30 Fanfic Challenge

Day 1-3 - Jewellery - Darling in the FRANXX

"Is there anything I can do, Hiro?" The members of Squad 13 were bustling about, excitedly making preparations for the wedding they were planning to hold for Mitsuru and Kokoro the next day.

"Actually, there is." Gesturing for Mitsuru to come closer, Hiro pointed to a detail in the drawing in front of them. "The couple getting married exchange rings, as a symbol of their never-ending devotion to one another and as a reminder of their vows. I thought it might be best if you made them, seeing as it is your wedding."

Mitsuru's expression was unreadable as he stared at the drawing, his mind racing. "That's... I... Thank you." With one last glance at the drawing, he headed out of the living room to find something he could turn into a pair of rings.

XX

There didn't seem to be anything in the boarding house he could make rings out of, so Mitsuru headed outside to his and Kokoro's favourite spot, the greenhouse. He'd never really taken much notice of anything in there, besides Kokoro, but now that he looked properly there was a chest full of tools just next to the doorway. Trowels, thick green string, shears, pliers, a few things he didn't even recognise, and a spool of thin wire.

"That will work," he thought, plucking the wire and pliers from the box. He unwound the end of the wire, wrapped it once around his finger, then held out his hand. "It looks silly like that, just one loop of wire. Plus, it's just going to get bent or come loose and fall off. There's got to be something I can do to make it better."

He glanced around the greenhouse again, trying to find inspiration, when he spotted something through the glass. Two cherry trees on the edge of the woods had grown very close together, their branches reaching towards the other like friends reuniting after a long separation, yearning to hold each other close. The branches had wrapped themselves around one another in their closeness, creating a beautiful wooden spiral that gave Mitsuru just the idea he was looking for.

Sometime later, Goro's head appeared in the doorway. "There you are Mitsuru. The others are all painting the courtyard, I wondered if you wanted to join in." As he turned to leave again, the sun glinted off a small item next to Mitsuru. "What are you doing out here, anyway?"

Mitsuru explained about the rings, encouraging his friend to take a closer look at the one he'd finished. They were simple yet beautiful, two thin strands spiralling around each other in an elegant loop, one for himself and one for Kokoro. "I just hope they're good enough."

"I'm sure Kokoro's going to love them," Goro reassured him, "especially since you made them. Now come on, the painting needs to be finished while it's still daylight."

XX

"The couple will now exchange rings," Futoshi called, still trying to hold back tears. Miku silently stepped forward, holding a wooden tray with a white padded cushion, upon which sat the pair of rings Mitsuru had crafted in the greenhouse the previous day. Kokoro picked up the nearer one and effortlessly slid it onto the fourth finger of Mitsuru's left hand.

As he was putting her ring on, however, it got stuck at her knuckle, making her wince. "Sorry," he whispered, blushing. "I should have checked her ring would fit when I made it, rather than making them both to fit me. Idiot!"

Kokoro just shook her head. "I'm okay, keep going." Mitsuru wiggled the ring a little and it slid over her knuckle.

Futoshi began sniffling again beside them. "You may now seal your vows with a kiss," he announced. Mitsuru lifted the veil over his bride's head and their squadmates held their breath as the couple leaned in, their eyes fluttering closed.