Jelp

Jelp

can I request a Uzui tsuguko reader seeing Uzui like a love/hate brotherly figure? And how Uzui would deal with the 25 years age limit after they take their place as a hashira and awake a mark??

sorry my english sucks 🤡

Sorry posts are taking so long a family member is very sick. I was so close to crying while writing this.

Demon slayer masterlist

✿✼:*ﾟ:.｡..｡.:*･ﾟﾟ･**･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　

"Hey, your forms wrong... again. " Tengen commented as he sat on the engawa eating sweet potatoes that Rengoku brought over for you.

key words: For You.

"Show me then instead of being an asshole and watching. Your supposed to be teaching me aren't you?" You sassed back, dropping your sword to take a break. Looking over to him you take notice of what he's eating.

"HEY THOSE ARE MINE." You took off in a sprint to get to him.

Tengen ran into the house with you hot on his tail.

Makio stopped the both of you and scolded you like children and when she was done she made you both face the wall and sitting in the corner.

This happened often before tengen retired and you took his place.

The first mission you went on you encountered and lower moon and gained your mark. (let's say muzan didn't kill them after Rui died)

Tengen was devastated, he practically forced you to retire

So we're Hina, Suma and Makio

You were 20

They made sure your last 5 years were the best of your life

When you turned 24 Suma cried a lot, Makio fussed less and Hina... Was Hina

Tengen talked to you for as long as he could everyday

The wanted you to know that you were loved up until you final moments

The day on your 25th birthday you woke up to the 4 of them surrounding you, each with smiles on their faces.

"Happy birthday" they said in unison.

'Ok not creepy at all' you thought to yourself as you try and sit up but your body felt heavier than usual. Must be the effects of the mark.

Makio and Suma are closest to you and held you up.

"Thank you. So what's on today's agenda?"

"Nothing much seems like your not up to it anyway." Tengen could hear the way your bones ached as you moved.

The day moved by quickly, too quickly for Tengens liking.

You ate, you laughed, you cried and now it was time to go to sleep.

Walking to your room you knew you were walking to your death bed. It felt weird but with the Uzui family behind you it felt comforting.

They tuck you in to bed and just as you were about to say goodnight Suma jumped on you.

"I-i don't want you to go to sleep Y/n. Stay awake please." She pleaded into your chest.

Makio was second. She couldn't even say anything, she was crying to hard.

Hina and Tengen tried to stand firm but broke at the sight of you crying and hugging them as well.

They couldn't bare to say goodbye that night and instead got their futons to sleep in the same room.

Tengen heard your heart stop.

Alt End

The say if your 25th birthday Tengen noticed you weren't up for breakfast and went to check on you.

*knock knock*

"Y/n.... You up?" He opened the door to see you peacefully sleeping on your side with 4 notes in your hand close to your face, each dressed to the members of the house.

Tengen slowly walked to your bedside and placed a hand on your head. You were cold.

"Y/n" Tengen called in disbelief. "I thought we had 1 more day" He said barely above a whisper.

He stood there until his wife's called for him.

It's a bad a for rain.

✿✼:*ﾟ:.｡..｡.:*･ﾟﾟ･**･ﾟﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*ﾟ:*:✼✿　　

OFNFNCNCMKMDNDNX

OUR SPRING

PAIRING. chigiri hyoma x m!reader

SYNOPSIS. school gets overwhelming with constant rumours and accusations, thankfully someone is willing to help. but what happens when this mutually beneficial agreement escalates into something more?

GENRE. social media au, fake dating, idol / actor au

AUTHOR'S NOTE. this is my first smau series so i'm not too sure about how to do this, but i'll do my best. i'm looking forward to writing this so i hope it doesn't disappoint <3

TAGLIST. open

profiles

chapters

001. rumours

002. hate

003. perfect

004. dating

005. chemistry training

006. music

007. disappointment

008. found not guilty

009. flowers

010. creep

011. news

012. cringe

013. bros before hoes

014. denial.

©kouyun : do not repost, plagiarize, change, or translate

HEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHE

love tester! test our love ♡

synopsis: you put your love to the test. (read: you take a tiktok filter seriously.)

characters: rin, kunigami, sae, nagi, reo

warnings: none!

note/s: this was supposed to be a/n smau (i had the screenshots ready and everything) but decided on writing it instead because it seemed more fun (and it was!) i’m dedicating this to @kakujis because… :DD she knows why and @izanhuhhh for helping me with reo’s bit! i had a lot of fun writing this and i might write more characters if i feel up to it. i hope ya’ll enjoy! 

inspired by this tiktok trend

masterlist

rin:

rin was lying down beside you as you mindlessly scrolled through your tiktok feed, the video of the love tester appeared and you laughed at how the girl looked betrayed when their names let out a measly 26%, just friends. 

