#RCzinegiveaway

[baovyoi]

only shion can catch nezumi off guard, including himself

my entry for the giveaway and contest! @restructuralcommittee

(don’t repost)

[throughoutthestars]

Happy Valentine’s day! This is drawn for @restructuralcommittee‘s rczinegiveaway, and you can tell I was feeling some blue colors here. (Blue is a great color... even if it’s not a traditional valentine’s day theme thing lmao)

[ash-the-ketchup]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on here, hasn’t it? ^^;

This is my entry for @restructuralcommittee‘s Valentine’s Day contest/No. 6 zine giveaway! Given how little time I had to finish the plushies (due to real life taking priority), I’m actually pretty happy how they came out! ^_^

For the type of kiss, hmmm... I guess “indirect kiss”, maybe?

[princessemidesu]

A piece I did for @restructuralcommittee‘s valentines day contest ^^I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to do a piece for No.6 but I’m happy it turned out so well OuO

[whims-of-insane-fandoms]

Kiss Me Once, Kiss Me Twice

Shion had never wanted this existence. Since his creation, when the Three Elder Gods came to him, he was given the mantle of God of Death, a darkness to rival Tenebris Erebus. As soon as his sphere of control was revealed, all the deities steered away from him. They hated him. Feared him. He hated it.

For a while, he was alone. Alone. An ugly feeling. Yet who could he be with? He was Mortem Shion, the god of death, the personification of Winter. He was fine with it. Truly. His only companions were demons. Demons like Praedo Safu, a minor deity amongst demonesses. She understood him. Somewhat. Enough. He liked her enough.

He hated being alone. Hated being hated. Being alone was a punishment Shion would only give to his most hated enemy. There was one Shion hated. His opposite. The one everyone loved. His light half.

The God of Life.

Erebus spoke about him a lot. The God of Life was a protector of humans. He was loved by humans and gods. He was blessed with beauty and a wonderful voice. He was loved by everyone. He was perfect.

Shion hated him.

He’d never met the God of Life. Yet he hated him. He envied him. How could he be loved? Life was a cruel thing. Death was form of salvation and punishment. In life, people suffered while others hurt others. When they died, the good people who suffered were given salvation. When they died, the terrible people suffered. Life was terrible. Why would anyone love life? The God of Life was crueler than him. Life was a lie. A beautiful lie.

“Lord Shion, do you know what today is?” Safu asked.

Shion looked up, the shade from his umbrella still not helping the heat of the summer day. The longest day of summer. The day where the God of Life was the strongest. The day he used his great powers to help the people. He frowned, “Yes. The summer solstice.”

“Correct.” Safu said, dangling upside down from the building they were on. She pointed somewhere. Shion followed her gaze and saw it was a forest. “Lord Erebus say the God of Life performs a ritual in a field over there. He is alone, singing to the Great Tree.”

“Alone?”

Safu straightened herself with a dark smile, “Yes. Completely alone.”

Shion stood, smiling, “Wouldn’t it be fun to scare him? To make him feel darkness? To defile his light?”

“What are you thinking about doing?” Safu asked, eyes glittering maliciously.

“Secret.” Shion answered. He tossed his umbrella and caught it as it morphed into his scythe. His body shifted into his true form as the God of Death. He became a pale, cold skeleton with black wings wearing a black cloak. The familiar image of the Grim Reaper. He turned to his demon, “Continue spreading the new illness we worked on. I’ll be back.”

“Alright, my lord!” Safu said, bowing lowly.

Shion threw himself from the building, allowing the wind to carry him for a while. He passed several humans, observing their lifespans. None of them seemed close to death. Wait. Never mind. The exception was a young man with long dark hair walking with a man whose lifespan Shion could not see. Two days to live. What a shame.

Shion found the young man’s name – Yudai Kurokami, age 21 – in his records and reminded himself to keep an eye on that one. According to his records, the God of Life had extended this boy’s life by two years.

“Time to scare that God.”

Shion flew away from the human, heading to the field Safu had spoken of. He couldn’t wait to meet the God of Life. Would the God be terrified of him? Other gods were. Tenebris Erebus and Chaos were exceptions. They knew of his importance. Others did not care. They just loved life and hated death. It was Shion’s cruel reality.

He dropped down slowly into the forest, close to the field. When he landed, the grass underneath him died. It seemed his aura was going out of control. He tried to control it but then noticed a light surround the dying patch he stood on. Suddenly, the grass grew once again, saved from decay. Interesting. Shion walked further, following the small lights. It seemed it would lead him straight to the God of Life.

“The winds sweep away souls, and

people snatch away hearts.”

The melodic voice made Shion pause. He’d heard a lot of singing in his time as the God of Death. Humans had great talent in it. He’d met a lot of humans possessing that talent. Singers. Yet all those singers paled in comparison to this wonderful voice. Beautiful. Ethereal. His heart soared. He walked forward into the field.

“Oh Earth. . . Oh stormy rains. . .

Oh heavens. . . Oh light. . .

please harbor everything in this place.”

The field was covered with an intense light. The grass and flowers had grown to an exceptional height. Small lights came from the ground, making the world shine brighter.

In the middle of the field was a figure brighter than anything he’d seen, singing while in a prayer-like stance. Their hair were flames. Brilliant. Distracting. Their whole body, radiant and beautiful, glowed like the sun. They were dressed in white robes that flowed in the gentle breeze. There were golden designs woven into the robes, which glowed with the same intensity of the deity.

They were beautiful. The God of Life was truly beautiful. More radiant than any goddess of love and beauty. They were truly blessed with the light of life. The light he could never had. In comparison to this god, Shion was hideous. His bone-like appearance. His dark robes. His cold body. His pitch-black wings. He was no good. He was disgusting.

They were right to fear him. The God of Death really was hideous. The God of Life was beauty itself.

