now is the time (please don't) (love live!,kotori/maki)
now is the time (please don't)
group: μ's (love live!)
pairing: kotori/maki
length: ~1400k
notes: part one of this soulmate!au (writing one for sayaei too later)
She brushes her fingers against the back of Maki’s hand, turning it so her wrist would face upwards. She rubs her thumb against the skin, a small smile upon her lips.
“I wish I knew what words are written on here,” she murmurs softly.
“It doesn’t matter, Kotori,” Maki objects, pulling her hand away. “It’s just a hoax anyway. Besides, nothing’s going to happen to you.”
Kotori tilts her head. “Well, no one said that it has to happen now or at any particular time…”
“Kotori, stop,” the redhead groans. “It’s not. Real. Things like that don’t exist. No one can know how the other person is going to die especially not a stupid tattoo on my wrist.”
The blonde lifts an eyebrow. “But you do believe in the soulmate part, yes? Don’t you think that’s a bit hypocrite?”
Maki looks away. She tries to conceal that her cheeks had gone red but it can’t escape Kotori’s notice.
The redhead notices her girlfriend staring at her own wrist and while doing so, she can totally understand why Kotori would want to know so badly what Maki’s tattoo is about. Maki wants to know how she’s supposed to die, too; but by letting Kotori know about her wish it would mean that she accepted that it’s real.
She can’t simply do such a thing.
It’s been almost a week already since the tattoos started appearing. Maki remembers reading the articles in the newspapers and watching the reports about the panic people were having over the phenomenon. No one knew why or how it was possible that tattoos randomly appeared on people’s wrist; some sort of witchcraft or magic, some believed but humans weren’t known for believing in such humbugs. It didn’t help, either, that everyone could only see their own tattoos. Some thought that it was a sort of disease, but the scientists dismissed the idea as soon as it hit the surface. There was no way a disease like this could form. The tattoos were actual words, meaningful words. Some found them cool despite everything, especially those who’ve been planning on getting tattoos for themselves like that and now they could get it without paying for it or going through any sort of pain.
However, the panic truly started only when someone reported that their significant other died after saying the words that were tattooed on their wrist. Of course, this was one case, so it was obvious that it couldn’t have been anything but a coincidence, however horrifying.
But then it happened again. And again, and again. People from all over the world swore that the last words they heard from the love of their life were exactly the same that was on their wrists.
Some went mad over this. People would look out the best and most talented tattoo artists, desperately begging them to remove their tattoos. But of course, the tattoos weren’t removable. Still aren’t.
The majority of people still believe this is all the result of a widespread panic. No one could prove that the partners of the victims were telling the truth. Maki belonged to the majority.
She’s been wondering about Kotori. She never dismissed the idea as strongly and passionately as Maki is, all the time; but she also doesn’t seem bothered by it, as if not really wanting to believe it either. She seems to be billowing on some shaky middle ground where she won’t let this change her life and the way she tries to live it but she can’t stop getting it out of her head either.
Maki’s somewhat okay with that. Kotori’s been dying to know about her tattoo and what it says, but she’s determined not to tell her. She doesn’t want it to shape the life they live together. She doesn’t want Kotori to watch every single word she says just to avoid saying that one sentence that might be deadly for her.
It’s the reason why Maki never asked Kotori to tell her about her tattoo, anyway.
*
“I can’t believe you beat me again,” Maki mumbles angrily, mostly to herself, but it makes Kotori giggle.
“I’m just way too good at Crash Team Racing,” she shakes it off coolly with a lazy shrug of her shoulders.
Maki just groans.
“Come on, now~” Kotori purrs and places her chin on her girlfriend’s shoulder, looking at her closely. “You’re being such a stuck up. You’re totally no fun at all.”
“Oh, is that so?” Maki snorts but she turns her head and kisses Kotori, pulling her along so the blonde would settle in her lap. Kotori locks her arms around the younger’s neck and buries her face in her cherry locks, sucking in the scent of her shampoo.
Then Kotori, just out of the blue, giggles.
“What?” Maki asks.
Kotori pulls away a little so she could look at the other. “I love how you’re always acting as if you would be so different than all the other girls… and yet you use the most girly shampoo ever~ Cotton candy, seriously, how old are you?”
Maki snorts so hard it scares Kotori and she falls out of her lap. The blonde giggles at Maki’s reaction again, her completely red cheeks and the pissed face she’s making.
“You resemble your favorite food so much right now,” Kotori goes on, spilling more oil to the fire and Maki gets off the couch, turning away from her girlfriend and crossing her arms.
“I-it’s not like cotton candy would be so girly and immature… you like cotton candy too… everybody likes it…” she mumbles and it’s so pretentious and cute that Kotori can’t help grinning.