“do you wanna try this out, baby?” you asked rin who looked at you with indifference before he shook his head. 

“why not?” you jut your lower lip as you pouted at him. 

“those are dumb and have no scientific basis whatsoever.” rin huffed as he cuddled closer to you, but you paid him no mind as you put on the filter and typed in your names. from the reflection of the camera, you can see rin roll his eyes but look at the filter nonetheless, a bit curious about the results. 

the audio played and rin watched with a bated breath on how the numbers teasingly went up and down before the both of you froze once it stopped at 50% 

‘could be bffs!’ the filter read. before you could even say anything, rin took your phone and deleted the previous results and inputted different variations of your names. 

‘rin itoshi + y/n l/n’ ‘just friends!’

‘itoshi rin + l/n y/n’ could be something more!

you took your phone back before he could get even more heated before laughing at his response. 

“so… we’re not meant for each oth–” “i told you this was a dumb idea!” 

“rin… are you pouting?” “no.” 

kunigami: 

once the video appears on your feed, you stood up from the couch and ran towards your boyfriend who was in the middle of working out. 

“baby!” kunigami stops mid-push up as he sees you beam at him. “what’s up, darling?” you wave your phone in front of him, urging him to click the paused video. 

once kunigami finishes watching the video, he looks at you with a raised brow. “i’m assuming you want us to do that trend?” 

with the giddy nod you let out, he let out a chuckle before patting the ground next to him. “alright, darling.”

when you inputted your names, the both of you watched intently as the numbers increased and decreased. 

31%. ‘just friends!’ the filter read. 

you looked at kunigami who was staring at the filter in shock. 

“how rigged.” kunigami mutters as he glares at your device. you blinked, a teasing smile threatening to escape your lips. 

“so… besti–” “darling, don’t even start.” with the glare he directs to you, you couldn’t help but laugh and pat his sweaty frame. 

“it’s just a filter, bestie! don’t worry about it.” you hear kunigami bite back a sound of annoyance before closing his eyes and sighing. 

“okay, friend. whatever you say.” kunigami says, looking straight into your eyes, a neutral expression on his face, causing you to pout. 

“you didn’t like that, huh?” “...no. sorry, baby.”

“it’s fine, bestie.” “rensuke!!”  

sae:

the midfielder was frozen as he looked down on his phone. 

‘let’s break up.’ the text said. 

he didn’t know what happened. your conversations prior to the break up text were fairly normal and you even wished him good luck and told him that you loved him, so really. he doesn’t know where this was coming from. 

he had 15 minutes before the game and he tried calling you multiple times, only to be declined because the subscriber cannot be reached. 

his hands were slightly shaking as he stared at your last message. only to be filled with hope as he saw your text bubble appear. 

you: ‘we’re not soulmates :((’ 

huh? now sae was confused. however, his answer was soon revealed when the picture you sent has now loaded in his messages. 

it was a screenshot of the filter in tiktok with your names inputted. ‘just friends!’ it said, sae’s erratically beating heart seemed to have calmed down and he just wants to go home and flick you in the forehead for giving him such anxiety. 

sae: that’s stupid. 

you: you see, maybe this is why we aren’t soulmates >:(( you’re mean.

sae: i’m tempted to not go back to japan for scaring me like that. 

you: you’re scared to lose me??? 

sae: the game is starting, watch well. 

you: SAE

you: COME BACK AND GIVE ME CONFIRMATION !!

you: meanie >:(( i’m not gonna lose you too so i guess we’re stuck with each other.

sae smirked a bit before putting his phone on silent, preparing himself to walk out in the field as he recalled your messages. 

of course he was scared to lose you, he thinks as he rubbed the tattooed initial of your first name on the inside of his left ring finger. his only tattoo, and one that you have yet to know of. 

he couldn’t wait until he gets back to japan to show you and finally make you his, officially. 

nagi: 

you and nagi were scrolling through tiktok couple trends to recreate, well… you were, nagi couldn’t care less and decided to just go with whatever you wanted to do. 

or so he says. 

any video that you were interested in recreating, it was suddenly “too much.” “i’m not going to do that.” and of course, “that involves too much moving.” 

with a sigh, you turn towards your boyfriend who’s eyes were drooping shut, snow colored hair splayed out on the pillow, looking back at you innocently. 

