#and some side mitsukiki | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sabraeal · 4 years

Text

Sic Semper Monstrum, Chapter 3

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Requested and written for @vfordii’s birthday which was...back in December. So...not quite six months late, but at least I had a good excuse XD I ended up writing a first draft before my hospital stay, and then had an EVEN BETTER IDEA while I was convalescing and then had to write a whole new “first” draft, which was at least supposed to cover some of the other draft and...THINGS GOT OUT OF HAND.

“Why, Kiki Seiran.” The drawl alone turns her veins to to ice water; it’s only the strength of her spine and the grit of her teeth that stems a shiver. Or a right hook; Kiki’s always been a bit mixed up with her fight-or-flight. It’s what makes a good ranger. “As I live and breathe.”

She’s tempted not to give him the satisfaction of being noticed-- he doesn’t deserve hers after the stunt he pulled-- but he’s perverse enough to find that sort of behavior encouraging, as if getting under a woman’s skin was some prelude to foreplay.

“Hisame Luigis.” Her teeth chomp down on the last syllable, strangling the hiss she wants to make it. A snake like him deserves to be greeted in kind, after all. “I wouldn’t expect to see you here.”

Not after the last time, she doesn’t say, because despite her personal feelings, her father didn’t raise her to start a fight-- just finish them. Which she already had, sending Hisame scurrying out of the shatterdome with his tail between his legs.

(Must be hard for him to sit in that helo, Mitsuhide rumbles, standing close as they watch it take off, sound muted by the thickness of the windows. She spared him a raised brow, and he grinned. The way his ass must be smarting.

He gets a laugh out of her. She hadn’t thought it possible, right then.

Spurned by both the drift and you, he clucks, shaking his head. He’ll need medical to give him an ointment or something.

She’d been embarrassed by the whole thing, by being made a woman instead of a ranger in front of all her colleagues, years more experienced than she, and she’d thought she’d never recover, never get over the humiliation, but--

Well, she’s never heard her partner be uncharitable before. Might as well enjoy it. Maybe they can give him something to get his head out of his ass too.

Nah. Mitsuhide turns back to the window, eyes fixed to where the helo hovers in the skyline. I think that’s a chronic condition.

Kiki coughs on a laugh. The foot in his mouth certainly is.)

The line in front of them shudders, then trudges forward, and Kiki braces herself. His personality might be as thrilling as the scum on the dome’s flight deck, but he’s a ranger, just like her, plucked from a PPDC family whose illustrious history is only outstripped by her own and maybe the Wisteria’s. She’ll have to face him-- quite literally-- at some point, and it might as well be now.

Besides, it’s been five years. People change. Hisame may not be his father, nor his brother, but he could at least be tolerable now.

She dares a glance behind her, and it’s the same infuriatingly handsome face that smirks back at her, only this time he fills out his flight suit better. He might be less boyish around the edges, but it looks like insufferable douche isn’t a stain that comes out in the wash.

White teeth flash at her from between smirking lips. “I was invited.”

She somehow manages not to balk, not to say, I didn’t realize we were scraping the barrel for the dregs.

‘I wasn’t expecting to see you here either,” he admits, insinuating his tray beside hers on the rail. “In the mess, I mean. I would have though General Seiran’s daughter would merit better fare than the grunts.”

The rim of her tray wobbles beneath her grip. These people would die for him, die with him, and he calls them grunts.

“What can I say,” she says, turning to him with a smile drawn thin, plate outstretched for dinner, “I can’t resist some good old shit on a shingle.”

She has the distinct pleasure of watching the color leave his smug little face as a healthy heaping of the caf’s beef stroganoff plops down on her plate. If only he hadn’t been so eager to dog her heels, he might have noticed just which line he got in.

“Yum yum,” she adds, because she’s never been a woman to shy from twisting the knife. “My favorite.”

“Ah, of course,” he manages faintly, handing over his own plate. “You have always struck me as a woman of...simple pleasures.”

“Simple pleasures,” she agrees, “and unmovable opinions. Enjoy your time in the dome, Luigis.”

She doesn’t add, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out. He’s a smart boy-- he knows how to read between the lines.

“I don’t know how you eat that.” Zen eyes her stroganoff warily, nose wrinkled in distaste. “I don’t think the recipe has changed World War Two.”

She slides into the last available seat, so close she nearly elbows the jaeger mechanic next to her. “It’s an acquired taste.”

Mitsuhide hums on her other side, and she feels the rumble in her elbow, warm and pleasant. Kiki’s not a fan of eating at the designated meal times-- Zen’s the one that likes to see and be seen by the adoring masses, not her-- but being crushed in like sardines does have its perks, sometimes.

Zen opens his mouth-- to complain, she assumes, since he habitually gripes about the mushrooms being too fragrant for his taste-- but she sweeps in before he can get a word out with, “Luigis is here.”

His jaw drops. Mitsuhide nearly chokes on his milk.

“Hisame Luigis?”

As much as she would love to rag him, to say what other Luigis is there?-- it’s a valid question. With a general for a father and a ranger for a brother, any one of them had a better reason to be here than Hisame did. Too bad; teasing Zen was the best entertainment she could get in the dome.

“What does he think he’s doing here?” His arms fold tight over his chest. “Did he not get humiliated enough the last time?”

“Well, you know,” she drawls, scooping up a forkful of her dinner, “for some people it’s a kink.” While he’s sputtering, she adds, “He says he was invited.”

Mitsuhide frowns into his stoganoff. “Invited?”

“By who? My brother?” Zen shakes his head, emphatic. “Last time he was here, Izana was happy to see the back of him.”

She shrugs. “He didn’t say.”

“But who else could?” Mitsuhide sits back, thoughtful. “There’s not a lot of people who could go over a Marshal’s head, not even here.”

Kiki shovels a bite of beef into her mouth. “Garrack.”

They both sit back at that, uncomfortable. “But for what?” Mitsuhide presses, sounding strained. “He hasn’t piloted a jaeger outside of the simulations.”

“And they can’t be trying to put him in one.” Zen shoved peas around on his plate, mullish. “The neural handshake’s only meant for two, and with Hisame’s ego taking up the second chair, I don’t know how anyone else would fit.”

She can’t help but grin at that. “Maybe they’re making a three-pilot jaeger.”

“Wasn’t China working on something like that?” Zen’s expression turns speculative, distracted. “Something...Typhoon wasn’t it? Triplets were piloting it.”

“Crimson Typhoon,” she corrects, “based out of Hong Kong.”

“Right, and then Japan said they could seat seven.” He shakes his head. “Good thing nothing came of that. Sounds like a disaster from start to finish.”

“Too many cooks in the kitchen,” she agrees.

“Maybe it’s a single ranger jaeger,” Mitsuhide says, and she nearly laughs until she realizes he’s serious.

“Single ranger?” she echoes, dubious. “Can’t be done.”

“Or they’d be tiny,” Zen scoffs, waving a hand. “There’s no way you could pilot a mech as big as Rex all by yourself.”

“Can’t be that then.” Kiki’s mouth quirks. “Hisame Luigis could never suffer being smaller than anyone else.”

Mitsuhide flushes a red so deep it looks painful, studiously applying himself to his dinner as if it might make make him less noticeable. Too bad being six-foot-fuckable and a head taller than half the folks in the mess didn’t lend itself to invisibility.

Zen grins, smelling blood on the water that for once isn’t his. “Right. We all know that’s for-- ah, fuck.”

Kiki takes in his wide eyes, his pinched mouth, and twists her chin over a shoulder. Her stomach knots just think that snake could be right behind her, knowing she still talks about him and inferring all sorts of idiotic encouragement from it, but--

But she only sees a bright red bob lingering over by the chafing dishes, sticking out like a buoy on a choppy sea.

She frowns. Shirayuki was usually cause for excitement, or at least Zen making an ass of himself trying to impress her. There should be a sudden, manic search for stories sedate enough to tell but funny enough to entertain, since the good doctor apparently labored under the misconception that Zen was intentionally witty, and didn’t just bumble into cleverness completely by accident, but today--

Today there’s a lean body that curves beside hers, a slim question next to Shirayuki’s bright exclamation. It’s The Asshole.

Or at least, that’s what Zen calls him. The jury’s still out for her.

“What’s he doing here?” Zen grumbles, churning rice across his plate.

Mitsuhide takes in a breath, measured, and says, “Waiting for you.”

Zen glowers, hunching over his dinner. “I know that. I mean, what’s he doing here with Shirayuki?”

Kiki glances over her shoulder, watching as The Asshole bends down, Shirayuki laying a hand on his shoulder as she yells something over the din, and doesn’t say, flirting.

She shrugs. “Seems like Shirayuki can handle him just fine.”

He glares. “I know that. She just shouldn’t be around a jackoff like him.”

Mitsuhide sets his jaw, and oh, she can read every word he won’t say like it was printed across his forehead: We don’t know him well enough to know if he’s a jackoff. He’d never say it-- and not just because Mitsuhide didn’t truck with words like jackoff and douchebag-- but because he knew to wait until Zen was listening. Which he wasn’t going to now, not with his hackles all raised because the Asshole was in the same room, daring to breathe the same air.

Kiki doesn’t have the same compunctions. “Do we even know if he’s a jackoff?”

Zen sputters, dropping his fork in consternation. “Of course we do! He acts like one every time I walk into the room.”

She glances at Mitsuhide, and his gaze is already darting away. If he isn’t going to point out Zen’s probably earned it, it’s definitely way above her paygrade.

“Every time! Calling me master and reminding me he’s at my beck and call and awaiting my leisure,” he huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “I bet he’s over there right now, telling her I’m getting high-handed or something. Like I’m keeping him here to jerk his chain.”

Kiki lifts a brow. “Aren’t you? Izana isn’t going to let him out of the dome until you--”

“I know what he thinks,” Zen snaps, “and it’s not happening. My brother is just going to have to get used to the idea.”

Her brows reach even higher. Izana Wisteria didn’t get to be the youngest Marshal in the history of the PPDC by being the first one to flinch.

Mitsuhide clears his throat, pointed. “And you plan to keep him waiting the whole time?”

Zen blinks. “What?”

“The Asshole,” Kiki clarifies when Mitsuhide balks. “While you’re playing your game of chicken with Izana, he’ll be waiting. Right here. In the dome. Making...friends.”

They all look toward the bright splash of red hovering at the edge of the mess, tray in hand. Shirayuki’s face lights when she sees them, hand half-raised--

And falls. Kiki doesn’t need to look to know what sort of face Zen is making, not when Shirayuki spins so suddenly away, hooking her hand around The Asshole’s arm and steering him away.

“I’m not drifting with him,” Zen says, shoving his tray away from him. “I’m not.”

“Good,” Kiki hums, mouth quirking at a corner. “Be a pity for him to leave when he’s getting along with Shirayuki so well.”

Zen glares at her, mouth pulling thin. “I’m not hungry. Enjoy yourselves.”

She’s supposed to be asleep. Or at least, that’s what the dome’s light pattern it trying to tell her; when she turns on her lights, it’s set to the soft night-time glow.

Shirayuki explained all that once, in her patient, bubbly way: bodies are supposed to use natural light to tell what time it is, and living in a bunker with no windows is one of those things that throws off its entire groove. The mood lighting is supposed to help, subtly dimming and brightening so their brains get the signal that it’s time to sleep or time to work.

Kiki flicks it off with a grimace. It’s a nuisance.

Darkness settles over her, the only light the painfully bright display on her alarm clock. 1:17. She lets out a huff, rolling onto her back. Definitely should be asleep.

Still, it won’t come. Hisame Luigis is here, sauntering around the dome when he has every reason to be a world away, annoying anyone else. Before today she would have said there wasn’t a single thing that could lure him to the site of his own humiliation, but now-- now she knows there is. And what it is--

Well, that’s enough to keep anyone up at night.

She sits up, swiveling to put feet on the floor. Something is happening; it’s one thing for Luigis to be here, gunning to relive all his old mistakes, but he’s not the only new face in the dome.

Her fingers clench around the edge of the mattress. Rex Tyrannous has been sitting in its box for years; Izana might say that getting it into the fray is a priority, but he never picked more than one or two recruits out of the graduating class to try, never seemed to be more than tacitly interested with how they did.

But now, now, he’s flown the whole coast to get this asshole to the dome. An asshole that doesn’t seem to want to be here any more than Zen does.

Kiki levers herself up, reaching for her clothes. Something is happening in the dome, something big.

And she knows better than to wait around to find out what.

There’s only ever been one place in the dome where she can clear her head. It’s too bad that someone’s had the same thought; as she approaches the door the the gym, Kiki can already hear the grunts of exertion coming from inside.

She swallows a sigh, adjusting the bag on her shoulder. It’s better when she has the mats to herself, when it’s just her and her thoughts and the burn of her muscles, not interrupted by the groaning of men who want to impress her--

Good thing this one doesn’t. As much as she wish he might.

Mitsuhide has his back toward the door, and she has the perfect view of the way his muscles coil as he brings his staff up, of the way they shift into sharp relief under his skin as he strikes down with an overhead blow. It’d brain anyone who didn’t block it, but with no partner he brings it up short just inches from the mat, muscle quivering with control.

It’s a sight Kiki never gets tired of. She’s half-tempted to leave her worries behind and just enjoy the show, but--

“You’re up late,” he says, breathless, rising out of his stance. Searching eyes turn toward her, his mouth down-turned with concern. “Everything all right?”

“Couldn’t sleep.” She shrugs, tossing him a towel. “No Zen?”

He grunts, snatching the cloth with one hand. “He went to go talk with Izana earlier.”

Kiki grins, sauntering over to where the staves are propped against the wall. “Ah, so you sent him to bed?”

His mouth twitches at a corner, but he shakes his head, saying, all too serious, “He needed some time to cool off.”

She hefts a staff into her grip, testing it’s weight. “I’m assuming this is Asshole-related.”

Mitsuhide lets out a sigh, and they don’t need to be in the drift for her to know he means, what isn’t?

He’s already in his first stance when she steps in front of him, waiting for her to strike first. She should mix it up, try to wait him out, try to lure him into making a mistake early in the bout and riding the moral boost to victory, but--

Well, Kiki hates to disappoint.

Mitsuhide’s a big man, a practical giant, but he jumps over her sweep with a nimbleness that always stuns her. She may drift with him, living inside the corners of his mind, but she can never anticipate his speed. The way that man can move the incredible mass of his body verges on superhuman.

The butt of his staff taps her side, so soft that it’s only her pride that stings. “That’s one for me.”

She lets out a huff, shuffling back, out of his range. “The last one.”

He shrugs, but she can see the smile he tries to hide in his shoulder. “If that’s what you think.”

This time, she’s more cautious, circling the mats, advancing where he retreats. He’s more wary as well; dark eyes fixed to her, watching where she shifts her weight. He catches her first blow, and her second-- light taps, staves clacking together as soft as kisses-- but her third catches him on the thigh, and he laughs.

“One to one,” he tells her, stepping back. “Should have seen that one coming.”

