An/ song they listenin to despite not at all being apart of the world or setting idc i think it's pretty and sweet and that it fits them. wow
tags: @liviusofpella @agattthaa
A half-forgotten melody stuck in her head as the two lingered in the afterglow, unbothered by the obligations that sat piled up outside his room. Neither one of them were in a hurry to leave the other as she listened to his heartbeat he traced a line up and down her spine, cold, gentle fingers that made her squirm deeper into him, but he didn’t seem to mind at all, continuing his movements lazily with a small smile on his lips.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, eyes still closed. Fuck. she thought to herself. “about what?” she mumbled. “You’ve been wound up all day.” he said “You don’t usually cuddle,” he adds after a beat, as if that was a damning fact that gave her away. “You run cold.” She reasons. His low laugh shook his chest, it rumbled against her ear.
“Okay.” he said, voice still husky from a while ago. “if it’s weird I-“ she started, already moving away from him. “That wasn’t a complaint.” he interrupted, looking at her through his lashes. The expression on his face made her freeze where she was, looking down at him as he smiled strangely.
“It’s better like this,” he adds. For a moment she stills, before once again she settles back into him, resting her chin on her forearm that she rests against his chest she looks down at him. “Hmm.. yes.” she agrees, in return a barely noticeable smile forms on the man's lips, and in it, she knows that he’s caught her.
She didn't mind, she found. Strangely enough, it made her heart speed up get caught in her throat, and sent a pleasant buzzing feeling down to her toes. It was nice to be known… and it was better to be known by him.
“Was it a bad day?” she asks. He hums, his smile only growing as he says “No, only long, how was yours?” “Better now,” she said. The lazy smile on his lips stretched until it was a full grin, his eyes opening fully to look down at her, something so soft in his eyes that she wanted to hide from it.
But if he wanted to say something, he didn’t, only giving a small nod in agreement as they laid in silence together, never pausing the gentle movements his hands made. She reached to play with the ends of his hair, a small smile inexplicably forming on her lips as she thought to herself things she wouldn’t admit.
There was a sense of finality, in him and the emotions he evoked, the way he looked at her and the way he spoke. Like roots in the ground, he dug into her, making a space in her heart for him and the more he did the more she wished to run. She wasn’t ready, she screamed to herself. Her last had come too soon. She added, but everything else in her sagged in relief that he had come at all.
She was told that forever always comes in the people we don’t expect, and sometimes it comes in the people we wished it hadn’t, because more than anything, love is a lesson on coming out of yourself and learning to be wrong.
And she wished it wasn’t him but with that same breath, she would be disappointed if it was anyone else. She didn’t think it would be the same, even if someone else knew her just the same.
He was well on his way to falling asleep to the soft humming that she didn’t realize she was making when her tongue was faster than her brain.
“Darling, I-” she starts then immediately cuts herself off, too late to go unnoticed by the man. A grin stretched onto his lips the moment she started the word. “Yes?” he asked, peeking one eye open to look at her. “uh…” she mutters, only making the man smile wider. He looked like he had caught the canary, patiently waiting for her to continue. She wanted to act as if it was on purpose, that it was casual but her plans fell through when he laughed, and then so did she.
“Why are you laughing?” she asked “Because you look like you’ve been caught,” he said with a grin. “Next, I will only call you Mon ver de terre” she said, making his laughter grow louder until she finally sat up, tired of his teasing grin and the knowing look in his dark eyes.
“I like it,” he said easily, pulling her back into him, trailing kisses down the curve of her neck and onto her shoulder. “Darling i mean, I could go either way with being called a worm,” he said
“You’re strange.” “as you keep reminding me,” he replies with a smile. She parted her lips to explain herself only to find she didn’t really need to, and so she stayed in his arms for a while until they finally managed to get up.
“There’ll be checks,” he said. She hummed in agreement. “You could stay,” he says, and after a beat, she responds. “Okay.”
When it came to the social aspect she always struggled, He was keen and quick and when she looked over his shoulder to see his reasoning she found herself lost most times, struggling to find his hidden motives and meanings in the blunt, clear actions he took. She was told he said as he felt and didn’t keep things hidden, and while he’d proven that to be true she still struggled to understand what he hid in his words. Like when he said something and stress it, emphasizing a meaning she didn’t understand, or now when he kissed her forehead and made her forget that she had a bad day in the first place.
“I have that song.” he said as they walked. “hm?” she asked “The song you were humming, I have it,” he said, already shuffling through his collection before the song started playing, and as soon as it did he held out his hand.
She looked at it for a while before he pulled her into a lazy dance himself. “I’m a horrible dancer.” “I can have Hector set up classes” he offers with a smile. “No, that’s not needed,” she said quickly. He laughed once again, his breath tickling her neck. “I think so too,” he replied.