“Please harbor everything in this place,

and abide here forever.”

Shion didn’t know what to do. He’d come to hurt the God of Life, so he could feel his pain. However, he couldn’t. This light was too bright to be dimmed. He couldn’t touch the God of Life. He shouldn’t have come here. He didn’t belong so close to the light. Not him with his darkness. This warmth. This light. He could not handle it.

“Oh soul. . . oh heart. . .

Oh love. . . Oh yearnings. . .

Please return to this place,

and abide here forever.”

Shion felt so weak. He felt something in his heart stirring but he was not sure what it was. What was this? This emotion was foreign. Strange. He was not used to this. This God, with his beautiful music, was doing things to him he’d never felt before. He didn’t understand. He kneeled down, feeling his appearance shift. His true form was gone. He looked like a mortal right now.

What was he to do now?

He felt something bright and hot approaching him. His eyes widened, and he looked up. There he was. The God of Life. His eyes were open, unlike before. They were so bright. Just orbs of light that had no iris or pupil. It was something worthy of his status as a God. Shion just couldn’t believe he was here. The God of Life continued his song, as if he’d never left from his space to be close to him.

“The winds sweep away souls,

and people snatch away hearts.

Nevertheless, I shall remain in this place

and continue singing.”

The God of Life kneeled down, now at eye level with Shion. He smiled, his true form dissolving. His hair changed from flames to long slate-colored hair. There were flowers woven in his hair, oddly enough. Well, it was to be expected. He was the God of Life. His bright, glowing skin dimmed, becoming a healthy, human shade. His eyes stopped glowing so brightly, revealing exceptional grey eyes that still had a hint of their earlier glow.

Even in a human form, the God of Life outshined him.

Yet he did not look at him in disgust or anger. He extended his hand, a small smile on his face. He touched Shion’s hands, a small glow enveloping him. He closed his eyes to continue his beautiful song.

“Please, somehow,

send my song to where it must reach.

Please, somehow,

receive and accept this song of mine.”

The song ended yet Shion still felt overwhelmed. The God of Life assessed him, “You are no mere human, are you? Who are you?”

Shion was tongue-tied. The God of Life tilted his head in confusion. He blinked. He was surprisingly patient. He frowned, “What are you? A forest spirit? Summer sprite? Fairy?”

Shion felt himself turn pink. The God of Life leaned forward, “You don’t look so good. I’ll heal you.” He placed a small kiss on Shion’s forehead and Shion felt that was his breaking point. He fell backwards, completely overwhelmed and red. He felt the God of Life call out to him, but he didn’t understand. Nothing made sense.

He closed his eyes, calling forth his familiars. Oh, if only someone came to save him from this embarrassment. That would be great.

At that moment, thousands of black birds appeared in the field. The God of Life stood up, manifesting a golden staff. He looked at Shion, “Stay back. The God of Death comes.” He smiled softly, “I’ll protect you.”

The God of Life was kind. Wanting to protect him against Death. The poor thing didn’t even know that he was the God of Death. Really. What heart did the God of Life possess? Why was he so kind? Even to someone like him.

“No need.” Shion said, finally finding his senses. He stood, manifesting his scythe. The God of Life took a step back, eyes wide. Shion bowed, “I am Mortem Shion. God of death, your opposite, my God of Life.”

“How dare you come here. This sacred ground is not for someone who wields death.” The God of Life shouted. He pointed his staff in front of Shion. But he did not look angry. He was attempting it, but it wasn’t a strong feeling. How cute.

“I wanted to see you, great God of Life.”

“For what reason?”

Shion smiled. He tilted his head, observing the angry god, “What is your name?”

“Vitae Nezumi.”

“Nezumi, huh?” Shion smiled. He winked at the other god, “You are going to become mine.”

“Bold assumption, cretin.” The God of Life, Nezumi, stated.

“Cute.” Shion said. His birds surrounded the area, blinding the God of Life. Shion approached him, wondering why he had never met the God before. He leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss on the other’s lips. He pulled away, looking at those glowing eyes that still entranced him, “A kiss from Death doesn’t just mean your time is up.”

“What?!”

“See you soon, Nezumi.”

The birds descended and the God of Life was left alone in his field. He touched his lips and frowned. How had he let his guard down? Why had he let his guard down with the God of Death? Hadn’t he been careful like always? Yet how had that god slipped through his radar and had managed to kiss him? And why was he so comfortable with that kiss?

“Damn God of Death.” Nezumi hissed, “I’ll get you. Just you wait.”

And so began Shion’s attempts to woe Nezumi, a series of strange occurrences that, at first, irked Nezumi. Shion kept appearing wherever Nezumi would be, offering gifts Nezumi would admit were slightly intriguing and beautiful. A lot of them were human books, movies, art pieces and other strange objects. They were worthless to any other god but Nezumi didn’t mind. In his home, he kept all of the gifts he was given.

His rooms were filled with beautiful paintings and exquisite sculptures. With chalices that human kings used and books from an ancient library that burned to ashes. With crowns Nezumi was not interested in but admired and robes fit for royalty. With fine silverware and porcelain toys that Nezumi was oddly puzzled with.

It was rather sweet of the God of Death to give him so many trinkets.

No one really understood Nezumi’s love of human objects. While he did like them, he was not like a dragon that desired riches. He valued what the humans created. Humans and their creations always amazed him. Life was that precious and beautiful. Humans could not create such beauty after death.

“You need to clean out more.” Inukashi, Nezumi’s partner and patron god of animals, said as they observed Nezumi’s home.

Nezumi frowned, fixing the newest book into his addition. He floated down, having been on the top of his bookcase wall. He sat down in his favorite couch, watching his living room, “Everything’s perfectly clean, as always.”

“Riiiight.” Inukashi frowned, looking up at the crystal chandelier that had not been in the manor before.

