Cursed Love
~ Rare Indeed ~
October 2016.
It doesn't take long for Liv to get ready. She already had an outfit in mind for the council meeting, but as she sees herself in the mirror, she wonders if she should change into something more casual. Mathias warned her to be presentable and elegant so she picked a dark purple knee-length fitted dress with delicate golden chains stitched on the shoulder pads and a single red spider lily, the Shuuin signature emblem, embroidered just under her jugular dip. The dress is modest but it accentuates her natural feminine features. It is a toned-down version of her formal attire which has a longer train and much more fabric, as well as more chains and red spider lilies.
Yet, even the toned-down version feels uncomfortable. Liv shifts her shoulders and hips, as if wiggling will make the dress feel better against her skin. When it doesn't, she sighs in defeat and focuses instead on her hair. Unbraiding it, she goes through her fair locks with her fingers. She wonders if the comb will do a better job but then she remembers she doesn't have one. I'll have Tove buy one. She separates the hair down the middle of her scalp and takes out two front sections of her hair, leaving them out as she pulls back the rest of the locks. Like all mothers, Liv's mother also adored her daughter's hair, even though she had curly and unruly hair as a child. It is your father's hair, she remembers her mother saying fondly whenever Liv threw a fit because she couldn't tame her mane. It is those kinds of moments that remind her of how much she misses her mother even though it's been almost seven years since her death.
"The pain never lessens," she whispers, quoting her deceased father. "You get used to it."
Looking in the mirror again, she checks if her bun is tight and neat before she starts braiding the left-out strands. She then takes the two braids and twists them before tying them around the bun and pushing the free ends under the bun itself.
"Looks good enough," she says and musters a smile.
Taking a deep breath, she flattens her skirt one more time before reaching for her handbag. As she reaches with her right hand, Liv notices the ring on her finger. Curious, she traces the surface of the large sapphire with her other hand, its color reminding her of Satoru's eyes. She then takes her phone to text Satoru but realizes she doesn't have his number. Clicking her tongue, she takes one more look in the mirror before making her way to Satoru's room next door. She pauses for a moment, hesitant to knock on his door. For a moment, she feels self-conscious about her appearance. Is it too much? she wonders, taking a look at her outfit. Did I overdo it? She doesn't find fault with it but wonders if she should've been bolder with her options. Will they think I'm stuck up? she continues to worry. What will Gojo think?
"Get a grip, Liv," she curses and ignores her overthinking mind, knocking three times on Satoru's door. "For fuck's sake."
A few heartbeats pass before Satoru answers the door. He says nothing at first, merely staring at her over his glasses which she notices are not round like he sported before but square. An image of Satoru as a teen flashes before her eyes and she realizes that he aged quite well. He got taller if that was even possible considering he was already standing over 180 centimeters in high school. His usual outfit, which includes a dark blue zip-up jacket and matching skin-tight pants, hides much of his physique. She remembers him as fit but not overly robust. Seeing him now in a white button-up shirt and dark dress pants, she notices he has grown slightly more buff and defined. God took his sweet time to make you this attractive, she notes, somewhat affected by his appearance. Don't stare, don't stare, don't stare, she chastises herself when she realizes she's been staring at him for far too long. He's just Gojo, the overpowered, freak of nature you've known your whole damn -
"Like what you see?"
Damn it, Liv. "I've seen better."
He chuckles. "Sure you did. You're still pretty though."
He's just trying to get under your skin.
"In fact," he says as he takes his phone and keys before closing the door of his room shut, "you're even more beautiful than I remember."
Liv doesn't take his words seriously. "You're kind."
He doesn't miss the sarcastic tone in her voice but chooses not to call her out for it. Instead, he offers his left arm to her and while hesitant, she takes it.
"Ready?" he asks, eyeing the ring on her ring finger.
Liv takes a deep breath. "Can I say no?"
"You're not alone in this, Liv," Satoru says. "I got your back."
She glances at him and notices his eyes staring back at her. Unknowingly, she is drawn to the depths of those cerulean orbs. She used to hear stories of what those eyes can do and she wonders what he sees with them when he looks at her. She gets her answer the moment she notices them glowing faintly.
"If only that were true," she whispers.
Satoru frowns and ponders on whether she's referring to his first or second sentence. She doesn't grace him with an answer and pulls him by his bicep to start walking.
The Shuuin Manor is bustling with people, most of them being members of the clan. The rest are contractors and hired help that Mathias arranged in preparation for his sister's wedding ceremony. Liv was very clear about the extent of the ceremony - the bare minimum, according to the Shuuin. As such, Mathias didn't bother about the various traditions that their family practiced over the centuries and merely focused on the key points: officiant, witnesses, and location.
He arrived at the Manor earlier this morning, exhausted from the flight which lasted over fifteen hours. Luckily, the Shuuin clan's bank accounts allow certain luxuries, such as first-class plane tickets. At least it was a comfortable trip. Knowing that they are short on time, he decided to abandon rest and get to work.
