ooo i reached 30 chapters x
THIRTY – Everything Feels Alright
18 Days Until The Wedding
The ball of fire woke the apple-haired beauty with a warm kiss. Her cream eyelids rose, introducing her emerald orbs to the ceiling as they slowly blinked a few more times before registering a clear vision. Shirayuki stretched her arms first, still lying down in the warmth that was the bed and her quilt. But with motive and obligation to get up, she slowly sat up, allowing the quilt melting off her torso to sit on her hands. A yawn escapes her mouth, with bad breath following to treat her nose distastefully. After crinkling the button nose, her mind quickly exploded with her knight's name. She turned to her right to find mentioned knight sprawled on the floor and instantly blushed.
Obi, out of habit, was shirtless on the cool, wooden floor. Although she knew the two spent a long time up last night, she hadn't recalled him peeling off his shirt at any point. But there it was, tossed to a side as his chest and stomach was exposed to her. It always taunted her, but not for the reason that was showing skin (though that was, more correctly, a given.) It was the scars that resided the boy's body. A small one right at his upper ribcage, forming the letter 'x' upon it. Then there was one, much longer that gashes horizontally at the middle of it. And the small one towards his left collarbone, but the real eye-stealer was the large one ornate horizontally on his chest.
Shirayuki still wonders how he got it. But that was just another way of asking about his past, and Shirayuki had been warned by the boy. But oh, does this girl wonder. It was such a mind provoking sight really, seeing as Obi didn't mind it at all. Shirayuki has seen his eyes many times, more often and in-depth lady. She can tell that he's done and seen so many things that only kept the young herbalist guessing.
Seeking a closer look, Shirayuki pushed off the rest of her warm quilt, striking her with a bit of coldness due to how the room retains it. She poured herself off the comforts of the bed, allowing the quilt to join her on the ground to silence her intentional fall. Crawling on her knees, she went over to the boy, who only resided just a few feet away from her bed. Now right above him, Shirayuki watched him and smiled just at the sight.
Obi, with a stern look with eyes closed, was sleeping soundly with gentle snores escaping his nose. It was like he controlled the loudness of it for the sleepover in Shirayuki's room.
Shirayuki rose her right hand and slowly began guiding it over to his face. The petite hand hovered over, casting a shadow in the shape of it. She was sure that he has already noticed and has probably woken already, but Shirayuki refused to stop. Slowly lowering the hand, she studied Obi's practically frozen face, someone worried he wasn't breathing. But she quickly glanced over at his chest, which heaved up and down gently, giving her assurance. But when the tip of her index finger merely touched Obi's bottom lip, Shirayuki had been shocked to see Obi still remain motionless.
The girl had figured he'd be up when her hand was merely inches above his nose. But Shirayuki decided to conclude that he was likely very tired from his trip and couldn't be bothered to be more alert. It was almost a compliment to her, knowing he feels safe enough now that he was around her to deepen his slumber. Her finger grazed upon his chapped lips, quickly halting to touch the sliver of his treated wound. The previously red sliver that once oozed blood was now pink and closed, likely to heal by the end of the day. She smiled at this, knowing she was able to help him because he trusted her so much not by her title, but just getting to know her as her protector.
As her hand sauntered over to cup his cold cheek, she began recalling last night. The way the two stayed up after sharing the words they needed to. Obi humored her with his usual silly jokes and comments, and the only sound to be heard was her genuine laughter. Everything felt so much more gentle and soft with Obi. The two were previously leaned on her drawer, brewing conversation and sharing laughs. And now here she was, watching the boy sleep as she touched his face to ensure last night was real. But it was real, and he's really here, and that made Shirayuki so happy.
She can still remember the day, as clear as glass, when her heart was shattered and the only one who willingly picked it up was Obi. The way he searched through the woods for her. The way he caught her, ignoring her brief sickness, and took her back to the castle. The way he remained in the room as she let out such traumatizing cries and whimpers before she entered a broken slumber. The day he lent her his very basil scarf that had now become a part of her she was far too stubborn to let go off. She, in fact, used the very scarf to sleep on to give Obi her egg-white pillow.
It always tampered her mind over the fact that Obi went beyond his job requirements for her. He's simply to protect her and ensure her safety at all times. But, he went on an insane chase (on his own, might she add), without informing a single soul to find her. Surely, not to worry everyone else, but for his own sanity to make take her back to him and everyone else. Obi watched her as she walked around the castle in her drunken antics, despite him being able to just pick her up, take her to her room and keep her contained until she passed out from pure intoxication. Fighting Prince Zen himself to be the caretaker for her during her time in Tanbarun when she would have been just fine with Mitsuhide.
It was all just coming back to her how great Obi has been to her, and for that proceeded an influx of adoration for him.
