- Okay so, backstory: Haruka and Mako met in foster care.
- They were briefly sisters, and kept in touch. They
understood each other, both considered delinquents, both a little too quick to
throw a punch, both full of good intent. Mako had a knack for growing things,
and Haruka liked to learn to do things with her hands. - They got through their teenage years planning how they could
open a flower shop, saving money from weekend jobs and change found under
couches, and it’s really Mako’s small inheritance from her parents that she can
legally use at 18 that lets them buy a little place and get started, but they
still feel proud. Haruka is handy enough to get their fixer upper in working
shape, and then they’re on their feet and their combined talents mean they get
by. - They build their reputation for years. Mako’s got a green
thumb, and no matter the conditions they have beautiful blooms. (And if their clientele
skews largely into the gay community it doesn’t hurt, they don’t advertise themselves
as a gay shop but they’re a lesbian and a bi woman and people are comfortable
and are you telling me you wouldn’t shop there?) - And once they book a few events, they get on the radar of
higher class buyers. - That is how Michiru Kaioh comes through the door one day.
- She is, perhaps unfortunately, looking for a break up
flower. Something that conveys, “You’re getting too attached, so I want to cut
things off cleanly, but not too cleanly because I want to keep you as an option
and an occasional late night romp.” - But then Haruka turns from tending the soil to greet her and
wipes her brow and Michiru knows she is not going to say any of that. - She makes up some reason to be there, she’d heard about the
shop from their work at the gala, which was true, but doesn’t give her a reason
to buy something. - But Michiru is not one to be defeated so easily. She has
Haruka show her the most beautiful flower in the shop. She decides will buy it
and give it to Haruka, and Haruka will be charmed and then Michiru will spirit
her away to a night on the town, and they will have red wine and explore each other’s
bodies and— - And Haruka works in a flower shop, Michiru realizes, and has
no use for a flower of her own growing. - So when Haruka asks if she would like it wrapped, Michiru
says yes, and with Haruka’s back turned she takes her leave before she can
embarrass herself. - Haruka is left holding a rose and wondering about the
strange, beautiful girl she met. - She looks for her at every event she and Mako do flowers
for. (Not that there’s much chance, they’re in and out before anything starts.) - But one day, they’re commissioned to do flower accents for
an art show, and who should the artist turn out to be? - She was hoping Haruka would forget and she could have a
second chance to make a good impression. But Haruka remembers, and there’s a
good bit of very awkward attempts at small talk, but then - BUT THEN
- Haruka manages to choke out something resembling an
invitation to get drinks sometime to learn more about each other, and Michiru
manages some polite approximation of acceptance. - (Mako, on the other side of the room, loudly announces that
It’s fine, she can do the arrangements on her own, no need to do your job
Haruka just keep flirting)
Tag: haruka and mako
Senshi crime AU
Michiru is the head of a high crime empire. Her personal interest is art theft, both for the thrill and because the masses do no deserve what only a true artist can appreciate.
Usagi is her secretary who is utterly clueless the business she works for is a front. Michiru has stopped expecting her to figure it out and counts it as a brilliant stroke of luck.
Ami was recruited after she was expelled from the medical community for extensive insurance fraud. While she can sometimes tend towards righteous, her hacking skills are invaluable to Michiru’s operation.
Michiru’s current recruitment target is Minako— a brilliant con artist it’s taken months to track.
What Michiru doesn’t know is Mina has no interest in crime that benefits the wealthy. She’s running a small Robin-Hood style operation (sometimes, she is the poor they are helping, but a girl’s gotta eat) with two bleeding hearts, ex-Yakuza Makoto and petty thief/street racer Haruka (the latter of whom she may have met while they were both running from the cops, Haruka had luckily been willing to take a passenger and had modified her car well enough that the police couldn’t catch them)
Meanwhile Rei is a fresh investigative journalist determined to make her name by blowing open Michiru’s operation, and she’s willing to cut a deal with the likes of Mina to do it
I’M ACTUALLY FOLLOWING UP ON THAT VIGILANTE JUSTICE TEAM POST I MADE. THIS WAS WRITTEN ENTIRELY ON MY PHONE BUT I DID IT.
