Braided Roses

Disclaimer: Various fandoms show up in here. I plan to bring more in over time.

Notes: This is inspired by an RP between friends. As I'm rewriting my own vision for it, I've changed a few details. I've had friends wanting me to make my own take on the harem anime style story for a while. So. I'm combining both ideas to make something of a romantic comedy. I have no idea how long this'll stick around. I don't know how serious it is for me, either. Might do a one-shot, might do a glorious 50 chapter epic. I honestly have no idea. Depends on how I like it. Not how YOU like it. How I like it. Just to be clear.

FIC START!

Episode 1 - Professor

Canti had been trying to mend a skirt for the past few hours. The thing wasn't exactly ragged, but parts of the hem had come out over many years of wear and tear. She sat on her bed with a sewing kit open on her bed, concentrated on it, though it was easy to be distracted. Every loop she made with her thread, her eyes wandered over to her phone or the posters on her wall. Her father was going to make her throw it out if she didn't fix it, so she wanted to fix it. It was the most comfortable skirt she owned. She put the needle into a pin cushion for a moment, adjusting the headband in her hair to keep her curls from falling once again in her face, pressing on her phone to start playing music. Then she picked the needle back up. The moment she had a perfect loop - ready to pull it taunt and seal this one part of the hem, the doorbell rang and she was so knocked out of what she was doing that she crashed onto the floor with all of her sewing kit strewn everywhere.

"Papa! Would you get the door?!" she yelled out. Ugh, she was annoyed all ready. This just was simply unfair. "Kain?!"

No answer from either, and the doorbell rang again.

With a grunt, Canti put down her needle and old favorite skirt, turned off the music on her phone, and headed out of her bedroom to go see whatever salesman had come to bother. She was ready to give them an earful, full of all sorts of language her father would scold her for using. Oh, she was ready to rip right into them, and right now, she was really going to enjoy it. Just as soon as she opened the door.

"All right," she said, unlocking it and pulling it open. "Whatever you're selling, we're not interested."

"I consider myself lucky that I'm not a salesman," the voice on the other side of the door said quietly. "I would be treated so rudely, going from door to door, only to be met with rudeness. People having to deal with that simply have more paitence than I do."

Canti finally decided to actually look out there to see who was standing on their front porch. There stood a man at least a foot taller that her, and that wasn't counting his beautiful multilayered, multicolored hair that not only fluffed up higher than she believe was possible, but also down into a long braid that swung around his hips. "This is a surprise," she said. "What brings you around here, professor?"

The professor reached into the pocket of his button up shirt, beneath his jacket. He pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper, presenting it to her.

She unfolded the paper, instantly recognizing it. "Oh..." she said. "...I posted these all over town a few days ago. A-are you here to inquire about... renting a room?"

"I am."

"But... don't you have a place to live? Your family is... wealthy, from what I understand."

"I'm afraid that is not the case any longer, Miss Highwind," he answered. "Political nonsense you wouldn't understand aside, I've been cast out from the family entirely. I seek a place to live while I work and continue my meager existence."

"I don't mind it, but it's not entirely my decision," she replied honestly. "Would you like to come in and sit down?"

"If I may."

Canti stood to the side, holding the door open to let him come into the family room. It was a simple room with the furniture any other family would have. Two couches, a recliner, a television and other entertainment things. The walls were decorated with pictures of family and various framed pictures. Right across from that, without a wall, was the kitchen. As Canti had him sit down, she reached over to the fruit basket, picked up a pear and headed through the hallway to go and see where the rest of her family was. She bit into it, checking both of their rooms. Nope. She headed to the garage and opened the door, taking another bite of her pear. "Where are you two?!"

Both Cid and Kain looked up from where they were working on a truck with the hood held up. They were both covered in motor grease and sweat, smelling of the machines they had their hands in all day. The music playing on the radio was turned up loud, playing hard rock from days long ago. She instantly recognized the song as one the radio station they'd been listening to since they moved here had played at least once every day. It was quite clear they were absorbed in their work.

