Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Smooth sailing. That’s what Manju predicted. The power of the wind and the clearing of clouds anyone would think so. So why in witches' names was the current fastening.

The waves clashed into each other, rocking the boat back and forth, playing with the ship as if it were a new toy.

“Guild Master Manju!” One of his crew called. “The current is picking up! What do you suppose we do?”

Manju nodded and looked at the patterns of the waves. The smell of salt filled up his lungs while he listened to his surroundings. Butter shell foxes are excellent at picking up upcoming danger and Manju cookie was no different.

“We shall go west.” He smiled. Signaling to the cookie at the helm to change course. They were already ahead of schedule so why not take a detour and avoid any storms. Besides, there might be opportunities for some very promising trades. Manju walked to the edge of the ship, leaning forward against the railings, observing his surroundings once more before pulling out his pipe and taking a drag.

One blink, one moment of vulnerability, could end up with you at the bottom of the ocean. Or in this case, thrown off the ship and gasping for air while patiently waiting for your crew to save you.

Today was not a good day for Manju.

After a hard work of trades the Jagae guild went out to celebrate with a feast in a nice bar in a corner of the Hollyberry Kingdom. Who wouldn’t want a feast after completing a large transaction and multiple other successful trades. They deserve it. Walking down the streets towards the loud building, Jagae peeked inside the small bag she had gotten from a trade. Proud of how efficient they were that day she put the bag away and opened the doors to be welcomed by smiles.

They ate, drank, and laughed. She was enjoying herself and she can tell that her crew was too.

Today was a good day for Jagae.

After that event yesterday Manju felt like a mess. One single strong wave caused the ship to rock and have him be thrown overboard. He wasn’t in the water for long but it sure was exhausting. He even lost his favorite pipe to the endless waters of the ocean.

Oh witches please take pity on him.

Even though Manju felt weak he still got out of bed and continued his routine. He was the captain after all and a captain must live up to their title.

The Hollyberry kingdom was their destination for their detour. According to the map they will be there in approximately 4 days.

Easy enough. He was already regaining his strength quickly. It will be much more tolerable to lead his crew now that he doesn’t feel like collapsing every minute.

However, on the 3rd day, Manju woke up to the sounds of ringing dancing in his head.

Strange. He felt woozy and lightheaded. Still in a sleep-like state he yawned and reached up to the top of his head to scratch his ear. In the moment of contact Manju froze.

An excruciating pain rushed to his ear and screamed all its agony to his head, echoing throughout his mind.

Slowly he dropped his hand and put all his focus to the ringing in his ear.

It rang for long periods of time. Repeating again and again. It wasn’t bad but it was annoying. Then a spike struck through his head and faded just as quickly as it appeared. Erasing any trace of its existence. This causes Manju to hiss at the sudden burst of pain, having his ear droop down a little in response.

The sounds of the clashing waves can be heard behind the ringing. Soon the waves were all he could hear. He waited, waited to see if it would come again, waited to see if it had truly gone away.

Once more he reached up to touch his ear. It still stung. Manju stared at the dim light that found its way through the curtains and into his quarters. Subconsciously the ringing came back.

It was going to be a long day.

The Hollyberry Kingdom has always had very good weather. Occasionally a gloomy day will happen every so often but its beauty never falters. Unfortunately for her, she was there during the rainy season. It had been 4 days since the Jagae guild had arrived at the Kingdom and not once a cloud decided to show up in 3 of those days. Pure sunshine. With no sign of bad weather.

And just like any merchant who was about to set sail for trade, Jagae was pissed when she woke up to see a grey sky. A storm was approaching and setting sail was not a great idea, meaning they are stuck there until the weather clears.

Jagae is a very skillful navigator and captain but what’s a captain with no crew? A risk for her is a risk for her crew and going through that was not worthwhile. Her trades can wait.

As Jagae got onto the deck to start yelling out orders for preparations of the approaching storm she notices a familiar beige ship docked across from her.

Below her, on the dock she spotted the silhouette of a cookie she knew all too well, leaning against a crate.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mandu Cookie! Following us once more?” She accused, but behind that accusation was a pinch of fondness and tease.

As she got closer to the cookie in question she noticed that there was something different about him. His hair was rifled up in a mess, their clothing much more untiedy and wrinkled than usual, and as he turned to face her she saw the tiredness that was painted on his face.

Stopping a few feet away from him, silence came over them. All they could do was look each other in the eye and wonder what has happened since the last time they met.

Breaking the silence Manju slipped his mask back on with forceful ease.

“You are intellectually aware of the difference between Mandu and Manju are you not?” His cheeky smile, finally made, felt off.

