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thedeliverygod · 4 years

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Yatori Week 2020: Day 2

this is hot off the press because I like to punish myself like that.

Reunion

“Yato, you’re stupid.” Hiyori had his head cradled in her lap, his body weak and bloodied as she cried over him, “So stupid.”

“I know.” He answered with as much of a grin as he could manage.

They both looked up as they heard footsteps come closer to them. Bishamon looked down at him disdainfully, “Agreed. I can’t believe you would defile Kazuma with any name of yours.”

Yato only managed an eye roll before he burst into a fit of coughing, unable to defend himself.

“It was my fault, Viina.” Kazuma called over from where he leaned against a wall, looking to the side as he admitted, “I was actually the one who forced him into it.”

Her eyes widened and her lips parted in shock, “O-oh…”

“...Anyway, Rekki…” Yato lifted his hand, hovering just above his chest and a kanji appeared before Kazuma, “I hereby release you.”

Everyone watched in awe as the name vanished into a bright display of blue light. Kazuma, stunned, opened the top of his shirt to confirm that the name had been removed from his body.

Collapsing his head back onto Hiyori’s lap, Yato mumbled, “There, it’s like it never happened.”

“Easy for you to say.” Yukine sniffled from the other side of Hiyori.

“I didn’t mean it like—” He quickly tried to sit before he gave a sharp inhale, overwhelmed by pain and fell back onto Hiyori.

“Yato, you can’t move like that right now! You’re too badly wounded.” She immediately scorned him, though brushed her fingers through the top of his hair as a way to keep him in place.

Bishamon turned around, the heels of her shoes scraping against the dirt. “Kazuma, I think it’s best if we head home now. I think we all have a lot to talk about.”

Kazuma looked over to Hiyori who gave a small nod and an appreciative smile. Shakily, he held onto the wall and pulled himself up, answering, “Alright.” He took a step forward and immediately felt his knees give under the pressure of his weight, but felt something catch him before he fell to the ground.

“I’ve got you.” Bishamon wrapped an arm around him to support his weight. Eyeing him carefully, she warned, “And don’t you dare lie to me about how injured you are.”

He sighed but gave a soft smile as they continued forward, “I won’t.”

Yato smirked as he watched Kazuma being rushed off by the war god, “I’m sure that’s practically a dream come true for him, being carried off by the psycho bitch like that.”

“Yato, focus.” Hiyori nodded towards Yukine, who now had his knees pulled up to his chest as he cried silently.

He let out a deep sigh before calling out, “Yukine.”

The younger boy popped his head up, “What?”

Yato let out a small laugh and commented, “I’m so relieved to see your blonde hair again.”

Yukine’s mouth opened in surprise before he buried his face again, “Stop being stupid.”

“I don’t think that’s something I can stop, at least from how you two describe me.”

“Yato.” Hiyori looked down at him, gripping his shoulders a bit tighter in annoyance.

Yukine lifted his head and clarified loudly, “Fine, stop saying stupid stuff and say what you mean. Do you get it now?” With that, he hid his face again.

“When I said everything about leaving you behind to protect you, it wasn’t just because you’re my shinki or hafuri. That stuff is important usually, but it’s not why I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want anything to happen to you because you mean everything to me, Yukine. We could all switch roles; like Hiyori can be the god or we can all three be humans, whatever. The outcome would be the same no matter what.”

Yukine looked up, tears silently flowing down from his eyes but an intent stare on Yato.

The god reached out his hand and the boy took it gently, “I never meant to make you feel you only had a purpose as sekki or that your only role outside of a weapon is being my guidepost. Yukine, I know you can’t… physically grow, and I’m so sorry. I would give anything to change that. But mentally, emotionally; I’ve seen you grow so much over the past year. And I wanted nothing more but to give you the chance to continue doing that.”

“I never wanted you to know what happened to you. I can’t stand to think about it, so I can only imagine how you feel.” Yato wiped at his eyes with his free hand and saw Hiyori doing the same, “I am stupid. And I do things without thinking through all of the consequences. But I swear, I will work my hardest so show you every day how much you are loved in this life. And not just by me, but Hiyori, Daikoku, Kofuku... everybody.”

Yukine grasped his hand harder, smiling as he answered, “Look, you aren’t actually stupid. You just do stupid things.”

“Good to know.” Yato cracked a smile and Hiyori laughed alongside him.

“And I know… how much you guys care about me.” He wiped at his eyes again, sniffling, “I just got so caught up in all of my fears and doubts that it didn’t matter. So I’m sorry, for the way I treated you.” He looked up, “You too, Hiyori. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head and draped an arm over his shoulder, bringing him into a loose hug, “You two are safe and we’re all going home, that’s all that matters to me.”

“Home does sound nice…” Yato mulled out loud.

Sighing, Hiyori admitted, “Unfortunately, I have to take the long way home since I’m in my body.”

“What?” Yato answered automatically while Yukine peeked behind her.

“Oh yeah, no tail.”

“Long story short, it was your father’s wolves, Yato. I kind of got injured while in my half-ayakashi form and kind of haven’t been able to leave my body ever since…” She explained in a rush as she gently got up from underneath Yato, standing up.

His lips parted in disbelief, he eventually answered, “You, we’ll talk later. Be safe. Yukine, let’s go home.”

Once they had vanished into a blinding light, Hiyori called out, “You can come out now.”

The sound of water filled the air before Nora appeared from a nearby pond, muttering, “Thanks. I didn’t really want to be a part of that happy reunion stuff.”

“I figured as much. I still think you should come back with us, though.” Hiyori started walking towards where she had left her bike.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I think I know just the perfect god for you.”

“I really hope Nora is okay down there by herself…” Hiyori looked at the door in the far corner of the room, wondering how it was going with Kofuku and Daikoku. It was relatively quiet which she was thankful for, since Yukine had drifted off to sleep. But because of the lack of noise, she couldn’t tell what was happening.

Yato gave a quiet laugh, “She can take care of herself, you should know that.”

She hummed, “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Speaking of holding one’s own in a fight… Hiyori, why did you get tangled up with my dad again?” He slid closer to her, frowning and locking his eyes on hers.

“It’s not like I went looking for him!” She answered back in an annoyed tone before realizing she needed to keep down her volume, “I was walking home from school and I saw him. He was kind of smirking so I got a really bad feeling and I went after him. And he was just… relishing in how he was hurting you and Yukine and I couldn’t take it.”

“He always had a knack for getting under people’s skin,” He reached out to hold on to both of her wrists, “But why would you do something so stupid?”

Hiyori couldn’t help but laugh, “Look who’s talking.”