"Is something wrong?" Kain asked.

"No, but... we have a possible tenant," she said. "I told him to sit in the living room and wait until we're all ready. I can't believe you two didn't hear the doorbell go off twice."

"So, who is he?" Cid asked, pulling himself away from the pickup truck. He reached over to one of his shop rags and roughly wiped off the grease from his hands. Not that it did much good. It was stuck in all the nooks and crannies of his skin and between his nails. Canti was used to seeing her father's fingers like that, and now that she thought about it, her fingers were going that way, too.

"He's a professor up at the school I'm in," she said nervously. She really didn't want to tell them that she attended his class. "A very classy kind of person."

"That sounds like he won't be a pain in the ass to live with," Kain said. "Last thing I want is more annoying roommates."

"Are you saying I'm annoying?!" she instantly retorted.

"No. But one is more than none," Kain replied, heading over to wash his hands.

"A classy guy won't wanna see us all covered in grease," Cid said, looking at his overalls. "Let me change and I'll be right there. You go keep him company. Who knows what he thinks, being left alone like this."

"Don't take forever. Either of you. This decision is between all of us," Canti said, turning to leave. She headed back through the halls to head back to the living room. She wasn't exactly dressed to handle people in her house, especially someone that was usually in a position of authority over her in her daily doings. Seeing the professor take an interest in the fact that they had so many open rooms for rent wasn't something she was entirely comfortable with. But if he was thrown out of his home because of political things, she did feel sorry for him. And, he was such a quiet person that he couldn't be that hard to live with. What was he going to do? Plan lessons and grade assignments until they were all sick of him? If anything, he might grow burnt out from her family's ruckus instead. Once she came back into the living room, she found the professor standing there, looking at the pictures on the wall. "I'm so sorry for taking this long. They were out in the shop."

"You don't have to be so hasty for me," he answered, turning around. "Today is a day off. I have nothing but time on my hands."

"So, uhh. When exactly were you kicked out of your house?"

"Last week."

"...where have you been staying since?"

"My car."

"Professor?!" she gasped, shaking her head.

"Do not be concerned. It really is none of your business."

"You're right, but at the same time, we all ready have a sort of bond because of school. Just because you're my instructor doesn't mean that I can't worry for you," she answered. "It may just be a working relationship, but it is a relationship nonetheless." What was taking them so damn long? "I will do what I can to help you, even if something prevents you from staying here."

"It is not your place-"

"I don't care."

He stared at her. That defiant face. He couldn't help the feelings that arose from him as he locked eyes with her. While his eyes did not show her how he felt, her eyes were the gateway to her soul. Her emotions were not hidden from him. How he hated pity, he hated forced charity. He wanted none of those things, and yet, here were these beautiful eyes that were full of nothing but a wish to help him. Those eyes, that face, that heart. "...I thank you for your offer, regardless of how things turn out."

Soon Cid came through the hall, holding a towel up to his hair. "I'm so sorry it took me a while to get here," he said. "I didn't think you wanted to deal with me all covered in motor oil and grease, so..." He stopped when he noticed who was sitting on the couch across from where he was standing. It took him a moment before he could gather his words. He wasn't sure if he was insulted or offended, but whatever he was feeling, it wasn't good. "Cantirena... Do you know who this man is?"

"Professor Mateus Palamecia. I know exactly who he is," she answered, not taking her eyes off of their guest.

"Nice of you to come slummin' it down here with us working folk," Cid snapped. "Where do you get off thinking that this would fly?"

"Papa!" she scolded him. "At least give him a chance!"

"And why should I? The Palamecian family's been nothing but a corrupt mess for decades. Even living out in the boonies, we felt the effect of their decisions. Why would I rent a room to a man that owns an entire estate?" Cid asked.

"You don't understand," she said, looking up at her father. "There's so much more going on than-"

"There is no need, Miss Highwind," Mateus said, shaking his head gently. "You do not have to fight your own family for my sake." He stood up and bowed his head to her just a little before turning to leave.

