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kittygrimm88 · 14 hours

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♡ " A mess "

Pairing: Jude Jazza x Kate (MC)

CW: lots of cursing + jealous jude!! (Tho it isn't much of a warning, lol.)

Note: My 2nd entry for @judejazza 's event!! I hope everyone likes this Jude fic <3 divider & header by the lovely @natimiles

Jude's eyes followed her figure as soon as she entered the dining room. Her smile lacked its usual cheerfulness, and her eyes looked sad.

That expression of Kate's broke something inside of him. This wasn't the first time she was wearing that look. Of course. She was living in a castle with cursed people, but Jude knew that wasn't why she looked so down.

Jude clicked his tongue in annoyance, but his eyes quickly looked her over... making sure she was doing physically well... that she wasn't harmed. He quickly looked away.

He was pissed. Very fucking pissed if he had to be honest. Whatever they both had going on was messing with both his head and heart. Jude Jazza was smart, but he couldn't find it in himself to put a name to their "relationship."

When she got hurt, he had wanted to kill all of those people right then and there. Her smile brought a strange sense of calm over him. She was beautiful -- fuck. Shit. He mentally cursed himself and faced her.

"How was yer date?" He basically spat the words out with that sadistic grin on his face.

Kate huffed and narrowed her eyes, looking angry. "Why are you looking so smug, Jude?"

He barked out a laugh, leaning back on the chair. "Smug? Whatcha talkin' about, Princess?"

"Do you take pleasure in seeing me hurt?"

Jude looked at her straight in the eye. "Ya should have the answer to that already."

Her face was red. Kate was fuming. The earlier hints of sadness from her expression were all gone.

"Why do you even care? Huh?" She questioned him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't fuckin' care." Jude replied, expression mirroring hers.

"Then you shouldn't act like you do. Even if he didn't come to the spot--"

He threw the newspaper in front of him, a little too aggressively.

"Then ya will agree to meet that fucker again? Even if he stood ya up two times already? Princess, do ya have any self-respect?"

Kate gasped. "Jude! Just what is your problem? I don't get it!"

Shit. He messed up. Her eyes were filled with tears and... he was the cause. Jude mentally laughed at himself. He was warning Kate about a guy while he was the worst of them all. Surely, the Princess deserves better.

He took slow strides towards her. "Do ya like him?"

"... What?"

"That lousy fucker who can't even show up on a date, and stood ya up twice."

"That's none of your concern."

He took slow strides towards her, but Kate wasn't moving back. She stood still in her place, curious to see what he was going to do. Her eyes were fixed on him, studying his every expression and movement. Kate's eyes were shining as always, but she had changed so much...

She turned even more beautiful.

"He doesn't deserve ya. Ya are wastin' too much of your time." He said nonchalantly, bending down slightly to meet her eyes. "Or do ya like bein' stood up?"

"I can't understand you, Jude Jazza..." Kate breathed out, eyes narrowing once again in fury. "You push me away, say harsh things, then act like you care about me. Just what do you want?"

He clicked his tongue, and they both kept staring at each other. They weren't able to break eye contact, or they just didn't want to. Jude wondered... just what was she actually thinking?

He reached out to wipe a tear that had escaped from her eye. His hand was rough from his line of work, but his touch was gentle.

Kate's reddened cheeks, her big eyes filled with curiosity, her laughter and giggles, the way she would listen to him, and how she had tried to keep him safe during missions... that was all so precious to Jude.

"He can't treat ya good, ya dummy." He said softly.

Kate was silent for a while, but then she spoke in an equally soft voice.

"If he can't... then can you? What are you implying, Jude...?"

His expression as he looked at Kate was so gentle, so soft. There was no sarcasm in his voice as he replied, "Yeah, if ya don't trust my words, then wanna test it out?"

He chuckled upon seeing her flustered and surprised expression. Yeah... he wouldn't trade her for the world...

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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Explain otome storylines in four screenshots or less

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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Ellis Twilight — I Want to Know Every Inch of You Collection Event

Seperate Bodies 🔞 tw: suggestive, NSFW

I do not own any contents of Ikemen Villains. This story being uploaded in this blog belongs solely to CYBIRD. Please support them by downloading their games and buying their stories. Both English and Japanese are not my mother tongue languages, please keep in mind that there will be mistakes and added words for my own preferences. I translate for my personal entertainment and for my own practice only.

Victor asked me to take the Crown's physical measurements for the purpose of health management and research—

I visited Ellis, who was easy to ask first, and it turned out to be the right decision.

Thanks to his great cooperation, the measurements proceeded very quickly.

Kate: “Thank you for your cooperation, Ellis. This concludes the measurement of your upper body."