“Hey, I didn’t try to beat him with just MMA moves and no weapon.” His blue eyes flickered up to hers.

She took a breath and looked at her side, huffing, “Okay, I guess that’s fair.”

“But seriously… why would you be that reckless?” His thumb brushed over her wrist, “Your life is such a precious thing.”

“It’s like what you said to Yukine before. I’ve watched you work so hard to change and be the god of fortune that you’ve always wanted to be. And the fact that your father just… continued to try to tear down everything that you’ve ever built and took so much pleasure in it… I can’t even describe how angry it made me. I’m still angry, even though I know he’s gone.” She clenched her fists and Yato took that as a signal to let go of her.

“Those are my problems, though.” He tried to soothe her, “As amazing of a sight as it would have been for a high school girl to be the one to take out my dad, I never expected you to defend me or anything.”

She shook her head, “I know, and often getting involved just made it worse for you, too. But Yato, you deserve so much better than that. I just wish I could do more.”

He let out a small laugh in disbelief, tilting his head. “Hiyori, you made me my first shrine. You called me your god of fortune. You’ve also saved my ass repeatedly, although I don’t necessarily like that you put yourself in danger when you do that. What else could you possibly do for me?”

“I don’t know…” She gave a sigh in frustration.

Yato reached out to run a hand through her hair, “Don’t worry about it too much.”

Before she realized what she was doing, she leaned into his touch.

Realizing this, he yanked his hand back into his lap sheepishly, “S-sorry, I don’t know what I was doing.”

“I-it’s okay.” She answered back quietly, but he couldn’t help but notice that she looked disappointed.

“Hiyori…” He swallowed, not sure if what he was about to say was a good idea or not.

She perked back up, “Yes?”

“There… maybe is something else, but. I don’t want you to feel pressured to do anything about it. It’s more like… I just want to get this off my chest and be honest with you.”

A flash of worry moved through her eyes but she nodded, “Okay.”

“I… kinda, maybe… might be in love with you?” He squeaked out, wincing once he was finished.

At first, she was quiet, but then asked, “So being in love with you is the other thing I could do, then.”

“Yes, but only if you already—” His words died on his lips as she leaned in closer to him.

“I have for a while now.”

He kissed her eagerly, holding on to her as tightly as he could and repeated her name with every breath he could manage.

Yato’s affections almost too much, she giggled into their kisses. It only came to a stop after she tried to readjust herself and ended up holding on too tightly to Yato’s shoulder which caused him to let out a loud groan.

“Owww…” He whined, letting go of her to rub his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry.” She apologized frantically before deciding to lean forward and kiss his shoulder as well.

Grinning, he commented, “Now it’ll definitely heal faster. We’ve still got several more spots to go, though…”

“I am not doing that.” Hiyori crossed her arms into an x shape.

Yato pouted, “Why not?”

“For one, Yukine-kun is sleeping right over there.” She nodded towards him.

“If that’s the only thing stopping you, we can go to another room.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Awww, come on!”

#noragami #yatori #yatoriweek2020 #my writing #noragami spoilers

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oneofyatosfollowers · 4 years

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Yatori Week Day 7- Fluff/AU

@yatoriweek2020

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25401826/chapters/61945465

Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13648502/1/Yatori-Week-2020

The last of the autumn leaves were starting to fall, signalling winter's imminent arrival. With the colder winds brought in a chill that settled into her grandmother's bones, and a severe lack of cheap supplies. Hiyori did the best she could to prepare, using the book her brother left that contained her late father's medicines. She worked well into the night after buying and selling produce in the town down the hill. It was tiring and- as much as it hurt Hiyori to admit- it was fruitless. Her grandmother's cough was getting worse and her body weaker. Still, Hiyori persisted.

"Here," Hiyori spooned some medicine into her grandmother's mouth, "the herbs are fresh so it should be stronger." She winced when the old woman made a twisted face. Behind her, a small newt-like creature tried to copy the same face and Hiyori giggled at it.

"Hiyori, you should really worry about yourself more. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it through the winter-"

"-Grandma, not this again. The medications have been helping you feel better, haven't they?' Hiyori couldn't keep the grief out of her voice, the lines of her distressed face hardly easing when her grandmother placed a hand over hers.

"You didn't let me finish. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it through winter without magic," she breathed. Hiyori's eyebrows raised at the whimsical way the word was said. It was known in the family that the women of her family were very attuned with the supernatural, her brother an odd exception, but it's not like her family knew any spells?

"Do you know?" Hiyori swallowed her excitement.

"No, no," her grandmother chuckled, "I never received any sort of training. Not like the magus on the hill and his apprentice." She winked at Hiyori when her eyes dawned with understanding.

The magus on the hill was a local legend that is said to be over one-thousand years old. He's a recluce that only lets certain people meet him and will only offer help if a price can be met. More is known about his apprentice, a young teen who is also said to be immortal. He runs most of the magus's errands in and out of town and is said to be very polite, unlike his mentor.

"But we don't have," Hiyori bit her lip. Her father was once a well-to-do doctor in town but after he passed money- and her brother vanished- support for her grandmother began running thin. At the reminder her grandmother's face fell a bit.

"Ask his apprentice what he wants. Do not speak to that abomination directly," her grandmother's scorn was gone as soon as it came, "But that boy is an absolute dear, I happen to quite like him. Make sure you talk to him about medicine. Not that defilement of magic." Her grandmother smiled, pleased with her orders, leaving Hiyori to only nod dumbly.

Despite the rumors, Hiyori brought her jar of savings to the flower shop the next day. Somehow her grandmother knew the apprentice had Sundays off from his errands, and that he preferred to spend them here. She sat across the cobblestone street and waited. Not knowing what the apprentice actually looked like, Hiyori figured she would know a magic-student when she saw them. Suddenly a cart crossed in front of her, two boys pushing the pots of plants as they talked.

"Thanks for helping on your day off, we had to move these out of the church yard to make room for more graves," the one with brown hair said.

"It's not a problem! That guy has been nose-deep in making a new chapter in his crazy, infinite spell book so he hardly noticed me slinking off. Besides, it's my day off!" A blonde boy beamed at his friend and Hiyori nearly dropped her jaw. She knew he was young but he was just barely a teen at all! On top of that he looked totally normal! Hiyori couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary with the blonde. Not one to mull over appearance, Hiyori stood and made her away across the street.

"Excuse me," Hiyori stopped them, she recognized the brown-haired man as the local priest but still looked to the blonde, "are you the apprentice?" She watched them share a glance before the boy looked her up and down.

"Who's asking?" he said as politely as possible. But there was something else. Out of the corner of her eye, Hiyori saw his shadow writhe along the ground for just a moment.