She hums, mouth curving in a smirk. “You should have.”

The go back to their corners, and her body is humming with victory, alive as she watches him shift into stance, and she says, “So, do you know anything about him?”

Mitsuhide blinks, head tilting, and she clarifies, “The Asshole.”

“Ah,” he grunts, more from catching her first blow than surprise. “I can’t say I like him, but that assessment seems...unfair.”

She barks out a laugh, dodging his swing. “I don’t think Zen’s concerned about being fair.”

His mouth pulls thin, and she blocks a hit that leaves her arms vibrating. “Unearned, then.”

She nearly gets a hit on him, throwing off his staff and going for his side, but he steps back, right out of her range. “He doesn’t want to compromise.”

“This isn’t about compromise anymore, it’s about survival.” She ducks under his follow up, a swing that probably would have left a real shiner on her shoulder. Sloppy on his part; he’s usually so careful. “He doesn’t want to trust anyone.”

She dances out of the way of a jab. “No one does in a jaeger.”

“But all of us would try,” he presses, strangely emphatic as he blocks her strike.

“We would,” she agrees, testing his guard. “If I was down, you would drift with Zen--”

His guard drops, just slightly, and it’s like the heavens are parting since right there, right there is where she can tap him--

And she does, so hard he stumbles back, unprepared. She can only stare for a moment, watching him breath heavily, head hung.

“Don’t say that,” he manages after a long moment, voice too raw.

Her fingers tighten around the staff, and she shrugs. “It could happen.”

His eyes fix on her, too intense too dark. “It won’t.”

She knows better than to tell him it’s not their choice, that every time they go out it’s a roll of the dice whether a kaiju takes them under. It’s not what a man like him needs to hear, not when his last station was up in Anchorage, so near the rift.

“Besides,” he says, shoulders straightening as he composes himself. “I should be more worried about you drifting with Luigis if this knee of mine gives out.”

She frowns. “I’d rather be eaten by a kaiju.”

“Well, that would be the other choice,” he informs her brightly, sliding into his stance. “Two-to-one.”

“I know the score,” she snaps, sending a hit to his legs, a sweep he easily sidesteps. “That better not be the reason he’s here.”

Mitsuhide raises a brow. “Back up?”

She smirks. “That you’re getting old.”

“I’m younger than Izana!” he protests, trying to hook his staff around her knees. She jumps over it, missing the timing on the stomp to keep his bo on the floor.

“And he’s sitting behind a desk,” she replies, enjoying herself far too much. “Maybe it’s time for you to push some paper--”

“He has other reasons,” Mitsuhide grouses, retreating as she advances. “Not because he’s old.”

“They can’t be thinking he’ll drift with Zen,” she reasons, “even if this asshole doesn’t work out, he’ll never agree to it.”

Mitsuhide hums absently, fending off her advance, and she presses. “Right?”

“R-right,” he answers. “Zen really only wants one pilot--”

His staff takes her right in the side, and she’s not ready, stumbling to the ground. With a huff, she sits on her ass, shaking her head. “And it’s not any of us.”

“No,” Mitsuhide says with a grin, offering her a hand up. “It’s not.”

She takes it, levering up to her feet and brushing herself off.

“You know...” Mitsuhide’s face takes a wistful bent, almost thoughtful. “Way back, when Atri--”

Kiki perks. She’s been at the dome a long time, but Atri predates even her, here and gone before she’d even stepped foot on the tarmac.

His lips wrap tightly around his teeth, stopping the words he means to say. “Never mind. Two-two. Next is match point.”

She smirks. “I hope you don’t mind losing.”

He smiles, stepping back into his stance. “Not to you.”

When Izana had mentioned they were hiring on a therapist, Kiki had been skeptical, to say the least. He’d gone on to expound on the newest data, how rangers and support staff alike were suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress at higher and higher rates each year, how having an individual focused on the mental health of a dome had reduced the number of accidents in the hangar and fights in the mess, but--

It’d been clear: Garrack was the one twisting his arm on it, and Izana never got in a fight he couldn’t win.

Kiki’s been in the PPDC her whole life, even if it wasn’t in uniform, and among them, stoicism was less a personality trait and more a way of life. If you didn’t have your emotions on lockdown, if your mental vault didn’t have tighter security than Fort Knox, a drift could break you into pieces. It could break your partner into pieces. She’d seen it happen before, dozens of times.

Talking all that out nicely on a couch didn’t really fit with the aesthetic. Or so she’d thought, until she met Shirayuki.

“Thank you for coming,” the good doctor says brightly, taking tea Kiki offers. “I mean, for inviting me! I’m sorry, I’m just so used to, um...”

Kiki can’t help but smile as she takes her seat, cup warm in her hands. It’s not hard to see why Zen likes her so much, not when she’s flushed just from that little slip. “I understand.”

Relief blooms across her face. “Oh, good! It’s nice to not be drinking alone in my office, for once. I mean, tea! Drinking tea! Oh...”

Kiki smothers a snort with a sip of her tea. “I know what you mean. Though honestly, I wouldn’t blame you if I had to listen to Zen’s problems.”

Shirayuki looks as if she might protest, trying to come to the rescue of her patient, but she must catch her wry tone and the smile lurking at the corner of her lips, because she just stops. “From what I understand, you already do.”

Kiki stares. “You’re right. I should start insist on being paid.”

A laugh bursts from Shirayuki, so bright and earnest it surprises her. “I’d listen to him anyway, but--” she leans in, dropping to sotto voce-- “it does help, sometimes.”

She can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of her, but it’s worth it to see the way Shirayuki flushes, two bright spots on the apples of her cheeks. “Thank you for coming. There’s not a lot of women in the dome, and it’s nice to just...chat, sometimes.”

“I agree!” Shirayuki tells her eagerly. “There’s more women in K-science than on the deck, but still-- it’s nice to just have a cup of tea and not have to listen to Suzu talk about his numbers.”

Kiki raises a brow. “Suzu’s invited to your girls’ tea?”

“Well.” She takes a thoughtful sip of her tea. “We don’t really have girls-only outings. But if we did, he’d invite himself, and then talk exclusively about his algorithm. The only thing that gets him to stop is Yuzuri--” she coughs, flushed-- “anyway, this is far nicer.”

“I’m only sorry I couldn’t provide better tea service.” She nods at the offerings on the table: buttery crackers with hard cheese, and cookies so crunchy they’re more like hard tack than a treat. “I asked the kitchen if they could make scones, and I’m not sure the cook even knew what one was.”

“Oh, no!” Shirayuki sets down her cup with a clatter, wincing at the sound. “This is perfect, really. When you first asked me to come I was afraid that Zen had asked you to-- ah--”

She claps her hands to her cheeks, mortified. “Never mind. This has been a pleasant surprise.”

“Ah.” Kiki smothers a grimace as she sets down her own mug. “You thought that Zen asked me to talk to you about--”

“Obi, yes.” She spins her cup slowly, as if looking for anything to keep her hands busy. “I know he doesn’t like him. He’s been...vocal about that.”

To put it lightly. “We don’t know anything about him. He’s concerned.”

“I understand that.” Her mouth curves in a wry, almost chagrined smile. “And I understand that being in the dome doesn’t really allow...typical professional-patient relations. But it would be nice if his concern at least took into account that I’m an adult who can make her own decisions.”

Kiki takes a sip of tea to cover her grimace. It’s a fair assessment; there are times where she’s sure Zen doesn’t even remember that his therapist has a doctorate in psychology, let alone is an authority in her field.

“Besides,” Shirayuki sighs, dunking a cookie in her tea. “You could say that about anyone. It’s just that you can say that about Obi especially.”

“You must know all about him,” Kiki presses, leaning in just the smallest amount. “Since you have access to everyone’s files.”

“Oh, no!” Shirayuki shakes her head, hair splaying over her shoulders. “I can’t access anyone’s files unless they consent to treatment. Or, at least, not unless I’m given an emergency override by the Marshal.”

“Oh. Huh.” She settles back in her chair, stymied. “Well, I suppose that makes me feel better.”

Shirayuki blinks, eyes wide. “You didn’t think that I had...?”

Read her file and formed her opinions already? It’s what Kiki would have done, coming into a situation as hostile as the good doctor. “You had to pick your patients somehow.”

Her cheeks flush, differently this time, two angry splotches that spread from jaw to temple. “Treatment is voluntary,” she reminds her firmly. “And even if I could read every record, I wouldn’t. Even with my patients, I prefer to have them tell me something in confidence rather than scrolling through a file. Trust--” she fixes Kiki with an earnest look-- “is the most important currency I can earn in my line of work.”

It’s a good sentiment, and an honest one, but Kiki hums, unconvinced. “But you’ve looked at Zen’s haven’t you?”

Her mouth pulls into a guilty grimace. “I-- I hadn’t, not at first. But when Izana told me he was bringing someone into the dome to drift with him, and that they were going to need to be reintegrated, I, um, well...”

Kiki raises a brow. “You looked.”

Her chin drops to her chest, chagrined. “I...did. I thought he might have...” She hesitates, finger once again rotating her cup on the saucer. “I thought it could have been Atri.”

Her hand tightens on her mug. Atri. The second time she’s heard that name this week. “Is that so.”

Shirayuki sighs. “We’ve been working for months, but Zen just...doesn’t choose to talk about it.”

Funny, how no one does around here.

“Which is fine!” she continues, breathless. “But if Izana was going to bring him back, then--”

Kiki nods. “Then you needed to know who he is.”

“Exactly.” Her shoulders drop in relief, the tension leaving her body on a breath. “I mean, especially if Izana was going to have me treat him--”

“Atri?” She blinks. “You thought he would want you to treat Atri?”

“Well, he, ah...” Shirayuki leans in, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. “He asked for my help.”

“Izana.” She’s a broken record, just repeating everything the doctor says. “Izana asked you for help. Specifically.”

“I know.” Shirayuki shifts, just as uncomfortable with the thought. “He told me this was a-- a special case.”

A special case. “So he must have given you access to his file, then. If it’s so...special.”

“Well, yes.” She fiddles with her cup. “Parts of it, at least. But Obi doesn’t seem interested in therapy--” no, Kiki can’t help but think, just the therapist-- “and, ah, it felt...too intrusive to look.”

It probably wouldn’t have done her any favors making friends either, but Kiki knows that’s a thought best left on the hangar deck. “Parts of his file?”

“Oh, um, yes.” Her eyes dart around the room, as if she half suspects Izana would be lurking just around a cabinet. Fair, considering the thing that man knows. “He only had authorization to open up the vitals to me. Everything else was classified. Even his birthday!”

Classified. Kiki take a sip from her mug. “How interesting.”

“Kiki.” Her father’s voice is as comforting as a warm blanket and hot milk, just the thing she wants to hear at the end of a long day. “What a surprise. We just had our weekly chat--” she can hear him flipping through his datebook-- “not even two days ago.”

“I need to ask you something.” She tucks the phone deeper into her shoulder, turning her back to the group of young pilot-wannabes that swagger through the mess. She’d love to do this where there was more privacy, but it’s the only place with reception in the whole dome, unless she wants to explain to K-science what she’s doing. “A favor.”

“Please,” Father sighs, pained. “You know I don’t keep track of that. It’s my job to take care of you.”

Kiki bites down on her lip. It’s his job to take care of his rangers, to make sure there’s no kaiju to wipe out Seattle, and as much as he’d been her dad too-- there was only room to do one job well.

“There’s a file I need you to look at,” she says, voice pitched low, watching the idiots horse around at the window. Must be fresh off the deck if they’re that cocky this close to open water. “Personnel. I’ll send the information over to you.”

“Oh my,” he hums, far too amused. “Should I let Mitsuhide know you’re looking at another man?”

She only manages to half smother the grunt out of her throat. “Just let me know what you find, all right?”

“Of course, princess.” Her teeth grit down until he adds, “Good hunting.”

Izana’s mouth curves as she enters his office, amusement only growing as she drops into the chair across from him and glares across the wide expanse of his desk.

“Ranger Seiran,” he drawls, sitting back, fingers laced on is lap. “To what to I owe the pleasure?”

“Obi,” she says. “Who is he?”

His lips tip into a smirk. “The next co-pilot of Rex Tyrannous, once my brother gets over himself.”

“Don’t do that.” Her knuckles blanch where they clench her knees. “Not with me.”

“No.” He grows serious. “Not with you. But come now,” he raises a brow, “surely you can find out what you need on your own.”

She lets out a long breath, fingers twitching where they lay. To think, she had longed for a sibling, even knowing the Wisterias.

“Ah, I see,” he hums, all too pleased. “Your father couldn’t get you what you needed.” His teeth flash from behind his lips. “Now, now. If that’s the case, you can’t possibly think you’ll get anything out of me.”

“No,” she admits, grudging. “Not about that.”

That intrigues him. “Oh my, then what would bring you all the way here for a visit?”

“Hisame Luigis.”

All the humor drains from him, his back stiffening against the chair. “He hasn’t bothered you.”

It’s not a question, it’s a promise, and some part of her eases. “No, he hasn’t. Why is he here?”

Izana tilts his head, letting the thick shadows in his office obscure his expression. “That is need-to-know information, Ranger Seiran. “

“And I don’t need to know?” she demands, and even shadowed, she can see how his mouth pulls, pained. “After the last time, you don’t think I deserve to know?”

He stands, pacing to where a large painting sits on his wall. “It’s Confidential.”

She grits her teeth. “I see.”

As she stands, he inhales sharply, and she turns.

“Come now, Kiki,” he murmurs into the space between them. “You’re a clever girl. It’ll come to you, if you think about it.”

She lets out a long breath. “I don’t think we have time for that.”

Sometimes, there’s nothing for it to go to the source.

Not much may be known about this Mystery Asshole, but Kiki’s observant, and he’s been on her radar from the start. And if there’s one thing she’s noticed: he doesn’t like people.

Not that he’s rude; oh no, he only vents his spleen in Zen’s direction, which even she can admit is well-earned. But if he’s got a choice between a full mess and an empty gym, she knows exactly which one he’ll choose.

Which is how she finds him, back pressed to the bench, lifting with no spot in the middle of a deserted gym.

Her mouth pulls thin. Only an idiot would risk it, but then again-- it’s not like anyone would offer to help him, not when they could end up on the bad side of at least one Wisteria. These rangers might all talk tough about facing kaiju in the raging Pacific, but one harsh word from Zen and they’re all chicken shit.

With a grunt, she slides in above his head, hands out and ready. “You’re some mystery,” she says, ignoring the way he gapes at her, “aren’t you?”

His jaw snaps shut, mouth pulling into a grimace. “Sounds like you’ve already decided.”

She lifts a brow. “You’re a ranger, but no one in the whole dome’s ever heard of you.”

He does a single rep, racking the barbel with not a single sign of strain. “I hung up my flight suit a long time ago.”

“There’s people here who can list every pilot since Mark 1,” she scoffs, “time isn’t the issue.”

“I didn’t distinguish myself,” he explains, wry, rolling up the bench, grabbing the towel from behind him. “One run wonder, you know.”

