The Air That You Breathe
Full Story Summary:
(Mikoto Suoh x fem!Reisi Munakata) "Breathing the same air as you makes me ill." She constantly tells him those spiteful words and yet her actions always speak otherwise. Mikoto Suoh had always found a deep attraction for Reisi Munakata. He pursued the beautiful creature despite being unfamiliar with the new feelings that immediately took hold of him but little did he know that Reisi Munakata would be the death of him. Dragged into the fate of becoming a king and queen, becoming enemies became inevitable for the two. Now, Mikoto becomes constantly torn between a grudging hatred for Reisi and an ardent desire for her…while battling his own demons along the way. (may contain Izumo x Seri and hints of other pairings in the future)
Epilogue:
Mikoto was startled to hear his best friend, Izumo, asking him a certain question out of the blue.
A few days had passed after the Blue Queen, Reisi, was discharged from the hospital after their fight in Ashinaka High School. He has been staying in the Munakata residence for those past days; 'bonding' with Taishi, Taishi's wife and his two kids, and also, Reisi Munakata's parents. And by 'bonding' that meant the Munakata people asking him several questions and him answering with one-liners. Reisi's parents wanted her to stay in their house rather than her own so that they could keep an eye on her. Mikoto helps Taishi with their landscaping business once in a while if he was needed. That day, it was his first time to go to Homra after a while and he was surprised to see that it was Izumo who was the only one there at the moment. According to Izumo, Misaki took Anna out to the mall and the other clansmen were busy with their own things. The bar had never looked so empty.
While he sat on one of the stools by the bar counter, Izumo asked him, "So, Mikoto, I gotta ask ya, how was it like dating Reisi Munakata the Blue Queen?"
"Hm?" Mikoto raised an eyebrow at Izumo after the bartender had asked him.
It took Mikoto a whole minute to realize that he has no idea how to answer his friend's question. Shrugging, Mikoto said, "Dunno."
"You mean to tell me that you never dated her before the two of you actually becoming a thing?"
"I dated her eight years ago…does that still count?"
Izumo scowled and Mikoto knew that look meant a big 'no'. Clicking his tongue, Mikoto looked away from Izumo's gaze. Apparently, Reisi's and his relationship with one another is far more complex than the usual meet-date-be a couple-fuck thing of people because they were more like meet-hate-fight-fuck-fight-be a couple…or something like that. He really doesn't know if he should be embarrassed with how their relationship is or be proud of how unique it is.
Unique…may not be the right word to describe their relationship though.
"And does that mean that all you did for the past three years was fuck behind our backs?"
"…Yeah."
After that, the blonde bartender laughed at Mikoto and his laughter was loud, heartfelt and it annoyed the hell out of the former Red King. He pats at the redhead's back, still laughing while Mikoto glared at him. "Ya think that I shoulda bring her out on a date tonight then?" the redhead grumbled as Izumo continued laughing almost hysterically. Whatever made the blonde laugh like that, Mikoto has no idea because their exchange of words wasn't that funny to begin with.
When Izumo did not answer his question, Mikoto scowled; moving away from the bar counter and prepared himself to leave the bar.
"Hey, where you goin'? You just got here."
"I'm gunna prepare for our date…"
He was already moving towards the door when Izumo tried to stop him from leaving.
"Mikoto, wait, I still need to talk to you about something." The sudden seriousness in Izumo's voice made Mikoto halt before the door. He already has his hand over the door's knob but when Izumo had spoken, Mikoto was forced to stop on his tracks. He has a feeling what his best friend wanted to talk about but he was unprepared for it. Mikoto looked over his shoulder; glancing at the bartender.
"Since you renounced your throne and all…" Izumo said, "…what will become of Homra?"