"This is Hiyori Iki," the priest, Kazuma, said. He nodded to her and Hiyori nodded back in greeting.

"She's the daughter of our town's late doctor," Kazuma explained to the kid before turning to her, "I'm guessing you're here for your grandmother?" His eyes dropped to the change jar in her hands along with the rest. Hiyori bit her lip and nodded, clutching the jar tightly as Kazuma continued.

"I'm sorry. Once I drop these off I'll go pay her a visit," he promised.

"Thank you very much," Hiyori bowed slightly.

"Please ask him to help her. As a favor from me," Kazuma said to the apprentice. The blonde looked her up and down, less guarded than before, and then nodded. They waved to the priest as he continued through town, then Hiyori was gestured to follow. No one speaked as they made their way to the country road, passing by Hiyori's house and heading up a large hill through the trees. As they got closer, the apprentice seemed to move more than necessary as he whispered to himself.

"May I ask for your name?" Hiyori asked, hoping some kindness would soothe her growing anxiety.

"Oh! It's Yukine," the apprentice said, "sorry about that." He looked genuinely apologetic for his rudeness. Hiyori smiled more broadly and waved it off.

"It's fine." They walked in silence for a little longer, Yukine's whispering growing silent but was replaced with him trying to look at her. She pretended to ignore both him and his shadow.

"Can I ask you something?" Yukine questioned. They stopped just before the tree line, Yukine was looking over his shoulder at her, the darkened trees behind him making his shadow darker than the night sky.

"Yes?" Hiyori forced her smile, never showing fear.

"Can you," Yukine faltered for a moment, "I mean does this forest seem off to you? Do I?" He looked nervous, if not hopeful. Hiyori breathed out sigh of relief when she understood, a smile becoming much easier to wear.

"If you're asking if I'm in tune with magic, the answer is yes! I don't know how to do anything special, I just see the other creatures," Hiyori explained. She pointed over her head to a fairy floating over them, waving when the tiny lady cooed.

"Oh," Yukine turned around, completely relieved, "then my familiar can come out!" The apprentice didn't wait for a response. His shadow wiggled and shrunk in on itself, forming into a tight form that raised off the ground.

"This is Suzuha," Yukine bent down to pet the shadowy black cat that now wove around his feet.

"A familiar!" Hiyori gushed. She never saw one but this cat was definitely not of this world.

"Yeah he turns into his human form at night. I just didn't want you to be surprised," Yukine spoke much freer than before, happily strolling up the hill of dark thorny trees. Hiyori hung onto her calm as much as she could. Looking up, Hiyori saw the sunny sky had turned to night.

She was led through a stone wall and metal gate, the house in front of her a small cottage with a red roof. Planted on both sides were giant sakura trees, somehow in bloom. Yukine and Suzuha trotted up to the door. The moment they stepped on the entrance rug, the door opened to show a woman. Hiyori gasped at her beauty, she was petite with porcelain skin that blended into her white dress. Even with her covered head to toe, her black hair and black eyes stood out.

"Hi Nora!" Yukine greeted. The woman looked at him blankly for a moment before fixing her dead eyes on Hiyori. Was she the magus?

"This is a client for Yato," Yukine explained. Nora nodded and silently stepped aside, holding the door open for the other two to walk in. The house was perfectly neat and orderly, like it was cookie cut and ready to be sold. Hiyori bowed slightly in greeting, shocked when the short woman returned it.

"This is Nora, she's a banshee turned silky and somehow related to Yato? Also she's our live-in housekeeper." Yukine introduced. She turned to the side and pointed further into the house and down the hall at an open doorway on the right.

"Yato's in there? Okay thank you," Yukine turned to Hiyori, "You can follow Suzuha to the sitting room. Nora will make tea?" Yukine looked at her while she narrowed her eyes for a moment. He laughed awkwardly and let out a 'please' before she nodded. Hiyori tried to resist but the cat was already nudging her towards a living room. Yato must be the magus's name.

"Sorry about that, I wanted to let Yato know you were here. And put my coat away," Yukine explained when he came back. With his green parka away, Hiyori saw he was wearing a simple tee shirt and jeans.

"It's no trouble," Hiyori said, thanking Nora when tea was placed in front of them on fine china.

"So what's your request?" Yukine asked. Hiyori explained her grandmother's sickness, her symptoms and the types of medicine that worked best. While she was doing this, Yukine was nodding along while sparing glances at the hallway, clearly waiting for someone. He continued this even when making small talk after the request, Suzuha taking turns on both their laps. Hiyori flinched when the sound of a broken glass was heard and Yukine angrily stood.

"'Scuse me," he said, then marched down the hall. One-sided yelling echoed down the hall and Hiyori couldn't help but stand up. She krept down the seemingly normal hallway of the magus, almost reaching the door before Nora appeared out of nowhere and held a hand up.

"Is it dangerous?" Hiyori whispered to the woman. Only her eyes moved to look into the room, then back to Hiyori as she nodded.

"Her grandmother is sick you sweaty freak! Just put the- book- down for one damn second!" Yukine was hollering. There was an array of colored lighting flashing from inside the doorway and Hiyori could hear the swooshing and whooshing of air being moved unnaturally. Nora turned and knocked on the doorframe once, twice and Yukine's yelling seemed to stop. There was some whispering before Yukine's blonde hair popped out.

"Sorry. Just one more minute please," he forced a smile then disappeared back into the room. Hiyori felt herself clench at the thought of seeing such a 'defilement' as her grandmother put it. She snapped out of it when Nora was waving at her. The house seemed to grow quiet as she stepped forward and peaked into the room of the magus.

It was a pigsty! Clearly Nora was not allowed in this room because the array of various tables and stacks of books were in complete disarray! The shelves lining the room had various plants and creatures trapped between glass containers and various knick-knacks that she doubted were magic. Things of similar nature were even hung from the ceiling by thin rope, over top of a floor covered in scattered papers.

A normal-looking man trampled over them as he weaved around the objects, Yukine following after him like a nagging housewife. Unlike Yukine's normal clothing, this man wore a full-on black cloak with baggy sleeves and a single black glove. His hair was long and pitch black, it writhed in the air like fire as an invisible wind blew through it and a hovering book. He even had things floating after him, disintegrating into a large flask and mixing itself. The glass was brought in front of his face for a moment before he waved his finger and commanded a quill to write things down in the book.

"Hello?" Yukine bagered, "Customer? Job? You were supposed to be out there a while ago!" He didn't miss a beat when the magus crawled up on a table to reach something on a top shelf and knock over a towering pile of books. More things fell to the floor but didn't shatter, Yukine stopping them midair by frantically putting out his palm.

