Asdfghjkl im alive, hi! Im still trying to get through my breakup but writing this is helping me kinda cope so that's dope. I really hope you all enjoy and lmk in the reviews n all that. Ty loves!

FIFTY-ONE - His Plus-One

11 Days Until The Wedding

"Obi!"

The excited voice of his lover had completely pushed all the thoughts that were scrambling about Obi's mind. Obi gives her a small smile as he fully enters the office with arms open and ready to give his Mistress a hug. Shirayuki flees from her chair and jumps into his arms, seeing as Ryu wasn't here to see them being this way.

"I wasn't gone long, was I?"Obi chuckled, feeling the warm embrace of his Mistress as her soft arms tightly wrap around his tough torso. Her cheek was pressed against him, allowing Shirayuki to listen to the quickened beats of his heart. Is he anxious? Shirayuki wondered, holding on tight in hopes that it will slow down just a bit. "It's only been a few minutes since I saw you, Mistress."

"I know," she murmurs, her cheeks flushing rose, "I just miss you all the time."

Obi couldn't stand how cute she was at times. For all his life, he has never found the need to use his heart other than to be alive. But Shirayuki had made him realize that he was alive but wasn't truly living. With her, everything seems to matter more to him than usual. He finds himself caring about the flowers and if they're having enough water. He finds himself bothered if a maid is forced to carry many things that she clearly can't do with ease. He wants to do more in this world for things and people that don't ask anything of him.

And this had only come to be due to the warmth that Shirayuki brought to his life. He's so much happier and feels happier when he helps others achieve that feeling, even if it's just a twinge. Obi needs nothing more in this world now that he has fallen in love with the only person who clearly understands him better than anyone he's come to meet. He solely wants to make sure that she is safe and love, it's what drives him.

"I feel the same way, Miss," Obi says with a smile he couldn't even fight. She lets go of him after feeling his heart slow down, but her curiosity remains blazing. Her emerald eyes were quick to notice the letter in his hand, but she didn't want to ask about it just yet. "What have you been up to since I've been gone?"

"Well, I got breakfast," Shirayuki announces as she walks over to her desk. She picks up a plate covered in a napkin and presents it to him. "I also grabbed extra for you as I knew you'd either forget or skip it until luncheon."

Obi couldn't help but linger that smile that only she can produce. "You didn't need to, Miss." He places the letter by the window at Ryu's side of the office and takes the plate from his lady's hands. "But thank you very much, Little Miss. You getting this for me will probably make it taste a million times better."

Shirayuki blushed, "be quiet and eat."

Obi chuckles as he grabs Ryu's unoccupied chair with his foot and drags it close behind Shirayuki's. She giggles as well and takes a seat, going back to whatever plant she's studying as Obi takes a seat and unveils the food she collected for him. Smoked bacon, sunny-side up eggs and toasted slices of bread with butter already melted in it. He sighs contently, his stomach eager to eat this amazing breakfast. She had even put a fork on the plate just enough for it to stay but the handle remains out and clean.

Shirayuki had been ever so curious about what the Prince had spoken to Obi about. She wanted to know what they had discussed and who that letter is addressed to. But she didn't want to seem so intrusive as she understands that these things should probably be kept between Obi and his Master. But she hoped that the Prince hadn't said anything mean or was placing more responsibilities on Obi.

"Are you going somewhere soon, Obi?" Shirayuki finally emitted, having Obi forcefully gulp down the piece of bacon in his mouth. He knew she was going to comment about the letter, he just didn't know when. But finally the moment has come and his heart is back to racing.

"Yes," Obi confirmed. "Master would like me to personally deliver one more wedding invitation." Shirayuki nodded, staring at the plant in her hands distantly. She was curious who else had been important enough to have a letter delivered to them personally. She knew his mother as well as the Prince of Tanbarun, but who else had they encountered in their many travels that Zen had considered important?

"If you don't mind me asking," Shirayuki began, "if it's okay… do you know who?"

Obi gulped again. Zen hadn't said no to not telling Shirayuki, but he also knew that this letter is in regards of her father. Surely, he respected the Master and his requests but nothing in his words told him that he couldn't tell her. Maybe it was a given, but Zen is typically direct with his orders and will add details if he deems it important or as part of his desires within it. But Obi must remind himself that this is Shirayuki's last living family member and with what Zen told him, it's too important for her not to know.

