content. kenma x gn!reader, fluff, cw: injury, casts. kenma broke his leg roller skating with the nekoma volleyball team and is now sad. interaction's kinda domestic in this
a/n: ngl I feel like kenma is a little ooc in this but eh I tried
“Remind me to never go roller skating with the volleyball team ever again.”
“Why?”
You could feel his eyes burning holes to the back of your head as you scrambled through your bag searching for a sheet of wet wipe. He was too stunned to even mutter a single word at your question.
“Where are we?” he asked, his fingers lightly grazing your hand, but you could feel the intense glare even if you’re not looking straight at him.
“… the hospital?”
“Why, pray tell?” he continued.
“You fell?”
“I broke my leg while I went roller skating, that’s why!”
“Looks like someone took ‘break a leg’ too seriously, didn’t he?” you chuckled, unable to resist the opportunity for a pun.
He rolled his eyes, but his lips quirked up. He looked away momentarily, as if pondering something.
You recognised the familiar signs - the quiet moments when his mind was racing with thoughts.
You couldn't help but feel a surge of affection as you watched him. You reached out, your fingers gently brushing against his cheek, gently turning his attention back at you.
"Hey," you murmured softly, your voice a gentle melody that seemed to pull him from his thoughts.
His gaze met yours, and you could see a mixture of emotions swirling within his eyes. You leaned in, capturing his lips in a tender kiss, pouring all the love and reassurance you felt into it.
"Honestly," he mumbled against your lips as you pulled away, "I should've known better. Going roller skating with them was a bad idea."
You chuckled, entwining your fingers with his. "Well, at least we got a memorable story out of it."
He sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I guess so."
“Plus,” you added with a playful grin, “now we get to indulge in movie marathon at home while you recover.”
A genuine smile tugged at his lips, his eyes lighting up. “I get to pick all the movies?”
“Absolutely,” you confirmed, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Anything to keep my gamer boy entertained.”
He chuckled softly, the sound music to your ears. “You’re something else.”
“Something that’s irreplaceable in your life,” you coutnered, your voice soft.
He met your gaze, his eyes tender and warm. “I know.”
Sitting there, hands intertwined, you basked in the comfort of your shared space. A roller-skating mishap had turned into another chapter in your shared journey, and even in the simplest moments, you found solace and joy in your connection.
As you watched him, a thought crossed your mind: you were incredibly grateful that only you got to see this side of Kenma. The soft, domestic side that he reserved for you, a side that no one else knew about, except perhaps Kuroo.
As the hospital room dimmed in the warm glow of twilight, you couldn’t help but feel a surge of love for the one-of-a-kind person beside you, the one whose heart was as intricate and multifaceted as his favourite video games.
Chapter Warnings/Tags: everyone lives/nobody dies, I'm using this to cope can you tell?, they make out in the sand, the smut stays in ch 2, it get's kinda emotional, there's a bit of hurt/comfort in there if you squint
Word Count: 1.9k
Chapter 1 - Reunions
The last thing Kassandra expected when leaving Kephalonia for the first time in years, was to get tangled in the fate of the Greek world itself. All she had wanted was to bring her family back together, saving the entire Greek empire in the process was an added side-benefit.
With the Cult of Kosmos wiped out of existence, she had time to focus on her family. Over the months, Alexios had been less and less troubled by what the Cult did to him, unlearning the violent reactions that were ingrained into him. Kassandra had gently encouraged him to become a misthios alongside her, to put his skills to use more than anything else, and he took to it like Ikaros to the wind.
Pheobe had been immediately fawned over by her mother and father, prompting them to take the young girl in. Pheobe was, of course, delighted to have Kassandra as her sister, and while still a little scared of Alexios, she brought out a gentleness in him that Kassandra hadn't seen in a long time, if ever.
Continuing her life as the most dangerous misthios in all of Greece, she maintained her title as captain of the Adrestia, occasionally leaving the ship to her brother as an escape when he needed it. The guilt he felt when he was surrounded by his family, so kind and forgiving, weighed on him in a way that Kassandra knew without him needing to say a word.