She quickly scooted over so she was sat before his head, looking down directly at his sleepy expression. Her hand crawled away from his cheek, allowing her fingers to wave through his raven locks. His smooth, black hair tickled her fingers as Shirayuki looked down at the boy's forehead. Gently, she slowly descended her head to his, planting a kind kiss upon his forehead, barely missing his small scar. And that, ironically, woke up the sleepy man.
"Miss?" Obi groaned, having Shirayuki quickly sit back up to watch Obi reveal his amber eyes. They were still a bit squinted, grogginess evident not only in the eyes, but his voice. It was sleepy and croaky, but nonetheless was clear when she heard her nickname. "G'morning…"
"Good morning," Shirayuki replied sheepishly, her cheeks tinting pink. "Did I wake you? I'm so sorry if I did."
"Mm-mm," Obi hummed, shaking his head to reassure her as he brought his hand up to cover his mouth to yawn. Shirayuki noticed his polite gesture and smiled quickly before also noticing his ungloved hand. He has taken his gloves off before, she's seen it, but she hadn't cared so much until kissing him. This sudden lip contact has given her a completely different mindset of things. She began noticing so much about Obi without trying, and she didn't mind because she wanted to see him. All of him. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm, I did," Shirayuki responded softly, subconsciously rubbing the boy's scalp with the hand that still remained in the forest of his black locks. "How about you?"
"This floor isn't all too sweet to my back, but it was tolerable," Obi admitted, recalling the times where he would sleep on trees for hours in the same position, stiff and hoping not to fall. "Better than my previous night, I have to say."
"Oh?" Shirayuki began gently, looking curiously at the man. "What happened?"
"I slept on the floor that night in my own suite I rented," Obi began, hearing quiet cracks from him cracking his fingers under the blanket Shirayuki fetched for him. Shirayuki raised an eyebrow at this. "I unfortunately had the… very little chance of meeting Torou once again."
"Really?" Shirayuki asked, her hand going stiff from his words. "But I remember you saying you doubted seeing her ever again due to the lack of interest in your life previous to coming to the castle."
"Oh, why'd you stop?" Obi groaned a bit, reaching up to pat her hand with his. Shirayuki blushed a bit before giggling. Obi once again felt the pleasure of her finger tips rubbing his scalp, and he felt euphoric and at peace. "That statement still stands. She found me somehow, so I let her have the bed to be kind and what not. This left me on the floor, unable to sleep."
"I'm sorry you slept uncomfortably," Shirayuki began sympathetically, having Obi carelessly shrug as her fingers still doing its work on his scalp. "D'you reckon it was intentional?"
"I don't think so," Obi began. "Her eye probably caught me and wanted to mess with me. And, as I thought, she was to raise havoc somewhere and asked for me to partake. To which I declined kindly and went on my way."
"Mm," Shirayuki hummed, confirming her attentiveness as she began to gently tug on his hair. "Do you ever sometimes want to return to that line of work? I know you lack interest in going back to it, but does it ever come back as nostalgic at times?"
"Nah," Obi replied quickly, crinkling his nose. He slowly grabbed Shirayuki's soft swift and gently pull her hand off his head. She watched him curiously as he rose to also sit up and allowed himself to stretch out his arms and crack his back by twisting his torso a bit. He then moved his body to face his Mistress again and smiled. "Those times weren't any good for me. I just had nothing else at the time, so it was just something to do to not idle around. I just got stuck and nothing better came around to pull me out."
Now that Obi was sat up, he could directly see his Mistress' face and found his heart skipping a beat. She looked so, so breathtakingly beautiful. With that remedy Ryu produced for her, those once puffy, pink eyes were now creamy and full of life again. It complimented her beautiful eyes that deserved nothing else but to shine fully at their best condition. Her cheeks were back to life as well, seeing them merely rosy but up and chubby. Her soft, supple lips were slightly parted, completing her cute wondrous expression she was making.
"But then Master took me in, even after all I had done and how much of a scoundrel I presented myself to be," Obi began, a warm smile playing at his lips. His hand still held her wrist, allowing him to slightly tighten it. Not enough to hurt her, but just there to declare it firm. "And then you completely cleaned my head of the monsters that provoked me every day. I had so much doubt being here, so much self-loathe. I didn't think I deserved it, knowing what I've done and what I could've done to you. But when I hear you say my name, Miss, I feel okay. It feels right for me to be here before you, exchanging words and meeting eyes. It feels right to consider you a friend and to hang around you when you are working with Ryu. It feels nice to hold down a drink with Miss Garak, and act silly with Miss Kiki, and frustrated Mitsuhide until he's annoyed. You make me feel like I'm here, like I belong and how it wouldn't be the same if I ceased to exist."