It was quiet so Nezumi thought Inukashi dropped it. He grabbed the book Shion had first given to him. It was an early print of Paradise Lost Nezumi had been looking for centuries. He became engrossed in the novel, the world disappearing.

The world came to focus as Inukashi hummed, “So, who’s the deity?”

“What?” Nezumi questioned, almost dropping the novel he held.

“All of these are trinkets given during a courtship. I’m not an idiot. I’m just asking who the brave deity that dared to start a courtship with you, the God of Life, is.” Inukashi stood, looking at the paintings Nezumi had yet to hang up. They were painted beautifully, in art styles reminiscent to deceased painters. They tilted their head, “A god of art? A god of thieves? A god of beauty?”

“It’s none of those things,” Nezumi huffed.

“Don’t tell me Lux Night is finally courting you?!” Inukashi gasped excitedly, “I always knew you two would make a good pair! Oh, that would explain the lamps and violins! Night has always said you needed more light in your home!”

“No, it’s not Night!” Nezumi yelled, annoyed. Cheeks red, he yelled, “It’s that dark, idiotic bastard that dared to find me during the summer solstice!”

“Oh no, it’s Tenebris Erebus?!” Inukashi said in horror.

“Ew, no! That’s disgusting!” Nezumi said, also in horror. He coughed, “Not Night’s twin. S-s-someone else that is dark and is an idiot.”

Inukashi was silent. They pondered in the matter for a while. When they spoke, the name they said wasn’t the one Nezumi expected, “Chaos, the Elder God?”

“No, Inukashi!” Nezumi said, exasperated, “Mortem Shion! Shion!”

The room with so many objects was quiet. The minor god looked confused, “Mortem Shion? The God of Death. The God of Death is courting you?” They coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of their head, “The God of Death that is successfully courting you?”

“He is not being successful.”

Inukashi raised an eyebrow, “That’s rich, coming from the one who is hoarding all of his gifts.” They glanced at the room, “And I mean hoarding. The walls are filled with paintings and bookcases. And the hallways and entrance have a lot of statues.”

“I like his gifts.”

“So, has he been appearing to you for every single little gift he gives you?” At Nezumi’s blush, Inukashi grinned, displaying their canines. Their god was so easy to read. They approached Nezumi slowly, “Is he really a skeleton like the humans say? Or is he handsome?”

Nezumi looked up at the roof, “He’s a skeleton sometimes. But that’s not what I care about.”

“What do you care about?”

“Knowledge. Thought. Emotion. Kindness.”

“That doesn’t sound like your God of Death.”

Nezumi didn’t know if he could tell Inukashi the truth. The truth that the charming God of Death was brilliant and wise. That Shion was a bit dorky whenever he tried to woe him. That he told him sappy poems that Nezumi had already heard from deceased, mortal poets. That he used cheesy pickup lines and said corny jokes. That Shion would always blush a bright red whenever he’d laugh at his jokes. That the day of the summer solstice all that time ago, where he was alone . . . Shion had decided not to hurt him.

Since his creation, he’d been told by the Elder Gods that the God of Death resented him for being the love of every deity while he was alone. As such, he’d always felt a bit of pity for the God of Death. Meeting him had changed that perception.

The God of Death shouldn’t be pitied. He looked small and weak, but he was anything but. Shion deserved some respect. And some attention. Nezumi was just baffled that he’d want him, of all the deities.

He was not the kindest, no matter what people told him. He gave life but he couldn’t help those that suffered. He wasn’t attentive, most of his time spent fighting gods of misfortune. He wasn’t beautiful like gods of beauty and love. He was just the God of Life. Nothing special.

“You’re thinking about it~!”

Nezumi snapped to reality, blushing greatly, “Inukashi!”

Inukashi laughed, “You’re so cute!”

“Not funny.” Nezumi huffed.

Inukashi clapped their hands, “There’s going to be a New Year celebration in the heavens. Invite your God of Death! It’s the one day that we’re not obligated to do anything and let humans do as humans do.”

“The New Year Ball, huh?” Nezumi thought to himself. Inukashi grinned, their Cheshire-like grin being ignored by the other god. Yeah, Nezumi was into the God of Death.

Nezumi left the house and began to search for Shion. It wasn’t hard to find him, though. He was following Yudai again, the boy Nezumi kept saving. He was in his human form rather than his true form this time he found the God of Death stalking the human.

“Leave him alone, Shion.” Nezumi sighed as Shion was about to touch the boy’s back.

Shion squeaked, an odd sound considering his dark clothes and imposing scythe. He turned around, blushing. Since he was so pale, the blush was more prominent. Nezumi figured that the look suited him. He almost blushed at his own thoughts.

“N-N-Nezumi?” Shion gasped out.

He wasn’t a smooth taller when caught off-guard. Nezumi found he was cuter when he was caught off-guard. It reminded him of the day they first met during the summer solstice. Shion coughed again, looking away, “What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you.”

Saying that out loud almost made Nezumi blush. Almost. He looked away, failing to catch the shocked face of the God of Death. Nezumi sat down on the ground, watching Yudai turn a corner and meet with their significant other. Yudai laughed as his boyfriend held him up, twirling him in the air. Was that love?

He wasn’t twirling Shion in the air and vice-versa. They’d only had two kisses – the one Nezumi gave to Shion to try to heal him and the one Shion had given to him to display his affection. They weren’t quite the kisses Yudai gave to his boyfriend’s cheek or the one his boyfriend gave Yudai that left him breathless. It was different.

“Does romantic love vary depending on the people involved?” Nezumi questioned.

Shion blinked, glancing at the human and their boyfriend. He looked back at Nezumi, “Yes. Love isn’t just the cheesy kisses and sweet talk.”

“I see.”

Shion glanced at Nezumi again. What was he thinking about, asking these questions? Was he wondering about love? Was he comparing the love of a human to a love of a god? Shion crossed his arms, “Gods aren’t cute like humans are when they’re in love.”

