#man i wish *I* had delicious beef stew right now it is so COLD | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

wedreamedlove · 4 years

Text

Official CN Character Profiles

Brought over from Reddit. This contains massive spoilers about the characters up to Chapter 18 (and a bit more).

Papergames released four official character books and a separate bonus one that goes on about the other organizations and minor characters. On the sites that are selling them, some of them have attached more previews of the contents, aka. the profiles of the men.

Chinese players did god's work and transcribed the profiles, so I've translated them.

Interestingly, it looks like the English server names really are their official English names now. No comment on Kiro's name but that's because "L" is tricky in Asian languages.

[NAME] 李泽言 (Li Zeyan) / Victor [AGE] 28 years old [HEIGHT] 183 cm [BIRTHDATE] January 13 [HOROSCOPE] Capricorn [BLOOD TYPE] A [OCCUPATION] CEO of Huarui (LFG in English) [EVOL] Time Manipulation [VOICE ACTOR] 吴磊 (Wu Lei)

Li Zeyan is the president of the Huarui Group. His personality is decisive and overbearing and his aura can fill a room. In university, he set out to start his own business and within a short 8 years he created a legend in the financial world --- the Huarui business group. Although Li Zeyan is young, he possesses an outstanding business acumen and an ability to carry things out. He is a "capitalist" who is strict and serious towards people and things. However, this sort of man also has a secret identity which reveals a hidden side of his character, which is being the manager and chef of the restaurant Souvenir.

[ABOUT HIM] Only ever talking about rules and regulations, not discussing emotions, and having a crushing decisiveness is Li Zeyan's calling card. He is not a kind philanthropist and he won't waste time or money on meaningless things; his company's interests will always be the focus of his considerations. He is like a lion, born with an emperor's aura, and keeping a foothold at the peak of the world with majesty and dominance.

Li Zeyan has a cold and indifferent outward appearance, but underneath is a soft heart. He is kind and it's his habit to help out a weak person or animal in passing. However, he knows the principle of survival of the fittest better than anyone and so he doesn't choose to help at all times. From the start, he has never been a savior and just tries his best to help the "weak" become "strong".

Li Zeyan's hidden identity is the manager and chef of the restaurant, Souvenir. This is a special restaurant and its business policies are very much in Li Zeyan's style; the food is delicious, but he only serves the people he wishes to serve, and almost no one knows that the odd manager of the restaurant Souvenir and the CEO of Huarui are actually the same person.

[ABOUT THE MEANING OF HIS NAME] At the time of his birth, his mother felt he was the most precious treasure bestowed by the heavens and wished for her own child to be blessed(1). Meanwhile, his father had high expectations for this child and hoped for him to be someone temperate in word and actions(2). In the end, they joined these two beautiful wishes and hopes into one name --- Zeyan.

(1) The word 恩泽 (en ze) is hard to translate but it's basically favor bestowed from a higher being to a lower being (ruler to their officials, nature to humans, etc).

(2) The phrase is 谨言慎行 (jin yan shenxing), which is to be cautious in words and deeds. I chose to translate it as temperate, but it's like being deliberate and knowing right and wrong in your words and actions.

[ABOUT HIS FAMILY] Li Zeyan was born into a happy family. His father was calm and dignified, his mother was lively and romantic, and this let Li Zeyan have a blessed childhood. His mother was a university professor and once went to study abroad in France. When Li Zeyan was 14 years old, she passed away due to an illness and Li Zeyan, who misses her dearly, will sometimes call to talk to his mother up in heaven; he also inherited a romantic and art-loving side from her.

[ABOUT HIS HOBBIES]

Top1: Work. He is worthy of being first place with respect to this. When he is in a bad mood, he will also use work to dispel his negative mood.

Top2: Cooking. He is an expert in French cuisine, and one of the dishes he prefers is beef stewed in red wine. Marseille seafood soup, and Burgundy grilled snails.

Top3: Art. In his leisure time, he will go to art exhibitions or listen to classical music.

[ABOUT HIS SECRETS] When he was a child, his father adopted a panda in his name at the Lian Yu (Loveland) Zoo; its name was Yan Yan.

When he is anxious, he will choose to look at the nightscape of the city from a high location.

His regular routine is to sleep at 10PM and get up at 4AM to jog. Surprisingly, he's very popular with cats.

His house is decorated with a very expensive piano, but he's not that good at playing it.

[OTHERS' EVALUATION OF HIM]

"Evaluation? Can I rate my boss? If I have to say something -- he has a first-class business acumen, is incomparably wise, and is a bold leader. I often feel like the disparity between me and him is as wide as the Amazon River! (Can I get a bonus at the end of the year?)" --- Wei Qian (Goldman in English)

"The manager is a very interesting person. Regardless of how other people see him, the young man I am familiar with is someone who hums songs while peeling shrimp, who will stare entranced at the dessert on the verge of being done in the oven, and, when there is no business in the restaurant, he will open a bottle of red wine and eat and talk with me like an ordinary person." --- Mr. Cai (Mr. Mills in English)

"I say, our Li Zeyan is good everywhere, but the only one bad thing is that he's already 28 years old this year, but he still thinks about work all the time. How can this be?" --- Li Zeyan's Aunt

[NAME] 许墨 (Xu Mo) / Lucien [AGE] 26 [HEIGHT] 180 cm [BIRTHDATE] November 15 [HOROSCOPE] Scorpio [BLOOD TYPE] AB [OCCUPATION] Neurologist / Guest Professor at the Lian Yu University (Loveland University) [EVOL] Copy [VOICE ACTOR] 夏磊 (Xia Lei)

Xu Mo is a well-educated, talented, and quiet young professor. Outwardly, he is the leading scientist in the field of neurology and extremely persistent with scientific studies, but in fact he hides unknown secrets. Although he is gentle towards people, he makes people feel that there is a sense of distance, and it is difficult to really enter his inner world.

[ABOUT HIM] In the eyes of the public, Xu Mo is a young and remarkable neurologist and a guest professor at Lian Yu University. He is serious and persistent towards his scientific research, which is how he's obtained extraordinary achievements. At 26 years old, he has already obtained achievements that most people wouldn't get in a lifetime. There is no other word better to describe him than "genius".

The progress of science is often accompanied by many failed experiments, and towards those failed experiments Xu Mo will feel regret. But at the same time he believes that it is a kind of honor to contribute to a better future for humankind. Under his elegant and gentle face, there hides an inexplicable dark side which is the most deadliest poison.

Xu Mo grew up in a happy family of intellectuals. He was called a genius from birth, but on his 7th birthday his whole family met with a car accident and only he survived. Members of Black Swan saved the dying Xu Mo and ever since then Xu Mo is a member of Black Swan. After coming back from studying abroad, he returned anew to the organization with the code name Ares, and participated in the secret genetic modification project.

[ABOUT THE MEANING OF HIS NAME] Too much time has passed and Xu Mo has almost already forgotten his original name. The "Mo(1)" in his name was once his mother's favorite word. This word represents pen and ink, a literary family, and the black and white world in his eyes.

(1) The word is 墨 (mo) which means ink.

[ABOUT HIS FAMILY] Xu Mo was born from a scholarly family. His parents were highly talented and leading researchers, but their personalities were easygoing and, although their work kept them very busy, they did not neglect caring for Xu Mo. Before the car accident they were a very happy and ordinary family.

[ABOUT HIS HOBBIES]

Top1: People Watching. He has a curiosity towards new things and occasionally, for the sake of observing humans, he will do some amazing things that do not suit his usual image, such as watching animations.

Top2: Films. He likes to study European classics and some old movies, and he often goes to see movies late at night.

Top3: Drawing. He once used to like drawing, but he's not very good at it. He can only draw very realistic sketches and has no creativity.

[ABOUT HIS SECRETS] His world is black and white and only by your side can he see colors.

He has a memory that doesn't forget anything he's looked over, is good at logic and observation, and is a "God" in the Werewolf game(2).

(2) I believe in English it's more commonly known as the Mafia game.

His sense of taste isn't too sensitive, but it's not completely absent either.

In his circle of friends, there is only one person who he replies to. Sometimes he drives a black SUV but he much prefers walking home from the lab.

[OTHERS' EVALUATION OF HIM]

"Little Xu, ah, he's an especially outstanding young man. It's rare to encounter or even meet a scientist who researches with such intensity, not to mention he's so easy to get along with. There's a lot of young ladies who like him in the institute, but it seems like he has no thoughts towards this at all." --- The Dean (of the University)

"Xu Mo? We've only seen one side, but he looks a lot like the small boy I knew when I was young, but Xu Mo's attitude is much more modest. If that boy is still alive, I hope he's living like someone as likable as Xu Mo." --- Fan Zihang

"We're similar and he's the only one worthy of being my opponent, although he's becoming more and more disappointing. If we were to cooperate, we would definitely be able to control this world!" --- Hades

[NAME] 白起 (Bai Qi) / Gavin [AGE] 24 [HEIGHT] 181 cm [BIRTHDATE] July 29 [HOROSCOPE] Leo [BLOOD TYPE] B [OCCUPATION] Evol Agent [EVOL] Wind Control [VOICE ACTOR] 张杰 (Zhang Jie)

Bai Qi is an Evol agent, who recently took the initiative to be transferred to the Lian Yu (Loveland) police bureau. Acting as a special officer, he conceals his true purposes and actions. Although his personality is rebellious, stubborn, and intractable but he has his own principles of doing things. This sort of personality constantly gives others a dangerous feeling, so that it is hard for people who have just met him to see him as an Evol agent.

[ABOUT HIM] Bai Qi is a brave and decisive man, and also filled with an utterly fearless and adventurous spirit. Rather than using words, he is more inclined to using actions to express his heart. He is like a wolf, seeming to be alone, dangerous, and he walks through the world doing things his own way. But when he sets his mind on someone or something, he becomes extremely steadfast and loyal, and that will never be easily shaken.

Bai Qi has many informant friends that belong in the gray zone, and he often breaks what's known as the rules of convention. He uses methods that don't look so "just" to achieve his goals. Because of this, there's many people who can't understand him and feel that his actions are inappropriate. Towards all these misunderstandings, Bai Qi doesn't bother to explain and doesn't care. Even if no one understands, he will use his own ways to protect his convictions.

Before he came to the police bureau, Bai Qi had been in the special forces for four years. There, he was tempered to become strong and sharp, and he became a person who could control everything in any dangerous situation. His joining of the special forces symbolizes the difference of his justice compared to his father. He will not give up on someone for any reason. If a sacrifice is necessary, then he will choose to face it alone.

[ABOUT THE MEANING OF HIS NAME] Before the child was born, the Bai family's study was lit up all night long. No one knows what hopes that strict man there once had for his first child. He named his child "Bai Qi" in the hopes that he would be like the Warring States general, Bai Qi, brave and bold and triumphing in every battle.

[ABOUT HIS FAMILY] There were expectations given with Bai Qi's birth, and his father was extremely strict on him. When he was young, and after he was identified as being an ordinary person with no Evol, he was thought of to be a "pointless waste" and was met with extreme indifference. But at that time, he had a gentle mother. His mother loved him dearly but died when he was 15 years old because of a large fire. Bai Qi also has a younger brother and their relationship was very good when they were young, but after their mother died the relationship between the brothers became poor.

[ABOUT HIS HOBBIES]

Top1: Going for a spin on "Lil' Black". He enjoys the speed and passion of freedom at the edge of the city at night.

Top2: Astronomy. He likes the stars, and once did some research on them. He also really enjoys soaring through the night sky, the feeling of looking up at the stars, and Jupiter.

Top3: Boxing. Bai Qi's secret place is a boxing gym. He's great at all sports, but he likes boxing the most.

[ABOUT HIS SECRETS] He loves to eat beef noodles, spicy things, and normally he eats takeaway or instant noodles; he's not particularly obsessed with delicious food.

He used to like playing single-player fighting games, but recently he hasn't played much.

He doesn't like to wear suits, and even if he has to wear one then he can't properly tie a necktie.

He likes science fiction and magazines with pictures like the National Geographic.

Either he doesn't sleep at night, or he sleeps very early.

[OTHERS' EVALUATION OF HIM]

"Our boss? Then of course he's someone who can move heaven and earth, omnipotent, a one man army, triumphant in every battle... Sorry, I've omitted 500 words of objective compliments for my bro, Bai Qi, but basically he's the person I admire the most!" --- Hanye (Minor)

"He's a trustworthy comrade and the only person in the special forces who I can completely entrust my back with. It's not because he once saved me in the past, but because he's just this sort of trustworthy man." --- Guzheng (Eli)

"Bai Qi is excellent and one day he will be the "sharp blade" of the special forces. The only pity is that he is too attached to the justice in his own heart, and he's blinded his own eyes. But at the same time I am looking forward to what road his convictions will take him to." --- Commander Lianji (Leto? I believe in English)

[NAME] 周棋洛 (Zhou Qiluo) / Kilo / Kiro [AGE] 22 [HEIGHT] 176 cm [BIRTHDATE] April 9 [HOROSCOPE] Aries [BLOOD TYPE] O [OCCUPATION] Superstar [EVOL] Absolute Charm / Absolute Control [VOICE ACTOR] 边江 (Bian Jiang)

Zhou Qiluo is an idol who shines like the sun. He was born a child star and it cost him a lot(1) to become a superstar. But he never thought about giving up and he is very strict on the demands for himself and is a perfectionist. Although outwardly he looks like a big kid, the maturity in his heart is not small. In addition to his occupation as a star and performer, he also has multiple identities and a secret goal.

(1) This is a bit vague, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean money. I think it means that it took a lot of effort and things had to be sacrificed for him to become a superstar.

[ABOUT HIM] A cheerful sunlight, extraordinary charm, and an open sincerity. These are the labels for the idol, Zhou Qiluo. An idol's work is very busy, but he never once complains; he just tries to show his best side to the audience. This young superstar understands clearly the ways of the world and the dark side of reality, but he always walks on the path towards the light.

Zhou Qiluo likes an ordinary and everyday life, so he often dresses up in a disguise and goes to the marketplace or takes a walk. At the same time, he also really likes shadow technology(2). He has a natural gift for computer-related things. As a hacker, his skills are above anyone else. He made the name of his master, KEY, which he took on, rise again in the community(3) of hackers, and he became another person who guards the light in the dark.

