idea how to end it or what to title it, but at long last, here is the third entry to the Beach Reunion arc. Woo!

Also, I’m assuming my readers have seen the movie by now as there is one reference to it here. … Did I point that out in my other recent posts? I’ll have to check.

Nico opened her eyes slowly to stare up at an unfamiliar ceiling. She knew the ceiling belonged to the master bedroom of one of the Nishikino family’s vacation homes, but it was still the first time she had seen it upon awakening in the morning. And she decided it wasn’t an unpleasant sight by any means.

The gentle sound of breathing beside her reminded Nico of the night’s sleeping arrangement and she couldn’t help smiling. She had slept well, sharing a small blanket with Maki, and now she was about to behold a much more pleasant…

Wait, what was that? As Nico attempted to sit up, she became aware of a weight on her stomach. The movement caused the girl beside her to shift in her sleep and murmur something unintelligible. Was that…? No, it couldn’t be… Nico lifted the blanket to check. Sure enough, Maki’s arm was draped across her. That meant…

Oh gods…

Nico turned her head slowly, just enough to see…

Oh gods…

Maki’s face was mere centimeters from hers. Literally any closer and the younger girl would be nuzzling Nico’s cheek.

Maki-chan… Nico pleaded silently. When had the other girl moved to such a position? Why had she done so? Had she been awake or asleep? Was Nico herself still asleep and this was a dream? What the heck was going on? A deluge of questions flooded Nico’s mind as she felt her pulse quicken and her body stiffen.

And that was enough to cause Maki to stir again, managing to move her head even closer, enough that Nico could feel her breath. Geez… What to do? If Maki woke up now, would she get embarrassed and avoid Nico for the rest of the vacation? Nico absolutely didn’t want that. Well, even if Maki didn’t avoid her, she’d still undoubtedly be embarrassed and make all manner of expressions that Nico found irresistibly adorable. So maybe it wouldn’t be all that bad...

Nico sighed. At least this was ten times better than waking up to Honoka sprawled directly on top of her, even if a hundred times more stressful. And as much as Nico wanted to just lay back down and bask in a few moments of sleepy affection from the far-to-often standoffish Maki, she knew the other girls would be getting up soon. Thus, if Nico wanted to have breakfast ready for everyone, she had to get up.

Slowly, gently, and with no shortage of reluctance, Nico slid Maki’s arm off her before crawling off the bed with an equal amount of caution. She slipped into the bathroom to quickly remove her mask and wash her face before making her way down to the kitchen.

Maki opened her eyes slowly. For the briefest of moments, she questioned her location before remembering that she had claimed the master bedroom at one of her family’s vacation homes. And Nico had stayed with her.

Nico-chan…

Maki’s gaze found an empty bed beside her and a sense of disappointment washed over her. Apparently, she had fallen asleep before Nico and awakened after, thus missing the opportunity to see Nico’s ador… sleeping face… Even with that mask treatment Nico insisted on wearing every night, Maki couldn’t help thinking it was cu… well, it wasn’t completely uncute, at least… in a way, maybe. Anyway, for some reason, not being able to see Nico sleeping somehow bothered Maki far more than she would have otherwise expected.

On the duvet immediately next to her, Maki noticed a pillow. A second pillow, in fact, though having fallen asleep during a wonderfully relaxing massage, Maki didn’t remember claiming one for herself. But the second one most certainly had to have been Nico’s. Also, Maki hadn’t gotten under the duvet, so Nico must have found one of the blankets in the closet to use for her. Or both of them, it seemed, as Maki didn’t see another blanket. And since the one currently covering her was a bit small, it was really only meant to cover one’s legs while sitting, that meant Nico must have slept beside her. As in right beside her, close enough to have likely been touching…

Without her bidding, Maki’s hand reached out to touch the indentation in the duvet next to her. Was it her imagination, or did she detect remnants of the warmth left by the girl who had slept there not too long ago?

Wait, what the heck was she doing? Maki pulled back her hand as she felt heat rise in her cheeks as if transferred from the bed through her arm. What if Nico came back in and saw her? Well, it wasn’t like she was doing anything particularly embarrassing… right? Still, knowing Nico, she’d find a way to tease Maki over it.

A yawn escaped and Maki sat up to stretch. Once her blood began proper circulation again, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and made for the bathroom to wash her face. A few minutes later, she opened the door to the hallway and was immediately greeted by a wonderful aroma.

Nico-chan’s cooking…

Maki swallowed the saliva that suddenly pooled in her mouth at the thought of a breakfast prepared by Nico. With as much haste as her caffeine deprived body could muster, she headed toward the kitchen.

“Maki-cha~n~!” a voice greeted from behind her just as she rounded the corner to catch a glimpse of the girl at the stove. “Ohainya!” a weight crashed onto her back.

“Rin…” Maki grumbled. “Get off.” She gave a halfhearted shrug in a tired attempt to shuffle off the cat like girl.

“Awww…” Rin complained, as she obeyed the command. “Maki-chan doesn’t push Nico-chan away anymore. It’s not fair, nya!”

“Haah?” Maki raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, she still does.” Nico spoke up, turning away from the stove to face the second-years. “Sometimes Nico wonders if Maki hates her.” Her tone went up an octave as she pretended to pout.

“W-what the heck?” Maki protested the sudden tag team teasing. “I don’t… why would I hate you, Nico-chan?”

“Because Maki-chan loves tomatoes more than Nico.”

“Buweeeh?” Maki had all but forgotten that bit from the magazine interview almost a year ago.

“And that’s why Nico made sure to include extra tomatoes in Maki-chan’s omurice.”

Maki’s stomach growled, interrupting any retort she might have had.

Nico laughed.

Maki growled.

“Don’t worry, Maki-chan.” Nico continued to giggle. “Nico won’t tease you about preferring tomatoes over her.”

“But… you just did…?” Maki’s early morning muddled mind struggled to keep up as the older girl stuck out her tongue at her.

“Good morning, you three.” A cheerful voice greeted as a new aroma made its presence known. “Here you go, Maki-chan.”

A steaming mug of life-giving coffee entered the redhead’s vision. Like a zombie seeking brains, Maki’s hands reached for her beloved beverage.

“Thank you, Kotori.” Maki managed to murmur before the mug reached her mouth and she immediately downed more than half of it.

“Do you two prefer tea or coffee?” Kotori turned her attention elsewhere.

“Kayo-chin and Rin like tea in the morning.” Rin explained.

Wait, Hanayo was here too? Maki turned her head. Sure enough, just behind her orange-haired friend stood a brunette who looked even more disheveled than Maki felt. The younger second-year yawned and rubbed at her eyes before squinting as though she hadn’t even put in her contacts yet.

“I’ll have that ready for you in a moment.” Kotori smiled before turning away. “Sorry to not have it ready earlier, I only got Maki-chan’s because Nico-chan told me her favorite.”

Nico-chan told her… A small smile turned Maki’s lips as she lifted her mug up to take another sip, barely noticing whatever Hanayo had said to Kotori.

“Maki-chan’s getting a lot of special treatment here.” Rin pointed out. “Especially from Nico-chan.”

“Well, she is our host, after all.” Nico replied, sliding a portion of egg over a mound of rice. “And with that,” she directed a squirt of sauce into a quick design “breakfast is ready. You three can get started while I go check on Nozomi and Eli.” She motioned to a set of plates, each with a girl’s name written in sauce over the omurice.

“I’ll check on Umi-chan to see if she’s done with her morning meditation.” Kotori said. “If she is, she can help me wake up Honoka-chan.”

“Good luck.”

Whatever else may have been said by anyone was lost on Maki as she claimed her plate and made her way to the table. Though her mug was all but drained, the caffeine wouldn’t fully kick in for a few more minutes, and in the meantime, Nico’s tomato laden omurice demanded her undivided attention.

Author's Note Continued in Followup Post

[naruto-v2]

Kakashi

With Minato’s inheritance and all the ANBU jobs Kakashi was taking, Kakashi was determined to let Naruto live a satisfying childhood. If he wanted something, Kakashi would save up for it. If he got hurt, Kakashi would find revenge. Kakashi finished up his daily training and wiped his forehead. His eyes widened slightly as he found the sun starting to set. Last time he checked, it had been the crack of dawn. Kyo, their assigned ANBU caretaker, was going to scold him again for forgeting to eat. Kakashi gritted his teeth at the thought of that man. Just like everyone else, Kyo did only the minimal amount of things to keep Naruto alive: a plate of food each meal, make sure he is not attacked or provoked (Meaning no training with other kids, only with certified teachers, if they even bothered) , housekeeper duties, and the basic allowance each month. If Kakashi was not there, Kyo most definitely would have settled with a cup of  instant ramen each meal, killing the boy soon enough with all its MSG and lack of nutrition. It was Kakashi who taught Naruto transformation jutsu so people would stop taking advantage of him, and it was him who bought Naruto all the paint he needed to satisfy his creative needs. So Kakashi must live on, for the boy.

After eating dinner with Naruto, and making sure he did his night routine of showering and brushing his teeth, Kakashi retreated to his bedroom. Just as he closed the door, his breath caught in his throat: his hands and arms were  covered in blood again. Working in the ANBU for so many years, he’s been hardened to it. At least, he would like to think he is. He could smell the coppery tang and it made his lungs icy. He choked down a sob as he bolted through the window to the bathhouse. 

It didn’t come off no matter how hard he scrubbed.

It had only been a few weeks since this last happened. His hands stung at every stroke now and new blood trickled down his hands. Even after hours of scrubbing, the blood stuck stubbornly to his hands. Kakashi yelled in rage and pressed down harder even though subconsciously he knew it could not come off.

Suddenly, large hands took the sponge from him. Kakashi stiffened and got into a defensive stance, ready to kill the intruder to relinquish his sponge. But he recognized the blond that peered down at him: Minato.

“You’re bleeding,” Minato murmured gently. Kakashi felt a stab of pain through his heart but ignored it.

“The blood won’t come off Sensei...”

“It’s not real, remember? You’re just imagining the blood is there. Though, your scrubbing has opened the wounds you created last time. Please, Kakashi, seeing you do this hurts me.” Kakashi let his arms fall limply at his sides as Minato helped him was his hair, like they always did. He watched with a slightly disconnected gaze as the damp, silver strands stuck to his cheeks, dripping water onto the rest of him.

-----

Kakashi first met Namikaze Minato when he was four, just after he started at the Ninja academy. He was a prodigy and father often took him on missions. This time, however, it was an A rank and required a team effort. Kakashi first noticed the strange brilliance of his golden hair and the warmth of his smile. Just like father, he was a respectable, strong, and kind man. Unlike father’s other teammates, Minato allowed Kakashi to sit with them as they planned for their mission. As always, father treated him as an equal even though Minato looked much younger that him. Not many ninjas were as old as father, which made Kakashi proud because it meant father was an exceptional ninja, surviving even to his age.

Kakashi had bowed and smiled back at the stranger because his father always emphasized the need to be polite. He knew father would praise him for it later.

People always boasted how he was born a natural at everything. But their words meant nothing compared to father’s, and Kakashi knew his prowess was mainly due to his field experience. Kakashi had always thrown himself enthusiastically into the Samurai training sessions with his father just to spend more time with his role model.

Father had even made sure to come to his graduation after two years despite being really busy, gifting him his own sword. Dad was so proud, which made Kakashi happy too.

He was too young to go onto a normal genin team, but Kakashi liked it better this way. He trained with one of Dad’s friends, getting stronger and better. By the time he was nine, Kakashi got to test for Chuunin. And he passed. He was the best. The greatest!

And then Dad failed.

 -----

 Minato knows how to comfort him. How to make him feel less worthless.

“Stay with me,” Kakashi whispered desperately. Of course, he knew Minato was not one to abandon him, yet something felt of. Kakashi dismissed it. Nothing else mattered when Minato is putting him back together piece by piece, mending him together with his comforting words. All Kakashi can do is hold on tightly. He needs them. He needs Minato.

“Please,” Kakashi whispered. 

He didn’t know what exactly he’s asking for. To be held? To be reassured? To die?

At some point, his sharingan eye, Obito’s eye, had begun to cry.“Shh.” Minato stroked his white hair soothingly as Kakashi leaned onto him.

-----

 Kakashi stood at the living room entrance, staring at father sitting at the edge of the porch. Father had never looked so weak before, father had never failed before, father was supposed to be the one everyone admired. Kakashi grimaced as he felt his father’s shame weigh on the air.

Father only got worse. Kakashi tried not to care. He ignored the other Chuunins gossiping about Dad and that failed mission, about how he was a disgrace to ninjas and if he went on another mission, he would make the same mistake. When the mounting pressure got too heavy to bear, he committed suicide. When Kakashi saw the sword sticking out of his bowed back, he vowed to live strictly by the ninja code.

That was the same year he was put on a team. Kakashi hated them. They were too slow, too weak-hearted, too stupid. Obito didn’t know how to shut up and he and Rin would flirt at every off chance they got. Kakashi didn’t need a team, especially this team.

But it was headed by Namikaze Minato, one of the best Jounins in the village. So Kakashi decided to tolerate it for a while and see what would happen. He might just learn something useful.

-----

Kakashi had always been a master at time management, cramming as much productivity as possible into every minute of his life. Books, television, friends were all useless. He studied enough to pass, said enough to avoid enemies, and rested enough to be healthy and alive. Yet, after the nine tailed fox’s attack, time has become muddled and confusing.

“Easy,” Kushina murmured softly as she placed a gentle hand on Kakashi, who had begun gasping for breath. It's all Kakashi can do not to jerk away and scream. The blood was back.

Kakashi’s nerves are too ragged to think properly, so Minato caught his wrists, giving him a moment to realize the blood was just red hair.

“Easy,” Kushina repeated quietly and, for a moment, Kakashi is terrified that he’ll see pity in her gaze. But he doesn’t. He sees concern and love, the same look a parent would give their child.

Kushina’s soft hands cupped his face as her thumbs brushed away the tears. He can’t help but lean into her chest as he closes his eyes. 

He’s here. He’s with them. He’s fine. He’s fine.

-----

The first time he was dragged home with Minato, much to Kakashi’s displeasure, Kakashi did not take much liking to Kushina. Just like the dullard Obito, she was loud and brash and did stupid things. And he was fine that she disliked him back. But after he had left for the bathroom and come back, he found her gazing at him with a strange gentleness that ignited rage within him. He told her boldly that he hated the way she talked.

Annoying. Stupid. Too compassionate.

He hated the soft way everyone looked at him despite his efforts to appear brash and cold. Obito, Rin, Kushina, and even the man he respects. Kindness was what got you killed on the field. 

Kakashi glared at them as they laughed and chatted lightly. He leaned against the wall, arms folded over his chest, and watched as Obito and that woman made fools of themselves while Rin giggled and Minato-sensei beamed.

His chest tightened. Maybe he did want to be a part of this...

Content. Happy.

Kakashi hated these feelings.

-----

But he ended up loving them didn’t he. He ended up relying on them. And look where he is now, back at square one. His loved ones are all dead.

Dead…

He lightly touched his face to feel the porcelain mask, dragging him back to reality. Kushina and Minato faded from his sight. He was hallucinating again. How much enhancement pills had he consumed last night?

He feels no heat from these apparitions, yet he continues deluding himself. Sometimes he tries to grab onto them, unwilling to let go. Don’t disappear… Don’t leave me alone again...

“Stay,” Kakashi whispered to nobody in particular. His heart pounded out of control and he vaguely considered sleeping pills. Those were harder to get as you had to be prescribed them by the doctor. But he knew they would find out about his nightly intake of enhancement pills. And they would take that away from him too, wouldn’t they.

His dead eyes unfocused again as he slipped into another memory.

---- 

When Kakashi became a Jounin, he had expected this. His friends had thrown him a party. Obito had patted him on the back, saying that it was about time his skills were recognized. People commended him for his youth, being only thirteen and having this title. Kushina, however, was angry, and protested against his promotion, saying that he was too young for those missions. Her words seemed idiotic to him. If you were strong, then no matter the age, you should be allowed to prove yourself.

Kakashi’s first mission as team leader wasn’t exactly easy but he had confidence in his skills. He would show his father he could do better than him. That he was worthy of the title of Jounin even that young, despite Kushina’s displeasing words.

But the mission went to hell faster than he could cope. He lost an eye and, soon after, his team too. 

Kakashi had failed. Rin and Obito were never coming back. Dead. Dead. Dead…

Dead like father, lying on the floor, surrounded by his own blood and with his own sword jutting out of his belly.

When Kushina sat beside him at the hospital and reached over to touch his hand, Kakashi broke down for the first time. Tears poured from Obito’s eyes.

----

Kakashi glanced at the watch he always carried. It was no help, it was already two in the morning, meaning time had eluded him again. When had he arrived at the bath house? Eight pm, he was sure of it. His wrinkled hands dragged the towel over his body and he stood to head home. 

Before going to bed, he swallowed another two pills to quiet his growing discomfort. 

Feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline through him and pinprick of pain, Kakashi murmured their names, one by one, like a prayer. When the rush died away, he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

----

There was no celebration for making it into the ANBU. Kakashi stood in front of the memorial in his uniform to show Obito and Rin. Obito and Rin beamed at him in his mind and that made Kakashi smile because it was painful and he didn’t want them to see his suffering.

When he met Morino Ibiki and got a painted mask, he was elated. A new name, a new story. Maybe he could let go of the past… But when he got back from his week-long mission, the hallucinations only worsened and every once in a while he found himself covered in blood.

The smell of blood made it all seem real, sickening him and making him vomit. He would spend the night trying to scrub it off, until he would collapse with exhaustion and hope the next mission would keep him occupied.

Not long enough. He slipped and fell deeper and for a few weeks, he managed to forget them until he’d returned. He almost dreaded coming back to Konoha. Coming back to Naruto, his brother, the son of his dead parents. He tried to think of them as Minato the Hokage and Kushina the former Jinchuuriki, . Sometimes he managed.