“Oh?”

Shion nodded, “Humans have a short life. Death can happen anytime. So that’s why a lot of them love so much. Because they may never show it again tomorrow. Life could end without them knowing about it. As such, they express a lot of their love. Gods have all the time in the world.”

“Even so, we should pick up things from the humans.” Nezumi stated.

Shion frowned, “Huh?”

Nezumi stood up, “Mortem Shion, come with me to the heavens for the New Year’s Ball.”

Shion’s eyes widened, “The ball? They wouldn’t want me around there.”

“Who cares about the other deities? I want you there!” Nezumi said.

Shion felt his heart skip a beat. He was wanted by someone who was loved by everyone? He could’ve fainted then, but he didn’t want to repeat what had occurred in their first meeting. He took a deep breath, “Then I’ll go.”

Loved by the one everyone loved. Even if the whole world detested him, it was fine if he had the love of the person he cared for. It wasn’t love, not quite, but it was something weirdly similar.

Nezumi looked at the ground, “Okay, I’ll see you then.”

Nezumi was about to leave when an idea struck. He smirked, turning around. Shion was still rooted in his spot, looking unsure. He coughed, “Shion.”

When Shion looked up, Nezumi blew him a kiss. It was cheesy and corny and so embarrassing, but it was worth it when Shion turned really red. The God of Death turned around, “S-S-See you then!”

He jumped up and flew away. Nezumi would’ve laughed but he was too shocked at his own audacity. He yelled, covering his face. He was a crazy bastard! How was the God of Death into him?! He shook his head, “I should find suitable clothes for that day.”

The New Year Ball was a week away.

Shion and Nezumi were unsure if they really wanted to go.

“But didn’t you say he blew you a kiss? Isn’t that a good thing?”

“But he said he’d go, didn’t he?”

Safu and Inukashi were both done with their nervous wrecks of gods. Safu was more than willing to drag her dark master to the ball, regardless of the clothes he wore or the state of his mind. Inukashi would not hesitate to blackmail their master, as long as they went out and spent time with their beloved God of Death.

“You’re going to see him and that’s that!”

The day of the ball, Safu dragged Shion to Erebus and Chaos, who had volunteered to lend him their best robes to impress his God of Life. Erebus gave him weird tips as Chaos brushed his hair. Presentation was everything, after all.

Meanwhile, Inukashi had enlisted the help of several goddesses of beauty to fix Nezumi. Lord knew he didn’t care about his appearance and always had twigs stuck in his hair during functions. Nezumi complained about this new method of torture but Inukashi didn’t care. The god had to look good for the God of Death.

Shion was nervous to see Nezumi again. Nezumi was embarrassed to see Shion again. Thanks to their no-nonsense familiars and minor deities, the two looked proper and ready for the grand ball.

Shion and Safu entered the temple first, Safu holding one of their ravens. Shion was dressed in a dark suit while some of his white hair was brushed to the side. He also wore a long dark coat and he’d transformed his scythe into a cane. He looked elegant, a feat Safu was proud of. The other deities stared at him in fear, others mumbling. Shion wasn’t surprised. This was the first ball he was attending since he came to existence.

“Lord Mortem Shion, pleasure to see you around.” Night greeted. The easygoing god of light and opposite to his friend Erebus bowed, the only one showing him respect. He straightened himself, “What brings you around?”

“I was invited.”

“Oh? By who, my lord?”

“Oh my!”

“Lord Vitae Nezumi is here!”

Shion turned to see Nezumi entering the temple, goddesses fawning over him. Nezumi had his hair up, a contrast to the last time he’d seen the god in his human guise. In his ponytail, there was a single white rose. He was dressed in golden robes that looked similar to the robes Shion had seen him in the first time they saw each other. This time, however, there were dark designs that looked like vines. Beside him was a smug Inukashi, who looked proud that they had dragged their foolish god into the temple.

Nezumi looked around, finally spotting Shion. He waved goodbye to Inukashi and headed straight to Shion. He smiled, extending his hand, “Shall we go, Shion?”

Shion coughed, extending his hand and holding the warm hand of the God of Life. This caused the other deities to whisper amongst themselves. Night glanced at their joined hands and smiled, “You two look lovely together.”

“You’re okay with this?” Shion frowned, glancing at the God of Light.

Night shrugged, “Why not? You fit well and a balance works well with lovers. Not so much when they’re twins.” He glanced at Erebus, looking wistful. He bowed at both of them, “You two have my deepest blessings for your courtship.”

“W-w-we haven’t done something like that.” Shion blushed, looking down.

“Sure, dear.” Night said. He winked at Nezumi before walking away, leaving the two deities alone. The attention of the room was still on them, as the two Elder Gods Elyurias and Leixam had yet to arrive. They tightened their hands on each other, feeling a bit awkward in this place.

“I haven’t attended a ball in ages.” Shion admitted.

“Same here. I find them boring, filled with boring deities.” Nezumi admitted.

The two glanced at each other, unsure of what to say yet having a lot to say. Nezumi broke the ice, “Night’s blessings are important for a courtship. Pairings without his blessing are not meant to happen.”

“We’re not a pair yet. And I’m the one that started this one-sided courtship. You haven’t accepted yet.” Shion muttered, looking up at the ceiling. The temple was beautiful yet not as beautiful as the true form of the God of Life he liked. He supposed that was just fine.

“I haven’t?”

Shion nodded, “You haven’t.”

Nezumi was pensive before he brought their joined hands up in the air. Shion flinched as Nezumi yelled, “Deities of the Heavens, hear my voice!”

“What are you doing?!” Shion gasped out.

He knew what Nezumi was doing. He was not a fool. To accept a courtship between deities, a kiss was necessary to reciprocate. To make a courtship official, one had to announce to the deities in the heavens.

