Oneshots/Incorrect Quotes/Headcanons

Paper Rings

Inspired by Taylor Swift's song! :DD

Before the wedding that would seal this marriage she has been trained for her entire life, Kagaya had visited her. In the dead of the night, he knocked on her doors and asked if she was available for a walk. She was moments from sleep but hearing his request, she was quick to make herself presentable, if she’s called, she should deliver. Upon hearing her rushed footsteps, he reassured her that there was no need to look so formal.

“I have something to give to you, wife, it is something personal and it’s also alright if you’re tired tonight. Tomorrow would be busy day and I’d want you to get all the rest you need, it’s okay to decline.”  Was what he said. She could never refuse, but his voice was soft, clearing her mind of any worries. She settled for her haori to keep her cold from the nightly air. Should she also bring a spare one for him?

She picked up a spare and opened the door. He had a small box in his hands and he was holding onto it like it held his greatest secret. He was in his sleepwear, she draped the hoari over him.

“You should be the one resting Oyakata-sama, this is your last night without anyone following you like the moon.”

They were strangers that only met days ago, they were close enough to be worried for each other, though he doesn’t seem to listen whenever she tells him to be careful, always running off and coming back with something to show to her. She could tell that he was lonely with the way that he clinged onto her, the only who encouraged her to run.

“I never found peace in solitude, others might, my children might, but the silence is too deafening for me. I prefer your company.” He smiled, offering his arm, she humoured him and held onto it. He led her to the garden that was always filled with fireflies.

“Well now you’re going to see so much of me. Maybe too much.”

“Contrary to your belief, I look forward to it.” Kagaya stepped down a small staircase down to the ground, making sure it wasn’t muddy and soft lest she dirties her slippers.

Amane noticed the little gesture. “Of course you do, unfortunately I am the deafening silence that you seem to dislike.”

“Nonsense, nothing about you is unseemly, you’d make the darkest nights glow like the brightest stars. And like stars, they're silent but I am fond of them. I’m fond of you.” He chuckled when she closed her eyes, trying to fight the blush settling on her cheeks, she wishes the night hides them.

He may not look like it, but he will never live it down if his charm rubs off on her. He already won her hand in marriage, she couldn’t possibly let him win in getting her heart. She made it clear by keeping her nonchalant face. Trying to.

“For someone young, you are remarkable with your words, those older than you ought to learn.” Their journey to the bushes came to and end, they made themselves comfortable under the oldest tree. She once told him that it became her favourite spot, he never stopped bringing her there.

He put down the box and pulled out some onigiris from his- wherever he pulled it out from. She didn’t see. “I hope I lived up to your expectations, they’re very high, too high for your old suitors to reach.”

Amane was half-way from taking a large bite from her onigiri, her eyebrow raised in question. “You know... about them?”

He nodded. “Of course I do, I had to know what my competition was. I was told you were very cold in rejecting them.”  He glanced at her expression, she looked thoughtful, perhaps she was remembering how she coldly turned away all the boys.

She’d never admit that she had fun telling them no. He lucked out, for sure.

She gave him a nudge, smiling playfully. “There’s no competition when it comes to arrange marriages Oyakata-sama.”

“There is, it’s between me or your sleep”

“I would choose sleep if I could.”

He gasped and placed a hand on his heart as if he was aghast. Surely he was better than a hard floor. And she wasn’t remorseful, just reached out to wipe a stain off his face, she even shrugged to add more salt onto the injury. “Ouch.”

“Mhm, now, what’s in the box?”
Kagaya snorted, keeping his hand on his chest.

“It’s my heart, and I'm giving it to you.”

“I’m half-expecting a doctor to come out of there.”

He grinned. “l’ve heard of the concept of giving rings to those they marry, unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to get you an actual one,” Kagaya finally opened the box and it had two rings, folded intricately into two ring bands. “I promise I would, someday.”

To say she was surprised was an understatement. To think that he’d give his time and attention into making something that wasn’t asked of him, to think that he did it for her. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened to say something. Anything. An appreciation.

She didn’t even have anything to give to him. For she thought no gift would be adequate enough for such a unique union. But these paper rings were perfect. She’d marry him with them.

“Oh Kagaya...they’re beautiful...”

He dared to look up at her eyes, they were glistening, enamoured at the sight of mere folded paper he spent two days on because no jeweler was willing to make a real one in such short amount of time. He wanted it to be done before their wedding, to welcome her in the family because just the name Ubuyashiki bears too much burden. He wanted her to smile, think of something positive, he can’t sugar coat that their marriage will never be ordinary.

But he wanted her to have one thing normal.

“They’re in the colour of our eyes, they’re purple, because I think of you when I see these.”

When she didn’t utter a word, he couldn’t even hear her breathing, his eyes searched for anything in hers then he felt her hand hold his. Then she gave him the widest smile he had ever seen from her, she showed him her fingers.

“Well? A-are you going to put it on? Though I don’t know which hand the ring goes...”

His hands shook for the first time in years, he almost dropped the rings and possibly ruin them in the dirt, but he came through and held her hand delicately. “According...according to the western books I’ve read..they go right in-“ He slid in the ring by her left ring finger. “Here.”

Amane took a moment to appreciate it, it doesn’t look much but it meant the world to her. It was heavy in her hand because she could tell Kagaya worked hard for them. Oh why would the world curse a sweet child like with an awful fate, she would never know.

“Should I also put on yours?”

He nodded and held out his left hand. Her touch may have been cold but the rings fit them so perfectly, as soon as she was done, he held her left hand and kissed it like the many books had described so. Remaining faithful the fictions he had read, he brought her cold touch to his face for her to caress so gently.

“One day, I will give you real bands, they will be made with gems befitting you. If not in this lifetime, surely the next.”

She nodded slowly. “I look forward to that.”

Then she leaned for a kiss that nothing could stop from happening and he met her halfway.

“Consider it that as a thank you, Kagaya.”