Series: Code:RealizePairing: Impey Barbicane/Cardia BeckfordPrompt: Making HistoryWC: 1020
@siriusstarx
Author’s Note: I absolutely adore Impey! He’s also a joy to write! I started this pretty close to when you sent the prompt and well... here I am!
Whistlingto the tune of London Bridge weaves through the air, the sweetest remnants ofnostalgia dripping through the echoes. The workshop is super-ultra busy-busy,but that’s absolutely okay! Because even with the sounds of tinkering andclanking metals, the fondness of the music still clicks perfectly. It doesn’tcome sad, because every single step he takes is yet another in the rightdirection. He wants to soar, and he wants to right along with the woman heloves.
How luckyhe is that his honey is so... socool!
Consider it: A very gorgeous andsweet girl that catches on quickly and comes to share his dream? It’s positively,outstandingly amazing! Maybe he really has already reached the moon?It’s possible, it really is! But they will keep pressing forward; it’s nowhere neartime to stop!
History awaits the advancements ofCardia and Impey Barbicane!
He’s clumsy, with an affection modebrighter than a thousand stars, zooming past any meter, but Cardia’s much morebrilliant than even that. Love at first sight can’t even scratch the surface ofdescription of how he felt when Lupin brought her to the car. A treasuredmoment, stored tight in a showcase as they board the train. A flurry of fireworks,sparks a-flying everywhere! Declaring ‘marryme!’ May well have been in hisvocabulary, but really, he means nothing more than he respects, presents, andinsists on the fact that she deserves happiness - perhaps it could have beenwith him, he thought then.
She’s a star, and he’s landed andflying, all simultaneously.
Now, now, of course,Impey, in all his genius glory, has a track record of dreaming big (though,excuse the world, but how can you build a rocket without shooting far?), ofgetting ahead of himself (but he, he has the stamina to last a million!), ofletting excitement rattle every last bone of his. Cardia knows it. And, withendearment, with curious precaution, she’s come and taken his hand, and she’swilling to leap right into the experimental unknown with him.
“Impey.... If there’s anything to feel, it’s worry... but alsogratitude.”
Every word is laced with care, withadoration. Man, is he really charged up, always! He strives tobe reliable, to keep the fires of his, of their, dreams alive, and to keepmoving right on forward. Who cares if there are bumps along the way? A engine canmalfunction, and roads are destined to have a blip or three.
Truly, they are vital players inthis game of life, within their recent group, and beyond. Had one been removed,the gang simply wouldn’t be the same.
Without her, would there even havebeen one?
Imagine if their princesshad been in another castle. Yikes! Then he and her wouldn’t be here, would they?Maybe not yet like this. It hurts to think about! A real tragedy!
“Impey?”
Would she have waited for him,even if she didn’t even know him?
“Impey!”
How would things have been? Couldhe have had the picture-perfect skydiving marriage made them look like shootingstars? Would he have been able to see her, happy and free, in a dress of purewhite, a swan from the moon? Would he--
“Impey!!”
Finally, he’s broken out of hisday-sewn dream.
“Yes, my honey?”
“Could I have the wrench?”
“Of course~!”
There she is, beautiful,hard-working, she’s got a jumpsuit on (they’re matching!) and dust and dirt onher face (they can wash off, together, later). She rolls her shoulders andstretches her arms, holding her hand out with a smile, “Thank you.”
He reaches over, their glovedfingers brushing against each other (safety first!) as he turns over the toolshe needs. Ha-aah! Yahoo! That run-off speculation isn’t the truth. The realevents are here! They (naturally) fell in love, her existencedescending upon his world like the coolest angel even to bless this earth. WhenVictor said there had been a chance that her poison had been resolved, hecouldn’t help but rush and grab her hands, in spite of any risks.
Warm, soft, delicate. She’s everything, and a total worth. One-hundred, one thousand, an infinite scope of possibilities.
“Oh! Haha, Impey... you have oil onyour cheeks!” She laughs, though she careful not to cover her face when shedoes it. A pity! Maybe she would have left marks on her face too.
Impey winks, and Cardia shakes herhead, standing up and grabbing a towel, tossing it over to him, watching as itlands right over his head.
