#zestshipping

Yes, Homura, I did see your other message, but I thought, “Why notgive you all a bonus Zest drabble?” So here’s a li’l Zesty kiss. I ‘ll write upthe other one in a minute! :D

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 Marik and Saffron sat together on thebeach, facing the open sea. The sun was setting, and the water was alive withcolour. Saffron’s dark eyes were round with a childlike wonder, and Marikcouldn’t help but smile to see it.

“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured. “I’veheard stories but seeing it … I have no words.”

Marik’s smile broadened. He half-turnedand wrapped an arm about her slender frame, drawing her closer to him.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “I feltthe same when I saw this for the first time.”

“When was that?” Saffron asked.

“On the ship my brother and I … er, commandeered.”He flushed slightly and Saffron  lookedup at him, her dark eyes curious.

“Oh really? Do tell.”

It wasn’t as if Marik hadn’t planned tokiss her anyway, but he was not sure he wanted to delve into his days leadingthe Rare Hunters just yet, and it seemed a perfect distraction. And her facewas right there, just below his lips. It was so convenient having a girlfrienda head shorter than yourself.

Bending, Marik laid a light kiss onSaffron’s tawny brow. The girl’s mouth quirked in a small smile.

“Nice try,” she said, eyes dancing. “I’llget that story out of you sometime. That’s a promise.”

Seto Kaiba/Providence (Vida) =Patienceshipping

Marik Ishtar/Saffron =Zestshipping

Raphael/Seraphine (Sera) =Seraphshipping

Rishid Ishtar/Elaria (Lara) =Reverentshipping

And I'm seriously considering naming his eldest son Gabriel.

Also, Sarah, Charlotte, Kimberley and Vanessa are possible names for his other daughters. Still working on the other sons' names.

If you approve or disapprove, let me know, and send in suggestions if you like! Finding good names that haven't already been used in the series is hard sometimes (especially when the Pokémon anime is included. There should be a site listing all the names they've used. There are hundreds by now).

…Gentleshipping. I created Saffron for Marik and although I love Sivya and may write Valley into one of my fics, my own OC comes first.

THAT IS BRILLIANT TDH THANK YOU.

Saffron and Providence both being interns at Kaiba Corp. (partly inspired by a conversation with Kohaku)

Saffron and Providence both believing the Pharaoh and Bakura are real from the start (whether or not they have magic themselves is still up in the air).

Saffron being skilled in several marshal arts and being assigned to protect Mokuba. She's in the room with him when Rishid comes to kidnap him on Marik's orders and Marik has to use the Rod on her and make her come with them just to keep her from drawing attention because she's fighting them all the way. (This is how the connection is forged between them because, strong-willed as she is, she's too shocked to shake off the Rod's power when she first experiences it). (Can the Rod be used on someone long-distance or will this scenario have to be recalibrated?)

Saffron having a crush on 'Namu' before she finds out who he really is.

Saffron remaining behind during the Virtual World arc (because I couldn't come up with a purpose for her being there like she was in the dream) and helping Ishizu protect Rishid while at the same time getting to know Marik better while she's sharing her mind with him. (Her will's strong enough for her to be aware of her uninvited guest and she insists on a similar arrangement to the one Yugi has with the Pharaoh.)

Providence in the cyberworld with Seto and Mokuba, learning about their past with Gozaburo.

Providence finishing Seto's duel against Noa and winning with cards that haven't been made official yet, but which she has designed herself and were so prominent in her mind that she could use them in that world.

Providence deciding to take Noa with her when she leaves the cyberworld and their two minds sharing her body until she can arrange more suitable accommodations for him. (I might just have Kohaku's help if I write this and get to this part because she has some pretty interesting ideas involving Noa. :D)

Noa teasing Providence mercilessly while he's sharing her mind due to her crush on Seto. (Noa: Seto and Vida sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g... Providence: Stop that! Noa: Bet the Pharaoh does it to Yugi. *pan to Yami doing just that with Yugi in regards to Téa*)

Providence electing to watch Alister after he lost his duel during the Orichalcos arc, especially after Seto and Yami leave for the temple, because she knows that if he wakes up, that means everyone, including Seto, is all right.