(2) The word here is 黑科技 (hei keji) which literally means "black technology" but it's a word from comics that means magical and amazing technology which breaks the laws of the world or what cannot be explained with current human knowledge.

(3) The word here is 江湖 (jianghu) which is the term used for a community of martial artists (those who read Chinese novels would be familiar with this), but it can also be used as a term for a community of outlaws, aka. hackers.

Zhou Qiluo also has a mysterious third identity, which is that of Helios in Black Swan. When he acts as Helios, he is silent and decisive. If it weren't for having the same appearance, it would be hard for someone to think that they were the same person. If Zhou Qiluo could be said to be the sun, then Helios is the moon hidden in the night. But regardless of whether he is in the light or the darkness, he is himself.

[ABOUT THE MEANING OF HIS NAME] Once he was called 1562, later he was called 3684, then even later he was called Zhou Qiluo; in his life, any decision is to be made without regrets(4) or turning back. When KEY gave him this name, it was with the hopes that once he made a decision he would keep moving with an indomitable will without being lost and confused.

(4) The phrase is 落棋无悔 (luo qi wu hui). It means to not regret a play (chess move) you make.

[ABOUT HIS FAMILY] He was an orphan who was taken in and raised by Shuang Ye Orphanage. Like the other orphans, he was an experiment of Black Swan.

Apple Box is a Golden Retriever that Zhou Qiluo picked up from an apple box. Apple Box is being looked after in his manager's home.

Cello is a cat that Zhou Qiluo found in a cello box. Cello is being raised in the studio.

[ABOUT HIS HOBBIES]

Top1: Music. Music is an indispensable part to his life; guitar, cello, drums... in the world of music he can do anything.

Top2: Food. He likes to eat doughnuts, drink Coca Cola, and eat hotpot. He believes his one love and good food can never disappoint.

Top3: Superhero Movies. He likes to watch all kinds of blockbusters, but especially superhero movies. His favorite is the one without superpowers, Batman.

[ABOUT HIS SECRETS] Compared to single player games, he prefers social games. He likes the feeling of playing with other people.

His guitar pick was gifted to him by his master, KEY.

His secret base is a quiet lake near his home. There are carp in the lake.

He likes to eat doughnuts because of a promise in his childhood.

[OTHERS' EVALUATION OF HIM]

"Our family's Qiluo is naturally peerless and I've never met an artist as naturally gifted as him! As long as this momentum keeps going, he will definitely be able to trend until I retire. The precondition is that he doesn't sneak off to eat!" --- Shen Yuan (Savin in English)

"Kilo is a very gentle child. It's possible many people only see his sunny, bright side, but he has his own weaknesses and sorrows. I hope that one day my child can obtain real happiness." --- Eva Seidel

"When I first saw him, he was only 4 years old, thin and small, and looking like he wouldn't live past a day. But there was a light in his eyes and so I took him away. I didn't see wrong, that the child at that time who yearned for the light would gradually become a sun that could illuminate other people." --- KEY

#mlqc #mr love queen's choice #love and producer #mlqc gavin #mlqc victor #mlqc lucien #mlqc kiro #mlqc bai qi #mlqc li zeyan #mlqc xu mo #mlqc zhou qiluo #my translations

390 notes · View notes

pocket-luv101 · 5 years

Text

The Angel and The Witch || Chapter 5

Fandom: Servamp Relationships: KuroMahi, LawLicht Characters: Kuro, Mahiru, Hyde, Licht

Summary: Licht was a noble angel. Mahiru was a penniless witch. Their lives were different but they both longed for freedom. After circumstances, they switched places and found freedom where they least expect it.

Ch.1 || Ch.2 || Ch.3 || Ch.4 || (Ch.5) ||

“This should cure that hangover you have, Licht.” Misono handed him a mug of thick soup. He didn’t take it and moaned into the couch cushion instead. He sighed at his reaction and placed the mug on the table. After they met in the alley, they returned to the farm house Misono fled to. He didn’t know which of them was more surprised to see the other. He was certain that he would never see his bother again.

Misono lightly nudged Licht so he could sit on the couch as well. He missed his family but he felt mixed about the situation. “Dinner should be ready in half an hour. Hopefully, your headache will go away before then. Tetsu is making beef stew for us. It isn’t as elaborate as what the cooks make at the castle but it’s still delicious. We can talk more while we eat so rest for now.”

“Wait, I want to know everything now, Misono.” He stopped his brother from leaving. His head was pounding but he did his best to sit up. “I don’t even know where to start. We’ve been so worried about you since we couldn’t find you. Mom says you’re probably with Tetsu so you’re safe but… She makes this sad expression whenever she thinks no one’s watching.”

“I never wanted to hurt you or our parents, Licht. I wasn’t planning to run away at first. When Dad ordered Tetsu to leave, he wouldn’t let me say goodbye to him. I sneaked out to see him one last but then I realized I couldn’t leave him. I love Tetsu. You must think that was selfish and greedy of me. As a prince, it’s my duty to think of our people but everything was so overwhelming.”

Licht didn’t know how to respond. He felt the pressure of being the next king over the last three years. Misono experienced it for most if his life. He couldn’t imagine how difficult it was for him. He placed his arm over his eyes and let out a long sigh. “It’s lucky that you left when you did. You would’ve been the one forced into an arranged marriage. The engagement would be more difficult if you’re already in love with someone else. Are you happy with Tetsu?”

“Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” Misono’s eyes were overflowing with love when he spoke. “But there has been difficult times. I miss you and everyone else. Even if I want to go home to see everyone, I doubt I can. At least we have this chance to talk one last time. Tell me everything that happened while I’ve been gone. It must be a crazy story for me to find you drunk in an alley.”

After dinner, Hyde went to the farm connected to the house to help tend to the horses. Since Misono was important to Licht, he decided to do a few chores around the farm. That would give them more privacy as well. The brothers haven’t spoken for years so Hyde wanted to give them a moment alone to talk. He was still wary about leaving Licht’s side with the danger and uncertainty in their situation.

Tetsu said they could borrow a horse and wagon to return to the castle quicker. He was grateful for the offer but he knew that the farm needed it. He would have to discretely return it to Tetsu after he returned to the castle. The wedding would be a good opportunity to do so. He mostly wanted to avoid attending the wedding and watching Licht marry someone else.

Hyde’s heart tightened painfully and he told himself to ignore his feelings. He decided it was best to go to sleep so he closed the stable’s door. He wondered if Licht was asleep yet and if he should check on him quickly. A part of him knew that it was best if he didn’t. The more time he spent with Licht, the more his feelings grew.

He noticed a white feather on the ground and Hyde easily recognized it as Licht’s. It carried his powerful magic and it had a subtle gleam. He glanced up and saw a pair of legs hanging over the ledge. He could guess that Licht was sitting on the upper floor of the barn. Hyde hadn’t noticed him enter the barn so he must’ve flown through a window.

He climbed the stairs to the second floor and saw that he was sitting alone. He thought he would be spending time with his brother. Licht had a trouble expression and Hyde hoped that he didn’t have a fight with his brother. It didn’t seem like Licht noticed that he was in the barn either. Hyde debated between leaving him alone or going to comfort him.

Without a word, Hyde sat next to him and gave him enough space between them. Licht didn’t acknowledge him though. Hyde waited for his response to decide what to do next. He wanted to be next to Licht so he could support him but he would leave if he told him to do so. Licht closed his eyes and leaned against his shoulder, drawn to him by with warmth.

“It’s getting late, Angel Cakes. Shouldn’t you be asleep so you’ll be refreshed for our long trip tomorrow? Misono said that you could use the guest room for the night. That beats sleeping in hay like I’m going to do.” Hyde thought it was best to not ask questions right away. He spent enough time with Licht to know that pushing him would only make him more upset.

“You’re planning to sleep in this smelly barn? That’s not fair you know?” Licht’s back straightened and he started to languidly swing his legs. He edged his hand closer to Hyde’s. “There’s a couch in the house so just use that, Shit Rat. Cute animals like those horses shouldn’t have to deal with your snoring. Hell, I could barely sleep last night because of you.”

Hyde chuckled softly and said, “You love animals a lot. When we get home, you can design a petting zoo and fill it with cute bunnies. We can have it next to that sunflower patch we were talking about earlier.”

“When we get home…” Licht echoed in a solemn voice. He laid his hand over Hyde’s and stroked his fingers lightly. “I was so happy to see Misono again. Honestly, I was hoping he would come back with us and I wouldn’t have to marry Sleepy Ash. In the end, I couldn’t ask him to do that or even bring it up. It’s my duty.”

“Your duty as the next king?”

“My duty as Misono’s brother. I love him and I want him to be happy. He found a wonderful life here and I can’t ask him to leave everything. I’m not going to run away from my responsibilities. I just want one night I don’t have to think about it.” Licht pushed Hyde and he fell into the hay pile below them. He flew down after him and stood in front of him.

Hyde swore as he tried to stand again but then Licht placed his hands on his shoulders. He sat on his lap and cupped his face. Licht leaned closer and whispered, “Kiss me. I want—”

“Wait, Licht!” Hyde interrupted him and grabbed his hands. He gave his fingers an affectionate squeeze before he lowered their hands. His blue eyes were filled with longing and he felt the same yet Hyde had to stop him. No matter how much he wanted to kiss Licht, he couldn’t. “I understand, Licht, I really do. You’re going through a lot of emotions right now. You’re looking for some sense control. Doing something impulsive won’t help though.”

“I’ve been thinking about this for two years!” Licht let go of his hands so he could grab Hyde’s shirt. “In a week, I am going to marry a man I do not know. I have already decided to go through with that. But, just for tonight, I want to be greedy. We forget that I’m an angel and you’re my advisor. Please, I Hyde, don’t want my first to be with a stranger.

Hyde wrapped his arms around his waist and turned them until Licht was beneath him. “A hay pile in a barn isn’t the most romantic place for this, especially for an angel. We can stop anytime.”

Licht trailed his hands down his neck to his chest. His fingers touched something cold and he realized that it was his royal brooch. He unfastened it and threw it in a random direction. He kissed him again and whispered, “Didn’t I say that we’re just us tonight? I want you, Hyde.”

He pulled him into a hard kiss. Licht responded to his kiss with fervor and pressed himself closer to him. He slid his hands into his blond hair and tugged onto it slightly. When he parted his lips, he slipped his tongue into his mouth. He groaned and Licht felt heat spread through his body. Everything around them became a hot haze. The only thing that kept him grounded was Hyde so he clung to him.

If only he could hold Hyde every night.

The first night Mahiru spent in the castle, he was nervous. Now that a night has passed, he was afraid and on the edge of panicking. Hyde promised him that he would return before sunset yet there was no sign of him. Where were they? Mahiru hoped that nothing had happened to Hyde and Licht. He couldn’t send a message to them either.

“What are we going to do, Ash?” Mahiru whispered to the cat in his arms. With so many thoughts running through his head, he couldn’t focus on maintaining his disguise. He decided to take a walk through the maze in the dark. He needed to avoid people until he felt calm enough to use his magic again. The walk would help clear his mind as well.

He carefully thought over the options before him but none of them were good. If he continued with the ruse, there was a chance he could be discovered and killed. Yet, fleeing the castle would lead to a panic. He was alone in the castle with no one to turn to for help. He wished he could contact Hyde and ask him where they were at least.

Hyde said that he suspected that someone in the castle planned the kidnapping and Mahiru wondered who it could be. An idea came to Mahiru and he whispered excitedly to the cat. “I can continue to pretend to be Licht and look for clues of who tried to kidnap him. That way, I can defend myself if they discover I’m just a witch. It’ll help Hyde and Licht once they return too. What do you think, Ash?”

He gasped when the cat jumped out of his arms and wandered deeper into the maze. Mahiru chased after it, afraid that the cat would become lost. Did something catch its attention for it to run off so suddenly? Ash stopped in front of a tall bush and pawed at the ground. He knelt beside the cat and petted it lightly. “You can’t run off, Ash.”

Hushed whispers caught his attention and Mahiru wondered who could be in the maze so late at night. He wasn’t the type to eavesdrop on other’s conversations but his instincts told him it might be related to Licht’s kidnapping. He parted the bushes so he could see the people on the other side. Mahiru was only able to see their feet so he strained to hear what they were discussing.

“How could Licht escape and return to the castle so quickly? It’s impossible.” Mahiru covered his mouth to stop himself from making a sound. He was careful not to draw attention to himself as he crawled deeper into the bushes. “He hasn’t told the king or queen that he has been captured. His behaviour has been odd ever since he returned. No matter, we will only try again and I can become king.”

“King?” Mahiru whispered.

“Did you hear that?” Mahiru stiffened when the feet began to walk towards him. He picked up Ash and scrambled backwards. He didn’t know what they would do if they discovered he overheard them so he ran to the exit. It was difficult to retrace his steps due to his fear and panic. He only hoped that he didn’t run into a dead end.

A hand grabbed his arm as he turned the corner and pulled him into the shadows. He couldn’t cry out before the hand clap over his mouth. Mahiru struggled against the man’s hold until he realized the voice was Kuro’s. “They’ll find us if we make too much noise.”

He recognized the invisibility spell Kuro whispered. Even though his spell was enough to keep them hidden, he also wrapped his cape around Mahiru to protect him further. Mahiru could feel his heart racing in his chest. He didn’t know if it was from the people he overheard or the fact that Kuro was holding him so close. They were pressed closely together. He knew that Kuro only intended to protect him but heat rose onto his cheeks.

Two people he didn’t recognize ran pass them but Mahiru didn’t relax until their footsteps faded away in the distance. He stepped away from Kuro. He was glad that he saved from being discovered but he had to ask why he was in the maze as well. After spending time with him, he didn’t think Kuro was a bad person but he had to be cautious. “What are you doing here, Kuro?”

“I saw two suspicious people walk into the maze and I decided to follow them. I only planned to negotiate an arranged marriage, not deal with a kidnapping conspiracy. It looks like you stumbled into it too. Can’t deal.” Kuro told him. “We should go to the king and queen so they’ll know that Licht is in danger. They can take steps to protect Licht.”