Kakashi never managed to forget the blood and the screams and torturing a lone ninja for information he desperately needed. It filled him up in the quiet of the night, when the boisterous little boy rested.

When it finally became too much, Kakashi found himself at the memorial, letting who knows how much time escape him.

----

Kakashi didn’t remember waking up or doing his morning training. All he remembered was standing over a man, twisting his arm out of proportions. “Don’t touch Naruto.” He growled out. He vaguely recalled the man shooing his brother out of the library, calling him a demon brat. It clawed out Kakashi’s heart to hear that.

“It’s all right,” Minato murmured as he ruffled Kakashi’s hair. Kakashi let go of the man to see Naruto scurrying away. He looked back to glare one last time at the man, pale and shaking with fright.

“You’re okay,” Kushina echoed from behind him.

He was tired. So so tired. But he must live on to protect Naruto. He must ensure Naruto becomes a great shinobi and leaves his legacy before Kakashi can finally rest in peace. Minato’s last mission- protect Naruto- he will honor it to his dying breath. Kakashi reluctantly placed his fingers on his white hound mask to anchor himself. The images disappeared as they should.

That night, Kakashi cornered Naruto again to apologize for scaring him. When Naruto finally nodded, accepting the apology, Kakashi made sure the ANBU caretaker made adequate food for his brother before heading off to get some fresh night air. He saw how Naruto flinched as he neared the dining table, eyes looking everywhere but at him. He will let him sleep on it; Naruto will forgive him tommorow. He always does. At least he’s safe. Kakashi felt a sense of pride as he thought of the strict schedule he set up for Naruto to ensure he would never be in danger. It made sense to Kakashi: stay indoors between 7am to 6pm unless supervised by someone trusted, which so far only included Kakashi himself. 

Nearing ten pm, Kakashi slipped back into the apartment and checked up on Naruto. He had buried his face into his spare pillow, hugging it to his chest tightly. He’s safe.

Kakashi flopped down wearily onto his bed in the master bedroom he and Kyo shared. He had given the separate bedroom to Naruto for privacy and so he can personalize it. Their apartment took up the entire top floor of a building in Konoha, allowing it to be rigged with the distortion seal, making it seem this floor does not exist. Early on, Kakashi had trained Naruto on to use the small open air courtyard to slip out from above without much detection. 

Kakashi turned his head to gaze out the window. A ghost of a smile danced on his lips. Even in death, Minato was always watching over them from the Hokage’s momument.

From outside the window, you could see the seventh hokage, Minato Namikaze, in all his glory, watching over Naruto and him. 

It still pained him, but he knew it would get better in time. Maybe. For now, two pills, and restless sleep.

[shirokodomo]

STUDY  :  HAKUDOSHI

۝  BASICS

IS YOUR MUSE TALL  /  SHORT  /  AVERAGE? SHORT. Out of all the children presented in the Inuyasha series, Hakudoshi is probably one of the shortest characters I headcanon he is about 4′3″ / 130 cm which funny enough is also Rin’s non-official height. Even in verses where he grows up, I don’t see him being very tall, as an adult and comparing him to Naraku (who is officially stated to be 5′11″ / 181 cm) I would say Hakudoshi probably would probably barely reach Naraku’s shoulder. Using a height comparison that means as an adult he would be around 4′10″ / 148 cm.

ARE THEY OKAY WITH THEIR HEIGHT? No he is not, especially because many people often joke around with his height, he might not outright express it but he is very annoyed with those. That’s partially why Hakudoshi is quick to attack, because his height often makes him look quite harmless and while sometimes he may use it to his advantage most of the time he doesn’t as a way to show his position.

WHAT’S THEIR HAIR LIKE? His hair is always long, loose and down to the middle of his back, its color is white with a small tint of a rose color; during nighttime or in places with not so much light source his hair appears to gain a greyish purple tone (quite a contrast to his normal hair color). Hakudoshi has scraggly bangs framing his face. In the Modern Days Verse, his hair is much shorter but still scraggly and black in color.

DO THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THEIR HAIR  /  GROOMING? Not really. He is fine with how his hair looks, barely giving it a quick brush with his hand just to untangle some parts of it after waking up. In the rare times he actually ties it (only in situations were the hair would clearly get in the way), it’s placed in a low, fastened and messy ponytail tied with a white ribbon.

DOES YOUR MUSE CARE ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE  /  WHAT OTHERS THINK? In general, Hakudoshi just cares the most about his clothes, his demand is that the outfit is made of fine fabric and preferably in white and despite him not minding getting his hands dirty in the jobs he can’t stand seeing blood on his clothes. He also doesn’t really care what others think of his appearance. In the Modern Days Verse, he cares a bit more about his appearance but that is only because of his family’s important status in the city.

۝  PREFERENCES 

INDOORS OR OUTDOORS? Outdoors

RAIN OR SUNSHINE? He is fine with either but perhaps prefers the rainy days a bit more because his pale skin easily burns in the extremely hot days

FOREST OR BEACH? Forest

PRECIOUS METALS OR GEMS? Precious metals

FLOWERS OR PERFUMES? Neither, even though he doesn’t have a keen nose, both cause him to sneeze if he is around them for too long

PERSONALITY OR APPEARANCE? Personality

BEING ALONE OR BEING IN A CROWD? Alone

ORDER OR ANARCHY? Both. Depends on the situation and on his mood.

PAINFUL TRUTHS OR WHITE LIES? Both. Depends on how the situation may benefit him.

SCIENCE OR MAGIC? Magic

PEACE OR CONFLICT? Most of the time conflict but when it’s not about work, he does enjoy some peaceful and quite moments

NIGHT OR DAY? Both.

DUSK OR DAWN? Dawn

WARMTH OR COLD? Neither. He prefers the in between.

MANY ACQUAINTANCES OR A FEW CLOSE FRIENDS? Few close friends (though he doesn’t work much with the term friends).

READING OR PLAYING A GAME? Both. Though by playing a game, that usually involves playing with someone else’s life.

۝  QUESTIONNAIRE 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MUSE’S BAD HABITS? Oh dear, where to start. Hakudoshi has the bad habit of being quite nasty, insensitive, cruel and manipulative especially to others he considers to be below himself (Kagura is a perfect example of that treatment). Though he changes quite a lot after his rebirth, before all that he is not friendly at all and does whatever he wants, how he wants and when he wants not caring about who he may hurt in process.

HAS YOUR MUSE LOST ANYONE CLOSE TO THEM? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED THEM? This question is more applicable to his AU verses. 

In the Modern Days Verse, Hakudoshi lost his mother not physically but because of the divorce between his parents, his father used all the dirty methods he had to ensure his ex-wife wouldn’t get the custody of their son and even forbade Hakudoshi from seeing his mother ever again, keeping tabs on him through the several bodyguards he hired. Hakudoshi was already a quiet and reserved child before the divorce but he would smile and laugh especially if his mother was around, thus after the divorce and the custody situation, the smiles and laughs just outright ceased from existence, he became colder towards others, unfriendly, not easy to approach and stopped believing happiness is just a blatant lie people tell to each other and to themselves. 

In the Demon Mage Verse (Fairy Tail AU), Hakudoshi was separated from his twin brother (Akago) after he hid him on a safe spot to prevent Akago from being captured by the Zeref following cult. In return, Hakudoshi was the one captured and taken to the Tower of Heaven as a slave to build it and once he escaped he made it his mission to find his brother no matter the cost. The situation itself didn’t affect much Hakudoshi’s personality but I would say he feels more lonely because his brother was the only one who truly understood him.

In the Midnight Fangs Verse, Hakudoshi lost his parents and younger brother at...his own hands. After being turned into a vampire, he wanted to quench his thirst no matter what and ended up slaughtering his whole family before snapping back to his senses. When he realized what he had done, he instantly regretted it but there was nothing he could do to save any of them; this made him become distant towards other people (mostly out of fear so to not hurt them) and seeking revenge by trying to find the one who had turned him into this hideous monster.

WHAT ARE SOME FOND MEMORIES YOUR MUSE HAS? Applies to several Canon Divergent and AU verses.

In the Wayward Divergence Verse, Hakudoshi eventually creates fond memories of his travels with Sesshomaru’s group, mostly with the interactions between himself, Rin and Jaken -especially if it included messing around with Jaken-, this was because while he still had the mission to defeat his creator, he was able to be the child he actually appears to be and not just a bloody warrior in the body of a child.

In the White Bell Verse, it’s almost the same as above but with Kikyo instead, for the first time in his whole -albeit short- life, Hakudoshi experiences how it is to be cared for, to be loved and to love in return, he feels all this towards the mother figure Kikyo becomes to him and doesn’t want to let go of that sensation. Hence why he is so promptly ready to do anything to keep her alive and out of Naraku’s reach.

In the Son of the Phoenix Verse, it’s almost a mixture between the two above, in this verse he has a big and loving family who love him for who he is not caring where he came from. He has a special adoration towards his mother, Mulan, who protects and soothes every fear out of him -especially when Naraku haunts his dreams- but is also fierce and trains him personally. Hakudoshi is trained to be the fierce warrior he was created to be but is also extremely loved.

In the Post Rebirth Verse, though he has now recovered all of his memories regarding who he used to be and what he used to do, Hakudoshi creates little by little fond memories whenever he has the chance to interact with Kohaku or any of the new generation (Moroha, Setsuna, Hisui), though he is awfully fierce with them whenever he is requested to come and help with the training and though he doesn’t show it on the outside, he actually has grown to care about them.

Last but not least, in the Modern Days Verse, most of Hakudoshi’s fond memories are with his mother as she was always a big influence on how he was shaped, had him been solely raised by his father he would have become quite difference but the care and love of his mother has made him into a more caring child even if that is often hidden after she was forced out of his life. Hakudoshi eventually uses this to slowly open up to other people, with whom he eventually becomes friends with.

IS IT EASY FOR YOUR MUSE TO KILL? Extremely easy, especially on his Main Verse, where he was basically created to be a ruthless killing machine. He has no qualms about slicing someone else’s throat open, the head or the throat is where he mostly aims for.

WHAT’S IT LIKE WHEN YOUR MUSE BREAKS DOWN? He rarely breaks down, in the canon world that would only be possible in verses where he drifts away from Naraku or after his rebirth. When that does happen, he prefers to be completely alone, he kicks stuff around, rarely punches and doesn’t scream. Then he just curls in a corner, hides his face from others and doesn’t speak for a long time. All in all he tries to keep the appearance of a tough demon despite his childish look but even the toughest demons break down eventually.

IS YOUR MUSE CAPABLE OF TRUSTING SOMEONE WITH THEIR LIFE? In the canon world, no, that won’t ever happen. Perhaps bend a little the rule after his rebirth and making an exception for Kohaku, whom he owns his life after those events, but as of something general no.

In Canon Divergent verses, I would say that only applies to his parent figures (Sesshomaru, Kikyo, Mulan).

WHAT’S YOUR MUSE LIKE WHEN THEY’RE IN LOVE? Hakudoshi doesn’t know how to express love, it’s just hard for him given his origins. I would say he would only falls in love with someone he is extremely close to and even then he won’t outright admit he is in love, he admits he cares about them but won’t say out loud that he loves them unless in private.

In public, it would be small and quiet shows of affection and not for everyone to see: a small brush on the significant other’s cheek, a soft smile, a quiet and quick hold of hands and deep look in the eyes. In short, when he loves someone he actually loves them but isn’t very open or obvious about it, if someone on the outside were to notice they would probably only know if they saw him and the significant other together all the time and if they saw him smile at the person in question.

Tagged by: @adversitybloomed​ (ty!!)

Tagging: @slaheir​ | @slayerled​ | @senpujin​ | @withagentleheart​ & whoever else wants to do this!!

[themclisseconnection]

Our Yacht is Sailing!

What's going on??? Over the past two years, the Earth got hotter, the plants grew taller, your pets grew up, someone you know got engaged or got married, some of you graduated from school and started a new job or a new business venture, reached a new milestone and some of you also joined a new fandom. How many books have you read? Did you learn how to cook? Did you transfer to an unfamiliar city or traveled to a different country? Were you able to maximize your talents, skills and productivity? Hopefully, yes. Hopefully, you were able to discover more about yourselves, just like McCoy and Elisse.

A ship on a yacht? Is that even possible? With McLisse, it is. A yacht— not too big, not too small, private and romantic. McLisse likes to keep it that way.

The photo reminds us of an unforgettable chapter in a Wattpad novel. It's like a lovely scene from a romantic movie. At first look, it seems too good to be true but once it sinks in, you'll go from "It's too good be true" to "It's so good and it's so true." Its caption gave us all the feels since McCoy used one of the fandom's most treasured words, ALWAYS. "ALL WAYS" added more depth to it. Joy, peace, warmth and security are written all over their faces. The post conveys an extraordinary feeling of freedom, a sense of contentment and infinite bliss.

The recent events, losses, madness in the government (grrrrr!) and the global pandemic somehow became our wake-up call and encouraged us to be more expressive, thoughtful and proactive. The pandemic also taught us to take a good care of ourselves and our loved ones. We only have one life to live so we should stop all our doubts and fears from getting the best of us. We should let happiness in. Right here, right now.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mccoy De Leon (@mccoydeleon) on Aug 30, 2020 at 11:12am PDT

Yes. A good news dropped in the middle of a pandemic. It immediately became a symbol of hope for many of us who are slowly being eaten up by skepticism, animosity and hopelessness. We suddenly have a special reminder that things can get better in time. McCoy didn't just post to give a hint that his heart is at peace. He literally shared his joy to us. Every "finally" we encounter in the comment section stresses that they had been holding it in for the longest time.

The comment section is full of good vibes. Their celebrity friends, co-actors, the staffs they've worked with and the bloggers who consistently root for them couldn't help but express their happiness upon seeing the photo. Anyone could tell that they're genuinely happy for McLisse. The crying emojis, red hearts and words "SA WAKAS" and "FINALLY" definitely made a strong statement.

OUR STORY

It's no secret that McCoy had worked on several movie projects with new love interests and he even started a new business venture while Elisse landed as one of the leads in an afternoon TV series. She also got busy with her business.

McLisseians still expressed their support even in their solo projects. Every one clinged to hope and pride was set aside. We wanted them to feel that we are not just here for "kilig." As McLisseians, we knew that a part of us would always root for them even if they already stopped rooting for us. It was painful to hear them talking about us in past tense but we knew back then that deep down in our hearts, our love for them will always be stronger than our ego as shippers. We couldn't lecture them about love. The heart has a mind of its own. We could only check on them from afar and hope that they would be happy with whomever they'd end up with. It even came to a point where we had to let go and let God.

The super loyal, persistent and ever generous McLisseians continued to see the good in every opportunity. We completely understood that every opportunity they received would help them gain more knowledge and experience. Maturity took over. Each one of us learned to focus on the bright side of life with the vision that their new setup would benefit both of them. They would surely come out as better actors in the industry.

McCoy's post got many people saying "Sana all" but to be honest, McLisseians also had our own "Sana all" moments. We had so many what ifs in our list. McLisse's journey as a love team was quite short compared to others. We had to deal with multiple rejections, cancelled guestings/tours and media play during movie promotions. We got to see them acting with different partners and live with the thought that they aren't each other's first on-screen kiss. HEHE AT LEAST, MAY REAL-LIFE KISS. Ch0ur not ch0ur. Every shipper's dream is to collect many firsts and create more memories with his/her ship. Bittersweet, that's how we call it. McLisse had their own record of life-changing firsts but let's not forget that McLisseians had the privilege (Privilege!? Let's think positive. HAHAHAHA) to experience both reel and real pain earlier than the usual. The unimaginable transition and all the intentional shunning also disheartened us at one point. Sana ganito, sana ganyan. Sana maging okay na sila. Sana po mapagbigyan. It was a never-ending struggle of staying positive in the midst of chaos.

Their love team was slowly dissolved. They broke up and eventually got linked to different people. Right there and then, we knew that we had to know our place as shippers. In our hearts, we firmly believed that we could still make a difference.

McLisseians transformed into prayer warriors who fervently prayed for peace and reconciliation every single day. It was hard to see everything falling apart. We had to endure all the sudden changes, disturbing articles and heartbreaking announcements. We lost both reel and real, we had nothing to hold on to except one another, our faith and our belief that one day, they'll be able to face each other again with a smile.

2020. We started the year full of hope and it's safe to say that McLisseians had been waiting for this moment to come. McCoy kept on saying in his past interviews that they wanted to build a strong foundation first before hinting or confirming anything so we had to go along with it. It came naturally. Our GCs were filled with scoops and rumors. Some people had seen them going out again. We were ecstatic but our first instinct was to protect them. Wag mo ipost!!! Bawal! Ang kulit! Eh pero nasa FB na rin eh!?! Admin oh!!! Hayaan na natin sila, low-key muna tayo. 😂

We used to have petty fights over those things. We prayed a lot for things to get better but we never thought that "better" would mean McCoy and Elisse taking a risk and finally choosing each other again. Honestly, we were okay with them being friends after everything that happened but apparently, they're not okay with that. HAHAHAHAHUHU.

We were infuriated by some nasty articles and insensitive people. The world tested our patience. At times, we would think "McLisse, umamin na nga kayo please. Daming mema, mga kuwento na nakakainis at nakakagigil." It was really disappointing how some people took advantage of their situation. They even assumed that the two didn't reconnect at all. We patiently waited for interviews and other venues where they can freely express themselves. Nacancel TWBA dahil sa lockdown!? May interview? May digital presscon? Sana maghint na sila o magbigay kahit konting clue. McLisseians were hopeful at the very least.

(I had to keep all the excitement to myself. I respected their decision to stay in private so I just waited for a concrete proof/a fearless move from either one of them. And McCoy... Grabe. McCoy's post just blew my mind.)

McLisse is friends with every fandom. It's also nice to see other fandom appreciating our loyalty and our efforts. They would often commend us for sticking with McCoy and Elisse even if they had to part ways as on-screen partners. McLisse's recent update has become every fandom's glimmer of hope.

