so sorry for late update ahh x
THIRTY-FOUR – It's Definitely Love
16 Days Until The Wedding
Obi has always wondered if love had itself a limit.
To elaborate, the previous-rogue man wondered if one could only love so much and can't be totally given to one person. He figured that it was distributed amongst others that you care for subconsciously, and if that wasn't the case, you could only give a set amount to that one individual person. Obi doubted that there was even a possibility to love someone not only completely, but continuously with no limit. But once he met Shirayuki, that entire fixed mindset of his was thrown into his brain lava and was burnt away from his thoughts.
Even then, Shirayuki managed to take all of his love, and he wasn't peeping a single complaint.
Today, Shirayuki and Ryu were asked by Garak to do some very 'intimate' work that would require them to be stuck in the lab all day. Unfortunately, Obi wasn't allowed in, so he was forced to idle outside of the lab. So he allowed his amber eyes to wander, his mind just stuck and replaying Shirayuki's face and her voice and everything about that girl. It was bittersweet; this assignment Garak had given them. Though Obi wanted to be as near Shirayuki as possible, the very face she made when Garak gave her the assignment made Obi's heart melt in joy.
The way her face lifts up, pure brightness and beauty just beaming from it. Her cheeks were up and shining, seeing the beautiful mounds of her face lightly flush. Her emerald eyes held a fantastic brilliance, solely filled with anticipation and nothing more. To boost its beauty, her under-eyes were no longer pink and puffy. They returned to their lovely, creamy selves and for that, Obi was eternally grateful to Ryu and his genius.
But Obi soon got bored just standing around. It killed his muscles to be so stiff, doing nothing but looking around and engaging brief eye contact with guards as they passed by. Maids would swoon, maybe, but Obi remained stood, arms crossed behind him. Being Shirayuki's personal knight was great and all, but sometimes it did have its days where Obi had to do nothing and it made him antsy to do everything but that.
Coincidence enough, an opportunity opened itself.
"Obi?" Kiki's monotonous voice chimed into his hearing as Obi looked at the aide. She was in her usual purple attire, blonde hair up, with azure eyes as deep and blue as ever. She marched over, appearing before Obi with a blank, yet curious, stare. "What're you doing out here? Where's Shirayuki?"
"They're doing a very important assignment with Miss Garak," Obi informed her calmly, before releasing his signature smirk. "But I must ask what you're doing down here, Miss Kiki. Looking for me I'd hope?"
"In your dreams," Kiki dismissed quickly, having Obi chuckle at his usual effortless attempt to flirt as Kiki held onto the grip of her sword. "So are they doing that all day?"
"That's the plan," Obi said simply. "Apparently they saw a mutation in one of the herbs, so Miss Garak wanted them to observe it and several other herbs to seek the differences and how to crossbreed."
"Very wise of her," Kiki mumbled quietly, always appreciating Garak's wisdom. Kiki then eyed Obi up and down, seeing how stiff he was. He must've been here for a while, hasn't he? Kiki used her free hand to reveal her pocket watch, seeing as it was almost the end of morning. "So you're just going to stand her all day?"
"That's the plan," Obi muttered disappointingly, emitting a yawn before crinkling his nose a bit. Kiki felt a little bad for the man, seeing as he was always such a productive and protective being around Shirayuki and in general in the castle. Being such a lethal man as well as a master of stealth and silent combat, Obi's abilities could be used much more productively than now.
"D'you want to help me train the soldiers a bit then?" Kiki hummed, having Obi's pupils dilate a bit from her words. "Since you aren't doing anything now, and you seem incredibly unentertained just standing here."
"Awh, do you pity me, Miss Kiki?" Obi teased again, having Kiki roll her eyes once more at the silly man before her.
"You'd be doing a great service to help my men improve themselves as fighters," Kiki began, ignoring Obi's words as she looked distantly to the ground. "I could also end your suffering of just standing here and waiting the rest of the day, staring into space."