She furrowed her brows hoping that he would assume its reason was from his comment. She played it off, trying to pay no mind to the uneaseness his appearance made.

“I am very much ‘Intellectually’ aware of that.” She mocked. “And what are you and yer crew doing here? You here to steal all my clients?”

“Ah yes, why else would I be here other than bring misfortune to you.”

“Well you certainly did, there have been no clouds until you showed up!”

“And it will be for a while. It's going to rain for quite some time.”

He waved a hand as he turned on his heel toward his ship. Jagae watched as he walked to the top with the same annoying confidence he had as he faded from her view.

Their talks were longer than that.

Manju made his way towards his cabin, being stopped once by a member for a report. When that was out of his way and no cookie was in sight. He inhaled the fatigue scent of his red bean paste as he exhaled all the pain he held inside, slouching on command.

He strolled through the endless hall of corridors. With every step a blood boiling pain ran through his ears, them twitching. His tail mimicking it.

Finally reaching the beautifully painted red door he swung it open, closing the door behind him, and landed face first onto the tangled sheets he calls a bed, groaning in discomfort.

The sounds of creaking wood and chanter above on the deck were all too much for him at the moment. The noise felt too heavy for him to handle so here he is laying on his bed.

There is no way he will be able to get any work done with the little parasite in his ear, screaming, without a care in the world.

He turned over to face his ceiling. Doing that took too much out of him. He closed his eyes hoping sleep would grant him the salvation of temporary pain relief but the sleep never came because of the reason he wanted sleep.

Still determined to escape the world he tossed and turned ever so slightly as to not make anything have contact with his ears.

Sleep eventually came but it took a lot of time to do so.

It didn’t last long.

Manju awoke with a headache and a mass of pain rushing down his body. The screaming did not stop.

Looking around his room he met with the closed curtains once more. The light outside was dim showing it was sunset. He glanced around the room one more time before burying himself in his sheets, pray, for the noises to stop.

Chapter Text

Manju didn’t sleep a single second. It was just tossing and turning and tossing and ow-… right… his ear.

The pain was repetitive. It's annoying. He needed to do something. The Hollyberry Kingdom has some healer around here somewhere. His best option was to meet one and see what's wrong with him and get some sort of antidote because he sure does need one before he pops his own ears off.

Getting up everything felt numb. He wanted to plop back down on his bed and forget about ever leaving.

He needed a drag.

Eyes scattering around the room, he was met with disappointment. Not a single pipe in sight. Sure he’d always misplace them but that’s what the extras are for! He sighed, rubbing his temple before taking up the courage to walk out the door.

Jagae was on a small little stroll to a bakery before it starts pouring once more and to her surprise and fate she saw Manju. He was walking on the other side of the street, bag in one hand and pipe in the other as he exhaled a puff of sugary smoke.

“Hey Mannu! Quit-”

“Not Mannu and I have no time for this.” He picked up his speed,

Jagae copied it.

“Huh? Is that so?” She raised a brow.

“Indeed, Ta, ta!” He waved a hand up, his speed quickened and Jagae came to a stop.

Even shorter now.

Inside the bag were contents of prescription and a tiny bottle.

Manju had gone to get aid for his problem and was given a note and designation of where to get his antibiotics.

They were ear drops and were said to quicken the process of healing by killing the bacteria that caused all this.

3 drops, no more, no less.

Lay on something comfortable because you will be laying there for at least 5 minutes.

And DO NOT over use it.

Simple enough. Anything to get rid of it.

Jagae has been sitting in a chair for quite a while now. They have moved themself out of the ships and into an inn for the meantime. The storm has reached and all one could hear is rain. In the chair she just stared at the wall. Wondering. Did she do something wrong? Manju has quit bickering and cut whatever conversation they had short. He's been acting differently from the last time they met. Last time he couldn't get enough of bothering her every time a moment revealed. So why now. Why now is he walking away?

Come to think of it, he hasn't sent a letter either. Last time they came face to face it was 2 weeks ago and in between those two weeks at least 2 letters would have been sent.

One letter has been sent with him talking about how well their trades have been and yada yada, unimportant stuff. After that nothing.

Why?

Thunder struck, shaking Jagae out of her trance. She noticed that she was tapping her foot repeatedly during that time. Scratching her head she let out a frustrated groan.

Why was she thinking about this sly buttershell fox anyways? What he does isn't her business. Their merchants, rivals, she shouldn't let any of this bother her. If he acts differently, so be it. If he loses a couple of clients it will be good for her.

Looking out the window she contemplated on her next move.

She could go on and ignore him and this unrecognizable feeling in her gut and move on.

