Fastidioso

Present day…

If it weren't for the stars twinkling above, basking the undeserving knights in their divine starlight, she'd have concluded that somehow, some way, they'd have crossed a portal into the void. How bizarre were those thoughts (ehehe, she was always told to be one blessed with creativity), if it weren't for the fact they were surrounded by pitch black. 

The stars peeked through the smallest sliver of gaps between the trees, the only blessing left bestowed to the two until morning, when the sun God would awake from her slumber.

An involuntary yawn escapes her throat, her vision slowly clearing. She lays on the grass, her head resting upon what she hoped was still the hard wooden surface of that of a fallen tree. Earlier, before the sky became black, the two had found it, the majority having shriveled up, perfect for firewood. It took a while to convince the latter of such, but alias her hands were quite the welders of magic!

Literally.

How long have they been stuck in the forest? It's as if they have gone in circles, its density never ending and all the exact same. Though, perhaps it might have been her fault. Such a thought was ridiculous, she had a map and was following it accordingly! Though it's been days now. Perhaps she was holding it upside-down? Or, maybe her sense of direction was so horrible she had not noticed they'd gotten nowhere? Whatever the reason was, she was definitely the one to blame.

And if her companion lashed out, it would be 101% deserved. 

Yet he didn't, weirdly enough. Or not— he was quite a man of few words… sometimes. 

Speaking of her companion, was he still there? Did he finally leave her alone, sick of the endless walking to nowhere? Why couldn't she hear his breathing? 

She turns her head away from the stars, groaning from the sharp pain on the back of her neck. Her sleeping position was so horrible, she definitely must have been snoring. How embarrassing… Her eyes adjust to the lack of light, attempting to pull anything really. Though through memory (as hazy as it was) she was able to recall her exact distance from her fellow knight as well as the campfire, which seemed to have long gone out. 

She listens intensely, absorbing the melodies of the crickets and the singing of owls. Perhaps even the chirps of bats too. Yet none of the noises were what she sought for. Besides her own, she sought something more human. She held her own breath for it was becoming way too loud for her comfort.

Now she hears something new. Quick shallow breaths. The sound of tiny chains shifting. There he was. Yet there's more noises, something that twisted her heart. The sound of grinding teeth. Sniffles. And… whispers.

She glides her hand across the grass, until she feels the two stones she had used to light up the fire. Her body felt so heavy as she tried to sit up. Slightly she prays that the incoming ruckus will not wake him up. She scratches the rocks together, carefully to not have her fingers caught in between. She keeps a steady rhythm, something as natural to her as breathing. And after a few attempts, she watches the slight spark bounce off. She gets on her knees, feeling around for the remains of the campfire and begins to set it ablaze once more. 

The fire was rather weak, though it was enough for her to see her rough pale hands once again. 

Curiosity overcomes her, could she perhaps liven it with words? An interesting approach indeed; however, that is not the magic she withholds.

Anyway, the fire was no longer important. What mattered was the scrunched body a couple feet away. From the fire, she can see his figure more vividly, watching his shoulder rise and fall. His back was to her, yet he expressed so much. He was shivering, perhaps cold. But that definitely wasn't it. 

She crawls over to him, careful to not make the grass rustle. She can hear his sniffs more vividly, mixed with low sobs. She tilts her head, worry filling her heart. But not too much…

She could never truly care for anything, after all.

She turns him over slightly, watching the fire reflect off his scarred face. His eyes were squeezed shut, brows furrowed in visible pain. His lips departed, revealing clenched teeth grinding against each other. Tears were rolling down his cheeks. 

This view wasn't too unfamiliar. She's caught it several times now. She'd never wake him up from whatever dream he was having, much less ask about it during the day.

The last time she did… 

“I need you…” he whispers. Finally, audible words. The other times he'd only speak nonsense.

Wait, what did he say? Did the knight hear correctly?

Could it be that he sensed her in his sleep? That constant war has made him a light sleeper? If that was the case he'd have woken up by now. If anything, when he wasn't dreaming, he'd be like a corpse. Not even her ruckus would wake him up.

Anyways, where was she? Ah. Right.

She looks down at him, watching him fold into himself like a child afraid of thunder. 

It must be taboo to see the Prince of Death in such state.

She sighs, laying down next to him before rolling the man over herself. They had no blankets, such gear being lost in the battle with the Resistance; therefore, with her sleepy state of mind, she got the amazing idea of using her body heat to warm him up. Oh, and give him a hug, nothing's warmer than a hug after all!

She's so smart.