"I'll be off to see the Mountain Lions tomorrow," Obi answered. "That invitation is for your father."

Shirayuki's glowing eyes of curiosity went dull. She turned back and looked at Obi, confusion swimming about those green orbs. "My father?" Obi met her eyes, seeing the color of her cheeks fade. She had suddenly gone pale and Obi didn't know whether he regret telling her or not. "Why is he sending an invitation to my father?"

Obi gulped, his eyes distantly returning to his food, "Master informed me that there are extra words that he would like to say to your father that's with the invitation. He doesn't want it getting damaged or lost."

"But why to my father?" Shirayuki pressed. "There's no words needed to be exchanged between the two. I was thinking about going to see my father to inform him myself."

"I assume Master wants to be honest with him with his words," Obi quietly uttered. "There would be no need to twist the story or try to ease in the truth of things."

"But I'm his daughter!" Shirayuki exclaimed, having Obi continue to hang his head. He knows that this situation is still serious, even with so much time passing since Zen declared his engagement. And now the unimaginable- more people come into the stew of the delicate situation. "I should be the one to tell him."

"Maybe Master doesn't want to appear as a coward," Obi suggested, having Shirayuki hold her breath from saying another word. "Being as he's the reason for feeling obligated to send him this very letter."

Obi could see the defeat in her eyes. The sudden dullness that washed over the emerald orbs that he cherishes every single day, hour, minute, and second- had made him wince. Obi understood why she felt so bothered by it. This entire situation could have been avoided if Zen hadn't done what he did. But if he didn't, Obi and Shirayuki wouldn't be at this point. And that's something that conflicts Obi's mind every day, even when the torture is subtle.

"Fine," Shirayuki accepted, having Obi raise his eyebrows. "We'll tell him together."

Obi's heart stopped. "...What do you mean by that, Mistress?"

"What I mean is," she begins, placing the flower delicately back into its transparent vial, "I'm going with you to deliver that letter." Obi choked on a piece of bacon, coughing a bit as he watched her stand up and push her chair into the table.

"M-Miss, you can't!" Obi insisted, standing up as well to put his plate of food on the seat. He looks into her eyes, seeing the burning of determination swirling in the green flames. "You're needed here, with Ryu and Miss Garak. Coming with me would be far too dangerous and unproductive too- I don't want you getting in harm's way!" He waved his arms during his ramble, but Shirayuki remained still. She lifted her hand and gently grabbed one of his flailing hands, causing him to go just as still.

"I've been wanting to see my father for a while now," Shirayuki quietly informed. Obi let out a quiet breath as he looked at her. "And you're to be my escort."

"But we can do two trips, Miss," Obi insisted, beginning to push his fingers between hers. "It's not a problem."

"But that's unproductive," Shirayuki replied with a wink, having Obi drop his shoulders in defeat. He smirked though, with a chuckle escaping his lips. He shakes his head, his free hand rising to scratch the back of his head in some level of concern.

"If you can manage to get permission from both Miss Garak and Master," Obi started, "only then can you go." Shirayuki frowned, but she knew those were the rules. She's not supposed to tag along for such ventures without explicit permission.

"Alrighty then," Shirayuki reeled her hand from his, "I'll be on my way to the Prince's quarters."

Obi stared at her, deadpanned, "right now?" She nods, beginning her march towards his office. But, knowing Obi's outstanding velocity, he grabs her wrist before her hair flows back straight.

"Obi-"

"If you're really serious about coming with me," Obi begins, voice pretty low and foreign to Shirayuki, "go ahead and pack a small bag of whatever you'd like. It's a day's trip, so you don't require too much."

"But what about you?" She asks wondrously.

"I'll go ask Miss Garak and Master for permission for you to accompany me," Obi says with a small smile, "they'll validate my reasons more."

Shirayuki stares at him, eyes bright and twinkling once more. She stares at Obi, curious of his intentions in doing this. But she knows that he tries his best to help her avoid Zen and does everything in his power to keep others from seeing her very uncommon greedy side. Obi would rather experience the awkward and tension of asking for requests than for her to be put in that situation, even when she can handle it.

