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timahina · 7 years ago

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Seasons

A new show meant opportunities for young actors - especially ones like Akaba Ray and Zarc. Too bad they hate each other.

Actor AU

Day 2 - Seasons

AO3

The newest show from Director Hiragi Shuzou and Studio YouShow had caused excitement amongst audiences – although little was released regarding information. A four-part love drama with a different couple every part which at first glance, didn’t sound put together in the slightest. It sounded more random than anything else and producers were weary of touching the project, hence the meeting of the project pitch.

“Are… are you certain about that?” One of the producers said, a concern in his voice as Shuzou continued to present the script.

“Yes! Now, listen! Yes, it’s a four-part drama and yes, it’ll have different characters in each part – however-”

“It sounds like a disaster.” As the words left his mouth, Shuzou hipped out a paper fan and smacked the producer on the head.

Clearly, frustration was building. “Let me finish.” His voice was stern and with a heavy sigh, he put the fan down and took a seat back across the table from the producer. “The twist however, is that for the main couple in every part – I want them to be played by the same actors.” That seemed to wake up the producer slightly, giving Shuzou fuel to continue on as the skeptical gaze had lessened. “Alright so, the point of every couple is to have them be kinda like a season. Fall is the beginning of the end-”

“Oh! A couple in turmoil?”

“Yes! And winter is sadness and all that good turmoil.”

“And spring is rebirth-”

“-and summer is the growth and peak! Yes, you get it!” Shuzou was feeling a surge of pride coursing through his blood – it was often how he felt during a more… successful pitch meeting. “I’m thinking for some side characters, we get some really acclaimed actors like uh…” He put his finger to his mouth, looking deep in thought as he got up and paced around the room. “Oh, like maybe Jack Atlas or Kurosaki Shun – we’ll need a good budget for this, I’m thinking of really scenic locations and…” Shuzou paused for a moment, seeing the trust leave the producer’s face. A bit of worry was flooding.

What was the problem now?

“While… who you got in mind for the leads?”

Oh… right… the leads. He hadn’t put any thought into who they could be played by. He was too busy thinking of locations and side actors and scripts that… right, the lead actors. “Uh… someone with… incredible acting skills and…!” He practically fell into the chair, he hadn’t put any thought into the mains.

The producer tapped the table with a pen, the noise echoing throughout the room with how quiet they had both become. It was rare for Hiragi Shuzou to be quiet, especially about a project he was apparently so excited for. He’d definitely bit the bullet on this one.

“Wait! How about unknowns!” His attitude suddenly perked up and he launched himself forward. “Relatively unknown actors can bring life to the roles that big names can’t because – well lets face, when you see a popular face, that’s all you’re seeing.” That and Shuzou wanted his characters to shine through rather than it being driven by popularity of a big name.

The only problem was to find the unknown actors to pull off multiple roles as well as have charisma and chemistry with one another, building a fanbase and bringing his characters to life.

“I think I know a few names.”

---

Zarc was racing down the street, pushing past the morning crowd for the subway. It had to be today that his parents wanted chores done and now he was stuck on a tight schedule and he wasn’t even sure if he’d make it on time. But like hell Zarc would give up a role just because a few kids stood in his way. “Hold the train!” He yelled, frantically jumping over the suitcases and pushed through the slowly closing doors of the subway train.

He squeezed through, right before the doors shut and tripped over the cluttered front and collapsed on another passenger. It was a sight that was familiar to the train, a daily occurrence where a clumsy passenger just didn’t have the ease of making it in with grace. Zarc had always thought it was worth a snort, just a funny sight in the early morning but not today – not when it was him at the butt of the joke.

Zarc yelped, pushing himself off the passenger that he just realized was a woman and frantically began apologizing – making sure his hands were far away and on nothing that could be squeezed. “Ah, fuck! I am so sorry! It’s just I’m really late for this job and…!” He stopped, voice trailing away as he watched the woman rub the back of her head. This wasn’t a stranger and Zarc immediately grimaced. The way she was wiping her dress, smoothing out all the wrinkles and tidying up her red hair – as though his touch was a blemish. Of course, he’d run into… her.

“Ugh, you’re a clumsy oaf.”

Akaba Ray.

Actress extraordinaire… god, I can almost hear her condescending ass tone…

He huffed, talking hold of a hook overhead to hold onto as the train began moving. Zarc didn’t want to talk to her, he really didn’t. But it was interesting to see her in the same place as him. For a… different reason. “… why you on the subway? Did Daddy’s fancy car get a stain and ya can’t drive it now?”