Or she could face it.

…

“Hey Manju! Manju! MANJU!” Jagae screamed towards Manju who was on top of his ship leaning against the rails. He wasn't necessarily busy. He was just standing there smoking a drag watching over the crew as they checked their goods. It was still cloudy, the rain stopped temporarily, and was going to pick up once more. Jagae had already finished checking all her goods. Finally she had the gut, no, time, to face Manju, and now he's ignoring her?!

Furious she yelled curses to him. Still being "ignored" she stomped her way up on the ship pushing any Manju merchants out of the way when they tried to stop her.

As the raging guild master rampages on the ship a member goes up to Manju attempting to get his attention.

Manju however was so out of it he didn't realize the danger that was quickly approaching him. Only when he felt the stomping of footsteps did he notice he did something wrong.

He took steps back, earring perking up and tail twitching as Jagae shoved herself in front of him.

“HEY ASSHOLE ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL YOU!” She jabbed her finger at his chest.

“H-huh? Madam Jagae, please calm down! Where are your manners?!”

“Where are YOUR manners?! Ignoring me like that!”

“W-what?”

Manju looked around and noticed that everyone on his ship was staring.

He laughed nervously.

“Madam Jagae if it is a conversion you want you could have told me.”

“Didn’t sound like that when I yelled your name!”

“Settle down, follow me, we can talk in my office before the storm recovers.”

She eyed her surroundings. She didn't want to oblige but she didn't want eyes on her even more so she followed.

Pasting by the members and heading below deck she noticed a few things.

1 The members know when to mind their business

2 Although they are not nosy that doesn't stop them from whispering.

And 3 once out of sight of his crew his whole mood changed.

His ears drooped down and his tail did not swing gracefully side to side anymore every time he took a step. Instead they slowed and started to drag themself. When glancing at him she also noticed quiet bags under his eye that were covered poorly with makeup.

Once making it to his office doors he took out a key unlocking the door. Opening the door for her he smiled.

“Come on in.”

Jagae furrowed her brow.

“Shut your trap.”

She went in and sat on the nearest chair, kicking her feet on the desk. Manju followed suit by sitting in his designated seat. He didn't bother moving the boots.

“So what brings you to my humble abode?” Manju started grinning with that tainted smile, leaning his head on his hand.

Without hesitation, Jagae kicked her feet down and leaded forward towards Manju. Getting in his face, Manju sinked in his chair.

“The fuck is wrong with you?”

“Pardon?” He laughed ever so slightly.

“Yer heard me.” She sat back on her chair.

Manju stared dumbfounded, silence screamed through the room.

“You’ve been acting different. I don't like it.”

Manju stared and then laughed.

“My, my, Jagae, all this because of a change of personality. I feel honored to have grabbed your attention.”

That angered her. She muttered something Manju couldn't quite hear.

“Unforuntly I don't have time to deal with whatever is on your mind.” Manju got up and went to the exit. “The storm is approaching us again, we better head back to the inn.”

She was too hot tempered for this.

Getting up she pushed by Manju cursing under her breath as she got further and further away from his sight.

Manju waved goodbye before going back inside and closing the door. Back facing the door and ears plopping toward the ground.

He planned all this.

To make sure he would go unnoticed of change.

His crew hasn't noticed, nor has his clients.

So why?

Why did Jagae notice?

Unknown heat rushed to his cheeks and his tail finally wagged instead of twitched.

His heart beat faster.

A sensational feeling coursed through his body.

All that disappeared as an arrow to his ear was shot, snapping him to reality.

He snapped out of it, these things he was noticing, FEELING, was NOT important.

But he couldn’t help but smile. It was comforting in a way. It made the suffering he was feeling a bit more tolerable.

Chapter Text

A knock at the door.

Who could be knocking at…4…12…it doesn’t matter.

Manju got up and opened the door without hesitation. He was met with light in his eyes and a foggy shadow of someone.

“You look horrible.”

Ah…it's her.

Perhaps it was the sleepiness that made Manju not care about his appearance or the energy he had left in his system..

He hummed.

She looked past him to see what he was doing beforehand.

Nothing.

Just sleeping in what was left of the bed the inn provided.

She looked around.

No one.

Jagae directed Manju as she pushed through and entered the room, closing the door behind her. As she did Manju was shook awake for a second.

Placing hands on Manju's shoulder she got his attention.

“Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

She placed a hand on his forehead.

Normal.

“Well excuse me Jagae.”

Manju shook her off.

“I am doing quite fine.”

She raised a brow.

“Uh. Huh.”