“Cardia, my savior, my--”
He jumps toward her, and shemanages to push back, clapping her hands on his face lightly and rubbing thecloth in. Still he brings his face closer, closer.
“You...”
One of his arms goes around herback, pulling her close. Whether they lose themselves in their work, whethertheir flying, firing, the sky is theirs, see? They can say the dumbest, cutest, smartestthings; it’s their wavelength! They’re connection! Strength alone brings themtogether, but it is these fated bonds that count for a million little twinkles.
No forgetting, no letting it go.
Cardia moves her hands and thetowel falls to the ground, far faster than a fluttering float. Gravity reallydragged the oily, dirty fibers down! It leaves behind two worn, sworn, and verypleased to be there. Scientists, inventors, geniuses and the learned capable. Allthe proof that anything in the world truly is possible rests on theirshoulders. They’re very much in it for the long haul!
Thank the stars, the sun, and themoon! For even on Earth, they are in their own atmosphere! Love-love andwork-work, the depths, the heights, he loves her so much!
Cardia’s the exact same. All theseopenings, and the warmth of hands. That’s a history she’s happy to leave behind-- far from alone, found, loved, dreamed.
Both of them smile. Anything theyinvent, whatever they and the others write about them, these stories are ofthem. What’s made of it is up to the books! Their progression, sparkling everbright.
Hi there, I love your blog! It has been very useful and informative for the story I am writing. ❤️ Could you translate something like 'precious angel child'? Or perhaps 'precious spirit child'? Thank you!
Hi, and thanks! Let me see what I can do.
There are several words for “precious” in Sumerian, but most of them refer to objects (think “precious metal” in English). The word which can be used more broadly is kal 𒆗, meaning “valuable, excellent, rare”.
“Angel” is hard to translate into Sumerian — the nearest concept is a lamma, “guardian spirit”, but it’s generally not a child (or useable as a descriptor of the living). The closest we can probably get is bar 𒁇, which means “soul, spirit” (among various other meanings).
Putting these together with “child”, dumu 𒌉, we get dumubarkal 𒌉𒁇𒆗, “precious soul child”. I hope that’s helpful!
Series: Collar x MalicePairing: Enomoto Mineo/Hoshino IchikaPrompt: My InspirationWC: 2673Author’s Note: Anyone that knows me knows that I absolutely adore these two. Their relationship in game was so strong, so sweetly developed, and they make a dynamic, excellent duo! Ultimate bias for Mineo aside, I think he and Ichika are really, really good for each other! Love is messy, really, really messy, but these two keep inspiring one another, in their own ways!
ALSO READ ON -> AO3 !
A few previous attempts at a suitable cake rest out of the way. They weren’t quite up to par, but she knows they won’t go to waste, so she can afford another try. But, luckily, this go, why, it’s just right! She’s striking head-on against the adversities and trials that stand against her in the mighty battlefield (her kitchen)!
Ah, Mineo might be rubbing off on her a bit.
He stares down his opponent with unwaveringstrength. Even if he is to prove himself to be the biggest fooltomorrow, at least he has the efforts of today to back up his absolutecoolness! He is the epitome of awesome, and he will point forward with his fanin hand, targeting his adversaries with a single swipe!
“Hmmm…”
Focus, focus, young hero, and let your voice beknown! …Is what he should be saying to himself, to get his psyche up andup, but it seems he’s already gone into overdrive, and chosen opponentcan’t even be bothered to glance his way. How rude of that bitter seaweed!
“Um,” Ichika says, as she steps into his line ofsight. Suddenly, the wrinkles in his brow lighten, as if a revitalizing angelhas descended upon him. That’s dramatic, of course, but when things come toher, it may as well be true. Feisty but cool, sweet but also amazing, Mineo haddeclared to be “not his type” but what an evasion of the truth that was.
“Oi, if all you’re goingto do is infect the air with stupid, then you need to leave.”
“Hey, this isn’t even your home, sea–”
“Mineo-san! He’s not here!” Ichika quicklyspeaks up. Like a blinking arrow, the space he through Takeru occupied is spotlighted,with the hacker no present in it.
“Ehh? B-But, wait, then…” Why had he..? Did hethink Takeru would insult her honor, did he think he took another blow at his?Is he really that delusional?