“We can’t!” Mahiru stopped him and hugged his arm. He saw the confusion on Kuro’s face but he couldn’t easily give him a reason. He bit his lip and let go of his arm. “I need to tell you something but you need to promise to keep it a secret. Is there somewhere we can talk privately so no one will overhear us? I don’t think this maze is safe.”

“We can talk in my room.” He offered and Mahiru nodded. “You work here so hopefully you know how to get out of here.”

“I only started working here recently. Ash should be able to lead us to the exit though.” Mahiru placed the cat on the ground. Ash sniffed the ground before it trotted forward. He wanted to explain why he was in the maze at night but he could only lie. In a small voice, he said: “I was giving him a walk. He might be a cat but he acts like a dog sometimes.”

“I thought Licht adopted Ash because you didn’t have time to take care of him. Royals often give these troublesome chores to their servants but he didn’t seem like that kind of person.” He was all too familiar of the politics of their situation yet he hoped that Licht would be different. Kuro thought of their trip to the farm and Licht’s behaviour seemed genuine at the time.

“Oh, I asked Licht for the chance to play with Ash. He was kind enough to let me.” Mahiru was still uncertain if he could tell Kuro that he was pretending to be Licht. At least the walk to his room gave him to chance to think of an explanation. He pulled his hood over his head when they walk into the castle so anyone passing by wouldn’t see his face.

Kuro noticed how closely Mahiru was walking to him. It was almost as if he was hiding behind him. He believed it was because Mahiru was afraid of the two men they saw earlier. He opened the door to his room and Mahiru hurried inside. After he closed the door, Kuro shut the curtains so people outside couldn’t see him. Mahiru was grateful that Kuro didn’t ask him his questions right away.

He sat down in a wooden chair and petted the cat on his lap. He had decided to tell Kuro a mixture of the truth and lies. First, he begged: “Nothing I tell you can leave this room. Promise me, Kuro.”

“I promise.” Kuro sat across from Mahiru.

Mahiru took a deep breath and explained as much as he could. “Licht was kidnapped the night before you arrived. Luckily, I ran into him in town so he was brought back safely. We don’t know who ordered the kidnapping. Hyde went to investigate and he was supposed to return tonight but… You said that you two used to be friends. Have you heard anything from him today?”

“No.” Kuro shook his head and his brown eyes lowered in disappointment. He remembered how Licht was so insistent that they return before dinner and it was likely because he was expecting Hyde’s return. He wondered if he was worried as well. “Maybe I should go and talk with Licht to see if he’s okay.”

“Licht said he wanted to be alone tonight.” Mahiru could see that Kuro was beginning to care for Licht. Would he still feel the same once he discovers that he was actually a poor witch? He pushed that thought aside. “The royal family believed it would be best not to tell you about the kidnapping or else you might break the engagement. I’ll be punished if they found out I told you. But I’m so worried for Licht and Hyde that I need to tell you.”

“I’ll keep your secret.” Kuro vowed. He could see how caring Mahiru was. He shared that trait with Licht and Kuro found he wanted to help them both. “I’ll see if I can send a magical familiar to find Hyde.”

“Thank you, Kuro.” He smiled brightly. He was happy he had the chance to talk with Kuro. Mahiru stood up and his shoulders feel lighter. “I should go return Ash to Licht.”

“Do you want me to walk you? Those men might be nearby and it could be dangerous.”

Mahiru wished he could accept his offer but he knew that it would be a risk. He patted his arm and reassured him. “Thanks for the thought but I can handle myself. Goodnight, Kuro.”

A light, rocking motion jostled Licht awake. He felt so warm and relaxed that he didn’t want to wake up. The last thing he remembered was laying in Hyde’s arms and he wanted to stay in that dream. The sunlight wouldn’t let him go back to sleep so he opened his eyes. He glanced around and saw that he was in a moving wagon. He remembered the night he was kidnapped and he sat up sharply.

“You’re finally awake, Lichtan. I thought you would be out a little longer.” Hyde’s voice silenced the worry he felt and Licht relaxed. He was driving the wagon down a dirt road. When he looked back, Licht couldn’t see the farm so they had likely been driving for a while. He rose to his feet and walked towards Hyde but his knees were a little weak.

Hyde stopped the carriage so he could find his footing easier. Licht placed his hands on his shoulders for balance. He turned slightly to face him and their eyes met. He placed the reins on his lap so he could slip his arms around Licht. “I hope you don’t mind that I changed your clothes and left without waking you. You looked exhausted after last night. Are you sore?”

“I’m fine. I’m an angel, after all.” He blushed when he remembered the previous night. “You should’ve woken me up earlier so I could say goodbye to my brother. I didn’t get to do that last time.”

“Misono said that saying goodbye would be too difficult for both of you. But he gave us some food for the journey and he said that they were your favourites. Your brother cares a lot about you.” Hyde wanted to comfort him when he saw sadness cross his face. “If you’re worried about him, I can check on them every once in a while. I’ll make sure they’re safe.”

“Thank you but you don’t need to do that since Tetsu is there to protect him. All this time, that has been the only reassurance I’ve had. I’m glad I could see him one last time before I become king.” Licht sank back down and sat on the wagon floor. He leaned his head on Hyde’s back and asked, “How far is the castle?”

“With this wagon, a few hours.” He answered and picked up the reins again. The horses trotted forward but they remained silent for the journey. They were both thinking of the night before but neither of them brought it up. It was for the best they didn’t talk about it. But Licht didn’t regret the night.

#servamp #lawlicht #kuromahi #sloth pair #greed pair #servamp kuro #mahiru shirota #servamp hyde #licht jekylland todoroki #fanfiction #hint of tetsono #tetsu sendagaya #misono alicein

23 notes · View notes

sockparade · 5 years

Text

an ovation

The year is 1994. I’m twelve years old. I’m singularly focused, the way only sixth graders can be, on what I’m about to eat for lunch.

It’s fifty cents for a small. A dollar twenty-five for a large. A small means a 5”x5” styrofoam takeout box of spam fried rice with the standard vegetable medley of carrots, green beans, and peas — corn, if it’s your lucky day. A large means a bigger styrofoam takeout box of steamed white rice and the special of the week. It’s braised beef and daikon stew today, my favorite.

It’s a pretty efficient system. Cash only, of course. You tell the cashier how many smalls and how many larges you want. The cashier wordlessly circles the corresponding boxes on a small square of paper that’s about the size of a lotto ticket. You trade your ticket in for food right outside the kitchen where the styrofoam boxes are being prefilled and piled high. To the right of the kitchen is a folding table with four large, stainless steel, hot water urns of weak Lipton tea and small styrofoam, so much styrofoam, cups.

It’s gotta be the best lunch deal in town.

You won’t find this place on Yelp. I’m not talking about some hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop, foodie find, diamond in the rough. What I’m describing is a volunteer-run lunch cafeteria in one of Houston’s largest and oldest Chinese immigrant churches. It’s a second home for me, this place. After a long week of navigating and assimilating to white spaces, dealing with middle school social hierarchies, and managing prepubescent social anxiety, this church is a refuge where I only stand out when I want to.

Thanks to David Chang and Netflix, we understand the genius descriptor that is Ugly Delicious. This? This braised beef and daikon stew is more like Ugly Comforting. Is it good? I can’t tell, I’m too busy being comforted by it.

This particular Sunday I opt for two smalls. Carefully balancing my styrofoam boxes, I scan the room to find my Dad already sitting at our usual table. My Mom, an extreme extrovert, won’t make her appearance in the cafeteria until at least a half hour later after she’s given away all the plastic bags of vegetables she’s brought from her home garden.

I step up to an old, hulking Coke machine with a faded red plastic front that looks like someone colored it in with an old marker. It dispenses B-list sodas like 7Up, Sunkist, Mr. Pibb and A&W Root Beer, but the drinks are always reliably cold.

As I debate my soda choices, I adjust my right suspender so that it sits a bit higher on my shoulder. I love wearing these suspenders. This is my favorite church outfit. Suspenders and a pair of black slacks with thin silver pinstripes. I love this outfit because it feels like cheating the system. I’m going to get to dress like a man, but it’s sized for me. It’s honestly more Michael Jackson than Janelle Monae but it’s a comfortable uniform. And good riddance to pantyhose.

This outfit is the victory in a long war I’ve been waging with my Mom about church clothes. We’ve negotiated a tenuous compromise where I don’t have to wear a dress anymore, but I have to wear something that we both agree is “nice”. Nowhere in our battles does my Mom ever say anything about being more “ladylike”. Even if we both know that it’s what others think and say. Even if it’s what my Dad thinks. I am grateful for that small gift. I wonder if she’s also weary of being told what she can or can’t do as a woman. Given our immigrant Chinese/Taiwanese, Evangelical Christian in Houston in the mid nineties context, this concession from my Mom is mind-blowingly progressive. But I don’t see it as a concession. Filled with typical teenage hubris, I just chalk it up to my power of persuasion.

I don’t know what I expected to happen when I stopped wearing dresses to church. It was something I had wanted for so long. And when it finally happened, the zero reaction was shocking. But after awhile, I stop thinking about my church outfits altogether. The way I imagine boys and men are allowed to forget.

As I push the Sunkist button on the Coke machine, the cafeteria suddenly erupts into loud applause. It starts on the other side of the cafeteria and grows louder until it seems like everyone is clapping. I look up and see Yā Zi ā yí (duck auntie), a young woman in her early thirties, frozen just inside the entrance to the cafeteria. She’s wearing a simple yellow sundress and an uneasy expression on her face. My cheeks burn in embarrassment for her.

I don’t think anyone actually told me why they were clapping. There certainly wasn’t a debrief of any sort. Yā zi ā yí never wore dresses. She had really short hair. She always wore pants to church. This was something some of the elderly women did and now something that I had started doing, but all of the young women her age wore dresses. I don’t know why she chose to wear a dress that day. But whatever the reason, folks noticed, and they applauded it. They gave her an ovation. It didn’t feel as though people were mocking her. I think they were genuinely happy for her. They wanted to show their approval.

That’s what it can sometimes feel like to belong to a homogenous community. The thing that makes you belong is your sameness. Your belonging is shockingly contingent on your identity and behavior continuing to exist within unspoken lines. And when you trespass those lines, the community still cares for you but wishes better for you. Prays for you. Knows better for you. And if you finally do what they think is best for you, then, and only then, will they applaud you. They’ll give you a fucking ovation.

I have learned to not let a community, even a warm, well-intentioned community, decide what it means for me to be a woman. Have I found it difficult to assert myself as a woman because my childhood church limited what women could wear, say, and do? Yes. Even to this day. But you know what? It was the desire for approval that I had to work the hardest to let go of.

I kind of hate that my formative memories about gender are related to dress codes. But I’m also thankful. Because I think sometimes you learn about the breadth of something because someone else created an impossibly tiny box for it. And in the process of stepping outside of that one tiny box, you find yourself on a journey to discover the whole world that exists outside of all of the other impossibly tiny boxes people have made.

-----------------------------------

This essay was published in Diverging Magazine on August 13, 2019.

Diverging Magazine is a publication of Progressive Asian American Christians. This publication is dedicated to disrupting the existing narratives of American Christianity and sharing the unique viewpoints of our diverse community. Diverging is here to forge new paths and create new traditions and viewpoints while honoring the legacy from those who came before us.

0 notes

exobiasaday · 7 years

Text

Kyungsoo’s Famous Spaghetti

A/N: This is my first EXO fic! I thought about writing one, and decided to write a little one and then it got a bit long... haha. It was quite fun to write, please let me know what you think! I may do more, or another member next time!

[[ // Masterlist // ]]

5200 words + two text message screens + gifs throughout

Contains: fluff / angst / disordered eating / body image issues / self-deprication

AFTER MONTHS OF WISHING, your busy schedules not aligning, and resorting to take-out, the day was finally here: the day you would taste Kyungsoo’s famous kimchi spaghetti. He’d sent you a text that morning:

“Good morning, Jagi. Dinner tonight will be promptly at 6PM, don’t be late or the spaghetti will get cold!”

You’d lain on the couch for the past thirty minutes trying to decide what to respond, and eventually settled on a simple, “Okay!” before dropping your phone on the floor, groaning, and covering your face with your hands.

No... I’ve come so far on my diet, this is going to set me back!

Before you noticed the weight gain, you had been begging Kyungsoo almost daily to cook for you, and he had gladly done so, happy you enjoyed his dishes, but he hadn’t had a chance to make his famous kimchi spaghetti yet.

You remembered the day last month when you had your routine check up, when this all started.

“Please step on the scale,” the nurse had said, and thinking nothing of it, you did. Then your heart sank.

“T-that can’t be right,” you said, tossing off your sweater and kicking off your shoes before stepping on again. It made a minimal difference.

“Your weight is quite normal,” the nurse responded. “Follow me, please.”

It was cold in the office as you sat on the table, waiting for the doctor to arrive. You debated whether or not you really needed to take off your clothes and put on the paper shirt. He’s just going to take my temperature and blood pressure... I don’t have to strip down for that.

When the doctor arrived, she chuckled. “Whoops, did you forget? I’ll give you a few minutes to change.”

Reluctantly, you removed your clothes, doing your best not to look in the mirror, but ultimately you were unable to look away from your reflection.

I’m a whale...

At the end of the checkup, the doctor told you that you were healthy, but could use more rest.

“What about... my weight?”

“What about it?”

The doctor explained to you some safe weight loss methods, but they sounded like they would take months. Summer was fast approaching.

When Kyungsoo picked you up, you tried to sound positive about the visit, but instead of talking to him, you were on your phone searching for quick weight loss tips and tricks.

That day, you decided: no carbs, no sugar. A high fiber, high protein diet. None of Kyungsoo’s recipes fit in the diet; they all had noodles, rice, or some kind of sugar. You had to decline his invitations, even when your stomach rumbled with anger at the thought of his kimchi stew, his ddukbboki, and his beef noodle soup.

Thinking you didn’t have enough groceries in the house, he brought over some bags from the supermarket (all high-carb, to your dismay) and two servings of the beef soup. You couldn’t bring yourself to waste his hard work, so you ate the noodles, and the carby foods, all the while cursing yourself for being weak and vowing never to let him cook for you again until you reached your weight loss goal. Heavenly as his food was, it didn’t taste as good as you thought it would feel to be thinner.

