Munto's Plight

by AutumnJolene

Summary:

Physically, Munto is doing pretty good. Mentally? He's struggling. (Short series of one-shots)

Chapter 1: The Lion Brooch

Notes:

Inspired by: Never Enough - The Greatest Showman

The night sky shone a thousand stars. Candlelight sparked shadows along the pillars, swaying to the light tapping of nimble feet. Quiet chatter isolated to the corners of the ballroom left the dancers circling the middle with only the sweet melodies of stringed instruments and mingled breath to guide them.

Long side glances. Quirking of lips. Silenced whispers. Common in such gatherings.

Munto could hardly focus on any of it. Not when a low-born* lady of the most royal caliber fit snugly in his arms. She breathed life into his lungs while she seized his beating heart. Only muscle memory kept him graceful. Nor did he wish to embarrass her during the first dance of the night.

His hand spanned her waist, engulfing her hand in his other. In every way, she appeared dainty and small under his tall posture. His broad shoulders could easily hide her from onlookers, but he resisted the urge to curl around her.

Yumemi appears unfazed by the pressure of tonight’s ball. Her eyes, bright and wonderful, kept to his face. Never once straying to the couples that danced around them. She kept to his long strides with grace, pink lips turned upward in an unfaltering, soft smile.

She insisted on red for her dress. An implied message that sent his heart racing. The seamstress took her one-worded request and returned with a dress that brought green to every visiting nobles’ eye.

Good.

Dazzled in diamond embroidery, her dress flared at her waist in a traditional, western ball gown. The sweetheart neckline cut modestly along her breast with thin staps to cover her shoulders and cascade down her bareback. Munto would not have anyone suggest indecorously of her chosen gown. Neither would his seamstresses who took extra care with each cut of fabric and added the veiling straps in an attempt of modesty appropriate to Yumemi’s age.

They pinned Yumemi’s golden locks back into a peacock bun. Munto had gifted her a hairpin, a bejeweled version of her beloved flower. But, Yumemi shily requested to wear something she bought for the occasion. He’d never be one to deny her. To his shock, as he escorted her in for tonight’s gathering, he caught sight of a lion head, mouth wide open in a roar, and the mane made of bright red jewels, centered on her bun.

Halfway through the dance, Munto caved for all to see. Shoulders hunched as he pressed his temple to hers, their dance continued without hindrance. Yumemi squeezed his hand as concern flashed across her face. They had agreed to a secret relationship until the peace settled. The other nations would cry in outrage to find the Magical Kingdom having the most favor with the Girl of Destiny as if it was not already obvious. Munto tried to save her city, reached out to her to save his world. They fought together against Gnatarl - though, Munto argues Yumemi did all the work there. But, for tonight, Yumemi displayed her allegiance for all to see and Munto couldn’t fathom the unfairness of it all. How she wore his color and pinned a lion to her hair, knowing he could not hold her hand, kiss her knuckles as he wished to. How she did so with a smile. The gossip, the slander… she cared not.

“Munto?” Her concern rose as he pulled her closer than allowed.

“I could hold the world and it would never be enough.” Not without her to hold his hand. His lips ghosted her ear and shivers wracked her body. “You sparked a dream in me, Yumemi. Thank you.”

Discreetly, she kissed his clothed shoulder, “I’ll always be your dreamer.”

He straightened himself with a smile. Reassurance surged through his blood hotter than any desire. All he would either need was his dreamer.

-

*referring to being born of the Lower World, not necessarily about class.

Chapter 2: My Heart Beats to Yours

Notes:

Inspired by: Symphony by Clear Bandit & Zara Larsson

Yumemi skipped ahead of Munto, greeting everyone she came across. Hugs and kisses, polite bows and curtsies. She delighted in the goodies conjured for her to try. Children dragged her into games. Munto kept pace, a careful eye on his dreamer.

Oh, how she’d grown since they first met. So scared, so timid. Of course, in his rash haste, he had not properly introduced himself or his cause. Simply expected her to help. How stupid of him. There was no time before. However, the time for excuses had passed. No, he must address the hurt and fix the damage. His year long disappearance had done its own hurt. His intentions stemmed from the nightmare fueled visions, pure hearted as they were. No basis in reality. 