“Since the Summer Solstice, I have been in a one-sided Courtship. That ends today, in this grand celebration. I accept this Courtship!”

Shion couldn’t believe it. Nezumi was accepting his audacious proposal. Nezumi was comfortable about spending time with him, possibly be in a relationship with him. He heard claps and Safu yelled, “You got him, Lord Shion!”

“I-I-I.” Shion stuttered, staring at Nezumi. He was glad to see Nezumi was blushing just as badly as he was, but he was smiling. Was his heartbeat really loud right now? Could Nezumi hear it? How loud it was beating because he had accepted him? Did he know?

“This guy’s crazy about me and the feeling is mutual.” Nezumi said. He squeezed their hands – a warm hand and a cold hand balancing each other out.

“Congratulations!”

“You did it, my lord!”

“Kiss him, you dumb god!”

Nezumi brought their hands to his lips, kissing Shion’s fingers gently. Shion blushed as everyone cheered. Night, Chaos, Safu, Erebus and Nezumi’s familiar deity were chanting his name alongside Nezumi’s. Everyone was happy with this. He couldn’t believe it. The ones that had rejected him were okay with him taking their precious God of Life?

“You two are cute together!”

“May your ship sail well!”

Shion looked at Nezumi. Nezumi looked at him back. The world, for that moment, seemed to stop as they stared. Nezumi chuckled, “Shall we dance, Mortem Shion?”

This wasn’t quite love.

“It’ll be my honor, Vitae Nezumi.”

And yet it was love.

“May your relationship be blessed!” The crowd yelled as the two headed to the dancefloor. The goddesses of love and beauty were swooning, talking excitedly about the God of Life and God of Death, especially their weird pairing. The music began, the lone and strange pairing beginning the first dance of the ball.

This was the beginning of a love that survived through the ages.

My contribution to the No. 6 Valentine Zine. Another God AU for NezuShi cause I’m a sucker for it. The end of this love story, and its survival through the ages, is yet to be completed. Hope you enjoy! @restructuralcommittee

[restructuralcommittee]

The RestructuralCommittee is hosting a No. 6 Zine and button giveaway, which is also a Valentine’s fanwork contest! Because Valentine’s Day is coming up, and because it’s important to the story of No. 6, the theme of the contest is “types of kisses”. For example: a good night kiss, a goodbye kiss, a reunion kiss, an accidental kiss, a soft kiss, a silly kiss... let your imagination run wild! Everyone who participates has a chance of winning a prize.

The prizes:

GRAND PRIZE: Anyone who creates a fanwork following the contest’s theme and submits it to the RC blog before midnight on Valentine’s Day 2019 will be entered into a grand prize drawing for our last remaining paper copy of the No. 6 Zine ( @no6zine ). The winner will be randomly selected. If you already own a paper copy of the No. 6 Zine, we will send you all four No. 6 Zine buttons instead and choose a second winner for the grand prize.

JUDGES’ CHOICE: We will be giving away a complete set of 4 No. 6 Zine buttons designed by Ahikuboruchi and Bedwithpills to the person whose fanwork we think best fits the theme. We’re looking for works with creativity and care put into them. The winner will be chosen by the members of the RestructuralCommittee.

What kind of fanworks qualify?

Anything! We’re including fanart, fanfictions, edits/gifs, cosplays, moodboards, amvs, etc. Kisses do NOT have to be on the lips. Most parts of the body are fine, although please keep your works “safe for work” or PG rated.

How to submit your work:

First, make a post with your work and @ us on Tumblr, Twitter, OR Pillowfort. You can also tag it with #RCzinegiveaway. Then, email us a link to your post via restructuralcommitteeevents@gmail.com to make sure that we receive your entry, or submit it to us through our submit box.

[hi-im-secretly-satan]

The Taste of Salt (Living People are Warm)

Fandom: No.6 Pairing: Nezumi x Shion Word count: 2306 Warnings: Minor character death, parental death, scars Tags: Hurt/comfort, bittersweet fluff, body worshipping Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/17788664 Summary: After Karan's sudden death, Shion finds himself losing grasp of what it means to be alive and needs Nezumi to ground him. Notes: Written for the @restructuralcommittee ‘s Valentine’s contest with the theme “Types of Kisses”.

There are many different kinds of kisses, Shion learned.

Kisses his mother gave him when he visited her at the bakery or at home. Inukashi’s dogs that enthusiastically licked his hands whenever he ran into them at the marketplace. Little Shionn who padded up to him, begging to be lifted up high and messily bumping his puckered lips against Shion’s cheek.

Every kiss he gave and received was dear to him. But his favourite kisses were Nezumi’s. Fleeting kisses as he was stirring the pot on the stove. Lazy morning kisses over complaints about bad breath. Nezumi’s newly developed habit of taking his hand and kissing his knuckles. Kisses before bed and kisses before work. Kisses that made him dizzy and kisses that made him float.  He had never known there were so many different kisses, but now that he was familiar with them, he couldn’t get enough.

-

It was on a beautiful spring day that he discovered a new kind of kiss.

In hindsight, he doesn’t remember much about that week. There’s a vague lingering feeling of the phone slipping out of his hand when the staticky voice apologetically informed him of her condition. Of the rage burning in his veins when Nezumi had held him back as he blindly rushed into the traffic to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Of the numb days when they shouldered the heavy burden of preparing for the funeral. Of the emptiness scratching on his hollow insides as he watched the undertaker cover the coffin with dirt.

His most vivid memory was when they had returned from the cemetery. He had closed the blinds and retreated into their bedroom, closing himself off from the bright blue sky, from the sun smiling down at him, from the world that breathed and lived around him as if she hadn’t just cruelly embraced one of her children in her bosom.

Nezumi had left him to mourn, after having promised to come immediately if Shion called for him.

He didn’t.