The Night Team, Part 1
1200 words
Mina pressed her back against a
wall as a shadow ghosted through a streetlight. The whole block was empty
besides her and whatever that was.
Everyone knew strange things
happened at night. Everyone knew not to go out if they could avoid it. But she
couldn’t avoid it. Her parents had been screaming again–well, her mother had
been screaming, her father had been taking it silently as he always did– and
she knew that if she opened the front door, the screaming would turn on her.
Mina could handle it, but in recent days the threat had turned from being
grounded to being kicked out, and it was safer to risk a few hours on the dark
streets than sleeping on them.
The shadow rippled through another
street light. Its shape was indistinct but large. Mina couldn’t track its movements
with her eyes. It was close, and then yards away, and then close again. The
working streetlights were too far apart. She pulled her book bag off her
shoulder. It wasn’t much– for once she wished she’d actually brought school
books home– but if she could startle whatever it was, she might be able to run
for it.
She pulled the strap short and
tight in her hand. She’d have one swing, if she was lucky. “Show yourself!
You know you have me corned.”
A shadow came into the nearest
streetlight, and another in the next, on her other side.
“Fuck.”
Fear shot down her stomach and
curled her toes. She had to try something. Bag in had, she charged towards the
further shadow. As the nearer one turned, she pivoted towards it, threw her bag
at what she hoped was its face, and ran past it.
Minako heard them give chase. She
needed to find somewhere– a store, a library, anything that was open. Not much
would be at this hour. There was little sense in enticing people to be out in
the dark. There was no where to go. It was dark street after dark street every
where she turned. It would be a matter of who could run longer and as for as
Mina might have been she wouldn’t bet on winning that one. The thought made her
noticed the ragged measure of her breath. Her heart beat up against the wall of
her chest. Girls like her had died like this. What picture would the paper use?
What picture would her mother give them?
A flash of light came out from an
alley as she passed. “Keep going!” Someone yelled from behind it.
Mina knew the smart thing to do
was keep going, but she stopped to watch as a lanky girl with short hair
sprinted out from the alley with a flashlight. The shadows shrieked in the
beam. Lit from below, they didn’t look like shadows at all– just bulky,
misshapen creatures with fur and teeth and claws. Frightening, still, but not
the same mysterious terror they had been.
One of the monsters charged. Mina
saw immediately it was a mistake. The girl sidestepped, quick as a feather in
the wind, letting momentum bring the monster low and ramming her elbow into the
back of its neck. It crumpled to the ground.
But there was still the second. It
stood back. Watching. Learning.
“Come on,” the girl
taunted cocking her head to the side. “You scared?”
The monster did not take the bait.
“Don’t be stupid,” Mina
said.
The girl snorted. “I’ve been
dealing with these guys for a while. You should have kept running.”
Mina didn’t take her eyes off the
monster.
“No one runs when they
should.” The girl’s fists balled around the baggy ends of her tank top.
The monster’s stance
changed.
Mina braced herself. “Shut up
and get ready.
"What?”
But the monster was already
moving. It zig zagged towards the girl, light on its oversized feet.
Mina launched herself forward,
tackling the girl down just as the monster swiped at her head.
“Stop distracting me!”
“Distracting you? I just
saved your stupid ass. Now move.” She pulled the girl up into a run before
the monster could bear down on them.
“No.” The girl yanked
her arm away. “I don’t run. I fight.” She stood to face the monster
head on, met it hand to hand. She’d lose. She was tall, and even fairly strong
looking, but wiry as hell. She braced with her legs as it pushed her back. She
held her ground better than Mina expected. But then the tension left her legs.
The girl smiled, clearly thinking she was winning.
It’s going to throw
her.
Mina knew better than to shout.
She launched herself quick as she could towards them, though even if she made
it in time she wasn’t sure what she could do.
The monster pulled the girl off
the ground and flung her back.
Right into a figure Mina hadn’t
seen approaching– taller still than the first girl, but built like a tank. Her
hair curled out wild in a ponytail behind her head. A baseball bat clattered to
the street as she fell back under the weight of impact, but once on the ground
she set the first girl to the side with ease and picked it back up.
“Consider this payback for
last time,” she said, her voice deep and reassuring.
The monster started to run, but
not quick enough. The bat gave the second girl reach. Its skull gave a
sickening crunch.