Ellis: "That's good. By the way, Miss Kate, there's something I was curious about......"

Ellis: "Can you lend me a hand?"

Kate: "......? Yes, sure."

I held out my hand, wondering what he was going to do, and Ellis's hand came to rest on mine—

My hand was guided and touched his chest, which was bare…..for measurement.

I feel his moist skin all over my palm.

Ellis: ".….If you're interested in my body, you can touch it."

Kate: "Eh!? Uh, how.….”

Ellis: “Because I felt like I could feel your eyes piercing through me while you were measuring for my chest. ……Was it my misunderstanding?"

Kate: "You misunderstood..., there was nothing.”

Ellis looks slender when he's dressed, but when he takes his clothes off, he has an unexpectedly masculine body.

Although the measurements are taken seriously, I couldn't help but admire his thick chest and his well-defined abdominal muscles.

(I thought I was keeping a level head, but he knew.... How embarrassing……)

Ellis: “As much as you like, Miss Kate, go ahead.”

Kate: "E-Even if you ask me to go ahead….."

Even if I'm interested in touching another person's body, especially a man's body, my reservation and embarrassment will prevail.

(I know you're saying this for me, Ellis, but....I'll say no.)

I tried to take his hand away, saying It was fine if I didn’t touch him.

However, Ellis is holding my hand tighter than I imagined, and I can't get away from him even a little.

Ellis: "You don't have to hold back on me, so feel free to check with your hands."

You noticed I tried to take my hand away, your hands are literally so strong.

(If you've told me this much, it's not right to say no.….isn't it?)

(If I reject him excessively, then it seems like I'm being weirdly conscious of Ellis.....)

Deciding to accept the kindness, I slid my hand over his skin.

Kate: "....Muscles are softer than I thought. I thought it was harder."

Ellis: “When you're relaxed, yes. When you're exerting yourself, though, it gets harder......"

Kate: "Wow, that's amazing...!”

(Still, I think people are reluctant to have their skin touched...)

(Is Ellis used to being touched by other people…..?)

Even though the fun seems to rise, my heart is in turmoil at the defencelessness of Ellis, who let me touch him without any odd hesitation.

Ellis: "What's wrong?"

Kate: “Well......I was wondering if you do this to anyone who asks you to.”

Regret comes immediately after speaking out.

I knew Ellis was kind to everyone, but I speak as if I’m blaming him.

Ellis: “…..Don't worry, I didn't do anything that you would be worried about.”

The reply was ambiguous, as if it were an answer, but it wasn't.

I also notice a strange pause before the reply.

(What are the things that worry me? Have you ever let some else touches you, if only a little?…..)

Ellis's trivial words and actions have stuck with me, and I don't feel refreshed, as if a lees has settled in my mind.

(There's no reason to feel like this, but why am I.….)

Ellis: “If it still bothers you... Do you want to try touching somewhere else?”

Ellis: "....I really haven't shown this place to anyone, I haven't let anyone touch it."

Ellis: "Only for Miss Kate, special"

Kate: “Eh….”

Ellis pulled my hand again.

The hand that was touching his chest went down through his stomach.....and stop at his waist.

Kate: “….Ellis?”

Ellis: “No one touches it from here down, so go ahead.”

What Ellis is showing is below the bottoms... his lower body.

Kate: "Ah, uh..... This is not usually a place to let people touch, is it?"

Ellis: “What would you like to do, Miss Kate?”

Ellis: "Rather than normal or common sense, I want to do what you want to do."

Ellis: "I've been thinking about how to make you happy."

Even if that feeling of Ellis is one that is poured out without division to all.

I was the only one in his eyes right now.

Kate: "I, am......"

(......If there is a place on Ellis's body where only I am allowed, I want to touch it.)

The sweet sound of "special" made me forget to reply and my throat started to throb.

Ellis: ".....You can do whatever you want."

I finally gave a small nod as my gentle forgiveness.

Ellis: “Shall we proceed slowly? Let's start with........to the first joint of your finger."

Is Ellis pulling my hand, or am I proceeding with my own will? I don't know anymore.

My fingertips slip under his bottoms without any sense of reality, as if I were in a dream.

Ellis: "Second joint........”

Kate: “Ah.”

My advanced fingertips feel the rough texture of the skin. It's hot and humid inside.

Ellis: “Hmm. …..fufu, I’ve gone all the way in to the base of your fingers, haven't I?"

Ellis smiled like a child whose prank had succeeded.

Contrary to that innocence, I felt like I was doing something I shouldn’t...., I was scared.

Kate: "Uh, I guess..."