Yumemi accepted his apologies with grace. He kept his promises to her with caution to them both that life had its own plans. She, her school and friends, that he would never interfere with even if that involved breaking a promise. He, with his kingdom and people, could not keep to every promise made. Which is why Yumemi suggested they swear to always communicate. One both would be capable of keeping even if plans were canceled or rescheduled. 

Munto could not express his gratitude for her acceptance. He knew, though, that his words only held any caliber so long as he matched them with action.

His intentions toward Yumemi changed with each shedding of summer and thawing of winter. Anyone could see that. After their first explosive encounter where she crossed the continuum unaided other than the power that flowed through her and brought a temporary boon to his world, her memories lashed at his mind. He could barely comprehend her world. He understood the feeling though. The despair, the loneliness, the outcast labeling. The pink umbrella brought a sour feeling to his gut. But the why haunted him most of all. Her gift, her destiny, brought pain to her young self that echoed into her adolescence even if it appeared abated. A fierce, protectiveness gripped his heart. He couldn’t bear the sight of shiny green eyes, welling with unshed tears. Or her frail body shattering like glass.

Munto shook the thought. His dreamer was not that fragile. 

Nevertheless, Yumemi’s determination and strength sparked a different kind of feeling in him. Her trust when she jumped from the ferris wheel… The belief he was there to help her and her people… He’d never felt a rush like that before. Despite the hurt he caused, she trusted him blindly. 

The thrill of it only came after he had her nestled in a warm bed. Quiet and alone, a low thrum began in his chest. It didn’t hurt per se, but Munto had no other word to describe it. From there, the bridging of their worlds took precedence. 

Now, flaunting the restored glory of his kingdom, Munto leaned against a building, the thrum of pride and affection filling his heart as Yumemi was swept with the crowd. Losing sight of her brought a new feeling. Well… not new. 

A disease scoured the corners of his mind until it gained momentum to come to the forefront. Yumemi did not need a man of perverted thought watching her every move. Honing in on every smile, every glance like some beast, hungry and impure. His courtship might very well be far too much. Yumemi was younger than he, still in school, and barely of consent - if even! - in her native country. 

Munto could not help his desire. Not when, after so long of war, he can breathe peaceful air. When this unbelievable girl, commanding destiny in the palm of her hand, has brought life and music to his people. To himself. The color of their sunsets and sunrises, the way light gleams off the Akuto fruit and glitters children’s mischievous eyes… Music echoed in his ears for hours after banquets and left him feeling somehow hollow and whole at the same time. She restored so much of his world. He could hardly fathom the idea most days let alone walk among it. 

If he could describe it, Munto would say it felt as if the sky had clouded some time when he was too young to recall much of the sun and bright sky, and she laughed at him - as she was prone to do - batted the clouds away and turned on the sun with a smile. 

Would it be so wrong to bask in her light? To be infected with her happiness? A day of her could sustain him another lifetime. But greed boiled his insides. He wanted more than a day. He wanted lifetimes of her sweet smiles and melodic laugh directed at him. Part of him thought of a golden bird in a cage. He couldn’t bear such a thought. Not for his Yumemi. It helped little that such a thought brought with it Gntarl and his attempt to crystalize her. If he ever did - ever attempted - he’d walk straight off this island and never catch himself. 

Suddenly, a bundle of warmth and laughter filled his arms. Yumemi wrapped herself around him, shocking the negativity from him. The spiraling thoughts stopped. 

“There you are!” Yumemi tugged him into the plaza. “Don’t leave me like that,” she whispered, grasping his arm tightly. 

“Sorry.” Munto freed his arm to wrap around her waist. “Let’s return to the palace.”

Yumemi flashed him a grateful smile. Her distress melted, obviously overwhelmed by his people’s enthusiasm. The crowds parted for the couple, giving her breathing room. 

Perhaps, Munto did not need to beg for such affections. Not when she sought him out and bestowed happy smiles upon him. Her sweet perfume tickled his nose as she leaned happily into his side. 

He could have this. She wanted him to have this. And he’d do everything to keep her smiling.

Chapter 3: Death, a Great(er) Form of Love

Notes:

Inspired by: Trampoline by SHAED

Munto laid on his bed. The quiet night soothing and cool on his skin. He had no desire to sleep. Not tonight when he held in his hand a most precious gift. A simple chain with a red jewel dangling from it. Yumemi’s parting gift. 