"Professor, please. I don't want you to continue to living in your car! At least..." she frowned as she reached out to him. For a moment she hesistated, but in another moment, she hand her hand on his arm. Canti had never touched him before, even though they had some poignant discussions in the past. "...at least let's have a discussion... if nothing else."

"...why are you... so kind to me?" he asked, taken aback by the sudden display of caring. He couldn't remember a single person ever sticking up for him back home. And here she was, a student of his, standing up to someone that she probably loved more than anyone else in the world... for him?

"My daughter is kind to everyone, even political despots, I reckon," Cid said, letting out a sigh. He wasn't going to be able to refuse her, was he? She did always seem to have the better influence on him. Maybe he'd feel better for helping even this guy. He couldn't imagine that he would, but... okay, he figured. At least hear the man out. At least give Canti that so she wouldn't be difficult later on. "Even so. Mateus, are you serious about living here, in a room in this house?"

"I am serious about finding a place to live, yes. This place would be useful, as it is close to where I work."

"There are house rules."

"To be expected, of course."

"Have you ever done chores a day in your life?"

"It's hilarious that you believe just because I come from a wealthy family that I've never done any work at all," Mateus said sternly. "Every child must have duties, lest they become priviledged snots later in life."

"I can't disagree with that rhetoric," Cid said, pointing to the fridge. "We have a chore chart. Do your part on your day, and there's not a problem. Your chore day and your cooking day will not fall on the same day, just to be fair. If you need a free day, let us know before it's set up. Also, next rule, if you set foot in my daughter's bedroom, I will see to it that your innards are turned into motor grease."

"What reason would there be to walk into your daughter's room?" he asked.

"That's a damn good question," Cid agreed.

"Papa, he's like, ten years older than me, at least," Canti stuttered, shaking her head nervously. "You don't think I'd actually-"

"...Cantirena," Cid said, putting his hand up. "I am just covering all of my bases. Let your father do his duty."

"...yes, sir," she grumbled, rolling her eyes. Though, it wasn't like she didn't notice how handsome the professor was. She'd been in his class since the beginning of the quarter, and at least twice a week she listened to his intense lectures. And yes, while there were at least ten years between them in age, she considered him to be a very handsome man. Incredibly handsome. His hair, blonde with purple highlights, only added more shimmer next to wherever he was. Even in the middle of a dark classroom lit up to turn the ceiling into a makeshift planetarium, it was shiny. His eyes matched the color of his highlights, which was amazing. Where did purple eyes come from? Those couldn't be natural. It didn't matter, though. They were easy to stare into, even if incredibly hard for her to read. "Professor, you want a snack or something?"

"Thank you kindly," Mateus replied, shaking his head. "I would not impose."

"It's not imposing if I'm offering," she said.

"...he said no," Cid said. "Where is your cousin?"

"He's probably jerking off in the shower again."

"CANTIRENA!"

"...where's the lie?" she took another bite of her pear and shoved Cid in the shoulder. "I'll go get him." He glared at her as she got up, laughing as she headed back to the bathroom in the center of the house. She knocked on the door.

"Wh-what?!" came Kain's voice.

"You're taking too long. Papa needs your imput to decide whether we're gonna accept this guy as a tenant," she said. "So, finish her off all ready, would you?"

"Why are you always like that?" Kain asked. She heard the shower stop and his step out of the walk-in. The water slid down his body and hit the floor below. Tiny little splats. Soon he stuck his head out the door. Like the professor, Kain was a whole head taller than her. His hair, still sopping wet, was as yellow as wheat. Same as her father's hair. "Like, lay off the perverted thing. It really doesn't suit you."

"Oh. Then what does suit me?"

Kain went back in to dry off. "That look you get when you're playing with bunnies. Or when you're singing while you're hanging laundry on the line."

"Or when I completely kick your ass at Samurai Shodown!"

