Threads Tangled Together

“I see…” she said at last, her voice calm and unhurried. “A hospital at dawn sounds like a place that never truly sleeps. It must make this kind of brightness feel… almost unfamiliar.” Her gaze drifted briefly to Kikyo’s face — not intrusive, just attentive — as if taking in what wasn’t being said aloud. The slight heaviness, the quiet discipline, the kind of tiredness that didn’t come from one night alone.

At Kikyo’s agreement, Kanae’s smile returned, a little warmer. “Of course. You’re not intruding at all. If anything, you’ve arrived at a rather lively time… so a quieter place might be kinder.”

She shifted her hold on the flowers, then gestured gently toward a path that curved away from the main courtyard, where the noise softened beneath the trees. “There’s a small garden behind the science building,” she offered. “It isn’t as crowded, and the wind passes through there more gently. The flowers there are… less spoken of, but they listen well, if that makes sense.”

A faint, almost playful brightness touched her expression at Kikyo’s observation. “And thank you,” Kanae added softly. “I do care for them. They don’t ask for much in return, so I try to make sure they’re never neglected.”

Kikyo followed half a step behind her at first, her pace measured more by habit than intention. The path Kanae had chosen curved away from the festival noise with surprising ease, as though the grounds themselves understood the need for silence. Beneath the canopy of trees, the sharp brightness of laughter faded into something distant and softened, carried away by the wind along with the scent of incense and sweet festival food. The quiet settled around them naturally. Kikyo found herself strangely aware of the sound of the flowers brushing against Kanae’s sleeves when she walked.

At the mention of Kaede, her expression eased by a fraction. “She worries excessively,” Kikyo replied, though the faintness near her eyes suggested affection rather than criticism. “Ever since we were young, she has disliked seeing me overwork myself.” Her gaze lowered briefly to the stone path beneath their feet. “Unfortunately, she inherited our mother’s stubbornness. Once she decides something, resistance becomes inefficient.” The admission carried the driest trace of humor. A breeze moved through the trees overhead, stirring the hanging wisteria vines near the edge of the path. Kikyo noticed the ease with which students greeted her in passing, small waves, quiet smiles, subtle bows of recognition. “You seem well-loved here,” Kikyo observed quietly after a moment.

Ahead, the garden emerged gradually behind the science building, tucked away from the heart of the festival. The sounds of celebration dulled into a distant murmur behind the trees. Smaller flower beds lined the narrow stone walkway, which had forget-me-nots, white lilies, early blooming hydrangeas as their petals shifted gently beneath the afternoon wind. A wooden bench rested beneath a maple tree whose leaves cast trembling shadows across the ground.

Kikyo slowed slightly upon entering, as the stillness there felt different from exhaustion. Her shoulders loosened before she consciously realized it. “This is peaceful,” she admitted softly. As someone who spent most days surrounded by fluorescent lights and antiseptic air, the garden almost felt unreal. There were no urgent footsteps, no voices calling for charts or medication, and no monitors crying out into sleepless dawns. Only a gentle breeze and flowers. After a brief pause, Kikyo spoke again, her voice lower now against the hush of the garden. “You understand how to care for exhausted things.”

“Hm.”

The stylist reappeared, wielding a powder puff like a shield. He waved her off with a jerk of his chin, swallowing another mouthful as she managed to touch up his face, seeing as it had been pointed out by her, that he was not .. looking his best, as he drank again. It hit his stomach like a stone. "You're right.” He admitted, too low for the entourage to hear. His tongue dragged over his bottom lip, catching a stray drop. "But I won't pass out. So you don’t have to worry about working tonight." Not tonight. Not when the stadium lights would bleach his sins into something dazzling.

“You are excited, good. It is going to be a good show.”

As his smile twitched wider as little sisters’ knees wobbled, it was an almost Pavlovian reaction to his presence. He'd seen it a thousand times: the choked gasps, the trembling fingers clutching merch, the wide-eyed devotion that bordered on religious fervor. But there was something deliciously raw about this girl's reaction, like she'd stepped into a shrine and found the god himself slouched against his own altar.

Her sister's clinical detachment only sharpened the contrast. He handed the bottle to his staff without looking, fingers brushing against empty air until someone snatched it from him. The stylist was back, quickly as she dabbed at his forehead with a tissue before he could blink, her movements quick and practiced like she was mopping up a spill rather than touching a person. He ignored her, focusing instead on the way Kaede’s hands shook as she fumbled with her phone camera. The screen reflected his face back at him, smooth, flawless, a mask he’d worn so long it almost felt real.