Leaving her on her parents’ doorstep, Munto felt quite hollow. Yumemi saved their worlds and he barely knew her at all. Her memories imprinted upon his mind did not count. It was a cheat. Horribly invasive and he’d have rather her confide in him such dark times. He’d rather know her favorite color was pink because she told him or he’d seen her choose the color enough to guess. That she’d been ecstatic at Chikara’s birth and loved him both in spite and because of his annoying tendencies because she told him. Because he got to watch them interact, observing their affectionate rivalry. He wanted to know her over walks in the gardens and her trying Akuto fruits. He wanted to put in the work.

Munto did not lie to himself and say he wasn’t smitten. Yumemi grew more beautiful in her maturity. Her stubborn determination and selfless innocence were to be cherished. The timidness of their first meet unseen upon the second.

He could admit in the quiet night, a part of his heart remained with her. Dark thoughts of her plagued him for the last year. New thought plagued him now. Small moments of her smiles, her laughter, the raw determination. Earlier, his chest felt hollow. Truly, his heart left behind with somber, but hopeful green eyes. The chain intertwined with his fingers brought a fire to his gut. One he hadn’t felt before. For the fire shot upward to his heart, beating it fast. A sign it indeed remained right where it should be.

How could one feel so alight with fire yet cool as the breeze? Goosebumps rose across his flesh but he felt no chill. 

Such a feeling was sublime to him. Foreign but beautiful. Entranced, he brought the jewel to his lips and thought of nothing but pink and cherries and emeralds. What bliss to live in. 

A numb part of him called this happiness. A different part called it death. He didn’t care.

No stress lined his face. Only the gentle curve of a smile. He knew tomorrow night, if at all possible, he’d return to this trance and beat life into his heart with sweet memories of her. Fleeting as they were… but perhaps, there would be time to collect more in the future. 

Munto chuckled, an unforgiving sound. All this? Folly. But, a beautiful folly.

He could live with that.

Chapter 4: Who Do You Love?

Notes:

Inspired by Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato

Munto relaxed on his throne, a goblet resting loosely in one hand. The day had barely begun. Nobles and merchants began to flood the hall under the watchful eye of the guards. 

Yumemi had been pulled into conversation by one of Munto’s old tutors. They’d been generous in their help with her studies and court etiquette. But soon after, a noble swept her into greetings and a full introduction to his friends. That gave an opening for others to crowd around, offering bows and smiles. 

Munto frowned but made no attempt to get up. Rui stood on the far end of the hall. He stopped his conversation with Shuza to take a quick glance at Yumemi then locked eyes with Munto. Rui smirked. Shuza followed the general’s line of sight and raised a brow to his king. Both returned to their conversation after a piercing glower. Neither seems bothered by Munto’s ire. They appeared to be laughing, in fact. 

In fairness, it was Munto’s own fault. He’d been distant this past month, much to his chagrin. Political matters clouded his thoughts while meetings clogged his schedule. Yumemi assured him, she took no offense. She spoke of her university schedule and workload, how things were busy for her as well. But it only temporarily relieved the guilt. 

Yumemi shone today. Her outfit a modest and chic look for the women of the Lower World. She kept her hands poised in front of her. Her head bobbed as she intently listened and nodded in greeting to those new to the conversion. 

One thing Munto made excessively clear early on, Yumemi’s status rivaled that of any monarch. In fact, Gas, the last Outsider, would have been the only one to stand as her equal. Even that was debated. She need not curtsy or bow, though she must return lower nobles’ bows with acknowledgment as Munto would. To other monarchs or respective nation leaders, she would bow. But, no deeper than they did and Munto made sure they gave respectful, deep bows when greeting the Girl of Destiny. 

Munto swelled with pride at how well she took to the etiquette classes Still, such thoughts withered under her laughter. What a jealous fool he could be. Honestly, how dare he doubt her devotion?

Of course, he was, as they say, a hot and cold lover. Not out of intention! As king, he did not have the freedoms many people thought. The guilt did not abate.

Munto could not express himself as well as he wished even after several years together. He could not always hold his word, be there for celebrations, offer support at all hours. Reasonably, no one could, but Munto could not consider himself a reasonable man when it came to Yumemi. 