She watches the man above herself stir, definitely welcoming her softness after laying on the rough ground for a whole month. Her dull eyes analyze his face, quickly discovering her companion’s tears of sorrow have come to a full stop. His face is bright red and messy, yet she'd be lying if she didn't admit he didn't look… pretty? No, handsome. From his exposed forehead to his round cheeks to the tip of his chin. He's like a giant garnet in her hands, a precious gem glittering in all its glory. His hair, running her wiry fingers through it, feels as soft as fur. The small quiver of his lips and twitch of eyes made him seem as delicate as a rose.

For someone thought of to be the reincarnation of the reaper itself, he looks so… weak. Pathetic.

Maybe that's why she couldn't assassinate him when she first saw him on that fateful day. This was no Prince of Death. This… was a clueless puppy following its master's orders.

The white knight smiles down at the prince, positioning him better, burying his face in the nap of her neck. Such a annoyingly stubborn puppy. Fastidioso, as she likes to call it. He'd never accept this had he been awake, but she knows that deep down he craves nothing more than a hug. 

Despite her warmth, he's still shivering. Poor thing! Nothing K can't fix. She'll just have to remember to wake up earlier than him. She whispers words softly, closing her eyes and imagines a large animal with sharp ears and poofy tail. Large paws and soft fluffy fur. A sharp pain travels throughout her body, her muscles and bones begin to shift. Though, it's something she's quite used to now.

“...nade…” he breathes onto her neck.

“Nada indeed, mi Príncipe,” K says with a soft chuckle, yawning as she stretches her fluffy arms in front of herself like a cat just about to nap. Except this cat— erm, knight— or— canine was going to hit the hay! She leans her head back and closes her eyes…

…

“My dearest. My starlight I'm sorry,” Mafuyu sobs, her long hair sticking to her forehead due to the never ending tears, “I've forgotten your song. Please, let me hear it.”

She's on her knees, the ground is wet and muddy, yet she couldn't care for the mess it'll leave on her blue outfit. Her arms wrapped around the other girl’s legs, holding on for dear life. 

Kanade only chuckles, gently patting the top of Mafuyu's head. Mafuyu gasps at the sensation, before closing her eyes and leans into the touch as her dearest’s fingers ruffled her hair. The touch felt so real. She wants more.

Craves it.

Needs it.

It's been 10 long years, any longer without her touch Mafuyu might burst.

“Kanade…” she mumbles, voice whispery. The knees Mafuyu held onto buckled, falling. Mafuyu finches, before feeling arms wrap around her body. Kanade's fingertips gently rub against her back, again, feeling so real. Was this still a dream? Was the ten years all her imagination?

“Yuki…” Kanade husks, her words faint against Mafuyu's ears. It makes Mafuyu's chest flutter. Her voice remains soft despite sounding a bit distorted. That doesn't matter, perhaps she's just sick.

Yeah. She never was sent away to Shinonome’s. She didn't have to act like a man for her parent's sake. She didn't have a war to assist on. And most definitely, she didn't go on a stupid journey with a stupid-

Well if this was real… then she'll say it now before it was too late. 

Mafuyu's grip on Kanade tightens. “Kanade, I love you. Te amo,” Mafuyu finally says, her heart pounding against her chest. The confession leaves her tongue with ease, having been on the tip of her tongue for a long time now. She squeezes her eyes shut, a sense of relief rippling through her chest. A warm chuckle responds.

“Love you too, mi Príncipe.”

Mafuyu's eyes widened. “W- What?” She backs away from Kanade, except it wasn't Kanade anymore. Instead of long flowing hair it's short and messy. Instead of a blue and purple mysterious dress with a huge black hat, it was a ridiculous white knight uniform with those stupid shorts. Mafuyu longs down at herself and sees her black knight uniform, and the ponytail since once bore disappeared into thin air.

She's at a loss of words. Mafuyu's heart shatters. This can't be happening. W- Where's Kanade? S- She's supposed to be here!

Mafuyu's blood begins to boil as the white knight smiles softly at her. His face is so vivid, compared to the foggy white of Kanade's. Mafuyu only stares as the white knight's hand caresses her cheek. Her body refuses to move, and instead leans on it. 

"Que fastidioso eres, Mafuyu," the white knight says with a wider smile, "But cute."

No this isn't happening. Kanade was—Then… that means… Those then years… The white knight leans closer, their faces meer inches apart. This is a dream right? So why is she dreaming of the white knight so— Her heart. Why does she feel butterflies?  But— Kanade.  Mafuyu jerks away, slapping the white knight. “N- No!”

…

Mafuyu wakes up. Her eyes shoot open, immediately stinging with the blazing light of daytime. She attempts to move, but finds her body locked in place. She feels warm.

As her vision clears (and her hearing apparently) she finds her face resting on white fur, and snores nearly blasting into her ears. 

What in the world?!