How uncool!!! Seriously!
He frowns, his stomach dropping. Truly, trulytoday’s the day he calls to his foolish side. How can he look her in the eyewhen he has shouted at the very air she breathes?
Ichika shakes her head, quickly grabbing hishand and sitting next to him. Of course, this can be considered prettyembarrassing, but she has to do this! To lift him back up from the shadows thatcloud him, to bring warmth and assurance back to his shield. “Maybe you wouldhave beat him… this time.”
“That’s it! With the support of my greatest allyin the battlefield, I will be able to conquer even the grandest of– hey! Thistime?!”
“Hehe,” Ichika laughs a little, before shebreathes in and kisses him on the cheek, turning away almost immediately. “Allthe time, to me… really…”
“Th-Th-Th-Th…!!” Ah, she broke him,“This is a couple act!”
“Y-Yes…”
We are a couple. And,Mineo-san, please, not so loud..!
No matter the opponent, it seems the only one hefeels can truly lose to is her, his equal. There’s no reason to have the goalto best her – they’re a team, partners through the ups and downs, beholders ofthe gifts destiny has granted them.
Shyly, he leans on her, and she squeezes hishand.
“Say, Ichika, I, umm… You see…”
“Mmm..?”
“I-I… y-you…”
“Mineo-san…”
Are they that in sync with one another? Do theyknow the whispers the others wishes to release? The calls of the lords above,the fuel which empowers their muscles, rattling the bones of any and allopposition by blinding them within the might light of lovey-dovey action?
“I love–”
“–you a lot!”
“A-Ah…”
Pure in feelings, pushing each other to gettheir feelings out and communicate everything deep in their hearts. Thereneedn’t be anything shouldered alone, they can handle it, with each other.
“Next time we’re free, we should go on a date,”Ichika suggests.
“D-Date?”
“Yes, that’s… that’s what a couple like uswould do, right?”
“Heheh, right! I, Enomoto Mineo, Sleeping Dragonof Shinjuku, renowned progressor of cool, have the sweetest, most badassgirlfriend in the world! She has awoken the fire within me, and I am mooned!”Really smooth, he definitely got every word right. Keep going, Mineo! “But,where do you wanna go?”
“Somewhere quiet? Like the park?”
She’s a genius! That’s really romantic, a placewhere they can talk and enjoy each other. She really is the best.
“Amazing..!”
“Huh?”
“Ah, it’s, it’s nothing! Nothing at all! It’snot like I was thinking about how nice it’d be to hold hands like this, andabout how glad I am that you’re… here and everything!”
“Yes, yes,” Ichika smiles, “I definitely wasn’tthinking anything similar in that case.”
“Eh? W-What?”
“I wonder…”
“You…” he really can’t defeat her, but hewouldn’t want to strike her down. This is a relay race, where the players are ateam, passing a baton. They need one another to get further, to finish. “Oh, Igot it!” He grins, brimming in absolute confidence. “Don’t worry too much onthe planning, Ichika. Leave it to me!”
“Really?”
“Yeah! You’ve done so much for me, it’s theleast I can do! Trust the great Mineo to have everything under control!”
He’s able to relax soon enough, thanks to thesecurity and faith he has in her, and them fall into exciting conversation,talking as though they could forever.
“…And then Satake-san said ‘good luck outthere’ and slapped me so hard on the back that I nearly fell flat on myface,” he most certainly did fall, but he’s not going to admit it. She somehowalready knows what the truth is, and one glance causes him to sulk momentarily.“O-of course, I bounced back as any fighter should!” With her nod in agreement,his spirit is returned.
“When I got back home,” he continues, unresting,Yanagi-senpai looked at me and sighed, ‘Enomoto, your tie is crooked.’”Which, it had been all day.
“Was that supposed to be an impression ofYanagi-san?”
“Yeah! How’d I do? But, don’t, don’t tell him Idid that…”
She covers her mouth with her free hand, tryingto hold back laughter. She can’t help but feel like some parties really mightnot be too thrilled about this, but she’s completely at ease. That’s what thisall means, to enjoy each other, to keep the other moving.
Certainly, Ichika is looking forward to theirdate.
