Under The Old Willow Tree Is Where I Found My Love {Bnha OC Insert}

The Maiden of The Willow Tree

Sat in a corner of a carriage, Hayami was scrunched up to avoiding hitting King Dabi whenever they drove over a bump. His gaze was out the window, his hand covering his mouth. Her gaze was on his, observing his features, she found herself agreeing with her friends. Suddenly his eyes flicked to meet her gaze, and she looked away awkwardly, slowly bringing her gaze back to him. His eyes were observing her now, looking her up and down carefully, but not judging her features for a second. His eyes always lacked emotions. They met her gaze finally, and she looked back at him, the silence was oddly comforting. He moved slightly, his hand moving slightly away from his lips. The corner of his lips was upturned slightly, he's smiling at me, Hayami's gaze moved away. "Oh, S-stop the carriage!" Dabi's gaze followed her. It was a market.

The pair stepped out the carriage, and Hayami waited till Aki dismounted his horse. He smiled at her, and then she moved to look at the King stood next to her. His gaze was on the market all around him. "Let me show you the market" He nodded, and they set off walking. Dabi stopped at a certain stall looking down at the books, the woman at the stall stared up at him concerningly. When Hayami stepped out from behind him her face brightened "Your highness!" She chirped, bowing "What brings you into town, the festivals not till 2 more weeks" Dabi looked up at the woman then to Hayami, his gaze lingered on Hayami, he'd never seen her smile like that. Well not like that around him. "I'm showing the King of Nenryō the town today" the woman turned to look at the man, you could almost see the fear build in her. "My apologies, King, I didn't notice who you were" Dabi didn't respond he just moved his gaze back down to the books "Do you like fairy-tales?" The woman questioned he nodded his head

"You do?" Hayami whispered and he moved his gaze up to her, she looked away quickly and he moved his gaze back to the books. "Your fairy-tales are different here" Hayami's eyes widened with stars.

"Nenryō has different fairy-tales!" He looked towards her and nodded his head, the woman behind the stall smiled at the pair. It was a knowing smile, that went unnoticed by the pair. "Oh, is your father visiting your highness?" Hayami flinched at the mention of her father and she turned her gaze to the floor "N-no"

"I'm sorry, you were wearing your veil, I just assumed" The woman quickly corrected, and Hayami grabbed Dabi's hand quickly leading him away. "W-we should visit the church" He didn't react, he let himself be pulled by the woman in front of her. His gaze on her hair that bounced with every quick step she took, soon falling to her hand with the different patches of skin tone. "Princess" He muttered, she didn't answer she just kept moving "Princess" He spoke louder, her gaze looked left and right, and he sighed "Hayami" She stopped and then turned around, her shoulders tight. Her veil couldn't conceal her flushed cheeks, as she looked down at his hand "I'm sorry, that must've made you uncomfortable"

"That's not it" He quickly cut in "I can't see our guards" Hayami's eyes widened as she looked over his shoulder. Trying to find Aki's fiery hair. She couldn't see it. Then her gaze moved around the town, everyone was all staring at them. "I'm sorry" she muttered, and Dabi grabbed her hand. His hands were warm in hers, it was bigger than hers and she wrapped her fingers with his, leading them to an alleyway. "They're probably stuck behind us, so we'll wait here for them to catch up" Hayami couldn't meet his gaze. "I make you uncomfortable, don't I?" She flinched quickly shaking her head, stepping away "No, it's me I just-"

"In the carriage you were huddling away from me, when I hold your hand you can't look me in the eye, if we're to marry these are all normal tasks for us to do" Hayami's cheeks flushed, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