Mikoto stared at Izumo quietly. He hasn't yet any idea what became of him after he had renounced his Kingship. He once tried to summon his Aura before and nothing left him. His clansmen seem to retain their power but in his case, he doesn't know and he is too…scared to know. He has an idea what could have happened to him but he isn't entirely sure. Besides, that wasn't much of something of urgency that he needed to know immediately. "Homra will still be Homra. I dun think you need me ta hold the group intact to keep it from fallin' apart…" he shrugged before turning the doorknob. Izumo calls out to him but he ignored him before finally going out of the bar.
A heavy weight landed against his shoulder as soon as he began walking away from the bar which he regarded as his home for five years. Truth is, he doesn't know if what he said to Izumo holds any truth in them because his clansmen had always looked up to him and expected him to hold the group by leading it and guiding them. Now that he is no longer the Red King, how can he act like the King they need him to be?
Sighing, Mikoto pulls out a cigarette from the pocket of his pants before fishing out a lighter from his black leather jacket.
. . .
"Awashima-kun…"
Seri glanced at the Blue Queen who was staring blankly at the holographic screen before her. Once in a while, Reisi would glance from the puzzle she was forming to look at the said screen. Just then, she had received a text message and had glanced at her phone. The woman seems to be busy despite the fact that the crimes caused by supernatural power bearers had declined since the incidence in Ashinaka High School. Reisi then glanced at her lieutenant, asking, "…how does our work look for the day?"
"Well, today seems to be less busy than usual. Honestly speaking, Captain, we don't have that much work for today."
"Good. Then it's all right for me not stay up for the day…"
That surely shocked Seri Awashima. Their Captain usually spend her time in the headquarters longer than all the members of Scepter 4 do. She always seem to hate having to leave her work even just for a while so when she spoke about leaving the headquarters that was a huge surprise for the blonde young woman. Perhaps, it has something to do with her carrying the ex-Red King's child inside her which made her want to leave work earlier. For now, the woman's belly has not yet formed a bump and so she may look as though she was not pregnant yet. As far as she could remember, the doctor had mentioned that the child in her womb is only about two months old.
"I believe so, Ma'am."
Reisi's lips formed a soft smile.
It was about time. Finally, Mikoto had decided that they do something normal couples do. Just now, the redhead sent her a text, asking her out to dinner after her work. She tried to hide her excitement but she could not help but feel her heart flutter. It was so new to her that she is no longer trying too hard to keep her feelings for Mikoto Suoh a massive secret. It was also good timing on his part since she really did want to talk to him in private because usually when they are together in her house, they are never given much privacy by her parents.
A few days ago, she reintroduced Mikoto to her parents and to Taishi's family and she introduced him as her boyfriend this time; proudly showing off the ring Mikoto had slipped into her finger. Taishi was ecstatic to have learned that she ended up with the hotshot whom he casually calls 'Red'. She could not be happier to see her family embracing Mikoto and their relationship warmly. Mikoto, on the other hand, confessed to her that he still had to get used to with the warmth from her family since he wasn't quite used to being treated that way by other people…especially parents.
So, as Scepter 4 ended their day, Reisi headed back home. Taishi and his family weren't around when she arrived and she found Mikoto in her room, sitting on the chair by the desk. Reisi stifled a chuckle when she saw him because he was already dressed – wearing a dark brown jacket and underneath, he wore a plain red shirt. He had been staring off into space when she opened the door and his expression did not change even when she entered the room.
"Why, aren't you excited?" sarcastically, Reisi smirked; eyeing the redhead from top to bottom.
"I thought you left work early, Reisi…"
"I did." Reisi answered as she made her way towards her dresser. Mikoto stood up as soon as she passed him by, slipping an arm around her waist before drawing her towards his direction. He buries his face against her nape, taking a deep breath before pressing his lips against the side of her neck. Reisi shuddered at the touch of his lips against her skin. Turning to face him, a fox-like smile formed her lips. "I thought we're going out tonight…not stay in the bedroom, playing the games…" she whispered, "Keep that up and you'll waste the time you spent preparing for our date."