"Your offer, though very tempting, cannot be taken, Miss Kiki," Obi denied kindly, giving her a curt smile before it dissolved into a straight expression. "I don't want to risk Miss getting in any sort of trouble. I'd be damned if I weren't there in time if she's getting hurt or put in any life-risking situation."
Kiki couldn't help but smile softly at this. Obi has taken his job very far to an extent that was unthinkable for this man. It no longer was just a simple job to protect this young herbalist. It seems as though for Obi, it was impossible to give himself a break because his heart would be too worried over this girl. It was also obvious that Obi wanted nothing more than to be around her, seeing as he is most comfortable when Shirayuki was around. It made Kiki's heart warm a bit, seeing that not only Obi was capable to love this way, but Shirayuki was no longer moping over her broken heart.
"She's in the castle, with a lot of guards stationed at this area of the castle," Kiki said quietly. It wasn't a coincidence—Zen set it that way to ensure that Shirayuki was safe and furthering the protection of the medical wing. But really, it was for Shirayuki's safety. "I promise she'll be just fine and you'll be dismissed early to get to her."
"…Promise?" Obi asked in a hush tone for reassurance. Kiki nodded, having Obi contemplating briefly before nodding. "Okay, but I do want to let Mistress know without interrupting."
"Well, how's she to know if you don't interrupt?" Kiki asked with an annoyed leer, having Obi's cheeks tint a light pink as he shrugged. Rolling her azure eyes, Kiki shoved Obi away from the door and knocked on it 3 times.
A muffled Garak cheered an 'Obi?' as footsteps were heard approaching the door. Obi stared anxiously from behind Kiki, who stood straight and ready to face Garak. The door opened quickly, finding the older, tan-haired woman with a set of goggles over her eyes and a lab coat draped and closed around her. Garak's eyes quickly softened to see Kiki and gave her a polite nod. Kiki returns it.
"What brings you down here, Kiki?" Garak asked curiously. "Was the Prince hurt?"
"No, he's doing just well," Kiki dismissed the question kindly with ease. "I was actually on my way to train the soldiers and found Obi just stood here. I wanted to let you know that I'll be stealing Obi to assist me in this training. Would you mind passing it along to Shirayuki?"
"Of course!" Garak hummed gleefully, giving Obi a reassuring nod. "Take care, train those soldiers as harshly as you can."
"Nothing less," Kiki humored, having Garak reveal raspy chuckles before softly closing the door before them. Obi's stomach sank; disappointed the door was open just a small sliver and couldn't be able to peer through to find his Mistress. But he knew she was fine, as he was now relieved and trailed after Kiki, who began walking down the corridor, away from the lab.
"So how do you want me to train them?" Obi blurted as he obediently stood beside Kiki. "I'm not as good with a sword as you are, Miss Kiki. What'll I be training them with?"
"Your specialty, of course," Kiki hummed, peering over to snatch Obi's mischievous smirk.
A soldier found himself flying back with a loud grunt, before his armor collided with one of the white pillars of the castle.
"C'mon now!" Obi yelped with a playful smirk. "You guys can do much better than that!"
"We're swordsmen, Obi," one of the soldiers pointed out, watching as a few went over to assist the one Obi just flung into the air. "We fight with swords, not our bare hands."
"If ever the situation comes where your sword is knocked from your hand or not with you immediately, you must learn how to fight without one," Kiki hummed, her hands behind her as she watched the semi-frightened men ogle her. "Not only that, but you must also be brisk to have a better chance at defeating an enemy with the advantage of a sword."
"What's the point of you all working out if you can't use that muscle for the basic fighting technique?" Obi hummed, throwing punches and a few kicks in the air. He then halted at one position before standing up straight. He glided his hand down, opening it to see his fingers and his gloved palm. "You are all swordsmen, and I understand that completely. But sometimes, people will get ahead of you and you'll have no choice but to use the thing that's constant: you."
