#alt ending: then she pushes the beds so they're together

[taoofshigeru]

Zelink fic where there is only one bed.

>Zelda just spawns a second bed.

~The end~

[kenphobia]

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE!

"Y'know, like a liar."

alt title. i have a degree in emotional baggage

summary. when you become friends with Ai for so long, the line blurs between camaraderie and romantic interest. ( 1.2k words / drabble / see end notes )

contents. gn!reader (they/them prms used), angst, hurt no comfort, canonical character death, not proofread. this will be turned into a series

on ao3 . on wattpad .

If anyone asked (Name) if they know who Ai Hoshino is, they'd instantly say no.

Lying had always been one of their many abilities, even so to the point they can keep their entire life under wraps. Not even their own boss, Strawberry Productions' president, know a whole lot about them other than what's said on their résumé.

Was it to protect themself? Was it to convince people to like them? They weren't sure anymore. They had kept up this act for as long as they remembered, and so long that they forgot what they were doing this for. It goes to show just how much effort (Name) had put into their lies, building excuses and reasons on top of each other, only for it to come crashing down because of another liar. And that liar happened to Ai Hoshino, the very idol herself.

At first glance, you wouldn't expect a star sensation like Ai becoming close friends with nearly faceless NPC. But life loves to deceive and bend standard societial 'rules'.

Almost every single day, Ai and (Name) are stuck by each other's metaphorical hips. The little winks Ai sends to the camera when she knows they're watching; the sudden boost of happiness and motivation sparkling in the girl's being whenever (Name) comes to her concerts, no matter how small and cramped the venue may be.

(Name) puts all their damn hardest into their friendship as well. After all, for Ai, they're willing to do anything just to make her smile. Even if it meant risking their job position to ensure Ai continues to shine brighter tham ever, smiling without a care of the world. Bentos after bentos, all packed and meticulously put together in a cutesy manner; Constant texts and phone calls, reminding Ai to take care of herself and stay always alert of her surroundings— They did everything to let Ai know that they consider her as a friend, not just a one-time co-worker.

They were friends, and they always will be no matter what happens. So when Ai called (Name) over to a rural little town, they didn't expect that the said idol was pregnant.

"Promise me, (Name). You won't tell this to anybody." The president, Ichigo, begged and grasped their shoulders. But (Name) quickly pushed his hands away, muttering curses underneath their breath.

"I promised like... What? fifteen times? I'm not some lousy mole rat that's going to snitch on their bestest friend." (Name) rolled their eyes, eyes glancing through the door's small window. Though it was frosted glass, they could clearly see Ai relaxing in her bed and caressing her belly.

"But still..." Ichigo bit his bottom lip. "Fine, I trust you. But you better not break this trust or else."

"I know, boss." (Name) merely mumbled. They turned away and held the door handle, readying themself to meet Ai's ever so starry gaze. "I know."

And when you stepped inside, Ai suddenly went into labor.

It's been years ever since Ai gave birth to the twins, Aquamarine and Ruby. And being Ai's best friend comes with a cost, and that was becoming her kids' babysitter. (Name) had little to no complaints about this, knowing full well how hard parenting is (I mean, look how they turned out—their mother completely gave up on them), but their co-babysitter, Miyako had some.

But it was nothing that couldn't be fix with a little bit of elbow gease and a lot of convincing. The four of them managed to pull it off fairly well and not a single peep about Ai's kids came out to the public.

Speaking of the kids...

"Aqua, Ruby. it's time to sleep." (Name) groaned for the seventh time, rubbing their numbing face. Though they called out for the blonde-haired babs, they wouldn't get away from the TV and continued to watching their dazzling mother perform on stage. "You know this is recorded and you can watch it tomorrow, right?"

Ruby whined. "But watching it live is so much better!! It feels like you're actually there!"

"Still though... Your mom's gonna be mad at me if she finds out that I've been letting you two stay up past your bedtime." (Name) shook your head.

"Just one more! And we promise we will sleep!" Ruby pleaded whilst Aqua didn't bother looking away from the screen, too mesmerized by the flashing colors on screen.

"... Fine. But you two better sleep or I swear—"

"We will!"

They, in fact, did not sleep after that. And rather Ai, it was Miyako scolding (Name) for letting the kids be awake at such hours. But at least, the pop sensation found the entire situation amusing rather than being angry at them.

Through it all, (Name) had been with Ai. Never as friends, but not quite like lovers either. They both know that it wouldn't end well for them, but there's a scratching hand in the back of their mind— a whisper, a dream of a time where they could kiss each other on the lips as free as they'd like without the public caring. But they knew it'll never happen.

The closest thing (Name) and Ai ever had to a romantic interaction was a simple brush of a hand; a hug that lasted far too long to be seen as platonic; the longing looks they gave each other when the other was sleeping. And it was never more than that.

And there will come a time where they'll regret about it all. A time where we'll regret keeping those feelings to themselves, no matter how confusing it is, the shame and sorrow of not being able to truly be honest to yourself will eat you up til your last, dying breath.

Ai sat there, clutching Aqua in her bloodied hands and feeling her pulse slipping from her grasps. "Aqua, Ruby... I love you." She whispered, loud enough for the twins to hear as she pressed her head on the door.

"Finally... I got to say it. I'm... I'm so happy." The idol cried out, forcing a smile to etch her features. The blood bled heavily and through her clothes, her eyes glossy and dazed from the tears and soreness.

Ai's smile flattered. If only she could say the same to (Name), If only they were here holding her dying body in their arms. But that would be too cruel of a wish, wouldn't it?

She chuckled, pushing herself up against the door with the little strength she had left, still cradling Aqua in her arms. As she said her final words, her body went limp. Her pulse slowly, painfully slipped away.