"Closer, come on, let’s do this." He commanded, not unkindly, and watched the girl nearly combust as he slung an arm around her shoulders. He saw her breath hitch audibly, her entire frame going rigid beneath his touch. The scent of her strawberry-scented shampoo was cloying, too sweet, too young. Kikyo stood stiffly beside them, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

The contrast was almost comical, one sister melting into a puddle of adoration, the other radiating disapproval like a human firewall. The photographer’s flash went off, bleaching the moment into something sterile and staged. More snaps taken, as many as possible. The flashbulbs died as the photographer stepped back, signaling the end of the session. He dropped his arm from around Kaede’s shoulders like shedding an unwanted coat. He watched them both with detached amusement, his publicist already herding them toward the exit.

The older sister’s eyes lingered on him for a beat too long, clinical and assessing, As he watched them both, rubbing his eyes, he could, he would .. he shall make it through the entire show tonight.

"Enjoy the show." He said, the words slipping out smooth as scripted dialogue. His voice carried just enough warmth to sound genuine, a practiced balance between dismissive and charming. He didn't wait for a response, already turning away as his entourage closed ranks around him like a living curtain.

The last thing he saw was Kikyo's unimpressed blink and Kaede's tear-streaked face crumpling with realization that this was it, their moment was over before she could even process it. As he had a show to put on.

Kikyo watched him disappear beneath the swarm of handlers and stylists without changing expression, though the noise left behind lingered in the corridor long after he vanished. The artificial brightness of backstage lighting painted everyone in pale fluorescence, flattening faces into masks and smiles into obligations. Around her, staff hurried in synchronized chaos with clipboards, headsets, makeup kits, and bottled water moving like blood through veins. The entire backstage area felt less like preparation for music and more like the frantic stabilization of a patient moments before surgery.

—Enough.

The growl pulls her back to the world around her. Blissful laughter is cut short by confusion. Lips still parted, lost in her own thoughts as the two stand nearby; All eyes now focused on them and then to her as the drink falls. Spilling out across the floor, legs just narrowly avoiding the small splash.

' —Spiked? '

Bankotsu watched the embarrassment flare across her face before it settled into anger, and he understood it immediately. Wounded pride always looked sharper than fear. Most people, when confronted with how close danger had come, either collapsed into panic or laughed it off to protect themselves. Instead, she straightened beneath the haze of liquor and humiliation, gathering herself with a composure that caught his attention more than the trembling coward still lingering beside them. The man opened his mouth, likely preparing some pathetic excuse, but Bankotsu’s gaze slid toward him with the cold weight of an executioner’s blade. “Get out.” The stranger stumbled back without argument, vanishing into the crowd so quickly it was almost laughable. Predators like that only hunted where they thought there would be no consequences, but the moment real violence entered the room, they folded like wet paper.

The ravenette exhaled slowly through his nose once the man disappeared from sight, though his shoulders never relaxed. Clubs were crawling with vermin like him. Men poisoning drinks, hiding behind music and flashing lights instead of castle walls. His attention returned to the woman before him. “You being distracted isn’t the problem. Him deciding to take advantage of it was,” he said at last, voice lower now that the threat had passed. The neon lights shifted blue across his features before bleeding crimson a second later, painting the sharp lines of his face in alternating colors. Around them, the club had already begun moving again, the crowd eager to pretend nothing had happened. Music swallowed tension quickly in places like this, but Bankotsu didn’t move away yet.

His eyes flicked briefly toward the rest of her group scattered nearby, some only now realizing something had gone wrong. “Tch.” A quiet sound of irritation left him. “You shouldn’t leave drinks unattended,” he muttered, though the words lacked real bite as it was more observation than scolding. “Especially in places like this.” His hand reached toward the bar behind her, grabbing a fresh glass of water from the bartender with the kind of silent authority that made people obey before realizing they had. He placed it in front of her with a dull tap against the counter. “Drink that instead.” He leaned back slightly, one arm resting against the bar as his gaze drifted once more across the club like he expected another problem to crawl out from the dark the second he looked away.

𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 -

01. avoids eye contact or looking at the floor. 02. wringing hands together in silence. 03. fidgeting with the hem of their shirt, unable to stay still. 04. looking at receiver in long silence before looking away. 05. silently leaves a folded note on the table in front of the other. 06. touches the others arm but pulls back out of guilt.

𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 -

01. slams fist onto a table without saying a word. 02. exhaling sharply through their nose and clenching their jaw. 03. throws an object across the room. 04. crossing their arms tightly, digging fingers into their own skin. 05. pacing the room with heavy steps. 06. glares at the other with a clenched fist.

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 -

01. gently pushing stray hair behind the others ear. 02. resting their forehead against the others. 03. cups the others face with both hands. 04. pressing a kiss to the others forehead in silence. 05. lingering touches against the others face. 06. wraps their arms around the other from behind and rests their head on the others shoulder.

𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. wiping their eyes before someone can notice. 02. pressing their face into a pillow to muffle sobs. 03. pulls the other into a desperate hug and wont let go. 04. silently reaching for the others hand, needing comfort. 05. walks into the room with red-rimmed eyes and no words.

𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 -

01. spins the other around without warning in a hug. 02. links arms with the other and tugs them along happily. 03. provides the other with a handmade gift. 04. tackles the other in a sudden and joyful hug. 05. kisses the others cheek unexpectedly and grins.

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 -

01. backing away slowly and looking for exits. 02. hiding behind the other and peeking around. 03. flinches at sudden movement from the other. 04. presses their back against the wall with eyes darting around the room. 05. jumps at a noise and instinctively grabs the others hand.

𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

01. tucks a blanket gently around the other person's shoulders. 02. applies a bandage with slow and deliberate care. 03. brings them food and water and watches to ensure they eat. 04. runs fingers through their hair in efforts to soothe. 05. rubs soothing circles on the others back while they cry. 06. stays silently by the others side in support without saying a word.

𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠

@fedua1era asked: Bankotsu lounged against a sun-warmed stone, one leg stretched out, the other bent just enough to rest his elbow on. His grin was lazy, confident, the kind that had unsettled enemies and charmed fools in equal measure. Across from him, the elf sat with all the presence of a quiet afternoon breeze, her attention fixed on a small, worn grimoire in her lap. “Tch,” he clicked his tongue softly, tilting his head. “You always this enthralled by books, or am I just not special enough to get your attention?” The male pushed himself up, sauntering over with that loose, predatory ease. He stopped just within her space, close enough that most would’ve stiffened, flinched, reacted somehow. The ravenette leaned down slightly, peering upside down at the book, his face suddenly in her line of sight. “Whatcha reading?” he asked, voice dropping into something softer, almost conspiratorial.

Before she could respond, he reached out, quick and deliberate, brushing a stray lock of silver hair back behind her ear. His fingers lingered just a fraction longer than necessary. “So,” he said after a beat, squinting at her like she’d just rewritten the rules of the game. “That’s it? No flustered look? No heart racing? Bankotsu let out a short laugh, dragging a hand down his face before dropping beside her instead of looming. “Alright,” he muttered, leaning back on his hands. “New plan. I’ll just keep trying ‘til something works.” He glanced sideways at her, eyes glinting with something playful, stubborn. “I’ve got time.”

Despite   her   facade   of   aloofness,   Frieren   was   very   much   aware   of   the   mercenary's   lingering   stare.   She   just   simply   chose   to   ignore   him.   Her   assumption   was   that   he   was   bored   and   wanted   to   seek   her   out   as   a   way   of   entertainment.   Unfortunately   for   him,   the   spell   in   her   grimoire   wasn't   only   incredibly   beneficial   to   herself   but   the   group   as   a   whole,   thus   -   learning   it   took   priority   over   becoming   his   playmate.   However   Her   silence   didn't   seem   to   deter   Bankotsu,   instead   it   seemed   to   welcome   him   into   pestering   her   more.   He   was   even   bold   enough   to   touch   her   hair,   his   fingers   warm   against   her   cool   cheek.

"You   realize   this   isn't   just   book?   I'm   fairly   certain   I've   already   explained   the   concept   of   grimoires   to   you...   so   you-   ...."   words   trailed   off   as   he   leaned   in,   foresty   greens   intertwined   with   those   mischievous   blue   eyes.   (What   a   cocky   man.   )

A   brief   silence   followed   ...   before   the   band   of   seven's   leader   let   out   his   complaint.   Slightly   confusing   the   elven   mage.   "Is   that   the   reaction   you   wanted   from   me?   To   fluster   like   a   young   noble   girl   meeting   her   wealthy   suitor?"   a   ghost   of   a   smile   curved   pon   her   lips,   almost   amused   at   the   absurdity   of   it.   "I'll   have   you   know   that   no   one   has   ever   made   my   heart   race..."   And   then   she   leaned   in   slightly   closer,   her   smile   prominently   wider   and   more   playful.

"But   I   am   slightly   curious   to   see   your   other   attempts.   Perhaps   you'll   be   the   first   to   succeed?"

@fedua1era asked: Bankotsu had already decided persistence was going to be needed but sneakily. The human approached without announcement, dropping down behind her beneath the shade of the tree where she sat reading, her long silver hair spilling freely down her back like it had no weight to it at all. “You take no care of it,” he said at last, voice lower than usual, almost thoughtful. His hand lifted slowly giving her time to stop him if she wanted as his fingers slipped into her hair, gathering it gently, testing the texture like he hadn’t already noticed how smooth it was. It slid easily between his hands, cool and soft, catching the light in a way that made it look almost unreal. “It’s nice,” he muttered, almost to himself.