-

As the sky outside slowly bled out and turned black, silence settled in their apartment like heavy, stifling blanket. When Shion still hadn’t come out hours after Nezumi had tried to coax him out for dinner, Nezumi grew worried. He was only too familiar to the extremities of Shion’s emotions and knew they were prone to be self-destructive. So he reheated the broth he had set aside for him and took the bowl to their bedroom.

When he knocked on the door, there came no reply. He stepped into the room and quietly drew up to the bed where Shion was buried under the blankets, staring at the wall and his pillow dark with stains. Cautiously, as if he could break him if he spoke too loudly, he said “I brought you some soup.”

It took Shion a moment to reply. “I’m not hungry.”

Nezumi watched him for a few seconds before placing the bowl on the nightstand and sitting down on the edge of their bed. He tentatively reached out and brushed his fingers through his pale, almost translucent hair. Shion inhaled sharply, as if he was broken out of a trance.

Still staring at the wall, he broke the silence. “Mom was so cold in the morgue.” His voice was frail, raw from crying. “I kissed her goodbye, but it didn’t feel like her. Mom is always so warm, but all that warmth was gone.”

Nezumi’s heart ached. Shion was supposed to be brimming with excitement, curiosity and fascination, spewing weird scientific facts at inappropriate moments. Not quiet and broken like this, with red rimmed eyes and tear streaks on his cheeks. “We look before and after, and pine for what is not,” he murmured, letting his hand travel a little lower. His thumb gently brushed over his red scar as he continued, “our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.”

Shion smiled faintly - Nezumi counted that as a small victory - and scooted a little closer.

“Percy Shelley?”

“Looks like someone has done his homework.”

They smiled at each other. It was a little easier to breathe now. Shion was quiet for a moment until he broke the silence again.

“Kiss me.”

Nezumi happily obeyed and leaned down, softly pressing his lips against Shion’s. It was as if this kiss restored some of the life the recent days had drained from him, as Shion eagerly mirrored the action, burying his hands in his inky hair, effectively messing up his ponytail. Nezumi hadn’t expected the force with which Shion responded and had to quickly catch himself on the bed by placing his hands next to Shion’s head. The taste of salt lingered on his lips. Shion broke away from the kiss and gazed up at him with damp eyes.

“Remember when we were twelve and you were having a fever from the gunshot wound?”

Nezumi felt a pang in his chest. Remember when? Of course he remembered. The memory had stuck with him no matter how much he had tried to push it away. It had kept him sane through the cold and lonely days in the library vault, a reminder that there were still good people out there, and the kindle for a silent determination to see that boy again; that weird, airheaded boy who had saved him against all odds. His hand found its way to Shion’s scar again and he traced the lines with his finger pads. “How could I forget?”

A tear rolled down Shion’s cheek. “You may not remember because you were about to succumb to your fever, but back then you said living people are warm.” He looked up at Nezumi and met his pained gaze, desperation and anguish making his red eyes seem even brighter than usual. “Prove it to me. I’m chilled to the bone, Nezumi. It’s like her cold has seeped into me. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be warm, to be alive, so please, kiss me and remind me I’m still alive.”

Nezumi’s heart both soared and ached. This was one of the many reasons why he loved Shion. In any other situation he would have teased him for saying something so embarrassing with a straight face, but now the only thing he wanted was to obey and love him as much as Shion would let him, as much as he needed him to.

He pressed his lips against Shion’s forehead and heard his breath hitch. “You’re alive, Shion,” he whispered. He kissed his temple, his cheek and tasted the tears that had started falling again. He wiped them away and rested his forehead against Shion's. “You're alive,” he repeated. “Feel the sorrow threatening to drag you under, the anger at life's unfairness; it's a sign that you're living.”

Shion sobbed. He reached up and took Nezumi's face in his hands. “Show me more,” he whispered.

Nezumi brushed his thumb over Shion’s lower lip before kissing him again, a silent promise that he would give everything Shion needed him to give. Gently pulling down Shion's hands from his face, he leaned back and tugged on the blanket Shion was still lying under. He got the hint and pushed them off. Once the blanket was out of the way, Nezumi climbed on top of him. His hand found Shion’s and they shared a loving look before Nezumi leaned down again and let his lips follow the trail of his scar, until it disappeared under the collar of his dress shirt. They hadn't changed out of their funeral clothes yet. Shion had crawled into bed the second he was alone, and Nezumi hadn’t entered the bedroom afterwards out of respect. He met Shion’s eyes. “Can I open this?” It was not something he usually asked, but he did not want to break this fragile moment by taking things to a place Shion wasn't prepared to go.

His worries were put at ease when Shion squeezed their joined hands and nodded. He started unbuttoning his shirt but found it was a pretty difficult task to do one-handed. As he slowly grew more frustrated, Shion let out a watery laugh and let go of Nezumi’s hand. Nezumi shot him a surly look but couldn’t help but grin as well. “Sorry about that,” he murmured as he undid the buttons, with two hands this time.

“It’s fine,” Shion replied fondly, watching as Nezumi undid the last button and pushed the fabric open. Nezumi’s eyes followed the red snake that slithered around his chest. He was no stranger to Shion’s naked body, but the beauty of it never failed to captivate him. Shion tugged on the hem of Nezumi’s shirt.

“You too.”

He looked up to see Shion watching him with intent. He smiled. Of course, it would only be fair. He sat up and undid his own shirt, feeling Shion’s gaze burn as slowly more and more was revealed until he shrugged the fabric off and he bared his own scars to the world. Shion stared at them and Nezumi could only guess what he was thinking. There was pain in his eyes, but also adoration. Shion reached up and hesitantly touched the mark the gunshot had left on his chest. Another trophy of having bested death. A souvenir of yet another time Shion had saved his life. He took Shion’s hand in his, intertwining their fingers, and kissed his knuckles before leaning down again, pressing their hands into the mattress. He brushed his lips over his forehead and wandered down to press kisses onto his pulse points - his temple, his jugular, the centre of his sternum - anywhere he could feel the blood coursing through his veins, the life flowing through him. He heard Shion inhale sharply and couldn’t help but smile. Leave it to Shion and his stupidly intelligent brain to notice details like these even in the middle of an emotional crisis. He pressed a final kiss to his chest before sitting up again.