Nothing good happened after (Name) heard about Ai's death. With guilt, anger and remorse overwhelming their heart, they locked themself in their room for hours without end and buried themself under the blankets for a long time. All those years, they had grown accustomed to the blinding light of a computer screen and the smell of rot filling their room like Kudzu.

But they can't keep living like that forever, no, Miyako wouldn't let them. As well as the twins (although it's mostly Ruby would wants to help them, Aqua is still deep in murder mode). In the end, they pushed onwards for a better future. But they don't know if they could even call it a 'better future' when Ai isn't around anymore.

So if anyone asked (Name) if they knew who Ai Hoshino is, they'd instantly say no. Because if they did acknowledge whatever relationship they had with the late idol, they don't know if their heart could handle the emotional baggage all over again.

notes. after 8 days, i finally posted this onto tumblr!! this probs won't get as much as attention since the oshi no ko fandom here on tumblr is really really lowkey but to whoever picks this up, i hope you enjoyed this :]

i wrote this after finishimg the anime (i think they released a new episode on the streaming website im using), so it might not match with some manga lore. i really tried to protray Ai in the best way and hope that i didn't butcher up her character <//3

requests are always open and i'll be adding new fandoms to my list, oshi no ko included!

[cypanache]

4, 7, 12, 13, 22, and 27 of the ship ask game (because these were too cute and i couldn’t pick between them) for obidala. :)

Yay new ship asks! I’ve been working on Trap and they’ve been so cute in this section. So I will continue answering on behalf of that version. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to imagine more of their alt-happy ending before I have to break them:

4. What’s their favorite sleeping/cuddling positions? Padme is the big spoon. I mentioned this in the last post but by the time they get together Obi-Wan has almost died one to many times for her comfort. So she likes to shelter him with her entire body. And woebetide anyone who tries to get through.

7. Who is the more romantic one? They are each fairly romantic in entirely different ways. Obi-Wan is thoughtful and service oriented. He knows exactly what’s going on with Padme and when she’s been pushing herself to hard. He’s always the one to get her to step away. He’ll draw her a bath, bring her tea, rub her feet. Little things in the ordinary course of their days. Padme is all about the gesture. She’s preoccupied most of the time and she knows it. But she also never wants Obi-wan to doubt how wanted he is. So she goes big and difficult. A rare force text she had to negotiate two treaties just to purchase. Nine kinds of tea from across the galaxy which may have required reopening a trade route. She wants him to know it took effort so he’ll understand how worth the trouble she finds him.

12. Who gets up the earliest? Who has the worst sleep schedule? Who is the sleepiest?

Obi-Wan gets up earliest to meditate but then he’ll slip back in bed afterwards to spend it cuddled up with Padme. Padme cannot stand to stay in bed once she’s awake. So she’s usually the first one fully up. Padme had the worst sleep schedule after years of flipping back and forth between Coruscant and Naboo plus all those political gatherings. Neither of them are particularly 'sleepy' people. Though Obi-Wan can sleep literally anywhere, and Padme despises him for it. On the other hand Obi-Wan had basically crossed over into a state of exhaustion so deep he didn't recognize it for what it was until he started to come out of it. So Padme's murderous impulses whenever she sees him sleeping while she's still trying to get comfortable and turn her brain off are usually tempered by this wash of gratitude that he's finally getting some rest, and everyone stays safe.

13. What’s their opinions on PDA?

They are very much in favor of it. They just are very bad at it. Like seriously these two waited so long to just really touch each other with any sort of intent, that everything feels like PDA to them. (They're also very good at intense eye sex, and explicit silences, or the ever popular 'not safe for work' touch that doesn't actually happen). They'll go to parties and Obi-Wan will put his hand on her low back for like five seconds, and this is basically foreplay. Padme will apologize profusely to her friend later for them being so obnoxiously handsy . . . her friend will just look at her like she's insane.

22. How do they apologize after arguments?

Mostly they don't, simply because while they're both passionate and resolute in argument, they're not cruel. Neither one of them are the type to lash out with the specific intention to hurt and both of them can take a hit. So even when their arguments get heated, they usually are doing so from a place of respect for the other and they can see that. They're both confident enough in who they are as people to accept that they will not always agree and handle that.

But in the rare cases emotions run high enough that they need to step away and come back they're pretty matter of fact about it. No gestures or gifts, just a simple sincere apology and being prepared to listen to the other.

27. Who would propose? What would their wedding be like?

Obi-Wan does. Padme wanted to. Almost did about ten times and stopped herself out of a desire to respect any lingering qualms he might have from his Jedi upbringing. Then one evening Obi-Wan's watching her get ready for bed and he just asks, almost shyly "Would you ever consider marrying me?" Padme nearly falls out her chair at the realization that she's gone and fallen in love with such an idiot.

There is the wedding Padme plans and the wedding they actually have. Padme plans the most elaborate damn wedding Naboo has ever seen. It is the galactic event of the year. She intends to invite the entire order, and the gungans, most of the senate (not Palpatine). Every handmaiden who has ever stood with her will give her away. She has four wardrobe changes and they all mean something. People are going to remember and know that she went married this Jedi. He's hers.

The wedding they actually have after she sees the look of unmitigated horror in Obi-Wan's eyes when he sees the sketches. Is cliffside in the palace gardens where she sat with him after Qui-Gon died. The council does attend, as well as Anakin, and all of Padme's handmaidens. Bail and Mon come but she leaves the rest of the senate off. She's flexible and willing to compromise while she keeps working on his aversion to spectacle (she's seen him fight, there's a showman in there somewhere she knows it). And she plans on there being many many many anniversaries to work with in the future.