"...that, too, I guess," Kain said. Next time he came out, he was wearing his clothes for lounging about the house. "If you're gonna be annoying, cousin, go back to what you were doing before he knocked."

"I have to be present to make the vote."

"Uncle Cid all ready knows your vote. Hell, I all ready know your vote."

"Then what is it?"

"...you want him to stay."

"Why do you think that?"

"There's something about the way you're acting right now. That excited look in your eyes, but you're trying to act like you're calm..." he said, brushing his hair enough to pull it into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. "...you only do that when you want something."

"Kain..." she blushed. It was weird just how well her cousin knew her.

"Don't worry. If it'll make you happy, I'll vote for him to stay."

"Y-you don't have to do that."

"You think I haven't done that over the years?" he asked, shrugging. "It'll only be the millionth time. It's not that big a deal." As he headed out of the hall, he planted a kiss on his cousin's forehead. "But for this one, you'll actually owe me."

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yeah. You have to bake me something if he stays."

"...well what do you want?"

"Carrot cake."

"But. That's so gross!"

"Exactly my point."

"Neither Papa or I will eat that."

Kain sighed. "You have to do something that isn't for your own good sometime," he said. "And I happen to like it. So."

"Fine! A small one, though." Canti shuddered as she thought about eating carrot cake. "Don't want it to mold."

"Well. What if this professor guy likes carrot cake? He's classy, so, he might be the type."

"Okay, fine, whatever. A full sized carrot cake, if he gets to stay."

"Deal." Kain immediately turned around and headed through the hall towards the kitchen. He took out a piece of leftover dragon meat pizza, not really paying attention to what Mateus and Cid were talking about. He just ate it slowly, watching how the facial expressions of the men in the living room changed back and forth between them. Fuck, even cold this pizza was fantastic. One moment was so tense, it looked as if they would break out into a battle, and in the next, they were agreeable for some reason. Well, as long as he was eating, he didn't have to say anything, did he?

"This is my nephew," Cid said, pointing at him. "Just a few years older than Canti."

Kain kept chewing his bite. He watched Mateus carefully. Tried to read his intentions as he knew he was being sized up. And the moment he was ready to swallow it, he immediately took another bite.

"I don't see any reason to refuse you staying with us," Cid said honestly. "Though I'd prefer that you didn't. The kids don't think politically, but I can't see past your last name and its legacy."

"Understood. I will go, then." Mateus began to stand up again. "Thank you for your time."

Kain tossed the crust of the pizza into the trash can and wiped his face. "No, no, no," he said. "That's not what he's telling you. Just because the house is in his name doesn't mean he calls all the shots himself anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"We're all adults, so we make big decisions with a vote," Kain explained. "And we all know Canti's vote."

"Do we?" Cid asked.

"Yeah. If she didn't want him here, she wouldn't have even told us about him," he said. "Think about it for a minute, Uncle Cid. It's crystal clear."

Cid nodded, though he didn't want to agree to that. "You know my vote, so it's your decision, then..." He rolled his eyes. "And I know how you vote, you little-"

Mateus watched as the family bickering went back and forth for a few moments. Perhaps living under the same roof as his favorite student wouldn't be a great idea after all. Would he be able to put up with all this nonsense constantly? Was she worth it? Until she walked back in the living room and caused both Kain and Cid to shut their mouths just by standing there and staring at them with this particularly entrancing look in their eyes. She had a presence in that moment, one that he couldn't help but be attracted to. Her back was straight, and while the air moved around the curls atop her crown, she stood still. There was a sense of authority in her glare, as if she had enough of them acting like such brats. Yes. Yes, this was worth it. To see her like this on daily basis was entirely worth it.

"So," Canti approached him, suddenly ignoring the squabble behind her. "Can I help you carry in your things?"

"Why would you-"

"The truth is," she whispered, "as much as I like being helpful, right now I just want to piss them off."