The swordsmen nodded, stretching themselves out before once again taken turns against Obi. They continued this for several hours more, until lunch came around and all of them yearned for something in their stomach. That gave Obi and Kiki the chance to talk a bit, which was a little intimidating since Obi figures Kiki is mad at him for being so blunt to the Master a while ago. But Kiki wasn't stupid: a scolding due was a scolding due. Especially when Obi was speaking truth and being honest.
"How's the Master doing?" Obi chimed as he ripped off a piece of bread. The two were leaned against one of the white pillars on the battleground of the castle. It was ornate with the other set of soldiers, chatter being exchanged and fresh wine being downed.
"He's well, for the most part," Kiki hummed in response. "The wedding is clashing with his work, and the intruder case is getting on his nerves. But… he isn't dead, so I suppose that's something."
"Sounds rough," Obi replied quietly as he swallowed down the piece of bread. He took his goblet of wine and took himself a sip, looking wistfully over at the soldiers. "So is he really going through with it? The execution?"
"Apparently Izana took the case, and won't be executing him," Kiki informed. "But you didn't hear that ever."
"What're you talking about?" Obi hummed to Kiki's delight, smirking from his cheeky response. "So the wedding…"
"What of it?"
"It's seriously happening?"
"It very much is."
"Wow," Obi breathed. Even though it's been official ages ago, he couldn't really wrap his mind around it. He concluded that Zen and Shirayuki would be together and married—the way things were supposed to be. It feels wrong, even if Obi is now with his young Mistress. "I just don't believe it still."
"Mitsuhide and I are in just as much disbelief as you are," Kiki said with ease, a pang of guilt hitting her just a bit. She knew the truth, just like her fellow aide. But even if she swore not to say a peep, they were not the words she ever wanted to tell anyone. Especially to Shirayuki. "But whatever Zen chooses to do is not our business."
"Have you met Miss Elizabeth prior to the engagement?" Obi asked curiously.
"Unfortunately I have," Kiki hummed quietly. "We met at a party that was held here at the castle, much before I was an aide for Zen. I was there with my father, as he is a nobleman and very eager to have me betrothed to some rich dolt-."
"You? Betrothed? Impossible!" Obi interjected, having Kiki glare at the man beside her. Feeling the heat, he quickly shrivels and puts his hands in the air. "What I mean is—you're far too independent to be married! I would figure a man would only drag you down, Miss Kiki!"
"True," Kiki agreed with a curt smile. "Though I wouldn't mind if Mitsuhide would like to tag along for the rest of my days."
"I figured that much, Miss Kiki," Obi said with a smile. "He really cares about you."
"I know," the aide hummed in response, smiling warmly to herself as she took a swig of wine. "Anyways, I met Elizabeth there. She had the shiniest dress of the entire party, bigger than her body. It dragged several feet behind her as she walked around and exchanged words with several other noblemen and royal blood. I was forced to get to know her as my father dragged me to meet her brother."
"Miss Elizabeth has a brother?" Obi breathed in question.
"Mm, Sir Blakely Knight," Kiki uttered the name. "Incredibly pretentious, looks like a snob—is a snob. He was everything I wanted to shove a sword through. He's a disgusting man and unfortunately, I have to see that filth once again for the wedding."
"Ah yes, the Knight family will be coming here for the first wedding, yes?"
"Mhm, so I'll be stuck to deal with that," Kiki huffed. She hated the Knight family, even if not knowing them long. Their first impressions were horrid, and unlike Obi, they don't seem like they can make up for it at all. Likely because Obi isn't a nobleman and understands a thing or two on gratitude. "But yes, I met the Princess while exchanging words with her brother. She gave me one look and told me my shoulders were far too broad to be any hint of feminine."
"Your shoulders look just fine to me?"
"I believe Princess Elizabeth requires… assistance with her views," Kiki tries to put kindly. She hadn't wanted to call her an idiot or extremely sexist, but what else could Kiki do? She also hadn't meant to be judgmental, but then again, everyone is, whether they want to admit it or not.