She snorted, rolling her eyes at his ridiculous question. It seemed every bump had them moving slowly away from the other. Ray wouldn’t complain about that, the more distance the better. “You would ask such a benign question.”

“Benign? Oh, we’re pulling out the fancy words now, eh Princess?”

“It means-”

“I know what it means.” He cut her off, his cheeks slightly reddened from embarrassment at her insinuation that he didn’t understand. She was so damn condescending all the time. But it wasn’t that he hated her or that they didn’t get along for petty reasons or anything of the sort – no, not at all.

Zarc just thought she needed to get the coal that was shoved up her asshole out already, so she can brag about how she shits diamonds along with her many other grossly exaggerated talents and ability to make the air around her ten degrees colder from her bitch-ass attitude. But he wasn’t one to judge, oh no.

Ray’s leg was bouncing up and down, her anxiety coursing through every little bit of her. It was aggravating to take the train and it wasn’t exactly a decision she wanted to make. Zarc had joked about her fancy car and whatnot, but his joke and the truth had about a five percent correlation. There was a bit of a decision about her father but that… was about it. But that was so like him. She always knew the most insecure ones projected the most heavily and clearly, that was all Zarc did – constantly harass her over literally nothing except that she was better off financially than him. That’s how every interaction went, how else was she supposed to respond to such a rude manner?

And that’s all that was there – she’d respect him better as a person if he wasn’t an insecure dumpster fire of a person but that was the position he decided to take. “So what’s that… thing you have to get done?” It was too awkward to just stand near him and feel the tension build up between them. She’d hate herself for it later for talking to him but her curiosity needed to be sated.

“… stuff. You?”

“Same.”

“Hm.”

This was probably the best interaction either of them ever had together. Just moving slowly away from each other and barely speaking to each other. A saving grace - more people entered the train and they were pushed further apart, others standing in between them and by the next stop, they were nowhere near the other. Neither of them would complain about this development. She merely put her earbuds in and he was immersed in his phone and gradually, they both forgot the other was there.

That was… until the next stop came up and they had to fight through the crowd once more to get off the train, once again bumping into each other.

“Do you mind?” Ray shoved him away and huffed. “Stop touching me.”

Zarc rolled his eyes. “You don’t got enough money in the world, Princess.”

“Stop calling me that!” She groaned loudly, pushing her bag up and practically stomping away. It was always irritating to bump into him. and she found it… odd, to say the least that she had bumped into him on the train at all. The odds that they got off at the same exit frightened her. He said he was late for a job – though she could only imagine what sort of low talent role would require the – for lack of a better word, skills of an actor like him? But still, it was a strange coincidence that he was late for a job and she also… was running late for a job as well.

Ray shook her head, she couldn’t think about that. No, instead she opted to take another route. Sure, it’d be the long way around but… but she needed to get away from the idea that her and Zarc were heading toward the same job… no, not at all.

---

Zarc was trying to dissociate from his surroundings. No, he wouldn’t let Queen Bitch Akaba Ray distract him from his current state of mind. No, he had to get this job! There were no if, ands or buts about it! He took a deep breath before bolting, realizing how late it had gotten. Being fashionably late was no excuse and that just meant the next sucker in line would get the job rather than him.

He wanted this, more than anything. The opportunity to play in a drama opened up doors and opportunities for popularity and other roles. No matter how convoluted the script sounded – Director Hiragi was known for those kinds of convoluted stories. Whether they were a success or failure, they had left an impression upon the critics and that alone would give him recognition. And he was asked directly for this role… he couldn’t pass this up.

No, he had to push through and strain his legs to go faster and get this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Zarc stopped momentarily at a large and vibrant building, Studio YouShow in all its glory. He put his hands on his knees, panting heavily and trying his best to catch his breath. Before the interview, he didn’t want too look desperate and needy. No, he needed to be cool and smooth and collected. He took a deep breath, fixing his hair to make it look less like he ran through a tornado.

The walk inside was so nerve-wrecking, almost long and felt like bricks were tied to his ankles as he reached the front desk. “Hi, uh – I have an appointment with Director Shuzou and-”

“I have an appointment with Director Shuzou, what floor would he be on?”

