3 Years Later...
Reiji awoke slowly, the light of the setting sun entering through the window. It was early. Resting on his chest, with his arm wrapped around her waist, was Reina. They would have to get up soon. But she looked so peaceful, that he could not bring himself to wake her. So he allowed her a few minutes, finding contentment in simply hearing her even breaths. But the sky was quickly darkening. With every care in the world, Reiji ran his hand up her arm, gently stirring her awake.
Her hands which had been flat on his chest curled up into small fists, making a small knocking motion, which Reiji had learned happened every time she woke up. It was a rather bizarre habit, but endearing nonetheless.
"Mmm...Reiji."
"Did you sleep well?"
She lifted her head, smiling up at him. "Most definitely."
He ran his fingers through her hair, his voice low and soft as he told her they should begin getting ready. She nodded her head in agreement, stretching and letting out a soft groan, before sitting up in bed, and then gracefully swinging her legs over the edge.
"I managed to adjust the issue with the flowers. It wasn't what she originally wanted, but it will do."
"She should be grateful nonetheless." Reiji replied strictly.
Reina smiled and shook her head, "Oh, Reiji. It's her wedding day."
"It is nothing more than a formal event required of the current king."
She smirked at that, leaning over to kiss his cheek, "I'll be out soon."
Reiji accepted the affection, tossing the covers off his legs to begin getting dressed himself. They had a complementary arrangement in which he bathed before bed, and she showered upon waking up. While she did so, Reiji would make their bed, and once finished, begin to get ready himself. Such was the same on this particular day. By the time he began buttoning his shirt, the shower had turned off. He took his time with the last button, eyeing himself in the mirror as he tucked his shirt into his pants. Adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, he heard the faint hums of Reina's voice, which let him know that she was fixing her hair.
It was always the same song, one he did not know, but had, by now, memorized the tune. Humming it to himself-carefully, so that she would not hear-he reached for his tie, and wrapped it around his neck. But he let it hang there, moving over to the bed to put his shoes on instead. The laces curled around his fingers in easy habit, the door to the bathroom opening just as he'd finished. He stood up, Reina not looking at him, instead heading swiftly to her vanity, struggling with one of her earrings. "Reiji-san," she spoke into the mirror, "Will you?"
He strode up to her, zipping up the back of her dress, her fingers lingering on the bare skin of her back for just a second too long.
But the lace was pleasant beneath his touch, and the deep burgundy was reminiscent of her blood.
"This is new." He stated.
"Naturally."
"It's very comely." He told her.
She smiled at him through the mirror, finally having adjusted her earring to perfection, and turned to face him properly, clapping her hands together once. "Shall I do your tie?"
It was something he could do well enough on his own. Something he had done on his own, for an innumerable amount of years. But somehow, this had become part of their routine. One which Reiji did not mind at all.
Reina reached up to the collar of his shirt, tossing one end of the tie over the other, wrapping it around itself. He watched her do so, admiring her new gown. The lace wrapped around her arms, climbing up and following the length of her collarbone, shaping into a very shallow 'v' to mark her neckline. The fabric hugged her curves until just below her thighs, where it spread out loosely around her legs.
"We should leave soon," she said, breaking his thoughts, "I imagine she'll be needing a bit of encouragement."
"We will have more than enough time." He said calmly.
She smiled up at him, tightening the tie and adjusting his collar. "Yes, well. We never have been late before, have we?"
"Not at all."
She let the tie slide between her fingers, before she patted it gently against his chest, signaling that she had finished.
"Did the gift-"
"It's been taken care of." He assured her.
"Shall we go then?"
He offered his arm, and she took it, he dress swaying with each step.
Upon arriving at the ceremony, the pair made all the necessary greetings, addressing important Underworld figures, and eventually greeting the rest of the Sakamaki family.
They gave their congratulations to Shu, upon which Reina excused herself to go check on the bride.
