Chapter Text
A Munto Fanfiction: Soft Spot © RedWingedAngel002
Disclaimer: Munto; Sora o Miageru Shōjo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai © Kyoto Animation; Yoshiji Kigami and Tomoe Aratani
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Friendship, Hurt-Comfort, and Romance
Summary: “I just thought you liked to, you know… Take the lead?”
A/N: If all goes as planned, more mature activity will take place in later chapters. ¬‿¬ For now, enjoy the fluff.
Inspired by works of AutumnJolene’s King and Queen chapter: Soft, Willow-Pendragon and Tatertotarmy, and a few personal head-canons: [fav.me/de28srn]
Songs: Paranoia by: Ceui and Starry Eyed by: Ellie Goulding
Japanese Index:
None.
“Talking.”
‘Thinking.’
Memories/Flashbacks.
Chapter 1: Yes or No?
“What a beautiful day…”
The Sun cast high above the gradient blue sky, as a warm breeze rustled the floral hedges amongst the columned balcony, which where they stood. Although Golden Week was just around the corner, the cool spring weather compared more so to June’s summer heat when residing in the islands above.
“You know, it feels a little weird to be back here, to be honest,” Yumemi’s reserved smile dwindled down towards her twirled fingers.
Munto leaned his forearms against the cool stone, giving her his full attention at their even height.
“Why is that?”
“Well…”
At first, the words did not come.
Years of hushed paranormal secrets caused her to hesitate. Expressing how she felt aloud was always a challenge since the days of her youth, however, the girl promised herself to have courage and an open heart, especially towards the ones she loved.
He of all people would understand.
“Well, it was so rushed last winter. With all that was going on, I could barely catch my breath,” she summarized Heaven’s war and literal end of the world beyond the continuum. “Now that everyone is able to see what I’ve always seen… It’s like a dream. A strange sense of nostalgia, I guess? This feeling of home, being here—to a place I have never been before.”
The wind picked up, causing golden locks to dance and obscure her raised vision towards the clouds beyond the curved horizon.
Munto’s soft inquiry broke the lingering silence:
“Was it all you had hoped for?”
“Of course. I get to share it with you.” Catching herself, her heart took flight, and anxious hands wrung the peach-silk tie of her uniform. A morning club meeting called for the garb. “I—! I-I mean…”
Cherry cheeks puffed out hot air, as she reprimanded herself to calm down.
She still was not sure how to act around the King, despite exchanged confessions. Due to protection and avoidance of being taken advantage of in these novel times between worlds, no one knew of their relationship aside his kingdom and her tight circle. Even the seven surrounding nations held doubtful sources of truth, and rumors were caught and swayed.
Just act normal…!
Yumemi had never felt this way towards a boy before, and his patience was appreciated. Holding hands and kissing was new to her—new to them? Half of the time, she was unsure if she were doing it correctly; often ending with sweaty palms and bumped noses. In the few weeks they have been able to visit together in person, those precious moments of romance could be counted between her ten fingers alone. Their secrecy required a time and place for anything intimate—skirting across the public eye. For the time being at least, so he said, and she took his word for it.
Their second meeting five months prior already had its tense moments, which left her palpitating and a bit dizzy, because her whole spirit was drawn by it: the trust they shared. It was so easy to say whatever came to mind, for he listened, that perhaps she over-shared too much—
His chuckle grounded her strung thoughts, as he bent forward to show the gratitude of her meaningful words.
“You are always welcome here, Yumemi. Considering the Magical Kingdom as your second home is…”
Heavy lashes fluttered closed from the warmth of his close proximity, familiar to the growing practice.
Yet, the contact never came.
An emerald iris peeked open, bared to see his half-lidded gaze and charming smile.
“Oh.” Yumemi swallowed the rising disappointment from his refusal to move. “No?”
“No.”
That threw her into a loop.
“Yes to no?” Pink lips firmed distastefully when he pulled back and towered over her.
“No,” he replied in a conceited fashion.
“No to no?”
“Yes,” the answer strained from hidden laughter, which was easily noted by the twitching corner of his mouth.
“I—” Realization then dawned on her, utterly perplexed, and knit brows then rose high. “Are teasing me?”
His bark bubbled to the surface, breaking his composure, and caped shoulders wavered. The caramel sound caused her toes to curl, and she had to remind herself again to—
“Are you flirting with me?” he asked, once his laughter died down.
“I-I don’t know! I was only being honest!” Certain that her ears were as red as her face felt, she pulled at pale bangs to ensure they were hidden. If anything, he was the one who did the flirting! “Jeez. When did you get a sense of humor?”
“Excuse me, I have always been hilarious,” sleeveless biceps bunched in their folding, while a snort huffed passed flared nostrils. Her attempt to hide was negated when his left hand rose to smoothen flaxen locks away. A shiver ran down when the pads of his fingertips gently brushed behind the adorning pearl at her ear.
