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Mirio couldn’t believe how cute they are. He counts himself as super lucky to be on this expedition. They had discovered a new planet just outside of their solar system with life. A few scientists joined the crew to try and gain more information about this new lifeform. Mirio also joined as one of the five ambassadors to try and make contact and create an alliance.
The aliens called themselves Bunkins which made the crew chuckle. The Bunkin have a sort of bunny-like appearance; long, floppy ears and a puffy tail resting right at its tailbone. Their legs are extremely strong and they’ll often see the Bunkin hopping around as opposed to walking. It was easy to make contact. The Bunkin are very friendly and were very eager to learn more about the strange Humans.
“I think one of our friendly Bunkin guides has taken a shine to you,” Nejire teases, nudging Mirio as he reads his tablet.
“Huh?” He glances up, catching emerald green eyes watching him closely. Once those eyes realize they’ve been spotted, they quickly disappear and the Bunkin hops away. “Oh. You think Izuku has a crush on me?”
“I do.”
“Me too,” Amajiki murmurs from his spot. “I’ve been looking up their courting rituals and he’s been trying to court you. I think he wants you for a mate.”
“Eh?”
“Why were you looking up Bunkin courting rituals? Is one trying to court you?”
Amajiki turns red. “Maybe, but we’re talking about Mirio here.”
“Hmm, do you think I should ask him about it? Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
“I don’t think so. We could always call back to Earth and ask. But we’ll have to wait until after we meet with the king today.”
“Right. I’ve got all the information gathered, so we’re ready.”
**********
The meeting with the king has been going well so far. Well, up until this point.
“Excuse me?” Mirio stands there, shocked. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I understood you.”
The Bunkin king shifts in his chair. “To create an alliance, there must be an exchange, correct?”
Mirio nods. “That is correct, Your Majesty. We have some options of precious gems, trade agreements, and other items for you to look through to choose from.”
The king shakes his head. “No. We need something more concrete. Objects and agreements can easily be forgotten or destroyed.”
“Ah…”
“Therefore, one of you must mate with my son to cement this alliance. Marriage, in your terms.”
Mirio clears his throat. “Would you give us time to talk with our colleagues?”
The king nods. “Of course. Take all the time you need. We will be here when you are ready.”
Mirio, Amajiki, Nejire, Kendo, and Kaibara exit the throne room and head down the hall to their office given to them by the Bunkin king.
“What are we going to do?” Amajiki leans against a desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “We weren’t prepared for that.”
“We need to contact Earth and talk to Sekijirou-san. They might have a protocol for that.”
Kaibara nods. “That’s a good idea. I’ll set up a call.” He moves to their hologram, setting it up to call back to Earth.
“If they agree to it, then we have to figure out which one of us is going to marry the Bunkin prince. Mirio has one that’s interested in him and so does Tamaki. I don’t know how their instincts work around choosing partners and jealousy.” Kendo pulls out her tablet and starts looking at a few things. “I’ll see what I can find.”
“Good idea.”
“Alright, the call’s up.”
**********
After conferring with their bosses, the ambassadors return to the throne room. Mirio notices the emerald green eyes among the Bunkin present.
“We have talked with our colleagues and have come to the agreement that one of us will marry your son,” Mirio says, stepping forward. “How would you like to proceed?”
The king rumbles happily. “Very good. My son will choose his mate from among you. I also have a request, my nephew has also expressed an interest in one of you as well. May he proceed with the courting ritual?”
Mirio glances at his colleagues and receives a few nods. “That is acceptable.”
“Very good. Boys, you may go ahead.”
The blond is stunned to see the emerald eyes step forward and, for the first time, he’s able to see the rest of him. Emerald green hair and fur cover his head and ears. Freckles decorate pale skin. The emerald eyes are big and full of wonder and excitement. He’s very muscular and holds himself confidently.
“I choose him.” The emerald eyes point at Mirio. “I want him as my mate.”
“Very well, my son. What about you, Nephew.”
The other Bunkin has flaming red hair and pointy teeth. His lop ears are black and his body is nicely sculpted as well. “I want this one.” He points at Amajiki. “Can I have him?”
The king looks towards Amajiki. “What say you, Human? Will you agree to court and mate my nephew?”
He nods hesitantly. “Y-yes, Your Majesty.”
“Wonderful!” The king claps his hand. “My son, Nephew, I wish you luck in your courting. We shall have a ceremony in sixteen moon cycles. Once the ceremony is complete, the alliance will be cemented.”
The Bunkin present in the room cheer while the prince and king’s nephew step towards their chosen.
“Hi.” The prince smiles up at Mirio shyly. “I’m Izuku.”
“Hello. My name is Mirio Toogata. It’s lovely to meet you, Your Highness.”
He pouts. “No, don’t call me that. Call me by my name. We’re going to be mates, after all.”
Mirio nods. “I apologize. It’s lovely to meet you, Izuku.”
Izuku beams. “Yes!”
“Would you be able to explain your courting ritual to me?”
“Yes, but not here. We’ll go somewhere quiet.”
“Alright. Let me just tell my colleagues something and then we can go.”
“Okay.” Izuku nods and grabs Mirio’s arm. “I’ll come with!”
Walking over to where Kendo, Nejire, and Kaibara stand, he smiles. “Contact Sekijirou and let him know where we stand.”
“We will. Congratulations, Mirio.” Nejire smiles.
“Alright, Izuku. Where shall we go?”
“This way!” Izuku pulls Mirio out of the throne room and through the hallways. They go through a series of doors and hallways until Mirio is sufficiently lost. He’s brought to a large garden courtyard. “Here we are!”
“It’s beautiful!” Mirio looks all around with wonder in his eyes. The plants are so different from Earth’s but no less pretty.