He was taken aback by that comment. "I'm afraid I don't understan-"

"You don't have to understand it right now," she said quietly, looking right up at him. Her eyes glimmered as he looked into them. Her soul was the purest he'd ever encountered. It was odd. He considered the idea of not trying to claim her as his own for a brief moment. She was far too gentle of a soul to fall into the pit that was his dark desires, or she would be forever changed, almost like that of his own mother. How could she wear her heart so openly like that? Did she not realize there were many that would take advantage of her honesty? The more of herself she revealed, the easier it would be to manipulate her... "Maybe after you live with us a while, you'll understand. Maybe... I can teach you."

"The only thing I can say about this experience is that it will be of the learning variety," Mateus replied as he watched Canti step between the two other members of her family and cause them to knock it off all ready. He noticed that while on the college campus, she seemed a bit more timid, but while here in the house, she seemed to have a commanding presence. It almost annoyed him for a moment, this lack of authority.

"Yeah, first lesson," Kain said. "My cousin here's pretty much the princess of the castle."

"Whaaaaaaaaat," Canti disagreed. "No I'm not. I'm stuck cooking most days unless there's too much homework, and then Papa just gets takeout instead of cooking."

"Hey, it says that I just have to provide food that day. Doesn't say I actually have to prepare it myself," Cid said, shrugging.

"Papa, you are so grounded."

"You don't get to ground me, I'm twenty years older than you... at least."

"Whoa, going senile there, Uncle Cid? Gonna have to start callin' you Grandpa."

"Not until I get some grandbabies, you're not."

"I'm not having kids," Canti said, shaking her head. "Yeeeah, no."

Mateus honestly had no idea what to make of this. "...I still don't know if I'm allowed to move in."

"Did your family never crack a joke?" Cid asked. "Yes. Rent's due in exactly one month. Canti, dear, if you would please, help him pick a room."

Canti nodded, motioning for Mateus to follow her. "Follow me~" The hallways were just as decorated as the living room was. All sorts of posters of flying machines and framed family pictures. What a family legacy. She stopped in front of a door with a carved wooden plate on it. "The door with the moon on it, that-"

"Is yours," the professor finished her statement.

"How'd you know that?"

"I've known you since the beginning of the year, Miss Highwind. Almost everything you own is adorned in cresent moons. Even this," he pointed at her shoulder where her birthmark looked very much like a crescent moon. "I am not surprised you have an infatuation with astronomy."

"I didn't realize you paid so much attention to me," she looked away, blushing. Something in her was flustered with that realization. "I didn't think anyone paid that much attention to me."

"Do not sell yourself too short," he said. "What of these other doors?"

"That one," she answered. "The one with a dragon on it belongs to Kain." It was right across the hall from hers. "And the one with the rocketship on it is my father's, but that's closer to the garage, since he uses it sort of as a half office. There are three bathrooms. One is Papa's, connected to his room. One of them is, well, mine. Kain uses it sometimes since it's right here, but..."

"I understand," he said. "May I have the room here?" He walked to the door right next to hers, just down to the left.

"I don't see why not," she said. "Though... I'll warn you. I listen to a lot of music. Probably too loudly. At every opportunity I can."

"You're always singing. I'm not surprised to hear that you listen to music often."

"I'm just saying you might not like it. My tastes are... different..."

Mateus nodded. "Very well..." He didn't want to appear as if he'd been stalking her, so he didn't continue with more details. He knew about her favorite songs and had looked them up in his free time to see what he could learn about her. He knew about her taste for musicals and rock power ballads. "...allow me to bring my things."

"Do you need any help? I'll give my cousin a kick in the ass just in case he needs motivation to move."

"I do not possess many things," he answered, turning away. "Is the room locked?"

"Nope," she said, turning to go back in her room. "If you need any help, just say so."

"Thank you kindly for your consideration."

Canti went back into her room, only to be greeted by her phone having shown multiple missed calls and text messages. She swiped through the texts, finding some from her friends at school. Hector wanted to confirm them hanging out sometime, the leader of the gaming club wanted to set up something for all the members, and a few others. Not that bad, though it was weird to have gotten so many during that short time. She rolled her eyes, not wanting to reply to any of them. Until another ping came along. From Hector, again? Why?