Zarc was practically taken aback by the sudden new voice and felt his stomach clench in utter pain. Was… he didn’t want to turn around and have it confirmed that it was indeed… Akaba Ray.

“Manners must be new for you, huh?”

Ray clenched her teeth, putting on her best fake smile. Damn it, damn it, damn it! She wanted to scream and march out of there immediately. It was Zarc… yup, he was there with her. She… could cry. Her suspicions were indeed confirmed.

The secretary hardly looked fazed by the two of them. “Yea, the 10th floor.” She passed up two passes for the both of them. “You’ll need clearance to get through but those will clear you.”

Zarc and Ray both took their passes and with a somewhat, haughty air – Zarc wrapped his arm around Ray’s shoulder and pulled her close as they entered an elevator. “Riddle me this Princess, why are you here?”

It was annoying to have him touching her… again. She turned her gaze away, her eyes trying not to meet his. “… just getting a job.”

Oh, she must’ve been getting a job for a drama like him. Studio YouShow produced many dramas and it was just a coincidence that two actors had appeared to have a interview with Director Shuzou who was rumored to be having a new romance drama in the works and… the worst scenario entered his mind.

They weren’t… no way!

Zarc pulled her closer. “Did… did you get a call too?”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t figured it out?”

“… goddamn it.” Zarc removed his arm from her shoulder and watched the levels of the floor go up. He didn’t want to think about it. Neither did she. And it was a silent agreement between them, finally at last.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, a guard was already next to the elevator and both Zarc and Ray raised up their passes. He moved aside and both of them left the elevator. “Ok, Ray – look. Uh… clearly we are… gonna be working together.”

“… yea, sadly.”

It was time to be mature about this.

That was the only way.

Zarc and Ray couldn’t stand the other, at least not for a long period of time and maybe… maybe it wouldn’t be too terrible, and their parts would be small. It was before. So maybe… it was possible.

They hoped.

Ray held out her hand, sighing heavily and Zarc gritted his teeth, taking her hand in his. They could put up a relatively good performance about getting along. It worked before…

They entered the workroom, waving and sporting bright smiles on their faces. Director Shuzou was sitting relaxed on top of his desk and dressed casually in a tracksuit. He didn’t have the appearance of a professional and acclaimed director but he was easy to work with and that was all that mattered. He could show up to work in a thong and neither of them would complain.

“Ah! Look at that! Coming in together and holding hands!”

Zarc pulled her close, trying not to recoil.

“Like bosom buddies, it’s completely adorable! The picture-perfect couple!”

Ray wanted to die and felt her skin completely crawl… it was always like this. She hated working with Zarc for this reason. A rarity they discovered on the first drama they worked together; a side couple and the director and producers did nothing but rave about how natural their chemistry was, how easily they meshed well and behind the camera, stole the show and were captivating.

It took them about a full work day to realize they couldn’t stand the other but far be it from them to ruin the illusion of how wonderful they work together. For a little white lie and to maintain an image… they could… pretend that they liked each other.

After all, it was for a two-bit role, right?

Shuzou looked like he was ready to cry – he definitely wasn’t afraid to show off his excitement. “I can easily picture the two of you as my leads!”

“… the what?”

Their faces dropped.

“My leads! You’ll each have four roles, a different one for each season. I only handed you scripts for the first part and we’re still working out the kinks for the rest of the story. If ‘Fall’ goes well, then we’ll do the other parts too.” Shuzou rambled on, both could hardly pay attention. They had yet to get past leads. “I’ve seen a few of your works and I think both of you are incredible! I was really adamant about unknowns being the main characters and neither of you are big names – no offense.”

“None taken…” Ray muttered, her hand clutching tighter onto Zarc.

“For the first part, you’ll both be playing Kurosaki Ruri, a young shrine maiden whose fearful of the outside world and the unknown – Ray, that’s you. And Zarc, you’ll be Yuto, a misfit kind of boy dreaming of leaving the small town which drives the conflict between you two and tears apart your pure love.”

Pure love…

They could vomit.

But… lead roles. Lead roles in a drama meaning…

He said they were perfect. And maybe…

No, they had to suck it up. It was for the good of their careers. Ray pulled on Zarc’s hand, forcing his arm against her chest as she held him. “We’d love to! Zarc, sweetheart – isn’t that great?!” Ray could already relate to the character of Kurosaki Ruri. She too was terrified of the unknown, of turning down this job and how that could put a complete stop in her career.