"She's here!" he hollard. The magus froze and so did his floating items, he very slowly looked over his shoulder. Air escaped her lungs when Hiyori became transfixed in eyes that definitely were not human. They were a crystal clear blue that glowed around a slitted pupil. The whites of his eyes were a light charcoal color the same color magic that surrounded his body.

"I told you," Yukine growled. The magus let his apprentice yank him off the table and shove him to Hiyori. She couldn't help but step back, even when he smiled with kanines that were too sharp, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. There was something off about him, his presence, his existence. It felt wrong to her. His magic dissipated along with the dark-color of his eyes in a blink of an eye.

"So that old bat is sick, huh?" Yato said with hands on his hips. She flinched along with Yukine, clearly the hatred with her grandmother was not one-sided.

"Yes. I have money," Hiyori showed him the jar, shaking the coins. The noise caught his attention and he looked at it.

"Tell ya what, I'll take this little coin here and let Yukine go take a peak." Yato pulled out an inexpensive coin and rolled it over his fingers before it disappeared like some cheap magic trick.

"Me?" Yukine spluttered. He came forward to look up at his mentor with big eyes, biting his lower lip to show nervous eagerness.

"Yes you!" Yato beamed down at the kid, "This is a perfect job for you to do on your own! Besides, you're the one who wants to specialize in healing stuff." He waved off the two and gestured for his book to float towards him. Hiyori smiled slightly at the kid's obvious excitement then looked nervously at the back of Yato's head.

"What about payment?"

"We can discuss that once we figure out what we need to do." Black magic started to rise off Yato signaling the end of the conversation. Hiyori took one last look at the magus as Yukine excitedly tugged her out the door. Despite the rumors he looked not much older than her.

By the time they left her grandmother's house the sun was starting to go down. Yukine had been so kind to her grandmother, sitting down to talk to her about more than just her illness while he examined her. Her grandmother loved the company, asking Yukine a lot of questions about his life as a magus's apprentice. The air was light when they left, Yukine promising to walk Hiyori home when they were done discussing payment. However, Yukine was quiet on the way home. He walked with his hands in his coat pockets, hardly answering Hiyori's attempts at a conversation.

"So what did you find?" Hiyori stopped beating around the bush.

"Oh, uh," Yukine thought for a moment, "it's not a curse or anything magic like that." He flashed her a smile then quickly looked at the ground. Before Hiyori could press the issue, something manifested next to her and tapped her shoulder. Hiyori jumped back with a squeal.

"It's okay! It's just me, Suzuha!" The boy looked to be Yukine's age with straight black hair and cat-like hazel eyes. Hiyori sighed and gave him a smile, it was sun-down after all. Yukine lightly scowled his familiar who teased him back, then silence befell them again.

"Umm?" Hiyori tried again.

"There's not much we can do," Suzuha hummed with his hands behind his head.

"What?" Hiyori gasped.

"Suzuha!" Yukine chastised, whirling on his familiar who maintained his grin. Yukine glared as the cat-boy just shrugged then waved at Hiyori's nervous expression.

"We don't know that! It's just out of mine and Suzuha's knowledge," Yukine explained hastily. Stepping up the cheer, Yukine decided Nora would make them macaroons as they walked under the magic star-filled sky.

Nora was at the door to greet them again, face as stoic as ever. Yukine and Suzuha greet her as always, Hiyori giving her a better smile than before. Lights still flashed from the doorway ahead of them, just less than before. The noises however, were no longer wind but a low growling.

"Sounds like he's still in there," Suzuha comments as he strolled to the living room. Yukine stayed by Hiyori and eyed the doorway with minor hesitation.

"Is it safe?" He asked Nora. She looked down the hall and held up a finger, walking to knock on the frame again and enter the room. She poked her head out after a moment and pointed at Yukine. He told Hiyori to go and sit before making his way into the room. There was a heavy weight in the air and in her stomach as Hiyori sat with Suzuha and sipped on more tea.

"He wants to talk to you," Yukine came into the room, "alone." He didn't look too bothered by the idea but he picked up on Hiyori's discomfort.

"Don't worry. He's not dangerous but his magic is. That's why I made him put it all away to speak with you," Yukine looked proud of himself and Hiyori huffed a laugh as she stood. Nora led her down the hall again, letting Hiyori step into the room before the door was closed.

The room was much more calm than before. Yato still stood with his back to her, neck bent over a book while he skimmed over pages. He held up a finger before she could say anything, still mumbling to himself. Then Yato turned around with the same grin, hands placed on the table so he could recline.

"You're grandmother is not sick," Yato paused to gauge her reaction, "she's dying naturally." His statement hung in the air between them like she was the one put to death. Hiyori clenched her hands while her mouth opened and closed worthlessly. It hurt to hear, but somewhere deep down she knew. Knew there was a reason her grandmother grew weaker despite the array of medicine. But still, sorrow stung her heart as her lips quivered.

"So there's," Hiyori couldn't keep the anger lacing her voice, "nothing you can do?"

"I never said that," Yato shrugged. Scowling at her hopeful expression, Yato looked at the floor.

"I know some necromancy, but since that comes at the cost of another person I can assume you don't want that. I can also make her a familiar or a fae, but I can't guarantee she'll still be the same person you knew. The easiest way to keep her here with you is to make her a wand. Of course all these have consequences too." Yato counted on his fingers the possible "solutions" but the young woman's sinking expression told him that none of this is what he wanted to hear. He waved over a box of tissues when he heard her sniffle.

"There's really nothing that can be done?" Hiyori quivered. She took a tissue and Yato let her clean her face.

"Making her a staff would keep her spirit with you, while still letting her soul pass on. Like having her blessing." He frowned at her crying face, stepping closer to rub her arms up and down while keeping his distance. To his surprise, she didn't flinch or back away.

After she calmed down, Yato offered her a bed or some tea. Hiyori refused and let Nora lead her and Yukine out the door, Suzuha tiredly hiding in their shadows as they walked. Her grandmother was still awake when she got home, smiling in a sad way. It made sense she was able to sense her natural end. Hiyori sobbed that night, her grandmother petting her head and telling her it was an honor to be made a staff.

Her grandmother's death was still a decent way away, according to Suzuha who tapped on her window in the middle of the next night, so Hiyori spent as much time at home as she could. Another four days went by and her grandmother mentioned she should ask the magus how she should obtain a staff and what payment it would cost.

"Hiyori, you're here!" Yukine didn't hide his joy at seeing her, but he still gave his honest condolences. She was led back into the living room and was surprised to see Yato there in his robe and some pajama pants, lounging on the couch. He gave a questioned quirk of the eye-brow and waited for her to gather her thoughts.