"Hey Canti. Some dude's up here askin' around after you."

She wrote back to him quickly. "Who?"

"Has money and an accent. Dunno him, tho."

Canti thought about it for a moment. Who would have an accent Hector didn't know that walked around like he was made of money? That would know her? She didn't have a lot of rich friends, not since... high school, anyway. Suddenly she gasped. Could it be...? As she grit her teeth, she wrote back to Hector. "Send him here. I'll deal with him."

"You really want some rich dude at your house?"

"I don't want some dude asking after me and causing a scene, Hector. Tell him where I am and I'll deal with him."

"You sure your dad won't murder him?"

"I don't fucking care."

"Ok ok. I'll tell him."

She put the phone back on her nightstand, crossing her arms. A few moments later, her cousin stuck his head in the door. "You okay?"

"Oh, I'm great!" she said, giving him an almost demented smile. "I'm about to take care of something that's been needing to be resolved for a while."

"You look like you're gonna murder someone..."

"I'm not gonna murder anyone, Kain. You know me better than that."

"...You'll make them wish they were dead," he grunted. "You're a twisted woman, Canti."

She let out a laugh, almost demonic. "I'm gonna rip his guts out..."

"You're serious."

"If Papa ever finds out, he'll murder him, too."

"So he's harasser, is he?" Kain asked. "I will help."

"No," she said. "This is... mine to deal with."

"As a family, our hands aren't exactly clean, y'know," Kain said. "I'd rather not burden you with-"

Canti pushed her away out of her bedroom and shut her door behind her, glaring at her cousin. Her closest friend, her cousin that felt much more like a brother. She loved him immensely, but sometimes he just wanted to be overprotective. "It's not your decision, Kain. I have to deal with my own problems, okay?"

"If you'd tell me what happened-"

She shook her head. "I can't."

"Why not?"

She snatched him by his long ponytail and pulled his ear closer, whispering into it, "...if Papa finds out I had a secret boyfriend in high school, he's gonna blow a fuse..."

Kain gasped. "...fuck."

"My point exactly. And this guy is up at the school today, asking around about me. I got three texts from three different friends of mine, telling me that some... stalker-"

Mateus walked into the hall, carrying a stack of boxes in his arms, not having heard another word previous to that. He suddenly was trying to think of literally any defense he could. Was he found out this soon?!

"-is going around up there, bothering them, looking for me," she continued.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Kain asked, helping Mateus by holding open his door.

"I told my friend to tell him to come here."

"That's the worst idea ever. Like. The worst idea. Ever."

"I'm not going up there and causing a scene," Canti said. "I'll deal with him here that way I can put an end to this bullshit."

Mateus cocked his head to the side. "What troubles you, Miss Highwind? I am not privy to the rest of your discussion-"

"-and you don't need to be," Kain said abruptly. "You tend to what you're doing."

"I'm gonna wait on the porch, and when he gets here, I'm gonna take the old propeller on the porch and run it through his guts!" she said.

"I cannot say that is appropriate," Mateus said. He turned to Kain. "You may wish to confine her to her own room for now and you stand guard against this... stalker."

"That would be smarter," Kain said. "Okay, cousin. You're super grounded."

"You can't do that-"

"I just did."

"You're so full of shit."

Kain shoved her back into her room and locked the doorknob from the outside. "I'll go wait on the porch, then. I'll deal with this before she murders the guy."

Mateus let out a sigh. "I had no idea her temper was so explosive and..."

"...violent?"

"Yes."

"Canti can be... difficult. Usually, she's a gentle soul and kind to everyone. But the moment she's ticked off, she falls into an evil mindset. She can be cruel to people she's mad at. She goes 180 degrees the moment her temper snaps," Kain explained. "You don't wanna know how many doctors she's had to see because of it..."

"Duly noted."

"If she starts to throw a fit, just ignore her."

"She's not going to do that, is she?"

"...she might."