McCoy and Elisse were apart for quite a while. They went out with other people but eventually found their way back to each other. Love is indeed a verb. It's something that you keep on doing. You show up. You fight. You stay. McCoy and Elisse were able to get to know themselves more. They were able to realize the value of each other more than ever. McLisse will have more days together than the days they spent apart. Maaabot na nilang muli ang kanilang mga pangarap nang magkasama. *sobs*

The future isn't as scary as it seems. Optimism has found its way to us. We just know that we trust McCoy and Elisse so much. All the heartaches in the past inspired all of us to be indestructible. Tough times turned our fandom into one of the toughest fandoms out there. Their CHOICE put back all the pieces together. Mareng Kyla's prophecy was too powerful. Love really led them back to us.

McCoy and Elisse will always have each other. (OMGGGGG. IT'S REALLY TRUE,,, I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M WRITING THIS LINE,,, /CRIES IN THE CORNER/)

McLisse will always have us. Always... All ways. ♥️

[sarah-writes-stories]

82

Hey, anon! Okay, so is this cheating? I don’t know if this is cheating, but the prompt for 82 is: “Just breathe, okay?” and Chapter 8 of my big fic To Fight For Tomorrow is full of angsty/fluffy goodness and starts off with Inu basically saying this line exact line to Kagome.

With that in mind, I give you “Confessions.”

...

"Are you saying the jewel isn't gone?!"

Kagome's mind began to race with panic. 'No, no, no, no. It has to be gone. I made it disappear. It can't hurt me anymore! No! No! No! No!'

Inuyasha heard Kagome's heart start beating erratically a second before she began hyperventilating.

"Kagome, look at me. Look at me! Look me in the eyes." He turned her in his lap, holding her face between his clawed hands so she couldn't look away.

"You need to breathe, Kagome. Slow and deep. Breathe with me." He kept her eyes locked with his, urging her to match the rhythm of his breaths.

"What's going on out here?!" Sango asked in a loud whisper as she returned to the other room. She'd encouraged both Shippō and Rin to lay down with the other children, hoping that they'd doze off. It had worked, but clearly, she'd missed something while she was gone.

Sango watched Inuyasha calm Kagome while Miroku quietly filled her in on what had been revealed. Her heart went out to her dearest friend as she tried to process everything Miroku was telling her.

Kaede, too, felt pity for how much the child had clearly suffered. She spoke up then, hoping to ease Kagome's fears. "Kagome, child, the jewel is gone. When I examined ye, there was nought about the power within ye that I could sense as being impure or malevolent. Truth be told, the power of the Four Souls has so completely merged with your own aura that if we had not known ye so well before, we would not have sensed aught amiss now."

Miroku nodded in agreement. "Kaede is correct. The power was clearly purified by your wish, but it may be a while before we are able to ascertain the exact extent of your new power."

Inuyasha was having none of it. This revelation had shaken Kagome to her core and all he wanted to do was protect her from any more pain. "It doesn't matter what powers she has or doesn't have. Kagome is still Kagome. Nothing's gonna change that."

Kagome smiled weakly up at him before leaning her head down on his shoulder. Any tiny seeds of doubt that had begun to take root in her over what this might mean for them were banished in an instant by his words.

"I agree with Inuyasha." Sango's voice was filled with conviction. "We shouldn't worry over this. Instead, we should be grateful. Kagome is back with us now, so we have all the time in the world to figure this out."

She hesitated then, "I mean, I think we do… Do we, Kagome? Did you mention how long you'd be visiting while I was in the other room with the children?"

Inuyasha stiffened at Sango's words. He'd been avoiding asking Kagome that question all day, fearful of what her answer might be. Had she planned this to be just a short visit? Would she soon go back to her own time? Would the well close behind her again locking her away from him forever?

Kagome raised her head from Inuyasha's shoulder to look at her friends around the room. "I…" she trailed off. "This isn't a visit." She said finally.

"What do ye mean, child?" Kaede asked.

Kagome had hoped to talk to Inuyasha about this alone before blurting it out in front of the others. She could feel the embarrassment overtaking her as she thought of having to explain to everyone how the instant the well had opened, she'd jumped through without a second thought. No plan, nothing packed, and no return ticket.

'Nope,' she thought with a cringe. 'Not doing it.'

"Kaede-sama," she finally said. "It's been a long day and I'm really tired. Do you think, maybe, we can talk more about that in the morning?"

Inuyasha was crestfallen. Maybe she didn't want to talk about how long she planned to stay because the fact was she didn't plan to stay at all! Because if this wasn't a visit, like she'd said, then what was it? Goodbye?

No! He couldn't accept that. If this was going to be his only chance, then he would have to somehow convince Kagome that she shouldn't leave forever, that he wanted...needed... her to stay here with him. No matter how selfish it was, the thought of losing Kagome again was more than Inuyasha could bear. He knew he wouldn't survive it a second time without losing his mind.

Interrupting his thoughts, Inuyasha heard Kaede concede to Kagome's request. "Of course, child, of course. Would ye like to stay with me this evening? With Rin and Shippō sleeping here, there will be plenty of room."

"Yes, thank you, Kaede-sama. You're very kind."

Kaede got up from her seat then, stretching her old bones and groaning inwardly. She was not as young as she'd once been.

"Well, then I shall take my leave of ye now. I'm sure Inuyasha will be happy to walk ye back to my home once ye are ready to retire for the evening. Goodnight to ye all."

"Of course I'll walk her back," Inuyasha grumbled, then blushed furiously when the sudden thought of Kagome staying at his hut instead of Kaede's came into his mind.

Miroku saw Inuyasha's colour rise and, being the lecher he was, knew exactly what his friend was thinking about. Mischief sparkled in his eyes once more.

"Kagome," he began. "Did Inuyasha tell you that he has a hut now as well?"

"Miroku…" Inuyasha growled his name in warning.

But Kagome paid no attention to it. She was happy to latch onto any topic of conversation that would distract the others from returning to their previous questions about how long it was that she intended to stay.

"Inuyasha, is this true? You have a home in the village now?"

"Yeah," he grumbled. "It's true. When we were rebuildin' the village and had been invited to settle, that's when Miroku and Sango's house was built, and mine, too. It's a little ways apart from the rest of the village though, closer to my forest. I like it that way. Less noise and smells and stuff. I figured it'd be good to have a secure place to spend my human nights."

He didn't, of course, mention that the real reason he'd accepted the offered hut was that he'd hoped that, if ever Kagome returned, that she would be willing to share the small home with him.

"I'd love to see it," Kagome whispered shyly. She desperately wanted to talk to Inuyasha alone before morning, when apparently the headman would be searching for her and Kaede would, no doubt, be looking for answers as well.

Miroku smiled inwardly at Kagome's words. This chance for further teasing was simply too good to pass up! "Well, it's not too late. Inuyasha, why don't you walk her by to see it on your way to Kaede's. Sango and I really should be retiring anyway. Ichiro wakes many times in the night and if we do not retire soon, I fear we will both be quite useless come morning."

"Miroku…." It was Sango's turn to give her husband a warning growl. She knew him too well not to realize the mischief he was up to.

Kagome didn't care, she took the out when it was offered. "Oh, of course! I didn't even think about that. You guys are parents now. Come on, Inuyasha, let's go." She rose to her feet as the others did as well.

Sango stepped forward to embrace her friend. "You don't have to leave, you know. Miroku's just being Miroku." She gave Kagome a meaningful look.

"No, it's fine, Sango, really." She glanced over at Inuyasha and then back at Sango, urging her friend to understand that they still had more to talk about.

Sango seemed to understand. "Alright, Kagome. Then we'll see you both in the morning, yes?"

"Of course you will. It's not like she's gonna jump back in the well while you're sleeping." Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest, tucking his hands into either sleeve. He gave Kagome a quick look from the corner of his eye, gauging her reaction to his words. He needed to confirm for himself that she really wasn't about to do just that, but he couldn't bring himself to come right out and ask her either.

Kagome just smiled and shook her head. "Nope, I'll definitely be here in the morning. See you then!" She waved at her two friends as she and Inuyasha exited the warmth and light of the hut and were immediately enveloped by the chilly darkness of the night air.

Kagome shivered. It was only April and the short skirt and light cardigan she had on were doing nothing to keep out the cool spring breeze. She rubbed her hands up and down over her arms.

"Are you cold?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yeah, a little."

Inuyasha immediately stopped walking. He untied the outer jacket of his fire-rat robes, shrugging his arms out of the sleeves before draping it around Kagome's small form.

"Thanks." She smiled shyly up at him.

'It smells like him,' she thought and her earlier nerves began to return. There was just so much she still wanted to say.

Thankfully, she was rescued from her anxious thoughts by Inuyasha's next question. "So… you still wanna see my hut?"

Did she want the chance to be alone with Inuyasha? Kagome blushed a bit at the wicked turn of her thoughts.

"Yeah, I'd love to see it."

If anything, she thought, the walk would help her gather her courage. She was desperate now to speak the words she'd been longing to say to Inuyasha for almost four years, though she couldn't seem to bring herself to break the silence.

It was Inuyasha who eventually spoke first. "It's just up this next hill, near the treeline."

Kagome looked up to where he was pointing. She could just make out the faint outline of a small hut nestled amongst the trees at the edge of the forest. "I got them to build it up here 'cause it's a better vantage point for keeping an eye on things."

Kagome turned and could see that, indeed, the house sat on higher ground and from the porch, it was likely that Inuyasha would be able to see the entire village laid out before him.

They finally reached the hut then. Inuyasha held the door aside for her to enter.

Moving inside, Kagome hung Inuyasha's fire-rat on a hook near the door before removing her shoes and stepping up onto the smooth wooden floor.

Inuyasha went straight to the fire pit that sat near his kitchen area. Expertly, he unearthed the still-smouldering coals from earlier in the day, using them to help light a new fire, and before Kagome's eyes could even adjust to the darkness in the hut, the room began filling with light and warmth.

Kagome blinked several times, eyes adjusting to the contrast of flickering shadows and light. She turned slowly in a circle then, surveying Inuyasha's home.

There was a small kitchen area to the left of the fire with a good-sized low table for working or eating at nearby. To her right were shelves and a chest, likely for storage, though the shelves were all but empty except for what Kagome assumed were a few containers of foodstuffs. On the far side of the hut, opposite the door, she could see a sleeping area, privacy screen mostly blocking from view what looked to be the edge of a large, rolled-up futon against the wall with blankets piled atop.

It was a modest home, without luxuries… but to Kagome it was perfect. "I love it," she whispered under her breath, as much to herself as to Inuyasha.

He heard her words, of course. "Yeah? I mean, I know it's not much but it's… mine." He wanted to say 'ours,' wanted to blurt out everything he'd had to keep locked inside himself just as Kagome had been locked on the other side of the well.

"Look, Kagome," he began, unable to hold back any longer. "About earlier… That song…" He took a deep breath. "It's all my fault."

"Come again?" Of all the things that Inuyasha could have said about her drunken performance, 'It's all my fault' was not one that Kagome had mentally prepared herself for.

Inuyasha began again, his voice heavy with remorse. "Look, I know I hurt you back then… a lot. Looking back, I could kick myself... but I can't take it back."

"Inuyasha? I'm still not sure I'm following you…"

"You know…" He tried again, "About Kikyō."

Kagome flinched at the dead priestess's name, and the action was not lost on Inuyasha. She hadn't thought about Kikyō in a long time, but suddenly it felt as though her previous incarnation was standing right there in between them all over again.

Kagome sighed. "I'm– I'm not going to lie, Inuyasha. Yes, it did hurt when you chose Kikyō over me. I mean, I know I can never be her and I don't want to be, but–"

He cut her off. "I don't want you to be either, Kagome. Please believe me." He stepped forward, taking both of her hands in his. "I know you think that I chose her over you, but it was never like that. I know I never explained it either. It was just… I felt like it was my fault that she was dead, like I owed it to her to still be there for her. I had loved her a long time ago, and we'd made… promises…. and I just... My honour wouldn't let me walk away from that, no matter…" He faltered before continuing, "No matter how much my heart wished it was free to choose differently."

Kagome's breaths were shallow as she tried her best to hold back the tears stinging at her eyes. "I didn't– I mean, I always thought that you regretted everything. That you wished that she was still alive. That you loved her so much that you couldn't let her go. And that I was just…" She gulped, trying to force the words out. They'd been poisoning her soul for four long years, but she couldn't hold back now. A tear slipped down her cheek as she finally said the words aloud. "That I was just second best."

"NO! NEVER!" Inuyasha practically snarled the words. "Never that, Kagome! I never thought of you as second best. Please believe me. You have no idea how much you mean to me."

Inuyasha grabbed her by her upper arms. His eyes were smouldering with the passion of his words, willing her to feel all he felt for her, to trust that he would never – could never – see her as second best.

After a long moment, he shifted his eyes to look down and away unable to maintain eye contact as his guilt swelled within him again. He was the one who'd made her feel second best after all.

He spoke, his voice quieter than before and once again laced with remorse. "Please believe me. I don't think I could bear it if… If you left again."

Kagome felt weak all over from the intense way he had been staring at her just moments before. It was as though it had released some heavy weight that she hadn't even known she'd been carrying. She felt weightless and oddly separate from her own body.

Perhaps it was this feeling of freedom that suddenly gave her the courage to confess her own secret as well. "I'm not leaving, Inuyasha. I– I think the well is still closed."

Inuyasha's eyes shot back to hers at those words.

She continued, "I can't be sure. I mean, I'd have to try it to be sure… but that's not a risk I'm willing to take."

"What do you mean, 'the well is still closed'? You're here, aren't ya?" Even in his confusion, Inuyasha could feel a small flicker of hope igniting inside his chest.

"I think, this time, it was a one-way trip." She said softly.

"Kagome?" Her name came out as a strangled whisper, his mind reeling at the implications of her words.

Kagome closed her eyes and took a steadying breath before she began to explain. "I– I was in the well house. It wasn't even my usual day to try the well or anything, I was just wandering around and found myself there. I guess I was lost in thought, but as I stood staring down into the well I just– I couldn't bear it anymore. The idea that I was meant to stay in that world, that I might never be able to return here. I felt like it was eating me alive. It was the most wretched existence I could possibly imagine. And in that moment, all I wanted… All I cared about… was to see you again."

She blushed at her words but continued. "The next thing I knew there was a– a breeze blowing over my face and then I could see the sky here on this side of the well! That had never happened before, though I think I knew somehow what it meant, that this was it, my one chance. I can only think that some kami somewhere must have heard my prayers and decided to grant me a single chance to choose. Here or there…. And, well... I choose here."

Inuyasha had turned away from her at some point during her confession. He was trying desperately to reign in his raging emotions. He wanted to squeeze her tight and never let her go, but he also felt like yelling at her at the top of his lungs for being so foolish.

Finally, he was able to speak, though he did not face her. "You mean… You mean you're here forever? But what about your family? Your whole life is back there, Kagome!"

"No, my life is here, Inuyasha. My mom understood that. By some miracle she'd been walking by the well house when it happened and found me right before I jumped. She told me… She told me to follow my heart."

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut tight for a moment before continuing. "I don't think I'll ever go back there – that I'd ever want to go back there – because as much as I know I'll miss mom and gramps and Souta, if the past three years have taught me anything, it's that I would never have been happy over there because this is where I belong."

Inuyasha still stood with his back to Kagome, and she began to worry that she'd upset him with her confession. "Inu– Inuyasha? Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing's wrong." His words came out low and thick. She moved quickly around to his front, needing to look him in the eye. She touched his cheek, forcing him to look at her. His eyes were filled with both relief and guilt, and it was almost as though she could see the inner battle he was fighting with himself.

Finally, he whispered, "You gave up everything to come back here to a place where it's not safe! You could get hurt, or sick, or attacked, or–" Kagome rose up on her tiptoes and pecked a soft kiss on his lips to halt his words.

"This is what I want, Inuyasha." It was a plain and simple statement of fact. There would be no changing her mind.

A long moment of silence stretched out between them before a thought struck Kagome. "But… why did you think my song earlier had something to do with Kikyō?"

"Well," Inuyasha began, only mildly phased by her non-sequitur. "Weren't the words to your song all about being hurt so bad you felt cut open?"

She took a deep fortifying breath before exaggeratedly smirking and rolling her eyes. Oh Kami, she loved him so much, even when he was being a total baka.

"Inuyasha, is that all you paid attention to? Didn't you hear the other lyrics of the song?"

She hummed the lyrics softly then, in Japanese this time.

"I don't care what they say, I'm in love with you…"

Trailing off, Kagome looked up into Inuyasha's golden eyes – eyes suddenly awash in comprehension quickly replaced by longing. It was a longing that, before now, he'd made sure to always keep hidden from her view.

And all Kagome had time to do was gasp in astonishment before Inuyasha grabbed her in his arms and crushed his mouth down onto hers.

[bensroger]

Always and Forever - Ben Hardy! Roger Taylor

Summary: You are engaged to Roger Taylor, who of course has busy schedule and this comes into conflict when you try to plan a wedding. After a heated argument, you leave your shared house and contemplate what always and forever meant for you two.

Word Count: 3227

Warnings: Swearing

A/N: This one is super long and I’m not sure how I feel about it but I at least hope you guys enjoy it! It took awhile to write, so I hope it’s not too boring. As always please leave feedback, it helps so much! If you’d like a part two don’t be afraid to request it!! I didn’t proofread either so it may have a few errors...

Cold licked at your face and crept under your clothes, spreading across your skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach while you waited for Roger to open the door. With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth you wrapped your arms around Roger in attempt to gather warmth. You felt his body shake as he chuckled. “I’ve almost got it open love, I just have so many keys.” He said, wrapping his free hand around you, and rubbing your arm to keep you warm.

Finally, he swung the door open and he guided you inside, the warmth hitting your face. You let out a shiver as you began to heat up. “It’s so cold out there, my God.” You murmured. “I’m going have to some tea to warm up, would you like some?”

“Of course.” He said taking his coat off. “Did you enjoy dinner though?”