“… it’s wonderful, babe.”

He was not prepared for this drama, not prepared to play the lovesick fool of Yuto, torn between a better life and his great love. Zarc could relate… it was either his career or his dignity and honestly, the paycheck was necessary.

#genesishipping #zarcray #zarcray week #arc v #zarc #shuzou hiragi #ray akaba #mine #my fics #actor au

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merryfortune · 3 years ago

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Covenant of the Gold Spinner

Written for 100ships On Dreamwidth

Prompt #100 Gold

Ship: Classicalshipping | Reiji/Yuzu

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V

Word Count: 4,477

Rating: T

Warnings: No Warnings Apply

Tags: Alternate Universe - Rumplestiltskin, Minor or Implied Yuri/Yuzu

Yuzu was getting the distinct impression that it was possible that her father loved her too much. She loved her Father dearly but this was just too much, too big of a lie.

Yuzu’s Father was a miller by trade and by hobby, quite the talker. However, no one would say that Shuzou had the gift of the gab. He just talked and talked and talked, to whoever would listen. He would talk to the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees. Sometimes he would even get lucky and talk to the other folk of the town but usually he didn’t talk of anything of consequence but the rumour that he had inadvertently started was most certainly of consequence.

He had started a rumour that his darling daughter had quite the prodigious talent: she could spin straw into gold.

Now this was most certainly not a skill that Yuzu possessed. She was quite certain that it was a skill that no one possessed. Not that it mattered much. The rumour had most certainly gotten around and with such a shiny ring to it such as that, it had caught the interest of one of the four princes of the land, the youngest of the four and the one with the worst reputation.

Shuzou could hardly believe his eyes when Prince Yuri turned up on his doorstep, inquiring about Yuzu’s talents. There was a shine of greed to his pink-coloured eyes and he was promising great things for Yuzu should she allow herself to be borrowed by him.

“I desire to see Yuzu’s talents in person, I have a room prepared for her at my estate where she can spin to her heart’s content with your permission and I can promise you, her worth to the kingdom could have great rewards for you.” Yuri spoke. His voice was like silk but Yuzu was certain it was hiding poison.

She tugged on her Father’s sleeve in protest but Shuzou dismissed her, waving her off and grinning, he was too good natured to realise that there was something awry with the young prince. He was too proud of his daughter’s merit, as imagined as it was, that he wanted Yuzu recognised on the grandest stage of royalty - and his old mill could use some repairs so perhaps the prince could have that afforded.

So, Shuzou agreed. He let Prince Yuri whisk Yuzu away without another word. Though her Father did bid her goodbye at the top of his voice, his hand flying through the air with his proud farewells, he had no idea what was in store for Yuzu as soon as she was pulled out from behind the threshold of their house. She was bundled up like hay and packed into a palanquin, taken to the palace where there was, indeed, a room prepared for her. Yuzu was shoved into it, her head still whirling with how she had been stolen away from her home and her father in the brink of an eye.

The room that had been prepared for her was eerily luxe. It was neat and pretty, with rich coloured wooden floors and pale coloured walls that had no windows. It reminded Yuzu of an inn but it had nowhere to rest save the floor. The only item inside of it a wheel with which Yuzu could use to spin.

Behind her, there was a knock on her door but before she could answer it, faceless soldiers stocked her with straw. Prince Yuri watched and he smiled sharply.

“Spin this straw into gold,” he said, warning, “or I will cut off your head.”

Yuzu bit her lip. She frowned.

“You have until morning.” Yuri told her and with a snap of his fingers, the soldiers that had been giving her bale after bale of straw ceased and retreated with him.

The door locked in front of Yuzu. She tried the door but it was useless. She would only ruin her hands if she tried to brute force her way through by scratching it. She sighed, withholding her despair, and looked at the dozen or so bales of straw that she had to spin into gold with her alleged talent.

Yuzu stumbled back to the middle of the room, uncertain what to do, only to collapse in front of the spinning wheel. She clutched onto it and started to sob. She cursed her Father and his idiocy. She cowered in fear from the threat literally looming over her head. She had no idea what to do.

Fortunately, the devil in the room did and he spoke, “I see that you are in a predicament, young lady.”

Yuzu’s blood ran cold as she heard this voice. The tears that had been streaming down her face stopped as he looked. As she listened. She turned her head and towards the front of the room, in front of the door, stood someone who could not possibly be inside of a locked room with her.