Shirayuki stared at him good, enough to see the sincerity and authenticity in his amber eyes. Obi watched nervously, hoping his words hadn't been too bombarding or overwhelming. But Shirayuki reassured him, painting a smile at her lips as she stared at him. Her emerald eyes had a new, inexplicable brilliance to them. Her cheeks rose beautifully, practically glowing, as she brought her other hand one. She took his hand between hers, feeling the soft beings around his rough hand. Obi found his breath to hitch as he stared at his Miss wondrously.
"I'm glad to provide such a thing for you," Shirayuki whispered, her tone threatening to ensue tears. But she kept herself strong, containing her emotions as she squeezed Obi's hand. She diverted her hands down, studying the hands as she smiled warmly. "Long ago, Zen told me that color has meaning, and red represents fate. I think it was fate that brought you to me, Obi. Even if the first impression wasn't… fantastic."
"I shall resume hating myself for bringing danger to you, Miss," Obi began quietly, completely ashamed in himself as his stomach churns. Shirayuki hissed him quiet, having him grin lightly as she brought her eyes back down.
"But now you're here, and you've been nothing but respectful, kind, and caring to me," Shirayuki continued, her sentimental words directly stabbing euphoric jolts to Obi's heart. "You've done so much for me that hearing this from you makes me just a bit overwhelmed. I didn't think I did anything but trouble you and the rest. But seeing you go through such lengths for me, it makes me so happy!"
Obi then widened his eyes to see her express that beautiful face of hers. The closed eyes, flowing chubby cheeks, and that big, wide smile that can steal hearts with ease.
"I'm glad that it makes you happy, Miss," Obi said warmly, hoping to catch her eyes. "Seeing you happy makes me happy, too."
"Though, I would only have one complaint from your novel you just spewed," Shirayuki began, tilting her head up to see Obi's puzzled expression. She smirked, entertaining his curiosity as she began playing with his fingers. "Am I considered solely a 'friend'?"
"M-Miss-!" Obi exclaimed, his cheeks quickly searing as blood surged up to them. Shirayuki giggled at this, seeing as Obi was speechless for a moment. His heart was racing and he brought his free hand up to cover his flushed face. "I-I can't, I don't mean, i-it's just-!"
"I'm playing around, Obi," Shirayuki somewhat joked, giggling softly as Obi was still just a bit bewildered. She will always be a treasure to Obi, her heart far more valuable then endless bags of dill. But, she sometimes highlights her silliness that'll either have Obi smiling or taken aback. "We'll talk about it later, yes?"
"Y-yes, Miss," Obi began, stammering a bit as he continued to be red-faced. Shirayuki giggled at this and let his hand go, having Obi already yearn again for her touch. She watched as he grabbed his black, long-sleeved shirt and pulled it one before getting up from the floor. "Miss." He offered her a hand, his signature smirk trying to fight his embarrassment as Shirayuki took his hand and also joined him on her feet. "I'll be seeing you, Miss?"
"Where are you off to, Obi?" Shirayuki questioned as she began fixing her short hair a bit.
"I couldn't see Master last night, so I have to head over to check with him," Obi informed, having Shirayuki nod in comprehension as she grabbed Obi's makeshift bed to fold the blanket and toss the pillow back to its place on her bed.
"Then yes, I'll definitely be seeing you, Obi," Shirayuki said, tossing the folded blanket aside as she leaned over to grab the scarf. As she put it on, she looked up at Obi with her hands weaved together behind her and a wide smile being gifted to him. But as she looked up at the man, he seemed a little off, idling before her with his face still as red as ever. "Are you okay, Obi?"
"O-oh, yeah!" Obi stuttered, nodding quickly. He then gave her a small bow before turning around to head for the door. But he was quickly halted by a tug at the hem of his shirt.
"Wait one moment, Obi," Shirayuki began, having Obi turn around to see his Mistress annoyed and in desire for answers. "What's wrong?" Obi gulped with the way her eyes dimmed in curiosity and concern. It bothered him to ruin the glimmer in them, having him flush even more as he sheepishly brought one hand to the back of his head to scratch.
"I was just… curious if you were going to…" Obi trailed off, awkwardly diverted his gaze down to the floor. "With your lips…"
Once hearing these words, Shirayuki felt red-faced herself, but grinned from hearing them. She walked over to the boy, having him turn his head to face her directly. Their eyes met right then, having Obi shed a bit of his blush to her cheeks as she resided her petite hands on his shoulders. Silently, Shirayuki got on her toes and planted a sweet, supple kiss on the boy's cheek. She pulled away to find Obi as red as a tomato with his lips parted in a fair amount of satisfaction.
"Th-thank you, Miss," Obi began in a hushed tone, waiting as Shirayuki slipped her hands off of him to turn around and head for the door. As he touched the cool, gold knob and twisted it, he glanced back to see Shirayuki gift him a parting smile. And damn, was he so lucky to see such a beautiful sight in the brink of the morning. He quickly opened the door and escaped through it.