“I did, especially when the guy stopped mid-proposal to ask you for an autograph.” You said, smiling thinking back to the memory. A tall, balding man was down on one knee to the woman in front of him. But when he opened his mouth to pop the question, but his eyes fell to Roger who was sitting with you. Instead of “Will you marry me?” all that came out was “Holy shit, Roger Taylor! Sign this napkin!”

“You’re going to be the wife of a rockstar!” His statement made you roll your eyes playfully. Roger himself was smiling too, when you brought up the proposal. “Would you have said yes if I did that during our proposal?”

You thought for a moment as your poured the tea into your designated mugs. “Well she still said yes, so I have to assume she loved him greatly. Just as I do you,” you said, placing the tea onto the shiny coffee table and snuggling up to your fiancé. Roger wrapped his arm around you, and pulled you close. “I’d have been upset with you, but I still would have to say yes.”

He kissed your cheek as you laughed. You looked at the dainty gold ring with a small diamond in appreciation. Thinking about marrying Roger and spending the rest of your lives together always made you giddy. You looked up at Roger from leaning on his chest, and smiled. He was intently focusing on whatever was playing on the television. “Rog…”

“Hm?” Roger drew himself away from the television to look at you. You sat up to face him. “What is it?” He said, furrowing his brows and pushing a piece of your hair behind your ear.

“I’m really glad your back, I missed you while you were on tour.” You said, trying not to smile. It was his first day back and the past months without him had been so lonely, and the brief phone calls were hardly enough for an actual conversation. “And I’m so excited to marry you…” You murmured with a sigh.

Roger looked at you with love, “I know, I’m excited to marry you…”

“All I could think about was our wedding… It doesn’t have to be big you know? Just friends and family, nothing too flashy. The venue will be some scenic venue…”

Roger laughed, “I’m sure you could go on and on but you’re getting a little ahead of yourself…”

You rolled your eyes. “I know I can’t help it. We have to have it soon, I don’t want to be engaged forever… And you know, a spring wedding would be so lovely…” You said biting your lip.

“Y/N…” He mumbled.

“I was honestly hoping for somewhere in March… March 15th...You know the flowers are so lovely–“ You cut off your daydreaming.

“Y/N!” He said louder this time, causing you to snap your head towards him with a bit of a jump. “I can’t do that.”

You frowned. “What do you mean you can’t do that? It’s our wedding.”

“We’re most likely going to be on tour… I wanted to tell you at a better time but after Christmas we’re going to start recording another album, which means another” Roger said, burying his face in his hands.

“But I just got you back.” You said in a whisper, afraid that the threatening tears would start spill out. “And it’s our wedding…”

He looked at you as you squeezed your eyes shut, no longer caring if you were crying or not. “Y/N don’t cry–“ He leaned to touch your cheek in an attempt to comfort you but you recoiled at his a touch.

“Don’t touch me Roger.” You said, your voice shaking. You scooted away from him.

“Come on don’t be like that, we can plan it for a later date.”

“But then you’ll just have another tour! You’re always busy we can’t even plan our fucking wedding!” You said, as your sorrow quickly melted to angry, hot tears spilling onto your cheeks.

“You know my life is demanding…” he said, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. You both wanted to stop arguing, and you knew nothing but pain would come from this, and still you persisted.

“You won’t even set aside time for our wedding? If you weren’t serious about marrying me, then why did you propose in the first place?”

“Honestly, I don’t know!” He shouted, “Right now, I really wish I didn’t.”

You stood there, numb at the words he just screamed at you. You couldn’t think or feel anything but the pain. Roger could see the hurt on your face, and he wished he hadn’t said it, but there was no going back.

“I need a break…” You mumbled out. He just scoffed as you walked past him toward the door.

“Whatever…” He rolled his eyes. You stopped and just took in a deep breath, trying not to cry and show him how much he had hurt you.

Roger pursed his lips as you grabbed your keys and walked out the door with a slam behind you. He stood there for a few seconds, mad at you and mad at himself. He picked up an old framed picture of you two together and threw it furiously at the door. It fell to the ground with a shatter.

You sat in your car, a chill starting to seep into you, as you sobbed, and gasped for air in between.The tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down your face. You felt the muscles of my chin tremble like a small child and you looked toward the window, as if the light down the street could soothe you. There is a numbness, a static, in your head once more, the side effect of a fear of losing Roger. Your hear your own sounds, like a distressed child, raw from the inside. It takes something out of you that you didn't know you had left to give. Still sobbing, you started your car, and drove to your best friend’s house. In less than five minutes you were at Nancy’s house. Shivering you gently knocked on her door, and she answered it with a look of pity. She already knew why you were upset, because nobody else could hurt you that much except Roger…

Nancy set you up a warm, makeshift bed on her couch, right next to the fireplace. She brought you some hot chocolate. “If you need, anything I’ll be in the next room…” She smiled warmly at you.

“Thank you, Nance.” You said with a small smile. You stared into the mug, thinking back to how happy you were just a few hours ago… You were brought back to the fight, however, and couldn’t help but wonder where you went wrong.

What he said… It hurt you so much. He had said so many times he wanted to marry you, to spend the rest of his life with you…

You laid there, staring up at the ceiling, the only noise the crackling of the fireplace, thinking about the past few years with Roger.

You were lying between the satin sheets, your legs intertwined with Roger’s in your old shared apartment. The light began to seep through your old shared apartment. He had his arms wrapped around you, mindlessly tapping the beat of another new song on your arm. You laughed to him. “That tickles!” You squealed.

“‘M sorry love, I can’t help it.” Roger chuckled. “I didn’t even know I was doing it… Just had a tune in my head…”

“Is it a new song of yours? I didn’t recognize it.” You rolled over to face him.

He shook his head. “I’m not sure yet, it just came to me…”

“Well it seems lovely so far… Although I wouldn’t take my word because I just felt your taps… Also to me, anything you make is lovely.”

He grabbed you by the waist, and swiftly rolled you on top of him. “I know something we can make that’s lovely.” He whispered in your ear.

Despite your goosebumps, you erupted in giggles.

“Not now, Rog, it’s too early.”

You laughed in between his kisses, and mumbled “We can’t not now…” and rolled back over next to him. You rested your head against his bare chest, listening to his heartbeat and tracing circles on him with your finger. The you felt about him, the purity of your love… You never wanted it to end.“I wish we could stay this way forever.

“Well why can’t we?” Roger frowned. He grabbed your hand and pressed it to his lips. “We have our whole lives ahead of us.”

“I know but… Who’s to say we’ll always be together…” You said with a sigh. You turned on your side, away from him. There was a moment of silence, and you had a feeling he was thinking about something.

“You know… You could just marry me.” Roger blurted out. You turned over to face him, and he was propped up using his elbow.

“What?” You said in disbelief.

“Yeah…” He mumbled, nodding to himself, as if he was reassuring himself. Roger looked at you, “Marry me.”

“Are you mad? You don’t even have a bloody ring!” You laughed, and couldn’t help but smile.

“Actually…” Roger trailed off. He reached over to his night stand, and pulled out a little velvet box. “I was planning to give this to you on Valentine’s Day, but I think it makes a pretty good engagement ring.” He opened the box, and held up a thin gold ring, with a tiny diamond. “So… Marry me.”

“Roger! I’m not even wear any clothes!” You said, smiling.

“Well, love, I think just the ring on you is still quite fetching.” Roger said with a smirk, pushing your hair behind your ear.

You looked at the tiny ring he held between his fingers, happy tears stinging your eyes. “Well…” He motioned for you to continue, but when you didn’t he looked down at the ring. “So is that a no then?”

You laughed, tears nearly rolling down your cheeks. You shook your head. “No you idiot, I’m just shocked!”

Roger rolled his eyes playfully. “So is that a yes then? You’ll marry me?”

“Of course I’ll marry you!” You said, choking back more tears. He grabbed your left hand, and slid the ring. “Rog, it’s perfect…” You said adoringly.

He pressed his lips against yours, and you could feel the happy tears pour out of your eyes again. He pulled away once he felt your tears hit his own cheek. Roger wiped a tear away with his thumb. “You’re crying…” he mumbled.

“I’m just so happy…” You smiled lovingly at him. “So happy…” You closed your eyes.

He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer once again. “Maybe we will be like this forever. Always and forever...”

The memory faded away just as quickly as it came, and nearly made you cry, and although it was barely a year and a half ago, it felt an eternity ago. Your love then was so pure and raw, and now… Now he wished he never proposed to you.

You looked at the ring, and twisted it back and forth. You didn’t even care about the fact that you had to push your wedding back. All you wanted was to spend the rest of your life with him… But what he said hurt, and he didn’t even seem to care when you walked out… You squeezed your eyes shut, trying not to cry for the what felt like the fiftieth time tonight.

You looked once more at the ring on your finger, remembering why you got engaged to him in the first place. You slid it off for a moment too look at the “Always and Forever” he had engraved on it. It was your favorite thing, because it was pretty much the reason you got engaged to him… You wanted to be with him always and forever...

“I see you’re thinking about him.” Nancy said in the doorway, gesturing with a nod. “I don’t know exactly what you two fought about because I don’t wanna pry… But Y/N, he loves you so much, you can see it in the way he looks at you.”

“He proposed to me so we could have the rest of our lives together. I still want that…” You croaked. “If we are gonna get married, I can’t just walk out like that. I have to work through things.” You sighed, and immediately felt guilty for just leaving. It had been a few hours since you last left, and just hoped he was still home. “Thank you much Nance, I gotta go…���

“Good Luck Y/N.” She said drawing you into a hug. “I hope it all works out. Call me if you ever need anything, okay?” Nancy said with a smile.

You gave her a small nod, and grabbed you keys. The ride back to your house made you nervous, and you hoped he’d taken some time to cool off himself. You were relieved when you saw his car still in the driveway and you practically ran up to the door. The cold nipped at your nose and your teeth were already chattering.

You swung your front door open. “Roger?” You called throughout the house. You started walking toward your bedroom when he came out wearing only pajama bottoms, and closed the door behind. You hoped you hadn’t just woke him up

“W-What are you doing here? I thought you left?” Roger stuttered.

“I did but I realized… I don’t care when the wedding is. Because I get to be with you forever after that, and that all I care about. As long as I have you that’s all that matters. I’m so sorry Rog.” You said, looking up at you. He pulled you into a warm embrace.

“I love you so much Y/N… I’m so sorry.” He kissed the top of your head. You could smell the alcohol radiating from his breath.

You laughed. “Are you shit-faced?” You said, still feeling a little guilty. You quickly kissed his cheek. “Can we please go to bed? It’s been an awfully long–“ You stopped yourself when you heard a laugh erupting from behind the door.

There was silence between you and you froze. You squeezed your eyes shut. “Roger… Open the door.”

“Y/N–“

“Open the door. Now.” You said, anger starting to seep back through. Roger only stood there trying to hide what was behind the door from you. You shoved passed him and open the door yourself. You weren’t surprised to see some blonde, naked under the sheets.

She was still laughing. “Sorry Roger, I know you told me to be quiet but I couldn’t help it!”

Your cheeks burned and you couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. It was of course funny to her, because you had to look pathetic right now. You turned to Roger, a look of hurt and disgust on your face. “How could you?”

Roger turned to the blonde who was still giggling, still naked in your sheets, laying all over your side of the bed. “Get out. Now.” He seethed. You shook your head, wondering why he was yelling at her like it was her fault. The woman didn’t object, and quickly gathered her clothes and bolted for the door.

He started saying things, but you blocked them out as you started shoving as much clothes as you could into a suitcase. You quickly zipped it up.

“Just let me explain, Y/N! Please!” Roger begged.

You sharply turned toward him. “Explain what? That you cheated on me? There’s nothing to explain!”

“I thought we were taking a break! You said you needed a break!” He tried to reason.

“Just because we were on break doesn’t mean you cheat on me! I still wore this stupid ring!” You ripped off the engagement ring and threw it across the room. You didn’t realize it but you were sobbing now, and ugly crying. Usually you were self-conscious about crying, but he hurt you so much you didn’t care.

“Y/N the ring–please…” Roger cried, tears in his own eyes now.

“I wasted years of my fucking life on you, and you blew it all in one night. One night!” You said angrily in between sobs.

“Just listen to me!” He pleaded, but you didn’t. You lifted up your poorly packed suitcase and quickly walked down your hallway.

You stopped in your tracks. “No. Maybe the girl who was in my bed will listen to you

“But I don’t love her, I love you.”

You turned around, to face him. Your cheeks were wet and you were sure your face was splotchy, but you no longer cared. Roger hated seeing that he did this to you… “Love me?” You cried. “You don’t love me! You’ve never loved anyone but yourself!”

You lifted up your suitcase once again, grabbed your keys, but on your way out you saw a smashed photo frame. You figured Roger threw it when he was mad. Your lip quivered and you swiftly walked out the door, slamming behind you. You stopped at the entrance of your house, and just stood there, sobbing.

You had always been so self-conscious when you cried but now you just gave way to the enormity of your grief. You sobbed into your hands and the tears dripped between your fingers, raining down onto the dampened cement. Your breathing was ragged, gasping and the strength left your legs. You sank to your knees not caring about the grit that dug into your knees. You were noisy, your skin was blotched but there was no-one there to witness it let alone come to comfort you. You could run a mile in any direction and not find another soul. You cried until no more tears came, but still the emptiness and sorrow remained. You could hear the crashing and the yells of frustration, and figured Roger was throwing things as he always does.

Roger threw the lamp across the room, and flung the couch over. He was crying too, now, cause he’d hurt and possibly ran off the person he cared about most. His hands shaking, he picked up the broken picture frame he threw earlier, and set it gently on the table. He stormed into his bedroom, tossing and throwing everything else in sight. However, as he was about to throw another lamp, something glittery caught his eye. Instantly he knew what it was.

He picked up the gold ring, and looked at the “Always and Forever” he had engraved inside of after you got engaged. Roger squeezed the ring in his. Maybe “Always and Forever” wasn’t meant for the two of you like you hoped it would be...

[dimensiontripperhibiki]

Start Dash (9/?)

Next chapter, hope you guys enjoy!

“You alright, kid?” Nico froze and looked up, having been softly sobbing into her knees. “Go away.” She said, unable to see the person through blurry eyes. Hisa sighed and looked toward the door. She was sure that was how she got to the stage but she couldn’t leave Nico alone when she was in such a state. “Yazawa, right? What happened? Did someone hurt you?” Nico let out a choke out laugh. “Not yet.” “What the hell are you wearing?” Hisa walked over to Nico and knelt down next to her. “Kaiyo couldn’t be here so I figured I would fill in. For Umi, you know?” Nico gritted her teeth hard.

Hisa noticed, frowning. “Is that what’s wrong? Did you two get into a fight?”