Needless to say, Munto felt as if his “courting game” (Ichiko’s term) had fallen dramatically. That he’d been less attentive and appreciative of her. “Bad at love” is not a term he associated with himself, but the idea slowly crept up on him. 

If he lost Yumemi… unfathomable. Unacceptable. To let a woman like that slip through his fingers? He’d be the biggest idiot of all the world. What else could he be living for if not her gracious smile? What use were his hands if not to hold her fluttering heart to his chest? 

“You’re brooding.” Snapped from his thoughts, he found emerald eyes boring into his own. Amusement brightened them. 

Yumemi brushed a wry hair from his face as she waited for an answer. 

“You’re a star.” That got him a raised eyebrow.

“Not your dreamer anymore?”

“You will always be my dreamer. But today, you shine like a thousand stars.” Munto took her hand, intertwining their fingers.

“Oh? So you’re saying that as I grow older I will eventually turn into a giant and explode? Killing everyone in our collective universe?” She titled her head to the side, purely innocent, except for the twitching of lips and the mirth that refused to leave her eyes. 

Munto had no words for the dramatics. He only offered her a droll stare. 

Yumemi broke the act, laughing freely. She kissed his knuckles sweetly and added, “I’ll always be your dreamer.”

He squeezed her hand and choked out a thank you. She nodded, bobbing a quick bow, and shot off to a side door. She had studies to attend and he had a court to get underway.

Chapter 5: Please, Mercy

Notes:

Honestly... this entire chapter was meant to go differently, but I started writing and this is what came out.

Inspired by: Mercy - Shawn Mendea

Munto fought hard to compose himself. Rui stood beside him, occasionally reaching out to grab Munto’s elbow and prevent undo pacing. 

“I am sure Yumemi loved the outfit you commissioned.” Rui laid a hand on his shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. 

Munto didn’t look at his friend but nodded. This commission had been a well kept secret until today. It left knots in his stomach. He hoped she enjoyed his efforts. 

The ball has been on the agenda for a full two years. On several occasions, it’d been delayed, straight up canceled, and at one point reduced to merely a luncheon with diplomats. However, he began the commissioned outfit the first time the ball was mentioned. 

Three months for the design to be finalized. Another month until Munto approved the material for both fabric and embroidery. He vetoed seven prototypes. Only requested the jewels and tiara in the last three months after a junior seamstress showed him a picture of an exaggerated hairdo involving looping hair and jewels. She told him they called it a sort of “peacock” bun and it did remind him of the creature’s feathers. 

His head seamstress, a kindly woman who’d been in the position for decades named Labiba, worked on the dress herself with very few junior seamstresses assisting. She oversaw every hand that touched it. She also created the first ball gown Yumemi wore to a ball.

One might suggest that the use of Akuto would make such work easy, but any spell caster knew that simple conjuring of fabric was easy. Forming that fabric and detailing it required experience and patience. Akuto did not always work favorably and sometimes, things needed to be done by hand. 

Munto was quite surprised to find Chikara first defending the difficulty of using magic when he visited some odd years passed. His mother had made a comment about how certain things must be easier with the use of magic and Munto did not doubt her on such a thing. Doing housework and the cooking must be tiring and he certainly knew that magic did make his life easier. Granted, he’d been with magic since he was a boy so it was as natural as anything else. However, Chikara butted into the conversation explaining the difficulty of learning and the energy used, often referring to several video games he had been playing at the time. Some Munto knew had complex systems integrated to bring a challenge to the game. 

Chikara even managed to get into a lengthy discussion with one of his tutors on the subject matter. The thought brought a wonderfully needed distraction. It nearly made him chuckle. He should suggest bringing the boy to one of his people’s festivals. It would be absolute chaos. 

Munto quickly ran his hands over his vest, checking sweaty palms and golden buttons. Labiba surprised him last week with this one. 

“You’re father always preferred silver but I see now why you obsessed with gold since you were little.” She smiled at him and closed his gaping mouth with a gentle finger. “You cannot possibly think I would spend three years on your commission for the Akuto princess and not think to design a matching outfit for her escort, hmm? Don’t think so lowly of me, Munto- sama .”