The ravenette smirked, just a little, before separating the strands and beginning to braid them with a surprising amount of care. “Most people I’ve met,” he went on, tone casual but quieter than before, “They try too hard. Dress things up, make a show of themselves.” His fingers worked steadily, weaving the sections together. “You don’t.” His hands adjusted again, and this time, as he smoothed a strand into place, his fingers brushed lightly along the back of her neck. A brief, deliberate contact to allow cool skin beneath calloused warmth.

“Still,” he added, quieter now, “ You don’t need anything to enhance your beauty. It’s better than most.” He continued braiding, slower than necessary now, letting his fingers drift just slightly as he gathered the next section, another light brush at her nape, less teasing this time, more absentminded or at least, pretending to be. The braid took shape between his hands, neat despite his rough nature. When he finished, he tied it off loosely and let it fall over her shoulder, his fingers lingering at the back of her neck again. Bankotsu stilled for half a second, then let out a quiet breath through his nose, a crooked grin pulling back into place. He laughed under his breath, pulling his hand back at last, but not moving away as his blue eyes stared directly into her own gaze. “Did it work? Is your heart racing yet?” he asked.

The   benefit   of   having   larger   ears   was   that   one   could   hear   significantly   better   than   the   average   human.   Frieren   knew   of   Bankotsu's   arrival   before   he   had   even   reached   her.   Though   because   he   was   a   trusted   ally   she   made   no   attempt   to   move,   even   when   he   sat   himself   right   behind   her.   "I   don't   see   the   point   of   it,   hair   is   just   hair   ....is   it   not?"   When   the   mercenary's   fingers   found   themselves   lightly   running   through   her   moonlit   strands,   mage's   silken   lashes   fluttered   closed,   the   man   had   styled   her   hair   before   so   she   wasn't   put   off   that   he   intended   to   do   so   now.   If   someone   else   wanted   to   deal   with   the   hassle   of   it,   that   was   fine   by   her.

Though   she   hadn't   anticipated   his   sudden   influx   of   compliments.   words   were   smooth,   even   sultry.   Which   caused   suspicion   that   he   was   up   to   something.   "Well....   aren't   you   full   of   flattery   ...   what   is   it   you-"   words   halted   on   her   tongue   when   the   warmth   of   his   fingers   grazed   against   sensitive   skin,   causing   her   to   shift   slightly.   It   wasn't   a   dramatic   reaction   but   if   her   companion   had   been   paying   attention   he'd   see   she   DID   react.

And   then   came   the   compliments   once   more   .....   "Mm....   is   my   alluring   beauty   the   reason   you   requested   I   join   you?"   she   had   intended   to   say   more   but   his   fingers   were   at   her   skin   again,   causing   another   shift,   this   time   more   obvious   .....   it   was   clear   he   was   doing   it   on   purpose   now.   His   question   after   finishing   her   hair   also   proved   that.   "......You're   such   a   pain"   gaze   did   not   turn   from   his   while   her   lips   formed   into   the   faintest   of   a   pout.   "treating   a   pure   maiden   this   way   ...."   she'd   opted   not   to   answer.

Bankotsu: Omnisexual describes a sexual or romantic attraction to people of all genders or sexualities. These individuals can still have distinct preferences for certain personality or physical traits, or favor dating specific genders, even though their capacity for attraction includes everyone. This is the closest I to him as he’s attracted to strength which is not just physical, but also mental as well. For examples typically he’s attracted to men more than women due to their strength and personality. He can be attracted to women as well though.

𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 :

➔ you're gonna be okay , just keep your eyes on me. ➔ don't move - you're going to make it worse. ➔ it's not that bad. ➔ you saved me once before , now it's my turn. ➔ you fucking idiot , you weren't supposed to take the hit for me. ➔ i told you not to do that! now look! ➔ you're lucky that i know basic first aid , or you'd be dead! ➔ stay with me, okay? stay awake. ➔ i'll be as gentle as i can be , i promise. ➔ you're bleeding - oh my god , you're bleeding. ➔ you told me it was a scratch , this is not a fucking scratch! ➔ there's so much blood. ➔ next time you want to play here , just don't. ➔ stop fighting me and let me help! ➔ you're banned from doing anything remotely dangerous. ➔ you could have died , what were you thinking? ➔ if you die on me , i'm going to be pissed off. ➔ you didn't have to be so reckless just to prove a fucking point. ➔ the wound will heal but you'll have a scar.

𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 :