“Of course, Maki,” she says and leaves it at that. In the next second, she stands up, too. “Anyway, I’m going to the store to buy some groceries for the weekend. I hope that by the time I come back, you’ll stop being such a crybaby,” Kotori chuckles and gives her girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek.
Maki doesn’t reply anything and just lets the other get ready to go out in silence, constantly twirling a few strands of hair against her finger and sniffing when she’s not looking. Girly and immature, huh. It’s not like it’s a sin to like sweeter scents, is it, now? She might have to buy new shampoo…
“Don’t forget to prepare the food!” Kotori calls out at last before rushing out the door and letting it close behind her.
And Maki’s heart stops.
The world suddenly seems irrelevant. Quiet.
Maki takes a quick glance at her wrist.
don’t forget to prepare the food
And she runs.
“Kotori!” Maki screams and tears up the door, storming down the stairs to catch up to her girlfriend while the fear slowly overwhelms her. She has to stop, Kotori, Kotori, please stop. Please come back. Please don’t go to the store.
She knows it’s irrational; for a week, she’s been doing nothing but bursting about how the tattoo thing is bullshit. That it’s only a hoax and people are getting overly paranoid about it.
Yet when Maki heard the same words as on her wrist leave Kotori’s mouth, she just simply couldn’t help but feel terror.
She literally bumps into Kotori from behind when she finally reaches her and Maki’s locking her in such a tight embrace that she might crush her.
“Hey, Maki,” Kotori yells, seemingly trying to squeeze herself out of the hug, “Maki, you’re crushing my bones!”
The girl loosens her grip but she doesn’t let go. With her forehead against Kotori’s back, she catches her breath, trying to regulate her heartbeat. Her entire body is shaking and she hears Kotori’s worried words only barely.
“Come on, Maki!” She finally snaps her out of that state and Maki looks up.
Kotori’s shocked when she sees Maki’s expression.
“Baby…”
“I’m sorry,” Maki shakes her head, blinking the tears out of her eyes. “I just had a panic attack, I think.”
Kotori gives her a small smile, cupping her girlfriend’s face with both of her hands. “That’s fine, Maki. I’m here. I’ll go to the shop later, let’s go back to our apartment.” She kisses the younger on the lips softly and then Maki nods and they walk back to their home with the redhead still holding onto Kotori’s arm; and never wanting to let go again.
She never wants to experience this fear of losing Kotori ever again.
group: μ's (love live!)
pairing: kotori/maki
length: ~1400k
notes: part one of this soulmate!au (writing one for sayaei too later)
She brushes her fingers against the back of Maki’s hand, turning it so her wrist would face upwards. She rubs her thumb against the skin, a small smile upon her lips.
“I wish I knew what words are written on here,” she murmurs softly.
“It doesn’t matter, Kotori,” Maki objects, pulling her hand away. “It’s just a hoax anyway. Besides, nothing’s going to happen to you.”
Kotori tilts her head. “Well, no one said that it has to happen now or at any particular time…”
“Kotori, stop,” the redhead groans. “It’s not. Real. Things like that don’t exist. No one can know how the other person is going to die especially not a stupid tattoo on my wrist.”
The blonde lifts an eyebrow. “But you do believe in the soulmate part, yes? Don’t you think that’s a bit hypocrite?”
Maki looks away. She tries to conceal that her cheeks had gone red but it can’t escape Kotori’s notice.
The redhead notices her girlfriend staring at her own wrist and while doing so, she can totally understand why Kotori would want to know so badly what Maki’s tattoo is about. Maki wants to know how she’s supposed to die, too; but by letting Kotori know about her wish it would mean that she accepted that it’s real.
She can’t simply do such a thing.
It’s been almost a week already since the tattoos started appearing. Maki remembers reading the articles in the newspapers and watching the reports about the panic people were having over the phenomenon. No one knew why or how it was possible that tattoos randomly appeared on people’s wrist; some sort of witchcraft or magic, some believed but humans weren’t known for believing in such humbugs. It didn’t help, either, that everyone could only see their own tattoos. Some thought that it was a sort of disease, but the scientists dismissed the idea as soon as it hit the surface. There was no way a disease like this could form. The tattoos were actual words, meaningful words. Some found them cool despite everything, especially those who’ve been planning on getting tattoos for themselves like that and now they could get it without paying for it or going through any sort of pain.
However, the panic truly started only when someone reported that their significant other died after saying the words that were tattooed on their wrist. Of course, this was one case, so it was obvious that it couldn’t have been anything but a coincidence, however horrifying.
But then it happened again. And again, and again. People from all over the world swore that the last words they heard from the love of their life were exactly the same that was on their wrists.