I came to my senses and pulled out my fingertips, grazing the deep part of him.

Ellis: “Nn…gh”

(……!)

Ellis: “Sorry..... I was so ticklish, I made a weird noise."

Kate: “N-no, it’s not….”

Ellis's sweet voice, which leaked a little, remains in my ears.

(The fact that I'm the only one who can touch Ellis here...)

(And that lovely voice I just heard, is that just for me?)

The thought of it is irresistibly lovely and makes me want to touch and listen to it again.

(But, as expected, no more...)

Ellis: "....More touches if you like, Miss Kate."

Taking my hesitant hand again, Ellis let me touch it through the bottoms.

Kate: “……Uh”

I gasped as I felt something passionately insisting on the area I touched.

Ellis: "This is what happened, so...I would like you to lend me a hand."

Kate: "B-but...I already had taken your body measurements.….”

I finally remember my job and give my opinion with a voice that seems to disappear.

Ellis: "Well then..... Do you want to check here with your hands? If it's a measurement, then there's no problem."

Kate: "...............I got it."

(It's just an extra of his body measurements, just to make sure......)

Like a butterfly lured by sweet nectar, I slipped my hand there again.

Ellis: “Ah... Haa….."

As I stroke him slowly while watching him, Ellis lets out a hot exhale of aggravation.

Ellis: “Miss, Kate…..”

(.....I'm weird. I can't take my eyes off him.)

He is so lovely, so cute, so disturbed by my hand that I want to see more of him.

Driven by the impulse, I moved my fingers with a strong and weak pressure so that Ellis could feel good.

Ellis: “……Nngh”

Kate: “Here…..is it?”

Ellis: "Nnm..... There, it feels good...."

His hips swayed loosely as he rubbed against my hand.

I was happy to know that I wasn't the only one who wanted to be touched.

(.....I want you to feel even better with my hand.)

At first, it was only my fingertips, but gradually I used the whole palm of my hand to wrap it up and continued to stimulate it.

Ellis: “……Nngh!”

Kate: "I-I'm sorry. Did I push too hard...?"

Ellis: “No... I'm fine. I just felt so good I was about to lose it."

Ellis: “You can touch me however you like. ....I'll make my place exclusive to you, Miss Kate."

(I, exclusive….)

The haze in my mind that I felt when I thought Ellis might have let someone else touched him cleared up.

(I see….. I wanted to monopolise you.)

(I didn't want anyone else to touch or see Ellis...that's what I thought)

If you know your feelings, there is only one thing to do.

As time permits, I continued to touch where only I was allowed and stare at Ellis, who exhaled shallowly.

Fin.

Masterlist

———————————

tagging+* @yonaaaahowell

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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BEHOLD, THE POWER OF BROMANCE ✺◟( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)◞✺

The next day :

Shingen : Yuki, you're not allowed to drink sake again... At least not too much.

Yukimura : Wha- why?? Did something happened yesterday???

Shingen : ...... Well... ʕ　·ᴥ·ʔ*refuse to remember it*

I'm not gonna lie, but drawing a blushing Yukimura is really fun (*´︶`*)ฅ♡

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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Some of Clavis Lelouch’s best quotes + Cyran’s bonus quotes

“Tell me, Emma, what do you think is the best way to wake someone who’s really bad at waking up? (…) That’s right, you stab them.” (—Clavis talking about Chevalier to Emma)

“Finding such a handsome man in your room is enough to leave anyone breathless. Take your time. I know I’m easy on the eyes. (…) Oh, nice reaction! There’s nothing like a good AHHHHH to get me in the mood.”

“I didn’t do anything. But next time, don’t be intimidated by these status-crazed nobles. You don’t owe them anything—not even a smile. If someone looks down on you, look down on them in return. Otherwise, your self-worth will start to plummet. Never abandon your self-respect just to calm the situation. I know you’re a wonderful person—I wouldn’t have chosen you as my wife if not.”

“You succumbed to delusion.”

“You weren’t paying any attention to me at all. I got so lonely, I almost died!”

“…I want to make love to you.”

“I’ll tell you a secret about Chevalier. You want to know right? I bet you do. (…) He likes romance novels, but the reason for that is… Me. (…) One day, I secretly added to his pile of books… I put a book that boasted its dewy, spicy romance in the pile.”

“Haha! When you’re as handsome as I am, you look good no matter what state you’re in. You just need better understanding of aesthetics.” (—Clavis to the “Obsidianite soldier”)

“Haha! You don’t need to apologize. Who says only kids are allowed to be bouncy? What’s wrong with adults being genuine about loving the things they love?”