"Strange," Obi uttered. "Miss Elizabeth has been awful kind to me since I met her."
"That's because you practically ooze charm, Obi," Kiki said with a grin.
"Sarcasm really hurts from you, Miss Kiki," Obi said through laughter, hitting his chest with his hand to indicate pain. "But she is really kind to me."
"Well, you're the immediate messenger and knight of the Second Prince of Clarines," Kiki hummed. "Not saying you aren't a kind man, but the Princess must respect a man of your position."
"But you're the second aide to the Second Prince of Clarines," Obi pointed out. "You're been around longer than me, and Master would truly have little without you."
"Ah, thanks Obi," Kiki said quietly, smiling at the man as she took another bite of the baked carbs. It felt strange talking to Obi like this: raw and somewhat intimate. There was never a time for the two to be alone like this, as it was never called for or required. But doing this, Kiki feels like she can confide more in Obi. After all, Shirayuki always points out how much of a kind and honest guy Obi is. "Speaking of gratitude, I've noticed you and Shirayuki have gotten rather close."
Obi choked on his wine at this, and Kiki grinned. Jackpot. She had already guessed those two have been brewing up something lately with Zen and Shirayuki breaking as lovers and Shirayuki relying on Obi. Kiki had been far too busy to develop the story more, but her azure eyes have been noticing the two. Especially the day Obi had exploded at Zen for being very disgraceful to the young girl. Shirayuki didn't deserve any of that, and that charged Obi up to be able to stand up for her. That could not be taken lightly at all.
"What's that… got to do with gratitude?" Obi struggled out through coughs. He kept punching his chest harshly, having Kiki lean forward to take the pitcher of water and pour him a cup. Passing him the wooden cup of water, Obi takes it graciously and begins to chug it down.
"Yesterday, you were braiding Shirayuki's hair," Kiki hummed with ease, having Obi nervously finish his cup to pour himself another. Kiki noticed this, as she stared indirectly at the boy. "Not to seem intrusive, but you've never touched her like that before aside from the times where you'd cross arms to guide her or carry her if she's ever falling."
"Ah…" Obi began, having Kiki notice his cheeks taint a faint pink as he brought a hand to the back of his head. He scratched it somewhat anxiously, his amber eyes warming as they stared down at the rest of his meal. "I do admit that we've become much more… acquainted. I still don't see how the relationship me and Miss have has anything to do with gratitude."
"I'm just glad that Shirayuki has been able to confide with someone during this tough time," Kiki said quietly, looking over at Obi directly as her nails clinked against her goblet of wine. Obi glanced over, meeting her gaze, only to shock Kiki with how honey like those orbs have become. He guessed those eyes were the eyes of fondness whenever he heard Shirayuki's name. "Knowing of her rough past and how she's had nobody since Zen's engagement announcement made me feel incredibly guilty and sick to my stomach. But you remained with her, and through a few birdies, you've dedicated many nights to just being with her and ensuring that she's well."
"W-well… I just didn't like the sound of Mistress crying," Obi admitted quietly, having Kiki notice the way the entirety of his expression soften. "It actually hurt, to put in some perspective. I didn't find myself hating the Master, surely, but it bothered me so much to see Little Miss just crying the way she did. She cried like she lost everything, like her purpose had been defeated and her future plans were stabbed and bled black. Her eyes held nothing, and she seemed like she wanted to disappear. And I just knew I couldn't leave her alone. I didn't want to—never again would I want to."
Kiki's azure orbs softened as well, having her look away from the woeful expression Obi now had on his face. She's never familiarized herself with this sentimental side of Obi, let alone really seen him speak so highly of Shirayuki and have his feelings correlate with hers. It also frightened Kiki to think that all that was needed was for Zen to let go of the apple-haired herbalist in order for Obi to have his love story come to life. There was no right or wrong to the entire thing, too, making her mind get even more provoked with the relationships that were brewing.