Jagae saw bags under his eyes, smile decaying from his lips, ears and tail twitching, and his body rocking side by side in a way he was struggling to stay up.

Getting ahold of his wrist she dragged him to his bed having him lay comfortably on it while she dragged a chair to place next to his bed side.

Manju didn’t fight. He was completely absorbed by the sheets once contact was made. He still had to keep his image up though.

“My, my, Jagae, don’t you think this is too fast even for you?” He teased.

She paid no mind; his looks said everything.

Manju chuckled nervously as he realized she was seeing past all the layers he had built up.

Jagae sat on the chair she pulled up and crossed her arms.

“It's 1pm.”

He hummed

“Your crew is getting worried, no sign or word from you. They didn’t want to bother you. Lucky for them I couldn't give two shits.”

Jagae started to tap her foot.

“What's wrong with you?” She uttered.

Manju didn't hear her, he was trapped in a daze. The noise around him, all foggy and distorted.

“Manju answered me.”

“...”

“Hey.”

“...”

Getting impatient for a response she lifted his ear to speak into it.

“Earth to-..”

“FUCK…”

“...”

Jagae lifted her hands in surrender while Manju sat up reaching up for his ear but not quite touching it. No one made a move. All they did was let the silence sit and their eyes linger on each other.

“What.”

She broke the silence.

Manju sighed, falling back to the sheets.

“Leave me be at this point.”

He waved an arm in a very lazily way.

Jagae didn't respond right away. She felt bad for whatever she did. He has never acted like that towards her before.

Looking around the room she noticed it was only a mess on the bed. Everything else, untouched. Something caught her eye. A bag. It was left open, next to it a tiny bottle and a piece of paper. Going up to it she picks the piece of paper up and reads it.

Antibiotics. 3 drops. Ear infection.

Reading that she felt bad. Looking back at him he hadn't moved. Jagae picked up the bottle and walked towards him.

“Need help?”

She waved the bottle above him, making him launch up.

“How did you…?”

He pointed at her to which Jagae used her thumb to locate the bag behind her. Answering his question.

“Can I help?”

“...”

He nodded his head and laid down comfortably.

“This one, right?”

Tapping on his left ear, he responded with a hiss.

“Right… sorry.”

Gently removing strains of hair in the way she placed the droplets.

The droplets were cold. Each drop clouded his hearing even more. Heat rose to his face and he made no effort in getting rid of it.

As the last drop made its way in his ear her touch lingered. He always looked soft and now feeling him she can confirm that he was. Something in her chest acted on its own. Something she wasn't familiar with. Jagae took her hand off and turned on her heel to put the bottle away.

Strange.

“Thank you.”

“...”

Jagae turned around to see Manju’s face buried in a pillow. She didn't say anything. She was afraid the beating in her chest would jump out of her. She didn't like how weird this made her feel, frustrated she stormed out of the room.

“Whatever.”

As the door closed once more the fox peaked out of the pillow to see if he was truly alone. He had been completely still when there was someone else in the room but as the emptiness of the room echoed so did the swinging of his tail.

He likes this feeling.

Chapter Text

“Jagae, Dear!”

She froze hearing that from him. As she turned she saw him waving while walking towards her.

“What?” She deadpanned.

She went back to what she was doing, carrying the crate in front of her. Picking it up she was met with his touch landing on her shoulder. Jagae froze once more. His hand landed gently on her, his head on top of it. She whipped around stumbling on her feet, crate still in hand, as Manju rested his posture.

“Hello Dear!”

There’s that word again.

“What ya want. Aren't you too busy moping…” She paused. “How ya doing?”

He just smiled.

“Better thanks to you.”

She rolled her eyes. Shifting her attention back on the crate she was holding, she began moving it on her ship. As she was about to climb up however Manju placed a tiny bag on top of it. She stopped and glanced at it before turning to Manju.

“What’s this?”

All he did was smile now as if it was molded onto his face.

“A transaction if you so please.”

With that he left before Jagae could question him. She looked at the bag then once more at him before dropping the crate and lifting the tiny package. Its packaging was wrapped with the colors of the Manju guild and hung from it a bow and a tiny scroll.

Dear Jagae

Thank you for your help the other day. I appreciate it. You made me realize that my condition had made me turn a blind eye to my guild and with that, I thank you, for I will improve in my well being of not only myself but to my followers as well. To show my thanks I brought a little gift. I hope you enjoy.

She opened the bag to be met with a familiar scent.

Grilled Jelly Clams.

Inside a small container with portions of its delicates.

Jagae's eyes twinkled as she reached into the bag to take the container and open it for a treat. Grabbing one, she was about to dig in until something clicked. Taking the clam further from her face to observe it she realized its contents.