"Thanks,“ said the first
girl, getting up with a wince. "But I had it handled.”
The bigger girl snorted. “You
helped me so I helped you. That’s all there is to it.”
“I don’t need help.”
“Wait a fucking second.”
They both turned to Mina,
bewildered.
“If I’m getting this right,
you both fight these things out here a lot.”
They nodded.
“And you’ve encountered each
other before.”
Nods.
“And you’re still both going
it alone? You’re gonna get killed.”
They both had the decency to look
sheepish.
"Well I–“
"It’s better to not bring
other people into this–”
"She could get hurt–“
"And I do better
alone–”
Mina held up her hands. “Not
having it. You both saved me tonight. Without both of you, I’d probably be dead. And
you–” she pointed at the lanky girl. “Would be dead without the two
of us. So from now on, we’re gonna team up."
”We?“
The two girls looked down at her.
"Oh please. I can’t say as
much for you…”
“Makoto.”
“Makoto, but yo-”
“Haruka.”
"You need someone clever and
observant. A strategist.“
Haruka crossed her arms with a
huff. "And that’s you?”
"Yeah. That thing was
learning as it fought you. I might not be as strong as the two of you, but I
can see what you miss.“
Makoto looked her up and down.
"What’s your name?”
"Minako. You can call me
Mina.“
Her shoulders rose. She scratched
the back of her head and looked to the ground. "You really want to be out
here with me? Er, us?”
Mina shrugged. “What else am
I gonna do at night? Homework?”
Makoto smiled. Even Haruka gave a
small puff of a laugh.
"You know,“ Makoto said,
putting a strong callused hand on Mina’s shoulder, "I think this might
just work out pretty good.”
AU where no one has powers but there are still monsters so Mina, Mako, and Haruka form a vigilante justice crew to take care of them.
And by form a crew I mean Mako and Haruka both started doing it alone because they’re stubborn hero types and Mina encounters them by chance, immediately realizes they need to team up and have some strategy if they’re gonna survive long term, and declares herself team leader before anyone can argue.
They’re all rough and tumble kids society gave up on, but they might just save the city.
ALRIGHT. Here it is, 3500 words of pure sap. Originally I started this for Doc’s giveaway, but it quickly became something I wrote so entirely for myself that now it’s not.
Anyway, yes, Harumichi wedding, Haruka/Mina/Mako brot3, some Reinako leanings. Many butch tears. AO3 Link
A Wedding, For Real
Haruka knew herself well enough that she’d decided on points
in the wedding when it was appropriate to cry—a little when Michiru came down
the aisle, a bit more (a lot) during the
vows, but not so much that she could not speak. At the reception, when Mina
gave a speech that would undoubtedly be a little snide at times but would end
up being just heartfelt enough. During her first dance with her wife, but only
a few tears towards the end.
This was none of those times.
This was barely two hours before the ceremony was due to
start, in the hotel room she’d slept in to keep with the tradition of not
seeing the bride. She was half in her suit, sitting on the edge of the bed. She
should have been fully in her suit, hair done, shoes tied, ready to sprint out
the door the moment Mina arrived with the car. But instead Mina found her as
she was, unable to stop crying long enough to tie her tie. Fear raked its claws
through her empty stomach and made her whole body shake.
“Buddy, what’s wrong?” Mina sat down on the bed next to her
and rubbed her back. “I thought you’d have been ready for hours and bouncing
off the walls.”
Haruka gave a nasally laugh. “I thought so too. It just…”
She grabbed another tissue and blew her nose. “How impossible this all is hit
me. It can’t really be happening.”
She wiped at her face with the tissue but Mina grabbed her
hands. “Stop, you’re going to irritate your skin with that.” She ducked into
the bathroom and returned with a towel. “Now, gently. You don’t want red marks
today. Tell me what you mean.”
Haruka pressed the towel onto her face, gave a heaving sob,
and left it there. “Part of me always thought this would never happen for me.”
“What, marriage? Haruka, you’ve had secret wedding mood
boards saved on your computer for as long as I’ve known you. Not that I’ve
looked through your files or anything.”
“That’s different,” said Haruka, ignoring the rest for now.