"So I assume you hold feelings for her, yes?" Kiki asked lowly, having Obi smirk in amusement. "As in, you like her?"
"Miss Kiki, you were there when the Master confronted me, weren't you?" Obi said quietly, with a fond tone. "Like is an understatement."
"So is it too risky to say that you… love Shirayuki?" Kiki asked quietly, praying to herself that she hadn't passed any borders. But Obi just kept his entertained grin, having the aide watch as he smeared some cream on his bread and took an eager bite.
"Miss Kiki, don't feel like you're being invasive," Obi cooed, reassuring that her curiosity wasn't at all going too far. She looked directly at him then, seeing the way his honey dew eyes softened and his smile became curt and warm. "It's definitely love and I very much love Mistress."
"Mm," Kiki hummed with a smile, feeling gracious for everything to be confirmed. It was bittersweet, she had to admit. Though she cared for Zen and wanted nothing more than to him be with the wonderful herbalist, she also knew that this was no longer something she could hope for and think about. He's to be married to a Princess, and Shirayuki had to do everything in her power to try and move on. Not only for herself, but for everyone that she cares for. Kiki knew how strong this girl was, and this was only another battle that she was now winning. "How do you… know? I mean, is there any reference to know that these feelings are the ones you speak about?"
"Nope," Obi said, popping the p with ease as he took another bite of his bread. Kiki looked over at him, completely puzzled as he lifted up his goblet of wine. "But I'm someone who has constantly been on their feet, never really wanted to linger too long in one place. Arriving here though, I never expected to have such a trust from a Prince and companionship from respected aides. Then Shirayuki came along and took my heart and I just knew I couldn't go anywhere. I can't be away from her. I don't want to be."
Kiki looked away, allowing his words to sink in. It was beyond her, almost unthinkable to listen to Obi spew such sentimental words with a warmth she's never heard from him before. It was all awful jokes and playful flirts with Obi. But now being sat with him, before soldiers enjoying themselves in booze and chatter, allowed her the opportunity to further her understanding of Obi. And if she's being honest, she very much had her respect boosted for the man.
"Are the feelings requited?" Kiki asked wistfully, looking distantly at her men eat and enjoy one another's company. Obi smiled sheepishly at this and picked off a few crumbs of his bread.
"I'd hope so," Obi said quietly, having Kiki notice how he struggled to keep his wide smile restrained. He looked away right then, having her guess he was trying to hide his content from her. That means Shirayuki definitely feels the same way. "We're… lovers but you didn't hear that at all." Kiki grinned.
"Don't know what you speak of," Kiki said sternly, having Obi smirk. Kiki hadn't known how to take this in, but she wasn't upset about it. Zen made his choice, and Shirayuki is simply moving forward from it. She can't be mad about it, especially when she's chosen someone who is strong and evidently dedicated to her. She smiled to herself about this before rising from the ground and getting the attention of all the soldiers. "All right, up you go men—lunch is over!"
"Already?" Obi emitted surprisingly as groans enrolled as background noise. Kiki nodded, having Obi stuff all his bread in his mouth before getting on his two feet. He cracked all his knuckles, having the sharp sounds catch the soldiers' attention with ease. He then grinned at them, his hands behind his head with much anticipation surging through his veins. "Alright, who wants a go?"
Several soldiers looked skeptically, idling away with their attention wandering elsewhere.
"Nobody?" Obi asked in a bit of surprise. They still looked iffy, having Obi chuckle as he began wandering around the pillar he was once leaned upon. "That's unfortunate…"
"Hey Obi," one soldier began, his eyes trivial as Obi met his eyes. "How good are you against swords, Obi?"
"Well, to say the least," Obi said simply. "I'm not dead yet, so I suppose that gives you some idea, yeah?" The soldiers laughed at Obi's words, having Obi smirk as he looked over at the wooden swords the men had sprawled around. "But I'm no good fighting with a sword. I have a better shot with my hands than a sword."