He was somewhat tall with grey hair and pierced, triangular ears that jutted out the side of his face. He wore nice trousers and a button-up blouse. He was adorned around the neck with a blood red scarf. He stared at her curiously from behind a pair of glasses. Yuzu swallowed a lump in her throat as she gawked as this youth. It most certainly did not escape her attention that through the cascades of his hair, he had a pair of black horns and a flicking tail with a diamond-like texture to it.

“Who are you?” Yuzu asked, shocked.

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “Someone who appears before those who are in need of a deal or a trade.” he said and he smiled. “I propose that we make a contract.”

“What are your terms and conditions then, to this contract you think we should make?” Yuzu asked, her shocked expression giving way to wariness. The devil liked that immensely.

“I will spin this straw into gold on your behalf,” he began, “for the price of the ornaments that you wear in your hair.”

“That seems like a relatively cheap contract.” Yuzu said but already, she had begun to take the disc-like baubles out of her pigtails, just in case the cheapness was fairness; she even began to take precautionary steps closer to him.

The devil smiled, “I can assure you, the emotional value of your trinkets have worth equal to my time.” he said.

“Very well then.” Yuzu said.

She frowned as she handed over the baubles that she had once worn. She placed them in the devil’s awaiting hand, atop his pale palm, and when Yuzu did, they disappeared in a burst of lavender coloured flames. Yuzu’s hand flung back in surprise.

“It won’t hurt you,” the devil told her and then stepped around her, she stood, gawking still, “but if you will allow me, I have some work to do.”

Yuzu was mystified as the devil began to do her chores for her. She sat against the wall and watched as the devil fed straw through the spinning wheel and had its transmute into gold. He did so effortlessly, without a wry complaint and the gold that resulted was magnificent.

Even though the day had grown long and the room had grown dim, the gold shone like none other. It practically glowed. Yuzu had been watching intently as the devil spun the straw into gold but she couldn’t believe how beautiful it had been. When he finished, he got up and he put his hand on his heart.

“I must bid you goodbye.” he said, bowing at Yuzu.

“Thank you!” she gasped, eyes wide. She scrambled to her feet and towards him, her heart light with her burden eased and she smiled, “Before you go, I must get your name.”

The devil shook his head, “Names are contracts too and there was no clause in ours which mandates that I must tell you.” he replied.

Yuzu simpered, disappointed by this outcome but her gratitude still burgeoned. She smiled, “Still, thank you, I mean it.”

“Do not be bothered by my departure, I am sure we will meet again soon.” he replied and just as mysteriously as he came, he was gone.

Yuzu could feel the life drain from the room with the devil’s vanishing. It was just her and the piles upon piles of gold - and the spinning wheel too. She felt her heart race in her chest. She hoped that their reunion was not too soon but hopefully, this would be enough to sate the greed in Prince Yuri’s heart. It was late, Yuzu told herself, and so, she curled up on the ground and slept until morning.

She slept dreamlessly and uncomfortably until morning. She awoke with a rapt, thunderous knocking upon her door which scared her. She felt helpless as once more as the Prince and his private guard came to inspect the room.

Prince Yuri’s face lit up in twisted delight as he marvelled at the gold that was present. He could hardly believe his eyes as he admired what was once bales of straw. He grinned in a way which made Yuzu’s skin crawl. He made a superfluous gesture towards her and then made his speech.

“I am impressed,” he said, “I did not think the rumours were true but it appears the truth is stranger than fiction.”

Yuzu glared. She held onto her bracelet for comfort.

“You may keep your head,” Prince Yuri continued, “for now.”

“What does that mean?” Yuzu asked. “I’ve done what you told me to do, so let me go.”

“Oh no, this is not nearly enough, I want you to spin more and more for me.” Prince Yuri teased her. “And this time,” he tilted his head up slightly so he could look down his nose as the terrified but bold Yuzu, “if you do not complete this task, you and your father will be publicly executed for lying to royalty.”

Yuzu gasped, horrified by this demand.

“Understood?” Prince Yuri sneered venomously.

“Understood.” Yuzu timidly nodded and that was the cue for yet more bales of straw to be brought into her room.

Yuzu watched in horror and absolute despair as bale upon bale of straw was brought into her room, until all the floor was stacked with them. It was hard to move, they only really gave her enough space around the spinning wheel where she stood like a newborn deer.