She was surprised when she found herself back in Sparta, spending months bouncing between different islands and on the open ocean. An unknown contact reaching out to her once she made port, a Spartan scout hurriedly pressing the letter into her surprised hands before running off just as quickly. It lead her to a familiar battleground in the dead of night, Phobos tied off nearby as she stepped through the trodden sand to meet whoever needed to see her so soon. This was one of the last battles she had against Alexios when he was still under the control of the Cult, and where she had killed Kleon for everything he had done. The salty breeze shifted through the light armour she wore, the shiver brought on by the cold or the memory she wasn't sure.
Walking closer to the shoreline, she found comfort in being alone even if only for a moment and sat in the sand that had long since lost the sun's warmth. Removing the spear from her back, she gently set the tip into the soft sand, resting her hands on the hilt as she watched the small waves come and go. So lost in the moment she barely heard the footsteps behind her until a familiar voice spoke.
"My eyes must be deceiving me, there is no way that Kassandra of Sparta is having a moment of peace." On her feet in an instant, she whipped around and offered a wide smile and gentle laughter to Brasidas. He held out an arm to her in greeting and was surprised when she launched herself at him, strong arms wrapped around him in a hug.
"We take those moments when we can, Brasidas." She answered coyly, letting go to hold him at arm's length. "It's been months! How have you been? You have to tell me everything!" The younger woman exclaimed, and he gave a hearty laugh in response. Removing himself from her grip he set his sword into the sand before sitting next to where she had been before. She took the unspoken invitation and sat comfortably next to him.
It was just before dawn when their conversation caught a lull like the waves before them, a still and comfortable silence. They watched each other, and Brasidas found himself gently tracing a scar etched into Kassandra's shoulder. "This one is new," he trailed off, hoping she could give him the story of how anyone could have possibly gotten close enough to hurt her.
"Do you know the Daughters of Artemis?" She asked, and when he nodded she continued. "Their leader, Daphnae, had tasked me with gathering the pelts of legendary beasts from all across the Greek world and returning them to her. There was this particularly nasty wolf that managed to knock me on my ass a few times. It got a good bite in before I took it down." She smiled softly, almost reverent, and Brasidas couldn't help but encourage more out of her.
"And what happened? After you finished with the task?" He asked, and Kassandra grinned in a way that sent a shiver up his spine.
"In the interest of making a long story short, I became the leader of the Daughters of Artemis." She said so simply as if discussing a meal she had made. Brasidas paused, taken aback. Yet another title to add to her already impressive collection.
"Should you not be there? Leading them?"
"It was all for the sake of propriety, it's more that I'm their leader in title only, I appointed another to take my place in my absence. But, I am free to come and go from their territory as I please."
"Ah." He said simply, kicking himself for the limited response. They lulled into another comfortable silence, Ikaros' calls sounding off in the distance as dawn broke over the waves.
"The battle here, that almost ended very differently for you." Kassandra mumbled, her knees tucked to her chest. She looked incredibly vulnerable at that moment, and Brasidas knew she was confiding in him in a way few other saw.
"It's because of you that I'm still alive. I owe you my life and so much more." He offered gently, and her shoulders shook in quiet laughter. "Although I hardly think you brought it up to be reminded of that." He pressed gently, and she sighed. When she looked up at him again her brow was furrowed tightly, a small line of worry in her otherwise unmarked face.
"And yet I could have lost you that day, all of Sparta could have lost you." She paused, taking a deep breath to calm the desperate notes in her voice. "I don't know what I would have done if my brother had been able to finish what he started, if I'd be able to forgive him." She offered quietly, and Brasidas felt his chest tighten with an emotion he refused to name.
"Then don't think about it. I'm here, your brother is safe with your family, and nothing will change that," taking a chance, he gently placed his hand on her shoulder, hoping the gesture would bring her some comfort, "I promise you." He offered, voice full of determination as she lifted her gaze to his own. Her heart was pounding, her nerves wound so tight she feared they would snap. While Kassandra was no stranger to indulging in her desires, she didn’t know what to do when she was faced with wanting something more. The older man must have seen the hesitation in her face and he sighed quietly. “I was terrified whenever I saw you on the battlefield, especially when you went against your brother. It’s not every day you meet a Spartan like you, Kassandra. Walking in a world without you in it is the last thing I want.”