“That’s like, when you’re little and you imagine yourself as a superhero. It
doesn’t matter how bad you want it, it can’t ever come true.”
“Buddy, I don’t know how to tell you this, but we are, in
fact, superheroes.”
“That’s not the point. I’m trying to say it didn’t matter
how much I wanted this, it was never going to happen. And now, it seems like it
is, and I…” She hiccupped, gasped for breath. “And I, I feel scared something’s
going to come take it away. That it’s all going to disappear somehow.”
“Oh Haruka.” Mina hugged her tight. “Listen carefully,
because I’m only going to be this sappy once. Someone was always going to love
you. You’re a terrible sappy dork, but you’re a lovable sappy. So even if our
shitty destiny hadn’t thrown Michiru in you path, you’d have found happiness with
a love of your life and wound up here anyway. But,” Mina pulled away and looked
Haruka hard in the eyes. “Destiny did throw Michiru in your path. And whatever
else I say about the squidly princess, she loves you more than anything in the
world, and believe me when I say nothing is capable of stopping her.”
Haruka sniffled. “You think so?”
Minako rolled her eyes. “What, do you want receipts?” She
sighed. “Just, trust me. I’m the goddess of love, after all, I know this stuff.
And,” she took Haruka’s shoulders firmly in her hands, “I absolutely would not
let this wedding happen if I wasn’t absolutely sure she loves you with
everything she has. Got it?”
“But—“
“No buts.” Mina brushed away the last of the tears with a
gentle swipe of her thumb. “You’re getting married.
We have to get you ready.”
Mina tied her tie—Harukas hands still shook– and helped
with her hair and even coaxed her into a little makeup. “Just to hide the
redness. You’ll need it even more later, I’m sure. And it’s waterproof.” Haruka couldn’t even
say she was sure she would cry again before they got there, so she saw some
wisdom in wearing it.
They arrived at the ceremony hall not nearly as early as
Haruka had planned, but still squarely on time. The fear did not subside when
she saw the aisle set up, or the people beginning to trickle in. It, in fact,
got a whole lot worse.
“What the hell, Mina, did you sneak her out for a last
minute bachelor party last night?” Mako stopped fussing with the flowers to put
her hands on her hips and frown at Mina.
“Do I look that bad?”
Mako’s eyes widened. “No, no. You don’t look bad at all.
Just. You’re a bit pale. And you’re not happy.”
Haruka felt her lip start to wobble.
“Oh no. No no no, you’re fine.” Mako scrambled around for
comfort. “You look good, very handsome, I promise. You just… You’re just…
missing your boutonniere! That’s all!” She pulled the plastic box from her
handbag and ripped the flower out of it. She stuck it to Haruka’s lapel and
pinned it to her chest.
Or, more accurately, through her chest.
“Mako. You got skin there.”
“Oh fuck.” One of
Michiru’s aunts turned in her seats to give them a scandalized scowl. Mako
grabbed Haruka’s arm. “There’s a bathroom over here, come on.”
Mina took hold of Haruka’s other hand. “Don’t pull it out
yet, we don’t have time to wash blood out of you shirt.”
“Maybe it’s a sign.”
“IT’S NOT A SIGN.”
Mako cocked her head.
“She’s afraid the wedding’s not going to happen,” Mina stage
whispered.
“Oh, it’s going to happen. I did not arrange several
thousand flowers and bake that ridiculous cake for you to call it off now.”
Mako’s grip tightened on her arm. “You are going to marry Michiru if I have to
carry you down the aisle myself. Also,” she continued, voice lightening, “You
love each other. You’re living the dream. Why on earth would you not get
married?”
“It’s some cosmic joke,” Haruka said as Mina kicked open the
bathroom door and began yanking out a very liberal amount of paper towels. “I
think I’m living the dream, but I’m
actually living a dream. And I’m
going to wake up and see all the reasons this can’t be real for me, or she’s
gonna wake up, and—“
Mako slammed her hand down on Haruka’s shoulder. “Stop. How
do you think Michiru would feel if she knew you doubted her love?”
“…Mad?”
“She’d be sad! Has she not been good enough to you? Has she
given you a reason to question her?”
“No, of course not.”
“So there you go.”
“Okay,” Mina said, with what must have been twenty crumpled
paper towels in hand. “I need you to hold her suit open.”