Nezumi’s eyes flicked up to Shion’s before letting his finger pads trace the red snake that coiled around his body. Shion’s breath hitched at the touch.

“The first night you spent in the West Block,” Nezumi spoke, his touch never faltering and his gaze meeting Shion’s, “you had just survived No.6 hunting you down, only for a parasite wasp to hatch in your neck.” He felt Shion stiffen under his fingers but he didn’t look away from him. “You begged me to let you die but you survived. This scar is proof of your strength. You said you wanted to live, and you did. You’re strong, Shion.”

Shion’s adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed and another tear rolled down his cheek. He brought up his hand and bit the skin on the back of his hand to stifle a sob. Nezumi reached for that hand and gently pried it from his harmful teeth. He pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles before guiding it to his bared chest, right above his lungs. “Do you feel your chest rising and falling? Even now your lungs are circulating air through your body, giving you the breath of life.” He moved his hand a little to the right, hovering over his heart, and suddenly he was reminded of that moment in the vault, so many years ago. Shion had asked to know more about him and Nezumi had replied with a similar gesture, taking his hand and placing it on his chest, making him feel his heartbeat. Thus he asked the same question he had back then. “What do you feel?”

Shion seemed to notice the mirror to the past as well, if the widening of his eyes was anything to go by. “My heartbeat,” he replied with a quivering voice.

Nezumi smiled. “That’s right. You’re alive, and that’s all you need to know.”

Shion whimpered. He reached up to Nezumi and pulled him down, burying his face in his shoulder and letting his tears fall freely. “I love you,” he cried. “I love you, Nezumi.”

Nezumi circled his arms around him, his fingers in his hair and his arm around his waist, and guided their bodies to the side. He did not say anything, but he did not need to. He simply held Shion close as he rode through the waves of adoration and grief. When his sobs died down, Nezumi leaned back a bit and wiped the traces of his tears away. “You feeling okay?” He murmured. Shion sniffed and gave him a small smile. “Yeah.” He scooted up a little and rested his forehead against Nezumi’s. “Thank you.”

Nezumi hummed affirmatively and closed his eyes. They laid there for a while, tired and spent after the long week and exhaustion catching up to them. Right when Nezumi was content to let sleep drag him under, he was startled awake by a loud rumbling noise.

Shion flinched and blushed. “I’m sorry, I haven’t eaten since this morning.”

Nezumi reluctantly opened his eyes and lazily ran his fingers through Shion’s hair. “Go have the broth I brought you. It’ll be cold by now, but you’re a heathen so I’m sure you won’t mind.”

Shion laughed. “Not everyone likes their soup piping hot.”

Nezumi rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Just eat already.” He nudged his knee against Shion’s leg in an attempt to push him out of bed.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m on it.” He climbed over Nezumi to reach the bedside table bowl was standing on and settled against the headboard. As he ate the (exactly salty enough) broth and watched Nezumi dozing off next to him, he smiled. He was eternally grateful for that day he opened the window and let in the soggy wet rat.

No matter what life threw at them, they would make it through together.

[lookwrittenthings]

Minor Adjustments

Summary: Reunion came. Rituals, coffee, and late night walks. Written for RestructuralCommittee Valentine's day kiss contest. Woo!

2998 words Now on archive!

Here’s where I would put the fic if tumblr would let me, but it won’t, because tumblr’s an Actual Trainwreck.  Please view on archive.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17768063

[ruetherae]

Finally back to drawing a bit! Some Nezushi right before Valentine’s ❤️

@restructuralcommittee

[luchajie]

our valentine’s kiss went a little like this — no.6 nezumi/shion

@restructuralcommittee Valentine’s Kiss Contest “romantic failure kiss”

Nezumi yawns loudly and unabashedly as he entered the bakery, the soft chime of the bell announcing his arrival. Stretching his arms above his head to rest one upon the other, he feels his back crack pleasantly as he breathes in the smell of melting chocolate and the leftover crisp bite of February’s wind.

“You remind me of a cat.”

Nezumi smiles and lazily opens an eye to look at Shion. He’s wearing a worn looking apron over his hips and has his elbows on the countertop, propping his face gently as he smiles at Nezumi.

“Hey. You came back.”

“Yeah,” Nezumi answers, warmth bubbling in his chest, “and who is a cat here, you’re the one lazing about. Move it,” he snips and hops onto a tall swivel stool in a fluid and smooth motion and then he’s looking at the top of Shion’s feathery hair. He leans forward, pulling up his chin and kisses Shion’s forehead briefly before letting go and swirling around playfully.

Shion laughs and it’s how Nezumi knows it was okay.

“We’re making chocolate croissants,” Shion says breathlessly like it’s a secret only for him to know and he takes a small windup timer off the shelf to set 20 minutes. Nezumi watches him move through the kitchen contentedly, his face and folded arms resting on his propped up knee. It was somehow so very soothing and kind to see someone go through methodical movements. Each movement was somehow predictable but also natural like listening to a pianist improvise.

Shion is his music.

Smiling privately at the thought, Nezumi cries a little on the inside at the dopey expression he knew Shion would have if he had the chance to catch and pursue the little smile.

It takes the radio blaring it’s jazzy romance songs eight songs in a row and noticing four sets of people sitting too close together as they eat their lunch before Nezumi remembers. Oh, it’s Valentine’s Day today, wasn’t it ?