She crosses her arms, watching as he towels off the rigid bristle of his hair. “Your file’s so confidential not even generals can access it.”

“Ah, well.” He cocks a brow from under his towel, mouth rucked up in a grin. “Did someone make daddy try?”

It’s not until her knuckles crack, harsh like gunfire in the empty room, that she realizes she’s clenched her fists at all. The Asshole only gets more smug. “Maybe I just value my privacy.”

“You lost that by coming back here,” she tells him, tight, as he stands, unfurling half a head taller than her. Still, she didn’t get on the flight deck by being cowed by a few inches. “Not just anyone gets offered a seat in Rex Tyrannous.”

“Well, I don’t want it.” He slings the towel around his neck, turning toward the door. “As soon as the prince deigns to let me in his head, we can all go home.”

Kiki is a Seiran, a name that commands respect in every dome in the Pacific. Conversations end when she says they end, and no one has ever put their back to her.

But this Asshole just starts to walk away, like she isn’t a general’s daughter, like her mother didn’t save a whole city, like she’s some rookie straight out of the academy.

“Hey.” She grips his arm hard, fingers wrapped like talons. “I’m still--”

There’s no warning; one minute she’s got a hand on him and the next she’s on the ground, jaw radiating pain like the heart of a jaeger. She lifts a hand to it, and oh, that is gonna leave one hell of a bruise.

“Fuck.” Obi stares down at her, those strange gold eyes wide and jaw slack, horror etched in every line of his face. “Jesus.”

She gets to her feet, knees wobbling beneath her. Asshole didn’t kid around when he laid one on you, that’s for sure.

“Hell,” he hisses, hands hovering around her, like he can’t decide whether to help her or ignore her. “Sorry. Fuck. Sorry. I didn’t even--”

Okay, that’s enough.

She’s smaller than him, lighter built, but she knows how to pack enough wallop to send him stumbling back. Her knuckles sting-- he’s got a hard head for a boy with such delicate cheekbones-- but it’s worth it to see his face ruck up in confusion, to see him cradling his own jaw.

“All right,” he laughs after a long moment, shaking himself out. “That’s fair.”

“It is,” she agrees, stepping up to him. “But it was my fault. Let’s try this over. I’m Kiki Seiran.”

She thrust out a hand, and he just stares, like he think it might bite him. Fair enough; her other one is still red from where she hit him.

“Right.” His own hand envelops her own, giving it a good firm squeeze. “I’m Obi.”

#obiyuki #mitsukiki #akagami no shirayukihime #snow white with the red hair #pacific rim au #my fic #this is really starting to become an ensemble piece and I'm just gonna roll with it #though obviously there's gonna be some obiyuki pinning this whole beast together #and some side mitsukiki #i got another chapter coming up in a few weeks #which is gonna get a lot more into the drifting side of things #but uh...enjoy the slow build to that point i guess #now with kiki being salty about life

13 notes · View notes

onedivinemisfit · 3 years

Text

FREE TO COLOR LINEART MASTERPOST PART 1✏️💝

(Eternal WIP lol)

I will be pinning this post to my blog for easy finding, and collect all my available linearts in a list. I’d have made a page, but redirect pages don’t show on mobile so this is the better decision. It’ll probably take some time to fully update, as some of my linearts are strewn all over the place ^^; Like, the rule will be, if the art isn’t listed here, I do not have the lineart. Maybe I never saved it, or it has been lost. I apologize beforehand for this.

All the art is in PNG format. This means that if you use software like Clip, SAI, PS, or even Gimp, they will recognize the transparency (the blank spaces) and be easy to color. If anyone needs to load the pictures in different formats, let me know and I’ll have them reformatted for your needs~ And ofc if you color traditionally, just print em out :)

“NSFW!” - means the works are mature and by clicking the link you regard yourself as old enough to view the image.

I only ask that you do not take credit for my work, or resell them for profit, thank you.

AnS;

* Hakizana Racy Kiss Lineart (Haki x Izana)

* Hisakiki Kiss Lineart (Hisame x Kiki)

* AnS Main Girls Lineup Lineart

* Happy Family Ice Cream Chibis Lineart

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 1 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 2 Lineart (NSFW!)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 3 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 4 Lineart (NSFW!)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 5 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 6 Lineart (NSFW!)

* 2019 Obiyukiweek Day 7 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyuki Chapter Cover Redrawn Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Happy Family Witcher!AU Lineart

* Obiyuki Sword Stab Lineart (tw: blood and gore)

* Happy Family Walkies Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyuki Awkward Balcony Scene Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Happy Family Good Morning Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Shirayuki and Yuzuri’s Secret Lineart

* Obiyuki Bingo 2020 Role Swap AU Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* AnS Newspaper Captions Lineart

* Happy Family Soiree Redraw Lineart

* Obiyuki Pregnant Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Necromancer Shirayuki Lineart

* Obiyuki Nursing Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyuki From Far Away Redraw Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Mitsukiki Angst Lineart (Mitsuhide x Kiki)

* Obiyuki Lap Sleepies Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyuki Vette Family Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Shirayuki Profile Manga Redraw Lineart

* Kageya Manga Redraw Lineart

* Obiyuki LotR!AU Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2021 Obiyukiweek Day 2 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2021 Obiyukiweek Day 3 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2021 Obiyukiweek Day 4 Lineart (NSFW!)

* 2021 Obiyukiweek Day 5 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* 2021 Obiyukiweek Day 7 Lineart (Obi x Shirayuki)

* AnS Catwalk Ladies

* Lilias Bathhouse Manga Redraw Lineart

* Mitsutorou Carry Me (Mitsuhide x Torou)

* Little Izana and His Cat

* Swordswoman Kiki

* Necro!yuki and friends

* Promo redraw teatime (Obi x Shirayuki)

* AnS manga whole page redraw (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obi admiring her (Obi x Shirayuki) (NSFW!)

* AnS vol 25 redesign

* Obiyukimadness22 Awkward Bathtub Bonding (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyukimadness22 Final (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Silk and Daggers Shirayuki

* Ryuu dress-up doll base

* Ryuu dress-up outfit

* The Slap

* Phantom Thief Shirayuki

* High Schooler Obi

* Suzuri Tent Hook-up (Suzu x Yuzuri) (NSFW!)

* Gal pal Massage (Torou x OC)

* Obiyuki Happy Spy Family

* Three sides of a Shirayuki (NSFW!)

* Obiyukiweek22 angsty hug (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Obiyukiweek22 panel redraw (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Shirayuki’s dorm room

* 2016 Zenyuki anime ending (Zen x Shirayuki)

* 2016 behind the scenes at Lilias (Haki x Izana)

* Obiyuki ESO!au heroes

* Accidental First Kiss (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Sleepy Kiss (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Whipped Cream Kiss (Obi x Shirayuki) (NSFW!)

* Fox Hand Kiss (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Sailor Shirayuki

* Moon Kitty Garack

* Sailor Kihal

* Sailor Torou

* Sailor Kiki

* ObiyukiBingo23 Rimworld (Obi x Shirayuki)

* ObiyukiBingo23 Hanahaki (Obi x Shirayuki)

* ObiyukiBingo23 Baby Fox (Obi x Shirayuki)

* ObiyukiBingo23 Summer Camp

* ObiyukiBingo23 Googly Eyes in Class (Obi x Shirayuki)

* ObiyukiBingo23 Sailor Moon OP Redraw

* Obiyukibingo23 Bruxayuki’s Confession (Obi x Shirayuki)

* Concubine and Envoy’s First Meeting (Obi x Shirayuki)

Hakuouki;

* Chizuru Headshot

* Oni Chizuru Headshot

* Sen-hime Headshot

* Oni Sen-hime Headshot

* Big hug (Iba x Chizuru)

The Witcher;

* Coral at the Thanedd Ball

* Aen Elle Wedding (Ciri x Eredin)

Witch Hat Atelier;

* Main cast headshots

The Moomins;

* The Groke Redesigned

Apothecary Diaries;

* Lipstick Lovers (Mao Mao x Jinshi) (NSFW!)

Mao;

* Tender hug (Mao x Nanoka)

Fire Emblem;

* Lysithea Swordtember

* Linhardt Swordtember

* Ashe Swordtember

* Bared Byleth (NSFW!)

W.I.T.C.H.;

* Fire Emblem Crossover

Vampire Game

* Princess Carry (Ishtar x Darres)

Rings of Power LOTR;

* Family headshots (Sauron x Galadriel)

Original Art;

* Flower maiden

99 notes · View notes

obiyuki-beebs · 4 years

Note

I found this in chapter 56 and I thought it was kinda interesting. While Zen is comforting Shirayuki as she's crying, Mitsuhide says,"But this is about Zen and Shirayuki. I don't think this sudden distance is a big problem. It's not like being apart would cause their existence to become smaller in each other's lives." Maybe it's foreshadowing they will separate? What are your thoughts on this? Do you think ObiYuki still has a chance or is it just the author toying with us?

hi anon!! (￣ω￣)

Short answer:

Yes, Whoaboy get ready I have some THOUGHTS, YESS!! and No.

I have been sitting on this ask for a long time sorry for le wait

The vast majority of this post is below the cut. I hope it is not too much / addresses what you meant.

Here are some notes before I subject whoever reads this to my madness:

These little moments of “It’s okay to do what you want to do” always strike me, and I think about them when I’m considering Zen v Obi endgame because it opens up the possibility that things can change.

Yes it’s a shojo and shojo protagonists tend to stick with their initial love interest... blah blah blah. I don’t think this preconceived notion of how shojo manga ‘always goes’ is a valid point anymore.

So .... I think the comments we are both thinking of usually refer to Shirayuki’s Path and how she must be able to Stand By Zen’s Side as an Ally, etc. So I’ll kind of be thinking of this from the angle of a Journey.

Everything discussed is also after The Play We Believe is Foreshadowing (except for the panels pulled from ch 9 and 20) which I think should be considered for the context of the plot.

If it is actually foreshadowing for an eventual Obi & Shirayuki story arc -- which tbh we might be in the midst of (currently) at ch 117 without realizing it -- then it’s relevant to how we frame the comments made afterwards. At the end of the day, Akizuki-sensei is an author. She is telling us a story. I think it’s reasonable to seek out clues to foreshadowing in fictional stories. So I’m operating under a 90% certainty that the play is foreshadowing.

I have found that the best (fictional) stories are ones that have been planned carefully. I have no way of verifying if AnS has been so precisely crafted to weave in so much foreshadowing that we speculate over, but damn it sure feels like it was.

The manga was originally just the first chapter, so we can assume that after writing that chapter and deciding to make it into a series, there was some planning done.

ANyway............... strong speculation ahead. I think I was ~60% thorough in my search to find material relevant to Foreshadowing of a Separation.

Please enjoy!

1) So we’ll start with a panel from ch 9,

where Zen is considering his relationship with Shirayuki and his growing crush.

This panel is, as stated above, part of the story that Akizuki expanded on after the original one-shot. In the first chapter, we get a lot of cute fate-chitchat between Zen and Shirayuki, but I think -- after deciding to continue the story -- Akizuki changed the tone to allow for more character development, and to challenge the Fate tropes often seen in romance.

Thus, the statement above from Zen that they may not always be together.

foreshadowing ?! ( ˙▿˙ )

___________________________

2) In Chapter 28,

we have the crew essentially saying they are all growing stronger for the sake of each other, and lending their strength as needed.

Within the story, Akizuki-sensei has established a theme of moving forward and changing as needed as a way to get stronger.

Mitsuhide says this to Shirayuki, also in Ch 28:

Why .... does Mitsuhide look so serious as he says this to her? Is he reconciling the fact that Shirayuki and Zens paths may diverge at some point, as they do for the Lyrias arc?

He follows up the above statement with:

He goes on to say,

“I want you to follow your heart so you can stand on your own wherever Zen takes you.”

So... maybe that context takes away some of the significance for fellow lovers of AnS. But I don’t think we should just ignore the statement.

I think she’s being given permission to change her mind; that it’s okay for her to have feelings for Zen, but it’s also okay if she chooses to end things. Mitsuhide will support her either way.

Even though the the full remark still has to do with Zen, she is being encouraged to stand on her own. She is her own person. She has friends who will still be there even if she chooses something different from what people expect of her.

In this case -- pertaining to AnS as a whole, from the perspective of everyone who ‘knows’ about ZenYuki in-story and also (meta!) the manga readers -- Shirayuki is expected to someday marry Zen.

After this, in Chapter 29, Izana is a bit derisive to Shirayuki after she gets the title from Tanbarun. I think his comments are intentionally made to make her uncomfortable. He says,

“Hahahaha! What an unusual title! Amazing!”

- cue confusion from Zen and Shirayuki -

“I wasn’t poking fun at it, it’s just a bit strange. Hmm... before, I said a nobody like her at your side would sully your name, Zen, but with this you can be friends without any such worry, right?

“Shirayuki, I’ve never asked what kind of relationship you want to have with Zen. And I don’t know if it’s something that can be said.”

Alrighty. So. Izana says in front of Shirayuki that he had described her as a nobody. This seems like something said meant to disquiet her, and her initial reaction is, “taken aback,” so we can safely say it was at least temporarily disconcerting for her to hear. I imagine it’s hurtful to hear you were once thought of as someone unworthy of notice.

Don’t get me wrong, I think most of what Izana says and does is in relatively good faith. I think the fandom has come to a general conclusion that he’s testing their relationship.

Obi finds her in the early morning and he notices that she’s upset, commenting that she’s making a strange face. She is still thinking about what Izana said, and Obi asks,

“Is it about the path you want to take?”

“....No. It’s that I haven’t given it any thought.”

Zen already wishes (though I don’t think he’s explicitly stated it the way he does later in ch 33) to marry Shirayuki, and we see her here facing emotional turmoil because that part of her future isn’t something she has thought about yet. Interesting, to say the least.

I’m not really sure about this, but it seems like she either means where Zen is taking her and / or where she can stand on her own.

And then .......

“Obi, will you lend me a hand?”

“Didn’t I tell you before that I’ll take you wherever you want to go?”

This part of the story is still heavy ZenYuki, but I think Obi saying this to her right now is significant. Akizuki has repeatedly weaved Shirayuki’s path into the themes of the story so far, while contrasting that Zen will meet her at her destination, while Obi will be at her side for the journey.

Zen and Shirayuki meet and talk. They basically address that Shirayuki doesn’t really know what the future holds, but that she still wants to stand by his side, and says that even though he’s a prince she wants to think it’s okay for her to feel that way.

You almost forget about the significance of Obi and Shirayuki’s relationship when it’s followed up by this ZenYuki scene. I wonder about the aforementioned nature-of-planning involved in the story and the future of the characters at this point.

gnah how did this post get so long already

___________________________

3) Zen has presumably given his blessing for Obi to be happy in love

In chapter 31, while the group is stranded outside Wistal due to rain, Zen and Obi are in the bath talking about the possibility of Kiki and Mitsuhide getting married.

“It’s fine with me as long as they can say that they’re happy. I intend to make sure of that.”