“Oh, the things you say! Don’t you realize you threaten to unleash the beast that hides behind this gentleman’s visage?” (—Clavis’ thoughts about Emma)

“What a fool I was to think I was done falling in love with you. The depths I could fall for you seem endless.”

“We can do it on the table, or by the windowsill again, if you like. Ah, but I don’t recommend the floor—not unless you’re into that.”

“Wait, wait, wait! (…) Chevalier, you cannot possibly be trying to replace the words ‘I love you’ with that one kiss. (…) Why else would Emma have dressed up so beautifully? It’s all so she can hear you say those three words! (…) Yes, not all things need to be said, but there is a purpose in giving words to feelings. That’s how you can bring them into the real world. Chev, you can’t let Emma guess how you truly feel forever. Just tell her. (…) The average person can’t read minds like you do. Don’t assume that Emma knows everything just because you do.” (—Clavis to Chevalier, in Chevalier’s route)

“I would never allow my lovely fiancee to live a life of fear. And so I must take it upon myself to indulge her in a life of joy.” (—Clavis’ thoughts about Emma)

“I’m charming, aren’t I?”

“Here you are, alone in a secret room with a handsome prince. Why are you only interested in those lifeless husks? (…) That’s a little offensive, you know.”

“Haha! Go to hell.” (—Clavis to Chevalier)

“Goodness, I’ve never visited that bookstore, and to think it was hiding a gem all this time…” (—Clavis’ thoughts about Emma)

“Dear me, it looks like they started running the second they spotted me. Haha! That’s optimistic of them. ” (—Clavis talking about Yves and Licht to Emma)

“You could at least call it artistic. My handwriting conceals talent that would surpass that of a genius artist. (…) It’s readable. So long as you take the time to decode it! Haha!” (—Clavis to Jin)

“Ah… Hahaha! I can’t believe you headbutted me! You should’ve slapped me, at least.”

“There’s no rule that says you have to drink alcohol once you come of age. That said, it might be more romantic to let you get drunk and then take care of you until you sober up. Wait here, I’ll just get some—”

“Of course, I’m not trying to criticize your own personal standards for good and evil. But throughout our lives, we’re constantly being confronted by our perceptions of good and evil. And there are times when we might regret it later, if we decide to be critical of something simply because 'it’s evil’. Our own individual standards for good and evil may not always be aligned with the kingdom’s standards for good and evil. And if that happens, wouldn’t you want to remain true to your own standards? To what you believe is good and right?”

“So you’re comfortable drinking. I’ll keep that in mind.” (—Clavis’ thoughts about Emma)

“(…) I’m well aware that of all the princes, I was the one most loved by his mother. Although I suppose it’s not really a surprise, given how adorable and cute I was. (…) Haha! Why are you apologizing? There’s no rule that says we can’t talk about the deceased. And there’s no need to feel guilty, either. I’m not some silly child who gets all worked up just from thinking about her.” (—Clavis talking about his mother to Emma)

“I love drawing attention to myself, you know that. I wanted everyone in the palace talking about me, so I made it seem as if I’d gone missing.” (—Clavis to Sariel)

“…You’re surprisingly sweet on Emma, aren’t you?” (—Clavis to Chevalier)

“Well obviously, because I like rabbits. And from what I know of rabbits… They may seem aloof, but they’re actually very sweet and loving, and if you’re lucky, they’ll even let you see that side of them. I think they’re adorable. And despite being delicate and easily frightened, they won’t run from anything—they’ll stand their ground and put on a brave face. I can’t think of any other creature that instills in me such an urge to protect them. You see? Everything about them is lovable.” (—Clavis talking about Emma secretly)

“But that’s why Rhodolite is so well-balanced. If we all agreed with Leon, the kingdom would constantly be in danger from outside. If we all agreed with Chevalier, it would end up a dictatorship.”

“You’re about the only person who willingly visits the brutal beast’s lair.”

“Just so we’re clear, this doesn’t even count as a setback to me. I’ve tasted defeat countless times at the hands of a brother more beastly than anyone in Obsidian. I’ve never once made the right choice. I’m a loser, constantly making mistakes, and constantly being laughed at for them. (…) When you fail, it’s easy to give up. It’s easy to think your ideas are wrong, and yield to the right choice. But this is what I do. Every time I fail, I get up again, and I fight even harder, so that next time, maybe I won’t fail. I don’t care about what’s right for the kingdom. I stay true to what’s right for me, and that’s the only way I’ve found any meaning in my life. Even if what I believe to be right and true is actually wrong, and even if I’m called evil and wicked for doing what I do… I’ll fight against the brutal beast’s methods with everything I have in me. And I’m not going to die until I’ve made him kneel before me, and accepted that my beliefs are just as righteous as his are. (…) And since I’ve spent my life tasting nothing but defeat, I think I can declare this with some certainty. So long as you go on living, you’ll never really be a loser. Because there is no such thing. Even if you lost this time, you just have to win next time to be the winner. And if nothing else, you’d be able to die a prouder man than you will now. (…) Today’s failures will lead you to tomorrow’s hope. Always, as long as you don’t give up. And that’s why I’m going to get up and try again. What about you? Are you going to die a dog’s death here?” (—Clavis to the “Obsidianite soldier”)

“What a shame… Were my hands not bound right now… I’d already be making love to you.”