It was all so reminiscent of her own wedding. The anxiousness, the flowers…
Reiji had never looked so handsome. Their ceremony had been a rather quiet affair, nothing compared to this current fanfare. But she didn't mind. She'd always been a great supporter of simplicity. Even when it came to their current home, the one which she and Reiji had retired to, upon the end of their celebrations. She'd been so nervous, that night.
...
"It seems rather large for two people." Reina observed, as Reiji shut the door behind him.
"I suppose," he countered, "But it is nothing compared to the mansion or castle."
She couldn't exactly argue with that, silently following his lead up the stairs to what would from now on be their bedroom. When they got there, it was Reina who opened the door, gasping in pleasant surprise at how everything had been arranged.
"It seems the familiars already took care of all our belongings."
Reina smiled, turning to face the man that was now her husband. But she was once again, caught by surprise, as she was swept off her feet with very little trouble.
"R-Reiji-san!"
"This is custom, is it not?"
Her cheeks burned, her arms wrapping around his neck with every shyness in the world. "Yes," she smiled, "It is."
He carried her to the bed, placing her down gently, her skirt spreading out over the edge, claiming nearly an entire half of the bed. He sat down next to her, careful not to catch the fabric of her dress, and cleared his throat.
"Perhaps we should get some rest. It has been a long day."
She blinked rapidly. "O-Oh. Yes, of course. Are you tired?" her words fell out of her mouth much too quickly.
He adjusted his glasses, refusing to look at her. "Not particularly. But I would imagine you to be."
"No," she shook her head, looking at him curiously, "I feel just fine."
She watched as Reiji ran his hands over his pants, "Could I prepare something for you? Food, or a bath?"
She smiled, looking down at her fingers on her lap. It was good to know that she was not the only one who was nervous. "I'm quite all right, Reiji-san." Her head quickly shot up, "That is! Unless you're hungry. Or...if you would like to take a bath…"
He cleared his throat, "Separately, of course."
She didn't know what sort of expression she was making at that moment. She hoped it wasn't too terribly unpleasant. "Oh. Yes. Of course."
"Unless...that is…" he cleared his throat again, and Reina figured she should reach out to him before she, too, lost her nerve. She placed her hand over his, which was still resting on his thigh, her heart racing and then calming at the familiar touch. "Will you help me?" she asked, "This dress is rather impossible to handle on one's own."
He gave her a quick nod, and they both stood up, Reina turning her back to him. She took a nice, deep inhale, her skin jumping as his fingers touched her back. But she tried her best to keep that all in. Reiji began tugging at the laces, slowly undoing them with careful patience.
Reina swallowed, but really it was more of a gulp, the way her heart was beating so fast. And with the corset slowly being loosened, it only allowed her heart more room to pound.
She rested her hands on the cream colored fabric, her fingers tracing along the gold swirls that lined the bottom of her skirt and worked their way up. It was intricate needlework, and it reminded her of the teacup she'd first taken a fancy in. How very foolish of her to not notice that comparison until-
The top part began to slide, and in embarrassed panic her arms went to catch the torso, quickly turning around so that she was facing her husband-her husband- once more. "Thank you." she said quickly, losing every last trace of bravery she thought she had. But it seemed as though Reiji had worked up some courage of his own, because he walked up to her, taking her wrists in his hands, and pulled them away from the dress.
As the bust slid down and bunched up around her waist, Reiji kissed her, sparing her some momentary embarrassment. But the kiss was short lived, and soon enough Reina was stepping out of the gown, with Reiji's hand as support.
It was ridiculous, she thought. She'd done this before. So why was she so…
"You look beautiful."
She couldn't bare to look at him, debating whether or not it'd be rude to jump under the covers and never show her face again. "Reiji-san," she told the ground, "Please don't flatter me at a time like this..."
Picking up her dress so that it would not wrinkle, she let it hang freely over the armchair, trying to distract herself from the fact that she was wearing nothing but some of France's most provocative white lingerie, courtesy of one of her more...fun-loving friends. Perhaps this was a bad idea. She was not this bold.