“Come sit!” Mirio looks over and finds Izuku sitting on a bench. “I’ll explain things to you.”
Mirio takes a seat next to Izuku as the greenette explains their courting system. It consists of eight moon cycles (or days) of gift-giving. After the eight moon cycles, a decision is made. If the courted says yes, then the pair spends another eight moon cycles locked away in their den where a nest is created and they bond and consummate. After those eight moon cycles, a ceremony is held to celebrate the new couple’s mating.
“That’s definitely an interesting ritual. Should I get you gifts too?”
“No, it’s alright. I’m the one courting you, so I’m the one doing the gift-giving. Also during the gift-giving phase, we’ll go on outings and I’ll show you around.”
“Okay.” Mirio hums. “May I get you at least one gift? Something from my own tradition?”
“Oh, yes, I suppose that would be alright.” Izuku looks excited.
“Good. I’ll have it for you on the last day.”
“Okay!” They talk for a bit more before Izuku presents Mirio with something. “Technically, today is our first day of courting, so I made this for you.”
He opens the gift and finds a necklace made with handmade beads and teeth. “It’s beautiful.”
Izuku beams. “I made the beads and the teeth are from some of the things I’ve hunted. As the prince, I work hard to protect our people.” His chest puffs out.
Mirio has a feeling that this gift also is to show how well Izuku can provide. “I like it and I’ll wear it all the time.” He slips it over his head and lets it rest against his skin. “There. How do I look?”
He giggles. “Handsome! I can’t wait to learn more about you!”
He can’t help the happy sigh that leaves his lips. “I can’t wait to learn more about you either.”
**********
Mirio paces the office nervously. Today is the last day of the first cycle of courting and he’s nervous.
“I never thought I’d get to see the unshakable Ambassador Toogata nervous,” Nejire teases, reclining back in her chair as she watches.
“I’m nervous too,” Amajiki murmurs. “Today’s the last day of gift-giving and the decision is made tonight.”
“That’s right. What are you guys gonna answer?” Kendo asks, looking up from her tablet.
“Well, it’s not like I have much of a choice,” Mirio grumbles. “But I think I’d answer yes regardless of what my duty is to Earth. He’s cute. I’m going to give him a ring. Like, a wedding ring as a symbol of our traditions.”
“That’s so cute!” Neijre coos. “Tamaki, are you gonna do that too?”
“I think Eijirou would like that. I went ring shopping with Mirio the other day, so probably.”
“I think it’s so cute that two of my best friends are getting some cute bunny husbands.”
“Alright, let’s get back to work!” Amajiki’s face is bright red and he rushes back to his desk.
Everyone chuckles and follows his lead.
I wonder how tonight is going to go…
**********
“It’s a beautiful night out,” Mirio mumbles as he stands outside while waiting for Izuku.
“It is!” Izuku chirps, startling the blond. “Hi, Mirio!”
“Hello, Izuku.” He smiles down at the Bunkin softly. “You look pretty.”
He blushes, glancing down at the flowy white dress he’s wearing. “Thank you. You look handsome too.”
Mirio had put on a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt. “Thank you. Shall we walk?”
“Yes.”
They walk through the beautiful palace gardens, lights twinkling in the trees and the stars shining in the sky. When they reach the center of the garden, Izuku stops and turns to face Mirio.
“I have one last gift for you.” He holds out a package. “Generally, the more dominant in the relationship does the courting, but it’s obviously different in our case. The last gift would usually be a collar for the more submissive one to wear around the neck. It will hide the mating bite given during the second eight moon cycles as the mating bite is a very private thing only close family members are allowed to see.” He pauses. “Since you’re the only one who’s going to receive a mating bite, I made a collar for you. Only if you’re comfortable wearing it!”
“Thank you, Izuku. I will wear it with pride.” He unwraps the collar and gasps at how beautiful it is. Blue and green gems decorate the collar in a swirling pattern. “It’s beautiful.”
He preens at the praise. “Thank you.”
Reaching into his pocket, Mirio withdraws a small box. “Typically, on Earth, we do things slightly differently. Our courting is called dating and that just means that we go on outings to get to know one another. Sorta similar to your first eight moon cycles, ours just can take longer. Then we do what’s called an engagement.” He opens the box and reveals a beautiful jeweled ring. “One of the couple presents the other with a ring and asks if their partner would like to get married. If the partner answers yes, then the ring is put on their finger. Then we plan a wedding and get married, which is sort of like your mating. So, Izuku, would you marry and mate me?”
“Yes!” Izuku’s eyes sparkle as he looks at the ring. “I will!”
Mirio carefully slides the ring onto Izuku’s finger and watches as the Bunkin marvels at the ring. “I would like to have a wedding with you after we complete the mating. Would you be okay with that?”
“Yes!” Izuku jumps into his arms. “I want to learn all about you and your traditions! It’s important that I learn about them because I’m going to be mated to you!”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” He wraps his arms around the greenette. “Now, what’s the next step?”
Izuku blushes. “Well, I’m supposed to show you to our den and that’s where we’ll spend the next eight moon cycles together. I’ve stocked it with meat, vegetables, and water, so we’ll be able to prepare our own meals. We’ll have enough firewood. We’ll spend the first few moon cycles creating a nest and then I’ll fall into heat and we’ll consummate the bond.”
“Alright, well, why don’t you lead the way?”
“Okay.”
Mirio sets Izuku down and lets him lead them through the hallways. They stop in front of a door and Izuku turns to Mirio again.
“Are you ready? Once we step through these doors, there’s no going back.”
“I’m ready.”
The door opens and they step inside. Mirio can’t help but feel excited. I’m going to walk out of this with my own cute bunny husband!