"We decided on the staff." Hiyori stated.

"A magic staff?" Yukine parroted, looking between them.

"This solution only works because they both have a strong connection to our world," Yato explained as he gestured to them to sit. Yukine sat next to his mentor, drinking in the exception to the rule. Hiyori sat across from them with the same jar of coins on her lap.

"How does it work exactly? And what about payment?" Hiyori asked.

"First we will need to preserve a lock of her hair. Then once she dies we need to bury her with a tree seed. Once that tree grows- which I can move along- we will use its wood to carve the staff and infuse it with her hair. I'll do a little bit of magic, you'll do some chanting, and voila! She will be with you always. In spirit," Yato spoke so nonchalantly. Like people came to him wanting to save their loved ones all the time.

"Payment," Hiyori repeated through gritted teeth.

"For as long as you're in possession of your grandmother's staff," Yato grinned, "you will be my wife!" With his hands raised, Yato's eyes sparkled when he presented his price. There was a moment of stunned silence before Yukine squawked out in alarm. He berated the magus with a flurry of insults while Nora nonchalantly set down tea. Hiyori felt heat rise from her toes to the top of her head.

A wife? His wife? The wife to the magus? Sure it's not like she was seeing anyone or had any one in mind. But still! Wasn't he, like, centuries old? And who was he to just decide her grandmother was worth her hand? What kind of proposal was this anyway?

"Yato! What is wrong with you? You're wife? You're just gonna marry her? Some random girl off the streets? No offense," Yukine was fuming with a blush while Hiyori fought her own.

"I'll do it. Whatever it takes," Hiyori looked up from her clenched fists to the magus, "I'll be your bride." The room was on pause once again as Yukine and Suzuha looked to her with gobsmacked expressions while Yato's grin grew wider.

"Yato!" Yukine grabbed the magus by the collar and shook him while he shrugged. Looking over at the young woman, and her crestfallen expression, Yato's teasing dropped a little.

"You know, I won't take the payment until after it's done," Yato said. Hiyori nodded and stood silently, announcing she will take her leave to spend her remaining days with the last family she has.

Unfortunately the two weeks until winter were not without the magus in her life. Apparently the job of an apprentice included delivering flowers and chocolates to your forced-fiance. Hiyori greeted Yukine at the door every time, her smile becoming smaller and smaller each time he invited her in. The gifts got smaller too, after Hiyori's agitated request.

"I'm so sorry he just was copying what little he's seen around town. He tends to go to the extreme but he really means well," Yukine said as he tried to fit a cupcake next to the chocolates in the fridge. Hiyori just sighed, she didn't know if she could handle a guy that was so clueless and excessive.

"You seem to know him well. You like him," Hiyori stated. Yukine flinched and a blush spread across his face.

"Yeah, well he's just awkward," Yukine huffed then looked at Hiyori, "I think it's time we ask for her hair, Hiyori."

The funeral came suddenly, on the day of the first snow barely four days later. Hiyori was the only family member there, her brother being out of reach for quite some time, but most of the town showed up. Kazuma led the gathering, Yukine and Suzuha using Yato's flowers as decoration. The magus stood far away, just outside the cemetery gate, ready and waiting to take her back to his house. It was a secret from everyone else that the woman being lowered into the ground was an illusion spell from the magus. The old woman's real body was buried at the bottom of the hill with a tree already sprouting.

Yato, Yukine, and Suzuha walked her back to the house after it was over, her home no longer relevant. Stopping at the tree, Yato said he would be working on it for a couple hours while the boys took Hiyori to get settled. All her things had been teleported into a room that would be hers and Nora was drawing her a bath. Hiyori numbly looked around her new room, surprised by how nice it looked. Normal compared to the other rooms. Her dresser was filled with double the clothes she owned before, expensive articles including her own. There were even a couple nicely kept potted plants to add some color.

"He wants you to be comfortable," Suzuha said from the windowsill.

"But why?" Hiyori looked to the cat, "And why does he want a wife?"

"Can't tell you. Why don't you ask him?"

"Ask him? Just like that?"

"Why not? You are his fiance," the cat shrugged. It made sense but Hiyori still grimaced. It wasn't that the magus was unapproachable, the opposite, he was very welcoming and offered Hiyori everything and anything, giving her space to adjust.

"What about Yukine?" Hiyori asked.

"Studying. You shouldn't bother him, especially since you're human." Suzuha curled in on himself in the sunlight, signalling the end of the conversation. Quietly padding down the hall, Hiyori peaked into Yukine's bedroom across from hers to see him bent over a desk, mumbling to himself. He looked like his mentor so Hiyori doubted she would be able to get his attention.

"Nora," Hiyori greeted the fae in the kitchen, "where's, uh, where's Yato?" If Nora noticed Hiyori's embarrassment she didn't comment. The silky looked through the doorway to the living room then back at Hiyori.

"Thank you." Hiyori walked into the living room to see Yato on the couch with an array of fabric rolled out along the table and chairs.

"Good afternoon, Hiyori," Yato smiled, "are you settling in well?"

"Yes, thank you." She took a seat on the couch and looked at his hands as he hand-sewed some red fabric.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Hiyori asked. Yato looked up from his work with a puzzled expression.

"I'm finishing up your clothes."

"You made those?" Hiyori's yelp startled the magus and he suddenly looked guilty.

"Well you can't conjure your own clothes. I mean they are useful gifts- unlike the flowers- and they're less over-the-top? Is it too much again?" He sounded so unsure Hiyori couldn't help but pity him. And smile at his adorable naivete.

"They're very nice, thank you. I'm just surprised you made them by hand," Hiyori looked down at his hand, "literally." She watched Yato's wide-eyes flicker from her own to the needle in his hand and back to her. Then he laughed, an echoey sort of sound but jovial nonetheless, it surprised Hiyori before she laughed too.

"Do you like the color?" Yato asked like a child.

"Yes," Hiyori giggled. They fell into comfortable silence as he worked, explaining what he was doing now and again, as well as answering her questions. The coo-coo-clock ticked on over the fireplace.

"Why did you make a bride?" Hiyori finally asked, "Why do you want a wife?"

"It's complicated." Yato spoke after a moment, "It's not so much that I want a wife, not that I mind, it's more that I want a female caretaker for Yukine. A human roll model that was a part of the family but could still understand our world." Yato explained.

"For Yukine?" Hiyori breathed. Sure, she liked the kid. Her and Yukine got along great and she could really see him as a good friend or even a little brother. Of course Yato didn't say mother, not at all, but something still didn't fit.