The Manor itself is a nice place, nestled in the mountains some fifty kilometers from Nikko. Isolated and away from civilization, the Manor maintained its peace for centuries. While abandoned for the better part of the year, the Shuuin hold annual ceremonies at their ancestral home: maintaining barriers, honoring the ancestors, those kinds of things. Weddings are a rare occasion when the entire clan gathers at the Manor. Mathias himself was surprised when most of them confirmed their attendance. Even their cousins from America who ignored the Far East since they colonized the Western continent extended their wishes to witness the joining of two clans. Though, maybe they just want to take a shot at the Gojo head. Mathias doesn't think they'd attempt anything as grand as an assassination - after all, they are 'bound' by their vow. Just in case, he made sure that most of the spies are present at the ceremony. I don't want my sister's big day to be ruined by idiots.
"Herre."
Mathias hums in response, recognizing Tove's voice. "Ja?"
"Masamichi Yaga relayed the council's decision," she continues in Norwegian. "You are to assume your duties as a council member next week."
He nods in understanding. "Thank you, Tove. Anything else?"
"Ja, herre," she nods. "Principal Yaga warned us that the council is still suspicious of our intentions but will not act unless we, and I quote, do something stupid."
"That's a tall order," Mathias notes sarcastically, "but I'm sure Liv will manage to keep Satoru Gojo leashed."
Tove stares at her master's back as her frown deepens on her brow. Though he can't see her, Mathias can almost hear her brow furrow and he knows why.
"You are worried," he says smoothly.
Her honey-brown eyes close. "Yes."
"No need to be," he says, turning around to face her. "Everything is going according to plan."
And yet, Tove remains stiff in place, her anxiety more than apparent. Mathias reaches for her shoulders and gives them a reassuring squeeze.
"She's the mistress of the Shuuin, Tove," he says softly. "We follow her wherever and whenever she decides."
"This is a suicide," Tove says bitterly and while Mathias agrees with her, he doesn't voice his opinion. "Gojo will have her head when he - "
"Tove Dahl," Mathias says, his voice low and threatening. "You forget your place."
She calms down instantly. "Apologies, herre."
Mathias sighs and pats her shoulders as he lets go of her. "How is the kimono coming along?"
Something resembling a smile graces her red-tinted lips. "The mistress was rather picky about the design but it's done. Calling it kimono at this point is a vast overstatement. It more resembles her formal Shuuin attire."
"Let me guess," he rolls his eyes, "runes, dragon claw, and red spider lilies on white?"
"Golden chains and dragonflies too," she chuckles.
"That will be one interesting outfit," Mathias says and while he finds the details of the dress arduous, he'd never deprive Liv of having the wedding that she wants. "Did Satoru Gojo decide on his garments?"
"He said he'd wear whatever the mistress decides," Tove says. "We got the green light after he saw the pictures of the finished product."
"What did she choose for him?" Mathias asks, curious.
Tove resists the urge to chuckle. "She was torn between Shuuin sage robes and formal Shuuin jacket and pants."
"Please tell me it is the sage robes," he laughs.
Tove sighs. "No, she stuck with the pants."
"He won't be the one wearing them in this relationship," Mathias comments.
Tove is silent for a moment. "What is your opinion on all of this, herre?"
"Does it matter?" he asks in return. "As long as my sister is content."
"Even if it's the 'greatest sorcerer in the world' Satoru Gojo?" Tove asks and Mathias understands what she was referring to.
"Even so," he answers evenly. "Fate is a tricky thing, Tove and these plans have been in motion before Liv was even born."
Tove hums. "So we ride the tides?"
Mathias looks at her over his shoulder, his hazel eyes piercing and cold. "We ride the tides."
The brunette feels shivers going down her spine. They are so different, she notes, and so alike at the same time.
"We have thirteen days to finish this," Mathias continues in his usual drawl. "Can I bother you to help me organize?"
Tove smiles and nods. "Yes, master."
Liv gets more fidgety the closer she and Satoru get to the council chamber. She half-hoped she didn't have to report to them, at least not personally. Between the wedding preparations and the expected shock that followed the engagement announcement, she didn't want to deal with higher-ups giving her an earful. Luckily, she knows what to expect and despite having the worst possible accomplice, she's not doing it alone.
"Do you think Gakuganji will pop an aneurism when he hears he's invited to the ceremony?" Satoru laughs, his eyes almost tearing up from laughter. "Oh boy, I'd pay to see that!"
Liv scoffs. "Please, he'll asphyxiate the moment I step inside that room."
"You're probably right," Satoru chuckles, his laughter easing up. "Hey, how about we tell them the story of how we lost our virginity to each other? It'll make for one mean argument in our favor."
"No," Liv says definitely. "No sex talk, no embarrassing details. Got it?"
"Pft, fine," Satoru pouts. "Still, I don't want to sound like a sap."
"You won't sound like a sap," Liv groans. "Just let me do most of the talking."
"What should I do then?" Satoru whines.
Liv sighs. "Stand and be pretty, Gojo."
His smirk unnerves her. "So you do think I'm pretty?"