“Haha! Not a chance. I adore her.” (—Clavis denying disliking Emma to Gilbert)

Keep reading

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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What if… Kenshin told MC he was ‘injured’…

MC: *Wrapping the ‘injured’ arm lovingly* Hey Kenshin, I know you train a lot but you also need to remember that I worry when you get hurt okay?

Kenshin: *Looks at her with passion in his eyes*

MC: Next time I’ll– Kenshin? Are you listening?

Kenshin: …

MC: *Leans in closer* Kenshinnnnn?

Kenshin: *Pulls her to a sweet and gentle kiss*

MC: … ////////////

I seriously wished this happened to me ( ᵒ̴̶̷̥ ‸ ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥ ✿) Kenshin you sweetheart (///꒳///✿)

Artist: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=7285702

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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Nokto Klein’s "cherry flavored" ✨ glitter ✨

I kept imagining Nokto with this audio and had to do this 🤣

Poor Emma has had enough of his shit

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kittygrimm88 · 15 hours

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Currently in the middle of Harrison's route and I couldn't help but screenshot that. They-- 🥹

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kittygrimm88 · 16 hours

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Second to the last in the series.

A typical day in Kasugayama...

Kenshin: *unsheathes Himetsuru Ichimonji* SASUKE! Spar with me!

Sasuke: *backed into a corner, he scatters a few ground spikes and readies his smoke bomb* Hard pass. Exercise should be done in moderation, Lord Kenshin. Unfortunately, your idea of exercise, AKA a battle to the death, is no one's idea of "moderate".

Yukimura: *narrows eyes* Lord Shingen....

Shingen: *keeps chewing as he moves his dango out of Yukimura's reach* Yukiiiiiiiii, a man sometimes needs sweets to come up with a good plan to bring down the Oda...

Yukimura: *holds out hand* That's what you said yesterday! Hand. It. Over.

Yoshimoto: *slowly moves his dango out of Yukimura and Shingen's lines of sight, just in case either of them get any funny ideas*

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kittygrimm88 · 16 hours

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🎉🎉🎉 Ikemen Villain is finally free from AppleGate!!!! 🎉🎉🎉 (like a few days ago)

My first impression of everyone through the bathroom meme

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kittygrimm88 · 16 hours

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This is so heart warming.

Ikepri comic

Pages: 8

Colored

Cw: Insecurity, Imposter Syndrome (?), some fluff and a lot of self indulgence

Okay, so I finally finished this comic, I started it last year, but only made the sketch and then forgot about it. I picked it up again this month. When I made the sketch I was feeling really down about my art in general, how it wasn't good enough, how I wasn't improving, etc.

So I thought, what would be a good way to cope? Talking to friends? Nah, going to therapy? Nah, I'll make a comic and spend unholy amount of time on it lol

These feelings have gotten a bit better now, but they resurface from time to time in varying degrees.

I know a lot of creatives also struggle with these feelings, and often fail to see their own work as something beautiful and that other people genuinely enjoy. So I hope this silly self indulgent comic I made to cope with my own insecurities can help you in some way!

I wish I had started playing Ikevil when I first made the sketch, bc I wanted to include some of the boys from it too

Commissions | Kofi

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kittygrimm88 · 18 hours

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Ikesen Boys React to a Tattooed MC pt 3

Thank you again to @otomedad for this fantastic idea ^_^ This one has Sasuke, Yukimura, and Kanetsugu! Approx. 2900 words (yes, I know. They keep getting longer xD)

Sasuke

You glance at Sasuke, wondering what he’s thinking about. His eyes are trained on the night sky, his lips curling in a faint, barely there smile. He notices you looking and turns his head to regard you.

“Are you cold? It’s colder tonight than I expected it to be.”

“No. I’m good.” You feel warm anytime you’re around him. Your very own moderately-awesome ninja.

He rubs his eyes before turning back to look up at the stars. “Alright.” His fingers curl over yours, a gentle caress he doesn’t even seem aware of.