"You want some training yourself then, lad?" The soldier suggested, grabbing another wooden sword from his fellow man and tossing it to Obi. Obi caught it with ease at the holder, feeling the clean wood between his fingers.
"I definitely won't win," Obi began sheepishly. "The Prince has defeated within minutes when we dueled with just the wooden swords. I doubt I'll fare well with the real ones."
"Would you like to test out that theory?" The soldier suggested yet again, not gruesome but rather curious of the extent of Obi's skills. Obi raised a brow at this, tossing the wooden sword aside to watch the soldier pull out his real, iron sword. "You might have a better shot at the real thing than the fake."
"Maybe," Obi mumbled, getting in fighting position with his fists raised and his amber eyes focused on the sharp weapon. Kiki rolled her eyes at this. She knew the soldier wouldn't kill him, but even at his fullest power, he wouldn't win. Obi was very much like a monkey, too flexible and quick to be hit with ease. "Let's give it a shot, shall we?"
"That's the spirit!" The soldier gushed, having the other soldiers behind him chant and root as Kiki stood back and fished out a small book to read the literature sternly.
"Obi, what happened?" Shirayuki exclaimed worriedly as she found Obi slouched on her stool in the office with Kiki stood beside him. She rushed over and held his face, being wary not to touch the gash he received. It was a deep, bleeding sliver right on his upper cheek, completely crimson and stinging as Obi stared at his Mistress sheepishly.
"As you know, I took him to help train the soldiers a bit," Kiki began, having Shirayuki nod attentively. "One of the soldiers offered him assistance in his fist fighting skills against a sword. I suppose you can puzzle everything from there."
"Don't be so careless, Obi," Shirayuki scolded gently, quickly letting him go to get medicine to mend his wound.
"It's okay Miss, really," Obi tried. "I expected this to happen, as I agreed to it. Miss Kiki's men are well trained because of her, even if I won that fight." Shirayuki glared at the man, having Obi smile sheepishly as he listened to her sift around for the materials. That's when Kiki began for the door. But before she could leave, she turned a heel and leaned against the doorway.
"Thank you for your help, Obi," Kiki hummed, abruptly tossing Obi a leather pouch. He caught it quickly, slightly off guard as he heard whatever was inside jingle from the flight. Shirayuki merely glanced but continued getting a vial as well as a bandage with sticky remedy. "Sleep well, Obi, Shirayuki."
"Goodnight, Kiki!" Shirayuki turned and hummed, giving the aide a bow only to receive a warm grin from the herbalist. Kiki looked over at Obi, who got a warm smile from him. She nodded at him, before turning around and taking her leave into the corridor in search of her partner. Obi was quick to forget about the pouch as he distracted himself with Shirayuki.
Obi diverted his eyes to his Mistress, seeing how distressed she seemed as she prepared her medicine to heal the man. She held some sort of pout, her emerald eyes a little dim as her red hair was put up with a ribbon. He smiled at the small bun she created, wisps of misplaced hair stickling out. His heart fluttered every time she kept placing locks that were out of place behind her ear. It was just so adorable, Obi couldn't resist it. But he then saw her stern, stone stare as she swiftly grabbed Ryu's stool, sat it before Obi before sitting on it herself.
"Miss, are you mad?" Obi asked hesitantly, biting the tip of his tongue once hitching his breath. Shirayuki didn't bother meeting Obi's eyes as she grabbed a cotton ball and poured a bit of a transparent liquid on it. Putting the vial down, she raised the cotton to Obi's cheek with the other hand holding his face still. She then dabbed quickly, having Obi flinch without uttering a single yelp of pain. "I'll take that as a yes…"
"Obi, you're just so careless," Shirayuki immediately spewed, having her dabs become more gentler. Obi looked down at the green eyes, seeing how it hinted with owe as she worked on his cheek. "My heart exploded when I saw blood on your cheek. I thought something serious had happened."