"Sorry…" Mikoto grinned, backing away as the blue-haired young woman while she began taking a dress out of her dresser.
Reisi then took a shower before walking back to her room in her undergarments. Mikoto snickered, shaking his head as she puts on the blue dress she picked from the dresser. "Modest, aren't cha?" he said, flicking his eyes at her.
"I believe there is no need for me to be too shy around you, don't you think? Good grief, you have seen me bare naked for more than a hundred times…"
"Well, that's true."
Once Reisi had finished preparing, they headed out. Since both of them do not own their own car and since Mikoto did not want to ride his motorcycle with Reisi at his back, they walked to their destination. Mikoto insisted that the place is not that far away. Side by side, they walked with one another. Reisi had to wonder where the redhead was to bring her. It is inappropriate for him to bring her to a bookstore and an arcade again like he did eight years ago. If he would bring her to those places again, she would be very disappointed though there is no way that she will show that disappointment.
"Suoh…"
"Yeah?"
"Is this your first formal date?" Reisi could not help it.
"Nope. I dated a couple of girls way back before you came back in mah life." Mikoto answered, "I was try'na forget about chu, remember? I dated but, hell, I never had any girlfriends." He no longer needed to ask Reisi back if this were her first date because it doesn't seem to look like it. Reisi is a very attractive woman and he doubts that not one of her classmates in United Kingdom asked her out.
"I too had dated a few men a few years back…" The Blue Queen says, "…I had a lot of boyfriends too."
"Apparently."
"Why, thank you."
"Who wouldn't want you?" Mikoto drew closer to her, taking her hand in his and holding it as they walked further. He suddenly felt the need to be possessive over her. Reisi chuckled, shaking her head when he held her hand in his. The man should know that he was lucky to have her as his girlfriend.
When they reached a small restaurant, Mikoto stopped and before Reisi could read what the restaurant's name was, he pulled her towards the entrance. A waiter stood near the door and he greeted the two of them before Mikoto said, "Table for two." And he said it grouchily and gruffly that Reisi saw the waiter's face lose a bit of color in fear of him. Reisi smiled at the man, adding to what Mikoto said, "Please. Thank you." She spoke sweetly; her tone of voice soothing the waiter's fear. The man nodded his head, gesturing, "Follow me please."
Mikoto is nervous out of his brain. He just could not help but look like the violent Yakuza people think of him because that's the way he is and there is nothing they could do with Mikoto's appearance. Despite having such a frightening demeanor, Mikoto is actually a kind-hearted person. In fact, Reisi knows that people should be more afraid of her than they are to him.
"Well?" Excited, Mikoto turned to her with a soft smile on his face.
As soon as the door opened, Reisi's eyes brightened. The restaurant was very lovely – the walls painted in white, the furniture decorated to look like puzzles and hanging on the clean walls were several old yet elegant paintings. The whole place was a breather. There was even classical piano pieces being played in the background. Reisi glanced at Mikoto and he had a proud expression on his face. "It's lovely." Reisi answered as they were led to their table, "I must say, I did not expect that you'll find such a wonderful place like this."
"I wanted to bring you to a restaurant with the ninja-motif since you love ninjas but it's booked for a kid's party…"
"There's still next time, anyway…" Reisi shrugged.
They ordered food and wine – the restaurant was serving traditional Japanese food along with a few Italian and American dishes – and while waiting for their meal, Mikoto opens up a topic, "What'll we call our kid?"
"Isn't it too early to think of that?"
"Nah…I dun think so…"
After a while of thinking, Reisi's painted lips formed a smile and she said, "Naruto."
"What?" Mikoto's jaw dropped, "As in the ninja?" She has got to be kidding. She really plans to name their child after an anime character?
"Yes."
"I ain't namin' our kid after a ninja."
"So, you have a better name then?"
"…Mito." Mikoto said.
"That's adorable." Reisi said, smiling widely as she spoke, "Is it based on your name? I mean, is it a shortened version of 'Mikoto'?"