You feel an ache in your chest, sweet and sharp, as you regard his profile. Somehow, that face has become so precious to you, but you don’t know how to tell him or if you even should. Friendship is precious and fragile, you think, as you look back up to the sky.

A sudden gust of chill night air tugs your hair from its messy bun. Strands blow around your face, and you can already feel the tangles forming. “Damn,” you sigh, trying to catch hold of them.

Sasuke looks back at you with that same whisper of a smile. “Here, let me help.” He moves to sit behind you. “I’m not as good at this as Yoshimoto. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” you murmur, feeling heat rise to your cheeks. His legs are to either side of you, and if you were to lean back, you’d be flush against his broad chest. “Here,” you hand him your hair clip, “and, umm, thanks.”

His fingers comb through your hair, sending a shiver down your back. It feels intimate and sensual to have him touch you like this. He tugs your collar down as he corrals your unruly hair. Then you feel him pause, a slight inhale.

“You have a tattoo.”

“Oh. Mhmm.” You try to find words, so you don’t sound like an idiot. But his closeness is so distracting! “It’s, umm, it’s a lotus?”

You feel him lift your hair to get a better look. “Is it alright if I see it?”

“Sure.” You hold very still as he pulls your kimono down a little further, fingertips brushing your inked skin. Just a friend, you remind yourself sternly, as your skin reacts to that light touch.

He is quiet for several moments. You can feel his gaze on your skin, and the faint trace of his fingers as he follows the intricate lines of the petals and leaves. “The lotus has a lot of meanings,” he says finally. “Divinity. Rebirth. It is an excellent choice for a tattoo.”

You smile, a flush of honeyed heat flooding through you at his words. “I liked the spiritualism of it. For me, it’s like a reminder to keep an open heart. And an open mind.”

“A good thing to remember. Especially for a woman who finds herself transported via wormhole to the Sengoku.”

You can hear the laughter in his words, though he doesn’t laugh. Sasuke’s emotions can be hard to read, though you find more and more that you can tell how he feels by the slight changes in his expression, his tone, the depths of his caramel brown eyes. “Ha, yeah. I never expected to have to be this open minded.”

“I’d say you do exceptionally well. At everything.” Sasuke’s breath tickles the hair at the back of your neck, and you feel the slight press of his chest against you. “The detail on this flower is very good. The shading and color. I’d like to look at it in better light.”

Your skin dimples as his words send another little shiver through you. “O-okay. Sure. When we go inside. You can. Look.” Despite your best efforts to not sound affected by his touch, you stutter your response.

“Are you sure you’re not cold?” He lets go of your hair, wrapping his arms around you. You are pulled up close against his chest, his chin rests on your shoulder. “You keep shivering.”

There is no way to reply at first. Your heartbeat is pounding loudly in your ears and you feel like you might not be able to breathe because he is hugging you and it feels - holy cats - it feels so good and so right and he’s just supposed to be a friend but isn’t this -

“Are you ok? You went very still. It reminds me of the prey response in rabbits. You know they freeze to blend in with the environment and can hold -”

“I’m fine.” And you almost manage to sound like it, if a little choked. “I definitely do not feel like a rabbit,” you add, your voice nearly normal.

Sasuke nods. “Alright.” You aren’t sure, but you think he sounds a little breathy himself. “Does this . . . warm you up?”

“Yep.” You feel very very warm in his arms. Hot, even.

“I am warm too. Very warm.” He says nothing for a few breaths, then, “It’s what friends do for each other, right?”

“Right.” You can’t imagine him hugging Yukimura like this. Or Yuki allowing it. But you don’t say that, because you don’t want him to stop.

“Good.” He pauses again, thinking. “I’ve never had a friend like you before.”

You smile at that. “Same. But you’re my best Sengoku buddy, and teacher. And a lot more.” You close your mouth on the almost-confession before it can bubble up and ruin everything.

A slight shudder passes through him, one you can feel. Then, “We should probably go inside. It’s late and it will only get colder up here.”

“You’re right. We can’t sit like this all night.” Part of you is very sure you absolutely could.

He reluctantly lets go of you, taking a moment to pull your hair back into the clip at the back. Sasuke is quiet as he brushes his fingers over your tattoo again. “I don’t know how I didn’t notice it there before. Your lotus.”

“I try to keep it covered. Fewer questions that way. I don’t think many women in this time have them.”

“No, they don’t.” He stands. “But maybe they should. It is exceptional. You -” He wipes at his eyes again, taking his glasses off. “I think I got something in my eyes,” he says, blinking.