“I think you’re biased,” she replied. “I assure you I am known to be fair and unbiased,” he replied with a grin. “I don’t wish to question you, Monsieur Prior, but…” she said. “No. no, I’m rarely wrong about these things,” he said, twirling her under his arm, not paying any mind to her slightly clumsy movements that ended up with his toe under her heel.
“You are too forgiving,” she says as she laughs. “Not at all, love,” he replied with a grin as he watched her freeze, then relaxed once again in his arms.
If you asked him, Ivo always thought his apartment was rather cold, but as they swayed and laughed in nothing but more than the bare essentials it wasn’t as severe as he always thought it to be.
For some reason she couldn’t explain, she started talking, maybe because she couldn’t stand the silence, maybe because she felt safe, maybe the need to acknowledge her feelings, to hear him acknowledge them, despite knowing he knew them got the best of her. for whatever reason it was, she did it.
“I’m fond of you.” she said, making him chuckle at the delayed confession “I’m very fond of you, too,” he replied with a smile. “Okay,” she replied, making him laugh harder. “You must be hungry.” he said, and for once she was glad a man attributed her behavior to her just being hungry.
Lou had a tendency to run away after being too honest, she didn’t like to sit with the truth she admitted, it was enough that she admitted it why did she have to watch you respond, too? But she wanted to stay and watch him respond, she wanted to see if he was happy she cared. To test if her feelings were a bother he didn’t want, one last look over the edge before she jumped.
Her duty was to lead her people. To protect them. Mei still remembered the previous winter very clearly. She knew if Sawada became the emperor it would only lead to misery. Since she was young, she had been taught to do her duty. Her mind knew what was right.
But her heart disagreed.
Her love couldn't stay with her. Both duty bound. She could leave, she could stay with whom her heart longed to be, but it was wrong.
But... Why must I choose?
It was such a silly thought, really, but her mind was racing, recalling everything she knew about the shinobi, about the royal family and about nobles.
The quick-witted fox made her plan.
I need to speak with the emperor, now.
~
Before meeting with the daimyo's, the princess approached the Jounin.
"Mei?"
"Takao," she said calmly, "I have a proposition for the clan."
Both Kazu and Satoshi, who were in the gazebo with him, perked up, surprised and curious.
Takao was surprised as well.
"A proposition?"
"In the past, it wasn't uncommon for entire clans to be hired by the shogun or a daimyo to protect their castles and to gather information about their enemies," Mei told him, "If I were to become the empress, there would be no one else I would trust with such task besides clan Naito."
The Shinobi exchanged glances.
"While it may have been so," Takao allowed, "Never before had an emperor associated themselves with Shinobi."
"Just as there had never before been a kitsune the empress," Mei countered, "And I am willing to pay whatever payment you will ask for such a task."
The sorcerer glanced at the other two ninja. Both understood immediately.
Once the kitsune was alone with the Jounin, he spoke: "Even if the clan would accept this deal-"
"I know," she interrupted him, "I thought of that as well"
She took a step forward and offered him a scroll with the royal seal on it.
"And I spoke with my father," she told him, "He is resigning, yes, but after I explained the issue, he agreed that his last act as the emperor would be rewarding those who helped his daughter."
Takao looked at the scroll, read it over once, twice. His pensive gaze then turned back to her.
"The post of chief court sorcerer?"
Her answer was a smile.
He was silent for a while, thinking. The longer he thought, the more Mei feared her hopes would be crushed.
"I have to consult with the rest of the clan," he said at last, "I can't give you an answer yet."
His voice was full of regret, Mei noted.
"I expected that," Mei admitted.
She took another step forward, now the kitsune and the sorcerer stood millimeters apart. Gently, she took his bandaged hand.
"Promise me you will return this," Mei handed him her medallion, her heirloom, "Personally."
He glanced at his hand and then back at her.
"I swear, Mei," he whispered earnestly.
The kitsune leaned forward and kissed him with all the love, tenderness and passion she felt for him.
"I love you," she told him.
They stood there, holding each other for a long time.
~
Mei became the empress, continuing the Era of the Iris.
Upon the first day of winter, during the first year of her reign, a white falcon appeared at her window.
The clan agreed.
When Takao had announced this to her that night, his face was pale as snow, his white hair clung to his face from sweat, and his blue eyes were glassy, yet full of love.
They married the next month.
What all of Noiryo thought was that empress Mei Hattori married her lover, the new chief court sorcerer, who for his deeds during the uprising, was rewarded with prestigious titles.
Together they would rule firmly yet benevolently for many years to come with their friends at their sides.
Fate brought them all together. They themselves decided it should stay so.
2: Village ending rewrite
Power or peace?
All her life, Mei was taught to fulfill her duty, even at her own expense.
After everything that happened, Mei had no desire to stay in the capital. She was tired. Oh, so tired. And her heart longed to return to the village she started to consider home.
The court was not her home, she may be blood of the Iris, but she was a kitsune too. Mei had been many things in her short life; a kitsune, a princess, a geisha, a kunoichi...
Mei simply wanted home. The court wasn't home, but a pit of vipers she had no desire to put up with.