Kassandra’s face grew hot, cheeks stained a dusky pink at his words. “You are very kind, Brasidas, but I’m sure there is more to your life than just me.” She teased gently, masking the longing in her voice. There was no denying her feelings for Brasidas, although she was certain that he did not feel the same. “You’ll have a wife soon enough, the gods only know how many women would want the Great and Honourable Brasidas of Sparta.” She teased, looking back out to the shore. The sun was just starting to peek out over the horizon, painting the sky in soft pinks and yellows.
“That’s just it,” he began, “I’ve never wanted anyone. I was determined to live my life in service to Sparta, never settling down just continuing my life in the military.” His hand dropped down from her shoulder and Kassandra found herself missing his warmth. “At least, I thought that was the plan. Until I met you.”
Kassandra whipped her gaze back to him, to find him closer than he had been previously, their knees brushing against each other.
“The day we met, that fight in the warehouse, I’ve never felt a connection like that with anyone in my life.” He continued, his eyes warm with affection. “You’ve become very important to me, Kassandra. I would be incredibly stupid to let you go now.” He said with a boyish grin, and Kassandra only gaped at him, her eyes wide with shock. It wasn’t a grand profession of love and adoration sung from the hills, but it was so overwhelmingly him that her heart ached all the same. He laughed nervously as the silence stretched on, breaking her gaze to run his hand anxiously along his braid. “Of course if you don’t feel the same, there is no pressure. The last thing I want is to make-“
Kassandra cut him off with a hand on his cheek, turning his gaze back to her. “Please, stop talking and kiss me.” She demanded gently, laughter filling her voice. He smiled in return, all boyish with glee.
Their lips met once, a soft, almost exploratory gesture. Twice, and it was like they both remembered that the other isn’t fragile, filled with the passion and longing they had both pushed so far back it was remarkable that they had even made it this far.
Brasidas lifted his hands, one curling along her neck under the braid Kassandra never seemed to be without, the other cradling her jawline so gently it made her heart ache. Their lips moved together like they were meant for it, an easy slide that didn’t feel uncomfortable, even as she shifted closer still. Her own hands began to wander, settling on the swell of his chest beneath the armour he still wore.
He coaxed her lips open with a gentle nip against her lower lip, brushing his tongue against hers that eagerly awaited him. It was so gentle, so soothing in its own way and Kassandra was grateful to not have to rush something for once, to be able to take her time. Heat burned on her cheeks as warmth pooled in her belly, the little flames of desire building in a way that was unique to Brasidas, when they fought together, any time she laid eyes on the man she had the same reaction, she certainly wasn’t losing the opportunity now.
She tried to muffle the yelp of surprise she gave when he lifted her off the ground just enough to settle her on his lap, her thighs bracketing his own, not even breaking the kiss. Now impossibly close, Kassandra draped her arms around his shoulders, letting herself melt against him.
Slowly breaking the kiss, Brasidas buried his nose against the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply before pressing a gentle kiss against her skin, grinning at the shudder that ran through her.
“I’ve wanted this for so long, wanted you.” He admitted quietly, his hands ghosting over her torso to settle on her hips again. “Since the moment we met, you stole my heart. I can't imagine being with anyone but you, if you'll have me." He murmured, lips ghosting against the side of her neck and she had to repress a shiver.
"Always, Brasidas." She answers breathlessly, pressing a kiss against his temple. They held onto each other, content in the moment of peace they found in each other.
matt was drowning in paperwork from new cases and witness testimonies. he sighed as he had to read a few more lines on the page he was currently reading. he lifted a finger to stop reading momentarily. then, he riffled through the other documents and felt he had more work to do. he would definitely read more tomorrow.
during this quick break, he rubbed his hands together, feeling the fall chill inside his apartment. he was already wearing a sweater, sweatpants, and socks. but even with the radiator on, he still felt chilly.
on top of that, his head was already throbbing and knew it was time for him to take a break.
one more page, he encouraged himself, before he’d call it a day.
meanwhile, frank was doing his own reading. unlike matt, he was reading for pleasure. all cozy wearing his sweater, sweatpants, and socks. he was seated on a leather recliner reading fahrenheit 451. he moved the recliner to the bedroom in the meantime since matt was distracted by frank’s presence in the kitchen.