"Ah…" Obi said quietly, feeling somewhat cruel for feeling content that Shirayuki was worried about him. "I would say not to worry, but I know how you felt about that the last time I said that."
"I'm going to worry regardless of if you tell me not to," Shirayuki scolded, glaring up at the boy. Obi noticed her eyes soften, having him feel much better about the situation as his cheek stunned from her medicine. "You can't just go ahead and have a fist battle with a swordsman because he offered you the practice!"
"But Miss," Obi began, his reason already in his mind. "I want to get stronger to make sure you never get harmed on my watch." Shirayuki became stunned from this, her cheeks tinting pink before she shakily continued to dab his cheek. "I won't get better if I don't practice."
"Y-you make a good point," Shirayuki stammered out under her breath. "But if you're going to do that, at least ask me to be there? Just to make sure that if something happens, I'm already there to tend to your wounds."
"…Of course, Miss," Obi obliged, a warm smile crawling to his lips as he allowed the herbalists god-like hands do their magic. God, he loved her touch so much. Even if her remedies stung, he loved the way she cared for him and held his face with such a gentle hold and genuine worry. Shirayuki wanted nothing more than to make sure Obi is just as okay as she was, and Obi knew this. And man oh man, did he love that, and her. "How was your practice today? Did you learn a lot from Miss Garak?"
"I did!" Shirayuki gushed excitedly. She quickly delved into in, telling Obi everything that she learned from a day in the lab with her superiors. And Obi listened attentively, not only respecting her practice but adoring the way she spoke about it. This was something Shirayuki loved and believed in heavily, and Obi is set to adore it just as much and take in every single excited word she gives. After all, it meant the world to him to see that girl smile.
As Shirayuki smeared a soothing oil on Obi's cheek, he couldn't help but think about how lucky he was. Here he was, in a kind castle with kind chefs, maids, butlers and soldiers. He slept on feather beds, washed with lavender and covered with hand-made quilts. He ate good food, always warm and prepared fresh for him to down and digest. And he was able to live here with the person he loved the most, the girl that taught him how to truly use his heart. Obi always thought he was quite dangerous, but that was long before he met Shirayuki.
And if he were being honest, that only enticed him.
Shirayuki slowly finished, having Obi divert his amber eyes down to the pouch that Kiki threw him. He finally managed to release himself from Shirayuki's trance to see whatever was in the curious bag. He jabbed his fingers inside and expanded it, having him see the inside with ease. He blinked a few times, seeing the glistening of metal as he stuck his fingers in and grabbed whatever was in it. Pulling one out, he widened his eyes to notice it was dill, the currency used in Clarines. Shirayuki noticed this and looked at it ponderously.
"Kiki gave you money?" Shirayuki hummed. "How come?"
"If I had to guess," Obi began, studying the currently intriguingly. "It would be payment for assisting her in training the men."
"That would make sense," Shirayuki dismissed, her focus back on Obi's wound as her healing hands continued to do their work. Obi dropped the coin back in the bag, only to notice a small slip of paper poking from the mountain of it. He quietly tugged it free and held it out to himself, having him notice it was parchment with written words.
'Escape the castle soon. Take her out – Kiki'
Obi flushed a bit, folding the small slip before dropping it back into the pouch. He took the lanyards and pulled them away from one another until the pouch was tightly shut. He then found himself smiling, noting to thank Kiki later as he stuffed the money in his pocket. He looked back at his lover, seeing how focused she was in ensuring he was mended properly. Obi watched as she took one of the bandage patches and dipped her fingers in the sticky remedy to smear it along the patch. She gently stuck it on Obi's cheek, the square, beige entity sitting on Obi's cheek to cover his wound.
"There you go," Shirayuki mumbled proudly, a curt smile playing at her lips. Obi smiled at this himself, seeing how cute she looked when she was proud of her work.