“do you really wanna do a trend today.” nagi only nods, you sighed before lying down next to him and scrolling further down. 

the video of the love tester trend appeared and you showed it to your lazy boyfriend, “how about this?” you asked as nagi’s eyes intently watched the video. 

you scoffed once you heard him let out a sound of confirmation. “mm. seems doable.” 

“nagi, we’re just going to put in our names.” “put my name in for me too.” “you’re such a lazy baby.” “”mm.” 

once you opened the camera, the filter immediately shows and you typed in your names, nagi placed his chin by your shoulder, staring at the numbers as it stopped at a high mark of 98% ‘definitely soulmates!’

nagi let out a small smirk, the reaction caught by the camera as he presses a soft kiss to your neck, causing you to drop your phone at the ticklish feeling. 

“nagi!” “shh. don’t yell at your soulmate.” “you’re enjoying this a bit too much, seishiro.” nagi hums, a small smile on his face. 

having you as a soulmate didn’t sound like a hassle. 

reo:

you were reading your book peacefully, basking in the quiet night before reo opens the door and walks excitedly towards you. 

“lovie!” he beams as he stops in front of you. you look up from the book you were reading with a curious expression. 

"we should try this trend!" he said as he pulls out his phone and goes to his saved videos, the video of a couple doing the love meter makes its way on the screen. 

you let out a hum, giving him a small smile before patting the space on the couch beside you. reo does so, smiling as he cuddles up to your side and presses the filter. 

once he inputs your names, he remained close to you as the both of you watched in horror as the love meter went down to a pitiful 6%. 'yeaaaaaa.'

you bite back a giggle at the look on your boyfriend's face, his face resembles a kicked puppy before he glares at his phone and takes it away. standing up and walking to the kitchen, dialing a few numbers whilst doing so. 

you stared at his retreating form. surely, he couldn't be bothered by a tiktok filter, right? 

but before you could ponder more, he comes back and presses the filter once more. 

"reo–""just watch." he says in a cryptic tone, before letting out a big smile as your names equated to a 100%. 'definitely soulmates!'

your brows furrowed before it clicked in your head. 

"reo… did you pay to have this filter rigged?" "i have no idea what you're talking about, love." 

"reo!" 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THSI IS SO CUTE

✩ ˛˚ . NAGI SEISHIRO — furniture shopping for your new apartment is a lot harder than you expected it to be when your boyfriend insists on trying it out first.

ஜ ˖ ࣪࿐ྂ contents! fluff, pro-football player nagi, he is just the sleepiest! ♡ ˖ ࣪࿐ྂ note! oh how i have missed him :( my heart calls his name always <3

“sei! get up!” you hiss under your breathe as you watch your boyfriend nagi drop himself down onto another one of the display couches, letting his long legs stretch out infront of him as he relaxes into the cushions with a sigh.

“huh, why? i’m jus’ testing it out, gotta make sure it’s comfy.” his voice is a soft drawl already as he lets his eyes rest closed, snowy bangs falling over his features as you nudge at his feet with a pout.

“and is it? you’ve tested it now.” you grumble as you watch nagi tilt his head to the side slightly, shrugging his shoulders as he hums dreamily. it’s like he’s really considering his answer before his eyes peek open to cast you a sleepy glance.

“eh, yeah.. soooo comfy~ cmeer, try it out, angel.” he sighs as his arms reach for you, almost successfully grabbing at your hips before you step back out of his reach— causing the sleepy striker to send you a cute little frown before he falls back with a huff.

“but we still have so much to see seishiro.” you try to reason but you know nagi’s the hardest person to move when he gets comfy, casting a glance over your shoulder to make sure there’s not some employee on their way to kick you both out yet.

“ah, that sounds like such a pain, we can jus’ get this one.” he really was like a big baby, a 190cm pro-football player baby. his cheeks are puffed out as he pouts and he looks like he’s on the brink of falling asleep as he blinks up at you, reaching an arm out every few seconds to see if it’ll convince you to come closer.