the book was sitting on his bookshelf for the longest time and frank hadn’t had the chance to read it. he was engaged in reading, flipping page after page, without stopping. he felt the strain on his eyes and knew he needs to stop. but the story was getting good, and he didn’t want to put it down.
he paused briefly since he heard a chair screech and footsteps padding to the bedroom. he put the book upside down on a drawer and expected matt to come in the bedroom with him. matt’s footsteps fill the noise in the room, and matt lets out a shaky sigh. that gets frank’s attention and cocked an eyebrow at matt’s overall state.
matt shakes his head and stays quiet as he massaged his temples. frank knew what that signal meant and he wasn’t supposed to say a word. so he didn’t. but frank moved to one side of the recliner to make room for matt. this was his way of being there for matt without saying anything; by letting him cozy up to him.
without hesitation, matt stepped on the empty space of the recliner. frank didn’t offer any assistance knowing that matt had done this before and made it fine. once matt both feet planted on the cushion, he squat and used his hand to support him to sit beside frank. once matt was seated, he stretched his legs and placed it on the leg rest, right beside frank’s. then, he settled by placing his head on the crook of frank’s neck. meanwhile he clasped his hands and let it rest on frank's chest. matt felt frank's racing heartbeat. but it eventually returns to its normal rhythm.
frank then wrapped an arm around matt’s waist and resting his hand on matt’s stomach. and as matt relaxed in frank’s body warmth and embrace, frank’s kissed matt’s head and decided to resume reading at a later time and slept next to him.
Prompt: How bout some platonic bromance of Carlos and Paul I feel like after the club scene they will have become besties ?
Thank you for the prompt, @daybreak96! I know it’s about 10 months late but maybe you’ll still enjoy it. I haven’t written for this fandom since S1 aired, so I’m a but rusty, I apologise for that
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Paul flopped onto Carlos’ couch right after he came through the door. Ever since the night in the club he had been at Carlos’ apartment often enough to feel comfortable to do so. “So, where’s TK?”
Carlos closed the door behind his friend and sat down next to him. “He’s not feeling well.”
“He won’t come?”
Carlos shook his head and checked his phone one last time to see whether TK had changed his mind. He hadn’t.
Paul sat up a bit straighter and ran his hand over his thighs as if he was nervous. When Carlos looked at him, he was frowning. “But… is he okay with us hanging out?”
“He is, yeah,” Carlos answered and sent a smug smile in Paul’s direction, “I’m a grown man, though. I can decide for myself who to hang out with.”
Paul shrugged. “Yeah, I know you can. It’s just, I met you because of him and I wouldn’t want to cause any… bad blood. Not between the two of you and also not between him and me. Things have been good at the station. Wouldn’t like to ruin it.”
Carlos shook his head in sympathy. “Don’t worry. As long as you don’t come at me I think you’ll be fine.”
Paul chuckled at that and held his hands up. “I’ll do my best but that body of yours…”
Carlos only spared him a sarcastic smile. “Oh, but you do own a mirror, don’t you?”
They were interrupted by his phone, a couple of short vibrations signalling various messages coming in.
TK: I’m really sorry for cancelling
TK: have fun with paul, you deserve it after the week you’ve had
TK: let’s have lunch tomorrow if i feel better?
TK: say hi to paul and don’t stare at his face or muscles for too long or you’ll lose interest in me
Carlos couldn’t help but smile down at his phone reading the message.
“TK says hi,” he passed on to Paul and texted back.
Carlos: lunch sounds great, let me know how you’re feeling
Carlos: never!
As if he would lose interest in TK, the thought itself was ridiculous at this point.
“Duuuude,” Paul grinned smugly and shoved Carlos’ shoulder, “You’re so far gone for that boy!”
Carlos looked up at him. When he couldn’t think of a witty remark within a second, he just kept on smiling like a Chesire cat. “Yeah, I know. So, um, now that TK isn’t coming, do you want to have a beer?”
“Sure.” Paul said and then noticed that he had never seen Carlos drinking before. “So, you’re only not drinking when he’s around?”
Carlos hesitated. He got up and walked over to the fridge to get the beers, buying himself some time to think about an answer. “He doesn’t drink, so I try not to when he’s around, yeah.”
Paul nodded. Carlos didn’t know how much he knew about TK’s past but from the expression on Paul’s face he at least suspected something. They both left it at that. Carlos wouldn’t be the one to tell him and Paul had the decency not to ask. “How is it going between the two of you?” He asked instead.