You wonder what else he was going to say, but the moment passes and instead, he holds his hand out to help you up. His grip is strong and sure and comforting. “Thanks.” You aren’t sure if you’re thanking him for the hand up or the compliments, or for keeping you warm. All of it, you guess.

Sasuke’s gaze travels over you slowly and you feel yourself tense at the unexpected inspection. Just as you’re about to ask what he’s looking for, he speaks up. “Do you have any other tattoos?”

“Guess you’ll have to find out,” you grin, teasing. You can’t help but notice a faint flush from the tips of his ears down to his neck as he looks away.

He clears his throat and nods, a little unsteady. “Y-yeah.”

You catch him watching you from the corner of his eye and stealing secretive glances at you the whole way back to your room. You’re pretty sure he’s hunting for signs of another tattoo. This will be a fun game, you think, ignoring the little twinge in your heart.

Yukimura

“I don’t know why you wanted to come,” Yukimura huffs, walking at your side up the steep hill. “You’re so slow and your face is all red.”

You glare at him from the corner of your eye, wondering the same thing. It seemed like a great idea when the two of you set out from Kasugayama for the day, but after a few hours of walking, you were ready to strangle him.

“Pfft. I’m holding back for your sake. You have uh, you have stubby legs!” You poke him in the ribs, only half joking.

“I can’t have stubbier legs than you.” He pokes you back harder than you poked him.

“Oh really?” You take a breath and push off your back foot into a run. “Then why am I in front of you,” you call over your shoulder, taunting. This is a mistake you immediately regret as your foot catches on a rock and you tumble forward.

Yukimura tries to catch you, but he’s a little too far back and more than a little surprised. “Hey! Are you alright?” The teasing is gone from his voice, replaced with genuine worry as he kneels beside you on the path.

You roll over and lay on your back, feeling embarrassed and a little bruised. “I’m fine,” you groan.

His eyes move slowly over you, looking for any sign of injury. “You can’t always charge forward like a bo- oh!” Yukimura’s hand darts forward, lifting the edge of your kimono.

“Hey!” You smack his hand and the cloth flutters back down over your leg. “I’d expect that from, like, Shingen, but -”

“I wasn’t trying to peek. You have a mark. It looks like a bruise.” His lips form a precious pout and you feel your annoyance seep away at the genuine hurt in his expression.

With a little effort, you sit up and carefully tug the edge of your kimono back up your leg, looking for the injury. Only there’s nothing there, just your Totoro tatt. “I’m fine. See?” You start to stand but he puts a hand out.

“What is that? It looks like a really fat bear. Or maybe a squirrel.” Yukimura leans toward your leg, poking at the inked skin.

You try to pull your kimono back down over it. You aren’t sure what would happen, but showing someone a Ghibli tattoo 500 years before movies exists is probably some sort of world ending time event. You wish Sasuke was here to intervene or at least give you some hint about how to answer, but he isn’t and Yukimura is poking your thigh. “It’s not a bear or a squirrel. It’s a forest spirit.”

He raises an eyebrow, looking incredulous. “It doesn’t look like one. Aren’t they supposed to be majestic? Or scary? This one looks funny.”

“Well. He kind of is. His name is Totoro and he’s my favo-ah, he’s the umm, the forest spirit for my home town. So you shouldn’t make fun of him.” You cross your arms, trying to regain some dignity after the fall and Yuki’s teasing.

“I wasn’t making fun of it,” Yukimura replies, his voice gentle and contrite. “He’s kinda cute. L-like you.” His cheeks turn bright red at the admission, and he looks away unable to meet your gaze.

You feel a little stunned yourself, and your own face feels as hot as a kitchen fire. “Thanks.” The word comes out almost a squeak. You clear your throat. “I’m glad you like him,” you add in a more normal voice.

Yukimura finally turns back to you, his cheeks still plum-red. “So. Don’t get mad, but, why would you get your forest spirit inked into your skin?” He looks genuinely curious and a little nervous.

“I -” you can’t very well explain how much the film meant to you as a child, or how many times you watched it to cheer up after a rough day. How to explain the comfort of enjoying the same sad-sweetness of the anime without explaining animation and movies and so many things Yuki has no idea about?

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” He leans back from you, trying to hide the hurt look in his eyes by changing the subject. “Are you gonna watch where you’re going the rest of the way up, or am I gonna have to carry you?”

You nearly react to the taunt before you realize where it came from. “Yuki. I do want to tell you. It’s just hard to explain.” It takes another moment to consider, and then you begin. “So, Totoro - he was there for me when I was sad. He helped me feel better when my grandmother died, and when my best friend moved away. And when I was all alone at college - um, school for seamstresses I mean.”

“So, your forest spirit talked to you?” His eyes are wide now, but you don’t detect any disbelief. Only surprise.