“You’ll make sure of that?”

“The same applies to you too, Obi.”

More foreshadowing? Presently it seems that the MitsuKiki ship has sunk, so contrasting this conversation to current-manga-events is titillating to me. ESPECIALLY because Zen says that he wants to make sure Obi is happy when Zen knows how Obi feels about Shirayuki. So it’s established that they will support one another as friends.

Later, Kiki and Mitsuhide are talking after dinner and discuss how the nature of Zen and Shirauki’s friendship never changes (that’s the impression I got from it). Mitsuhide recalls when he and Zen talked about the same thing:

I think what Kiki and Mitsuhide are referring to is that Zen and Shirayuki have made a conscious effort to become friends despite the barriers they’ve encountered so far, by way of them showing the strength of their mutual respect and desire to aid one another. I get a similar feel from the conversation between Zen and Mitsuhide.

And then .....

“The two of us will always be friends.”

ahem

Zen saying this -- in context to everything from the past four chapters -- implies that Zen is okay if their relationship is not romantic. If it is true that the mangas plot was deliberately planned out, these chapters will become increasingly interesting to look back on as the plot progresses.

The direction of the story has changed since then if we are only looking at the big turning point of Mitsuhide rejecting Kiki.

And despite that rejection, the group is still a group despite their physical distance.

___________________________

Brief note to say that in Ch 33 Izana says to Zen,

“Let me be an ally as you and Shirayuki follow your own path.”

While this is a ZenYuki comment, I see it as Akizuki reinforcing that each character is following their own path and they will be supported as they do.

___________________________

3.5) After this point is the first Lyrias arc,

where obiyuki shippers are starting to salivate over how much is packed in just for their relationship. I mean .... remember when she pushed him to the ground because she thought he would get hit by snow? And he gives her those moony eyes just like it didn’t stop ... my heart

UGH JUST SAYING IT BECAUSE context! Shirayuki’s path is changing slowly, and Obi is still by her side.

___________________________

4) A period of transition

I think this is around the time the Bergatt arc is actually beginning, leading up even to current-manga-events.

In Chapter 53

And thus, they head towards the path that a new wind blows upon.

The times are changing.

While Shirayuki is preparing for her and Ryuu’s move to Lyrias, Zen and co. are at Wilant meeting with Haruto, who describes fools aiming to throw the country into turmoil. This is a seed for the plot that develops, ie, the Bergatt arc that was not actually resolved when Touka gets taken down at Sereg in ch (?) 86. I bring this up because I think it shows the level of planning that Akizuki has put into the story at this point.

In chapter 55, after Shirayuki has finally been able to tell Zen she’ll be away from Wistal for 2 years, and they have this conversation (slightly paraphrased) after he’s processed for a short time:

Zen -

“Sorry. The fact that you would be leaving the castle was something that I’d never considered. So my reaction was a little slow.

“I’ll hear it. I’m sure there was more you wanted to say.”

Shirayuki -

“I’m really glad that I got to meet you and come to the castle! I’m where I am now because I wanted to become Zen’s ally; and i achieved that by coming to the castle and becoming a royal pharmacist.

“I’m sure that, like how it’s always been, there’s something ahead connecting to my path now. That’s why, because there’s a place I have yet to go, I want to be there.”

This is Zen’s face after she says the above:

What is he thinking? Is he worried about their romantic relationship? I interpret it as preemptive disappointment that they may not stay together.

Shortly after we get to the point you made in your ask (sweet anon) re ch 56 with Mitsuhides comment. This adds to the reinforced theme that change is okay and they will all still be friends and allies regardless of where life takes them.

BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER Mitsuhide says that in reference to Zen and Shirayuki, Obi responds:

Is Akizuki drawing a parallel between MitsuKiki and ZenYuki? No idea. maybe. But somehow I do not find it coincidental.

This seems like a MitsuKiki hint, meant to fuel the ultra-shippable pair that we all loved... but after the rejected proposal, it’s hard not to see the whole situation differently re: zenyuki / obiyuki and mitsukiki / hisakiki.

Then the first true ObiYuki hug, and this:

“It feels as though Obi might suddenly appear in Lyrias!”

girl you already knew. Shirayuki knows that Obi will follow her.

Obi deliberately postpones going to Lyrias, though, in order to consider his feelings for Shirayuki and how to tell Zen.

Then!! in 58-59 we get long-awaited confirmation from Obi that he has feelings for Shirayuki, and after this beautiful moment Obi goes to Lyrias to be at Shirayuki’s side, and after everything that has happened so far that is a clincher for me regarding our beloved Foreshadowing.

While discussing Obi’s crush on Shirayuki, Obi asks Zen

“Aren’t you going to propose?”

“.......................Well, I’m.. making her .. wait.”

“Master ... I don’t recommend postponing it, you know.”

I wonder about this comment. Is this a clue for us that Zen postponing engagement is going to be a negative thing in the future?

idk maybe ╮(￣ω￣)╭

Either way ........ This transition period, in between Lyrias 1 and 2, shows us that the story is changing.

___________________________

I have definitely not covered all of the possible moments of foreshadowing and am actually going to leave off on that topic for the time being. I might do a part 2 as its own post.

But for now I will switch to previously mentioned point that...

5) Obi and Shirayuki’s paths are walked together

I think the following two panels are a great way to frame their relationship. Chapter 20 in early Tanbarun arc:

And then, much later in chapter 106 as they stand by the fire and Shirayuki tells Obi he’s handsome in the light:

“... because you come with me.” ( ╥ω╥ )

And then more delightful talk from chapter 104 that I think is ... gasp

foreshadowing !!!!!

They are having this discussion after they’ve found out about Kiki becoming engaged to Hisame.

“It’s necessary to have the courage to make a decision and take a step down that path, isn’t it?”

Shirayuki is possibly saying this due to the implications of Kiki’s letter. Kiki has made the choice to take a new path from the one she had been on by marrying Hisame.

So what about Shirayuki’s journey? Has her growth led her to a path she didn’t expect, and now it will take courage to step down it?

In recent chapters Shirayuki is shown to be seeing Obi differently and as a man:

overhearing him calling her beautiful and being surprised that he is embarrassed she heard

witnessing him going to a marriage meeting

that little moment where he is holding her wrist as a Lyrias knight tells him that the knights sister wishes him luck in love

the firelight comment oh my god

realizing she lost the pin Obi gave her and tearing up as she literally stared at him; upset that the gift she cherished is now missing and potentially realizing how very dear to her Obi actually is

fake dating and the 10 seconds of ... just... I still cant even

Obi is the one who is by Shirayuki’s side. They developed a bond through years friendship that is now being reframed by Akizuki. The nature of their relationship has been slowly changing and I think we approaching a time in the manga where Shirayuki will realize it.

___________________________

To answer your last question ... I do think ObiYuki has a chance and I do not think the author is just toying with us. I’ve talked a lot about my ObiYuki Endgame feels in previous posts/asks. I could probably talk about it forever but this post is absurdly long .... sorry

Thank you so much for the ask! and wow thank you so much if you actually read this whole thing!

<3 beebs <3

#obiyuki #obi x shirayuki #speculating #so much speculating #ask beebs #i dont think this is even my longest post #that may be an issue #ans #akagami no shirayukihime #obyuki #meta

68 notes · View notes

snowwhite-andtheknight · 3 years

Photo

I’m going to preface this off with the fact that I’m a multishipper, and ship quite a variety of pairings, so this list might go all over the place. (Also, I’ve never written a fic rec before, though I have recommended fics and gushed about several often enough.) First of all, Above and Below Surface by Whitehorse102 immediately comes to mind. It’s probably my favorite AU fic that I’ve ever read for ZenYuki and possibly, my favorite I’ve ever read in general. It’s a Mer!AU; a type of AU that I’m always reading, but Whitehorse102 writes it so differently than any other Mer!AU, I’ve seen. The world building is insanely good, and the story reads a lot more like a published novel than a multichapter fanfic; there’s world building that even takes in parts of canon and plays around with them a bit. The ZenYuki is built up slowly. It’s a work in progress of the writer’s, and such a lovely read, that you absolutely would not regret reading it or rereading it. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12201172/1/Above-and-Below-Surface Apparently, the first fic I read was Of Assassins and Apples by Realm-Leaper, though since I sometimes accidentally refavorite stuff, changing the date that I favorited it or may have read stuff I didn’t favorite, I might not be accurate with this. It’s an Obi-centric oneshot collection with two oneshots, that I vaguely remember reading. (Eventually, I’ll share stuff that aren’t on Fanfiction.net, because I read all over the place.) I started rereading it, and it has almostly amazing Obi headcanons. The first oneshot is an Obi and Zen friendship piece, and honestly, maybe this is where most of my Obi headcanons came from as far as backstory. This oneshot collection of two oneshots is well worth your time! I’d wondered if the Mukaze and Obi scene was canon, had convinced myself that the talk they had was canon and took place during the Tanbarun Arc, but it was this fanfic, the second oneshot has an absolutely incredible and in character scene where Obi and Mukaze talk a few things out. (Honestly, it’s on my mind whenever I read a story where the two of them talk or interact in any way, and it a hundred percent affects the way I remember canon.) So do check it out! It’s a lovely two oneshot collection centering on Obi. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12933248/1/Of-Assassins-and-Apples