His eyes flickered over to Shion, who was humming the latest moody love song, mood jubilant and almost bouncing on his toes as he iced buttercream onto cupcakes. Today was a romantic day… so he ought to do something special for him… shouldn't he ?

“Shion, dear, thank you for helping,” Karan calls and Nezumi glances to the back where he spots the brown hair peeking from behind the stock room door. “Take a break alright ? Don’t keep Nezumi waiting now.”

“Are you sure Mom ? I’m sure Nezumi won’t mind me helping a bit more,” Shion calls back but he’s already wiping his hands off on the old apron and reaching for the ties.

“Positive,” Karan says, voice bemused because Nezumi had reached over the countertop to grab Shion’s collar, pulling him close and staring at his eyes. Shion seemed to hold his breath, expectant and excited. He smirked at how far Shion had to lean for him and released his collar slowly, pulling the loosened apron off before innocently folding it neatly in his lap.

He waits.

Karan laughs for Nezumi when Shion makes a noise of disappointed indignation.

“Happy Valentine’s Karan,” Nezumi says and blows a kiss towards the storage and Karan waves it off. “Give those to my son, he’s been hopi-”

“We’re going Mom !” Shion shouts and grabs Nezumi’s hand, dragging him to stand by an empty table, out of sight of the storefront.

“Nezumi…,” Shion whines a bit and Nezumi just grabs his other hand in his to bring both up to his cheeks; Shion’s hands cupped his face and he mock pouted. “Sorry little prince.”

They’re both breathing hard despite not having done anything physically demanding. It was the sheer exhilarating happiness they both felt in the presence of the other.

Smiling, Shion’s thumb brushed hesitantly over Nezumi’s cheekbone, like he was delicate. He was breathing hard and staring. Staring at Nezumi’s lips. He glanced up to meet Nezumi’s intense gray eyes, bright and arrogantly pleased.

Shion rose to the tips of his toes, watching Nezumi’s face carefully. His breath was caught in his chest, a too full balloon waiting, waiting, waiting…

Feeling quite benevolent, Nezumi leaned down and closed his eyes, expectantly much like Shion moments before.

Shion slid his hands down from Nezumi’s cheeks to wrap around the waist and Nezumi’s hands settled on his upper arms.

He dips Nezumi. Like dancing, reaching for his lips.

Unfortunately, Nezumi was too solidly planted on this planet apparently to be moved and his eyes snap open in alarm and he instinctively clutches Shion to his chest, not realizing Shion was still attempting to make his grand romantic gesture.

Their combined weight was enough to tip them both onto the floor hard, both screeching.

“!&$#*@? - what !?”

“AAAAAAAHHHHH !!!!”

Shion lands onto Nezumi, holding tight and his clasped hands take the brunt of the fall.

“Eunnghhh-ahh !” Is punched out out him.

Nezumi immediately rolls them to the side and reaches for his hands, pulling them up to be examined.

“Are you alright ?” He asks, voice urgent with the steely edge of panic.

Shion reaches up to touch his cheek and his mouth stammers, “I’m fine, I’m fine ! Sorry, I’m sorry, that was a bad idea… I was trying to be cool, romantic and oh, I don’t know, I failed quite miserably but I…”

He trails off and realized that Nezumi was shaking.

In laughter.

“So lame, Your Majesty,” he chokes out and Shion is offended for a blink and then they’re both laughing, on the floor of the bakery, clutching each other in silly and giddy happiness.

“Let’s properly kiss. No theatrics,” Nezumi says and Shion nods and they kiss, small brushes and small packets of glee, kissing curled up on the floor, hidden from the bustle of the customers ordering, the reel of the old cash register as it spat out the cash drawer.

And the wind that blew in when the bell chimed the next time was warm, for February.

“BOYS ? Are you two okay ? Do I need to get in there ?”

“We’re good, Mama. Shion decided to be suave. It was very charming.”

fin

ao3

[throughoutthestars]

this time we’ll be happy for @restructuralcommittee

This Sweet Love - James Yuill || The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us! - Sufjan Stevens || Elation - Isbells || Stay - Hurts || Somewhere Only We Know - Keane || Perpetuum Mobile - The Penguin Cafe Orchestra || Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest || Let’s Play Birds - Fismoll || Stay Alive - Jose Gonzalez || Summer Skin - DCFC

[restructuralcommittee]

Kiss contest & zine giveaway results!

The winner of our grand prize drawing for the last remaining copy of the No. 6 Zine is...

@hi-im-secretly-satan​ ! Congratulations!

We chose this winner randomly, using an online random number generator.

The person who was the judge’s choice, who for their creative interpretation of the contest’s theme won a set of all four buttons designed by the No. 6 Zine artists, is...

@ash-the-ketchup​ ! We love your adorable plushies, which have so much care and detail put into them. Your entry incorporates cosplay, photography, and crafting all in one, which is very impressive and original. Congratulations!

Ash and Ace, please DM us your addresses asap so we can send you your prizes.

Lastly, the committee would like to give an honourable mention to the other participants whose works we considered for the judge’s choice, @hi-im-secretly-satan​ and @secretagentfan​. Your fics were both very well written, explored the theme in multiple ways at once, and stirred many emotions in the judges’ hearts.

To everyone else: thank you so much for participating. We adored going over each and every entry, and we’re always humbled by your creativity, enthusiasm, and devotion to No. 6. To everyone who has been following the contest, we urge you to check out the works by all 13 people who participated, which we have reblogged to the RC blog already - each and every one of them is a fantastic example of this fandom’s creativity and enthusiasm.

[restructuralcommittee]

Don’t Forget!

All entries to the No.6 Valentines Day Kiss Contest are due today! 

[restructuralcommittee]

Here is @broccellati on twitter’s entry for the Valentine’s Kiss Contest and No.6 Zine Giveaway! Check out their art on twitter!