She began taking off her shoes, thinking he probably found her far too promiscuous, when she heard him clear his throat. She looked up, meeting his gaze.
"Will you help me with my tie?"
She slowly unhooked the strap of her heels and nodded, walking up to him on trembling legs. She undid his tie in silence, but when she began to drop her hands, he held them in place, giving her fingers a brief kiss, and then telling her to do his shirt as well.
Reina assumed it was only fair, since she had asked him to undo her dress.
"So then, is this your true height?" he teased softly, his voice slightly different from his usual tone. She glanced up at him, fiddling with his buttons. "I've managed to deceive you for some time, it seems." she smirked back.
He chuckled, but it was short and followed by a large inhale, upon which he pulled her in for another kiss.
It was everything she'd ever read about and more. It was the butterflies in her stomach, the breath stolen from her lips, the heart fluttering and the ever so present happiness. And it was all so much that she couldn't help but wrap her arms around him, holding him as close as their bodies would allow. And she wanted…
"Reiji-san," she breathed, breaking the kiss.
"Reina." he murmured back. His hands, though resting firmly on her back, were making her skin burn with a sort of fire and adrenaline Reina had never felt before.
"I know this will seem old fashioned. But I was wondering if...we don't have to...but I was…"
He picked her up again, smiling down at her as he placed her on the bed. He climbed over her, his torso against hers, their legs brushing together. "I was wondering the same thing." he admitted, his forehead on hers.
She smiled, Reiji noticing that though the blush had faded, it was still very much present in her lively cheeks.
"Then," she said, "Together."
He lowered his lips to her neck, as Reina wrapped her hand around his, burying the other in his hair and positioning her lips just between his neck and shoulder.
They both inhaled, Reina being the first to speak, "With this blood," she breathed.
"For all eternity." Reiji finished, husband and wife granting each other their fangs.
...
It was hard to believe that it had been nearly two years, since then. Reina smiled to herself, thinking that Yui would soon experience something similar.
With a careful hand, Reina knocked on the door, before excusing herself for the intrusion.
Yui turned around with a large smile, "Reina-san!"
"Are you nearly ready?" Reina smiled back.
"I think my veil might be a bit crooked," Yui said, turning back to face the mirror, fiddling with her hair clip.
Noticing her trembling hands, Reina strode up to her, offering her palm, "Would you like me to?"
Yui swallowed, nodding quickly and then rubbing her hands against the skirt of her dress, "Yes, thank you."
"You seem nervous." Reina observed, pulling a bit of Yui's hair back, and adjusting the veil so that it would stay properly in place.
Yui continued to adjust her skirt, taking in short, fast breaths. "Um...well it's just...I don't know any of those people."
Reina put her hands on Yui's shoulders. "You know Shu," she smiled kindly, "And that's the only thing that matters."
Yui craned her neck to look back at her, "Y-Yes you're right. But even still...I always thought…"
Reina squeezed her shoulders. "It's a rather elaborate performance, I know. But you will be Queen soon. I suggest you save your nerves for the coronation and instead try and enjoy this moment. One only marries once, after all."
Yui took a deep breath, before agreeing with the older woman. "Are you sure this isn't too much? I would have been fine with something-"
Reina shook her head, walking over to the vanity to gather Yui's gloves. "I know not everything went as you expected it would, but there are certain formalities one must agree too. Despite it all," she explained, helping Yui slip on the gloves, "You look very beautiful, and Shu is a very lucky man."
Stretching out her hand to adjust to the feel of the glove around her arms, Yui licked her lips. "But what if something goes wrong? You were so composed. And here I am...I'm a mess. You must not think very highly of me."
Reina's eyes widened in surprise. "Not at all. It's perfectly natural to be nervous, at a time like this."
"Yes but I…" Yui looked up hesitantly, "Were you nervous, Reina-san?"