"But you don't have to do that for me, Obi," Shirayuki insists, her mouth slightly agape while staring at the amber of his eyes. "I can handle it."

"I know." He smiles widely before pulling at her wrist gently to swallow her in his embrace. Shirayuki feels his strong arms protectively hold her, his chin resting softly on the top of her crimson locks. It's this kind of affection that his shows that makes Shirayuki's heart begin to run. The rareness of Obi's emotional expressiveness has always been something Shirayuki was fond of. She had also noticed that before everything when they were just an herbalist and a personal assistant, Obi was always much more open about his feelings to her than to anyone. "I just prefer doing it for you."

Shirayuki flushed, closing her eyes as she snuggled against his robust chest. This moment, being in her lovers arms, makes her feel at her most safest. Obi had always broken bones to protect her, but here, when there's no enemies even plotting her demise, he wanted nothing more than to keep her from anything that could threaten her. And for that, she will forever be grateful.

"Fine," she spoke into his chest, her arms loosely wrapping around his torso as Obi happily kept his hold on her. They allowed quiet to ensue, the only thing to be heard is the wind when dancing through the grass and bugs buzzing about outside. But their assumption of being alone had been incorrect when Garak stepped into view by the doorway.

"Permission granted."

Obi and Shirayuki froze, hearts halted as they quickly detach from each other and turn to face the lead herbalist. Both faces were completely flushed, Obi even more so whenever anybody had seen them together. He's never been used to having a lover as well as being one's lover, and he's definitely not used to being expressive with his feelings for his lover in front of others. As for Shirayuki, she's just in shock that Garak had been eavesdropping.

"D-did you overhear all of that, Miss Garak?" Obi shyly asked, his voice higher than what it was previously. Garak walks in with a smirk, clearly amused at the young lovers before her.

"Since you decided to ask me and the Second Prince rather than her," Garak replied, "but I promise I disregarded the rest of your words. I was waiting for the two of you to quiet down so I can grant consent without interrupting."

The couple stares at the woman in shock, but they knew Garak hadn't been kidding. She understood the situation well- almost too well. She's been so lenient with giving Shirayuki so much free time because she knows she's having an extremely rough time. It seemed like such a fantasy-come-true to be in love with a Prince and for his love to be returned. But alas, it remained a fantasy for Shirayuki.

But not all Prince's require a crown, Garak thinks with a smirk. "Now all you have is the Prince to worry about."

Before the two could utter any words, 2 more eavesdroppers reveal themselves in the doorway. Obi was beyond crimson, his ears even drowning in a rose pool as his eyes rested upon Mitsuhide and Kiki. He's still not used to being open about his relationship with Shirayuki, especially upon her request to be hidden. But since she's been okay with acting like lovers with no worry of being caught.

"I guess that'll be where we come in," Mitsuhide calmly says with a grin, his brown eyes sparkling gently. Shirayuki met eyes with him, quickly realizing how much she had missed spending time with the two aides. Mitsuhide and Kiki had done so much for her in regards of her well-being as well as becoming a big part of her life as lifelong friends. "We'll tell Zen for you."

"But you don't have to do that!" Shirayuki insists, taken aback by their immense, unasked for kindness. "I can tell the Prince myself."

"True," Kiki joins, "but we're around him all the time anyways. I think he'll take it easier from us rather than Obi. It's not a problem for us."

Shirayuki walks up to Kiki, face just as flushed as Obi's but eyes full of determination and understand. With her arms pressed to her sides, she bows before the blonde woman, having Kiki smile curtly. "Th-thank you for showing nothing but kindness to me! I'm more than gracious for you to do this favor for me even when I hadn't asked."

Kiki smiles genuinely, placing on hand on the maidens shoulder. Shirayuki straightens up, her bottom lip quivering as if she were close to tears. "It'll never be a problem, Shirayuki."

Shirayuki had always been grateful for Mitsuhide and Kiki for still showing the same kindness and respect they had when they first met her and during her lovers point with the Prince. She felt more at ease knowing these two aren't mad at her or Zen for everything that has happened even though it wasn't her fault. They must be just as disappointed as she had been initially, but it seems the two are unbothered by what has bloomed between her and Obi.