“Until tomorrow morning.” Prince Yuri said and he bid Yuzu goodbye.

The door closed - and locked - with a slam. The silence that ensued was deafening. Yuzu stood where she was, paralysed by fear. If only she knew that devil’s name, she thought as she began to cry, a single tear streaking down the side of her face, then she would be able to call him. Her heart sank and her stomach lurched. She came down to her knees and broke down weeping once more, holding onto the spinning wheel.

After what felt like an immeasurable length of time, despairing for the inevitable killing of herself and her father, Yuzu heard a voice: “Hello again.”

She stopped and her blood ran cold. She pulled herself up and got herself together, clawing at her face so she didn’t look like some pitiable crybaby girl. She looked over her shoulder and the devil was here with her once more. His tail flicked petulantly behind him as he took stock of the situation.

“I see that you are once again seeking a deal or a trade,” he said, “are you willing to make a second contract?”

Yuzu got to her feet and she held her fist in front of her, determined, she nodded her head.

“Excellent.” the devil smirked. “In exchange for all this straw spun into gold, I will take your bracelet.”

Yuzu felt as though her face had been slapped but she mustered a very simple reply to the devil anyway, “No.”

“Oh?” The devil tilted his head to the side. “Perhaps you do wish to die by the prince’s execution, and your poor father too. Or, perhaps, you have decided that you ought to attempt this task for yourself after all, it has been done once, even if it was by me so therefore, it is no longer quite so impossible.”

“No.” Yuzu said again, her heart trembling. She held onto her bracelet. “This bracelet means the world to me.” Her eyes began to water and yet they were fierce. “This bracelet is my one memento of my mother, she passed away whilst I was still an infant.”

“You would prefer to hold onto such a thing… over you and your father’s lives?” the devil pointed out, sauntering closer and he touched Yuzu’s face. Yuzu flinched. The devil caressed her face. His fingertips were cold as ice; her heart leapt to her throat upon his caring stroke. “Are you certain that is a good trade? After all, what good would that item be when you are dead, yourself? No guarantee that your murderers would let you take it into the grave, into the afterlife.”

Yuzu held her breath - and she wanted to hold her ground, too but the devil was right. There was no guarantee that a fraud such as her and her father would be respected so well that their most precious property would go unscathed by their killings. Her bracelet was an item of fantastic emotional value to her, she had always worn it, even when it was too big for her wrist, but it was true. There would be no use to it, no value to it, if she was dead. With a shaking hand and a snivelling expression, Yuzu gave the devil her bracelet, even if it broke her heart to do so.

“A good decision.” the devil praised her.

He accepted the bracelet and it, too, burst into lavender flames that made Yuzu’s hand recoil instinctively. The devil smiled a small, self-assured smile then stepped around Yuzu. He sat down at the spinning wheel and began to get to work.

Yuzu could only watch. She sat with her arms tight around her legs, her chin over her knees. The devil had a steady hand and with it, he did the impossible with magical ease: he turned the bales of straw into ingots of gold and other threads of it, too. Moreover, he was swift at his chore, as well, Yuzu had thought it would be impossible for him to do it but he made great pace.

Occasionally, Yuzu would try to make conversation with the devil, only to be promptly shushed. He was busy at work, after all, no time to talk. Regardless, Yuzu sulked. Or at least, she sulked up until she was too tired to sulk. She wasn’t sure when but she drifted off to sleep, the click of the spinning wheel was oddly comforting. So, she laid down, curling up against stacks of gold and straw that had yet to be transformed.

In the morning, she woke of her own accord but she was certain that the Prince and his guard would be on his way. She looked around and the devil was gone. As was the straw. All there was to remember him by was the gold - and something peculiar. Yuzu realised there was something soft on the ground with her. The devil had placed his scarf under her head, folded it up to be a pillow for her. Yuzu’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected a token of kindness from the devil, at least not one that wasn’t negotiated half to death. She smiled to herself and that smile gave her a little bit more strength which she would need.

Within the minute of her realisation of the devil’s kindness, the door opened. No knock this time and Prince Yuri flounced in. He gasped and exclaimed in greedy awe. His joy was fiendish as he pranced through, disbelieving his eyes but his hands confirmed what he was seeing was nothing but the purest gold.

“Oh, my dear,” he exclaimed, “you have done it again. Wonderful, truly wonderful.”