“I knew this would happen.” Nico said angrily, burying her head in her arms atop her knees again. “I knew this was a bad fucking idea. I’m such an idiot!” “Whoa, whoa. Calm down!” “How?!” Nico growled tearfully, looking up at Hisa. “She found her soulmate!” “Sometimes soulmates aren’t the ones you want, you know? Just chill.” Hisa placed a calming hand on Nico’s shoulder only to be angrily shrugged off. “I have a friend...Uni. She’s just...insanely in love with my other friend, Saya. Even if she found her soulmate there’s no way she’d want to be with anyone but Saya. She would choose her every time.” Nico stared at Hisa blankly. “So I’m Uni in this scenario? And Umi is Saya who found her Yuki in NOZOMI?!” “Crap, bad example. Bad example!” Hisa hit herself on the forehead with the heel of her hand. “Uh, I don’t like using this as an example but my sister and Izetta! Did you know my sister found her soulmate and turned them down because she loves Izetta?” Nico sniffled softly. “Does Izetta love her?” “Yes. They’re actually dating much to my annoyance as a big sister.” Hisa replied honestly. “Itsuki is seventeen and Izetta is twenty. Raven’s age.” “It doesn’t make a difference.” Nico said in despair. “You should have seen them in there, Umi looked like...like she was seeing everything for the first time. She said everything was brighter. And she couldn’t keep her eyes off…” Her voice cracked and she angrily slammed her fist onto the floor, tears forming in her eyes again. “Damn it. What the hell am I gonna do?” “Just relax for a…” “If you tell me to relax one more time, I swear I’ll punch you.” Nico growled furiously. “Just leave me alone.” “Yeah, not happening. And for the record, I was in the army, I can take a few punches.” Hisa sat down with her back against the wall next to Nico. “Just understand that when people see color for the first time it’s hard to adjust. Maybe she was in shock.” “SHE’S SEEN COLOR ALREADY!” “What?” “When I kissed her or held her hand or even just looked at her!” Nico said, her voice thick with emotion. That wouldn’t be happening again. Not for Umi. Hisa thought about that for a moment. “Well now it’s not going away, right? It’s hard to focus when everything is brighter and has more complications and elements. Besides she seems more worried about you.” She pointed past them to Umi who was standing alone near the door, looking around. “No, no, no...don’t let her see me. I can’t let her think that I…” “What? That you care?” Hisa cupped her hand in front of her mouth. “UMI!” “HISA!” Nico growled angrily as the redhead stood up. “Why the hell would you do that?!” “It’s for your own good. Well I have to head in there.” Hisa headed for the door as Umi ran toward the two of them. “Don’t say anything.” Nico bowed her head as Umi reached her. Umi noticed tears on Nico’s cheeks and fell to her knees, pulling Nico into a hug. She felt Nico resist but refused to let go. Finally, Nico fell still. “Nico, I’m sorry…” “I know, alright?” Nico closed her eyes, trying to ignore the colors she’d be able to see. “It’s not your fault, I get it.” “I don’t want Anju.” Umi said, her voice slightly muffled. “I want you, I love YOU!” Nico froze in Umi’s arms. “You love me?” “Yes.” Umi murmured, reaching up to gently run her hand over Nico’s hair. “I love you, Nico. I don’t want to be with anyone else.” “But she’s your soulmate…” “Screw that!” Umi’s sharp tone and cursing shocked both Nico and Umi herself. “I mean...I don’t want that. I wish this had never happened. I don’t want to see color if I don’t get it from you. I love when you touch me and everything brightens. But that’s…” “Not going to work anymore.” Nico said softly, drawing away. She was surprised to see tears in Umi’s eyes too. “Why are you crying?” “Because my life never goes the way I want it to!” “Umi, I-I...damn it.” Nico averted her eyes. She wanted to say it but she couldn’t bring herself to. She took a deep breath. “I think...no, I know...I love you. But she’s your soulmate. You know how this works. You’ve seen it with your sister and Hisa. Kotori and Maki. Honoka and Eli. Nozomi and Saya.” “But she doesn’t get it. She’ll never understand me. Not like you.” Umi said with a hint of desperation. “I don’t want to give this up, Nico. It’s more important to me than anything else. I choose you. Please believe me! Don’t just run away because of this!” “What would you do if you were in my position?” Nico rasped, her throat sore from crying. “If my soulmate turned up? How would you feel?” “I would...be terrified because I don’t want to lose you.” Umi said honestly. “But I would fight to keep you because I know there’s nobody better for me than you. I will fight for you.” Nico wiped at her eyes, sniffling softly. She didn’t know what to say to Umi. She wanted to believe her but how could she when Umi had just met her soulmate? “Umi, I don’t…” Nico was cut off by the sound of the door to the right of them being thrown open. She looked up in time to catch Rin’s eyes. “Are you coming, nya?!” Rin exclaimed as she hurried over to them. “We have to go onstage in a minute. Nico-chan, are you crying?” “No.” Nico answered gruffly as she got to her feet. “I overheard Honoka-chan say that you met your soulmate, nya.” Rin said, turning to Umi, her brow furrowed in confusion. She noticed that Umi was watching Nico carefully. “What about…?” “Rin, don’t.” Umi warned softly, getting to her feet as Nico walked away. She grimaced as she watched Nico’s retreating back. “I don’t want that. I don’t want to be the soulmate of a rich, sheltered girl. Nico is my soulmate.” Rin tilted her head, still confused. “But if she was you would have seen colors when…” “Shut up, Rin.” Umi angrily pushed past Rin and hurried back into the building after Nico. “What did I say…?” ---- Miyu watched Hanayo closely, noticing the glow in the girl’s cheeks. She looked happy. Vibrant even. They had made their way back to Miyu’s house shortly after the performance. Thankfully Chrom had opted to go out with Raven, Akari and the others. They had tried to persuade Hanayo and Miyu to go too but Hanayo had politely declined. Miyu knew that Nozomi, Honoka, Rin and some of the other girls from Muse had chosen to go though. “You were amazing.” Miyu complimented honestly, leaning back into the couch. She had to admit, it was nice to have the house to themselves for a change. Hanayo smiled warmly at the compliment and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thank you, Miyu-chan. I’m happy you liked the performance.” “That’s an understatement.” Miyu said with a soft chuckle. “Onii-san and the others loved it too. I heard them singing on the way back to the car…” She shook her head in dismay at the idea but she was relieved that Chrom and their friend group had accepted Hanayo so easily. Hanayo sat up slightly, removing her jacket. Miyu watched as it was slowly taken off. She was so busy watching that she didn’t notice when Hanayo moved toward her until she found herself on her back, Hanayo looming over her. Her eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected gesture. She swallowed thickly, able to feel Hanayo’s weight subtly pressing her down into the couch. “Hanayo? Wha…?” “I want my kiss.” Hanayo pouted down at Miyu. “You promised, remember?” Miyu relaxed, a smile tugging at her lips as she remembered telling Hanayo that she would want some alone time with her after the performance. She cleared her throat before she spoke, trying to imitate Hanayo’s sudden confidence. “So come and get it then.” Hanayo didn’t need to be asked twice. She leaned in and kissed Miyu deeply, one hand going to rest at the side of Miyu’s neck. Miyu’s arms wrapped around Hanayo’s back to tug her closer to her. The warmth of Hanayo’s body pressed against hers and the softness of Hanayo’s lips had her heard racing frantically as she leaned up to kiss back. Slowly, Hanayo eased back and the two shared a soft smile. “I like this new confident Hanayo.” Miyu said honestly, watching the way Hanayo’s purple eyes sparkled as she looked down at her. She reached up, brushing her fingers over Hanayo’s cheek only for Hanayo to turn and kiss her palm. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” Miyu blushed at the comment and let her hand trail down, gripping the front of Hanayo’s shirt. She tugged her back down to her, their lips brushing. “Maybe we could go back to the kissing?” Hanayo was momentarily distracted by the slight kiss before she remembered what she wanted to say. “Go on a date with me.” Miyu’s eyes widened. “Your fans will kill me.” “Let them get jealous.” Hanayo answered, unworried by the prospect. “You’re mine.” Miyu groaned at Hanayo’s grin and let her head fall back to the couch “Okay, what are you doing to me…?” “Letting out my wild side. What else?” Miyu pouted. “I want you to take me. Damn it. We haven’t known each other for long enough. Damn the rules when it comes to soulmates...compared to the married couple we barely even know each other.” “Rin-chan and Hibiki-chan?” Hanayo guessed. She saw Miyu answer with a nod. Miyu bit her lip, thinking for a moment. “What are your hobbies besides idol stuff?” “I like cooking...mostly rice.” Hanayo blushed as Miyu snorted in amusement. “D-Don’t laugh! I also like tech stuff.” “Oh, so you’re a nerd?” “Well after Maki-chan I am the second smartest of the group.” Hanayo answered with a small smile. “I like coding.” “Can you hack?” “Y-Yes.” Miyu straightened up, her eyes wide. “Let’s hack Chrom’s computer!” “Why?” Hanayo looked puzzled. “I don’t know him very well but it seems like the only thing he’d have hidden on his computer are nerdy movies and study material.” Miyu visibly deflated. “Ugh, you’re not wrong. Maybe Hisa. She would have some interesting stuff on hers. Probably something really girly like wedding dresses for when she finally gets around to marrying Kaiyo-san.” “If you can find a way to get her laptop, I’ll hack it.” Miyu grinned at the comment. “You’re the best girlfriend in the world. Would you eve-” “I’m not going to hack Rin’s soulmate’s computer.” Miyu pouted. “I was going to say smartphone...but fine. I’ll get the laptop. Somehow.” Hanayo sighed. “I don’t usually tell people about that side of me. It just kind of happened because I liked messing around with my laptop. It’s when I stumbled upon coding tutorials that got me obsessed. Not as much as rice and idols but close…” Miyu grinned. “Your nerdy secret is safe with me.” Hanayo pouted before she tackled Miyu back down to the couch. ---- Umi glanced around the room she had been staying in for the past few days. Kaiyo and Hisa had gone to pick up her things from her parents’ house the previous so with her belongings in the room the place was beginning to feel more like home. She picked up her bag and was just about to walk toward her open bedroom door when her phone rang in her pocket. She took her phone out, finding the number to be one she didn’t recognize. She answered it anyway and put the phone to her ear. “Hello?” “Umi-san?” Anju’s voice sounded hesitant on the other end of the line. “It’s Anju. You remember, from A-Rise?” Umi blinked, almost dropping the phone. Her face turned red. “How could I forget?” She asked, confused by Anju’s introduction. “H-How did you get my number?” “Your friend gave it to me.” Anju answered quietly. “Kousaka-san? We didn’t get a chance to talk before you left last night. I’m sorry for getting you in trouble with your...girlfriend?” “W-What?!” Umi spluttered in surprise. “You mean Nico? She’s not...we’re not...together. It’s not like that. It’s just...I think you misunderstood.” “Oh...sorry.” Anju replied, seemingly surprised herself. “W-Would you care to get coffee with me this evening? I mean if you have practice or you’re busy, it’s…” “It’s fine.” Umi interrupted before Anju could finish speaking. She walked over to her bed, sitting down on the edge. “But I prefer tea.” “Me too, usually.” Anju said brightly. Umi heard a soft thump in the background and wondered if Anju was doing exactly what she was. “Is this what meeting your soulmate feels like...I feel like we should have known each other our whole lives.” Umi swallowed thickly. “Yeah.” She whispered. She couldn’t deny that she felt a connection to Anju. “Yeah. It seems like we have a lot in common.” “Do you want me to meet you at your school later?” Anju asked, her tone brightening once more. “No!” Umi exclaimed quickly to that, thinking of what Nico’s reaction would be. “I-I mean...you have fans at my school, you know? I’ll meet you at yours. I don’t have practice today so it’ll be fine.” “Neither do I.” Anju sighed. “Tsubasa’s called off practice. She says I should focus on my soulmate.” Umi grimaced. “She seems...fun.” “You have no idea.” “So I’ll…” Umi looked up at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Her eyes widened when she saw Hisa standing in the doorway. “Um...I’ll talk to you later, Anju. I have to leave for school. Bye!” “The soulmate, I assume?” Hisa drawled, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She watched as Umi blushed and looked away. “You know...when I met your sister for the first time it was like...opening my eyes for the first time. It was shocking. I wanted nothing but to spend time with her even though I barely knew her. It all happens so fast…” “What’s your point?” Umi grumbled, looking down at her phone in her hands. “Soulmates are usually chosen to us because we have something in common.” Hisa continued. “A trait we both share. Kaiyo and me both want to help people. Me physically and her mentally. I’m assuming Minami and her girlfriend both want to reach their goals and are determined to do it? And Saya and Nozomi both have this trait of...devotion.” “Honoka and Eli both share the ability to lead and the need to succeed.” Umi whispered without looking up. “And me and Anju…” “Both come from upper classes. And both want to break free from it.” Hisa finished knowingly. “Seems like...the opposite of your current girlfriend, right?” Umi looked up sharply. “So you’re saying I should just break up with her?” Hisa gave a short laugh and shrugged her shoulders. “If you want my advice I’d tell you to block that number and not go on your date. But it’s not my decision, it’s yours. And Kaiyo says I’m not meant to influence you too much. Besides, we both know you won’t do it.” Umi tightened her grip on the phone in her hand. “How do you know?” “Because I know. I wouldn’t have deleted Kaiyo’s after all.” Hisa took her weight off of the door, straightening up. “Get ready for school. You’re going to be late.” Umi closed her eyes, picturing two people. One with kind eyes and a taller build. The other with hard but kind eyes, a bit shorter than the other girl. Both waiting for her. Umi groaned and fell back onto the bed. “Damn it.” ---- Later that day “I lied about Nico.” Anju blinked as Umi sat down across from her. She had noticed that the second year had seemed preoccupied on their way to the cafe but she hadn’t said anything about it. “What?” “She is my girlfriend.” Umi said in a hushed, hurried tone of voice “And I’m in love with her. I don’t want this...any of this soulmate thing if it means I can’t be with her.” Anju’s eyes widened at the admission before she let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank the gods…” “Huh?” “I’m not ready to come out...or even consider being with a woman despite going both ways.” Anju explained, noticing Umi’s confusion. “I don’t even know if I do go both ways. Tsubasa just wouldn’t stop going on about this which is why I asked you out.” “So we agree?” Umi asked hopefully. She had expected Anju to be upset at the very least. “We’re not going to pursue this? Even if we are...soulmates?” Anju nodded her head in confirmation. “Do you think I’ll be able to...do what you did? With Yazawa-san? Cause someone to see color?” “I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to.” Umi said with a warm smile. “If you find someone who hasn’t met their soulmate. It could happen. You need a strong emotional bond and physical attraction. That’s how it happened between me and Nico.” “Oooh, how romantic! I would love to hear the whole thing!” Anju exclaimed brightly. “Of course. Let me just get us some dri…” Umi trailed off as her phone chimed. She grimaced, finding it was from Nozomi, telling her to come over to talk to Nico. “Um…” “You have to go?” Anju asked knowingly. “I…” “Hey, Umi!” Umi looked up in time to see a blue haired man approach with a steaming cup of coffee. “Chrom! Oh, um...this is Yuki Anju. Anju, this is Chrom.” “The soulmate, right...Hisa mentioned her.” Anju’s eyes widened as Chrom’s colbert blue eyes turned to her. “Y-You have gorgeous eyes.” Chrom looked puzzled, questioningly pointing to himself. “I’m so sorry.” Anju apologized, embarrassed by her outburst. “I just started seeing color and your eyes are just so different.” Chrom smiled easily as Anju’s cheeks seemed to darken. He leaned toward Umi, lowering his voice. “She’s cute.” He told her before he addressed Anju. “It’s a pity I can’t see yours. They are light though.” Umi looked between them in confusion for a moment. “Um...I’ve been called away for a while. Chrom, could you keep my...could you keep Anju company?” “Sure. I have some time.” Chrom answered with a shrug of his shoulders. He sat down in the seat Umi vacated. “Have fun.” Umi lightly teased Anju before she picked up her bag and turned, walking out of the cafe. At the door she turned back to see the two smiling at each other, Anju blushing as she spoke. She shook her head in amusement, feeling lighter than when she had entered the cafe. She just had to find Nico now. ---- “Finally!” Nozomi exclaimed as she opened the door to find Umi standing there. She grabbed Umi’s arm, tugging her into the apartment and closed the door. “Can you go and talk to your girlfriend, please? We’ve done our best but she’s...we don’t know what else to do.” “I think she’s crying in the bathroom again.” Saya said with a sigh as she walked around the corner with Hisa next to her. “Hisa wanted to kick the door down.” Umi frowned at Hisa. “Do you always think with your fists?” “Hey, I’m trying to help.” Hisa indignantly crossed her arms in front of her chest. “How did your date go?” “I think she prefers boys. Especially blue eyed boys.” Umi answered. “Now where is Nico.” “The bathroom.” Saya said slowly, frowning at Umi. “Remember? She’s locked herself in. Hisa wanted to knock down the door…?” Nozomi smirked, covering her mouth with her hand to hide it. Umi steeled herself and walked toward the bathroom determinedly. Reaching it she raised a hand, knocking on the door. “Nico?” “GO AWAY!” Nico called back loudly, her voice thick with emotion. Umi gripped her chest, overcome with emotion. She knew it wasn’t her own, at least not completely. She sighed, pressing her forehead to the doorframe. “Nico, open the door. Please. Nothing happened at all. I chose you. I even told her I’m in love with you. Just...let me in, okay? I just want to talk. Please?” There was a moment of silence before the door opened and Nico appeared. Umi moved into the bathroom and wrapped her arms around her tearful girlfriend, kicking the door shut behind her. She felt Nico resist for a moment before the girl seemed to melt into her arms. Someone knocked hard on the door. “APPARENTLY SHE’S STRAIGHT!” Hisa yelled through the door. Nico pulled away from Umi, frowning. “Why aren’t you on your date anyway? Hisa said you were going for coffee.” “I was but…” Umi reached out, sighing as Nico stepped away. “I want to be with you. I felt your emotions. I want to hold you, Nico. Please…” “You mean Nozomi called you even though I TOLD HER NOT TO!” Nico raised her voice so Nozomi could heard her through the door. “Nico, she’s straight.” Umi insisted. “Neither of us wanted this. She’s with CHROM right now!” “I KNEW IT!” Another yell came from outside. “Saya!” Nozomi exclaimed loudly. “Just trust me, Nico.” Umi continued softly, staring at Nico imploringly. “If I was interested in her, why am I even here? I only went on that date because I felt like I had to...and then to tell her I don’t want anything to do with this ‘soulmate’ thing. I have my soulmate. I chose my soulmate!” Nico blinked against fresh tears. “I love you.” “I love you too.” Umi hugged Nico again, blinking back her own tears. “So much. I don’t ever want to let go of this. I want to make you see color. Brighten your world.” Nico drew back slightly and kissed Umi hard, a sharp whimper passing her lips. She opened her eyes slightly just to see color spike around them before she closed them again. Slowly she pulled away, looking around. “It’s brighter than usual…” “Our bond is only growing stronger, Nico.” Umi said softly, brushing her thumb against Nico’s cheek. “I’m never going to leave you. I promise.” Nico smiled faintly at that and nodded her head. “I trust you.” She leaned against Umi’s shoulder, their fingers interlocking between them and felt a gentle kiss being pressed to her head. ----- “Just a little bit further, Honoka-chan.” Hanayo panted as she jogged down the street. Honoka was a step or so behind her, just as out of breath. Hanayo felt something vibrate in her pocket and briefly worried that if she stopped Umi would yell at her. Realizing Umi wouldn’t be able to see her though she stopped and took her phone out of her pocket. Seeing that it was Miyu calling she beamed and answered the phone. “Miyu-chan!” “Hey.” Miyu said quietly. “You sound out of breath. Are you okay?” “Just running with Honoka-chan.” Hanayo answered, glancing at Honoka who was bent over with her hands on her knees. “You’re not still thinking about what I said, are you?” Miyu asked guiltily. “All I meant was that you eat a lot of rice. I wasn’t saying there way anything wrong with you. I...like the way you look.” Hanayo blushed, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “It’s okay, Miyu-chan.” Miyu awkwardly cleared her throat. “Uh...I have the laptop. Maybe you could come over?” “Sure. I’ll be over in twenty minutes…” “Oh, can I come?!” Honoka asked, looking up hopefully. “Please?! Umi’s gonna make me run more if she finds me.” Hanayo sighed and rolled her eyes. “Can Honoka-chan come over? She’s hiding from Umi-chan.” “Sure.” Miyu said brightly. “I’ll see you soon.” “Bye.” Hanayo ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket, noticing Honoka beaming excitedly. “Let’s hurry, I think I hear Umi-chan coming…” Honoka’s eyes widened and she quickly dashed off down the street. Hanayo quickly followed, catching up with Honoka after a moment, grabbing her wrist. “Time to hit the train!” ---- Upon being led into the living room by Miyu, Honoka did a double-take when she saw a blue haired woman sitting on the couch. For a moment, she thought it was Umi. She quickly realized who it must have been. “You must be Umi-chan’s sister!” She exclaimed brightly as she walked forward. “I’m Kousaka Honoka. Umi-chan is my…” “Best friend, I know.” Kaiyo said with a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Honoka-san.” Honoka smiled back before she looked to the laptop on the table. “What are you doing?” “My girlfriend is gonna hack her girlfriend’s computer!” Miyu said excitedly, earning herself a groan from Hanayo. Kaiyo smiled sheepishly. “I kinda do want to know where she wants to get married. She won’t tell me anything about what she has planned for Canada. I can’t wait to see all of the girly stuff in there. I’m sure there’s a ring she’s saving up for in there. Every time I try to look at what she’s doing she slams the laptop closed…” Honoka smirked. “Maybe she’s watching po…” “She’s not.” Kaiyo interrupted while Hanayo shook her head in disdain. “This might take a while.” Hanayo warned as she sat down on the couch in front of the laptop. “You should make yourselves comfortable.” Honoka sighed and sank down to sit on the arm of the couch next to Kaiyo. “You look a lot like Umi-chan.” She remarked thoughtfully. She noticed out of the corner of her eye as Miyu wrapped her arms around Hanayo’s shoulder, looking at the laptop screen. “Technically Umi looks like me.” Kaiyo glanced away from what Hanayo was doing, looking to Honoka instead. “But I see your point. So how long have you been friends with my sister?” “Since we were kids.” Honoka answered cheerfully. “Me, Umi-chan and Kotori-chan are all best friends.” Kaiyo nodded thoughtfully. She was glad that Umi had had people in her life who cared for her at least. It made it a little bit easier to think of Umi being alone in that house with their parents. Honoka glanced to the laptop but she couldn’t figure out what Hanayo was doing so she settled for continuing to make small talk with Kaiyo instead. “So you’re getting married? When?” “Ah...we don’t know yet.” Kaiyo answered hesitantly. “We need to save up for plane tickets and Hisa’s...trying to save up for a ring but it’s going to take a while.” Honoka curiously tilted her head. “Why?” Kaiyo was surprised by Honoka’s inquisitiveness but decided to answer anyway. “She’s kind of...out of work at the moment. She was in the navy but she had an accident.” She quickly decided to change the subject. “Umi-chan was saying that you found your soulmate too?” “Eli-senpai.” Honoka answered with a small smile. She looked down at the floor. “Yeah. We only just started dating recently. She didn’t really...like me before. And she’s kind of avoiding me right now so I don’t know…” Her brow furrowed and she looked back up, realizing she now had the attention of Hanayo too. “Ah, it’s probably nothing.” “Maybe she doesn’t know what to do.” Kaiyo suggested with a shrug of her shoulders. “Maybe she’s scared of messing things up.” “Maybe.” Honoka mumbled. “You should be assertive.” Kaiyo said confidently. “That’s what worked for me with Hisa. And the other way around. Just give it a try.” “Thanks, Kaiyo-san.” Honoka stood up from the couch and stretched. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom, Miyu-chan? I just need to freshen up.” “Sure.” Miyu waved Honoka to go ahead and the girl quickly left the room. “Maybe Umi-chan’s not the only one having relationship issues.” Hanayo mused before she turned back to the screen in front of her. Kaiyo frowned at that and made a mental note to ask Umi about it. “If this is going to take a while I’ll leave you to it. Will you call me later, Miyu?” “Sure. Hisa won’t miss her laptop for one night, will she?” Miyu asked, glancing up. “I’ll tell her I let you borrow it and you’re using the guest account. She’ll be fine with it.” Kaiyo answered, unconcerned. “I’ll talk to you later, Miyu.” Miyu lifted her hand in a wave and watched as Kaiyo left the room. ---- “He-” “So did you manage to find anything out?” Kaiyo blurted out as soon as she heard the sound of the phone being answered. “Suddenly you seem more eager to know what was on that laptop than me.” Miyu replied, amusement seeping into her tone. “Who would have thought that it took me almost an hour to convince you to let me borrow it?” “Miyu.” “Fine, fine.” Miyu chuckled softly at Kaiyo’s insistence. “Yes, I managed to find a few things out. She’s saving up for a ring. She’s almost halfway to her goal. Which is...pretty expen...what?” “What?” Kaiyo stressed, clutching the phone tighter. “Hanayo-chan wants me to tell you that the ring is beautiful. And Hisa is getting it engraved. I know, I know. I’m not going to tell her what the engraving is.” Kaiyo smiled softly, glancing briefly toward the kitchen were Hisa was busy making dinner. “What else?” “She has a dress saved in her bookmarks.” Miyu continued thoughtfully. “She’s really not sparing any cost. And she’s looking for another job.” Kaiyo’s brow furrowed slightly in confusion. “She already has a part time job.” “She’s looking for another one.” Miyu replied carelessly. “I think she just applied to work in an office.” Kaiyo gave a short laugh. “It would drive Hisa crazy.” “I think she wants to save up the money.” Hanayo’s voice sounded this time on the other end of the line. “She’s even making a budget. If she keeps saving she should have enough money in nine or ten months. But she wants to do it sooner, I think. She really does look up a lot of wedding stuff…” “Who’s on the phone?” Kaiyo looked up, surprised to see Hisa standing in the doorway. “Um…” Hisa noticed Kaiyo’s hesitation and raised an eyebrow. “I heard my name.” “I’m just talking to Miyu.” Kaiyo answered with a small, guilty smile. “She wants to know what to um...get for Hanayo’s birthday.” “Liar.” Miyu muttered into the phone. She watched as Hanayo looked up, her glasses on the bridge of her nose. Miyu looked down, noticing the way Hanayo’s shirt hung off one shoulder. Miyu’s pants were a little long on her too. A sudden surge of desire rushing through her, Miyu ended the call. “Miyu...Miyu?!” Kaiyo sighed and let the phone fall to her side. “Guess she hung up on me to make out with her girlfriend.” “Her girlfriend must have looked hot. You know how hormonal teenagers are.” Hisa said as she walked over to the couch and sat down next to Kaiyo. She reached out, placing her hand on Kaiyo’s. “Is Umi here for dinner? I didn’t notice when I got home.” Kaiyo smiled softly and shook her head. “She’s with her girlfriend’s family.” Hisa’s brow furrowed slightly in concern. “I don’t think she’s stayed here more than twice since she moved in with us. Do you think she’s uncomfortable here?” “I think she just likes the Yazawa siblings.” Kaiyo answered, shrugging. “Nico’s mother especially wanted to see Umi tonight after the whole soulmate fiasco.” “Messy.” Hisa grimaced slightly. Kaiyo nodded in agreement and reached up, gently touching Hisa’s cheek. “Have you been getting enough sleep? You look tired.” “I’m fine.” Hisa answered, smiling. “You know me, I have to stay busy. No time to be tired.” Kaiyo shook her head in exasperation. She knew that with Hisa’s injury it was hard for her to manage even one job. She wasn’t sure how Hisa was going to handle too. “I’ve been thinking about...the wedding.” Hisa perked up slightly. “You have?” “Maybe we could plan it together?” Kaiyo suggested hopefully. “I know you said that you wanted to take control of things so I don’t have to but you don’t have to shoulder everything yourself. I can help out a little if you want me to.” Hisa’s eye twitched. “Why are you suddenly so interested?” “I did propose. I’m the bride.” “So am I.” Hisa replied, her brow furrowed. “Let me be the bridezilla damn, it.” “Fine, fine.” Kaiyo sighed in frustration. She supposed she should have known better than to push the subject. Hisa had already said that she wanted to manage the wedding so that Kaiyo didn’t have to worry so much about it.