Reina laughed, folding her hands in front of her lap. "A silly question for a silly girl," she smiled, shaking her head and then taking Yui's hand. "Come, you shouldn't be late to your own wedding."
Taking a big breath Yui agreed once again, following Reina's lead. Once more, she felt an encouraging squeeze on her shoulder.
"Have you been drinking enough blood?"
"Shu has been hunting for the both of us."
"You will have to go out on your own soon. He will be busy with politics of both our world and theirs. But the good news is, tonight you won't need to worry about any of that."
"I will try not to."
"Think of the food," Reina told her, "There will be plenty of delicacies to indulge in. Humans are rather inventive with their food, after all."
Yui laughed, shaking her head, "It's not so strange."
Reina hummed, "To you, perhaps."
They walked down mostly in silence, until they had reached the large wooden doors that Yui thought looked impossible to open. Reina squeezed the younger girl's hands in encouragement. "You will be fine. Look at Shu. I think you'll find everything else becomes rather small in comparison."
The women exchanged a hug, and Reina entered the hall, taking her seat next to Rieji.
"She has three minutes before things will begin to fall behind schedule."
Reina shushed him, taking his hand in hers and shooting Shu an encouraging smile, who was standing with his hands in front of him at the top of the altar. He gave her a strict nod, and the doors opened to reveal a timid Yui.
The music began, and Yui walked down the aisle, bouquet in hand.
"A woman like that should not be wearing white on such an occasion." Reiji whispered into Reina's ear. She bit her lip, pinching his thigh to keep him quiet.
It was a grand ceremony, with no expense spared. And the reception was just as grandiose, a large banquet and elegant music echoing throughout the ballroom of the castle.
When the time came, goodbyes were said, but not without Reina and Yui exchanging another hug.
Reiji and Shu exchanging a very curt nod instead, shaking hands and making brief statements about one political thing or another.
"Don't worry about a thing!" Reina told Yui, finally handing her over to Shu, "We'll hold down the fort while you're gone."
Yui laughed happily, running up to hug Reina once again and assuring her that she would tell her all about their trip once she returned.
Reina waved as they departed, and it was only now that Reiji wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"We'll have quite a bit to do tomorrow." She told him, placing her hand over his so that she could link their fingers, their rings clinking together as she did so.
"It's to be expected." Reiji replied, giving her fingers a light squeeze, "After all," his voice dropped slightly, but still loud enough for her to hear, "We have always been, and forever will be, the pillars that hold up this Kingdom."
Fin
A/N: *sobs for fucking ever* Oh my god. It's done. It's over. Five months and twenty-five chapters later it's over. I don't know what I'm supposed to do now. Oh god. I'm so sad. Ok before I say anymore let me address the review:
Mikilla: Yes! Oh my god that's like the best comment anyone could ever tell me! One of my goals for this story was to get people to see Reiji in a different light, and appreciate him for the complex character he is so gwaaahhhh x.x thank you thank you
Ok guys. As for the bonus chapter, it probably won't be a full chapter, more like a little drabble type of thing that I might post separately. I'm still not too sure yet. But for all intents and purposes, Masks of Glass is officially over. Thank you all sosososososossoSO much for reading. This entire thing was a self-indulgent gift to myself (with a strong emphasis on the last two chapters XD) but oh god I'm glad so many of you could enjoy it along with me :)
And to think this was gonna be a oneshot XD Oh man. Shoutout to Reiji's Gin no Bara and Toaru Yogensha no Unmei because those were like the theme songs to this whole thing. Especially that one line that goes something like 'little girl you glass mask is breaking' because that's really how this was born.
Also shoutout to everyone who's reviewed up to this point! They're really so encouraging! Special thank you to my regular reviewers ^^ But wowz like 80-ish followers on this story right? What did the rest of you think? I'd love to know!
Ok I'm gonna go drown myself in feels now. Damn. Idk what else to say. Love you guys.
~Madame Malfoy