It was freshly baked, nice and warm. It smelled the same but there was something different about it. Different seasoning? Mayhaps. Maybe it was the container or bag. It did have a lingering scent from its giver. The container. Reuseable…

It was homemade.

Jagae's heart suddenly flattered. She just stared at the treat in her hand as thoughts ran around her mind while her brain whispered of sweet dreams. Taking a shaken breath she put some of its contents in her mouth, tasting its flavor.

It was different from what she normally had. It had a hint of sweetness to it. That or it was her head saying it was. The ones she would eat she would get from a restaurant of sorts. It always gave a professionally made appearance. One that said “this isn’t my first time” or something like that. However, one things for sure, it was made by the hands of that fox. And Jagae wasn’t sure why he had done it.

He could have bought it from a business and called it a day but he went through the time and effort into making it and… it was good too.

She hates to give him credit but the grilled jelly calms were well cooked.

Irritated, she sat on the crate and ate the rest of them.

What is with him?

Departure day had arrived. The sky was still cloudy with a bit of wind. They could finally part and set sail to continue on their journey of trade.

Manju checked his list. It contained the reports of his guild, it held new clients and old ones, successful trades and even more successful trades. Information of such. Although he had been absent during their time at the Hollyberry Kingdom his crew had made splendid results. He was truly lucky to have such an amazing crew.

Reaching in his robe he pulled out his pipe and took a drag. He didn't learn his lesson the first time and leaned his back on the railing of the ship. Flipping through the pages of reports he couldn't help but have his mind wander off. His next destination was the Republic.

How curious, would Jagae be there too?

His tail began to swing in swift motion. The sound around him was all foggy except his own voice which sounded like a yell every time he spoke. He took another drag. The smoke felt as if it made its way into his mind, feeling heavy and empty at the same time, but at this point he wasn't surprised.

A loud noise.

It was a voice… sentence…word?

Someone was saying something.

Calling out?

2 syllabus.

The noise was getting louder.

Clearer.

It was his name.

He turned around looking below deck to meet an impatient butterfly.

His favorite impatient butterfly.

“Ay Manju! Come down for a second!”

She was tapping her foot per usual. He grinned.

Walking down to the deck he noticed Jagae was holding a tiny bag. It was a paper bag inscribed with some word he couldn't quite see. It was folded nicely, easy to hold, the Guildmaster held it delicately while waiting for him.

“Yes, Dear?”

A glare was met in response as silence took over.

This amused the fox.

“Here.”

She shoved the bag in his hands as he struggled to get ahold of it.

“W-what is this?”

“I don't like to owe things to people.”

“I see. And this is-.?”

He brought the bag up tilting his head in its direction

“A reciprocal gift.”

“What is inside?”

“Food.”

He got slightly annoyed from that remark. However he expects no less.

“Uh-huh.”

Opening the bag carefully he was met with a flow of heat with a wonderful smell trailing after it. His eyes widened, something Jagae hadn't seen before. She shook it off.

“Your container is at the bottom and the one I used can be thrown away so no need to return it.”

He was quiet but his tail said everything. Jagae tried to pay no mind to it but it was difficult as it always creeped in the corners of her vision. His smile was different as she caught sight of his face. His smile felt unseen, genuine, real. Something he wouldn’t just show anyone. Slightly embarrassed she turned away to walk to her ship.

“I'm off-.”

“Wait.”

Jagae stopped, hesitantly peeking over her shoulder.

“How did you know I like Fried Tofu Jelly?”

“The same way you knew I liked Grilled Jelly Clams. Asking around.”

He chuckled as he looked inside the bag and its contents.

The butterfly couldn't help but admire how peaceful he looked. It was as if it was the first time in a long time.

“Thank you.”

She stared for a second and sighed. Her face felt warm. Bringing a hand up she waved goodbye.

She muttered under her breath.

“Any time.”

It was quiet, the noise around them covering those words. Face out of his view he didn't know words came out of her. However it wouldn't matter if he heard the words or not, he was going to do this again.

It was.

Nice.

As the waves dragged the ship to their destination a certain buttershell fox sat in their office chair. The fox was peacefully writing down a letter with one hand, the other holding a special treat. Every time a bite was taken he smiled. The bag was resting, gently unfolded, on the table, the container next to it holding the few pieces that are left. The room was filled with the scent of Fried Tofu Jelly that was handcraft from a certain butterfly. Remains of sea salt and cinnamon lingered slightly from the bag in which only a specific fox could have noticed. On the paper the words were written neatly, on the top the date, below the start of the letter.

Dear Jagae,