She whacks him just as they reach the front porch of the council chamber. She doesn't hurt him, of course, but he winces nevertheless and she calls him a baby in response.
"Behave," she says before taking a deep breath.
Satoru fixes his collar, giving her a toothy grin. "Yes, dear."
Liv just rolls her eyes before they make their way up the stairs and onto the porch. She lets go of Satoru's arm briefly to open the shogi door but is stopped by her groom. He gives her his signature grin before opening the door for her to pass first. Gallantry is not something Satoru practiced before so she is rather taken aback by the gesture.
"What happened to you?" she asks as she enters the short hallway first, closely followed by him.
Satoru closes the door before answering her, "What do you mean?"
She scoffs. "Don't play dumb. Since when are you a gentleman?"
He hums, seemingly in thought. "I guess I've always been one."
Liv gave him a cold stare. "Are you serious?"
The Gojo head smirks. "The geezers are waiting for us, come on."
Despite wanting to argue, she makes a sour face when she notes that he's right for once. As such, she takes hold of his arm again, making sure the ring is visible as they enter the dark council chamber.
"We've been expecting you for quite some time, Liv Drakon," comes a raspy remark from what Liv recognized as Principal Gakuganji.
"Apologies, I've come as soon as I could," she offers a curt bow to the council. "We've come to report to the esteemed council."
Satoru says nothing.
"Before we proceed, are you aware of this council's decision regarding your requests?" the preceding council member asks.
Liv and Satoru exchange looks before Liv answers, "No, we have heard nothing of sorts."
"The council approves of your request to marry and to have Mathias Drakon represent clan Shuuin in the council," Principal Gakuganji announces calmly. "However, if we hear of any kind of misconduct by either you two or future council member Mathias Drakon, you will be brought in before the council as traitors and treated as such. Understood?"
Both Liv and Satoru nod.
"Very well," the preceding council member says. "Seeing as the Shuuin clan has decided to partake in the jujutsu society, there are certain things you will have to disclose to the council, Liv Drakon. Principal Yaga will give you the details later on so we remind you to cooperate."
"Yes, sir," Liv says politely.
"Also, we wish to know if there is anything we can help with regarding the wedding ceremony," he continues. "As we understand, your ancestral home near Nikko will serve as a venue, yes?"
"Yes sir," Liv answers, her tone light. "My clan members are already handling the preparations for the wedding. It will be a simple and modest event so the only thing I can ask you is to come as our guests."
"That's a rather generous offer," Principal Gakuganji notes.
"Merely an olive branch, Principal Gakuganji," Liv says while bowing her head. "As the current head, I wish to foster better relations between us."
The council remains silent as they observe her closely. Liv can feel their eyes on her and their evident scrutiny.
"We've also been notified that there will be no change in your respective titles," the preceding council member says.
Before Liv can answer, Satoru says, "That's right. Liv will remain the Shuuin mistress and I won't abdicate my position as the head of the Gojo family."
"What of your work as a teacher?" Principal Gakuganji asks suspiciously. "Having a family is a liability for an active sorcerer, especially someone of your caliber."
Liv is startled by the mention of a family but hides her reaction well.
Satoru, however, remains unfazed as he smirks. "I'm the strongest sorcerer alive, Principal Gakuganji. If and when my bride and I decide to have children, they will wish for nothing and the jujutsu world will still have me at the front lines."
"That's very responsible of you, Gojo," Principal Gakuganji notes, his tone echoing his surprise. "I sincerely hope you'll make good on those words."
"I told you," Satoru says as he lifts Liv's right hand and kisses her knuckles. "I'm doing this for love."
Though she knows he's blatantly lying to them, she finds herself doubting her conviction as the tone of his voice drops for almost an entire octave, sounding impeccably sincere.
"Spare us theatricality, Gojo," Principal Gakuganji says, cooly.
"I'm merely telling the truth, Principal Gakuganji," Satoru says with a sardonic smile before he's pinched by Liv.
"What my betrothed means to say is," Liv continues, "we hope you'll rejoice in our wedding as much as we do already."
"We wish you the best of luck, then," the preceding council member says and Liv believes he is honest at that point. "Liv Drakon, Satoru Gojo. You are dismissed."
Satoru doesn't bother to bow. Instead, he puts his arm around Liv's shoulders and gently pulls her out of the council room, glad that they are done with the whole bullshit. While Liv finds his actions greatly disrespectful, she doesn't protests as she feels his grip on her skin tightening.
Once outside, Satoru finally lets go of her and groans. "Fuck, they're annoying."
"You can say that twice," she mutters. "Still, it went well."
"I still can't believe they approved Mat as a council member," he whispers in disbelief.
Lif smirks. "You shouldn't doubt your wife, Gojo."
Saturu also smirks. "You're not my wife yet."
Liv hums.
Satoru is quiet for a moment before he glances at her. "So, dinner?"
Liv lifts a brow. "Rare, you said?"
"Rare indeed," he grins.
She returns the smile in earnest. "Dinner it is, then."