Mei sighed.
All my life I did my duty... Don't I deserve happiness now?
Mei thought of Takao. He was like her, bound to duty as Jounin. And he couldn't stay with her.
Was it selfish or selfless of him?
Mei now truly realized how much his childhood affected him. How ready he was to accept the fact he would be the second choice. How used to he was to loneliness. How little tenderness he was given all his life.
In the end, the difference was that Takao already made his choice, while she had yet to make it.
If he had to choose now, what would he choose? Me or to be the Jounin?
She remembered their last night together.
I need you so much, Mei.
Mei didn't want power, she was tired, her hip ached and her love couldn't stay.
She made her decision.
~
It was a cold autumn day. The sun had been hidden by clouds for days now and the wind was cold.
Takao looked at the potential client, his eyes narrowed.
Since Sawada became the emperor, life for the common people became harder and countless uprisings were starting.
Those were the times where the Shinobi were flourishing.
The potential client, coming from lesser nobility, looked at him with disdain. They couldn't agree neither on the price nor anything else.
He heard her scratching at the door and the next moment there was the sound of soft paws running across the wooden floor.
The client turned around confused. What he would see was just a fox, but Takao saw her clearly with her beautiful fur and two tails.
Mei had been in the forest with Shino-Odori that day, meeting with a yokai who brought them news of other kitsune.
She made her way over to the Jounin and then laid her head on his thigh.
The man looked at them puzzled, but his face quickly regained the look of disdain he had previously. But for the rest of the meeting, he would ever so often look unsettled at the fox who was attentively listening and smirking.
After he left, Mei, who by now was happily laying on her husband’s lap, changed back into human form. Takao's arms wrapped her around her waist, pulling her closer. She laid her head on his shoulder.
"What did you find?" he asked her before he kissed her forehead.
"The yokai we spoke with recently met a three-tailed kitsune," she answered, "It was down in the south, at our borders."
"Shino and I will keep looking for them," Mei said, "Hopefully they haven't left yet."
It would be the first time she would meet another one like her.
"We will find them," Takao promised, "The Mountains here are known to be a safe place for yokai, and they wouldn't leave so fast."
"And what of the client?" she asked.
"The one he wants dead was far more agreeable," Takao answered, "And willing to pay more as well."
Once, Mei would have been horrified by such words, but not anymore. She was the wife of the Jounin, she made her choice and would accept the consequences. This is the way the world goes.
Together they made their way out and towards their house. Mei was leaning against Takao, who was firmly supporting her.
The kitsune looked around the village before entering her house.
Satoshi and Hong were training once again training outside, not minding the cold weather. Grandpa Chongan had just gone outside and once he saw her, smiled. Kazu was leading a group of young trainee's towards the training hall. The only one missing, besides Shino-Odori who that day stayed in the caves, was Masamune. But Mei knew he would visit, as he did every summer and anytime he was nearby.
The kitsune then turned to the sorcerer.
"I love you, Takao," she told him.
He leaned forward and kissed both of her cheeks.
"And I love you, Mei," he whispered before kissing her lips.
3: The ending with kiddos (written so that it applies to both endings)
Magic swirled on Mei's fingertips. The air was filled with illusions and sparks. Her son's laughter echoed in the room as the illusory tiger descended and exploded into a cloud of feathers and sparks. Meanwhile her daughter, not even two years old, reached up to catch the illusory balls of light that were glowing in various colors.
Takao raised his hand and the feathers changed into flowers. Mei answered to that by creating butterflies that circled them.
Both their children watched fascinated.
"Mama?" her son asked, "When will you and dad teach me how to do magic?"
Mei glanced at Takao.
Unlike their father, her children wouldn't need to sacrifice blood because they both were kitsune like Mei.
"Next spring," she answered, "I promise, Chongan."
Her son's excitement was boundless. And while it made her happy, it did cause her daughter, who by now fell asleep, to wake up again.
"Let me," Takao spoke and took their daughter into his arms, "Shh, it's alright, Takara, it's alright..."
Mei smiled, lost in thoughts.
Once they had found out Mei was pregnant, they started to think about possible names. If it was a boy, they decided they would name him Chongan, after the healer of the Naito clan who saved so many lives including theirs.
For a girl’s name Mei thought for a long time. At first she was thinking to name her either Moriko or Sumiko, but ultimately decided to pick a different name.
~
Later that evening, Mei went to check on her children before she herself went to sleep.
Little Takara slept soundly while hugging the stuffed tiger toy her daughter so loved. Takara had her father’s eyes and smile, while the rest she inherited from her mother. Mei wouldn't be surprised if her fur would turn white one day as well.
The kitsune silently wished her goodnight before she went to Chongan. Her son was also already asleep, a smile on his face. He looked very much like his father, but had her eye color, eyebrows and cheeks.
She wished him goodnight too, and then turned to leave.
~
Takao leaned down to kiss Mei. They were alone in their bedroom.
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