Other than that hiccup, you’d been extremely strict with your diet. Bread had enticed you when you had coffee with Minseok; you’d declined and cried inside with jealousy as he bit into his croissant. Too many carbs. I have to look good for Kyungsoo. Sehun had offered to get you bubble tea on his way home because of a two for one deal. You’d forced yourself to reply, “No thanks, I’m full, get yourself two :)” even though at that very moment you were standing in front of the fridge agonizing over what to eat. Too much sugar. Kyungsoo wouldn’t want me drinking that. But with his own homemade-just-for-you meal, you wouldn’t be able to decline. “Ah, it’s so good you’ll want to faint!” Jongin said every time the dish was brought up.

It’s just one dinner... it’s not going to turn me into a blimp. It’s a reward for losing eight pounds so far.

It’ll make my goal just that much farther away... but it’ll make Kyungsoo upset if I refuse. I’ll just eat a little bit, and drink a lot of water. Yeah, that’ll work. I can do both.

You weren’t ready to eat a lot. You were ready to take small, slow bites until he got full, then you would say you were full too.

It was just before 6PM when you arrived at EXO’s dorm. You looked down at your choice of clothes, unsure if these particular loose garments were the right outfit to hide your body, even though you had spent over an hour deciding what to wear.

You took a deep breath and knocked.

“It’s open!” you heard from inside. You let yourself in and took off your shoes.

“You’re right on time, I just finished cooking,” your boyfriend said as he left the kitchen with a smile to greet you. He had on his favorite apron.

As he wrapped his arms around you, you stiffened and froze. Normally, you melted into his hugs, since they were always just the right amount of squeeze, but it had been a few weeks since your last hug... could he feel a huge difference? Would he feel too much and get turned off?

“What’s wrong, Jagi?” he asked, referring not to your weight, but to you not hugging him back. He pulled away and looked into your eyes. He was so sincere. You loved his eyes the most, out of all the parts of him. Unless you were looking at his lips, or his hair, or his entire face, or his body... then that was the best part of him.

“Nothing’s wrong... the food just smells so good!” you lied, which caused him to smile and lead you to the dining room.

“Let’s eat then.”

The dining room wasn’t its usual, casual self. There was a white tablecloth over the glass, a lit candelabra in the center, and two rose’s-worth of red petals sprinkled over the table. The normally bright lights had been dimmed and all chairs had been removed except two. Kyungsoo pulled one out for you so you could sit before hurrying back to the kitchen. You marveled at the effort he’d put into the decor before noticing that there was already food on the table, two small salads, which made you breathe a sigh of relief. At least the appetizer was diet-friendly. You could eat all of it.

In a matter of seconds, Kyungsoo returned from the kitchen, no longer wearing the apron, but a flattering blue button-down shirt. He looked really thin in it. He carried two plates of the famous spaghetti and you wondered how he could eat so many carbs and still look so handsome. It was probably all the dancing, but still. He set the plates on the table and it smelled even more delicious when you could see the two giant heaps of perfectly plated pasta. Your mouth was watering; you couldn’t help it.

Maybe the diet can wait... no. I already messed up once, big time. I came with a gameplan, time to use it.

“It looks so good! I can’t believe I finally get to taste this.”

Kyungsoo sat across from you and couldn’t stop grinning.

“Eat up, Jagi.”

He was watching, probably wanting to witness your first bite. You opened your mouth and closed your eyes, letting out an almost vulgar sound as you tasted the food and leaned back in your chair and your arms got goosebumps. It wasn’t an act; it was that delicious. Jongin hadn’t lied; it did make you want to faint.

When you swallowed and opened your eyes, he was by your side, arms outstretched to catch you if you fell over in your seat.

“Calm down!” he said with a chuckle.

“Soo... how did you get this good at cooking? Your voice, your dancing, your acting, and now this?! Why are you so good at stuff?!” You didn’t mean to yell at him, but you had gotten too excited. He kissed the top of your head and petted your hair.

“It’s just spaghetti.“

He laughed to himself about that outburst, unable to take his own first bite for a good minute. “So cute...” you thought you heard him mumble under his breath.

It had been so long since you had tasted food you actually wanted to eat, not just to fuel your body, but food that made you happy. Now would it be impossible to stick to your diet and not inhale your new favorite food? No, it was not time to be weak just because Kyungsoo’s cooking was straight from a gourmet 5-star restaurant. He could always make more pasta when you are thinner. It was time to eat the salad first, then take as few tiny bites as possible of the delicious pasta, savoring each one. Someone else could get fat off the leftovers. Jongin liked to eat, maybe him.

“So, how’s your work going?” Kyungsoo asked after taking a few bites. “You’re not still stressed out are you?“

You hated to admit it, but lately your work had taken a backseat to your diet, causing you even more stress. Worrying about your next meal, how many carbs and calories it had, took up a lot more time than simply ordering delivery so you could continue working.

“A little bit,” you told him. “But it’ll get better soon. I just need to get over this hump of work, and it’ll be much easier.” You took a bite of the salad, also very tasty, but your gaze kept drifting to the spaghetti.

“Well, forget about it for now. I want us to have a nice night,” he said with a kind smile. Gosh, he was so sweet to you. And here you were, blimping up on this wonderful man. You needed to stay attractive for him.

“What about you?” you asked. “How’s the comeback coming along?”

He didn’t end up talking about the comeback very much because he got caught up in what happened just this morning before vocal practice. The beagle line had conspired to hide all of Jongin’s underwear while he was in the shower, leaving him running confused circles all over the dorm in his towel. It wasn’t until Junmyeon went into his room to change that he found one pair in his closet, another on his desk, and another on the lamp. The beagles had gotten “one hell of a beating,” Kyungsoo said, as he defended Jongin, even though Jongin thought it was funny.

“It's kinda funny...” you admitted with a giggle.

“No, it’s not!” he said with his mouth full. “Jongin needs his underwear!”

“Wow,” you laughed as you swallowed your last bite of the salad. “You take such good care of Jongin. You sure you’re not going to leave me for him one day?”

“Don’t be silly, Jagi,” he said shaking his head before taking another bite. It looked like you hadn’t even touched your giant helping of spaghetti, but Kyungsoo was halfway done with his. “How’s the food?”

“Fantastic, thank you so much,” you said a bit too boisterously to cover the fact that you didn’t plan to eat much more than you already had. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay this.” You gestured to the food, the candles, the rose petals, the whole setup.

Maybe by looking good for him? Maybe try that?

“Don’t say that, you don’t have to repay me. I enjoy cooking for you, it makes me happy,” he said with a shy smile, looking down at his plate rather than at you. “As long as you eat well, that’s repayment more than I could ask for.”

You smiled back at him and wanted to pinch his little pink-tinted cheeks. You also wanted to acquire the metabolism of an Olympian so you could eat Kyungsoo’s food all day without gaining a pound.

You can do this... one small bite, chew thirty times, swallow, drink water, then wait and take another bite.

“You’ve hardly touched your spaghetti, though,” he said. “It’s not cold, is it?” He set down his utensils and made to stand up. “I can warm it up, if you’d like.”

“No, no, sit, sit, it’s great.”

He relaxed and continued to eat. You took another tiny bite, your willpower winning out against your appetite.

The second bite of the spaghetti hit you just as hard as the first and you couldn’t help but go “mmmmMMMMMmmmmMMMMMmmmm” as you chewed. It made him laugh again.

“You’re so cute, Jagi...” he mumbled a bit louder this time.

He reached across the table to grab your free hand, gently rubbing his thumb across your skin. He looked into your eyes as he did so, and said, “I’m really enjoying this time with you,” making you blush and avert your gaze. You could hear the other members in your mind, if they were to walk in right now and see you two like this.

Baekhyun: “Blech! Cheesier than the spaghetti...!”

Jongdae: “Oooo, _______ and Kyungsoo sitting in a tree~”

Junmyeon: “You better remember what I told you about being safe, Kyungsoo.”

Oh man, you were so glad he’d sent them all away. The one-on-one time was exactly what you two needed. The other members also didn’t need to see how much weight you had gained.

“Ahh~,” you heard as he let go of your hand. He'd finished with his food. You could barely tell he’d eaten; he wasn’t bloated at all under that shirt! The same flat stomach remained. You envied him. “Jagi, are you feeling okay? It doesn’t look like you ate any of the spaghetti....“

“I’m just full, is all,” you said, both elated and distraught that you were going to stop eating the delicious meal.

“Really? I thought you were hungry. You always eat much more than that.“

I know... I’m such a fat piggy.

“I don’t know, I guess today I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I was.”

“...Well, okay,” he said, sounding disappointed. “It’s not as good after refrigeration, are you sure you can’t eat anymore?”

I’m so horrible... letting him slave in the kitchen making a bunch of food for me only for me to not eat it. It’s for the greater good though... short-term loss of food, long-term loss of weight.

“One more bite,” you said. He watched as you lifted the tiny portion into your mouth, once again overcome with the flavor, savoring your last bite. When you met his eyes again, he was frowning.

“It’s really delicious, Soo. I’m so sorry I can’t eat more,” you said quickly.

“______, I think there’s something you’d better tell me. Is there?”

“No, no! What is there to tell? I’m just not hungry.”

“You ate a salad, and a few tiny bites of the spaghetti. Did you have a big meal before you came?”

“Of course I didn’t. I was waiting for this really good food.”

“Then I don’t understand, do you feel sick?”

“No...” you said, getting quieter.

He opened his mouth to question you further, but decided against it and took both your plates to the kitchen, leaving you slightly shaken in your seat.

He’s not happy... why didn’t I just eat the food? It was so good, I want more! I could just throw it up later... but I hate doing that. And I’d feel so guilty, then no one else would be able to eat it. It’s best if he saves it for Jongin or someone else. He’s not really mad about this, he’s just a little worried.

He came back into the dining room, taking your hand to lead you to the TV room. He sat on the corner of the sectional sofa, propping his feet up on the ottoman, and pulled you down next to him with a sad sigh. He picked up the remote.

You looked at him, but didn’t ask a question.

“I was looking forward to serving your favorite dessert. I made a cremé brulee for us to share,” he admitted without you prompting.

Your heart sank. That was your favorite dessert. You were almost willing to break your diet and go back on your lie about being full. But you were in too deep. Instead you put on your happy face and scooted closer to him. “Aww! I can’t believe you went through all the trouble to make that! Don’t those take a long time?”

He nodded, eyes ahead on the TV as he selected a movie, and you laid your head on his shoulder. “You shouldn’t have,” you said, before a loud noise made your heart stop and made Kyungsoo stiffen up.

It was your stomach, growling at you for depriving it of food for so long, teasing it with an appetizer-sized portion, then depriving it again. It finally had enough.

Kyungsoo turned his head down in your direction. He said nothing, he only looked at you, eyes flooded with disappointment.

What could you say? I’m sorry for lying, the food was unbelievable and I’ve been wanting to try for a long time, but I can’t eat like I used to because I don’t want to gain any more weight because I’m afraid if I get too big you’ll leave me?

Or how about, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but now that I have, I’m sorry but I need to be strict with my diet because I’ve already lost eight pounds and I won’t be able to lose eight more if I keep eating delicious carby foods?

You didn’t say any of those things though. The tears came before you could think of what to tell him. You threw yourself to the other side of the couch, too ashamed to look at him or cry on his shoulder after lying to him.

Look what I’ve done... now he has a fat-ass liar crying in the middle of what was supposed to be a fun date night, now all ruined.... I should just leave.

You pushed yourself from the couch and were about to run out of the room when you felt his hand around your wrist. You looked back, and couldn’t see through your tears. Blinking them away revealed his eyes, full of concern.

He pulled you back down onto the couch and held you against his chest, his warmth, steady breathing, and hand patting your back both calmed you and intensified your cries. You didn’t deserve this angel-on-earth of a man, holding your heavy body against his, letting you get his shirt wet after listening to your lies. How soon would he break it off? It was only a matter of time. Maybe he could have handled a fat you, because you could lose the weight eventually, but not a fat liar. That was too much.

“Jagiya,” he whispered next to your ear. “Are you ready to talk now?”

You might as well get it over with.

You sat up, took a deep breath to steady yourself, and wiped your eyes. You hated when anyone saw you cry, but especially Kyungsoo. You didn’t like to be this vulnerable.

“I’m sorry, Kyungsoo,” you croaked, unable to meet his eyes.

He reached out to cup your cheek, tilting your head up and wiping a tear with his thumb. He looked at you calmly, with a small smile on his face that said to continue.

“It’s just...” you began, “I don’t want to gain any more weight.”

It was the first time you'd admitted it aloud, even to yourself. Kyungsoo’s expression became one of confusion and he waited for you to elaborate.

“With the stress of all the work I have to do, and being sad from not seeing you, and not having time to get anything but fast food, and using sweets as comfort... it got so out of control. I didn’t even notice it myself until that day I went in for the check-up and the number on the scale said I weighed... a lot more than I thought I did. And I finally noticed my pants do feel a bit tight, and these shirts aren’t fitting right. I really have grown... And for the past month I’ve been trying to lose the weight, so you wouldn’t even notice I’d gained it, but it’s been so hard... just so hard, and so slow. And you’re an amazing chef, so I knew if I let myself eat too much of your food, I would lose control again.“

You were out of breath from speaking so fast and you had to take a break. But before you could breathe, Kyungsoo’s lips were on yours, gently pressing in a kiss and leaving you even more out of breath. He leaned back just far enough for you to see his whole face.

“I’m glad you told me this,” he said, almost too quiet to hear. “I would have never known that was what you were feeling, because you look just as wonderful as ever to me.”

“You mean... you didn’t even notice?” you asked, blinking away more tears.

“All I see is my gorgeous Jagi fretting over something that shouldn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters!” you said a little too loudly, which got you another soft kiss as he petted your hair.

“Shh... no it doesn’t. I don’t love you because of your size. I love you because of how much fun we have together, how you make me feel.”

Love. It wasn’t often he said that out loud. You could feel your cheeks burning beneath his touch as he wiped away more tears.

“And I won’t be happy unless you love yourself, too,” he said, pulling you against him and burying his face in your neck.

It was almost too much affection for you at once, but you let yourself melt into his hug before whispering, “I love you, Kyungsoo.”

“I love you too, ______.”