Some went mad over this. People would look out the best and most talented tattoo artists, desperately begging them to remove their tattoos. But of course, the tattoos weren’t removable. Still aren’t.
The majority of people still believe this is all the result of a widespread panic. No one could prove that the partners of the victims were telling the truth. Maki belonged to the majority.
She’s been wondering about Kotori. She never dismissed the idea as strongly and passionately as Maki is, all the time; but she also doesn’t seem bothered by it, as if not really wanting to believe it either. She seems to be billowing on some shaky middle ground where she won’t let this change her life and the way she tries to live it but she can’t stop getting it out of her head either.
Maki’s somewhat okay with that. Kotori’s been dying to know about her tattoo and what it says, but she’s determined not to tell her. She doesn’t want it to shape the life they live together. She doesn’t want Kotori to watch every single word she says just to avoid saying that one sentence that might be deadly for her.
It’s the reason why Maki never asked Kotori to tell her about her tattoo, anyway.
*
“I can’t believe you beat me again,” Maki mumbles angrily, mostly to herself, but it makes Kotori giggle.
“I’m just way too good at Crash Team Racing,” she shakes it off coolly with a lazy shrug of her shoulders.
Maki just groans.
“Come on, now~” Kotori purrs and places her chin on her girlfriend’s shoulder, looking at her closely. “You’re being such a stuck up. You’re totally no fun at all.”
“Oh, is that so?” Maki snorts but she turns her head and kisses Kotori, pulling her along so the blonde would settle in her lap. Kotori locks her arms around the younger’s neck and buries her face in her cherry locks, sucking in the scent of her shampoo.
Then Kotori, just out of the blue, giggles.
“What?” Maki asks.
Kotori pulls away a little so she could look at the other. “I love how you’re always acting as if you would be so different than all the other girls… and yet you use the most girly shampoo ever~ Cotton candy, seriously, how old are you?”
Maki snorts so hard it scares Kotori and she falls out of her lap. The blonde giggles at Maki’s reaction again, her completely red cheeks and the pissed face she’s making.
“You resemble your favorite food so much right now,” Kotori goes on, spilling more oil to the fire and Maki gets off the couch, turning away from her girlfriend and crossing her arms.
“I-it’s not like cotton candy would be so girly and immature… you like cotton candy too… everybody likes it…” she mumbles and it’s so pretentious and cute that Kotori can’t help grinning.
“Of course, Maki,” she says and leaves it at that. In the next second, she stands up, too. “Anyway, I’m going to the store to buy some groceries for the weekend. I hope that by the time I come back, you’ll stop being such a crybaby,” Kotori chuckles and gives her girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek.
Maki doesn’t reply anything and just lets the other get ready to go out in silence, constantly twirling a few strands of hair against her finger and sniffing when she’s not looking. Girly and immature, huh. It’s not like it’s a sin to like sweeter scents, is it, now? She might have to buy new shampoo…
“Don’t forget to prepare the food!” Kotori calls out at last before rushing out the door and letting it close behind her.
And Maki’s heart stops.
The world suddenly seems irrelevant. Quiet.
Maki takes a quick glance at her wrist.
don’t forget to prepare the food
And she runs.
“Kotori!” Maki screams and tears up the door, storming down the stairs to catch up to her girlfriend while the fear slowly overwhelms her. She has to stop, Kotori, Kotori, please stop. Please come back. Please don’t go to the store.
She knows it’s irrational; for a week, she’s been doing nothing but bursting about how the tattoo thing is bullshit. That it’s only a hoax and people are getting overly paranoid about it.
Yet when Maki heard the same words as on her wrist leave Kotori’s mouth, she just simply couldn’t help but feel terror.
She literally bumps into Kotori from behind when she finally reaches her and Maki’s locking her in such a tight embrace that she might crush her.
“Hey, Maki,” Kotori yells, seemingly trying to squeeze herself out of the hug, “Maki, you’re crushing my bones!”
The girl loosens her grip but she doesn’t let go. With her forehead against Kotori’s back, she catches her breath, trying to regulate her heartbeat. Her entire body is shaking and she hears Kotori’s worried words only barely.
“Come on, Maki!” She finally snaps her out of that state and Maki looks up.
Kotori’s shocked when she sees Maki’s expression.
“Baby…”
“I’m sorry,” Maki shakes her head, blinking the tears out of her eyes. “I just had a panic attack, I think.”
Kotori gives her a small smile, cupping her girlfriend’s face with both of her hands. “That’s fine, Maki. I’m here. I’ll go to the shop later, let’s go back to our apartment.” She kisses the younger on the lips softly and then Maki nods and they walk back to their home with the redhead still holding onto Kotori’s arm; and never wanting to let go again.
She never wants to experience this fear of losing Kotori ever again.