“Right.” Mako loosened her tie and began undoing her
buttons.
“Wait, what? Guys, I can do this myself.”
“Haruka, today is not a day to leave you to your own
devices.” Mina leaned in close. “Now I’m going to count down from five, and on
one, I’m going to pull out the pin, and you’re going to pull that side of her
shirt away immediately after. Got it? The timing is very important.”
“Roger that.”
“Five… four… three… two… one…”
They moved in perfect sync, as though all their years as
soldiers led to this moment. There was not a single second that Haruka’s
clothes were exposed to the open pin wound. Mina pressed the paper towels
firmly on her chest.
“It’s, what, sixty seconds of pressure that stops the
bleeding?”
“We could do two minutes, to be safe. And then I think I
have some band aids in my purse.”
“Good. You get a gold star for preparedness.”
“I’ve got a Tide pen too so…” She examined Haruka’s shirt
carefully. “If any did get on here, it might be fixable.”
“What are you
three doing?”
Rei stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her sleek blue
bridesmaid dress. Haruka became keenly aware that she was half naked in a
public restroom being fondled by a wad of paper towels.
“We’ve got it under control, Rei don’t worry,” Mina said
over her shoulder. “And may I say you look—“
“You may not.” Her heels clicked on the tile as she
approached. “Michiru had a feeling I should come early, and boy was she right.”
“Is she calling it off? Did she send you to call it off?”
Rei stared at Haruka for a long moment, and then she rounded
on Mina. “Did you get her drunk? Did you bring her drunk to her wedding? Mina I
swear—“
“Why does everyone keep blaming me? She’s a sober butch with
a lot of feelings, lay off! This is a huge deal and she’s scared.”
Rei huffed. “I can’t deal with either of you. Mako, explain
to me what is going on here.”
“Well, Haruka is scared the wedding won’t happen, and I
tried to cheer her up by pinning on her boutonniere. But I, uh, pinned a bit
too much, so now we’re here to make sure she doesn’t get blood stains on her
clothes.”
Rei’s face went completely blank for several seconds. Then
she reached over and lifted Mina’s hand, revealing absolutely no blood on any
of the twenty paper towels or on Haruka’s chest.
“Oh,” Mako and Mina chorused.
Rei breathed heavily through her nose. “I’m going to turn
around now, and you’re going to get her dressed. Then I’ll pin on her
boutonniere.”
“Good plan, my beautiful princess of passion.”
“Shut it. Maybe if you used your brain for something more
than those atrocious pet names, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
Mina pouted as she re-tied Haruka’s tie. “I guess that’s
fair. And boobs are covered, so you can look.”
“Listen, Rei,” Haruka said as she approached her lapel with
careful hands. “Don’t tell Michiru I’m asking, but, you know her really well.
Is she having any doubts? Does she really want to get married?”
Rei successfully pinned it and looked up. “Do you want
complete honesty?”
“Yes?”
“Michiru doesn’t really care about getting married.”
Mako gasped. A large lump formed in Haruka’s throat.
“She never thought about it much, it wasn’t something she
dreamed about as a child or anything. And it is first and foremost a financial
and social transaction, it’s not actually romantic—“
“Rei.”
“Fine, that last part is me, not her. But the rest is true. A
wedding isn’t something she cares much about. But she cares about you. And she,
for reasons unknown to me, wants to be with you forever. So she’s going to
marry you, because it’s important to you, and because, maybe, you make it feel
a little important to her. You make it seem like it is a bit romantic and sweet
and not just a contract originally intended to give men ownership of women.”
Haruka wiped away a tear. Mina sidled up to Rei. “Do I hear
some genuine feelings pouring from your mouth?”
“I was talking about Michiru’s feelings, not mine.”
Mina grinned. “You think marriage can be sweet sometimes.
You’re not as impenetrable as you want me to think.”
“Oh, shut up.” Rei looked at her phone for the time. “It’s
almost time for Michiru to get here, you should get in position.” She started
out the door, but then stopped. “You guys… you remembered the rings, right?”
A whole new wave of fear crashed over Haruka. She’d been too
preoccupied to check with Mina. They couldn’t get married without rings, this
what it, she’d worried about the wrong thing—
“Right here.” Mina reached into her bra and pulled out the
little ring box.