My favorite ANS OC right now is Setsuko/Vixen/fox, from Nostalgic Family by your1ocalpotato. I decided to read some of Potato’s work on a whim a few months back, once I realized that Potato wrote stories, and I absolutely adore Setsuko, especially within Nostalgic Family; I just love that universe, the added backstory for Obi, the found family dynamics, the way that Setsuko may be rough around the edges from the life she lived, but she cares deeply for her family, especially Obi. Just the sibling bond that Setsuko and Obi have in it is absolutely incredible, and in that particular universe, Setsuko has barely met Izana, so there’s a chance that that slow burn will eventually pick up, and Izana/Setsuko is such a lovely pair; they contrast very beautifully together, and it’s got to be my favorite Izana/OC pairing. Honestly, Potato’s stories are really good and more people need to read them. https://archiveofourown.org/works/22926751/chapters/54800950 (The Den Series is the name of the particular series I’m talking about, though there is a different story with Setsuko, where she has a different backstory, and it’s pretty much all slowburn Izana/Setsuko. Both are worth a read, though I haven’t finished the longer, slow burn fic yet.) As for An AU I Took A Chance On (And Now Love), it would be the Quarantine AU, that Muselover1901 wrote: Here With(out) You. I figured I’d read a Quarantine AU, and that one was really beautifully written. It’s one of my favorites by Muse. (I may throw in a few other stories that I recommend by Muse, because she’s a super talented ZenYuki writer.) I usually avoid writing any Quarantine AUs or Pandemic AUs unless I really feel like I need to. The same usually goes with reading them; I’ve found at least one good Quarantine AU in about four or so fandoms now. (I usually only read one per fandom, if it seems interesting.) Honestly, this is probably my favorite Quarantine AU ever. It’s longer, and the world is pretty well established. (And it’s a really lovely domestic ZenYuki oneshot.) https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13668279/1/Here-With-out-You I’m going to cheat a little on the next two, because I actually reviewed them (and reviewed them around the same time). First, I want to mention a fic that Made Me Laugh Out Loud; the first one that comes to mind is A Snowy Surprise by MuseLover1901. It’s the first one that pops into my head, though I know that I’ve laughed out loud at probably plenty of other stories. I actually was unsure before I read it whether it was a romantic story or not, and had been a bit nervous about jumping in and reading it, but once I started to read it, it was love at first sight. There’s a snowball fight in it, and I’ll have to say one particular hit made me laugh out loud. The story is mostly a friendship story. (The kind of story that I always long for more of in any fandom, because I love friendship stories as much as I love romance stories, and I also love family stories just as much.) But it’s lighthearted and doesn’t contain too many manga spoilers for me, since I’m terribly behind in the manga right now. (I haven’t read all of Muse’s work yet, because some of them have more manga spoilers than I’m ready to read. I’m biding my time for the day that I can just binge read them obsessively. It will happen.) https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13668260/1/A-Snowy-Surprise So, here’s the story, I’m cheating by mentioning instead of the above one. (I reviewed them around the same time, so it works, I think.) For A Fic That Made Me Friends With The Author, I’d have to say A Quick Library Visit; it’s a short, sweet read, and if you want quick ZenYuki fluff, it’s a go to. I read it around the same time as the above two Muse fics, and for some reason, some of Muse’s newest stories didn’t have reviews, so I figured I’d review. Shortly after, I reviewed A Quick Library Visit and A Snowy Surprise, Muse messaged me to thank me. (She’s really cool by the way.) And then, a little while later, I joined the old ZenYuki Week Server, and Muse invited me over to a ZenYuki Writing Collab Server, and we became fast friends after that. (She remembered me based off of the two reviews I’d left on her stories, which was pretty cool and definitely humbling.) (Also, heads up, I’ll post the fanfiction links to Muse’s stories, but she also posts them on AO3, so they’re there as well.) (I wish there was a reverse for this panel, because through the ZenYuki Writing Server; I met phenomenal writers and began reading their work as well!) https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13668268/1/A-Quick-Library-Visit As for A Fic That Got Me Involved In The Fandom, I may be cheating by mentioning this too, since I starting writing fanfics for ANS practically right after I finished watching Season Two. The Mistress, the Plan, and the Secret by MisusedEllipses really made me long to write for Prince Raji/Shirayuki, and really kicked me off in that little rarepair haven, that Season Two won me over towards. This is an incredible fanfic, has absolutely amazing characterization throughout, and is incomplete on Fanfiction. (I’m hoping that somewhere online, it sits pretty and finished, waiting for me to rediscover it. I may be overly hopeful.) Okay, it ties in onesided!ObiYuki feelings, onesided!PrinceRajiYuki feelings, and wonderful characterization and sibling banter between Eugena and Rona! Honestly, Raji is written so well that it practically reads like canon: a very hard feat indeed for any writer to accomplish. Just, wow! I don’t know who to root for: Raji, Zen, or Obi! It diverges from canon right before the kidnapping, so Shirayuki never gets kidnapped, and eventually a rather interesting Raji and Obi friendship forms, though that’s right where the last current chapter is. It hasn’t been updated in four or five, I guess now or soon, years, but it’s well worth a read. I will recommend this to anyone if given a chance, regardless of whether the person is a multishipper or not. I love the friendship, the romance, the family, and humor that comes along with Raji’s siblings’ banter. It’s just a phenomenal canon divergent fic, and it’s what really made me realize there was a need for more Raji X Shirayuki fanfics, and it left me crazy about filling that gap. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12156186/1/The-Mistress-the-Plan-and-the-Secret I’m going to make a rather honest claim here, even though I’m not sure how often this writer will come up in what I gush about here, but this writer should: genee is one of my favorite writers in the fandom. (I’m not sure if genee is still active.) When I eventually thought of a fic with A Favorite Minor Character of mine, this particular story came up. history doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes is an absolutely amazing precanon story where it focuses entirely on Ryuu, gives him some backstory! (It’s an amazing read, and it follows his journey to becoming a Court Herbalist.) Honestly, the fandom needs a lot more Ryuu fics. (On a side note, a fic by a different writer also came to mind with this, but since that’s more romantic than this gen fic, I figured I’d stick with this one. The other one that comes to mind is the only fic where I could find Kai as a main character. It’s by a different writer, but if I can stick it into this recommendation, I will tell you more about it.) Genee writes really good fics. I know genee has a fanfiction account, but I think genee might have an AO3 as well. https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12687531/1/history-doesn-t-repeat-itself-but-it-often-rhymes For Pre-Canon, I want to mention a lovely story by an incredible (mostly?) MitsuKiki writer that may not actually be active anymore. (Unless the writer uses a different site now.) (This story is actually not a MitsuKiki fanfic, though it is still one of my all time favorite stories by fiesa.) Roses, Violets by fiesa. It’s a beautiful story that focuses on Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki during the years since Kiki came there. Zen develops a crush on an OC, who doesn’t like him like that, who actually likes Mitsuhide, interestingly enough. It’s not really a romance story, as it focuses on the way time passes and uses summer and flowers to express that. The perspectives shift, so some parts may need to be reread to understand who is feeling that way, but it’s all written so beautifully. You get to see Zen develop a crush and get heartbroken, Mitsuhide trying to be really nice, knowing Zen likes the woman and sort of trying to let something happen between Zen and the OC. Though, Zen feels that that’s hopeless, since she likes Mitsuhide. It’s more a story of the friendship between Zen, Mitsuhide, and Kiki, and what growing up entails. It’s Zen before Shirayuki, and it makes for a rather lovely, read. (It’s a multichapter, though it’s not a super lengthy one as far as chapter count goes. It’s well worth a read though.) (fiesa and geneee I discovered around the same time, and I love what both of them write so much.) (So, if you like it, it’s always worth checking out the rest of fiesa’s work.) https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12864975/1/Roses-Violets I was just thinking over how to mention an incredible writer, that wrote two ZenYuki oneshot that I’ve read and fell in love with. (Spotted the oneshot section. If I have to refill part of the Bingo Board later, so be it.) The Art Of Watching Stars Fall by Zen Wisteria on Tumblr. The metaphors and images are just so pretty and beautiful and with gorgeous meanings. (The writer feels a bit like a poet, and since I love poetry, that’s a definite plus in my book.) It’s really fluffy and sweet and contains pretty much all of the wonderful reasons to ship ZenYuki. It’s a delight to read and to reread. It’s highly recommended by me. https://zen-wistaria.tumblr.com/post/117283326416/it-feels-like-years-since-shes-seen-his-face AU That Made Me Find The Source Material: Lyrias Station by Eclectic80. I’m cheating here too. Shh… I’ve been slowly getting into Star Trek over the years very deliberately, and I just loved this fic so much! I found it first on the ObiYuki Community, going through a lot older fics, and then fell in love with just the way that Eclectic80 wrote it! It’s an absolutely incredible Star Trek AU, and a lovely ObiYuki story. (I think I did start with reading Historical Fiction, and it surprised me by being a Star Trek AU.) (On the note of really great AUs, there’s a Star Wars AU for ObiYuki that’s incredible, that I’ll have to refind at some point, and an incredible Harry Potter AU. I actually asked a lot of questions to people who know Star Wars lore far better than I do, in order to work through how much of the Star Wars AU for ObiYuki could plausibly happen in canon. (I think it was all of it. It was a great and engaging read too!) The Harry Potter AU left me obsessed with it, and the accidental soul bonding spell, whoops. But, since I don’t remember their titles or who wrote them, I’ll have to recommend them some other day. (I think they are also far back on the community page. I haven’t finished exploring it, since I took a break a while ago.) Back to Lyrias Station, it’s an absolutely incredible read whether you know very little about Star Trek, nothing at all, or a lot. I fall somewhere in the middle, and honestly, it’s a fantastic read, whenever you want to dig in and explore. (I may have reread certain oneshots in it way too much for my own good, practically back to back. It’s a really wonderful reread as well.) https://archiveofourown.org/works/14414148/chapters/34487988 For A Fic That Gave Me A New OTP, though my OTP is hard to define, so I’m technically cheating here, but Let Me Be Bold by Kaedix. It’s an IzanaYuki story, and that is a pairing that I was curious about, but hadn’t really shipped until I read this oneshot collection. I absolutely need to read the third oneshot; it’s new, and bound to be incredible. But, the first oneshot had me sort of falling in love with Izana right alongside Shirayuki, and the second oneshot had me cheering for Shirayuki, and all in all, it’s an incredible read that is well worth your time, whether just to read something new or different or whether you are on the fence about this fabulous rarepair. (Since it did win me over to the ship, I’m including it here.) It’s incredible! Go read it! https://archiveofourown.org/works/20982494/chapters/49894448 I was trying to figure out a fic that I loved that was under a thousand words, and since I haven’t paid a huge amount of attention to the word count, I couldn’t think of one at first. So, I was going through one of the writers that I really like the writing of, and stumbled upon one that I immediately remembered. Importance by bountifulnuggets. I remembered it strictly as the wedding story where Zen and Shirayuki hugged Obi, who desperately needed a hug. I’ve never read anything like it before, and it’s saturated with friendship. (Nugget is a phenomenal writer, so basically anything by her is really good, so if you haven’t heard of her, go check out her writing. You won’t be disappointed.) (I got temporarily sidetracked before going through Nugget’s stories, by a story I hadn’t read by Eclectic80, a ZenYuki(!) story, that if for some reason, I extend and do more than a Bingo Board (or find another way to include), I’ll tell you the title of. Either way, the story by Nugget is a lovely hurt/comfort fic that is more comfort than hurt, and it’s definitely a beautiful read. https://archiveofourown.org/works/26433481 I’m going to pause here for now, even though I haven’t gotten a Bingo yet, because I’ve spent way too long today, compiling this list, and kind of want to share how far along it’s come so far. I recommend every single last one of these fics and several more, honestly they’re all so amazing!

#ansficbingo #fic re #sctwilightvampwolfgal #submission

12 notes · View notes

party-with-books · 6 years

Text

The gift that is LONG overdue! For the magnanimously patient @kiooart!! You asked for Mitsukiki (i chose romantic instead of platonic cause why not?) as well as a battle scene, so here it is! I hope you enjoy!! :D