Carlos opened the beers, cheered to Paul and took a sip of his. “It’s going up and down. The timing is shit for him but I know that he’s trying, that’s all I can ask for.” He smiled at that, realising yet again how true it was. They weren’t where he would like them to be yet, but they were good and that was all that mattered for him. “How is it for you? Anything new?”
Paul sighed. “I’ve talked to a few women online… It’s been okay, but nothing real.”
“Has it been different before?” Carlos was careful to ask that. He wasn’t sure how comfortable Paul was talking about his identity or his sexuality and he certainly wasn’t sure how comfortable Paul was talking about all of this to him. “I mean, before you came to Austin? You came from Chicago, right?”
“Chicago is about three times the size of Austin and that kind of shows in my dating options.”
“Do you miss it? Chicago, I mean.”
Paul thought about it for some time, his gaze down, fixed somewhere on Carlos’ coffee table. “I do, yeah.” He shrugged. “Some stuff. I loved the community I’ve had in Chicago but working over there was shit. Here it’s the other way around. Work is good, the team is the best I’ve ever had, the captain, too… I hope the community is something that I can build up over time. My people are everywhere, in some places you just have to dig deeper to find them.” He shrugged again but his voice was too full of emotion to fool Carlos with nonchalance.
In sympathy, Carlos raised his beer bottle and cheered to him again. “I hope so, too. In the meantime, if you ever need someone to hang out or to talk to, you know where I live.”
“Yeah, thanks man. Same back to you. If you ever need someone to talk to, or if you ever need someone to give your boy a shove in the right direction, just let me know.”
Carlos laughed. “I’ll try and be patient first but yeah, thanks, I’ll let you know.”
“He is a handful, that’s for sure. Good luck with that.”
“I can handle him, don’t worry,” Carlos said suggestively, “In every way.” He wiggled his eyebrows and Paul threw the cap of his bottle at him.
“How about you though,” Paul asked about as carefully as Carlos had been earlier, “Are you from Austin? Born and raised?”
Carlos shook his head at that. “Nope,” he answered, “My parents live about two hours to the north-east from here. Very rural, very… Texas, I guess.” He swallowed and smiled self-deprecatingly. “So, I think, I kind of understand the ‘in some places you just have to dig deeper to find your people’ thing.” It was his time to go for nonchalance when he actually knew he wouldn’t fool Paul. They both knew it and still, it helped with the heaviness of dark memories at least to some extent.
Paul nodded. “Yeah, I guess,” he said. “When did you come to Austin?”
“Right after school. We’ve been to Austin very often when I was a kid and I’ve always liked it, but when I got older - with the whole coming to terms with my sexuality and such, it kind of became a safe space for me? I mean, it’s not Chicago or New York or L.A., I know it’s not, but it’s the first place I’ve ever felt safe in my whole life, so it is home for me, you know?”
Paul nodded again. He understood this need for a safe space, this need for a home just as much as every queer person. This time, instead of trying to be chill, he shot Carlos a genuine smile. “Yeah,” He said, “I know. I really hope it can be home for me, too.”
Carlos smiled back and leaned over to shove Paul gently. “I hope so, too, man.” And at this point, Carlos was certain that he himself would try and give his best to make it easier for his new friend.
Gardienne goes to check how it’s going with Mathieu’s lessons. SPOILER: he is stressed out, and Gardienne is surprised abt it. She mentions to herself that he never had problems with crowds, mentions also how he usually gives autographs when surrounded by faeries:
And srsly, Beemoov, why? You created that new character, a HUMAN to replace him with 2 already liked LIs, a dragon and an elf. The least you could have done was to make him interesting and easy to like. Making him a wanna-be cassanova when we have characters that are doing it way better (Nevra and TO Nevra) looks a bit pathetic. Shallow, two-faced, coward, a human... what are his strength? Oooh, I can totes see many ways you could work with such character to make this route a true gem, but sadly, you didn’t pick any.
Gardienne is shocked that some faeries listen to Earth lessons as volunteers. Yea, wanting to learn about whole new, alien world is really shocking.
So it is canon that Gardienne is not interested in world and unable to understand plp who wants to learn. It’s a ... choice. For sure. A dumb one, but a choice.