“Never, Labiba.” He kissed her cheek, an infectious grin splitting his face. 

So now, he waited beside Rui, clothed in a soft black garb with his vest so heavily decorated in gold the black fabric beneath could not be seen. His side cloak hung over his left shoulder, an inky black underside with heavy gold decorating the front. The embroidery on his cloak depicted a beam of light with a flower at the base. Wild golden strands circled the image like a vortex of wind. Lion heads, flowers, and spiritual runes of ancient spells bordered the lining. 

Rui appeared striking in a similar outfit of navy, minus the cloak and the heavy embroidery. He kept himself modest and simple for tonight’s affair. Shuza stood across from them in simple black with Ryueri by his side in a calm lavender dress. Rui would have no escort for tonight, as his task laid with shadowing the royal couple. 

Tonight, they were in foreign lands, and peace was only now beginning to be formalized. Yumemi neared the end of her university years and now , only now, could there be peace. It irked Munto but better late than never. 

“It is almost time for our introductions.” Ryueri nervously glanced between the hallway and the double doors. 

They all straightened at the sound of hurried footsteps.

Yumemi came rushing down the hall, two servants fixing her skirt as they moved. 

“I’m sorry! I mess up my hair.”

“No worries, Yumemi-hime.” Rui smiled at her and beaconed her to stand with Munto who’d frozen as soon as she appeared. 

Munto’s mouth hung slightly agape as he drank in her image. No Heavenly or mortal words of any language could possibly describe her tonight. 

Rui nudged Munto roughly. He tripped forward, taking up his position in front of the doors, and offered his arm. Rui swung Munto’s cape into position before backing away. Ryueri and Shuza would follow behind the king and princess with Rui stuck in the far back of their trail. 

“Labiba said you commissioned this.”

This being a dark emerald ball gown with golden embroidery around the entire corset and at the skirt’s hem. Flowers lined a sweetheart neckline and off-shoulder straps. From the flowers, peacock feathers extended down onto the waist with some flowers cascading down. The design wrapped around to the back where the laces crisscrossed. At the hem, feathers and flowers reached upward in every other curve of the skirt. 

Just as Munto first thought, no other could wear such a design. Only his love could look so thoroughly stunning. 

Yumemi’s hair cascaded down the side in large hoops that began on one side of her head and headed down her left. Each loop accented with an emerald teardrop framed in diamonds. It took hours to complete. To top it off, he had a simple tiara crafted of pure silver and embedded with white sapphires to lay flat against her head. 

Munto would need to give the junior seamstress a grand thank you for the suggestion. 

Yumemi would shine brighter than any star tonight. A beacon of pure Akuto. Every woman’s eye would be green at the display. She’d been a shining star in most gatherings, often making the ladies at court jealous. She did not often dress so finely, dripping in wealth, and did not need to to make heads turn. 

Munto could not help the grin that spread across his face. Tonight, he had every intention of being quite smug with Yumemi on his arm. Especially now that their relationship had been well known and quite tested by the last few years. 

“I did,” he at last answered. His eyes did not stop roaming over her, soaking in all the details of her. He wanted to memorize her beauty. 

“Thank you.” Yumemi shot a quick glance at him. A blush dusted her cheeks and he could see how she bit her cheek in nervousness. “I fell like an actual princess.”

“Of course. You are one after all,” Munto replied, blustering. 

“You look handsome.” Yumemi reached out to smooth a hand over his vest, adjusting one of his buttons. 

“Well, I do aspire to be a fitting escort for the Girl of Destiny, all Pure Akuto, and savior of both the Lower World and Heavens.” His words only caused her blush to deepen and Munto felt a slight pinch at his back from Ryueri. 

Yumemi did not need to be flustered by his flowery words! 

“Thank you.”

“Hmm.” He kissed her temple. “Chin up, my love, it’s our turn.”

At last, the doors opened to announce them. Yumemi kept her head held high, hand clutching Munto’s arm. This would be her first ball in a place not her own. In a land completely foreign to her. 

Part of Munto worried his commission was too much. It certainly dripped with wealth. The gold, the jewels, all things Yumemi had yet to be accustomed to. Her previous outfits were stunning, but modest in design and cost. Fewer jewels. Less prep time, certainly. 

