Author's Note: Brand new Fem!uke fic for all you genderbender fans out there. This came up out of nowhere and I had to write it down. This AU is different, it's supernatural, but it has that lemony flavor you all enjoy.
Three years ago, the supernatural revealed themselves to the world after centuries of hiding. Naturally, humans protested, fights broke out, and debates went on for months to over a year until the finally settled down and accepted each other's laws. However, the one law humans and supernatural debate and argue over is the latter's need and requirement for mates that exist in their human counterpart. For the supernatural such as vampires, werewolves, incubus, succubus, and fae, each has a mate in either another supernatural being, or in some cases, a human, where they are eternally bound and devoted to for the rest of their lives, and will take no one else.
Some humans, however, were resistant to such a law and refused to be dominated by such creatures because fate or destiny said they have to. It was no secret that the supernatural are a possessive sort, especially when it comes to trying to win over their mates, so for humans who saw it as a misfortune on their part tried to flee across the country to get away from their so-called mates. But in the end, they were still claimed.
In order to avoid further chaos this mate fiasco brings to the public, the government issued a protocol that would ease human mates into the their fated relationship. The human in question must be over 18-years-old and unmarried for the supernatural to approach and initiate a bond, and the two mates must live in close proximity in order to get them adjusted to the other's company for a period of time until they are ready to marry and move in together. After these trial runs, human/supernatural couples have learned to coexist with each other with minimal incidents and problems.
But that doesn't stop others from trying other ways to escape fate...
"This is so stupid! Why should a human give up their freedom over some silly bond?" Ritsu exclaimed to Misaki, her best friend since childhood who finished making dinner after a long day at Onodera Publishing. Three months have passed since the government issued this mating law that would 'benefit both sides', and the two girls have not exactly adjusted to the idea of mates.
"You know, it may not be as bad as it seems. Takahiro-neesan is mated to a fae and he's over the moon happy." Misaki said as she sat down and started eating the dinner she prepared.
Ritsu swirled her noodles around, a frown set in place, "For guys it's okay, this is their way of finally getting lucky with one woman. But for us girls..." she paused with a sigh, "...you heard about that one case last year, she was too terrified to even be some vampire's wife." she said, remembering the story of that one girl who ran the very moment a supernatural called her his mate and had been hopping from town to town trying to keep their distance before he finally caught up to her.
Misaki nodded sadly, "She had a definitive fear of men and couldn't stand the sight of blood. Poor girl, I hope he is at least treating her like a queen the way supernatural tend to brag about how much they value their mates."
Ritsu scoffed, "I don't believe that bull." her eyes glanced out of her friend's apartment window that overlooked the downtown part of Tokyo. "Tell me 'Saki-chan, if a supernatural walked up to you and declared you his mate, would you go along with it?" she asked, turning her gaze back to her friend.
Misaki was surprised by the other's sudden question. She paused as she imagined this kind of occurrence happening to her out of nowhere while she went about her business. A blush came to her cheeks as she shook her head, "No way, I don't think I can handle such an awkward situation." she stopped shaking her head as a thought occurred to her, "If such a thing does happen, what if he tells me I have to leave my life behind. I love Japan, there's no way I would ever leave my home and family." she added, fearing the possibility of leaving her best friend and big brother behind.
Ritsu hummed in agreement, "Exactly my point. We're getting the short end of the stick because of this law. I understand that they want to keep the peace between our species, but this is asking too much." she took a deep breath, "There's a silver lining for girls like us though."
This got Misaki's attention, "What do you mean?" she asked, catching the look on Ritsu's face that yelled an idea and solution to a problem.
"The law states that the declared mates must be over 18-years-old and unmarried for the supernatural to approach them. That's what our current status is unfortunately." Ritsu said, reminding themselves that they are currently 25-years-old and without spouses at the moment.
"Where is this going?" Misaki asked, not understanding the direction her friend is going in with this conversation.
"What I'm saying, and I can't believe I'm saying this since I preach that I'll never do such a thing, that you and I have to get married to avoid being dragged off by some crazy possessive supernatural." Ritsu said, watching Misaki drop her chopsticks at what the woman was suggesting.
"What!" Misaki exclaimed, looking at her friend incredulously, "You want us to find some random guy and just marry them to avoid getting married to a supernatural! Ritsu that's crazy coming from you!"
"I didn't say it had to be a guy." Ritsu said as she pulled out two metal rings.
Misaki's eyes widened when she saw what Ritsu pulled out of her pocket before the latter explained, "'Saki-chan, you and I have been best friends since we were little, I consider you and Takahiro to be part of my family. I would even call you my sister if not for what I'm about to propose. Misaki, we know each other better than anyone, I wouldn't be so desperate if we weren't facing the possibility of being mated to a stranger." she said, swallowing the lump in her throat for the plan she has concocted with her father, "If you and I get married, no one will force us to go anywhere. It won't even be a real marriage, no intimacy required, just something on a piece of paper that will protect us should a supernatural look into it."
Misaki absorbed what Ritsu was suggesting to her, "So what you're saying is, you and I are getting married to avoid getting married."
"Yeah, as stupid as it sounds, it's the best plan I could come up with given the circumstances." Ritsu said, not believing herself as she wants to stay as far away from supernatural affairs as possible.
Misaki crossed her arms, humming as she thought over her best friend's plan, it was crazy, but it wasn't bad, and it allowed them some freedom from mating laws. Finally, she smiled, "I could be married to a total stranger, what do I have to lose?" she said, accepting this plan. "One thing though, who's going to be the man in our 'relationship'?"
"Me obviously, since you're already the house wife with all the delicious meals you cook." Ritsu said, smiling as Misaki laughed, "Aw, thank you sweetie."