“or i can just take u home if u don’t get up.” you hiss under your breath, opting for this route first over the actual cuddle route because you don’t wanna give into him too easily. just incase it really is that comfy.

“that’s even more bothersome. no fair, pretty thing.” nagi’s words are grumbled, a slight whine as he kicks one of his feet out and lets his hands shove into his pockets to pull out his phone. that’s when you know it just got real, watching him drop his phone into landscape and no doubt about to load up a video game— he really was getting comfortable.

“fine, sei! move over.” you finally give in, for your own sake— and the stores— because you really didn’t feel like being here all day.

“yay, you gotta cuddle me. wanna make sure we can nap here, see~” you let yourself rest down beside nagi as his arms wrap around you instinctively, pulling you easily against his chest while his head nuzzles into the crook of your neck.

it really was a comfy couch, you admit as you really let yourself melt into the cushions, surrounded by your boyfriends body heat as he wraps himself around you. you give it a few moments, feeling yourself sink into a blissful sort of comfort before you realise you’re still in a store, and your snowy haired boyfriend has grown a little too quiet.. and heavy next to you as you nudge him.

“hey! don’t fall asleep, sei! get up!”

© 2023 GAROUJO. please do not copy any of my layouts or writing and translate or repost onto any other sites.

A quick and short Golden Retriever Yanqing & Black Cat Reader dynamic (kinda)

Fluff, Jing Yuan is watching everything go down from behind the scenes, reader is a Lieutenant Cloud Knight with Yanqing and also his age

‘Unspoken Rule’

Yanqing, the Cloud Knight Lieutenant and Jing Yuan’s right hand man. Yanqing, the short blonde boy who always keeps his locks in a neat ponytail. Yanqing, the energetic boy who always incorporates sword fighting in his daily schedule.

Yanqing, your boyfriend.

To every other Cloud Knight, you two were simply “best friends” or “incredibly close colleagues under Jing Yuan.” Not even Jing Yuan, who trained you both for years, thought your closeness was questionable. But who could blame any of them? Yanqing made it clear on many occasions that…

“Any other interests outside of swordsmanship will only slow my swords down!”

It just so happened that everyone subconsciously categorized dating under ‘any other interests.’ Since that point was made, no one held any suspicions towards your closeness together. Not to mention, your personalities completely contrasted each other.

“Did you hear? The Cloud Knight Lieutenants Yanqing and (Name) were spotted on a date together.” A young woman’s voice said.

“Seriously? They were probably just out for dinner, not a date. Don’t you think they’re both a little young for a relationship anyways?”

“Most people start dating around their age.” Another chimed in.

“Yeah… but those two? Together? Seriously? I can’t see Lieutenant Yanqing and (Name) with anyone romantically! The day Lieutenant Yanqing holds a romantic relationship will be the same day his swords can walk and talk. And Lieutenant (Name)…”

The man’s voice grew quieter and quieter before going silent, worried what’ll happen if he’s caught speaking of you in any way that could be interpreted negatively.

“Well… they’re not the most welcoming, and quite scary.” He finished with a gulp.

The Luofu wasn’t the most populated, but it certainly wasn’t empty. Gossip spread like wildfire, rumors even faster. Yet out of all rumors citizens chose to ignore or debunk, it was the relationship between the two young Cloud Knight Lieutenants.

Perhaps it was out of respect for the Lieutenants, the General, or both. Maybe even fear. But no matter the reason, it came to be an unspoken rule; don’t make assumptions about the Lieutenants’ relationship with one another, no matter how much you believe.

When you see them walking close together?

“Oh (Name), let’s go check that place out! The sword on display looks like one of a kind.” Yanqing exclaimed, holding a hand on your shoulder while pointing towards said shop.

The closeness was more than enough to make you flustered, but you kept a straight face. The nod you gave was all Yanqing needed to take your hand in his. Walking hand in hand, on your way to witness the boy blow through his allowance.

He was oblivious to the stares around you two, or perhaps he didn’t care. You however, didn’t like the idea of Yanqing potentially being judged for his enthusiasm.

Anyone who was staring at the scene before were now awkwardly averting their gaze after a harsh glare from you. All while Yanqing hummed an upbeat tune to himself, spending every last credit he had.

When you see them walking close together? Look away, carry on with your day.

It’s normal for friends to hold hands, walk close together, and glare at anyone who might be judging the other, right? The Lieutenants are friends, therefore it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

General Jing Yuan is no average citizen of the Luofu, so he considered himself an exception to the unspoken rule.

