#teamshift

There’s heavy pressure on her wrists and another blurry face appears above her. “Did someone call an ambulance? What happened?”

 “I don’t know, she was fine a minute ago.” that sounded like Kiki. Was she still at school? Her hand twitches and she can’t tell if what she’s feeling is the plush library carpet – it felt too smooth.

 “We were all talking about where to go for lunch, and she got this panicked look on her face. When I asked her what was wrong, she screamed at me to watch out, and then she was like this…” Yuzuri was here too? She must be at school then, but why did the carpet feel like wet cement?

 Her head reels again, more voices echo unwelcome in her mind. “Shirayuki, come on, please, I need you to look at me.” – My grandmother could hit harder than that, and she’s six-feet-deep. You really think I’m scared of you? – “Did someone call a goddamn ambulance? Hang in there, baby. Mitsuhide, help me get her to the couch.”

 She groans as she’s lifted – her jaw aches and it feels like someone just spent an hour beating her with a meat tenderizer. She can hear sirens wailing in the distance and the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked.

 A raw scream tears from her throat when the gun goes off and searing pain rips through her calf.

                                                      6 Years Later

  6:54 – she was definitely going to be late. “Crap, crap, crap. Why do you always do this to yourself…”

 She hops around her apartment, trying to pull the stubborn pantyhose up over her thigh while searching for her other heel. Kiki was going to wring her neck for sure this time – she had specifically told her not to be late tonight. The reservation was at 7.

 “Come on…” her hand gropes beneath the bed, fingers barely brushing the slender heel. “Al-most, ugnh, have…” Her fingers grasp the slick black material-

 Gotcha, you bastard.

 Startled, she jumps and bashes her head off the bedframe. “Agh – ooouch! Mother-fuuuudging, son-of-a-nutcracker, that smarts…”

 She pulls herself from under the bed and rubs her head tenderly. She half expects to see Zen or Mitsuhide standing in her doorway, the voice had been so clear. But she knew that they were likely already at the bar with-

 “AH, CRAP!” She throws her heels on and barrels out into the hallway, grabbing her phone and purse as she goes.

  She’s started walking towards the bar, while trying to flag down a cab – Kiki finally picks up. “Hey Kiki, please don’t kill me. I know I said I wouldn’t be, but I am most certainly late.”

 The other girl issues a small laugh, “Yeah, I figured you would be. That’s why I made the reservation for 7:30, but told you 7. It’s only 7:18, you still have time – how far away are you?”

 “Oh, Kiki, you’re amazing… I’m sorry… I’m walking there now – I swear, it’s nearly impossible to hail a cab in this city.” She should be offended that her friend had planned for her being late, but she really couldn’t be. The only thing she ever seemed to be on time for was work. She just got so wound up in her own little world sometimes, that time would slip through her fingers without her realizing.

 “I can’t believe I’m saying this to you, but take your time – the other’s won’t be here until after 8.” Kiki’s tone is teasing, light and happy.

 A cab honks and pulls up beside her, the tight feeling in her chest relaxes, “Ah – Thank you! I finally got a cab, so I’ll see you soon!”

 The line goes dead as she hops in the backseat, “Where to?”

 “Oh, right – Villains, please!” the streetlights overhead blur together as the cab rockets forward toward downtown.

    Her heels swing freely from her hand, her pantyhose sport long runs and she probably shouldn’t be walking back alone – if you could call this walking. She giggles and stumbles around the corner.

 Zen had offered to walk her home, but he lived on the other side of the city. It didn’t make sense to her, for him to walk her home and then turn around and head all the way back.

 She knew that she could have offered for him to spend the night, but things between them had been off for a while now. He told her it was because his brother was starting to put a lot of pressure on him about the family business, but she felt like there might be more to it than that…

 Her apartment building comes into view, warm light pouring from the lobby windows. She was glad she could make it tonight. Everyone had made an appearance – even Lata had been there to give his congratulations to Mitsuhide on his new position. She smiles to herself, she was happy that her friend had gotten the job as head of security, but she was also relieved that the party died down fairly early.

 She’s fighting with the lock on the lobby door, her key wedged in and unmoving. “Seriously, when are they going to fix this?” She rests her forehead against the cool glass and closes her eyes, inhaling deeply. “All I want are my pajamas and Discovery-channel. Is that too much to ask?”

 Yes.

 She blinks her eyes open, confusion settling itself in her brow. She knew she was drunk, but she didn’t think she was that drunk. She huffs, “I wasn’t really asking.”

 She swears that there’s a low chuckling sound, tickling the spot just behind her ears, when her key suddenly slides, the bolt shifting back with a loud metallic clunk.

 “Finally…” she staggers her way to the elevators, and stares at the blurry numbers above the doors. 11 and 14. She grumbles and slouches against the wall. This was going to take forever.

  “… We are looking at the limit of human understanding. There could be millions of black holes creeping around our galaxy. More perhaps than all the stars in the sky, but we wouldn’t see them until it was too late…” Alec Baldwin’s voice pours from the TV, a stunning depiction of a hungry black hole fills the screen.