“Don’t pout at me.” Hisa said, gently squeezing Hisa’s hand. “You just never really cared about girl stuff, Kai. Even in college you barely wore makeup. At least with me worrying about all of that stuff, you don’t have to. It’ll be easier, right?” Kaiyo covered her mouth, stifling her laughter. “What’s with the cute faces all of a sudden, Hisa? You’re melting me.” She managed to compose herself and lowered her hand. “I’ve never really liked girly stuff. Honestly, while growing up I much preferred to take my grandfather’s dojo over than grandmother’s dance studio. I guess that was when my parents started to see me weirdly. I guess I was a bit...odd.” “You’re still a bit odd.” Hisa teased lightly. “You’re perfect. I love the way you are. And I don’t want you to have to change just because of a wedding. You said it yourself, right? You don’t like skirts. And makeup makes you itchy.” Kaiyo gave a soft laugh. “I told you that around the time we first met. I didn’t think you’d remember. I’m still going to wear a dress to the wedding though. I know it’d make you happy.” Hisa smiled softly and leaned in to press a brief kiss to Kaiyo’s lips. “I love you.” “I love you too.” Kaiyo mumbled. She still felt like Hisa was taking too much on her shoulder and opened her mouth to say as much. Before she could say anything though her phone rang. She fished it out of her pocket. “It’s Kousaka…” “Honoka?” Hisa asked in surprise as Kaiyo answered the call. “Hello?” “I need advice!” Honoka complained loudly. “You know...sex advice.” “Sex advice?!” Kaiyo echoed in surprise. Hisa pressed a gentle kiss to Kaiyo’s cheek before she walked back into the kitchen. “Yeah.” Honoka answered with a heavy sigh. “You know...I have a soulmate now and I don’t really know what to...do.” Kaiyo grimaced. “Ugh, why don’t you just...do what comes naturally? Kiss her and see where it goes? That’s usually how it works.” “I haven’t really kissed her since our first kiss...not like that at least.” Kaiyo groaned in exasperation. “So kiss her. What’s the problem? You’re not that attracted to her?” “Huh? Have you seen Eli-senpai?” “I have but she’s...seventeen. What would I know?” “Fine then.” Honoka sighed in exasperation. “What would you do with Hisa-san?” “I would sit on her lap. Maybe nip her ear or kiss her neck. Look for where she’s sensitive.” Kaiyo replied casually. She heard coughing and looked up see Hisa in the doorway, a glass of wine in her hand. She smirked at the response. “Just try new things out. You’ll figure out what she likes soon enough. Does she seem like she wants to kiss you? Make out with you?” “Yes.” Honoka answered hesitantly. “Well do something but since you’re only sixteen and she’s seventeen you might want to wait for the big one until you’re eighteen.” “But Rin-chan and Biki-chan…” “Are a special case.” Kaiyo interrupted pointedly. “Trust me. Do something but don’t go too far. If you need anything else just call me back.” “Okay.” Honoka grumbled. “Thanks, Kaiyo-san…” “Bye, Honoka.” Kaiyo chuckled and ended the call. ---- “Are your eyes closed?” Honoka called from just outside of the bedroom door. She glanced around the doorway to see Eli sitting on the edge of the bed, her hand covering her eyes. Thankfully her parents and Yukiho were out so Honoka didn’t have to worry about them seeing her. “My eyes are closed.” Eli promised, a bright smile tugging at her lips as she spoke. “I still don’t understand why you got your outfit before I’ve even seen them though…” “Benefits of being best friends with our fashion designer.” Honoka replied as she stepped around the door into the room. “Plus who do you think models for this stuff?” Eli pouted. “Can I look now?” “No.” Eli’s lower lip jutted out further until she felt Honoka’s weight on her lap suddenly. Her free hand automatically went to Honoka’s waist to steady her and she felt bare skin just above. Honoka leaned in and lightly nipped at Eli’s ear, remembering Kaiyo’s words. “Why don’t you feel your way?” Eli heard a jingle of Honoka’s earrings and swallowed thickly. She kept her eyes shut and moved her hand still pressed to warm skin. She moved her left hand down, over Honoka’s skirt and down her thigh until she felt cotton and ribbons. “High thighs. She went there…” Honoka moaned softly at the subtle squeeze to her thigh. Eli moved her hand back up until it reached the hem of Honoka’s skirt. “Damn, Kotori made it that short. Umi is going to blow a gasket…” “Yeah.” Honoka murmured, her mouth still close to Eli’s ear. “She thought they’d be sexy. Senpai, move higher.” Eli felt her face warm at the request. She bit her lip and moved her hand further up, feeling leather and cloth as well as a flowy material underneath it. “Use your lips.” Eli did as she was asked, leaning into to press her lips against Honoka’s neck only to feel a choker there. She hesitated for a moment before brushing her lips over it until she found the latch. She carefully pulled it off with her teeth, feeling Honoka’s grip on her shoulders tighten. The ribbon fell between them. “Keep going.” Honoka instructed, her voice slightly hoarse. Eli felt a sensation coursing through her that she knew wasn’t her own. She quickly realized she was feeling the pleasure she was causing in Honoka. She let her hand travel to grip what she assumed was the lapel of Honoka’s vest. “Open your eyes.” Honoka instructed softly. “Th-That’s what we’re going to be wearing?” Eli asked, looking down at Honoka. She leaned back slightly to get a better view. “I don’t know how to feel about this. I don’t want people to drool over you.” Honoka gave a light laugh. “They’ll all be distracted by Eli-senpai.” Eli made a sound of disagreement and shook her head. “You’re the center, idiot. You’re the star. People will be watching your every move and that dance has...hip shaking?” “Are you seriously going to forbid me from this crucial performance?” Honoka asked, amused. “Maybe.” Eli pouted. Honoka gave a soft chuckle at the suggestion. “You really are a brat, senpai.” She paused for a moment, her smile slipping away. “Hey, um...why were you so distant before? Did I do something wrong?” “What?” Honoka frowned, looking down. “I’ve never done this before and...maybe I don’t seem open to you all of the time but I want to get it right for you. I don’t want to look stupid. Or like I don’t know what I’m doing. So if I did something wrong.” “You didn’t do anything wrong.” Eli flipped them over, pressing Honoka into the bed and crawled over, straddling Honoka’s hips. She took out her own hair tied, sliding it to her wrist. “I just didn’t know you wanted this. Well more of this...I didn’t want to rush you.” “You’re not.” Honoka said sincerely despite the fact that she could feel her stomach fluttering. “I want this. With Eli-senpai.” Eli smiled softly and brushed her fingers over Honoka’s cheek. “Don’t hold back, senpai.” Honoka instructed quietly, her eyes meeting Eli’s. Eli let a slight smile tug at her lips and she did as she was asked. She stopped holding herself back and she leaned down to kiss Honoka. She felt Honoka’s arms go around her neck to draw her closer and let herself sink down slightly more. As niggling as the worry was about Kotori and her situation, Eli wanted to focus on Honoka. She had wanted this level of intimacy for a while. Like Nozomi had with Saya and Kotori had with Maki. She had craved it. She felt Honoka nip at her lip and parted them, letting Honoka deepen the kiss. Her head spun at the sensation as she pressed herself closer to Honoka, whimpering softly. ---- Maki watched, biting her lip as Kotori walked back and forth between her closet and the suitcase on the bed, carefully packing her clothes away. “Isn’t it a little early to be packing? You haven’t even told Honoka you’re leaving yet…” “I just want to get it done.” Kotori said honestly as she placed another folded shirt into her suitcase. “I’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I’m going to tell Honoka-chan after the performance tomorrow.” “Right.” Maki mumbled, looking down at her hands in her lap. “The time difference between here and New York is fourteen hours. So I’ve worked out we’ll be able to talk in the mornings...over here. Which will be the evening for you. So we can still talk every day. More than once a day. I’ll stay up late.” Kotori walked over to Maki and drew her into a soft kiss. “Maki-chan, I-I want to do it before tomorrow. With you.” Maki felt her face flush at the suggestion. “W-Wha…?” Kotori pushed Maki to the bed and crawled over her, gently pecking her lips again. “I want to do it with you before tomorrow.” She repeated slowly though she knew that Maki had heard her the first time. “I’m going to be leaving soon. And...we won’t see each other for a long time. I don’t want to waste the time we have.” Maki nodded slowly. “But your mom…” “Is out.” Kotori finished, ghosting her lips over Maki’s. “The door is locked. You’re mine for tonight, Maki-chan.” Maki parted her lips to let Kotori deepen the kiss, feeling Kotori’s hands reach for the hem of her shirt. It was pushed up slowly, Kotori’s hands slowly tracing her stomach, leaving her skin tingling in their wake. As Kotori leaned back, Maki automatically sat up to follow her, not wanting to lose their connection. She felt Kotori tug her shirt off, their lips briefly parting before Kotori kissed her again. Gentle hands made their way to her back, unclipping her bra and Maki felt it being tugged off. As Kotori pulled away from her she opened her eyes to see Kotori look down as she removed her bra. Maki blushed at the fact that Kotori was paying so much attention. “You too.” Maki whispered, nodding to Kotori’s shirt. Kotori smiled at the suggestion and stripped her own shirt off without hesitation, tossing it to the side. Her bra soon joined it. “Wow.” Maki murmured. “You said that last time.” Kotori reminded Maki gently, her hand going to the back of the redhead’s neck. “I meant it both times.” Maki said, her eyes flitting up. “You’re really…” “Wow?” Kotori teased lightly as Maki trailed off, blushing. She kissed the redhead again, pressing her back down onto the bed. “I love you, Maki-chan.” Maki swallowed thickly, both overjoyed and saddened by the comment. Colors swirled around her, brighter than ever. “I love you too.” Kotori smiled and kissed Maki again, slowly trailing her fingers down over Maki’s stomach. ---- Maki woke slowly to the feeling of warm arms around her. She hummed in delight at the feeling and felt a kiss pressed to her forehead. She blinked up at Kotori, finding her staring down at her lovingly. “You’re so beautiful even when you’re sweaty.” Kotori said softly. She could feel a tug in her chest, drawing her closer to Maki. Maki blushed at the sentiment and gave the hand in her own a light squeeze. “I could say the same thing about you. Last night was…” “I know.” Kotori said softly. She didn’t need Maki to describe it. She knew what she was going to say. “I’m really glad I got to share it with you, Maki-chan.” “Me too.” Maki whispered. She suddenly remembered she was naked under the blankets and blushed. “I love you.” Kotori whispered. Maki felt a lump form in her throat. She wasn’t sure she would ever get used to hearing Kotori say that. “I love you too. Maybe I could stay over tonight and tomorrow night again?” Kotori chuckled softly. “What? You want as many repeat performances of last night as possible before I leave?” “I want to be as close to you as possible before you leave.” Maki admitted sincerely. “I won’t see you again for at least two years. I want to make the most of it.” “Maki, you perv.” “Also for our first time...you weren’t clumsy.” Maki said inquisitively. “I thought you didn’t know what you were doing either.” “I did research.” Kotori confessed, blushing. “I didn’t want to mess it up. And I want it to be good for you too.” “It was.” Maki said with a soft smile. Kotori glanced down at the suitcase. Or where it had been before it had fallen from the bed. “I’ll have to pack again later.” “I’ll help.” Maki murmured softly. She turned, tenderly kissing Kotori’s jaw. “You sure you can’t postpone the flight?” “Only if you ask me to.” Kotori said with a half smile. “I told you, if you asked me to stay I would. You or Honoka. I would only stay if one of you asked me to.” Maki bit her lip, resisting the urge to do just that. She didn’t want to be selfish. She pressed her lips to Kotori’s neck, trying to distract herself instead. Kotori hummed gently as Maki kissed and nipped at her neck. “We have to get up in thirty minutes, Maki-chan. We don’t want to be late.” “We have thirty minutes then.” Maki mumbled, running her fingers over Kotori’s side to her hip. “I told you, I want you as much as I can have you.” “Fine.” Kotori drew Maki on top of her and cupped her face in her hands, kissing her. “So take me, Maki-chan.” ---- “Thanks for the ride.” Nozomi said gratefully as she got off the blue moped Saya was driving. She stepped down, using Saya’s shoulder to steady herself and took off the helmet. “Who’s your boyfriend, Tojo-san?!” An especially loud, passing girl called out. “Boyfriend?” Saya grumbled, looking down at her chest. She patted the front of her jacket, earning herself a soft laugh from Nozomi. “Don’t worry, your boobs are just fine.” Nozomi lodged the helmet under her arm. “Are you going to pick me up later?” Saya pushed up the visor of her helmet to meet Nozomi’s eyes. “Of course. Hey, you don’t really think I look like a guy in this, right?” “You’re wearing a heavy jacket. They can’t see your chest.” Nozomi replied with a gentle smile. “If people saw your pink eyes, they’d know you’re totally a girl. And that long hair. And that body…” “Oh my god, now?” Saya flushed brightly. “Right now, Nozomi?!” “You knew the moment you got with me I was going to flaunt you. Especially this…” Nozomi grabbed Saya’s waist. “Okay!” Saya exclaimed, both amused and embarrassed. “I’ll see you later. Gotta go to class...though since I’m allowed to be late I could get breakfast.” “Don’t rub it in.” Nozomi muttered. “Don’t I get a kiss before you leave?” Saya chuckled and pushed her helmet up just a little. Just enough to let Nozomi lean down and kiss her. She heard whistles from passing boys and could practically hear the girls at the school gates swooning. She drew away, sliding her helmet back into place. “I’ll see you later.” “Yeah…” With a goofy grin, Nozomi watched Saya drive away. “TOJO IS GOING OUT WITH A COLLEGE STUDENT?!