‘Maybe there is romantic feelings or tension between those two…’ he thought, watching as you attentively listened to the blonde’s ramble about his most recent sword.

But if you aren’t an exception to this ‘unspoken rule’ like the general, what do you do when you spot the two lieutenants acting fondly with each other in public?

The pair was off duty today. The general had acknowledged their hard work in recent weeks, and figured they deserved a day off. After all, they can’t spend their entire youth on duty everyday.

Which is why you and Yanqing can be spotted leaning on a railing together, watching each cloud pass by.

The casual clothes threw most passers off, not recognizing either of you outside the Cloud Knight uniforms you wore. But to those who still managed to recognize you both, they were quite bewildered at the scene that played out in front of them.

You, lieutenant (Name), had your head resting on Yanqing’s shoulder. Not only that… for once, you weren’t glaring. One would dare to say you had softened exterior.

Not to mention the stars in your eyes whenever you glanced over at Yanqing.

It didn’t help that the blonde would frequently look down at you, almost as if he was checking on you. While no one could hear the words that left his mouth, you did. And apparently those words were enough to make you blush.

‘Perhaps they just had a bad day, and he was cheering them up’ witnesses forced themselves to believe.

If you spot the two lieutenants acting fondly with one another, don’t go jumping to conclusions. Maybe they’re just helping each other out.

That same day, long after the sun had set, you and your boyfriend returned to your headquarters, hand in hand. For once, you weren’t glaring at anyone staring.

Instead, you were blushing with a small smile on your face. Though the lieutenant next to you didn’t bother hiding his joy. Contrasting you entirely, he was wearing a huge grin on his face with pride, along with light pink dusting his cheeks.

Surely this should have been enough for others to spread gossip, right?

“You must have seen that too, right? They looked like a couple!” A certain general overheard. Usually he didn’t care about the Lufou’s gossip and ‘latest power couple.’ But this time, his curiosity piqued.

…especially after considering who this mysterious ‘couple’ could be.

“But what if it’s not what it looked like? Maybe Lieutenant (Name) embarrassed themselves or something in front of Lieutenant Yanqing. That would explain the grin on his face.” One of the knights tried to reason, but doubt was laced in his tone.

Jing Yuan mentally facepalmed at the conversation. Could these knights not comprehend thinking critically wasn’t disrespectful? It’s become so obvious in recent days that there’s something between you and Yanqing, especially to the general.

Now… after dismissing both lieutenants walking close together and acting fondly with one another, what else is there to dismiss?

Because how in the entire galaxy could you possibly dismiss the lieutenants kissing?

It was like any other day on the Luofu. Warm, a slight wind, and a peaceful atmosphere. At least, that’s what anyone who wasn’t in the Cloud Knight headquarters would think.

While yes, all this was true. It was warm, a tad bit windy, and peaceful. But all this was forgotten after a particular incident indoors.

As always, Yanqing could be spotted with his beloved swords, as well as you. No one could make out the words coming out of your mouths, but apparently the swordsman had made the greatest statement ever.

Your head snapped towards him, eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

“Oh come on (Name), you heard me the first time! But I guess I don’t mind repeating it…” the boy took a deep breath, before abruptly standing up.

“(Name)! I would trade my entire sword collection if it meant I could spend an eternity with you!” He declared rather loudly, earning enough head turns to make his face go red.

You couldn’t believe it. Sure, you were his significant other, and he made it clear numerous times he loved you. But hearing that from Yanqing of all people? You were bewildered.

“Oh come on, don’t look at me like that! You know I mean it. Here, I’ll prove it.” He pulled you up off the floor, keeping his hand on yours even as you steadied yourself.

Before you could question him, he cupped your cheeks and placed a short yet loving kiss on your lips.

By this point, everyone stopped what they were doing to witness what was happening. After Yanqing pulled away, he didn’t just leave you stunned. Oh no no no, he left you and all the Cloud Knights stunned.

No one needed to dismiss it this time, nor debunk rumors. This was all the confirmation anyone ever needed.

The Cloud Knight Lieutenants were, in fact, a couple.

-Bonus-

“What do you mean no one knew!?” You and Yanqing shouted in unison, staring at the general in pure shock.

“Well… I suppose the people just respect you two that much. No one wanted to make assumptions on your private lives, not to mention everyone was so sure Yanqing here wouldn’t date anyone that’s not a sword.” Jing Yuan explained.