 “Well, that’s slightly terrifying…” she tosses a piece of popcorn in her mouth and snuggles further beneath the quilt. Her feet hurt and her eyes were starting to feel heavy. “Pretty though.”

 Shut up. Get out of my head.

 She frowns and mutes the TV.  Bringing the quilt up to her chin, she looks around her apartment. “Hello?”

 Fuck. Shut up… Shut up.

 There’s an unpleasant prickling feeling behind her ears again. “Wait... Me, shut up?”

 Just get out of my head. Fuck. I can’t deal with this shit, not right now.

 “I’m not in your head – you’re in my head!” Her fingers grip the frayed edges of the blanket, and she eyes her phone. Was she going crazy? Maybe she should call Yuzuri. No, bad plan. She was probably sleeping. And what would she tell her – help I’m arguing with myself? That wouldn’t do. Yuzuri couldn’t know she was crazy. The alcohol was making this difficult to be witty. “You know what, you swear too much. So you should shut up.”

 This is great. I’m going fucking crazy.

 She’s not sure why, but she finds herself whispering angrily, “I’m the one going crazy, got it? You’re just a voice in my head – a disembodied, rude, potty-mouth figment.”

 I assure you, Miss, I am no goddamn figment. You are – and I will not be locked up in some institution because of you. Fuck, listen to me. I’m certifiable already. Shut up, shut up, shut up.

 “Yikes… Even the voice inside my head has problems.” The itchy feeling behind her ear intensifies. She pops another kernel in her mouth and sighs, pouting out her lips. That settles it. She’s definitely crazy.

 What are you talking about – you’re the voice in my head remember? You are the problem.

 She giggles, the alcohol still buzzing in her veins makes her ramble. She should be more concerned that she was hearing a voice in her head, but it had been a long day. She closes her eyes and settles back into the couch. “Well, I certainly do have my problems. Can’t fight you on that voice-man. But you seem like decent company, so I may as well try to make this fun before they lock me up and throw away the key. I wonder if my subconscious gave you a name. Do you have a name? Because if you don’t, then I think that you sound like a-”

 Obi...

 “Hmm… Obi. I like that. Good job subconscious.” She reaches up and pats herself on the back, smiling.

 What? No  – never mind… I can’t believe I’m actually thinking of asking this… You’re just a voice. You’re not real.

 “No, I’m pretty sure I’m real.” She roughly pinches herself, causing a red welt to rise on her arm. “Ouch... Yup. Definitely still real. Crap. If I have a bruise tomorrow, I’ll have to explain to Yuzuri that I’m crazy… Noooo…”

 She rolls her head back and forth. She didn’t want people to know she was crazy. There’s a pause, and the sensation behind her ear eases up.

 Did… Did you just… What did you just do?

 She sighs and looks down at her other arm. Everything looked like it was glowing. “What, this?” She pinches her other arm, leaving the skin red and irritated. She blinks lazily at the mark, brows furrowing. “I was making sure I was still real. You should know, when I’ve be-”

 Holy fuck. I... I felt… What the fuck...

 “Excuse you, Obi, I was talking. Rein him in sub-co.” she starts giggling again, “Hmm. Clever. Sub-co. Sub-co and Obi.”

  What’s your name?

 “Shouldn’t you already know that?” she lays down on the couch, yawning, eyes trying to focus on the screen full of nebula and stars.

 Just. Please, humour me?

 “It’s Shirayuki – who else would I be?” Her eyes are starting to ache.

 Shit. You… you’re… real? AGH. This doesn’t make any sense!

 There’s a crash and her foot starts to throb. “Ouch…” she cringes and wiggles her toes slowly, whispering, “Why toes. Why do you hurt me? Is it because of the heels? I’m sorry…”

 You felt that... Okay. Seriously, what the fuck is happening…

 “Only you, lefty. Last time I wear that heel. Traitor.” She could feel sleep calling to her.

 You’re actually a real person… Like a real, flesh and blood, living and breathing person? How is this…

 “Well yeah, I mean, I could pinch myself again to make sure I guess?” Her eyes slide shut, and she pulls the blanket up over her shoulders.

 Can you? Just once more… Holy fuck, I might not be totally crazy. Please don’t be crazy. Please, please…

 She yawns, she was having a hard time focusing. “Your voice is nice, did you know that?”

 What? Are you… No! Wait! Don’t fall asleep – do something, anything! Please!

 “Hmm… Fir-” a yawn cuts her off, and her voice drops to a whisper, “First thing tomorrow… I’m just so sleepy, and the stars…” she can feel his panicked sigh, in that space behind her ear.

 Miss, please… I don’t know how I’m talking to you right now. What if we can’t do this tomorrow?

“Okay, how did you two meet?” the woman standing behind the camera asked, not looking at them but at their video on the small screen.