“WELL SHE IS A SCHOOL IDOL!” “You just had to make a scene, huh?” Nozomi turned at the familiar voice, seeing Eli behind her. “Sorry, Elichi. I stayed up late.” “Same…” “Really?” Nozomi smirked. “Yes. And I’m not talking about it.” Eli said, rolling her eyes. “Oh, no fair. I tell you about me and Saya…” “I really wish you would stop.” Eli sighed as the two started walking toward the school entrance. Nozomi pouted. “You at least touched her, right?” “N-Not like that…” “Over the clothes at least?” “NOZOMI!” Eli exclaimed, noticing how close they were getting to other. “Stop. I didn’t do anything with her. Just...kissing. That’s all. I didn’t want to push things too far.” “Boring.” Nozomi rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how you can keep your hands off her.” Eli frowned. “Why? Have you been looking at my girlfriend?” “No, not like that.” Nozomi scoffed. “I just mean the soulmate thing. I feel like I can barely look at Saya without wanting to touch her. And kiss her. And…” “Gross.” Eli muttered, wincing. “I don’t need to know any of this.” “Oh, grow up, Elichi. You’ll be eighteen in a year. You can’t act like a baby forever.” Nozomi said matter of factly. “So what was she wearing?” “Our um...costume for tonight. The finished product of it at least.” “So that means I’m gonna look sexy in front of Saya.” Nozomi concluded, nodding happily. “Good.” Eli groaned and blushed before she heard someone call out to her. “Senpai!” Eli turned to see Honoka running toward her. She relaxed into a smile as Honoka reached her, breathing heavily. “Good morning.” “G-Good morning.” Honoka smiled brightly at Eli. Nozomi looked between them, raising an eyebrow. “You sure you two didn’t…?” “Nozomi!” Eli snapped, hoping that Honoka wouldn’t realize what Nozomi was talking about. “Nozomi-senpai, everyone is saying you got a ride from your boyfriend.” Honoka said excitedly. “Was it Saya-san?” Nozomi nodded. “She dropped me off because I was running late for school.” Honoka gaped at the helmet under Nozomi’s arm. “She’s so cool.” “She is.” Nozomi answered, smiling proudly. She noticed Eli’s brow furrowing. “But you know, um...Elichi is pretty cool too. I mean she’s the student council president.” “Eli-senpai is the coolest person in school.” Honoka beamed warmly at Eli who blushed in response and looked away. “And the prettiest.” “Honoka…” Eli grumbled in embarrassment. “You know my classmates have been saying I should run for student council president.” Honoka mentioned casually despite keeping a careful eye on Eli. “Would that be okay?” Eli nodded with a small smile. “I think that’s a great idea. You’d have my vote.” “Thank you, Eli-senpai.” Honoka said, blushing. She glanced around to make sure nobody was looking before she leaned up and kissed Eli’s cheek. Nozomi grinned at the sweet gesture. “Well I’m gonna head to class. Elichi, you should walk with Honoka-chan. I have to run. See you two lovebirds later.” “Bye!” Honoka called as Nozomi took off. She turned back to Eli. “Maybe I could walk you to class.” “I’ll walk you to yours. I don’t want you to be late.” Honoka opened her mouth to protest but she was silenced by Eli taking her hand, tangling their fingers together before she tugged her in the direction of the school. 

TBC

[free-pool-trash]

Those Eight Years- Rin Matsuoka x Reader (Mermaid! AU) [2]

 Part 1

Masterlist 

A lot of you requested a part two which I am sososososo happy about because it is a piece I am really proud of and I’m so glad you liked it, so here’s the second and final part, hope you enjoy x

Word Count: 4,355

Warnings: Slight violence, mentions of blood, angst, fluff

The ocean wasn’t how she remembered it, the once sparkling blue stretching so far across the horizon now seemed dark and icy, of course it did, it was the middle of winter, but that couldn’t have been the reason behind the eery calm that came over the eight-teen year old girl that approached the oh-so familiar sandy beach.

It’d been two years since (Y/n) was whisked away to a big fancy house in the middle of a big fancy nowhere, a small town with small minded people with no notion of living by the vast ocean. She’d spent two years trying to find herself, to discover who she was, who she was meant to be, but the truth was, she already knew. 

She was supposed to be by the ocean dipping her feet in the sand as the salty water of the sea mingled with it, she was that indescribable feeling she got whenever she was with him, she was meant to be with him, no matter the sacrifice.

She spent her days by a nearby lake, a lake that was nothing compared to the body of water she’d spent so many nights with, her fingers playing idly with the pearl that hung around her neck, wondering what he was doing, if he was feeling as lonely as she was, she’d tried to convince herself that she was too young, too young to really understand how love felt, that he had probably already forgotten all about her and it worked, for a while, until she realized that not seeing him made her feel like she was drowning, an overwhelming sense of loneliness that dragged her down like a weight on her ankle. 

As the days passed her by she had tried time and time again to get back to the beach, to the home she so adored, but her attempts never prevailed, where she lived was isolated, only a small amount of public transport that couldn’t get her where she wanted to go and the fact Jeff and her mother had decided to have a child together kept the teen busy. Even after living with the man for two years she still couldn’t stand him, what her mother saw in him she would never truly know. 

Although she was sure Jeff was the long lost spawn of a sea goblin, the two year old child definitely had more of his mother in him, (Y/n) would always tell him stories of mermaids and all the creatures of the sea, though he didn’t understand he seemed to enjoy The Little Mermaid very much and that was good enough. What (Y/n) didn’t realize was that little Jack was a blessing in disguise, the money (Y/n) was getting for babysitting soon added up and she had enough for two or three ridiculously overpriced bus trips back to her seaside hometown.

Her mother didn’t understand why her daughter so desperately wanted to get back to the town that, in her opinion, held so many bad memories, (Y/n) cracked under her mother’s worried gaze and told her that there was just somebody she needed to see, to talk to, even if just for a minute.

The older women had told her daughter that some things never work out and that she should make peace, her voice had been cold, something not uncommon since Jeff. Considering that the final straw she’d waited until nightfall, kissed her sleeping little brother’s forehead and whispered that she loved him very much and made haste for the bus station.

It took two bus trips, both of which took almost two hours each, but alas, there she stood facing the entrance of her own sacred ground, dawn breaking the sky. The entrance to the cove still remained hidden and the winters tide brought pins and needles to her bare feet, prompting her to step inside the secluded walls, and so she did.

But it wasn’t the same, the place was bare and the crystals that hung from the ceiling were coated in a layer of frost, the sight could have brought tears to her eyes but instead she fought the sadness and sat down on the dry sand, reveling in the feeling of the grains slipping through her fingers, closing her eyes in bliss, listening as the waves lapped against the headland she couldn’t help but think of the splashes that would sound as Rin would make his way to the shore to tell her whatever exciting news he had or something ridiculous his friend Haru had done that day, it was a sound that brought her so much joy even in the darkest of times. Those melodic little splashes were all that were missing as the girl pulled her knees to her chest for some extra warmth, her light jacket not doing much to protect from the cold in the air.

Again, her (e/c) eyes fluttered shut when she began to think of her favorite mer-man, recalling times that have long since passed, a certain memory played in her mind and she let out a giggle, it was the first time she’d introduced Rin to human music, one of the most beautiful nights of her life, they were thirteen when (Y/n) played A Whole New World from Aladdin she told Rin it reminded her of him, only showing him after making him promise not to laugh at her music taste. She remembered so clearly, the way his shark teeth were showcased as he smiled the brightest smile the little girl had ever seen, the way the song was played almost every time they were together, how eventually he had finally caught onto the words and they’d sang together, smiling a sad smile (Y/n) took in a deep breath and sang out the lyrics of a song that greatly relates to her now but contrasts the Disney classic.

“ You were the shadow to my light Did you feel us? Another star You fade away Afraid our aim is out of sight Wanna see us Alight ”

(Y/n) let the small tears fall down her face, she stared at the steadily calming waves while letting her voice echo through the cove.

“ Where are you now? Where are you now? Where are you now? Was it all in my fantasy? Where are you now? Were you only imaginary? ”

Soon the teen found herself lost in the song, the similarities between her and the writer of the piece of music caused her to give it her all, so she continued, her voice rivaling that of a siren’s.

“ Where are you now? Atlantis Under the sea Under the sea Where are you now? Another dream The monster's running wild inside of me I'm faded I'm faded So lost, I'm faded I'm faded So lost, I'm faded ”

The waves had grown still, she took it as the universe playing a sick joke, mocking her, letting her know that no matter how pretty her voice sounded, those splashes she’d been waiting for would never come, it was the oceans way of lamenting her tragic love. She couldn’t find it in herself to stop, she’d keep going, he’d either show up or she’d give the universe something to laugh about.

“ These shallow waters never met what I needed I'm letting go a deeper dive Eternal silence of the sea. I'm breathing alive Where are you now? Where are you now? Under the bright but faded lights You've set my heart on fire Where are you now? Where are you now? ”

Her voice picked up again, so many emotions being released through the song she sang to nothing but the cold winters breeze and the oceans icy tides.

“ Where are you now? Atlantis Under the sea Under the sea Where are you now? Another dream The monster's running wild inside of me I'm faded I'm faded So lost, I'm faded I'm faded So lost, I'm faded ”

All that was heard after were the sniffling sounds coming from the (h/c) haired girl, her large intakes of breath breaking in on occasion. No splashes, no Rin. She began to doubt he’d show up at all, he’d probably long since left for tides with warmer currents, it was winter after all. But even if it hadn’t been, he probably wouldn’t have shown then either. Perhaps he truly had forgotten all about her, but how could he.

Almost every night for eight years she has sat by his side, made memories with him, cared for him, she even fell for him and she’d thought that he’d fallen for her too. They shared a kiss, a kiss that meant everything to the girl but the pain that shot through her heart as the thought crossed her mind was that maybe it hadn’t meant anything to him almost broke her completely. So maybe in theory, all the rest meant nothing to him either, maybe she meant nothing to him.

The girl shook her head of the thoughts, she had to of meant something to him, otherwise he wouldn’t have shed so many tears when she had to leave, that’s what she kept telling herself anyway.

It was now early morning, the sky was gloomy, as was the ocean and as was the girl herself, she didn’t know what she expected to come from this situation, she’d runaway from home, back to the mer-man she had fallen in love with and then what? The boy she was waiting for would swim to the surface and they’d swim away together like some type of fairy tale? She wished that was what would happen, only so far it didn’t and she was starting to lose hope that it would. Her luck had been down ever since she was sixteen, she mentally kicked herself, why would she have even thought about her luck changing now?

The repercussions of her plan were catching up to her as she sat in the cove of the icy beach, waiting for someone who wasn’t going to show up. She had no money to get back to the four walls and roof she had only just escaped and she had no intention of going back there anyway, her mother had become so cold and the act Jeff kept up of being nice to (Y/n) quickly dissipated, and she wasn’t surprised. No, she wouldn’t be going back. She’d freeze there on the cold beach sooner than she’d return to an unloving family. She could only hope that little Jack would be okay, he’d soon forget about her, she knew he was too young to remember her, she at least hoped he’d understand.

“You have a beautiful voice...” A silky female voice broke (Y/n) out of her thoughts, looking up the girl saw a mermaid, or maybe a siren, she was beautiful, long black hair that flowed down passing the small of her back, almost touching her tail that started out silver and transitioned into purple in a mesmerizing ombre, her eyes matched the deep purple of her tail, she seemed too perfect to be real, her tanned skin was flawless as she spoke again, her head tilting to the side, her movements almost hypnotizing.

“And such a pretty face... why do you cry?” Slowly the woman was making her way closer to (Y/n) as she opened her mouth to speak, “I was waiting on someone, he isn’t here yet.”, The mermaid let a sly smile paint her face, it had caused (Y/n) to wake up, that wasn’t a mermaid, it was a siren, the girl inched away, panicking slightly when her back hit the rocky end of the cove, the siren persisted, getting closer and closer.

“Ah, the Rin boy... I remember he helped you the night we took your father, the poor thing was foolish enough to fall for you, he’s still fragile after you took your leave, some nights we swore the ocean would overflow on account of his tears... such a shame he couldn’t get to you before I did.” The siren laughed as tears fell from (Y/n)’s aching eyes “Who are you?”

“You don’t need to worry about that, you’ll find out everything you want to know, just come with me.” (Y/n) knew she had to find a way out of the cove, the siren had mentioned her father, if she was telling the truth it meant she had sinister intentions, but the siren had the girl cornered, her clawed hand was reaching toward (Y/n)’s chest, more specifically for the mermaid tear that rested gently against her collar bone, acting on instinct, (Y/n) pushed herself flat against the rocky wall and slid to the side escaping the siren, scraping her back severely in the process, frantically she fumbled toward the cove’s exit. She’d almost made it, she was so close to the barrier of water that would lead her to safety, but, as she guessed, her luck wasn’t about to change anytime soon.

 She let out a screech when claws dug into the skin of her leg, ripping through her jeans and drawing blood, it felt like needles jabbing into her skin and she let out another cry as the siren removed her claws roughly and pressed (Y/n)’s chest to the ground.

“You’re a fighter, guess you got that from your father or maybe the Matsuoka taught you? Hm. It doesn’t matter to me really, if you are like your dad it’ll be easy to drown you, he couldn’t hold his breath for very long and let me tell you the struggling definitely didn’t help.” (Y/n) heaved a dry sob, “Why are you doing this?”, the siren had only laughed “Because... I’m bored, why else?” The siren laughed harder as the young girl whimpered pathetically, the pressure on her open wounds causing her great discomfort.

“Help...” Was all the girl could choke out, she was giving up, this wasn’t how things were supposed to go, she wouldn’t fall victim to a siren, but it seemed like she was going to, in a last stitch attempt to get away she reached forward, her hand barely an inch off the sand. Her eyes were trained on the ocean in front of her, the sun still barely risen over the horizon which meant it was far too early on this cold morning for anyone to be out on the beach, there was nobody to be seen except her and the siren who was searching desperately for the clasp of (Y/n)’s necklace, her sharp black blood stained claws leaving scratches on the girls neck as a result.

(Y/n)’s arm shook violently as her strength was on the brink of running out, swallowing hard against the dryness in her throat and mustering up the very last of her strength she jolted herself forward and screamed, “HELP!”, the girl had managed to get out of the siren’s grasp and ended up in the freezing waters of the sea, her mind barely registering the hand gripping and pulling her hand leading her further into the sea, the movements seemed rushed and urgent and before the girl knew it water was filling her lungs.

A familiar panic filled the girl’s chest, along with the salty water surrounding her. Her heartbeat began to quicken, she couldn’t do this, not again and so she began to thrash and struggle and soon enough, her eyes shut and she became numb.

The person holding her hand gained a panic of his own as he noticed her body calm and her eye’s closed, no, this couldn’t happen, he needed to find another coastline and fast, he wouldn’t lose her, not after just getting her back.