Before she could stand, Obi was quick to place his hand over her head to give her a pat. Shirayuki halted, holding onto the rim of her seat as Obi's hand sat on her redhead of hair. She looked up at him, her emerald eyes brilliant as his honey dews bore into them. He was so happy—a happiness that was beyond Shirayuki's knowledge as she felt Obi's hand begin to slide down to the back of her head. With a gentle tug, Obi pulled her close to carefully lean her forehead against his lips. He gave her a tender kiss, a warm and genuine peck before allowing her to tilt her head up and lean her forehead against his.
"Obi?" Shirayuki whispered sweetly, curious as to what came over her knight. But she saw how happy his smile was and how bright and beautiful his marigold orbs was. There was something she was doing that was making him elated, and she couldn't exactly pin point it. But as long as she was the reason for his smile, Shirayuki couldn't complain.
"I'm just… so happy fate brought me to you, Miss," Obi admitted quietly, closing his eyes to keep from fluttered from his lovers green eyes. "I don't think I would have ever reached this amount of happiness if I never met you."
"Obi…" Shirayuki breathed, her head hammering her chest as she let his words sink in.
"I adore you, Mistress," Obi continued, having Shirayuki struggle to breathe right as Obi's fingers weaved into the girl's hair. "I adore you so much that it's almost unhealthy how much I do. I'm sorry to have made you worry, but I am going to get stronger as quickly and efficiently as I can because I swore never to let you suffer terror ever again. Not only for your well-being, but for my sanity. It's just scary how much I love you and how much I'll do for you because I want nothing but your safety."
"Y-you love me…?" Shirayuki repeated quietly, both beating hearts stopping as Obi pulled away. Shirayuki felt her ribbon go undone as Obi brought his hand to his mouth and hid it from view. Her hair dropped to her shoulders once more as she looked at Obi's face color red with his honey eyes diverted shyly down to the floor. Too far, Obi scolded to himself.
"I-I'm sorry if that's overwhelming!" Obi quickly stammered. "You don't have to feel obligated to say it back if that's not the case for you—I'll take it back if you-."
Quickly, Shirayuki cupped the man's cheeks with her small, petite hands. This caught his attention, having him drop his hand and divert his eyes to hers once more. Shirayuki giggled a little at this, finding it incredibly endearing the way Obi reacted to such embarrassing things. But it made her feel so warm and bubbly to hear those words from him. It's been so long since someone gave her such sweet words, and these felt so much different than any words she's heard from any other man.
Obi always expressed himself, just never with words. Shirayuki never really noticed until he actually formulated them as words, but now that she knew, everything felt connected. The way he desperately searched for her after her 2 kidnappings, the way he took care of her whenever she were intoxicated or almost losing her feet from the ground. The way he stayed with her when she wept, the food he brought for her when she was too weak, and the selfishness of wanting to see her react to things happily. Obi has had these feelings all this time, and it shocked Shirayuki how easy it was for him to express it while keeping her oblivious.
"My mind is still messy right now, and the engagement still gets to me just a bit," Shirayuki admitted quietly, having Obi stare in comprehension. "But my heart belongs to you entirely—you are everything to me, Obi."
Obi couldn't even stand it anymore. He quickly lunged himself towards her, forcing his lips on hers as he fumbled off his gloves. Shirayuki widened her eyes to feel his bare palms against her soft cheeks as he grazed her bottom lip with his tongue. But she melted, her eyes drooping shut as she allowed the boy to nibble at her lips and suck on them passionately. Obi then realized something and quickly pulled away, snapping his neck towards Ryu's office.
"Is half pint here?" Obi said with fear, his eyes widened with pupils dilated.
"No—he's still at the lab finishing up," Shirayuki reassured the man, having Obi's heart calm down as he let out a sigh of relief. Shirayuki giggled at him, her hands dropping to her knees as Obi held his chest in pure euphoria. "That could've been really bad if he was here."
"You're tellin' me," Obi replied, having the two share a laugh as the moon kissed them with its light.