Their hearts soar more one fall afternoon, onthe fading cusp of summer, but perhaps, no… most certainly, this ultimatelove-love-love had began much earlier.
“Mineo-san, I made a meal for our picnic,”Ichika says, holding up her hard work proudly, “I made it when…” when hewas sputtering, trying to figure out exactly how the day could go, but shestops herself from actually saying it. This is was the date they agreed on, andshe’s really glad it is happening! “But this is what you wanted, right? That’swhy you insisted on carrying that blanket?”
“Ahaha…”
Busted.
He… does have some food with him, in a basketof his own. He wanted to surprise Ichika, so he asked (more, begged) Yanagi tohelp him out, since he’s not really one for cooking alone… But Ichika, shegot the jump on him! She’s amazing…
Ichika smiles, laughing lightly, taking his handwith her free one. Though the fires burn, she wants to tackle them by jumpingright in, and this is what he’d want too! A dream’s a dream, written somewhereamongst his romance novels and guides, but the real thing is so much more… fulfilling!!
The blush on his face deepens, he sputters abit, Ichika can’t help but think, He’s really cute!
“T-This… is…”
“…Mineo-san?”
“N-Nothing! Why… Why wouldn’t we hold holds!It’s perfectly normal, perfectly normal for a d-date! Of course it is! Itdefinitely is! Just like a married couple, just like a married couple, w-we…we…”
“Ah! You’re repeating yourself..!”
“That’s right!!”
You don’t have to!!
But that’s what’s so endearing about him, that’syet another part of him she fell in love with. Straightforward, but easilynervous, passionate, but clumsy when it comes to these things. Every step isanother chance to learn, and when push comes to it, they both have it handled!
“…So, how does that spot over there look?”
“Oh! It’s perfect,” Ichika says, immediatelyleading the way, only finally releasing his hand when it’s time to set up theblanket so that they can sit down and enjoy the rest of the day. She sets downher basket, looking to her date, waiting for him to spread the blanket.
And that’s when he reveals a small basket of hisown.
“You really did have everything!” Ichika clapsher hands together.
“Of course! Anything to make sure we were readyfor any challenge! Let not a moment pass you by, young grasshopper, for thereis always another step to take. Braving any challenge with you and I besideeach other, and failure will not be met!”
“Haha, I really can rely on you.”
A simply picnic, full of laughter, where thesun’s rays beam down upon them, guarenting them a world further than what theyhave seen before. The soft breeze disrupted by solely the energetic bursts theygive, the food they enjoy (Yanagi’s food is good but Mineo will through andthrough argue that Ichika’s is the winner!), the moments they share. This iswhat a perfect date is meant to be like!
As Mineo nervously lays his head on her lap (alegendary… lap pillow!! which was something he never thought he would be apart of), and relaxes, their breathing evens out and synchronizes, a moment’speace taking them as they discuss work, their presents, their futures.
To give back, to celebrate what they have, andwhat they will have, to thank him for giving her peace, and a love beyondcompare, full of trust, of overcoming trials, she wants to go all out. Withoutany hesitation in her soul, Ichika decides on the perfect day for it.
She rubs her hands together, scanning overeverything that’s in front of her. There had been offers from a concerned,reliable soul to assist her in baking this, just like he helped prepare foodfor their picnic date, but she so stubbornly and determinedly insisted that shehad to at least do this part.
And whoever could deny the fire in her eyes?
Even something small might very melt the man inquestion, but she really wants to make sure he really enjoys this. He’sturned a new leaf, stepped himself up, and helped her as well. In his ownwords, they’re the greatest duo in modern history! Said with such enthusiasm,Ichika can’t help but buy into it.
It’s enticing, putting faith in every lastbreath of his energy.
And she, she has every right to believe in him.She’s glad she gets to celebrate this day like this. It’s important toher too, and the circumstances, are far better.
A few previous attempts of a suitable cake restout of the way. They weren’t quite up to par, but she knows they won’t go towaste, so she can afford another try. But, luckily, this go, why, it’sjust right! She’s striking head-on against the adversities and trials thatstand against her in the mighty battlefield (her kitchen)!
Ah, Mineo might be rubbing off on her a bit.