Jing Yuan didn’t want to admit he was among the group that didn’t think the blonde lieutenant would date anyone outside a sword at some point. At least he realized at some point, right?

“Agh… that’s so frustrating! We tried everything to make people realize. We thought they caught on when we were spotted on a date together!” Yanqing groaned out in annoyance, earning a soft pat on the back from you.

“Well what matters now is that everyone knows.” You stated bluntly, both Jing Yuan and Yanqing nodding their heads in agreement.

“I must admit, you have very contrasting personalities. So (Name), if Yanqing here ever gets on your nerves, let me know. I’m sure he’ll knock it off if I dared to tell you his childhood stories.” The general finished with a chuckle, eyeing Yanqing’s face twist in embarrassment.

“General!”

RARARRSRARARAARARARARRARARARARARARARARARARARARARRAS4RARAR

stardance - prince!sae x knight!reader

a fic for a trade with the lovely @saenora <33

cw: 2.5k words, gn!reader, hurt comfort, sae is pretty rude (to reader), mild descriptions of violence, there's a failed assassination but no blood or serious injury

When the palace walls and king’s carriages proved at last too confining for the eldest prince of the Itoshi family, Sae was assigned a knight of his own. A soldier to fend off the creatures of the forests; to discourage burglars with a glare and blade; to guard a door in a palace so thoroughly guarded that at times even visitors struggled to enter. In his mind, his guard was an excessive layer of protection for an already coddled son, another attempt to shelter him from the kingdom he would one day come to rule.

But mostly, his guard was a nuisance. 

“With all due respect, your highness, just how long do you plan to look through these historical tomes that - if I may remind you - your father’s library already has.”

At the mere sound of your voice, he stopped flipping through the large volume in front of him. It wasn’t the one he wanted anyways, and neither were the twenty others the bookshop owner had presented him with. An honor to help the prince with his studies? Hah. If only the fools had what I needed. With a frustrated sigh, he motioned to leave in search of yet another shop.

“I’ll look until one of these shops has what I need.” He hardly looked back as he began making his way to the next bookstore. Technically, he was supposed to let you walk in front, parting the crowds around their crown, but in the near-empty twilight streets, he set a pace brisk enough to discourage anyone wishing to follow him, his guard included. For a moment, as the stars began to rise, he could forget.

Though peace of mind could never never last long. “Your Highness, it’s too late for you to be out. You know as well as I do that your father doesn’t like you being out in the city late, especially not on some wild goose chase for a history book that might not even exist.”

Sae knew that he should be returning to the palace. But in those grand halls, he couldn’t forget, not even for a moment. It was always someone or someone else pestering about something he couldn’t bring himself to care about. Courtship. Parties. Foreign gossip. Meaningless awards. Petty disputes between lords. His brother. His blasted annoying guard.

“Really, your highness, what even is it that you’re looking for?” You continued, beginning to get impatient. “Primary sources from the Cretaceous period? Because, I hate to break it to you, but crabs can’t write.” 

Against his better judgment, Sae nearly chuckled at that remark. Nearly. 

At this point, you didn’t know if Sae genuinely hated you or if his tendency towards bitter words was an overdramatized facade. Though whichever it was, it was slowly slipping further toward loathing as you urged him out of the library. It was a war of his stubbornness against your orders, and though the king’s own word should always win, it never seemed to.

Worn down by tiredness and the convoluted organization of his father’s library, Sae snapped. Once more you tried to convince him to leave and he turned sharply to face you, eyes darkened. Whatever curious stars had once been behind them had died out, leaving only the aquamarine void.

“Just leave me.” 

So this is how he’s playing this. You pulled out his chair, a not-so-subtle sign that it was time to leave, regardless of what he thought. “Your Highness, I’m strictly forbidden from leaving you. I’ll escort you to your room now.”

“I’ll get to my room on my own,” He muttered, waving you off, “One of the sentries can take me if they see me.”

“Sae. You’ve had a long night, it’s time for you to sleep. You can find your books on a clear head in the morning.” There was a certain firmness in your voice this time - you weren’t about to let him ignore you, regardless of the fact that he was above you in rank and had no obligation to listen to you.

“Don’t call me that.” 

“What, your name? I don’t answer to you, I’ll call you whatever I like.”