"No. Meat." The redhead answered, emphasizing at the word.
The Blue Queen gave Mikoto a deadpan gaze. That's typical of Mikoto, naming their child after food. One time, she remembers that he named a horse Strain Basashi which is what raw horse meat is called. Mikoto gave her a smirk – the type of smug facial expression which pushes her over the edge. As she was looking at his face, she could not help but feel a deep churning in her stomach. "Honestly, that face…" she murmured quietly before glaring at Mikoto, "I don't want you to name our child after food."
"Hell, I bet once she's born, she'll be cute enough to eat."
"Not funny." Reisi said, sighing, "And who told you our child is a girl?"
Their conversation was interrupted with the waiter serving their food. Completely famished, they decided to stop the conversation about what to name their child and began eating. On the middle of their meal, Reisi decided to speak, "By the way, Suoh…"
Mikoto raised his head; dark crimson brown barbeque sauce smeared on his lips. He raised his eyebrow. Clearing her throat, Reisi gestures for him to wipe his lips before continuing, "…I had taken the liberty of researching on your case."
Curiously, Mikoto stared at Reisi and so, she elaborated, "What I mean to say is that I have learned of what happens to those who renounce their thrones from the Dresden Slate…"
"And…?"
"Those who renounce their throne will be completely free from the Slate's influence; losing their powers unlike their clansmen. It is deemed to be a punishment from the Dresden Slate to the ungrateful people who refuse the power it has given them. Therefore, Suoh, I am afraid that you no longer bear the Red Aura."
"Is that so…?"
And so, Reisi had confirmed what Mikoto suspected. He is now an ordinary young man. What the Blue Queen may be good news and may also be bad news. It's great that he will no longer fear the thought of losing control of his powers but if he were powerless as he is, he could only wonder how his clansmen would react to this…
Seeing Mikoto spacing out, Reisi reached out to him; holding his hand in hers. She could see his confusion and his doubt and his fear. "Don't worry about that." Reisi said, "Let's enjoy the night." She never thought that Mikoto would ponder about that, she never thought that the man who usually doesn't give a fuck would give a big fuck now. Why was she surprised? There had been changes in Mikoto since the Ashinaka Incident.
Nodding his head, Mikoto mumbled, "Yeah…you're right…"
"Anyway, I think I have thought of the perfect name for our child." Reisi said, smiling widely, "Nazo." There was no humor in her eyes this time, unlike when she suggested that they name their child after a popular anime character. 'Nazo' is another term used for the word 'puzzle'. Mikoto knew that Reisi would elaborated on her choice of name and he waited for her to do so, "That was how I saw you, Suoh, the first time I met you. You were a complex puzzle in my eyes. And as the time passed, I was able to solve this puzzle of a man. This child in my womb would be the puzzle that we'll solve together."
"That's a weird thing to put 'raise him or her together', Reisi." chuckled the redhead. Reisi was about to say that she disagrees on him saying that what she said was 'weird' but Mikoto gave her hand a squeeze, saying, "But I think it's perfect though." Reisi's face brightened at his response.
This woman and their child…he chose them over death which he once thought to be the only escape from the voices that tempt him to burn the whole city down, he chose them over revenge and he knows that he had made the right decision. He gave up his Aura, his Kingship and maybe, he may have sacrificed his place in Homra too but looking into the pretty violet eyes of his lover and discussing the future with her and their child, he could not help but not care about all that. He may lose his place in Homra…but at least, he knows the place he belongs to. His rightful place is here – with Reisi and their kid.
Author's Notes:
I ain't gunna just post an announcement, yo. I'mma write an epilogue for you awesome guys!
Hahaha.
Yes, you thought right. The sequel of 'The Air That You Breathe' is now posted. As I've mentioned before, It's titled 'The Place You Will Return To' and it will follow the story-line of Missing Kings and Return of Kings, but with a lesser time skip. Because of...reasons.
So, check it out!