"Why- do you think he needs," Hiyori tapered off, but Yato still understood.

"Yukine used to be human. In fact he was like you, inclined towards the supernatural. When I found him he had given up on humanity, given up on himself, he was already on the verge of death. I saw a small hint of myself in him so I offered to save him. I offered him similar things I offered you. He asked if I would stay with him, stay by his side forever, so that's what I did." Yato put down his project and held up his gloved hand, pulling it off to show a blacked hand and wrist. Hiyori gasped.

"I gave him a chunk of myself to grant him immortality and magic. I brought him back to life and bound him to me. It took some time but he was happy, learning and living with me and Nora, but was clear he wasn't fulfilled. I don't think it's that he misses his humanity, but it's clear he still mourns what the humans have. What he never had," Yato looked up at her, "I want to give him that. A family."

"Yukine is happy with you," Hiyori smiled fondly. Yato sputtered with a red face and picked up the clothes, yelping when he pricked himself.

"Yeah, well, even I'm not so socially inept that I think I can replace a woman's warmth," Yato's tone fell, "he's a sweet kid and deserves to rely on someone warmer. Softer." He refused to look at her while she thought, warmth spreading through their bodies.

"What about you?" Hiyori asked.

"Me?"

"Do you want a family?"

"I was- never really- conditioned to the thought. I'm not human so I never had that instinct. But, uh, I like how things are," Yato grinned back at her, "not that I would be opposed to having a pretty human like you around to care for me." He flashed her a cheesy wink that had Hiyori giggling through her blush.

"What about you? Don't human women start working towards that white-picket fence around now?" Yato's question was one Hiyori fielded a lot. Normally it bothered her but the way Yato asked, with such clear ignorance and honest curiosity, she couldn't help but take the question seriously.

"I always had my family, my grandmother in particular. The idea of being a mother or a wife was just something I assumed would happen one day? I didn't plan for it but I was never against the idea," Hiyori beamed at the magus, "I honestly never thought it would turn out like this, but now that I understand, it's the best I could have hoped for!" Her seneier answer added a splash of red to Yato's cheeks, his wide-eyes stared at her for a moment as they flickered with emotion and magic. Then he scoffed out a laugh and Hiyori found herself smiling.

They sat in comfortable silence again and Hiyori finally berated the damn-full of questions Hiyori had about his world, her family's interest. He avoided questions about himself but would go into extreme detail about everything and anything that wasn't dangerous for a human to know, especially about Yukine. Now and again, he would ask her questions too, about her life. He even promised to try and find her missing brother, who went on some magic exhibition and was never heard from again. As Hiyori tried on another vintage-looking dress, Hiyori decided to tease him back.

"Yukine was right, you really don't get out much," Hiyori snickered at his objections, "guess I'll just have to be your teacher too." Looking over her shoulder, she saw Yato staring up at her with pins clenched between his teeth. He suddenly dropped the hem of her dress and walked to the other end of the room. Mood gone, Hiyori sucked in a gasp, worried she had offended the magus.

She couldn't force any words out of her mouth as he opened the drawer to a cheveret. Yato walked back over, his footsteps making no sound, and showed her his closed fist. Something pink and glittery caught her eye and Hiyori identified it as a necklace. The chain was silver along with the small branch of a sakura tree that hung horizontal. On it we're beautiful pink blossoms who's color seems to swirl around itself. Dark pink anthers that stood from the center of each floor moved like they were alive, winking in and out like sparkles off of a diamond. The entire thing was so detailed, like he took a silver branch of the tree outside and strunk it down.

"It's beautiful. Is it for me?" Hiyori breathed. She looked up to see Yato nod.

"I know it's human custom to give a ring, but I thought I'd add my own personal touch. Since this marriage isn't exactly commonplace," Yato said. Taking it out of his hand, he wrapped the ends of the chain around her neck, slowly and gently, like she was being hugged by a ghost. She felt his gloved hand move her hair a little as he clasped it, causing her to shiver. This was the closest she's ever stood to her fiance.

"It's magic, obviously. The chain can't be broken by anything and it can only be removed by hand, by the people in this house. It will protect you," Yato explained, "also, I thought you might try to run away after you got your staff so this necklace will always tell me where you are." Yato dropped his hands after it was secure, the branch falling just under her collar bones, light and warm. The magus didn't step away and Hiyori didn't want him to.

"Thank you," Hiyori said, then looking up at him, "I won't run away from you. Or Yukine." Hiyori watched his blue eyes shimmer again, this time with the telltale sign of hope and suffering. She didn't realize it until he flinched, but she grabbed his hands, her fingers curling into his while she spoke. One hand was significantly warmer than the other, but they were both cold. Especially compared to the small smile Yato now wore.

"I appreciate that, Hiyori. And I'll be using these measurements for your wedding dress." His laugher once again rang through the home as Hiyori shrieked and chased him, angry with embarrassment. Nora and Yukine both had to poke their heads in and tell them to quiet down already.

Her grandmother's tree was ready to take from by the time spring rolled around. She had grown into a willow tree, with pink and white blossoms that rivaled Yato's sakuras. Yukine helped Hiyori with the process, instructing her on how to carve it as that was only something she could do, then healing the branch's stump. They let Yato weave in the hair fibers, it's addition causing the wood to become a light grey. It came up to her waist, the top of it curving into a small bird for her namesake. Much to everyone's embarrassment, Hiyori selected blue orbs for the eyes.

Her wedding to the magus on the hill was held shortly after. Hiyori waited impatiently in her room for Nora to bring up her dress. Yato stubbornly denied the custom of the groom not seeing the dress and instead refused for Hiyori to even take a peek; going as far as placing it in a pocket dimension when she tried to snoop for it. She also hasn't seen her fiance, or Yukine, since last night. The apprentice opted to help his mentor prepare while leaving his familiar to set up the altar under the willow tree.

"Come in!" Hiyori answered to a knock, rushing over to open the door anyway. Nora stood there with the dress in her arms, a small smile gracing her features. It was beautiful, sewn flowers lining the straps and the sweet-heart neckline. The flowers would bunch around her midsection, then branch out along the rest of the dress. It would hug her curves before flaring out slightly into layers, ending in lace with it's flowers tipped with pink.

Giddy, Hiyori got settled in the vanity chair while Nora neatly laid the dress neatly on the bed. The silky came over and got to work on her hair, brushing it neatly while Hiyori tried to probe answers. Nora was tightly lipped and impossible to read, but their growing friendship let Hiyori get a couple of nods or shakes of the head here and there. Next came her make-up, which Nora used some magic to make it absolutely perfect.