Ritsu laughed before standing up, "Well, better do this properly." she said as she came over to Misaki and bent down on one knee, "Takahashi Misaki, will you please marry me?" she proposed, holding up the ring as her best friend laughed, "Yes I will." she accepted the ring before they hugged each other.
"When's our wedding?" Misaki asked, pulling away from Ritsu who smiled, "It can be any day you wish, but it has to be sooner rather than later." she answered, happy her friend accepted her proposal.
"How about after dinner?" Misaki suggested, "Pop into the office, get the marriage paper signed, and then we honeymoon." she joked as Ritsu laughed.
"How about an onsen? Those are really great for a honeymoon." Ritsu offered, already making plans to have a relaxing girl's trip.
"It's a date." Misaki said as they resumed their dinner before they headed off to the court house to get married.
2 Months Later
Months after the two girls got married to each other, Ritsu and Misaki decided to transfer to Marukawa Publishing and immediately started working in Literature and Shojo Manga respectively. Though the former's reason was to show those employees that she can make a best seller without her father's influence. With how far their new work place was from Ritsu's mansion, the two girls decided to move into a different place that was closer to Marukawa and with a friendly neighborhood.
Ritsu's father was already aware of the farce the girls were putting on and he was okay with it as long as they were happy and safe. Takahiro on the other hand, was completely clueless to the girls' plan for many reasons, one of them being how he would boast about how having a mate is like having a happily ever after and you can't fight destiny. He was surprised when his precious baby sister 'came out' to him and his mate and that she and her 'lover' eloped. But he came around to accept his sister's 'sexuality' because he loves her so much.
Ritsu let out a tired sighed as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, "That's the last of the boxes 'Saki-chan.'" she announced, smiling as they moved everything into their new home. Taking off the bandana that was wrapped around her hair, she walked towards the kitchen where her 'wife' was putting away the groceries in the fridge.
"Where did you want the plates?" Ritsu asked as she cut open the box that was labeled 'kitchen'.
"Top cabinet by the fridge." Misaki answered, not looking away from her task.
"Cool, thanks honey." Ritsu smiled as she took the stack of plates and began storing them in the cabinet Misaki said she wanted them.
"Hey, after we've unpacked the kitchen, why don't we eat out tonight. Give you a break from cooking." Ritsu suggested as she finished up a box to move onto the next one.
"You just wanna eat out because you can't cook." Misaki teased as she closed the fridge as her wife turned to her indignantly, "Excuse me, but I do cook...I just choose to avoid it for safety and health reasons." she added under her breath as Misaki laughed, "Sure you do. What do you suggest? I trust your judgment better than my own."
"There's a restaurant that serves the best miso ramen in the area. I stopped by there for a sandwich, and it was delicious. We can also stop by that bookstore to check if anymore of your favorite manga series came in." Ritsu offered, knowing Misaki's obsession with The Kan.
"Sold." Ritsu smiled when she heard Misaki say that, because it gives her the chance to look for a couple books of her own for her project.
Once they were finished with the kitchen, they went out to eat at the restaurant Ritsu suggested where they started telling the other about what goes on in their department and the authors they've been assigned.
"Usami Akihiko?" Misaki repeated, feeling like she heard that name somewhere before.
"Yeah, he's the famous novelist who has been writing since high school. He's pretty popular, but he's very lazy and eccentric." Ritsu sighed, "Not at all how I imagined him to be, and I've been reading his books for years. Aikawa-senpai brought me on board for moral support and backup because she can't handle him on her own. Poor woman." she added, feeling pity for the woman who begged and dragged her over to the author's condo.
Misaki gave her a sympathetic expression, "Sounds rough. At least your department isn't a pigsty. Seriously, I thought manga was supposed to be fun, but I'm surrounded by zombies. And the boss, the guy who revived Emerald, is very scary especially when it comes to deadlines." she shivered before going off to explain how the cycle in that department works, watching Ritsu's exasperated expression when she described how things turned pink after the hell the editors' endure.
"Sounds like a nightmare. And the girly crap full grown men surround themselves with?" Ritsu exclaimed as their food arrived.
Misaki shrugged, "Hey, 'When in Rome, do as Romans do'. That's what they say anyway, helps them get in touch with what the ladies want when they open a manga. There's one other girl there, her name's Kisa." she added, remembering her only female coworker that helped her adjust to her new job. "Oh, I forgot to mention, the men in my department are also supernatural." Misaki said, completely forgetting that one detail that stood out in her work place.
Ritsu's eyes widened, "What kind are they? Did they do anything to you?" she asked, fearing the worst even with their fake marriage being a barrier for them.
"No, they did nothing to me. Well actually, Kisa is mated to a fae called Yukina, I believe she mentioned he works at a bookstore somewhere. Hatori is half-werewolf and is already mated. Kanade...well, I'm not sure, but he's a nice guy even if he is creepy." she shivered before talking about the chief, "Editor-in-chief on the other hand is half-vampire half-incubus."
Ritsu narrowed her eyes at her friend, "Wait, don't vampires work at night?"
"That's what I thought at first when I started working there, but because he's a hybrid, he can withstand it. I didn't think he was vampire at first, but that garlic shrimp tempura I prepared for lunch made him sick and temperamental." Misaki explained, laughing sheepishly over that mishap as Ritsu chuckled under her breath.
"So that stereotype is true after all. Not sure if I should feel sorry for him." Ritsu added as they resumed eating their food, enjoying each other's company as they shared stories from their department.
I'm stopping right there. Usagi and Takano will make their début in the next chapter. Trust me, it'll be fantastic. I hope you enjoyed this enough to leave a review, thank you.