We talk tih koori for a while, and she is fascinated about the Earth. Gardienne gives us gems like “is my world really that different from Eldarya?” (jk, she doesn’t say “my world”). “Why are you attending the classes?”.
And I was asking why she never tried to get to know her LI.
Keep on lying to yourself you dumbo.
A piece of info: you need two people for portal, one to keep it open in Eldarya, and (ideally) the other to open it on Earth. FF writers, here is my gift for you :)
Koori admits she looks a bit too fey for her to walk among humans. In ANE we do not have masking potions, spells, nothing. If we could have change Erika into mermaid, perhaps we could have done same thing with dunno, lorialets? They look like humans, so... It is unnecessary bit, Koori already explained that she ahs to stay on Eldarya to open the portal.
Mathieu talked about animals (this part is skipped) and I like how he mentions those who can be met on the mission. Erika would probably talk about elephants, birds of paradise, exotic pets, just to prove she knows the words.
The next topic he wants to talk abt are vehicles, and here we are told by Gardienne how disater those lessons are. Too chaotic, not his fault, they don’t have plan... and you know what? True. Without knowing what and how they will act those lessons are pointless. They should create a real plan- the one that Gardienne came with is just a v rough sketch- and while creating it Mathieu should be asked many, many questions. If they were professional Guard ofc.
This. This is how Beemoovs writers imagine how adult, responsible and wise leaders act. It’s another day of lessons and they haven’t thought about missions’ aliases. It’s a bit like my great espinage story which I was writing when I was 12. This kind of research and depth.
HC is my fav this season: when you explain things to her properly she accepts gesture/situation, as long as she sees reasoning behind it. That’s logical and it’s a trait, a rare treat in ANE. Well done, Beemoov.
Now, they all are surprised that we greet each other, say only our names (do you know last name of any one from TO besides HH? I know I don’t), small talk like “how are yous” etc. Except that we know that it is same on Eldarya, we know it from TO!
HC is unable to hold a simple conversation for reasons. Lots of fun, similar effect:
And now Mathieu is deciding which nickname Nevra should pick. Nevra of the Shadow, assassin, spy. Who should have already mastered curriculum vitae of his fake persona. Dumbifying all characters so they could match our MC is too much.
It goes smoothly this time, but still, they should have done it better.
We are again told that Mathieu is super duper popular among girls. Poor things, they must be really desperate and naive to fall for his charm. Koori acts jealous, which is... strange? Because she is much more wordly than him, and honestly, this relationship would be pretty pointless? Sure, she is a bit bimbo, but she is not an idiot, she is rather smart what is good for her, Mathieu on the other way... I would say in polish that his only charm is being a “fresh meat”. Do you know what I mean? Not even a sexually capable fresh meat. Just fresh meat.
This is really funny. I like this little scene...
Nevra tries to comfort HC for failing her introduction during lesson:
He wasnt’ that forgiving when training Gardienne, right? Personally, this sentence should go to Leiftan- either because he is trying to be better, or because old habits (”good leif, a defender of children and widows”) are still strong. Nevra, specially in ANE- a colder, more cynical one, should be much stricter.
This scene was written by different writer that the scene of training with him and Karenn. Or they just do not care at all about being in character.
...and it wasn’t. It totally wasn’t.
Btw, those optimistic lines were said by person who is cunning, who knows how cruel world is, and who betrayed and killed their own brother. Not much groung for being happy go lucky in my opinion.
While the rest will be standing behind them in total silence, possibly glaring behind M and E’s backs. Not susp at all.
Dear writer. I believe it was never confirmed whether Leiftan knew about Mnemosyne. He should- because Miko was telling him everything up to the point she started suspecting everyone around her, but we didn’t know for sure.
Le vision, not everyone forgot Erika!
Aaaaand, she wants to take measurments right there, in the garden, when everyone is standing in crowd. She really is dense, right? So much I will make a little pass here. Will try to make next ep the last part.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” He hissed-whisper. The blond could feel he was slowly getting paranoid with the man now right in front of him.
Crouched behind the high stacks of wine barrels, cold sweats began forming on his forehead for fear they could get busted anytime. It was never an issue if he was sitting or even crouching like he was doing right now alone. But it was a major issue if he was seen with the man in front of him, mirroring the same pose.