Obi left somewhat unsated, sounding immensely selfish for this. He was anticipating a kiss on the lips, but any lip action from her was still highly appreciated by Obi. And although Obi didn't know this, Shirayuki wanted to give him a kiss on the lips, too. But she didn't want to disgust him or them.
Considering, you know… they haven't brushed their teeth yet.
"Obi," Zen spoke sternly, greeting his orderly with ease.
Obi had made his way up to his Master right after attending to his hygiene and health. He was quick to go back to his room to shower, cleanse his teeth, and grab on his usual jacket. He then downed a quick breakfast to ensure fullness before heading out to Zen's office. And, finding himself there, he was now bowing respectively to him.
"Good morning, Master," Obi hummed, standing up straight once again as he met eyes with the azure pair. "Sorry if I were intruding."
"You weren't," Zen assured as he leaned against his desk. His lips were still pursed, studying his attendant. He wanted to make sure he seemed fine after his trip. No new scars or any hints of trauma, though Obi was very difficult to uncover if something were wrong. But, Zen did notice the cut upon his bottom lip with ease. "How was your trip?"
"It went fine, Master," Obi hummed. "Prince Raji has his invitation and will be attending. Miss Haruto also received her invitation and will be attending also. I also hadn't spent all the dill you had provided me with so—."
"You can keep it, Obi," Zen said, a smile now playing at his lips. "You earned it after all for doing me this service. Thank you very much."
"Anything for you, Master," Obi said with a nod, his amber eyes holding determination and willingness to do whatever Zen requested. As Obi kept that in his head, Zen leered at the cut on his bottom lip and decided to tamper on it.
"Did you get into any trouble while you were out?"
"Like I said, it went all fine," Obi reassured, having Zen raise his eyebrow. "Mm?"
"What happened to your lip?" Zen began, pointing at the small, dark pink gash upon his lip.
"Oh this?" Obi began, bringing his gloved hand up to tap upon the healing wound. "It was a silly thing that didn't even happen during my trip. Upon my arrival last night, I actually tripped on the stairs when I was coming up to see Shirayuki." As Obi grinned sheepishly, Zen couldn't help but flinch from the girl's name. But he had to play it cool, considering the situation.
"How does someone of your high skills in stealth and wariness manage to trip?" Zen began, somewhat in shock at this news.
"I was so excited to see Mistress again that the stairs abused my ecstatic state," Obi joked, chuckling a bit as Zen shook his head at the man. He was shaking his head from expecting this from how silly Obi is but also a little bit of envy. Obi gets to see the red-haired beauty all the time, especially when he seems just as eager to see her like Zen is. "But as soon as I found Mistress, she treated it, so…"
As Obi trailed off, Zen watched as his upper cheeks tinted a light pink. It tackled his curiosity, wondering why Obi of all people was getting this way. He was a flirt, not the one being flirted with. Sometimes, Zen noticed how suave he was that made him believe nothing could really get this man to be at all caught off-guard. Zen felt his heart halt for a moment as his mind began flooding with ideas as to how Shirayuki treated Obi upon his arrival and seeing the wound on his lip.
"Well," Zen began, clearing his throat as he nodded at Obi. "I'm glad to see you here and well. It's good that Shirayuki treated you soon before infection could begin."
"Mm," Obi replied, nodding in agreement. Zen then gave him a dismissal nod as he began to return to behind his desk and resume his work. Obi smirked, turning around to see Mitsuhide and Kiki eyeing him. "Like what you see, Miss Kiki?"
"I'd rather be blinded by the striking of a sword," Kiki replied, giving him a curt smile as she folded her arms. "I was just making sure you weren't lying and had any more wounds. Doesn't seem like it though."
"I wouldn't keep a secret from you guys, promise!" Obi put his arms up in defense. "I wouldn't be able to anyways, seeing how much you guys concern over me. You'll get manage to get it out of me." Kiki smiled warmly at this, having Obi smirk before diverting his eyes to Mitsuhide. "Take notes, Mister Mitsuhide."
"You're asking for a fight, Obi," Mitsuhide growled, his hand going for his sword with temptation to draw it. Obi laughed loudly at this, agitating the turquoise-haired man more. "Just get out of here, Obi!"
"Aye aye," Obi obliged, rushing over to Zen's balcony to hop off the railing. Obi had wanted to halt there and request information about the intruder that harrassed Shirayuki. But his Master seemed so preoccupied and busy that he hadn't wanted to disturb. The three waited as they heard the rustling of several trees sound before it gradually dissolved and Obi was no longer around. Kiki went off to the bookshelf to study a bit more. Mitsuhide began checking a few documents in regards of the wedding as he's been entrusted to ensure no mistake on them. And Zen was back to tampering with the wedding invitations, stamping and stamping to reach closer to being done.
But now Obi's words and his healed wound was distracting Zen beyond belief, and that was becoming an immense bother.