“I’m sorry for lying... I really do want to eat your spaghetti. Jongin was right, it is so good it makes you want to faint.“

He let out a low chuckle and you could feel him smiling against you.

“But I’m also serious about my health. I don’t want my weight to get out of control and for it to really become a problem, because if I’m stressed and I don’t watch what I eat, I’ll just eat everything.”

He pulled back and said with a shy smile, “I like that you eat everything... but I understand.”

“I can’t eat anything I want anymore without feeling the consequences...” you lamented.

He nodded. “I want to keep cooking for you, so how about this: I’ll learn some new healthy recipes, and we can eat them together. I want to support your diet, if that’s what you really want.”

An involuntary grin appeared on your face. “I would love that, Soo.”

“But remember this, and this will always be true...” He remained looking into your eyes. “No matter how you look or what your size is, as long as you love yourself, that’s all that matters. Because I’ll love you no matter what.”

The tears were back. You tackled him against the couch and gave him as long of a kiss as you could manage with what short breath you had. He gladly received it and rode his hands up and down your back.

He cares so much....

He loves me so much....

You broke the kiss and he looked up at you with big, loving eyes. He was about to speak, but another sound interrupted him. This time, it wasn’t your stomach, but the front door opening.

“Stop talking about it!” It was Junmyeon’s voice.

“I can’t wait to tell Yixing what you said about his photoshoot.” It was Baekhyun’s voice.

“Oooh, too handsome, too handsome,” Jongdae mocked.

“I didn’t say it like that!”

You and Kyungsoo both snickered at that, but he was quick to roll out from under you and pull you in the direction of his room, and you quickly followed. If the beagles were in a teasing mood, you two would certainly be their next target, especially if they found you on top of him on the couch with no movie playing.

Once inside his room, you said, “Umm, Kyungsoo... could I maybe have just a little more food? Maybe the spaghetti and the cremé brulee?” It was only one meal, made by the man you loved who loved to see you enjoy his food. One special night wouldn’t turn you into a blimp. And if it did, you’d still have his love. (But it wouldn’t, it is just one meal.)

“Of course,” he said with a grin. You could tell he had been wondering whether or not you would ask. “You stay here.”

He dashed to the kitchen, and you heard Baekhyun’s voice once again: “Soo, guess what! Hey, where’s your jaaagi?”

There was a silence. Kyungsoo didn’t speak loudly enough for you to hear him from the kitchen, and you wondered what he was saying.

“OW!” you heard shortly before he returned.

“Did you hit him?” you asked.

He gave you his “of course” face and carried the tray of food to his bed. You sat in the middle, next to it, the smell of the food making you bounce with excitement. He had halved your portion and let you know that you two were going to share the dessert first.

“I’m really excited to try it, I’ve never made this before,” he said, chipping away at the top of the cremé brulee with his spoon. “But you first, Jagi.” He held a spoonful up to your lips.

“Oh my-- Soo!!” The food almost fell out of your mouth because you were so pleased with how good it tasted. You swallowed. “This is just like from a restaurant!”

He gave you that shy laugh you always loved to see. “Is it really?” He tried a bite, his eyes widened, and he nodded his head. “You’re right!”

You had your mouth opened wide for more and he gladly fed you, continuing to laugh at your reactions to how it tasted because you were going a little crazy, shaking your fists with excitement for the current and the next bite.

“This is why I love you, ______,” he said as he spooned more dessert into your mouth.

“Because I eat like an overly excited puppy?” you asked with a giggle.

“Yes! I love that my food makes you so happy, because food is supposed to make you happy.”

He was right. Maybe food didn’t have to make you anxious and stressed.

”Not everyone would react this way, and I love that we can bond over food,” he said, raising the spoon once again. Your excited bouncing made him get a little cremé brulee on your cheek before inside your mouth, too far for your tongue to reach. Still laughing, he reached forward with a napkin, but then hesitated. He put the napkin down and reached for the back of your neck. You closed your eyes and felt his warm tongue on your cheek, followed by several soft kisses.

You weren’t sure if you fell backward on your own or if he pushed you down, but he was on top of you, planting kisses all down your neck to your collarbone and rubbing up and down your side with his hand, a thumb sneaking beneath your shirt for a brief second. You reveled in the short moment, a hand threaded through his hair, unable to remember a recent time when he had been this affectionate with you.

When you felt his warmth leave your body, you opened your eyes and he still had that adorable, shy smile on his face.

“You’re so perfect,” he said looking down at you, shaking his head.

You covered your face, grinning, giggling, not knowing what to say back. He pulled both of your hands away, but held onto one as he leaned down for more soft kisses.

“Kyungsoo...” you whispered.

“Yes?” he breathed against your neck.

“I’m hungry.”

You could smell his his spaghetti breath, which you didn’t mind, except it was making you remember there was a plate of the best food in the world next to you that wasn’t getting any warmer. So you had to choose which you needed more at that moment, kisses or kimchi?

He burst out laughing and got off of you. “I could only distract you for so long....” You sat up as well and reached for the spaghetti, but he got to it first and held the first bite up to your mouth. You opened. You didn’t mind being fed, especially if it was going to keep that goofy grin on his face all night.

You chewed and swallowed without an ounce of guilt, finishing the plate within minutes. “Ahh~ now I’m full.”

“Good.” Kyungsoo didn’t miss a beat; he pushed you back down on his bed and went straight back to kissing your neck and rubbing your side. There was no way to avoid a mark at this point, might as well let him continue. Since he found out you enjoyed his love bites, it was one of his favorite things to give you. You hoped it would be heart-shaped.

When he concluded he had done a thorough job, he lifted off but still hovered above you.

“You made this night so special,” you said, touching his smiling face. “Thank you, Kyungsoo, for the food and the love.”

“I hope we can make this a regular event... there’s a ginger salad dressing recipe I’ve been thinking about trying.”

You nodded emphatically. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

You pulled him back down and spent the rest of your night together sharing more slow kimchi kisses and cuddling your loving boyfriend Kyungsoo.

114 notes · View notes

sarahw-world · 7 years

Text

My first fanfic: “A Dark Heart“

Chapter 19: A Big Bowl Of Strawberries

Summary: Bulma and Vegeta depart from Planet Z365 in search of a new adventure...

Notes:

I'm back!

I'm really sorry this update took me so long, but my chapters seem to be naturally getting longer for some reason and I worked a bit harder than usual on this one.

I hope you guys like it...

Bulma unfastened the safety belt of the pilot’s seat with trembling hands.

It’d all happened so fast ever since Vegeta had agreed to take her with him on his little solo mission that it was still hard for her to assimilate her new circumstances.

They’d both gotten dressed and left Planet Z365 in the middle of the night. Vegeta had allowed the heiress a quick visit to her friends’ room to communicate their new plan and say her goodbyes. Bulma had asked the Prince to let Krillin and Yamcha leave the planet and go back to Earth with the other space ship, but the Saiyan warrior had vehemently forbidden both men to do so and had given strict orders to his men that, even though the earthlings were to be treated with respect and hospitality at all times, they would not abandon the planet unless their Master gave them a different order.

The woman had been worried at first, after all, she was fully aware of the fact that most of the men in Vegeta’s army were much stronger than her friends, but when she’d raised her concerns to her mate he’d almost gotten offended at the mere insinuation that his subordinates would dare to disobey a direct command coming from him.

So Bulma had finally decided to trust the Prince’s word and intuition once again, and after exchanging a few comforting words and some very effusive hugs with Krillin and Yamcha, she finally got inside the ship with Vegeta, ready to embark on her next journey with the Prince. Despite her natural love for adventure and exciting new experiences, she was mostly just happy to get to spend some private time alone with her mate, secretly hoping he’d relax and loosen up a bit around her when it was finally just the two of them.

The ship’s take off had gone well, but it’d also been a bit rough and that, combined with her fatigue and the fact that she hadn’t eaten much in the past few days, made her feel momentarily dizzy. The scientist remained sited on the chair for a few minutes, breathing deeply and slowly in an attempt to calm down and make the sudden wave of nausea go away. The last thing she needed was to make a fool of herself by getting sick in front of Vegeta…

“Are you alright, woman?” A soft masculine voice asked.

Bulma opened her eyes and realized the Saiyan was now standing right in front of her, looking at her with barely hidden concern.

“Yeah… I’m fine…” She whispered in a trembling voice.

Vegeta knelt down and inspected her with dark, penetrating eyes. He held one of her hands and frowned when he realized it was cold and covered by a thin sheen of sweat. His woman was also looking paler and thinner than usual.

“When was the last time you ate?” He finally asked.

“Um… I don’t know…” Bulma replied shyly.

When was the last time she’d had something to eat?

Certainly, not that day; after waking up early in the morning and discovering the Prince wounded on the floor of the Gravity Room, she’d been focused on healing him. Then they’d slept together for quite a few hours, only to wake up and end up going back to Frieza’s old palace and have that intense argument as the night fell.

“A bit more than a day, I think…”

Vegeta’s eyes widened a little.

“Tch! You had no breakfast this morning?” He enquired again, trying to hide his worry behind a false mask of anger.

“N-No…” The heiress continued. “But it’s okay. I’m fine, really…”

“This will not do, woman.”

Before Bulma had time to react, she felt her mate’s strong arms lift her effortlessly from the pilot’s seat, holding her and carrying her bridal-style to the kitchenette.

“Silly woman…” He mumbled irritably. “You will eat some food right now. I will not have you falling ill during this trip. It’s bad enough that I have agreed to bring you with me on this mission, but I don’t wish to have to waste my time taking care of you simply because you’ve been fool enough to neglect your self-care, are we clear on that?”

The blue haired woman nodded slowly, overwhelmed by her body’s weakness and the sensation of Vegeta’s solid embrace surrounding her.

Vegeta sat her delicately on one of the tall kitchen chairs and looked around as if looking for something.

“Where’s the food, woman?”

“There are a couple of capsule pouches inside that first drawer.”

The Prince opened the place the heiress was pointing at and offered her the small container.

“Which one is it?” He asked again.

“Here.” Bulma replied as she handed him a tiny blue capsule. “The blue ones contain refrigerated and frozen meals and the red ones packaged food that doesn’t need to be kept cold”.

Vegeta clicked on the capsule’s button and threw it at a safe distance, revealing a massive refrigerator, just like the woman had promised. He opened and inspected it, unable to stop his stomach from growling at the sight of all the delicious food standing right in front of him, waiting to be devoured.

“I think there are some frozen lasagnas in the freezer, I’ll have one myself…” The heiress whispered, making a move to get up and grab the frozen meal herself, only to be stopped by her mate’s hand.

“Stay where you are, I’ll take care of it,” he said in a voice that told her his decision was non-negotiable.

He knelt on the floor, inspecting the contents of the large freezer, and finally grabbed a handful of boxes, walking towards the small kitchen counter where the microwave and the oven were.

“Vegeta… I’m fine, really… I can do it myself, just let me…”

“What’s the matter, woman? You think me so stupid that you believe I won’t be able to use your primitive kitchen appliances?” He said looking at her with a malicious smirk on his handsome face.

Bulma didn’t answer, finally deciding to simply sit on the chair and let the warrior do all the work. She knew her mom had taught the Saiyan how to heat up the meals she constantly left for him in the refrigerator back at home. His training schedule had always been chaotic and brutal, so it wasn’t uncommon for the warrior to finish his workouts long after everyone else had gone to bed. She was aware of the fact that his knowledge of their written language was limited, but it was good enough for him to read simple things such as food labels.

Still, the heiress couldn’t help but smile a little at the sight of her favorite man making the effort to prepare a meal for her, even if it was just by sticking it in the oven for a few minutes. As they both shared a comfortable silence while they waited for their food to be ready, Bulma examined his body language and realized that, even though he was still trying to keep his tough warrior façade, he also seemed to be concerned for her well-being, and he definitely looked more relaxed than when he was around his men.

That had to be a good sign…

The sound of a plate being placed in front of her brought her back to reality and, before she had time to get up, Vegeta also handed her a clean fork he’d found on the second drawer, a napkin and a bottle of cold mineral water.

“Th-Thanks…” She mumbled in awe at the sudden acts of kindness coming from her Prince.

He simply grunted, turning around and going back to heating up his own packaged meals, and the blue haired woman could swear she’d seen the hint of a blush on his tanned cheeks.

“Eat, woman,” he ordered after noticing his mate hadn’t touched her lasagna yet.

“I was just waiting for you…” She replied timidly.

“Bulma, that won’t be necessary. Just start without me…”

The sound of her name on his lips, combined with his softer than usual tone of voice made her nod and dig into her meal without any further complaints. It was almost as if he knew exactly when and how to say her name to make her melt entirely…

Not long after, Vegeta placed his own trays of food on the table and joined her, silently enjoying his generous meal with her.

The food truly was delicious, and Bulma couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness, realizing once again how much she missed her mom and her home cooked meals. She kept telling herself that in the end all the grief and loneliness would be worth it, and she felt especially hopeful seeing the Saiyan’s worry about her health.

On his part, Vegeta was in Heaven. For all the silly Earth customs he didn’t care about or simply didn’t even understand, he had to admit they had the most enjoyable food he’d encountered in all the worlds he’d ever visited, and they’d been quite a few. Bulma, surprisingly, wasn’t a bad cook herself, but her mother’s cooking skills were outstanding, and the only thing that had made him mildly tolerate her goofy and embarrassing antics.

During his first few weeks in space, he’d lived on the food supplies his little mate always prepared for him whenever he traveled on one of his long training missions. But he’d eventually run out of them, and had to find other ways to satisfy his insatiable Saiyan appetite.

In the last stage of his space travels, Vegeta had gotten used to hunting wild animals, which he always cooked with a simple ki blast. His diet also included whatever fresh fruits and vegetables he could find and encapsulate, after making sure they were not poisonous, of course. His extremely sensitive sense of smell was of great assistance on those occasions, helping him discern the edible from the inedible most of the time.

As he finished his third lasagna and dug into a huge serving of beef stew with vegetables and cooked rice, the Prince couldn’t help but feel grateful that he hadn’t had to resort to eating dead aliens, something he’d sadly had to do on rare occasions during his purging missions with Raditz and Nappa. The mere thought disgusted him now but, at the time, it had been the only way to subsist when there were no other choices available. In those days, survival was the only thing that truly mattered.

