Hakuouki Fever

Grayscale version of this drawing.

Because….Ryoma….

(Okita) This is just like a bad dream, not being able to fight

Saito: Where are you going? Okita: Isn’t it obvious? To Koufu! Everyone is risking their lives while fighting, I can’t be the only one staying at home. Saitou: Are you going to ignore the Vice Commander’s orders? Okita: Do I have to obey even orders I don’t agree with? Saitou: You intend to fight with this body of yours? Okita: I’ll fight! That’s the only thing I can do! Are you planning to kill me because I disobeyed the orders? Saitou: I’ll decide whether you can fight or not Okita: Intresting!

(Okita) I’ve wield a sword for that person (Saitou) Holding the will of becoming a sword in my heart (Okita) I decided to fight until the end of my life (Saitou) Living as a samurai, I’ve cast off my feelings (Okita) Continuing to fight is the proof that I’m alive (Saitou) Living as a one-swing sword (Okita) killing people and opening the road (Saitou) Is my job (Okita) To be myself (Saitou) To be myself (Okita/Saitou) I have no choice but to fight

Saito: Souji! Okita: I know, but I’ll catch up with you instantly

(Okita/Saitou) Give me the power change the world In my own way Give me the power change the world In my own way

by impracticaldemon

Words: ~ 750   Read also on: FFN | AO3

Written as a birthday ficlet for @eheartangel ~ I hope you enjoy it!

To @eliz1369 and @kurokiorya ~ I consider this a ‘moment in time’ from the same canon-verse setting as The Gift of Teasing Laughter.

To my various OkiChi shipping friends, followers, and readers (not exclusive categories, obviously!), the way this short story just seemed to work for me is a testimony to the effect of your diligent and (sometimes - ow! - sorry) reasonable arguments in favour of your ship (grin) (but a sincere grin, I swear!).

The Bargain

It was an unusually lazy afternoon, but Chizuru was eventually forced to concede that she’d needed it. It wasn’t just that their life entailed a significant amount of physical labour, but that living in the shadow of death—Sōji’s death, specifically—was mentally and emotionally exhausting for her. Fortunately, Sōji was much more practical about these things than she was, and when he decided that they—that she—needed a break, they took one.

He was noticeably stronger now, she reminded herself, as she watched the clouds drift in endlessly changing forms across the blue sky of late summer. That thought made her turn her head to look at him—again—taking in the healthy colour on cheeks that had once been hollow and pale. He lay on the warm grass beside her, loose-limbed and a little untidy, but as breathtakingly beautiful as always. Aloud, she called him handsome. She knew all too well how he scoffed at both the idea of male beauty and those who too obviously embodied it, although she’d long suspected that he perceived it just as easily as she did. Or perhaps that had been the problem? He had loved to mock both Itō-san and Hijikata-san for being vain, but he’d never once said that it was unwarranted.

This last reflection took her thoughts in a different direction. For many reasons, Souji no longer spoke of Hijikata-san much at all, and never with the unveiled contempt of the old days. Especially not since they’d heard that a sizeable portion of the Imperial Army had landed in Ezo over two months ago. They hadn’t spoken with anyone since—their interactions with neighbours were infrequent—but it seemed likely that—

“Sober thoughts, Chizuru-chan? You promised to smile…”

“That was the best hockey game, ever!” Chizuru was giddy and it extended to her tone of voice and the stars in her eyes as she held onto Saito’s arm. “Are all playoff games this exciting?”

“Hard to say.” Saito guided their egress from the Air Canada Centre, avoiding the rowdier Leaf fans. “I haven’t had much occasion to witness my team pursue the cup.”

“Oh? Oh!” Chizuru nodded, “Sannan told me about the golfing. I don’t understand how playing another sport helps their hockey performance, but it seems to be doing wonders!”

Saito pinched the bridge of his nose and silently vowed to pay back Sannan. “I was referring to my work schedule.”

“…” Chizuru blushed. “It’s colder outside than the arena was, but not by much. I can’t believe how much snow we’re getting this spring!” She shivered.

“Here, take my jacket.” Saito removed his coat.

“I told you, I’m not cold. Besides, I wore layers.” Chizuru gestured to her leggings under her flirty dress. “I’ve got a cardigan and a jacket.” She shivered again.

“Indulge me.” Saito draped his blue and white coat on Chizuru’s shoulders.

“But what about you?”

Yes - still taking requests! I will write for other ships  - and other fandoms too!

><><><>< 

Chizuru pointed to the sofa. “Sit and wait for lunch.”

Saito nodded, sighing as he lowered himself gently.

“Are you going to keep acting like a baby? The doctor said it’s normal.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” Saito’s face was pale.

Chizuru pressed her ear against the door, the sound of a camera shutter clicking away. The door knob jangled, and she leapt back quickly like a scared kitty.

Souji came out of the bathroom, whistling. Chizuru rifled through her drawers, pretending to search for something but was really making a mess. “Hey, babe. What are you looking for?”

Chizuru’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed red-hot. “Um,” she started, hands deep inside the drawer. “Oh, here it is.” She dangled a pair or purple thongs out, not exactly what she wanted out of her lie.

“Ooh, are you going to wear that tonight?” Souji flashed her a wicked smile. His phone chimed a few times, and they both averted their eyes toward the sound. He took out his phone from his back pocket and stared at the incoming messages.

Chizuru waited for him to say something, watching him text in front of her. “Who’s texting you, sweetie?” God, she wore her heart on her sleeve. She used a pet name and her voice quavered, a sure sign she was jealous.

“Um, nobody.”

Souji dropped the phone to his side, the front facing up. Chizuru stared at it, eyes as bright as the light emitting from his iPhone 10.

“Holy shit, are you sending dick pics?” Chizuru pointed, and Souji fumbled his phone, nearly dropping it.

“What the fuck? No!” He stuffed the phone back into his pocket and stomped his way past her. Chizuru grabbed him by the waist, hands trying to reach at his back.

“I know how your dick looks, and that was a picture of your…” Chizuru continued to fight him, but Souji was quick to turn each time.

“It’s not what you think, Chizuru-chan.”

“Oh, we’re using honorifics now? Who are you fucking texting?” She stifled back the tears, anger taking over as she circled around him like a dog chasing his tail. “Fuck it, I’m done.” She turned around, heading out of their bedroom.

Before she could leave, Souji tugged her back to him, flushing her back against his chest. “Stop. Okay. Here.” He handed her the phone, arms wrapped around her shoulders, his head buried in the crook of her neck. “Don’t laugh, okay.”

Chizuru scrolled through the messages. It was pictures of his dick… sent to… “Saito? You sent these to Saito?” Although his dick was prominent in the pictures, the true focus of the shots was a small brown mole next to it.

“I needed to know if it’s benign.” Souji huffed against her neck, a hint of embarrassment in his tone. “Saito is the only other doctor I trust with this.”

Her lips curled into a small smile, and she couldn’t stifle the giggle that formed in her throat.

“It’s not funny, babe! It could be cancer!”