Zoro grinned like the night was shone with direct sunlight instead of through the moon. Sanji was blinded every time. His heart was shaken, every time too. He stopped questioning the strange feelings creeping slowly inside his chest long ago, but it didn’t mean it will go unnoticed.
The tan man still maintaining the smile. “Meeting you, shit cook.” Honest answer— with his usual topping of insult. Zoro’s thick, sexy baritone voice sounded like liquid gold. Audible form of what he thought as heaven.
“The fuck, you marimo! You know—“
A hand clasped his mouth. The calloused skin felt warm. It’s something he missed, but hell if he’s ever going to tell this neanderthal.
Zoro motioned a forefinger to his lips as to tell him that his volume was not suitable for their situation. Too high. Sanji rolled his perfect cerulean eyes.
It was a dark night. It was quiet. It was just like the night they first met. On one particular night when Zoro sneaked out of the castle, away from his stifling life, and lost his way back, covered it up by saying that he was exploring the town.
Sanji would snort whenever he was reminded of that night.
“I know, I know. Father’s gonna be hella mad if he knows.”
His father, King Dracule Mihawk to be exact, was a stern man. A man stood by discipline and rules. A man that would never going against iron-clad traditions.
Using the hand he clasped Sanji earlier, the tan male grabbed the broad but slender shoulders. He pulled Sanji close earning a surprised yelp.
Zoro quickly nuzzled into Sanji’s neck. Inhaling the distinct musk of the male. A scent that only a stupid but handsome curly brow like Sanji have. Zoro smiled contently, a smile that he unconsciously wore whenever he was full and satisfied by great sake after some exceptional swords fights or trainings in the evenings. A smile reserved to be used for when his heart felt light, felt swollen.
Just like this time. Just being with Sanji managed to make him felt like that.
Sanji’s face turned crimson upon the intimate contact. It’s not often the marimo will initiate cute gestures like this. Well, it will never be often as Zoro’s time was always spent inside the castle.
A place that depicted a thick line separating their worlds. Their different path in life. Two paths that was only parallel but never it will overlapped on each other. Because the path Sanji’s life in will always be a lot more behind than the Prince’s.
A path and life where he could only gaze at the guy he loved from behind, amongst other people. From inside the crowd.
“You’re being awfully quiet today, dart brow.” Sanji was snapped from what he was thinking of. Zoro’s always sharp. He should have never been surprised by this.
“It— It’s nothing.”
He could feel the steely eyes on him. Sanji refused to look at him. He knew Zoro didn’t believe him but he felt grateful that the tan male didn’t push further.
Another hand slide on top of Sanji’s abdomen, resting on the other side of his waist.
“Oi, don’t tell me you’re going to sleep here.”
“Mhmmm… Shut up. You’re comfortable.” Zoro’s answer almost sounded slurry.
The fuck this Marimo getting sleepy so fast!
Sanji gently tugged at the green-head’s earrings. Finally looking down at the big-baby moss clinging to him. “Don’t you dare fall asleep here. Go back to the castle if you want to sleep!”
“Only if you follow me inside…"
“There’s no way—"
Finally Zoro peeked an eye open, looking at each other. Sanji was silenced by the serious look reflected inside that steely black iris.
“No, Zoro.” I can’t. Was what he wanted to add. But those two mere words couldn’t come out. He was afraid.
“Fuck, please?”
“No, Marimo. You and me will get in trouble if the guards find out. Worst case scenario, The King. I don’t want to be stared down and burnt into ashes.”
The hands that Sanji subconsciously used to stroke the soft green hair stopped when Zoro held one of it and slowly brought it hovering on his lips.
Eyes were still on Sanji’s, a gaze that Sanji couldn’t decipher the meanings behind it.
Zoro finally kissed the hand, eyes closing. Savouring the soft skin on his lips.
He had missed this. He had missed Sanji.
Sanji almost cried. He didn’t understand. He didn’t know why but he almost did. His nose stung a lot. A pain that felt like he just fell down on a gravel road.
Clasping before intertwining Sanji’s hand with his, the marimo silently grinned, again.
Sanji realised the pain was really because of a fall. That one fall he couldn’t help but take to be in love with this damn marimo.