How different things had been back then…

Bulma had certainly been the one to change his life irreparably.

The woman had invited him into her home and opened his eyes to a new way of life in the process, offering him a world of pleasure, of warm succulent foods he could savor without the fear of getting poisoned, and soft comfortable beds where he could sleep soundly with both eyes closed.

And, of course, she’d given him the most valuable thing of all: herself.

What at the beginning had started as a purely physical attraction had turned into the only real intimate connection he’d ever shared with another living creature. The warmth of her body, her clever little mouth that could both spew the sharpest insults and the kindest words of support at once, her generosity, intelligence, bravery and tenacity had been something he’d never really expected to encounter in the past.

He glanced surreptitiously at the frail female still focused on her half-eaten meal and he wondered if he’d ever be able to go back to her, to live and share his life with Bulma and their child.

A life of harmony and comfort, a family life…

Family.

He’d never had a family, had he? At least, not one he could actually remember with clarity…

He was a loner, a vagabond with no home and no roots to speak of, and above all, he was a warrior. A killing machine that had been born to fight, destroy and conquer, or die trying. Could he just go back to Earth and live the peaceful life of a family man? And most importantly, did he even deserve such a chance?

The Saiyan was no fool. Even though he’d lived a life of mayhem and destruction he’d always known right from wrong on some level and he knew someone like him was inescapably destined to an eternity burning in Hell.

Sure, his accidental resurrection and new life on Bulma’s planet had given him the brief glimpse of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could redeem himself by ascending to Super Saiyan status and destroying those fucking androids that had made his son’s and mate’s lives a living hell in a different timeline. Throughout those three years spent on Earth, he’d created a pretty grandiose image of himself inside his head, the illusion that he’d have the chance, for once in his life, to go from villain to hero, from killer to savior.

Oh yes, it would have been a glorious moment indeed…

Instead, his nemesis had sacrificed himself in battle like a goddamned martyr, and an eleven-year old kid had killed the monster no one else had been able to defeat.

On his rare good days, he kept reminding himself that he’d contributed to Cell’s defeat, by helping Goku’s child when he was running out of energy.

On his bad days, however…

Well, on his bad days he literally felt like nothing, like the pathetic shell of a warrior that deserved to crawl into some obscure long-forgotten corner of the Universe and die alone.

If he was completely honest with himself, at times he wished he hadn’t even been resurrected to begin with, and he felt like the Gods had brought him back to life only to toy with his pride and laugh at him once again, the same way they had mocked him during his death at the hands of the repulsive purple lizard that had ruined his childhood and stolen his innocence in so many ways…

“Boy… I’m stuffed!” Bulma giggled, gently pushing her unfinished meal away and patting her small belly.

The sound of her laughter was enough to push his old demons away, and the warrior examined her plate, frowning in disapproval.

“You haven’t even finished your meal, woman… Eat!” He ordered.

“What? Yes, I have! I’m full!” The heiress whined, almost as if she were a little girl being scolded by her parents.

Vegeta studied her again, noticing that a little color had already returned to Bulma’s smooth cheeks and she seemed to be in better spirits. He avoided her gaze again as soon as she offered him one of those sweet smiles full of gratitude that unnerved him so much.

“It was really good…” She said in a low voice, kindly caressing one of his hands. “Thank you, Vegeta…”

The Prince shook her off immediately, shrugging and feeling his face get distressingly hot.

“Tch! You don’t have to thank me, woman… All I did was stick that thing in the oven…” He replied, still not looking at her, focusing on his meal as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

The blue haired beauty smiled knowingly, feeling really tempted to let him know how fucking cute he looked when he was all embarrassed by someone else’s thankfulness towards him, but finally choosing to let it go so she wouldn’t ruin the moment.

“Still… It was very sweet of you…” She took a large sip of her cold water before she continued. “You were right… I’m feeling much better already…”

Vegeta simply grunted and shrugged again, trying to let the subject go; fewer things made him feel more uncomfortable than Bulma thanking him for something, for anything really, especially taking into account how many things his mate had already done for him and his blatant incompetence at showing her his appreciation for most of them.

As if she could read his mind, the earthling got up and started to clear the table, putting the large amount of already empty dishes inside the dishwasher and pretending not to notice the man’s flushed face. He was on his seventh meal and still going strong and she secretly wondered if he was still hungry…

“Do you want me to heat up more meals for you? Or some dessert, perhaps?” She offered.

The Prince swallowed hastily before he replied.

“Dessert,” he said, his eyes never leaving his fourth beef and rice dish.

“Alright…” Bulma murmured, walking to the refrigerator and opening the door, taking a peek inside.

“Wow! My mom sure baked a lot of sweets for you! Mmmm… Let’s see… Would you like some apple pie or chocolate cake?”

Vegeta took a large sip of orange juice, directly from a large bottle, drinking half of it in one gulp.

“Both,” he finally replied.

Bulma giggled again, lighting up the room with her cheerfulness.

“Very well, Your Highness…” She said mockingly, placing both desserts on the table, right in front of him. “There you go… Let me get you a knife… Are you done with this?” She asked pointing at the last empty plate he’d just finished. The warrior assented and Bulma grabbed it and placed it in the dishwasher with the others, she then opened the second drawer of the kitchen counter and gave her mate a dessert knife.

The Saiyan’s mouth salivated at the sight of the delicious desserts; he held the knife and proceeded to cut each one of the pastries into smaller pieces.

“Do you want a slice, woman?”

“Uh? Um, not thanks…” Bulma mumbled, already walking back to the fridge and opening it again. “I’d swear I just saw some… Oh! There they are!”

The heiress stood next to him, showing him a large bowl of something…

“Strawberries!” She said triumphantly. “You want some?”

Vegeta immediately recognized the tiny red fruits; he recalled having eaten them before and finding them quite tasty, so he grunted in agreement.

“Great! I’ll have a few and you can eat the rest! Let me wash them first…”

She placed them in the kitchen sink and thoroughly washed the juicy berries as she hummed a little song. Normally, Vegeta would have found her cheerful behavior annoying after such a long and taxing day, but today he was secretly pleased by her happy mood.

It made him feel strangely good…

Bulma set the large bowl on the table and looked through the kitchen cabinet for a smaller one, putting a few strawberries for her in it and offering Vegeta the rest.

“Wait! I know what will make them taste even better…”

A couple of minutes later, Bulma sat next to him, placing another small bowl near the juicy fruits. The warm and sweet scent let the Prince immediately know it was melted chocolate, a delicacy his woman had also introduced him to in the past...

“Here… I knew we had some chocolate somewhere, I just melted it in the microwave and now we can… Wait, are you...?”

Bulma stopped her chatter all of a sudden, gawking at Vegeta, who hadn’t been able to resist the temptation and had simply grabbed a handful of strawberries from the large bowl and shoved them into his mouth. Her shock wasn’t lost on the warrior, who finished chewing his food and swallowed quickly.

“What?” He asked, honestly not knowing what the hell he’d done wrong this time.

The heiress smiled a bit, trying not to make him feel self-conscious.

“Um… Nothing… It’s just that, well… You’re not supposed to eat the green part, that’s all…”

Vegeta frowned.

How the fuck was he supposed to know that?

Before he had time to come up with some snarky reply in order to try to hide his embarrassment, Bulma simply kept talking.

“Here, let me show you…”

Bulma grabbed one of the tiny fruits in her small hand and held it by the little patch of green leaves.

“You hold it like this, and then you dip it…” She then submerged the tip of the juicy berry and brought it to her lips, quickly licking a tiny drop of chocolate that was about to drip with the tip of her pink tongue and taking a small bite, moaning in delight and smiling brightly at him in satisfaction.

“See? Slowly… You have to savor it…” She smiled again in encouragement. “Now you try…”

His mortification was soon forgotten at the sight of his woman beaming, and he carefully imitated her actions, trying to enjoy the delectable fruits one by one. They ate in silence for a few minutes, and the Saiyan’s mind was gradually overflooded by memories of the time Bulma had first offered him a taste of the heavenly treat.

Of course, it hadn’t been precisely in the kitchen…

It had taken place during one of her nocturnal visits to his almost empty bedroom back at the Capsule Corp. compound. The woman had just recently declared her interest in him in her usual courageous manner: by simply grabbing him and crushing her lips against his in the middle of the Gravity Room during one of their daily heated arguments. His dark eyes had widened in shock at her bold behavior, but he’d quickly allowed himself to play her little game by responding to her actions and deepening their kiss.

A shiver run down his spine as he recalled the look on her face when she’d finally let go of him, desperately gasping for air, her pouty lips swollen by their passionate kiss and a tinge of insecurity in her eyes. For a brief moment, they just stared into each other’s eyes not really knowing what to say, before the Prince finally decided to throw caution to the wind and repeat their actions once again, aggressively joining his lips to hers and clutching her soft petite body tightly against his muscular one.

It was fucking incredible…

The second time she’d let go of him, her attitude had changed, and there was a newfound cockiness in her eyes, the confidence of a woman who’d just discovered that the desire she felt towards a man was mutual. She offered him a mischievous smile, so promising that, as the warrior watched her turn around and walk away sensuously swaying her hips on her way out, he knew it wouldn’t be long before she’d approach him again.

He’d been right…

That night he was awaken by the faint sounds of her small feet on his room’s blue carpet, and once again, she took the initiative by brazenly lifting the bed sheets and getting into bed with him.

He’d been sleeping with his face towards the outside window and felt his body immediately freeze when Bulma, probably believing he was asleep, had simply slid one of her arms underneath his waist, effectively wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight as she buried her cute nose on the back of his neck and pressed her warm form against his.

They stayed that way for a few minutes that seemed like an eternity to Vegeta, and never had the Saiyan Prince felt the internal turmoil he experienced during that time.

Eventually, just as the heiress’ breathing had started to slow down, a sign that she was drifting off, he turned around in one smooth motion, startling the woman, who quickly took her arms away from his body. Before he had time to regret his actions, he grabbed her thin wrists and pinned them above her head, making use of his much-prized control in a colossal effort not to hurt her.

Bulma instinctively wrapped her long legs around his hips, and he felt his cock harden just by the mere proximity of her warmth. For the first time in a very long time, the warrior truly didn’t know what to do, so he simply stared into her eyes again, just as he’d done hours earlier inside his training chamber, until he finally managed to ask the question that would change their lives forever…

“Woman, are you sure this is what you really want?” He whispered against her trembling lips, feeling her warm breath increasingly speed up at his words.

Vegeta had to know, he needed to know, that the woman knew what she was getting herself into by agreeing to share the bed of a killer, and as usual, her reply was just as daring and shameless as the heiress herself…

The little woman simply raised her head and trapped his lower lip between her teeth hard enough to make him feel the taste of copper in his mouth. The unexpected action would have normally infuriated him but, instead, it awakened a primal, animalistic side of him, and no more questions were asked as they both finally gave in to each other’s desires freely.

It had been a memorable night indeed, and when Vegeta finally left his room early in the morning for his daily grueling training session, he took a last lingering look at the sleeping figure of the exhausted woman still laying on his bed, secretly wondering if the heiress would regret her actions after she woke up.

She didn’t.

Not only that, but from that moment on, Bulma visited his room almost nightly, and much to his shame, the Prince found himself looking forward to their private moments together.

It was during one of those night incursions that the blue haired beauty had brought what she’d called “a little surprise” for him, cheekily forcing the Saiyan to close his eyes and let her have her way with him. After feigning annoyance for a few minutes, he’d finally decided to follow her instructions, secretly curious about her real intentions, only to find his bronzed skin covered by something warm, sticky and sweet-smelling. Before he had time to complain, his mate’s clever little tongue started to work her magic, silencing him for good at first, only to end up making him scream her blasted name as he spilled himself inside her hot wet mouth.

That intoxicating little minx and her silly games of pleasure…

He’d missed her.

Now, sitting in a dark tiny kitchen in the middle of space, he could acknowledge, once and for all and only to himself, how much he’d missed his little mate.

Both lovers had finished their strawberries by now, and Bulma was innocently toying with the remains of the melted chocolate, sliding one of her dainty index fingers across the small bowl and licking it absentmindedly. This gesture would have normally had a sexual connotation, but the Prince quickly noticed that her pretty face was filled with something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Melancholy?

“That was going to be my first wish, you know?” She finally said, offering him a sad smile.

Oh, yeah…

It was melancholy…

Vegeta didn’t break his silence, not quite knowing what the beautiful woman was talking about, and he simply raised an eyebrow questioningly, crossing his arms across his chest and laying back on the chair, waiting patiently for the explanation he knew was coming.

“The Dragon Balls…” She further explained. “You know… When I first met Goku…”

The Saiyan’s body instinctively tensed at the sound of his old enemy’s name, but he remained quiet, since he was aware of the fact that the third-class warrior had also been his woman’s best friend. The couple hadn’t really talked about Kakarot ever since he’d sacrificed in vain to save the Earth, but Vegeta could clearly hear the pain in the scientist’s voice as she recalled her adventures with the man she’d often described as her ‘little brother’…

“Goku…” She whispered, almost to herself. “He was always different, even back then… I should have known…” She chuckled sadly.

“What?” He enquired nonchalantly, but secretly still feeling a hint of curiosity about his deceased rival.

“That he was different,” Bulma replied, mildly surprised by Vegeta’s sudden interest in her stories.

“I actually shot him when we first met, can you believe that?”

“Shot?”

“Yeah, with a gun! And nothing! It didn’t hurt him in the least. I should have known back then that he was an alien…”

“How old were you?” He asked again.

“Uh? Um… Sixteen, I think… Yeah, sixteen… And Goku was eleven, even though at first he told me he was fourteen… He was so small in those days…”

The Prince smiled inwardly, trying to picture his woman as a teenage girl holding a weapon and attempting to shoot a Saiyan child. No wonder she hadn’t been able to hurt him, since their skin was much more resilient than that of humans. Still, the woman had always had guts, he gave her that.

“Yeah… He always behaved like an alien, I guess…” She giggled at her own memories. “Did you know he couldn’t even tell if people were male or female?”

Vegeta couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at that.

“You can’t be serious…”

Bulma chuckled again.

“I am! You know what he used to do? He used to pat people on the crotch and ask them if they were a boy or a girl…”

She shook her head.