It gnawed on his mind until finally, they broke from introductions to have the first dance of the night. 

“Please tell me if I misstepped in my design.” Munto pulled Yumemi close and swung her into the first steps. 

“Not at all. It’s more than usual. More… eye catching.”

“Then, I apologize for the surprise.” He leaned in and kissed the corner of her eye. 

“No! It’s lovely, truly!” She squeezed his hand, nearly losing her step, but Munto kept her from falling. 

“I’m glad. You are beautiful tonight. I did not say so before as I tried to keep my tongue off the floor.” Yumemi laughed at that. “You see, I planned this dress when the ball had been only a floating idea. Labiba did amazing work, but nothing could prepare me for you coming down that hall.”

“You did look frozen when I joined you three.” She bit her lip, unsuccessfully hiding a smile. 

“Yes! Indeed, I am concussed.” Munto twirled her around and drew her back into his arms. “Have mercy on me tonight. I am afraid, with you standing so near, I’ll be most unlike myself.”

“I can tell.” Yumemi leaned into his hold and the anxiety of earlier washed away. “You were quiet on my introduction.”

“I feared my gift far too much.”

“Only shocking and I am quite nervous tonight coming here. But, you make it easier.” Her hand slid from his shoulder to gently hold the back of his nape. 

“Then, you know I speak truly when I say,” and the seriousness that befell him seized her entirely, “that you are all to me. That you cradle my heart and soul. I would never allow embarrassment or shame to you. This is why I commissioned all this. And, you know, I would gladly sacrifice myself for you. Twice, if necessary.”

“I would never let any harm my king.” Such a strong conviction humbled him entirely. 

Yumemi never failed to stop his heart and make his brain turn to mush. In such a moment, honesty coated his tongue, and though, his lips felt numb, they opened to speak. 

“Once, my pride was all I had. But, you’ve stripped me of that as well. This is why I beg mercy.”

“A strange time for such a love confession, Munto.” Yumemi cupped his cheek and lead him from the dance floor. 

Rui joined them as they headed for the refreshments. 

“Is it?” Munto let Yumemi go to pour herself a glass of wine. 

Yumemi let the thought sink and sipped her drink.

“Perhaps not. It is you after all.” She leaned in close encouraging his arm to wrap around her. “Know, my king, your plea has been heard but ignored. As I’ve never a king all to myself.”

Munto scoffed at her play.

“As my lady demands.”

“And you have plenty of pride left, love. I assure you of that.” Rui snorted off to the side and it only encouraged her. “I also assure you there is plenty of time to strip you of it.” Her eyes slowly dropped then crawled back up to meet his eyes. “Among other things.”

“Please, you two. We are in a public not our own.” Rui kept his eyes moving, dancing over the other guests here tonight to avoid rolling his eyes at them. 

“I am not the one who began with a horrid love confession while I parsed the long glances being shot my way.” Yumemi took another sip, eyeing the dancers. Her appearance in more ways than one brought a lot of attention. 

“ I did not twist this into a lustcious foreplay.” Munto tightened his grip on her. He had seen the glances as well and as much as he did not appreciate them, he did find it exhilarating that she would be leaving with him. Both pride and love warred for place over his lady’s appearance tonight. 

“Worry not, Yumemi-hime. I am here to keep the leerers at bay while Munto-sama is much too busy drooling over you.” Rui finally turned and winked her way. “He says he’s lost his pride but I say he’s only grown a bigger head with the most beautiful woman in all the Heavens on his arm tonight.”

“Munto-sama, Yumemi-hime, I would like to introduce you two.” Ryueri interrupted their playful banter and gestured to several nobles a few feet away. She barely raised an eyebrow in their direction, but Yumemi guessed she was not nearly as amused as Rui at their play. 

“Of course.” Munto guided Yumemi over in a graceful stride. 

Shuza and Rui trailed behind, keeping politely out of the conversation but in arms reach. Tonight would long, but Rui believed for their royal couple, it might be longer…

Notes:

Bonus:

“Seeing as Munto has been swept away… Rui?” Yumemi held out her hand expectedly and the general lead her out onto the dance floor.

“I promise, no horrid love confessions.” Rui swung her into the dance, seamlessly leading them in time with those already there.