“We met in our freshman year of college through a weird situation at my part time job” Shirayuki chuckled, her eyes turning from the camera lens to Obi.

“Yeah, then we moved out of the school dorm and shared a flat together in our second year” Obi beamed “and now we’re here to make out”

“We are” Shirayuki covered her laugh with her hands along with most of her flushing face before turning to face Obi “This won’t ruin our friendship, will it?”

“Let’s hope not” Obi breathed “Shall we… how should we set the mood!” Obi exclaimed turning to face the camera, the room filled with both their nervous laughter.

“Should I try and seduce you or something” Shirayuki made a waves pattern with her arms towards him “you know, like magic”.

“You’re doing a pretty lousy job, miss” Obi cocked one eyebrow up, resting a hand on his waist.

“Alright let’s be serious” they reached for each other, their hands tangling and pumping in the process until they settled, his hands on her waist, while one of her hands rested on his shoulder and the other circled his back.

“Seems right” Obi said, taking one last breath, his hand trailing up her waist to cup her cheek, his thump resting on her chin, the tip of it touching her lip. She could feel warmth from him seep through his thin shirt, how was he not cold?

“Ready?” he whispered, his mouth a couple of inches away from hers.

She hummed a quick approval, letting him lean in and press his lips to hers. It was… nice, just like she expected it to be until something took over her and she moved her lips, opening her mouth against his, the hand on his back clutching the material of his jacket.

Just as she was about to end this nonsense Obi tilted his head letting go of a light sigh that sent an earthquake-like shiver down her spin. Her hand moving up to the hair the back of his head, letting it sink in between her fingers, enjoying the softness of it.

They pulled back for breath, eyes wide starring into one another.

“So, how was it?” the woman asked again, barely keeping a light chuckle to herself.

“Fine, it was good” Shirayuki said, untangling her hands from around Obi “Wasn’t it?” she turned to him, her expression a mixture of disbelief, tension and curiosity

“Yeah, yeah” Obi nodded his head repeatedly, looking either away from her or at the camera.

“Will you do it again?” the woman asked, clearly amused with the two of them.

“C-Can we end this here” she stumbled on her words, her face feeling a little warmer, as she avoided looking anywhere but the tips of her shoes.

“Of course. That’s a wrap everyone!” the blond woman turned to the few crew members behind her and thanked her and Obi for coming.

“W-Will we do it again?” the words escaped Shirayuki’s slightly swollen lips, looking up at her friend from under her lashes.

“If you want to” Obi seemed to be as nervous as she was, not his usual confident and playful self.

“Really!” she stepped a step closer to him. Her eyes glowing with hope.

“Y-Yeah, but it’s be best if we go home first” he let his shoulders slump down with a loud sigh, as if he’d been on edge the whole time.

“Oh, yeah. We probably should” she hooked her bag over her shoulder and turned to find him with his hand extended to her, waiting for her to take it, which she gladly did.

Obi could do nothing but focus on keeping upright. His lungs weren’t getting enough air, his knees were weak and his heart felt as though it were about to burst through his chest. He must have heard incorrectly.

 The tension in the room shifts – once unbelieving it swings to uncontrolled anger.

 “This is outrageous!” Master is shouting, and he wants nothing more than to fade into a nice, dark shadow. “If you think I’m going to arrange a- a marriage, between Shirayuki and- and him!” his words are venomous as his hand snaps back to point at him, “Then you have truly lost your God-forsaken mind!”

 Ouch. He knew that the situation was the cause for Master’s words, but they still stung, regardless. His hand snakes up to bite into his shoulder, giving him something to focus on rather than his broken lungs and shaking knees.

 Izana ignores the outburst and calls to him, “Obi.”

 “Y-yes Highness?” He clears his throat and steps forward, trying to calm his heart enough to hear what the eldest brother had to say.

 “Since my brother is unwilling-”

 “Unwilling!? Brother, I fear you’ve misunderstood – I am… I am livid.” Master won’t look at him, colour has risen high in his cheeks with his outburst. “You claimed you wished to help us – to help me achieve my goals!”

 Izana holds up a slender finger, “Apologies, Obi – it seems I must explain the matter further. Please, excuse yourself and speak with Haruka. He has been made aware of the arrangement and will explain the necessary preparations you will need to make.”

 “Yes, Highness.” He bows and takes his leave, grateful to leave the angry waves coming from Master, in the room behind him.

 He doesn’t get far before his knees give out and he slumps against the wall. His mind was reeling. He was to be married. Married to her. She was everything he had ever wanted. Everything he ever could have hoped for… But Master… And what would she think? What would she say? Would she even have him? And why was Izana deciding this now?

 His eyes slam shut and he’s gasping for air, none of it seeming to reach his constricted lungs. Footsteps approach him and he tenses, fearing that it was Master come to ream him out. This was far worse.

 “Are you okay, Obi?”

 Her voice washes over him, sending a tidal wave of heat crashing through him. He almost wishes that Master had come out to yell some more. At least he knew where he stood with him.