It’s also up on AO3!

~~~~~~~~~~

Love Is A Battlefield

“A wedding in the midst of battle.” He told them. “Not completely uncommon, but definitely not something often heard of. When all hope seemed lost some soldier’s final wish would be to marry his beloved.”

She was not so easily convinced. “How can a marriage take place during battle? Wouldn’t their ladies be waiting for them back home?”

‘Not if they fought alongside them.’ He explained, poking at the fire with a stick. “According to soldiers, going to battle with their loved one is what made battlefield weddings so uncommon. Some recall seeing both couples captured and, before being dealt the final blow, they would request to be joined together in matrimony.”

Their group was silent, pondering over his words.

“Buuuut of course that’s just an old war soldier’s tale. Who’s to say if it’s true or not….”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kiki gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, pivoting her left foot and swinging her blade to block her opponents strike. One hard shove, a quick slice followed by another, and he was down. A steady fall of rain had began, quickly soaking through her short cloak to her skin. Arms and legs aching, chest heaving, hair undone long ago, Kiki gazed through her bangs to check her surroundings within the courtyard. She caught sight of Zen not far off fighting his own opponent, Obi near his side, fists raised and eyes focused as he took on one after another, vaulting over a half formed wall like he was part monkey. Alongside she found Kai and Shiira—guards of the Poet’s Gate—back to back with swords drawn as they held their own keeping soldiers from overwhelming their prince.

Ex-nobles with a grudge against His Majesty Izana for stripping them of their rank had rallied, whispering false stories to others like them in want of power, encouraging to take part in going to war against the crown. Were it not for the messages sent from Tanbarun with growing concerns over scout reports, things would surely be far worse than they already were. Soldiers on either side fell one by one as they continued to fight, the soil of Clarines stained red with their blood.

It was a very grim sight indeed.

As much as she hoped for a triumphant outcome, Kiki was not so naive as to be certain they would obtain victory. The entire west entrance had been captured by the enemy, forcing Clarines’ soldiers to hold their stance upon the outer east section of Wistal Castle. Numbers on each side were rapidly falling, neither managing to grasp the upper hand for long.

And while she hated to admit it, that fact alone terrified her. Taking up arms once more Kiki fought through the fatigue that tugged at her every limb, working her way back to Zen. The thought of her life ending now appealed to her about as much as it did the next person. She had so much more she wished to do, to protect, to be with.

To think she may no longer have that chance…

A sudden idea came to mind. Something Obi had once mentioned before that at the time sounded utterly ridiculous, but right now might serve as her only chance. Quickly scanning the area once more Kiki found him fighting not half a length from her, cutting down his nearest opponent, wiping the precipitation from his brow. Apparently unaware of the foe approaching from behind she rushed to guard Mitsuhide’s back, striking down the soldier with ease before turning to face him.

“Mitsuhide,” Kiki grasped her partner in a firm forearm grip, “will you marry me?”

“What?!?” Zen and Obi yelled incredulously, both stumbling fending off opponents from surprise. Of all the things for her to talk of in the heat of battle, that was…not what they expected. Perhaps the fatigue was starting to get to her…

Mitsuhide’s face was the only thing which topped the others shock. He couldn’t have looked more dumbfounded by her words then if she’d just announced King Izana had been turned into a toad.

“I’m really not sure now’s the best time!” was all he could think to reply before the next soldier came at him, metal clashing upon metal.

Never, in the entire kingdom of Clarines, would Mitsuhide have dreamt Kiki of all people would be bringing the topic of marriage up in the middle of battle. And in regards to him no less!

“Now may be our only time.” Raising her sword, Kiki fought vigorously beside Mitsuhide until they had a moments pause, then turned to face him once more. “I love you.”

A phase said so simply, yet with such affection he beheld in her eyes. Such love.

“I’ve made my choice. What’s yours?”

Mitsuhide gazed hard into his partners deep violet eyes. Her intense stare never wavered. She was dead serious. He felt his heart racing for a whole new reason, and it wasn’t due to adrenaline.

“Zen!” Mitsuhide called, the two aids to the second Prince squinted through the rain towards where he stood atop a short wall fighting. “Marry us!”

“I’m a little busy at the moment!” Zen yelled in exasperation, plunging his sword through the man’s center and withdrawing it quickly as another immediately came after.

“Zen! Now!”

The only command that had ever been made by either of them. And done in perfect unison no less. Zen let out a growl of frustration. “Fine!” Bloodied sword in hand the second prince began.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of our Lord to join these two in holy matrimony!”

“Well this is happening. I’ll take this moment to reserve the right as ‘Best Man’ then.” Obi inserted himself into the mix, striking down three on-coming men with his shuriken.

Not missing a beat whilst fighting separate opponents, Mitsuhide and Kiki reached out to clasp together their hands not holding a weapon.

Mitsuhide began first. “Kiki Serian, will you take me to be to be your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health?” A parry, strike, then looked back at her. “To protect our Prince and stay by my side, as not just my partner but also my wife, for long as we both shall live?”

Spinning her under his arm, the two looked as though to be half dancing while fighting. A spin, trade places, slash, stab, duck and block. Their movements were fluid, perfectly timed, as though their minds were one. And at no point did they break hold of each other.

Kiki didn’t miss a beat. “I do.”

“Great!” Mitsuhide couldn’t help but grin, the small smile she sent making his heart take off in flight.

Kiki wiped her wet bangs away from clouding her vision. “And will you, Mitsuhide Louen, take me to be to be your wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health?” Blocking an oncoming sword with her own, Mitsuhide took the moment to thrust his blade into the man’s center. “Health being the less likely.”

Mitsuhide then wrapped his arm round her waist. Secure in his embrace, Kiki lifted both feet off the ground and with a sharp kick to the chest, sent the enemy hurling backwards.

“To protect our Prince and stay by my side, as not just my partner but also my husband, for long as we both shall live?”

His voice was deep, eyes steady with his answer. “I do.”

“Great.” Kiki smiled at him amiss the war-torn setting.

It was funny. They were to be married in the middle of battle, and yet Mitsuhide felt oddly comfortable with it all. Was he insane? Mayhaps so, but right there and then he felt just as she did. If they were to die then it would be joined as man and wife. Marrying his closest friend and confident. Marrying her greatest support and partner. It was oddly fitting in a way.

Their vows now complete His Highness Zen continued. “You have pledged yourselves to one another. May you never forge–i’m trying to conduct a ceremony here you swine!” Zen barked as a soldier made a swipe for his ankles, jumping to avoid the hit. A swift kick to the face and he was down.

“–the promises made this day.” Zen completed. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss—“

Zen paused to engage two oncoming men. Mitsuhide stepped wide and lunged at his attacker. Kiki moved a moment after and balanced on her partners bent knee with her own, hand on shoulder, body horizontally stretched to stab her opponent. Feeling Mitsuhide’s arm catch round her waist, Kiki turned to take his collar in her hands, both leaning in towards one another.

Right as she felt his breath brush across her lips yet another enemy came at them, driving the newlyweds to part.

“You may kiss—“ His Highness tried again but his attention was once more forced to focus elsewhere. Sensing movement behind her Kiki quickly struck down her opponent, continuing to turn sharply and swing her sword downward, only to clash against Mitsuhide’s as he turned the exact same moment. The two froze, both breathing heavily and staring at one another, finally a small gap in the endless fighting.

“Just kiss!” Zen declared exasperatedly.

That was all the encouragement they needed. Taking his sword arm by the wrist Kiki pulled her partner close, his arms winding round her waist and back. They leaned in as one, lips parting in anticipation. Kiki let her eyes slide shut just as they were to make contact…

“Will you stop that! This has gone far enough!!”

Sharp words cut through the warzone’s illusion, bring four companions sitting round a crackling fire into reality.

A strikingly red-faced Mitsuhide glared daggers at Obi, who was taking great pleasure in his friend’s flustered composure.

“What do you mean Mister? It was just about to get good.” Obi grinned mischievously, not at all disheartened at his story being cut short.

“It’s pure nonsense and you know it!” Pointing his stick at the raven-haired attendant, the second prince’s advisor looked to be contemplating on whether or not stabbing him was worth the risk. Friendship be damned.

“I’d have to agree. Either one of us distracting Zen in the middle of battle for a wedding is just ridiculous.”

“That was your problem Kiki?!?”

Zen for his part gave an indifferent shrug, fixing up his bed for a night under the stars. “While i have no problem with a wedding should you choose to, i’d appreciate it being done properly and preferably not when we’re all in danger of dying.”

“We’re not–i’ve never even thoug—i jus–” Mitsuhide let out groan of defeat.

“Ya know Mister, they say the harder one tries to deny it the more true it actually is.”

“Obi!”

The second prince couldn’t help but lightly laugh, setting in for the night. “Ok ok that’s enough storytelling for one night. Get some rest, all of you. We ride for Wistal castle at first light.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some time later the soft snap of a twig had Mitsuhide opening his eyes. Not that he had been asleep. No matter how long he tossed and turned, sleep was an elusive being. Rolling over to find his partner’s bed empty, Mitsuhide caught sight of her silhouette a ways off leaning against a tree, her attention on the glittering sky.

“Can’t sleep?” Mitsuhide joined her side, also gazing upward.

“Not yet.” “Mmm. Thinking about what Obi said earlier?”

The corners of Kiki’s mouth tugged up ever so slightly. “Not quite. But i’m guessing that’s all you’ve thought about.”

“I’ve been found out.” Mitsuhide was only mildly surprised she’d guessed what was on his mind. She always seems to gage what i’m thinking. Can even interpret emotions i have trouble putting to words. Perhaps she’s secretly telepathic.

“I’m no mind reader.”

His head whipped back to stare at Kiki. Wait what?! Now she’s inside my head??

Kiki turned to face her partner, her eyes boring into his own, that ghost of a smile still on her lips. “You’re just too easy to read Mitsuhide. Like an open book.”

Oh.

“Yeeeeeah, so i’ve been told.” He nervously rubbed the back of his neck, catching the shine of a shooting star as it raced across the black sky before disappearing as quickly as it came. Mitsuhide felt a strange sense of calmness in the familiar diamonds twinkling mysteriously. For some reason it reminded him of the mischievous glint in a certain golden-eyed friend. Thinking back on his earlier shenanigans round the fire, Mitsuhide couldn’t help letting out a chuckle, shaking his head fondly. “I just can’t help it. I almost can’t believe the crazy stories Obi manages to spin sometimes. Almost.”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think he was that far off on some parts.” Kiki made a show of brushing off her clothes, her monotone voice cool and composed as always.

Mitsuhide tilted his head in curiosity, his eyes still fixated heavenward. “Really?”

She gave a nod, turning her back towards him once more. “Mmm. I rather liked the idea of us getting married.”

With that Kiki walked off, leaving a crimson-faced Mitsuhide stammering after her retreating form.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Obi you sneaky storyteller you. :P (hope that wasn’t too sudden of an end!) Please note this was completely, totally, and utterly inspired by Will and Elizabeth’s scene in Pirates of the Caribbean 3, with my own twist at the end.

But can you imagine if that HAD happened? After they’d won, the full extent of what just happened would finally hit Mitsuhide. Sort of a “Oh my gosh i married Kiki.” We’ve seen how flustered he got just sharing the same room as Kiki, can you imagine the scene with him sharing the same bed? ;D

Thanks for reading, i hope you enjoyed!!

26 notes · View notes

shirayuki-wisteria · 6 years

Text

White Day Confusion

Mitsukiki Week, Day 5 – Affection (Prompt A)

Title : White Day Confusion

Synopsis : It’s White Day at Wistal Castle and Mitsuhide decides to do something special for Kiki. What will happen?

Disclaimer : I DO NOT OWN AKAGAMI NO SHIRAYUKIHIME! All rights belong to Akiduki Sorata. All the characters mentioned in this fan-fiction are her creations. Any references to actual people are purely coincidental.

Mitsuhide hummed quietly to himself, standing in front of the door of Prince Zen’s office. He held a bouquet of red roses in his hands. He glanced down at the bouquet, nervously running his fingers through his hair. I hope Kiki will like this… He thought to himself.

He pushed open the doors. “Good morning, everyone!”

“Good morning!” Zen and Obi greeted him at the same time. Zen was at his desk while Obi was sitting on the window sill. Kiki was sitting on a nearby couch, reading a book. She still hadn’t even looked in his direction, much less greet him yet.

He gulped. He opened his mouth to greet her but Obi was by his side in no time, inspecting the roses.

“Oh, Mister, why do you have these flowers?” Obi asked curiously. “For some lucky lady you’ve secretly had a rendezvous with before, perhaps?”

He felt a tinge of blush redden his face. “N-No, it’s not like that! Today is White Day, so I thought it might be nice to take part in it.”

“Who are the flowers for, then?”

“Well…,” he started but trailed off. “They’re for… Kiki.”

At the sound of her name, she lifted her head up and looked at him. “Did someone say my name?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, Lady Kiki!” Obi responded mischievously, pushing Mitsuhide towards her.

What is he doing?!

“Well, what is it you need?” Kiki asked, glancing up at him when he was in front of her.

“I-I….” Mitsuhide took a deep breath, trying to gain his composure. “I got these flowers for you.”

She gave him a confused look. “What for?”

“Today is White Day, and on Valentine’s Day, you bought me a few things, so I decided I should return the favor by buying you flowers,” he answered nervously. Does she not like them?

She opened to her mouth to speak but Zen and Obi rudely interrupted her with their laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Mitsuhide demanded, slightly annoyed.

“You, of course!” Zen answered in between laughs. He held his sides as he laughed.

“I can’t believe you got her red roses!” Obi chuckled. “Giving anything red to a girl on White Day means you love her, idiot!”

“W-What?!” The turquoise-haired man exclaimed, turning a deep shade of red even darker than Shirayuki’s hair. “Why didn’t you stop me from giving them to her?!”

“We didn’t actually think you’d give them directly to her, but of course, you’re so dense! It’s called White Day for a reason!”

At this point, he felt like he could die of embarrassment. How could I do something so stupid?!

He risked a glance at Kiki and wish he hadn’t. She had a hand over her mouth, but it was pretty clear by the rising and falling of her shoulders that she was laughing, too.

After seeing the horrified look on his face, she immediately grew serious. She shot the Zen and Obi a look that instantly shut them up. She shifted her gaze back to Mitsuhide. “Care to join me outside for a moment?”

Although Zen and Obi made no audible sounds, their eyes were practically laughing out loud. Mitsuhide tried to ignore them as he and Kiki took their leave. She led them out into the courtyard and they both took seats on a vacant bench.

“I’m really sorry about that,” he immediately began apologizing.

“You have nothing to feel sorry for,” Kiki assured him. “I’m glad you thought of me anyhow.”

“Well, I wanted to get you something in return for the neckties and chocolates you gave to me for Valentine’s Day.” He averted his gaze. “It wasn’t a very good gift, huh?”

“No, I really liked them!” She quickly told him, taking the bouquet from him. “I’ve secretly always loved roses, but due to my position, I always have to reject any roses from noblemen trying to vie for my hand.”

“I know.” He looked at her with a slight smile.

“What do you mean you know?”

“Uhh…” He averted his gaze once again. “Please don’t think it’s creepy, but I always noticed that whenever we went to go talk to Shirayuki while she was in the Royal Garden, you looked especially long at the roses. Plus, whenever we are required to attend balls, you always wear a rosy scent.”

She felt a tinge of blush suddenly creep unto her cheeks. “You… noticed that?”

“How could I not?” He answered her question with his own. “You’re my partner. I’d be stupid to not notice the little things.”

“But why get me red roses?”

“I thought you might like a good excuse to have red roses,” he admitted after a moment. “I know you try not to act feminine, but it’s okay to indulge in feminine things every once in a while.”

She gave him a slight smile. “Thank you. Really. I’m glad I got this one gift from you.”

He blinked in confusion for a moment before snapping his fingers. “That’s right! I forgot that I got you a second gift.” He reached into his pocket and handed her a small box covered in black velvet fabric. “I had this especially made for you. It’s the only one of its kind.”

Kiki took the box tentatively from him before opening the lid slowly. Her smile immediately widened as she gingerly took the bracelet outside of the box. It was a bracelet, but it looked like a semi-watch except that the clock was replaced with a light-silver circular piece of metal. It had the Clarines cress engraved in dark blue on top of it and it was all encased in gold.

“Oh, this is beautiful!” She let out in amazement, forgetting herself.

“That’s not all,” he said with a smile. He pressed a small button on the side of the bracelet she hadn’t noticed and the top half of the case popped open, releasing a sweet rosy scent into the air. A drawing of a rose was painted at the bottom.

“What is it?”

“it’s like your own personal rose perfume that’s hidden inside your bracelet!” He said excitedly. “I had Shirayuki help me make an everlasting perfume scent and I sprayed it inside. It should always smell like a red rose.”

An indescribable feeling overcame her and she hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered inside his ear.

Mitsuhide hugged her back, his face heated with embarrassment. “N-No problem.”

Authoress’ Notes: So, I heard about this White Day thing happening in Japan before and kinda liked it. I tried (and failed) to do a bit of research on it, but I didn’t get much except that everything had to be white, hence the name. I thought it might be a bit funny for Mitsuhide to get the most important detail wrong and unintentionally give the message that he loved Kiki. I’m not completely sure if giving a woman something red on White Day means you love them, so don’t take my word for it!

To all Native Japanese people reading this, I am sorry if you were cringing because of my lack of knowledge! I’m really trying to get into authentic Japanese culture (not just anime and manga), but I’m not sure which websites are run by misinformed weeaboos or Japanese people. If you know of any good websites that aren’t misinformed, please let me know!

#mitsukikiweek2018 #day 5 #Prompt a #mitsukiki #fanfition #AnS

15 notes · View notes

glassy28 · 7 years

Text

Love at first sight

Thank you to the admins from @thezenyukiweek for making this possible! I am so grateful that this could happen!