“Oh,” Yumemi grinned, “now that would be embarrassing.”

“Indeed,” Rui nodded in all seriousness, but the amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. “You would have to let me down gently.”

“Well,” Yumemi shot back, “I do apologize, as I am still practicing my Akuto” - advanced lessons, he knew - “and so it may not be so gentle.”

Rui could only grin at her.

“I’ll prepare for a rough landing, then.”

Chapter 6: Beautiful Folly

Notes:

Inspired by: Lights Down Low - MAX

Munto tiptoed into the small study reserved for Yumemi. He had it made up for her the first time she stayed longer than a night. A quaint room with plenty of desk space and shelves for decoration and the spare textbooks. The drawers had spare paper sticking out and Munto knew pens could be found in almost every corner. 

Yumemi currently sat, head fully bent over, with a fist helping to support her neck. Upon closer inspection, the pen was tipping out of her hand. He could hear her even breathing. 

Munto chuckled, turning back to close the door. He didn’t want any interruptions and everyone knew not to disturb when the door was fully shut. Quietly, he rounded the table. He set her pen aside, causing her eyes to flutter open. Still, sleep hung heavy on her shoulders. She barely moved to greet him. 

“Shh.” Munto tucked her hair behind her ear. His hand trailed down to her nape where he massaged the stiff muscles. 

“Hmm?” Slowly, she stretched, waking in full. “Munto?”

Again, he chuckled. A soothing sound of amusement. If Yumemi had her head pillowed comfortably on his chest, it would have tickled. Munto scratched at her scalp for a moment, waiting for her to settle back into a peaceful doze. Once her eyes closed, he gently slid in behind her, careful as he curled her into his lap. 

She murmured nonsense at him, but he hushed her. It didn’t take long for her to relax against him. He continued on with whispered sweet nothings into her hair. His murmurs almost came out like a hum, traveling out from deep in his chest and barely rolling off his tongue. The words got lost in her hair, but she couldn’t hear him anyway. 

Years prior, with the deaths of his parents and the harsh betrayal of the UA, Munto never thought he could have such happiness. The peace that surrounded him now had never appeared in any vision. Ryueri once suggested his Sight could not extend past his ability to see a brighter future. He’d been raised in grief and then war. He didn’t train his Sight as his mother and Ryueri had, able to sift through their emotions and allow their Sight to be unhindered. He often got in his own way, in more ways than one. 

Munto’s heart banged against his chest like a drum. Not fast but strong. Wrapped in an emotion he learned to be love. Such a strong emotion that’s torn up his insides on a near weekly basis. Like now, drowning his heart until fit to burst. Slowing his mind until time no longer existed. It was merely a construct anyway. 

Munto liked to consider himself a good king. He did what he thought best for his people considering the circumstances. He wanted their success, their happiness and joy, for those things were his as well. But here, with Yumemi curled in his lap, part of him thought it all was for her. The destruction of his world would destroy hers. Her sadness was his own. Her success was his success. And if her safety meant bringing the Heavens to order, then so be it. He’d spend a thousand years of war, of diplomatic meets, and failed treaty after failed treaty to ensure her joy. 

He relaxed back into the chair. His sweet nothings tapered off as he enjoyed the weight of her in his arms. She could have the best of him on a silver platter. She can take her pick of his offerings. 

The sunset low, casting shadows. Munto hardly noticed. Her breath ghosted along his collarbone. Her hand curled above his heart. Her legs dangled off his, feet kept warm by a cute, fuzzy pair of socks. Her hair tickled his nose with every inhale, filling his sense with her .

Oh, he was so comfortable and warm. Eyes open, but mind dozing. Drugged out of his mind. Ecstasy running through his veins. Throat parched but not for water. 

Munto kept an arm slung over her waist as the other dangled mindlessly. 

Yes… he liked this feeling. Had felt it before with fantasies of love clogging up all rationale. The beautiful folly. The forbidden. The out of reach, unobtainable. Sat in his lap…

His head lolled to the side but his eyes remained open. He couldn’t bask if he slept, so open they remained with gold obscuring most of the view. 

Munto hummed. A smile crinkling his eyes. 

“You’ve got the best of me, my starlight dreamer.” And he never wanted something more.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 10 of Branching Paths