“Really? As far as I’ve know, you’re always…” her palm fanned across her face, wiping the expression clean, and she dropped an octave, “So serious.”
“Hoh? You dare mock the Lord of All Magic, girl?” he grinned at her tease.
“That’s Girl of Destiny, thank you very much,” a small nod of pride tipped forth.
“…I have a reputation to uphold.”
The reply did not carry his fleeting wit, and she decided to stroke the lighthearted atmosphere aflame once more with a playful nudge.
“Shh. Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret,” a slim pointer brushed at her pursed lips, “I know you’re a big softy underneath.”
“Haha, such a jest, Yumemi.” Sarcasm dripped down his tongue.
A laugh rung, and her chin quirked to the side in question.
“So, yes or no? Tell me?”
“Yes.” Something dark took place in those golden eyes, in remembrance that everything was not entirely innocent beyond closed doors. “I would like you to kiss me.”
“Oh. O-okay,” the words flew before she could rein them back. She was curious at the opportunity to explore a different dynamic.
It was a simple request. No harm there.
…But how much could that exploration lead to?
She had her own personal discoveries found during the time of their separation, coiled and scorched when dreams rooted amidst a state simply defined as yearning. And if he managed to find out—
“Shy?”
Yes. A big part of her was; but more than anything she feared judgment: from him, from herself. Always, always, she had been the one in the background, unnoticed or ignored, and rather dream-cast off in her own world—not the center of attention. Every little step demanded precise accuracy, and she felt the opposite epitome of such demands.
It was why she relied on him so much. He was the one who had the confidence, not her.
“I just thought you liked to, you know…” she hesitated, gnawing her inner-cheek, and her hands curled to protect her thundering heart, “Take the lead?”
The wavered view at her loafers tapered back to his tanned face, which revealed a mixture of marveled affection and amusement. So he was not upset in her assumption?
“Have you waited for the sake of my pride?” Humbled, he searched for clarity.
“No! I-I!” her explanations were cut short by a peck at her cheek, and the nervousness tightened in her gut melted to butterflies.
“Tsk. You are too cute.” Munto cupped her face, gave two pats of reassurance, and shifted wrists to cradle her steady. That was her cue.
She took a breath to calm her pulse and moved upwards on her tiptoes.
“Hey.” There was a bated breath. “You better not hold back.”
An exhale brushed quick past her teeth from his demand.
They joined gently, and it was a kiss as any other, leaving her giddy and cherished. Beginning soft and sweet, and oh, how she was in constant wonderment by the smoothness of his mouth, with his lip pressed above her own, tilting at the change of angles, only to be pulled a bit closer by the shoulder. He was encouraging her to move forward.
Yumemi gave a tentative suckle and there was a hum of approval, glossing her tongue open, which was eagerly accepted by the velvet sensation against her own. She signed at the enjoyment of his flavor. The temperature began to escalate, and hands modestly held between them wandered: in feather-light crimson locks, down the constrictive fabric binding his hard chest terrain, and pulled closer, closer. She felt so swept from it all, that her feet seemed to lift off the ground. Perhaps they had.
He deemed his own explorations: to the dip of her waist and another up the sailor collar wrapped at her clavicle. Surly, he could feel the tempo under his thumb. It was when his palm ventured to the curve of her nape did something snapped: all muscles tensed, folding towards the contact, and the airy disconnect flooded with heat, zipping a thrill up her spine, and hinged to release a very improper moan.
The taste of iron broke the spell and reality set in, pulling away to realize that was way too much, and too close to something very intimate to be witnessed out in the open—
“Oh my gosh! Sorry!” she squeaked and scrambled back to give her shaking self a moment of recuperation, and fanned herself for good measure. “I’m so sorry, Munto!”
How did she manage to get that close to spilling?
“…None taken.” He was completely star-struck; dazed, amber irises dilated and wide.
“Goodness, I never realized how ticklish I am there.” She rubbed the back of her neck to console the goose bumps on her skin, and quickly came to his aid, hand on his cheek in apology. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“I think I can handle a little rough housing to satisfy your appetite.” He looked past her for a moment, mindfully licking the small sore at a thought, and flashed a boyish grin. “Though, perhaps once more to be certain? A bite to go?”
“Oh, very funny.” The soothing caress then turned into a pinch. His grin widened, and she giggled at the new sight, stroking gently once more at his efforts. They had their own obstacles, in means of expression challenges. “This is just a different side of you I get to see.”
“I certainly look forward to more of your kissing confidence. We should practice,” red brows waggled.
She laughed into his awaiting invitation.
A/N: I’ve got at least three chapters planned out, so fingers crossed I follow through. Thank you for the continued support!
— Ari [8.17.20]