@thebookfreak and I decided to do a collab during the whole week (I’ll write one-shots to her drawings and we will try to do one for every week... hopefully we can post something every day, BUT we are both master procrastinators... *cough*).

All of the posts will be/are part of an AU crossover with Boku no Hero Academia set in modern time. I’ll try to link her post once it’s posted so you can see the scenes visually. (PS: You can also check out this drawing she did once for Zenyuki. She also did some drawings with Zen...)

Rating: General audiences No warnings Characters: Kiki, Mitsuhide, Shirayuki, Zen Pairings: Mitsukiki, Zenyuki Word count: 471 Genre: Humour, romance

So without further ado, this is my submission for Zenyuki Week 2017, Day 1: Connected. ENJOY!

“We need to hurry up, Kiki! I don’t want to be late to my first course,” urged Shirayuki while speed-walking through the halls of Wistal University. Kiki on the other hand was still walking rather cordially and tried not to roll her eyes at Shirayuki.

“Relax a little. We still have 15 minutes left until the lessons start. Also, everyone comes in late. Even the professors and they are supposed to be punctual,” explained Kiki which made the red-haired walk a little slower. “I’m surprised that you are so relaxed regarding punctuality. Isn’t it better to be early?” “Do whatever you want. I won’t hold you back, but I definitely won’t worry as much as you are,” Kiki replied and looked across the hall when she heard her name being called out.

“Hey, Kiki!”, exclaimed a smiling Mitsuhide while waving frantically at them. This didn’t bring out a big reaction from Kiki, but nevertheless the corners of her mouth were slightly turned upwards which seemed to be enough for the man, because he stopped waving and had a big smile on his face.

When Shirayuki looked at him some white hair caught her attention and she turned her stare towards the man walking next to Mitsuhide. When their eyes met, she looked at the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen in her life and which seemed to pierce through her soul. Her breath got caught in her throat and she felt a blush creeping up on her cheeks. She instantly felt a connection with the unknown man and she couldn’t stop herself from staring at him.

Sadly, she had to go to class and turned the next corner while Zen still looked at her until he couldn’t see her anymore. Even though they weren’t close or even knew each other, they still felt connected and felt the desire to meet each other.

But before Zen knew what hit him, he felt pain shooting through his front side. His friend Mitsuhide stopped in his tracks and burst out laughing so much that tears started to form in the corner of his eyes and his stomach started to hurt. “Stop laughing! This is not funny!” Zen scolded and rubbed his forehead. “I’m never going to let you live this down,” Mitsuhide said maliciously and continued walking with an annoyed Zen in tow. Well, love does make blind.

Bonus: Mitsuhide: “So… the red-haired beauty?” Zen: “Shut up!” *blushes* M: “I could ask Kiki for her name…” Z, hopeful: “REALLY?” M *smirks*: “Gotcha!” Z *blushing furiously*

Near the chemistry lab... Kiki and Shirayuki sneeze at the same time S: “I hope we are not coming down with a cold.” K: “No, someone is talking about us and I think I know who it is. I’ll have a word with him...”

To be continued... (when I have more time)

#zenyukiweek2017 #day 1 #connected #akagami no shirayukihime #zen wisteria #shirayuki #zen x shirayuki #zenyuki #kiki #mitsuhide #kiki x mitsuhide #mitsukiki #cil writes

16 notes · View notes

bubblesthemonsterartist · 7 years

Note

Thank you! Will you please do part 2 of the last dvd commentary?

Ooooh nonny. You like the pain, huh? (It’s okay.. so do I ^_^ )

The room is bright, filled with sunlight and the scent of freshly cut flowers. For the first time today, he is alone, servants dismissed and Mitsuhide’s fussing hands driven away by Kiki’s patient suggestion that they take a walk.

Let Zen enjoy his last few moments as a bachelor, she had deadpanned, dragging Mitsuhide through the door and leaving Zen in anticipatory silence.

Zen smiles, excitement and anxiety curling in his stomach. Everything was coming together. Finally. Soon, he would be married, followed shortly by the wedding of Sir Lowen and Lady Seiran. And then, maybe someday soon his children and theirs would be running around the Palace, filling it with more laughter than he had experienced in his own childhood.

Code: Joanna is being mean again. To everyone. And everything.

I very much enjoy writing Zen with this Calvinistic undertone of “God favors the righteous.” It seems very apropo for him. Things just turn out right because he, and his friends, have made righteous actions throughout their lives and ultimately good prevails. (Disclosure: I have a grad degree in Religion so I have headcanons for the spiritual life of all of the AnS squad and I apply them when I’m writing. It helps me motivate them in the direction I want them to go.)

Ultimately, setting up this scene I wanted to counteract the end of the last scene with the happiness of a man about to marry the woman he has been waiting years for. It really is a joyous day because they have been through so many trails (mostly separately) and now they are finally coming together.

Also, I imagine that Zen’s marriage to Shirayuki is one of the first times that Zen has successfully overcome the requirements of his station and he is getting to balk the status quo. So he is terribly happy, especially knowing that his friends are in the same boat with him. Kiki is also getting the husband she wants rather than the husband everyone expects.

And I would be remiss in saying that Zen had a happy childhood. He most certainly did not. If you look at the canon, it appears the Palace is frightfully empty for the vast majority of his childhood, which is a big reason that he clings so hard to the friends he has made, but he is also willing to go to such lengths to protect his most important relationships.

He dares to dream that their children would serve his the way they serve him.

Let us not forget that even though Zen is, in his heart of hearts, a good, sweet guy, he is also a Prince. A Prince privileged with the expectation that people will serve him. And it makes sense that he would want any Mitsukiki babies to be as close to his own children because there is that familial loyalty that has potential to be passed down through the generations.

Laughing to himself, Zen crosses the room to stand in front of the full length mirror, checking to make sure his appearance was perfect for the hundredth time this hour alone. Everything was in order. Their chambers had been moved, the preparations for the honeymoon complete, Shirayuki had completed her etiquette and decorum lessons for her first weeks as Princess…

Boots thud softly on the balustrade, followed by a cheerful, “What a wonderful day for a wedding, Master!”

…well, almost everything was in order.

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn

Really, I spent the majority of this chapter going hnnnnnnngggggggggggg I don’t want to do this. Why am I doing this? This is going to hurt so much. STAHP IT JOANNA YOU ARE HURTING THEM. The next several paragraphs were literally the last bits that I wrote before posting. I edited everything else even before I could bring myself to write it and even then I was in so much pain.

However, I didn’t write (at this point) 45k? to stop now. ONWARD TO THE SUFFERING.

Zen turns towards where Obi perches on his balcony, his dress uniform immaculately pressed and a wide smile on his face.

It was curious. If anyone had cause for this day to be a melancholy one, it would be Obi. But he gave no hints, no suggestions of this day being any less joyful to him than it was for Mitsuhide or Kiki or even Shirayuki.

“Yo, Obi!”

Honestly? This is actually a happy day for Obi. He has been rooting for them since day one and has gone out of his way. He might be the happiest out of everyone because he expects that Miss is going to get everything she wants and deserves in life and in his mind, Zen is the one to provide it.

On one level, Zen knows and accepts that he is the better out of the two of them for her. On another level, he cannot fathom that sort of selflessness when it comes to people one cares about.

Obi slides from the balustrade, crossing the room quickly with a long gait to stand before him with such affection in his gaze. “Ah, Master, you look so handsome today,” he lilts, reaching up to dust imaginary lint from his collar. “Mistress will hardly be able to wait for the wedding night.”

Obi winks and Zen blushes, shooing him away with false annoyance.

HE’S EVEN MAKING SEX JOKES FOR THEIR WEDDING NIGHT. COME ON. HE’S SO HAPPY FOR THEM (although the thought of it turns his stomach, he’ll never show it).

He puts up with his prattle for several minutes, Obi informing him of everything from the tiff in the kitchens early this morning to a small, but repairable incident in the chapel regarding rhododendron lining the pews.

Google rhododendron. I’ll wait.

It’s when he gets to Shirayuki that Zen starts to truly listen, though.

“I can’t wait to see the look on Masters face when he sees Mistress,” Obi sighs, cocking his hip against the chaise lounge with a soft smile. “She’s absolutely breathtaking.”

Zen glances over at the other man with a question on his face, only to have his breath driven from him when he takes in Obi’s naked expression.

Oh. Oh, that look—

I have the MEANEST idea for a B-side from when Obi sees Shirayuki in a wedding dress, but le sigh… so many ideas, so little time to write them.

But I also wanted to carry over this idea that Obi always sees Shirayuki first when she’s all dressed up. Why would her wedding be any different? And why would Shirayuki expect any less?

Zen blinks, swallowing rapidly as he straightens himself and painting a careful smile on his face.

This must be killing him.

“You are a better man than I, Obi,” he comments as he adjusts his cufflinks, turning back towards the mirror to watch the other’s reflection. “I don’t know if I would be able to do what you were doing.”

Obi stills, his smile wavering for just a moment, but it’s enough. One hand with its tapered fingers and bronzed skin reaches up unconsciously to clutch at his shoulder, and his gaze becomes wistful as he looks at the open balcony doors. “I could never hope to be worthy, Master. It is just my wish to serve you both as long as I am needed.”

I have always wanted to write an honest conversation between Zen and Obi about Obi’s obvious feels for Shirayuki. And this is as honest as it gets. It hurts him on an obvious level to see her marrying Zen, but not so much that it overshadows his love for the both of them and his happiness at seeing them wed.

Also Obi has, from day 1, been waiting for the moment when he is sent away. If you remember that conversation with Torou in canon, there was a long talk about the body becoming heavy when one stays still too long. I believe that for someone who has lived such a transient life, the longer one stays in one place, the harder it becomes to pull up the plant by the roots. And this is done in such a violent way that it of course leaves damage to the whole.

So in this scene, Obi means every single word that he’s saying. He just doesn’t know that Zen’s about to use his words as permission to take the next step.

It would be a mercy. A kindness, really.

It reeks of self-justification, but Zen truly believes that he is being compassionate in doing what he’s about to do.

Zen braces himself for what he knows must come next. “What are you going to do after the wedding, then?”

Obi guffaws, the longing disappearing from his face in an instant as he turns back to Zen. “Likely get drunk,” he replies with a broad grin. “I hear these royal weddings serve only the best!”

Zen laughs. Of course. He would, too, if the situations were reversed.

At this point, Zen and Obi’s understanding of the conversation has diverged. Out of all the days, this is not the one where Obi expects to be sent away, but Zen is seeing it as the only solution for all of them. The rumors labeling him a cuckold can disappear with Obi, and Obi doesn’t have to watch the woman he loves be with another man. It’s a win-win.

“No, I mean, long term,” he clarifies.

Obi tilts his head, questioning. Ah, why was he making this difficult? Obi had always been skilled at hidden meanings, but perhaps he couldn’t, or more accurately, wouldn’t want to understand.

It’s best to remove the bandage swiftly.

And this is where Zen realizes that they are not speaking at the same level and he is going to have to do the unfortunate task of spelling it out because Obi is too loyal to leave on his own.

He glances up to where Obi’s reflection leans against the lounge. His face has gone blank, but the edges of his eyes are tilted downwards, wide and motionless.

There is no way I could have written this scene from Obi’s POV. No way. It’s too much. The level of shock and pain he is feeling in indescribable. He’s realizing that his expectation is coming true, but he’s also realizing that he put so much faith in his Master and his Mistress that there was some small hope that he’d be allowed to stay with them forever.

But, of course, that’s not the case. And he thinks it is his fault because he couldn’t keep his emotions off of his face and he couldn’t squash them down so they didn’t get in the way. He doesn’t hate Zen–he never hates Zen throughout all of this (he does get rage-y about Shirayuki’s suffering, but he loves Zen too much to ever get to the point where he hates him)–he hates himself for making this situation what it is.

Zen clenches his jaw in a bid to keep from taking his words back, pretending that this was all an ill-conceived joke and going about the rest of their lives the way that they had been for years.

There’s a lot of torn emotions going on in Zen throughout this. He has this undercurrent jealousy driving his actions that he refuses to acknowledge as having something to do with his actions. He has his “compassion” for Obi. But he also can see that he has just broke the man and he loves him, too. He entertains the thought of just silently suffering the fact that his wife and her knight might be sneaking around behind his back. But that’s not pragmatic for his station. He doesn’t want to hurt him, but ultimately he is making a difficult choice to do what is best for everyone.

A motion in the corner of the room catches his attention and he follows it to see Kiki standing still by the door, her face grim.

Kiki’s character, throughout all of Ever After, is the most enjoyable silent side story because she stands as silent witness to EVERYTHING. And she gets to be witness to the worst-case scenario marriage that she has always dreaded.

The sound of bells ring through the palace and Zen pulls in a deep breath of air, nodding. “I’ll see you at the reception then,” he says quietly, moving towards the door under Kiki’s watchful gaze.

I have PLANS to hurt you all at a whole new level.

The door opens before him, and Mitsuhide is there, making broad motions with his hands. “Come on, Zen!” he laughs. “You are going to be late to your own wedding.”

While Kiki’s character stands as silent witness, I thought it would be great to pair her with Mitsuhide’s inability to see what is wrong. He is blindly loyal to Zen and even if Kiki were to explain what had happened, it is likely that he would have explained it away. Obviously, Kiki misinterpreted what she saw… which is why she doesn’t tell.

Zen smiles, casting one look back and finding Obi collapsed on the chaise, fingers pressed to his forehead–a dark blotch in a room filled with light.

It’s for the best.

Carrying on with the earlier theme of God favors the righteous… Some small part of Zen thinks that Obi gets what he deserves. He wouldn’t be afflicted like this if he weren’t so deserving of it. He’s seen the scars, the way Obi fights, his willingness to bend the rules… He’s been infected by the darkness that he wears and he operates in. He doesn’t belong in a bright place like this.

And Obi agrees.

#Anonymous #dvd commentary meme #ever after #watchtower #i wrote this at 3am #hopefully it is coherent #ask bubbles

6 notes · View notes

mitsukikiweek · 4 years

Text

Overhearing A Few Surprising Words

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13693965/1/Overhearing-A-Few-Surprising-Words (I'm actually pretty happy with this one! It's twice as long as the other ones I wrote, and I got to write some of my favorite side characters for the first time! Ah, hopefully I did well with their dialogue! I've been wanting to write them for probably way too long, and this particular story's been floating around in my head for a good few days now.) (Written for Day Three of MitsuKiki Week 2018, Prompt B.)

#mitsukikiweek2018 #prompt B #submission

0 notes

onedivinemisfit · 4 years

Photo

Ans indulgent next!gen bbs masterpooooooost~ >:)

AnS (c) Akizuki Sorata Art: Me

Akemi: Obi and Shirayuki’s oldest daughter, third oldest fan-kid in the lineup. Born in Lyrias, but raised in Wistal. With her dark hair, sharp eyes and natural owo face she’s clearly her daddy’s kid. Sneaky, unpredictable, a “jackdaw” with a tendency to take off with the shinies, and otherwise causing mischief during most of her waking hours, this is a most chaotic creature. Most. Chaotic.

Shigure: Obi and Shirayuki’s oldest son, 7th oldest fan-kid, and born in Wistal (born by c-section, Garack was midwife -- it was a bloody affair, Shirayuki doesn’t remember much, and Obi would prefer to keep it that way) Russet-haired, heavily freckled and eyes like his mother, Shigure is a precious little bab who defy his own weakly constitution by loving the outdoors and asking unending questions about nature and plants and animals.

Michiru: Mitsuhide’s only son by Torou, second oldest kid in the line-up, Micchi was the accidental result of a desperate, short-lived affair between his parents (Kiki was due to wed and Mitsuhide, amid his self-deprecation, indulged in Torou’s no-strings-attached intimacy) Born in a hospital “somewhere in the far south”, Mitsuhide remained unaware of his natural son for years, as Torou had too much integrity to burst into the halls of Seiran like some vindicated mistress. Michiru is street-smart, and well-traveled despite his youth due to his mother’s vocation, even a tad bratty - it’s his developing brattiness that leads Torou to finally concede and introduce him to the rest of his family, hoping it’ll help him put down roots, belong somewhere, and become better for it.

Nakuru: Kiki’s daughter by her first husband, Hisame, fourth oldest fan-kid. Born, as was proper, at home on the Seiran estate - but she was barely a couple months old before her father went and pulled his Evil Snake Act, was branded a traitor, and got himself executed. Nakuru only knows Mitsuhide to be her dad, having come into her life so early as he did, marrying her mother the moment decorum would let them do so, and when the whispers behind her backs about her “black blood” gets the better of her, Nakuru wishes he really was her dad. Shy and introverted she prefers to stay at home, reading, and sewing, and spending time with her family.

Kirika: Mitsuhide and Kiki’s daughter, 6th oldest fan-kid, happened to be born in a barn because she came early -- or so they insist, afterall her parents had only been married seven months... The math never added up. Ever-cheerful, always energetic and smiling a beaming smile winning her the majority vote wherever she goes, Kirika is a piece of walking sunshine. However, those who annoy her, or hurt her loved ones, face the wrath of a natural born momma bear. How a tiny speck of a girl can trash people twice her size is anyone’s guess. Kiki just wishes she’d wait till after teatime.

Hakuya: Izana and Haki’s first-born son, and oldest fan-kid. Heir to the Wisteria crown, with beautiful features, and a sharp intellect, this is a perfectionist in the making, already stiff with protocol and expectation. Also hilariously tactless at times, born from bashful naiveté, and is very much his momma’s little boy - when nobody’s watching.

Touma: Izana and Haki’s second son, the “royal spare”, or not, because Touma, despite his being a child, has already realized nobody would accept a mute for a king. Even the unofficial court made up of courtier’s children can be a struggle when you lack for speech. He’s determined to make up for it, practicing sign language and working on gestures - oftentimes mirroring duke Haruka’s demeanour since it’s so. effective. A boy does what a boy must. 5th oldest fan-kid.