But of course, there deserves to be a day ofrest for the hero of a story, even if a warrior must always be on his toes.
With her eyes so on the prize, she doesn’t hearthe door open, not at all.
“I’m home!”
“Welcome home!”
…Although, she answers him without anyhesitation.
One peer into the kitchen and his heart races.By the looks of it, she’s been doing her absolute best, since the moment shegot home. Things like this, that exchange, this situation, the comfort in theair – they’re… li-li-like a married… couple…
Just the thought nearly causes him to fall over,and because of the clashing noise he makes when he tries to steady himself,Ichika finally notices that he is, yes, there. Her whirl around isquick, so rapid by nature that she doesn’t realize her shock causes her to letgo of the spoon she was mixing her batter with, which, in turn, lands… onMineo…
“A warrior… falls victim to the strongeststrike of all…”
She rushes over to him with a hand towel, evenif they both know his clothes will most definitely need to be washed properly.
“M-Mineo-san, I’m–”
“–Ichika, it’s nothing I can’t–”
The words they both want to say get caught intheir throats as they meet each other’s gazes. Red blankets both of theircheeks, the messiness of both Ichika’s hard work, and the accident, reflectingdown upon both of them. Messy in stature, worried in nature, any tension andconcern crumbles, and they both burst out into laughter.
They really do bring out the best in each other.
Inspiring each other to do more and more, thoughnervous, though quick to fumble.
“W-Well, since you’re here now, let’s finishthis together!”
“M-Me, b-bake with you…”
“Mmhmm! No use keeping it a surprise anymore.Let’s do our best!”
“Heheh, then, I’ll be in your care, Ichika!”
So this day becomes their hallmark fordays to come. Idiots of the same feather flock together, or somethinglike that, they feel like Takeru said once, but they aren’t minding it at all.
To make sure he’s reasonably prepared, Mineograbs a apron from where they keep them, trying his best not to die overthe fact that he and the women he loves are matching now. He got this inthe bag, for sure!
“This is the next step… I was just about to doit, before you surprised me,” Ichika says, noticing his quick fall in attitude,“in a good way! I think this’ll be even more special now.”
And together they breathe the final cake of theday to life, proving that two heads (and two pairs of hands) are better thanone. When it’s all said and done, Ichika tastes the batter on the new spoon sheused and then reaches out to hand it to Mineo, “It’s good, Mineo-san!”
“Ha…. haha… ha…”
“You don’t want it?”
“No! That’s not it! I mean, yes, I want it, it’sjust that, that’s…” an indirect kiss.
“Oh, right!” Ichika picks up the hand towle fromearlier. “If it’s the mess you’re worried about… I’ll be sure your clothesget as good as new, too!” She would put her hand on her hip, but she doesn’twant to risk getting anything anywhere that’s not her apron.
“Th-That’s wrong!”
“…?”
“N-Nevermind! …Thanks, Ichika.”
Slowly, he tastes the spoon too. The cake itselfwon’t be ready for a bit, but somehow, this one is one of the best tastingcreations she’s ever made – full of attention, care, her determination, andtheir love. It really does press again the boundaries!
They give everything they do 1100% and exceedexpectations! The strongest duo ever is them!
Though they may trip stumble, squabble and clashover the silliest things, in their hearts, they vow an eternal promise:
They will continue to bring out the best in eachother. They will live their lives alongside each other.
“Mineo-san, happy anniversary. I hope we cankeep being like this for years to come, too.”
“The same to you, Ichika! Let’s keep chargingforward, always, I promise to stay by your side, and support you.”
“Aww, I, as well.”
“Forever…”
For their views of justice, of the world, forwhat they press to accomplish side-by-side, even if they don’t see eye-to-eyein some cases, they will always be there for the other.
The lights sparkle and the gentle tune ofChristmas music plays in a well-timed beginning, for Mineo set up everything asearly as possible and refuses to take them down until the last day necessary.And as the scene sets itself, she stands on her tip toes and he wraps his armsaround her. In that moment, they seal their swear, for another eternity ofgrowth, of forwardness, of adoration.
Let them go again, and again, at the endlesstrain of motivation towards being their most perfect, imperfect selves.