"Thank you so much, Nora." Hiyori said. Putting the dress on, Hiyori was happy to see it fit her like a glove, practically moving to form her body then settling like a second skin. The more time she spent here in this house, with this odd family, the more at home Hiyori felt. Once the purpose of this union was cleared up and she got to know her fiance better, Hiyori was content with this outcome. Almost looking forward to being a part of another family that understood her.

"We're ready," Suzuha knocked on the door.

"Okay!" Hiyori smoothed out the ruffles and slipped on matching flats and long gloves. At the door, Nora's smile was still on as she opened the door to reveal Suzuha in a black tux. He flashed a sharp grin and held out his elbow.

"Milady," Suzuha bowed to Nora, "mi-flower-lady." He waited for Hiyori to grab her grandmother's staff, then lead her out the door. Nora disappeared but Hiyori figured she would beat them there.

"You excited?" Suzuha spoke as they walked down the hill under the starry-sky.

"Yes," Hiyori answered honestly. She squeezed the boy's arm tight as the pink willow came into view. Nora stood at the front of the tree, this time in a soft pink dress with red accents. She pulled back the branches and walked through just as Hiyori reached her. Hiyori followed the silky as she threw the flowers of her grandmother's tree on the fresh grass. When the silky moved aside at the end of the isle Hiyori was greeted with a breathtaking scene.

Her grandmother's branches were hung with white fabric streamers and glass orbs of fireflies. Two long white ribbons of tulle stretched from where Hiyori stood to the altar, held down with bunches of pink and purple flowers. At the end of the aisle, Kazuma stood behind a small wooden altar in his black priest outfit. To his left stood Yukine in a magus cloak identical to his mentor's and a red pillow with rings.

Across from him stood Yato, his black cloak buttoned over top of black trousers. His hair was combed back into a high pony-tail and his blue eyes never left hers. There was no music, instead the sound of crickets and chattering fairies came from just behind the curtain of flowers. Suddenly self-conscious, Hiyori looked down at the staff in her hands as she made her way to stand in front of the magus. Brown eyes kept flickering up to steady blue ones as Kazuma announced the matrimony to the supernaturals. She smiled at Yukine when he came to hand them the rings, catching his pure excitement.

Finally, Yato used his naked hand to bring up her own. His eyes finally dropped from her red face to watch as he slipped a silver ring onto her delicate finger. Quietly, Yato asked if she wanted to do his, or if he should just put it on. Much to everyone's happiness, Hiyori gave a bashful nod and slipped the band over his gloved hand.

"You may now, uh," Kazuma tapered off and looked confused between Yato and Hiyori. Yukine already jumped the gun and whirled around to hide his face while Suzuha peaked between his fingers.

"Don't worry, wifey," Yato gently lifted her hand in his glove, "we'll have plenty of time for that later." With a wink from magic eyes and a dangerous grin, the magus placed a kiss on her hand.

#noragami #noragami au #yatori #yatori week #yatori week 2020 #yato #hiyori #iki hiyori #Hiyori Iki #noragami fanfic #noragami fanfiction

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little-red-beret · 6 years

Note

Noragami where hiyori and Yukon’s find yato after being injured by father and Nora’s ayakashi :);)

Wet grass…. cold, night air…. Yato…. and blood. If Hiyori’s sense of smell was anything to go by, Yato was definitely here. “YATO!!” Hiyori called as she and Yukine sprinted through the park, tripping over tree roots and cutting blindly through dark flower gardens, anything to get to him faster.

“There!” Yukine cried, pointing to a small silhouette under a tree. Hiyori grabbed Yukine by the wrist and pulled him to the ground, carefully assessing the situation instead of recklessly diving in. Her heart was pounding in her chest as her eyes adjusted to the dark. The suspense was unbearable. She wanted to run straight over to Yato and hug him, make sure he was okay.

Surprisingly, there was nothing but silence. No sounds of struggle could be heard. “Do you see them anywhere?” Hiyori whispered to Yukine. The blonde boy peered around cautiously and shook his head. “Let’s go already!” he urged, and Hiyori eagerly leapt to her feet. The silhouette under the tree was definitely Yato. Hiyori and Yukine tore across the remainder of the field towards him.

Hiyori breathed a sigh of relief. Yato appeared to be fine, sitting on the ground, concentrated deeply on a mysterious black liquid that dripped from his arm. As they got closer, she realised with horror that this black liquid was blood. It ran in rivulets down his forearm, meeting at a point on his elbow and pooled on the ground below him. Yato was in the middle of tying his scarf around his forearm, pulling one end with his right hand and the other end between his teeth. He looked not in the least bit concerned or in pain, and his movements were precise and steady. Nonetheless, Hiyori was horrified.

“Yato! Are you okay??” Yukine demanded, voicing Hiyori’s alarm. “It’s fine,” Yato assured them in a perfectly level voice as they rushed to his aid. “I’m already taking care of it.” “Let me help you!” Hiyori offered, and took the ends of the scarf from Yato before he could even reply, carefully untying it. She emptied a tissue packet in her bag and carefully placed all the tissues over the deep gash on Yato’s arm. “You need extra padding on the wound to apply pressure and prevent blood loss.” she explained. “I know that, this isn’t the first time I’ve been stabbed!” Yato snapped, causing Hiyori to reel back in surprise. Yukine promptly grabbed Yato’s face in both hands. “Pull yourself together, Yato!” Yukine scolded. “Don’t be rude!”

The god took a deep breath and shook his head in frustration. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m kind of shaken up.” Yato seemed a lot more than just ‘kind of’ shaken up, but it was best not to comment on that. “I’m sorry for talking down to you like that,” Hiyori said. “I thought explaining what I’m doing would help calm you down, but it just came off as patronising….” “It’s okay, Hiyori, I forgive y—“ “You two, quit messing around!” Yukine cried frantically. “Yato, you’re bleeding out!” “Right!” Hiyori remembered, quickly snapping back into action. Yato calmly sat back, arm outstretched for Hiyori to work on. Yukine was crouched beside him, a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked gently. “Yeah, I think so.” Yato replied simply. He seemed incredibly calm for the amount of blood he was losing. Hiyori figured he might go into the early stages of shock soon, which made it all the more important that she got him to hospital quickly. “Does it hurt anywhere else?” Yukine questioned. “I don’t think so.” Yato answered.

“Check him for injuries anyway,” Hiyori instructed. “Sometimes after fights, if people are still running on adrenaline, they don’t realise they’re hurt.” “You don’t believe me!?” Yato cried angrily. “Yato, cut it out!” Yukine warned sternly. Yato took a deep breath before continuing. “I really am out of ‘fight mode’.” he insisted in a softer voice. “Yato….” Hiyori pointed out. “If you were really out of ‘fight mode’, your arm would be hurting a lot.”