“He even stole my underwear while I was asleep once because he wanted to see if I had balls like his grandfather… You don’t wanna know how I found out he’d taken them…”

The man remained silent, not knowing whether he should be amused at the young boy’s antics or jealous that the clown had seen his woman’s intimate parts even before he had, but Bulma gave him little time to ponder as she kept talking.

“There was no malice in him though… So I couldn’t even get mad at him for too long. He was pretty much the same as he was as an adult…” She said in a voice filled with nostalgia.

“So, he was always an idiot, then…” Vegeta replied maliciously.

“Mmm… I’d say he was naïve… Very naïve… But he was clever when it came to fighting, I guess… It must be that Saiyan blood, uh?”

Vegeta nodded in agreement.

It looked like, in spite of the childhood accident that had drastically changed the personality of the third-class warrior, his Saiyan instincts and thirst for battle had always been present in the child’s life.

“That’s what I thought…” Bulma said after her mate’s gesture confirmed her suspicions regarding Goku’s behavior.

“Anyway… As I was saying, the first thing I wanted to wish with the Dragon Balls was strawberries…”

“Strawberries?” He asked incredulously.

“Yup! All the strawberries I could eat!”

“Woman, you are utterly insane…” He continued, shaking his head in disbelief and making Bulma blush.

“Oh, shush!” She yelled in embarrassment. “I was a kid!”

“Tch! That’s no excuse for having such ridiculous thoughts, woman. Even at that age I would have never wasted a wish on something so ridiculous, especially considering what you were asking for was something you could purchase at any food store.”

“I know… I know…” She said, waving her hand in agreement.

Bulma had to bite her tongue when she felt the strong desire to ask him about what his wish would have been back then, but she also acknowledged she knew nothing about what sixteen-year-old Vegeta was like, and she didn’t feel like opening that can of worms, especially when they were finally having some kind of normal conversation.

The Saiyan and the heiress had certainly conversed in the past, but it was usually about the warrior’s training or during their passionate nights together. Never had they simply just sat in the kitchen sharing old memories, and she didn’t want to ruin such a pleasant moment.

“Like I said, that had been my first choice, but eventually I decided to change it anyway…”

“What did you ask for then, woman?” He asked with interest.

“Well…” Bulma replied, putting her elbow on the table and leaning on it, placing her soft cheek in her hand as she continued her recollection of past events. “I actually never got the chance to ask for anything, because a lot of stuff happened… We met some people that wanted them as well, and… Long story short, Goku ended up transforming into that giant ape form… What’s it called?”

“Oozaru” Vegeta simply answered.

“Yeah… Oozaru… Man! He almost killed us all! Thankfully Yamcha was also there, because we met during that trip, you know? And he managed to cut off Goku’s tail…” Bulma stopped for a few seconds, lost in her own memories…

“So, eventually Oolong was the one that ended up making the wish…”

“Who?” The warrior asked, honestly not knowing who that was.

“One of our friends… The one that looks like a pig, remember?”

Vegeta grunted, quickly recognizing who the heiress was talking about.

“Yeah, so in the end he… You know…” She closed her eyes, and the Prince noticed the hint of a blush adorn her cheeks again.

“What?”

“He asked for some panties,” she finally said in a low voice.

The warrior remained silent, not quite believing his ears.

“Panties.”

“Yeah…”

“Panties?”

“Yup…”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, Vegeta! Panties!” She replied in exasperation and shame. “As in, woman’s underwear, you know…”

Vegeta closed his eyes and shook his head.

Typical…

Leave it to a bunch of earthlings to embark on some adventurous hunt in search of the mythical dragon balls only to ultimately make a stupid disgraceful wish with them. As if reading his mind, Bulma giggled and shook her head too.

“I know it was stupid… But looking back, I guess in the end it was a positive experience, because that’s how we all met each other, you know? So, I like to believe that everything happened for a reason…”

The Saiyan just kept staring at her with crossed arms and unfathomable eyes, feeling like he’d just discovered a little piece of his mate’s life he’d never really known before.

For some unexplainable reason, he wanted more…

“And then what happened?” He finally asked.

Bulma raised her head and those beautiful blue eyes of hers widened a little in shock. Vegeta had never really showed any kind of interest in her past adventures, and even less in what he called her ‘stupid friends’, so she decided to indulge him, without questioning the reasons behind this newfound interest in her.

She offered him a warm smile before she continued her recollection…

“Well, then…”

She talked.

She talked, and talked, and talked as her mate sat on the kitchen chair in front of her, quietly listening to her little stories. She told him about Goku and Krillin, how they met, their training with Roshi… Even though she hadn’t been present throughout many of her old friend’s adventures, Goku had visited her often after she’d gone back to Capsule Corp. to resume her normal life, or at least, what had been normal to a young girl in her position, and he’d always updated her on his latest exploits.

Bulma also shared her own youth struggles with Vegeta. How, when she’d finally decided she wanted to work with his father in the family business, Dr. Briefs had agreed on the condition that she’d first get a formal education, which she’d attempted to achieve with disastrous consequences.

Being perceived as the spoiled, wealthy heiress of an empire had been a burden to the young girl, who had been bullied and rejected by most people her age, and had eventually turned to home schooling, successfully reaching the academic status her father had required from her in less than two years, thus earning the right to finally join the company and get to work in her father’s lab.

Every now and then, Dr. Briefs would grant his adventurous daughter permission to travel with Goku in his crazy escapades, but as the Saiyan child grew stronger, so did his enemies, and Bulma admitted to not feeling safe anymore sometimes during their trips together, leaving the young boy alone throughout most of his battles in the end.

Every now and then, Vegeta would ask her a short question, or would make an insightful comment, and as the hours went by, the warrior was able to finally get a bigger picture on who his woman truly was and how she’d managed to become the extraordinary person she was today.

“So, in the end, you didn’t make your wish…” The Prince finally said, finishing his third cup of tea and placing his now empty mug on the table.

“I guess I didn’t… Although it doesn’t matter anymore, because it came true eventually…” She replied, a mysterious expression gracing her delicate features.

An intrigued Vegeta leaned his elbows on the table, getting closer to his woman, and he couldn’t help but ask his final question.

“What was your wish, woman?”

“I wanted to find the perfect man,” she whispered, almost as if she was sharing the most important and deepest secret in the entire universe. Her words momentarily silenced the Saiyan Prince, until he finally snorted, shaking his head once again.

“Don’t be ridiculous, woman! I may not know much about such matters, but I highly doubt that fool was the perfect man…”

Bulma frowned in confusion, never breaking eye contact with her mate.

“What fool?”

“The weakling! Who else? Seriously, woman, if he was the perfect man why did you end up kicking him out of your life?” He asked arrogantly.

The heiress simply looked at him and smiled softly, quickly correcting his mistake.

“Who said I was talking about Yamcha?”

Her words removed the smugness away from his face faster than the speed of light, and both lovers simply stared at each other: Bulma impatiently awaiting some kind of reaction from her mate and Vegeta completely astonished by the scientist’s revelations.

The perfect man?

Him?

She had to be joking!

Ever since they’d met he’d treated her like shit, at least, by the standards he knew Earth women had regarding their male partners…

He’d been proud and distant, always showing her courtesy, but simply because the woman had served a purpose. She’d given him food and shelter, and provided him with the best training equipment the Prince could have asked for. Still, he could admit to having never offered her any form of romantic affection, even after their private affair, or whatever it was that was going on between them, had started.

He’d given her pleasure, just as much as she’d given him, and yes, the little woman had slowly managed to get under his skin in some ways, but as far as he knew, he’d always kept a cautious distance, constantly working on maintaining those impenetrable walls he’d cleverly crafted around himself through the years.

He’d abandoned her.

Twice.

The first time, when he’d realized the woman was carrying his child, and the second time after the Cell Games. And now here she was, calling him the ‘perfect man’, her face reflecting a confidence that told him she truly believed the words that had just come out of her pretty mouth.

After what felt like an eternity, Vegeta leaned back on the chair, tiredly running his hand through his face and hair several times.

“Bulma…” He finally muttered.

He wanted to tell her she was wrong, that she was absolutely fucking crazy if she thought a bastard like him really was the perfect anything, let alone the perfect man, and yet, as he looked at those spectacular blue eyes, filled with hope and anticipation, he knew if he said any of those things he’d instantly break his woman’s heart…

“It’s been a long day, perhaps we should get some rest,” he said instead.

If he didn’t want to hurt her, he’d just failed miserably, since he immediately saw Bulma’s beautiful face fall into a sad frown.

“Oh… Right…” Bulma mumbled nervously, shyly staring at the floor while she awkwardly stood from the chair and grabbed the empty coffee mugs, placing them in the kitchen sink.

“I’m sorry… You must be tired and I’ve been just babbling all this time…” She said uncomfortably, now walking towards the living area. Before she could get too far, Vegeta held her wrist, kindly but firmly.

“There’s no need to apologize, woman, I’ve quite enjoyed our conversation,” he said in an effort to make the heiress feel better. He had the impression that she was feeling rejected by his reaction to her declaration.

And he was right.

Bulma was feeling absolutely mortified…

What had she been thinking, saying something like that? They’d just been reunited a few days ago and she’d already told him that she loved him and called him her perfect man.

She truly was pathetic, wasn’t she?

“Where are the beds, woman?” Vegeta asked, realizing Bulma’s new space ship was quite different from the one he’d used in the past.

“Um… They’re in there,” she said, pointing towards a small corridor to their right. “But I encapsulated a large bed, let me get it…”

The heiress walked to the small couch in front of the television, searching through her capsule belt and grabbing one of the tiny capsules.

“Here,” she continued, offering him the small object, which the Prince quickly took in his hand, pressing the button and throwing it in front of them. A massive king sized bed, very similar to the one Bulma had in her own bedroom back on Earth materialized, and Vegeta simply stood there, not quite knowing what to say or what their sleeping arrangement was supposed to be.

As if reading his thoughts, his mate quickly tried to appease his doubts.

“You can use it if you like, the other beds are really small and with your injury you’ll be more comfortable here…” She said timidly, wrapping her arms around herself nervously.

“You sleep here, woman, I’ll be fine in one of the single beds.”

“Are you sure about that? I don’t mind sleeping in a small bed, really…” She continued in a voice laced with honest concern for him.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“Bulma…” He started, but his woman immediately cut him off.

“Alright, suit yourself…” She finally murmured, giving him her back and walking towards the bed, removing her jumper and throwing it on the floor on her way there. Underneath, she was wearing a thin shirt with spaghetti straps, and she didn’t even remove her leggings either, taking off her shoes, crawling on the bed and lifting the covers tiredly, getting inside and turning on her side, giving him her back.

She’d done enough begging for one day.

Bulma’s exhausted body formed a tiny ball and she closed her eyes, which were now burning with unshed tears. She felt utterly humiliated, as if she’d just spent the past few hours opening her heart like never before, only to have the Saiyan stomp all over it in return, and she wondered once again if perhaps she was simply fooling herself. Maybe her mate had only agreed to take her with him to create the illusion that he’d given their relationship a chance, but in all honesty, it seemed like he’d just said yes to humor her and make her shut up for a while. She decided, right then and there, that she wouldn’t expose her emotions the way she had tonight ever again. Bulma was, after all, a proud woman, and she wasn’t used to putting herself in such emotionally vulnerable situations.

Vegeta, on his part, was battling his own internal conflict one more time.

What was that damn tightness in his throat all of a sudden?

The sight of the petite woman, laying dejectedly on the bed, was making him feel like he was the biggest asshole in existence, and he stood there uncertainly with his arms crossed.

A part of him, a really big part of him, felt tempted to simply walk out of there and lock himself inside one of the small rooms until they arrived at their destination, but he knew that was the easy way out, and if he’d learnt something over the past few days, ever since his mate had walked back into his life, was that neither of them was really willing to take the easy route anymore.

He knew how proud the heiress was, and how hard it must have been for her to show him the patience and kindness that she had. The fact that she’d chosen to just sit down with him and talk about her memories and past experiences instead of interrogating him about all the shit he’d been involved in ever since his departure from Earth told him Bulma was definitely becoming a new woman. A more mature, patient and understanding woman.

Could that mean there was still hope for him too?

The hope that he might become a better man?

It was highly doubtful, but as he finally removed his armor, boots and flying suit and walked towards the bed, sinking one of his strong knees into the large mattress, the Prince told himself that the only thing that could get hurt by trying to imitate the woman’s new behavior was his pride, but, hadn’t she humbled herself enough for him already?

He sighed wearily and laid on the bed, and instead of adopting his usual sleeping posture, which consisted on sleeping on his back with his arms crossed behind his neck, her rolled on his side, facing his little mate’s body and stretching one of his arms, placing it on top of the large pillow.

Bulma remained silent for a few minutes, her heart in her throat at the feeling of Vegeta’s heavy body laying on the bed behind her. His actions went against everything she’d grown to expect from him. She was so used to seeing him walk away and disappear every single time he’d been faced with the possibility of having to express any kind of emotion or intimacy other than sex that, for an instant, she truly didn’t know how to react.

‘Have courage, Bulma…’

Finally, after taking a deep breath she slowly turned around, bravely facing the warrior and discovering his surprisingly new sleeping posture, knowing full well that this wasn’t the way her mate usually rested at night. What was even more shocking was the way he was staring at her with those dark, penetrating, unblinking eyes…

After a few moments, she boldly stretched her fragile hand and placed it over his, letting go of the breath she didn’t know she was holding when Vegeta, her Vegeta, immediately squeezed her hand back.

The heiress kept looking at him, his handsome, chiseled features only illuminated by the dim light coming from the kitchenette, and despite the foreign nature of the moment both lovers were sharing, she finally managed to smile sweetly at him, deeply grateful by the immense effort she knew he was making.

He didn’t smile back, but the fact that he kept firmly holding her hand encouraged her to make her next move, carefully placing that strong, warm hand on her creamy hip, and getting closer to him, until her tiny form was firmly pressed against his muscular one.

Bulma felt the Prince’s throat bob nervously against her brow, bringing her a fleeting sense of insecurity.

‘Had she overstepped his boundaries, after all?’