“I outrank you, remember. I don’t care if my father ordered you to make me rest, you answer to me, not him.” He refused to turn to you, gripping white-knuckled on the arms of his chair. If he squeezed them any harder, they might break. A normal soldier would stop provoking him now - you should stop provoking him now - but there was no point in shoving the frustration down any further. Sae was insolent, stubborn, lived on his own time, and wouldn’t take care of himself. But you would protect him. You swore so on your life and honor.  

“They’re not his orders.”

“Then whose are they?” He seethed, turning to look you in the eyes. Though he couldn’t see your face in the dim light, Sae was sure you were grinning smugly, taking some sick satisfaction in watching him snap. 

“Mine.” You stated plainly.

“Blasted nuisance,” Sae huffed, “You have no authority to give yourself orders. Leave.”

Suddenly he found himself being pulled by the arm, yanked up and out of his chair by a uniformed hand. Electricity prickled down his spine as he was forced to his feet. “I have plenty of authority to care about you and want you to take care of yourself because I know you wouldn’t otherwise. With that said, I will be escorting you to your room.”

Without sparing even a moment, you began pulling Sae toward the door. Your grip was far from rough - he could escape easily if he felt like it - but he saw no reason to struggle. He had hardly noticed the fatigue seeping into his body, sapping his strength as the night grew late.

Sae’s knight was an inevitability. A constant. Guaranteed to be somewhere in the vicinity, be it hovering at his shoulder or stationed at a doorway just out of sight. Even as he reclined in his barely lit sitting room, there was no mistaking the uniformed figure lurking in the shadows near the tightly bolted door.

“Aren’t I safe enough in here? You can leave,” He waved you off halfheartedly, “Get some of that sleep you’ve been hounding me incessantly about.”

Your laugh floated over from the dark corner. At least someone had the energy for humor at this hour. “Believe me, if I weren’t under direct orders to stay here until Kento comes to replace me, I’d be comfortably cuddled up in my bed. Like you should be right now.”

With a sigh, Sae stood from his reading chair and made his way to his bed. He was hardly tired, but pretending to sleep would at least give you peace of mind. The last thing he needed was yet another person overly concerned about his safety, especially not one who was only concerned because it was their job.

Or was it? 

I have plenty of authority to care about you. 

Your words echoed in his mind. That hadn’t been on his father’s orders – none of the insistence that Sae cared for himself had been. It was, startlingly, the first time that concern for his safety had extended past duels and burglars and-

“ASSASSIN!!!”

Sae turned his head sharply, watching as a badly illuminated figure entered his room from the moonlit balcony, empty glass bottle in hand. His heart stopped in his chest. His feet wouldn’t move. He urged himself to run, to make his way to safety, to make his way toward you. The most he could do was turn and watch you as you charged.

The assassin stepped up behind him. The bottle came crashing down.

The last thing he registered was you running toward him, sword drawn, radiant like starlight incarnate.

“Good morning, your highness. How’d you sleep?”

Of course, the first thing Sae would hear after coming to consciousness would be his knight’s voice. Classic.

“What… what happened?” At some point, he’d been moved from the floor to his bed, and the lack of light from outdoors meant it was still night. The only people in the room, as far as he could tell, were him and the knight.

The knight chuckled. Someone ought to teach them that assassination is not a laughing matter.

“Well, some fool managed to climb up your balcony and hit you over the head with an empty liquor bottle. He got you pretty good, but at least you didn’t get cut by the glass shards. The doc said you’ll be fine in a day or two.” Somewhere across the room, your uniform rustled as you stood to leave, satisfied to know that Sae was alright. “Well, I’ll be going now. Kento, Miroku, and Tatsuki are outside if you need anything, but I’ll hopefully be back before you wake up. Get some sleep, you’ll need it.”

As Sae watched you retreat, he felt the sudden urge to reach out toward you; to thank you for saving his life yet again; to savor your company just a little longer. All that escaped his lips was a croaked, “Don’t-”

“Huh?” You turned, “Don’t what? You’ve gotta be specific if you’re giving me orders.”

Struggling for words, Sae sputtered, not entirely sure what he wanted. Don’t hate me? Don’t abandon me? Don’t resign from your post and never return?  “Leave.”

You sighed, turning back again. “Being evasive, I see. Good to know you’re back to normal. Goodnight, your highness.”

“Wait- No- Don’t leave. Stay. Please.” Sae didn’t realize, but he was reaching toward you with his hand as if trying to pull you back toward him. But of course, you were across the room, and  his fingers couldn’t find purchase.