Umi: Izana and Haki’s oldest daughter, and the older of their twins. Supremely adorable, yet silently judging you. Deceptively covered in cute, she plays tea party like a strategist preparing for war, affects sweetness as a mask to shield how little she thinks of you, and while too much a child to realize to what extent, already the world has lost its rosy hue to her eyes. That Izana’s sweetest child should be the one to inherit most of his cynicism was a surprise even to the monarch. Her and her brother are the 10th youngest fan-kids.

Zenji: Izana and Haki’s youngest son, and the younger twin. Obviously named for his uncle, because of the uncanny likeness, as Zenji also sports the trademark silvery hair that runs in the Wisteria line. A dreamy, spaced-out kid for the most part, Zenji is happy to be dragged along with his sister’s antics, playing, spying on his older brothers, nagging his parents, and so on, and so forth. Happy to stay blissfully unaware of the real world, for the time being.

Chize & Miza: Suzu and Yuzuri’s hellspawn, otherwise known as their identical twin girls. Coincidentally conceived, and delivered, on the same table, or so Yuzuri insists (Shirayuki still can’t put her teacup down on the table in their parlour without choking slightly on this knowledge) The twins are devious and cunning wrapped in two nearly identical packages, their unnerving, heterochromatic eyes the only feature with which you can tell them apart. As such they are feared as much as they are doted on by the college of Lyrias, where they have practically been raised their entire lives, due to their antics. Chize is the sweeter girl, and Miza the mature one, according to Suzu. The 8th youngest fan-kids.

Teru: Zen and Kihal’s only son, and the youngest of all the fan-kids. His birth defied the expectations of his parents, as they had come to regard themselves as forever childless. Zen had never felt the acute need for children of his own, but neither he nor Kihal expected the soul-shattering relief they felt when Teru came into the world, like being granted something you no longer even dared hope for. Teru takes after his mother’s side of the family, but his stamina is surely a combination of both, because his source of energy appears endless. His zoomies can go on for hours. Kihal has resigned herself to the fact he can be everywhere, and nowhere, at the same time. All the time.

#Akagami no Shirayukihime #ans #snow white with the red hair #nextgen fankids #original characters #obiyuki #mitsutorou #hisakiki #mitsukiki #hakizana #suzuri #kihazen #I like kids #ergo #I make nextgen kids #some names may change #if better ones are discovered xD #myart

42 notes · View notes

sabraeal · 6 years

Text

i got tagged by @l0chn3ss....again, over a week ago....I’M CATCHING UP I PROMISE

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean?

I think I just have always used this username for internet things. I picked it back when I was working on a fic that involved a hierarchy of angels -- Sabraeal’s dominion is healing and illness. It seemed apropos, back when I was certain I was going to cure cancer with my biology degree

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/favorites, follows/subscriptions, visitor hits, kudos)

In a move that surprises no one, Seven Suitors for Shirayuki on AO3.

On tumblr it is Were Hearts Not an Unknown Country

3. What is your FFnNet/AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

It’s the same as my tumblr icon, and I love it. @heartamplifier made it for me and it is gorgeous

4. Do you have any regular/favourite commenters?

Besides @superhappybubbleslove and @claudeng80 on tumblr, I have a handful of semi=regular commenters on AO3 who I don’t know personally but would probably die for

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

I feel like not one SPECIFICALLY. I have phases where I’m like, time to go hurt myself and read ISM’s fics, or like time to go read sarah’s regency fic and scream about how i want them to make out, or like let’s read the sexy alt timeline to Ever After again because I feel like lightly suffering. Sometimes I get in the mood for fics from other pairings I love and go read their greatest hits

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

I had 46 bookmarked and 7 stories subbed to

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

Modern AUs, for some reason, and when I’m lucky, fantasy/magic AUs

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

57 user subscriptions, 345 fic subscriptions, 487 bookmarks

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are afraid of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

Not...overly? Though I just realized I might be signing myself up for shark dick, Shape of Water-esque smut and I just....don’t know how i feel about that turn in my life.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

I’d love to be able to focus more when I write. I have such little non-baby time to write, and I can have a real problem buckling down and getting stuff done. Thanks ADD, you’re a real peach/

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Uhhhhh well, I guess popular ships, since Obiyuki EXPLODED since I started writing for it. But I do have some rare pair content coming up, so my time right now is split

12. How many stories have you posted on FFNet/AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

I have 40 works, though some of those are collections of one-shots, so that’s anyone’s guess, honestly

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

I am not counting that, lord have mercy.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

Write them down! As long as I’ve decided they’re gonna get written, everything gets written down (unless it’s SUPER short)

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

NOT YET

16. How did you discover FFNet/AO3?

Oh children. Children. I’m over 30. I was THERE when that shit was made.

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on FFNet/AO3?

I’d say in terms of ANS, yes, but it’s a big fish, small pond situation. In terms of popular authors in bigger fandoms, I am a very, very small fish

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

I....do not?

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

Not...specifically? I was always really driven to write. In terms of fandom...I think I only was so determined to post Seven Suitors because I thought @infinitelystrangemachinex needed to be able to read more than 2 good fics that weren’t her own writing

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Enjoy the process. If you’re only focused on telling the events, you’ll always be bored after you’ve outlined the story. Get pumped for showing off your skills.

You can’t improve in a vacuum. Talk out your plots with people. Let people edit your shit. Too many times people think they have to do it alone, and that’s how you stagnate as a writer.

Take writing advice from people you want to write like. Anon comments, random comments -- none of them matter, because you have no idea whether what these people want align with how you want to write. Listen to them, sure, decide if there’s something in it you can use, but -- this person could think Twilight was a good romance. Or Tolkein was good at character development. You don’t need their opinion.

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

I always know where I’m going. Maybe not SOLIDLY, but I don’t start a fic where all I know is the beginning

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

HAHAH YEP. I deleted it. It’s one thing to have constructive criticism (whether it’s helpful or not), but this was basically “don’t think this is mindless hate...*two comments worth of mindless hate*”

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

Anything with a lot of limbs

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

SO MANY. I have a Seven Suitor’s B-side, a Suzuri WFB fic, a stupidly huge mitsukiki mermaid AU, the next chapter of Merry & Bright, the next chapter of Sensitive Negotiations, and sometimes I even get to pick away at the second part of the Stripper!Shirayuki fic

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

Yep. I like knowing where my focus will be (though I tend to work on multiple things at once)

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

I try to have fic-related goals, like -- I’ll finish this scene, i’ll get to this part -- and I try to have a few fics i get through in a day (between 2-4, usually). But I also only dedicate two 20-minute sprints to each fic per day (except on saturdays, which are for plowing through fics close to being finished)

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

DEFINITELY

28. What is your favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

Only looking at finished fics, probably either A Lion to Terrify the Wolves or Creatures of a Brief Season

29. What is your least favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

I don’t think there’s any specific fic i don’t like? Maybe something I wrote as a teeny tiny, that never saw the light of day.

30. Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

Hopefully published? We’ll see. Have to have time to work on original things, first.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

Dialogue

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

Keeping track of all the details over a long period of time *deep sigh*

33. Why do you write?

I enjoy telling stories! I can’t imagine not doing it

for tagging.... @superhappybubbleslove, @infinitelystrangemachinex, @thelionshoarde, @claudeng80 @codango

#writing meme #i feel like i have to reiterate #my writing process is extremely targeted to overcoming my specific mental quirks #like i get bored working on the same thing all day every day #so i have to skip around #and i know my optimal working time is 20 minutes #so i work in 20 minute spurts with 10 minute breaks #it's taken me YEARS to get to this point #so if you're frustrated with not being able to write a lot #first work on doing every day #same time #and then start playing with different styles of working. pomodoros worked for me #but my husband can't stand them #you'll get there #just keep trying #and keep experimenting

5 notes · View notes

sabraeal · 7 years

Note

aaah, okay may i request some modern!mitsukiki cuddles or going on a date? (:

The winter air feels like relief on Mitsuhide’s skin, cooling the heat clinging to him even beneath his parka. It lasts until he’s in sight of the chapter house, where it finally settles into his overworked muscles, making his quads feel heavy and his delts just – fried. Can muscles be fried?

Who knows? Not him.

(Probably Shirayuki)

He spots Shirayuki as he comes closer; a dark, puffy figure lingering on the lawn, knee deep in snow, chin canted up towards the stars. For a moment he stops, appreciating the sight. She’s a little thing, full of vim and vigor and mulish stubbornness; the perfect match for Zen, if only because she keeps both her feet on the ground even as she looks forward. He needs someone to steady him, to focus him, and Shirayuki does it like it’s as easy as breathing.

Too bad Izana doesn’t like her.

Mitsuhide grimaces. He’ll come around.

(Hopefully)

She must hear him coming; her eyelashes flutter, and her gaze drops slightly to meet his. “Mitsuhide! How was practice?”

“Good! Though I don’t think I’ll be lifting anything for the next few days.” She laughed, and he glanced up at the sky above them, trying to guess at her interest. “What are you doing out here, anyway? It’s freezing.”

Her cheeks flush. “Oh, NASA said on twitter that tonight you can see the aurora borealis from our latitude, so…”

She lets the implication linger, and Mistuhide can’t help but smile. Shirayuki is a pragmatic soul, but it seems Zen’s flair for the romantic can happily fit alongside her rational mind so long as they meet in the middle.

“That sounds nice,” he tells her. “I’m sure Zen –”

“Alright, Doc, I have the liquid heating ele –” Obi hauls up short on the porch with a steaming mug in each hand, seeing Mitsuhide on the walk. “Oh, hey, Big Guy! I think you’re the last one in. You mind if we shut off the light?”

“It’s to see better,” Shirayuki explains. “We’re sort of on the edge of it.”

“Uh.” He blinks, looking between her hopeful eyes and Obi’s quirked eyebrow. This is…not exactly what he imagined when she said us. “Yeah. I don’t see why not?”

“Great!” The yard goes dark, and Obi trudges through the snow to hold out a mug to her – it has some joke about pipettes on it that Mitsuhide just does not get. “Here take this one.”

“Did you do something to it?” She stares dubiously at the whipped-cream-topped cup, taking a swipe of it off to reveal a marshmallow bobbing underneath. “Tastes normal,” she informs him around her finger, taking the mug from him.

Obi stills, only for a moment, before his mouth stretches into its customary grin. “Oh, Doc, I wouldn’t do anything to yours.” He waggles his eyebrows. “But mine is cocoa plus.”

Shirayuki stares at him quizzically. “Plus? How can you improve on cocoa?”

“By making it mocha.” He leans toward Mistuhide, hand covering one side of his mouth, and loudly whispers, “And adding Amaretto.”

Shirayuki slaps him on the arm; he hardly flinches. “Obi!”

“What can I say?” he drawls with a shrug. “I like a cocoa with a little bit of experience.”

“I’ll just…” Mitushide gestures to the porch. “Leave you both to it?”

Shirayuki’s already lost interest in terrestrial things, her eyes narrowed up at the night sky. Obi gives him a nod of acknowledgement before saying, “Oh yeah, by the way, Kiki’s on the phone.”

It’s a strange piece of trivia to leave him with, but Obi gives it with a meaningful amount of gravitas, his eyes slipping pointedly to the front door. “Just eff-why-eye,” he adds, and it sounds like a warning.

He knows why the second he steps in the door.

“Dad,” he hears, followed by a frustrated huff. “Father, if you’d just –”

Mitsuhide grimaces, peeking around the arch to the living room. Kiki glances up from where she’s pacing, and he’s pierced by how helpless she looks. Her hair’s breaking free from the tight turns of her ponytail, and the furrows along her scalp tell him she’s run her free hand through it at least once, leaving her looking much less like the Kiki-with-hospital-corners he knows.

“I you’d just give me a minute to –” Her mouth twists as she settles back on her heels, and if he didn’t know her so well she would look calm, only slightly put out. As it is, he can tell she’s two seconds from tearing out a chunk of hair.

“Yes, Father,” she starts, words clipped. “I know I’m suppose to run –”

Mitsuhide flutters his hands wildly, trying to communicate, are you okay? as well as should I stay? and I need a shower. Kiki shakes her head, waving him on. He’s never good at picking apart her words, but he speaks her body language fluently: this won’t take long, you probably smell.

He hesitates, even as she turns her back to him, but she’s gone monosyllabic now, trying to deflect her father’s lectures with varying sounds of derision and agreement. Mitsuhide knows better than to get involved.

He’s freshly showered, smelling much more like a pine forest than a gym, when he finally pounds down the stairs.

(Obi’s the one who insists on pine; Mitsuhide’s pretty sure if he asked why he’d say something about him being from the Great White North and then something unnatural about which of his parents is the moose which is the bear and – it’s only been a few months, but Mitsuhide has just learned not to ask)

There’s no yelling, no sharp hisses of disagreement, no agitated pacing coming from the direction of the living room, but instead a low, steady droning. He veers that way, his gaze sweeping out to check for any signs of life.

It takes him a single pass to find Kiki curled up against the arm of the couch, watching the TV at almost the lowest volume, engulfed in an afghan.

It’s playing some reruns of some fashion competition; Kiki lives for the first three seasons of any of those shows, before they sell out and fans begin to compete. Heaven forfend if there’s an all-star season; Mitsuhide doesn’t quite get the concept of a hate watch, but Kiki at least provides a good example.

He’s not stupid enough to think she’s watching it; her eyes are glazed and her mouth tense, classic angry Kiki.

“Hey,” he says, his voice suddenly too loud for the room. “You mind if I sit?”

“Sure.” She curls her legs underneath her. “As long as you don’t mind that this season ends in a terrible miscarriage of justice when Seth Aaron wins.”

“Oh.” He slipped onto the couch, hip leaning against the end, arm extended over the back. “So this is the season where we’re rooting for…Emilio?”

“Emilio Sosa,” she corrects. “It’s one of those names you really have to say all together.”

“Right.”

They sit there for a long while, through at least two commercial breaks, before Kiki breaks the silence to say, “My father doesn’t want me to get my MBA.”

“I thought he was all for that,” Mitsuhide says, surprised. “I thought he said it was, you know, good for the company.”

“I told him I was getting it for Public Relations,” she admits slowly. “He accused me of wasting my time so I could work for Zen.”

“Isn’t he sort of right?” Kiki turns her gaze on him, piercing. “I-I mean, not that you’re wasting your time, but you are – you’re getting it to work for Zen, aren’t you?”

She hums, neither an agreement or disagreement. “Maybe, for a short time.” Her gaze carefully slides back to the screen before she asks, “Isn’t that what you’re doing too?”

“Yeah, but it’s not like my parents run some law firm I have to run back to.” He grimaces. “I’m not trying to tell you not to. I – I –” Her eyes sweep back to him, and he swallows nervously. “I’d love to work with you, Kiki. But I think maybe…if you don’t want to take over your dad’s company…maybe you should…tell him?”

“I do want to,” she insists, defensive, “just…not now.”

He hums in agreement, eyes fixed to the screen, pretending to find fabric printing fascinating. Someone is trying to make their initials into a pattern; he can’t help but think that sort of egoism needs to be earned by more than having access to photoshop and a printer.

Kiki sighs, throwing her head back against the couch. “It’s not as if he’s retiring soon, or ill, or – has any real reason at all to tell me to come work for him. I might as well get experience elsewhere, and when the time is right, bring a fresh perspective back to Seiran International while he’s still CEO.”

Mitsuhide hesitates. Kiki is not someone that really talks about her family – this is probably the most she’s said about her dad since the first year he’s known her, when she said I don’t have a mom, just my dad – and one wrong word will send her skittering back behind her walls.

“Have you tried…” He grits his teeth, takes a deep break. “Have you tried saying it like that?”

Her pause is even longer. “I should, shouldn’t I?” Her eyes drift shut as she groans. “I’ve just sounded like a teenager being told I can’t go out with my friends.”

“It happens to the best of us,” he says, smiling even though he knows she isn’t looking. “Give it a few days, and then try again. Your dad’s a nice guy, a smart guy. He’ll see your point.”

“Don’t sound so pleased with yourself,” she huffs, mouth twitching at the corners. A moment later, she adds, “He likes you, you know.”

Mitsuhide practically chokes. “Your dad?”

Her eyes crack open, dark in the lighting of the room. “He says you have a good head on your shoulders. When you use it.”

“Yes,” he laughs, rolling his eyes, “a glowing recommendation.”

Her chest quakes with her smothered laughter, and for a minute he’s arrested at how – how Kiki she is, with her side-looks and hardly-quirked lips. He likes her more than he should, but it’s hard to be upset about it when she looks like this, so utterly and completely herself. He doesn’t even mind that nothing will ever happen, so long as he gets to keep this, the small slivers of time she lets herself be real.

He’s too busy basking in her to notice that she’s moved until she’s snug against his side, spreading the afghan over both their laps.

“You looked cold,” she explains, settling under his arm. “There’s only one blanket.”

“Oh.” Every muscle in his body is tense. “Sure, I –”

“Shut up,” she tells him. “Tim Gunn is talking.”

He wakes up later to a warm weight on his side, a crick in his neck, and the cloyingly strong scent of vanilla and cinnamon. He opens his eyes.

“Is there a reason you’re lighting a scent candle right under my nose?” he asks blearily, already half returned to sleep.

Obi waves his hands in a dramatic, jazzy fashion. “Ambiance.”

“Oh, crisse,” he groans, settling his arm tighter around Kiki’s shoulders. “I’ll deal with you in the morning.”

#anonymous #obiyuki #mitsukiki #the wide florida bay #my fic #100 days of obiyuki (and more)#ans #obi just wants to set the mood #it's not his fault the only candles in the house #are the ones shirayuki keeps buying from yankee candle's flagship store

60 notes · View notes