Her fears dissipated when Vegeta finally wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her body even closer and sharing his warmth with her. His mate’s soft breath against his skin and the way her delicate body finally relaxed in his embrace made him experience a strange kind of pride; he then closed his eyes and buried his nose in her silky, feathery hair, feeling the calmness that the woman’s presence had brought back into his life wash all over him.

Bulma finally closed her eyes as well, giving in to her tiredness.

“Goodnight, Vegeta…” She whispered.

He didn’t immediately reply, basking in these newfound emotions for a while, completely fascinated by them.

The past twenty-four hours had certainly been an emotional roller coaster for the couple, but somehow, they’d made it.

Together.

Vegeta noticed his ribs barely hurt anymore, and he was laying on a warm, comfortable bed with a stomach full of delicious food and the most special woman he’d ever met sound asleep, snuggling cozily in his arms.

He still had no idea what it was that his mate wanted from him and whether or not he’d be able to give it to her in the future, but he chose to put his doubts and insecurities aside, smiling against her hair and murmuring…

“Goodnight, woman…”

Mmm...

It looks like Vegeta is finally getting closer to Bulma...

In the next chapter, the couple will continue their trip and Bulma will discover a couple of things she didn't know about Vegeta...

#vegebul #fanfic #fanfiction #vegeta #bulma #bulma briefs #dbz #dragon ball z #apocalypse now #writing #love #angst

25 notes · View notes

mariequitecontrarie · 7 years

Text

The Picnic

Summary: Belle bakes to ease her loneliness. One day, several months into her time at the Dark Castle, she plans a picnic to celebrate Rumple’s return from a trip. Rating: G Word Count: 2,400 A/N: Dark Castle fluff for my 1,000 follower promptathon, @magnoliatattoo prompted: A few months after arriving at the Dark Castle, Belle plans a picnic. Kudos to Mag–she even betas her own prompts because I am trash.

Read on AO3

Belle pushed a sweaty tendril of hair out of her eyes and opened the oven to remove a tray of apple cinnamon sweet rolls.

Flour had settled into the pleats of her skirt and she swatted it away with a sigh. She wished she could beat loneliness out of her soul as easily as she could flour dust from her dress. Oh, she missed her father, her friends, and her home, but those feelings were more the desire for familiarity than true fondness. Right now there was only one person she was truly missing: Rumplestiltskin. She missed him so much that her chest ached and her shoulders sagged; even her hair seemed limp when he was away. He’d been gone for several days on a deal-making expedition and to celebrate his return, she had prepared a picnic and baked some of his favorite sweets.

By all accounts, she was a pitiful cook, but when she’d come to the Dark Castle as Rumplestiltskin’s price for saving her village, Belle discovered a hidden talent for creating delicious, oven-baked delights. One day soon after her arrival, she remembered a recipe for peach cobbler that her mother used to adore. Guessing at ingredients and quantities, she baked and served it to Rumplestiltskin with his tea. He’d pronounced it “halfway decent” and devoured the entire pan in one sitting.

Baking soon became a habit. Cream-stuffed profiteroles, banana bread topped with streusel, and Mama’s favorite petite-fours were a few of her specialties. Belle’s piecrust was flaky and flavorful, her cakes moist and fluffy. Thanks to Rumplestiltskin’s enchantments, her workload as the castle’s sole maid was light and easy, and the larder at the Dark Castle was always filled with the finest quality ingredients. Whenever she was sad, in a few short minutes she could have the oven fires blazing and the kitchens perfumed with aromas that both tempted and comforted.

She would stir together a batch of chocolate-studded cookies or slice fruit to assemble a tart, falling into a kind of happy trance as she traded her troubles for the joys of mixing and measuring and creating something as beautiful as it was delicious.

But by far the best part of baking was sharing her creations with Rumplestiltskin.

Belle blushed as she dumped sugar-encrusted popovers onto a wire rack. Rumple had a powerful sweet tooth. He never admitted it outright—in fact his compliments were grudging at best—but she knew he liked her baking by how quickly it disappeared. Whenever he was home she worked overtime trying to invent a recipe that would earn his praise.

“How is this batch?” she would ask, placing a dish of thumbprint cookies at his elbow, their jam-filled centers as bright and rich as jewels.

“Tolerable,” he would reply around a mouthful. But before she turned around, he had consumed another half dozen.

“Do you like these better with buttermilk or buckwheat?” she would ask at dinner, as he slathered his fourth light-as-air biscuit in butter while his bowl of beef stew grew cold and lumpy.

“Both better than sawdust, dearie,” he would say with a smirk, then reach for another.

The rebuffs weren’t so bad—at least bringing a basket of warm muffins to the laboratory or serving a golden wedge of cake while he worked at the spinning wheel presented an excuse to talk to him. The Dark Castle was a vast, desolate place and he often left her alone when he went out on a deal, sometimes for days at a time. When he was gone, she grew depressed and ate all her home-baked goodies by herself.

But when Rumplestiltskin was about, the shadows retreated and the cold and dreary citadel seemed almost cozy—bathed with warmth and light. Plus his voracious appetite kept her from eating too many sweets.

With a rueful chuckle, she shook off her melancholy. Today was a special day, and Belle was determined to make it enjoyable. Birds were chirping and the rich loamy smell of dirt hugged the air. Their long winter of discontent was over; spring had officially arrived. She set her jaw in a stubborn line as she stuffed the picnic basket with treats, already prepared for Rumple to refuse. Well, she wouldn’t allow him to say no, and that was that.

“What’s this?” he barked, barging into the kitchen on cue. His boots thumped loudly across the worn wooden floors.

“A picnic.” Belle turned around with a smile.

“Excuse me?” He tapped his ear with a long, black nail.

It always amazed her that such a compact, wiry man could overwhelm the room in such a way. Today he was dressed in soft brown leather trousers, a crimson waistcoat, and a golden silk shirt with billowing sleeves. And standing close. Entirely too close.

“It’s a common enough, um, practice.” Belle stammered, her heart fluttered as the intoxicating, spicy sweet combination of magic and Rumplestiltskin wafted toward her and tickled her nostrils. Ducking her head, she turned away and busied herself with tucking cloth napkins into the top of the wicker hamper. After she’d caught her breath, she lifted her face to his inquiring gaze. “We go outside, spread a blanket, and eat lunch—together.”

“In the grass?” He drew back, brow furrowed and fingers fluttering.

“Yes, there might even be sunshine,” Belle said dryly.

“Can’t.” He snapped his head back in forth. “Business to attend.”

“You cannot spare an hour for your only employee?” Belle pursed her lips, thinking of a way to entice him. “I made apple cinnamon rolls, chess pie, tarts. Besides, even a mage as powerful as you has to eat.” She blinked up at him through her eyelashes.

“Actually,” he corrected, wagging a finger in her face, “I have no need of food. Eating is a pleasantry, not a requirement. I am the Dark One,” he added imperiously, flourishing his hands for effect. His maid needed a reminder that he was a fearsome beast, not some mindless fop with nothing to do but dally in the garden on a stunningly beautiful spring afternoon and stuff his face with sugary treats. Ahem.

“I see,” she said glumly, dropping the basket she’d been clutching with a heavy thud.

“My deepest apologies, Belle.” Satisfied that she understood, he offered a curt nod and tried not to notice the wistful glance she cast toward the open window. Before she could convince the birds to start singing, Rumplestiltskin spun on his heel and bounded up the steps to his tower laboratory.

He was halfway up the stairwell when she called out, “Very well. I can’t allow all this food to go to waste. Luckily Jefferson is stopping in for a visit today. I shall share my picnic with him.”

“Nonsense!” Rumplestiltskin materialized at her side once more, his amber eyes wide and alarmed. “The Hatter loathes roast chicken and he’s allergic to berries. You cannot simply feed him those raspberry tarts.” He sniffed the contents of the hamper. “Or anything else in this basket. Contaminated—all of it!”

“Are you sure? He’s eaten my apple pie on several occasions…”

“I said no!” Rumplestiltskin thundered, cutting her off.

“Oh,” said Belle, the weight of disappointment crushing her spirits. She had so been hoping to pass a pleasant afternoon.

He eyed her askance and released a long sigh. He had a potion to prepare for King Midas, true, but that would have to wait. There was no way in hell he was letting the Mad Hatter near Belle’s tarts—or any other part of her for that matter. If anyone was going to suffer through Belle’s baking experiments, it was going to be him. “I suppose I must forgo my responsibilities and eat with you.”

She brightened instantly, her face glowing with happiness. His brittle, black heart squeezed in his chest like it was made of flesh instead of charcoal. “You would do that for me?”

“It appears I have no choice,” he grumbled. “I can’t have you poisoning my only ally in the Enchanted Forest.”

“You’re a good man, Rumplestiltskin.” With a giggle, Belle curtseyed and accepted his proffered arm, clasping her hands around his lean bicep.

“Hmmmph,” he said, and Belle thought she detected a hint of color on his craggy cheeks. He lifted the hamper as though it weighed no more than a handful of feathers and guided her toward the dining room.

“Outside,” she stressed, digging her heels into the carpet as they crossed the threshold.

“It’s raining,” he lied, then produced a clap of thunder overhead to prove his point. Belle’s lovely blue eyes immediately clouded with dejection, so he gave up the pretense and changed direction. He threw open the back doors of the great hall and led her out into the sunshine.

Bees buzzed around in the grass, sucking nectar from the dandelions while wild heather swayed in the gentle breeze. Feeling happier than she had in ages, Belle hummed as she smoothed the blanket over a sunny patch of grass and opened the picnic basket.

Rumplestiltskin sneezed when they reached the maple copse and shot Belle an accusing look. But when she cocked her head to the side, a smile blossoming on her full, red lips, his words of protest died. His maid looked so content that he couldn’t bring himself to spoil the occasion.

Pleased to be in your presence? Are you insane?

“Gesundheit, Rumplestiltskin,” she said, grabbing his hand as she sank to her knees. With a gentle tug, she urged him to sit on the ground. “Do the outdoors not agree with you?”

“Perhaps it’s the perfume you wear, maid,” he grumbled, settling next to her on the blanket. Her blue work dress billowed around her tiny body, soft and light, and she looked like a morning glory opening to the dawn, beautiful and pristine.

“Oh, come here,” Belle chided softly, her hands fluttering around his shoulders. Her fingers found their perch, digging into his vest, and she eased him closer. “Lay against me, and prop your head up. There.” She fussed over him, situating his head on her lap.

Too stunned to resist, Rumplestiltskin obeyed, swinging his legs to the side and resting his cheek against her thigh. “Close your eyes,” she said. He did as she bid him. A moment later he felt something pressed against his lips. He opened his mouth, and the sweet-tart bite of apples and the spicy tingle of cinnamon tickled his tongue. It was one of the apple cinnamon rolls that had been cooling when he’d entered the kitchen, before she’d bewitched him into joining her for a picnic and reclining with his head in her lap. Crafty wench.

“Do you like it?” she asked, an unmistakable eagerness in her tone.

Like it? It was the most sensational thing he’d ever put in his mouth. Second only to her chocolate cake, her cream cheese pastries, her peach cobbler…hellfire and damnation, he loved it all. “I’ve had worse,” he replied airily.

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said, sounding like she was on the edge of laughter.

Before he realized what was happening, all the rolls were gone and Belle’s hands were buried in his hair, stroking the strands from root to tip. Uncertain about the sudden turn of events, he stiffened, but she made a noise in her throat that resembled a purr and he relaxed once more. If she wanted to feed him sweets and touch his hair, who was he to deny her pleasure?

Belle was elated. Her stomach growled with hunger, but food could wait. Rumplestiltskin’s head was in her lap, her nails were scratching his scalp, and she wouldn’t have moved for anything in the world. Well, perhaps for a kiss from her favorite sorcerer, but she would take their friendship one step at a time.

At some point she’d grown accustomed to his sarcastic snaps and snarls, and to his wild halo of frizzy brown hair that was so soft between her fingertips. All she wanted was to be near him. It wasn’t baking that eased her loneliness, Belle realized as she brushed a bit of hair off his forehead. Cakes and pies and cookies were merely a means to an end, a way of sharing herself with this man she’d grown to care for, perhaps even love.

“Belle, these past several months…” Rumplestiltskin stopped speaking and cleared his throat, grateful for the opportunity to hide his face in her skirt. She’d seemed forlorn lately and it was easier to have this conversation without looking into her eyes. “Have you been all right? Here. With me?”

“Yes. I’ve been more than all right, actually. It’s only that…” she trailed off.

“What?” He’d heard the hesitation in her voice and began to panic. Gods, no! Would she beg him to send her home to Avonlea?

“The castle is lonely when you’re not here,” she admitted, glad he couldn’t see her flushed cheeks. “I miss…you.”

“Oh?” She couldn’t mean it. He swallowed thickly. “But I’m here now, yes?”

“Yes, and I’m quite happy to have you home. And you?”

Home. Belle thought of this gloomy old place as home.

“I’m not unhappy,” he whispered, allowing his eyes to drift closed once more. His fingers found the hem of her skirt and he worried the fabric between his nails. “Perhaps I will take fewer trips. Surely the people can get along without my skills. I cannot solve all their troubles now, can I?”

“I suppose not,” she replied. Belle’s heart quickened, close to bursting with happiness. Surely his decision to stay at home more often meant…well, Belle would unpack his intentions later. At the moment she was too overjoyed to care. “Thank you for agreeing to an afternoon of leisure, Rumple. I know how busy you are with your work.”

“Well I have earned my rest,” he declared. “You, on the other hand, have a task to complete.”

“And what does my master require of me?” she asked in a low, teasing voice.

With a snap of his wrist he produced a book and handed it to her. “Read,” he commanded. “Lest I fall asleep. These outdoors of yours are making me drowsy. In a while, I suppose I could be persuaded to eat one of those raspberries tarts you made. I’ll pick the seeds from my teeth later.”

Belle choked back delighted laughter. Rumplestiltskin attempted to act put upon, but she suspected he was enjoying their picnic more than he cared to admit. Maybe even as much as she was.

“All right,” she agreed, eager to indulge in a pastime she loved even more than baking, her impossible sorcerer cradled in her arms. She flipped to the opening page and began the tale.

“There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters…”

###

#rumbelle fic #rumbelle #dark castle fic #fluffapalooza #marie's 1K follower prompt-a-thon

42 notes · View notes