Yuzu got up and she held onto the scarf, balling it up, hoping that Prince Yuri wouldn’t notice but his eyes lingered on the fabric, probing his memory for… did she always have that on her person? Regardless, he had bigger things to worry about.

“I have decided,” he began, officially, “I want you to be my bride. Should you complete your next task, I would very much like it if we were wed. Then, you can spin all the straw in the world to gold.”

Yuzu grimaced. Her stomach churned. Prince Yuri was a monster, taking what he pleased and threatening her with his power. There was no way on Earth that Yuzu would ever agree to such a wedding but Prince Yuri chose to take her silence as a yes.

Thus, yet more straw was brought into the room. It was piled up methodically, making use of every possible inch of the room until there was more straw in the room than air to breathe. Bales were stacked on top of each other, again and again. Yuzu was all but buried in the room with the impossible amount of straw she was meant to spin into gold.

Locked inside once more, the sound of the door closing at all was muffled by the amount of straw that had been brought inside. Yuzu took a deep breath and her heart raced; her brow came down to a glare and she yelled. She yelled over and over for the devil and sure enough, he did appear before her once more.

In what little space was left in the room, the devil pressed up against Yuzu, his hands outstretched and grappling against the bales of straw. Yuzu felt very small in front of him like this, pinned to the straw and with the devil looking down at her.

“Thrice now, you have been in need of a trade or a deal.” the devil tutted.

Yuzu scowled, “I need the ultimate trade or deal. I’m running out of things to trade with you.”

“That’s quitter’s talk, you still have plenty to offer me.” the devil assured her.

“I want to escape this room. I’ll never see my father again if I am married to that horrible Prince Yuri.” Yuzu said.

“But you still need to uphold your offer to the prince, you cannot let this promise go unpaid. I won’t allow that. The straw will be spun into gold, I will do that for you, in exchange…” the devil murmured as he paused to peruse Yuzu’s person for his next thing to take from her.

“In exchange for?” Yuzu prompted him dubiously.

“In exchange for your firstborn child.” the devil said. “Take my hand in marriage instead, I will return you to your father and whilst I have my own work as a devil of contracts and covenants, what say you? You are after the ultimate contract so I offer you the covenant of marriage in return.”

Yuzu’s guts twisted. To get married to a devil or to get married to a devil. She wasn’t sure which one was worse.

“Well, what say you?” the devil asked.

“Do I at least get your name if I marry you?” Yuzu asked, half a harrumph to her voice, some fleeting bravado.

“Of course.” the devil replied.

Yuzu placed her hands on the devil’s chest and sighed, “This must be the part where I say I do.” She got up on her tiptoes and surprised the devil with a kiss.

The devil’s lips were cold but hers were warm. His eyes were wide open whereas Yuzu kept her eyes clenched shut. The kiss was awkward, took them both by surprise but the devil kissed back gently, easing into it and Yuzu smiled.

Yuzu broke the kiss first but the devil remained close and from his lips slipped his name, “You may call me Reiji.”

“Well it’s good to meet you, Reiji.” Yuzu whispered back.

The devil - Reiji - made an odd noise that made Yuzu laugh. He seemed harmlessly eccentric to Yuzu and he fidgeted with his glasses, excusing himself so he could get to work with the straw now that his and Yuzu’s ultimate contract had been made. He sat down at the spinning wheel and Yuzu watched. She was in a perky mood as she watched, tapping her feet and humming. Reiji smiled a small smile as he listened to her musical habits.

All around them, the bales of straw were transformed into gold but the first sprig of straw that Reiji spun, he stopped. He so easily manipulated it down to a smaller form and beckoned Yuzu closer. Her heart pounded but she got up and knelt by Reiji’s side. He took her hand with his own and then threaded on a simple, gold ring that had a criss-crossing diamond motif.

“With this,” he said, a softness to his voice, “our covenant will be known to all.”

Yuzu blushed and nodded. Reiji leaned over and kissed her forehead. She settled down, changing her position to sit and Reiji resumed his spinning. Yuzu didn’t try to initiate more chatting with Reiji as he was very busy but his presence was a comfort, as was the clicking of the spinning wheel. She tried to stay with him, awake, for as long as possible but as more and more straw was spun into gold, the less time there was in the day and so, naturally, Yuzu fell asleep.