Speaking of which, Kiki and Mitsuhide switch their eyes to look at Obi, who is still as red as a cherry. He was still as stone, his eyes wide with pupils thinner than its usual sliver-self. His jaw was hung, in complete shock over how everything had somehow worked out weirdly due to the eavesdroppers that he respects immensely. With shoulders hung and arms just as such, he couldn't help but just silently stand there.

"Uh, Obi?" Mitsuhide begins, one hand attaching itself to the man's shoulder, "are you alright?" Obi catches a heavy breath, standing straight once more as one hands goes behind his head to scratch the back of his hair. As Shirayuki turns around to stare at him (with the usual smile that sent euphoric stabs into his heart), he couldn't help but grin. The two aides Garak noticed the way his amber eyes were quick to lighten up just by looking at her.

Obi shakes his face, quickly becoming deadpanned with arms tightly pressed to his sides. "I'm perfect." Mitsuhide smirked, amused by Obi's behavior as the man's eyes were quick to look over to the hand that remained still on his shoulder. "Are you trying to insinuate something, Mister Mitsuhide?"

Mitsuhide looked at him quizzically before realizing what he was saying. "Obi!" Mitsuhide growled, having Obi's life essentially flash before his eyes. "Watch your tongue!"

Obi raises his hands, eyes closed with fake fear surging through him, "haven't you learned to never take me seriously, Mister Mitsuhide?"

Mitsuhide was quick to grab the collar of Obi's shirt, pulling him close to him, "we work together, I expect nothing but an earnest attitude from you." Obu chuckled nervously right then, knowing that Mitsuhide was a teddy bear but had some anxiety from the growl of his voice.

"Either that," Kiki interrupts, her face remaining stern but azure eyes entertained by the sight, "or you need to learn to be more laid back, Mitsuhide."

Mitsuhide lets go of Obi and turns to Kiki, his lips agape from offense, "I am laid back, Kiki!" Kiki rolls her eyes, having Mitsuhide flinch in embarrassment.

Obi and Shirayuki shared the same relief to see the spotlight had left them. Mitsuhide and Kiki were obvious, but they do a wonderful job keeping it professional around everyone. Even Garak had known that those two were to be inseparable, in which Obi and Shirayuki were likely aspiring for.

Shirayuki finds herself backing up to get next to Obi, which he notices immediately and smiles. The two stared at the two aides bickering, but had found themselves slowly inching closer to one another. Obi's hand had begun reaching out for hers, reminding him of the day that Shirayuki had been acting so weird after assisting Kihal to protect her land and the native birds there. He had gotten close with his right hand, 2 fingers covered by the eccentric hand glove he always wore.

He was reaching ever so slowly… until he finally touched her supple skin. Shirayuki's cheeks tint pink but she doesn't react much beyond that. Her left hand was quick to lightly brush his palm with her fingertips, having Obi gently force his fingers between hers. Their hands are joined and the two try their best to make it subtle. But surely, they should know by now that nothing between the two will ever go unnoticed.

"Well, we should be off then." Shirayuki and Obi were snapped back to reality from Kiki's voice as she gives them a kind smile. Mitsuhide does the same, clutching the handle of his sword to bow before them. The two do the same in respect, realizing how much they've missed these moments with all of them together. Just being the silly young adults they know they have the potential to be.

"Take care," Shirayuki bid them farewell, with Garak also voicing her farewells. The two aides exit the room, leaving the lovers and Garak alone. That's when Obi was quick to detach his hand from his lover and puts both hands behind his head like he always does. Garak noticed and smirked.

"Now that we've got that covered," Garak said calmly, stuffing her hands into her usual herbalist coat, "let's get back to work, yes?"

"Of course!" Shirayuki exclaimed, filing herself at her desk as she quickly picks up the small plant she had been studying moments prior. Obi leans against the wall by her, watching her as she examens the small plant.

Garak watches the two fondly, seeing as Obi asks her questions and Shirayuki responds kindly (and eagerly) as she shows him the parts of the plant. He's good for her- he's always been good for her. Obi helps her further her learning as he understands how much being an herbalist means to Shirayuki. He's kept her up during her moments that she can barely even stand. It's almost like Obi was always ready to catch her as if she were to fall someday.

Good thing he caught her, Garak thought as she dismissed herself from the room to allow the lovers to entrance themselves with one another.