“That’s where you’re keeping them?” Rei scowled.
“Hey, if I can feel them against my skin, I know for sure
exactly where they are. And no one’s going to be reaching in there today,
unless you’ve been so moved by the atmosphere of love…”
“I’m leaving now. Goodbye.”
Haruka sniffled and pulled Mina into a hug. “Thank you for
remembering them.”
Mina patted her back. “Don’t you worry, buddy, I’ve got in
handled. You’re marriage license is here too. In my bag, not my boobs. Didn’t
want it to get wrinkled.”
Haruka laughed. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Haruka turned to Mako. “You too. You did all the real work
for this.”
Mako blushed and shoved Haruka’s shoulder. “Not all of it.
The planning was all you.”
“I guess so.” Haruka’s eyes watered again, but she smiled.
“Guys… I’m getting married today.”
“There’s the Haruka we’ve been waiting for!” They both
tackled her with a group hug. “But, specifically, you’re getting married in a few minutes. We should get out
there.”
They each took one of her hands and led her to the front of
the hall. Haruka’s breath caught as she saw all their guests in their seats,
all the flowers lining the aisle. The officiator smiled gently at her as she
took her place. “It looks to be a very beautiful ceremony,” he said.
“Thank you.” She turned back to Mina and Mako. “Do I look alright?
Is my hair good? Tie straight?”
“I think your tie is gay, actually, is that alright?”
“Mina.”
“You look great, buddy.”
“Very handsome.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Okay.” Haruka wiped her
hands on her pants. “Do you still have the rings?”
“Yes. I still think it’s a pity you didn’t go with a ring
bear though.”
“That wasn’t even funny the first time,” Mako said.
“It was a little funny. Haruka thought it was funny, didn’t
you?”
“No.”
“You’re a dirty dirty liar.”
Haruka chuckled, and just then the music started.
They’d opted for a small wedding party, mostly to keep
Michiru’s family from making a fuss over who was included. Setsuna came down
the aisle first, her stately figure giving the hall a weight it had lacked
before. Every perfectly measured step she took seemed to say, this is a day I will mark in time. This
celebration is a duty I take as seriously as any other.
Rei’s steps were different. Rei’s steps were short, halting,
resisting the approach to the three dumbasses at the front even though she’d
rehearsed the perfect wedding walk. Her smile was plastered on and she
pointedly avoided eye contact with any of them.
There was a pause once she arrived, followed by a swelling
of the music. Every guest rose and turned to the entrance.
Outside the sun was bright, and for a moment Haruka could
only see Michiru’s figure fuzzily outlined in the light. Her appearance came
into focus slowly. First, her hands, curved around the gauzy base of her
bouquet. Then, her dress, the simple cap sleeves, the fitted bodice, the way it
flowed from her waist to the ground to make it look like she glided instead of
walked. Her hair was done in a loose up-do, with several curls left to frame
her face. And her face… Haruka allowed herself her anticipated tears. Michiru looked
more beautiful than Haruka had ever seen her, which should have been impossible
but wasn’t. Her smile was soft and cheeks flushed. When their eyes met, Haruka
saw that hers looked a little glassy. She bit her tongue to keep from crying too
hard. Somehow, she’d never expected any tears from Michiru in all this.
Mina rubbed her arm gently. “She loves you, buddy,” she
whispered.
Haruka wiped her eyes as Michiru handed her flowers off to
Rei. She couldn’t focus on what the officiant was saying. Michiru was here,
this was real, she would really be her wife. It was so wonderfully impossible
that she could barely remember how to breathe.
“Now, the brides have written their own wedding vows.
Haruka, Michiru, please face each other and hold hands. Haruka, please speak
your vows.”
Somehow, the simple act of touching on this most important
of days rendered her speechless for several long seconds. Michiru’s hands, held
in hers like they had been countless times, reached in to touch her heart. She closed
her eyes.
“You know,” she said, instead of the opening she’d written for
her vows. “I woke up this morning so afraid that this wasn’t really happening.