In the morning, she was still asleep propped up by the spinning wheel and even had Reiji’s scarf draped over her once more. She woke up, blurry eyed but calm. She didn’t feel afraid of Prince Yuri when he and his posse made their arrival at the room she was locked inside of.

His eyes were wide as dinner plates as he marvelled at the mountains of gold that were inside of the room with his bride-to-be and the spinning wheel. Even Yuzu had great admiration for the pace at which Reiji worked but she remained on her hackles as she waited for Reiji. He had disappeared but she was certain that he would return for her, rescue her, the feeling of his lips on her own and the ring on her finger was a promise. He wouldn’t violate his own contract, Yuzu was certain.

Prince Yuri clasped his hands together and smacked his lips, “Oh, I hear wedding bells.”

Yuzu’s mouth twisted shut. She scowled, remained firm, but she was begging for Reiji to reappear in the blink of an eye once more. Especially now that Prince Yuri was sauntering towards her. She fidgeted where she stood, afraid of how his hand was reaching out to touch her but intervention struck.

Reiji grabbed Prince Yuri’s wrist and crushed it, “Correct,” Reiji said scathingly, “there shall be wedding bells but not for thee.”

“Reiji!” Yuzu gasped with a smile that was lit up with delight, she clasped her hands together and she knew she was saved.

“It is unlawful and against the contract for two men to marry the same woman, as I have already staked my claim with her, any advance from you would be ill-fated.” Reiji warned Prince Yuri.

Prince Yuri gritted his teeth and tried to rip his arm away from Reiji who was like a vice upon him, “Unhand me, you fie-” Prince Yuri’s words died on his tongue as his eyes travelled upwards and he saw the horns upon Reiji’s head.

“You have more than enough gold in this room to buy a different bride for yourself if that’s what you truly desire but you cannot have this one, she is mine.” Reiji snarled.

Prince Yuri gaped, pathetic. Reiji huffed and he let Prince Yuri go. He held his own wrist, there was frost on the sleeve of his jacket and undoubtedly the marks of a hand on his skin. Reiji’s eyes were cold but they warmed when his gaze flicked to Yuzu.

“Never contact me or my father again.” Yuzu snarled as she hurried to Reiji’s side.

Reiji smiled a covert smile as he let Yuzu latch onto his arm. Prince Yuri was stunned by this turn of events and in just the blink of an eye, his bride-to-be and the devil were gone. It was just Prince Yuri and his endless hoard of gold.

Yuzu was dizzy from the teleportation but she couldn’t believe it. She was home. She stood amid the green grass and the trees, the homestead that she had been born into and had never truly wanted to leave. She felt shaky with her excitement and the door of the house opened. Her Father was bewildered to see her and Yuzu ran up to her father. She gave him a huge bear hug and breathed deep his smell, the smell of their home and her stomach growled. She could smell breakfast in the kitchen and became all too aware that she hadn’t eaten for days.

“What’s the matter, Yuzu?” her Father asked.

“The prince was mistreating me but don’t worry, I’ve escaped.” Yuzu told him.

Shuzou pulled back and he caressed his daughter’s face with a deep expression of rue and regret on his own, “I’m sorry for letting them take you away, I’ve been lonely without you but I had no idea that they could be so cruel.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine now.” Yuzu said and she wriggled out of the receptive hug she had pulled him into. She showed him her hand and glanced back at Reiji who stood, cast aside and awkwardly, “In exchange for my rescue and safety, I’ve had to promise myself to him.”

Reiji approached, trying to make himself seem small so as to make a good impression. Even though Shuzou could clearly see the devil in Reiji, his horns and his tail, he welcomed Reiji into his house, complete with a hug.

With Yuzu returned home and the rumours of the miller’s daughter who could spin straw into gold quelled, Reiji did disappear. He came and went as he pleased, more like a pet cat than a husband but in his attempt to shroud his mystique, his intentions only became clearer. Each stint of absence shortening and what he spent with Yuzu and her father lengthened. He had a job and it was not to grind flour or rice to powder, like Yuzu and her father, but he was still upholding the covenant that he owed to Yuzu. Eventually he and Yuzu welcomed a firstborn child into the world and he was beloved immensely by his unusual, little family and together, they lived happily ever after.

#100ships challenge #classicalshipping #akaba reiji #hiiragi yuzu #yuzu hiiragi #reiji akaba #yugioh #yugioh arc v #arc v #writing tag #i feel particularly proud of this one <:

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