So Rin swam, and he swam fast.

Soon, he had gotten to an island and pulled her up onto the shore, as fast as he could he pulled out the oh-so familiar vile and tilted her head up to open her mouth, pouring it into her mouth he sighed in relief as she released a breath, Rin couldn’t help but furrow his eyebrows when he inspected her, she had gotten so beautiful, that much was for sure, what caused him so much displeasure in seeing were the blood stains all over the back of her thin jacket, on the collar of her shirt and the leg of her jeans. 

He should have swam quicker, he should have started heading her way as soon as she sang her first note, he knew her voice anywhere, why did he hesitate? He didn’t know. Maybe he was scared, scared it was just a cruel trick his mind was mustering up. Or maybe he was just afraid that things wouldn’t be the same. His fear caused him to approach their spot with caution, his fear caused a siren to be able to get to her first, his fear almost lost her. But that fear was not to be confused with what he felt when he heard her scream for help, pure terror had filled his veins and he swam faster than he ever had in his entire life.

These past years without her had been almost too much for the boy, he’d been so sad, he was sure the ocean wouldn’t have been able to hold many more of his tears if he kept crying the way he did. His friends were worried, so was his mother, she could recognize the familiar look in his eyes, it was the same look his father had in his own eyes when he had come to the shore to find her, and she knew, that just like her husband, her son was a hopeless romantic that fell in love with a human girl. There had been a number of times Rin tried to get to the surface, but nobody was willing to help him when he didn’t know where he was going or even where to start.

The kiss they shared played in his mind almost every night, the way their lips both tasted of the tears they’d be crying always made him wish he’d been able to do more, but just like when he heard her voice, he’d been afraid then too. He was young, too young he told himself, too young to know that it was love he was feeling and then it was too late. He did love her, but she was already gone. It scared his friends and his family what the boy was willing to give to see the human girl again, they told him that he could only go so far on two legs before the pain that came with them became too much to bare, the words he spoke in return echoed clearly through his head, as they did every time the girl entered his mind.

“I’d walk forever and live with the pain if it meant I’d see her again...” His hand reached out gently and pushed some of the wet hair off her forehead, she was cold and only getting colder, she’d have to wake up soon so he could get her someplace warm or she’d freeze. Just as the thought crossed his mind coughing filled the air, (Y/n) shot up into a sitting position causing Rin to jump at the fast motion.

The girl inhaled a large breath before her eyes found Rin’s, “Rin, you came.” Her simple statement caused the boy to crack, he’d missed her voice more than he even realized. Not thinking any more he pulled her gently into his lap, he held her tightly, fearing if he let her go, she’d be gone. (Y/n) could only laugh, she threw her arms around Rin’s broad shoulders and squeezed him with all her might, she was cold and scratched up but she was in his arms, finally. 

Rin was whispering her name like a prayer into her shoulder as she ran her hands through his hair in attempt to calm him down, a smile broke onto her face, her luck was finally changing, her plan worked out okay after all.

Rin’s mouth formed a wide smile when he looked up at (Y/n)’s face, “I missed you so much.” The girl in question smiled brightly, her teeth chattering as she did so, all her previous bad thoughts had been wiped clean by the look in Rin’s eyes. 

Leaning her head down, her forehead rested against his, “I couldn’t be without you any longer”, her voice was only a whisper, it was all she could manage because of the look in his eyes, love.

Their lips met, softly and delicately, like nothing else either had ever felt before, they felt whole, like the void that had been in them for the past two years was finally filled.

 “Come with me.” Rin was the first to speak when they parted, his voice holding a certain desperation, (Y/n) quirked an eyebrow, a small smile on her face as she thought she knew what he meant, “What?”, Rin’s expression was serious, his hands cupped her cheeks and she pulled her own up to rest on his wrists, her smile becoming clearer when she felt the cold metal of the bracelet she’d given him a few years back.

“Come home with me, I-I have a potion, it’ll give you a tail, and gills, you could come with me. I want you to come with me. I know you have a family on the shore but I can’t be without you anymore.” Tears were falling from his eyes by now and (Y/n) smiled again, gently moving his hands away from her face, “Where is it?”

“The potion?” She nodded her head and hummed in response. Quickly Rin reached into his beat up brown satchel and (Y/n) laughed hardly believing he still had that thing, he muttered a “shut up” knowing exactly what she was laughing at and pulled out the vile containing a sparkling pink liquid, his eyes returned to hers, “Are you sure? There’s no going back after this, now is your last chance to back out...” He really hoped she wouldn’t but he had to make sure this was what she 100% wanted. (Y/n) laughed in response, a single tear fell down her cheek as she kissed Rin deeply, trailing her hand down to intertwine with his while there lips mingled. They pulled away, their breath still fanning over the lips of the other, all was silent, the seagulls in the early morning being the only sound heard until (Y/n) spoke the words that filled Rin’s heart with pure bliss.

“I would follow you into that ocean even if I didn’t have a tail. I love you.” The softest smile found the boy’s face and he pushed the vile into your hand that wasn’t holding his, “I love you.”

Seeing as she was still on his lap Rin pushed himself along the sand until they were both at least halfway submerged in the water. 

Rin smiled, he gave (Y/n)’s hand a squeeze and pulled her close to him. “I love you-” He paused giving her a sympathetic look then continued “-This is gonna be painful but I’ve got you, okay? I won’t let you go.” The girl nodded, sparing one last glance at her denim clad legs she carefully opened the vile, Rin’s arms tightened around her as she downed the pink liquid.

(Y/n)’s hands found their way onto Rin’s shoulders, clutching them tightly as she gasped at the pain, her legs were filled with pins and needles and it felt like her legs were melting together, Rin was definitely right about it hurting. Soon enough the pain subsided and the girl found herself floating much easier, the cold she felt had somehow now gone away, her eyes lined up with her hands still clutching Rin’s shoulders, her nails had grown, they weren’t nearly as long as the siren’s she’d encountered earlier, they weren’t as sharp either, but they were pretty, their color matched the pink that was in the vile.

“Look down.” Rin spoke to her softly, loosening his hold on her, she did as told and looked down to find a magnificent tail that greatly resembled one of a pink parrot fish, beautiful pink scales and a fin that looked wispy and translucent against the sea, the color was yet again matching the liquid in the vile. (Y/n) smiled so brightly and excitedly swam around Rin, “We did it!”, Rin returned her smile and pulled her close to him yet again, not able to get enough of having her so close to him, her top half was covered in the same scales as her tail that came up from her tail on either side and connected at her bust, covering her breasts. She wasn’t quite sure what happened to her top and jacket but she wasn’t about to question it, too mesmerized by her new appearance to begin to think about the craziness that came before it.  

“It’s beautiful!” Rin laughed at her excitement grabbing both her hands and spinning her around in the water, his action causing giggles of joy to escape her mouth, “Yeah, it suits you.”

Her eyes widened in brief panic for only a second as her eyes caught a glimpse of the bracelet adorning Rin’s wrist and her hands flew to her chest, she sighed in relief, feeling the small pearl still resting against her collar bone, Rin chuckled once again, his smile was soft and his eyes held a childlike glee,the way she looked right now, the way her eyes sparkled, the way she looked so elegant with her tail, it made him certain. Certain that she’d be his forever. “You’re like something out of a fairy tale right now.”

(Y/n) looked up at him sheepishly, a blush creeping onto her cheeks at the incredibly cheesy line she was about to say to the love of her life, the way he was looking at her in the moment made her heartbeat soar and her stomach do flips, the soft smile on his face that said so clearly that he loved her and the equally soft look in his eyes made her sure of something. She was sure he was going to be her forever.

 Placing her hands gently onto Rin’s chest she ghosted her lips across his, her (e/c) eyes locked on his maroon ones as she whispered.

“You are my fairy tail, Rin Matsuoka.” 

The boy let out a breath, moving his hands to rest back on her cheeks, their eyes still connected, both pairs filled with so much love, Rin’s lips moved closer to (Y/n)’s so that they were almost touching and against them, he whispered.

“And you are mine.”

And they lived happily ever after

[tinybewitchedgilnean]

Amanessa Pt. 2: Sharing- A Guide for Gypsies and Witches Who Aren’t Good At It

(Continued from Pt. 1!)

Ama stepped out of the tub, and for a few seconds, Rin forgot she was frustrated. With dirty clothes and caked on mud washed away, she stood there, stark and gorgeous. Rin felt her heart pulse.

Thankfully, Ama asked to borrow a shirt from Rin, which gave the younger woman a chance to collect and set the grimy armor outside where its stench could harm no one. When she returned, Ama had not yet grabbed a shirt and was still looking at her scarves, blissfully topless. The two returned to friendly conversation, but Ama could feel the shift the mood.

"I know you're frustrated." She bluntly stated, sighing while beginning to scrub her scarves clean. "I'm sorry for causing it. I know this was all sudden and unexpected. All I could think of when I left for home was making sure you were okay... " Ama's lips pursed, hands pausing their scrubbing. "I was worried about leaving so suddenly and I didn't want you to think you'd lost your friend or that I'd abandoned you in some way. I know what it's like to be abandoned... not fun, aye?" She chuckled, returning to her scarves. "So I came  to you right away. Until I'm called again, I can help you with your shop. Shava is in the woods hunting... ski she wont eat the merchandise... or your furniture. I might though."

Rin forced a smile. "Well, yer help and yer company are welcome, regardless of the consequences."

"Thank you, Rin."

After a pause of consideration, Rin spoke up. "I'm not angry with ye for leaving. It did kind of hurt when ye vanished without a word, though." Her eyes were trained on the floor. "I'm not trying to be selfish or needy. I just want to be a real part of yer life, Ama. I guess I felt like a guest that is only part of the fringes of yer life."

Anger was the reaction Amasheri was used to. Hatred, even tears, screaming or outright silence. But quiet acceptance and the want to be involved...? No, this was new. The gypsy licked her lips, pale eyes averted to the side suddenly. Guilt wasn't an emotion she was used to, nor handled well. She didn't know if she should be angry with it, or let the upset curdle her stomach and draw out her emotions.

Swallowing, Amasheri let out a small sigh. "I don't think my life is meant for good hearts like yours, Rin..." She admitted quietly, giving in and letting her shoulders slump. "But you are a part of my life... A good part. One I don't want the Hellwolf to destroy."

Rin bowed her head, understanding where Ama was coming from. "I get it. I know ye're not just the sassy, free-spirited woman I get to see. I know there is that part of ye I don' see... that Hellwolf." Even the name she gave herself made Rin nervous.

She did not want to let nervousness get the best of her. "Ye're the only person I want around the way I do," she admitted. She stepped up to her friend, ignoring her toplessness to meet her eyes. "I don' want ye afraid to let me in. I want the chance to be there for all of ye. I get that may not be something ye can offer me." Disappointment touched her tone.

"I guess I just want to work on that. But I also won' force my way into those parts of yer life." She rubbed her arm, feeling awkward at what had unintentionally monologued. "So... yeah."

"You don't want to see that part... I don't want to see that part!" She huffed in frustration. Why did the girl have to be so agreeable? Why did she have to understand? That just made it harder to protect her, keep her out at a safe distance... crush the small flicker of emotions that stuttered her heart and made her want to pull the woman into her arms and not let go-- NO!!

Amasheri was trapped between wanting to shake sense into the tiny witch, tell her she didn't want to be that close to her, that she was cursed to lose everyone she brought close, and simply bolting out the door. But that disappointment, the way Rin looked up at her. Amasheri couldn’t leave.

Instead, the gypsy gave another frustrated sigh, folding her arms over her chest and clenching her jaw. "I --" She stopped, mouth agape and not sure what to really say at this moment. "I'm sorry..." The gypsy finally copped out, giving the only answer that seemed to work for now.

Awkwardly, Amasheri reached over and gave Rin's shoulder a gentle squeeze, trying to be reassuring, even smiling softly. "I like you, Rin. I don't... I don't want to hurt you, or see you hurt... I just... it's..." She frowned. "You know what, how about that shirt, hmm? It's a bit chilly without one. Afterwards we can go dance on the roof."

Sometimes it felt like Rin was clicking with Ama. It felt like progress was made, and then she inevitably ran into a wall. She just wanted to be as close as she could be to Ama; what did she have to do to earn that chance?

Rin was disappointed, but what more could she do for the night? Ama almost gave her a window to make another case, but then the subject was changed. She sighed; maybe another time.  "Aye, we can get ya somethin. I think I have a long shirt that might e'en cover that bottom of yers. Then... I'd love t' dance with ye again." At least things felt simpler dancing with her.

Amasheri felt like cad. Rin's disappointment was almost palpable, and each look the girl gave her felt like a punch in the gut. Rin seemed so innocent. A sweet heart, shy demeanor, trusting and understanding. Briefly, the gypsy wondered if she herself had ever once seen the world the same as Rin did. If she had ever been as innocent, Amasheri couldn't remember it.

"I have my scarves..." she managed quietly, smiling and giving a small wriggle of her hips to show her rear was mostly covered, though Rin would point out that mostly still left plenty on display for Ama. It seemed a hollow jest even to her. Gods dammit, why can't I do this right?! she cursed to herself, chewing her lip with her teeth before giving in and heaving a large sigh.

"Rin... listen... I like you, alright? I truly do. I'm an arse at showing it, I always have been. This time it's different though. I don't want to hurt you in any way... and I know I'll just end up doing that, or worse...." she ruffled a tattooed hand through her hair, looking to the tub. "I'm cursed, Rin. Not--" she waved a hand at the bite on her side. "-- this curse... I mean cursed." Her shoulders slumped beneath the admission, pale gaze following and dipping to her own feet.

"I just dont want to lose you too."

It was like watching Ama fight herself internally. She wanted Rin to know how much she cared, but she was too scared to care as much as she did. The way she just looked defeated when she called herself cursed broke Rin's heart.

Sighing, the young woman moved closer to her redheaded friend and placed a hand on her cheek. "Ye're not gonna lose me, Ama." Her smile was weak, but sincere. "Don't ye know witches are good at handling curses?" It was a lame witch joke even Roxlyn would have been proud of.

Amasheri froze beneath the warmth of Rin's hand, pale eyes watching her friend with quiet intensity. Emotions warred within her, struggling to dominate the other and come to voice. The gypsy's internal battle pinched her features, though she didn't flinch away from that palm, even managing a small smile at the witch joke.

"I'm not just gonna run or leave. I like ye, too." Her hand was still on Ama's cheek, feeling her warmth. "I like ye a lot. I... Ama, I have never liked someone like I like ye." Rin felt almost guilty admitting it after all Ama had gone through, but the admission slipped.

In truth it stopped Amasheri's heart. The idea of being liked the way she had claimed warmed the gypsy. She longed for that affection, craved it. I like a rare gem the gypsy treasures what love she could get, clutching to others with desperate fingers. And yet like sand, each one slipped through, falling away with pieces of her in tow.

And that's what stopped her. Fear coiled its icy fingers about the remains of her heart, freezing her tongue and stealing the breath in her lungs. Amasheri was terrified of that witches warning. You're not blessed by the gods, girl. Ye be cursed by 'em! Ye lose all ye ever love. Always alone. By yer own hand or theirs, they'll always leave... or die.

Embarrassed, Rin pulled her hand away and folded her arms. "M-maybe we're both a wee bit taxed tonight. Forget I said anythin. Sorry."

Rins hand moved before the gypsy could jerk away, swallowing heavily and forcing air into her lungs. Rins embarrassment added a different twinge of fear. That fear of loss-- "No!" She blurted out abruptly,  reaching for the girls hand. "No... not forgetting. And no sorry." She struggled to say more, brows furrowing harshly. "Never apologize for what you say and feel. Not to anyone, especially me. I just... need time...."

Amasheri’s hand took Rin’s own and the young witch froze, meeting her friend with wide, uncertain eyes. Rin was upset with herself for putting her own feelings ahead of Amasheri’s feelings. The girl had just ended her engagement, so the last thing she needed was Rin blurting out a confession.

Time. Ama needed time. That was understandable. It made sense that she would need time to sort herself out and decide what she wanted. “Okay.”

Ama’s hold on Rin’s hand remained desperately firm as Rin’s acceptance echoed in her mind. There was no argument, no tears, no shoving out the door. Just a reassuring breath and the simplest,  strongest word Amasheri had ever heard. 'Okay'.

She was just coming to terms with that quiet acceptance when the warmth of Rins lips found her own. Amasheri froze in surprise beneath the lingering press of that kiss, eyes widening. This was no the first kiss they had shared,  though she was only marginally more clothed than the last time. No, this one held something else to it. It wasn't the fast, friendship styled kiss Ama had classified the first one under, no, this one was loving and warm.

Rin pulled away and nodded, feeling her cheeks pinken. “Take whatever time you need. Like I promised, I’ll be here. We can figure things out together one way or another, but only when you’re ready.”

Rin stepped away but kept Ama’s hand in her own. “So what do you say we share one dance beneath the stars before we go to bed?”

Ama could still taste the girl on her lips,  feeling her heart drumming harder and harder within her chest, the sudden heat as her own cheeks flushed scarlet, swallowing her freckles in a sea of red that almost rivaled her hair.

"Huh?" Ama blinked, coughing softly. "Dance?- oh! Uh, yes... that would be good. Besides, there’s more for you to learn, aye? But maybe I'll nick a top from you first. This looks like a nice neighborhood and having a gypsy in it is considered bad enough; having a half naked one might start a street war.” She smiled, thinking a moment before giving a tug on Rin’s hand to pull the girl in tight against her, deciding 'why the hell not?

She held for a moment, briefly wondering if this was a good idea. It didn't last. Impulse spurred the gypsy on, drawing Rin into a strong, passionate kiss.

Rin was already flushed from her act of boldness, but she was starting to come down from the emotional moment. She was not expecting the tight embrace or the heated kisses on her lips. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart skipped as she melted when faced with Ama’s fire. How could she resist? The woman brought heat to her blood and made it harder to think. She did not want to think. It was a moment she wanted to lose herself in.

And so she did.