That there had been some giant mistake, and I couldn’t really be lucky enough
to be marrying you. But I guess, somehow, I am.” She stroked her thumb over
Michiru’s knuckles. “I never would have believed that someone so incredible
could love me. You’ve saved my life so many times and in so many ways. And now
we get to make a life. Together. I wish I could promise you that I’ll be the
best spouse ever, but I probably won’t be. I’m going to get cookie crumbs in the
bed sheets and fall asleep during your favorite French flims, even if I try
really hard to care about them.” An appreciative chuckle rose from their
guests. “But there are some things I can promise, and I’d like to do that now.”
She took a breath. “I promise to love you, always, for the rest of my life, and
probably longer. I promise to care for you when you’re sick, or tired, or just
want me there. I promise to be your home, your warmth, your family. I promise
that while I’ll never be perfect, I’ll never stop trying.”
“You are perfect, Haruka.”
Haruka laughed as tears started falling. “I don’t think you’re
supposed to say anything yet, Michi.” She took a breath. “But most of all, I
promise to do everything I can to make you every bit as happy as you make me.”
The officiant smiled and tilted his head. “Now, Michiru,
please speak your vows.”
“This may or may not surprise many people here, but
sometimes, I am a cynic. I never believed in love, or marriage, or real
happiness. Not until I met you.” She looked into Haruka’s eyes. Her smile was
sure but a little wobbly at the edges. “You are my proof that there’s good in
the word. You are my light in the darkness. You are my one and only, who I will
love for the rest of my life. I will do everything in my power to make you the
happiest woman alive, Haruka.”
Haruka smiled and tried not to sob. “I already am.”
“Now who’s speaking out of turn?”
She blushed. “Sorry.”
“I will be by your side through hell, through tragedy,
through anything life throws at us. And I will love you, even when I cannot
love myself. This I promise you.”
“Will the best woman please bring forward the rings.”
“Sure, but first, the best woman will bring forward some
tissues.” The guests laughed as Mina dabbed at Haruka’s face with a handkerchief.
Her own cheeks were damp. She handed over the rings and returned to her place.
“Haruka, place your ring on Michiru’s finger and repeat
after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
“With this ring, I thee wed.” She slid the band onto Michiru’s
finger. It fit in place like it was always meant to be there, like Michiru’s
hands had been waiting to bear a symbol of her relationship to Haruka.
“Michiru.”
“With this ring, I thee wed.” They matched, now. Haruka
laced her fingers into Michiru’s, ring hand against ring hand.
“Then with the power vested in me, I pronounce you wedded
wives. You may now kiss.”
Haruka leaned down, Michiru’s hand still in hers. It was a
kiss like any other, except it wasn’t—she was kissing her wife. Her wife tasted sweeter than her girlfriend, than her fiancé.
Haruka’s heart felt full and light at the same time.
The music played again, and Rei handed Michiru back her bouquet.
As they walked down the aisle, Haruka couldn’t stop beaming. “You’re my wife,”
she whispered.
“And you’re mine.”
The moment they stepped outside and out of sight of the
guests, Michiru pulled her down into a deep kiss.
“Hey, nerds, the officiant is going to be out in a moment so
we can sign the marriage license, save this for tonight.”
Haruka laughed and pulled Mina into a headlock. “Who are you
calling a nerd?”
“Did you see how much you were crying? Huge, soppy nerd.”
“Ara, I seem to recall your eyes weren’t dry the whole time.”
“You definitely sniffled a bit,” Mako added with an elbow nudge.
“Yeah, well so did Rei.”
“That’s a lie!”
“It’s not,” Setsuna said.
“Ladies, are you ready?” The officiant laid out the license
for them. Haruka signed first, hand only shaking a little. Michiru went next,
more steady, and then their witnesses.
Haruka hugged Michiru from behind. “I’m not dreaming, am I?
You’re my wife?”
“I know dreams quite well, Haruka. This is not one of them.”
She kissed Haruka’s hand just below her wedding band. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Photo time!” Mina half dove into them and snapped a selfie
with her phone. “First pic with the marrieds being gross, aw yeah.”
“The real photographer’s over there,” Setsuna pointed out. “We
may not want to keep her waiting.”
“I guess not.” Haruka kissed Michiru’s cheek. “We’ll have tonight.”
“Actually, my love,” she said, taking her wife’s hand, “I do
believe we’ll have forever.”
SittingOverHereDreaming 