“More like . . . I guess you could say I watched him? Yeah. And that made me feel better. Just seeing him do what he does.” You shrug, not sure what else to say.

Yukimura nods as if this makes more sense to him, though he still looks faintly wide eyed. His calloused palm rests on your leg just below the tattoo, a pleasant warmth. His gaze drops back to it, eyes narrowing as he studies the image. “I didn’t expect you to have irezumi but I like it.”

You feel yourself smile, a wide bright grin that makes your cheeks hurt. Sure, Yuki can be a brat, you think, but when he’s sweet, it just makes you want to kiss him.

“What are you making that dumb face for?” Heat colors his cheeks and he can’t meet your gaze as he looks up.

“I dunno. What are you making a dumb face for?”

Yuki stands. “I’m not!” He holds out a hand to help you up.

You take the hand and stand, dusting yourself off. “Are too. Or wait, maybe that’s just your face?” You giggle when he scowls at you.

He leans forward, and you think he’s probably wracking his brain for a good insult. Before he can come up with one, you plant a tiny kiss right on his lips. Yukimura’s mouth opens in a surprised, pleased sigh and for just a heartbeat, his eyes flutter shut.

“It’s a good thing I really love your dumb face.” You grin and squeeze his hand.

“Yeah. Same.” He returns your smile, tenderness in his gaze. Then he lets go of your hand and launches himself up the trail. “But you still have stubby legs! Think you can catch up!”

Kanetsugu

“What is this?” Kanetsugu’s finger lands on the back of your hand, gently but firmly pinning you in place.

“What’s what?” You glance up at him in mild surprise. He was reading, but now he’s just over your shoulder, leaned down so that his chin is beside your cheek.

“The mark.”

You glance down and realize he must mean your tattoo. Since they aren’t all that common, you try to keep it covered. Fewer questions that way. “Erm, nothing?” Your hopeful tone does not dissuade his keen gaze.

Kanetsugu nudges up the edge of your cuff with the tip of his finger until the heron in flight is exposed. The colors look soft in the lantern light, the delicate lines a bare delineation between ink and skin. “That is not nothing.”

You wince at the slight frown he gives you and try to pull your sleeve back down. “It isn’t any of your business.” You try for the villainess voice, but sound squeaky even to your own ears.

He doesn’t move his hand, even after a moment of your struggling.

“Fine.” You sigh. “It’s a tattoo.”

Kanetsugu leans closer. His hair brushes your neck, and the smell of him floods your senses.

You can feel his gaze on your arm, and heat travels from there up through your heart and floods your cheeks. Your heart is pounding and you struggle to keep your expression serene. It is absolutely unfair that he is so attractive, you think.

His eyes turn toward you, and he waits for more with an expression somewhere between impatience and mild curiosity.

It takes you a moment to gather yourself under that relentless stare. “Erm. I mean, ah, it’s a heron?”

“I am waiting to hear why you’ve branded yourself like a criminal.”

Your temper flares at that, and you give him a frown. “I seriously doubt any criminal has flash that looks this nice. Seriously.” You smooth a finger over the design, remembering the day you got it. “This represents blessings for me. A promise that things will always get better. And I - I think it looks really elegant.”

“I did not say it wasn’t.” His voice drops, a glimpse of fang at the corner of his lip as it compresses. “It is . . . lovely.” Kanetusugu’s thumb brushes over the inked skin, though his eyes are still fixed on yours.

“Thanks for the compliment,” you murmur, suddenly feeling as if it’s hard to draw breath. He is still so close, and it’s doing things to your heart that are hard to ignore.

“Beauty should be appreciated.”

You hope he can’t feel your racing pulse under his hand.”I-if you’re done appreciating?” You wiggle your arm, hoping he’ll let go, and hoping he won’t. Get it together, you tell yourself sternly, and pull with a little more force.

Too much, perhaps, as Kanetsugu, is tugged toward you. Only by a hair’s breadth, but then, that’s almost all that separates you. His lips brush your jaw, an accidental kiss. He lets go of you and steps back with a strangled breath. For a moment, his eyes are wide and there’s a slight flush to his cheek.

“K-kanetsugu?” You feel warmth slip through you from the spot his lips touched.

He turns away and clears his throat. “Thank you for the explanation.” His voice is calm and by the time he’s seated again, there’s no trace of discomfiture in his expression.

You, on the other hand, are ruffled. Very ruffled. “I think I’m going to step, mmm, outside. For a minute.” You stand and try to shake off the feelings tangled around your heart.

“Don’t go far,” he calls, not glancing up from the paperwork on his desk.

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