“Your Highness, you’ll be perfectly safe, I promise. There are two guards outside and one on the balcony… I can tell Kento to come inside if that would make you feel safer.” It pained Sae how you didn’t look him in the eyes as you spoke – you hardly turned to face him. But that was about the treatment he deserved, considering how he had treated you, pushing you away and still expecting you to save his life.

“It’s not- Stay, Y/n, please. I- It’s nice. Having you around.” He begged, voice breaking. He cursed himself for sounding so foolish, so unnecessarily vulnerable. You were his guard, nothing more.

Oh, how he wished it was more.

“Oh. I guess… I guess I could stay,” You murmur, striding back toward him, “For what it’s worth, you’re not half-bad of a guy to guard. Following you around all day is pretty fun… even when you’re mad at me.”

Sae groaned, wanting nothing more than to hide under his bedsheets. Half the time when he snapped at you it was just to provoke a clever quip or witty insult from you who never seemed to care, and the other half the time, when he stepped too far, his stubbornness left the apologies aching in his chest.

“I’m not mad. Not usually,” He muttered, not entirely sure if you could hear or not. Sae assumed not, from the way you settled into one of his sitting chairs, leaning your sword belt against the arm. 

No, don’t sit there- The words were on the tip of his tongue, but you spoke first.

“I’ll sit here as long as you want, but you should get to sleep. Let me know if you need anything, alright? I’ll do my best to not doze off.”

“There is one thing,” Sae said, internally shuddering at how foolish his request seemed. But it was you, and you wouldn’t make fun of it… right?

You chuckled. “Spit it out before I fall asleep. This chair is ridiculously comfortable.”

“Come sleep with me. Propriety be damned.”

You looked at him incredulously, not believing the words that exited his mouth. A sentence you had long given up on hearing. But the response that forms bypasses that yearning entirely.

“Aww, does His Royal Grumpiness get cuddly when he’s concussed?”

He sighed and scowled – though the snarky reply made his heart skip a beat. “Shut it, Y/n. I’m serious. I’d like to be close to you.”

“As you wish, Sae,” You smiled, taking off your uniform coat and discarding it on the same chair that your sword leaned against. Sae watched you intensely as you removed your shoes and climbed into the soft, powder blue sheets. He’s quick to wrap his arms around you, drinking in the warmth of your skin. 

If only for a night, you could be his. You were his. And he was yours. By the witness of the stars. His troubled soul was held in the comfort of another, melting into the tenderness of an embrace outside of the reach of prying eyes. For the first time in far too long, the tension left the prince’s muscles, eased out by the soft breathing of his knight, his friend, his beloved.

In the silent depths of night, sweet words were whispered in dulcet tones. 

“I love you.”

Bonus: Two Weeks Later

Exactly two weeks after the ridiculous attempt on Prince Sae’s life, Aiku – Captain of the King’s Guard and your somewhat-direct superior – summoned you into his office.

Not pleased to be away from your job for too long, you intended to make this quick.

“Let me guess, you need help training new recruits? Because if that’s what you want, I can’t do it. I’m with Sae full time now,” You said, standing in the doorway. Aiku looked at you from where he leaned against his desk, letting out a soft chuckle.

“Familiar with His Royal Highness, are you?” The Captain asked, smirking, “Well, therein lies the problem.” 

You furrowed your brow, not entirely understanding what he meant. “And how is that an issue? You’re plenty familiar with His Majesty the King, why should I not be the same with the man I guard?”

“It’s not quite the same. Rumors are spreading, you know, and if things continue like this then you might be reassigned.” 

“Really? Why? I keep Sae perfectly safe, no?” Captain Aiku stepped toward you, straightened posture making him seem unnervingly tall. He lowered his voice, as if worried someone would overhear. “Listen, Y/n. Let me put it this way: If the king catches you and his son making bedroom eyes at each other one more time he will replace you. The rest of us on the guard don’t exactly appreciate it either.”

Suddenly a gentle wrapped around your waist, the newcomer’s chest pressed comfortingly against your back. You didn’t have to turn around to know that Sae had come to intervene, tugging you gently away from the Captain.

“Sorry to interrupt, Captain, but I will look at my knight however I please. If my father chooses to reassign Y/n, I will deal with him myself.”

i'm such a sucker for royalty au