"I- you don't make me uncomfortable" she sighed softly and scrunched up her fists in her skirt "I'm just confused" she muttered, her gaze still refusing to meet his. "In fairy-tales, princesses marry the ones they love. This marriage is to unite our kingdoms, so it's just" She paused and looked down at her hand, opening and closing her fist. Suddenly hands grabbed her two shoulders bringing her in, closing her eyes she listened as children ran past them giggling. "Thank you" Hayami moved her gaze up and her cheeks flushed, their faces were so close. "Princess!" A voice called and Hayami quickly moved her gaze "Aki!" The guard turned and his gaze landed on the pair, his gaze filled with fire. Quickly stepping towards the pair, "You shouldn't run off princess! The market is busy today" he scolded moving her away from Dabi's grasp, shooting a glare up at the king. "You too your majesty, you stick out in this crowd but we can't rely on that"

"It's my fault Aki, I wanted to show him the church" The red heads eyes widened, and he looked down at Hayami "You're moving far too quickly! It's the second day!" He exclaimed, and Dabi moved to step next to Hayami. She looked up at him her cheeks flushing before moving her gaze away again, and then she turned on her heel "No, let's just go to the church!" she began walking and then placed her hands on her cheeks. As she remembered the warmth of Dabi's body pressed against her, why am I thinking about that, moving her gaze back Dabi was walking slightly behind her. His gaze moved to hers, and she quickly moved to look forward, a small sigh could be heard next to her.

The knights all waited outside for the King and Princess to leave the church, Hayami was stood up looking up at the stained glass. Her eyes closed instinctively at the feeling of the hot sun beaming through the glass, she stood there for a while before footsteps behind her caused her to turn. Dabi had sat down, his gaze was on the design on the window, it flicked to hers before quickly flicking back. "Who is that?" He questioned, Hayami looked up a sad smile gracing her lips "The maiden of the willow tree" She began to tell the story.

A maiden was cast out for her unusual eyes, one being a beautiful blue sea and the other red as blood. She found refuge under the willow tree who took her in, protecting her from the world's dangers under its long leaves. Teaching her how to grow and start a farm. Word of the maiden got out, and many flocked to gather, creating her a beautiful town. However, many fell for her beauty, she was confined in the tree's welcoming leaves. Watching her land prosper from inside the willow tree. But one man wouldn't take no for an answer, cutting through the leaves he forcefully took her from the tree. She was dragged through the streets, the town all gasping at the sight of her, but not because of her eyes. Because the maiden had changed, her hair was dark black, her eyes both shining red with anger. The man took her to a tower, locking her in it, when he returned a roaring fire was all that was left behind. The willow tree had split her souls, leaving her anger to consume her and burn. Her soul, that remained in the tree, allowed the kingdom to grow, but the missing soul lost the kingdom fuel and coal.

"She told the townsfolk she could only leave if she kissed the lips of her true love" Hayami smiled as she thought back on that memory "You look like her" Her shoulders tensed. Her gaze turned to Dabi, he wasn't looking down at her. "N-no, the maiden doesn't have" Dabi slowly turned. Silence filled the room, she stared up at him with wide curious eyes. Her eyes were a dark ruby, and his were a beautiful sapphire. Rain tapped the windows, turning their attention away from their mingling gazes. "Oh, it's raining" Hayami stood up and held her hand out to the man sat in front of her, he stared at it blankly "Come with me I want to show you our tradition" he held her hand gently. Allowing her to lead him out of the church.

They stood at the very top of town, the guards all standing a distance from them. Leaning on a wall Hayami smiled at the scene below her, "They're waltzing?" Dabi muttered. The streets were filled with couples dancing in the rain, kids running in it laughing happily. "The maiden was believed to be fire and water, the soul she left behind was water" Hayami explained her smile remaining on her face "So we dance in the rain to show her how grateful we are for what she blessed her with" suddenly she pointed up, his eyes followed where she was pointing a hill covered with beautiful flowers, and in the middle a big willow tree. "That's the willow tree"

"Can we visit it?" He questioned, and she quickly shook her head. He chuckled slightly; it was funny to see a town so driven on a myth. "Only on the spring festival, which I've invited you to" The king smiled, and then held out his hand "Do you want to dance?" The rain picked up.