At that statement, Yato turned as white as a sheet. He slumped forward, and Yukine fumbled and caught him just in time. He was now the only thing keeping Yato upright. “What happened??” Yukine asked anxiously. Yato moaned instead of giving an actual response. “This is bad! I made him aware of the pain!!” Hiyori cried in horror. With a final tug, she finished tying the scarf in place. “Alright, I’ve done everything I can. Yato, don’t look at your arm.” “Is it bleeding a lot….” Yato asked faintly. “Wow, haven’t you changed a lot in the last ten seconds….” Yukine started at Yato’s new delicate state, but his eyes widened in amazement. “Hiyori…. that’s an amazing knot!” Hiyori beamed excitedly at the complement. “My father taught it to me!”

“Please take me home….” Yato begged in a shaky voice. As Yukine had pointed out, his mood had completely changed. Before he had been snappy and rude, but now he was just delicate and weak. Things were clearly worse than Hiyori first thought. “Let’s go to the hospital!” Hiyori announced. “I’ll get my father to treat you!” Yukine nodded in agreement. Wordlessly, the two of them crouched on either side of Yato. “Yato,” Hiyori explained. “We’re going to help you stand up now. Just take your time.” She spoke slowly and clearly, as she wasn’t sure what state of consciousness Yato was in or if he was even on this planet.

Surprisingly, Yato seemed to have heard her, for he slowly began to stand up with the help of Hiyori and Yukine. She thought for a second things were going smoothly until Yato’s legs crumpled beneath him. Hiyori tightened her grip on his arm to keep him up, but he made no attempt to regain his footing. “Put me down….” Yato gasped. They quickly lowered him back to the ground, where he fell to his hands and knees, panting dizzily. “It’s okay, Yato!” Hiyori encouraged. “Yeah, you can do it!” Yukine joined in, patting Yato’s back gently. “I think my ankle is broken….” Yato told them breathlessly. “What!?” Hiyori and Yukine cried. There would be no walking to the hospital like this. In Yato’s weak state, it had already seemed like an unachievable feat, but with a broken ankle, making it to the hospital was simply impossible.

Hiyori pulled out her phone and dialled her father’s number. Yukine was busy looking after Yato, carefully helping him sit back down and stroking his hair. “It’ll be alright,” Yukine assured Yato with a calm determination. Yato was pale and clammy and his gaze was distant. He had lost a lot of blood, not yet a dangerous amount, but enough to leave him weak and dizzy. The scarf-bandage would not last long, so it was important they had him treated before too long.

“Hello?” Hiyori’s mother answered. “Your Father is busy at the moment with a patient. What are you doing up this late?” Hiyori hastily began to explain her predicament. “Well, my friend is hurt and he’s bleeding a lot. I think it’s a class two haemorrhage—“ in a single blink, the darkness of the park was replaced with fluorescent lights and all white surfaces. The soft earthy scent of nature had become the burning smell of disinfectant. Yato sat on the hospital floor, Yukine still crouched beside him but looking around in surprise.

“Class two haemorrhage?” Hiyori’s mother repeated. “Has dad been teaching you more medical terms?” “Y-Yeah,” Hiyori replied, still getting over the shock of Yato’s teleportation stunt. “Anyway, we’re in room….” she opened the door and poked her head out to read the plaque beside the door. “Forty-one B. Please send dad here soon!”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

In a mere thirty minutes, Yukine sat on the edge of a hospital bed looking relieved but also exasperated. Yato’s boots were placed neatly beside the bed. His arm was now properly bandaged, as was his ankle, which it turned out was not actually broken, just sprained. The colour was slowly returning to his face. Yato was propped up on a pile of pillows beside Yukine, head resting on Yukine’s shoulder and arms loosely wrapped around him. Normally Yukine would have been bothered by such clinginess, but evidently he had greater concerns.

“I’m so glad Yato is okay!” Hiyori remarked cheerfully. Yukine’s face fell further at that comment. Just as she had hoped, he finally let out what had been worrying him. “I should have realised there was something suspicious going on sooner. I’m his shinki.” Yukine sighed in frustration. “If I had just gone with him….” “You’d have gotten hurt, too,” Hiyori finished. “I’m sure that’s what Yato was thinking when he snuck away without telling anyone.” Yukine winced like he was swallowing a bitter medicine. “I still want to be there for him, even if I could get hurt. That’s my job as the guide post.” he ranted, but he sounded more tired than anything. “It’s bad to worry. I guess I should just be happy for now that he’s okay. We can discuss it more when Yato is better.” Hiyori did not miss it when Yukine placed a hand protectively on top of Yato’s. He had definitely grown into a more mature person, protective of the people he cherished.

“Also, I’m sorry about the way Yato was acting tonight.” Yukine added. “It’s fine, he didn’t mean it.” Hiyori assured Yukine with a smile. “People act differently when they’re hurt.” “Yeah,” Yukine agreed. “He really is a good person…. when he’s not wasting money on fake talismans!” Hiyori and Yukine burst into laughter. It was great being able to spend time with Yukine and laugh like this, although she had never really expected to do this kind of thing in a hospital room.

“They’re real, and they do work….” Yato mumbled sleepily, and Hiyori’s heart stopped beating. She and Yukine exchanged horrified ‘he’s going to kill us’ looks, wide-eyed and frozen in place until Yato nestled his head further into Yukine’s shoulder. “Y-Yato?” Hiyori called nervously, not sure if she wanted him to be awake or asleep right now, though the slow rise and fall of his shoulders indicated he had gone back to sleep already.

As the tension of the room eased, Hiyori and Yukine began giggling softly again. All the menace in Yato fell away when he was sleeping. It reminded Hiyori that he was so vulnerable, even if he acted brave and invincible. Yukine was right: even if it was dangerous, Hiyori wanted to be by Yato’s side and protect him.

#sickfic #noragami #yato #hiyori #yukine #injury #injured #blood #yatogami #yaboku #iki hiyori #I finished this many days after I started it #some days I feel like I’m holding the entire story in my hands and intricately weaving the words together #and I can feel it all working and synthesising #that’s how it felt both times I won the school writing competition #other times I’m just clinging to each word and nothing else and I just have to spit it out or it’ll never come into existence #that feeling has been particularly strong lately #my head is fucked #I feel terrified like I forgot to pay a debt and now I’m going to have my life taken away or some shit #but I’m not even old enough to have any taxes and it’s just a feeling but boy it’s constant and terrifying #I’ve been sleeping at odd hours and having nightmares and shit

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